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Below is a family biography included in Biographical and Historical Memoirs of Crittenden 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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James T. Barton is justly numbered in the list of Crittenden County’s most prominent farmers. A native of Tipton County, Tenn., he is the second child in order of birth born to the union of James F. and Frances (Edmonds) Barton, natives of Kentucky. [See sketch of J. F. Barton.] James T. received his education in Memphis, Tenn., and at Louisville, Ky., where he attended the graded schools, obtaining thorough and practical instruction. At the age of eighteen he went in company with his father to Memphis, and engaged with him in the Cotton Seed Oil Company, in which he held the position of foreman for some time. When twenty-six years old he came to this county, and embarked in farming and merchandising. During the war Mr. Barton was three times a prisoner before he had reached his thirteenth year, once in the Union Block, at Memphis. He has been twice married: first, in 1877, to Miss Lizzie B. Hardin, a daughter of Col. A. M. Hardin, of Mississippi, and by her became the father of four children, one now living, James A. (at home). Mrs. Barton died in 1882, and in 1888 he was united in marriage with Miss Vara M. Hoblitzell, of Baltimore, Md., whose parents, William and Henrietta (Gephardt) Hoblitzell, were natives of Maryland. They had a family of ten children, five of whom survive: Oliver, Fetter S., Lottie V. (wife of G. M. Wolf), Sue G. (now Mrs. J. C. Zimmerman) and Vara M. (Mrs. Barton). In 1877 Mr. Barton settled on lands purchased by himself, but at the present time is leasing some 2,000 acres, 1,300 of which he controls individually, and in addition 900, in which he has a partner. He raises about 1,000 bales of cotton on the two places, and is one of, if not the largest, land leasers in the county. It would be difficult to find a man more popular, or one who enjoys the undivided esteem and respect of all to a greater extent than Mr. Barton; always courteous, a perfect gentleman, jolly, quick at repartee, he never wounds a friend, and his mirth harbors no sting nor bitterness. He was appointed sheriff of this county, pending an election, to fill the unexpired term of Henry Ward, in 1873, and in the same year was elected to the office, which he filled with entire satisfaction. He also acted as county collector, and during that time the acting sheriff died, and Mr. Barton was again appointed to fill the latter position. He has served as justice of the peace of his township, and has been one of the associate justices of this county. He is a Knight of Honor, belonging to Crawfordville Lodge No. 3110, and is a member of the A. F. & A. M. Politically he is a Democrat. Both Mr. and Mrs. Barton are members of high standing, in the Methodist Episcopal Church, South, and are very popular in society.

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This family biography is one of 82 biographies included in Biographical and Historical Memoirs of Crittenden County, Arkansas published in 1890.  For the complete description, click here: Crittenden County, Arkansas History, Genealogy, and Maps

View additional Crittenden County, Arkansas family biographies here: Crittenden County, Arkansas Biographies

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