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Below is a family biography included in Biographical and Historical Memoirs of Fulton 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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Thomas J. Brown. No name is more properly placed in the history of the county than that of Mr. Brown, who is not only one of the most enterprising farmers of the county, but is of such a social, genial nature, that he has made many friends. He owes his nativity to the State of Tennessee, where his birth occurred January 5, 1854. His parents, John and Caroline (Harber) Brown, are natives of Tennessee. The elder Brown was a sturdy son of toil and followed this occupation in his native State until his subsequent removal to Dunklin County, Mo. His death occurred April 30, 1858. He had been constable in Tennessee and filled the position in a highly satisfactory manner. His marriage took place in 1844, and six children were the result: Henry N., born September 27, 1846, died October 23, 1846; Martin W., born September 30, 1847, died October 14, 1848; Martha J., born December 22, 1849, died May 4, 1886, Joseph M., born January 26, 1852; Amanda C., born July 30, 1858, died February 22, 1876. John Brown, the father of these children, was born on the 19th of July, 1824, and his wife was born on the 20th day of October, 1825. She died August 23, 1888, and was a worthy and consistent member of the Christian Church. Thomas J. Brown commenced life for himself at the age of nineteen years, and his marriage to Miss Eliza J. Pumphrey was consummated on the 24th of August, 1873. She was born in Ozark County, Mo., October 10, 1852. With his parents he left Dunklin County, Mo.; came to Fulton County, Ark., in 1858, and has been a resident of this county ever since. In 1874 he purchased his present property, and is now the owner of 320 acres of land, 150 under a fine state of cultivation. Over his broad acres roam cattle, sheep and horses and mules, which he makes a specialty of raising. To his marriage were born six children: John W., born on the 13th of June, 1874; Richard W., born on the 12th of February, 1877; Elizabeth C., born on the 20th of August, l879; Ollie M., born on the 7th of May, 1885; Thomas M., born on the 21st of March, 1887; James E., born on the 6th day of August, 1889. Mr. Brown has made the principal part of his property by his own labor. His wife is the daughter of William G. Pumphrey and Elizabeth (Hawkins) Pumphrey, both natives of Tennessee. They came to Missouri at an early day, settling on The Big North Fork of White River, in Ozark County, Mo., and were married there in 1848. After remaining in that county until 1887, he moved to Boone County, Ark. His first marriage was to Miss Fannie Holt, of Tennessee, who bore him two children, one living at present: Mary. By his marriage to Miss Hawkins he became the father of six children, four of whom survive: Benjamin J. (deceased), Eliza J., George W., Sarah A., M. T., and William (deceased). Mr. Brown is a Democrat and has filled the office of deputy sheriff of his county for two years. His wife is a member of the Missionary Baptist Church.

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This family biography is one of 70 biographies included in Biographical and Historical Memoirs of Fulton County, Arkansas published in 1889.  View the complete description here: Fulton County, Arkansas History, Genealogy, and Maps

View additional Fulton County, Arkansas family biographies here: Fulton County, Arkansas Biographies

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