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Below is a family biography included in Biographical and Historical Memoirs of Saline 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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John F. Shoppach, the present popular and efficient sheriff of Saline County, was first elected to this position in the fall of 1880, and by reason of his peculiar fitness for the place has since continued to discharge the duties of that office, having served as deputy for four years. Born in Shaw Township, Saline County, April 15, 1849, he was the third in a family of six children born to John W. and Libbie (Petton) Shoppach, the former of whom came to this country about 1836. He was married in Saline County in 1838, settling in what is now Shaw Township, where he entered a piece of land, and in 1853 moved to Benton. He was engaged as deputy clerk, then justice of the peace for some years, and was elected clerk of the county in 1852, an office that he held until 1861, or up to the time of his death. He was a member of Benton Lodge No. 34, A. F. & A. M. His excellent wife still survives him, and resides in Benton. John F. Shoppach was reared in Benton, being favored with an attendance in the public schools, and in May, 1863, enlisted for the war before he was of age. He was in Col. Crawford’s First Mississippi Cavalry, and participated in the battles of Pilot Knob, as well as with Gen. Price on his raid through Missouri, at Jefferson City, Blue Gap, Kansas City and Newtonia. Remaining with his regiment until the close of service, he returned to Benton in May, 1865, and engaged in farming, following that until elected deputy sheriff. He is a prominent Democrat, and is a member of Benton Lodge No. 34, A. F. & A. M., in which order he has served as junior warden. He is also a member of the Knights of Honor, belonging to Saline Lodge No. 1319, in this he is past dictator, having served two terms as dictator. Mr. Shoppach was married in 1868 to Miss Mary S. Homan, a native of Saline County, and daughter of Samuel and Martha (Roland) Homan. Mr. and Mrs. Homan came to Saline County at an early day, but are both now deceased. By this union two children were born, Luther and John. Mr. Shoppach has seen the complete development of Saline County, and has been identified with every enterprise for its good as well as for Benton’s advancement. The respect accorded him is extensive. He and wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South.

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This family biography is one of 100 biographies included in Biographical and Historical Memoirs of Saline County, Arkansas published in 1889.  For the complete description, click here: Saline County, Arkansas History, Genealogy, and Maps

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