My Genealogy Hound

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.

* * * *

Rev. W. J. Fears has been a resident of this section since the winter of 1870, at which time he came thither with his parents, W. T. and Frances (Fears) Fears, from Georgia, where he was born in 1853, being the eldest of their three children. The father was a farmer, and while a resident of Georgia held the office of justice of the peace for a number of years. When the Rebellion opened he joined the Confederate army as sergeant under Capt. Key, and was with the Army of Virginia under Gen. Lee. At the battle of Seven Pines he was wounded in the mouth by a minieball, which knocked out quite a number of his teeth, the ball coming out on the left side of his face. He was wounded in the hand at Gettysburg and also took part in the engagement at Richmond, in fact, participating in nearly all the engagements fought by Gen. R. E. Lee. After receiving the wound at Seven Pines, he was detailed home to provide provisions for the army, and during Sherman’s raid through Jasper County, Ga., he was in hiding in the fastnesses of the mountains, to avoid falling into the enemy’s hands. As above stated, he came to Arkansas in 1870, reaching this place on Christmas day. He soon after purchased the farm of 920 acres, on which the subject now resides, and of all this land about 200 acres were under cultivation, 300 acres being improved at the time of his death. He was very successful in his operations as a farmer, and soon became known as one of the neatest and most thoroughgoing farmers of this section of the country, and his crops of cotton and corn were exceptionally large. He died on March 14, 1888, of paralysis of the throat and tongue, supposed to have been caused by the wound received at Seven Pines. His wife died in 1873, both having been worthy members of the Christian Church, he being also a member of the A. F. & A. M., the Agricultural Wheel and the Grange. The following are the children born to himself and wife: W. J., Francis B. (deceased), and Elizabeth (wife of I. W. Couch, of this county). W. J. Fears obtained his early education in the schools of Georgia, and at the age of twenty years began farming for himself on land given him by his father and father-in law. After residing on this place for twelve years, he, in 1889, moved on the farm where he now resides, his principal crops being cotton and corn. Like his father he is a neat and thrifty farmer, and having followed this calling all his life, he thoroughly understands every department of the work. He was married, May 10, 1873, to Miss Ella E. Zachery, and by her has an interesting family of three children: James T., Jesse E. and Bonnie G. Fannie F., another child, is deceased. Mrs. Fears was born on August 30. 1856, and she and Mr. Fears belong to the Christian Church, of which he has been a minister since August, 1888.

* * * *

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

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

Use the links at the top right of this page to search or browse thousands of other family biographies.