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Below is a family biography included in Biographical and Historical Memoirs of Bradley 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 Ederington Childs is a native-born resident of Bradley County, Ark., and as such is looked upon with pride by the people of the locality as a proper representative of a progressive and refined commonwealth. His birth occurred in Clay Township January 12, 1856, he being the second son of James L. Childs, who moved to Bradley County, Ark., in 1844, and died here June 19, 1880. His relict survives him. John E. Childs learned the rudiments of farm life in his youthful days and acquired a fair knowledge of books in the common schools near his home. In 1879 he began business for himself and first engaged in merchandising, which business proved quite remunerative, but in connection with this work he shortly after engaged in the saw and planing mill business, and also manages an excellent farm which he owns. His mercantile establishment yields him an annual income of $20,000, his stock of goods being valued at about $4,000, and his thorough knowledge of the details of this work, together with necessary and natural qualifications for its successful carrying on, have given him the reputation of being one of the reliable business men of this section. His marriage to Miss Anna Godfrey took place in 1880, she having been born in Drew County, Ark., and principally reared and educated there. In due course of time a family of two sons and two daughters gathered around them: James L., Mattie N., Willie M. and another daughter. Mr. Childs has always been a stanch Democrat, and in social and business life is kind, courteous and affable in his demeanor to all classes, and being public spirited and enterprising, the patron of all worthy enterprises, he is respected and esteemed by his fellow men.

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This family biography is one of 64 biographies included in Biographical and Historical Memoirs of Bradley County, Arkansas published in 1890.  For the complete description, click here: Bradley County, Arkansas History, Genealogy, and Maps

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