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Below is a family biography included in Biographical and Historical Memoirs of Lonoke 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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W. M. Watts. In giving the history of Lonoke County and the names of its most prominent men, that of Mr. W. M. Watts should not be omitted. The land of his birth is Georgia, he being born in Bartow County of that State November 30, 1855, the youngest of two children given to E. T. N. and M. C. (Simmons) Watts. E. T. N. Watts was originally of Georgia, residing there until 1859, making farming and railroading his chief occupations. In 1859 he immigrated to Arkansas and settled in Saline County, this being his present abiding place. He at one time moved to Lonoke County, where he lived for some years, but his first choice of a home in Arkansas pleased him better than all others, so he returned to Saline County. Mr. E. T. N. Watts served through the late war, facing all the dangers of that period with a courage not unlike that of a Cromwell. W. M. Watts lived in Saline County from 1859 to 1864, and then he went to Little Rock to attend school, remaining here for one year, and finishing his education at Fayetteville University, Washington County, Ark. Leaving school he located in Lonoke County, and with his father cleared the farm where he now lives. They commenced in the heavy timber land, a prospect that would have disheartened anyone less sanguine, but knowing no such word as fail, the result was 325 acres in a fine state of cultivation, where once timber was the only growth. There are still 315 acres of forest land which, judging by his previous efforts will soon be under cultivation. A good residence, store-room, steam-gin and saw-mill are among the numerous improvements he has effected. He is also engaged in the mercantile business, having purchased the stock and fixtures from his father in 1887. He has a very good stock of general merchandise, and his manner of doing business insures him the patronage of the surrounding country. On June 10, 1879, he was married to Miss Nannie A. Marsh, a daughter of T. P. Marsh. Mrs. Watts was born in Hardeman County, Tenn., but was reared and educated in Lonoke County, Ark. To them have been born three children: May, Ava and Wyatt, aged eight, six and three, respectively. Mr. Watts is a member of Lonoke Lodge No. 9, Knights of Pythias. Himself and wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South.
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This family biography is one of 143 biographies included in Biographical and Historical Memoirs of Lonoke County, Arkansas published in 1889. For the complete description, click here: Lonoke County, Arkansas History, Genealogy, and Maps
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