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Below is a family biography included in Biographical and Historical Memoirs of Perry 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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Matthew Marion McCabe was born in Aplin Township, Perry County, Ark., August 8, 1835, and by reason of his long residence here, enjoys unbounded acquaintance. His father and mother, James and Minnie (Massingill) McCabe, came to this county with their parents, who were the very first settlers of this county, when buffalo, bear and deer were plentiful. James, of Irish descent, was born in Illinois, and was a farmer by occupation, his wife being of Tennessee origin; she died about 1843, and the father in 1845. There were six children in the family, four now living: Matthew, Sarah A. (wife of Edward Wade), Elizabeth (wife of William Edwards) and John Jasper. Matthew received no education in youth, his parents having died when he was young. He was raised by an uncle till about twelve years old, when he went to work for himself as a farm hand at $4 a month. In October, 1863, he enlisted in Company C, Third Arkansas Cavalry, was engaged in skirmishing most of the time, and May 22, 1865, was discharged. He now has 120 acres of land, which is well watered, located on Cypress Creek; this is a good stock farm, and one of the best improved in the county. When he first bought it, there were ten acres cleared; there are now 120 acres under cultivation. Mr. McCabe is greatly interested in educating his children, and is always active in the advancement of the county and community. In 1856 he married Sarah I. Wade, of Perry County, who died in 1864, leaving three children: John William, Hampton and Sarah (wife of William P. Hubbard). In 1867 he married Mary G. Hambright, of South Carolina, who died about 1880, leaving five children: Green C., Mary C. (wife of Sidney Robinson), Jimmie, Marion J. and Marinda. In January, 1882, Martha Jane Scallions, of Tennessee, became his wife. They have four children: Benjamin, George W., Dimmie and Nancy Jane.

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This family biography is one of 53 biographies included in Biographical and Historical Memoirs of Perry County, Arkansas published in 1889.  For the complete description, click here: Perry County, Arkansas History, Genealogy, and Maps

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