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Below is a family biography included in Biographical and Historical Memoirs of Garland 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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John R. Holcomb, prominent in the agricultural affairs of Mills Township, was born in Franklin County, Ga., August 18, 1824, being the son of Solomon and Elizabeth (Ray) Holcomb, both natives of Georgia. The father, who was born in 1805, of English nationality, was engaged in farming all his life, and was married about 1821. He had a family of eight children, five of whom are now living: John R., Asa, William M., Joseph, Polly A. (wife of Berry Crocker) and Matilda (now Mrs. Campbell.) Moving from Georgia to Alabama in 1854, the senior Holcomb remained until 1858, when he came to Arkansas and located in Hot Spring County, here residing until his death in 1859. He was a member of the Baptist Church, as is also his wife, who still survives him, and who was born in 1804. John R. Holcomb was married to Miss Celia H. Ashworth, daughter of Job Ashworth, of Virginia, in 1847. Their union took place in Hall County, Ga., from which locality they emigrated to Alabama in 1868, remaining until 1871. Subsequently they removed to Clark County, Ark., and afterward located in Garland County. Mr. Holcomb now owns 800 acres of land, with about 140 acres under cultivation, and besides these interests he entered into the mercantile business, building up and enjoying a large trade. In 1863 he enlisted in Company D, Twenty-ninth Georgia Infantry, under Capt. Surrill and Col. Mitchell, in which regiment he served until his discharge in 1865. He was in the battle of Chickamauga and all of the principal engagements. Mrs. Holcomb was born in Franklin County, Ga., in 1828. Her father had eight children: John, Elizabeth, Malissa, Celia H., William S., Thomas R., Joseph J. and one other. Mr. Ashworth followed farming all his life and died in 1854, his wife (a member of the Methodist Church) following him in 1859. Mr. and Mrs. Holcomb are members of the Baptist Church. The former is a Democrat and one of the most prominent citizens of his township. His land is underlaid with mineral ore, in which gold has been discovered that, according to the report of W. H. Garner, of St. Louis, assayed two ounces to the ton, and it is Mr. Holcomb’s belief that this could be mined in paying quantities.

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This family biography is one of 55 biographies included in Biographical and Historical Memoirs of Garland County, Arkansas published in 1890.  For the complete description, click here: Garland County, Arkansas History, Genealogy, and Maps

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