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Below is a family biography included in the Woodruff County portion of Biographical and Historical Memoirs of Eastern 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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Eli Burkett, an enterprising planter, blacksmith and wood workman, first saw the light of day in Upson County, Ga., January 28, 1828, being the son of John and Celia (Ethridge) Burkett. John Burkett was born September 10, 1805, in Marlborough District, S. C., and was reared to farm life, which occupation he followed the remainder of his years. He was married to Miss Ethridge, in Wilkinson County, Ga., August 4, 1826, and by her became the father of eight children, four of them now living: Enoch V., William L., Mary (the wife of J. A. Baley) and Eli. Mr. Burkett was a member of the Baptist Church, as was also his wife; his death occurred December 29, 1869. Mrs. Burkett was born in Cumberland County, N. C, August 5, 1803, and died in 1885. Her parents were natives of North Carolina. Eli Burkett’s early life was passed on the farm helping his father, and attending school a few months in the year. He was married to Miss Rosanah Gilbert, the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Jabez Gilbert, of Butts County, Ga. Their marriage was solemnized June 4, 1850, and to them were born seven children: John, Jabez, Margaret (the wife of J. B. McMurtrie), Drewry, Thomas, Davis and Lee. Mr. Burkett immigrated from Georgia to Arkansas, in 1869, locating in Woodruff County, where he bought 140 acres of land, with sixty under cultivation. In connection with his farming, Mr. Burkett owns and operates a blacksmith and wood shop, which he established in 1873. He manufactures wagons, buggies and farming implements; he has built up a good trade, of which he is well-deserving, being an industrious, hard-working man, and respected by all. In societies he is identified with A. F. & A. M., Colony Lodge No. 190, and of the I. O. O. F., De View Lodge No. 71. At the breaking out of the late war, Mr. Burkett enlisted in January, 1862, in the Thirty-second Georgia Infantry, Company I, where he served as a private, until November, 1864, when he was promoted to second lieutenant, and commanded his company on that memorable day, March 19, 1865, at Bentonville, N. C., in which eight of his company was killed and thirteen wounded, he receiving a wound in this battle, which disabled him until April 16, when he was discharged at the hospital at Thomasville, N. C. Mrs. Burkett is a native of Butts County, Ga., this county being the place of her birth, which occurred April 15, 1825. Her parents were residing in Georgia at the time of her demise, Mr. Gilbert dying February 4, 1864, his wife surviving him until April 29, 1888.

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This family biography is one of 69 biographies included in the Woodruff County portion of Biographical and Historical Memoirs of Eastern Arkansas published by Goodspeed Publishing Company in 1890.  For the complete description, click here: Woodruff County, Arkansas History, Genealogy, and Maps

View additional Woodruff County, Arkansas family biographies here: Woodruff County, Arkansas

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