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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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Hon. William R. Phillips was born in Madison County, Ark., on October 9, 1852, and is a son of Henderson B. Phillips, who was born and reared in Cumberland County, Ky. When a young man, in 1836, the latter came to Arkansas and located in Madison County. There he married Mary Jane Kimbrell, and resided until 1858, when he removed to Carroll County and settled on a farm, on which he resided until his death on November 22, 1882. He was a volunteer from Madison County to serve in the war with Mexico. His wife died in 1862. Hon. William R. Phillips was reared to manhood in Carroll County. His youth was spent in assisting on his father’s farm and attending the common schools. Besides his education acquired in these schools he received a special course in mathematics and surveying. For fifteen years he taught school during the school seasons and farmed during the summers. On November 27, 1873, his marriage with Martha E., a daughter of John Norris, of Carroll County, was celebrated. Mrs. Phillips was born in Overton County, Tenn., and came with her father to Carroll County when three months old, and was here reared and educated. After his marriage Mr. Phillips settled on a farm, and the following hear located where he now resides. Here he has made valuable improvements and has a good home. In 1882 he was elected county surveyor, and at the expiration of his term was re-elected to the same position. In the fall of 1886 he was elected to represent Carroll County in the State Legislature. He filled that honorable position in a manner most satisfactory to his constituents, and was re-elected in 1888. In politics he is a Democrat, and in everything that is for the welfare of the public he is enterprising and progressive, especially in educational matters. He has used his best endeavors to advance the cause of free schools, and has served as school director of his district for many years. To him and wife have been born four children, viz.: Jonathan Bates, Lura Jane, Celia D. and Verde Mat. Mrs. Phillips is an earnest Christian and a communicant of the Missionary Baptist Church.

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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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