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Below is a family biography included in Biographical and Historical Memoirs of Hempstead 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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John A. Eley, a planter, merchant and ginner residing in Redland Township, was originally from North Carolina, where his birth occurred on March 26, 1824. He emigrated from his native State to Arkansas in 1844, settled in Hempstead County and here he has since made his home. He was married to Miss Martha A. Brown, a native of North Carolina (born in 1827), in 1842, and to them have been born nine children, five of whom are now living: Lemuel J., William H., James D., Missouri A. (wife of William Daniels, a farmer living in this county), and Mary A. (wife of W. L. Bosbey, a farmer residing in this county). Mr. Eley served in the Confederate army during the late war, enlisting in the artillery in 1863, and serving until the close of the war. He then returned home and engaged in tilling the soil, which he has continued ever since, but in connection has also carried on milling and merchandising. He is the owner of 600 acres of good land, and has 100 acres under cultivation. He is a member of the Masonic order, and he and wife are members of the Baptist Church. Politically he is a Democrat, and his first presidential vote was cast for James K. Polk. He is in favor of all public improvements, and is a liberal donator to the same. He was justice of the peace of this township for about eighteen years, was postmaster at Hickory Creek post office from 1854 until 1860, and was clerk of the Baptist Church for a number of years. He was one of three children born to Lemuel and Nancy (Cherry) Eley, the father a native of North Carolina, born in the year 1792, and the mother also a native of that State, born in 1811. They were married in North Carolina, and there passed the closing scenes of their life, the father dying in 1822 and the mother in 1887. The latter was a consistent member of the Baptist Church. The parents of Mrs. Eley were John and Martha Brown, natives of North Carolina.

 

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This family biography is one of 131 biographies included in Biographical and Historical Memoirs of Hempstead County, Arkansas published in 1890.  For the complete description, click here: Hempstead County, Arkansas History, Genealogy, and Maps

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