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Below is a family biography included in Biographical and Historical Memoirs of St. Francis 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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W. H. Alley, M. D., in his connection with the professional affairs of this community has attained a well-deserved prominence. Born in Mississippi, in 1861, he passed his boyhood days in the common schools of that State, obtaining a practical education, and manifesting at an early age an unusually bright mind. At the age of fourteen he was at the head of classes in which the majority were many years his senior. When seventeen years old he commenced the study of medicine under a tutor, and in 1879, entering the Vanderbilt University, was graduated from the Medical Department of that institution in March, 1881. He first located in his home, in Mississippi, where he practiced with success for two years, but later became located at Lewisburg, Miss., for one year, and then in Bellevue, Miss., where he remained until 1888. Dr. Alley then came to Arkansas and settled in Forrest City, and though only a few years have elapsed since his entrance, he has built up a practice of which others of more advanced years and experience might well feel proud. Dr. Alley’s wife was formerly Miss Emma L. Cobbs, daughter of Paul M. Cobbs, State and land commissioner of Arkansas. To their union one interesting little daughter has been born, Mary. The Doctor owns an attractive home, which is furnished in excellent taste, and three valuable farms. He is a Democrat in his political views, a member of the K. of P. and prominently identified with the County Medical Society. J. H. and Ophelia (McCombs) Alley, his parents, were natives of Tennessee. The father followed merchandising in Byhalia, Miss., nearly all his life, but in 1884 came to Arkansas and is now engaged in operating a large plantation. Mrs. Alley is still living, and is of Scotch and Irish descent. The paternal grandfather was born in Virginia and the maternal grandfather, N. H. McCombs, came originally from North Carolina, spending the greater portion of his life in Mississippi, where he died at the age of seventy-three years. The maternal grandmother’s name was Reid; she was directly descended from the Scotch and Irish.

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This family biography is one of 87 biographies included in Biographical and Historical Memoirs of St. Francis County, Arkansas published in 1890.  For the complete description, click here: St. Francis County, Arkansas History, Genealogy, and Maps

View additional St. Francis County, Arkansas family biographies here: St. Francis County, Arkansas Biographies

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