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Below is a family biography included in Biographical and Historical Memoirs of Arkansas County, Arkansas published by Goodspeed Publishing Company in 1890.  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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J. Harold Stillwell, of the substantial firm of H. & W. J. Stillwell, the largest mercantile house at Arkansas Post, was born in 1853, being the son of Asher H. and Caroline (Maxwell) Stillwell. Asher Stillwell was born in 1819, the son of Harold Stillwell; he was a prominent farmer and stock raiser of Arkansas County all his life, and held public office at different times, including that of county surveyor. His death occurred in 1873, his wife having preceded him in 1857. Harold Stillwell was probably born in the State of New Jersey, but accompanied his father, Joseph Stillwell, to Arkansas, in 1796, when the country was under Spanish rule. Harold held the office of sheriff of the Arkansas District, after the ceding of the Louisiana Territory to the United States, being the first sheriff ever appointed in the territory of this present State. The principal of this biography was the first son in the family, consisting of two boys and two girls, all living. He began to earn his own livelihood at the age of twenty, by clerking in a store, and in 1879 he and Mr. Champion opened up a business house at Arkansas Post, which they continued until 1881. Mr. Stillwell then retired from the business. J. Harold Stillwell and his brother W. J. Stillwell, opened a store at Arkansas Post, in 1883, under the firm name of H. & W. J. Stillwell. They also own and operate a store at Stanley, which W. J. Stillwell has under his charge. Mr. Stillwell was married in 1880 to Miss Ada Quertermous, of Kentucky origin. They are the parents of six children, three of whom are still living. He has been postmaster of Arkansas Post since 1885, and is a stanch Democrat in politics. Mrs. Stillwell is a member of the Christian Church.

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This family biography is one of 50 biographies included in Biographical and Historical Memoirs of Arkansas County, Arkansas published in 1890.  For the complete description, click here: Arkansas County, Arkansas History, Genealogy, and Maps

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