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Below is a family biography included in Biographical and Historical Memoirs of Calhoun County, 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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John A. Grubbs, a substantial farmer and stock raiser of Moro Township, Fordyce post-office, was born in Virginia, February 22, 1838. His father, Thomas A. Grubbs, was born in Virginia, in 1806, emigrating from Virginia to Tennessee, where he resided about ten years, and in 1840 moved to Saline County, Ark., where he remained one year, and in 1850 came to Calhoun County, among the first settlers, where he now resides. He was first married to Miss Elizabeth Anderson, a native of Virginia, by whom he had nine children, seven of whom are still living, our subject being third. She died in this county in 1850. Mr. Grubbs has since lost two wives. The subject of this sketch was raised partly in Tennessee and in Arkansas, in which latter State he received most of his schooling. He remained with his parents until he reached his majority. In the fall of 1861 he enlisted in the Confederate army in Company E, Second Arkansas Cavalry, and served all through the war, part of the time as orderly sergeant. While at home on a furlough he was wounded in the left arm and shoulder. He was not engaged in any of the principal battles, being skirmishing most of the time. In December, 1864, he was married to Miss Fannie Oliver, daughter of John and Evaline Oliver, born in Virginia, March 17, 1842. This union resulted in nine children—six sons and three daughters—viz.: Lizzie R., Sidney C, Willie O., Tandie A., Walter J., Thomas W., Eva V., Claude H. and Ella G. Mr. Grubbs has resided on his well-improved farm of 280 acres, about sixty of which is under cultivation, four and one-half miles south of Fordyce and eighteen miles north of county seat since 1870. Mr. and Mrs. Grubbs and two children are members of the Baptist Church. Politically, Mr. Grubbs affiliates with the Democratic party, and cast his first presidential vote for Breckinridge. He is a good citizen, and highly respected by all who know him.

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This family biography is one of 67 biographies included in Biographical and Historical Memoirs of Calhoun County, Arkansas published in 1890.  For the complete description, click here: Calhoun County, Arkansas History, Genealogy, and Maps

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