Our Family Tree

William C. Mings Hist, of Laclede, Camden, Dallas, Webster, Wright, Texas, Pulaski, Phelps and Dent Cos., MO, pp 1187-1188, Goodspeed.

"Co. William C. Mings, of Montgomery Twp, Wright Co., MO, was born in Madison Co., KY, on the Kentucky River, Dec. 17, 1831, son of George Wolfscale and Polly (Kanatzar) Mings. The paternal grandfather was born in Charleston, SC, April 10, 1754 and was one of the poineers of KY. He was married in NC, and died in IL April 14, 1849. He was a Rev. soldier; was at the battle of Brandywine, and received a pension from the Government for services rendered. The great-grandfather was born in Scotland, but immigrated to America, and was with the colonial soldiers at Braddock's defeat. He had three sons: Joseph, Alexander and James. George W. Mings was born in Wayne Co., KY, July 16, 1806, grew to manhood in KY and TN, was married in Madison Co., KY and was by trade a hatter, although he followed agricultural pursuits prin¬cipally. He immigrated to IL, then back to KY, then to MO, afterward to AR, but finally settled in MO in 1861. He died at the residence of his son Dec. 26, 1886. He volunteered to go to the Mexican War, but his company was not called. His wife, Pollie (Kanatzar) Mings, was born in KY in May 1810 and is still alive and resides with her son. They were the parents of eleven children, four now living. Col. William C. Mings went to AR with his father in 1849, and there attained his majority. He cast his first presidental vote for Gen. Winfield Scott, and was married Dec. 21, 1854 to Miss Nancy A. Neel, who was born in TN March 7, 1832. Her people came from NC to TN and her grandfather was a natvie of Ireland. Col. W.C. Mings came to MO Aug. 10, 1861, joined the Rangers, and afterward the Tenth Missouri Cavalry. He was a non¬commissioned officer, and rendered effective and valuable service. He was at one time a candidate for Congress in this district, and previous to the War held several prominent offices in the State of AR. He has held the office ofcommissioner, assessor, justice of the peace, and has been postmaster at Mingsville, which was named for him. He served two terms of four years each as county surveyor and eight years as notary public. He has 235 acres of land, and his farm is well stocked. He has five children living: Margaret E., George W., Joseph W., William R., John W., and James, who died at the age of four years. During the war Mr. Mings was elected colonel of a regiment then being organized, but refused to serve."

Note by William C. Mings This is a four page handwritten note by William C. Mings. Source unknown. Robert L. Fisher, Lynchburg, MO 65543 might have details.

"My great grand Father Andrew Mings was born in Scotland and died in Rowan Co., North Carolina. He had three sons: Joseph born in Charlston South Carolina April 10th 1755 died in Saline county Illinois April 14th 1849; Alexander whom follow Daniel Boon to Kentucky then to Missouri and in crossing the Mississipi droped the letter S from his name & spelled it Ming; and James the last known of him he was with the Indians at Tilaco Blackh about 1782.¶ My grand Father Joseph Mings was said to have twenty children by I can not account for but fourteen. Seven boys & seven girls. The boys Joseph who Dutched his name and spelled Minzes, James, Daniel, William, George Wolfscale, and Jacob. The girls were Nancy married Saml. Parriah, Margaret married Cornelison, Polly married Ben j . Taylor, Elizabeth married Saml. W. Owens, Sally married Brooks Perdue, Martha married Ervin Savage, and Susan married Oliver Stutton. My Father Geo. W. Mings married Polly Kanatzar and had eleven children: Margaret died when six years old, William Christopher, Joseph & Sarah twins both died young, Nancy Louisa, James, Sally Wright died young, Mary Ann, George Washington, Martha & Daniel. I was along with James H. Sallee Capt. of A Co. of Malitia in Ozark Co., MO and when I got my family out of Arkansas I joined the Union Army and was with Capt. Wm. a good man, then with Capt. James H. Salee again and then with Capt. .¶ I was with Colenel Henry Shepard a good man then with Jones then Col. John F. M a good mand. I was with Holland M & John R. Sanborn Brigader genl, I do not - what I done in the army. I leave it with my officers and concerning to say w I was an untiring soldier or not my Father Geo. W. Mings was born July 16, 1806 Wayne Co., KY, died Dec. 26, 1886. I was born Dec. 17th, 1831 Madison Co., KY, was married Dec. 21st, 1854 Co., Ark. to Nancy in Blunt Co., Tenn. March 7th 1832. We had six children one girl & five boys. So good by. Signed William Christopher Mings"

"They had married in Madison County, Kentucky, just before Christmas 1854 and almost immediately moved to Marion County in north central Arkansas. Their first child came in 1856, and James just over a year later. Then, just about the time Marion County split into several smaller counties, they moved north into Wright County in south central Missouri. The move likely had something to do with Arkansas' succeeding from the Union in 1861, and Missouri's remaining, despite attempts to take it out."