My Genealogy Hound

Below is a family biography included in Biographical and Historical Memoirs of Yell 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.

* * * *

John F. Choate, an extensive planter and the genial senior member of the firm of Choate, Fowler & Martin, dealers in general merchandise, was born in Robertson County, Tenn., in 1841, his parents being Gabriel Choate and Jane Brewer, natives of Tennessee, where the father was born in 1820 and married in 1840, and followed farming till 1850, when he with his wife and family of six children, John F., being the eldest, came to Arkansas, settling near Chickalah. Here he and his aged wife still live, enjoying their old age in comfort, affording proof of the healthfulness of Arkansas climate from having lived in this State for over forty years, always keeping in the best of health. For many years they have been counted among the worthy members of the Christian Church. Mr. Choate’s grandfathers, on both sides, were native Virginians. They came to Tennessee when very youug men, where Grandfather Choate died. Grandfather Brewer emigrated to Arkansas in 1850 and died here. Our subject was but nine years old when his parents moved to this State, and being placed in school he received a very fair education, and on arriving at maturity held some of the county’s most responsible official positions. In 1865 he was elected circuit clerk, serving over eight years, and in 1876 he was elected county judge, filling this office four years with great credit to himself and the county. While acting in this capacity he was the means of having two iron bridges constructed, which are permanent and lasting structures, and a great credit to the county. In 1878 he located in Bellville and established a mercantile business, which was in 1876 merged into that of the firm of Choate, Fowler & Martin, which carries a stock principally of general merchandise, plantation supplies, etc., valued at about $7,000, and does a trade of some $20,000 annually. The Judge’s personal property consists of the building known as “the store house,” and other town property. His extensive farms, comprise 1,000 acres of very fair upland, 300 cultivated and improved with a good dwelling-house, and substantial outbuildings. The marriage of Judge Choate and Miss Alice Stafford was celebrated in May, 1869, she being a daughter of Dr. Stafford, of Danville, and they are the parents of eight children, seven of whom are living: Edith, Cecil S., John B., Roscoe, Garland, Eunice and Carl; Lillie J. died in infancy. Mr. Choate and his family are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church South, and he has been steward for many years. He affiliates with the Masonic fraternity, belonging to Christian Lodge No. —, and the Chapter at Dardanelle. Intellectually, the Judge is one of the soundest men in the county, thoroughly posted in regard to its political and educational affairs. His public spirit has been demonstrated by the fact that he was one of the four to contribute funds for the erection of the Bellville Academy. He is recognized in the community in which he lives as a genial and courteous gentleman, and is respected by all who know him.

* * * *

This family biography is one of 124 biographies included in Biographical and Historical Memoirs of Yell County, Arkansas published in 1891.  For the complete description, click here: Yell County, Arkansas History, Genealogy, and Maps

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

Use the links at the top right of this page to search or browse thousands of other family biographies.