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Below is a family biography included in Biographical and Historical Memoirs of Lonoke 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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Walter F. Crutcher has long been engaged in farming in Lafayette Township, his energy and perseverance having won deserved success. He is the son of R. A. and Susan M. (Vance) Crutcher, and was born in Giles County, Tenn., January 30, 1844. R. A. Crutcher is a Virginian by birth, and when a small boy accompanied his father to Limestone County, Ala., where he remained until a young man. Going thence to Tennessee, he was married there, and followed the occupation of farming, for some twelve years, in Giles County. In 1854 he immigrated to Arkansas, and after residing for six years in Hempstead County moved to Prairie County; subsequently he located in Lonoke County, but in 1872 settled at Jacksonville, where he erected a fine residence. In 1877 he went to California, and now resides in Fallbrook, that State. Walter F. came to this State with his parents when a lad of ten years, and remained with his father on the farm until his seventeenth year, receiving the best advantages for schooling to be had in the common schools of that day. When only seventeen years old he enlisted in the Twenty-fifth Arkansas Infantry, McNain’s brigade, McCowan’s division, Army of the Tennessee (Confederate), and served as a private until the close of the war. He participated in the fight at Richmond, Ky., Perryville, Ky., and Murfreesboro, where his experience was a noted one. At this place he was wounded in both thighs by gun shots, and taken to the hospital at Murfreesboro, afterward being removed to Camp Morton, Indianapolis, where he was held until the spring of 1865. At Murfreesboro McCowan’s division captured forty-six pieces of artillery, and it was while charging a battery, that Mr. Crutcher’s wounds were received. This two days’ fight resulted disastrously to the “Yankees.” It was four days after Gen. Bragg retreated from here before the Federal army entered, and he became a prisoner of war. Mr. Crutcher states that he was kindly cared for while held as prisoner at Murfreesboro, though the same cannot be said of his treatment at Camp Morton. He is one of those who feel glad that war times are over, and that peace and harmony now prevail. After being exchanged he joined the regiment at Charlotte, N. C, just before the surrender. After the war Mr. Crutcher returned home, and in March, 1869, was married to Ola T. Fergurson, a native of Tennessee, though reared and educated in Arkansas. She was the daughter of W. T. Fergurson, now deceased. After his marriage Mr. Crutcher located on a farm in Richwoods Township, purchasing the place where he now resides in 1882. There was but very little improvement upon it at the time he took possession, but he has now the satisfaction of knowing that his farm is one of the best in the county, consisting of some 250 acres. A good residence, blacksmith shop and a fine orchard are among the improvements. To Mr. and Mrs. Crutcher have been born a family of eight children: Daisy (wife of J. M. Cobb), Mabel (now a student at Little Rock), Vance, William (deceased), Katie, Walter F., Nina Blanche and an infant daughter. Mr. Crutcher was a great hunter in his younger days, taking keen delight in the gun and chase. He killed twenty-six wild cats in one season, getting a premium of $5.00. Indeed, he had so many scalps that the court repealed the law after paying his premium. He also killed a large number of bear, and quantities of deer and turkey. Mr. Crutcher, wife and two oldest daughters are members of the Missionary Baptist Church, the former belonging to Lonoke Lodge No. 51, A. F. & A. M. He is a pleasant and agreeable gentleman, well-worthy the respect and confidence that is reposed in him.

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This family biography is one of 143 biographies included in Biographical and Historical Memoirs of Lonoke County, Arkansas published in 1889.  For the complete description, click here: Lonoke County, Arkansas History, Genealogy, and Maps

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