JOHNSON CO, AR - J. H. LASTER - Bio

SOURCE: Biographical and Historical Memoirs of Western Arkansas. 
Chicago: Goodspeed Publishers, 1891.

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J. H. Laster. Tennessee has given to Arkansas many estimable citizens,
but she has contributed none more highly respected, or, for
conscientious discharge of every duty in every relation of life, more
worthy of respect and esteem than is the subject of this sketch. He 
was born in Wilson County, in 1820, but since 1831 has been a resident 
of Arkansas, and since 1837 of Johnson County. His parents, Frederick 
and Nancy (Smith) Laster, were born in the Palmetto State, and as 
early as 1810, became residents of the State of Tennessee, where they 
continued to reside, engaged in agricultural pursuits. until 1831, 
when they located in Lawrence County, Ark., their declining years 
being spent, however, in Johnson County. 

Here, J. H. Laster has since made his home, and although he attended 
the common schools in this and his native State, it was only for a 
short time each year, consequently his knowledge did not extend far 
beyond the three [p.303] R's. He helped to build the first school-
house that was ever erected in Johnson County. When he had attained 
his twentieth year he began making his own way in the world, and 
farming and tanning have been his chief calling ever since, in each of 
which he has been reasonably successful. He served in the Confederate 
Army during the Rebellion, serving from 1863 till the close of the 
war, being wounded in the shoulder in April, 1864, at Marks' Mill. 

He was married in September, 1841, to Miss Sarah A. Patrick, daughter 
of John W. and Susan (Lee) Patrick, and unto them the following 
children were born: John R. (deceased), Abe, Rebecca, Emily C., Julia 
A., Susan (deceased), Jane, Seth P., Seldom L. (deceased), James D. 
(deceased), Bell and Lou. The children that are living are married 
with the exception of Seth P. Mr. Laster and his sons are Democrats, 
and he and his wife and children are members in good standing of the 
Presbyterian Church.