My Genealogy Hound

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.

* * * *

E. W. Searcy, farmer and stock raiser, of Holland Township, Saline County, whose birth occurred in Alabama, in 1847, is the son of Reuben and Isabella (McDonald) Searcy, both natives of Alabama. Mr. Searcy moved to Bradley County, Ark., in 1857, and remained there for some time. He died in 1881, his wife surviving him only one year. They were members of the Baptist Church, and were married in 1825, becoming the parents of twelve children, nine of whom lived to age of maturity (and six of whom are now living): Nancy E. (deceased, married E. M. Fikes), Isabella (wife of W. L. Moore), Margarett (wife of J. F. Henson), Melvina (wife of E. Stenson), J. B. Polina (deceased, wife of W. J. Thomas), J. R. (deceased), Sarah J. (deceased, wife of W. S. Whaley), E. W. (the subject of this sketch), Dora E. (wife of Z. T. Moore), B. Y. (deceased), Sarah A. (deceased), and Napoleon (deceased). At the age of twenty-two E. W. Searcy commenced life for himself as a farmer in Cleveland County, on his father’s land, where he remained until the war, going in 1863 to Texas with his parents, where he continued until after the conflict closed. In 1866 he moved to Claiborne Parish, La., but one year later went to Drew County, and then to Texas, staying one year in each place. Returning to Cleveland County he engaged in farming, and also opened up a store of general merchandise, finally selling out the latter business and turning his whole attention to farming. Mr. Searcy purchased his present farm in 1886, consisting of 120 acres, twenty acres of which were cleared. He now has over eighty acres in cultivation, and is preparing to build several houses. He intends to make a specialty of stock-raising. In 1869 he married Miss L. C. Parks, of Texas, daughter of Newton and Mary (Moore) Parks. Mr. and Mrs. Searcy are the parents of seven children: Mary E. (a teacher), James N., Lulla B., Ruth, John R., Mason and Garland. They are both members of the Missionary Baptist Church. Mr. Searcy is a liberal patron of both church and school work, and of all enterprises for the upbuilding and development of his adopted home. He has just completed a steam-power cotton and grist mill combined, and thoroughly understanding the business, will undoubtedly enjoy a large patronage.

* * * *

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

To view additional Saline County, Arkansas family biographies, click here

Use the links at the top right of this page to search or browse thousands of other family biographies.