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Below is a family biography included in Biographical and Historical Memoirs of Union 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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Gilmer S. Norman, planter and merchant, New London, Ark. In the capacity of farmer and merchant Mr. Norman has been unusually successful, and he is now in possession of a fine property, the result of honest industry and perseverance. Born in Bibb County, Ga., on January 31, 1834, he is the son of William S. and Martha A. (Watts) Norman, both natives, also, of Georgia, the father born in 1802, and the mother in 1807. The parents celebrated their nuptials on March 6, 1827, in Bibb County, Ga. They resided there until 1854, and then emigrated to Arkansas, locating in Union County, where the father’s death occurred on February 2, 1890. He was a man universally respected, and in his death the county lost one of its best citizens. He served as judge of the inferior courts for a number of years, and served one term in the Legislature of Georgia. After coming to Arkansas he held the office of county assessor for four years. His wife is still living, and resides on the old homestead. She is now eighty-three years of age, and enjoys comparatively good health. Both parents were members of the Missionary Baptist Church for more than forty years. Gilmer S. Norman was educated in the State University at Athens, Ga., and later emigrated with his parents to Arkansas, where he began farming, continuing at this until the breaking out of the war. In April, 1862, he enlisted in the Confederate Army, Company G, Nineteenth Arkansas Regiment, under Gen. Price, but did not engage in any of the battles. He surrendered at Camden, and afterward he and a brother began farming and merchandising, both of which he has followed ever since. He selected as his companion in life Miss Theodore C. Johnston, a native of Tennessee, born on September 27, 1844, and they were married on March 9, 1869. Four children were born to this marriage: Susan (deceased), James J., Alice and Shepherd (deceased). The children living are at home. Mr. Norman is a member of the Masonic fraternity, Blue Lodge, Pigeon Hill Lodge No. 68. He and wife are members of the Presbyterian Church. Mr. Norman’s brothers and sisters, nine in number, are named as follows: George W., Augusta A., Thomas H., Oliver P., Mary B., John C, Augustus H. and Alice N., of whom six are now living, and all reside in Arkansas, with the exception of Mary B., whose home is in the Lone Star State.

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This family biography is one of 84 biographies included in Biographical and Historical Memoirs of Union County, Arkansas published in 1890.  For the complete description, click here: Union County, Arkansas History, Genealogy, and Maps

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