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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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Rolfe Eldridge, a prosperous planter of Point Township, of keen perception, prompt in business and thoroughly alive to the interests of the county, is of Tennessee nativity and was born in Shelby County, in January, 1842. His father, Rolfe Eldridge, Sr., was born in Virginia in 1806, and immigrated from Virginia to Tennessee in 1830, and thence to Arkansas in 1850, locating in what is now Woodruff County. In 1820 he was married to Miss Carolina Hall, a native of Virginia, as were also her parents. Mr. and Mrs. Eldridge reared a family of nine children, six girls and three boys: Elizabeth (deceased), Harriett, Carolina (Mrs. Eldridge), Laura, Lucy (wife of Mr. F. E. Pope), John T., Robert and Rolfe. Mr. Eldridge, Sr., was justice of the peace for a number of years in this county and was a devout member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. His wife, belonging to the same denomination, died in 1880. Rolfe, Jr., was married in 1869 to Miss Ella Watson, originally of De Soto County, Miss., and this union has been blessed with five children: Sammie, Rolfe, Robert, John, and Ella (deceased). Mrs. Eldridge died in 1880, and Mr. Eldridge was again married in 1887 to Miss Mollie Dawson, the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Jacob Dawson, of Arkansas. To them one child has been given, Cora, a bright little lady. In response to the call to arms in defense of his country Mr. Eldridge entered the army under the command of Col. Gause. He enlisted in February, 1862, and first was in the cavalry under Capt. Hooker, participating in the battles of Prairie Grove, Helena and Pleasant Hill, and in all the principal engagements during his service. After the war he resumed the cultivation of his farm, which consisted at that time of 200 acres, since which time he has added to it until he now owns 1,500 acres, with 1,000 under cultivation, and finely improved, the most important crops grown being corn and cotton. He is interested in the finest cotton-gin in the State, which now has four plants running with all the improved machinery. Mr. Eldridge is one of the most successful and energetic farmers in the State, and his elegant and commodious residence, fine grounds and outbuildings all show that thrift, enterprise and refinement predominate. Himself and wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and he belongs to the Masonic lodge and Knights of Honor.

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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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