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Below is a family biography included in Biographical and Historical Memoirs of Jefferson 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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Judge Lewis S. Reed, farmer, Dexter, Ark. This prominent and much esteemed citizen was born in North Carolina, July 11, 1818, and is the son of Rolly Reed, who is also a native of North Carolina, born in December, 1799. The father grew to manhood in his native State and was there married to Miss Charity Phillips in 1817, which union resulted in the birth of thirteen children, seven sons and six daughters. Eight of these children are now living, seven residing in Arkansas and one at Springfield, Mo. The father followed agricultural pursuits as a livelihood, and was the owner of 160 acres of good land at the time of his death which occurred in 1868. His wife followed, him to the grave about two years later. Both were members of the Baptist Church. Judge L. S. Reed was educated near Lexington, Tenn., and passed his boyhood days in assisting his father on the farm. After reaching manhood he selected Miss Lydia Teague as his companion in life, and was married to her September 24, 1840. She was originally from North Carolina, and the daughter of Isaac and Mary Teague. Judge Reed’s union was blessed by the birth of eleven children, two sons and nine daughters: Mary L., Martha C., Sarah F., Amanda C., Nancy H., Thomas Z., Irvin W., Elizabeth S. and Lynnia. The others died in infancy. Of the ones above named only four are now living: Martha (wife of Jasper Phillips), Amanda (wife of A. S. Thayer), Nancy (wife of Samuel Evans), and Thomas Z. Judge Reed is a successful farmer by occupation, and is also engaged in the blacksmith trade. He owns about 1,000 acres of good land, with 120 acres under cultivation, and is also the owner of a saw mill, a gin and a grist mill on his place. He has held the office of justice of the peace for about thirty years, and for two years has served in the capacity of county and probate judge. Both he and wife have held a membership in the Baptist Church for forty years.

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This family biography is one of 136 biographies included in Biographical and Historical Memoirs of Jefferson County, Arkansas published in 1889.  For the complete description, click here: Jefferson County, Arkansas History, Genealogy, and Maps

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