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Below is a family biography included in The History of Madison 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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Dr. John P. Hight, a successful practitioner of Madison County, Ark., and a resident of Lamar Township, was born in Bedford County, Tenn., July 7, 1843, and is the son of William G. and Naomi (Patterson) Hight, who were natives of Bedford and Rutherford Counties, Tenn., respectively. The father died in Franklin County, Ark., in 1882, and the mother in Madison County, of the same State in 1870. The father was a farmer and trader, and at one time was sheriff of Bedford County. He was also a member of the Masonic fraternity, an Odd Fellow, and a Whig before the war, but afterward a Democrat. At the breaking out of the war he moved to Washington County, Ark., and a few years later to Franklin County. Mrs. Hight was a member of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church. To their marriage were born a large family of children, seven now living, and Dr. John P. being the fourth. He received a liberal education at Unionville (Tenn.) College, but left his books and school in 1861 to enlist in Capt. Blankins’ company of the Twenty-third Tennessee Infantry, Confederate army, and served until June, 1865. He was afterward transferred to a cavalry company of scouts, and was made lieutenant of the same. He was in many battles- Chickamauga, Murfreesboro, and many others; was wounded three times; first a musket ball in the right arm at the battle of Murfreesboro, and a Chickamauga he received a musket ball through the right hand. In a skirmish he received a saber cut. At the battle of Chickamauga, and while wounded, he was taken a prisoner and retained about a week. While on his way to prison he jumped from the train and escaped. After the war he worked on the farm, and at the same time studied medicine. In 1871 and 1872 he attended medical lectures at St. Louis, and afterward came to his present location, where he has been very successful and has a very large practice. In connection with this Dr. Hight is also engaged in stock raising, and has some very fine Short horn cattle, Berkshire hogs and Southdown sheep. Although starting with limited means, the Doctor has accumulated a comfortable competency and is doing well. February 27, 1873, he married Miss Mary C. Cummings, a daughter of N. B. and Lucy Cummings, natives of Tennessee, but old settlers of Arkansas, and a native of Madison County, Ark. Four children were the result of this union, three now living: John F., Newton B. and Lucy E. Lester died at the age of three, and was the eldest child. Dr. Hight is a Democrat politically, and his wife is a member of the Christian Church.

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This family biography is one of 99 biographies included in The History of Madison County, Arkansas published in 1889.  For the complete description, click here: Madison County, Arkansas History, Genealogy, and Maps

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

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