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Below is a family biography included in Biographical and Historical Memoirs of Logan 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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D. Speer, planter, Booneville, Ark. D. Speer, a well-known resident and planter of Logan County, was born in Kentucky, June 7, 1818, and is a son of James and Penelope (Jacks) Speer, both also from the blue-grass soil of Kentucky. The parents were married in their native State, but received their final summons in the Lone Star State, whither they had removed at an early day. Of fourteen children born to this union, only three are now living. D. Speer passed his boyhood days on the farm, and received an average education in the common schools. He was married in Tennessee, and the result of this union was the birth of nine children, six of whom are now living: D. G., Lee A., G. C., P. M., Martha F. (wife of George Keys) and William. Those deceased were John H., Ella A. and James. In 1863 Mr. Speer enlisted in the Confederate Cavalry and served until the close of the war. He was paroled at Tyler, Smith County, Tex. In 1866 he emigrated from Texas to Arkansas and settled in Hempstead County, where he resided one year. He then moved to this county, bought his present property, which consists of 270 acres of land, with 100 acres under cultivation, and he is one of the substantial men of the township. His wife, who was a worthy and consistent member of the Baptist Church, died in 1872. Mr. Speer is a member of the same church. His son, P. M., was born September 6, 1854, and was married in this county in 1874 to Miss Anna M. Terwilliger, a native of Pennsylvania, born in the year 1851. Four children were born to this union, three of whom are now living: Minnie E., Nellie M., Dew and Viola (deceased). Mrs. Speer is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church South.

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This family biography is one of 92 biographies included in Biographical and Historical Memoirs of Logan County, Arkansas published in 1891.  For the complete description, click here: Logan County, Arkansas History, Genealogy, and Maps

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

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