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Below is a family biography included in Biographical and Historical Memoirs of Hempstead 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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Judge Joel D. Conway is a native born resident of this county, his birth occurring in 1846, and he has been so prominently associated with its material progress and development, both in public and private life, that brief mention of him is necessary. His parents, Dr. Joel D. and Charlotte (Gray) Conway, were born in Bedford County, Tenn., and Newark, N. J., respectively, but were married in Washington, Ark., whither they had come about 1832. Dr. Conway was a very successful physician for many years, and was a man of excellent general information, being well posted on all current topics. He was of Welsh descent, and prior to his death, which occurred in September, 1863, he had accumulated a handsome fortune. His wife died in August, 1861. Upon the Doctor’s removal to this State, several brothers came with him, their names being as follows: William (a lawyer), Robert Henry (a prominent farmer who died in Washington), Dr. Thomas (a successful physician who died in Murfreesboro), and George (an able lawyer, who practiced his profession in Washington for some time, but died in Arkansas). He was circuit judge for some time and was also a member of the State Legislature. They were all born in Tennessee, and were the sons of Robert H. Conway, who was a farmer in what was probably his native State, Tennessee, and there died. The grandfather, Matthew Gray, removed from York State to Washington in 1830, and spent the rest of his life in this State, becoming a wealthy merchant and real estate dealer. Judge Joel D. Conway was the fifth of five sons and four daughters, and until he attained his thirteenth year he was reared on a farm, obtaining a fair knowledge of books in the country schools. In 1864 he left his home to join Company D, Monroe’s regiment of Arkansas Cavalry, and was with Gen. Price on his raid through Missouri, Kansas and the Indian Territory, surrendering in Texas. After the termination of the war he commenced the study of law, was admitted to the bar in 1867, and in 1868-69 he entered the Cumberland University of Lebanon, Tenn., in the law department. He has since practiced his profession with success, and in 1884 was licensed by the Arkansas Supreme Court and later by the Federal court. In 1870 he was tax collector of Hempstead County, and in 1872 served for a short time as special judge of the circuit court. He was not, however, allowed to remain in retirement long, but in 1874 was called upon to represent his county in the General Assembly of the State, which called the Constitutional Convention, and ably did he discharge the duties which rested upon his shoulders. In 1878 his many friends again returned him to the Legislative halls of the State, serving this time on the judicial committee. On December 15, 1870, he was married to Rosa, daughter of David and Almeda Block, the former of whom was born, reared and spent his life in Hempstead County, and prior to his death, in 1805, became a wealthy man, having followed the occupation of a merchant. He was treasurer of Hempstead County for some years; was also a member of the State Legislature at one time. His father, Abraham Block, was a Jew, who came from Europe to this country at the age of twelve years, and was married in one of the Eastern States, coming at an early day to Washington, Ark., being among the first merchants of the town, and here he spent the rest of his life as one of its most successful business men and wealthiest citizens. He died in New Orleans while there on a visit. Mrs. Conway was born in Washington, Ark., and has borne her husband five sons and five daughters, she and five of her children being members of the Presbyterian Church. The Judge is a stanch Democrat in politics, his first presidential vote being cast for Seymour in 1868, and he is one of the wealthiest men in the county, being the owner of considerable real estate and an excellent home in the town, all of which has been earned by his own efforts. He belongs to the same family as Gov. Conway, of Arkansas.

 

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This family biography is one of 131 biographies included in Biographical and Historical Memoirs of Hempstead County, Arkansas published in 1890.  For the complete description, click here: Hempstead County, Arkansas History, Genealogy, and Maps

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