My Genealogy Hound

Below is a family biography from the book,  The History of Crawford 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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Joseph W. Matlock was born in Grainger County, Tenn., February 24, 1829, and is son of George W. and Margaret (Bassett) Matlock. The father was born in Knox County, Tenn., and from there moved to Overton County, going thence after marriage to Grainger County, where he lived until 1847, enduring the hardships of pioneer life. He then located near Dripping Springs, in Crawford County, Ark., and improved land upon which he lived until his death May 18, 1875. The mother was born in Virginia, moved with her husband to Tennessee, and was the mother of six children: Joseph W., and Margaret E., wife of Sandy E. Winfrey, of this county, still living, and Valentine, Sterling, John and Martha, deceased. Joseph W. immigrated to Crawford County from Tennessee in 1847, journeying by water to Memphis, and thence up the Arkansas to Van Buren. He lived upon the home farm until of age, and October 10, 1850, married Martha J. Lester, daughter of William and Margaret E. Lester, natives of Kentucky and Missouri, respectively, who immigrated to Hempstead County, Ark., and from there to Washington County. The father died in Crawford County March 14, 1859, and the mother is now residing in California. Of their twelve children, ten are living: Martha J., Sarah C., Mary S., Lavinia B., Nancy E., Cynthia E., Luvenia T., William S., Mark B. and Joseph P. Those deceased are Elizabeth and Thomas. To Mr. Matlock and wife nine children have been born: Margaret J., Sterling P., Henry P., Harriet S., Sarah A., William G., Joseph H., Andrew J. and Virginia P. (deceased). After his marriage Mr. Matlock farmed until 1857, then lived on Cedar Creek two years, and next rented land on Dripping Springs one year, or until the commencement of the war, during which time he lived in various places, and afterward returned to his present place. He owns 160 acres, about sixty being finely cultivated. Mr. Matlock is a Democrat, and in 1882 was elected county and probate judge, serving two years. Mr. and Mrs. Matlock are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South, and among the respected citizens of the county.

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This family biography is one of 222 biographies included in The History of Crawford County, Arkansas published in 1889.  For the complete description, click here: Crawford County, Arkansas History, Genealogy, and Maps

View additional Crawford County, Arkansas family biographies here: Crawford County, Arkansas

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