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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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John Hutchins, M. D. Among the people of Desha, as well as the surrounding counties, the name of Dr. Hutchins is almost a household word, for he has been an active practitioner of Desha County since 1883, and during his career as a practitioner of the “healing art” he has won the confidence of all and the respect of his medical brethren. He was born in Adams County, Miss., in 1843, and after attending the common schools of his native State for some time, he was sent to Princeton, N. J., and was attending college there at the breaking out of the war, and although he lacked two years of finishing his course, he dropped his books and returned home. His father then sent him to La Grange, Tenn., where he attended school until after the fall of Fort Donelson, when he again left school, returned home, and this time joined Company B, Tenth Mississippi Regiment, under Col. Smith, and took an active part in the battles of Shiloh, Murfreesboro, Chickamauga, Franklin and Nashville, after which he was on detached service until after the battle of Atlanta, when he rejoined his regiment, and was with Hood in his Tennessee campaign. After this he was taken sick and was furloughed home until he recovered, and upon regaining his health he rejoined the army, and surrendered at Galesboro, N. C, April 26, 1865. After his return home he entered the University of Louisiana at New Orleans, and in 1868 was graduated from the medical department of that institution. He entered upon his practice in Adams County, Miss., but in 1871 came to Chicot County, Ark., opening an office at Lake Village, where he remained one year, and from that time until 1883 resided in Drew County. He has since been a resident of Desha County, and has built up a large and paying practice, his services being required among the best people of the county. In 1878 Miss Melissa, a daughter of Thomas C. and Elizabeth E. (Cherry) Harrell, became his wife. She is a member of the Presbyterian Church, and the Doctor is a Democrat. Although the Doctor has only been a resident of the county about seven years, he has fully identified himself with its interests, and his purse is ever found open in support of any good cause. His parents, John O. and Aubin M. Hutchins, were born in Mississippi and Virginia respectively, and the father was an extensive planter by occupation. He was a man of fine intellect, and wielded much influence among the residents of Adams County, but since 1879 he has been a resident of Louisiana, and although seventy-two years of age is still hale and hearty. His father also bore the name of John, and was also a native of Mississippi, born in 1766, and became quite wealthy for that period. The Indians inhabited the State at that time, and Mr. Hutchins was often considerably troubled by their depredations, so much so that the settlers would band together and engage in fights with them. Notwithstanding the hardships and trials which he was obliged to undergo, he lived to the ripe old age of eighty-five years. “Honor to whom honor is due,” and to these sturdy pioneers is undoubtedly due the credit of having brought the country to its present perfection, for, by their intrepidity and courage, they paved the way to future civilization.

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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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