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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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William R. Sneed, a prominent citizen and one of the most successful farmers of Carroll County, Ark., is a native of the county. He was born where he now resides on March 23, 1837, and is a son of Charles Sneed, a native of Kentucky, and Jane Coker, a native of Tennessee. Charles Sneed was reared in his native State, and when a young man came to Arkansas, where he was married. Prior to 1828 he located in Carroll County, and is said to have been the first settler on Osage Creek, where he pre-empted land and improved a farm, on which he resided until his death in the spring of 1865. He served as sheriff for about eight years. His wife died in 1878. William R. Sneed was reared on his father’s farm, and at the outbreak of the Civil War enlisted in the Confederate army. In 1861 he joined the first company that was raised in Carroll County. This company belonged to the First Infantry, which was commanded by Col. Peel. After about one year’s service Mr. Sneed was discharged. He then enlisted in Col. Harrell’s battalion and served awhile, when he discharged on account of partial deafness. Upon returning home he engaged in merchandising, and in 1869 built a store-house on his farm, in which he sold goods about fourteen years. In connection with his mercantile business he managed his farm, to which he now gives his whole attention. Mr. Sneed is one of the most successful business men of the county, and has accumulated considerable property. His marriage with Melrose McCracken, a native of Madison County, Ark., and a daughter of Ewing McCracken, was celebrated in Madison County on February 14, 1869, and to them have been born two sons, Charley, aged fifteen years, and Willie, aged four. Mrs. Sneed is an earnest Christian and a member of the Cumberland Presbyterian 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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