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Below is a family biography included in Biographical and Historical Memoirs of Ashley County, Arkansas published by Goodspeed Publishing Company in 1890.  These biographies are valuable for genealogy research in discovering missing ancestors or filling in the details of a family tree. Family biographies often include far more information than can be found in a census record or obituary.  Details will vary with each biography but will often include the date and place of birth, parent names including mothers' maiden name, name of wife including maiden name, her parents' names, name of children (including spouses if married), former places of residence, occupation details, military service, church and social organization affiliations, and more.  There are often ancestry details included that cannot be found in any other type of genealogical record.

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G. W. Cone, planter, Snyder, Ark. Mr. Cone, one of the leading planters of the county, is the owner of 500 acres of excellent land, and has 100 acres under cultivation. He was born in Conecuh County, Ala., October 27, 1826, and received his education in the schools of that State. February 10, 1848, he was wedded to Miss Matilda Sermon, a native of Alabama, also, and the daughter of John and Elizabeth Sermon. This union was blessed by the birth of seven children: Mary E. (deceased) Nancy J. (deceased), William T., Julia (deceased), John J. (who married Miss Ida J. Hamm, of Mississippi), George Ann (married W. T. Baker), and Cora E. (deceased). The mother of these children died September 6, 1864 and Mr. Cone took for his second wife Mrs. Elizabeth (Ragan), Bullock, their marriage occurring January 9, 1865. Mrs. Cone was a native of Mississippi. To this marriage were born three children: Jesse H. (who married Miss Annie Edwards), Cumi F. (who became the wife of Joseph M. Hollimon), and the youngest died in infancy. Mrs. Cone died February 16, 1877, and Mr. Cone was married January 10, 1878, to Mrs. Laura E. (Foreman) Edwards, who bore him two daughters: Maggie B. and Lizzie May. Mr. Cone is a member of the Masonic fraternity, Bearhouse Lodge No. 209, Blue Lodge, has held the offices of junior and senior warden and treasurer. He is also a member of the K. of H., and has held membership in the same for eight years. He is a member of the Baptist Church, and is a deacon in the same. His present wife is a member of that church, and his first wife was a member of the Methodist Church. Mr. Cone’s parents, Jesse and Sarah (Bailey) Cone, were born in North Carolina, in 1774, and South Carolina, in 1783, respectively. The parents were married in Georgia, and their union resulted in the birth of nine children: William N. (deceased), James B., Lewis, Nancy, Joshua, Jesse, Irene (deceased), and Fatima (deceased). The father of these children was reared in Georgia, and in 1818 emigrated to Alabama, locating in Conecuh County, where he cultivated the soil. At the time of his death, which occurred in 1852, he was the owner of 320 acres of land, which was divided among his heirs. He did not enlist in the War of 1812 but hired a substitute. The mother died in 1867. She was a member of the Baptist Church. The grandfather, Acey Cone, was a native of North Carolina, and was a private in the Revolutionary War. The maternal grandfather, William Bailey, was a native of England, was forced into the army during the Revolution, but deserted and joined the American army. After the war he was afraid to return to England, and made his home in Georgia.

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This family biography is one of 97 biographies included in Biographical and Historical Memoirs of Ashley County, Arkansas published in 1890.  For the complete description, click here: Ashley County, Arkansas History, Genealogy, and Maps

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