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Below is a family biography included in Biographical and Historical Memoirs of Sharp 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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Ashley Taylor, a prominent farmer of Richwoods Township, is a son of J. Millidge and Hester A. (Cravens) Taylor, of Missouri and Arkansas, respectively. J. Millidge Taylor moved to the State of Arkansas, with his parents, in 1819, and met the lady who became his wife in Lawrence County, where Ashley was born in 1846. The elder Taylor was a son of J. W. Taylor, one of the earliest settlers of Lawrence County, and died in 1852, his wife surviving him a good many years. They were the parents of ten children, of whom Ashley was the seventh, and four of them are still living: William W. and Millidge, residents of Texas; Mary, wife of John Saffell, and Ashley. Ashley Taylor remained on the home place until the year 1863, when he joined the Confederate army, becoming a member of one of the Arkansas regiments, in which he did gallant service. On September 12, 1864, he was captured at Thomasville, Mo., and taken to the prison at St. Louis. From there he was changed to a prison at Alton, Ill., but again returned to St. Louis, where, with five others, he was sentenced to be shot. The six men awaited their doom with the greatest fortitude, realizing that what was to be was according to the fortunes of war, but shortly before the hour set for the execution a kind Providence saved them from the fate they expected, and others were chosen instead to face the executioners. He was then returned to Alton, Ill., and afterward to Rock Island, where he was held until June 22, 1865, and then released. On his return to Arkansas Mr. Taylor ran a carding machine at Evening Shade for several years, and finally commenced farming again, his occupation previous to the war. He was married in 1875, to Miss America E. Barnett, a daughter of James and Jane Barnett, of Sharp County, and by this marriage has had one son and four daughters. Mr. Taylor lost his wife on September 21, 1887. He resided in Lawrence County until 1885, and then moved to Sharp County, but did not settle on his present place until 1887. The land comprises 200 acres, of which 120 acres are under cultivation, all of it being accumulated by Mr. Taylor himself. He is a Democrat in politics and a strong supporter of his party. Mr. Taylor is a member of Ash Flat Lodge No. 159, F. & A. M., and of Royal Arch Chapter No. 50, at Evening Shade. He is also a member of the Famous Life Association of Little Rock, his wife, during her life, being a member of the same association.

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This family biography is one of 43 biographies included in Biographical and Historical Memoirs of Sharp County, Arkansas published in 1889.  View the complete description here: Sharp County, Arkansas History, Genealogy, and Maps

View additional Sharp County, Arkansas family biographies here: Sharp County, Arkansas Biographies

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