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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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James M. Gateley owes his nativity to Madison County, Tenn., where he was born January 9, 1825, being the son of John and Rebecca (Watts) Gateley, natives of North Carolina and Tennessee, respectively. John Gateley removed to the latter State when ten years of age, with his father, William Gateley, who was one of its pioneers (the western portion). He (John) served as magistrate and also as commissioner of schools of Madison County, where he died February 16, 1851. His wife departed this life in 1844, having become the mother of seven children, four of whom are still living. Buying the old homestead, James M. resided upon it until the fall of 1859, when he moved to Arkansas and located in Lonoke County, purchasing a quarter section of land. In 1863 he enlisted in Col. Hill’s cavalry, of the Confederate service, in which he served until the close of the war, participating in the battles of Pilot Knob, Jefferson City, Boonville, Independence, Westport and a number of others, besides being on Price’s raid through Missouri. He was wounded four times, one shot in the leg breaking the bone. After the war he returned home, to find that war had wrought terrible devastation and caused much destitution. Mr. Gateley was married December 22, 1851, to Mary Jane Lovel, who lived only a short time. He then married the second time, October 1, 1857, Loumisor Howell, of Tennessee birth. They are the parents of seven children, living: Tennessee, Sasander (the wife of David Willey), Rebecca J. (wife of J. J. Vess), Sidney J., Henry, Maud and Samuel. They also had eight children who died in childhood. Mr. Gateley now owns over 600 acres of land, in three tracts, one of 120 acres in Pulaski County, 104 acres in Lonoke County, and the balance in the old homestead. He and his wife are both members of the Christian Church. The former has been a member of the Masonic order since 1855, in which he holds the office of Past Master. He has contributed liberally to the county’s progress and development, and has gained the confidence and esteem of all.

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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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