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Below is a family biography included in Biographical and Historical Memoirs of Lafayette 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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W. D. Harrison, merchant, New Lewisville, Ark. In reviewing the lives of prominent citizens of Lafayette County, the name of Mr. Harrison is justly given an enviable position, for it is difficult to find one of the present day more entitled to honorable mention, or who possesses to such an extent the esteem of his acquaintances. Born in Texas in 1850, the fourth in a family of six children (but two of whom, R. J., the eldest, residing in Texas, and our subject, survive), he is the son of L. L. and Mary (Wilson) Harrison, both born in Tennessee. They came to Texas at a very early day, settling on a farm in Hunt County, near where Greenville now is. Here the father engaged very successfully in farming and stock-raising, and here the subject of this sketch was reared, his early life being divided between farm duties, tending stock, etc., and attending the common schools of his native State. His father accumulated considerable property during his life, and although he lost a number of slaves, etc., during the war, he left a large estate to his widow and children at his death, which occurred during the late war. His widow still survives, residing on the old homestead in Hood County. The subject of this sketch remained with his parents until he had attained his majority, in 1870. He then left his native State and went to Homer, La., remaining there for eight years, following various occupations, livery business, etc. He then moved to Shongaloo, Webster Parish, La., where he engaged in the mercantile business for nine years. January 1, 1888, he came to this place, where he immediately engaged in mercantile pursuits, opening an establishment where Mr. Taylor now does business, and erected the second business house in the village, in July of the following year. Here he continued for some time, but his large and growing business demanded more commodious quarters, and he erected a magnificent two-story 30x98 foot building, in which he now does business, carrying a stock of general merchandise, drugs, farmers’ supplies, wagons, etc., and does a business amounting to $50,000 annually. To cater to his large trade he employs three men, two clerks and a book-keeper, who see that the customers are well taken care of and their wants supplied. In connection with his business, Mr. Harrison is quite a large property owner, owning four private residences in the city (three of which he rents, and his own neat and commodious residence), the building in which Mr. Taylor carries on his business, and the only brick kiln in this section. Al though deeply immersed in his own affairs, he does not forget the good of his town, and exerts himself greatly to induce immigration to this portion of the State, where, as Mr. Harrison, says, “any man can make more than a living if he will only exert himself a little.” In 1872 Mr. Harrison was united in marriage to Miss Torbt, daughter of Hugh Torbt, of Homer, La., who died after a short wedded life of six years. In 1879 Mr. Harrison wedded Miss Fannie N., daughter of John H. Winsitt, of Homer, La. Mrs. Harrison is a devout Christian lady, a member of the Missionary Baptist Church. Mr. Harrison belongs to the A. F. & A. M., of which order he is a demitted member.

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This family biography is one of 44 biographies included in Biographical and Historical Memoirs of Lafayette County, Arkansas published in 1890.  For the complete description, click here: Lafayette County, Arkansas History, Genealogy, and Maps

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