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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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William F. McCombs, a well-known and enterprising merchant of Hamburg, Ark., was born in Kentucky in 1838, his parents being William J. and Sarah (Baldock) McCombs. The McCombses were originally from North Carolina, William J. being a farmer and merchant. He came with his family, which consisted of five children (four of whom are living and reside in Hamburg, Ashley County), to Arkansas in 1865, dying in about a month after his arrival in this State. His wife, formerly of Kentucky, lived till about 1872. Mr. and Mrs. William J. McCombs were members in good standing of the Presbyterian Church. William F. McCombs, the principal of this sketch, lived in Kentucky till nine years of age, when, in 1846, his father moved to Missouri, remaining there till 1850, when they journeyed to West Tennessee. In 1861 our subject enlisted in Capt. High’s company, Hardee’s division. Being discharged in December of the same year, he again entered the service in 1862, joining the First Arkansas Cavalry, Fagan’s regiment, afterward known as Fagan’s brigade. He operated on the west side of the Mississippi River during the entire time of his war life; also took part in the battles of Cane Hill, Peach Orchard, Camden, Poison Springs, Mark’s Mill. For his bravery he was promoted to lieutenant in 1863, and was dispatched to Austin, Tex., on business in connection with the Government, and as a consequence missed that famous raid of Gen. Price’s through Missouri. After his return to his post of duty he was placed in command of a company, which company surrendered at Shreveport, La. After the close of the great conflict, he went to Marshall, Tex., remaining here but a short time, when he joined his father’s family, who had moved from Texas to Arkansas during the war. After his arrival in Arkansas he assumed charge of his father’s business, selling goods on Bayou Bartholomew, and in connection with this farmed. At the expiration of one year, in the fall of 1866, with a capital of $12,000, placed a stock of goods in Hamburg, which at the present time inventories nearly $15,000, his annual receipts being about $50,000. He owns about 10,000 acres of land, 7,000 of which are on the bayou, and raises from 4,000 to 5,000 bales of cotton a year. His land is worked on the share system. William F. in 1865 married Miss Laura Wiggins (daughter of Samuel D. Wiggins), who died in 1866 leaving him childless. In 1870 he again took to wife Miss Fannie Pugh, daughter of Green W. Pugh. To them have been born seven children — six living and one dead: Addie A., William F., Jr., Robert B., Ashton, Ethel, Cora and Edwin (who died in August, 1885, aged three years). In religion Mr. and Mrs. McCombs worship with the Presbyterian Church, and socially they belong to the K. & L. of H. Politically Mr. McCombs is a stanch Democrat, but is not actively interested in local politics. He is a courteous, affable gentleman; being of a generous nature contributes liberally to all church, school, and public enterprises. He also possesses an unbounded enthusiasm in the future welfare of Southeastern Arkansas, and especially Ashley County.

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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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