My Genealogy Hound

Below is a family biography included in Biographical and Historical Memoirs of Nevada 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.

* * * *

James D. Reason, a partner in the firm of W. G. Herring & Co., of Willisville, Taylor Township, Nevada County, was born in this county, in January of the year 1862 (it was at that time a part of Columbia County), and is a son of William and Mahalie Reason, natives of North Carolina and Kentucky, respectively. The father was born June 26, 1836, a son of John and May Reason, both of the State of North Carolina. The grandfather of the subject of this sketch was born in 1807. John Reason was a farmer by profession, and died in 1864. The father of James Reason was also a farmer, and emigrated from North Carolina to Tennessee, from Tennessee to Arkansas in 1854, entering a wild tract of land in what is now Taylorville Township, in this county, and was numbered among the pioneer settlers. He enlisted in the late war in 1861, serving until the close of the war, and figuring in many of the famous battles. Returning home May, 1865, he devoted his attention to agriculture up to the time of his death, which took place September 2, 1888. He married the mother of the subject of this sketch in August, of the year, 1856. She was born September 17, 1839, and is still living. She is a member of the Baptist Church. Of this union were born thirteen children, eleven of whom are still living, viz.: John F., Martha, James D., Mary E., William H., Samuel A., Albert N., Edward A., Wiley B., Drucilla and Sallie. Mr. Reason received a good education in the common schools, emigrated to Texas in 1882, and three years later returned home and engaged in farming on the old homestead. The following year he clerked in the mercantile business, and in 1889 entered the employ of Herring & Bull, and in 1890 purchased a third interest in that store, now known by the firm name of W. G. Herring & Co. He is a highly respected citizen and a most successful young business man, and a member of the Masonic order.

* * * *

This family biography is one of 96 biographies included in Biographical and Historical Memoirs of Nevada County, Arkansas published in 1890.  For the complete description, click here: Nevada County, Arkansas History, Genealogy, and Maps

To view additional Nevada County, Arkansas family biographies, click here

Use the links at the top right of this page to search or browse thousands of other family biographies.