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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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Robert I. Lemon, one of the leading citizens of Jefferson County and a prominent planter, was born in Fayette County, Tenn., July 15, 1848, and is a son of Robert and Martha (Danzy) Lemon, of Virginia and Tennessee, respectively, although the mother’s parents were natives of the former State and left it about the time of their daughter’s birth. They resided in Fayette County, Tenn., where Robert Lemon met and won his wife, and there remained until their removal to Arkansas in 1860, locating in Jefferson County. The following year the mother died, and in 1866 the father also passed away, both dying believers in the Methodist faith. The father was a successful farmer, and while in Tennessee held several prominent public offices. He came to the State of Arkansas not with the intention of remaining, but to pass through and settle in Texas, but the war breaking out at that time prevented him going any further, and finding the soil and climate every way suitable he concluded to locate. During the war his sympathies were with the Union, but he remained neutral as far as possible. He and his wife were the parents of seven children, of whom Robert I. was the sixth; five are yet living. Robert was educated at Pine Bluff, and after his father’s death commenced in life for himself. He had learned the carpenter’s trade, and went to Washington and Benton Counties, following that occupation for three years. At the end of that time he returned to Jefferson County, which has since been his home. Having in the meantime given part of his attention to farming, in 1870 he found that his success would necessitate his devoting his entire time to that calling. He now owns 300 acres of fertile land, all made by the sweat of his own brow and good management. On June 3, 1877, he was married to Miss Cornelia East, a daughter of A. H. East, of Jefferson County, but was parted from his wife in 1885, who died, leaving four children: Edward H., Charles N., Lydia J. and R. I. They also lost one child, who died in infancy. On February 10, 1887, he was married to Mrs. Callie V. Harrel, an amiable and charming widow lady, and a daughter of James H. Griffin, of Fayette County, Tenn. This lady’s former husband was Mr. Jacob Harrel, a prominent citizen of Jefferson County. Both Mr. and Mrs. Lemon are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South, and earnest Christian people. Mr. Lemon is a Mason, and in politics a Democrat. His popularity and prosperity could not have fallen on a man more worthy, and the high estimation the community place upon his citizenship has been well earned.

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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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