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Below is a family biography included in Biographical and Historical Memoirs of Lonoke 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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James M. Morris is a native of Tennessee, where he was born, in Stewart County, July 1, 1841, and is the son of the Rev. James T. and Eliza (Weeks) Morris, natives of Tennessee. James T. Morris was a farmer, and minister of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church. He made a trip to California in 1850, and after returning moved to Pulaski County, Ark., in 1852, and the following year to Lonoke County, where he resided until his death, in July, 1887. He was one of the pioneer preachers of Arkansas. His wife died in 1881. James M. Morris accompanied his father to this Territory when a boy of eleven years, and remained with him until the war broke out, when he enlisted in the Confederate service, in July, 1861, in Woodruff’s artillery, in which he served until the close of hostilities. He participated in the battles of Prairie Grove, Helena, Jenkins’ Ferry, Mansfield and a number of others; after peace was declared returning to Lonoke County, where he has since resided. In 1872 Mr. Morris bought the farm on which he still resides, consisting of 300 acres, 150 acres of which are under cultivation. He was married in September, 1871, to Leonora M. Somers, a native of this State, and a daughter of Rev. J. B. Somers. Mrs. Morris died in February, 1882, leaving two children: Ella (wife of Dr. Allen, of England Station) and James Robert (who is now at school at Lonoke). Mr. Morris was married the second time, in 1884, to Mrs. Arkansas Winfery (nee Chadick), of Arkansas nativity, who departed this life on November 17, 1888. Mr. Morris has a fine farm, upon it there being a large orchard of superior varieties of apples, pears and peaches. He is a member of, and class-leader in, the Methodist Episcopal Church, South, and is active in Sunday-school work; he is also a member of the Masonic order, and a highly respected citizen.

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This family biography is one of 143 biographies included in Biographical and Historical Memoirs of Lonoke County, Arkansas published in 1889.  For the complete description, click here: Lonoke County, Arkansas History, Genealogy, and Maps

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