My Genealogy Hound

Below is a family biography included in The History of Madison 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. B. J. Disney, one of the county’s prominent physicians, was born in Knox County, Ohio, May 26, 1843, and is a son of James M. and Caroline (Morey) Disney, people of English-German and English descent, respectively. The father was born in Baltimore, immigrated to Ohio, where he engaged in farming, and from there went to Elkhart County, Ind. He next went to Rock Island, Ill., where he was a drover, and kept a coal yard. In 1860 he went to Pike’s Peak, and three years later died, after having driven some cattle across the country. The mother was born in Virginia, and is a descendant of the famous Capt. Smith. When young she went to Ohio, where her relatives, the Wilsons, of Columbus, live. She died at Springfield, Mo., about 1879. Her maternal grandmother was once sold in Jamestown, Va., for 300 pounds of tobacco. Dr. Disney lived upon the farm until eight years old, and then followed steam-boating until 1867, serving as cook, baker and steward. He then farmed and studied medicine in Webster County, Ky., until 1879, and after practicing some, and attending lectures at the Louisville Medical College, he located at Marble in 1879, where he has established a lucrative practice. January 27, 1863, he was united in marriage, at Springfield, Mo., to Emma R. Grimes, a native of Virginia, born December 10, 1843. This union has been blessed with the following children: Horace W. (deceased), Sarah F. and unnamed infant (deceased twins), Mary C., Lillie J., James H., Ida G. (deceased), Nancy G., Elmer B., Barney J. The Doctor and wife are united with the Free Will Baptist Church. Dr. Disney is a Master Mason, Junior Warden in the Masonic lodge and Past Grand I. O. O. F. Politically the Doctor is a Democrat, cast his first vote for Hancock, and during the war served in the Thirty-seventh Illinois Volunteer Infantry, in Company A. He was wounded at the battle of Pea Ridge, and now draws a pension. He is one of the enterprising men of this place, is the only druggist in Marble, and the leading physician. He often lectures, and holds a license to preach in the Baptist Church.

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This family biography is one of 99 biographies included in The History of Madison County, Arkansas published in 1889.  For the complete description, click here: Madison County, Arkansas History, Genealogy, and Maps

View additional Madison County, Arkansas family biographies here: Madison County, Arkansas

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