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Below is a family biography from the book,  The History of Franklin 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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Jeptha P. Greenwood was born in Franklin County, Ark., August 15, 1841, and is the son of William and Fanny (Harris) Greenwood, natives of Virginia and North Carolina, respectively. The father was born in 1818, and died in Franklin County, Ark., in 1879. He left his parents in 1836, or when eighteen years of age, came to Arkansas, and settled at Clarksville, where he remained for two years. The first year he was in a tan-yard, and the next year he followed the carpenter’s trade. He then engaged in farming, which occupation he continued up to the breaking out of the war, and lost all his property during that eventful period. In 1861 he enlisted in Capt. Comb’s company, Col. Hill’s regiment, and served until the close of the war. He was in many battles, most all west of the Mississippi River: Oakhill, Elkhorn, Poison Springs, Mark’s Mill, Saline and many others. He was never wounded or taken prisoner, and served with honor and credit. He was also a soldier in the Mexican War, and served for one year. He was justice of the peace for a number of years, and was a Democrat in politics, and a member of the Methodist Church. He married Miss Harris in Johnson County, whither she had come with her parents when a girl. She was a member of the Missionary Baptist Church. They were the parents of nine children, five now living: Jeptha P., Nancy Ardelia (widow of Alexis Badgette), William, Mollie (wife of W. A. James) and Richard. Those deceased were named Allen, James L., John and Gomalda. Jeptha P. Greenwood remained at home until 1862, when he enlisted in Capt. Comb’s company, Col. Hill’s regiment, cavalry, Confederate States Army, and served until the close of the war. He then disbanded at Marshall, Tex., in May, 1865. He was in many battles, but was never wounded. In 1868 he married Miss Cornetta Badgette, daughter of W. H. Badgette, and a native of North Carolina, born November 26, 1849. Ten children were born to this marriage, seven now living: William A., James B., Jeptha (deceased), John W. (deceased), Maggie, O. B. (deceased), Sarah Emily, Sam., Elizabeth and Gertrude. Mr. Greenwood is the owner of 200 acres of as good upland as is to be found in the county, is a Democrat in politics and he and his wife and William A. are members of the Missionary Baptist Church, of which Mr. Greenwood is a deacon and William A. is clerk. The family have the respect and esteem of all acquainted with them.

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This family biography is one of 163 biographies included in The History of Franklin County, Arkansas published in 1889.  For the complete description, click here: Franklin County, Arkansas History, Genealogy, and Maps

View additional Franklin County, Arkansas family biographies here: Franklin County, Arkansas

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