My Genealogy Hound

Below is a family biography included in Biographical and Historical Memoirs of Miller 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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Napoleon F. A. Hutt, one of the representative citizens of Miller County, was born in Alabama, August 22, 1832, being a son of Jacob B. and Thurza (Pipkin) Hutt, natives of Ontario, Canada, and Alabama, respectively. The former moved from Canada to Alabama in early manhood, and made his home in the latter state and Florida until his death, which occurred in 1852, in his fifty-second year; his death was preceded by that of his wife, who passed from earth in 1849, at the age of forty-two years. He was a school teacher all his life, except for three years, and followed that calling in the various States with which he identified himself. At the age of sixteen he participated in the battle of Lundy’s Lane as a British subject. He also held different official positions. He was in the Seminole War, and at its close went to Texas and took part in the Revolution, under Gen. Sam Houston, participating in different battles with the Indians, and was once wounded with an Indian arrow. He was at the Alamo, three days after that massacre. While in Alabama he was engaged in merchandising, and filled several local offices, serving most of the time of his residence as magistrate and bailiff. During his early life he was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South, as was also his wife, but in his later years he united with the Universalists, in which belief he died. Politically he was a Democrat. There were nine children born to his marriage, the subject of this sketch being the fourth in order of birth, only three of whom are now living: Charles A. F. (a prominent farmer of this county), Napoleon F. A., and Oreanna S. Alexzona (wife of S. R. Burgess, a farmer of Cherokee County, Tex.). The early life of our subject was spent in Florida and Alabama. When quite a boy he received the appointment of assistant inspector of lumber and timber in the navy yard at Warrington, Fla., and served in that capacity for a number of years (until 1860), when, on account of ill health, he was obliged to quit the Government employ. He then came to Arkansas, and located near where he now lives. In 1878 he settled on his present place, which comprises 240 acres of land, a good portion of which is under cultivation. He served in the late war, joining Col. Grimstead’s Regiment of Infantry, in June, 1862, in which he served until the close of the war, during which time he was in the battles of Cane Hill, Jenkins’ Ferry and others, besides several severe skirmishes. His eldest brother, Charles A. F., was slightly wounded at Jenkins’ Ferry, by a gun-shot in the neck. The close of the war found our subject in a bad shape financially. He started anew in life, and since then, by industry and good management, has been very successful, and is now considered among the prosperous agriculturists of Miller County. Upon the organization of this county, he was elected one of the commissioners to build public houses, etc., but never served. He was also elected justice of the peace, but did not qualify. On October 27, 1859, he was united in matrimony to Miss Elizabeth Finklea, daughter of Hugh Finklea, and to their married life have been given twelve children, eight of whom survive. Mrs. Hutt was born in Wilcox, Ala., on February 26, 1842. Mr. Hutt is a deacon in the Christian Church, of which body both himself and wife are members. While affiliating with this church, he is a Universalist in belief. During his lifetime he has never had a case in court, nor has he ever sued or been sued. In politics he affiliates with the Democratic party. He is a member of the Alliance, and is active in all worthy enterprises.

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