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Below is a family biography included in Biographical and Historical Memoirs of Lonoke 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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Hon. James E. Gatewood is a prominent member of the legal fraternity, and a citizen of Lonoke, whose popularity and respect is universal. He was born in Henderson County, Tenn., May 28, 1832, being the son of Thomas and Elizabeth (Trice) Gatewood, of North Carolina nativity, who emigrated to Tennessee at an early period. Subsequently they removed to what is now Marshall County, Miss., long before the Indians had been sent out of that State, the aborigines forming their only neighbors for some years, and the little Indian boys were at first the sole playmates of James E. He thus became more proficient in the Indian dialect than in his own language. As there were no schools in the country for him to attend he received his early education from his mother, a woman of more than ordinary talents and attainments, and had reached his eighteenth year before he entered a school. After preparation at a private institution of learning he attended and graduated from the University of Mississippi, in 1853, following which he at once turned his attention to the legal profession, and began his studies at Holly Springs, under the guidance and careful instruction of Clapp & Strickland, being admitted to the bar in 1854. With intelligence and keen foresight he saw the future greatness of Arkansas as a State, and deciding to become one of its citizens, he accordingly located at Des Arc. Upon the outbreak of the war he enlisted in Company A, Gen. Cleburne’s regiment, Arkansas State troops, was commissioned captain and served until the close of the war, at which time he was acting in the capacity of colonel. He participated in all the principal engagements in Arkansas and Missouri during the three last years, and was in charge of the commissary and quartermaster departments. At the cessation of hostilities he returned to Des Arc, and from 1859 to 1861, was mayor of the town. In 1878 he was elected to represent the Fourth district of Arkansas in the State senate. A man of recognized ability as a lawyer and jurist, he has often served in special cases as judge of the circuit court, and in 1887 acted as special judge of the supreme court. Mr. Gatewood resided at Des Arc until 1888, when he moved to Lonoke, his present place of residence. He has been twice married, his first wife being Miss Virginia Brock, a native of Tennessee, to whom he was united in 1857. In 1866 he married Miss Anna C. Richmond, originally from Mississippi, by whom he has had eight children, of whom three sons and three daughters survive. Mr. Gatewood is a pleasant and agreeable gentleman, a lawyer of learning and influence, and a man of sterling integrity. He comes of a family in whom are blended the noblest traits of character, and himself manifests the uprightness and honesty of illustrious ancestors. His public record has been untarnished, while in the humbler walks of life, as a private citizen, he has demonstrated his sound wisdom, dignity and true manliness. He has always been at the front in matters that tend to the advancement of the country and people, and he and his family enjoy the esteem of all who know them.

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This family biography is one of 143 biographies included in Biographical and Historical Memoirs of Lonoke County, Arkansas published in 1889.  For the complete description, click here: Lonoke County, Arkansas History, Genealogy, and Maps

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