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Below is a family biography included in Biographical and Historical Memoirs of Jefferson 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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Emmett M. McGaughy, M. D. The study of medicine is an intricate one, and the man who attains a proficiency in that calling has cause to feel proud—indeed his pride is pardonable. Dr. McGaughy has reached an eminence in his profession which, to attempt a portrayal of his work, is found to be out of the biographer’s reach. However, the outlines of his life may be passed over that some idea of his success may be had. He was born in Pine Bluff on March 21, 1861, and is a son of Dr. J. Paul and Mary O. McGaughy, of Alabama and Arkansas, respectively. The father was a noted physician and a graduate of the University of Louisville, Ky. He first commenced to practice medicine in Flat Rock before the war, and in 1871 moved to Pine Bluff, where he also embarked in mercantile life. Later on he retired from business and turned his attention exclusively to farming, in which calling he was extremely prosperous. His death occurred in 1879, when fifty-two years of age. The mother died in 1872, and was comparatively a young woman at the time of her death. She was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South, an earnest Christian woman and much admired for her charitable deeds. In politics the father was a Democrat. Seven children were born to their marriage, of whom six are still living: Belle (wife of George Lindsay, connected with the firm of G. Meyer & Co., at Pine Bluff), H. C. (with the mercantile house of R. S. Thompson, at the same point), Ernest (in commercial life at Fort Payne, Ala.), Fannie, Marshall (salesman for Westbrook & Co., at Pine Bluff), Lula (who died in her fourth year), Eddy (who died in infancy), and Emmett M. The latter was educated in Pine Bluff, and graduated from the high schools at that place in 1881. In the same year he commenced the study of medicine under Drs. Owen and Alexander, of Pine Bluff (both now deceased), and after eighteen months’ instruction from them he attended lectures at the University of Louisville. He commenced to practice his profession at Rob Roy and remained there two years, afterward removing to Goldman, where he remained a short time, and then to Corner Stone, in which place and in the surrounding country, he has built up a fine practice. In June 1889, he was married to Miss Mary Oliphant, a daughter of L. H. Oliphant, of Jefferson County. Mrs. McGaughy is a member of the Episcopal Church. The Doctor is a prominent Mason, and in politics a stanch Democrat.

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This family biography is one of 136 biographies included in Biographical and Historical Memoirs of Jefferson County, Arkansas published in 1889.  For the complete description, click here: Jefferson County, Arkansas History, Genealogy, and Maps

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