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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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John M. Parrott, a retired lawyer of Forrest City, is native of Tennessee. His father, John Parrott, moved to that State at a very early day in its history, where he engaged in the saddlery business, serving as a soldier in the War of 1832. He died in 1845, his wife surviving him twenty years. They were the parents of a large family, of whom John M., our subject, who was born in Jefferson County, Tenn., in October, 1814, is the only survivor. He lived at his native town, Dandridge, attending the academy at that place, until seventeen years of age, when his father moved upon a farm in the vicinity. In 1836 he commenced life for himself at Blountsville, Ala., going into the mercantile business, and three years later came to St. Francis County, continuing the same business at Madison. In 1840 he was appointed deputy clerk by Isaac Mitchel, then clerk of the St. Francis circuit court, and in 1842 was elected circuit clerk, which office he filled with such satisfaction to the citizens that he was made his own successor for fourteen years in succession; during this time he applied himself closely to the study of law, and in 1856 he was admitted to the bar and commenced practicing, which he followed until within a few years, when he retired from active professional life. In 1864 Mr. Parrott was elected to the legislature, but did not serve the term, owing to the fact of there being no session that year. In 1874 he was a delegate to the constitutional convention. He was a candidate for nomination for the office of auditor of State in 1876, but was beaten by John Crawford. During the war he entered the Confederate service and acted as assistant adjutant, though being in no engagements. Mr. Parrott has been twice married; first, in 1841, to Rhoda Johnson, who died in 1858. His second union, in 1859, was to Mrs. Johnson (nee Witter). They are the parents of six children, three of whom are still living: Kate C. (now Mrs. Martin), Ida Lee (now Mrs. Miller) and Mattie A., all residing in this county. Mr. Parrott has been a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South, for the past forty-five years. He is also connected with the Masonic order.

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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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