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S. M. WHALEY was born in Middle Tennessee on June 18, 1824, and is a son of Elijah and Rebecca (DOUGHERTY) WHALEY, the former of English descent and the latter of Irish descent. Elijah Whaley was a native of Maryland. The subject of this sketch was reared to farm life, and early engaged in agricultural pursuits on his own account. For about six years he followed mercantile business at Forest Home, Mo. He still looks after the interest of his farm, but is retired from active labor, and in his declining years is enjoying the fruits of a well spent life. Mr. Whaley started in life poor, but by industry and good management, and with the assistance of his amiable wife, he has become one of Lawrence County's wealthiest citizens. Immigrating to Missouri in 1854, he settled in Vineyard township, Lawrence County, where he has since resided. Always liberal in contributing of his means to any enterprise that was for the development of the county, he has been instrumental in bringing it to its present prosperous state. In Tennessee, in 1842, he was married to Nancy KELLY, a native of the State, who was born in 1822. She died in 1859, having borne six children, four of whom, James, Thomas, Lemuel and John, are still living. On May 31, 1860, Mr. Whaley wedded Mary ROSS, a daughter of Charles W. and Elizabeth (WILLIAMS) ROSS, native of Tennessee and Kentucky, respectively. From her father Mrs. Whaley inherits Scotch blood, and from her mother English and Welsh. By this marriage Mr. Whaley is the father of seven children, viz.: George, Sarah (the wife of Oliver P. GRISSOM), Eliza (the wife of S. W. MARLER), Martha J., Seth A., Cora E. and Charles (deceased). Sarah has one child, Loula, and Eliza has also one, Roy.
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