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Below is a family biography included in Biographical and Historical Memoirs of Johnson County, Arkansas published by Southern Publishing Company in 1891.  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 L. Martin, farmer, is well and favorably known to the majority of the residents of this section. He has resided here ever since his birth in 1840, and has been prominently identified with the farming interests hereabouts, ever since he began doing for himself. His parents, L. A. and Nancy (Laster) Martin, were Tennesseans and in 1837 went to Johnson County, Ark., where the father followed the occupation of a farmer and cooper, teaching his son the details of these callings also. John L. attended school a sufficient length of time to obtain a practical education, and when only nineteen years of age, he started out to make his own way in the world, and by perseverance, energy and intelligence has become the owner of 180 acres of fine farming land, situated in King Township, about 100 acres of which he has under cultivation. In 1861 he enlisted in the Confederate Army, and served the cause he espoused faithfully and well until the close of the war. His marriage, which occurred in 1859, was to Miss Permelia Boyer, and the following are the names of the children that have been born to them: William E., Emeline, F. L., Sarah K., Lou (deceased), Orah, James M., Bell, Charles O., Lillie, Jessie L., Abe and Newberry (deceased). Mrs. Martin is a daughter of William and Mary (Cooper) Boyer, and she, her husband and four children are members of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church. Everything about Mr. Martin’s place shows that he is a man of thrift and industry, for his buildings and fences are substantial, and his land is in an excellent state of cultivation. Among their acquaintances and friends, the respect shown them is in full keeping with their well-established reputation for hospitality, and their true and sincere cordiality. Mr. Martin is thoroughly public spirited, and is also a very liberal contributor to the different enterprises that come before his notice.

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This family biography is one of 65 biographies included in Biographical and Historical Memoirs of Johnson County, Arkansas published in 1891.  For the complete description, click here: Johnson County, Arkansas History, Genealogy, and Maps

View additional Johnson County, Arkansas family biographies here: Johnson County, Arkansas

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