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Below is a family biography included in Biographical and Historical Memoirs of Poinsett 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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J. M. Harris is a native-born resident of the county, his birth occurring in 1843, and ever since starting in life for himself he has enjoyed the reputation of being not only a substantial and progressive planter, but an intelligent and thoroughly posted man in all public matters. His brothers and sisters are as follows: Mary F. (Mrs. Johnson), Calvin H., who was killed at the battle of Chickamauga; W. S., a resident of the county; J. M., B. F., who is married and resides nearby; C. H., S. A. (Mrs. Settle, residing in Cross County, Ark.); Susan (Mrs. Magee, of Scott Township), and Alice (deceased). The parents of these children, W. H. and J. P. (Copeland) Harris, were born in Alabama, and in 1829 the father removed to Arkansas, and squatted on a tract of land near where our subject now lives. He took an active part in the early history of Poinsett County, and always voted the Democratic ticket. He was elected by that party to the office of county judge, serving a number of years. His death occurred here, in March, 1879, but his widow is still living, and resides on the old homestead. J. M. Harris was educated in the schools of the county, and in 1862 dropped both farm work and schools to engage in the Rebellion, serving in Company K, Adams’ regiment, and was a participant in the battles of Corinth, Port Hudson and numerous skirmishes. After the final surrender, he returned to Poinsett County, with the consciousness of having served his cause faithfully and well, and was married here the same year, to Miss C. A. Stancell, a native of North Carolina, but her death occurred in 1870, she having borne one child, C. H., who is at home. Mr. Harris took for his second wife (in 1873) Miss R. D. Reeves, a daughter of J. F. Reeves, one of the early pioneers of the county, but he mourned her death the following year. He took for his third wife Miss N. E. Conn, by whom he has five children: Sally A., Etta, Dove, Grover G. and Francis. After his first marriage, Mr. Harris purchased a farm of forty acres, and, by additional purchases, is now the owner of 320 acres, with 100 acres under cultivation. He is also engaged in stock dealing, and raises to some extent, his cattle being of the Durham breed. He is an active agriculturist, and, in addition to his farm, operates a saw and grist mill and a cotton-gin in Scott Township, his various enterprises netting him a lucrative annual income. Socially, he is a member of the K. of H. He is a member of the school board, and he and his wife belong to the Baptist Church.

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This family biography is one of 70 biographies included in Biographical and Historical Memoirs of Poinsett County, Arkansas published in 1889.  View the complete description here: Poinsett County, Arkansas History, Genealogy, and Maps

View additional Poinsett County, Arkansas family biographies here: Poinsett County, Arkansas Biographies

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