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Below is a family biography included in Biographical and Historical Memoirs of Jackson 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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J. M. Glass, Sr., planter and stock raiser, Swifton, Ark. Mr. Glass, who is also numbered among the first-class farmers and stock raisers of the county, came originally from Fayette County, Ill., where he was born in 1829. He was one of the first settlers of this township, after whom it was named, and the only original settler living in the same. He was the fifth of six children born to Elisha W. and Eleanor (Taylor) Glass, natives of the Old Dominion, but both of whom were reared in Illinois near Golconda, Gallatin County. Elisha Glass came with his father, Dudley Glass, to Illinois in 1802, but went to Tennessee in 1820, and settled in Weakley County, of that State. He was there married, and there remained, engaged in farming, until in September, 1829, when he bought land and settled in Fayette County, Ill. He improved several farms, but in 1845 moved to Miller County, Mo., settling in Richwood Township, where his death occurred in 1851. His wife afterward moved to Hill County, Texas, and died in April, 1884. The paternal grandfather of the subject of this sketch moved to Fayette County, Ill., at an early day, where he died, in 1843, at the age of sixty-six years. He was a soldier in the Seminole War. J. M. Glass, Jr., was taught the duties of farm life during boyhood, and received a fair education in the district schools of Illinois. He went with his parents to Miller County, Mo., was engaged in clearing and developing the farm, and in 1850 made his way to Jackson County, Ark., and settled in Bird Township. During the fall of 1851-52 he taught school on Black River, and boarded with Henry Miller. In the last named year he entered eighty acres of land near Independence County, but later sold that, then invested in more land in 1854, again sold out, and from 1854 to 1857 was engaged in the real estate business. In 1856 he purchased 167 acres of land, and commenced improving the same, erecting a cabin and planting a good orchard. From time to time he added to this farm, until he now owns 467 acres with 150 acres under cultivation. At the beginning of the war he was the owner of 800 acres but afterward sold some of this. He was elected county surveyor in 1860, serving until 1862, and in July of that year enlisted in Company A, in Capt. Henry’s company, and was mustered into service at Clover Bend, Lawrence County, Ark. He participated in the battle of Prairie Grove, and was in many skirmishes while on detached duty. In the fall of 1863 he was sent home on recruiting service by orders of Gen. Smith, and organized a company of which he was elected first lieutenant, serving thus until November, 1864, when he was made adjutant, serving in that capacity until the close of the war. He was in Thomas H. McCray’s brigade, was with Gen. Price on his raid through Missouri and Arkansas, and was in active service until the close of the war. He surrendered the company at Jacksonport, June 5, 1865, after which he returned to the duties on the farm. He was married, in Jackson County, on the 7th of November, 1857, to Miss Amanda K. Bandy, a native of Bedford County, Tenn., and nine children were born to them, four now living, viz.: Fannie, born October 18, 1858, and is now Mrs. A. Catlett, Prairie Grove, Ark.; John M., born February 16, 1863. and is at home; Lucy E., born December 25, 1866, and Carrie A., born in July, 1873; E. W. died in 1880, at the age of twenty years; two died in infancy: Samuel died in 1875, at the age of five years, and George died in 1884, at the age of four years. After his marriage Mr. Glass located on his present fine farm, and there he has since remained. He is quite active in politics, and votes with the Democratic party. He discharged such duties as were incumbent upon the office of justice of the peace in 1858 and 1860, and has always taken an earnest part in all educational affairs, having served on the school board for about twelve years. He resided for a short time in Izard County, for the purpose of educating his children, and in this he has been successful.

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This family biography is one of 144 biographies included in Biographical and Historical Memoirs of Jackson County, Arkansas published in 1889.  View the complete description here: Jackson County, Arkansas History, Genealogy, and Maps

View additional Jackson County, Arkansas family biographies here: Jackson County, Arkansas Biographies

View a map of 1889 Jackson County, Arkansas here: Jackson County, Arkansas Map

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