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Below is a family biography included in Biographical and Historical Memoirs of Independence 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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J. R. Bullington, merchant and druggist, Sulphur Rock, Ark. Among the important mercantile establishments which contribute not a little to the growth and prosperity of the town of Sulphur Rock, that of Mr. Bullington takes a prominent place. He was born in Spartanburg County, S. C., December 24, 1847, and was the son of John J. and Julia (Tinsley) Bullington, and grandson of Samuel Bullington, who was a farmer by occupation and an early settler of South Carolina. John J. Bullington was born in 1812, and died in 1877. He was also a tiller of the soil and came to Independence County, in 1857. He settled on new land in the forest, and improved a large tract. He was not active in politics, and until the war was a Democrat. After that he affiliated with the Republican party. He was a zealous member of and an active worker in the Centre Grove Baptist Church. His wife was born in South Carolina, in 1818, and was married to Mr. Bullington in that State about 1837. Her death occurred in Independence County, Ark., in 1868. She was also a member of the Baptist Church. J. R. Bullington was the fifth of eight children — only two now living — born to his parents. The children are named as follows: Ona E., born in South Carolina, in 1848, and is the widow of William Bishop — she now lives in Charlotte; J. R. (subject); William W. was born in 1855, was a farmer and salesman, and died September 21, 1888. J. R. Bullington passed his school days in picking cotton, gathering corn and clearing new ground, and at the age of twenty-one years found himself possessed of the rudest elements of an education. When twelve years of age he was a ready reader of music, and, being a lover of the “art divine,” began at an early age to perfect himself in this delightful pursuit. His father was a music teacher. When twenty years of age our subject formed the acquaintance of Prof. J. D. Walker (son of William Walker the well-known author), in whose company and with whom he taught singing school for five years. After his twenty-first year he spent twenty-one days in school, after which he began farming, but poor health caused him to abandon hard labor. After this he spent six weeks in school, and the next year (1870) he began teaching school and did nothing until 1876 except teach. He then attended school, but again had to abandon this work on account of his health. At that time he entered the employ of Dr. Vaughn, at Sulphur Rock, at $10 per month, and remained with him until 1886. He was deputy postmaster from 1877 to 1886. During the last mentioned year he conducted the drug department and acted as book-keeper for A. M. James. Then, in February, 1887, he opened a drug and grocery business for himself, adding to the same until he had a large general store, and does a general furnishing business, with the prospect of enjoying a full share of the future business at Sulphur Rock. He is a stockholder, director and treasurer of the Sulphur Rock Railroad. Mr. Bullington met Miss Jessie Robinson, daughter of Dr. F. M. Robinson, of Indian Bay, Monroe County, Ark., and was united in marriage to her on the 22d of December, 1886. They have one child, Jack, who was born on the 22d of June, 1888. Mrs. Bullington is a member of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, and while Mr. Bullington does not hold membership in any society, he is a strong believer in the Bible, and is a man well and favorably known.

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This family biography is one of 158 biographies included in Biographical and Historical Memoirs of Independence County, Arkansas published in 1889.  View the complete description here: Independence County, Arkansas History, Genealogy, and Maps

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

View a map of 1889 Independence County, Arkansas here: Independence County, Arkansas Map

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