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Below is a family biography included in the book, Biographical Souvenir of the Counties of Buffalo, Kearney, Phelps, Harlan and Franklin, Nebraska published in 1890 by F. A. Battey & Company. 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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JOSEPH H. HERNDON, farmer, was born in Mahaska county, Iowa, November 14, 1844. He is the third of a family of six children born to George W. and Rhoda (Jones) Herndon, the former a native of Kentucky and the latter a native of North Carolina. His parents moved from Kentucky to Indiana and thence to Iowa; remaining there a short time, they went back to Indiana. In 1855 they moved to Missouri, settling in Daviess county, where they still live, engaged in agricultural pursuits.
Joseph H., the subject of this sketch, moved with his parents to Missouri, there grew to manhood, and spent his boyhood days attending school and laboring on the farm. Upon reaching his majority he was married to Miss Amanda E. Palmer, a native of Owen county, Ind., daughter of William and Charlette Palmer, who moved to Missouri in 1855. Mr. Palmer died while serving in the Union army in 1865.
In 1883 Joseph H., our subject, sold his farm in Missouri and came to Nebraska, locating in Antelope township, Harlan county. He homesteaded the northwest quarter of section 20, township 4, range 17, and with steady energy and pluck proceeded to make of it a farm. He has also added to his original homestead another quarter section by purchase, making a half section of good land, and now has two hundred and fifty acres under cultivation and raises mixed crops. In addition to general farming he has quite engaged extensively in dealing in stock, and has on his farm at present a number of Clydesdale horses, graded cattle and hogs, and has a large frame residence, two good barns and a fine orchard. Mr. Herndon is a successful farmer, a thorough-going business man, and everything on his place gives evidence of the good management that prevails there. He has served his township as road supervisor for five years and as school director three years. He is a member of the Farmers’ Alliance of Harlan county. In politics he is a republican, and takes an active interest in the party.
Mr. and Mrs. Herndon have had born to them eleven children, eight of whom are now living — Rhoda F., George W., Clara A., Estella E., Hattie L., Gracie Jane, Edward E. and Roy P.
Mr. Herndon and his estimable wife are both members of the Baptist church and liberal contributors to all charitable purposes.
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This family biography is one of the numerous biographies included in the book, Biographical Souvenir of the Counties of Buffalo, Kearney, Phelps, Harlan and Franklin, Nebraska published in 1890 by F. A. Battey & Company.
View additional Harlan County, Nebraska family biographies here: Harlan County, Nebraska Biographies
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