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Below is a family biography included in Biographical and Historical Memoirs of Drew 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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William A. Nelson, farmer, Nelson, Ark. This old and most respected citizen of Saline Township, was originally from Lancaster District, S. C, where his birth occurred on December 31, 1815, and his parents, Robert and Elizabeth (Moore) Nelson, were natives of the same State. His grandparents, Daniel and Margaret (Hood) Nelson, were of English and Irish descent, respectively. The grandfather was a native of Maryland, and was a soldier in the Revolutionary War. He was a farmer by occupation, and built the house in which his son, Robert, and his grandson. William A., were born. He was the father of five sons, all of whom settled in South Carolina. Robert Nelson was a well-known planter, owned several hundred acres of land, and five or six slaves. He was an elder in the Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church, to which his wife also belonged, and his death occurred in 1840. His wife died in 1852. William A. Nelson was educated in the common schools of his native county, served two years as an apprentice at the wagon-maker’s trade, and on February 2, 1837, he was united in marriage to Miss Sarah Davis, a native of Mecklenburg County, N. C., born September 10, 1819, and the daughter of Israel P. and Sarah (Nizbet) Davis, the father a native of North Carolina, and the mother, of South Carolina. The Nizbet family were of Scotch-Irish descent, and the grandfather Nizbet, was a colonel in the Revolutionary War. After his marriage Mr. Nelson moved to Maury County, Tenn., and one year later to Tipton County, of the same State, where he remained until 1850. He then removed to La Fayette County, Miss., remained there ten years, after which he removed to Arkansas, first settling in St. Francis County, and finally located in Drew County, where he resides at the present time. During the late war he was too old for active service, but he enlisted in the Home Guards in 1863, and served in this State until the close of the war. Since coming to this State he has been engaged in agricultural pursuits, and the farm of 440 acres which he purchased when first coming here (1860) has been increased to 640 acres, all in one body. Ten years later he purchased a second farm of 560 acres, erected a saw-mill on the same in partnership with a saw-mill man, who lived on the second farm, but seven years later Mr. Nelson’s partner left unexpectedly with all of the proceeds of the mill, since which time Mr. Nelson has lived on the second farm and conducted the mill himself. His son in-law, Z. T. Morris is living on the first farm of which about 200 acres are under cultivation. Mr. Nelson sold his saw-mill in 1887, and has just recently sold the farm on which he now lives, to his grandson, William N. Morris, and expects to return to his first farm, which is about four miles from where he now lives, and both farms are in Saline Township. Mr. Nelson and wife were the parents of four children, all deceased: Margaret (who married John C. Morris, and was the mother of two children; her husband died in the army), Margaret I., Robert D., Joannah J. and Sarah Eliza A. (who married Z. T. Morris and died, leaving four children). Mr. and Mrs. Nelson have been members of the Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church for fifty-three years, and have the respect and esteem of all acquainted with them. Mr. Nelson has been a member of the Masonic lodge, but has not attended for some time. When the post-office was located at Alice Station it was called Nelson, in honor of our subject. He is a prominent Democrat of Saline Township. When first married, Mr. Nelson had about $500 in money, slaves and other property, and all that he now owns was made by his own exertions.

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This family biography is one of 83 biographies included in Biographical and Historical Memoirs of Drew County, Arkansas published in 1890.  For the complete description, click here: Drew County, Arkansas History, Genealogy, and Maps

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