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Below is a family biography included in Biographical and Historical Memoirs of Phillips 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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B. B. Waddell, president and manager of the Citizens’ Street Railway and superintendent of the Highland Improvement Company, was originally from Carroll County, Tenn., where his birth occurred on August 24, 1832, and is the son of Amos and Nancy (Pratt) Waddell, the father a native of Georgia and the mother of Virginia. The parents emigrated to Tennessee about 1820, were among the first settlers, and here the mother died. In 1849 the father moved to Southern Arkansas, locating in Ashley County, where he remained for several years. He then returned to Tennessee, where he passed his last days. He was a captain in the War of 1812. Their family consisted of eleven children, four now living: Dr. A. P., Mrs. Smith (of Tennessee), B. B. and Lucinda (in Texas). B. B. Waddell attained his growth and received his education in Tennessee. In 1849 he came with his father to Arkansas, but only remained a few weeks when he returned to Memphis and entered the law office of Judge Henry G. Smith. In 1853 he was admitted to the bar and is the only one of the Memphis bar admitted at that time who is now living. He practiced law at that place until 1866, with the exception of the time during the war, after which he gave up his profession and engaged in keeping hotel until 1873. In 1861 he entered the staff of Gen. Polk, was transferred to Gen. Beauregard’s staff, and remained with the same until 1864, when his health failed and he returned to Memphis. While keeping hotel he was also engaged in laying the Nicholson pavement, and made other city improvements. In 1873 he went to St. Louis, embarked in the real estate business and remained there until 1880. He then engaged as general superintendent for Thomas G. Allen & Co., of Memphis, large real estate dealers, owning fifty-two plantations, and he remained interested in this business until 1887, when he came to Helena, and with other parties purchased a large interest here, which he is now superintending. He procured the franchise and laid the street railway in 1888, and this is now in a prosperous condition. Since his residence here he has consolidated his interest and formed the Highland Improvement Company, and purchased the large hills around Helena. He is now engaged in leveling the hills and making beautiful building sites of the same. Mr. Waddell is a progressive citizen and has always rendered his services of influence in Helena by many marked improvements. While living in Memphis he was principally engaged in the management of a large plantation in connection with his law practice. He was married at Denmark, Tenn., in 1856, to Miss Fannie Tarber, by whom he has four children: Tarber, Lizzie, Paul and Anna. He is a member of the Episcopal Church.

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This family biography is one of 103 biographies included in Biographical and Historical Memoirs of Phillips County, Arkansas published in 1890.  For the complete description, click here: Phillips County, Arkansas History, Genealogy, and Maps

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