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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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Rev. William F. Newton is the owner of one of the finest estates in Arkansas, which comprises 1,200 acres of land, 500 acres of which are cleared and under cultivation. Ever since locating in this county he has enjoyed the reputation of being, not only a substantial and progressive farmer, but an intelligent and thoroughly posted man in all public affairs. His name has always been synonymous with honorable, upright dealing, and he fully deserves the reputation he has gained. He was born in Lawrence County, Tenn., in 1828, being a son of Smith and Elizabeth (Johnston) Newton, both of whom were born in South Carolina and removed to Tennessee at an early day, settling in Lawrence County, where they were married about 1827. After this event they moved to Fayette County, which they made their home for thirty years, then located in another home, where they spent their declining years, dying in 1874, at the age of sixty-six and seventy-four years, respectively. The father was a man of many sterling traits of character, and upon his death, besides leaving a valuable property, left his children an example of a well-spent life. William F. Newton spent the most of his youth on his father’s farm, becoming thoroughly familiar with the details of farm work, and at the age of twenty years began acting as overseer on a large plantation. In 1847 he was married to Miss Jane Appleberry, a daughter of Richard and Mabel (Nolan) Appleberry, Virginians, and the following children were born to them: Virginia C., John F., Arthur D., Anna T. and Elizabeth J., the eldest two children, only, being alive. The mother of these children passed from life in 1858, and in October of the same year Mr. Newton wedded Mary E. Pinat, offspring of Philip and Emily Pinat, and a family of six children was born to them: Thomas D., Mary E., Richard and George L., living; and Lou E. and James A. deceased. The mother of these children was called to her long home in 1874, and the following year Mr. Newton married his third and present wife, Mrs. Isabella (Hopkins) Hunt, a daughter of Solomon and Margaret Hopkins, the former born in North Carolina and the latter in Tennessee. In 1863 Mr. Newton enlisted in the Confederate service, Company E, Thompson’s battalion, and took part in the battles of Fredericktown, Ironton, Arcadia, Jefferson City, Independence, Big Blue, Newtonia, Springfield, California and Mexico, Mo.; Boonville, Pea Ridge, Cane Hill, Mark’s Mill, and numerous others. January 23, 1865, he was captured and taken to Pine Bluff, where he was kept a prisoner until the final surrender. He has been a resident of the State of Arkansas since 1858, and has accumulated a fine property. He first started as an overseer, then became interested in the mercantile business, being in partnership with another gentleman, but in 1860 became sole proprietor and continued until the breaking out of the war, when he was financially ruined by the burning of a large quantity of cotton which he had purchased on credit and valued at $20,000, the fire being kindled by Confederate soldiers. He now gives some attention to stock-raising and also cotton-ginning, but the most of his time is spent in managing his property, the hard work being left to others. He has been a minister of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South, for seventeen years, his wife and family also being members of this church. He is a Mason, and in his political views is a Democrat, but is not an active partisan.

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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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