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Below is a family biography included in History of Shawnee County, Kansas and Representative Citizens by James L. King, published by Richmond & Arnold, 1905.  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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WILLIAM R. FISH.
William R. Fish, deceased, was formerly one of the prominent business men and substantial citizens of Topeka. Mr. Fish was born March 6, 1843, at Dupont, Jefferson County, Indiana, and was a son of Marshall and Sarah C. (Abbott) Fish. On the paternal side the family ancestry reached to the pioneers of Kentucky. On the maternal side the ancestry was Irish.

The Fish family removed to Illinois during our subject’s boyhood and he attended the public schools of Marion County. When 18 years of age, he went to Chicago where he enlisted for service in the Civil War, entering Company G, 88th Reg., Illinois Vol. Inf. He served through the war, participating in 18 serious engagements and many skirmishes, but surviving all dangers and returning safely home, with a soldier’s honors, in 1865. In 1881 he established himself in the coffee and tea business at Topeka, where he prospered and gained the confidence and esteem of his fellow citizens. His death took place in June, 1891, as the result of a lamentable railway accident.

Mr. Fish was married in 1870, at Kinmundy, Illinois, to Sarah E. Nevill, who is a daughter of Samuel and Elizabeth (Fuell) Nevill, natives of Kentucky. They had two children, viz: William R.; and Kitty M., who died aged three years. Mrs. Fish and son reside in their handsome home at No. 411 Greenwood avenue, Potwin Place. Mr. Fish was fraternally associated with the Knights of Honor and the National Union.

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This family biography is one of 206 biographies included in History of Shawnee County, Kansas and Representative Citizens by James L. King, published by Richmond & Arnold, 1905.  For the complete description, click here: Shawnee County, Kansas History, Genealogy, and Maps

View additional Shawnee County, Kansas family biographies here: Shawnee County, Kansas

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