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Below is a family biography included in Biographical and Historical Memoirs of Cleveland 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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Isaac B. Williams. This respected citizen of Cleveland County, Ark., is a native of the county in which he now resides, his birth having occurred November 17, 1853. He is a son of H. E. and Eliza (Smith) Williams, who were born, reared and married in Alabama, and moved to Arkansas in 1850, opening a woodland farm where Rison is now situated. During the struggle between the North and South he served in the Confederate Cavalry, and was captured in 1863 and confined in Rock Island Prison until the close of the war. He died on his way home at Cairo, Ill. His wife died in October, 1889, aged sixty-one years, and both were members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South. Isaac B. Williams was the third of their seven children and is the only one of the family now living, the rest dying in infancy and childhood. When ten years of age he was forced by circumstances to begin the battle of life for himself, and for several years found it very difficult to make his way in the world, but by enterprise, push, and a determination to succeed, his career has been more than ordinarily successful, and he is now accounted a leading citizen of the county. He was engaged in farming until 1883, when he opened a general mercantile establishment, which he has since successfully conducted, and by his many worthy business qualities he has won a liberal share of public favor. His marriage to Miss Mary E. McMurtrey was celebrated in 1881, she being a daughter of Col. E. L. McMurtrey, and by her he has three children: Hartwell, Kathleen, and Roscoe (who died when three years of age). Mr. and Mrs. Williams are members of the Missionary Baptist Church, and he is a supporter of Democratic principles.

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This family biography is one of 75 biographies included in Biographical and Historical Memoirs of Cleveland County, Arkansas published in 1890.  For the complete description, click here: Cleveland County, Arkansas History, Genealogy, and Maps

To view additional Cleveland County, Arkansas family biographies, click here

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