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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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Col. Joe C. Pleasants, the subject of this sketch, a native of Virginia, and the youngest of eleven children, was of English extraction, his ancestors having arrived on these shores with the ‘‘Pilgrim Fathers.” He was born in Louisa County, Va., on April 14, 1817. He had every educational advantage which the times afforded, and was always an eager and appreciative student, fully abreast with the progress of the period, and eagerly looking forward to greater development. He possessed a fine physique, being six feet four inches tall, and of splendid symmetry. He was married March 14, 1839, to Miss Minerva Ann Phillips, of Caroline County, Va. In the year 1844 he moved by private conveyance from Virginia to Arkansas, and settled on Crowley’s Ridge, in Phillips County, about twelve miles from the (now) city of Helena. There he built a pleasant home, but, being possessed with a roving disposition, he sold out and moved again, opening and selling farm after farm, until in 1858 he bought of Gen. William Ashley, of Little Rock, the family’s present home in Arkansas County, on Arkansas River. Here he opened wild land and planted a snug home. He also built about three miles of State levee, for which he received a liberal remuneration, and prospered without interruption until the Civil War broke out in 1861. Espousing the Southern cause from the beginning, he was aid to Gen. Hardee east of the Mississippi River for some time, but after the battle of Shiloh was transferred to the Trans-Mississippi department, and was colonel of the First Trans-Mississippi Regiment (infantry); his son, Henry C. Pleasants, commanded a company under him. Col. Pleasants was a model officer, and his men loved him as a father. He was wounded while leading a heroic charge at the battle of Prairie Grove, Ark., and died from the effects of it December 30, 1862. By his dying request he was brought home and buried amid the objects he most loved in life. In April of the following year his third daughter, a lovely child of seven summers, died, and was buried by his side. In July following Capt. Henry C. Pleasants, his only living son, was wounded in the battle of Helena, Ark., while leading his company in a desperate charge, and died in a hospital in the city of Memphis July 30, 1863, aged nineteen years and six months. He was one of the noblest of men. His family know not where he sleeps, but are sure the angels of God hold the key to his grave. Mrs. Pleasants, a sainted wife and mother, died in Little Rock December 12, 1876. The world was better because of her having lived in it. Only three of their seven children are living: Helen P. McDaniel (the oldest), Anna W. Jacobs (the fourth child), and Katie J. Pleasants (the youngest). Mrs. McDaniel and Miss Katie live at the old home amid familiar and dear associations, but Mrs. Jacobs sold her share to strangers, and now resides in Little River County, Ark., near the Texas line. Mrs. McDaniel is a widow, with two children: Joseph and Minerva. Mrs. Jacob has five children. All of them bid fair to make useful members of society.

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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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