My Genealogy Hound

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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J. R. Stephens was born near Petersburg, Va., August 8, 1858, his parents being William and Mary (Stacey) Stephens. The father was a native of Virginia, and a builder by occupation and trade. In 1839 he removed to Tennessee, and there J. R. Stephens grew to manhood and began to learn his father’s trade. At the age of seventeen he went to Sherman, Tex., and there, with an elder brother, completed his trade, which he followed until the breaking out of the war. He then enlisted in Company C, Eleventh Texas Volunteer Cavalry, and served throughout the war, being on detached duty in the South and West the last two years. After peace was declared he returned to Sherman, but in 1868 came to Fort Smith, where he has since been prominently identified with building interests. Among the many buildings he has erected may be mentioned the Belle Grove school-house, the Peabody school, the New Hope school building, and the residences of D. B. Sparks, Herman Bair, Frank Bolinger and F. J. Klein. Mr. Stephens was united in marriage in Texas to Miss Mary Akhalt, a native of Maryland, and daughter of M. L. and Elizabeth Akhalt, also natives of Maryland. Mr. and Mrs. Stephens are active members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South. They have one daughter, Lillie, a young lady of excellent literary and musical attainments. Mr. Stephens is a K. of H.

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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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