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Below is a family biography included in Biographical and Historical Memoirs of Sharp 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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Thomas C. Sims, a prominent farmer and stock raiser of Sullivan Township, was born in Rutherford County, Tenn., in 1832. His parents were the Hon. Leonard H. and Louisa (Beatty) Sims, born in North Carolina in 1807, and Virginia in 1808, respectively, and were united in marriage in Rutherford County, Tenn. In 1839 the parents removed to a point near Springfield, Mo., but in 1847 returned to Tennessee, and in 1859 they came to Independence County, Ark., where the father died in 1886, and the mother in Tennessee the following year. The elder Sims was at one time one of the most brilliant politicians in Tennessee. He twice represented Rutherford County in the legislature, and from 1842 to 1845 or 1846, represented Greene County, Mo., in the State legislature. During the Polk administration he was a member of the National Congress from Missouri (at large), and in 1866 was elected to represent Independence and Stone Counties in the State senate. He was again elected in 1874 for the long term of four years, and his oratory while a member of that body was noted for its eloquence. He was a man of superior abilities, a close observer of men and events, and a shrewd politician, and never suffered defeat in a political contest. When a member of the senate he served on the committee on Federal returns, and was one of the ablest men of that body, and was also an ardent advocate for the payment in full of the State debt. During his first term in the Arkansas State senate he delivered the memorial address on the late Senator Lusburrow, who was the senator from Pulaski County during that session, but had recently committed suicide while the senate was in session. This was one of the most eloquent and able addresses ever heard in the senate chamber, and Mr. Sims was the recipient of many flattering compliments and considerable praise on this occasion. He was also a prominent member of the A. F. & A. M., Curia Lodge, and of the Royal Arch Chapter. In politics he had been a Democrat all his life, and was a strong supporter of that party. Thomas C. Sims was the fourth child of seven sons and five daughters, and received a good common school and academic education. In 1854 he was married to Sarah J., daughter of Judge A. H. Nunn, and by this marriage has had ten children, of whom four sons and three daughters are still living. In 1855 he moved to what is now Sharp County, and settled on a farm with but very little improvement, but since that time he has placed 145 acres under cultivation, owning altogether some 346 acres, besides a number of town lots in Hardy, and all the result of his own industry, business tact, and good management in farming and trading. He taught school for several years before and since the war, and, on the outbreak of hostilities between the North and South, he enlisted in Company G, of Col. Shaler’s regiment, and served almost three years in the Confederate army, holding the rank of first lieutenant for two years. He fought in a number of battles in Missouri, Kansas, and portions of the Indian Territory, and was with Price on his raids through Missouri and Kansas. He was present during the surrender at Jacksonport, in 1865, and returned home after the war was over. In politics, Mr. Sims has always been a Democrat, and was appointed postmaster of Sullivan Springs for several years. He is a member of Evening Shade Lodge No. 143, A. F. & A. M., and, with his wife, has been a member of the Presbyterian Church for over thirty years. His grandfather, Swepson Sims, of North Carolina, resided in Rutherford County, Tenn., for about forty-five years, where he was a noted physician in his day. His father was Leonard Sims, a Scotchman, who settled in North Carolina at a very early period. William Beatty, the grandfather of Thomas C. Sims, was a native of Virginia, and died in Rutherford County, Tenn., where he had resided a great many years. Joseph Sims, the great-uncle of Thomas C. Sims, first settled at Welchmere, now known as Lebanon, Tenn., and was the first man to cut down a tree in that place. Leonard H., the father of Thomas C. Sims, was a great hunter in his younger days, and a celebrated shot. His early experience with the Indians had given him a skill with the rifle that was marvelous, and to the present day many a tale may be heard of the great work done by him in the far West.

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This family biography is one of 43 biographies included in Biographical and Historical Memoirs of Sharp County, Arkansas published in 1889.  View the complete description here: Sharp County, Arkansas History, Genealogy, and Maps

View additional Sharp County, Arkansas family biographies here: Sharp County, Arkansas Biographies

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