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Below is a family biography included in Biographical and Historical Memoirs of Desha 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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J. W. Dickinson, Jr., merchant, Arkansas City, Ark. This young but eminently successful business man was born in Memphis, Tenn., in 1862, and there he received the principal part of his education, although he afterward attended school at Pine Bluff for some time. When eighteen years of age he commenced assisting his father, Col. J. W. Dickinson [see the sketch preceding], who was then editing the Arkansas City Journal, as local editor, and also became interested with him in agricultural affairs for several years. At the age of twenty-one years he embarked in his present business, and handles a full line of groceries, plantation supplies, etc., and is doing a good business. He first started out by himself, but was afterward associated with J. R. Butler, under the firm name of Butler & Dickinson, for about eight or ten months. Mr. Dickinson then sold out to his partner and in 1885 opened his present business. He receives a liberal patronage from the best local custom, is kept busy supplying the wants of the trade, and he has established a first-class reputation for excellent goods, close prices and honorable, straightforward dealing. Mr. Dickinson is energetic and enterprising, and possesses rare business ability. He was married on March 2, 1886, to Miss Eunice A. Godwin, a native of Chicot County, Ark., and the daughter of A. and E. M. (Ferguson) Godwin, natives of California and Kentucky, respectively. She is also a niece of John R. Godwin, of Memphis, Tenn. To Mr. and Mrs. Dickinson was born one child, Effie M. (deceased). Mr. Dickinson was elected mayor of Arkansas City in 18S5, and has succeeded himself in every election since that time, being one of the youngest mayors in any city in the South. Judging from his popularity, he is likely to hold the office as long as he cares to be troubled with it. He is a member of the K. of P., Valley Lodge, No. 21.

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This family biography is one of 80 biographies included in Biographical and Historical Memoirs of Desha County, Arkansas published in 1890.  For the complete description, click here: Desha County, Arkansas History, Genealogy, and Maps

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