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Below is a family biography included in Biographical and Historical Memoirs of Ouachita 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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F. M. Wadley, one of the prominent and enterprising farmers of the county, owes his nativity to Tennessee, where his birth occurred on January 12, 1833, and is the son of Thomas and Elizabeth (Turveville) Wadley, natives of Virginia, and of English and French parentage, respectively. Thomas Wadley was a farmer and land-trader. He came to Arkansas in 1858, settled in Carroll (now Boone) County, and became the owner of a large amount of land. He continued in this business until his death, which occurred in the fall of 1861. Mrs. Wadley died in the same county, and on the old homestead, in 1871. They were the parents of twelve children, five of whom are now living: F. M., Willis N. H., Nancy J. (widow of Gid Miland), Narcissus (wife of Eli Graham), and Millie A. (wife of Harvie Lacefield). F. M. Wadley was educated in the common schools of Middle Tennessee, and at the age of twenty-five years came to this State with his father, settling in the same county. In 1861 he joined the Confederate forces, J. O. Lewis’ company of cavalry, from Fort Smith, and was afterward attached to Col. Green’s regiment, afterward Campbell’s regiment, and remained with this until the close of the war. He was in quite a number of battles during the war, the most notable being Helena, Glasgow (Mo.), Blue Water (Kas.), and was in the raid through Missouri, participating in all the engagements fought during that raid. He received but one slight wound during his service, but was captured at Doniphan, Mo., in 1863, and sent to St. Louis for three months. From there he was taken to Lynch’s Yard for a few days, and then sent South and exchanged at Vicksburg, being paroled June 15, 1865. Returning home he resumed his farming operations in Boone County, but moved from there to Jackson in 1867, engaging in merchandising, which he followed for twelve or fifteen years, but at the same time engaged extensively in farming. He also carried on the hotel business at Jackson Port for some time. In 1882 he moved close to Pine Bluff, where he tilled the soil for three years, and in 1885 came to Ouachita County, Ark. He purchased 205 acres of fine upland within one and a half miles of Camden, with seventy-five acres improved. He has a good residence and substantial outbuildings, tenant-houses, etc. He raises annually from twelve to fifteen bales of cotton, also plenty of corn, hay and oats for his own use, with some to spare, every year. He has been three times married: First, in 1851, to Miss Fannie Chappell, of Tennessee, and by her became the father of ten children, only two now living: Richard W. W., and Augusta B. (wife of Eli Turveville). Mrs. Wadley died at Russell Station,White County, Ark., in 1878, and in 1880 Mr. Wadley married Mrs. Nancy J. Pierce, who died in 1887. He was united in marriage to Miss Amanda E. Kirk, of Nevada County, in 1888, and he and wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal and Baptist Churches, respectively. Mr. Wadley is among the stirring, industrious farmers of this county, and one who takes a decided interest in all things pertaining to the good of the same. He is a liberal donator to churches, schools, etc.

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This family biography is one of 91 biographies included in Biographical and Historical Memoirs of Ouachita County, Arkansas published in 1890.  For the complete description, click here: Ouachita County, Arkansas History, Genealogy, and Maps

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