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Below is a family biography included in Biographical and Historical Memoirs of St. Francis 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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O. E. Dorriss, one of the oldest and most prominent of the early settlers of St. Francis County, was born in Jackson County, Ill., in the year 1819, being the son of James S. and Catherine Dorriss, of English and Irish descent, respectively. James Dorriss was a soldier in the War of 1812, and his father was chaplain to Andrew Jackson during the Creek War, participating in the famous battle of Horseshoe. Hamlet F., a brother of O. E. Dorriss, served in the war between Mexico and Texas, taking an active part in all the engagements of note, and was present at the capture of Gen. Santa Anna at Santa Jacinto. O. E. Dorriss’ advantages for an education were extremely limited, but his constant reading and keen sense of observation have made him a well-informed man, conversant on all the important’ topics of the past and present. At the age of fourteen he left home, starting out to make his own fortune. In 1834 he came to Arkansas on a trading expedition, going southwest, and upon reaching the Saline River, in the southwest part of the State, he was suddenly taken ill, which put a quietus to his business prospects for some time. After recovering he discovered to his horror that his partner had absconded with all the finances. This left him entirely destitute and among strangers, but in time he made his way to Little Rock, suffering many privations during his long journey. At this point he was met by his father, who had come to him in response to an appeal, written in a trembling hand during his convalescence. He returned to his home in Missouri, but soon after returned to St. Francis County, arriving here in 1835, and locating on a farm of 320 acres, which he improved and has since made his home. Mr. Dorriss ran among the first steamboats that ever plied up the St. Francis River, in the years 1844-45. In 1847 he was married to Miss Julia Hanson, of Morgan County, Ga., and to their union nine children were born: Josephine, Georgia A., Lugene, Franklin, Jenette, Julia, Sallie Vick, Lou Kate and Lee, of whom four are now living. In March, 1865, Mrs. Dorriss died, and in 1866 Mr. Dorriss married Miss Ann T. Ellis, who bore him six children: James, Mary, Ada, Willmorth, George and Thomas; of these three are deceased. Mr. Dorriss was a member of the Fifth Arkansas Regiment, Confederate army, during the war, and represented his county in the legislature of 1866, for ten years he was justice of the peace, discharging the duties of that office in a highly commendable manner, and during his entire term of office, from 1856 to 1866, only one of his decisions were taken to a higher court. He filled the office of sheriff by appointment for several years, and in this, as in everything else, gave entire satisfaction. In his political opinion he favors the Democratic party, but is not an enthusiast. Mr. Dorriss assisted in the removal of the Indians to their present home in the Indian Territory, and also gave his valuable support in laying out and opening up the old military road in this county in 1835-36. In addition to Esquire Dorriss’ many enterprises he is running a fine steam-gin, with a capacity of eighteen bales per day, and a self-acting, or automatic, press of the latest improvement. He is a liberal contributor to all movements that have for their object the advancement of educational and religious matters. Mrs. Dorriss is a consistent member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South.

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This family biography is one of 87 biographies included in Biographical and Historical Memoirs of St. Francis County, Arkansas published in 1890.  For the complete description, click here: St. Francis County, Arkansas History, Genealogy, and Maps

View additional St. Francis County, Arkansas family biographies here: St. Francis County, Arkansas Biographies

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