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Below is a family biography included in Biographical and Historical Memoirs of Saline 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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A. B. Burks, one of the oldest and most prosperous stock raisers and farmers in Liberty Township, Saline County, Ark., was born in Wayne County, Tenn., the son of Harrison and Sarah (Yocum) Burks, natives, respectively, of North Carolina and Kentucky. Harrison Burks came to Tennessee when a small boy and was educated in the country schools and reared on a farm. In 1854, at the age of fifty-five years, he came to Arkansas, buying eighty acres of land in this township, where he remained until his death ten years later. Besides his original purchase he entered eighty acres more, and dealt quite extensively in fast horses, being a lover of racing. He was married about 1817, and became the father of nine children, five of whom are now living: George W. (deceased, whose family reside in this county), A. B. (our subject), James (living in this county), William (in Fair Play Township, this county), Mary (wife of John Russell, of Garland County, Ark.), and P. L. (of this township). Mrs. Burks died in 1868, having been a member of the Baptist Church. Mr. Burks took quite an active interest in politics, as a Democrat, though he was not an office seeker. At the age of eighteen, A. B. Burks commenced life for himself as a farmer on rented land in Tennessee, which he farmed for six years. In 1854 he came to this State with his father, settling in this county and township. He rented land to put in his first crop, but in October of the same year purchased his present property consisting of eighty acres, with twenty acres improved. He has since added 120 acres, making a fine farm of 200 acres with 150 improved, upon which are a splendid frame residence, barns, outhouses, etc. He makes a specialty of raising stock and grain, leaving cotton to his neighbors. He has a large number of cattle and other stock. In 1861 Mr. Burks joined the Confederate army as a private, being promoted to sergeant of his company. He linked his fortune with Company F, Third Arkansas Cavalry, commanded by Col. E. Bowlin, of Little Rock, and during the forepart of the war was stationed on the west side of the river, but in 1862 his command crossed the river and took part in the battles of Chickamauga, Corinth, Iuka, Franklin, Knoxville, Dalton, Savannah, and a number of minor engagements. He was surrendered near Greenville, N. C., and paroled at Chester, S. C. Starting home May 7, 1865, he arrived June 15, and found his family in a fair condition, but he, himself, was bankrupt, having nothing left except his place. Beginning at once to farm, he has kept it up to the present day. Just before returning from the war, Mr. Burks drew 95 cents in silver from the Confederate treasurer, which he still retains. He says he worked four years for 95 cents, and he expects to keep it all his life. What property he now owns has been accumulated since the war. He was married in 1848 to Miss Mary A. May, daughter of John and Elizabeth (Polk) May, natives of Tennessee, and the parents of seven children (three of whom are now living): Henry (in McNairy County, Tenn.), Mary A. (wife of A. B. Burks), James (deceased, whose family resides in Izard County, Ark.), Joshua (deceased), and Emily (wife of Wesley Hensley, in Searcy County, Ark.). Mr. John May died many years ago, Mrs. May passing away in 1837. Mr. and Mrs. Burks have seven children: Louisa (wife of W. M. Grant), Nancy (wife of E. M. Hunnicutt), Sarah (wife of G. W. Grant), Tennessee (wife of William Howard), James, Emily and Josephine (deceased). Politically, Democratic, Mr. Burks is a member the of A. F. & A. M., and a strong supporter of churches, schools and benevolent and public enterprises, always lending a hand to any scheme that will upbuild his county and State.

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This family biography is one of 100 biographies included in Biographical and Historical Memoirs of Saline County, Arkansas published in 1889.  For the complete description, click here: Saline County, Arkansas History, Genealogy, and Maps

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