My Genealogy Hound

Below is a family biography included in Biographical and Historical Memoirs of Drew 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.

* * * *

A. E. Harris, real estate dealer, broker and banker, Monticello, Ark. In a new section of country, such as that surrounding Monticello is, comparatively speaking, real estate transactions are of much importance, and the business of the real estate agent must be classed among the leading lines of commercial industry. Among those prominently engaged in this business in Monticello is Mr. A. E. Harris, who was born in Kemper County, Miss., on October 13, 1849, and is the son of Calvin T. and Sarah J. (Everett) Harris, natives of North Carolina. The parents emigrated to Mississippi in about 1835, and there remained until 1851, when they moved to Arkansas, and located in Drew County, on a farm twelve miles south of Monticello, where the father died in 1866. He served as a lieutenant in Gibson’s company, in the late war, and was a very prominent man in politics, being an Old Line Whig, but never aspired for office. He cast his first presidential vote for Henry Clay, in 1844. He owned some real estate at the time of his death. His widow is still living. Of the nine children born to their marriage, five are now living: Arthur E., Nancy L. (wife of E. R. Cotham), Mollie Nunn, Calvin T., and Alice (wife of Ed Spencer). A. E. Harris was quite small when he came to this county, and here he grew to manhood and received his education in the common schools of the country. He worked very hard on the farm, and especially so after the death of his father, when the whole support of the family fell on his shoulders. After he became of age he gave up farming and embarked in mercantile pursuits at Cross Roads Store in Bearhouse Township, where he continued two years. After this he moved to Collins, and continued his former business until 1888, a period of sixteen years. In 1880 he moved with his family to Monticello, but continued business at Collins until 1888. In 1881 he opened up a large and profitable business in Monticello also, and continued it seven years, when he retired from the mercantile business. Since then he has been engaged in the real estate and brokerage business. He owns a vast amount of real estate, and is doing an extensive business. He is in every sense of the much-abused term, “a self made man,” and although he started a poor boy with no means, he is now one of the substantial men of the county, and furthermore, has the respect and esteem of all acquainted with him. Like his father, he has been prominent as a politician, but has never aspired for office. He was married March 14, 1871, to Miss Viola Collins, by whom he has four children living: Ida, Everett, Marvin and Joseph, his wife, Viola, died April 22, 1890, Mr. Harris is a member of the K. of H., and is also an Odd Fellow. He was a delegate to the general conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South, which convened in St. Louis in May, 1890, and has represented his county in the State Democratic Convention almost continuously since 1876. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South.

* * * *

This family biography is one of 83 biographies included in Biographical and Historical Memoirs of Drew County, Arkansas published in 1890.  For the complete description, click here: Drew County, Arkansas History, Genealogy, and Maps

To view additional Drew 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.