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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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George Washington Crow, a minister of the Missionary Baptist Church, of Independence County, is a son of Robert and Margaret (Killinger) Crow, and was the fourth in a family of eight children born to the parents, his birth occurring April 8, 1819, in what is now Smyth County, Va. The grandfather, George W. Killinger, was a private soldier in Gen. George Washington’s army, and fought in many of the battles under that famous hero. The family on both sides are descendants of old Virginians. In 1823 Robert Crow emigrated to Roane County, Tenn., and located near Kingston, the county seat, where his son, George W., grew to manhood and received his education. In 1837 the father moved to the State of Alabama, which place he made his residence until his decease, and is now buried at Gravel Hill, DeKalb County, in that State. Two years later his son, George W. Crow, was married to Miss Sidney Hines, of Tennessee, by whom he has had four children: William Harrison, who was killed in the battle of Seven Pines, in 1862; Eliza A., who was married to Mr. H. Fike, of Alabama, at the residence of the bride’s father, in 1859, but lost her husband in 1871; Palestine, who was married to Mr. Joseph Wilburn, of Alabama, but now residing in Stone County, Ark., and the last child dying in infancy. In 1847 Mr. Crow lost his first wife, who was buried in Garrett Cemetery, DeKalb County, Ala., and in 1849, he was married to Miss Avadney J. Dutton, of Alabama, by whom he had eight children, all living until they had reached their maturity excepting one; Mary, wife of William Tate; Nancy E., married to Mr. Newton Cooper, and now residing near Mr. Crow; Edmond Thomas, who was married to Miss Amanda Cooper; Bankston W., who was married to Miss Fannie Ellis, and residing near the father’s home; Margaret Spurgeon, wife of Rev. James L. Brown, this daughter dying in 1879; Jane, who was married to John Tate, and John D., at home. Mr. Crow was ordained by the Missionary Baptist Church, in 1869, at Gravel Hill, DeKalb County, Ala. That year he moved to Arkansas and located near Sulphur Rock, where he purchased the farm upon which he still resides. He owns 356 acres of land, with about ninety-five acres under cultivation, and in partnership with his son, Bankston W., owns 160 acres, with twenty-five acres under cultivation, and good buildings and improvements. Mr. Crow has worked faithfully in the interests of the church, and many times has contributed to its support from his own private means. In 1887 the congregation at Maple Springs attempted to erect a church to be paid for by subscription, and Mr. Crow came nobly forward with $112.00 for that purpose. He is at present the pastor at Maple Springs, but formerly was occupied a great part of the time in filling such vacancies as occurred in that section. Four of his children also attend the father’s church. In politics Mr. Crow is a Democrat, and previous to coming to Arkansas, had held the office of treasurer of DeKalb County, Ala., for two years. He has always been to the front in any enterprise for the advancement of religious and educational matters, and is a citizen of whom the county may and does feel proud.

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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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