NOTE: I have no connection and no further information.

Kentucky Genealogy and Biography Volume V, Battle-Perrin-Kniffin, Taylor Co.

ROBERT E. PURYEAR was born July 28, 1849, and except the years from 1871 to 1876, has been a life-long resident of Taylor County. That period he spent at DeWitt, Ark. His father, John H. Puryear, was also a native of Taylor County, and was born April 15, 1821. In early life he taught school; afterward engaged in farming to a limited extent and in merchandising, giving his personal attention to the latter. He was a son of Hezekiah Puryear, who was born in Henrico County, Va., and who married Miss Elizabeth Harding, a sister of Hon. Aaron Harding. Hezekiah Puryear was a farmer, and a son of Jesse Puyear, and of French Huguenot descent. John H. Puryear married, September 5, 1848, Miss Mildred E., daughter of John B. and Mary A. Chandler. Her father was a large and successful merchant, an active and influential citizen, and one of the first magistrates of Taylor County. The children of John H. and Mildred Puryear were Robert E. (subject), and Ann R., wife of Capt. T. T. Fisher. Robert E. Puryear married, June 23, 1873, Miss Emily Visart, daughter of Julian J. and Emily (Kepler) Visart of DeWitt, Ark. Her parents were natives of France and located at an early day at the French trading post of Arkansas. To Mr. and Mrs. Puryear have been born Basil C. (deceased), Emmet Vance, John Visart (deceased), and Emma Lillian (deceased). Mr. Puryear began the study of law under the preceptorship of J. R. Robinson, Esq., of Campbellsville, and in 1868 was by special act of the Legislature, admitted to the ;practice, since which time he has given his attention to that profession, the success which has followed his labors being in a great measure due to his forensic eloquence. While a resident of Arkansas he was elected county attorney and after his return to Kentucky, city judge of Campbellsville. In 1885-86 he was a member of the State board of Equalization of Kentucky, from the Eleventh Congressional District, and a candidate for Congress; in the latter aspiration, after a creditable contest, he was defeated. He is a member with his wife of the Baptist Church, and in politics is a Democrat. He had the advantages of good schools, having received his education at Shelbyville, Ky. He has accumulated a comfortable competency.