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Below is a family biography included in Biographical and Historical Memoirs of Union 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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W. H. Harris, merchant, Blanchard Springs, Ark. The gentleman whose name heads this sketch is ranked among the most popular and successful business men of the town, and is a man who thoroughly understands all the details and operations of his business. He was born in Mississippi in 1831, was the third of fourteen children born to Thomas S. and Matilda (Henry) Harris, and was taught the rudiments and later experience of farm labor, a calling which his father followed all his life. He received a good practical education in the common schools of Mississippi, and in January, 1855, was married to Miss Ellender Brewer, a native of Alabama. In July, 1861, he threw aside the implements of peace and took the weapons of warfare, enlisting in the Confederate army. He took a prominent part in the battles of Shiloh, Murfreesboro, Chickamauga, and was wounded in the latter battle, being shot in the neck. While his wound was healing he went home, but joined the army again, the next May and was in the commissary department. After the war he re-engaged in farming, and in 1868 moved to Louisiana, where he remained until the year following, when he took up his permanent residence in Arkansas, settling in Lapile Township, where he bought a farm of about 400 acres. That he sold and moved to Blanchard Springs, in 1S83, and here he owns a small farm of thirty acres, on which are good buildings etc., and also owns three lots besides. He owns 240 acres in Lapile Township, with seventy acres under cultivation, and the balance covered with good timber. In 1884 Mr. Harris engaged in merchandising at Blanchard Springs, and carries a full line of general merchandise. He owns his store house, carries a stock of goods valued at about $1,000, and is a wide-awake, thorough going man of business. He takes an interest in all matters relating to the welfare of the county, and has held a number of town offices. To his marriage were born ten children: Mary (wife of John Dean, resides in Louisiana), Martha (wife of J. Gathright, and resides in this county), Albert (married and resides in this county), Henry (married and resides in town), Josephine (wife of William Williams, resides in Louisiana), Sydney (resides in Mount Lebanon, La.), Alsie (resides near Blanchard Springs, and is the wife of Henry Cullin), Henrietta, Porter, and one died unnamed. The family are members of the Missionary Baptist Church, and Mr. Harris is a deacon in the same. He is one of the active citizens of the place. The parents of Mr. Harris were natives respectively of Kentucky and Tennessee. The father emigrated with his parents first to Tennessee, then to Alabama, and later in life he went to Mississippi. He was married in Alabama, engaged in farming, and died in 1873. The mother died in 1889.

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This family biography is one of 84 biographies included in Biographical and Historical Memoirs of Union County, Arkansas published in 1890.  For the complete description, click here: Union County, Arkansas History, Genealogy, and Maps

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