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Below is a family biography included in Biographical and Historical Memoirs of Prairie 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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William L. Willeford is the present efficient circuit and county court clerk of Prairie County, Ark., and as his prominent characteristics are strict, honest and exceptionally fine business qualifications, his fellow-citizens have been quick to recognize his merits. His birth occurred in Giles County, Tenn., July 20, 1847, and he is a son of A. H. and Sarah W. (Cotrell) Willeford, the former a Tennesseean, and the latter a native of Alabama. A. H. Willeford removed to Alabama after reaching manhood, and there became a prominent attorney at law, and served the Government as surveyor of that State. After the celebration of his nuptials, he returned to Tennessee, but in 1851 settled in Hernando, De Soto County, Miss., where he successfully practiced law until his death, which occurred in July, 1860. His widow removed to Des Arc, Ark., in 1871, and is now residing with her son, William L. The early days of the latter were spent in Mississippi, and there he acquired his early education, and from this State he joined the Confederate army, in 1862, being at that time only fourteen years of age. He enlisted as a private in Company K, Ninth Mississippi Infantry, and was in the battles of Shiloh, Murfreesboro, Franklin and a great many skirmishes. During the latter part of the war, he was transferred to Forrest’s cavalry, and was disbanded near Selma, Ala., in 1865. He then returned to Mississippi, and began clerking in a drug store, and during the period up to 1871, he became thoroughly familiar with the details of this business. He then followed this occupation in Des Arc, in the drug store of Col. Burney, until 1875, at which time he turned his attention to farming, continuing one year, and in the fall of that year he purchased a drug store, and successfully managed it until 1882. At this date he was elected on the Democratic ticket, of which he has always been a supporter, to the office of clerk of the circuit and county court, and has been re-elected successively in 1884, 1886 and 1888, and is acknowledged by all to be the best clerk Prairie County has ever had. He has also filled other positions of trust with ability, and in every walk in life, has been straightforward, upright and conscientious. September 26, 1872, his marriage with Miss Emma Becton was celebrated. She was a daughter of J. G. and Lizzie Becton, and was born in North Carolina, her death occurring in Prairie County, Ark., October 2, 1888, leaving a family of five children to mourn her loss: Anna, Gracie, Jacob, William and Frederick. Mr. Willeford took for his second wife Miss Maggie Bacon, a Kentuckian, a daughter of Ben. and Gabriella Bacon, their union taking place April 17, 1889. Mrs. Willeford is a member of the Baptist Church, and her husband belongs to the K. of H. and the K. of P.

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This family biography is one of 94 biographies included in Biographical and Historical Memoirs of Prairie County, Arkansas published in 1890.  For the complete description, click here: Prairie County, Arkansas History, Genealogy, and Maps

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