Obadiah Persinger was born in Botetourt county, Virginia, January 3, 1815. His parents, John and Rachel Persinger, were both natives of Virginia, of German de-scent. They came to Howard county, Missouri, in the year 1821, and settled at Old Franklin. After residing there two years they moved to Clay county, where they lived ten years, then moved to Clinton county and remained for four years.
On February 23d, 1837, Mr. Obadiah Persinger married Miss Rebecca Elliott, a native of Anderson county, Kentucky, born May 14, 1816. Her parents, John and Ruth Elliott, were born in Kentucky and came to Missouri in 1832, and settled in Clinton county. After their marriage, Mr. and Mrs. Persinger settled in Buchanan county, and were among its earliest settlers. They lived there four years, then moved to Gentry county, and in the fall of 1859 permanently located on what is now their beautiful farm in Benton township. Ten children have beeu born to them, nine of whom are still living and grown to manhood and womanhood; viz., Elizabeth, Rachel, John, Susan, Joseph, Martha, Thomas, Rebecca, James W.; and Lewis E., who died when five months old. When this couple started in life together they had nothing, but moved into a small log cabin without floor, door or chimney, but they were young and had strong hands and were determined to win for themselves and family a home, and nobly have they labored and succeeded. Mr. Persinger has been a local preacher in the Methodist Episcopal Church for many years.
