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Below is a family biography included in Biographical and Historical Memoirs of Poinsett 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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W. R. Dedman, postmaster, Greenfield, Ark. This much-respected citizen has been postmaster at the above mentioned place ever since the office was established, which was in 1886, a flag station on the Helena branch of the Iron Mountain Railroad. In connection with his official duties he is also engaged in agricultural pursuits, an occupation to which he was reared. His birth occurred in Madison County, Ala., in 1851, and he was the only child born to the union of F. D. and S. A. (Thacker) Dedman, the father a native of Alabama, and the mother of Virginia. F. D. Dedman was reared to manhood in his native State, and here tilled the soil. In 1869, he emigrated to Poinsett County, Ark., settled in Bolivar Township, entered land, and there made a permanent home. At present he is residing in Craighead County, Ark. W. R. Dedman became familiar with the duties of the farm, and received the rudiments of an education in the district schools of Tennessee. He commenced farming for himself in Poinsett County, in 1869, and later bought a timber tract of land of 200 acres, which he immediately commenced improving, building a good frame house, setting out an orchard, etc., and he now has about twenty-eight acres under cultivation. The Iron Mountain Railroad runs through his land. Mr. Dedman was married in Poinsett County, Ark., in 1871, to Miss A. H. Schockley, a native of Cherokee County, Ala., and the daughter of A. J. and Frances Schockley, natives of Alabama. Her parents came to Poinsett County, Ark., in 1869, settled in Bolivar Township, and there purchased land. Her father died in 1870, but the mother survives him, and is residing on the old homestead. Mr. Dedman, after marriage, settled in Bolivar Township, and in 1880 purchased his present property. He was engaged in the grocery business here in 1886 and 1887, but closed out in the latter part of the last mentioned year. He has taken quite an active part in politics, votes with the Republican party, and is a prominent man. He has been a member of the school board for about seven years or more, and has held other offices of public trust. Socially, he is a member of White Hall Lodge, No. 77, I. O. O. F., at Harrisburg. To his happy marriage have been born six children: Eudora, Minnie Bell, William Oliver, Ida Lou, Nellie M. and Sarah Frances. Mr. Dedman has always taken an interest in all that pertains to the good of the community, and is a liberal supporter of all laudable enterprises.

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This family biography is one of 70 biographies included in Biographical and Historical Memoirs of Poinsett County, Arkansas published in 1889.  View the complete description here: Poinsett County, Arkansas History, Genealogy, and Maps

View additional Poinsett County, Arkansas family biographies here: Poinsett County, Arkansas Biographies

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