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Below is a family biography included in The History of Washington 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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Jonathan Foust, one of the wide-awake, thorough-going farmers of Goshen Township, was born July 28, 1838, in Highland County, Ohio, and is one of nine children born to his parents, Jonathan and Anna (Shaffer) Foust. The father was born in Westmoreland County, Penn., October 15, 1802, moved to Ohio in 1817, and in 1838 moved to Huntington County, Ind., where he and wife are residing at the present time. Both are eighty-six years of age. Their son, Jonathan Foust, was but one year old when his parents moved to Indiana, and here he attained his growth and received his education. During the late war he served three years with the Federal army, and rendered effective and valuable service. February 12, 1867, he chose Miss Matilda E. McElhaney as his companion through life, and the following children were the result of this union: Florence F., Minerva E., David M., William H., Rosa B., Charles F., Nellie M., Alvin E., Elmer F., Grover C. and M. T. One daughter, Ida Rebecca, died in infancy. Mrs. Foust was born January 19, 1848, and is the daughter of David McElhaney, who was born in West Virginia June 18, 1810, and moved to Preble County, Ohio, in 1844. In that county he married Miss Sarah Scott, and in 1850 they moved to Huntington County, Ind. He has been a farmer all his life, and he and wife are now living. In 1886 Mr. Foust and family moved to their present farm in Washington County. This farm of ninety-five acres is located eight miles east of Fayetteville, and is in White River Valley. Mr. Foust has succeeded admirably in farming and stock-raising, and makes a specialty of thoroughbred Poland-China hogs. He is a Democrat in politics, takes an active interest in public enterprises, and he and wife are members of the Christian Church.
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This family biography is one of 300 biographies included in The History of Washington County, Arkansas published in 1889. For the complete description, click here: Washington County, Arkansas History, Genealogy, and Maps
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