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Below is a family biography included in Biographical and Historical Memoirs of Logan County, Arkansas published by Southern Publishing Company in 1891.  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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Benjamin H. Caulk, farmer, Caulksville, Ark. In all communities and in every condition of life there are those who succeed in whatever they undertake, whether of a professional, agricultural or commercial nature, and among this class is Mr. Caulk, who is one of the progressive and substantial farmers of the county. He is the owner of 190 acres of land, and has 100 acres under cultivation, all the result of his own industry and perseverance. He is a native of this county, born in 1833, and is the son of George and Nancy (Fort) Caulk, probably natives of Missouri. They moved from New Madrid, Mo., to what is now called Logan County, Ark., at a very early period and before the State was admitted into the Union. In 1834 they removed from Arkansas to Mississippi, and there the father died two years later. After this his widow returned to Logan County, Ark., with her children (1838), and there received her final summons in 1848. Of the seven children born to his parents—four sons and three daughters —Benjamin H. was the youngest in order of birth. He was married in September, 1859, to Miss Martha Davis, daughter of Ned Davis, and one child, a boy named George, was the only issue of this union. Mrs. Caulk died in January, 1861. The following year Mr. Caulk enlisted in the Confederate Army in Capt. Tittsworth’s company, under Maj. Gibson, and was in active duty west of the Mississippi. The principal battles in which he took an active part were Poison Springs and the Mark’s Mill fight. He surrendered with Col. Bryant near old Fort Wichita in the Chickasaw Nation, after which he returned to his home in Logan County, resumed farming, and this has been his principal occupation since. He was married, the second time, in 1870, to Miss Nancy A. Ledgewood, daughter of Lansom Ledgewood, and to them have been born seven children—four daughters and three sons: Minnie Lee, Martha L., Robert, Hattie, Adaline, Archie and one child died in infancy. Minnie married Irk Riley in 1888, and they are now residing in Logan County, where Mr. Riley is engaged in tilling the soil. George, the son by the first wife, married Miss Louisa Carpenter, daughter of Owen Carpenter, and they have three children. He is also engaged in tilling the soil. Robert Caulks, brother of the subject, founded the town of Caulksville, and was the first to begin work in the place. The Caulks family being the oldest settlers in the county, the town was named for them. Our subject being reared in Logan County during its pioneer days, his educational facilities were not of the best, but this he has improved very materially by study and observation. In educational and all other worthy movements he takes great interest. He is a member of the A. F. & A. M.

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This family biography is one of 92 biographies included in Biographical and Historical Memoirs of Logan County, Arkansas published in 1891.  For the complete description, click here: Logan County, Arkansas History, Genealogy, and Maps

View additional Logan County, Arkansas family biographies here: Logan County, Arkansas

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