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Below is a family biography included in The History of Sebastian 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 Murphy Davis was born in DeKalb County, Ga., April 2, 1840, and is a son of William M. and Frances (Morton) Davis. His father was born in Virginia, and when young went to South Carolina, where he learned the blacksmith’s trade, and grew up upon a farm. From South Carolina he went to Georgia, and in 1845 came to Arkansas. In 1852 he removed to Texas, and there died in 1855. He was a farmer by occupation. The mother was a native of Virginia, but was married in Pendleton District, S. C. She died in Jefferson County, Ark., in 1863, and was the mother of nine children, of whom our subject is the only survivor. The others were Miles A., Unity, Mary, Gabriel, Franklin, Caroline, Lewis and Frances. The grandparents on both sides were natives of Virginia, who went to South Carolina. The paternal grandparents died in that State, but the maternal grandparents died in Georgia. William Davis was but four years of age when brought to Jefferson County, Ark., where he grew up upon his father’s farm. Being the oldest child he was needed upon the farm, and consequently received but a limited education. In 1861 he enlisted in Company I, of the Ninth Arkansas Volunteer Infantry, Confederate States Army, and served in that company until discharged in 1862. He was present at Grant’s defeat at Belmont. He then enlisted at St. Charles, Ark., under Capt. Peoples, Confederate Army, and served until mustered out in 1865. The company was disbanded at Louisville, Ark., with other Southern troops. After the war he engaged in farming in Jefferson County, Ark., but in 1872 came to Sebastian County where he bought eighty-four acres of land, fifty of which he cultivates. In 1869 he married Margaret, daughter of James Carr, a native of Gibson County, Tenn. Mrs. Davis came to this State when young, and has borne eight children, all save one now living: Dorah, Phoeby, Marshall, Morgan Marches, Estelle, Motier, Ida L. and Morgan (deceased). Mr. and Mrs. Davis belong to the Methodist Episcopal Church, South. Mr. Davis has served his township as school director and overseer, and in politics is a straight Democrat.

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This family biography is one of 217 biographies included in The History of Sebastian County, Arkansas published in 1889.  For the complete description, click here: Sebastian County, Arkansas History, Genealogy, and Maps

View additional Sebastian County, Arkansas family biographies here: Sebastian County, Arkansas

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