My Genealogy Hound

Below is a family biography included in Biographical and Historical Memoirs of Little River 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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J. C. Head, a prominent attorney and farmer of Richmond, was born in Hall County. Ga., on October 28, 1828. His educational advantages were limited, his schooling being confined to thirteen months in country schools in his native State. He commenced the study of law early in life, and at the age of twenty-two he was admitted to the bar of La Fayette, Walker County, Ga. He subsequently moved to Ringgold, Ga., and there practiced his profession until 1856, when he chose a location in the southeastern part of Kansas, from which he moved in July, 1858. On August 1, 1858, he came to this State, and settled in Sebastian County for two years, and then moved to Waldron, Scott County. When the late war broke out he enlisted in the Confederate service, Company B, Gibson's and Chew's battalions, and served as quartermaster in Hawthorn's brigade for some time, but later returned home. He was afterward appointed first lieutenant of a detached company commanded by his brother, and took part in the battles of Prairie Spring, Indian Territory, and Poison Spring, besides several minor engagements. He received his discharge at Richmond, on the Brazos of Texas, and immediately returned to his family, then in Upshur County, Tex., to find them in very destitute circumstances. He was ill up to December, 1867. After spending some time in Wood, Upshur and Kaufman Counties, Tex., he finally chose a location at this place, and in 1868 entered upon the practice of law, in which he has successfully continued ever since. In connection with a very fair practice, Mr. Head is also interested in farming. He owns a large farm of 320 acres of good land, with 100 acres under cultivation at his home, and he and his son own 440 acres, with 130 acres under cultivation, and together they raise some thirty-five bales of cotton annually, besides plenty of corn, etc. He has been twice married. He was first married on July 4, 1851, to Miss Sarah S. Hinton, by whom he became the father of the following children: Augusta (wife of Joel Eaton, of this place), Hindman C (an attorney of this place), Adda (wife of Oscar R. High, of this place), Dora (wife of E. J. Cheever, now of Little Rock, Ark.), Julie H. (deceased wife of Charles D. Johnson), and Milledge, Beuregard and Eudora (deceased). His wife died on October 13, 1870, and Mr. Head remained a widower until 1871. On July 27 of that year he was united in matrimony to Mrs. Mary A. Britt, of this place, and they became the parents of two children: James D., and one who died in infancy. Mrs. Head passed from life on February 2, 1890, in full communion with the Methodist Episcopal Church, South. The first Mrs. Head was a worthy member of the Baptist Church. In his political views Mr. Head affiliates with the Democratic party.

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