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Below is a family biography included in The History of Benton 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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D. D. Ames, who is the acknowledged fruit king of Arkansas, was born in Ohio July 14, 1840, and is a son of Lyman and Celinda Ames, who were born in the “Nutmeg” State. They became residents of Ohio in 1882, and there died only a few years ago. D. D. Ames was reared in his native State and is, by natural proclivities, a horticulturist. He was married in Ohio to Miss Emma Rinehart, and by her became the father of eight children: Emma, Alice, Burton, Walter, Ernest, Gracie, Freddie and Bessie. Mr. Ames came to Arkansas the 1st of May, 1883, with only 25 cents in money, but, with that determination, energy and intelligence which has ever characterized his actions, set to work to rebuild his fallen fortunes. He first became a traveling agent for a nursery, and his success in that capacity was exceptionally good. As soon as he had acquired sufficient means he leased seventeen acres of land of Albert Peel, and put it all in orchard and small fruits. The first crop on five acres of strawberries cleared Mr. Ames $500, and the first crop on an acre and a half of raspberries cleared $525. The enterprise had been ridiculed by the people near his home, but at this juncture their eyes began to be opened, and they began to follow his example. About this time Mr. Ames purchased eighty acres of land at Van Buren, and the first year put in twenty-two acres of small fruit, on which he has realized a large amount of money. He is now the owner of 130 acres of land, and has sixty-four acres in small fruits, which is the admiration and wonder of all who see it. Mr. Ames took for his second wife Miss Frona Callis, a member of one of the prominent and highly respected families of the county. Although quite young she is an exemplary wife and mother. They have one child, Nellie Don. Mr. Ames is a stanch Democrat.

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This family biography is one of 240 biographies included in The History of Benton County, Arkansas published in 1889.  For the complete description, click here: Benton County, Arkansas History, Genealogy, and Maps

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