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Below is a family biography included in Biographical and Historical Memoirs of Clay 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 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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J. W. Harb, a merchant of Corning, Ark., was born in Willshire, Van Wert County, Ohio, on the 27th of July, 1859, and is the son of W. B. and Caroline (Harper) Harb, who were born in Franklin and Richland Counties, Ohio, respectively. In 1873 they removed to Blackford County, Ind., locating in Hartford City, where Mr. Harb engaged in merchandising and manufacturing headings and staves. In 1876 he removed his family to Corning, Ark., where he continued his manufacturing business until 1878, in the meantime conducting a drug store, which in 1885 he enlarged, adding general merchandise, and thus being occupied until his death. In 1887 he went back to Ohio to take a rest and regain his health, and died in West Milton, Ohio, September 11, 1887. His remains were brought to Corning and buried. He was one of the founders of the town, and being a physician by profession, practiced considerably in the county. Although not a graduate of any college, he was one of the most intelligent pupils in the Medical College of Columbus, Ohio. His wife died December 24, 1886. J. W. Harb, whose name heads this sketch, resided in Ohio and Indiana until sixteen years of age, and since 1876 has lived in Arkansas, being first engaged in the drug business with his brother (who is now deceased) at Walnut Ridge, Ark., continuing until 1884. At the death of his father he and his brother, O. C. Harb, began managing the business at Corning, but since January 12, 1889, J. W. Harb has had entire control of the establishment.

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This family biography is one of 124 biographies included in Biographical and Historical Memoirs of Clay County, Arkansas published in 1889.  View the complete description here: Clay County, Arkansas History, Genealogy, and Maps

View additional Clay County, Arkansas family biographies here: Clay County, Arkansas Biographies

View a map of 1889 Clay County, Arkansas here: Clay County, Arkansas Map

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