My Genealogy Hound

Below is a family biography included in Biographical and Historical Memoirs of Miller 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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Jason Paulk. He whose name heads this sketch is one of the most prominent and enterprising citizens of Miller County, and as such a brief outline of his life will be read with interest. Originally from Tennessee, he was born on February 17, 1833, being a son of Jacob and Elizabeth (Rogers) Paulk. The father was born in South Carolina, but the mother's birthplace is unknown. Their marriage took place in Tennessee, where they made their home until 1838, then moved to Marshall County, Miss., and in 1843 to Tippah County, Miss.; thence in 1856 to Bolivar County, same State, and in 1860 came to Texas, locating on a farm in Red River County, and came to Lafayette County, Ark., a short while before his death, which occurred in 1863, and the father passed from life in his sixty-fourth year. His widow died in this county when about seventy years of age. The father was a cabinet-maker by trade, but during his residence in Mississippi worked as a miller, and after coming to Texas engaged in agricultural pursuits. He was very successful in all these occupations, and at his death owned some valuable property in Mississippi. The mother was a member of the Baptist Church for many years. The subject of this sketch is the fourth of nine children born to their marriage, and of this family only four are living. The boyhood and youth of Jason Paulk were spent in Tippah County, Miss. When he was twenty-one years of age he engaged in the mill business with his father, but continued with him but a short time and then came to Lafayette County, Ark., and commenced the same business for himself, conducting it with moderate success until 1874, when he began to farm where he now lives, and where he owns 320 acres of good land, with a good portion of it under cultivation. In March, 1862, he joined a Tennessee battery, which was afterward attached to Polk’s division of artillery, with which he remained until the close of war, and during this time engaged in many severe battles, among them being Murfreesboro, Chickamauga (at which battle he was slightly wounded), Missionary Ridge, the battles on the Georgia campaign, Franklin and Nashville, besides many others of lesser importance. He was taken prisoner at Holly Springs, Miss., but retained as such only a short time. He served with credit through the entire war, and at its close returned to his home to find himself in a bad shape financially, a great deal of his property having been swept away in the struggle, but by industry and good management he has succeeded in regaining and adding to his old financial reputation. He is now extensively engaged in stock raising, owning some good grade horses, cattle and sheep. His marriage to Miss Diana Pierce, who was born in Tennessee in 1845, being a daughter, of J. P. Pierce of this county, was consummated in 1865, and they became the parents of eight children, of whom Delia and Jacob are deceased. Those living are J. B. (a promising young man, recently graduated at the Jackson, Tenn., Baptist School), J. S., Jesse W., John A., Addie and Lewis A., all at home. Mr. Paulk is a deacon in the Missionary Baptist Church, of which both he and wife and oldest son are members. He is a Mason, and belongs to the Alliance, and in politics always casts his vote with the Democratic party.

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