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Below is a family biography included in Biographical and Historical Memoirs of Independence 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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Churchill Bros., general merchants, Sulphur Rock, Ark. The above mercantile firm, successors of J. N. Churchill & Sons, consists of these brothers, C. D. and J. C. Churchill, who succeeded their father in the business at Charlotte, Black River Township, Independence County, on the 15th of February, 1889. C. D., the senior member of the firm, is a native of Independence County, Ark., and was born on the 1st of August, 1859. He is the eldest child born to J. N. Churchill, whose sketch may be seen preceding this, and was reared to the duties on a farm. He was educated in Bayou Dota Academy, and later spent one year at Mountain Home Male and Female Academy, at Mountain Home, Baxter County, Ark. During the winter seasons, when not attending school, he spent his time in his father’s store as salesman, there learning the principles of the business which have since made him a successful merchant. He was married, on the 16th of December, 1880, to Miss Callie Linn, daughter of J. H. Linn (deceased), who was a farmer, and also filled the position of county judge of Baxter County, Ark. By this union two children were born: Daisy P., eight years of age, and is now living with her grandmother Linn, and attending school at Mountain Home, and Oscar Linn, who is six years of age, lives with his father, and attends school at home. Mrs. Churchill’s death occurred on the 31st of October, 1887. The early training of Mr. Churchill fitted him for a commercial life, and his future prospects are indeed bright. J. C. Churchill, the junior member of the same firm, was born in this county on the 11th of September, 1863, and he, like his brother, was reared to farm life, and was educated in Bayou Dota Academy, where he spent ten months in the study of dentistry, under the tutelage of Dr. W. G. Roseborough, of Batesville. He was obliged to abandon the study of dentistry from the fact that one of his eyes was injured from the accidental discharge of a gun. Since then his entire time has been directed to commercial pursuits. On the 22d of January, 1885, his marriage to Miss Amanda Sorrells was consummated. She was the daughter of R. L. Sorrells, a native of Illinois, and a farmer of Black River Township. C. D. Churchill first engaged in business at Sulphur Rock, in the spring of 1879, under the name of Churchill & Son, and in the spring of 1880 the title was changed to C. D. Churchill. In September of the last mentioned year he removed to Hazel Grove, where he continued until the summer of 1887, when he removed to Charlotte; then, in January, 1888, he became a member of the firm of Churchill & Sons, composed of J. N. Churchill and the subjects of this sketch. Under this name they continued business until the 15th of February, 1889, when the present firm was formed. They recently erected a large store-building at Sulphur Rock, 32x60 feet, consisting of three large commodious rooms, in which they became located about the 1st of September, and now carry on a general mercantile business. Both are members of Bayou Dota Lodge No. 126, A. F. & A. M., and also hold membership in Council U. D. and Danley R. A. Chapter No. 59, at Sulphur Rock. C. D. Churchill is a member of Walnut Grove Church, Methodist Episcopal, South. They vote with the Democratic party, and exert quite an influence in local politics. J. C. Churchill is notary public for Independence County. They take an interest in all improvements for the public good, and contribute liberally to their support.

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This family biography is one of 158 biographies included in Biographical and Historical Memoirs of Independence County, Arkansas published in 1889.  View the complete description here: Independence County, Arkansas History, Genealogy, and Maps

View additional Independence County, Arkansas family biographies here: Independence County, Arkansas Biographies

View a map of 1889 Independence County, Arkansas here: Independence County, Arkansas Map

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