Thomas Grantham (bio) COUCH

Thomas - 1853-1908
Manie - 1856-1931

T. G. Couch, of the firm of Couch, Blewster & Co., of Magnolia, is a Georgian, born on February 28, 1852, the fourth of eight children born to Irvin and Lucy (Rose) Couch, they being also Georgians. The paternal and maternal grandparents were pioneer settlers of Georgia, Indians being very plentiful at that time, and each entered land and reared a large family of children. Irvin Couch followed in his father’s footsteps and made farming his chief occupation through life, but in connection with this calling was engaged in merchandising during the latter part of his life. In 1850 he came to the State of Arkansas and settled in Union County, but came the following year to Columbia County, where he purchased land and made himself a farm. Prior to the war he opened a mercantile establishment in the city of Magnolia, but in 1859 closed his establishment, and November of the following year he was called to his long home, having been an earnest member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. His widow survives him. She has been a member of the Methodist Church since girlhood, and although now sixty-one years of age is in the enjoyment of good health. T. G. Couch, after obtaining a fair education in the common schools, at the age of twenty-one years began farming on his own account on his mother’s homestead, and remained with her until he was twenty-three years of age. After farming for two years in Lamar County, Tex., he returned to this county and after spending one year on the old homestead he came to Magnolia and formed a partnership with J. B. Curry in the grocery business, but at the end of six months became sole proprietor and until 1879 conducted the business alone. He then became associated in the same business with C. T. Goode, a stock of drugs being added, and this firm existed for one year, at which time Mr. Couch sold out and began clerking for R. T. Cole and remained in his employ for two years. He and J. P. Couch then opened a grocery establishment at Blanchard’s Springs in Union County; but two years later they closed out their business and T. G. Couch returned to Magnolia, and during 1884-85 was a clerk for Power & Couch. The following year he became connected with Mr. Blewster of the present firm, and until January 1, 1887, the firm was Blewster & Couch, after which it became Couch, Blewster & Co., S. O. Couch becoming a partner. As stated in the sketch of Mr. Blewster this is one of the leading firms in Southern Arkansas. Mr. Couch was married in 1880, to Miss Maggie Bayless of Columbia County, a daughter of D. T. H. Bayless, and to them two children have been born: Minnie T., who died August 23, 1885, and Harry B. The mother of these children died August 28, 1885, at the untimely age of twenty-five years, and November 5, 1889, Mrs. Bennie Collins, nee Hearn, became his wife. Mrs. Couch has a child by her former marriage named James L. Both Mr. Couch and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and he belongs to the I. O. O. F., Magnolia Lodge No. 24, and the K. of H., Magnolia Lodge No. 3150. Politically he is a Democrat, although not particularly active. (Biographical and Historical Memoirs of Southern Arkansas - Goodspeed Publishing Company - 1890)

Contributed on 8/29/11 by jeanetteponder
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Record #: 581102

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