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Below is a family biography included in Biographical and Historical Memoirs of Howard 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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Dr. William W. Reese, physician, Centre Point, Ark. Dr. Reese is well established as a physician of merit and true worth in Howard County, and has won the confidence and esteem of all in the county. He was born in Liberty, Bedford County, Va., on October 9, 1826, and was the eldest of ten children born to James R. and Annie (Jones) Reese, natives of Virginia. The father was born May 12, 1800, and the mother was born the same year. They were married in their native State in 1821, resided there for twelve years, and then moved to Tennessee, where they made their home until 1870. They then came to Arkansas and there passed the closing scenes of their lives, the mother dying May 8, 1886, and the father September 12, 1888. They were buried at Corinth, Ark. The father was a farmer, and he and wife were members of the Christian Church. Dr. William W. Reese was reared in Tennessee, received a good English education in the common schools, and when grown, began life as an agriculturist. This he has since continued to follow, and is now the owner of a good farm. He studied medicine in his native State, began practicing in Arkansas, and this has since continued in connection with his farming interest. His first marriage was to Miss Nancy Calhoun December 11, 1844, and seven children were born to this marriage: Granville L. (deceased), William B., James R. (deceased), Jordan F., Thomas J., Newton J. and Leonidas L. Mrs. Reese died in 1864, and in 1865 Mr. Reese took for his second wife Mrs. Mary E. (Morton) Sutton, a native of Tennessee, who bore him five children, all living: Mary E., James R., David D., Sarah C. and Wiley W. Sarah C. was married February 4, 1889, to Mr. James R. Henderson, a farmer. James R. married Miss Lucy Campbell in 1889. In 1862 the Doctor enlisted in the Confederate army, Nineteenth Arkansas Regiment, as a private, and served in that capacity a portion of the time during the war. He was in the battle of Elkhorn, and after cessation of hostilities he returned to his home in Arkansas. He is active in politics, votes with the Democratic party, and was elected magistrate, serving in that capacity for about fourteen years. He was also associate justice in Pike County for two years. He is at present school director, and has held that position for six years. He is a Master Mason, and he and family are members of the Christian Church. His farm consists of about 340 acres, with 200 acres under cultivation. The Doctor has never been a witness in court, nor had a legal case, and he has avoided taking any oath, except as an official.

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This family biography is one of 116 biographies included in Biographical and Historical Memoirs of Howard County, Arkansas published in 1890.  For the complete description, click here: Howard County, Arkansas History, Genealogy, and Maps

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