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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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W. P. Stephens, attorney, Pine Bluff, Ark. Amongst the well-known and notable representatives of the learned profession of the law is W. P. Stephens who was born in Livingston, Sumter County, Ala., on May 9, 1841, being one of four children, three now living, born to the union of J. J. and Priscilla C. (Whitfield) Stephens, natives of Mississippi and North Carolina, respectively. The parents were married in Alabama and emigrated to Arkansas in about 1845, locating in Drew County, where they remained until 1849, subsequently moving to Jefferson County, Ark. The father followed the trade of a contractor and builder, and erected a great many of the old landmarks now standing in Pine Bluff. He was mayor of the city for some years, and at the time of his death, which occurred in 1860, he was county and probate judge. The mother now resides at Hot Springs. The three children living are named as follows: William P., Ruth (widow of Theodore Shupan) and Mrs. D. B. Riggin (of Pine Bluff). The subject of this sketch was reared in Arkansas and educated in Pine Bluff. At the commencement of the war he was acting as assistant county clerk, but resigned his office to enter the army, and at the expiration of his term of service returned and took his old position. In 1886 he was elected county and circuit clerk and recorder, discharging these official duties until the reconstruction. In February, 1869, he went to Camden, Ouachita County, Ark., and was for one year cashier of the bank of C. E. Phillips, after which he resided in Cleveland (then Dorsey) County, where he served one term as county and probate judge. He had studied law, and been admitted to the bar in 1868 at Pine Bluff, practicing his profession while living in Cleveland County. In 1885 he came back to Pine Bluff, where he has since been actively engaged in his profession. He has been for several years attorney under the appointment of the attorney-general of the State, for the collection of the school funds of Jefferson County. His official record is everywhere clear and faultless. He is a brilliant attorney and an unusually good business man. At present his office is over the Merchants’ and Planters’ Bank, Pine Bluff. His practice is principally in the judicial circuits presided over by Hon. J. M. Elliott and Hon. C. D. Wood (Tenth and Eleventh circuits). His briefs in the supreme court of the State, and his varied experience in the circuit practice, are guarantees of his ability; and, considering his age and the extent of his present practice, his future is bright, and a rich harvest in the field of his chosen profession is sure to be his. He has made real property law his chief study, and is working a great part of his time on complicated titles involving city and country property; and with the increase of population and enhanced values in his part of Arkansas his services will be continually needed.

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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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