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Below is a family biography included in Biographical and Historical Memoirs of Polk County, Arkansas published by Southern Publishing Company in 1891.  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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Hon. Thad M. Carder. Among the much esteemed and respected citizens of Dallas, Ark., stands the name of Mr. Carder, who, by calling, is a general mechanic and machinist, being now also engaged in horticulture and viticulture. He was born in Culpepper County, Va., in 1832. The paternal grandfather, Ivison Carder, and his brother, George, who came to this country, were born in France, but under the noble Marquis de Lafayette came to America, and fought for the independence of the colonists, afterward settling in Virginia. He died at the age of one hundred and six years. Hon. Thad M. Carder was the only child born to his parents, and was reared to a farm life until thirteen years of age, receiving but little schooling. At this age he left home and served an apprenticeship at watch and clock making, and spent some years as a journeyman. He was married in 1856 in East Tennessee, to Miss Matilda, daughter of Jacob and Nancy Kinser, who were natives of Germany. She was born in Greene County, Tenn., and has borne her husband ten children, four sons and four daughters living. After the war Mr. Carder removed to Magnolia, Ark., and ten years later to Hope, and in 1876 to Dallas, where he has since lived, engaged in putting up machinery, also following the calling of a horticulturist on 135 acres of fine land which he owns. From 1881 to 1885 he held the office of county and probate judge, and was also notary public for some years. In 1890 he was elected to represent Polk County in the State Legislature against great odds, and is now discharging his duties. He is an active worker for schools, and for the general advancement of his section, and is liberal in his contributions to what he considers worthy enterprises. He is a member of Dallas Lodge No. 128, of the A. F. & A. M., and in this organization is a member of Hot Springs Chapter and White Council No. 8, at Magnolia. He also belongs to Anchor Lodge of the I. O. O. F., at Hope. He is one of the most progressive men in his views in this section, and besides being one prominent in establishing the first printing office in Polk County, he, in 1888, erected a telephone line from Potter to Waldron, a distance of forty-six miles, which he has since controlled, and which was the first line in the county. He is now signal officer of the Polk County volunteer signal station. His worthy wife is a member of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, but Mr. Carder is not a member of any church, but believes in the existence of a Supreme Architect, and thinks duty to please God is to treat his fellow-man right.

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This family biography is one of 32 biographies included in Biographical and Historical Memoirs of Polk County, Arkansas published in 1891.  For the complete description, click here: Polk County, Arkansas History, Genealogy, and Maps

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