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Below is a family biography included in The History of Madison 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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John D. Combs, one of the oldest settlers of King River Township, was born in Warren County, Tenn., November 17, 1815, being the son of Jeremiah and Charity (Rhodes) Combs. The father was born in East Tennessee in 1790, and died in Madison County, Ark., in 1866. He followed agricultural pursuits all his life. At the age of twenty he married Miss Rhodes, a native of North Carolina, who moved with her parents to Warren County, Tenn., when a young girl. She died in Madison County, Ark., in 1860 at the age of sixty-one or sixty-two. They were members of the Baptist Church for many years, and he was deacon of the same. He was a Democrat in his political views. To their marriage was born twelve children, eight now living: Nancy, widow of Thomas Clark; John D.; Emeline, widow of James McElhaney; Tennessee, widow of George W. King; Mason C.; Sarah, widow of Caroll Lane; Wheeling and Jesse R. John D. Combs left the paternal roof at the age of twenty-one, and January 25, 1837, he married Miss Phoebe Gage, who was born in Overton County, Tenn., July 4, 1821, and is the daughter of William Gage. This union has been blessed by twelve children, seven now living: Amelia, wife of James T. Holt; Surilda, wife of John Armstrong; George W., Amos Levi, Andrew J., Jonathan E., and Susan, wife of James Sanders. Those deceased were named America, Alfred, Calvin, Julia and Eldora Bell. Mr. Combs began improving his present farm when seventeen years of age, and has been a farmer and stock raiser all his life. He is the owner of 192 acres of valley land, and although starting with little means he has, with the help of his sensible and practical wife, succeeded so well that they can pass their declining years in comparative comfort. He is a Democrat in his political views, and an enterprising member of society. He built the first frame house on King’s River, and made the first plank floor, which he sawed by hand. Mrs. Combs has been a member of the Baptist Church since a young woman. Both Mr. and Mrs. Combs have the respect and esteem of all who know them.
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This family biography is one of 99 biographies included in The History of Madison County, Arkansas published in 1889. For the complete description, click here: Madison County, Arkansas History, Genealogy, and Maps
View additional Madison County, Arkansas family biographies here: Madison County, Arkansas
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