My Genealogy Hound

William O. Beene. Of the many substantial agriculturists of Wallaceburg Township, none are more worthy of prominent mention than he whose name heads this sketch, for ever since first coming to this county he has been actively interested in every move to promote the welfare of the community at large. He has been quite successful too, and as a reward for his labors has a fine farm of 160 acres of land, all well improved, and a half interest in a steam cotton-gin, grist and saw-mill combined. The principal products of his farm are cotton and corn. Mr. Beene is a Mississippian by birth, and opened his eyes to the light of this world on April 7, 1855. His father, Lemuel D. Beene, was born in Alabama in 1826, and was married in Mississippi, in 1849, to Miss Lucy E. Harris, a native of Tennessee, born in 1830, and they became the parents of eleven children—nine sons and two daughters—five of whom survive, the subject of this sketch being the eldest. Those living are William O., Jacob A., Henry L., Edward C., and Mary M. (wife of E. T. Wells, a farmer and merchant, doing business at Wallaceburg, this county). The mother belongs to the Methodist Episcopal Church, South. The father was born and reared on a farm, and having acquired a liking for that occupation adopted it as his calling, in which he has continued with great success all his life. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity. Mr. Beene, the subject of this sketch, came to Arkansas with his parents in 1855, and in 1876 he was married in this county to Miss Emma T. Williamson, a native of Hempstead County, born on December 9, 1852, who died in 1882, after having given birth to three children, but two of whom are now living: Lizzie and Charles E. She belonged to the Methodist Episcopal Church. Mr. Beene remained a widower until March 1, 1886, when he married Miss Laura E. Dunn, daughter of Carlton M. and Emma (Merither) Dunn, born in Greene County, Ala., on December 26, 1860, and they are now the proud parents of one child—a son—Robert W. Mr. Beene believes in the doctrines expounded by the Christian Church, and Mrs. Beene, though formerly connected with the Baptists, now belongs to the Christian Church.