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Below is a family biography included in Biographical and Historical Memoirs of Ashley 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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Hon. George W. Norman. Within the limits of Ashley County, Ark., there is not a man of greater personal popularity than Mr. Norman, a man of recognized worth and substantial, progressive spirit. He was born in Bibb County, Ga., December 18, 1829, and when eight or nine years of age was taken to Forsyth, Monroe County, Ga., where superior scholastic advantages were to be had, and of which he received the benefit. After studying for several years in the private schools of this place he, in April, 1847, entered the State University of Georgia as a sophomore half advanced, and graduated in August, 1849, with the first honors in a class of forty-seven students. He immediately entered the law office of the Hon. Washington Poe, a distinguished attorney of Macon, Ga., and was admitted to practice by the Supreme Court in the month of March, 1850. After remaining in his native State until 1859, he removed to Arkansas, and has resided at Hamburg, Ashley County, ever since. His ability soon became recognized, and in 1862 he was elected by his numerous friends to the State Senate from the counties of Ashley, Chicot and Drew, receiving a majority of the votes in each county, and defeating two distinguished competitors. In 1868 he represented Ashley County in the “Reconstruction” Constitutional Convention, and was one of the twelve Democrats in that body. His speech against the constitution and upon the race question has been pronounced almost prophetic. When his term of office had expired he returned to his home, resumed the practice of his profession, but was not long allowed to remain in retirement, for in 1874 he was again elected to the State Senate from Ashley and Drew Counties without opposition, and this time served a term of four years. He took a prominent part in shaping legislation to meet the changed circumstances of the country resulting from the overthrow of the “carpet bag” government, and, in fact, was a patriotic public servant, for he undoubtedly had the interests of the country at heart, and proved that he so had in all his actions. His public life, with the exception of occasional service as special judge, has been confined to that above referred to. He is at present engaged in the practice of law with W. T. Wooldridge, Esq., under the firm name of Norman & Wooldridge. His father, Judge William S. Norman,* of New London, Union County, Ark., is now nearly eighty-eight years old, and is the son of George Norman who emigrated from Virginia to Georgia about 1790 with his father, William Norman, who was a Revolutionary soldier in Weedon’s celebrated Virginia brigade, and was commanded by Gen. LaFayette at the battle of Brandywine, being severely wounded in the knee in that engagement. The British bullet, flattened and cut, and the piece of bone taken from the leg, are heirlooms in the family. Gen. LaFayette was wounded in the same battle, and Judge W. S. Norman says that he has often heard his grandfather, William Norman, say that he was standing near the General when he received the wound, and that the Marquis had dismounted and was endeavoring to rally the troops at the time, although the history of the battle states that he was wounded while on horseback. Hon. George W. Norman has a family of five children, all of whom reside in Hamburg. He belongs to a long-lived family, for in addition to his father’s advanced years, the mother is in her eighty-fourth year. Personally, and in every private relation and duty of life, too much praise cannot be given Mr. Norman, for he is the soul of honor, liberal, generous and high minded, a warm and faithful friend, and his life has been made fragrant with kind and manly deeds. As a lawyer he has not his superior in the State, and his reputation as an advocate and public speaker is widespread.

* Since above was written Judge W. S. Norman has departed.

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This family biography is one of 97 biographies included in Biographical and Historical Memoirs of Ashley County, Arkansas published in 1890.  For the complete description, click here: Ashley County, Arkansas History, Genealogy, and Maps

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