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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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Hon. John Christopher Stroud, present representative of Independence County in the State legislature, resides on a farm about one mile west of Graham post office. He was born in Independence County, October 3, 1854, and is the eldest child and only son of the five children born to Andrew J. and Mary Ann (Winkle) Stroud. Andrew J. Stroud was born near Knoxville, Tenn., March 3, 1826, his parents having settled in Tennessee at an early day. When a young man he went to Kentucky and for four years was a resident of Paducah, McCracken County, where he was married. In 1854 he removed to Independence County, Ark., where he died in 1881, having always been a farmer by occupation. His wife was born in North Carolina, in 1829, and is still living. Andrew J. was a son of Christopher Stroud, a native of North Carolina, whose father was born in Ireland. John C. received his early education in the free schools of his native county and completed his studies in the Washington High School of his home township. At the age of nineteen he began teaching school, which profession he successfully followed until 1886. In the latter year he was elected to represent the county in the State legislature, and two years later was again chosen to fill the same position, serving his constituents honorably. He takes an active interest in politics and was formerly a Democrat, but now is an Independent. He also takes an active part as a member of the I. O. O. F., and has several times represented his lodge in the Grand Lodge. Mr. Stroud owns 290 acres of fine creek bottom land, about seventy-five acres of which he has under cultivation. December 3, 1879, he married Miss Adelia Barnes, who was born in Independence County, January 19, 1860, and is a daughter of George W. and Martha J. Barnes. Mr. and Mrs. Stroud have four children, Emma A., Estella, William A. and Martha J. Our subject is one of the most popular young men of the community, and is deserving of the public favor bestowed on him. He is well-to-do and is highly esteemed by all who know him.

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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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