This came to me directly! Email Terry at mailto:[email protected] William Riley Speaks was born in abt 1834 in Indiana. I find him in 1860, Cooper, township, McDonald County, Missouri. He is listed as family #352, W.R. Speaks, age 26, Farmer, born Indiana. Listed with him Sarah J., wife, age 23, born Ohio. James L., age 1, Born MO. And Mary Lane, age 7, born MO. I think Mary is Sarah's sister, because I have an old picture of Sarah J. Speaks and on the back it says Sarah Speaks, brother Tom Lane, and sister Bettie. He is still in McDonald county in 1870, but in a township called Fox. Here he is listed as family #65, William Speaks, age 36, Farmer, born Indiana. Wife, Sarah J., age 32 born Ohio, James L. age 11 born MO, Mary E. age 8 born MO., John W. age 6 born MO., Melvin age 4 born MO. William age 1 born MO., and Mary Lane age 18 born MO. There are three more Speaks families living in the same township one is family #66, Margaret, 59 years old, keeping house, born in Kentucky. And Henry W. Speaks, age 20, Farm laborer, born in Missouri. I believe this to be William's mother, but have nothing to back this up. There is another family, #94, Alexander age 26, Farmer, born Indiana. Wife listed as Sarah J., age 27, Keeping house, born Indiana. Benjamin, age 14, Farm laborer, born MO. (probably a brother). Thomas, age 11, born MO. Allen Jr., age 5/12, born MO. The other family #28 was a Robert Speaks, age 28, born Indiana. Wife Adeline, age 27, born Kentucky. America, age ?, born MO. James, age ?, born AK. Rosella, age ?, born MO. I don't know if these are brothers or not the problem with records in McDonald County is the Court House burned down in 1868. Does anyone have anymore info on this family? They had relatives living near named Stotts. Henry, Robert, and John Speaks joined the Civil War in McDonald Co. They were in the 13th calv. co.I, for the confederates. I can't find the rest of the boys so maybe they joined the Union. I know that W.R. Speaks(William Riley) paid taxes in McDonald co. But can't find any land deeds. I need help!!! Terry<< ListMom for MOTaney and MO-AR-WRV http://homepages.rootsweb.com/~moarwrv/ http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~gregvonda/