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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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L. I. Barger was brought up to the life of a farmer by his father Henry Barger, and like the majority of boys has followed in his father’s footsteps, and is now one of the leading agriculturists and stockmen of Johnson County. He was born in Henderson County, Tenn., March 17, 1851, to Henry and Matilda (Mitchell) Barger, the former a Tennessean and the latter born in Kentucky, their marriage taking place in the former State, and resulting in the birth of sixteen children— eight now living: Clementine, William H., Mary E., L. I., Monroe K., L. P., Henry B., and J. B. Henry Barger came with his family to Arkansas in 1858 and settled on a farm in White County, which he greatly improved. He died in 1862, a member of the Christian Church, his widow still surviving him, a member of that church also. L. I. Barger came with his parents to Arkansas when seven years of age, here grew to manhood and was married in 1874 to Miss A. M. Whitaker, who was born in Tennessee in 1852. She has borne her husband four children: H. H., W. I., A. L. (deceased) and Myrtilla L. (deceased.) Mr. Barger is the owner of 196 acres of fine farming land, and by industry and good management has succeeded in putting 125 acres under cultivation. He has one acre in a peach orchard, and the cultivated portion of his land is devoted to the raising of corn, cotton, oats and grass. In 1885 he built a fine frame barn 40x50 feet, and his residence is also a substantial structure, and his outbuildings in good repair. Considerable of his attention is given to the propagation of stock, and hogs, cattle and sheep are raised in quite large numbers. He is a thrifty, industrious farmer, and every detail and part of his work is well looked after and nothing is let go to waste. He and his-wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and politically he is a Democrat. Mrs. Barger’s father was a native of Greene County, Tenn., and her mother of East Tennessee, their births occurring October 28, 1823, and December 26, 1820, respectively. They were married in Sullivan County of their native State, December 23, 1851, and in time a family of three children gathered about their board: A. M. (Mrs. Barger), H. A. and J. B. The father was a tanner, throughout life, was a soldier in the Mexican War, and was also in the Rebellion. He served as justice of the peace of Pittsburg Township for some six years, after his removal to this State and county in 1860, and here became the owner of a large amount of land which he improved in an admirable manner. He died on October 11, 1877, and his wife on September 26, 1876, both being members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and the former a Royal Arch Mason.

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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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