My Genealogy Hound

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.

* * * *

Samuel Marks, merchant, Arkansas City, Ark. In scanning these sketches biographique of Desha County, one fact must strike the reader with peculiar force—the high standing attained by its business men. No city in this part of the State has such a thoroughly qualified business population as has Arkansas City, and Mr. Marks is a leading light among the number. His birth occurred in Louisiana in 1857, and he is the second of eight children—five sons and three daughters—born to the union of H. and Hannah (Baszinsky) Marks, natives of Prussia. The father came to this country in 1839, settled in East Carroll Parish in 1846, and engaged in merchandising, which he continued there until 1861. He then moved to New Orleans, followed the same business, and in 1879 took up his residence at St. Louis. He is now retired from active business. The mother came to this county about 1850, and is related to the Baszinkys of Vicksburg, Miss. Her father was a rabbi of the Jewish Synagogue. Of the children born to Mr. and Mrs. Marks, seven are now living: Isaac, Samuel, Hiney (a physician of St. Louis), Adolph, Solomon and Louis. Bertha and Tillie are at home. Mr. and Mrs. Marks are now residing in St. Louis, and both are members of the Jewish Synagogue. Samuel Marks was educated in New Orleans, graduating from the New Orleans Central High School in 1872, and at the age of twenty-one he commenced business for himself in Louisiana. After remaining there a short time, he moved to Wellsville, Mo., and after a residence there of two years moved to Pine Bluff in 1884. In 1885 he moved to Arkansas City, established his present business and is one of the prominent and wide-a wake men of that city, doing an annual business of about $60,000. His stock is confined to dry goods, boots and shoes, gents’ furnishing goods, etc. He employs about five men in his establishment and does a strictly cash business. He owns his business house which is 40x100 feet, fronting on the main street of the city and also fronting the river and railroad. Mr. Marks was married in June, 1881, to Miss Fannie Aubruey, of Wellsville, Mo., and the daughter of Nelson Aubruey. The fruits of the union of Mr. and Mrs. Marks are two children: Vivia and Eunice. Mr. Marks is a member of the I. O. O. F., Wellsville, Lodge No. 359, and is also a member of the K. of P., Valley Lodge No. 21, at Arkansas City, Ark. He has been keeper of records and seals for three terms, and is secretary of the Arkansas City Water Works Company. He is also secretary of the school board of this place. Mr. Marks and two brothers, Solomon and Louis, have a large store at Huntington, Miss., the same line as is carried in the establishment at Arkansas City, and do an annual business of about $35,000. This business was established in the early part of 1889, and is paying them well.

* * * *

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

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

Use the links at the top right of this page to search or browse thousands of other family biographies.