Notes for William E McMahan.

William E McMahan Biography

William E. McMahan, one of the best known farmers in Lamine township, is a descendent of one of the earliest pioneers of Cooper county, his great-grandfather, Samuel McMahan, who was slain by Indians in the vicinity of Boonville, having been one of the first settlers in this section of Missouri. The McMahans drove from Kentucky in what is now Lamine township. It was while returning from Boonville one day, after having driven some cattle to that settlement, that Samuel McMahan was killed by hostile Indians. One of the sons of this pioneer was Samuel Woodson McMahan, who became one of the largest landholders of Cooper County, owner of a tract of 1000 acres and many slaves. He was born in Kentucky and his wife, Harriett Riddle, was born in Maryland, her parents also having been early settlers here. (Note HAE: 1850 Cooper County census indicates Harriett born in Kentucky). One of their sons, William H. McMahan, was born in Lamine township in 1834 and became a substantial farmer, spending all his life here and died Oct. 1895. (Note HAE: 1850 Cooper County census indicates William H. was 13 years old in 1850, which would make his birth year 1836/37). He married Lucy Hornbeck, who was born in Kentucky, and died in 1870. To them were born five children, of whom the subject of this sketch was the first born, the others being: R. S. McMahan, Kansas City, Mo.; Susan, wife of John H. Duncan, Helena, Mont.: Anna, Wife of William H. Duncan, Spokane, Wash., and Josephine, wife of Frank Duncan, Helena, Mont.

William E. McMahan grew up on the farm and continued farming, in time becoming the owner of the farm of 100 acres on which he is now living in Lamine township and which he has greatly improved. Ten years or more ago Mr. McMahan bean to give special attention to breeding Duroc Jersey hogs and has made a success in that line. He was born Sept. 10, 1860.

March 27, 1894, William E. McMahan was united in marriage with Louella Gorrell, who was also born in Lamine township, a daughter of Amos Gorell and wife, the latter of whom was a Schotts, natives of Ohio, who came to Lamine township. Mr. Gorell is now living retired in Blackwater. Mr. and Mrs. McMahan are members of the Baptist Church, and Mr. McMahan is a democrat.

Extracted from the History of Cooper County, Missouri by Johnson.

WILLIAM E MCMAHAN death date from cemetery records.

Notes for Louella Gorell.

LOUELLA GORRELL birth/death from cemetery records.