My Genealogy Hound

Below is a family biography included in The History of Carroll 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.

* * * *

Jesse W. Freeman, of the firm of Freeman & Bobo, general merchants of Berryville, Ark., is a native of White County, Tenn., born March 15, 1846. He is a son of William H. and Nancy (Walling) Freeman, both of whom were born and reared in Tennessee. They were married in their native Sate, and resided there until 1851, when they came to Arkansas. Locating in Carroll County, they resided here until 1862, when they removed to Bolivar, Mo., their present home. Jesse W. Freeman was fifteen years of age when the Civil War broke out, and in 1862 he enlisted in the First Arkansas Cavalry and served until 1863, when he was discharged for disability, which was the result of a wound received in Carroll County in March of that year. Mr. Freeman is chiefly self-educated. In early life he had very little opportunity to attend school, but since arriving at mature years he has acquired a good practical education by business experience and much desultory reading. After the war he went to the home of his parents in Missouri and remained until 1869, when he came to Berryville, and, in a small way, engaged in the mercantile business. Soon after he took a partner in business and under the firm name of Freeman & Fanning did a general mercantile business for about twelve years. Mr. Freeman then did business alone until 1886, when the present firm was established. The firm carry a good stock of goods, have a neat store and a large trade. In 1883 Mr. Freeman purchased the Berryville Flouring Mill, since which time he has done a successful milling business. He also owns a half interest in a saw and planing-mill, which manufactures a great deal of lumber. Upon the organization of the Citizen’s Bank at Eureka Springs he was one of the stockholders and directors, and, at the expiration of eight months, was elected president, in which capacity he has since served. In connection with his other business Mr. Freeman has dealt largely in stock, during which time he has shipped many horses South and cattle and hogs to St. Louis and Chicago. His marriage with Serena L. Meek, a native of the county, and a daughter of Jacob A. Meek, deceased, was solemnized at Berryville in 1864, and to their union have been born five children: Frank B., Dallas, Clarence, Jessie and Carl. Mr. Freeman is a member of the Knights Templar Lodge at Eureka Springs, and the I. O. O. F. and Blue Lodge at Berryville.

* * * *

This family biography is one of 82 biographies included in The History of Carroll County, Arkansas published in 1889.  For the complete description, click here: Carroll County, Arkansas History, Genealogy, and Maps

To view additional Carroll County, Arkansas family biographies, click here

Use the links at the top right of this page to search or browse thousands of other family biographies.