Biography of George H Council, Sebastian Co, AR

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SOURCE: History of Benton, Washington, Carroll, Madison, Crawford,
Franklin, and Sebastian Counties, Arkansas. Chicago: The Goodspeed 
Publishing Co., 1889.
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page 1304

Capt. George H. Council, farmer and stock raiser, was born near Knoxville,
Tenn., in 1828. His parents, Howard  and Lucinda (Gollihar) Council, were born
in East Tennessee in 1801. The former died in Georgia, in 1838, and  his widow
afterward married again. She died in Logan County, Ark., in 1875. Mr. Council
was of Irish descent and of North Carolina parentage. He became a well-to-do
man, but during the gold excitement in Georgia was a  heavy loser. Both he and
the mother of our subject belonged to the Presbyterian Church. George H. is the
second of a family of seven children. He attended the common schools of the
neighborhood during his youth,  and went to Hiawassce College, East Tennessee.
He began life for himself at the age of eighteen, as a farm  hand, and
afterward taught school about six years. In 1856 he married Martha, daughter of
David and Nancy  Ragon, and a native of Hamilton County, Tenn., whose parents
were natives of North Carolina. To Mr. and  Mrs. Council nine children have
been born, of whom all save one are living. In 1857 Capt. Council came to
Sebastian County and entered the land he now owns, which was then unimproved,
and which he proceeded to  cultivate. This was laid waste during his absence in
war times, but he has now converted it into a nice farm of  370 acres. Although
he began life in humble circumstances he is now a successful and prominent
farmer of  Prairie Township, and one of its respected citizens. From June,
1862, until after the battle at Prairie Grove, he  served as first lieutenant
of Company G, Col. Brooks' regiment, but was then made captain, which position
he  held until the close of the war. He operated in Arkansas and Louisiana,
participating in the engagements at  Helena, Pleasant Hill, Mansfield, Jenkins'
Ferry, etc., and was discharged when the company disbanded at Marshall, Tex.
Capt. Council has given his children good educations. Himself and wife have
been members of  the Missionary Baptist Church since their youth. He is a
Democrat, and since 1863 has been a member of  Pulliam Masonic Lodge No. 133,
at Witcherville.