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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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William H. Stewart was born June 23, 1844, and is a son of Jesse and Elizabeth (Stockhouse) Stewart. [See sketch of John P. Stewart.] He attended the old-fashioned subscription schools during his boyhood, worked upon the home farm until fifteen, and then served a two-year’s apprenticeship in a cooper shop. Upon the breaking out of the Rebellion he enlisted in Company K, Sixth Volunteer Kansas Cavalry, United States Army, having run away in order not to serve in the Confederate army. He enlisted October 8, 1863, and served until discharged at Leavenworth, Kas., in November, 1865. He participated in thirteen regular engagements in all, such as Prairie Grove, Cone Hill, Honey Springs, Cherokee Nation, Webber’s Falls (where he was wounded), Fort Smith, Spadry Bluff (where was again wounded), Marck’s Mills, Jenkin’s Ferry, Roseville, Prairie de Hand, Poison Springs, Princeton and others. He then farmed in Van Buren one year, and worked at the carpenter’s trade in the city one year. After traveling over several counties in Texas he returned to Crawford County, and in 1867 married Sarah Ann, daughter of Rev. Pleasant and Matilda Bassham, natives of Tennessee, who upon coming to Arkansas settled in Boone County, where Mrs. Stewart was born. They afterward settled in Evansville, where Mr. Bassham was a missionary to the Indians. Mr. and Mrs. Stewart have five children: Wallace P., Powell E., Ida H., Ada and Beulah. After marriage Mr. Stewart located upon his present farm, which contains 160 acres of cultivated land. He is a strong Republican, served six years as road overseer, and is now serving his sixth year as school director. He ran for justice of the peace last election, and was defeated by only six votes in a Democratic township. He is adjutant of the G. A. R. Post, No. 15.

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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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