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Below is a family biography included in Biographical and Historical Memoirs of Jefferson County, Arkansas published by Goodspeed Publishing Company in 1889.  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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Hartwell T. and Joseph W. Wright are members of one of the substantial firms of the county, and men recognized as prominent planters. They are sons of Joseph J. Wright, who was a native of Alabama, and who, after marrying Elizabeth W. Tucker, of North Carolina, removed to Tennessee, where Hartwell was born, in Shelby County, August 20, 1835. From there they went to Mississippi, and in that locality Joseph W. first saw the light, December 4, 1838. In 1839 a desire to locate in Arkansas brought them to the place where the subjects of this sketch now reside, and here was opened up a farm of 400 acres and over. Joseph Wright, Sr., was born in 1809; he was a representative and successful physician, and after removing to Arkansas, opened an office in Pine Bluff, becoming one of the leading men in his profession in this county, and at various times holding offices of trust. He died December 23, 1854, having been a strong advocate of temperance. His wife was born June 18, 1811, and died August 5, 1865. Hartwell and Joseph are the only survivors of a family of eleven children. They were reared on the place where they now live, and in youth took great delight in hunting and fishing. Hartwell served a short time in the Confederate army, but being wounded at Point Pleasant, returned home. He married Miss Mary R. Toney, a native of Arkansas, who was born in Dallas County. She died May 24, 1883, leaving a large family: John W., Epps Virginia, Maggie, Lucius, Hartwell, Talbot, Breckenridge, and Joseph (deceased). Joseph Wright was first lieutenant of Company D, Eighteenth Arkansas Regiment, and served until the close of the war, taking part in the battle of Jenkins’ Ferry, Ark., and also at Fort Pillow, Tenn. Returning home he has since lived with his brother. He has held the office of deputy sheriff. These brothers are too well known to need any introduction to the residents of this section. Earnest, active and progressive in the development of all worthy enterprises, they have aided materially in advancing and furthering needed improvement.

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This family biography is one of 136 biographies included in Biographical and Historical Memoirs of Jefferson County, Arkansas published in 1889.  For the complete description, click here: Jefferson County, Arkansas History, Genealogy, and Maps

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