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Below is a family biography included in Biographical and Historical Memoirs of Union 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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Dr. M. A. McHenry is one of the most successful practitioners of the “healing art,” in Hillsboro, Ark., and his practice, which extends over a wide territory, testifies abundantly to his ability. He has been a resident of the county from his birth, which occurred on February 1, 1855, and as the people of this locality have had every opportunity of judging of his character and capabilities, he is respected and esteemed wherever known. He is the fourth of eleven children born to R. P. and M. C. (Williams) McHenry, the location of the McHenrys in this country dating from the settlement of Fort McHenry, Md. R. P. McHenry was born in Alabama, and there lived until he reached his majority, but at that time took up his residence in Union County, Ark., where he was one of the very earliest settlers. Dr. McHenry remained on his father’s farm until about twenty years of age, then began doing for himself as the war had left his parents comparatively poor. He then spent, some time in teaching school and following the plow, and while following these callings, at odd moments he succeeded in obtaining a thorough and practical knowledge of the “world of books,” and soon obtained enough means to enable him to finish his studies at the State University at Fayetteville, Ark. In 1882 he completed a course in the Medical Department of the University of Louisiana, after which he returned to Hillsboro, Ark., and began the practice of his profession at that place in partnership with Dr. M. L. Jameson, which connection was dissolved at the end of three years by mutual consent. Since then he has followed his calling alone and met with excellent success. In 1885, with a cousin, C. P. McHenry, bought out the mercantile interests of Dr. M. L. Jameson, and since that time he has had an interest in the firm known as C. P. McHenry & Co., which does an annual business of about $20,000, the stock of goods averaging about $7,000. These gentlemen are careful and methodical men of business, making close collections, which in 1889 amounted to ninety-seven per cent of the amount sold on credit. Dr. McHenry has been exceptionally successful in the accumulation of worldly goods, and is now owner of about 1,240 acres of land, of which 175 are in a tillable state. The Doctor, feeling that “it was not good for man to live alone,” was married in 1884 to Miss Carrie W. Holbrook, a daughter of M. A. and L. M. Holbrook, and a lady of fine literary and musical attainments of sterling worth and heiress of her uncle, Dr. Goldsmith’s estate. To them have been born four children: (The first child died shortly after its birth), Armand G., Carl H., and an infant not yet named. The Doctor is a Democrat, and although president of the Township and County Democratic club, he does not take an active part in politics. He has been a member of the Masonic fraternity since 1886, and from earliest boyhood has been a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South. He has always been a public-spirited citizen, is liberal in his contributions to worthy enterprises, is kind hearted and has ever been found ready to extend the right hand of fellowship to all with whom he comes in contact.

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This family biography is one of 84 biographies included in Biographical and Historical Memoirs of Union County, Arkansas published in 1890.  For the complete description, click here: Union County, Arkansas History, Genealogy, and Maps

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