My Genealogy Hound

William A. Marrs was born in Madison County, Ark., June 2, 1848, his parents being Matthew L. and Elizabeth (Williams) Marrs. The father has long been a resident of this State, having been born in the western part, and having spent over forty-two years engaged in farming two miles from St. Paul. The mother is still living, and was born in Kentucky in 1822. William A. Marrs remained with his parents upon their farm until 1872, when he married Ellen Lear, on March 16. This lady was a native of Kentucky, and the mother four children: Gertrude (deceased), Alice, Abby and Ellen. She was a Methodist in religion, as is also Mr. Marrs, and died in that faith March 14, 1888. At the age of twenty-three Mr. Marrs engaged in the mercantile business at St. Paul, where he remained nine years. He then spent a year traveling in Texas, and in January, 1880, came to Huntsville, where he has since been successfully doing business in partnership with W. H. Bolinger, under the firm name of W. A. Marrs & Co. Mr. Marrs is an enterprising citizen, and in politics is a zealous Republican. He is also a Master Mason. William H. Bolinger, junior member of the above firm, was born April 8, 1845, in Ray County, Tenn. His father, Andrew J., was born in Claiborne County of that State, and in 1850 located upon a farm at the head of War Eagle, where he has since lived engaged in farming and blacksmithing. The mother, Sarah (Newport) Bolinger, also a native of Tennessee, is still living. William H. lived with his parents until the war when he entered the First Arkansas Infantry, Union troops, with which he served two and one-half years. He afterward worked in the shop and upon the home farm until thirty-five years of age. In 1879 he came to Huntsville, and in 1880 joined the above firm. In May, 1879, he wedded Mary Anthony, of this county, who, however, was born in Lincoln County, N. C. They have two children, Grace and Florence. Mr. Bolinger is a good citizen, a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South. Politically he is a strong Republican, and he is a member of the A. F. & A. M.