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Below is a family biography included in Biographical and Historical Memoirs of Faulkner County, Arkansas published by Goodspeed Publishing Company in 1889.  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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Levi N. Lee, one of the leading farmers and an extensive manufacturer of all kinds of lumber at Wooster, East Fork Township, Faulkner County, was born in Coosa County, Ala., April, 23, 1843, and was the seventh child of eleven born to Isaiah and DeMaris (Donovan) Lee, natives of Columbia District, S. C., and Alabama, respectively. The father was first married in South Carolina, but lost his wife soon after. He met and married his second wife in Alabama and resided in that State until his death in 1878. The elder Lee was an extensive planter and a well-known citizen of Alabama, in which State the mother still resides. Levi N. was reared on his father’s farm and instructed in the various duties of agricultural life, and received his education in the schools of Coosa County and the Fish Pond Academy. After finishing his studies he commenced farming for himself, and purchased an improved plantation of 420 acres in his native county. He remained here and continued at that occupation with success until 1882, when he moved to Faulkner County, Ark., and settled at Wooster. He purchased sixty acres of very fertile land at this place, and has placed it all under cultivation, and the following year after his arrival he erected a mill plant and a cotton-gin, his various interests now making him one of the busiest men in that section. He is active in politics and votes with the Democratic party, but also advocates the Union Labor ticket. Mr. Lee was married in Coosa County, Ala., in 1862, to Miss Sarah E. Richardson, of Georgia, a daughter of George W. and Nancy (Hall) Richardson, who were among the earliest settlers of Alabama. The father died in 1866, but the mother is still residing in Coosa County, Ala. Mr. and Mrs. Lee were the parents of the following children: James L. (who resides in Union Township), Sarah V. (now Mrs. Adams, residing in Texas), J. H., Adaline (now Mrs. Dickens, of Greenbrier, Ark.), Anna, John, O. H., L. L. and Ola G. Mr. Lee lost his excellent wife in 1888, and in 1889 was married to Miss M. J. Simmons, of Faulkner County, a daughter of Harrison and Missouri (Lyon) Simmons, natives of Indiana who came to Arkansas in 1861, and settled in what is now Faulkner County, where the father became an extensive farmer. Harrison Simmons died in 1884, but his wife still survives him. Daring the Civil War Mr. Lee enlisted in Capt. Wright’s company for one year, and was assigned to the Eighth Cavalry Regiment. At the expiration of his term he reenlisted in the same company for three years and took part in the battles of Murfreesboro, Chickamauga, Antietam and Marietta, Ga. At the latter place he was severely wounded by a gunshot in the hip, which confined him for some time in the hospital at Atlanta. After his recovery, he rejoined his regiment, and fought in a number of battles before the surrender. In 1865 he was paroled at Montgomery, Ala., and returned to Coosa County. Mr. and Mrs. Lee are both members of the Baptist Church, and liberal contributors to religious and educational matters. Mr. Lee has watched with interest the growth and progress of Faulkner County since his residence in that place, and notes with pleasure that a vast change has taken place not only in the agricultural, commercial and industrial affairs of the county, but from a moral standpoint as well.

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This family biography is one of 40 biographies included in Biographical and Historical Memoirs of Faulkner County, Arkansas published in 1889.  For the complete description, click here: Faulkner County, Arkansas History, Genealogy, and Maps

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