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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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William H. Harper was born in Tippah County, Miss., April 18, 1845, and was a son of D. M. and Frances (Nicholoson) Harper, natives of Georgia and Alabama, respectively. D. M. Harper moved to Arkansas in 1855, locating in Jefferson County, and afterward in Drew County, where he bought a farm, and lived until after the war. He enlisted, in 1861, in the Third Arkansas Regiment, in which he remained until discharged on account of disability. After the close of the war he moved to Desha County, and purchased a farm, which was his home until death claimed him, in August, 1886. He was married five times. William H. enlisted in 1863, in the artillery service, continuing a brave and gallant soldier until the close of the war. He was in several battles, among which was one at Spanish Fort, Mobile, Ala., where he fought fifteen days and nights, and was struck several times by spent balls, but received no wounds. After the close of hostilities he returned to Drew County, where he was married, in 1866, to Priscilla Peacock, who died three years later, leaving one son, Jesse P. Mr. Harper was again married a few years after, to Miss P. M. Chadick, a daughter of Rev. James Chadick, by which union he has three children living and one dead: Willie F., Hattie May, William Arthur and Minnie C. (who died September 11, 1879). After his second marriage Mr. Harper settled in Jefferson County, where he rented a farm until 1873. Then moving to Drew County he also rented there until 1875, when Sebastian County became his home. In 1877 he rented land in Pope County, but in 1879 came to Lonoke County, where he farmed rented property until 1884, then settling on his present place. He has eighty acres of fine bottom land, twenty-five acres of which are open land. Mr. and Mrs. Harper are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South. Mr. Harper and son, Jesse P., are also members of the Agricultural Wheel.

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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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