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Below is a family biography included in Biographical and Historical Memoirs of Jefferson 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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Leroy Taylor, one of the pioneer settlers of Jefferson County, and a native of Arkansas County, was born April 5, 1824, and is a son of Archibald and Mary (Harrington) Taylor, of Indiana and Kentucky, respectively. The father moved to the latter State when he was a young man, and there married his wife. In 1822 they moved to Arkansas County, Ark., and four years later came to Jefferson County, locating in Old River, near what is now Rob Roy, where the father died in his thirtieth year. Some time after his decease the mother was married to Mr. O’Neill, a prominent merchant of the same county, who also left her a widow for the second time a few years after their marriage. The elder Taylor was a successful farmer, and a man who thoroughly understood his business. His advice was often asked by men who were less posted in the details of farming, and his assistance during life was the means of placing many men upon a substantial foundation who would otherwise have sunk in the slough of bankruptcy and pauperism. Three children were born to the parents, one of whom has since died. Joseph and Leroy are yet living. The former went to California in 1850, and afterward changed his location to Washington Territory. His occupation at one time was piloting on steamboats, but later he turned his attention entirely to mining. Leroy was educated in the schools of Jefferson County, and remained with his mother until twenty-three years old. He then thought it was time to make a start in life for himself, and commenced farming on his own account. When twenty-four years of age he was married to Miss Elizabeth Flynn, of Jefferson County, who died five years after their union, leaving one son, George W., now a farmer in Jefferson County. In 1855 Leroy Taylor was married to Miss Louisa Tany, of the same county, who lived until 1867, and died, without having any children. On August 7, 1887, his third matrimonial venture proved to be a happy one in the person of Mrs. R. A. Nellums, a charming widow, and a daughter of John Lasley. This lady was born in Maury County, Tenn., on October 14, 1827, and her former husband was Mr. William J. Nellums. In politics Mr. Taylor is a stanch Democrat, and a man whose aid is valuable to his party. He has won the respect of the community and now enjoys the fullest confidence of his fellow citizens.

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This family biography is one of 136 biographies included in Biographical and Historical Memoirs of Jefferson County, Arkansas published in 1889.  For the complete description, click here: Jefferson County, Arkansas History, Genealogy, and Maps

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