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Below is a family biography from the book, History of Kentucky, Edition 1 by J. H. Battle, W. H. Perrin and G. C. Kniffin and published by F. A. Battey Publishing Company in 1885.  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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R. B. NEVILLE, Ballard County, was born September 27, 1822, in Montgomery County, Tenn., and is one of twins who were eighth in order of birth. His grandfather, Joe Neville, was a native of South Carolina, was born in 1739, and there his son, George Washington Neville, was born in 1772. At the age of sixteen, the latter accompanied his father to the vicinity of Nashville, Tenn., and at the age of twenty-two moved to Montgomery County, Tenn., where his son R. B. was born, as above stated. In 1823, George W. moved to Weakley County, Tenn.; in 1827 to Hickman County, Ky. In early life George W. was a trader in horses, which he sold in Natchez, Miss., carrying them down the river on flat boats. There being no steamboats in those days, the stock and flatboats were disposed of at their destination, and the traders walked home. In this traffic Mr. N. was successful, and afterward became sheriff of Montgomery County, and married Rachael Kilebrew, who bore him eleven children. Robert B. Neville, at the age of five was taken by his father to Hickman County, Ky., where he remained until 1851, when he came to Ballard County. In 1849 he was married to Clarissa J. Berry, daughter of Isaac Newton and Sarah Ann Berry, of Ballard County. Seven children are the result of this marriage, all of whom are still living and five of whom are married. In the year 1872, Mr. Neville bought a farm which was near a place known as Cana Creek, and which is now the site of the town of Arlington, Ky. The same year the Illinois Central Railroad was surveyed through his land, and before the road was completed, Arlington had grown to be a respectable commercial center. At present Arlington is a town of 500 inhabitants, and is one of the best shipping points in the country. In politics Mr. Neville is a Democrat. He is a Baptist in faith and practice. Throughout his life he has advocated temperance both by precept and example. In his earlier life schools were not nearly so numerous as now, and most of his education, which is limited, was gained in the great world’s school. He is a farmer and at one time was justice of the peace of Ballard County.

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This family biography is one of 186 biographies included in the Ballard County, Kentucky section of the book, The History of Kentucky, Edition 1 published in 1885 by F. A. Battey Publishing Company.  For the complete description, click here: History of Kentucky, Edition 1

View additional Ballard County, Kentucky family biographies here: Ballard County, Kentucky Biographies

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