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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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Hon. James M. Merritt, a successful and prominent educator of the State of Arkansas, was born in Jones County, Ga., November 10, 1823, and is a son of William and Jemimah J. (Halley) Merritt, who were born in North Carolina in 1793 and Georgia in 1802, respectively. The father participated in some of the early Indian wars, and when a young man removed to Georgia, where he was married, and made his home until 1848, when he removed with his family to Bradley County, Ark., and purchased and entered land to the amount of 280 acres, on which he built a log-cabin, and settled down to clearing the land. They were among the early settlers of this region, and became well known and highly respected. They were earnest members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and died in Bradley County, Ark., in 1866 and 1857, respectively. A family of eight children was born to them—six sons and two daughters—the following of whom are now living: James M., Julius C., Madrich W. and Jane (the widow of John N. Brooks). She resides in Chicot County. The maternal grandparents of these children were Nathaniel and Martha (Jacobs) Halley, of Georgia. James M. Merritt, their son, was educated in the common schools of his native county, and in the year 1844 started out in life for himself as a teacher, and this occupation has received his attention nearly all his life, his success as an educator being remarkable. He is a leader in this calling, and the youths of the present day who are so fortunate as to receive instruction under him are well fitted on leaving school to successfully battle with the world. His wife, formerly Miss Elizabeth Brooks, was born in Talbot County, Ga., in 1829, and is a daughter of Allan and Maria (Bullock) Brooks, of Georgia. She has borne Mr. Merritt three sons and one daughter, the following of whom are living: William W., Benjamin F., and Maria (who is now residing in Pine Bluff, the widow of John Pettit). Augustus is deceased. When the war of the Rebellion had been in progress two years Mr. Merritt enlisted in Company G, under Capt. John Meek, and was on active duty until the close of the war, receiving his parole at Mendon, La. He is a Republican in his political views, was tax assessor of the county in 1873 and 1874, and in 1873 was elected to the State Legislature from Bradley County, Ark., and discharged his duties in this body with ability. He belongs to the Masonic lodge, and he and wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. His son, Benjamin F. Merritt, is a well-known planter and lawyer of Desha County, but his birth occurred in Bradley County, October 16, 1853. He was reared to a farm life, and finished his education in St. John’s College, Little Rock, attending that institute during the terms of 1874-76, and the following year was admitted to the Chicot County bar, and entered upon the practice of his profession. In 1882 he was elected to the position of county judge, and served during 1883-84, and upon retiring his constituents could view his career there with satisfaction and pride. He is a wealthy real estate holder, and owns 720 acres of excellent land of which 175 acres are under cultivation, devoted to cotton and corn. He belongs to the K. of P., Valley Lodge No 21. On January 1, 1880, he was married to Miss Lizzie Owen, of Carroll Parish, La., a daughter of William S. and Sarah Owen. Mrs. Merritt was born in Louisiana in 1856, and died on November 3, 1880, having been an earnest member of the Presbyterian Church. In 1883 his union with Miss Mary R. Rogers took place. She was born in Mississippi April 14, 1860, and has borne Mr. Merritt a family of two children: James C. and Alice E. Her parents are Joseph and Nancy (Macon) Rogers, of Brookville, Miss.

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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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