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Below is a family biography included in Biographical and Historical Memoirs of Grant 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 L. Cole, one of the leading farmers, and a popular mill man of Grant County, was born in Gibson County, Tenn., March 15, 1840. His father, Moses Cole, was a native of Illinois, born in the year 1812, who moved to Tennessee in 1838, and the same year married Miss Elizabeth Rogers, of that State, by whom he has had five children, three boys and two girls, named: Susan A., Thomas L., James R., Angeoma and Robert D. He was a farmer by occupation, and fairly successful in his calling, owning about 160 acres of very fertile land at the time of his death, February 4, 1848. Both parents were members of the Baptist persuasion, and the mother, who survives her husband, is residing in Grant County with her son, James R. Thomas L. was educated in Prairie County, Ark., and acquired a good moral and literary training in his youth. On February 8, 1868, he was married to Mrs. Sarah Bradshaw, a daughter of William and Judy Price, natives of Tennessee. By this union three children were born: Florence T., James M. and Dollie. His first wife died August 28, 1885, and on December 18, of the same year, he was married to Mrs. Amanda A. (Blanton) Fansatt, an estimable and attractive widow, and daughter of Alexander and Lucinda Blanton. This union gave them two daughters: Jennie B. and Lillian C. Mr. Cole has been exceedingly successful in his farming and milling operations, and owns about 500 acres of fertile land, with some ninety acres under cultivation. In connection with these, he also owns and works a saw and grist mill and cotton-gin combined, which form a very profitable source of revenue. In Masonic circles he stands high; he is now secretary of his lodge, and has held a membership for over seventeen years. He also belongs to the Wheel, and has filled the offices of president and secretary in that body. For a period of eleven years or more he was justice of the peace for his township, and discharged his duties with a dignity and wisdom that excited the admiration and respect of his fellow-citizens. In religious faith he and wife are members of the Baptist Church, being liberal contributors to all laudable enterprises.

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This family biography is one of 68 biographies included in Biographical and Historical Memoirs of Grant County, Arkansas published in 1889.  For the complete description, click here: Grant County, Arkansas History, Genealogy, and Maps

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