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Below is a family biography included in The History of Spencer County, Indiana published by Goodspeed, Bros. & Co. in 1885. 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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JAMES KILLIAN, one of the substantial farmers of the county, is a native of Decatur County, Ind., born December 30, 1833. At the age of twelve years he left the parental roof to seek his own fortune. He went to Louisville, Ky., where he established a small fruit stand, selling blackberries, oranges, etc. He continued in this business for about three years, when he hired as a cook on a flat-boat going from Louisville to New Orleans. Becoming tired of river life, he rented a farm in Spencer County, Ind., which he conducted several years. February 29, 1859, he was united in marriage with Nancy E. Burkhart, after which he rented a farm in Clay Township, and in connection with his farming bought tobacco for a wholesale house in New York. In 1868 he bought 120 acres of land on Section 29, where he has since resided, and to which he has added fifty acres. He is the father of six children, John M., Mary M., Anna N., Laura B., Robert W. and Myrtle. Mr. Killian’s parents, George W. and Mary A. (McCloud) Killian, were natives of North Carolina and Ireland respectively. They were married in Virginia and soon after removed to Decatur County, Ind., where they passed the remainder of their lives.
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This family biography is one of 344 biographies included in The History of Spencer County, Indiana portion of the book: History of Warrick, Spencer and Perry Counties Indiana published in 1885 by Goodspeed, Bros. & Co. For the complete description, click here: Spencer County, Indiana History and Genealogy
View additional Spencer County, Indiana family biographies here: Spencer County, Indiana Biographies
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