My Genealogy Hound

Below is a family biography included in Biographical and Historical Memoirs of Little River County, Arkansas published by Goodspeed Publishing Company in 1890.  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 Harrison has been identified with the agricultural interests of Little River County, since 1865, and during this time he has proved himself to be a very desirable citizen. Like so many of the prominent residents of this county, he owes his nativity to Alabama, where his birth occurred in 1826. His father, Middleton Harrison, a farmer by occupation, was born in Tennessee, but in early life emigrated from his native State to Alabama, and from there to Mississippi, and he was residing in this latter State at the time death removed him, in 1885. By his marriage to Miss Nancy Alsup, a native of Tennessee also, he be came the father of eight children, but three of whom are now living. The subject of this sketch is the third in order of birth of this family, and was reared and educated in his native State. Being brought up to farm duties, it was but natural, perhaps, that in selecting a calling in life, he should choose that of farming, and his choice has since proved very fortunate. He was married in Mississippi in 1846 to Miss Rebecca Adeline Hartsell, a native of North Carolina, who died in this country in 1879, after bearing six children, three of whom only survive: Elizabeth Ann (wife of Robert Allis), Daniel J. and Artelia M. In 1865 Mr. Harrison moved from his native State, and selected a location in this county, and here he has ever since made his home. He owns 240 acres of fine land, about 230 of which is under cultivation, lying about one mile west of Rocky Comfort. During the late war he served twelve months in the Confederate cause, as a member of Company C, Twenty-eighth Mississippi Regiment. He takes a great interest in all public improvements, which he aids with his hearty support, and is considered among the leading citizens of the county.

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