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Below is a family biography included in Biographical and Historical Memoirs of Prairie 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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B. S. Willeford, merchant, Des Arc, Ark. Among the prominent business houses of Des Arc, one deserving of special mention is that conducted by Mr. Willeford, who established himself in business at this place in 1887. He owes his nativity to Pulaski County, Tenn., where his birth occurred on February 13, 1850, and is the brother of W. L. Willeford, whose sketch immediately precedes this. B. S. Willeford moved with his parents from Tennessee to Mississippi, thence to Arkansas, in 1870. Previous to this, while in Mississippi, he had been engaged in a number of business enterprises, and, after coming to Des Arc, he engaged in merchandising on his own responsibility. Although he commenced in a very small way, he soon built up an extensive trade, and now does as nourishing a business as any of the substantial men of the town. He selected for his companion in life Miss Amanda Allen, a native of Prairie County, and the daughter of Col. Allen, whom he married in December, 1878. The fruits of this union have been two children, viz.: Cannie and Ruth. Mr. Willeford has served as alderman of his ward, also filled the position of marshal, and was deputy clerk at De Vall’s Bluff for a time. He has steadily kept up that reputation for excellence, which first gave him success.

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This family biography is one of 94 biographies included in Biographical and Historical Memoirs of Prairie County, Arkansas published in 1890.  For the complete description, click here: Prairie County, Arkansas History, Genealogy, and Maps

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