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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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Catlett Fitch is a native of White County, Tenn., and was born April 11, 1830. His father, Dr. Thomas L. Fitch, was reared on the James River, his father, John Fitch, having come to America from Scotland before the Revolutionary War, and settled in Virginia. John Fitch was a soldier in the above named war. After graduating from Yale College, in both the literary and medical courses, Dr. Fitch located at Knoxville, and practiced his profession in partnership with Dr. Green. He then practiced a number of years in Sparta, White co., Tenn., and in 1834 went to Rockville, Parke Co., Ind. In 1838 he located in Hardin County, Ky., and in 1850 went to Winterset, Iowa, and in 1852 came to Madison County, Ark., where he bought a farm. In 1829 he wedded Elizabeth (Jones) Fitch, a native of White County, ten., and the mother of five children, four of whom are now living. Mrs. Fitch died in March, 1863. Mr. Fitch made his home with his son Catlett, and then lived in Rocky Fort until 1862. He died in Little Rock, Ark., in November, 1870, and is buried by the side of his wife in Madison County. Catlett Fitch was educated at Milledgeville, Tenn., and was married in March, 1855, to Margaret L. Vaughn, daughter of Judge Vaughn. Mrs. Fitch was born in December, 1838, and is the mother of nine children: Addie S., wife of David Phillips; Nancy L., wife of N. Wilkes; Thomas L., Andrew D., Florence E., wife of A. T. Smith; Julia, wife of Mr. Bell; Catlett, William B. and Samuel W. Mr. Fitch is one of the largest land owners in the county, having 2,100 acres of good farming land besides having given 900 acres to his children. His home place contains 640 acres, well situated and cared for. He is a self-made man, and when arriving in the county had but $12.50 in money, two horses and a wagon. He is an industrious man, and has with his own hands cleared over 100 acres of timbered land. He is an extensive cattle raiser, and sells on an average 300 heads a year. In 1887 he fed his cattle over 7,000 bushels of corn, and sold over 200 bushels of wheat. Himself and family belong to the Missionary Baptist Church, and he is a member of the Little Spring Lodge No. 230, A. F. & A. M., and of Spring Valley Lodge No. 95, I. O. O. F.

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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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