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Below is a sample of a family biography
included in the History of Benton 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 in 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.
B. A Neil, farmer, of Batie Township, and son of John D., and
Sallie (Roach) Neil, was born in Bradley County, Tenn., June 20, 1840. The
father was born in Marion County, Tenn., December 12, 1810, and there remained
until his twenty-third year, when he removed to Bradley County. The country
was at that time wild and unsettled, and the few settlers were obliged to band
together and erect fortifications to defend themselves from the Indians. The
mother was born on the Hiawassa Purchase, in what is now Whitfield County,
Ga., and after reaching womanhood moved to Bradley County; was there married
to Mr. Neil, and bore him eleven children, nine now living: Benjamin A., Mrs.
Elizabeth Knesster, William, Mrs. Sarah Alford, John D., Josephine, Mrs.
Martha J. Bair, Mrs. Emily F. Ware and Jennie. James K. and Mary E. are the
children deceased. William D. O'Neil emigrated from Ireland to the United
States when a boy, and served in both the War of 1812 and the Mexican War. In
the former he participated in the battle of Horseshoe Bend, and in the latter
in the battle of Buena Vista. After coming to this county he changed his name
to "Neil." Sarah (Davis) Neil, the grandmother, was born in Virginia, was
thoroughly educated, and was an aunt of Jefferson Davis, the Confederate
President. Eliza (Thatch) Roach, the maternal grandmother, was born in Morgan
County, Tenn., and was afterward married to David Roach, who was a native of
Virginia. R. A. Neil received a common-school education, and when sixteen
years of age began work on the E. V. T. & G. Railroad, doing the work of
fireman. Afterward he was given an engine, and acted as engineer for four
years at which time he enlisted in Company A, First Tennessee Battalion of
Artillery under Maj. Hugh McClune. His first service, however, was with the
Louisiana Zouaves, and he and four others were the only ones who escaped
death. At the first battle of Manassas and during the later engagements he was
under Gen. Stonewall Jackson, Longstreet's division, the most important
battles being Rapahannock, Richmond, Gettysburg, Seven Pines, Chickamauga,
Resaca, Ga., the Wilderness and numerous smaller engagements. In 1865 Mr. Neil
married Miss Mary M. Breakbill, daughter of Peter and Lea Breakbill. Nine
children were the result of this union: Mrs. Mary E. Smith, Mrs. Martha J.
Wammack, Benjamin F., William D., Sarah G., George M., John S., Ida B. and
Menta Lee. The mother of these children died July 9, 1888. After moving to
Missouri Mr. Neil located on Rock Prairie, Lawrence County, and there remained
two years. He then went to Texas, but returned to Lawrence County after two
years. Here he remained until 1876, when he moved to Sarcoxie, and from there
to Arkansas in 1883, settling in Benton County. One year later he again went
to Texas, but only remained there ten months, when he returned to Benton
County, Ark., and here has since remained. He has ninety acres of good land,
all under cultivation. Politically he is a Democrat, never having voted any
other ticket.
This family biography is one of 240 biographies
included in the
History of Benton County, Arkansas published
in 1889. For the complete description, click here:
Benton County Arkansas History, Genealogy and Maps
View additional
Benton County,
Arkansas biographies here:
Benton County, Arkansas Genealogy
Additional maps of Benton County can be viewed here:
Benton County, Arkansas Maps
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