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Below is a family biography included in Biographical and Historical Memoirs of Columbia 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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Robert R. Sharman (deceased) was a merchant of Magnolia, Ark., but was born in Jasper County, Ga., being a son of John and Elizabeth J. (Farrer) Sharman, also Georgians. Prior to the war he came to Arkansas, his father coming to the State at the same time, and here he farmed until the war opened, when he entered the Confederate army as a private, and served until the close of the war. He then returned home only to find himself ruined financially, and although his estate was quite extensive, he was compelled to sell it, in order to pay off debts which he had contracted prior and during the Rebellion. He gave farming his attention until 1868, then came to Magnolia and followed merchandising successfully until November 7, 1887, with the exception of about four years spent in the wholesale dry goods business in Camden. He was one of the most extensive business men in this portion of the State, and did an annual business of about $75,000. He was universally respected and esteemed, for he was a man whose honesty was unassailable, and in his business as well as social relations, was accommodating, courteous and agreeable, a true gentleman by instinct and education. He was married twice, first in 1857, to Miss Susan Frazier, she being a daughter of William and Eliza Frazier, of Mississippi. She bore her husband seven children, five of whom are now living: Robert W., Emma L. (Mrs. J. A. Meeks, of Magnolia), Lou A. (Mrs. Blewster, of this city), Etta W. (Mrs. G. W. Browning, of Magnolia), and Elizabeth J. Mrs. Sharman died December 15, 1877, having been an earnest member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South, and in 1878 Mr. Sharman was married to Mrs. Mary J. (Bayless) Manning, of this State and county. She is a daughter of T. H. and Mary (Mask) Bayless, who were born in Tennessee and North Carolina, respectively, coming to Arkansas in 1851 or 1852. The father was a physician, and also farmed in connection with his practice. He died in 1865 and his widow in 1868. Mr. and Mrs. Sharman have four children, three of whom are now living: Nellie, Roy R. and Anna. Mr. Sharman was born August 16, 1836, and up to the time of his death, which occurred November 7, 1887, he had been a resident of Magnolia for thirty-one years. He was a member of the A. F. & A. M., Columbia Lodge No. 82, and he also belonged to the I. O. O. F., Magnolia Lodge No. 24. His death was lamented by a host of friends, as well as by his wife and children, and they all will remember him as a kind and indulgent parent, a true friend and upright citizen in every respect.

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This family biography is one of 106 biographies included in Biographical and Historical Memoirs of Columbia County, Arkansas published in 1890.  For the complete description, click here: Columbia County, Arkansas History, Genealogy, and Maps

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