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Below is a family biography included in Biographical and Historical Memoirs of Crittenden 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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Col. O. P. Lyles, the extent of whose reputation is by no means confined to the immediate limits of Memphis, his present place of residence, has been so closely and worthily identified with the affairs of Crittenden County, both in an official capacity and as a private citizen, in the more humble but not less important walks of life, that an omission of a brief sketch of his life from the present volume would be greatly to be regretted. A Tennesseean by birth and bringing up, he first saw the light of day in the month of November, 1829. From an early age he found it very necessary to exercise a firm determination to fit himself for the responsibilities of after-life. His first remunerative efforts were as clerk on a river trading-boat, an occupation to which he devoted himself until about 1844, when he located at Marion, Ark. Self-educated and taught by hard experience the value of self-reliance, he rapidly demonstrated his worth and ability in his new home, and in 1850 was elected clerk of the circuit court, a position that he ably filled some eight years. During this time he began the study of law, and applied himself closely to an insight into the legal profession, being admitted to the bar in 1857. In 1858-59 he was representative from this county in the State legislature, and in 1861, when the threatening war cloud burst in all its fury, he became identified with that section to which his interests were so closely allied. Enlisting as a private, upon the reorganization of the army, he was unanimously elected colonel of the Twenty-third Arkansas Infantry Regiment, and participated in the hard-fought battles of Corinth, Davis’ Bridge, siege of Port Hudson, and various skirmishes, his career as a soldier being more severe and fraught with harder service than characterized the experiences of many noble “boys in gray.” On July 9, 1863, he was taken prisoner after the siege of fifty-one days, and suffered the tortures of prison life for some time. During his military service he was in command of one or another of the wings of the army, and it is a matter of record that a recommendation was made to Jeff. Davis to bestow upon Col. Lyles a commission as major-general; a brigadier’s commission was offered him, but this well-deserved honor he declined. At the expiration of the war the Colonel was sent to the senate, and while a member of that body was elected to the United States Congress, but was not allowed to take his seat. During the troublous period of reconstruction his life was often threatened; his personal bravery and firmness of position seeming to aggravate, especially, the bitter hostility of unscrupulous citizens. In 1868 he received a positive warning that the members of the Loyal League intended taking his life upon a certain night. Immediately removing to Memphis with his family, he awaited on the night of the intended attack the assault to be made, when at a certain hour a knock was heard, to which Mrs. Lyles responded by opening the door; immediately two ruffians brushed roughly by her, but being confronted by a gun in the hands of Col. Lyles quickly withdrew. From the time of residence in Memphis he has followed closely the practice of his profession, the result of which has placed him in a most desirable pecuniary position. He still claims Crittenden County as his home, where he has considerable property interests. His record as a public servant redounds greatly to his credit, and for the assistance which he has rendered this community, all refer to him in terms of the highest praise. Col. Lyles was married, August 13, 1848, to his present wife, Miss Jane McClung, daughter of James and Margaret McClung. Five children have blessed this union, three sons and two daughters: William L. (married and a resident of Texas). Charles L. (died in 1884), George W., Mary Bell (wife of Seth Cox) and Olive Blanche. The family are numbered among the active, influential members of the Methodist Church. As a man, Col. Lyles is possessed of sterling and irreproachable traits of character, enjoying in a high degree, the esteem and respect which those qualities create. Generous to a fault, kind and affectionate as a husband and father, he is alike admired in social and professional circles.

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This family biography is one of 82 biographies included in Biographical and Historical Memoirs of Crittenden County, Arkansas published in 1890.  For the complete description, click here: Crittenden County, Arkansas History, Genealogy, and Maps

View additional Crittenden County, Arkansas family biographies here: Crittenden County, Arkansas Biographies

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