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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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James S. Graham, farmer of Washington County Ark., and native of the “Blue Grass State,” was born in 1820, and while an infant was brought by his parents, William and Lear (Boyd) Graham, to Arkansas. William Graham was born in the “Old North State” in 1777, and in 1782 was taken by his parents to Kentucky, where he resided until 1820, and then came to Arkansas and spent the remainder of his days. He was married in Kentucky, and became the father of eleven children, four of whom are living. His principal occupation throughout life was farming. His wife died in 1836. Their son, James S. Graham, was reared in Northwestern Arkansas, and is one of the thrifty farmers of that locality. Rebecca Jane Patton, who was born in Tennessee in 1826, became his wife and the mother of nine children: Vachiel C., Peter, Rachel, Dorothea T., Amanda A. (widow of Robert Graham), Benjamin P., Orlena J., J. Willy and Cynthia. After suffering many of the privations and hardships of pioneer life, Mr. Graham, by hard work and good management is now the owner of 327 acres of land. He is one of the oldest residents of the county, and is highly respected and esteemed by a large circle of acquaintances and friends. He and his two eldest sons served in the Confederate army from 1863 until the close of the war, his eldest son volunteering in the first company ever organized in Arkansas. Peter, the other son, was a member of the third company that was organized. Mr. Graham is a member of the Primitive Baptist Church, the A. F. & A. M., and in his political views is a stanch Democrat.

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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

To view additional Washington County, Arkansas family biographies, click here

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