My Genealogy Hound

Dr. George W. Lansdown, a retired farmer and physician residing in Saline Township, was born in Virginia April 22, 1814, and is the son of Johnson and Sarah (Motley) Lansdown, natives of Virginia. The father was a farmer and merchant by occupation, and lived the principal part of his life in his native State. He died in 1838. His wife died in the same State in 1858. Dr. George W. Lansdown was educated in the district schools of Virginia, and later attended the Red House College of North Carolina, a noted school at that time. He finished his course in 1831, and the next year went to Philadelphia, where he entered the Pennsylvania Medical College, graduating from that institution in 1833. He then came to Jefferson City, formed a partnership with William Bolten, a graduate of the same college, which partnership continued for two years. In 1838 Dr. Bolten, Dr. Lansdown and Mr. Dixon formed a partnership, and Dr. Lansdown came to Spring Garden and started a store. He named the place “Spring Garden,” in commemoration of his home in Virginia. Dr. Lansdown was married in Jefferson City February 24, 1835, to Miss Mary Dixon, a native of North Carolina and the daughter of Warren and Elizabeth (Moore) Dixon, both natives of North Carolina. Her father was a farmer by occupation, and after the death of his wife came to Missouri in 1832, and settled in Cole County. He entered a tract of land, improved it, and here died in 1860. In 1835 Dr. Lansdown settled and named Spring Garden, followed farming, and in connection with his store practiced medicine. He was a resident of Miller County when it was organized, it being named in honor of Gov. John Miller, then acting governor. The county seat was named Tuscumbia by John B. and Prior Harrison. The doctor remained in Spring Garden for a number of years, after which he sold out and moved to Cole County, thence to near Tuscumbia, remaining there about fifteen years, then went to Iberia, where he remained about ten years. Mrs. Lansdown died at Mt. Pleasant February 20, 1846. By this union were born five children—Sarah Elizabeth, wife of L. A. Lambert, who is a banker in Kansas City; Orilla Louisa, resides in Cole County; Warren J., married, and resides at Butler, Bates Co., Mo., is a doctor, also a druggist, and owns the Arlington Hotel; Ann Motley, wife of Mr. Ward, of Cole County, Mo.; and Mary Alexander, widow of Mr. Fletcher, and now resides in St. Louis, Mo. Dr. Lansdown was married the second time in Miller County, in June, 1848, to Miss Eliza Tennessee Taylor, a native of Tennessee, and the daughter of Baily W. and Delilah (Austin) Taylor, natives of Tennessee. Her parents were married at Nashville, and the father was a blacksmith and farmer by occupation. He immigrated to Miller County, Mo., in 1837, entered a tract of land in Saline Township, and soon became the owner of 600 acres of land. He died here in 1860. His wife is still living, and resides with her youngest son near Olean. Dr. Lansdown moved to his present residence in 1878, bought an improved farm, on which he continues to make improvements, and is now pleasantly situated. He has taken an active part in politics, and votes with the Democratic party. To his second union were born these children: Alcena, wife of Mr. Burks, and a resident of Richwoods Township; Emily, now Mrs. Atkinson; William Baily, Robert Lee, Mattie, Milton Walter and Lila.