My Genealogy Hound

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.

* * * *

J. W. Stuart, principal of Buckner High School, and a man of decided intellectual ability, owes his nativity to Ireland, his birth occurring near Bellfort City, on November 16, 1845, and is the son of James H. Stuart, and the grandson of James Stuart, Sr. The father came to the United States about 1850, and is now a resident of Fairfield, S. C. He was a teacher by profession, and followed this until a few years ago, since which time he has been engaged in agricultural pursuits. The maiden name of our subject’s mother was Miss Sarah McAllister, a native also of the Emerald Isle, born in 1829. She is still living. J. W. Stuart, the eldest son of thirteen children, remained in his native county until his eighteenth year, and there received his education, with the exception of one year, 1870, when he was merchandising. Mr. Stuart has been engaged in teaching since his fourteenth year, and as an educator has few superiors. He was married in 1889 to Miss Blanch Davis, of Natchitoches, La., who was born on January 26, 1864, and who is the daughter of David and Rebecca (Chapman) Davis. Mr. Stuart came to St. Francis County, Ark., on January 26, 1878, and had charge of the Forrest City High School for eleven years. He was also one year at Helena High School. From Forrest City he came to Buckner, where he now resides, in November, 1889, and assumed control of the schools at that place. His wife is his assistant. They have a nourishing institution, one well patronized, and both are experienced teachers and good disciplinarians. Mr. Stuart is pleasant and painstaking in his manners, and has the requisite ability to properly conduct the institution, and under his charge it is assured of still further success. Socially he is a member of the K. of H., and K. & L. of H. He is a member of the Presbyterian Church. In politics he affiliates with the Democratic party, and his first presidential vote was for Horace Greeley. He edited and owned the Forrest City Courier, and in 1881 was on the staff of the Little Rock Democrat. Mr. Stuart is grand master of the National Model Training School for teachers of Ballymena, Ireland. He is the oldest teacher now engaged in that profession in the State. Mrs. Stuart has taught for nine years, and is an efficient and highly accomplished lady.

* * * *

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

To view additional Columbia County, Arkansas family biographies, click here

Use the links at the top right of this page to search or browse thousands of other family biographies.