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Below is a family biography included in Biographical and Historical Memoirs of Nevada 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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John E. Portis. To the many readers of this volume Mr. Portis is known as one of the highly respected citizens of Nevada County. Originally from Monroe County, Ala., he was born in 1850, the youngest of nine children, three of whom are still living, born to the union of Samuel C. and Miss M. R. (Gordon) Portis, natives of North and South Carolina, respectively. His parents emigrated to Monroe County, Ala., at an early day, where the father successfully engaged in merchandising, and also took a prominent part in the affairs of the county, serving as sheriff for two terms, and also representing his county in the State Legislature. They died in Monroe County, being universally respected. The subject of this sketch was reared and educated in Alabama and brought up in the mercantile business. He came to Arkansas in 1883, locating in Prescott, where he embarked in the mercantile business and carried it on successfully until he was elected county and circuit clerk (1888), and is now serving in that capacity, having sold his business. He was married, in 1885, to Miss Annette Smith, a native of Iowa. Mrs. Portis is a member of the Christian Church. Mr. Portis is one of the public spirited men of Nevada County, and is identified with a great many public enterprises. He belongs to the Masonic fraternity, and was the first Democratic clerk elected in the county for ten years.
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This family biography is one of 96 biographies included in Biographical and Historical Memoirs of Nevada County, Arkansas published in 1890. For the complete description, click here: Nevada County, Arkansas History, Genealogy, and Maps
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