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Below is a family biography included in the Woodruff County portion of Biographical and Historical Memoirs of Eastern 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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Andrew J. Marsh. I. M. and Jane M. (Walker) Marsh, the esteemed parents of our subject, were natives of North Carolina and Tennessee, respectively, their marriage occurring in the latter State, and in 1858 they moved to Arkansas, settling in Woodruff County, four miles from the present site of Howell Station. Here the senior Marsh improved a large farm, residing on it until 1867, at which time he returned to Tipton County, Tenn., where he lived for several years, but while visiting in Arkansas, in the year 1869, was claimed by Death. His wife died from injuries received from a vicious mule at her home in Tipton County, Tenn., in 1870. They were both members of the Presbyterian Church. To their marriage a family of thirteen children were born, Andrew J. being the ninth in order of birth. His education was from necessity very limited, as the schools in the days of his youth were not many. He was thoroughly drilled in the management and successful operation of the farm, and has proved himself a worthy example of the sons of the soil. Since his twelfth year Mr. Marsh has resided in Arkansas, and is an ardent admirer of the land of his adoption. In 1871 he settled on his present farm (it then being in the woods), three miles northeast of Howell Station, and is now the owner of 400 acres of excellent land, with 125 under cultivation, all the result of hard work and good management. With the exception of two years in Colona, where he engaged in the merchandising business, Mr. Marsh has always followed the occupation of farming. In 1864 he enlisted in Company C, Third Missouri Cavalry, operating in Indian Territory, Missouri and Kansas; also participated in numerous skirmishes in Arkansas. He was with Gen. Price on his famous raid through Missouri, Kansas and Indian Territory, surrendering at Shreveport, La., June 7, 1865. After the war he returned to his home. Mr. Marsh has been married three times, his first marriage being in 1869 to Miss Sarah A. Sanders, who bore him two children. She died in 1872, leaving an infant twenty-four hours old. Mrs. Marsh was born in Mississippi, and came with her mother and step-father (Mr. Collins) to this State, settling in Woodruff County. Her mother is now residing in Texas. In 1873 he was again married, to Mary Tubbs, of Humphrey County, Tenn., she being the mother of two sons. This wife dying in 1882, in 1885 he married Julia Joyner. He has met with many accidents, narrowly escaping death at times, one accident in particular being the fall of a nail-keg filled with mud. This keg fell thirty-two feet striking him on the head, fracturing it and breaking his arm and shoulder. Politically he is a Democrat, his first vote being for Seymour, in 1868. He was formerly allied with the lodge of K. of H. at Cotton Plant, and, with the exception of his sister, is the only member of his family residing in Woodruff County. Mr. Marsh, his wife and two children belong to the Methodist Episcopal Church, of which he is steward.

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This family biography is one of 69 biographies included in the Woodruff County portion of Biographical and Historical Memoirs of Eastern Arkansas published by Goodspeed Publishing Company in 1890.  For the complete description, click here: Woodruff County, Arkansas History, Genealogy, and Maps

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

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