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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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J. M. Smith, merchant, Stephens, Ark. Mr. Smith, the senior partner of the firm of Smith & Bro., is a native of Georgia, born in 1847, and is the son of Deraslin F. Smith, also a native of Georgia. The father emigrated from his native State to Ouachita County about 1849, and was among the early settlers of the same. He was a successful farmer. He married Miss Esther Majors, a native of Georgia, and she is now living with her children, in this county. J. M. Smith is the third of seven children, a daughter and five sons now living. He was reared in Ouachita County. Ark., received his education in the common schools of this county, and was married, in 1875, to Miss Siddie Bayless, a native of Ouachita County, born in 1856. Her father, Dr. S. H. Bayless, was an early settler and prominent physician of that county. To Mr. and Mrs. Smith have been born four children, one son and three daughters: Lewis D., Pearl, Leta and Mary. Mr. Smith began merchandising at Richland, Columbia County, in the fall of 1878, and continued the business at that place until the fall of 1883. In September of that year he moved to Stephens, and has continued his former business at this place ever since, under the firm name of Smith & Bro. They carry a stock of goods valued at about $6,000, and buy cotton, in connection with their other business. This firm does the largest business in Stephens. Mr. Smith has been postmaster ever since he started business here, and is serving in that capacity at the present. He is a member of the K. of H., and Mrs. Smith is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

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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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