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Below is a family biography included in Biographical and Historical Memoirs of Jefferson 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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A. Brewster, a prominent brick manufacturer, and a member of the firm of Brewster & Lefler, is a native of Giles County, Tenn., where he was born in the year 1839. His parents were Thomas and Mary Brewster, natives of England, who were married in that country, and came to America at an early period, first settling in Tennessee. In 1841 they moved to Mississippi and located in Tishomingo County, but in 1859 again changed their location to Arkansas and settled in Drew County, where the father embarked in mercantile life, and resided for the rest of his days. He was killed in 1867, accidentally, either by a mule or a negro, the true facts have never been brought to light, while the mother died two years previous. Thirteen children were born to their marriage, of whom six are yet living: Mrs. Taylor (residing in Mississippi), Albert, Robert, Alphonse and James G. A. Brewster, the principal in this sketch, was reared in Mississippi, and received a limited education in the schools of that State, but by self tuition he gained considerable knowledge, which, added to his own quick perception and natural shrewdness, made him fully able to cope with the world in after life. In 1858 he came to Drew County, Ark., and followed various pursuits until the Civil War commenced. He then enlisted in Company F, Ninth Arkansas Infantry, and served gallantly until the surrender. He received a wound at the battle of Shiloh, and also at Corinth, and on July 19, 1864, he was again wounded at the battle of Peach Tree Creek. The following day he received a rifle ball in the left thigh, but in spite of his battered condition kept right on in the front ranks. After the war was over Mr. Brewster came back to Drew County and resided there for a short time. He then moved to what is now Cleveland County, where he farmed and carried on a general merchandise store until the year 1880, when he came to Pine Bluff, his present home. He here established a wholesale and retail grocery business, in which he continued with success for some time, and in the spring of 1888 he opened up a brick yard, now one of the best paying industries in that section. Mr. Brewster is also largely interested in the real estate business, and in a financial sense is one of the most solid men in Pine Bluff. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity, belonging to the Chapter, Commandery and Noble Mystic Shrine. In 1865 he was married to Miss Alabama Harper, of Arkansas, by whom he has had eight children: Lulu, Edgar, Oscar F., Ophelia, Garland H., Alphonse, Arthur and Clifford B: Mr. and Mrs. Brewster are members of the Lakeside Methodist Episcopal Church, and are liberal in their aid to all worthy enterprises.

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This family biography is one of 136 biographies included in Biographical and Historical Memoirs of Jefferson County, Arkansas published in 1889.  For the complete description, click here: Jefferson County, Arkansas History, Genealogy, and Maps

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