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Below is a family biography included in Biographical and Historical Memoirs of Union 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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John D. Staples, one of the leading merchants and shippers of Champagnolle, Union County, Ark., was born in Monroe County, Ala., on April 5, 1841, and is the son of J. J. Staples, a native of Virginia. The latter was married to Miss Elizabeth Daniels, a native of Alabama, and the fruits of their union were eight children: James M. (deceased), William J. (deceased), Stephen S. (deceased), Frances L. (deceased), Jacob J. (deceased), Peter (deceased), and Sallie (deceased). The father was a successful agriculturist, and emigrated from Alabama to Arkansas in 1841. He settled in Union County and there his death occurred on May 5, 1873. He served as a private in the Indian wars. He was a public-spirited citizen, and took a great deal of interest in the building up of churches, schools and in fact all movements for the welfare of the county. He and wife, who died in 1864, were both members of the Primitive Baptist Church. John D. Staples was educated in Union County, Ark., and in 1861 he entered the Confederate army under Col. Russ in Company E, Third Arkansas, and his first hard battle was at Cheat Mountain, Va. He was wounded by a ball passing through his shoulder and face at Cold Harbor, and was all through the war, being with Gen. Lee at the surrender. He then returned home, began merchandising, and on February 22, 1871, he married Miss Amanda C. Ward, a native of Arkansas. The fruits of this union were three children: John L. (living), Zettie A. (deceased), and Rachel Elizabeth (deceased). The mother of these children died on October 12, 1874. In 1881 Mr. Staples married Miss Mary A. Huffman, a native of Alabama. When Mr. Staples first began merchandising his capital was $500, and he now has a business that yields him $8,000, annually. He and wife are members of the Primitive Baptist Church.

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This family biography is one of 84 biographies included in Biographical and Historical Memoirs of Union County, Arkansas published in 1890.  For the complete description, click here: Union County, Arkansas History, Genealogy, and Maps

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