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Below is a family biography included in Biographical and Historical Memoirs of Saline County, Arkansas published by Goodspeed Publishing Company in 1889.  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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Capt. Augustus A. Crawford, county and probate judge of Saline County, and also a prominent planter of that locality, was born in Rhea County, East Tenn., March 31, 1838, and is a son of Robert B. and Olivia (Howard) Crawford, whose birth occurred in the same State in 1808 and 1817, respectively. The parents were married there in the year 1820, making it their home until 1833, when they moved to Russell County, Ala., where the father died in 1843, the mother afterward marrying a Mr. Lockhard, who died some years later. She has since remained a widow and resides in Georgia at the present time with a daughter. Her father, Abraham Howard, of Virginia, was one of the earliest settlers of Rhea County, Tenn., and a prosperous farmer of that place, where he resided until his decease. The senior Crawford was also a farmer and an influential citizen of Rhea County during his residence in that place. He had three brothers and two sisters living in Saline County, Ark., one of whom (Hon William A. Crawford) at one time represented that county in the legislature, and for six years was its sheriff. Augustus A. was the third of four sons and one daughter born to his parents, all of whom, except himself have died. One brother (Rev. Robert B. Crawford, of Alabama) was among the most noted Methodist divines in that State, and a man who spoke from the pulpit with marvelous power. Augustus was the only son , who came to Saline County; previous to settling here he had worked on a farm, having also for two years taken up the carpenter’s trade, which calling he followed at Benton and Little Rock during the first years of his arrival. His advantages for schooling were limited, as he had to work for the neighboring farmers during youth in order to pay his way, but his natural shrewdness and ability manifested themselves sooner, perhaps, than if he had absorbed more book knowledge, and exercised less talent. In March, 1860, he was married to Miss Martha J. Rowan, a daughter of Thomas and Ruth Rowan, of Alabama, who were among the earliest settlers of Saline County, where both parents died. Ten children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Crawford (four sons and six daughters), all of whom are living. Mr. Crawford continued to reside in Benton and vicinity until 1874, when he settled on his present place, now owning about 120 acres of productive land and has placed sixty acres under cultivation. His prosperity is all due entirely to his individual effort and good management, he having started in life for himself at fourteen years of age with but little, if anything. He also owns another tract of thirty-seven acres, comprising some of the best land in this section, all situated about six miles northeast of Benton. During the war he enlisted in Company D, Eleventh Arkansas Infantry, operating principally in Missouri and Tennessee, and after the battle of Belmont was promoted to the rank of captain. On April 8, 1862, he was captured at Tiptonville and imprisoned at Camp Chase for a short time, and then taken to Johnson’s Island, where he was confined until the following September, when he was taken to Vicksburg and exchanged. He at once rejoined his regiment and was promptly made captain of the same company, holding that rank until the close of the war. During his service Capt. Crawford took part in the battles of Baker’s Creek, Port Hudson, Jackson, Miss., Clinton, La., Atlanta, Ga., and from there was sent back into the western territory to join Gen. Wirt Adams. In 1864 he was transferred to the Trans-Mississippi Department in Gen. Fagan’s division, and operated in Arkansas and Louisiana, and in May of the following year surrendered to Capt. L. B. Nash, at Benton, who was then provost marshal. Capt. Crawford was at once arrested for treason, but the case was nolle-prosequied. From 1858 to 1860 he was deputy sheriff under his uncle, and from 1859 to 1860 was also tax collector. He served as justice of the peace from 1878 to 1882 in Bryant Township, and in 1884 was elected county and probate judge to fill the vacancy caused by the death of Judge Barton Howard. Since then he has been re-elected twice, and has filled the office with a dignity and wisdom that has never been surpassed in Saline County. In politics he is a stanch Democrat, and from 1886 to 1888 was a delegate to the State convention. In secret societies he is a member of Bryant Lodge No. 441, A. F. & A. M., and is the present secretary of his lodge. He and wife both attend the Missionary Baptist Church, and are leaders in aiding all religious and other worthy enterprises.

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This family biography is one of 100 biographies included in Biographical and Historical Memoirs of Saline County, Arkansas published in 1889.  For the complete description, click here: Saline County, Arkansas History, Genealogy, and Maps

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