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Below is a family biography included in Biographical and Historical Memoirs of Columbia 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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William E. Farrar, farmer, Magnolia, Ark. The father of the subject of this sketch, Peter Farrar, was a farmer in his earlier days, but emigrated from Georgia to Columbia County, Ark., in 1849, and during the latter part of his life was in the hotel business at Magnolia. He was among the first settlers of this county, and with them endured many privations. He married Miss Lucy Tolbert Stamps, who died in Columbia County during the war. The paternal grandfather was Peter Farrar. William E. Farrar was born in this county May 2, 1853, and was the third son of four sons and five daughters, six of whom are living—the result of the above-mentioned union. His parents being in straightened circumstances, he was obliged to assist on the farm, and as a consequence his education was rather limited. He made considerable property up to 1870, but lost nearly all he had by an overflow of Red River. Since that time he has worked hard, economized, and is now the owner of 700 acres of land, with 200 acres under cultivation. His home farm is located eight miles west of the county seat, and is a fine piece of land. He has four different tracts of land, and is a wide-awake, industrious farmer. He chose for his companion in life Miss Francenia Bolger, a native of Georgia, born September 14, 1850, and the daughter of J. M. and Lucy Bolger, both residents of this county. The nuptials were celebrated on January 9, 1877, and have been blessed by the birth of six children —-two sons and four daughters: Ammie, John, Etta, James, Susie and Lizzie. Mr. Farrar has always been a resident of this county, and is one of the substantial citizens of the same. He is a Democrat, and his first presidential vote was for S. J. Tilden. Socially, he is a member of the Farmers’ Alliance. Mrs. Farrar is a member of the Missionary Baptist Church.

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This family biography is one of 106 biographies included in Biographical and Historical Memoirs of Columbia County, Arkansas published in 1890.  For the complete description, click here: Columbia County, Arkansas History, Genealogy, and Maps

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