My Genealogy Hound
Below is a family biography included in The History of Phelps County, Missouri published by Goodspeed Publishing Company in 1889. 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.
* * * *
Pleasant M. Gaddy, a worthy and successful farmer of Phelps County, Mo., was born in East Tennessee August 13, 1831, and is a son of Harmon A. and Rebecca (Ray) Gaddy, who were born in North Carolina and Tennessee in 1812 and1815 respectively. The father moved to Tennessee when a boy, thence to Missouri in 1838, and in 1849 located in what is now Phelps County, where he was engaged in farming until his death in 1871. The following are his children who are living out of a family of thirteen: F. M., Eliza (Mrs. Stawhun), Jeremiah, Harmon A., Emily (Mrs. Collier), Louisa (Mrs. Aldrich), Harriet J. (Mrs. Mitchell), Rutha M. (Mrs. Dotson) and Martin F. The paternal grandparents, Jeremiah and Celia (Adams) Gaddy, it is supposed, came either from North or South Carolina, the grandmother being a descendant of the Adams family of historic note. The maternal grandparents, Abner and Ruth (Sparkman) Ray, were Tennesseeans, and farmers by occupation, and the grandfather was a private in the War of 1812, and was a participant in the battle of Horse Shoe Bend. At the age of seven years Pleasant M. Gaddy was brought from Tennessee to Missouri, where, at the age of twenty years, he began life for himself as a farm hand, and is now the owner of a fine property, his real estate consisting of 400 acres, with 175 under cultivation, and he is also the owner of some property in Rolla. He served as sheriff of Phelps County, Mo., in 1876 and 1880, and was appointed county collector in 1884. In 1850 he married Miss Lucinda Bell, who was born in Franklin County, Mo., in 1831, and by her is the father of seven children: Louisa (Mrs. Samler), Sarah (Mrs. Sloan), George W., Samuel, Hila (Mrs. Miller), Harmon and John. Mr. Gaddy has been a Mason for many years, and also belongs to the A. O. U. W., and in his political views is a Democrat. Mrs. Gaddy is a daughter of Daniel and Elizabeth (Ridenough) Bell, who were early settlers of Missouri, and the parents of thirteen children. The father was twice married, and had four children by his first wife.
* * * *
This family biography is one of 71 biographies included in The History of Phelps County, Missouri published in 1889. For the complete description, click here: Phelps County, Missouri History, Genealogy, and Maps
To view additional Phelps County, Missouri family biographies, click here
To view a map of Phelps County, Missouri: Phelps County, Missouri Map
Use the links at the top right of this page to search or browse thousands of other family biographies.