My Genealogy Hound

Below is a family biography from the book,  The History of Crawford County, Arkansas published by Goodspeed Publishing Company in 1889.  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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Mrs. Matilda Jane Clonch was born in Crawford County, Ark., in 1841, and is a daughter of Henry and Martha (Swearingen) Hargrave. The father was born in Alabama, and when a boy came to Arkansas, which he made his home until 1849, then going to California, where he died the following year. For the life of the grandparents, John and Matilda Swearingen, see sketch of Mrs. Sallie Swearingen. Mrs. Clonch attended the country schools of Crawford County, and was reared in her native place. In 1861 she was united in wedlock to William Forrester, son of Solomon and Sadie Forrester, of this county. Mr. Forrester was born and reared in this State, where he farmed all his life, and died about 1862, and his wife about 1851. The husband of our subject was born and reared in Crawford County, where he received a common-school education. In 1861 he enlisted under Capt. Brown in the first company organized in this county, and was a participant in the “Oak Hill” battle. After his marriage he lived in Texas until his death in 1864. He was the father of two children, both of whom are deceased. In 1867 his widow married William Clonch, son of William Clonch and wife. He immigrated to Texas from Kentucky, and in 1869 came to Crawford County, living here until his death, October 26, 1873. He was a carriage-maker by trade, but after coming to this State engaged in farming. To Mr. and Mrs. Clonch three children were born, all of whom are now residents of Crawford County. They are Robert Henry, Sarah Francis Hull and Lucy Belle Clonch. Mr. Clonch was a member of the I. O. O. F. and the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, to which his widow also belongs.

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This family biography is one of 222 biographies included in The History of Crawford County, Arkansas published in 1889.  For the complete description, click here: Crawford County, Arkansas History, Genealogy, and Maps

View additional Crawford County, Arkansas family biographies here: Crawford County, Arkansas

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