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Below is a family biography included in Biographical and Historical Memoirs of Johnson County, Arkansas published by Southern Publishing Company in 1891.  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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P. R. Jett is a merchant of Knoxville Station, but was born in Tennessee on September 30, 1844, being a son of T. R. and Margaret C. (Utley) Jett, the former born in Virginia March 15, 1815, and the latter in Tennessee, January 23, 1820, their union taking place in Benton County, Tenn., in 1843, and resulting in the birth of four children: P. R., W. S., P, H., and Dee L. (wife of G. K. Choat). Mr. Jett was surveyor of Yell County, Ark., for four years, and by calling was a lawyer and school teacher, following the latter occupation in Prairie and this county, and the former in Pope and Johnson Counties. The father removed from Tennessee to Arkansas in 1849, and during his residence in Prairie County took quite an active part in politics, and was a warm friend of Thomas C. Hindsman, a member of Congress. His wife is still living in this county. P. R. Jett was married in this county in 1869 (September 30), to Miss M. J. E. Craig, who was born in Kentucky, September 20, 1845, and came with her parents to Arkansas in 1859. Mr. Jett and his wife have had eight children born them: Minnie, Maggie, Viola D. and S. P. living and four deceased. Mr. Jett was a soldier in the Civil War, being a member of Company A, First Arkansas Cavalry in 1863, and was in the battles of Corinth and Vicksburg. He was with Gen. Price on his raid, was on active duty until the close of the war when he returned home and engaged in farming, a calling he followed until 1887, when he engaged in merchandising, carrying a general stock of goods. He has a pretty and commodious frame dwelling-house, and he is otherwise well fixed to enjoy life. He and his wife have been members of the Baptist Church since 1873, and until 1889 he was clerk of the church. He was elected justice of the peace of this township in 1878, and in this capacity has served, ever since, and for some twelve years has been a school director also. He is a member of Knoxville Lodge No. 370, of the A. F. & A. M. and also belongs to Knoxville Lodge No. 30, of the I. O. O. F.

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This family biography is one of 65 biographies included in Biographical and Historical Memoirs of Johnson County, Arkansas published in 1891.  For the complete description, click here: Johnson County, Arkansas History, Genealogy, and Maps

View additional Johnson County, Arkansas family biographies here: Johnson County, Arkansas

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