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Below is a family biography included in Biographical and Historical Memoirs of Ouachita County, Arkansas published by Goodspeed Publishing Company in 1890.  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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George L. Ritchie is a wholesale and retail grocer and dry-goods merchant of Camden. Ark., and was born in Dallas County, Ala., in 1838, being a son of John C. and Jane E. (Campbell) Ritchie, who were born in South Carolina and Tennessee, respectively. After their marriage they emigrated first to Mississippi, then to Arkansas, in 1858, and after being residents of Bradley County until 1861 they made a settlement in Ouachita County, but the father did not live long enough to make a home for his family, as his death occurred the same year, his widow still surviving him. George L. Ritchie is the second of their four children, and the greater part of his early education was received in Mississippi. He was reared to farm life up to the age of eighteen years, then followed various occupations until 1862, at which time he enlisted in Company B, Thirty-third Arkansas Regiment, and was on active duty until the close of the war. He then came back home and engaged in the hotel business, and until 1873 was the popular and accommodating proprietor of the Southerland Hotel, but at the above-mentioned date gave up that work to engage in his present business. He has been a resident of the county for the past twenty-nine years, and the policy on which he has ever conducted his business has been such as to meet public commendation, and those forming relations with the house may be assured of receiving that liberal treatment which has always characterized its dealings. His stock of goods is valued at $10,000.

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This family biography is one of 91 biographies included in Biographical and Historical Memoirs of Ouachita County, Arkansas published in 1890.  For the complete description, click here: Ouachita County, Arkansas History, Genealogy, and Maps

To view additional Ouachita County, Arkansas family biographies, click here

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