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Below is a family biography included in Biographical and Historical Memoirs of Desha 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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Charles B. Blackburn. It is without doubt true that the life of any man is of great benefit to a community when all his efforts are directed toward advancing its interests and if he lives according to the teachings of the Golden Rule, he can not fail to win the love and respect of all who know him. Such a man is Mr. Blackburn, who is prominently identified with the mercantile and farming interests of Desha County, Ark. He was born in Chicot County, Ark., in 1845, and is a son of George C. and Isabella P. (Buck) Blackburn, native Kentuckians, their families being among the oldest and most aristocratic of the Blue-Grass State, Senator Joe Blackburn being a brother of George C. The immediate subject of this memoir was reared in Woodford County, Ky., having been taken there by his father when quite young, and like so many of the substantial citizens of this country at the present time, he was initiated into the mysteries of farming from his earliest youth, and this has since been one of the callings to which his attention has been directed. He was not favored with many opportunities for attending school, owing to circumstances over which he had no control, and at the early age of sixteen years, in 1861, he enlisted in the Confederate army, Malcom’s company, Price’s escort and took an active part in the following engagements: Arkansas Post, Poison Springs, Jenkins’ Ferry, Pine Bluff, besides a great many skirmishes in which his command was constantly engaged. He was captured on one occasion, but on account of his extreme youth was released and allowed to return to his command. He served throughout the entire war and surrendered at Shreveport, La., returning to his home in Arkansas. Being of an enterprising and rather restless disposition, he did not long remain here however, but went to Memphis, Tenn., where he spent one year in clerking in a large business house of that city, at the expiration of which time he returned to his native State and settled down to business, opening a mercantile establishment in Laconia, in 1868, with what success may be inferred when the fact is mentioned that he now carries a stock of goods valued at $5,000 and does an annual business of $50,000. Being accommodating and perfectly honorable and upright in his dealings with his patrons, he has become well known and very popular, and in his agricultural enterprises he has been no less successful, as he now owns 2,300 acres of admirable farming land, and has 1,200 acres cleared and under cultivation. His land yields on an average of 750 bales of cotton per year, and other farm products can be raised in abundance. He gives some attention to the propagation of stock, but does not enter extensively into this industry. Although not an active partisan he votes the Democrat ticket, and is always interested in the success and welfare of his party. Public-spirited and deeply interested in the welfare of his county, all enterprises for the up-building of the same find in him a warm advocate and a hearty supporter, institutions of learning, especially, finding in him a liberal contributor. He has shown his approval of secret organizations by becoming a member of the Masonic fraternity, and is a member in good standing in his lodge. His marriage to Miss Cynthia Monroe, was consummated in 1875, she being a daughter of Ben and Martha (Halaway) Monroe, native Kentuckians. They have reared a worthy family of four children: Georgia E., Clifton S., Eddie M. and Mary M. Mr. Mrs. Blackburn are a genial, hospitable and sincere couple, and are held in high esteem by all who know them.

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This family biography is one of 80 biographies included in Biographical and Historical Memoirs of Desha County, Arkansas published in 1890.  For the complete description, click here: Desha County, Arkansas History, Genealogy, and Maps

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