My Genealogy Hound

Below is a family biography included in Biographical and Historical Memoirs of Greene 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.

* * * *

B. A. Johnson, a wealthy farmer and stock man, of Greene County, Ark., was born in Hickman County, Tenn., in 1834, and is the fifth in a family of ten children born to Granville M. and Nereusa (Gardner) Johnson, who were Tennesseans, the father being a farmer by occupation, and a wealthy citizen. He was justice of the peace in Tennessee for many years, and died in that State in 1884, followed by his wife some two years later. The paternal and maternal grandfathers were Virginians, who removed to Tennessee at an early day, the former reaching this State in 1812. Here they both died. B. A. Johnson was reared to farm labor, and had very poor educational advantages in his youth. He remained at home until attaining his majority, and then for several years was engaged in brick-laying. At the age of twenty-one he was wedded to Miss Sarah E. Fielder, a native of Tennessee. In 1855 he located in Wayne County, Mo., where, in 1860, he bought a farm, and embarked in agriculture, continuing until the war broke out, when he raised a company of Missouri State Guards, of which he was elected first lieutenant. He soon resigned this position, and enlisted as a private in the Confederate army, being elected first lieutenant of Reeves’ cavalry company of independent scouts. He was soon sent east of the Mississippi, and was in the battles of Memphis, Corinth, Iuka, Jacinto, Richmond, Ky., Perryville, after which he was transferred to the western department of Arkansas, where he was detailed to raise a regiment, of which he was made lieutenant-colonel. In this capacity he participated in the battles of Little Rock, Pine Bluff and Saline River, and was then with Price on his Missouri raid, taking part in every battle fought on this trip. During the war his family removed from Missouri south to Clay County, Ark., and here Mr. Johnson went after the cessation of hostilities, where he remained three years, and then came to Cache Township, Greene County, Ark, where they are still residing. He purchased a partially improved farm of 160 acres, opened about sixty acres, and in 1871 purchased 160 acres three miles south of his first place, to which he has added 170 acres, and has cleared 100 acres, having about 200 under cultivation. In addition to these tracts he has about 500 acres in another locality. He does general farming, but gives the most of his attention to the raising of corn and cotton. He is an active politician, a substantial supporter of churches and schools, and he and family attend the Baptist Church, of which he and his wife are members. His family consists of the following children: John W., born February 17, 1856, who is married and resides on his father’s land; William G., born February 9, 1858, also married and living in the township; Barbara Etta Bell, born October 5, 1860, wife of E. R. C. Biggs, a resident of Woodruff County; Robert E. Lee, born October 21, 1863, died in 1864; Adelaide, born September 24, 1865, wife of P. Eubanks, of Greene County; Samantha C, born August 4, 1867; Victoria R., wife of James Light, born July 19, 1869; Sarah N., born October 10, 1871; Benjamin O., born June 10, 1874; and Lizzie B., born August 11, 1877.

* * * *

This family biography is one of 120 biographies included in Biographical and Historical Memoirs of Greene County, Arkansas published in 1889.  View the complete description here: Greene County, Arkansas History, Genealogy, and Maps

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

Use the links at the top right of this page to search or browse thousands of other family biographies.