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Below is a family biography included in Biographical and Historical Memoirs of Grant 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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Thomas C. Appling, one of the pioneers of this part of Arkansas, first saw the light of day in Tuscaloosa County, Ala. His parents were Seburn and Elizabeth (Halloway) Appling, originally from Georgia and Tennessee, respectively, and of English descent. Mr. Appling was born in 1802, and when a young man removed to Alabama. In 1844 he came to Arkansas, settling in Jefferson County, near where his son now lives, and here resided until his death, which occurred at the age of seventy-two years, one month and ten days. His wife was born in Tennessee eighty-three years ago, and still lives with her children in Grant County. Both were members of the Baptist Church for many years, he officiating as deacon. He was justice of the peace in Alabama for several years, and voted the Democratic ticket. His father (Thomas) was a soldier in the War of 1812. A family of eleven children was born to Seburn Appling and wife, four sons and two daughters now living, the subject of this sketch being the oldest: James A. (a farmer of Grant County), Enoch F. (a minister of the Missionary Baptist Church), Joel S. (farmer, justice of the peace and postmaster at Brooks), George W. (farmer of Grant County), Sallie (wife of Jesse Pratt, farmer of Prattsville, Grant County) and Martha E. (wife of Harvey Gregory, farmer and Missionary Baptist minister of Texas.) Thomas C. Appling received his education in Alabama. In 1844 he came with his parents to Arkansas and turned his attention to farming, following that occupation ever since. He was married in 1849 to Elizabeth Williams, daughter of James Williams, of Jefferson County, and born in Georgia in 1832. Her mother, Barbara Williams, of Georgia birth, is still living, making her home with Mr. Appling. By his marriage the latter became the father of ten children, seven of whom are now living: Dr. Joseph S. A. (a practicing physician of Prattsville, Ark.), Serena Ann, (wife of Joseph Lybrand, farmer of Grant County), Barbara E. (wife of Marcul T. L. Morgan, farmer of Grant County), Jane (wife of Newton N. Berry, farmer of Grant County), Nancy E., Mary F. and Ella (at home). Sarah died at the age of twenty-three; James J. and John F. are also deceased. Mrs. Appling and her children are members of the Missionary Baptist Church. Mr. Appling is a Democrat and a member of the Masonic order. Though having many reverses in his life, he is now very prosperous. During the late war he was in the Confederate army for ten months, as a member of the Second Arkansas Cavalry, participating in several battles and skirmishes. In 1887 he went into the mercantile business at his home, continuing it with good success. He also operates a gin-mill on his farm. When starting for himself he was without means; now he owns a good farm and is contented in life.

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This family biography is one of 68 biographies included in Biographical and Historical Memoirs of Grant County, Arkansas published in 1889.  For the complete description, click here: Grant County, Arkansas History, Genealogy, and Maps

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