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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.

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William R. Mitchell, of the firm of Mitchell & Ferree, hardware merchants of Berryville, Arkansas, is a native of Barry County, Mo., and a son of John Mitchell, a native of Tennessee, who came to Arkansas when a young man. The latter was married, in Arkansas, to Margaret Gardner, a native of Georgia. Soon after his marriage he located on a farm in Barry County, Mo., where he still resides. William R. Mitchell was born on September 25, 1847, and grew to manhood in his native county. In 1864 he enlisted in the Union army, and was assigned to the Sixteenth Missouri Cavalry, with which he served until the war was over. After received his discharge, in 1865, he returned home and began working on the farm. In early life he had attended the common schools, but in 1868 he again entered school, and attended regularly during the school season until 1870, when he engaged in teaching. He taught two years in Barry County, and in the fall of 1872 was elected county surveyor, and served four years. Soon after he entered a commercial college at Painesville, Ohio, and after completing the course in that institution returned to Barry County, and engaged in merchandising. After selling goods two years he settled on a farm, which he managed until 1884, when he sold out and came to Berryville. Here he engaged in the grocery business, but, after six months, sold out and engaged in his present business, at which he has been successful. Mr. Ferree became a partner in the business in 1887. On June 19, 1879, Mr. Mitchell wedded Mary Leonard, who was born, reared and educated in Stone County, Mo. She is a daughter of George Leonard, of that county. To them have been born three children: Lily, James and Charles. In politics Mr. Mitchell is a stanch Republican. He was the candidate of his party for clerk of Carroll County at the special election in December, 1887, and was only defeated by a majority of forty-eight votes, while the county has a Democratic majority of 400 votes. For one year he served as deputy circuit clerk. He is a member of the Masonic order and is a Knight of Templar.

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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

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