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Below is a family biography included in Biographical and Historical Memoirs of Independence 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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Dr. Sterling W. Allen. The name of Allen is one of the most influential in Floral, and one of the most respected in this community. Dr. A1len is a native of Wilson County, Tenn., born February 13, 1822, and received his education in private schools. He then began the study of medicine, graduated from Memphis (Tenn.) Medical College, in 1848, and began practicing the same year. He married Miss Melissa Carter, of South Carolina, born in the year 1825, and the fruits of this union were three living children—Sarah Jane, Mary W. and Martha L. Dr. Allen was in the late war as a surgeon under Gen. McRhea, and participated in the battles of Ironton, Pilot Knob and West Port. Aside from his profession, he is also engaged in agricultural pursuits, and is the owner of 1,260 acres of land. In politics his principles coincide with those of the Democratic party. He and Mrs. Allen are members of the Methodist Church, and are held in high esteem by all acquainted with them. The Doctor is a genial, generous gentleman, and is liberal and progressive in his ideas. His parents, John and Sarah (Craig) Allen, were both natives of South Carolina, but later in life they moved to Fayette County, Tenn., where they passed the remainder of their days. To their marriage were born twelve children, the Doctor being the only survivor. The grandparents were from the Emerald Isle.

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This family biography is one of 158 biographies included in Biographical and Historical Memoirs of Independence County, Arkansas published in 1889.  View the complete description here: Independence County, Arkansas History, Genealogy, and Maps

View additional Independence County, Arkansas family biographies here: Independence County, Arkansas Biographies

View a map of 1889 Independence County, Arkansas here: Independence County, Arkansas Map

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