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Below is a family biography included in Biographical and Historical Memoirs of Scott 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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Saunders S. Slover, although now a prominent citizen of Scott County, Tenn., was born in Madison County, Ark., November 17, 1835, to Samuel and Emeline (Chote) Slover, the former a Tennessean and the latter a native of South Carolina, their births occurring March 5, 1811, and September 28, 1816, respectively. The mother is still living, her home being in Western Texas. They were married March 22, 1831, and during the very first settling of this country came here and located in Madison County, on Kings’ River. The father was a very successful farmer, but was also the proprietor of a dry-goods establishment at Veal’s Station, and at the time of his death, which occurred in Parker County, Tex., in 1873, he left a large estate and fortune to be divided among his family. He owned large tracts of valuable real estate in Texas, and was a practical business man in all respects. When a young man he joined the Masonic order, and after his marriage built the Masonic Hall at Veal’s Station, Tex., and donated it to the lodge. He was very prominent in Masonic circles, and was also an earnest member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, as is his widow. In the neighborhood in which he lived he was an arbitrator in disputes between his neighbors, and his advice and councils were earnestly listened to and usually followed with good results. He was one of the first settlers of Western Texas, and at one time suffered severe losses by having his cattle driven off and killed by Comanche Indians. He and his neighbors were compelled to carry guns to church for protection. He was a life-long Democrat, and had three sons in the Confederate Army who fought bravely in many bloody combats. To himself and wife nine children were born, and of the three that are living the subject of this sketch is the eldest. He spent his school days in Madison County, Ark., but in 1848 went with his parents to Texas, where, during his youth and early manhood he experienced many of the hardships, dangers and privations of pioneer life. He made his home on his father’s farm until twenty-two years of age, then worked for himself in Parker County, Tex., until 1867, when he and his family came back to Arkansas and located on a farm on Clear Fork of Fourche River, in Scott County, this farm being his present place of abode. He is the owner of 200 acres of fine land, and is one of the most practical and successful agriculturists of Blansett Township. He was married, in 1862, to Miss Nancy Catherine Whisenhunt, daughter of John Whisenhunt, her birth occurring in Georgia, August 24, 1840. A family of twelve children have been born to them, all of whom are living save two: James W. (who died when twenty-two years of age), and Ira Seamon (who died when a child). Those living are James M., Thomas S., Flora A. M., Sarah F., Calvin W., Lillie S., Disa P., William T., Nancy J. and John S. Mr. Slover has been married twice, first when twenty years of age to Miss Mary Martin, of Texas. She was born May 29, 1835, and died in Scott County, Ark., having borne three children: Malinda Jane, John Samuel and William T., the last named having died at the age of two years. The present Mrs. Slover is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and politically he is a Democrat. He is a thorough-going citizen, and is ever ready to aid good causes.

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This family biography is one of 62 biographies included in Biographical and Historical Memoirs of Scott County, Arkansas published in 1891.  For the complete description, click here: Scott County, Arkansas History, Genealogy, and Maps

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