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Below is a family biography included in Biographical and Historical Memoirs of Little River 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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Fountain A. Mclver, a successful merchant and agriculturist of Rocky Comfort, was born in Dallas County, Ala., near Selma, on January 30, 1850, being the eldest of five children born to Alexander M. and Elizabeth C. (Coleman) Mclver, natives of South Carolina, born on July 21, 1821, and 1826, respectively. The paternal grandfather, Gen. Thomas E. Mclver, was born in South Carolina, and departed this life in Alabama, whither he had immigrated about 1845. The Mclvers are of Scotch extraction. Alexander M. Mclver was a merchant and farmer by occupation, and followed these pursuits in South Carolina and Alabama (having moved to this latter State about 1845) very successfully all his life. During the late war he served in the Confederate army with the rank of captain. He died in Alabama in 1869, leaving a widow who still survives, making her home in Evergreen, Ala., but who is now enjoying a visit with her son, our subject. The children born to their marriage are: Fountain A., John E. (book-keeper and cashier for the Wheeler & Wilson Sewing Machine Company, at Atlanta. Ga.), Ed J. (now practicing dentistry in Alabama), James M. (principal of the Fort Deposit (Ala.) High School), and Sallie F. (assistant principal of Fort Deposit High School). Fountain A. Mclver attained his growth in Alabama, and being the eldest child, at his father's death it devolved upon him to manage the home affairs, hence his education was more limited than that obtained by his brothers and sister. His marriage to Miss Leila D. Holcombe was consummated in 1875. She was born in Mobile, Ala., in 1857, being a daughter of Henry B. Holcombe and wife, nee Brigitte Tanner, but her life, up to the age of ten years was spent in Louisiana. To their marriage six children have been given, two of whom died in infancy, three daughters and one son survive: Henry M., Antoinette D., Ethel R. and Florence S. In 1879, on account of failing health, Mr. McIver decided to leave his native State for the mountains of Arkansas, and while passing through this county he was urged to accept the management of one of its schools. Being pleased with the locality, he was finally induced to remain, and for the six years following taught school continuously. Subsequently, he entered the employ, as book-keeper, of John Read, a leading merchant of this town, a position which he still holds. During this time he invested in two fine farms, one lying about one and three-fourths miles south of Rocky Comfort, and the other located in Red River Township, and he is now occupied in cultivating this land. He is an enterprising citizen, and takes a deep interest in all enterprises pertaining to the welfare of the community. In secret societies he affiliates with the Rocky Comfort Lodge of A. F. & A. M., of which he is secretary, and is a member of the K. of H., being reporter of his lodge. He and wife are numbered among the prominent members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South, of Rocky Comfort, and are among the most active workers in that body. He is now acting as steward of this church, and is the present superintendent of the Sunday-school.

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This family biography is one of 38 biographies included in Biographical and Historical Memoirs of Little River County, Arkansas published in 1890.  For the complete description, click here: Little River County, Arkansas History, Genealogy, and Maps

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