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Below is a family biography included in Biographical and Historical Memoirs of Lincoln 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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William H. Phelps is one of the leading men of Lincoln County, Ark., and was born in Marion County, Mo., on March 25, 1848, and is the son of Joseph and Emily J. (Burns) Phelps, natives of Kentucky. The father was born in 1813, and was accidentally killed while hunting in Marion County, Mo., and his widow married Milton Sweeny. The family moved from Illinois to Arkansas about 1856, locating at Pine Bluff, Jefferson County. One year later they moved to Lincoln County. Mr. Sweeny died in 1883. To the parents of the subject of this sketch were born seven children, three of whom are now living, viz.: Elizabeth (Mrs. Ingram Pace), Mariah Van Ness (wife of Charles Van Ness, and the subject of this sketch). William passed his school days in Illinois, remaining with his mother until 1862, at which time he enlisted. He served faithfully for three years, engaging in many battles, and was taken prisoner at Vicksburg. At the close of the war Mr. Phelps turned his attention to farming and stock-raising. He owns 400 acres of valuable land, well cultivated and improved after the most approved methods. He married Miss Amanda McKeovin, daughter of Moses McKeovin. She was born in Illinois, in February, 1843, and to this union were born six children, viz.: Milton, Molascho, Ora, May, Lizzie and Willie. Mr. and Mrs. Phelps are members of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, of which the former is an elder. Mr. Phelps is politically a Democrat, and he belongs to the Wheel. Popular men are always esteemed, and among those who rank high in Lincoln numbers the subject of the present sketch.

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

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