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Below is a family biography included in Biographical and Historical Memoirs of Lincoln County, Arkansas published by Goodspeed Publishing Company in 1890.  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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J. K. McClain, M. D. Prominent among the leading physicians of Lincoln County stands he whose name is seen above. He is largely interested in mercantile business, but having accumulated a fortune has retired from active practice or business. He is a son of Col. Samuel S. and Elmira (Godfrey) McClain, natives of South Carolina and North Carolina, respectively, and his birth occurred in Leak County, Miss., January 16, 1852. After several different moves the family settled in Arkansas in the year 1857, Bradley County, and afterward changed to Lincoln County, where the father died in 1884, having reached his seventy-seventh year. The mother is still living, making her home with the subject of this sketch. To them were born eleven children, of whom J. K. is the youngest. He passed his school days in Bradley County, Ark., and in 1876 commenced the study of medicine, attending lectures in the University of Louisiana, and afterward engaged in the drug business at Star City with Dr. Anderson. He also attended the medical college at Louisville, Ky., and continued to practice most successfully until he retired from active life in easy circumstances with reasonable wealth. In 1880 Dr. McClain married Miss Anna Clary, daughter of J. W. and Talitha Clary, who died in the same year. On November 24, 1881, he was again united in marriage with Miss Mollie M. Simmons, daughter of Dr. J. G. and Mary Simmons. To them have been born four children, two of whom are living, viz.: John G. and Myrtle E. Dr. McClain and wife are both faithful members of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church. He is a Master Mason and a life-long Democrat. Although he has retired from business, he is frequently consulted by physicians from the surrounding counties because of his superior learning.

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This family biography is one of 44 biographies included in Biographical and Historical Memoirs of Lincoln County, Arkansas published in 1890.  For the complete description, click here: Lincoln County, Arkansas History, Genealogy, and Maps

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