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Below is a family biography included in Biographical and Historical Memoirs of Hot Spring 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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John W. Easley was born in Dallas County, Ark., July 13, 1859, being the son of Wiley and Mary A. (Henson) Easley, originally from Dallas County, Mo. Mr. Easley died in 1877 at the age of forty-nine years, but his wife is now residing with her son, the subject of this sketch. They were married in Dallas County, that State, and went to Texas during the war, remaining the rest of the time in Hot Spring County. He was engaged in the mercantile business in connection with farming, owning business at Donaldson, where he had the post office established and acted as postmaster for three years. For four years he served in the Confederate army, being commissioned as an officer in an Arkansas regiment, and participating in a number of battles. He also ably served his county as assessor for two years, and was recognized as a man of power and influence. His wife is a member of the Missionary Baptist Church, and he belonged to the Masonic order, holding the position of master mason. He voted the Democratic ticket, and as a farmer was very successful. To their marriage was born a family of nine children, four now living: Augusta Mebreta (wife of Miles F. Nix, farmer of this county), John W. (our subject), Laura E. (wife of John Griffen, mill operator and farmer of this county) and Thomas Rolland (at home). John W. Easley received his education in the Arkadelphia high schools, and at his father’s death took charge of his business, which he has since successfully managed. In 1888 he established his mill one mile south of Donaldson on the railroad, where, with a force of fifteen men, he turns out daily some 15,000 feet of oak and pine lumber. He finds his market in Des Moines, Iowa, and Omaha, Neb. He is also extensively engaged in farming, owning 400 acres of partly bottom land, with 140 acres under cultivation. Since 1886 he has been in the mercantile business at Donaldson. Upon the death of his father Mr. Easley became postmaster, remaining in office for about one year. He votes the Democratic ticket, and is one of Hot Spring County’s go-ahead men. Every enterprise that has for an ultimatum the improvement of the condition of his fellow men finds him an earnest advocate. Pursuing his way in a quiet but effective manner, he has become widely and favorably known.

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This family biography is one of 52 biographies included in Biographical and Historical Memoirs of Hot Spring County, Arkansas published in 1889.  For the complete description, click here: Hot Spring County, Arkansas History, Genealogy, and Maps

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