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Below is a family biography included in Biographical and Historical Memoirs of Montgomery 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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B. M. Rowton is a member of the general mercantile firm of B. M. Rowton & Bro., of Black Springs, Ark., who established their business in December, 1887, their annual sales amounting to $10,000 since that time. Mr. Rowton was born in this county in 1853, and has spent his life here, identifying himself with every interest of this section, and proving himself a man of sound and progressive views on all subjects. His parents, William D. and Eliza (McClure) Rowton, were born in Virginia in 1796, and South Carolina in 1808 respectively, their marriage being consummated in Murfreesboro, Tenn. From this State they came to Montgomery County, Ark., in 1843, improving a good farm near where Black Springs is now situated. Here Mr. Rowton died in 1859 and his widow in 1873, she being a member of the Methodist Church. Mr. Rowton’s father was a soldier in the Creek Indian War, and was a son of William Rowton, who was in all probability born in Virginia of Irish parents, his death occurring in Tennessee. Although B. M. Rowton received but little schooling in his youth, his days being spent at hard labor on the farm, he, on reaching manhood, was as well posted as the average young man, a result which was brought about by self- application. He was married in 1872 to Mary, daughter of Spencer White, an Alabamian who, at an early day, removed to what is now Howard County, Ark., his wife dying here when Mrs. Rowton was an infant. Soon after the death of his wife Mr. White went to California, and has not been heard from since. Mrs. Rowton was reared by an uncle, Frank Moore, and has borne her husband three children. Mr. Rowton was engaged in farming until 1880, then removed to Black Springs and followed the occupation of blacksmithing until 1887, when, as above stated, he opened his present establishment. He was postmaster of the town two years, justice of the peace six years, has long been a member of the Methodist Church, and at all times has been a worthy citizen of this region. His brother, who is associated with him in business, W. C. Rowton, was born in Rutherford County, Tenn., and came to this State and county with his parents, marrying Miss Jane White, a sister of his brother’s wife, they also being worthy members of the Methodist Church. Their father, William D. Rowton, was married twice and has six children by each wife, of whom B. M. Rowton is the youngest.

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This family biography is one of 37 biographies included in Biographical and Historical Memoirs of Montgomery County, Arkansas published in 1891.  For the complete description, click here: Montgomery County, Arkansas History, Genealogy, and Maps

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