My Genealogy Hound

Joseph L. Lebow. Among the prominent families of Lawrence County, Mo., and one from which have sprung a large number of descendants, is the Lebow family, who were among the earliest settlers of this county. John Lebow, the grandfather of the subject of this sketch, was one of the pioneers of Tennessee. He was a large land-holder and slave owner. His son, Jacob Lebow, and the father of our subject, was born in Hawkins County, Tenn., and married Miss Louisa Henderson. She was the daughter of John and Rhoda (Hale) Henderson. To Mr. and Mrs. Lebow were born twelve children, who lived to maturity: John H., Frances M., Masten M., Doe, Joseph L., Harriet, Amanda, Minerva, Poke, Rhoda, Senia P. and Louisa. Mr. Lebow followed farming in Tennessee, and remained there until 1829, when he moved to Indiana, and settled on a farm In Putnam County. In 1836 he came to Greene County, Mo., and settled near Springfield, where he remained for about two years. He then moved to Lawrence County, Mo. (1838), and settled on the farm now occupied by his son-in-law, Clinton Lanier. Mr. Lebow, in his political faith, was a Republican, and his religious denomination, a Methodist. He was a strong Union man during the late war. He was a prosperous farmer, owning about 360 acres of land. When he first came to Lawrence County there were no houses in Mount Vernon, and the country was very sparsely settled. Mr. Lebow was well known to the pioneers of the county as a hard-working, upright man. He died in 1880, at the age of eighty-two. His son, Joseph L., was born in Springfield, Mo., in 1836, and came with his father to Lawrence County when a child of about two years. He reached manhood on a farm, and received a very limited education, as the schools of that day were poor. In 1862 he enlisted in Company C, Eighth Regiment Missouri State Militia, and served at the post in Mount Vernon. In 1866 he married Miss Mamie J. Woods, a daughter of Judge John B. and Martha (Pace) Woods. Mrs. Lebow was a highly educated lady. Her father, Judge Woods, being a wealthy man, gave her good educational advantages. She attended Newton College at Newtonia, Mo., and also attended Brownville College. She was a devout member of the Presbyterian Church. She died in 1876. To Mr. and Mrs. Lebow were born four children: Clinton L., Pearly, Ora C. and Loy T. After the war Mr. Lebow engaged in the dry goods business in Mount Vernon, and there he resided for several years. He then engaged in farming, five miles east of Mount Vernon, where he remained for seven years, and then returned to Mount Vernon and engaged in merchandising, which he still continues. He is a member of the Presbyterian Church, and in his political views he has always been a stanch Republican and a strong Union man. After the death of his wife Mr. Lebow had the whole care of the children, who were then small. He did the best he could in rearing and educating them. Mr. Lebow is one of the reliable citizens of Mount Vernon, and a man of excellent moral character. He is always ready to use his influence in the cause of good schools and churches, or anything tending to the improvement of the people.