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Below is a family biography included in The History of Gasconade County, Missouri published by Goodspeed Publishing Company in 1888. 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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William H. Spery, a successful farmer of Roark Township, is the son of Joseph and Caroline (Stedley) Spery, natives of Baden, Germany. The former was born in 1824, and the latter in 1828. They immigrated to America, and settled in Philadelphia, Penn., in 1851, and February 1, 1864, located in Gasconade County, Mo., becoming successful farmers and vine-growers, on the farm now owned by their son, William. The latter was born in Philadephia, Penn., in 1861, and when about three years of age was brought to this county by his parents, reared on the farm where he now resides, and secured a fair education in the common schools. At the age of twenty he went to Philadelphia, where he ran a saloon for two years. He then returned to this county, and in 1886 married Miss Louise Birkel, who was born on Wohlt’s Island, about three miles above Hermann, in 1866, and who is the daughter of Frank Birkel. One child is the result of this union. After marriage Mr. Spery settled on his present place of location, and here has a fine farm of 169 acres, seven of which are in grapes. Mr. Spery in a Republican in politics, and he and wife are members of the Evangelical Church. He is a wide-awake young man and a good farmer.
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This family biography is one of 146 biographies included in The History of Gasconade County, Missouri published in 1888. For the complete description, click here: Gasconade County, Missouri History, Genealogy, and Maps
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