This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Surnames: Barks, Shrum, McJimsey, Classification: Biography Message Board URL: http://boards.ancestry.com/mbexec/msg/rw/TMB.2ACI/3297 Message Board Post: History of SE Missouri, Goodspeed Publishing 1888 Biographical Appendix, page 821 JACOB BARKS Jacob Barks, on of Bollinger County’s oldest native citizens, was born in 1826, one mile from his present home in Lorance Township. He is a son of Isaac and Sarah Barks. Isaac was born in Bollinger County, Mo., in 1801, and was a son of Jacob Barks, a native of North Carolina, who came to Bollinger County about 1797, and settled in what is now Lorance Township. He was one of the first white men who settled within the boundaries of what is now Bollinger County. Isaac Barks died in 1854, and his widow in 1880. She was the mother of ten children, Jacob, the subject of this sketch, being the eldest. He was born and grew to manhood on his father’s farm, and has never resided more than one mile from his birthplace. In 1851, he married Sarah Shrum, also a native of Bollinger County, born in 1824. She was the mother of three children, viz.: Eli Pinkney (residing in California) and Ephraim (who died in December 1887 at the age of thirty-one years). The latte! r left two children: Clara Alma (aged six years) and Dora May (aged four). In 1870 Eli married Margaret McJimsey, who was born in Perry County, Mo., in 1842. Their union has been blessed by the birth of two children: Ephraim Edward and Hattie Victoria. Eli owns 240 acres of land, and is an industrious farmer and enterprising citizen. Jacob Barks lost his wife in 1880, and for the last three years had made his home with his son, Eli, residing in Bollinger county. He has always led a simple and unostentatious life, and has accumulated considerable property, a part of which is a good home. At one time he owned over 600 acres, but being of a kind disposition and benevolent nature has given liberally to his children. Being strictly honest, he has always kept his promises faithfully and is a man of good standing with all of his neighbors. The Barks family is among the oldest of the county, and has aided much in its development. Mr. Barks is a devoted member of the Meth! odist Episcopal Church South, and is a Democrat in politics.