My Genealogy Hound

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.

* * * *

Thomas Polk Oliver, a resident of Calhoun County, Franklin Township, Hampton post office, was born in Calhoun County. Ark., January 25, 1848, the third child born to Jeptha and Elizabeth Oliver, natives of Talladega County, Ala. His parents are still living three miles from Hampton, in Calhoun County. The subject of this sketch was reared in this county, receiving a limited education in the common country schools. He began doing for himself at the age of twenty years, engaging in agricultural pursuits. He now owns 265 acres of land, with 100 acres under cultivation, and from which he always gathers a good crop. Mr. Oliver was married, July 5, 1870, to Miss Margaret I. King, daughter of J. S. and Martha King, natives of Alabama, St. Clair County. She died, leaving four children: William L., Jeptha L., John S. and James H. September 4, 1889, Mr. Oliver was again married, this time to Miss Lula C. Ashford, daughter of Hiram Ashford, a native of Tennessee. Politically he affiliates with the Democratic party, but takes no active part in politics. Mr. Oliver is at present serving as constable of Franklin Township. He was elected in 1888 without any electioneering or canvassing on his part. He is a member of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, and takes an active interest in educational and religious work, as well as anything that will promote the public welfare. He is a good citizen and a successful farmer.

* * * *

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

To view additional Calhoun County, Arkansas family biographies, click here

Use the links at the top right of this page to search or browse thousands of other family biographies.