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Below is a family biography included in Biographical and Historical Memoirs of Johnson County, Arkansas published by Southern Publishing Company in 1891.  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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Joseph A. Nourse has for many years been following the occupation of planting in Johnson County, but was born in Logan County, Ky., September 15, 1828, to Ralph E. and Rebecca (Jenirson) Nourse, they being born in Kentucky in 1800 and 1805, respectively. They were married on Blue-Grass soil, and to their union seven children were born, only two, Joseph A. and Alney, being now alive. Mr. Nourse settled on a farm in Johnson County, Ark., in 1836, improving it in an admirable manner, and making it one of the most valuable pieces of property in this section of the country. He was called from the scene of his earthly labors in 1851, and his widow in 1882, both being worthy Christians, the former a member of the Presbyterian Church, and the latter a Baptist. Joseph A. Nourse was married in this county in 1852 to Miss Elizabeth Hamilton, a native of this county, born in 1833, a daughter of William Hamilton. Mr. Nourse and his wife are the parents of five children, but only two are now living: James and Walter A. William M., Georgiannah and Mamie are deceased. In 1864 he enlisted in the Confederate Cavalry during the Rebellion, but after he had served for six months peace was declared, and he once more returned to the peaceful pursuit of farming, and has since been thus occupied. By the sweat of his brow he has become the owner of 160 acres of good farming land, and the 100 acres which he has under cultivation he devotes to the raising of the cereals. His residence is substantial and commodious, his other buildings being likewise, and near his residence is a good orchard of apple, peach, pear and plum trees, besides which he has an excellent vineyard. He and his wife are upright people in every respect, are worthy members of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, and are well known throughout this region as charitable and hospitable people.

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This family biography is one of 65 biographies included in Biographical and Historical Memoirs of Johnson County, Arkansas published in 1891.  For the complete description, click here: Johnson County, Arkansas History, Genealogy, and Maps

View additional Johnson County, Arkansas family biographies here: Johnson County, Arkansas

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