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Below is a family biography included in The History of Sebastian 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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Col. F. W. Tillay, contractor and builder, at Huntington, was born in Louisville, Ky., in 1831, his parents being F. B. and Mary E. (Gwathemey) Tillay. The father was born in Ohio, and when a boy went to Louisville, where he engaged in the wholesale mercantile business until his death, in 1851. The grandfather, John B. Tillay, came to America from France in an early day. The mother of our subject was born in Louisville, Ky., and was of Virginian descent. She died at St. Louis in 1876, where she had lived since 1853. During his youth the Colonel attended the schools of Louisville, and when his mother removed to St. Louis he accompanied her. There he married Mary, daughter of Col. Robert Renick, who has borne him two children. While in St. Louis Mr. Tillay engaged in the commission business the greater part of the time. Mrs. Tillay’s father was one of the prominent citizens of St. Louis, and at the time of his death was serving as a water commissioner. He was a banker, and having graduated from West Point, he served during the war as colonel of the Missouri State Militia. Mrs. Tillay and her husband, while in St. Louis, became members of St. George’s Episcopal Church. The latter is a member of the Blue Lodge in Masonry, having belonged to the fraternity since 1852. He is also a K. of H., and belongs to the L. of H. In politics he is a Democrat, his first presidential vote having been cast for Pierce in 1852.

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This family biography is one of 217 biographies included in The History of Sebastian County, Arkansas published in 1889.  For the complete description, click here: Sebastian County, Arkansas History, Genealogy, and Maps

View additional Sebastian County, Arkansas family biographies here: Sebastian County, Arkansas

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