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Below is a family biography included in Biographical and Historical Memoirs of Lawrence 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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Dr. S. L. Fisher was born in Lawrence County, Middle Tenn., May 30, 1836, and is the son of Fredrick Fisher, a native of North Carolina, whose wife was Elizabeth McWhirter before her marriage. She was a native of South Carolina. They were among the first settlers of Middle Tennessee, and the father was in the mercantile business for a number of years in that State, on Duck River. The establishment is still conducted under the name of the Fisher stand. After raising their family, Mr. and Mrs. Fisher moved to Hardeman County, West Tenn., where the mother died at the age of about fifty years; after this the family came to Arkansas. There were seven children in the family — John P., William G., H. P., C. J., A. M., M. E., and S. L. John P. died in Randolph County, Ark., W. G. died at Metropolis City, Ill.; A. M. died in Kentucky; C. J. died at La Crosse, Izard County, Ark., and H. P. died at Smithville, Lawrence County, Ark.; all between the ages of fifty and sixty, except A. M., at the age of sixteen. Only two are living, S. L. and Mary E., widow of Green Ruby. After coming to Arkansas, S. L. commenced the study of medicine under the guidance of his brother, John P., and entered upon the practice of his profession in 1857, being located the first two years in the wild mountains of Izard County, Ark., where panthers, bears, and other wild animals were numerous. Later, he moved to Randolph County and practiced his profession until the war commenced, when he enlisted in June, 1861, and served in Col. Lowe’s regiment, Price’s brigade, as assistant surgeon. He was wounded twice during the war, the last time being riddled with a bomb-shell at Kansas City, on Price’s raid. This ended his services in the war, and he returned home, and after recovering, came to Smithville, Lawrence County, where he resumed his practice, March, 1885. Here he has since remained. He was married November 15, 1886, to Miss Mary Ann McKnight, who was born in Lawrence County, Ark., in 1846, and died August 20, 1872. They were blessed with three children, all living; the eldest, Martha L., is the wife of J. N. Barnett (and they have two children); and Charlie F. and Gertrude are now grown. After the death of his first wife, Dr. Fisher lived single three years and three months, and was married to Miss Mary E. Barnett, October 10, 1875. They have two children — Ada L., twelve years old, and Myrtle A., two years old. The Doctor has been a member of the Masonic fraternity thirty-three years, having gone as high as the Royal Arch degree. Both wives were members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South, and devoted Christians.

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This family biography is one of 111 biographies included in Biographical and Historical Memoirs of Lawrence County, Arkansas published in 1889.  View the complete description here: Lawrence County, Arkansas History, Genealogy, and Maps

View additional Lawrence County, Arkansas family biographies here: Lawrence County, Arkansas Biographies

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