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Below is a family biography included in Biographical and Historical Memoirs of Lawrence 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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Wiley C. Jones is a native of Alabama, and was born in Jackson County, in 1824. His parents both came originally from Georgia, and settled in Alabama, where they were married, and in 1829 or 1830 moved to the State of Tennessee. In 1834 they settled in Illinois, locating in the southern portion of that State, and remaining six years, and in 1840, the prospects of a brighter future presenting itself in the State of Arkansas, they turned their attention in that direction and settled on Big Creek, now situated in Sharp County. Farming and milling were their occupations until 1856, when the father died at the age of fifty-two years, after a busy and useful life. Four children were born to the parents, Mr. Jones being the second child. He grew to manhood in this county, and commenced in business for himself in Sharp County, in 1847, and afterward in Lawrence County. He followed the business of his father until the first alarm of war penetrated into his home, and, leaving the old mill and its boyhood memories behind, rushed to the front like a gallant soldier to fight for his country. He was enrolled in Coleman’s regiment, and after two months’ hot work, was captured in Sharp County, and conveyed to St. Louis, Mo., where he was forced to lay six weeks in captivity. From St. Louis he was taken to Alton, where he was held a prisoner for three months, and thence to Memphis, Tenn., from which place he daringly made his escape by swimming the river, with the bullets of his captors singing about his ears. He returned to his regiment, then at Pocahontas, Randolph County, and obtained his release. He remained at home for a short time, but inactivity was the bane of his existence, and, in the fall of 1862, he joined Capt. Dye’s regiment, which had been re-organized, and was then called Newton’s regiment. One year later he was sent home on a recruiting expedition, and succeeded in organizing what was known as Baber’s regiment, in honor of Col. Baber, and remained with them until the surrender at Jacksonport, June 22, 1865. At the close of the war he returned home and resumed his business of farming and milling, and has devoted a portion of his time to cotton-ginning. He has various interests in Lawrence County, and is one of the influential men of his section. He was married, in 1848, to Miss Rebecca Lingo, one of the former belles of Arkansas, and their marriage has been blessed with two children, who brightened their home until death claimed them. After the death of his first wife Mr. Jones met Miss Sarah Endsley, an attractive lady of Tennessee, and after a brief struggle love was once more the victor over grief, and they were united in 1853. They have had seven children, of whom four are deceased. Mr. Jones was fated to lose his second wife, and remained a widower until January 11, 1884, when he succumbed to the charms of Miss Sarah Snider, his present wife. He is a member of A. F. & A. M., and was appointed postmaster at Canton in this county before the war, and has also held several local offices.

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This family biography is one of 111 biographies included in Biographical and Historical Memoirs of Lawrence County, Arkansas published in 1889.  View the complete description here: Lawrence County, Arkansas History, Genealogy, and Maps

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

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