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Below is a family biography included in Biographical and Historical Memoirs of Drew 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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R. T. Wells, proprietor of livery barn, Monticello, Ark. This barn from the large business it does, not only exemplifies the importance of this part of town, but reflects credit on its management. Mr. Wells, who has been engaged in the livery business since 1878, was born in Meriwether County, Ga., on August 2, 1851, and is a son of Robert and Sarah G. (Brooks) Wells, natives also of Georgia. The parents emigrated to Arkansas in 1861, and located in Drew County, where they still reside. The father was engaged in farming for many years, but lately he has been active in real estate and broker business. There were three children born to his marriage: Mrs. F. White, Mrs. Georgia Wilson and Robert T. The last named was but ten years of age when his parents moved to Drew County, and here he received the principal part of his education. He remained on the farm until 1878, after which he moved to town and engaged in the livery business in the firm of Shelton & Wells, and there continued until November, 1888, when he bought out his partner, and has since continued the business alone. He keeps about twenty-two head of good horses and a number of first-class vehicles. He is doing an extensive business in buying and selling horses and mules, hacks, wagons and buggies. He is also interested in 3,400 acres of ranch property, on which he raises mules and cattle. He is a live, energetic business man, and is bound to make his mark in the world. He runs the bus line from the depot to the city, the stage line from Monticello to Hamburg, a distance of thirty-two miles, and is the owner and proprietor of the telephone line from Monticello to Hamburg. He owns considerable town property, and is a member of the firm of Wells & Edwards, undertakers and furniture dealers, the largest dealers in that line in Southern Arkansas. Mr. Wells was married in February, 1874, to Miss Mattie E. Packard, by whom he has five children living: Florence A., Lena L., Bertie, Eustice E., and Carl. Mr. Wells is one of the most successful and substantial business men of Monticello, and has done a great deal toward the upbuilding and improvement of the county. In politics he is Democratic.

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This family biography is one of 83 biographies included in Biographical and Historical Memoirs of Drew County, Arkansas published in 1890.  For the complete description, click here: Drew County, Arkansas History, Genealogy, and Maps

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