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Below is a family biography included in Biographical and Historical Memoirs of Grant 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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John F. H. Wilson, a prominent merchant of Sheridan, whose name is often used as a synonym of enterprise, was born in the State of Alabama, on December 29, 1849, and is a son of B. B. and Louisa Wilson, of the same State. The father moved from Pike to Lowndes County, where he farmed for about ten years, and from there came to Arkansas, in 1860, arriving on Christmas Day of that year. His first location was in what is now Grant County, where he purchased a farm, upon which he resided for six months and a half, and then came from there to Sheridan. He is one of the most upright and conscientious men in Grant County, and a general favorite in business and agricultural circles. His son, John F. H., the principal of this sketch, was a boy, twelve years old, on arriving in Grant County. The latter remained with his father until he attained his maturity, and would probably not have left him just then, but for the fact that a pair of bright eyes captured his heart, and April 7, 1872, he was married to Miss Laura J. Thomas, of Georgia. After his marriage young Wilson located on a farm in Grant County, with his bride, until the year 1886. He then moved to Sheridan, and turned his attention to commercial life, in which he has continued ever since, with good success. He has won the confidence of his fellow-citizens in the new home, and during his residence here has held several public offices. His first wife died in 1884, and he was again married, his second wife being Miss Fannie K. Braden, a daughter of Wiley Braden, a well-known resident of this State. Mr. and Mrs. Wilson are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South, and devout, Christian people. In secret societies Mr. Wilson belongs to the Masonic fraternity, and is Past Warden of his lodge His substantial position as a citizen is well-merited.

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This family biography is one of 68 biographies included in Biographical and Historical Memoirs of Grant County, Arkansas published in 1889.  For the complete description, click here: Grant County, Arkansas History, Genealogy, and Maps

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