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Below is a family biography included in The History of Washington 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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William Agee. The mercantile interests of Hood, Washington Co., Ark., are ably represented by the firm of Agee & Reagan, who carry a $2,000 stock, and do an annual business of $7,000. Mr. Agee, the senior member of the firm, was born in Todd County, Ky., March 16, 1818, and is a son of John M. and Martha (Christian) Agee, who were born in Virginia, in 1792 and North Carolina in 1794 respectively. They were married in the mother’s native State, and moved to Kentucky, thence to Pettis County, Mo., in 1836, where they both died, the former when about eighty-five years of age, and the latter at the age of fifty-seven. The father was a farmer and Democrat, and was twice married, his second wife being Nancy Palmer, a native of Kentucky. She died in Missouri, previous to the death of her husband. Eight children were born to the first marriage, six of whom are living: Mary J., wife of James Combs; Caroline A., wife of M. J. P. Drake; John C., Miles A., James M. and William. The latter began clerking in 1887, and followed that occupation for twelve years at Georgetown, Mo., after which he went into the mercantile business, but at the end of two years discontinued the business at this point. He entered 280 acres of land west of Sedalia, and laid out the town of Dresden. He sold a portion of his land for town lots, and did business there until several years after the war. He then purchased his father’s old home and farmed for six years and then traded this farm for a stock of goods in Lamonte, Mo. At the end of three years he moved his stock of goods to Washington County, Ark., and two years later went to Fayetteville, where he resided four years. He afterward located in the place where he now resides, forming a partnership in March, 1887, with Hugh F. Regan. He served in the Federal army about seven months during the late war. In October, 1842, he wedded Susan M. Courtney, who was born in Shelby County, Ky. in 1825 and died in Jackson County, Mo., in 1845. Two years later Mr. Agee led to the altar Miss Bohannon, a daughter of Charles Bohannon. She was born in Woodford County, Ky., in 1828, and died the same year of her marriage. Oswald Kidd’s daughter, Jemimah A., became his third wife. Her birth occurred in Pettis County, Mo., about 1830, and she died in 1851, leaving one daughter, Kate, the wife of W. H. Logan. In 1852, Mr. Agee married his present wife, Elizabeth Christian, a daughter of Harris Christian. She is a native of Todd County, Ky., born in 1825, and four of her five children are living: William H., Mary B., (wife of Hugh F. Reagan,) Thomas J. and George F. Mr. Agee and wife are members of the Christian Church, and he is a Democrat and Mason.

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This family biography is one of 300 biographies included in The History of Washington County, Arkansas published in 1889.  For the complete description, click here: Washington County, Arkansas History, Genealogy, and Maps

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

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