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Below is a family biography included in The History of Washington 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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Arkansas Wilson, farmer, was born in Hardin County, Ky., November 1,1830, and is a son of William and Margaret (Starns) Wilson, both of whom were born in Hawkins County, Tenn. They were married about 1827, and about two years later moved to Hardin County, Ky., and in December of the following year came to Washington County, Ark. The father was a farmer throughout life, and became a large land-holder, owning at one time 1,160 acres of land. He departed this life June 11, 1876, followed by his wife September 15, 1880. They were the parents of three sons: Eldridge H., Arkansas and John T. Arkansas Wilson’s boyhood days were spent in following the plow and in attending the common schools. After attaining a suitable age he entered the Arkansas College at Fayetteville, and is one of a class of six who graduated from that institution. After leaving college he taught school in Madison County for two years, and two years more was instructor in the Huntsville Institute, and the following two years was engaged in teaching the young idea at Springhill, Ark. In 1861 he joined the Confederate army, and served as forage master under Gen. McCulloch till the battle of Wilson’s Creek, participating in the battles of Oak Hill, Wilson’s Creek, Prairie Grove, Jenkin’s Ferry and others. He was wounded and captured at Prairie Grove, but after being kept a prisoner for one week was removed to the hospital. After recovering from his wound he rejoined his company as third lieutenant, and after the battle of Prairie Grove was made captain of the company, and remained so until the end of the war. After the cessation of hostilities he went to Texas, where he dealt in horses for some time, and in March, 1866, returned to Washington County, Ark., where he cared for his parents until their respective deaths. April 5, 1883, he was married to Alice Simes, who was born in Monroe County, Ind., April 5, 1858, and by her is the father of one child, Robert Simes, born February 14, 1886. Mrs. Wilson is a daughter of Robert Simes, who died in Monroe County, Ind. Her mother resides in Washington County, Ark. Mr. Wilson owns 280 acres of fine land, the home farm consisting of 120 acres. He is a member of the A. F. & A. M., and is one of the highly cultured gentlemen and well-to-do farmers of Northwestern Arkansas.
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This family biography is one of 300 biographies included in The History of Washington County, Arkansas published in 1889. For the complete description, click here: Washington County, Arkansas History, Genealogy, and Maps
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