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Below is a family biography included in Biographical and Historical Memoirs of Phillips 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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Capt. D. R. Weedman, farmer, Poplar Grove, Ark. Mr. Weedman, one of the leading farmers of Marion Township, first saw the light in Breckinridge County, Ky., in 1833, and is the third of ten children, the result of the union of Stephen and Mary A. (Gilbert) Weedman, natives of Kentucky and Virginia, and of German-English parentage, respectively. The paternal grandfather came from Germany to America when a small boy. Stephen Weedman was a farmer and house carpenter by occupation, and followed this the latter part of his life. He was among the early settlers of Grayson County, Ky., and died in 1866, at the age of sixty years. Mrs. Weedman still lives in Meade County, Ky., is eighty-nine years of age, enjoys perfect health, and is a member of the Baptist Church, of which her husband was also a member. Of the ten children born to their marriage only six are now living: Addison (resides in Kentucky), Amos (also resides in Kentucky), D. R., Mordecai, Miram (both residing in Kentucky), Jacob (deceased), William (deceased), Francis (resides in Kentucky), Martha (deceased), and Mary (wife of George Brands). D. R. Weedman was early taught the duties of farm life, and received his education in Breckinridge County, Ky. At the age of twenty-one years he commenced life for himself as a flat-boatman, and also learned the trade of ship carpenter. While engaged in the flat-boat business he carried on the building of flat-boats, following the same for ten years, or until thirty-one years of age. He then joined the Confederate army, Company F, First Kentucky Regiment, as a private, and was elected second lieutenant at the organization of the company. From that he was promoted to the rank of first lieutenant, and participated in the following battles: Stone River, Chickamauga, Dalton and all the cavalry fights in that section. From Dalton he went to Atlanta, Greensboro, N. C., and here his brigade was detailed as escort for Jefferson Davis and Gen. Breckinridge, and remained with them until the surrender on May 8th. This regiment was the last guard to Mr. Davis. Capt. Weedman has in his possession one of the silver dollars paid him by the Confederate States Government, just before his surrender, and has inscribed on it the following: “Last payment, C. S. A., Washington, Ga., May 8, 1865,” and on the other side is, “D. R. Weedman, 1st Ky. Cav.” At the termination of hostilities Capt. Weedman went to his home in Kentucky and remained in that State from June, 1865, to May, 1869, when he engaged at his trade, and also, followed agricultural pursuits. He then came to Phillips County and worked at the carpenter’s trade for four years. In 1874 he bought eighty acres of land, with sixty acres improved, but has since sold that, and is now the owner of 250 acres with 200 acres under improvement. The Captain was married in 1879 to Mrs. Martha A. Connelly, nee Thompson, of this county, and a native of this State, which union resulted in the birth of two children, only one, George, now living. Mr. Weedman is a member of the K. of H., Poplar Grove Lodge No. 2442, and Mrs. Weedman is a member of the K. & L. of H., Myrtle Lodge No. 518, both lodges of Poplar Grove. Capt. Weedman, like the majority of his neighbors, favors all public improvements for the benefit of his county, and extends a hearty welcome to all emigrations of whites, no matter of what nationality.

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This family biography is one of 103 biographies included in Biographical and Historical Memoirs of Phillips County, Arkansas published in 1890.  For the complete description, click here: Phillips County, Arkansas History, Genealogy, and Maps

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