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Below is a family biography included in Biographical and Historical Memoirs of Hempstead 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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Larkin Breed, one of the leading farmers of Garland Township, was born in Fayette County, Ga., in 1824. His father, a North Carolinian by birth, was born in the year 1765. His mother, whose maiden name was Frances Brantly, was born in Georgia in 1775, and was married in her native State in the year 1790, to William Breed. They became the parents of fourteen children— eight sons and six daughters—Larkin being the youngest. Only four of these children are now living: William I., Richard N., Cordelia and Larkin. Cordelia is the wife of Washington Traylor, a prosperous farmer living in Alabama. The father emigrated from Georgia to Alabama in 1836, and the following year passed to his final home, his widow surviving him until 1853, when she, too, received the call from the grim reaper. She was a member of the Baptist Church. Larkin Breed was married in Alabama, in 1843, to Miss Catherine Tindal, a native of Georgia, who was born in 1820, and they became the parents of ten children—four sons and six daughters—six of whom are now living—two sons and four daughters— namely, William N. Breed, Amarintha S. Billingsly (wife of Joseph Billingsly, a farmer living in Texas), Frances (wife of F. E. Samuels, a prosperous farmer of this county— Hempstead), Texanna (wife of Hardy Vickers, an agriculturist, also of this county), Catherine (widow of W. H. Lindsey), and J. L. Curry Breed (living in Indian Territory). The mother, who was a member of the Baptist Church and an earnest Christian woman, died in 1804. Larkin Breed remained a widower for two years, then marrying a Mrs. Mary Jones, whose maiden name was Mary Andrews, a native of Georgia, who died after fourteen years of wedded life. On February 20, 1881, he was again married, to Mrs. Margaret M. Garrett, whose maiden name was Margaret M. Mendenhall, a daughter of Thomas and Mary Mendenhall, nee Caldwell; she was born February 1, 1844, in Conecuh County, Ala, This union resulted in the birth of four children. Three of whom still live; they are Percy B., Avery C. and Lucien R. Larkin Breed spent his boyhood until twelve years of age in his native State, and in 1836 went with his parents to Alabama, where he lived until 1866, then removing to Hempstead County, Ark. He owns a good farm, well improved with good buildings and all modern conveniences, and devotes his time and attention to tilling the soil, which naturally insures a feeling of independence. Both he and his wife are Baptists. He is a public spirited man, taking a deep interest in the up-building of the county, and contributes, as far as able, to all laudable public enterprises. While a resident of Randolph County, Ala., he served as sheriff for three years. He belongs to the Masonic fraternity, and in politics is purely Democratic. Margaret Mendenhall was first married February 27, 1885, to N. W. H. Garrett, who was a South Carolinian by birth. His parents, Henry and Elizabeth Garrett, while still young, emigrated to North Mississippi, Tippah County. In 1857 he came to Ouachita County, Ark. From this union there were eight children, two of whom only are living in Hempstead County. Their names are Willie C. Garrett, born March 28, 1886, and Nettie Underwood Garrett, born November 13, 1878. Mr. Garrett died April 18, 1880, and was buried in Prescott Cemetery.

 

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This family biography is one of 131 biographies included in Biographical and Historical Memoirs of Hempstead County, Arkansas published in 1890.  For the complete description, click here: Hempstead County, Arkansas History, Genealogy, and Maps

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