A sworn 1908 testimony by Michael Alexander Fender details his claim to Cherokee ancestry through his mother, Dicey Brown, and grandfather, Alexander Brown. He describes the family’s migration from Tennessee to Missouri and Illinois, says his relatives were regarded as white settlers, and notes he knows no ancestry beyond his grandfather.
Numerous applications to the Eastern Cherokee Tribe claimed descent from Alexander Brown, who was born circa 1770 in Bedford County, Virginia, and died on September 17, 1837, in Brighton, Missouri. His marriage to Violet Barton produced several children, many of whom lived in Missouri. Despite over 150 claims linked to him, none were verified as he was distinct from the Alexander Brown listed in the 1835 Henderson Roll. This post will document the genealogy of his descendants as further applications are processed.
198 online plat books and atlases organized by county and ordered by date for the State of Missouri. At the bottom of the page are two items that can help you use these documents in your genealogy research. The first is a blog post Plat Books Revealed: Mapping Generations of History and the second a video where Ben Clark explains what plat maps are used for, how to navigate them, and pulls out a few interesting stories from them.
Marion C. Early, son of George G. and Mary A. Early, was raised in Missouri after his family’s relocation from Tennessee. He attended various educational institutions, earning his LL.B. from Washington University in 1894. Early established a successful law practice, contributing to legal scholarship and serving the St. Louis community through the Legal Aid Bureau. He was president of the St. Louis Bar Association in 1918, advocating for revisions in Missouri’s election laws. He remained active in legal associations and higher education throughout his career.
John Goldsberry, born on February 25, 1839, in Pulaski County, Missouri, was the son of William H. and Elizabeth Goldsberry, North Carolina natives who settled in various Missouri locations before establishing themselves in Howell County. Goldsberry served in the Confederate Army during the Civil War before returning to farming. He played a significant role in local commerce, establishing the first store in Mountain View and later engaging in the sawmill business. He married twice and became a well-respected figure in his community, known for his farming, hunting, and contributions to local politics.
Barnett P. Parrish, born on September 13, 1818, in Ohio, exemplifies the resilient and industrious spirit of early American settlers. Moving with his family to Indiana and later to Missouri, he cultivated a life marked by farming and public service. Parrish fought in the Mexican War and served in the Federal Army during the Civil War. Married three times, he raised sixteen children, ten of whom survived to adulthood. Settling in Forsyth, Missouri, he became a well-respected figure, known for his commitment to the community and rich personal history.
Thomas F. Williams, born December 6, 1859, in Polk County, Missouri, has been a dedicated farmer in Taney County, owning 280 acres with 100 cultivated. He moved to Taney County at age seven and later married Mary E. Stuart in 1882. They have two children. Williams has held political roles, including deputy county and circuit clerk, and is a member of the Republican Party. Renowned for his farming and stock-raising skills, he actively participates in community affairs and maintains his farm meticulously.
John H. Middleton, born January 9, 1854, in Bolivar, Missouri, is a prominent figure in Omaha, Boone County, Arkansas, serving as a general merchant, farmer, and postmaster. A product of a hardworking family, he faced early challenges due to his father’s business misfortunes, but persevered to establish a successful mercantile business and acquire 170 acres of land. Married to Alice Noel, the couple has eight children. Middleton is recognized for his generosity and commitment to community advancement, and both he and his wife are active members of their church.
Leroy Adams, born around 1812 in Wilson County, Tennessee, is recognized as a pioneering figure in his community. Orphaned young, he moved to Missouri in 1833 with his mother and sisters. Adams transformed a wilderness farm into a thriving property through hard work, later marrying Mary Ann Cummings and raising six children. An active community member, he shifted from Whig to Republican and was involved in various local businesses. His legacy is marked by his character, contributions to society, and commitment to family and faith.
Samuel G. McCracken, a prominent grain dealer and grocery merchant in Ozark, Missouri, is noted for his business integrity and community contributions. Born in Hickory County in 1851 and of Scotch-Irish descent, he was involved in various enterprises, including grain, milling, and real estate. Educated at Drury College, he began his career as a shipping clerk before co-founding a business with J. M. Doling. With a notable reputation, McCracken also engages in public affairs and serves as secretary of the Schmook Milling Company. He and his wife have raised two orphaned boys.
Thomas R. Appleby, M.D., was born on April 24, 1849, in Polk County, Missouri. He descended from Irish immigrants who settled in America during the Revolutionary War. Appleby pursued medical studies and graduated in 1873. He began his medical career in Walnut Grove, later moving to Barton County and eventually becoming the oldest practicing physician in his county. A successful practitioner and active community member, he was also a charter member of local lodges. He married Elizabeth A. Travs, with whom he had two surviving children.
Maj. James A. Melton, born in Polk County, Missouri, on May 15, 1838, emerged as a pivotal figure in Stone County through his dedication to agriculture and community service. He hailed from a lineage of early settlers, with his grandfather serving in the Revolutionary War. A Civil War veteran, he fought with distinction and held various leadership roles post-war, excelling in farming and public service. Melton was a skilled orator and committed Republican, influential in local governance, and an active member of the Masonic order and G.A.R.
R. Lindley, born in 1835 in Polk County, Missouri, moved to Hopkins County with his father in 1849. He married Effie Sayle and fathered seven children, two of whom predeceased him. Notably, he has supported the professions of two sons, while his son Jahu thrives as a farmer. Starting with little more than determination, Lindley became a prominent citizen and substantial taxpayer in the county. A strong advocate for education, he is respected for his integrity and business acumen.
William S. Norton, born in 1844 in Illinois, exemplified resilience and resourcefulness throughout his life. A Union soldier in the Civil War, he faced numerous hardships, yet transitioned successfully to become a prominent businessman and financier in Cherokee County, Kansas. Norton’s ventures included farming, merchandising, and mining, culminating in his role as president of the Columbus State Bank. An active community leader, he served as a state senator and mayor of Columbus, demonstrating a commitment to public welfare and industry safety. His legacy reflects both personal achievement and community service.
Ad V. Coppedge, born on January 26, 1870, in Missouri, was a significant legal and civic figure in Delaware County, Oklahoma. After moving to Grove in 1963, he became the first county attorney, actively shaping the area’s development. Educated at Ozark College and the University of Missouri, he practiced law in Dadeville before establishing his career in Grove. Coppedge was also involved in numerous community efforts, demonstrating remarkable leadership through various roles, including during World War I, solidifying his legacy as a dedicated public servant.
Judson Wheeler Mitchell, born on July 2, 1863, in West Damascus, Pennsylvania, was a prominent Kansas businessman and manager of The Emporia Ice Cold Storage Company for over 15 years. Descended from a notable lineage, he spent his early life in Pennsylvania before moving to Kansas in 1891. His career included stints in general merchandise and grocery businesses before taking on his managerial role. Married to Henrietta MacKenzie, they had two daughters, Margaret and Christine, further continuing the family’s legacy.
Dr. E. O. Sloan, born on February 25, 1855, in Polk County, Missouri, emerged as a prominent physician in Crawford County, practicing for over twenty-five years. Raised in a family with a rich heritage, he pursued medicine, graduating from the Missouri Medical College in 1881. Sloan initially practiced in Walnut Grove before relocating to Cherryvale and then to Pittsburg, where his ethical standards and dedication to public welfare distinguished his career. A member of various medical societies and the Masonic order, he also contributed to the community as city health officer. He married Lucy Mizener, with whom he had four children.
K. J. Montgomery, known as Jack, is a prominent cattleman and businessman in northeastern Oklahoma, born on January 21, 1887, in Cedar County, Missouri. He learned the cattle business from his father, Thomas R. Montgomery, who was also a successful businessman in multiple ventures. After gaining experience in banking and ranching, Jack independently established himself as a leading cattle feeder on his six-thousand-acre ranch. Married to Leona Gribsby in 1910, they have one daughter and are active members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South.
John W. Potter, born in 1861 in Ireland, was a distinguished newspaper publisher and editor of the Rock Island Argus. Taking over the paper in 1882, he elevated its status and influence within the Democratic party, marking it as a significant voice in the region. A vital community figure, he was appointed postmaster of Rock Island and actively engaged in local politics. His legacy as a genial and polished gentleman endures in the memories of those he impacted, as he contributed significantly to journalism and public service until his death in 1898.
W.T. Cook, born in Polk County, Missouri in 1848, exemplified the pursuit of a respectable life through hard work. His education was disrupted by the Civil War, but he became a schoolteacher to support himself. After moving to Oregon in 1874, he transitioned from teaching to running a drug store, ultimately establishing a stable business in Centerville. Active in politics without seeking office, he participated in significant conventions. Cook married Ella J. Davidson in 1886, and they have one son, ensuring his legacy.