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Below is a family biography included in Biographical and Historical Memoirs of Columbia 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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Andrew Robert Johnson, merchant and mayor of Buckner, Ark. Prominent among the substantial citizens of Columbia County, Ark., stands the name of Mr. Johnson, who was born in Tallapoosa County, Ala., on September 16, 1856. He is the son of William D. Johnson, and grandson of William Johnson, who was a native of Jasper County, Ga., born on June 3, 1808, and who died in Neshoba County, Miss., in August, 1889. The latter was the son of Nicholas Johnson, who was born in the Old Dominion, and was a soldier under Gen. Jackson in his battle with the Creek Indians. He died in Jasper County, Ga., where he then resided. He was a near relative of ex-President Tyler. The father of our subject was also born in Jasper County, Ga., but moved to Tallapoosa County, Ala., where he married Sallie J. Slaughter in 1855, and who is a native of that county and State. They moved to Scott County, Miss., where they now reside, in 1857, and engaged in farming and stock-raising. They are the parents of twelve children— six sons and six daughters—five of each still live. A. R. Johnson, the subject of our sketch and the eldest of the above mentioned children, was reared in Scott County, Miss., and received a good practical education at the Stonewall Institute, Harpersville, Miss., where he also completed a course of book-keeping. In December, 1880, he came to Columbia County, Ark., and here he has since made his home. He taught two terms of school immediately after his arrival, and on April 18, 1883, he was married to Miss Julia C. Pittman, daughter of Mr. F. Pittman, and who is a native of this county. To this union have been born four children -two daughters and two sons-one daughter and two sons now living: Sallie Ellen, Thomas C. McRae, Pat and Pittman. Mr. Johnson erected the first business house in Buckner, Ark., in which he opened a stock of general merchandise in August, 1883. This is the year the St. Louis, Arkansas & Texas Railroad was constructed through that country. He was made railroad agent and postmaster in October, 1883, which position he held until 1889. He was removed from the post-office by the Harrison administration on account of his political principles being closely allied to the Democratic party. His first vote was cast for S. J. Tilden. He was made a Master Mason in 1884, by Buckner Lodge No. 121, F. & A. M. He is the owner of some valuable real property in the thriving little city of Buckner, besides about 1,000 acres of land, 600 of which are in a state of cultivation; some in Texas, but the most of it near Buckner. He is now holding his second term as mayor of Buckner, Ark., and is an influential citizen.

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This family biography is one of 106 biographies included in Biographical and Historical Memoirs of Columbia County, Arkansas published in 1890.  For the complete description, click here: Columbia County, Arkansas History, Genealogy, and Maps

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