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Below is a family biography included in Biographical and Historical Memoirs of Garland 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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W. J. Willoughby, properly regarded as one of the prominent citizens of Hot Springs Township, Garland County, was born in 1817, in the State of Virginia, but is of Scottish and English descent. His father, William J. Willoughby, was a Virginian by birth, growing up on a farm, to which occupation he gave much attention during life. He served in the War of 1812, and was in the battle of New Orleans under Gen. Jackson. His father was a soldier in the Revolutionary War, and was an Englishman by birth. William J. Willoughby, Sr., was married in Virginia, in 1814, to Sarah Sorrel, and they became the parents of two children: John B. and William J. (the subject of this article.) The latter was educated in Virginia, and in 1833 began the study of law. After being admitted to the bar he removed to Mississippi, where he commenced practicing, and there remained until 1853, when he went to Arkansas, settling in Montgomery County. In 1863 he was elected probate judge at Mount Ida, Montgomery County, which office he held for eight years. He also served one year as probate judge of Garland County, in which locality he was a prominent lawyer of that county, but being in poor health was obliged to give up his profession, and is now engaged in farming. He also owns 160 acres of land, with about fifty acres under cultivation. Mr. Willoughby married Mrs. Mary A. Robinson, in 1856, the widow of William Robinson, and the daughter of Elisia Robinson and Sarah (Birdsong), who were the parents of ten children: Rebecca, Minnie, Harvey, Robert, Miles, Louisa, Emaline, Monroe, Mary A. and John. Her father died in Tennessee, in 1848, and her mother died in 1844. Both were members of the Baptist Church. Mr. Willoughby and wife have a family of six children: James M., Henry L., Virgil S., Serenia A. (wife of George Crouch), Selena A. and Joseph R. Mr. and Mrs. Willoughby are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

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This family biography is one of 55 biographies included in Biographical and Historical Memoirs of Garland County, Arkansas published in 1890.  For the complete description, click here: Garland County, Arkansas History, Genealogy, and Maps

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