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Below is a family biography included in Biographical and Historical Memoirs of Jefferson 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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Frank M. Fergus (deceased) was a prominent planter of Jefferson County, and a man whose memory is cherished by the citizens of this section as one of its influential, respected residents. He was born in Cumberland County, Ky., in the year 1822, and remained at home with his parents till he became of age. His first venture on leaving home was to teach school, and in 1847 he came to this county, locating six miles below the present homestead, removing in 1859 to the place where his widow now resides; this was then unimproved, but by his good management and care, was put in a fine state of cultivation. At that time there were 700 acres, a part of which has since gone into the river. Mr. Fergus became one of the leading planters of the county, quiet and unassuming in his manner of living, and although not a church member, was a believer in the Christian religion. His people were Methodists. He died May 23, 1884. Mr. Fergus’ marriage was to Mrs. Mildred A. Morrell, widow of M. P. Morrell. Mr. Morrell was born at Natchez, Miss., in 1820, and died in 1857. He came to Arkansas in 1852, and located in Jefferson County, on the south side of the Arkansas River, six miles below Pine Bluff, where as a planter he became well-to-do, leaving at the time of his death about 1,200 acres of land. Mrs. Fergus was born in Clark County, Ky., the daughter of Louis and Elizabeth Boone (Brooks) Bledsoe, of Virginia. Her great-grandmother was a near relative of Daniel Boone. Mrs. Fergus’ parents first settled in Chicot County, where the father died in 1844, and in the same year the family went to Pulaski, near Little Rock. The mother died in 1874, in Kentucky. Four of this family of ten children are living: Calvin, Elizabeth B. Warner, Louisa A. Collins and Mrs. Fergus. Two children of Mrs. Fergus by her first marriage survive: Dr. M. P. Morrell, of St. Louis, and Alexander M., at home. Three children by the second marriage are living: William F., and Mildred B. (wife of W. J. Levy, both of this county), and Minerva E. (at home). Mrs. Fergus has been a member of the Christian Church since sixteen years of age. She is an estimable lady, of good business ability and management, and in overseeing and conducting the farm, displays a wisdom and good judgment for which she deserves great credit.

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This family biography is one of 136 biographies included in Biographical and Historical Memoirs of Jefferson County, Arkansas published in 1889.  For the complete description, click here: Jefferson County, Arkansas History, Genealogy, and Maps

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