My Genealogy Hound

Below is a family biography included in Biographical and Historical Memoirs of Little River 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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Robert M. Scott. On a fine, well-improved farm, lying about five miles southeast of Richmond, surrounded by every comfort, the subject of this sketch leads a happy and contented life. He is conceded to be one of the representative and influential agriculturists of the county, and is classed among its best citizens. His farm comprises 199 acres of choice land, and he devotes his time and attention to tilling the 110 acres which are under cultivation. Originally from Wilcox County, Ala., he was ushered into the world on September 2, 1824, being a son of Robert H. and Sarah (Nicholson) Scott, natives of South and North Carolina, respectively. They were married in the former State, and soon after moved to Alabama (about 1818), thence, in 1834, to Little River County, Ark., where they made their home until 1867, when they moved to Pope County, and there they both passed from life. When they first came to Arkansas, they settled on what is now known as Pine Prairie, in Little River County, being among the very early settlers, and here the father, who was a great hunter, indulged very freely in that sport. He was a prominent and influential citizen, and for a number of years held the office of county judge. His father was born in Virginia, of Scotch-Irish parentage. Of the eight children born to his marriage, only two are now living: Robert M. and Thomas N. The former came to this county with his parents in his eighth year, and was here reared and made his home until 1867, at which time he accompanied his parents to Pope County, Ark. After an absence of twelve years, he returned to this county, where he has ever since resided, and proved himself to be a good citizen. He is an enterprising and public-spirited gentleman, and aids with his support and encouragement, all measures for the good of the community. During the late war, he enlisted, in July, 1861, in Company K, Twelfth Arkansas Infantry, and for the first year served as private. He was then promoted to first lieutenant, and participated in the battles of Columbus, Ky., New Madrid, Mo., and Island No. 10. At this latter battle he was captured, and taken to Camp Douglas, where he was retained from April, to September, 1862, when he was sent to Vicksburg and exchanged. His regiment was then reorganized, and went to Port Hudson. Here he was again taken prisoner, and after being retained at New Orleans from July, until December 24, he made his escape and went to Meridian, and was then sent west of the Mississippi River to rejoin his command. He surrendered at Marshall, Tex., in June, 1865.

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