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Below is a family biography included in Biographical and Historical Memoirs of Cross 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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C. M. Hamilton, merchant, Wynne, Ark. This prominent business man, of the firm of Johnson & Hamilton, first saw the light of day near Wittsburg in 1855, and was the fourth of nine children born to the union of J. H. and P. (Shaver) Hamilton. [See sketch of J. J. Hamilton.] C. M. Hamilton was taught the duties of farm life when young, attended the common schools until twenty years of age, when he engaged in the drug business at Wittsburg in partnership with R. M. Smith, and continued at this for eight years. Also during this time he had an interest in a similar store at Forrest City. In 1879 he opened a general store, and for several years conducted the two establishments. In 1885 he sold the drug store, and turned his attention to the general store, which business is conducted under the firm name of Hamilton, Smith & Co. He was very successful, and during the year 1887, he shipped about 700 bales of cotton. This firm dissolved partnership in the same year, and in July, 1888, Mr. Hamilton formed a partnership with W. M. Johnson, and opened an extensive general store at Wynne. They carry a stock valued at $6,000, buy everything a farmer has to sell, and have everything he wishes to buy. Mr. Hamilton has been married twice, first in 1878, to Miss Spraggins, a native of Arkansas, and daughter of D. Spraggins, who was a pioneer of this section, a merchant at Wittsburg for a number of years, and also an extensive farmer. She died in January, 1887, and left two children: Charley and Floy. His second marriage occurred in October, 1888. and the same year he built a neat cottage in Wynne, where he now has a pleasant home. Aside from this he has two other residences which he rents, and also a residence in Forrest City. He is somewhat active in politics, and votes with the Democratic party. Socially he is a K. of P., Lodge No. 52, and a K. of H., and belongs to the K. & L. of H. He is a good and an enterprising citizen.

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This family biography is one of 103 biographies included in Biographical and Historical Memoirs of Cross County, Arkansas published in 1890.  For the complete description, click here: Cross County, Arkansas History, Genealogy, and Maps

View additional Cross County, Arkansas family biographies here: Cross County, Arkansas Biographies

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