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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Lorenzo Dow Shearer, resident of Section 8, Newtonia Township, was born in McMahon County, East Tenn., October 9, 1851, and is the son of Wiley and Catherine (Ramsey) Shearer, and grandson of James Shearer. At the age of twenty Lorenzo Dow Shearer left his home and located in Obion County, West Tenn., where he was for some time engaged in agricultural pursuits. This he followed until 1880, when he moved to Missouri, located in Newtonia Township, and here again resumed his farming interests; has also operated a steam thresher for some time. He is a wide-awake farmer and a good citizen. While living in Obion County, Tenn., he selected for his wife, Miss Paulina Parrish, the daughter of Ransom and Tobitha Parrish, who were both natives of Alabama. To Mr. and Mrs. Shearer were born one son and one daughter, named as follows: Mattie and Willie. Mr. Shearer has served on the school board, and is at present a member of that body; he is roadmaster of his district; is a member of the Knights of Honor, and he and his family worship at the Baptist Church.
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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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