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Below is a family biography included in Biographical and Historical Memoirs of Cleveland 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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James H. Atkins, a well-known resident of Hurricane Township, Cleveland County, Ark., was born in Lincoln County, Ark., January 19, 1857, being a son of Newton and Frances (Owen) Atkins, who were born in Mississippi. The father died in Drew County, Ark., when James H. was a small lad, but the mother is still living, and is now the wife of Rev. J. B. Searcy, of Hope, Ark. They were married in Arkansas, and the father was a farmer and merchant by occupation, a member of the Masonic fraternity, and in his political views a Democrat. He and wife became the parents of two children: James H. and William N. (who is an educator of note, and is now at the head of Hope Female Institute, Hope, Ark. James H. Atkins spent his school days in Warren College, and after leaving this institution he began farming on his present property, and is now the owner of 310 acres of land with about 130 acres under cultivation. On January 19, 1882, he was united in marriage to Miss Allie M. Childress, a daughter of Thomas Childress, of Bolivar County, Miss. She was born in 1861, and to her union with Mr. Atkins a family of three children have been born: Annie May, Jamie and Docia. Mr. Atkins and his wife are members of the Missionary Baptist Church, and he is a Democrat, and is one of the wide-awake and enterprising young men of the county. His property has been acquired through his own exertions, for on starting out in life for himself it was without means. In addition to managing his farm he has been engaged in ginning cotton for the past fourteen years, his mill being fitted up with all the latest improved machinery.

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This family biography is one of 75 biographies included in Biographical and Historical Memoirs of Cleveland County, Arkansas published in 1890.  For the complete description, click here: Cleveland County, Arkansas History, Genealogy, and Maps

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