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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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John M. Barrett, one of the most prominent merchants in Jefferson County, located at Sherrill Station, was born on the farm where he is at present residing on the 12th of June, 1855, and is a son of William C. and Ara Saphronia (Harris) Barrett, natives of Mississippi and Arkansas, respectively. The father came from his native State to Arkansas when the country around Jefferson County was one unbroken forest and its only inhabitants savage beasts, and for several years after locating here he was able to shoot game from the door of his house. He was a farmer all his life, and a prominent Mason, and became very successful later on when the country was more thickly settled, owning before the war about 800 acres of very fertile land and thirty-five slaves. His possessions were almost entirely swept away during the war, and his family had to again commence the bitter struggle against misfortune. His death occurred in 1855, and after his decease the mother was married to Dr. Sherrill, a noted physician of Jefferson County. The elder Barrett and his wife were the parents of two children, John M. and Elizabeth, the latter dying in 1856 when quite young. John M. received a liberal education at Jackson, Tenn., and in Jefferson County. Upon reaching his maturity he commenced farming for himself, and for three years continued in that calling without any apparent success, owing to his inexperience, but at the end of that time fortune smiled upon him in a bright manner and success began to attend his efforts. He now owns some 600 acres of valuable land, and Sherrill Station is situated upon part of it, he donating the right of way. Mr. Barrett has also embarked in general merchandising at Sherrill Station, meeting with fair success in that business. On February 18, 1881, he was married to Miss Ada E. Quattlebaum, of South Carolina, by whom he had three children, Henry R., John M. and Eugene C. Mrs. Barrett is an earnest Christian worker and a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South. Mr. Barrett is a conservative Democrat in politics and a valuable ally to that party. His interest is deeply centered in educational matters, and it is one of his greatest pleasures to give his assistance to any enterprise for the promotion of schools. His efforts towards advancing the industries and agricultural interests of Jefferson County have won the approval and admiration of his fellow citizens, and he is held in high respect by the entire community.

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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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