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Below is a family biography included in Biographical and Historical Memoirs of Sevier 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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William M. Slaton is a well-to-do agriculturist, whose farm of 200 acres is situated two and one-half miles east of Lockesburg. He has 125 acres under cultivation, and his views on matters pertaining to his calling are characterized by shrewdness and sound judgment. He was born in Richmond County, Ga., April 3, 1832, a son of Elias and Mary B. (Newman) Slaton, both of whom were native Georgians, in which State the father followed the occupation of farming, becoming quite well off. He was well known for his public spirit, being especially interested in schools and churches, and was a member of the Masonic lodge, and for about three months served in the Florida War. Nine children were born to himself and wife: Joel (deceased), Malinda A., Mary Elizabeth (deceased), Thomas (deceased), William M. and Eliza, the other three dying in infancy. William M. Slaton received the advantages of a private school education, and after leaving school began learning the blacksmith’s trade, which he followed for several years, but in 1854 he emigrated from Georgia to Arkansas, taking up his abode in Clark County, where he made his home until 1875, then moved to Sevier County, and October 9, 1857, married Martha A. Dowdell who was born in Alabama October 29, 1833. The children born to their union are as follows: Amanda W. (deceased), James R. (who married Estelle Abbott), David H. (who wedded Lulu Baldwin), George W. (deceased), Sarah (who resides at home), the rest dying in infancy. Mr. Slaton is a Mason, a Democrat, and served as a private in the Confederate army, being at home at the time of the final surrender. Mrs. Slaton is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South.

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This family biography is one of 96 biographies included in Biographical and Historical Memoirs of Sevier County, Arkansas published in 1890.  For the complete description, click here: Sevier County, Arkansas History, Genealogy, and Maps

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