My Genealogy Hound

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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Jacob Q. Johnson, one of the wealthy and successful citizens of Washington County, Ark., and the son of James and Mary (Queener) Johnson, was born in East Tennessee in 1828. The father was a native of North Carolina, and was of Dutch descent. He took an active part in the Black Hawk War, and served with great credit to his country. He was a farmer and miller by occupation, and moved from Tennessee to Arkansas in 1851, where he followed farming for some time. He located nine miles south of Fayetteville, and here he died in 1883, from Injuries received from falling down stairs. His son, Jacob Q., was educated in his native State, and remained with his father until the war broke out, but previous to this, in 1852, he married Miss R. J., daughter of C. H. Boatright, of Madison County, and to them were born thirteen children, nine now living: Mary Jane, Tennessee, J. Q., Harriet Eliza, Edna K., Catherine, Susan J ., Benjamin F. and Dora H. In 1862 Mr. Johnson enlisted in the Federal army, Company B, First Regiment Arkansas Cavalry, commanded by Col. Harrison, and served three years, three months and seven days. He was in the battle of Prairie Grove, was also in several skirmishes, but was never wounded or taken prisoner. After the war Mr. Johnson purchased his present home, which is one of the finest in the Northwest, and upon this farm he has erected a fine two-story brick residence, valued at $4,000, also a large saw-mill, with grist-mill and flouring-mill attached, which is run by a thirty-six foot water-wheel. The water is brought a distance of 500 yards to run the wheel. Mr. Johnson has also steam power attached to run the mill when the water is low or the mill is frozen up. This mill is valued at $20,000. Besides this Mr. Johnson is the owner of 800 acres of valuable land, and has over 200 acres under the plow. He is a member of the G. A. R., is a member of the Baptist Church, and is one of the most respected and enterprising citizens of the county.

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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

To view additional Washington County, Arkansas family biographies, click here

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