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Below is a family biography included in The History of Sebastian 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. George H. Council, farmer and stock raiser, was born near Knoxville, Tenn., in 1828. His parents, Howard and Lucinda (Gollihar) Council, were born in East Tennessee in 1801. The former died in Georgia, in 1838, and his widow afterward married again. She died in Logan County, Ark., in 1875. Mr. Council was of Irish descent and of North Carolina parentage. He became a well-to-do man, but during the gold excitement in Georgia was a heavy loser. Both he and the mother of our subject belonged to the Presbyterian Church. George H. is the second of a family of seven children. He attended the common schools of the neighborhood during his youth, and went to Hiawassee College, East Tennessee. He began life for himself at the age of eighteen, as a farm hand, and afterward taught school bout six years. In 1856 he married Martha, daughter of David and Nancy Ragon, and a native of Hamilton County, Tenn., whose parents were natives of North Carolina. To Mr. and Mrs. Council nine children have been born, of whom all save one are living. In 1857 Capt. Council came to Sebastian County and entered the land he now owns, which was then unimproved, and which he proceeded to cultivate. This was laid waste during his absence in war times, but he has now converted it into a nice farm of 370 acres. Although he began life in humble circumstances he is now a successful and prominent farmer of Prairie Township, and one of its respected citizens. From June, 1862, until after the battle at Prairie Grove, he served as first lieutenant of Company G, Col. Brook’s regiment, but was then made captain, which position he held until the close of the war. He operated in Arkansas and Louisiana, participating in the engagements at Helena, Pleasant Hill, Mansfield, Jenkins’ Ferry, etc., and was discharged when the company disbanded at Marshall, Tex. Capt. Council has given his children good educations. Himself and wife have been members of the Missionary Baptist Church since their youth. He is a Democrat, and since 1863 has been a member of Pulliam Masonic Lodge No. 133, at Witcherville.

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This family biography is one of 217 biographies included in The History of Sebastian County, Arkansas published in 1889.  For the complete description, click here: Sebastian County, Arkansas History, Genealogy, and Maps

View additional Sebastian County, Arkansas family biographies here: Sebastian County, Arkansas

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