My Genealogy Hound

Below is a family biography included in The History of Carroll 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 M. Watkins, a prominent druggist of Carrollton, Ark., is a native of Kentucky, born in Callaway County on September 4, 1857. His parents Samuel H. and Jane (West) Watkins were Kentuckians, who lived and died in their native State, the father dying in the spring of 1864, and the mother in the spring of 1869. William M. Watkins remained in his native county until he was sixteen years of age, when he went to Missouri, and located in Ripley County. Remaining there until 1875, he went to Texas and spent two years there in Grayson and Denton Counties. Coming to Arkansas in 1877, he located in Carroll County and remained about one and one-half years, when he went to the southern part of the State, and spent three years on a farm in Yale County, returning to Carroll County in the spring of 1883. Locating on a farm, he remained about one and one-half years, and went to Arizona and spent seven months working at the carpenter’s trade. In 1885 he returned to Carroll County, and again engaged in farming, but after making one crop he engaged in the drug business at Carrollton. He carries a full line of drugs and medicines, also paints and oils, has a neat store, and understands his business thoroughly. Being a young man of sterling character and good business qualification, he stands high in the estimation of his acquaintances.

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This family biography is one of 82 biographies included in The History of Carroll County, Arkansas published in 1889.  For the complete description, click here: Carroll County, Arkansas History, Genealogy, and Maps

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

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