My Genealogy Hound

Below is a family biography included in The History of Benton 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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Samuel Box, farmer, machine agent and postmaster at Hico Post-office, was born near Bolivar, in Polk County, Mo., March 1, 1845, and is the son of William P. and Hannah (Cantwell) Box. William P. Box was born near Knoxville, Tenn., August 1, 1825, His parents were born in the Carolinas, and on his father’s side the family is of Dutch descent, and Scotch on the mother’s side. William P. Box was educated in the common schools of Tennessee, and in 1842 he removed with his parents to Polk County, Mo., and here married Mrs. H. Slagle, in 1844. They were among the early pioneers of Polk County, Mo. In 1863 he and family removed to Cooper County, Mo., and in 1870 they moved from there to Benton County, Ark. Mr. Box is still living, and is residing near Hico Post-office. Mrs. Box was born in Jackson County, Ohio, August 9, 1820. Her parents were natives of Ohio, and of Scotch descent. Mrs. Box was the mother of two children by a previous marriage with John Slagle. They were named as follows: John and Conrad. By her union with Mr. Box she became the mother of four children: Samuel, Thomas (deceased), Pleasant and Joseph. Samuel Box, the eldest child born to the second marriage, enlisted in the Confederate service, October 11, 1864, at Boonville, Mo., in Company C (Capt. Norman’s) Third Regiment Missouri Volunteer Cavalry, Col. Smith commanding, and remained until the close of the war. He was in the engagements at Sedalia, Lexington, Independence, Westport, Fort Scott and Newtonia. He was in Shelby’s brigade until the close of hostilities, and refusing to accept the terms of surrender he left the United States, and took refuge in Old Mexico; was present at the burial of the Confederate flag at Eagle Pass, Texas, July 4, 1865, in commemoration of which Col. A. W. Stayback, who was present also, composed a touching poem. From here Mr. Box went to California, via Monterey, Saltillo, Buena Vista, Durango and Mazatlan, Mexico, remaining only a short time, when he went to Jackson County, Ore. He resided here less than two years, and returned to Booneville, Mo. Here he lived over two years, and then moved to Benton County, Ark., where he was married August 19, 1879, to Mrs. Mollie E. (Comer) Neill, the daughter of John B. and Caroline (Estes) Comer, formerly of Gallatin, Daviess Co., Mo. Mr. Comer is yet living, but Mrs. Comer died in 1882, Mrs. Box is the mother of one child by her first husband, Arthur Neill, and three children by her second husband, Mr. Box. They are named as follows: Fred, Efla and Vard. Mr. Box is a Democrat politically, and his first presidential vote was cast for S. J. Tilden in 1876. Mr. Box is the owner of 180 acres of land and some good town property; he was justice of the peace for two years, and was also notary public and postmaster for eleven years. He is a member of the K. of H. and American Protective League. He has traveled extensively in the United States, Old Mexico, Central America and South America. He has always taken an active part in local politics; is not a member of any church, but a strong believer in the Bible, and holds to the faith and doctrines of the Missionary Baptists: he takes a great interest in schools and education, and the up-building of good society, and is a warm supporter and defender of the temperance cause but above all the highest ambition of his life is to see his children grow up to be sober, religious and useful men and women.

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This family biography is one of 240 biographies included in The History of Benton County, Arkansas published in 1889.  For the complete description, click here: Benton County, Arkansas History, Genealogy, and Maps

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