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Submitted: 4/1/09 • Approved: 8/17/15 • Last Updated: 7/1/23 • R173110-G0-S3
November 1, 1849 - January 28, 1907
Francis M. Betts, planter and miller, Champagnolle, Ark. Mr. Betts, a native-born resident of the county and one of the foremost planters and millers of the same, was born on November 1, 1849. His parents, William and ELizabth W. (Vincent) Betts, were natives, respectively, of Tennessee and Alabama, the former born in 1822 and the latter in 1819. Their marriage resulted in the birth of four children, who are named as follows: Samuel D., Columbus (deceased), and Theatious (deceased). The father emigrated from Tennessee to Arkansas in 1847, located in Union County, and there he resides at the present time engaged in tilling the soil, which occupation, he has carried on all his life. He is a member of the Wheel, and a man who takes a decided interest in the building up of churches, schools, etc. He is a member of the Baptist Church and has been deacon in the same for the last twenty five or thirty years. During the late war his sympathies were with the South, and he enlisted in the Confederate army, participating in the battle of Mark's Mill and several other battles of importance. Mrs. Betts is also a member of the Missionary Baptist Church. Francis M Betts secured a fair education in the private schools of Union County, and later began farming which he continued for one year. He then married Miss Amanda M. Freeman on January 25, 1872, and the result of this union was the birth of the following children: Clara, William A., Lizzie G., Leila, Frank M., Asa F., Dollie V., Herbert V. and Hazel. Mrs. Betts was also a native of Union County, Ark. Trained to the duties of the farm from an early day, this has ever been Mr. Betts' chosen occupation, and in connection he also carries on milling. He is the owner of about 452 acres of land, has 100 acres under cultivation, and is one of the substantial men of the county. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity, Champagnolle Lodge No. 68, and has represented his lodge in the grand lodge twice. He has held the office of treasurer, senior warden, and master in the lodge, holding the latter position for four terms. He is at present secretary. He is also a member of the Wheel, and has held the office of president in the same. He has been justice of the peace for six years, and represented his county in the Legislature one term. He and wife are deeply interested in school matters, and allow no worthy movement of any kind to fall through for want of support if they can possibly prevent it. The Betts family is of Scotch-German descent. (Biographical and Historical Memoirs of Southern Arkansas - Goodspeed Publishing Company - 1890)
Contributed on 4/1/09 by debbraszymanski
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Record #: 173110