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Below is a family biography included in Biographical and Historical Memoirs of St. Francis 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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J. J. Evans, of the prominent and substantial firm of H. Evans & Co., druggists of Forrest City, was born in this county in 1864, being the son of H. and Eliza (Ragsdale) Evans, also natives of Arkansas. Mr. Evans is now one of the wealthiest planters of St. Francis County, and has the satisfaction of knowing that his fortune has all been acquired by his own personal industry and integrity. He received limited advantages for obtaining an education in youth, but determined that his children should receive a good, practical literary instruction, and is giving them every chance to become scholars and students in whatever right direction their ambition may lie. To himself and wife a family of eleven children have been born, eight of whom are now living, our subject, the youngest. Mr. Evans is still living, and, though having reached an advanced age, is quite active in business, managing the affairs of his large plantation with a sagacity that would put to shame many men of younger years who take pride in their superior and advanced ideas. J. J. Evans finished his literary education in Louisville, Ky., graduating from Bryant & Stratton’s College in the scholastic year of 1883 and 1884. He had been occupied in laboring on the farm before going to college, earning enough money to defray his expenses, and although his father was generosity itself, he preferred to pay his own way, and at the end of his career, still had some $4,000 with which to commence business. Having a great admiration for, but no experience in the drug business, Mr. Evans engaged the services of an expert pharmacist and established a store at this place, and has made his business house as good as can be found in an average city of 40,000 inhabitants. The store is 23 x 180, and the stock contained therein is worth about $12,000, an annual business of between $10,000 and $12,000 being accorded this firm; this necessitates the services of three clerks. Mr. Evans is not a benedict, but a sincere admirer of the fair sex. He is a member of the K. of P. and A. F. & A. M., and is a Democrat in politics.

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This family biography is one of 87 biographies included in Biographical and Historical Memoirs of St. Francis County, Arkansas published in 1890.  For the complete description, click here: St. Francis County, Arkansas History, Genealogy, and Maps

View additional St. Francis County, Arkansas family biographies here: St. Francis County, Arkansas Biographies

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