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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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R. C. Highfill is noted for the enterprise and energy which he has displayed in the management of his farm, and his earnest and sincere endeavors to make a success of the talents which have been given him, are well worthy of imitation. He was born in West Tennessee, August 6, 1828, and, besides, acquiring a practical education, he became thoroughly familiar with the duties of agricultural life on his father’s farm. At the age of twenty years he began doing for himself, renting a farm in Dallas County, Ark., for three years, but at the end of this time removed to Missouri and made a purchase of 160 acres of land on which some improvements had been made. After remaining on this farm for eighteen years he came to Johnson County, Ark., and bought 160 acres of land near where he now lives, which he owned, improved and cultivated for eleven years, but has since resided on his present farm of 452 acres, about one-half of which is rich bottom land. His house and barns are substantial buildings, and near the former is an excellent apple and peach orchard. He was married in 1848 to Miss Elizabeth Rodgers, of Tennessee, and by her has three daughters and two sons, all of whom are married and settled near the old homestead. Mr. Highfill is a Baptist, in which church he has held the office of deacon for many years, but his wife is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. He is a stanch Republican in his political views, and during the Rebellion was a member of the Union Army, enlisting in 1862, and serving until the close of the war, taking part in the battles of Prairie Grove, Clerington, and many skirmishes. He was a member of Company A, Eighth Missouri Cavalry. His home, is a hospitable and pleasant one, and, as he and his wife are liberal in their support of worthy enterprises, such as churches, schools, etc., and are charitable to the poor, they have won the admiration and respect from all who know them.

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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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