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Below is a family biography included in Biographical and Historical Memoirs of Faulkner 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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Benjamin S. Farrow is acknowledged to be a prominent figure in commercial circles, and one of the most enterprising merchants of Faulkner County. He was born in Montgomery County, Ala., in the year 1843, and was the fourth in a family of six children born to John M. and Susan M. (Smith) Farrow, of Virginia. The parents moved to Missouri in 1839, and located in Montgomery County, where the father engaged in mercantile life, and resided there for a number of years. For several years he was county and probate judge of that county. In 1872 he moved to Crawford County, in the same State, where he was elected to the same office, which he filled with a dignity and wisdom that has never been surpassed. His death occurred in December, 1881, but his excellent widow still survives him, and is residing in Crawford County. Benjamin was reared in Missouri, and received his education in the public schools of Danville, in that State. After finishing his studies he entered his father’s establishment, and remained with him until he reached his twenty-fourth year. At that time the Civil War had just begun, and he enlisted in the Confederate army, becoming a member of the Home Guards, in which body he served with distinction. After the war was over he returned to Missouri, and in 1867 was married, in Montgomery County, to Miss Sarah J. Woods, of that State. He then settled with his bride at Jonesboro, where he embarked in commercial life, and continued in business for a number of years with great success. He also farmed for some length of time in Crawford and Montgomery Counties, but in 1869 sold out his business and agricultural interests in Missouri and moved to Arkansas, making the entire trip in wagons. His first settlement was at Mount Vernon, in Faulkner County, where he engaged in various occupations before deciding on anything definite, but in 1882 he changed his location to Conway, where he opened up a first-class hotel, in which business he continued until he entered into his present pursuit, in 1888. Mr. Farrow’s business has rapidly increased since his opening, and he is now contemplating a removal to a larger building and adding to his stock. He carries everything found in a first-class general store, and has become one of the most popular merchants in that section. He is an active politician and an ardent Democrat, and has made the canvass for sheriff. In Montgomery County, Mo., he served as justice of the peace in a highly creditable manner, and in Faulkner County, Ark., he has been a member of the town council with equally as good results. In secret societies, Mr. Farrow is a member of Green Grove Lodge No. 107, A. F. & A. M., and Woodland Lodge No. 11, K. of P. He also belongs to Faulkner Lodge No. 1,624, K. of H., and is Assistant Dictator in that order. Four children were born to the union of Mr. and Mrs. Farrow, of whom two are yet living; Evalina Margaret died at the age of eight years, and Susan Matilda died when three years old. Those living are Edith Mary and Claudius Golder. In religious faith, Mr. Farrow and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South, and take a deep interest in religious and educational matters. The former is an active and liberal citizen in aiding all worthy enterprises for the advancement of his county, and is held in high esteem by the entire community.

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This family biography is one of 40 biographies included in Biographical and Historical Memoirs of Faulkner County, Arkansas published in 1889.  For the complete description, click here: Faulkner County, Arkansas History, Genealogy, and Maps

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