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Below is a family biography included in Biographical and Historical Memoirs of Garland 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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Albert L. Barnes, one of the principal merchants and dealers in general merchandise and oil stone, whose well-known establishment, the “Last Chance,” is situated on the Little Rock Road, was born at Hot Springs, Ark., on April 6, 1845, and is a son of Phineas and Julia A. Barnes (nee Judd), natives of Ohio. The father came to Hot Springs about the year 1838, being among the first settlers of that place, and resided there until his death. He was one of its most industrious and enterprising citizens during his life, and foremost in developing the industrial and agricultural interests of his State. One of the first discoverers of the rich beds of oil stone in that locality was the elder Barnes, who made it a principal article of commerce, and was a large exporter of the ‘‘Ouachita Stone” which received its name on account of coming out of the Ouachita River in Arkansas, and taking its name at New Orleans. For a great many years Mr. Barnes was a justice of the peace, and was one of the few who remained in Hot Springs during the Civil War. He had been a member of the Methodist persuasion for a long time, and was a leader in religious work. His father was Phineas Barnes, a native of New York, of Scotch descent, who lived and died in the State of Ohio. The mother of Albert L. Barnes is still living and resides in Garland County. She was a daughter of Philo and Nancy Judd, of New York and Ohio, respectively, who were married in the latter State. In religious faith the mother has been a member of the Methodist Church for over forty years, and is a devout Christian woman. Albert L. Barnes is the oldest of five sons and three daughters born to his parents, all of whom are living except the oldest daughter. He passed the days of his youth in Hot Springs, receiving a limited education on account of the poor advantages for schooling. At sixteen years of age he enlisted in Company E, Nineteenth Arkansas Volunteers, Confederate Army, and served a short time in Tennessee and Mississippi, but was discharged on account of his youth just before the fall of Vicksburg. Soon after he went to Texas where he remained for eight months, and upon returning home joined Cook’s battalion in Gen. Price’s army, taking part in the battles through Missouri, Kansas and the Indian Territory. He then returned home, but later rejoined his command at Magnolia, Ark., where he was assigned to duty as orderly-sergeant, and being highest ranking officer was in command of his company, serving in that capacity until his surrender at Marshall, Texas. Upon returning home he entered into the business of exporting oil stone with his father, and has since continued in that line, being probably more conversant in that work than any other man in Garland County. He is running three quarries and employs about ten men, his shipments amounting to between $5,000 and $6,000 annually, in the rough, besides cutting a quantity for the retail market in Garland County. Since 1883 Mr. Barnes has been operating a general store on Park Avenue, the last one on the road to Little Rock, the sales and cash collections of which amount to about $12,000 annually. He also owns a fine residence on the corner of Bower and North Streets, Hot Springs. In 1875 he was married to Miss Rachel Wallace, of Hot Springs, but lost his wife by death the following year. His second marriage occurred in 1883, to Mrs. Elizabeth Martin, an estimable widow of Texas, by whom he had three children, two of them yet living: Edna and Judd, who have obtained the best education to be found in the State. In politics Mr. Barnes is a stanch Democrat, casting his first vote for Greeley in 1872, and for two years served as justice of the peace. In secret societies he is a member of Hot Springs Lodge No. 62, A. F. & A. M., Commandery No. 5, Chapter No. 47 and also the Council. He is present Past Master of his lodge, and in 1880-81 held the office of Master as also most all of the other offices, besides having twice been representative at the Grand Lodge at Little Rock. In religious belief Mr. Barnes and his wife have both been members of the Methodist Church for about eighteen years.

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This family biography is one of 55 biographies included in Biographical and Historical Memoirs of Garland County, Arkansas published in 1890.  For the complete description, click here: Garland County, Arkansas History, Genealogy, and Maps

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