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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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Benjamin N. Moseley, one of Cleveland County’s leading citizens was born in what was then Bradley County, Ark. (now Cleveland), April 21, 1851, and is a son of Elijah B. and Harriett (Robertson) Moseley, natives of Alabama, their marriage taking place in their native State in 1846. After renting land for one year they located on the farm on which Mrs. Moseley is now living. The father died on January 4, 1868, at the age of forty-five years. He was a Democrat, and his widow is a member of the Primitive Baptist Church. To them a family of twelve children was born, seven of whom are now living, of whom Benjamin N. is the fifth. He was educated in the school near his home and remained with his mother until 1870, when he began farming for himself and this occupation has since received his attention. In 1872 he purchased his present farm of 260 acres, ninety of which are under the plow, and deserves much credit for the success with which his labors have been attended, for when starting for himself it was without means. Upon the death of his father, he being the eldest of the family, it became his duty to provide and protect his mother and brothers and sisters. In 1870 he was married to Rebecca Reaves, a daughter of Reuben and Sienia Reaves, who are now residents of Cleveland County. She was born in 1849, and she and Mr. Moseley have become the parents of ten children: Lovett H., Joanna C. (wife of James L. Gallaway, a farmer of the county), Sienia H., Benjamin E., Lettie I., Lela R., Zilla E., William M., Oziah D. and Claudius L. Mr. and Mrs. Moseley are members of the Primitive Baptist Church, in which he is a deacon, and in his political views he is a Democrat.

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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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