This the birthday of our third Governor. Abraham J. Williams was a one-legged shoemaker from Boone County who rose to prominence in the Missouri Senate before serving one short term as the Chief Executive. He was also a founder of the Boone County Fair which was the very first county fair west of the Mississippi.

This post was contributed by Ross Malone. A historian and a retired school teacher, Ross has authored many books about Missouri’s history, weird facts, and folk tales. He has also written children’s historical fiction. Visit his website, and buy his books in the Missouri Life store.