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Below is a family biography from the book, The History of Crawford 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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William T. Coatney was born February 16, 1837, in Lafayette County, Mo., and is the son of George W. and Margeret (Smith) Coatney. The father passed his boyhood in North Carolina, and when sixteen immigrated to Kentucky, traveling the long distance on foot. In that State he married and engaged in farming, but later learned the tanner’s trade. After his marriage he lived several years in Missouri, and then immigrated to Crawford County, Ark. He also lived a short time in Washington County, but died here June 20, 1888, aged eighty-three. The mother was born and reared in Kentucky, and like her husband enjoyed no educational advantages. She bore nine children, six of whom are living: James F., Elizabeth J., William T., Melinda C., Lucinda R. and Emeline; and Nancy A., Mary E. and Martha S. are deceased. Mrs. Coatney died October 12, 1887, being nearly eighty-two years old. William T. Coatney was born in Missouri, but was only a boy when brought by his parents to Arkansas. The county was so little inhabited that there were no schools at that time, and he was reared upon the farm. When eighteen he left the parental roof, and worked out for a year. When nineteen he married Elizabeth Cradduck, daughter of Presley M. and Sarilda (Lamb) Cradduck, natives of Kentucky. Mrs. Coatney was born in this county, and by her Mr. Coatney has seven children: Melissa E., Jonathan W., Elbert T., Sarah B., Lelah J., Katie P. and an infant who died unnamed. Mr. Coatney settled where he now lives in 1865, and he now has 120 acres of land, forty being well cultivated and improved. June 14, 1862, he was mustered into the Union service, and served three years, two months and ten days in Company D, First Arkansas Volunteer Cavalry, participating in the battles of Prairie Grove, Pea Ridge, Fayetteville, etc. He was discharged at the last named place in August, 1865. Mr. Coatney and wife belong to the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, in which the former is an elder. He is a Republican politically, and has served as school director.
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This family biography is one of 222 biographies included in The History of Crawford County, Arkansas published in 1889. For the complete description, click here: Crawford County, Arkansas History, Genealogy, and Maps
View additional Crawford County, Arkansas family biographies here: Crawford County, Arkansas
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