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Below is a family biography included in the Woodruff County portion of Biographical and Historical Memoirs of Eastern 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.

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Dr. J. W. Westmoreland, in his connection with the professional affairs of White County, as a practicing physician and surgeon, located at Cotton Plant, has attained to well-deserved prominence. He is a native of Tennessee, and was born in Giles County, in 1838, being the son of Laborne and Nancy (Neale) Westmoreland. The birth of these individuals occurred in Virginia in 1812, and South Carolina in 1807, respectively, and they were married in Giles County, Tenn., where their lives were spent, with the exception of two years in Mississippi. Mr. Westmoreland died in 1860, his wife surviving him four years. He was the son of Reuben Westmoreland, from Virginia, originally, and one of the early settlers of Tennessee, where he was residing at the time of his decease. He was a descendant of the family of Westmorelands who were numbered among the Virginia colonists from England. Grandfather Neale was born in Ireland, but came to America when a young man, and followed the occupation of farming, living at the time of his death in Giles County, Tenn. J. W. Westmoreland, the seventh in a family of twelve children, was reared with them to farm life, receiving such educational advantages as were to be had in that day. He began the study of medicine at the age of nineteen, and in 1859 was graduated from the University of Nashville, Tenn. Subsequent to his graduation he practiced in Giles County, for two years, moving thence to Woodruff County, Ark., from which locality, after a residence of seven years, he went to Alabama. In 1883 the Doctor returned to Arkansas, settling in Cotton Plant, where he has since lived. In 1862 he joined Hooper’s Second Company of Arkansas Troops as quartermaster, but soon after was detailed to furnish supplies until the close of the war. In March of 1859, Dr. Westmoreland was united in marriage with Mary A. Deaver, a daughter of James M. and Mary S. Deaver, of Giles County. Her father died in Giles County, Tenn., but his wife is now living in Woodruff County. To the Doctor’s union two bright children have been born, which inherit the love of study from their father, and the charming disposition of the mother. Dr. Westmoreland owns 160 acres of land seven miles from Cotton Plant, which is in a fine state of cultivation. For some years he was engaged in the mercantile business in Alabama, and for several years in the drug business at Cotton Plant. In his political views he sides with the Democrats, having voted for Breckenridge in 1860. He is a member of Lodge No. 3367, K. of H. at Cotton Plant, and also the I. O. O. F. The Doctor has met with several reverses, which resulted in financial losses, but by his untiring determination and perseverance, it is easy to see that he is not one to be discouraged or kept down.

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This family biography is one of 69 biographies included in the Woodruff County portion of Biographical and Historical Memoirs of Eastern Arkansas published by Goodspeed Publishing Company in 1890.  For the complete description, click here: Woodruff County, Arkansas History, Genealogy, and Maps

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

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