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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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John F. Barnes, M. D., though only thirty-two years of age, is however, conceded to be one of the leading dentists of Independence County. He is a native of the county in which he now resides. When a child, he was taken by his parents to the State of Iowa, where his youthful days were spent in assisting on the home farm and in attending the public schools, where he acquired a good practical education. In 1873, he returned with his people to Independence County, Ark., and in 1883 began the study of medicine under Dr. Moore, a traveling dentist, and remained with him until 1888, traveling over the State of Arkansas. In 1888 here turned to Sulphur Rock, where he has since made his home, and has acquired an excellent patronage. He is a married man, Miss L. Cora Hurt, of Independence County, becoming his wife on the 7th of April, 1886, she being the daughter of Thomas Hurt (deceased), one of the pioneers of the county. Dr. Barnes is a Republican in his political views, and is now filling the office of city marshal. His parents, Archibald and Lucinda (Mateby) Barnes, were born in Wilkes County, N. C., and were there reared, educated and married. Soon after the latter event, they came to Independence County, Ark., but subsequently moved to Iowa, where they remained until 1873, then returning to Arkansas. The father is still living, but the mother died February 6, 1883, at the age of fifty-nine years, eight months and twenty-five days. Mr. Barnes is a Mason, a Republican, and a successful farmer. He is probably of English ancestry. He and wife became the parents of the following family: Nancy (Reeves); William P., who died at Helena, Ark., while a soldier in the Union Army; Martha L. (Smith); Sarah H. (Harmon); G. W., who died in 1888, at the age of thirty-two years; Mary L. (Martin); Lucinda J., who died when a child, and John F.

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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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