Below is a family biography included in The History of Newton County, Missouri published by Goodspeed Publishing Company in 1888. These biographies are valuable for genealogy research in discovering missing ancestors or filling in the details of a family tree. Family biographies often include far more information than can be found in a census record or obituary. Details will vary with each biography but will often include the date and place of birth, parent names including mothers' maiden name, name of wife including maiden name, her parents' names, name of children (including spouses if married), former places of residence, occupation details, military service, church and social organization affiliations, and more. There are often ancestry details included that cannot be found in any other type of genealogical record.
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James R. McElhany is the eldest of four children born to William A. and Nancy A. (Lewis) McElhany, and was born in Newton County, September 8, 1845. He learned the printer’s trade in early life, and followed this chiefly until the breaking out of the war, when, determining to support the principles he believed to be right, he enlisted in the Confederate States army, becoming a member of Williams’ battalion, Shelby’s brigade, Marmaduke’s command. He was at the battles of Wilson’s Creek, Lexington and Pea Ridge, and in all the skirmishes in which his command was engaged up to the surrender in 1865. He was in the saddle and harness business in Texas until 1875, at which time he came to Newton County, and embarked in the grocery business, which he continued until 1880. After holding the office of sheriff for some time he engaged in the dry goods trade in Neosho, but a short time after was burned out, and he did not again engage in the same pursuit, but began in the grocery trade. At the end of a year he sold out, and purchased the Omnibus and Transfer Line. Mr. McElhany was married in 1866, to Emma Wise, a native of Louisville, and by her is the father of five children: May, Roy, Fleta, Laura and Willie.
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This family biography is one of 220 biographies included in The History of Newton County, Missouri published in 1888.
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Newton County, Missouri Family Maps
Neosho West Missouri TOPO Map 24 x 29
Newtonia Missouri TOPO Map 24" x 29
The Two Civil War Battles of Newtonia: Fierce and Furious
Camp Crowder (Images of America)
Abandoned Ozarks: Southwest Missouri
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