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Below is a family biography included in Biographical and Historical Memoirs of Hempstead 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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Dr. W. R. Crossett, banker and druggist, Hope, Ark. This prominent and successful businessman was born in Tennessee on May 15, 1838, and is the son of Joseph K. and Elizabeth (Cupp) Crossett, natives, respectively, of South Carolina and Alabama. They emigrated to Tennessee, thence to Mississippi, and in 1853 to Arkansas, locating in Cotton Plant, St. Francis County, Ark.; thence to De View, in Woodruff County, where they remained until they received their final summons. The father was a successful tiller of the soil, and was magistrate for twenty six years in succession. He was the father of eight children by his first marriage, and two by his second. Dr. W. R. Crossett was the eldest of the first family. He came with his parents to Arkansas in 1853, and his education was received in Tennessee, Mississippi and Arkansas. He early became familiar with the details of farm life, and assisted his father with the duties of the same until 1862, when he enlisted in the Seventh Arkansas Battalion, and served until the close of the war. He began the study of medicine at the age of eighteen years, and graduated when twenty-three at the Eclectic Medical College of Memphis, Tenn. He practiced his profession at Sulphur Rock, Independence County, Ark., until he enlisted in the war. After the surrender he located at De View, Ark., and practiced one year, after which he embarked in merchandising at the same place, continuing there until 1878. He then went to Greenville, Tex., and there remained until 1883, engaged in farming, after which he came to Hope, and has been engaged in the drug business ever since. He established a bank in 1887, and is now carrying on the banking business in connection with merchandising, and is very successful in both departments. He owns considerable real estate in Hope, among which are the best business buildings in the city. Mr. Crossett was married in 1869 to Miss Mary McMurtry, and five children were born to this union, two now living. His second marriage was to Miss Mary Woodard, who bore him seven children, all living. Mr. Crossett is a member of the Odd Fellows lodge, and is treasurer of the same. The bank is on a paying basis, and does a general banking business. Mr. Crossett purchased the bank stock in 1888, and their responsibility is for $25,000. He is the president, cashier, teller and book-keeper, and business has grown from a small beginning to an extensive patronage. By the close attention and proper treatment of customers, Mr. Crossett has won for his business a large amount of deposits and collections.
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This family biography is one of 131 biographies included in Biographical and Historical Memoirs of Hempstead County, Arkansas published in 1890. For the complete description, click here: Hempstead County, Arkansas History, Genealogy, and Maps
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