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o o OF o o
NORTHEAST ARKANSAS,
COMPRISINO
A Condensed History of the State, a Number of Biographies of D'stinguished Citizens ^f
the sanqe, a Brief Descriptive History of eacl^ of the Counties named herein, and
numerous Biograpl^ical Sketches of the Prominent Citizens of such Counties.
ILLUSTRATBD.
Chicago, Nashville and St. Louis :
THE GOODSPEED PUBLISHING CO.
1889
"NKEY, BiNDKR.
^n^
M
M^^"r
J
^ ^
"HIS beautiful volume has been prepared in response to the popular demand
for the preservation of local history and biography. The method of prep-
aration followed is tiie most successful and the most satisfactory yet devised
— the most successful in the enormous number of volumes circulated, and
tlie most satisfactory in the general preservation of personal biograpliy
and family record, conjointly with local history. The number of volumes
now being distributed seems fabulous. Careful estimates place the number
circulated in Ohio at 50,000 volumes; Pennsylvania, 00,000; New York, 75,000;
Indiana, 40,(100; Illinois, 40,000; Iowa, 30,000; Missouri. 25,000; Kansas.
20,000; Tennessee, 20,000; Kentucky, 25,000; Georgia, 20,000; Alabama, 20,000,
and all the other States at the same proportionate rate. The entire State of
Arkansas has as yet scarcely been touched by the historian, but is now being
rapidly written.
The design of the present extensive biographical and historical research is to
gather and preserve in attractive form, while fresh with the evidence of tiuth, tlie enormous fund
of perishing occurrence. In gathering the matter for the historical sketches of tlie counties, it
was thought wisest, owing to the limited space, to collate and condense only the most valuable
items, by reason of which such sketches are a credit to the book, and of permanent worth.
In the preparation of this volume the Publishers have met with nothing but courtesj- and
assistance from the public. Nothing promised is omitted, and much not promised is giv#Ji.
About fifty pages of State history were guaranteed; over twice that number are given. Special
care was employed and great expense incurred to render the volume accurate. In all cases tlie
personal sketches wei-e submitted by mail, and in most instances were corrected and returned
by the subjects themselves. Coming as they do from the most illustrious families of the State
— all worthy citizens from the upper, middle and lower classes — they form in tiiemselves tlie
most complete account of the Northeast Counties ever written, and their great value to future
generations will be warmly acknowledged by all tlioughtful people. With many thanks to their
friends for the success of such a diflicult enterprise, the Publishers res|)ectfully tender tliis fine
volume to their patrons.
THE PUBLISHERS.
October, 18«y.
I
-^
CHAPTER I.
(ieolog-y — Importance of (iculofjio Stiidj—Ari-a aud Cli-
mate— Bouudarii's — Primiijal Streams of the State —
The Mountain Systems — The Cfreat Springs — Diversity
of Soils — Caves — The Mines, their Wonderful Deposits
and Formations !»-] S
CHAPTER II.
Archajology — Kemains of Flint Arrow and Spear Heads,
and Stone and Other Ornaments — Evidences of Prehis-
toric People along the Mississippi — Mounds, etc., in
Other Portions of the State — Local Archaeologists and
tlicir Work — The Indians — Tribal and Race Character-
istics— The Arkansas Tribes — The Cession Treaties —
The Removal of IhcCherokecs, Creeks and Choetaws —
An Indian Alarm — Assassination of the Leaders, etc.,
etc 19-2.3
CHAPTER III.
Discovery and Settlement — De Soto in Arkansas — Mar-
quette and Joliet — La Salle, llenncjiin and Tonti —
French and English Schemes of Conquest and Dreams
of Power — Louisiana — The "Bubble" of .Tohn Law—
The Early Viceroys and tiovernors — Proprietary Change
of Louisiana — French and Spanish Settlers in .Vrkansas
— English Settlers— .\ Few First Settlers in the Counties
— The New Madrid Earthquake — Other Items of Inter-
est 34-34
CHAPTER IV.
Organization — The Viceroys and tiovernors — The Attitude
of the Royal Owners of Louisiana — The District Divided
— The Territory of Arkansas Formed from the Territory
of Missouri — The Territorial Government — The First
Legislaturi' — The Seat of Government — Other Legisla-
tive Bodies — The Due''. i— Arkansas Admitted to Slate-
luiod — The Constitutional Conventions — The .Memor
able Reeonstriietion Period— Legislative Attitude on
the Question of Secession — The War of the Governors,
etc., etc .34-44
CHAPTER V.
.Vdvunceinent of the State — .Misconceptions Removed —
Effects of Slavery upon .\griculture — Extraordinary
Improvements Since the War — Important Suirirestions
— Comparative Estimate of Products — (irovvtii of the
Manufacturing Interests— Wonderful Showing of Ar-
kansas— Its Desirability as a Place of Residence — State
Elevations 4.5-53
CHAPTER VI.
Polities — Importance of thi^ Subject — The Two Old Scliouls
of Politicians — Triumph of the Jaeksonians — Early
Prominent State Politicians — The Great (inestion of
Secession — The Slate Voles to .Join the Confederacy —
Horror of the War Period — The Rt^construelion Distress
— The Baxter-Brooks Embroglio. . ,V.' :,.-,
CHAPTER VII.
Societies, Stale Institutions, etc. — The Kn Klii\ Klan —
Independent Order of Odd Fellows — Ancient, Free and
Accepted Masons — Grand Army of the Republic — Bu-
reau of Mines — .\rkansas .\gricultural .Vssoeiatious —
State Horticultural Society — The Wheel — The Slate
Capital — The Capitol Building — State Libraries — State
Medical Society— State Board of Health— Deaf Mute
In.stitutc — School for the Blind — Arkansas Lunatic
.Asylum — Arkansas Industrial University — The State
Debt 56-(H
CHAPTER VIII.
The Bench and Bar — -Vn Analytic View ..r ilie Profession
of Law — Spanish and Freni'h Laws — English Comii<yii
Law — Th» Legal Circuit Riders — Territorial Laiv ami
Lawyers — The Court Circuits- Early Court Odiecrs —
The Supreme Court — Prominent Members of the Slate
Bench and Bar — The Standard of the Execution of Law
in the Stale ." «5-73
CHAPTER IX.
The Lat.- Civil War— ^lualytieal Vi.w ..f the Troublous
Times — Passage of the Ordinance of Secession — The
Call to .\rms — The First Troops to Take the Field— In-
vasion of the State by the FcdiTal .\rmy— Sketch of (he
Regiments — Names of OHIeer — (lutliue of Field Oper-
ations—Cleburne and Yill — KxtracUi from Privale
Memoranda— Evacuation of the Stale — Re-oceupation
—The War of ISl'i— The Mexican War— Standard of
American Generalship 7!V-X1
CONTENTS.
'^
CHAFTEB X.
I'lililii- KiiUTi>risi'» — Till- Kijal Kstate Bank nf Arkiin^iis —
S(ati; Koiuls and Ollur Ui:;liH!iys — Tlio Milihiiy Knads
— NaviK.itiou within tlic Stale frcmi tlie Kiirliisl Tinus
to the Piesrut — Dcmdrucf of Stale Navigation — Stfani-
hout Kaoiujr — Ai-c-idcnt» to Boats— The Rise and (irowlli
of tlie Itailroad Systems — A Sketeli of the Diflferi'nt
I/iM'-:, — otijer I in port lint Conflideration» s:J-8T
CHAPTEK XI.
The Counties of Hie State— Tlieir Foriniitii>n and I'liaiiires
of Boundary Lines, ete. — Tlieir C'ciiinty Seats and Otlier
Items of Interest Coneernin:; them — Defunel C"ouu(ies
— New Counties — I'opulalion of all Hie Counties ol the
Stale at every fieiieral Census S7-!ia
CHAPTER XII.
Kiliieatiou — Tile Mental I'yiu- I 'oiisi4lere<l — Territorial
Siliools, Laws and Funds — Coiistilutiunal Provisions
for Kdiieation — l.ejrislntive Provisions — Projrrcs.s sinee
the War — Tlie State Superintendents — Statistics —
Vrkansas Literature — The Arkan-iiw TravliT f»H-'.l7
CHAPTER XIII.
The Chiirelii's of Arkansas'^ .\ppearnnee of (lie Mission
uries— Chiireh Missions Kstaldislied in the Wilderness
—The Leadin;;- Protestant Denominations — Eeelcsiasti-
eal Statisties— General Outlook from a Relij^ious
Standpoint 98-101
CHAPTER XIV.
Names Illustrious in Arkansas History— Prominent Men-
tion of Noted Individuals- .\inhiiise H. Sevier— Will-
iam K. WoodnitT — .lohii Wilson— .hdin Hemphill —
.laeol. Barkniaii— Dr. Bowii — Sandy Faulkner— Samuel
11. Ileinpstead— Trent, Williams, Sliiiin Families, and
I »i hers— The Coiiways— Koherl Crittenden— Arehiliald
Yell — .JiidiCe David Walker— Gen. G. D. Koyston —
.Iiulf;c James W. Bates 103-112
CHAPTER XV.
<ireene County— Physical Features— Slreams—ForesLs—
Iv'ndof Soil — AK'rieulturnl Proihiets — Stock Interests
Keiil and Personal Property— Population— Railways —
Kra of Settlement — .\ Noted Hunter— .\els of the Coun-
ly Board— County Seat and Biiildinj,'s—Offieers— Polit-
ical Outlook— Lejfal Matters- Military Affairs— Mnnic-
ipalities— Schools— Chnrches-Bi.ijrraphy 113-188
CHAPTER XVI.
Clay I'ounty — Location and Description — Drainaire — Tim-
her— Soil — Natural Kcsources— Live Stock — Taxation
Population— Railroads— Set tleiiienl— County Orsraniza-
lion— Chause of Name— The County Divided— Piililic
Huildinss — County Olllcers — Politics— The Courts—
i-ettal Kxeciitioiis— The Civil War— Towns and Villajjes
—Newspapers— Edurallon and Keligion— Bioirrapliical
.Sketches 18»-26!S
CHAPTER XVII.
Fulton County — Us Foriuatiou, Oi';;;uni/'.atiou and OHiccrs
— Its Capital and Biiildinv:.* — P(ditical Record — The
Bench and Bar — Situation of the I'ouuty — Important
Statistics for the Instruction of Imtniirrants — Real and
Personal Taxation — Airirrcijatc Pojinlation — Educa-
tional and Rcliirioiis .Vdvanccmcnl — Selected Family
Rciords — The (ireal Keliellion — .Municipal Ortfaniza-
tions 2,59-30»
CHAPTER XVIII.
Craighead County — Location ami l)e>eri|ition — Streams
and Drainage — Timlier and Soil — Resources- and Pro.
ductions — Live Stock— Properly, Rial and Personal —
Population — Railroads — Settlement — County Organiza-
tion—County Scut — County Buildings — Local Olticers
—Politics — The Courts — The Civil War— Towns and
Villages — County Biograjihy — Education — Religion —
I ither Items . . ;W.»-:«a
CHAPTER XIX.
Randoljih County— The Pioneers— The County Formed and
Organized — Seal of .Justice — Buildings — Local Officer-
— Elections — Natural History — Wafer-courses — Miner
als. Soil, etc.— Wood Supply -Vegetable and Other
Products — Statisties — Taxables— The Censius- Public
Highways — The Great War — Law and Lawyers — In-
struction— Morals — Towns and Villages — Selected
Biography 384^^145
CHAPTER XX.
Mississigipi County — Location, Boundary, Topography,
etc.— The Expedition of De Soto into Mississipjii
County — Towns— Settlements by Local Names — Secret
Societies— Military .\ffairs of the County— The Lpris-
ing of the t'olored People — Offlcers of the County —
Public Buildings— Popnlation— Local Statistics— Coun-
ty Organization— Levies-Schools and Churches — Se-
lected Biographical .Sketches 445-570
CHAPTER XXI.
Poinsett County— Tile Re<-ords of the Courts— Formation
of the County and Selection of the Seal of Law— List
ofLocal Officers- Election Statistics— Centers of Popii
lation — Societies, etc. — Local Instruction — Moral Or
gaMizalions- The Soiitlieni Confederacy— The County
Bounded — Its Topograjihy and Geology — Its Wonderful
Soil and its Products— Population— Railroads— Names
of Early Settlers- Private and Family Records .S7(M;-il
CHAPTER XXII.
Indeiieudence County— Formation and Organiziition—
Public Structures— Catalogue of Officials— The Fran-
chise—Administration of Law— The Coming of the Pio.
neers- Location of the County- Its Water-courses-
Numerous Personal and Business Sketches— Timber
and -Mines— Lands and Crops- Census Returns — Rail-
roads— Religion- (irow 111— Towns— Popular Instruction
— War Record— Facts and Statisties 62I-72«
CONTENTS.
CHAPTER XXIII.
Shiirp County — Loiatiou and Toi)oyrai>liy — Tlic Walir
Supply — MiiHTuN, Tiiiihcr and Soil — Products — Valua-
tion of Property — Piil)lic' i[i?;liways — Population —
Erection of tlie County — TlU' Leyal Center — County
Buildiujfs — Days of the Pioneers — Law and Equity
Practiced — Tlie Strvif^ffle ovi'r Slavery and Secession —
Villages Located and Ueseribed — Sclmol Statistics—
Cliureli Peo])Ie — Catalogue of County Officers — Per-
sonal and Business Meuuiranrta — Elections 739-761
CHAPTER XXIV.
Lawrence County — Period of Settlenu^nt — The Mound
Builders — Boundary of the County — Topography —
Rivers orCreeks — Tiuiiier, Soil and Products — Minerals
and Other Resources — Live StocU — Taxaliles — Popula-
tion— Railroads — Legal Matters — The Civil War-
School Affairs — Church Strengtli — The County Cre-
ated— Its Otiicers, Buildings and Seat of .fustici —
Political Statistics — Towns and Villages — Personal
Notices 763-831
CHAPTER XXV.
•Taikson Counly— Act of Creation— Seat of .lusliee Lu
cated— County Structures- OHlcial Catalogue— Voli's
and Voters— The War of 18l)l-er.— The Administration
of .lustice — Church Deuoniinalions Represented —
School Matters Outlined— Names oftlic Early Settlers—
Tlie County Located— Topography— Streams— Tiniher
—Soil— Resources — Property Valuation — Railroads-
Population— Towns and Villages — Personal Memoirs
h:«-!M(1
CHAPTER XXVI.
Izard County— The Arrival of Ihe Selller.s— Circuit and
Probate Courts — Military Memoirs— The County
Formed— The County Seat Located— Public Buildings
Erected— Election 'Returns— Church Organizations-
Towns and Village?— Educational Development— The
County Bounded— Statistics Showing its Desirability
as a Place of Residence — Population— Biography. .'.II7-!»K|
mMMMIM-
-4-+-
Elisha Baxter
.lohu B. Driver
W. II. Cate
S. S. Semmes
G. W. Hurley
II. C. Dunavant. .
J. A. Lindsay
Oapt. Dan Matthews.
J. L. Aberncthy
A. L. Cissell
.1. W. Parish
L. .V. Morris
•lames Rutherford . ,
W. K. Harrison
D. C. Montgomery. . .
W. D. Jones
T. D. Culberhouse . .
Dr. Elliott Hickman
K. M. Wayland
.lames K. Jernigan..
. between
H7-i>8
133-l'i;i
14(;-147
170-171
I'.l4-ia5
31K-319
242-343
•2tit^3U7
3!tO-3tll
314-31.T
3;i8-339
3(;3-3(>3
3'.Mi-;W7
43(1-431
444-145
4ti,s-4t);t
4(l3-4!t3
.5II>-517
.540-541
John K. (iihsou
H. M. McVeigh
James T. Henderson..
B. A. Bugg.
T. L. Musgrave ....
William T. lluddleston
J. W. Rhodes
F. G. McOavock
B. F. Jone.s
W. J. Erwlu.
E.J. McGavock
J. H. MeGavovk .
1). L. Ferguson
V. Y. Cook
R. W. Friend
J. F. Davis
Lieut. E. M. Ayres
J. W. I'zzell
Elliot H. Fletcher
W. A. Townsend
.between .iii4-.)0..
.5HK-r)Sfl
tlia-613
63(>-«37
(J(KMi6I
l»m5S.5
70»rO!l
T.V2-'iXi
7.54J-757
780-781
804-805
838-829
.K53-853
870-877
!HX)-901
m.^-'.lUi
!l30-il31
!<4.V1M«
WiO-mil
iC.VW'O
>^.
^Pv
A
ISTORY o OF
ANSflS.e^
• >♦<»
iiitf 11 1.
Geology-Impoutance of Geologic Study— Area and Climate— Boundakies-Piuncipal Streams
OF THE State— The Mountain Systems— The Great Springs- Diversity of Soils-
Caves— The Mines, theiu WoNDf:RrrL Deposits and Formations.
Such Iik'ssings Nature pours,
O'erstocked mankiml enjoys bin half her stores.-
-Young.
HE matter of first iinpor-
tancG for every civilized peo
pie to know is tbo economic
geology of the country they
inhabit. The rocks and the
climate are the solution in
the end of all problems of
life, as they are the prime sources
from which all that human beings
can possess comes. The measure of
each and every civilization that has
adorned the world is in exact de-
gree with the people's knowledge
^r^ )iC?l^oi the natural laws and the envi-
t- S/^\ii ronments about them.
jj^ /^v^tfiTj, The foundation of civilization
^ ^ rests upon the agriculturists, and
nothing can be of more importance to this class
than some knowledge of what materials plants are
composed, and the .source from whence they de-
rive existence; the food upon which plants live
and grow; how they are nourished or destroyed;
what plant food is ajipropriated by vegetation
itself, without man's aid or intorveutiun, through
the natural operations in constant action. The
schools will some day teach the children these use-
ful and fiiiulainental lessons, and then, beyond all
peradventure, they will answer very completely
the lately propounded question: " Are the public
schools a failure?" Tiie knowledge of the ele-
mentary principles of the geology of this country
is now the demand of the age, made upyon all na-
tions, in all clinies.
The character of vegetation, as well as the
qualities of the waters and their action upon vege-
table and animal life, is primarily determined
by the subjacent rocks on which the soil rests.
Earth and air are but the combinations of The
original gases, forming the solids, liquids and the
atmosphere surrounding the globe. The soil is
but the decomposed rocks — their ashes, in other
words, and hence is seen the imperative necessity of
the agriculturist understanding something of the
rocks which lie beneath the laud he would success-
fully cultivate. He who is educated in the simple
fundamental principles of geology — a thing ea-sier
to learn than is the difference in the oaks and pines
of the forest — to him there is a clear comprehension
of the life-giving qujilities stored in the surface
rocks, as well as a knowledge of the minerals to be
-*fv*"
10
HISTOKY OF ARKANSA.S.
found in their compauj'. A youth so educated
possesses incomparable advantages over his school
companion in the start of life, ^ho has coneeui rated
his energies on the classics or on metaphysical sub-
jects, whether they enter the struggle for life as
farmers, stock raisers, miners or craftsmen. It
is as much easier to learn to analyze a rock, min-
eral or soil, than to learn a Greek verb, as the one
is more valuable to know than the other. All true
knowledge is the acquirement of that which may
aid in the race of life, an education that is so prac-
tical that it is always helpful and useful.
The geology of Arkansas therefore, so far as
given in this chapter, is in fact but the outline of
the physical geography of one of the aiost interest-
ing localities of the continent, and is written
wholly for the lay reader, and attempted in a
manner that will reach his understanding.
Within the boundary lines of the State are 53,-
045 square miles, or 33,948,800 acres. It haa
3,868,800 more acres of land than the State of
New York, and multiplies many times the com-
bined natural resources of all the New England
States. It has 2,750 miles of navigable rivers.
It had a population in 1880, as shown by the
census, of 802.525. Of these there were 10,350
foreigners and 210,606 colored. In 1820 the Ter
ritory had a population of 14,255; in 1830, of 30,-
338; in 1840, of 97.554; in 1850. of 209,897; in
1860, of 435,450; in 1870, of 481,471. (This
was the Civil War decade.) In 1885 the popula-
tion had advanced about 200,000 over the year
1880, or was near 1,000.000. In 1887 it reached
the figures of 1,260,000, or an increase of more
than a quarter of a million in two years, and there
is reason to believe this increa.sed ratio will pass
beyond the two million mark in the next census.
At least, an increase of one hundred per cent in
the ten years is indicated. Keeping in miud that
there are no great populous cities in the State, it
will be known that this has been that healthy in-
crease of population which gives glowing promises
for the future of the State. Here the agricultural
districts, and the towns and cities, have kept even
pace, while in some of the leading States of the
Mississippi Valley the gi-eat cities have grown
while the rural population has markedly decreased.
These are serious problems to reflective minds in
those States where the cities are overgrowing and
the country is declining. Happily, Arkansas is
troubled with no such indications of the disturbed
natural distribution of its people. The State,
since it emerged from the dark and evil days of
civil war and reconstruction, has not only not been
advertised in regard to its natural resources, but
has been persistently slandered. The outside world,
more than a generation ago, were plaiTsibly led
to believe the energy of its citizens was justly
typified in the old senseless ballad, "TheArkan-
saw Traveler," and the culture and refinement of
its best people are supposed to be told in the
witty account of Judge Halliburton's " Fir.st Piano
in Arkansas." The ruined hopes, the bankrupted
fortunes and the broken hearts that are the most
recent history of the Western deserts, form some of
the measure the poor people are jiaying for the de
ceptions in this regard that have been practiced
upon them. These silly but amusing things have
had their effect, bat they were pleasant and harm-
less, compared to tli ■ latest phase of pretexts for
persistent publications of the cruelest falsehoods
ever heaped upon the heads of innocent men. But,
in the end, even this will do good; it is to be seen
now among the people. It will put the people of
the State upon their mettle, resulting, if that is
not already the fact, in giving it the most orderly,
law abiding, peaceful and moral people of any
equal district of the Union.
The State is in the central southern portion of
the great Mis.sissippi Valley, and in climate, soil,
rocks, minerals and water may well bo designated
as the capital of this " garden and granary of the
world," with resources beneath the surface that
are not, taken all together, surpassed on the globe.
Its eastern line is the channel of the Mississippi
River "beginning at the parallel 36" of north lati-
tude, thence west with said parallel to the middle
of the main channel of the St. Francois (Francis)
River; thence up the main channel of said last men-
tioned river to the parallel of 36° 30' of north lati
tude; thence west with the last mentioned parallel,
or along the southern line of the State of Missouri,
^
^ 9
>_
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
11
to the southwest corner of said State; thence to be
bounded on the \v((st to the north bank of Red
River, as designated by act of Congress and treat-
ies, existing January 1, 1837, defining the western
limits of the Territory of Arkansaw, and to be
bounded west across and south of Red River by
the boundary line of the State of Texas as far as
the northwest corner of the State of Louisiana;
thence easterly with the northern boundary line of
said last named State to the middle of the main
channel of the Mississi])|n River; thence up the
middle of the main chHUU(>l of said last mentioned
river, including an island in said river Imown as
Belle Point Island, and all other land as originally
surveyed and included as a part of the Territory, or
State of Arkansas, to the 36° of north latitude, to
the place of beginning."*
The State includes between its north and south
boundary lines the country lying between parallel
of latitude 33° north, and parallel of latitude 36°
30 ' north, and between its east to west lines the
country between longitude 90° and a little west of
longitude 94° 30'. Its geographical position on
the continent assures the best conditions of tem-
perature, salubrity and rainfall, this being shown
by the absence of the intense heat and the cold
storms of the higher latitudes and the drouths of
the west.
From the meteorological reports it is learned
that the average rainfall in the State during June,
July and August is sixteen inches, except a narrow
l)elt in the center of the State, where it is eighteen
*Tlie above dpscriptivo boundary lines are in the au-
thoritative language of lUe 8tate Constitutional Conven-
tion. To understand the south and west lines necessitates
a referencelo tlie treatiesand acts of Congress. The fol-
lowing would simplify the descriptive part of the west
and south lines: Beginning at the southwest corner of
jNIissouri, or in the center of Section 19, Township 31.
Range 34 west of the fifth principal meridiiin line, thence
in a straight line south, bearing a little east to strike the
cast line of Section 4. Township 8 nmlli, liange 32 west;
thence in a straight line south, bearing a little west to
where the line strikes Red River in Section 14, Townshi))
13 south, Range 33 west; thence along said river to the
southwest corner of Section 7, Township 14 south. Range
28 west; thence south lotlie northwest corner of thcnortli-
east quarter of Section 18, Township 20 south. Range 28
west; thence east along the 33-' of latitude to the middle
of the channel of the Jlississippi River; thence up said
river to the place of beginning. The State lines run
with the lines of latitude and I he meridional lines, and
not with the government suivcy lines.
inches, and a strip on the western portion of the
State, where it is from eight to fourteen inches.
Accurate observations covering fifteen years give
an average of seventy-five rainy days in the year.
Of twenty-three States where are reported 134
destructive tornadoes, four were in Arkansas.
The annual mean temperature of Los Angeles,
Gal., is about 1° less than that of Little Rock.
The watershed of the State runs from the
north of west to the southeast, from the divide of
the Ozark Mountain range, except a few streams
on the east side of the State, which flow nearly
parallel with the Mississippi River, which runs a
little west of south along the line of the State.
North of the Ozark divide the streams betir to a
northerly direction.
Of the navigable rivers within its Ijorders the
Arkan.sas is navigable 505 miles; Bartholomew
Bayou, 68 miles; Black River, 147 miles; Current
River, 63 miles; Fourche La Favre River, 73
miles; Little Missouri River, 74 miles; Little Red
River, 48 miles; Little River, 98 miles; Missis-
sippi River, 424 miles: Ouachita River, 134 miles;
Petit Jean River, 105 miles; Red River, 92 miles;
Saline River, 125 miles; St. Francis River, 180
miles; White River. 619 miles.
These streams flow into the Mississippi River
and give the State an unusual navigable river
frontage, and they run so nearly in parallel lines
to each other and are distributed so e(juiilly as to
give, especially the eastern half and the southwest
part of the State, the best and cheapest transjjorta-
tion facilities of any State in the Union. These
free rivers will in all times control the extortions of
transportation lines that are so oppressive to the
people of less favored localities.
The Arkansas River passes diagonally across
the center of the State, entering at Fort Smith, and
emptying into the Mississippi at Napoleon.
South of this the main stream is the Ouachita
River and its tributaries; the Saline River, which
divides nearly eqtially the territory between the
Arkansas and Ouachita Rivers; and the Little Mis-
souri on the southwest, which divides the territory
between the Ouachita and Red Rivers. North of
the Arkansas, and about equally dividing the ter
"~®
to
12
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
ritory between tbe Mississippi and the Arkansas
Rivers, is White River, running nearly southeast.
Its main tributary on the west is Little Red River,
and on the northeast Black River, which enters the
State from Missouri, and flows southwesterly and
empties into the White at Jacksonport, Jackson
County. Another important tributary is Cache
River, which flows a little west of south from Clay
County, emptying into the White near Clarendon.
Eel River is in the northeast comer of the
State and partially drains Craighead County.
Eleven Points, Currant, Spring and Strawberry
Rivers are important tributaries of Black River. St.
Francis River flows from Missouri, and from 36°
30' north latitude to 30° north latitude it forms
the boundary line between Missouri and Arkansas,
and continuing thence south empties into the Mis-
sissippi a few miles above Helena.
Main Fork of White River rises in Madison
County and flows northwest in and through ^\■ash-
ingtou County iuto Benton County; thence north-
east into Missouri, returning again to Arkansas in
Boone County. Big North Fork of White River
rises in the south central part of Missouri, flows
southward, and forms its junction in Baxter County,
Ark. La Grue River is a short distance south of
White River; it rises in Prairie County and joins
the White in Desha County. Middle Fork of
Saline River rises in Garland County and flows
southeast. Rolling Fork of Little River rises in
Polk and passes south through Sevier County.
Cassatot River also rises in Polk and passes south
through Sevier County. Clear Fork of Little
Missouri rises in Polk County and passes south-
east. East Fork of Poteau River rises in Scott
County and runs nearly due west into the Indian
Territory. L'Augnille River rises in' Poinsett
County and flows through Cross, St. Francis and
Lee Counties, and empties into the St. Francis
within a few miles of the mouth of the latter. Big
Wattensaw River rises in Lonoke County and runs
east into Prairie County, and empties into White
River. Muddy Fork of Little Missouri River rises
in Howard County and runs southeast. Yache
Grass River runs north through Sebastian County
and empties into the Arkansas River east of Fort
Smith. Terre Noir River runs from northwest to
the southeast in Clark County and empties into
Ouachita River. Sulphur Fork of Red River en-
ters the State fi-om Texas, about the center of the
west line of Miller County, and running a little
south of east empties into Red River. Sabine River
flows south through the central southern portions of
the State, and empties into the Ouachita River near
the south line of the State.
There are numerous creeks forming tributa-
ries to the streams mentioned, equally distributed
over the State, which are fully described in the re-
spective counties. Besides these water-courses
mention should properly be made of the nineteen
bayous within the State's borders.
The Ozark Mountains pass through the north-
ern portion of Arkansas, from west to east, and
form the great divide in the watersheds of the
State. Rich Mountains are in tbe central western
part, and run east from its west line, forming the
dividing line between Scott and Polk Counties,
and also between Scott and Montgomery Counties,
and run into Yell County.
South and east of the Rich Mountains are the
Silver Leaf Mountains, also running east and west
fi'om Polk County, through Montgomery to Gar-
land County. These are the mountain formations
seen about Hot Springs. Sugar Loaf Mountain
is in Cleljurne County, and receives its name from
its peculiar shape. It is in the northern central
part of the State. Another mountain of the same
name, containing the highest point in the State, is
in Sebastian County, and extends into the Indian
Territory. Boston Mountains are in the northwest-
ern part of the State, running east and west in
Washington, Crawford and other counties. These
include the main mountainous formations. There
are many points in these ranges that have local
names.
It would require volumes to give a complete
account of the variety of the innumerable springs
which I^urst forth with their delicious waters —
warm, hot and cold, salt, mineral and medicated.
The fame of some of the medical, and the Hot
Springs of Arkansas, are known throughout the
civilized world, and pilgrims from all nations come
-^
J,
HISTORY OF AliKANSAS.
13
to be washed aiul healed iu them. They were
known to and celebrated by the prehistoric peoples
of America; and the migrating buffaloes, ages and
ages ago, came annually from the land of the Da-
kotas to the spring waters of Arkansas. The in-
stincts of the wild beasts antedate the knowledge
of man of the virtues and values of the delicious
waters so bountifully given to the State-. Nearly
all over its territory is one wonder after another,
tilling every known range of springs and spring
waters, which, both in abundance of flow and in
medicinal properties, mock the world's previous
comprehension of the possibilities of nature in this
respect.
af,rU 1-T- l\
'ft,()^m:C-
When De Soto, in June, \'i\:'l, discovered the
Mississippi River and crossed into (now) Arkansas,
and had traveled north into the territory of Mis-
souri, he heard of the "hot lakes" and turned
about and arrived in time where is now Hot Springs.
Even then, to the aborigines, this was the best-
known spot on the continent, and was, and had
been for centuries, their great sanitarium. The
tribes of the Mississippi Valley had long been in
the habit of sending here their invalids, anci even
long after they were in the possession of the whites
it was a common sight to see the camp of repre-
sentatives of many different tribes. The whites
made no improvement in the locality until 1807.
Now there is a flourishing city of 10,000 inhab-
itants, and an annual arrival of visitors of many
thousands. The waters, climate, mountain air and
grand scenery combine to make this the great
world's resort for health and pleasure seekers, and
at all seasons of the year. The seasons round, with
rarest exceptions, are the Mav and October months
of the North.
In the confined spot in the valley called Hot
Springs there are now known seventy -one springs.
In 1800 the State geologist, D. D. Owen, only
knew of forty. Others will no doubt be added to
the list. These range in temperature from 93°
to 150° Fahrenheit. They discharge over 500,000
gallons of water daily. The waters are clear, taste-
less and inodorous; they come from the sides of the
ridge pure and sparkling as the ])ellucid Neva; holjl-
ing in solution, as they rush up hot and bubbling
from nature's most wonderful alembic, every valua-
ble mineral constituent. In the cure, especially of
nearly all manner of blood and chronic diseases,
they are unerjualed, and their wonders have be-
come mainly known to all the world by the liv-
ing and breathing advertisements of those who
have proven in their own persons their wonderful
curative powers. To reach Hot Springs and be
healed, is the hope and aspiration of the invalid,
when all other remedies have failed. And it is
but just now that the pleasure seeker, the tourist,
the scientist, and the intelligence and culture of
the world are beginning to understand that this
is one of the world's most inviting places to see
and enjoy.
But the marvels of the district are not confined
to the immediate locality of Hot Springs. Here
is indeed a wide district, with a quantity and variety
of medical springs that are simply inapproachable
on the globe. Going west from Hot Springs are sys-
tems of springs running into Montgomery County
a distance of forty miles. As continued discov-
eries of other springs in Hot Springs are being
made, and as these widely distributed outlying
springs are comparatively of recent disclosure, it
may be assumed that for many years to come new
and valuable springs will become celebrated.
In Carroll County, in the northwest part of
the State, are Eureka Springs, only second to Hot
Springs in the wide celebrity of fame as healing
waters. They, too, may well be considered one of
the world's wonders. There are forty-two of these
springs within the corporate limits of the city that
has grown up about thorn. They received no pub-
lic notice until 1879, when with a bound they
became advertised to the world. Their wonderful
cures, especially in cases of rheumatism, cancer,
dyspepsia and other, if not nearly all, chronic
diseases, have bordered on the marvelous, if not
the miraculous.
In White County are the noted White Sulphur
Springs, at Searcy, and the sulphur and chalyb
eate springs, known as the Armstrong and the
Griffin Springs, and the medical springs — Blan-
chard Springs — in Union County; the Ravenden
Springs, in Randolph County, and the Sugar Loaf
•* 4—
14
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
Springs, in Cleburne County; the very recently dis-
covered Lithia Springes, near Hope, in Hempstead
County, pronounced by a leading medical journal,
in its January issue, 1889, to be the most remark-
able discovery of this class of medical waters of
this century. These are some of the leading springs
of the State which possess unusual medicinal
properties. By a glance at the map it will be seen
they are distributed nearly equally all over its ter-
ritory. Simply to catalogue them and give accom-
panying analyses of the waters would make a pon-
derous volume of itself. In the aliove list have
been omitted mention of the fine Bethseda Springs
in Polk County, or the fine iron and chalybeate
springs near Magnolia; Bussoy's Springs, near
Eldorado, Union County; Butler's Saline Chalyb-
eate Springs, in Columbia County; the double
mineral spring of J. I. Holdernist, in Calhoun
County; a large number of saline chalyljeatc
springs in Township 10 south. Range 23 west, in
Hempstead County, called Hubbard's Springs; or
Crawford's Sulphur Springs; or those others in
Section 16, Township 12 south, Range 10 west; or
Murphy's or Leag's Mineral Springs, all in Brad-
ley County; or Gen. Royston's noted chalybeate
springs in Pike County, and still many others that
are known to possess mineral qualities, though no
complete examination of them has yet been made.
Si)(>cial mention should not be omitted of the
Mountain Valley Springs, twelve miles northwest
of Hot Springs. The fame of these springs has
demanded the shipment of water, lately, to distant
localities in vast and constantly increasing quan-
tities. The knowledge of them is but compara-
tively recent, and yet their wonderful healing
qualities are already widely known.
Innumerable, apparently, as are the health
springs of Arkansas, they are far surpassed by
the common springs found nearly all over the
State.
Mammotli Spring is in J^ilton County, and is
unrivaled in the country. The water boils up
from an opening 120 feet in circumference, and
Hows uninterruptedly at the rate of 9.001) barrels a
minute. From the compression of so large an
amount of carbonic acid held in solution, the whole
surface of this water basin is in a continual state of
effervescence. Spring River, a bold stream, is
produced by this spring, and gives an unlimited
amount of water power.
The general division of the surface of the State
is uplands and lowlands. It is a timber State,
with a large number of small prairies. East and
near Little Rock is Lonoke Prairie, and other
small prairies are in the southwest part. In its
northeast portion are some large strips of prairie,
and there are many other small spots bare of tim-
ber growths, but these altogether compose only a
small portion of the State's surface.
The variety and excellence of soils are not sur-
passed by any State in the Union. The dark
alluvial prevails in nearly all the lowlands, while
on many sections of the uplands are the umber red
soils of the noted tobacco lands of Cuba. About
two-thirds of the State's surface shows yellow pine
growth, the great tall trees standing side by side
with the hardwoods, walnut, maple, grapevines,
sumac, etc. A careful analysis of the soils and
subsoils of every county in the State by the
eminent geologist, Prof. D. D. Owen, shows this
result: The best soils of Iowa, Wisconsin and
Minnesota are inferior to the best soils of Arkan-
sas in fertilizing properties. The following re-
ports of State geologists tell the story:
Ark.
Minn.
Iowa.
Wis,
Organic ami Volatile Matter. .
Alumnia
Carbonate Lime
14,150 6,334
8.7151 5.585
21.865 fiflO
6,028
3.288
940
6.580
4,610
665
In fertilizing qualities the only comparative
results to the Arkansas soils are found in the blue
limestone districts of Central Kentucky.
Analysis of the soils shows the derivative geo-
logical formation of soils, and their agricultural
values; their losses by cultivation, and what soils
lying convenient will repair the waste. Arkansas
County, the mother of counties in the State, lying
in the southeast, shows the tertiary formations.
Benton County, at the opposite northwest corner,
has the subcarboniferous. The tertiary is found
^ Kj
A
It.
HISTORY OF AKKAXSAS.
15
in Newtou County; Chirk, Hempstead and Sevier
show the cretaceous; Conway, Oawlord, Johnson,
Ouachita, Perry, Polk. Pope, Priiirie, Pulaski,
Scott, Van Bureu, White, Garland and Montgom-
ery, the novaculite, or whetstone grit; Greene,
Jackson, Poinsett and Union, the quaternary. In
addition to Benton, given above, are Independence,
Madison, Monroe, Searcy and Washington, subcar-
boniferous. The lower silurian is represented in
Fulton. Izard, Lawrence, Marion and Randolph.
These give the horizons of the rock formations of
the State. The State has 28, 000, 000 acres of
woodland — eighty-one and one-half per cent of her
soil. Of this twenty-eight per cent is in cleared
farms.
If there be drawn a line on the map, beginning
a few miles west of longitude 91°, in the direction
of Little Koek, thence to the north boundary line
of Clark County, just west of the Iron Mountain
Railroad, then nearly due west to the west line of
the State, the portion north of this line will be the
uplands, and south the lowlands. The uplands
correspond with the Paleozoic, and lowlands with
the Neozoic.
The granitic axis outbursts in Pulaski, Saiine,
Hot Springs, Montgomery, Pike and Sevier Coun-
ties, and runs from the northeast to the southwest
through the State. In Northern Arkansas the dis-
turbance shows itself in small faults, gentle folds
and slightly indurated shales; but nearer the gran-
ite axis, greater faults, strata with high dip and
talcose slate, intersected with quartz and calcite
veins, become common. These disturbances are
intimately connected with, and determine to some
extent, the character of the mineral deposits of
the State. The veins along the granite axis were
filled probably with hot alkaline waters depositing
the metalliferous compounds they contained.
Almost every variety of land known to the
agriculturist can be found, and, for fertility, the
soils of the State arc justly celebrated. Comj)Osed
as they are of uplands and lowlands, and a variety
of climate, Ihey give a wide range of products.
In the south and central portions are produced the
finest cotton in the markets, while the uplands
yield fruits in abundance and variety. No place |
in the great valley excels it in variety of garden
vegetables, small and orchard fruits, grasses,
grains, and other field crops. Among agriculturists
in Arkansas, truly cotton has been king. It is
grown upon lands that would produce a hundred
bushels of corn to the acre. All over the State a
bale of cotton to the acre is the average — worth at
this time $50. Per acre it is about the same labor
to raise as corn. In the varied and deep rich
soils of the State are produced the vegetation -
fruits, vegetables and plants — of the semi-tropic re
gions, and also the whole range of the staple prod-
ucts of the north. Cereals, fruits and cotton
grow as well here as anywhere. In the uplands
will some day be raised grapes and tobacco that
will be world famous.
That j)ortioii of the hilly lands in Clay, Greene.
Craighead, Poinsett, St. Francis, Lee and Phillips
Counties, known as Crowley's ridge, has a soil and
vegetable growth distinctive from any other por-
tion of the State. Its principal forest growth is
yellow poplar, which is found in immense size.
With this timb(>r are the oak, gum, hickory, wal-
nut, sugar and maple. The soil is generally of a
light yellowish or gray color, often gravelly, very
friable and easily cultivated, producing abundant
crops of cotton, corn, oats, clover, timothy and rett
top, and is most excellent for fruits.
The prevailing soil is alluvial, with more or
less diluvial soils. The alluvial soils, especially
along the streams, are from three to thirty feet
deep, and these rich bottoms are often miles in
width. There are no stronger or more producUve
lands than these anywhere, and centuries of cul-
tivation create no necessity for fertilizers.
The swamp lands or slashes as a general thing
lie stretched along between the alluvial lauds and
second bottoms. They are usually covered with
water during the winter and spring, and are too
wet for cultivation, though dry in the summer and
fall. They can be easily reclaimed by draining.
The second bottoms are jjrincipally on the east-
ern side of the State, extending from the slashes to
the hills. The soil is mostly gray color, sometimes
yellowish, re.sting u]>on a subsoil of yellowish or
mulatto clay. The rich, black lauds prevail largely
r'^
."^^^—^
ll£
lu
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
ill Hempstead, Little River. Sevier, Nevada, Clark,
Searcy, Stone, Izard and Independence Counties.
In the mountainous range of the Ozarks, in
Independence County, are remarkable cave forma-
tions. They are mostly nitre caves and from these
and others in the southeast and west of Batesville,
the Confederacy obtained much of this necessity.
Near Cushman, Independence County, are the won-
derful caves. The extent and marvelous beauty of
formations are in the great arched room, the
"King's Palace." This cave has been explored
for miles under the earth, and many wonders and
beauties are seen on every hand. On the side of
the mouth of one of the caves in this vicinity a
strong spring leaps fi'om the mountain's side and
into the cave, and the rumbling of the rushing
waters beneath the earth can be heard quite a dis-
tance. The notable saltpetre caves are in Marion.
Newton, Carroll, Independence, Washington and
Benton Counties.
There are gold mines in Arkansas, yet no re-
markable tinds that is, no marvelous wonders have
as yet been uncovered. The universal diffusion
of milky quartz in veins, seams and beds, as well
as all the other geological tokens which lead on to
fortune, are recent discoveries, and the intelligent
gold hunters are here in abundance. Who can
tell what the future may have in store? But
should no rich paying gold fields ever be found,
still in the resources of the State are ores of silver,
antimony, zinc, iron, lead, copper, manganese,
marble, granite, whet and honestone, rock-crystal,
paints, nitre earths, kaolin, marls, freestone,
limestone, buhr and grindstone and slate, which
may well justify the bold assertion of that eminent
geologist. Prof. D. D. Owen, in 1860, after care-
fully looking over the State, ' ' that Arkansas is
destined to rank as one of the richest mineral
States in the Union." Its zinc ores compare
favorably with those of Silesia, and its argentif-
erous galena far exceeds in percentage of silver the
average of such ores of other countries. Its
novaculite (whetstone) rock can not be excelled in
fineness of texture, beauty of color, and sharpness
of grit. Its crystal mountains for extent, and
their products for beauty, brilliancy and transpar-
ency, have no rivals in the world. Its mineral
waters are in variety and values equalled only by
its mineral products.
Anticipating the natural questions as to why
the mines of Arkansas are not better developed, it
will be sufficient to condense to the utmost Prof.
Owen's words in reference to the Bellah mine in
Sevier County: "It is the same vein that is found
in Pulaski County, and runs northeast and south-
west nearly through the State. Some years ago
the Bellah mine was explored and six shafts were
sunk. Three of the principal shafts were about
thirty feet deep. The work was done under the
supervision of Richard ^^'. Bellah, afterward of
Texas. There was a continuous vein, increasing
in thickness as far as he went. On the line other
shafts were sunk from six to twelve feet deep, all
showing the ore to be continuous. About five tons
of ore were taken out. A portion of this was
sent to Liverpool, England, to be tested, and the
statement in return was ' seventy -three per cent
lead, and 148 ounces of silver to the ton.' " Mr.
Bellah wrote to Prof. Owen: "I am not willing
to lease the mines: but I will sell for a reasonalile
price, provided my brother and sister will sell at
the same. I have put the price upon the mines,
and value it altogether [4r)0 acres of land] at
$10,000." Such was the condition of affairs at
this mine when the war came. Substantially, this
is the ante-bellum history of the Arkansas mining
interests. Prof. Owen reports picking up from
the debris of these deserted shafts ore that anal-
yzed seventy-threo per cent lead and fifty-two and
ono-lialf ounces of silver to the ton of lead.
That these rich fields should lie fallow-ground
through the generations can now be accounted for
only from the blight of slavery upon the enter-
prise and industry of people, the evils of a great
civil war, and the natural adaptation of the soil and
slavery to the raising of cotton.
On the line of this vein, in Saline County,
from very superficial explorations, were discovered
veins bearing argentiferous lead and copper.
Lead is found in about every county in North-
ern Arkansas. These are a continuation of the
Missouri lead ores. The richest argentiferous lead
3>>.
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
17
ores reported are in Pulaski, Saline, Montgomery,
Polk, Pike, Ashley and Sevier Counties, being
found in the quartz and calcite gangues. It is as-
sociated in the north of tho State with zinc, cop-
per, and with antimony in Sevier County.
One of the latest discoveries is the value of the
antimony mines of Polk and Sevier Counties. A
mine is being worked successfully for antimony,
and the increase of silver is improving as the
shaft goes down. At any hour in the progress of
the work, according to the opinions of the best
scientific mining experts, this shaft may reach one
of the noted silver deposits of the world. In the
Jeff Chirk antimony mine, at a distance of 100
feet down, was found a rich pocket of silver. In
every particular, so far, this mine is a transcript of
that of the noted Comstock mine. The Comstock
mine showed silver on the surface; so did the Sev-
ier County mine; then it passed down 100 feet,
following a vein of antimony; so has the Sevier
mine; then in each has silver been found.
There is an unchanging law which governs the
rock and mineral formations. Nature never lies,
and there is no doubt that the Arkansas mineral
belt, through Montgomery, Polk, Howard and Sev-
ier Counties, will prove to be one of the richest
mining districts of the world.
The antimony mine has been quite successfully
worked the past two years. The Bob Wolf mine,
Antimony Bluff mine, and Stewart Lode are being
profitably worked. Capital and the facilities for
reducing ores by their absence are now the only
drawback to the mineral products of the State.
Iron is found native in the State only in meteor-
ites. The magnatite ore is found plentiful in Mag-
net Cove. Lodestones from this place are shipjied
abroad, and have a high reputation. This is one
of the best iron ores, and the scarcity of fuel and
transportation in the vicinity are the causes of its
not being worked. The limonite iron ore is the
common ore of all Northern Arkansas; immense
deposits are found in Lawrence, where several
furnaces are operated. In the southern part of the
State is the bog iron ore. The brown hematite is
found in Lawrence, Randolph. Fulton and other
counties. Workable veins of manganese are found
in Independence County. This valuable ore is im-
ported now from Spain; it is used in making Spie-
gel iron.
Bituminous and semi- anthracite coal is found
in the true coal measures of the uplands of Ar-
kansas. That of the northwest is free from sul-
phur. The semi -anthracite is found in the valley
of the Ai-kansas River. These coal fields cover
10,000 acres. There are four defined coal hori-
zons— the subconglomerate, lower, middle and up-
per. The coal fields of this State belong to the
lowest — the subcarboniferous — in the shale or
millstone grit less than 100 feet above the Archi
medes limestone. In the Arkansas Valley these
veins aggregate over six feet. The veins lie high
in the Boston Mountains, dipping south into the
Arkansas Valley. Shaft mining is done at Coal
Hill, Spadra and many other points. It is shipped
down the river in quantities to New Orleans.
Aluminum, corundum, sapphire, oriental ruby,
topaz and amethysts are found in Howard and
Sevier Counties. Strontianite is found in Mag-
net Cove — valuable in the purification of sugar.
In the synclinal folds of Upjjer Arkansas common
salt is easily obtained. Good salt springs are in
Sevier County, also in Dallas and Hot Springs
Counties. Chalcedony, of all colors, cornelian,
agates, novaculite. honestone, buhrstone, varieties
of granite, eight kinds of elegant marble, sand
stones, white, gray, red, brown and yellow, are
common in the grit horizon; flagstones, roofing
and pencil slates, talc, kaolin, abound in Saline.
Washington, St. Francis and Greene Counties. The
potter's clay of Miller, Saline and Washington is
extensively worked. "Rock oil" has been dis-
covered in large pockets in Northwest Arkansas.
In the development of its mineral resources the
State is still in its infancy, so much so, indeed,
that what will prove yet to be the great sources of
wealth are not even now produced as a commer-
cial commodity. In some respects this is most re-
markable. For instance, Arkansas might supply
the world, if necessity required, with lime and
cement, can produce the best of each at the least
cost, and yet practically all these consumed are
imported here from other States. Years ago Prof.
18
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
D. D. Owen called attention to the valuable marls
in the southwest part of the State, but the great
beds lie untouched and cotton planters send off for
other fertilizers. So also of the great beds of
gypsum that lie uncovered and imtoucbed. The
outside world wants unlimited supplies of kaolin,
fire-clays and such other clays as the State pos-
sesses in ine.stimable quantities, and yet the thrifty
people seem to be oblivious of the fact that here is
the way to easy sources of wealth.
People can live here too easily it seems. In
this way only can a reason be found for not strik-
ing boldly out in new fields of venture, with that
vigor of desperation which comes of stern and
hard necessity. Where nature is stubborn and uu
yielding, man puts forth his supremest efforts.
Magnet Cove probaljly furnishes more remark-
able formations than any other district in the world.
The "Sunk Lands" in the northeast part of the
State, the result of the disturbance of the New
Madrid earthquake 1811-12, present features of
interest to both lay and scientific investigators.
The curious spectacle of deep lakes, beneath which
can be seen standing in their natural position the
great forest trees, is presented: and instead of the
land animals roving and feeding among them are
the inhabitants of the deep waters.
The natural abutments of novaculite rocks at
Rockport, on the Ouachita River, with the proper
outlying rocks on the opposite side of the river, are
a very interesting formation.
Cortes Mountain, Sebastian County, as seen
from Hodges Prairie presents a grand view. The
bare hard rock looks as though the waves in their
mighty swells had been congealed and fixed into
a mountain. It is 1,500 feet high. Standing Rock,
Board Camp Creek, Polk County, is a conspicious
and interesting landmark. It rises from out the
crumbling shales, like an artificial piece of masonry,
to the height of ninety feet.
The Dardanello Rock as seen from the Arkan-
sas River, opposite Morristown, is composed of fer-
ruginous substance, and the great column dips at
an angle of 40° toward the river. From one point
on the southeast is the wonderful Dardanelle Profile.
All the features of the face, with a deep-cut mouth
slightly open as if in the act of listening to what
one is going to say to it, and the outlines of the
head, neck and shoulders, are faithfully produced.
Its faithfulness of detail and heroic proportions
are its strong characteristics.
Sandstone Dam across Lee Creek, Crawford
County, is a curious instance of nature's perfect
engineering. The formation here possesses as
much interest to the scientist as the noted Natural
Bridge.
Investigations of the Mammoth Spring lead to
the conclusion that it has underground connection
with Ha veil's Valley, Mo; that here the waters
from many springs, some rising to the surface and
others not rising, are as the head of a vast funnel,
which pour down the subterranean channel and,
finally meeting obstructions to further progress, are
forced up through the solid rock and form the
Mammoth Spring, a navigal)le subterranean river
in short, whose charts no bold seaman will ever
follow.
North of Big Rock are the traces of a burnt
out volcano, whose tires at one time would have
lighted up the streets of Little Rock even better
than the electric lights now gleaming from their
high towers.
The track of the awful cataclysm, once here
in its grand forces, is all that is left; the energies
of nature's greatest display of forces lost in the
geological eons intervening.
D X#
^1
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
19
;iliif 1-R 11.
• >■♦<«
Archaeology-Remains of Flint Aituow and Spear Heads and Stone and Otiikk Ornaments-
Evidences OF Pre-iiistoeic People Along the Mississippi— Mounds, etc., in Otiikk Poiitions
of The State— Local Archaeologists and their Work— The Indians-Ti;ii!ai,
AND Race Characteristics- The Arkansas Tribes— The Cession Treaties
—The Removal of the Cherokees, Creeks and Choctaws— An
Indian Alarm— Assassination ok the Leaders, etc., etc
Some lazy ages, lost in sleep and ease,
No actions leave to busy chronicles;
Such whose superior felicity but makes
In story chasms, in epochas mistakes. — Drydeti.
1^
^SJtW N the long gone agea,
te'l'^^f reaches of time perhaps
i^^W'i: ^"^'^ *° '°® measured by
^■^ii geological periods, races
of men have been here,
grown, flourished, declined
and passed away, raaiay not
even leaving a wrack behind; others
transmitting fossil traces, dim and
crumbling, and still later ones, the suc-
cessors of the earlier ones, who had no
traditions of their predecessors, have
left something of the measure of their
existence in the deftly cut flints, broken
pottery, adobe walls, or gi-eat earth-
works standing in the whilom silent
wilderness as mute and enduring mon-
iimentsto their existence; man, races, civilizations,
systems of religion passing on and on to that
eternal silence — stormfully from the inane to the
inane, the great world's epic that is being forever
written and that is never writ.
Arkansas is an inviting field for the iavestiga-
tion of the archreologist, as well as the geologist.
Races of unknown men in an unknown time have
swarmed over the fair face of the State. Their
restless activities drove them to nature's natural
storehouses and the fairest climes on the continent.
Where life is easiest maintained in its best form
do men instinctively congregate, and thus commu-
nities and nations are formed. The conditions of
climate and soil, rainfall and minerals are the
controlling factors in the busy movements of men.
These conditions given, man follows the great
streams, on whose bosom the rudest savages float
their canoes and pirogues.
Along the eastern part of the State are the most
distinct traces of prehistoric peoples, whose hiero
glyphics, in the form of earthworks, are the ii\pst
legible to the archseologist. Here, earthworks in
greatest extent and numbers are found, indicating
that this section once swarmed with these barbaric
races of men.
In Lonoke County, sixteen miles southeast of
Little Rock, and on the Little Rock & Altheimor
branch of the St. Louis, Arkansas & Texas Rail-
road, is a station called Toltec. It is located on
the farm of Mr. Gilbert Knapp, and is near
Mounds Lake. This lake is either the line of what
was a bor.se-shoe bend in Arkansas River long ago,
or is the trace of a dead river. The lake is in the
form of a horse-shoe, and covers a space of abont
^
20
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS
three miles. The horse- shoe points east of north,
and the heels to the southwest. Here is a great
field of larfj^o and interesting mounds and earth-
works. A little east of the north bend of the lake
are two great mounds — one square and the other
cone shaped. The cone shaped is the larger and
taller, and is supposed to have been 100 feet high.
while the other was about seventy-five feet in ele-
vation. About them to the north and east are
many small mounds, with no apparent fixed method
in their location. These have all been denuded of
their timber and are in cultivation, except the larger
one above mentioned. Upon this is a growth of
heavy timber, elms, hickory, and oaks with as high
as 500 rings, and standing on an alluvial soil from
eight to fifteen feet deep. Those large mounds
are enclosed with an earth wall starting out from
the bank of the lake, and circling at a considerable
distance and returning to the lake, and keeping
nearly an equal distance from the larger mound.
The sloping base of each mound reaches the base
and overlaps or mingles with the base of its neigh-
bor. Around this big wall was once an outside
ditch. The humus on the smaller mounds shows,
in cultivation, a stronger and deeper alluvial .soil
than the surrounding land.
There are evidences in these mounds that while
they were built by one nation, for objects now
problematical, they have been used by other suc-
ceeding peoples for other and different purposes,
much after the manner that are now found farm-
ers with well-kept gardens on the tops of the
mounds, or stately residences, or on others grow-
ing cotton and corn. In them human and ani-
mal bones are seen, and there are indications that,
while they were built for purposes of worship or
war, when the builders passed away more than
one race of their successors to the country used
them as convenient bui'ial grounds. They were
skillful stone workers and potters, and their mason's
tools are frequently met with. Nearly every im-
plement of the stone age is found in and about
the mounds.
M'-. Knapp, who has given the sul^ject consid-
erable intelligent study, is so convinced that these
works were made by the Toltec race that he has
named the new station in honor of that people.
On the line of this earth-wall mentioned are two
deep pools that never are known to become dry.
East of Toltec thirty or more miles, in Lonoke
Prairie, are mounds that apparently belong to
the chain or system which runs parallel with the
river, through the State. The small mounds or
barrows, as Jefferson termed the modern Indian
burial places, are numerous, and distributed all
over Arkansas.
Wbat is pronounced a fortified town is found
in well marked remains on St. Francis River. It
was discovered by Mr. Savage, of Louisville. He
reports "parts of walls, built of adobe Ijrick and
cemented." On these remains he detected trees
growing numbering 300 rings. He reports the
brick made of clay and chopped or twisted straw,
and with regular figures. A piece of first-class
engineering is said to be traced here in a sap-
mine, which had passed under the walls of the
fortification.
The bones and pottery and tools and arms of
the prehistoric peoples of Arkansas are much more
abundant than are found in any other spot in the
United States.
Mrs. Hobbs, living four miles southeast of
Little Rock, has a very complete collection of the
antiquities of the State. It is pronounced by
antiquarians as one of the most valuable in the
country. The Smithsonian Institute has offered
her every inducement to part with her collection,
but she has refused. It is hoped the State will
some day possess this treasure, and suitably and
permanently provide for its preservation.
When the white man discovered and took pos-
session of North America, he found tbe red man
and his many tribes here, and under a total mis-
apprehension of having found a new continent, he
named this strange people Indians. The new world
might have been called Columbia, and the people
Columbians. Again, instead of being sparse tribes
of indivitluals fringing the shores of the Atlantic
Ocean there were 478 tribes, occupying nearly the
whole of the north half of this western hemis-
phere; some in powerful tribes, like the Iroquois;
' some were rude agricultural and commercial peoples,
5 "fy
A
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
21
somo living in houses of logs or stone, permanent
residents of their localities; others warriors aiul
hunters only, and still others migratory in their
nature, pirates and parasites. One characteristic
strongly marked them all — a love of liberty and
absolute freedom far stronger than the instinct
of life itself. The Indian would not be a slave.
Proud and free, he regarded with contempt the
refinements of civilization. He breathed the same
free air as did the eagle of the crags, and would
starve before he would do manual work, or, as he
believed, degrade himself in doing aught but paint
himself, sing his war songs and go forth to battle,
or pursue the wild game or meet the savage wild
beasts in their paths and slay them in regular com-
bat. To hunt, fish and tight was the high mission
of great and good men to his untutored mind,
while the drudgery of life was relegated to the
squaws and squaw-men. His entire economic
philosophy was simply the attainment of his de-
sires with the least exertion. In a short time he
will have tilled his earthly mission, and passed
from the stage of action, leaving nothing but a
dim memory. From their many generations of
untold numbers has come no thought, no inven-
tion, no action that deserves to survive them a
day or an hour. The Indians of to day, the few
that are pure blood, are but the remnants, the use
less refuse of a once numerous people, who were the
undisputed possessors of a continent, but are now
miserable, ragged and starving beggars at the
back doors of their despoilers, stoically awaiting
the last final scene in the race tragedy. And, like
the cheerful sermon on the tombstone, who shall
say that white civilization, numbers and power, will
not in the course of time, and that not far distant,
be the successors of the residue of wretches now
representing the red race ? "I was once as you
are, you will soon be as I am." A grim philos-
ophy truly, but it is the truth of the past, and the
great world wheels about much now as it has for
ever.
What is now Arkansas has been the possession
of the following Indian tribes; no one tribe, it seems,
occupied or owned the territory in its entirety,
but their possessions extended into the lines, cov-
ering a portion of the lands only, and then reach-
ing many degrees, sometimes to the north, south
and west: The Osages, a once numerous tribe,
were said to own the country south of the Mis-
souri River to Red River, including a large por-
tion of Arkansas. The Quapaws, also a powerful
nation, were the chief possessors, and occupied
nearly the whole of the State, "'time out of mind;"
the Cherokees were forced out of CJeorgia and
South Carolina, and removed west of the Missis-
sippi River in 183ft: the Hitchittees were removed
from the Chattahouchee River to Arkansas. They
speak the Muskogee dialect — were 600 strong when
removed ; the Choctaws were removed to the west,
after the Cherokees. In 1S12 they were 15.000
strong.
The Quapaws, of all the tribes connected with
Arkansas, may be regarded as the oldest settlers,
having possessed more of its territory in well de-
fined limits than any of the others. In the early
part of the eighteenth century they constituted a
powerful tribe. In the year 1720 they were deci-
mated by smallpox: reduced by this and other
calamities, in 1S20, one hundred years after, they
were found scattered along the south side of the
Arkansas River, numbering only 700 souls. They
never regained their former numerical strength or
warlike importance, but remained but a liand of
wretched, ragged beggars, about whose hunting
grounds the white man was ever lessening and
tightening the lines.
January 5, 1819, Gov. Clark and Pierre Chou-
teau made a treaty with the tribe by which was
ceded to the United States the most of their terri-
tory. The descriptive part of the treaty is in the
following words: "Beginning at the mouth of the
Arkansas River; thence extending up the Arkansas
to the Canadian Fork, and up the Canadian Fork
to its source; thence south to the big Red River,
and down the middle of that river to the Big
Raft; thence in a direct line so as to strike the
Mississippi River, thirty leagues in a straight
line, below the mouth of the Arkansas, together
with all their claims to lands east of the Mississippi
River and north of the Arkansas River. With the
exception and reservation following, that is to say,
« ^
r
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
ik
that tract of country bounded as follows: Begin-
ning at a point on the Arkansas River opposite the
present Post of Arkansas, and running thence a
due southwest coiuse to the V^'ashita River; thence
n]i that river to the Saline Fork, to a point fi-om
whence a due north course would strike the Arkan-
sas River at the Little Rock, and theuce down the
right bank of the Arkansas to the place of begin-
ning.'' In addition to this a tract was reserved
north of the Arkansas River, which the treaty says
is indicated by ' ' marks on the accompanying
map." This west line of the Quapaw reservation
struck the river about where is now Rock Street.
In November, 1824, Robert Crittenden, the first
Territorial secretarj-, effected a treaty with the
Quapaws at Harrington's, Ark., which ceded the
aliove reservation and forever extinguished all title
of that tribe to any portion of Arkansas. The
tribe vsras then removed to what is now the Indian
Territory.
The other original uccujjauts or claimants to the
Arkansas Territory were the Osages. Of these
there were many tribes, and in 1830 numbered
I. (100 strong, but mostly along the Osage River.
Tlieir claim lapped over, it seems, all that portion
of the Quapaw lands lying north of the Arkansas
River.
The title of the Osages was extinguished to
what is now Arkansas by a treaty of November 10,
1808, made at Fort Clark, on the Mis.souri River.
By this treaty they ceded all the country east of a
line running due south from Fort Clark to the Ar
kansas River, and down said river to its confluence
with the Mississippi River. These Indians occu-
j)ied only the country along the Missouri and
Osage Rivers, and if they were ever on what they
claimed as their southern boundary, the Arkansas
River, it was merely on expeditions.
About 1818, Georgia and South Carolina com-
menced agitating the subject of getting rid of the
Indians, and removing them west. They wanted
their lands and did not want their presence. At
tirst they used persuasion and strategy, and finally
force. They were artful in representing to the In-
dians the glories of the .\rkansas country, both for
game and rich lands. During the twenty years of
agitating the subject Indians of the tribes of those
States came singly and in small bands to Arkansas,
and were encouraged to settle anywhere they might
desire north of the Arkansas River, on the Osage
ceded lands. The final act of removal of the In-
dians was consummated in 1839, when the last of
the Cherokees were brought west. Simultaneous
vrith the arrival of this last delegation of Indians
an alarm passed around among the settlers that the
Indians were preparing to make a foray on the
white settlements and murder them all. Many
people were greatly alarmed, and in some settle-
ments there were hasty preparations made to flee
to places of safety. In the meantime the poor,
distressed Cherokees and Choctaws were innocent
i of the stories in circulation about them, and were
i trying to adjust themselves to their new homes
and to repair their ruined fortunes. The Chero-
kees were the most highly civilized of all the tribes,
as they were the most intelligent, and had mingled
and intermarried with the whites until there were
few of piire blood left among them. They had
men of force and character, good schools and
printing presses, and published and edited papers,
as well as their own school books. These condi-
tions were largely true, also, of the Chickasaws.
The Cherokees and Chickasaws were removed west
under President Jackson's administration. The
Cherokees were brought by water to Little Rock,
and a straight road was cut out from Little Rock
to the corner of their reservation, fifteen miles
al)ove Batesville, in Independence County, over
which they were taken. Their southeast boundary
line was a straight line, at the point designated
above Batesville, to the mouth of Point Remove
Creek.
The nistory of the removal of the Cherokee
Indians (and much of the same is true of the re-
moval of the Chickasaws and Creeks), is not a jileas-
ant chapter in American history. The Creeks of
Florida had waged war, and when conquered Gen.
Scott removed them beyond the Mississippi River.
When the final consummation of the removal of the
Cherokees was effected, it was done liy virtue of a
treaty, said to have been the work of traitors, and
unauthorized by the proper Indian authorities. At
"*t^]«
9 ^
<<j (a_
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
28
all events the artful whites had divided the head-
men of the tribe, and procured their signatures to
a treaty which di-ove the last of the uation beyond
the Mississippi. The chief men in making this
treaty were the Ridges, Boudinot, Boll and Rogers.
This was the treaty of 183"). In June, 1839, the
Ridges. Boudinot and Bell were assassinated.
About forty Indians went to Ridge's house. Inde-
pendence County, and cruelly murdered younc
Ridge; they then pursued the elder Ridge and, over-
taking him at the foot of Boston Mountains, as he
was on his way to visit fi-iends in Van Buren, Ark.,
shot him to death. It seems there was an old law
of the nation back in Georgia, by which any one
forfeited his life who bartered any part of their
lands.
The Choctaws by treaty ceded to the United
States all their claim to lands lying within the
limits of Arkansas, October 20, 1820.
On the 6th of May. 1828, the Cherokees ceded
all claim to their lands that lay within the Territo-
rial limit of Ai'kansas.
This was about the end of Indian occupation
or claims within the State of Arkansas, but not
the end of important communication, and acts of
neighborly friendship, between the whites and the
Cherokees especially. A considerable number of
Indians, most of them having only a slight mix-
ture of Indian blood.remained in the State and be-
came useful and in some instances higlily influ-
ential citizens. Among them were prominent farm-
ers, merchants and professional men. And very
often now may be met some prominent citizen,
who, after even an extended acquaintance, is found
to be an Indian. Among that race of people
they recognize as full members of the tribe all
who have any trace of their blood in their veins,
whether it shows or not. In this respect it seems
that nearly all races differ from the white man.
With the latter the least mixture of blood of any
other color pronounces them at once to be not white.
The Cherokee Indians, especially, have always
held kindly intercourse with the people of Arkan-
sas. In the late Civil ■\^'ar they went with the
State in the secession movement without hesitation.
A brigade of Cherokees was raised and Gen. Albert
Pike was elected to the command. The eminent
Indians in the command were Gen. Stand W'aitie
and Col. E. C. Boudinot. Until 1803 the Indians
were unanimous in behalf of the Southern cause,
but in that year Chief Ross went over to the Fed-
eral side, and thus the old time divisions in the In
dian councils were revived.
Col. Elias C. Boudinot was boi-n in Georgia, in
August, 1835, the same year of the treaty remov-
ing the Indians from that State. Practically,
therefore, he is an Arkansan. He shows a strong
trace of Indian blood, though the features of the
white race predominate. He is a man of educa-
tion and careful culture, and when admitted to the
bar he soon won a place in the splendid array of
talent then so greatly distinguishing Arkansas. A
born orator, strong enough in intellect to think
without emotion, morally and physically a hero, he
has spent much of his life pleading for his people
to be made citizens — the owners of their individ-
ual homes, as the only hope to stay that swift de-
cay that is upon them, but the ignorance of his
tribe and the scheming of demagogues and selfish
"agents," have thwartedhis efforts and practically
exiled him from his race.
A few years ago Col. Boudinot was invited to
address Congress and the people of Washington
on the subject of the Indian races. The masterly
addi'ess by this man, one of the greatest of all the
representatives of American Indians, will be fixed
in history as the most pathetic epilogue of the
greatest of dramas, the curtain of which was raised
in 1492. Who will ever read and fully understand
his emotions when he repeated the lines:
Their liglit canoes have vanished
From off the crested waves —
Amid the forests where I hey roamed
There rings no hunter's shout.
And all their cone-like cabins
Thai clustered o'er the vale.
Have disappeared as withered leaves.
Bc-f(ire the autumn gale.
^^"T.
Illicit HI.
Discovery and Settlkjikxt— Ok >-ot<) in Akkansas— Marquktte and Joliet— La Salle, Hennepin
AND TONTI— 1-KENClI AND ENGLISH SCHEMES OF CONQUEST AND DREAMS OF POWEU— LOUISIANA
—The •• Hubble" of John Law— The Early Viceroys and Governors— Proprie-
tary Change of Louisiana— French and Spanish Settlers in Ark-
ansas—English Settlers— A Few First Settlers in the
Counties— The New Madrid Earthquake-
Other Items of Interest.
Hail, memory, bail! In Uiy e.\haiistle.ss mine
From age to age unnumbered treasures shine!
Thought and her shadowy brood thy call obey.
And place and time are subject to thy svmy.— Rogers.
ERDINAND DE SOTO, the
"' discoverer of the Missis-
..o sippi, was the first civilized
white man to put foot upon
any part of what is now the
State of Arkansas. He and
?;!^-9^hi8 band of adventurous
-^ % followers had forged their
\ way over immense obstacles, through
' the trackless wastes, and in the pleas-
l^ ant month of June, 1541, reached th(>
' Mississippi River at, as is supposed,
Chickasaw Bluffs, a short distance be-
low Memphis. He had sailed from
San Lncan in April, 1538, with 600
men, twenty officers and twenty four priests. He
represented his king and church, and came to
make discoveries for his master in Florida, a coun-
trj' undefined in extent, and believed to be the
richest in the world.
His expedition was a daring and dangerous
one, and there were but few men in the tide of
time who could have carried it on to the extent
that did this bold Spaniard. The worn and deci-
mated band remained at the Chickasaw Bluffs to
rest and recuperate until June 29, then crossing
the river into Arkansas, and pushing on up the
Mississippi River, through brakes and swamps and
slashes, until they reached the higher prairie lands
that lead toward New Madrid; stopping in their
north course at an Indian village, Pacaha, whose
location is not known. De Soto sent an expedition
toward the Osage River, but it soon returned and
rejiorted the country worthless.* He then turned
west and proceeded to the Boston Mountains, at
the head- waters of White River; then bending
south, and passing Hot Springs, he went into camp
for the winter on the Ouachita River, at Autamqua
Village, in Garland County. In the spring he
*It is proper to here state the fact that some local in-
vestigators, and others wlio have studied the liistory of
De Soto's voyaging thnnigli .Arkansas, do not believe that
he reached and discovered the river as high up as Mem-
phis. They think lie approached it a short distance above
the moutli of Red Kiver. and from that point made his
detour around Id Red River. Other.s in the State, who
have also studied the sid)ject thoroughly, find excellent
evidence of his presence in Arkansas along the Mississippi,
particularly in Missi-ssippi County. See "History of
Mississippi County. Ark." After examining the testi-
mony carefully I incline to the account as given in the
context as being the most probable. — Ed.
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
25
floated down the river, often lost in the bayous
and overflows of lied Kivor, and tiually reached
again the Mississippi. Halting here he made dil-
igent inquiries of the Indians as to the month of
the great stream, but they could give him no infor-
mation. In June, one year from the date of his
discovery, after a sickness of some weeks, he died.
As an evidence of his importance to the expedition
his death was kept a secret, and he was buried at
night, most appropriately, in the waves of the
great river that gave his name immortality. But
the secrecy of his death was of no avail, for there
was no one who could supply his place, and with
his life closed the existence, for all practical pur-
poses, of the expedition. Here the interest of the
historian in De Soto and his companions ceases.
He came not to possess the beautiful country, or
plant colonies, or even extend the dominions of
civilization, but simply to find the fabled wealth
in minerals and precious stones, and gather them
and carry them away. Spain already possessed
Florida, and it was all Florida then, from the At-
lantic to the boundless and unknown west.
The three great nations of the old world had
conquered and possessed — the Spaniards Florida,
the English Virginia and New England, and the
French the St. Lawrence. The feeblest of all
these colonizers or conquerors were the English,
and they retained their narrow foothold on the
new continent with so little vigor that for more
than a century and a half they knew nothing of
the country west of them save the idle dreams and
fictions of the surrounding savages. The general
world had learned little of De Soto's gi-eat western
discoveries, and when he was buried in the Missis-
sippi all remained undisturbed from the presence
or knowledge of civilized men for the period of
182 years.
Jacques Marquette, a French Jesuit priest, had
made expeditions along the Northern lakes, pros-
elyting among the Indian tribes. He had con-
ceived the idea that there was a great western
river leading to China and Japan. He was joined
in his ambition to find this route, and the tribes
along it. l)y Joliet, a man fired with tlie ambition
and daring of the hold explorer. These two men.
with five employes, started on their great adven-
ture May 17, 1673. They found the Upper Mis
sissippi liiver and came down that to the mouth
of the Arkansas River, thence proceeding up some
distance, it is supposed to near where is Arkansas
Post. Thus the feet of the white man pressed
once more the soil of this State, but it was after
the lapse of many years from the time of De Soto's
visit. Marquette carried into the newly disco veretl
country the cross of Christ, while Joliet planted
in the wilderness the tricolors of France. France
and Christianity stood together in the heart of the
great Mississippi Valley; the discoverers, founders
and possessors of the greatest spiritual and tem-
poral empire on earth. From here the voyagers
retraced their course to the Northern lakes and
the St. Lawrence, and published a report of their
discoveries.
Nine years after Marquett(> and Joliet' S expe-
dition. Chevalier de La Salle came fi-om France,
accompanied by Henry de Tonti, an Italian, filled
with great schemes of empire in the new western
world; it is charged, by soin(> historians of that
day, with no less ambition than securing the whole
western portion of the continent and wresting
Mexico from the Spaniards. When Canada was
reached. La Salle was joined by Lduis Hennepin,
an ambitious, unscrupulous and daring Franciscan
monk. It was evidently La Salle's idea to found
a military government in the new world, reaching
with a line of forts and military possession from
Quebec, Canada, to at least the Gulf, if not, as
some have supposed, extending through Mexico.
He explored the country lying between the North-
ern lakes and the Ohio River. He raised a fgrce
in Canada and sailed through Green Bay, and,
sending back his boat laden with furs, proceeded
with his party to the head waters of the Illinois
River and built Fort Creve Cceur. He detached
Hennepin with one companion and sent him to hunt
the source of the Mississippi. He placed Tonti in
command of Creve Cceiu', with five men, and him-
self returned to Canada in the latter part of 1681,
where he organized a new party with canoes,
and went to Chicago: crossing the long portage
from there to the Illinois River, he floated down
that stream to the Mississippi and on to the Gulf
of Mexico, discovering the mouth of the Mississippi
River April T). 1082, and three days after, with
becoming pomp and ceremony, took possession, in
the name of France, of the territory, and named it
Louisiana, in honor of his king, Louis XIV. The
vast region thus acquired by France was not, as it
could not be, well defined, but it was intended
to embrace, iu addition to much east of the
Mississip])i River, all the continent west of that
current.
After this expedition La Salle returned to
France, fitted out another expedition and set sail,
ostensibly to reach the mouth of the Mississippi
River and pass up that stream. He failed to find
the river, and landed his fleet at Metagordo Bay,
Texas, where he remained two years, when with a
part of his force he started to reach Canada via
Fort St. Louis, but was assassinated by one of his
men near the Trinity River, Texas, March lU,
1687, and his body, together with that of his
nephew, was left on the Texas prairie to the beasts
and buzzards. La Salle was a born commander
of men, a great explorer, with vast projects of
empire far beyond the comprehension of his
wretched king, or the appreciation of his country-
men. Had he been supported by a wise and strong
government, France would never, perhaps, have
been dispossessed of the greatest inter-continental
colonial empire on earth — from the Alleghanies to
the Rocky Mountains. This was, in fact, the
measure of the territory that La Salle' s expedition
and military possession gave to France. The two
great ranges of mountains, the north pole and
South America, were really the boundary lines of
Louisiana, of which permanent ownership belonged
forever to France, save for the weakness and inef-
ficiency of that bete noire of poor, beautiful, sunny
France — Louis XIV. In the irony of fate the his-
torian of to-day may well write down the appella-
tion of his toadies and parasites, as the grand
monarque. La Salle may justly be reckoned one
of the greatest founders of empire in the world, and
had poor France had a real king instead of this
weak and pompous imbecile, her tri-colors would
have floated upon every breeze from the Allegha-
nies to the Pacific Ocean, and over the islands of
more than half of the waters of the globe.
The immensity of the Louisiana Territory has
been but little understood by historians. It was
the largest and richest province ever acquired, and
the world's history since its establishment has
been intimately connected with and shaped by its
influence. Thus the account of the Territory of
Louisiana is one of the most interesting chapters
in American history.
Thirteen years after the death of La Salle,
1700, his trusty lieutenant, Tonti, descended the
Mississippi River from the Illinois, with a band of
twenty French Illinois people, and upon re;iching
Arkansas Post, established a station. This was
but carrying out La Salle's idea of a military pos-
session by a line of forts from Canada to the Gulf.
It may be called the first actual and intended per-
manent possession of Arkansas. In the meantime,
Natchez had become the oldest settled point in
the Territory, south of Illinois, and the conduct of
the commandant of the canton, Chopart, was laying
the foundations for the ultimate bloody massacre
of that place, in November, 1729. The Jesuit, Du
Poisson, was the missionary among the Arkansans.
He had made his way up the Mississippi and
passed along the Arkansas River till he reached
the prairies of the Dakotahs.
The Chickasaws were the dreaded enemy of
France; it was they who hurried the Natchez to
that awful massacre; it was they whose cedar bark
canoes, shooting boldly into the Mississippi, inter-
rupted the connections between Kaskaskia and
New Orleans, and delayed successful permanent
settlements in the Arkansas. It was they who
weakened the French empire in Louisiana. They
coUeagued with the English, and attempted to
extirpate the French dominion in the valley.
Such was Louisiana more than half a century
after the first attempt at colonization by La Salle.
Its population may have been 5,000 whites and
half that number of blacks. Louis XIV had
fostered it by giving it over to the control of Law
and his company of the Mississippi, aided by
boundless but transient credit. Priests and friars
dispersed through tribes from Biloxi to the Da-
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
•li
kotahs, and propitiatpd the favor of the savages.
But still the valley of the Mississippi remained a
vcilderuess. All its patrons — though among them
it counted kings and high ministers of state — had
not accomplished for it in half a century a tithe
of that prosperity which, within the same period,
sprung naturally from the benovolouce of William
Penn to the peaceful settlers on the Delaware.
It required the feebleness of the grand mon-
arque to discover John Law, the father of in-
flated cheap money and national financial ruin.
In September, 1717, John Law's Couij)any of the
West was granted the commerce and control of
Louisiana. He arrived at New Orleans with 800
immigrants in August of that year. Instead of
coming up the Mississippi, they landed at Dau-
phine Island to make their way across by land.
The reign of John Law's company over Ltmisiana
was a romance or a riot of folly and extravagance.
He was to people and create a great empire on
cheap money and a monopoly of the slave trade.
For fourteen years the Company of the West con-
trolled Louisiana. The bubble burst, the dreams
and illusions of ease and wealth passed away, and
but wretched remnants of colonies existed, in the
extremes of want and suffering. But, after all, a
permanent settlement of the great valley had been
made. A small portion of these were located at
Arkansas Post, up the Arkansas River and on Red
Rivei% and like the most of the others of Law's
followers, they made a virtue of necessity and re-
mained because they could not get away.
John Law was an Englishman, a humbug, but
a magnificent one, so marked and conspicuous in
the world's history that his career should h&ve
taught the statesmen of all nations the simple
lesson that debt is not wealth, and that every at-
tempt to create wealth wholly by legislation is sure
to be followed by general bankruptcy and ruin.
The Jesuits antl fur traders were the founders
of Illinois; Louis XIV and privileged companies
were the patrons of Southern Louisiana, while
the honor of beginning the work of colonizing the
southwest of our republic belongs to the illustri-
ous Canadian. Lemoine D'II)erville. He was a wor
thy successor of La Salle. He also sought to find
the mouth of the Mississippi, and guided by floating
trees and turbid waters, he reached it on March
2, 1099. He perfected the line of communication
between Quebec and the Gulf ; extended east and
west the already boundless possessions of Franco;
erected forts and carved the lilies on the trees of
the forests; and fixed the seat of government of
Louisiana at Biloxi, and appointed his brother to
command the province. Under D' Iberville, the
E'rench line was extended east to Pascagoula
River; Beinvillo, La Sueur, and St. Denys had
explored the west to New Mexico, and had gone
in the northwest beyond the Wisconsin and the
St. Croix, and reached the mouth of and followed
this stream to the confluence of the Blue Earth.
D'Iborville died of yellow fever at Havana, July
9, 1700, and in his death the Louisiana colony
lost one of its most able and daring leaders. But
Louisiana, at that time, possessed less than thirty
families of whites, and these were scattered on
voyages of discovery, and in quest of gold and
gems.
France perfected her civil government over
Louisiana in 1689, and a|)pointed Marquis de San-
ville, royal viceroy. This viceroy's empire was as
vast in teri'itory as it was insignificant in popula-
tion— less than 300 souls. * By regular appoint-
ments of viceroys the successions were maintained
(including the fourteen years of Law's supremacy)
until by the treaty of Fontainbleau. November 3,
17G2, France was stripped of her American pos-
sessions, and Canada and the Spanish Florida;
everything east of the Mississippi except ^he
island of New Orleans was given to England,
and all Louisiana, including New Orleans west of
the Mississippi River and south of the new .southern
boundary line of Canada, was given to Si)ain, in
lieu of her Florida possessions. Hence, it was No-
vember 3, 1702. that what is now Arkansas passed
from the dominion of France to that of Spain.
The signing of this treaty made that day the
most eventful one in the busy movements of the
*The title of France to tlip t)Oiin<llcss contint's of
Louisiana were conlirrneil by t'lc treaty of Utri'cbt. The
contenlions l)etwtcn ICnitland anil France over the Ohio
iinintry. afterward, are a pari of the aunals of the gen-
eral history of the ciiMnirv.
iu
28
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
human race. It re- mapped the world, gave the
English language to the American coutjuent, and
spread it more widely over the globe than any that
had before given expression to human thought,
the language that is the alma mater of civil liberty
and religious independence. Had France perma-
nently dominated Ameiica. civil liberty and repre-
sentative government would have been yet unborn.
The dogmatic tyranny of the middle ages, with all
its intolerance and war, would have been the herit-
age of North America.
Thus re-adjusted in her domain, Louisiana re-
mained a province of Spain until October 1, 1800,
when the Little Corporal over-ran Spain with his
victorious legions, and looted his Catholic majesty's
domains. Napoleon allowed his military ambition
to dwarf his genius, and except for this curious
fact, he was the man who would have saved and
disenthralled the French mind, and have placed
the Gaul, with all his volcanic forces, in an even
start in the race of civilization with the invincible
and cruel Anglo-Saxon. He was the only man of
progressive genius that has ever ruled poor, un-
fortunate France. The treaty of St. Ildefonso,
secretly transfeiTing Louisiana from Spain again
into the possession of France, was ratified .March 24,
1801. Its conditions provided that it was to re-
main a secret, and the Spanish viceroy, who was
governor of Louisiana, knew nothing of the trans-
fer, and continued in the discharge of his duties,
granting rights, creating privileges and deeding
lands and other things that were inevitable in
breeding confusions, and cloudy land titles, such as
would busy the courts for a hundred years, inflict-
ing injustice and heavy burdens upon many inno-
cent people.
In 1802 President Jefferson became possessed
of the secret that France owned Louisiana. He
at once sent James Monroe to Paris, who, with the
resident minister, Mr. Livingston, opened negotia-
tions with Napoleon, at first only trying to secure
the free navigation of the Mississippi River, but to
their great surprise the Emperor more than met
them halfway, with a proposal to sell Louisiana to
the United States. The bargain was closed, the
consideration being the paltry sum of $15,000,000.
This imj)ortant move on the great chess-board of
nations occurred April 30, 1803. The perfunc
tory act of lowering the Spanish ensign and hoist-
ing the flag of France; then lowering immediately
the tri colors and unfurling the stars and stripes,
it is hoped never to be furled, was performed at
St. Louis March 0, 1804. Bless those dear old,
nation-building pioneers! These were heavy drafts
upon their patriotic allegiance, but they were equal
to the occasion, and ate their breakfasts as Span-
iards, their dinners as Frenchmen, and suppers as
true Americans.
The successful class of immigrants to the west
of the Mississippi were the French Canadians, who
had brought little or nothing with them save the
clothes on their backs, and an old flintlock gun
with which to secure game. They colonized after
the French mode of villages and long strips of
farms, and a public commons. They propitiated
the best they could the neighboring Indian tribes,
erected their altars, hunted, and frolicked, and
were an honest, simple minded and just people,
but little vexed with ambitioiis pride or grasping
avarice. The mouth of the Arkansas River was
the attractive jioint for immigrants on their way to
the Ai'kansas Territory, and they would ascend that
stream to Arkansas Post. There were not 500
white people in the Territory of (now) Arkansas in
1803, when it became a part of the United States.
In 1810 the total population was 1,0(52. So soon
as Louisiana became a part of the United States,
u small but never ceasing stream of English speak-
ing people turned their faces to the west and
crossed the ' ' Father of Waters. ' ' Those for Ar-
kansas established Montgomery Point, at the mouth
of White River, making that the transfer place for
all shipments inland. This remained as the main
ship{)ing and commercial point for many years.
By this route were transferred the freights for
Arkansas Post. The highway from Montgomery
Point to the Post was a slim and indistinct bridle
path. The immigrants came down the Cumber-
land and Tennessee Rivers to the Ohio in keel-
boats and canoes, and were mostly from Tennes-
see; beckoned to this fair and rich kingdom by its
sunny clime, its mountains and rivers, and its pro-
-rv"
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
2y
ductive valleys, all enriched with a flora and fauna
surpassing the dream of a pastoral poem.
The French were the first permanent settlers
of Arkansas, and descendants of these people are
still here. Many bearing the oldest French names
have attained to a position among the most emi-
nent of the great men of the trans- Mississippi.
Sometimes the names have become so corrni)ted as
to be unrecognizable as belonging to the early illus-
trious stock. The English-speaking people speak-
ing French names phonetically would soon change
them completely, The Bogys and Lefevres, for
instance, are names that go back to the very first
settlements in Arkansas. ' ' Lefevre ' ' on the maps
is often spelled phonetically thus : ' ' Lafaver. ' '
Representatives of the Lefevre family are yet
numerous in and about Little Rock, and in other
portions of the State.
Peter L. Lefevre and family were among the
very first French settlers, locating in the fall of
1818 on the north side of the river on Spanish
Grant No. 497, about six miles below Little Rock.
His sons were Peter. Enos, Francis G. , Ambrose,
Akin, Leon and John B. , his daughter being Mary
Louise. All of these have passed away except
the now venerable Leon Lefevre, who resides on
the old plantation where he was born in the year
1808. For eighty- one years the panorama of the
birth, growth and the vicissitudes of Arkansas
have passed before his eyes. It is supposed of all
living men he is the oldest representative surviving
of the earliest settlers; however, a negro, still a
resident of Little Rock, also came in 1818.
The first English speaking settlers were Ten-
nesseeans, Kentuckians and Alabamians. The ear-
liest came down the Mississippi River, and then
penetrating Ai'kansas at the mouths of the streams
from the west, ascended these in the search for
future homes. The date of the first coming of
English speaking colonists may be given as 1807,
those prior to that time being only trappers,
hunters and voyagers on expeditions of discovery,
or those whose names can not now be ascertained.
South Carolina and Georgia also gave their
small quotas to the first pioneers of Arkansas.
From the States south of Tennessee the route was
overland to the Mississippi River, or to some of its
bayous, and then by water. A few of these from
the Southern States brought considerable property,
and some of them negro slaves, but not msmy
were al)le to do this. The general rule was to
reach the Territory alone and clear a small piece
of ground, and as soon as possible to buy slaves and
set them at work in the cotton fields.
In 1814 a colony of emigrants, consisting of
four families, settled at Batesville. then the Lower
Missouri Territory, now the coimty seat of Inde-
pendence County. There was an addition of fif-
teen families to this colony the next year. Of the
first was the family of Samuel Miller, father of
(afterward) Gov. William R. Miller; there were also
John Moore, the Magnesses and Beans. All these
families left names permanently connected with
the history of Arkansas. In the colony of 1815
(all from Kentucky) were the brothers, Richard,
John, Thomas and James Peel, sons of Thomas
Peel, a Virginian, and Kentucky companion of
Daniel Boone. Thomas Curran was also one of
the later colonists from Kentucky, a relative of the
great Irishman, John Philpot Curran. In the 1815
colony were also old Ben Hardin — hero of so many
Indian wars — his brother, Joab, and William
Griffin, Thomas Wyatt, William Martin, Samuel
Elvin, James Akin, John Reed, James Miller and
John B. Craig.
Alden Trimble, who died at Peel, Ark., in
April, 1889, aged seventy-four years, was born in
the Cal Hogan settlement, on White River, Marion
County, June 14, 1815. This item is gained
from the obituary notice of his death, and indicates
some of the very first settlers in that portion of the
State.
Among the oldest settled points, after Arkan-
sas Post, was what is now Arkadelphia, Clark
County. It was first called Blakelytown, after
Adam Blakely. He had opened a little store at
the place, and about this were collected the first
settlers, among whom may now be named Zack
Davis, Samuel Parker and Adam Highnight. The
Blakelys and the names given above were all locat-
ed in that settlement in the year 1810. The next
year came John Hemphill, who was the first to dis-
30
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
cover and utilize the valuable waters of the salt
sprin<js of that place. He engaged in the suc-
cessful manufacture of salt, and was in time suc-
ceeded by his son- in law, Jonathan O. Callaway.
Jacob Barkman settled in Arkadelphia in 1811.
He was a man of foresight and enterprise, and
soon established a trade along the river to New
Orleans. He commenced navigating the river in
canoes and pirogues, and finally owned and ran in
the trade the first steamboat plying from that
point to New Orleans. He pushed trade at the
point of settlement, at the same time advancing
navigation, and opened a large cotton farm.
In Arkansas County, among the early promi-
nent men who were active in the county's affairs
were Eli I. Lewis, Henry Scull, O. H. Thomas,
T. Farrelly, Hewes Scull, A. B. K. Thetford and
Lewis Bogy. The latter afterward removed to
Missouri, and has permanently associated his name
with the history of that State. In a subsequent
list of names should be mentioned those of Will-
iam Fultony, James Maxwell and James H. Lucas,
the latter being another of the notable citizens of
Missouri.
Carroll County: Judges George Campbell and
William King, and John Bush. T. H. Clark, Abra-
ham Shelly, William Nooucr, Judge Hiram Davis,
W. C. Mitchell, Charles Sneed, A. M. Wilson,
Elijah Tabor, William Beller, M. L. Hawkins,
John McMillan, M. Ferryman, J. A. Hicks, N.
Rudd, Thomas Callen, W. E. Armstrong.
Chicot County: John Clark, William B. Patton,
Richard Latting, George W. Ferribee, Francis
Rycroft, Thomas Knox, W. B. Duncan, J. W.
Boone, H. S. Smith, James Blaine. Abner John-
son, William Hunt, J. W. Neal, James Murray,
B. Magruder, W. P. Reybiu-n, J. T. White, John
Fulton, Judge W. H. Sutton, J. Chapman, Hiram
Morrell, Reuben Smith, A. W. ^^'ebb.
In Clark County, in the earliest times, were
W. P. L. Blair, Coll)ert Baker, Moses Graham,
Mathew Logan, James Miles, Thomas Drew,
Daniel Ringo, A. Stroud, David Fisk and Isaac
Ward.
Clay County: John J. Griffin, Abraham Rob-
erts, William Davis, William H. Mack, James
Watson, J. G. Dudley. James Campbell, Single-
ton Copeland, C. H. Mobley.
Conway County: Judge Saffold, David Bar-
ber, James Kellam. Reuben Blunt, James Barber,
James Ward, Thomas Mathers, John Houston, E.
W. Owen, Judge B. B. Ball, J. I. Simmons, T. S.
Hayaes, B. F. Howard, William Ellis, N. H.
Buckley, James Ward, Judge Robert McCall, W.
H. Robertson, L. C. Griffin, Judge W. T. Gamble,
D. D. Mason, George Fletcher and D. Harrison.
Craighead County: Rufus Snoddy, Daniel
O'Guinn, Yancey Broadway, Henry Powell, D. R.
Tyler, Elias Mackey, William Q. Lane, John Ham-
ilton, Asa Puckett, Eli Quarles, William Puryear.
In Crawford County were Henry Bradford,
Jack Mills, G. C. Pickett, Mark Beane, J. C. Sum-
ner, James Billingsley.
Crittenden County : J. Livingston, W. D. Fer-
guson, W. Goshen, William Cherry, Judge D. H.
Harrig, O. W. Wallace, S. A. Cherry, Judge
Charles Blackmore, S. R. Cherry, John Tory, F.
B. Read, Judge A. B. Hubbins, H. O. Oders, J.
H. Wathen, H. Bacon.
Fulton County: G. W. Archer, William Wells,
Daniel Hubble, Moses Brannon, John Nichols,
Moses Steward, Enos C Hunter, Milton Yarberry,
Dr. A. C. Cantrell.
Greene County: Judge L. Brookfield, L.
Thompson, James Brown, J. Sutfin, G. Hall,
Charles Robertson, Judge W. Hane, Judge George
Daniel, G. L. Martin, J. Stotts, James Ratchford,
Judge L. Thompson, H. L. Holt, J. L. Atkinson,
J. Clark, H. N. Reynolds, John Anderson, Ben-
jamin Crowley, William Pevehouse, John Mitch-
ell, Aaron Bagwell, A. J. Smith, Wilej' Clarkson,
^\■illiam Hatch.
In Hempstead County: J. M. Steward, A. S.
Walker, Benjamin Clark. A. M. Oakley, Thomas
Dooley, D. T. Witter, Edward Cross, William
McDonald, D. Wilbui-n and James Moss.
Hot Springs Coiuity: L. N. West, G. B.
Hughes, Judge W. Durham, G. W. Rogers, T. W.
Johnson, J. T. Grant, J. H. Robinson. H. A.
Wliittington, John Callaway, J. T. Grant, Judo-e
G. Whittington, L. Runyan, R. Huson, J. Bank-
son, Ira Robinson, Judge A. N. Sabin. C. A. Sa-
i) ^T
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
:'l
bin. W. W. McDaiiiel, W. Dimham, A. B. McDon-
ald, Joseph Loranee.
Independence County : R. Searcy, Robert Bean,
Charles Kelly, John Reed, T. Curran, John Bean,
I. Curran, J. L. Daniels, J. Redmon, John Rud-
dell, C. H. Pelbam, Samuel Miller, James Micham,
James Trimble, Henry Engles, Hartwell Boswell,
John H. Ringgold.
Izard County: J. P. Houston, John Adams,
Judge Mathew Adams, H. C. Roberts, Jesse Adams,
John Hargrove, J. Blyeth, William Clement,
Judge J. Jeffrey, Daniel Jeffrey, A. Adams, J. A.
Harris, W. B. Carr, Judge B. Hawkins, B. H.
Johnson, D. K. Loyd. W. H. Carr, A. Creswell,
H. W. Bandy, Moses Bishop. Daniel Hively,
John Gray, William Powell Thomas Richardson,
William Seymour.
Jackson County: Judge Hiram Glass, J. C.
Saylors. Isaac Gray, N. Copeland, Judge E.
Bartley, John Robinson, A. M. Carpenter, Judge
D. C. Waters, P. O. Flynn, Hall Roddy. Judge
R. Ridley, G. W. Cromwell. Sam Mathews, Sam
Allen, Martin Bridgeman, John Wideman, New-
ton Arnold. Joseph Haggerton. Holloway Stokes.
Jefferson County: Judge W. P. Hackett, J. T.
Pullen, Judge Creed Taylor, Peter German, N.
Holland. Judge Sam C. Roane, William Kinkead,
Thomas O'Neal. E. H. Roane. S. Dardenne, Sam
Taylor, Judge H. Bradford, H. Edgington, Judge
W. H. Lindsey, J. H. Caldwell.
Johnson County: Judge George Jameson,
Thomas Jenette, S. F. Mason, Judge J. P. Kessie,
A. Sinclair. William Fritz, W. J. Parks, R. S.
McMicken, Augustus Ward. Judge J. L. Cravens,
A. M. Ward, M. Rose, A. L. Black, W. A. Ander
son. Judge J. B. Brown, A. Sinclair, William
Adams. W. M. H. Newton.
Lafayette County: Judge Jacob Buzzard, Jesse
Douglass, Jo.shua Morrison. I. W. Ward, J. T.
Conway, W. E. Hodges, J. Morrison, George Doo-
ley, J. M Dorr, J. P. Jett, W. B. Conway, W.
H. Conway, T. V. Jackson. G. H. Pickering,
Judge E. M. Lowe, R. F. Sullivan, James Ab-
rams.
Lawrence County: Joseph Hardin. Robert
Blane. H. Saridford. John Reed, R. Richardson,
J. M. Kuykendall, U. R. Hyn.sou, James Camp-
bell, 'D. W. Lowe, Thomas Black, John Rodney,
John Spotts, William J. Hudson. William Stuart,
Isaac Morris, William B. Marshall, John S. Fick-
lin.
Madison County: Judge John Bowen, H. B.
Brown, P. M. Johnson, H. C. Daugherty, M.
Perryman, T. McCuiston.
In Miller County: John Clark. J. Ewing. J. H.
Fowler. B. English, C. Wright, G. F. Lawson.
Thomas Polk, George AVetmore, David Clark. J.
G. Pierson, John Morton. N. Y. Crittenden,
Charles Burkem, George Collum, G. C. Wetmore.
D. C. Steele, G. F. Lawton and Judge G. M.
Martin.
Mississippi County: Judge Edwin Jones, J.
W. Whitworth, E. F. Loyd, S. McLung, G. C.
Bartield, Judge Nathan Ross, Judge John Troy,
J. W. Dewitt, J. C. Bowen. Judge Fred Miller,
Uriah Russell, T. L. Daniel, J. G. Davis, Judge
Nathan Ross. J. P. Edrington. Thomas Sears.
A. G. Blackmore, William Kellums, Thomas J.
Mills, James Williams. Elijah Buford, Peter G.
Reeves.
Monroe County: Judge William Ingram, J. C.
Montgomery, James Eagan, John Maddox, Lafay-
ette Jones, Judge James Carlton, M. Mitchell. J.
R. Dye, J. Jacobs. R. S. Bell.
Phillips County: W. B. R. Horner. Daniel
Mooney, S. Phillips, S. M. Rutherford, George
Seaborn, H. L. Biscoe, G. W. Fereby, J. H.
McKenzie, Austin Hendricks, W. H. Calvert, N.
Righton, B. Burress, F. Hanks, J. H. McKe»l,
J. K. Sandford, S. S. Smith, C. P. Smith. J. H.
McKenzie. S. C. Mooney. I. C. P. Tolleson. Emer
Askew, P. Pinkston, Charles Pearcy, J. B. Ford,
W. Bettiss, J. Skinner. H. Turner and M. Irvin.
Pike County: Judge W. Sorrels. D. S. Dickin-
son, John Hughes, J. W. Dickinson. Judge W.
Kelly, Isaac White, J. H. Kirkhan. E. K. Will
iams, Henry Brewer.
Poinsett County: Judges Richard Hall and
William Harris. Drs. Theophilus Griffin and John
P. Hardis, Harrison Ainsworth, Robert H. Stone,
Benjamin Harris.
Pope County: Judge Andrew Scott. Twitty
32
HISTOUY OF ARKANSAS.
Pace. H. Stinnett, W. Garrott. AV. Mitchell.
Judge S. K. Blythe, A. E. Pace, J. J. Morse, F.
Heron, Judge Thomas Murray, Jr., S. M. Hayes,
S. S. Haye.s, R. S. Witt. .Judge Isaac Brown, R.
T. Williamson, W. W. Rankin, Judge J. J. Morse,
J. B. Logan, W. C. Webb.
Pulaski County: R. C. Oden, L. R. Curran,
Jacob Peyatte, A. H. Renick, G. Greathouse, M.
Cunningham, Samuel Anderson, H Armstrong, T.
W. Newton, D. E. McKiimey, S. M. Rutherford.
A. McHenry, Allen Martin, J. H. Caldwell. Judge
S. S. Hall, J. Henderson, William Atchinson, R.
N. Rowland, Judge David Rorer, J. K. Taylor,
R. H. Callaway. A. L. Langham, Judge J. H.
Cocke, W. Badgett, G. N. Peay, J. C. Anthony,
L. R. Lincoln. A. Martin, A. S. Walker, Judge
R. Graves, J. P. and John Fields, J. K. Taylor,
W. C. Howell, J. Gould, Roswell Beebe, William
Russell, John C. Peay.
Randolph County: Judge P. R. Pittman, B. J.
Wiley, William Black, R. Bradford, J. M. Cooper,
B. J. Wiley, B. M. Simpson, John Janes, James
Campbell, Samuel McElroy, Edward Mattis,
Thomas S. Drew, R. S. Bettis. James Russell.
St. Francis County: Andrew Roane, William
Strong, S. Crouch, Judge John Johnson, T. J.
Curl. G. B. Lincecum, William Lewis, Judge
William Strong, Isaac Mitchell, David Davis,
Isaac Forbes, Judge William Enos, N. O. Little,
W. G. Bozeman, H. M. Carothers, Judge R. H.
Hargrove, H. H. Cur], Cyrus Little.
Saline County: Judge T. S. Hutchinson, Samuel
Caldwell, V. Brazil, C. Lindsey, A. Carrick, Judge
H. Pruddeu, G. B. Hughes, Samuel Collins, J. J.
Joiner, J. R. Conway, R. Brazil, E. M. Owen,
George McDaniel. C. P. Lyle.
Scott County: Judge Elijah Baker, S. B.
Walker, James Riley, J. R. Choate, Judge James
Logan, G. Marshall, Charles Humphrey. A\'. Cau-
thorn, G. C. Walker. T. J. Garner, Judge Gilbert
Marshall, W. Kenner.
Searcy County: .Judge William \\oi)d, William
Kavauaugh, E. M. Hale, Judge Joseph Kea, Will-
iam Ruttes, Joe Brown, V. Robertson, T. S. Hale,
Judge J. Campbell.
Sevier County: Judge John Clark, R. Hart-
field, G. Clark, J. T. Little, Judge David Foran,
P. Little, William White, Charles Moore, A.
Hartfield, Judge J. F. Little, Henry Morris,
Judge Henry Brown, George Halbrook, Judge
R. H. Scott, S. S. Smith.
Sharp County: John King, Robert Lott, Nich-
olas Norris, William Morgan, William J. Gray,
William Williford, Solomon Hudspeth, Stephen
English. John Walker, L. D. Dale. John C. Gar-
ner. R. P. Smithee. Josiah Richardson, Judge A.
H. Nunn, William G. Matheny.
Union County: John T. Cabeen, John Black,
Jr., Judge John Black, Sr. , Benjamin Gooch,
Alexander Beard, Thomas O'Neal, Judge G. B.
Hughes, John Cornish, John Hogg, Judge Hiram
Smith, J. R. Moore, John Henry, John Stokeley,
Judge Charles H. Seay, W. L. Bradley, Judge
Thomas Owens.
Van Buren County: Judge J. L. Laferty, P.
O. Powell, N. Daugherty, Philip WaU, L. Will-
iams, Judge J. B. Craig, Judge J. M. Baird, J.
McAllister, Judge William Dougherty, A. Mor-
rison, George Counts, A. Caruthers, W. W. Trim-
ble, R. Bain, J. O. Young. George Hardin, A. W.
McRaines, Judge J. C. Ganier.
Washington County: L. Newton, Lewis Evans,
John Skeltou, Judge Robert McAmy, B. H.
Smithsou, Judge John Wilson, James Marrs, V.
Caruthers, James Coulter, J. T. Edmonson, Judge
J. M. Hoge, James Crawford, John McClellan,
Judge W. B. Woody, W. W. Hester, Judge John
Cureton, L. C. Pleasants, Isaac Murpliy, D. Calla-
ghan, Judge Thomas Wilson, W. L. Wallace and
L. W. Wallace.
White County: Judge Samuel Guthrie, P. W.
Roberts, P. Crease. Michael Owens, M. H. Blue,
S. Arnold, J. W. Bond, William Cook, J. Arnold,
Milton Saunders, Jaues Bird, Samuel Beeler,
James Walker, Martin Jones. Philij) Hilger, James
King, L. Pate, John Akin, Reuben Stephens, Sam-
uel Guthrie.
Woodruff County: Rolla Gray, Durant H.
Bell, John Dennis, Dudley Glass, Michael Hag-
gerdon, Samuel Taylor, James Barnes, George
Hatch, John Teague. Thomas Arnold and Thomas
Hough.
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
33
The above were all prominent men in their lo-
calities during the Territorial times of Arkansas.
Many of them have left names and memories inti-
mately associated with the history of the State.
They were a part of those pioneers ' ' who hewed
the dark, old woods away," and left a rich inheri-
tance, and a substantial civilization, having wealth,
refinement and luxuries, that were never a part of
their dreams. They were home makers as well as
State and Nation builders. They cut out the roads,
opened their farms, bridged the streams, built
houses, made settlements, towns and cities, render-
ing all things possible to their descendants; a race
of heroes and martyrs pre-eminent in all time for
the blessings they transmitted to posterity; they
repelled the painted savage, and exterminated the
ferocious wild beasts; they worked, struggled and
endured that others might enjoy the fruits of their
heroic sacrifices. Their lives were void of evil to
mankind; possessing little ambition, their touch
was the bloom and never the blight. Granted,
cynic, they builded wiser than they knew, yet they
built, and built well, and their every success was
the triumphant march of peace. Let the record of
their humble but great lives be immortal!
The New Madrid earthquake of 1811-12, com-
mencing in the last of December, and the subterra-
nean forces ceasing after three months' duration,
was of itself a noted era, but to the awful display
of nature's forces was added a far more important
and lasting event, the result of the silent but
mighty powers of the human mind. Simulta-
neously with the hour of the most violent convul-
sions of nature, the third day of the earthquake,
there rode out at the mouth of the Ohio, into the
lashed and foaming waters of the Mississippi, the
first steamboat that ever ploughed the western
waters — the steamer "Orleans," Capt. Roosevelt.
So awful was the display of nature's energies, that
the granitic earth, with a mighty sound, heaved
and writhed like a storm-tossed ocean. The great
river turned back in its flow, the waves of the
ground burst, shooting high in the air, spouting
sand and water; great forest-covered hills disap-
peared at the bottom of deep lakes into which
thev had sunk; and the "sunk lands" are to
this day marked on the maps of Southeast Mis-
souri and Northeast Arkansas. The sparse popu-
lation along the river (New Madrid was a flourish-
ing young town) fled the country in terror, leav-
ing mostly their effects and domestic animals.
The wild riot of nature met in this wilderness
the triumph of man's genius. Where else on the
globe so approjiriately could have been this meet-
ing of the opposing forces as at the mouth of the
Ohio and on the convulsed bosom of the Father of
Waters? How feeble, apparently, in this contest,
were the powers of man; how grand and awful the
play of nature's forces! The mote struggling
against the "wreck of worlds and crush of mat-
ter." But, "peace be still," was spoken to the
vexed earth, while the invention of Fulton will go
on forever. The revolving paddle wheels were the
incipient drive-wheels, on which now ride in tri-
umph the glories of this great age.
The movement of immigrants to Arkansas in
the decade following the earthquake was retarded
somewhat, whereas, barring this, it should and
would have been stimulated into activity by the
advent of steamboats upon the western rivers. The
south half of the State was in the possession of
the Quapaw Indians. The Spanish attempts at
colonizing were practical failures. His Catholic
majesty was moving in the old ruts of the feudal
ages, in the deep-seated faith of the "divinity of
kings,"' and the paternal powers and duties of
rulers. The Bastrop settlement of "thirty fam-
ilies," by a seigniorial grant in 1707. had brought
years of suffering, disappointment and failure.
This was an attempt to found a colony on*he
Ouachita River, granting an entire river and a
strip of land on each side thereof to Bastrop,
the government to pay the passage of the people
across the ocean and to feed and clothe them one
year. To care for its vassals, and to provide
human breeding grounds; swell the multitudes for
the use of church and State; to "glorify God"
by repressing the growing instincts of liberty and
the freedom of thought, and add subjects to the
possession and powers of these gild(>d toads, were
the essence of the oriental schemes for peopling
the new world. Happily for mankind they failed,
and the wild beasts returned to care for their young
in safety and await the coming of the real pioneers,
they wlio came bringing little or nothing, save
a manly spirit of self-reliance and independence.
These were the successful founders and builders
of eui]iirp in the wilderness.
f mwii rw.
— >.r-«^J^i.:e7'<JI9'^9{<#:/vl-■»->•«-
OuGA^•IZATION.— The Viceroys ani> Goveknous— The Attiti de ov the Royal Owners of Louisiana-
The District Divided— The Territory of Arkansas P'ormed from the Territory of Missouri
—The Territorial Government— The First Legislature— The Seat of Government
-Other Legislative IJodies— The Deullo— Arkansas Admitted to Statehood
—The Constitutional Conventions— The Memorable Reconstruction
Period— Legislative Attitude on the Question of Secession
— Tni: War of the Governors, etc.. etc.
I
\t^<t ^- "^ *'^^ preceding chapter are
.^.jk, - briefly traced the changes
+■ i- <
the
the government of the
Territory of Louisiana from
its discovery to the year
1803, when it became a
part of the territory of
United States. Discovered by
the Spanish, possessed by the French,
divided and re-divided between the
French, Spanish and English; set-
tled by the Holy Mother Church,
in the warp and woof of nations it
was the flying shuttle-cock of the
great weaver in its religion as well
as allegiance for 2(51 years. This
foundling, this waif of nations, was
but an outcast, or a trophy chained to the
triumphal car of the victors among the warring
European powers, until in the providence of God
it reached its haven and abiding home in the
bo.som of the union of States.
As a French province, the civil government of
Louisiana was organized, and the Marquis de San-
ville api)oiuted viceroy or governor in 168U.
UNDER FRENCH KDLE.
Robert Cavelier ile La Salle (April 9.
formal) 1683-1688
Marquis de Sanville 1689-1700
Bienville 1701-1712
Lamolhe Cadillar 1713-1715
De F/Epinay 1716-1717
Bienville 1718-1723
Boisbrianl (ad interim) 1724
Bienville 1732-1741
Baron de Kelerec 1753-1762
DAI)badie 1763-1766*
UNDER SPANISH RULE.
Antonio <le Ulloa 1767-1768
Alexaiuier O'Heilly 1768-1769
Louis de Uiizaga 1770-1776
Bernaiido de Galvez 1777-1784
Estevar Miio 1785-1787
Francisco Luis Hortu, Baron of Caron-
delet 1789-1792
Gayoso de Lemos 1793-1798
Sebastian de Cosa Calvo y O'Farrell. . .1798-1799
.luan Manual de Salcedo 1800-1803
From the dates already given it will be seen
that the official acts of Salcedo duiing his entire
* Louisiana west of the Mississippi, altliougli ceded
to Spiiiii in 1762, remained under French jurisdiction
until 1766.
i) fy
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
3r>
term of office, under the secret treaty of Ildefonso,
wen^ tainted with irre<:falarity. Thousands of land
grants had been given by him after he had in fact
ceased to be the viceroy of Spain. The contract-
ing jjowers had affixeil to the treaty the usual ob-
ligations of the fulfillment of all undertakings, but
the American courts and lawyers, in that ancient
spirit of legal hypercritical technicalities, had
given heed to the vicious doctrine that acts in good
faith of a de facto governor may be treated as of
questionable validity. This was never good law,
because it was never good sense or justice.
The acts and official doings of these vice-royal-
ties in the wilderness present little or nothing of
intere.st to the student of history, because they
were local and individual in their bearing. It
was the action of the powers across the waters, in
reference to Canada and Louisiana, that in their
wide and sweeping effects have been nearly omnip-
otent in shaping civilization.
Referring to the acquisition of Canada and the
Louisiana east of the Mississippi River, Bancroft
says that England exulted in its conquest;*
enjoying the glory of extended dominion in the
confident expectation of a boundless increase of
wealth. But its success was due to its having
taken the lead in the good old struggle for liberty,
and it was destined to bring fruits, not so much to
itself as to the cause of freedom and mankind.
France, of all the States on the continent of
Europe the most powerful, by territorial unity,
wealth, numbers, industry and culture, seemed
also by its place marked out for maritime ascend-
ency. Set between many seas it rested upon the
Mediterranean, possessed harbors on the German
Ocean, and embraced between its wide shores and
jutting headlands the bays and open waters of the
Atlantic; its people, infolding at one extreme the
offspring of colonists from Greece, and at the
other the hardy children of the Northmen, being
called, as it were, to the inheritance of life upon
the sea. The nation, too, readily conceived or aj)-
propriated great ideas and delighted in bold re-
solves. Its travelers had penetrated farthest -into
*Bniicroft. vol. iv.— l.'iT; (layiirre's Histoire de la
Loiiisiane, vol. ii.-131.
the fearful interior of unknown lands; its mission
aries won most familiarly the confidence of the
aboriginal hordes; its writers described with
keener and wiser observation the forms of nature
in her wildness, and the habits and languages of
savage man; its soldiers, and everj' lay Frenchman
in America owed military service, uniting beyond
all others celerity with courage, knew best how to
endure the hardships of forest life and to triumph
in forest warfare. Its ocean chivalry had given a
name and a colony to Carolina, and its merchants
a people to Acadia. The French discovered the
basin of the St. Lawrence; were the first to ex-
plore and possess the banks of the Mississippi, and
planned an American empire that should unite the
widest valleys and most copious inland waters in
the world. But over all this splendid empire in
the old and the new world was a government that
was medieval^mured in its glittering palaces,
taxing its subjects, it would allow nothing to come
to the Louisiana Territory but what was old and
worn out. French America was closed against even
a gleam of intellectual independence; nor did all
Louisiana contain so much as one dissenter from
the Roman Church.
" We have caught them at last,'' exiiltingly e,\-
claimed Choiseul, when he gave up the Cauadas
to England and the Louisiana to Spain. ■" Eng
land will ere long repent of having removed the
only check that could keep her colonies in awe. *
* * She will call on them to support the Inn-
dens they have helped to bring on her, and th(>y
will answer by striking off all dependence, '' said
Vergennes.
These keen-witted Frenchmen, with a pene-
tration far beyond the ablest statesmen of Eng
land, saw, as they believed, and time has con-
firmed, that in the humiliation and dismember-
ment of the territory of France, especially tlie
transfer to England of Canada, they had la d the
mine which some day wouM destroy the British
colonial system, and prolmbly eventuate in tlie
independence of the American colonies. The in
tellect of France was keeping step with the spirit
of the age: it had been excluded of course from
the nation's councils, but saw what its feeble
1^
36
HISTOEY OF ARKANSAS.
government neither could see nor prevent, that the
distant wilderness possessed a far greater impor-
taueo on the world's new map than was given it
by the f^old and gems it was supposed to contain;
and that the change of allegiance of the colonies
was the great step in the human mind, as it was
slowly emerging from the gloom and darkness of
tht< middle ages. Thus it was that the mere Terri-
tory of Louisiana, before it was peopled by civilized
man, was playing its important part in the world's
greatest of all dramas.
The first official act of our government, after
the purchase of Louisiana, was an act of Congress,
March 20, 1 SO-t, dividing Louisiana into two dis-
tricts, and attaching the whole to Indiana Terri-
tory, under the government of William Henry
Harrison. The division in Louisiana was by a line
on the thirty-third parallel; the south was named
the District of Orleans; that north of it was named
the District of Louisiana. This is now the south
line of the State of Arkansas.
In 1805 the District of Louisiana was erected in-
to the Territory of Louisiana. It was however a terri-
tory of the second class and remained under the gov-
ernment and control of Indiana Territory until 1812.
By act of June 4, 1812, the name of Louisiana
Territory was changed and became the Missouri
Territory, being made a territory of the first class,
and given a territorial government. Capt. William
Clark, of the famous Lewis and Clark, explorers of
the northwest, was appointed governor, remaining
as such until 1819, when Arkansas Territory was
cut off from Missouri.
The act of 1812, changing the District of
Louisiana to Missouri Territory, provided for a
Territorial legislature consisting of nine members,
and empowered the governor to lay ofF that
part where the Indian title had been extinguished
into thirteen counties. The county of New
Madrid, as then formed, extended into the Arkan-
sas territorial limits, "down to the Mississippi to
a point directly east of the mouth of Little Red
River; thence to the mouth of Red River; thence
up the Red River to the Osage purchase," etc.
In other words it did not embrace the whole of
what is now Arkansas.
December 13, 1813, the County of Arkansas,
Missouri Territoiy, was formed, and the county
seat was fixed at Arkansas Post.*
Besides Ai-kansas County, Lawrence County
was formed January 15, 1815, and Clark, Hemp-
stead and Pulaski Counties, December 15, 1818.
Missouri neglected it seems to provide a judi-
cial district for her five southern or Arkansas
counties. Therefore Congress, in 1814, authorized
the President to appoint an additional judge for
Missouri Territory, ' ' who should hold office four
years and reside in or near the village of Arkan-
sas,"— across the river from Arkansas Post.
March 2, 1819, Congress created the Territory
of Arkansas out of the Missouri Territory. It was
only a territory of the second class, and the ma-
chinery of government consisted of the governor
and three judges, who constituted the executive,
judicial and legislative departments, their offi-
cial acts requiring the consent of Congress. Pres-
ident Monroe appointed James Miller, governor;
Robert Crittenden, secretary; Charles Jouett,
Andrew Scott and Robert P. Letcher, judges of the
superior court. The act designated Arkansas Post
as the temporary seat of government. In the ab-
sence of the Governor, Robert Crittenden, "act-
ing governor," convened the first session of the
provisional government on August 3, 1819. The
act continued the new territory under the laws of
Missouri Territory. The five counties designated
above as formed prior to the division of Arkansas,
had been represented in the Missouri Territorial
legislature. Elijah Kelly, of Clark County, was a
representative, and he rode on horseback from his
home to St. Louis. The se.ssion was probably not
a week in length, and the pay and mileage little
or nothing.
This first Territorial legislature appointed a
treasurer and auditor, provided a tax for general
purposes, and divided the five counties into two
judicial circuits: First. Arkansas and Lawrence
Counties ; Second, Pulaski, Clark and Hempstead
Counties.
* During the latter purl of the eighteenth century,
something of the same municipal division was made, and
called " Arkan.sas Parish," the name being derived
from an old Indian town called Arkausea.
n Xj
HISTORY Ol' AKKANSAS.
37
April 21, 18"i0, CoQgress passed aa act per-
fecting the Territorial organization, and applying
the same provisions to Arkansas that were contained
in the act creating Missouri into a Territory of the
tirst class.
The first legislative body elected in Arkansas
convened at Arkansas Post, February 7 to 24, 1820.
In the council were: President, Edward McDonald;
secretary, Richard Searcy; members, Arkansas
County, Sylvanus Phillips; Clark County, Jacob
Barkmau; Hem^jstead County, David Clark;
Lawrence County, Edward McDonald; Pulaski
County, John McElmurry. la the house of rep-
resentatives: Speaker, Joseph Hardin (William
Stephenson was first elected, served one day and
resigned, on account of indisposition); J. Cham-
berlain, clerk; members, Arkansas County, W. B.
R. Horner, \V. O. Allen; Clark, Thomas Fish;
Hempstead, J. English, W. Stevenson; Lawrence,
Joseph Hardin, Joab Hardin; Pulaski, Radford
Ellis, T. H. Tindall. This body later adjourned to
meet October following, continuing in session until
the 25th.
At this adjourned session the question of the
removal of the Territorial seat of government from
Arkansas Post to "the Little Rock," came up on
a memorial signed by Amos Wheeler and others.
"The Little Rock" was in contradistinction to
' ' the Rocks, ' ' as were known the beautiful bluffs,
over 200 feet high, a little above and across the
river from "the Little Rock." In 1820 Gov.
Miller visited the Little Rock — Petit Rocher—
with a view to selecting a new seat of government.
The point designated was the northeast corner of
the Quapaw west line and Arkansas River. Im-
mediately upon the formation of the Territory,
prominent parties began to look out for a more
central location for a capital higher up the river,
and it was soon a general understanding that the
seat of government and the county seat of Pulaski
County, the then adjoining county above Arkansas
County on the river, would be located at the same
place. A syndicate was formed and Little Rock
Bluff was pushed for this double honor. The
government had not yet opened the land to pub-
lic entry, as the title of the Quapaws had just been
extinguished. These parties resorted to the expe-
dient of locating upon the land "New Madrid
floats," or claims, under the act of February 17,
1815, which authorized any one whose land had
been " materially injured " by the earthquake of
1811 to locate the like ijuantity of land on any of
the public lands open for sale. Several hundred
acres were entered under these claims as the fut-
ure town site. The county seat of Pulaski County
was, contrary to the expectation of the Little Rock
syndicate, located at Cadron, near the mouth of
Cadron Creek, where it enters the Arkansas River.
On the 18th day of October, 1820, the Terri-
torial seat of government was removed from the
Post of Arkansas to the Little Rock, the act to
take effect June 1, 1821. The next Territorial
legislature convened in Little Rock, October 1 to
24, 1821. The council consisted of Sam C. Roane,
president, and Richard Searcy, secretary. In the
house William Trimble was speaker, and A. H.
Sevier, clerk.
The third legislature met October '5 to 81.
1823. Sam C. Roane was president of the coun
cO, and Thomas W. Newton, secretary; while T.
Farrelly was speaker, and D. E. McKinney. clerk
of the house.
The fourth legislature was held October 3 to
November 3, 1825. Of the council, the president
was Jacob Barkman; secretary, Thomas W. New
ton. Of the house, Robert Bean was speaker;
David Barber, clerk.
The fifth Territorial legislature was held Octol)er
1 to 31, 1827, and a special session held October
G to October 28, 1828; E. T. Clark served as presi
dent of the council, and John Clark, secretary ;
J. Wilson was speaker of the house, and Daniel
Ringo, clerk.
In the sixth legislature, Charles Caldwell was
president of the council, and John Caldwell, secre-
tary; John Wilson was speaker of the house, and
Daniel Ringo, clerk.
The seventh legislature held October 3 to
November 7, 1831, had Charles Caldwell as presi-
dent of the council, and Al)salom Fowler, secre-
tary; William Trimble was speaker "f tin- Imu^t.,
and G. A\'. Ferebee, secretary.
In the eighth legislature, October 7 to Novem-
ber 16, 183:5, John Williamson was president of the
council and William F. Yeomans, secretary; John
Wilson was speaker of the bouse, and James B.
Keatts, clerk.
The ninth legislature met October 5 to Novem-
ber 10. 1885. The president of the senate was
Charles Caldwell; secretary, S.T.Sanders. John
Wilson was speaker of the house and L. B. Tully,
clerk.
This was the last of the Territorial assemblies.
James Miller was succeeded as governor by George
Izard, March 4, 1825. and Izard by John Pope,
March 9, 1829. William Fulton followed Pope
March 9, 1835. and held the o£&ce until Arkansas
became a State.
Robert Crittenden was secretary of State
(nearly all of Miller' s term ' ' acting governor ' ' ),
appointed March 3, 1819, and was succeeded in
office by William Fulton, April 8, 1829; Fulton
was succeeded by Lewis Randolph, February 23,
1835.
George W. Scott was appointed Territorial
auditor August 5, 1819, and was succeeded by
Richard C. Byrd, November 20, 1829; Byrd was
followed by Emzy Wilson, November 5, 1831; and
the latter by Milliam Pelham, November 12, 1833,
his successor being Elias N. Conway, July 25, 1835.
James Scull, appointed treasurer August 5,
1819, was succeeded by S. M. Rutherford. Novem-
ber 12, 1833, who continued in office until the
State was formed.
The counties in 1825 had been increased in num-
ber to thirteen: Arkansas, Clark, Conway, Chicot,
Crawford, Crittenden, Lawrence, Miller, Hemp-
stead, Independence, Pulaski, Izard and Phillips.
The territory was divided into four judicial cir-
cuits, of which William Trimble, Benjamin John-
son, Thomas P. Eskridge and James Woodson
Bates were, in the order named, the judges. The
delegates in Congress from Arkansas Territory were
James W. Bates, 1820-23; Henry W. Conway,
1823-29; Ambrose H. Sevier, 1829-36.
The Territorial legislature, in common with all
other legislatures of that day. passed some laws
which would have been much better not passed, and
others that remained a dead letter on the books.
Among other good laws which were never enforced
was one against duelling. In 1825 Whigs and
Democrats allowed party feelings to run high, and
some bloody duels grew out of the heat of cam-
paigns.
Robert Crittenden and Hemy W. Conway
fought a duel October 29, 1827. At the first fire
Conway fell mortally wounded and died a fortnight
thereafter.
December 4, 1837, John Wilson, who, it will
be noticed, figured prominently in the preceding
record of the Territorial assemblies, was expelled
from the house of representatives, of which body
he was speaker, for killing J. J. Anthony.
A constitutional convention, for the purpose of
arranging for the Territory to become a State in the
Union, was held in Little Rock, in January, 1836.
Its duty was to jii-epare a suitable constitution and
submit it to Congress, and, if unobjectionable, to
have an act passed creating the State of Arkan-
sas. John AVilson was president, and Charles P,
Bertrand, secretary, of the convention. Thirty-
five counties were represented by fifty-two members.
June 15, 1836, Arkansas was made a State,
and the preamble of the act recites that there was
a population of 47,700.
The first State legislature met September 12 to
November 8, 1836, later adjourning to November
6, 1837, and continued in session until March 5,
1838. The president of the senate was Sam C.
Roane; secretary, A. J. Greer; the speaker of the
house was John Wilson (he was expelled and
Grandison D. Royston elected) ; clerk, S. H. Hemp-
stead.
The second constitutional convention, held
January 4 to January 23, 1864, had as president,
John McCoy, and secretary, R. J. T. White. This
convention was called by virtue of President Lin-
coln's proclamation. The polls had been opened
chiefly at the Federal military posts, and the major-
ity of delegates were really refugees from many of
the counties they represented. It simply was an
informal meeting of the Union men in response to
the Pi'esident's wish, and they mostly made their
own credentials. The Federal army occupied the
HIST(JI{V OF ARKANSAS.
39
Arkansas River and points north, \vhik> the south
portion of the State was held by the Confederates.
It is said the convention on important legal ques-
tions was largely influenced by Hon. T. D. W.
Yonly, of Pulaski County. The convention prac-
tically re-euacted the constitution of 18ii6, abolished
slavery, already a fact, and created the separate
office of lieutenant-governor, instead of the former
ex-officio president of the senate. The machinery
of State government was thus once more in oper-
ation. The convention wisely did its work and
adjourned.
The next constitutional convention was held
January 7 to February 18, 1868. Thomas M.
Bowen was president, and John G. Price, secretary.
The war was over and the Confederates had re-
turned and were disposed to favor the constitution
which they found the Unionists had adopted in
their absence, and was then in full force in the
State. Isaac Murphy (Federal) had been elected
governor under the constitution of 1864, and all
the State offices were under control of the Union-
ists. His term as governor would expire in July,
1868.
This convention made sweeping changes in the
fundamental laws. The most prominent were the
disfi-anchisement of a large majority of the white
voters of the State, enfranchising the negroes, and
providing for a complex and plastic system of reg-
istration. This movement, and its severe character
throughout, were a part of the reconstruction
measures emanating from Congress. Arkansas
was under military rule and the constitution of
1864, and this condition of affairs, had been ac-
cepted by the returned conquered Confederates.
But the Unionists, who had fled to the Federal
military posts for protection, were generally eager
to visit their vanquished enemies with the severest
penalties of the law. A large part of the intel-
ligence and tax payers of the State were indis-
criminately excluded from the polls, and new vot-
ers and new men came to the front, with grievances
to be avenged and ambitions to be gratified. The
unusual experiment of the reversal of the civic
conditions of the ex-slaves with their former mas-
ters was boldly undertaken. Impetuous men now
prevailed in the name of patriotism, the natural
reflex swing of the pendulum — the anti-climax was
this convention of reconstruction to the convention
of secession of 1861. The connection between
these two conventions — 1861-1868 — is so blended
that the convention of '61 is omitted in its chro-
nological order, that the two may be set properly
side by side.
March 4, 1861, a State convention assembled
in Little Rock. The election of delegates was
on February 18, preceding. The convention met
the day Abraham Lincoln was inducted into oflice
as president of the United States. The people of
Arkansas were deeply concerned. The conserva-
tive minds of the State loved the Union as sin-
cerely as they regretted the wanton assaults that
had been made upon them by the extremists of the
North. The members of that convention had
been elected with a view to the consideration of
those matters already visible in the dark war-clouds
lowering upon the country. The test of the un-
ion and disunion sentiment of that body was the
election of president of the convention. Judge
David Walker (Union) received forty votes against
thirty-five votes for Judge B. C. Totten. Hon.
Henry F. Thomasson introduced a series of con-
servative resolutions, condemning disunion and
looking to a convention of all the States to ' ' settle
the slavery (juestion " and secure the perpetuation
of the Union. The resolutions were passed, and
the convention adjourned to meet again in May fol-
lowing. This filled the wise and conservative men
of the State with great hopes for the future. Bul^
most unfortunately, when the convention again
met war was already upon the country, and the
ordinance of secession was passed, with but one
negative vote. The few days between the adjourn
ment and reassembling of the convention had not
made traitors of this majority that liad so recent-
ly .condemned disunion. The swift-moving events,
everywhere producing consternation and alarm,
called out determined men. and excitement ruled
the hour.
The conventions of 18()1 and iSOb- sece.ssion
and reconstruction I When the long - gathering
cloud-burst of civil war had passed, it left a cen-
40
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
tury's trail of broken hearts, desolated homes,
ruined lives, and a stream of demoralization over-
flowiug the beautiful valleys of the land to the
mountain tops. The innocent and unfortunate ne-
gro was the stumbling-block at all times. The con-
vention of 1861 would have founded an empire of
freedom, buttressed in the slavery of the black man;
the convention of 1868 preferred to rear its great col-
umn of liberty upon the ashes of the unfortunate
past: in every era the wise, conservative and patriotic
sentiment of the land was chained and bound to
the chariot-wheels of rejoicing emotion. Prudence
and an intelligent insight into the future alone
could prevent men from " losing their reason."
The constitution of 1868, as a whole, was not
devoid of merit. It opened the way for an age of
internal improvements, and intended the establish-
ment of H liberal pulilic free school system, and at
the same time provided safeguards to protect the
public treasury and restrain reckless extravagance.
Then the legislatures elected under it, the State
officers, and the representatives in the upper and
lower Congress, were in political accord with the
dominant party of the country. Gen. Grant was
president; Powell Clayton, governor; Robert J. L.
M'hite, secretary of State; J. R. Berry, auditor,
and Henry Page, treasurer. The first legislature
under the constitution of 18(kS passed most lilieral
laws to aid railroads and other internal improve-
ments, and provided a system of revenue laws to
meet the new order of affairs. During 1869 to
1871 railroad aid and levee bonds to the amount of
$10,419,778.74 were issued. The supreme court
of the State in after years declared the railroad
aid. levee and Halford bonds void, aggregating
$8,604,773.74. Before his term of governor had
expired. Gov. Clayton was elected United States
senator (1871-77), and in 1873 Hon. Stephen W.
Dorsey was elected to a like position.
The climax and the end of reconstruction in
Arkansas will always be an interesting paragraph
in the State' s history. Elisha Baxter and Joseph
Brooks were the gubernatorial candidates at the
election of 1872. Both were Repulilicans. and
Brooks was considered one of the most ardent of
that i)arty. Baxter was the nominee of the party
and on the same ticket with Grant, who was can-
didate for president. Brooks was nominated on a
mixed ticket, made up by disaffected Republicans,
but on a more liberal platform toward the Demo-
crats than the regular ticket. On the face of the
first retiu-ns the Greeley electors and the Brooks
ticket were in the majority, but when the votes
were finally canvassed, such changes were made,
from illegal voting or bulldozing it was claimed,
as to elect the Grant and Baxter tickets. Under
the constitution of 1868, the legislature was de-
clared the sole judge of the election of State officers.
Brooks took his case before that body at its Jan-
uary term, 1873 — at which time Baxter was in-
augurated— but the assembly decided that Baxter
was elected, and, whether right or wrong, every
one supposed the question permanently settled.
Brooks however, went before the supreme
court (McClure being chief justice), that body
promptly deciding that the legislature was by law
the proper tribunal, and that as it had determined
the case its action was final and binding. Bax-
ter was inaugurated in January, 1873; had been
declared elected by the proper authorities, and
this had been confirmed by the legislature, the
action of the latter being distinctly approved
by the supreme court. The adherents of Brooks
had supposed that they were greatly wronged,
but like good citizens all acquiesced. Those
who had politically despised Brooks — perhaps
the majority of his voters — had learned to sym-
pathize with what they believed were his and
their mutual wrongs. Baxter had peacefully ad-
ministered the office more than a year, when
Brooks went before Judge John Whytock, of the
Pulaski circuit court, and commenced quo warranto
proceedings against Baxter. The governor's at-
torneys filed a demurrer, and the case stood over.
Wednesday, April 15, 1874, Judge Whytock, in
the absence of Baxter's attorneys, overruled the de-
murrer, giving judgment of ouster against Baxter,
and instantly Brooks, with an officei', hastened to
the State house, demanded the surrender of the
office, and arrested Baxter. Thus a stroke of the
pen by a mere circuit court judge in banc plunged
the State into tumult.
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
41
Couriers sped over the city, and the flying news
gave the people a genuine sensation. Indeed, not
only Baxter but the State and the nation received
a great surprise.
As soon as Baxter was released, though only
under arrest a few minutes, he fled to St. John's
College, in the city, and from this headquarters
called for soldiers, as did Brooks from the
State house, and alas, poor Arkansas! there were
now again two doughty governors beating the
long roll and swiftly forming in the ranks of war.
Brooks conv^Vted the State bouse and grounds
into a garrison, while Baxter made headquarters
at the old Anthonj' Hotel, and the dead-line be-
tween the armed foes was Main Street. Just in
time to prevent mutual annihilation, though not
in time to prevent bloodshed, some United States
soldiers arrived and took tip a position of armed
neutrality between the foes.
If there can be anything comical in a tragedy
it is furnished just here in the fact that, in the
twinkling of an eye, the adherents and voters of the
two governors had changed places, and each was
now fighting for the man whom he had opposed so
vehemently. And in all these swift changes the
supreme court had shown the greatest agility.
By some remarkable legerdemain, Brooks, who was
intrenching himself, had had his case again placed
before the supreme court, and it promptlj' leversed
itself and decided that the circuit court had juris-
diction. The wires to Washington were kept hot
with messages to President Grant and Congress.
The whole State was in dire commotion with • ' mus-
tering squadrons and clattering cars. ' ' The fre-
quent popping of picket guns was in the land; a
steamboat, laden with arms for Baxter, was at-
tacked and several killed and many wounded.
Business was again utterly prostrated and horrors
brooded over the unfortunate State; and probably
the most appalling feature of it all was that in the
division in the ranks of the people the blacks, led
by whites, were mostly on one side, while the
whites were arrayed on the other. Congress sent
the historical Poland Committee to investigate
Arkansas affairs. President Grant submitted all
legal questions to his attorney-general.
The President, at the end of thirty days after
the forcible possession of theofiice, sustained Bax-
ter—exit Brooks. The end of the war. the cli-
max of reconstruction in Arkansas, had come.
Peace entered as .swiftly as had war a few days be
fore. The sincerity and intensity of the people's
happiness in this final ending are found in the fact
that when law and order were restored no one was
impeached, no one was imprisoned for treason.
The report of the Poland Committee, 1874.
the written opinion of Attorney- General Williams,
the decision of the Arkansas supreme court by
Judge Samuel W. Williams, found in Vol. XXIX of
Arkansas Reports, page 173, and the retiring mes-
sage of Governor Baxter, are the principal records
of the literature and history of the reign of the
dual governors. The students of law and history
in coming time will turn inquiring eyes with
curious interest upon these official pages. The
memory of "the thirty days" in Arkansas will
live forever, propagating its lessons and bearing
its warnings; the wise moderation and the spirit
of forbearance of the people, in even their exult
ing hour of triumph, will be as beacon light.s
shining out upon the troubled waters, transmit-
ting for all time the transcendent fact that in the
hour of supreme trial the best intelligence of the
people is wiser than their rulers, better law-
givers than their statesmen, and incomparably
superior to their courts.
The moment that President Grant officially
spoke, the reconstruction constitution of 180S was
doomed. True, the people had moved almost in
mass and without leadership in 1873, and had
repealed Article YIII of the constitution, disfran-
chising a large part of the intelligent tax- payers
of the State.
The constitutional convention of 1874, with
the above facts fresh before it, met and promul-
gated the present State constitution. G. D. Roy-
ston was president, and T. W. Newton, secr(>tary.
The session lasted from July 14 to October 31,
1874. From the hour of its adoption the clouds
rolled away, and at once commenced the present
unexampled prosperity of the State. Only here and
there in Little Rock and other points in the State
■I'i
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
may one see the mute but eloquent mementos of
the past, in the dilapidated buildings, confiscated
during the lifetime of some former owner, may-
hap, some once eminent citizen, now in his grave
or self expatriated from a State which his life
and genius had adorned and helped make great.
Municipalities and even small remote districts are
paying off the last of heavy debts of the "flush
times. ' ' Long suffering and much chastened State
and people, forgetting the past, and full of hope for
the future, are fitly bedecking (though among the
youngest) the queenliest in the sisterhood of States.
In this connection it will bo of much interest to
notice the names of those individuals, who, by
reason of their association with various public
affairs, have become well and favorably known
throughout the State. The term of service of each
incumbent of the respective offices has been pre-
served and is here given. The following table
includes the acting Territorial and State governors
of Arkansas, with date of inauguration, party pol-
itics, etc:
-= c = —
c
a
.3^' =
Sh
Ten iiory
a
Dale of E-i
-1 •§!
2=
and State.
"S
Inauguration.
a
I-. I's
>2
be
&S
—
.2
^^
-^
James Miller...
App't'd
March 3, 1810
George Izard...
.\pp'ld
March 4, 1825,
Johu Pope
App t'd
March 9, 182'.i
Wm. Fulton....
Appi'd
March i>. 18;j5
J. S. Coiiway....
1836
.Septeuilier 13, 18:i6 4 yrs.
Novemher 4,184ii4 yrs.
Dem.
I,I02M
7,716
Archibald Tell.
184t
Dem.
Samuel Adams.
Acting
Apr. 29 to Nov. 9, 1844
T. S. Drew
1H4
Novenihi-r .'i, IH44 .'» yrs.
Dem.
1,731 P
17,.387
J. WUIiamson.
Acting
Apr. 9 to May 7, 1S40;
R, C.Kyid
.\ciing
Jan. 11 to A|ir. 19, 1»4<J|
J. S. Roane
1849
April 19, 1849*1
Dem.
163
6,809
R. C. Byrd
Acting
1S49
J. R. Hamptou
Acting
1851
E. N. Conway..
185a
November l.'i, l»;>a'4 yrs.
Dem.
3,027
27,867
E. N. Conway..
1864
November 17, IS.'ifi 4 yrs.
Dem.
12,363
43,861
H. M. Rector...
1861,
November l.i, 1860 2 yrs.
1. D.
2,461
61.198
T. I'letcher
Acting
Nov. 4 to Nov. 1,1, 1863
Con.
(no re
cord )
11. Flannagin..
IKBi
Noveiiiber 15,1863.3 yrs.
Con.
10,013
2ii,2<;6
I. Murphy
1864
April 18, 18C,4|
led.
(no re
cord)
P. Clayton
1868
July 2, 186SI4 yr.s.
Rep.
(noie
cord 1
0. A. Hadley...
Acting
January 17, 1871,2 yrs.
Rep.
(no re
cord )
E. Ha.xter
1871!
January 6, 1873)2 yrs.
Rep.
2,948
80,721
A. H. (iarland.
1874
November 13, 1874 2 yrs.
Dem.
76,4.53
W. R. Miller....
1876
January 11, I877|2 yrs.
Dem.
32,315
108,633
W. R. Miller....
1878
January 17, 1879|2 yrs.
Dem.
88,7311
T. .1. Churchill
1880
.lanuary 1.1,1881
3 yrs.
Dem.
.52,761
115,(119
.T. 11. Herry
1882
January 1.3. I88;j
2 vrs.
Dem.
28,481
147,169
n. T. Emiiry...
Acting
.Sep, 25 to Sep. 30,1883
S. P. Hughes...
1884
January 17, 1885
2 yrs.
45,236
166,310
J. W. Staylon..
Acting
S. P. Hugl.es...
1886
2 yrs.
Dem.
17,411
163,889
D. E. Barker...
Acting
J. P. Eagle
1888
2 yrs.
Dem
15.O0C
187,.-!97
*fiperiiil plection.
The secretaries of Arkansas Territory have been :
Robert Crittenden, appointed March 3, 1819;
"William Fulton, appointed April 8, 1820; Lewis
Randol|>h, appointed February 23, 1835.
Secretaries of State: Robert A. Watkins,
September 10, 1836, to November 12, 1840; D.
B. Greer, November 12, 1840, to May 9, 1842;
John Winfrey, acting. May 9, to August 9, 1842;
D. B. Greer, August 19, 1840, to September 3,
1859 (died); Alexander Boileau, September 3, 1829,
to January 21, 1860; S. M. Weaver, January 21,
1860, to March 20, I860; John I. Stirman, March
24, 1860, to November 13, 1862; O. H. Gates,
November 13, 1862, to April 18, 1864; Robert J.
T. White, Provisional, from January 24, to January
6, 1873; J. M, Johnson, January 6, 1873, to No-
vember 12, 1874; B. B. Beavers, November 12,
1874, to January 17, 1879; Jacob Frolich, January
17, 1879, to January, 1885; E. B. Moore, January,
1885, to January, 1889; B. B. Chism (present in-
cumbent).
Territoriiil auditors of Arkansas: George W.
Scott, August 5, 1810, to November 20, 1829;
Richard C. Byrd, November 20, 1829, to Novem-
ber 5, 1831; Emzy Wilson, November 5, 1831, to
November 12, 1833; William Pelham, November
12, 1833, to July 25, 1835; Elias N. Conway,
July 25, 1835, to October 1, 1836.
Auditors of State: Elias N, Conway, October
I, 1836, to May 17, 1841; A. Boileau, May 17,
1841, to July 5, 1841 (acting); Elias N. Conway,
July 5, 1841, to January 3, 1849; C. C. Danley,
January 3, 1849, to September 16, 1854 (resigned);
W. li. Miller, September 16, 1854, to January 23,
1855; A. S. Huey, January 23, 1855, to January
23, 1857; W. R. Miller, January 23, 1857, to March
5, 1860; 11. C. Lowe, March 5, 'i860, to January 24,
1861 (acting); W. E. Miller, January 24, 1861, to
ApiillS, 1864; J. R. Berry, April 18, 1864, to Oc-
tober 15, 1866; Stephen "Wheeler, January 6, 1873,
to November 12, 1874; W, R. Miller, October 15,
1866, to July 2, 1868: John Crawford, January
II, 1877, to January 17, 1883; A. W. Files, Jan-
uary, 1883, to January, 1887; William R. Miller
(died in office), January, 1887, to November, 1887;
W. S. Dunlop, appointed November 30, 1887, to
,k
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
43
January, 1889; W. S. Dunlop, January, 188U
(present incumbent).
Territorial treasurers: James Scull, August 15,
1819, to November 12, 1833; S. M. Rutherford,
November 12, 1833, to October 1, 1836.
State treasurers: W. E. Woodruff. October 1,
1836, to November 20, 1838; John Hutt, November
20, 1838, to February 2, 1843; John C. Martin,
Febriiary 2, 1843, to January 4, 1845; Samuel
Adams, January 4, 1845, to January 2, 1849; Will-
iam Adams, January 2, 1849, to January 10, 1849;
John H. Crease. January 10, 1849, to January 26,
1855; A. H. Rutherford, January 27, 1855, to Feb-
ruary 2, 1857; J. H. Crease, February 2, 1857, to
February 2. 1859 ; John Quindley, February 2, 1859,
to December 13, 1860 (died); Jared C. Martin,
December 13, 1860, to February 2, 1861; Oliver
Basham, February 2, 1861, to April 18, 1864; E.
D. Ayers, April 18, 1864, to October 15, 1866; L.
B. Cunningham, October 15, 1866, to August 19,
1867 (removed by military); Henry Page, August
19, 1867 (military appointment), elected 1868 to
1874 (resigned); R. C. Newton, May 23, 1874, to
November 12, 1874; T. J. Churchill, November
12, 1874, to January 12, 1881; W. E. Woodruff,
Jr., January 12, 1881, to January, 1891.
Attorneys-general: Robert W. Johnson, 1843;
George C. Watkins, October 1, 1848; J. J. Critten-
den, February 7, 1851; Thomas Johnson, Septem-
ber 8, 1856: J. L. Hollowell, September 8, 1858:
P. Jordon, September 7. 1861; Sam W. Williams,
1862; C. T. Jordan, 1864; R. S. Gantt, January
31, 1865; R. H. Deadman, October 15, 1866; J. R.
Montgomery, July 21, 1S6S; T. D. W. Yonley, Jan-
uary 8, 1873; J. L. Witherspoon, May 22, 1874;
Simon P. Hughes, November 12, 1873, to 1876; W.
F. Henderson, January 11, 1877, to 1881; C. B.
Moore, January 12, 1881, to 1885; D. W. Jones,
January, 18S5, to 1889; W. E. Atkinson. January,
1889 (present incumbent).
Commissioners of immigration and of State
lands: J. M. Lewis, July 2. 1868; W. H. Grey,
October 15, 1872; J. N. Smithee, June 5, 1874.
These officers were succeeded by the commis-
sioner of State lands, the first to occupy this position
being J. N. Smithee, from November 12, 1874, to
November 18, 1878; D. W. Lear, October 21, 1878,
to November, 1882; W. P. Campbell, October 30,
1882, to March, 1884; P. M. Cobbs, March 31,
1884, to October 30, 1890.
Superintendents of public instruction: Thomas
Smith, 1868 to 1873; J. C. Corbin, July 6, 1873;
G. W. Hill, December 18, 1875, to October, 1878;
J. L. Denton, October 13, 1875, to October 11,
1882; Dunbar H. Pope, October 1 1 to 30, 1882;
W. E. Thompson, October 20, 1882, to 1890.
Of the present State officers and members of
boards, the executive department is first worthy of
attention. This is as follows:
Governor. J. P. Eagle; secretary of State, B.
B. Chism; treasiu-er, William E. Woodniff, Jr.;
attorney-general, W. E. Atkinson; commissioner
of State lands, Paul M. Cobbs; superintendent
public instruction, W. E. Thompson; State geolo-
gist, John C. Brauner.
Board of election canvassers: Gov J. P. Eagle,
Sec. B. B. Chism.
Board of commissioners of the common school
fund: Gov. J. P. Eagle, Sec. B. B. Chism, Supt.
W. E. Thompson.
State debt board: Gov. J. P. Eagle: Aud. W.
S. Dunlop, and Sec. B. B. Chism.
Penitentiary board — commissioners: The Gov-
ernor; the attorney -general, W. E. Atkinson, and
the secretary of State.
Lessee of penitentiary: The Arkansas Indus-
trial Company.
Printing board: The Governor, president; W.
S. Dunlop, auditor, and W. E. Woodruff, Jr.,
treasurer.
Board of railroad commissioners (to assess and
equalize the railroad property and valuation within
the State): The Governor, secretary of State and
State auditor.
Board of Trustees of Arkansas Medical College:
J. A. Dibrell, M. D., William Thompson. M. D..
William Lawrence, M. D.
The Arkansas Stiite University, at Fayetteville.
has as its board of trustees: \\. M. Fishback, Fort
Smith; James Mitchell, Little Rock; W. B.
Welch. Fayetteville; C. M. Taylor. South Bend;
B. F. Avery, Camden; J. W. Kessee. Latour; Gov.
44
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
Eagle, ex -officio: E. H. Murfree, president, A. I.
U. ; J. L. Cravens, secretary.
Of the Pine Bluff Normal, the president is J.
Corbiu, Pine Bluff; the board is the same as that
of the State University.
Board of dental surgery: Dr. L. Augspath,
Dr. H. C. Howard, Dr. M. C. Mar.'^hall. Dr. L. O.
Roberts, and Dr. X. N. Hayes.
State board of health: Drs. A. L. Brey-
sacher, J. A. Dibrell, P. Van Patten, Lorenzo K.
Gibson, W. A. Cantrell, V. Bruusou.
Board of municipal corporations: Ex-officio —
The Governor, secretary of State and State auditor.
Board of education: The Governor, secretary
of State and auditor.
Board of review for donation contests: The
Governor, auditor of Slate and attorney-general.
Board of examiners of State script: The Gov-
ernor, secretary of State and auditor.
Reference to the presidential vote of Ai'kansas,
fi'om the year 1836 up to and including the elec-
tion of 1888, will serve to show in a general way
the political complexion of the State during that
period. The elections have resulted as follows:*
1836— Van Buren (D), 2,400; Harrison (W),
1,162; total 3,638.
1840— Harrison (W), 5,160; Van Buren (D),
6,049; Birney (A), 889; total 11,209.
1844 Polk (D), 8,546; Clay (W), 5,5C4;
total 15,050.
1848— Taylor (W), 7,588; Cass (D), 9,300;
total 16.888.
* Scattering votes not given.
1852— Pierce (D). 12,170; Scott, 7,404;
total 19,577.
1856— Buchanan (D), 21,910; Fillmore, 10,787;
total 32,697.
1860 — Douglas (D), 5,227; Breckenridge,
28,532; Bell, 20,297.
1864 -No vote.
1868-Grant (K), 22,112; Seymour, 19.078:
total 41.190.
1872— Grant (R), 41.377; Greeley, 37.927;
total 79,300.
1876— Tilden (D), 58,360; Hayes (R). 38.669;
total 97,029.
42,435; Hancock (D),
72,927; Blaine, 50,895;
58,752; Cleveland (D),
1880— Garfield (R),
60,475; total, 107,290.
1884— Cleveland (D).
total, 125,669.
1888— Harrison (R),
88,962; Fisk, 593; total, 155,968.
In accepting the vote of Arkansas, 1876, objec-
tion was made to counting it. as follows: "First,
because the official returns of the election in said
State, made according to the laws of said State,
show that the persons certified to the secretary
of said State as elected, were not elected as
electors for President of the United States at
the election held November 5, 1876; and, sec-
ond, because the returns as read by the tellers
are not certified according to law. The objec-
tion was sustained by the Senate but not sus-
tained by the House of Representatives."
* "^KS-)ii2V^* *
f-
-|^
A
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
45
'-^
lifttmi ¥.
Advancement of the State— Misconceptions Removed— Effects of Slavery upon AoiticrLTURE-
EXTRAOKDINARY IMPROVEMENT SINCE THE War— ImPOUTANT SUGGESTIONS— COMPARATIVE
Estimate of Products— Growth of the Manufacturing Interests-
Wonderful Showing of Arkansas— Its Desirability as a
Place of Residence— State Elevations.
Look forwaril what's to ooiiie, and l)ack what's past;
Thy life will be with praise and prudence graced;
What loss or gain may follow thou may'st guess,
Then wilt thou be secure of the success. — Denham.
EFORE entering directly up-
on the subject of the mate-
rial life and growth of Arkan-
sas, it is necessary to clear
away at the threshold some
of the obstructions that have
lain in its pathway. From
the earliest settlement slav-
^M WT^ P^^ ^^y existed, and the nergo
slave was brought with the
tirst agricultural communities. Slave
labor was profitable in but two things
— cotton and sugar. Arkansas was
north of the sugar cane belt, but was a
splendid field for cotton growing. Slave
labor and white labor upon the farms
were never congenial associates. These
things fixed rigidly the one road in the
agricultui'al progress of the State.
What was therefore the very richness
of heaven's bounties, became an incubus upon the
general welfare. The fertile soil returned a rich
reward even with the slovenly applied energies of
the slaves. A man could pay perhaps $1,000 for
a slave, and in the cotton field, but really nowhere
else, the investment would yield an enormous profit.
The loss in waste, or ill directed labor, in work
carelessly done, or the want of preparation, tools
or machinery, or any manner of real thrift, gave
little or no concern to the average agriculturist.
For personal comfort and large returns upon invest-
ments that required little or no personal attention,
no section of the world ever surpassed the United
States south of the 36° of north latitude. Wealth
of individuals was rated therefore by the number
of slaves one possessed. Twenty hands in the cot-
ton field, under even an indifferent overseer, with
no watchful car« of the master, none of that saving
frugality in the farming so imperative elsewhere
upon farms, returned every year an income whicn
would enable the family to spend their lives trav-
eling and sight-seeing over the w'orld. The rich
soil required no care in its tilling from the owner.
It is the first and strongest principle in human na-
ture to seek its desires through the least exertion.
To raise cotton, ship to market and dispose of it,
purchasing whatever was wanted, was the inevi-
table result of such conditions. This was by far the
easiest mode, and hence manufactures, diversity of
farming or farming pursuits, were not an impera-
tive necessity — indeed, they were not felt to be ne-
cessities at all. The evil, the blight of slavery
:7-
46
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
upon the whites, was well understood by the intel-
ligence of the South, by even those who had learned
to believe that white labor could not and never
would be prolitable in this latitude; that — most
strange! the white man who labored at manual
lal)or, must be in the severe climate and upon the
stubborn New England soil. It was simply effect
following cause which made these people send off
their childi'en to school, and to buy their every want,
both necessaries and luxuries — importing hay, corn,
oats, bacon, mules, horses and cattle even from
Northern States, when every possible natural ad-
vantage might be had in producing the same things
at ho-ne. It was the easiest and cheapest way to do.
In the matter of dollars and cents, the destroying
of slavery was, to the farmers of the Upper Missis-
sippi Valley, a permanent loss. Now the New South
is beginning to send the products of its farms and
gardens even to Illinois. The war, the abolition
of slavery, the return of the Confederates to their
desolated homes, and their invincible courage in
rolling up their sleeves and going to work, and the
results of their labors seen all over the South, form
one of the grandest disjalays of the development of
the latent forces of the great American people
that can be found in history.
There is not a thing, not even ice, but that, in
the new social order of Arkansas, it can produce
for its own use quite as well as the most favored
of Northern States. The one obstruction in the
way of the completed triumph of the State is the
lingering idea among farmers that for the work of
raising cotton, black labor is better than white.
This fallacy is a companion of the old notion that
slavery was necessary to the South. Under proper
Huspices these two articles of Arkansas — cotton
iuul lumber — alone may make of it the most pros-
perous State in the Union ; and the magician's
wand to transform all this to gold is in securing the
intelligent laborer of the North, far more than the
Northern capital prayed for by so many. The North
lias its homeless millions, and the recent lessons
in the opening of Oklahoma should be promptly
appreciated by the people of this State. For the
next decade to manufacture every pound of cotton
raised in the State, as. well as husbanding and man-
ufacturing all the lumber fi-om these grand old for-
ests, is to solve the questions in the race of State
prosperity and general wealth among the people.
When free labor supplanted slave labor what a won-
derful advance it gave the whole section; when in-
telligent skilled labor supplants ignorance and un-
skilled labor, what a transcendent golden epoch
will dawn. There is plenty of capital to-day in the
State, if it was only jjut in proper co-operative
form, to promote the establishment of manu-
factories that would liberally reward the stock-
holders, and make them and Arkansas the richest
people in the world. Such will attract hundreds of
thousands of intelligent and capable wage workers
from tlie North, from all over the world, as well as
the nimble-witted farm labor in the gardens, the
orchards, the fields and the cotton plantations. This
will bring and add to the present profits on a bale
of cotton, the far richer dividend on stocks in fac-
tories, banks, railroads and all that golden stream
which is so much of modern increase in wealth.
The people of Arkansas may just as well have this
incalculable abundance as to not have it, and at the
same time pay enormous premiums to others to come
and reap the golden harvests. Competent labor-
ers— skilled wage workers, the brawn and brain
of the land — are telling of their unrest in strikes,
lockouts, combinations and counter combinations;
io short, in the conflict of labor and capital, they
are appealing strongly to be allowed to come to
Arkansas — not to enter the race against ignorant,
incapable labor, but simply to find employment and
homes, where in comfort and plenty they can rear
their families, and while enriching themselves to
return profits a thousand fold. Don't fret and
mope away your lives looking and longing for capi-
tal to enter and develop your boundless resources.
Capital is a royal good thing, but remember it is
even a better thing in your own pockets than in
some other piu-sou's. Open the way for proper,
useful labor to come and find emj)loyment ; each
department, no matter how small or humble the
beginning, once started will grow rapidly, and the
problem will have been solved. Onlj^ by the North
taking the raw product of the South and putting it
in the hands of skilled labor has their enormous
0 k_
-—4-^..
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
47
capital been secured. The protits on high priced
Labor will always far excel that oa ignorant or cheap
workmen. The time is now when this kind of
labor and the small farmers and gardeners are
awaiting a bidding to enter Arkansas. When the
forlorn hope returned from the late war, they met
the stern necessity, and demonstrated the fact that
here, at least, the people can create their own capi-
tal. Let them now anticipate the future by this
heroic triumph of the past. The Gods help those
only who help themselves.
"The fault, dear Brutus, is not in our stars,
but in ourselves."
To the Northern home- seeker the thing of tirst
importance is to tell of the temperate climate at all
seasons, and its extraordinary healthfulness, cur-
ing him of the false idea spread so wide that the
topography of the State is seen from the decks
of steamers, or on the lines of railroad which are
built along the .swamps and slashes, mostly on ac-
count of the easy grades on these lines. Then show
from the records the low rate of taxation and the
provisions of the law by which high taxation is for-
ever prevented. From this preliminary may be
unfolded to him some of the wonderful natural re-
sources which are awaiting development. Here
both tongue and pen will fall far short of telling all
or nearly all. In climate, health, soil, timber,
minerals, coal, rocks, clays, marls, sand, navigable
streams, mineral and fresh waters, Arkansas may
challenge any similar sized spot on the globe. It
has more miles of navigable streams than any other
State in the Union, and these are so placed as to
give the whole territory the advantages thereof, as
though the engineers had located them. It has
unequaled water power — the Mammoth Spring
alone furnishing enough water power to propel all
the machinery west of the Mississippi River. The
topograj)hy of the State is one of its most inviting
features. Its variety in this respect is only equaled
by the diversity of its soils. The traveler who in
approaching this section concludes that it consists
chiefly of swamp bottoms, and water-covered
slashes, may readily learn from the records that
three-quarters of the State's .surface is uplands,
ranging from the gentle swells of prairie and
woodland to the grandly beautiful mountain scen-
ery; and on the mountain benches, and at the base,
are as rich and beautiful valleys as are kissed by the
rays of the sun in his season's round. Take the
whole range of agricultural products of Ohio, Ind-
iana, Illinois and Kansas, and all can lie produced
(piite as well in Arkansas as in any of these States.
In the face of this fact, for more than a genera-
tion Arkansas raised scarcely any of the products
of these Northern communities, but importeil such
as it had to have. It could not spare its lands from
the cultivation of the more profitable crops of
cotton. In a word, the truth is the State was bur-
dened with natural wealth — this and slave labor
having clogged the way and impeded its progress.
With less labor, more cotton per acre and ])erhand,
on an average, has been produced in Arkansas than
in any other Southern State, and its quality has been
such as to win the prize wherever it has been en-
tered in competition. Its reputation as a fruit-
growing State is not excelled. In the New Orleans
Exposition, in California. Ohio and everywhere en-
tered, it has taken the premium over all competi-
tors. Its annual rainfall exceeds that of any South -
era State, and it cannot, therefore, suffer seriously
from drouths. There is not a spot upon the globe
which, if isolated from all outside of its limits,
could .sustain in health and all the civilized comforts
a population as large as might Arkansas. Fifty
thousand people annually come hither and are
cured, and yet a general nebulous idea prevails
among many in the North that the health <md cli-
mate of the State are not good. The statistics of
the United States Medical Department show the
mortality rate at Little Rock to be less than at any
other occupied military post in the coimtry. There
is malaria in portions of the State, but considering
the vast bottom stretches of timber-land, and the
newness of the country's settlement, it is a remark-
able fact that there is less of this .disease here
than in Pennsylvania; while all the severer diseases
of the New England and Northern States, such as
rheumatism, consumption, catarrh and blood poi-
son, are always relieved and generally cured in
Arkansas; malignant scarlet fever and diphtheria
have never yet appeared. That dreadful deciruator,
e k^
48
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
yellow fever, has only visited the eastern portion of
the State, but in every case it was brought from
abroad, and has never prevailed in this locality as an
epidemic. Therefore, the largest factories, schools
and universities in the world should be here. The
densest population, the busiest haunts of men, will
inevitably come where their rewards will be great-
est— the struggle for life less severe. Five hun-
dred inhabitants to the square mile will not put to
the full test the limitless resources of this wonder-
ful commonwealth. Ten months of summer with-
out one torrid day, with invariable cool and re-
freshing nights, and two mouths only of winter,
where a man can work out of doors every day in
the year in comfort, with less cost in physician's
bills, expense in food, clothing and housing, are
some of the inducements the State offers to the
poor man. There are millions of acres of fertile
lands that are offered almost without money and
without price; land nearly any acre of which is
worth more intrinsically than any other similar
sized body of land in the world. There are
5,000,000 acres of government lands in the State,
and 2,000,000 acres of Stiite lands. The rainfall in
1880 was 40.38; average mean temperature, 58.7";
highest, 97.8°; lowest, above zero, 7.6°. Of the
33,500,000 acres in the State there are soils richer
and deeper than the Nile; others that excel the
alluvial corn belt of the Northern States; others
thatmay successfully compete with the noted Cuba
or James River, Virginia, tobacco red soil districts,
or the most noted vineyards of France or Italy.
Here is the land of wine and silk, where side by side
will grow the corn and the fig— the land overhung
with the soft, blue skies, and decked with flowers,
the air laden with the rich perfumes of the magno-
lias, on the topujost pinnacle of whose branches the
Southern mocking-bird by day and by night swells
its throat with song —
" Where all, save the spiril ol iiiau. is (iiviiio."
The artificial and local causes which have ob-
structed the State's prosperity are now forever
gone. There is yet the unsolved problem of the
political negi-o, but this is in Illinois, Kansas and
Ohio, exactly as it is in Arkansas. It is onlv the
^^
common problem to the Anglo-Saxon of the United
States, which, in the future as in the past, after
many mistakes and even great wi-ongs, he will for-
ever settle and for the best. Throw politics to the
winds; only remember to profit by the mistakes of
the North in inviting immigration, and thereby
avoid the ominous presence of anarchism, socialism,
and those conditions of social life latent in ' ' the
conflict of labor and capital." These are some of
the portentous problems now confronting the older
States that are absent from Arkansas^ they should
be kept away, by the knowledge that such ugly
conditions are the fanged whelps of the great
brood of American demagogues — overdoses of
politics, washed down by too much universal vot-
ing. It is of infinitely more importance to guard
tax-receipts than the ballot boxes. When vice and
ignorance vote their own destruction, there need be
no one to compassionate their miseries, but always
where taxes run high, people's liberties run low.
The best government governs the least — the freest
government taxes the least.
Offer premiums to the immigration of well-
informed, expert labor, and small farmers, dairy-
men, gardeners and horticulturists and small trad-
ers. Let the 7,000,000 acres of government and
State lands be given in forty-acre tracts to the
heads of families, who will come and occupy them.
Instead of millions of dollars in donations to great
corporations and capitalists, give to that class which
will create capital, develop the State, and enrich
all the people. Railroads and capitalists will fol-
low these as water runs down the hill. Arkansas
needs railroads — ten thousand miles yet — it needs
great factories, great cities, universities of learn-
ing and, forsooth, millionaires. But its first and
greatest needs are small farmers, practical toil-
ers, skilled mechanics, and scattered all over the
State beginnings in each of the various manufac-
tures; the beginnings, in short, of that auspicious
hour when it ceases to ship any of its raw mate-
rials. It is a law of life, that, in a society where
there are few millionaires, there are few paupers.
Where the capital of a country is gathered in vast
aggregations in the possession of a few. there the
children cry for bread — the poor constantly in-
=:x:
J,
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
49
crease, wages fall, employment too often fails, and
the hoarse mutterings of parading mobs and bread
riots take the places of the laughter and the sougs
of the laborers to and from the shops and the
fields.
The following from the government official re-
ports of the growth and value of the manufactures
of the State is to be understood as reaching only
to 1880, when it had but commenced to emerge
from the old into the new life:
S
DO
m
9)
B
n
n
S
a
00
3
Year.
x:
'S.
13
•o
S
sQ
£
3
5
S
&
ja
fe
0)
3
w
>
^
1860
261
$ 305,045
812
30
$150,876
554,240
fi73,96i
925,358
8 215 789
$ 537,908
2,880,-578
4,629,234
6,756,159
1860
518
1,316,610
1,782,913
2,953,130
1,831
3,077
4,307
46
1/280.M3
2,506,998
4,392,080
1870
1,070
47
fi?
1880
1,202
90
160
Ideas of values are most easily reached by com-
parisons. The following figures, taken from offi-
cial government reports, explain themselves:
Value of
Farms.
Machinery
Live Stock.
Producls.
$ 74,249,6.55
105,932.541
507,430,227
235,178,631
193,724,260
$ 4.637,497
7,8211,915
29,371,884
9,734.6.34
13,089,783
8 20.472,426
3.3,440,26.1
124.71,5,103
S43 796 ''6*
31,708,914
36,103.073
Minnesota ,
31,904,821 49,468,967
The products are the profits on the capital in-
vested. Words can add nothing to these figures
in demonstrating the superiority of Arkansas as
an agricultural State, except the explanation that
Southern farming is yet more or less carried on
under the baneful influences of the days of slavery,
unintentional indifference and the absence of
watchful attention by the proprietor.
Cotton grows finely in all parts of this com-
monwealth and heretofore in two-thirds of its terri-
tory it has been the main crop. In the fertile
bottoms the product per acre has reached as high
as 2,000 pounds of seed cotton, while on the
uplands it runs fi-om 600 to 1,000 pounds. The
census of 1880 shows that Arkansas produces more
cotton per acre, and at less expense, than any of
the so-called cotton States. In 1880 the yield
was TjOS. 256 bales, grown on 1,042,970 acres. That
year Georgia raised 814,441 bales, on 2,617,138
acres. The estimated cost per acre of raising cot-
ton is $0. It will thus be seen that it cost
$9,444,972 in Georgia to raise 256,185 more bales
of cotton than Arkansas had grown — much more
than double the land to produce less than one-
fourth more cotton. Less than one-twentieth of
the cotton land of the latter State has been brought
under cultivation.
The superiority of cotton here is attested by
the fact that the greatest cotton thread manufact-
urers in the world prefer the Arkansas cotton to
any other in the market. The product has for
years carried off the first prizes over the world's
competition.
The extra census bulletin, 1880, gives the yield
of corn, oats and wheat products in Arkansas for
that year as follows: Corn, 24,156,517 bushels;
oats, 2,219.824 bushels; wheat, 1,269,730 bushels.
Remembering that this is considered almost ex-
clusively a cotton State, these figures of the cereals
will be a genuine surprise. More wheat is grown
by 40, 000 bushels and nearly three times as much
corn as were raised in all New England, according
to the official figures for that year.
From the United States agricultural reports are
obtained these interesting statistics concerning the
money value of farm crops per acre:
Corn.
Rye.
0at«.
Potatoes.!
Hay.
Illinois
1 6 77
8 80
11 52
6 44
7 52
7 91
11 SI
$ 6 64
7 30
9 08
5 98
5 16
7 32
9 51
$ 6 46 $30 32
5 92i ;«) 08
7 90 34 4S
6 12 37 40
5 34 43 .50
5 78i 28 08
11 07 78 631
1 7 66
7 66
Ohio
9 85
17 TO
14 95
Arkansas
33 94
The following is the average cash value per
acre on all crops taken together:
Maine $13 51
New Hampshire.... 13 .56
Vermont 11 60
Massachusetts 26 71
Hhoile Island 29 32
Connecticut 10 82
New York 14 15
New Jersey 18 05
Penns3'lvania 17 68
Delaware 15 80
Maryland 17 82
VirC'inia 10 91
Xorlh Carolina $10 79
Soiilh Carolina 10 Oil
Georf;ia 10 35
Florida 8 52
Alabama 13 49
Mississippi 14 76
Louisiana 22 40
Arkansas 20 40
Tcnne.ssee 12 39
West Vir<rinia 12 74
Kentucky 13 58
Ohio 15 68
^ ^
^
IZ
50
HISTORY OF AKKANSAS.
Michigan Sl8 96
Indiana 14 66
Illinois 13 47
Wisconsin 13 80
Minnesota 10 29
Iowa 8 88
Missouri 10 78
Kansas f 9 11
Nebraska 8 60
Calilornia 17 18
Oregon 17 11
Nevada.Colorado and
the Territories 16 13
Texas 14 69
The advance of horticulture in the past decade
in the State has been extraordinary. Twenty years
ago its orchard products amounted to very little.
By the census reports of 1880, the total yield of
fruit was SS07, 426. This was S 1 00, 000 more than
the yield of Florida, with all the hitter's immense
orange groves. As universally as has the State
been misunderstood, it is probably in reference
to its fruits and berries that the greatest errors
have long existed. If one visits the apple and
peach regions of the North, it is found to be the gen-
eral belief that Arkansas is too far south to pro-
duce either, whereas the truth is that, especially
in apples, it has no equal either in the United
States or in the world. This fact was first brought
to public attention at the World's Fair, at New
Orleans, 1884-85, where the Arkansas exhibit was
by far the finest ever made, and the State was
awarded the first premium, receiving the World's
medal and a special notice by the awarding com-
mittee. Thus encouraged, the State was repre-
sented at the meeting of the American Pomological
Society, in Boston, in September, 1887. Sixty-
eight varieties of Arkansas seedling apples were in
the exhibit, to contend with all tlic champion fruit
growers of the globe. The State won the Wilder
medal, which is only given by reason of extraor-
dinary merit, and in addition to this was awarded
the first premium for the largest and best collection
of apples, consisting of 128 varieties.
The collection which won the Boston prizes was
then shipped to Little Rock, and after being on
exhibition there twenty days, was re-packed and
shipped to the National Horticultural meeting in
California, which met at Riversid(!, February 7,
1888. Arkansas again won the first prize, invad-
ing the very home of Pomona, and bearing off the
first honors as it had in eastern and northern sec-
tions of the Union. The ' ' Arkansas Shannon ' '
is pronounced by competent judges to be the finest
apple now grown anywhere.
Strawberries are another late discovery of the
resom-ces of Arkansas. The yield and quality are
very superior. So rapidly has the industry grown
that, during the fruit season, the Iron Mountain
road runs a special daily fruit train, leaving Little
Rock late in the afternoon and reaching St. Louis
early the next morning. This luscious product, of
remarkal)le size, ripens about the first of April.
Of all cultivated fruit the grape has held its
place in poetry and song, in sacred and profane
history, as the first. It finds in Arkansas the same
conditions and climate of its native countries,
between Persia and India. The fruit and its wine
produced here are said by native and foreign
experts to eqiial, if not surpass, the most famous of
Italy or France. The vines are always healthy
and the fruit perfect. The wild muscadine and
scuppernong grow vines measuring thirty -eight
and one-half inches around, many varieties fruit-
ing here to perfection that are not on the open air
lists at all further north.
The nativity of the peach is the same as that
of the grape, and it, too, therefore, takes as kindly
to the soil here as does the vine. Such a thing as
budded jieach trees are of very recent date, and as
a consequence the surprises of the orchardists in re-
spect to this fruit are many. Some of the varieties
ripen in May, and fo far every kind of budded
peaches Ijrought from the North, both the tree and
the fruit, have improved by the transplanting.
The vigor of the trees seems to baffle the borers,
and no curled leaves have yet been noticed. In
quality and quantity the product is most encourag-
ing, and the next few years will see a marked
advance in this industry.
For fifty years after the settlement of the State
peach seedlings were grown, and from these, as in
the case of the apple, new and superior varieties
have been started, noted for size, flavor, abundance
and never failing crops.
The Chickasaw plum is so far the most sl^c-
cessfully grown, and is the best. It is a perfected
fruit easily cultivated, and is fi-ee from the curculio,
while the trees are healthy and vigorous beyond
other localities.
In vegetables and fruits, except the tropical
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
plants, Arkansas is the banner State. In the fruit
and vegetable kingdom there is found in luxuriant
growth everything in the long list from corn to the
The yield and quality of Arkansas tobacco is
remarkable wlieii it ia remembered that this indus-
try has received so little attention. Thirty years
ago State Geologist Owen informed the people
that he found here th(> same, if not better, tobacco
soil, than the most favored districts of Cuba. The
yield of tobacco, in 1880, was 970,230 pounds.
Yet so little attention or experiment has been given
the sul)ject that an experimental knowledge of the
State's resources in this respect cannot be claimed
to have been gained.
In 1880 the State produced: Barley, 1,952
bushels; buckwheat, 548 bushels; rye, 22,387
bushels; hay. 23,295 tons; Irish potatoes, 492,627
bushels; sweet potatoes, 881,260 bushels.
From the census reports of the same year are
gleaned the following: Horses, total, 146.333
mules and asses, 87,082; working oxen, 25,444
milch cows, 249,407; other cattle, 433,392; sheep
246,757; swine, 1,565,098; wool, 557,368 pounds
milk, 316,858 gallons; butter, 7,790,013 pounds
cheese, 26,310 pounds. All parts of the State are
finely adapted to stock-raising. The excellence
and abundance of pure water, the heavy growth of
blue grass, the cane brakes and abundant mast,
sustain the animals dui'ing most of the winter
in marketable condition. In respect to all domes-
tic animals here are presented the same conditions
as in nearly every line of agriculture — cheapness
of growth and excellence of quality.
The improvement in cattle has been retarded
by the now conceded fact that the "Texas fever"
is asserted by some to be seated in the State.
This affects Northern cattle when imported, while
it has no effect on native animals. Except for this
unfortunate reality there would be but little time
lost in developing here the great dairy industry of
the country. But good graded cattle are now
being raised in every portion, and so rich is the
locality in this regard that in stock, as in its fniits,
care and attention will ])roduce new varieties of
unrivaled excellence. Arkansas is the natural home
and breeding ground of animals, all growing to
groat perfection, with loss care and the least cost.
Taxes here are not high. The total taxation in
Illinois in 1880, assessed on real and personal
property, as per census reports, for State, county
and all civil divisions less than counties, was
$24,586,018; the same year in Arkansas the total
tax was $1,839,090. Farm lands are decreasing
in value in Illinois nearly as fa.st as they are in
creasing in Arkansas. The total taxation in the
United States in 1880 was the enormous sum of
$312,750,721. Northern cities are growing, while
their rural population is lessening. The reverse
of this is the best for a State. The source of ruin
to past nations and civilizations has all arisen
from an abuse of the taxing powers. Excessive
taxation can only end in general ruin. This
simple but great lesson should be instilled into the
minds of all youths, crystallized into the briefest
maxim, and written over every threshold in the
land; hung in the porches of every institution of
learning; imprinted upon every plow handle and
emblazoned on the trees and jutting rocks. The
State that has taxed its people to build a $25. -
000,000 State house, has given deep shame to the
intelligence of this age. Taxes are the insidious
destroyer of nations and all liberty, and it is only
those freemen who jealously guard against this
evil who will for any length of time maintain their
independence, equality or manhood.
The grade proiilo of the Momj)his Route shows
the elevations of the various cities and towns
along that line to be as follows in feet, the datnna
plane being tide water of the Gulf of Mexico:
Kansas City, 765; Rosedale, 825; Merriam, 900;
Lenexa. 1,040: Olathe, 1.060: Bonita. 1,125:
Ocheltree, 1,080; Spring Hill, 1.020; Hillsdale.
900; Paola, 800; Pendleton, 855; Fontana, 925;
La Cygne, 840; Barnard, 810; Pleasanton, 865;
Miami, 910; Prescott, 880; Fulton. 820: Ham-
mond, 875; Fort Scott, 860; Clarksburg, 885;
Garland, 865; all in Kansas; Arcadia, 820;
Liberal, 875; lantha, 990; Lamar, 1,000: Keno-
ma, 980; Golden City, 1,025; Lockwood, 1,065;
South Greenfield, 1,040; Everton. 1,000; Ash
; Grove. l,02(t: Boisd'Arc. 1.250; Campbells, 1,290;
Nichols Junction, 1,280; Springfield, 1.300; Tur-
ner, 1,210; Rogersville, 1,475; Fordland, 1,600;
Seymour, 1,680; Cedar Gap, 1,685; Mansfield,
1,520; Norwood, 1.510; Mountain Grove. 1.525;
Cabool, 1,250; Sterling, 1,500; Willow Springs,
1,400; Burnham, 1,360; Olden, 1,280; West
Plains, 950; Brandsville. 1,000; Koshkonong, 970;
Thayer, last point in Missouri, 575; Mammoth
I Spring. Ark., 485; Afton, 410; Hardy, 370; Willi-
ford, 330; Ravenden, 310; Imboden, 300; Black
Rock, 290; Portia, 285; Hoxie, 295; Sedgwick,
270: Bonnerville, 320; Jonesboro, 275; Nettleton,
250; Big Bay Siding, 250; Hatchie Coon, 250;
Marked Tree, 250; Tyronza, 240; Gilmore, 225;
Clarketon, 240; Marion, 235; West Memphis, 200;
Memphis, 280.
flllfli.
♦^v-^*
Politics— Importance of the Subject— The Two Old Schools of Politicians— Triumph of the
Jacksonians— Early Prominent State Politicians— The Great Question of Secession
—The -State Votes to Join the Confederacy— Horror of the War Period—
The Recon.struction Distress— The Baxtek-Brooks Embroglio.
In knots tliej- sUmd, or in a rank they walk.
Serious in aspect, earnest iu their talk;
Factions, and favouring this or t'other side,
As their weak fancy or strong reason guide.— Lri/den.
N one sense there is no
portion of the history of
^'iSrk'"^ Arkansas more instructive
^&:f~ than its political history,
because in this is the key
to the character of many
of its institutions, as well
as strong indications of the trend of
the pulilic mind, and the characteris-
tics of those men who shaped public
affairs and controlled very largely in
,^ M iy the State councils.
^^^^ Iinmodiately upon the formation
of the Territorial government, the Presi-
dent of the United States sent to Ar-
kansas Post Gov. James Miller, Robert
Crittenden, secretary, and C. Jouett,
Robert P. Letcher and Andrew Scott, judges, to
organize the new Territorial government. Gov.
Miller, it seems, gave little attention to his office.
and therefore in all the early steps of formation
Crittenden was the acting governor; and from the
force of character he possessed, and his superior
strength of mind, it is fair to conclude that he
dominated almost at will the early public affairs
of Arkansas.
This was at the time of the beginning of the
political rivalry between Clay and Jackson, two of
the most remarkable types of great political lead-
ers this country has produced — Henry Clay, the
superb; "Old Hickory," the man of iron; the one
as polished a gem as ever glittered in the political
heavens — the other the great diamond in the
rough, who was of the people, and who drew his
followers with bands of steel. These opposites
wore destined to clash. It is well for the country
that they did.
Robert Crittenden was a brother of John J.
Crittenden, of Kentucky, and by some who knew
him long and well he was deemed not only his
^'
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS
53
brother's peer, but in many respects his intellect-
ual superior. It goes without the saying, he was a
born Whig, who, in Kentucky's snp«r-loyal fash-
ion, had Clay for his idol, and, to put it mildly,
Jackson to dislike.
President Monroe had appointed the first Terri-
torial officers, but the fact that Crittenden was
secretary is evidence that polities then were not
running very high. Monroe was succeeded in
1824 by John Quincy Adams. It would seem that
in the early days in Arkansas, the Whigs stood
upon the vantage grounds in many important
respects. By the time Adams was inaugurated
the war political to the death between Clay and
Jackson had begun. But no man looked more care
fully after his own interests than Jackson. He
had large property possessions just across the line
in Tennessee, besides property in Arkansas. He
induced, from his ranks in his own State, some
young men of promise to come to Arkansas.- The
prize now was whether this should be a Whig
or Democratic State. President Adams turned
out Democratic officials and put in Whigs, and
Robert Crittenden for a long time seemed to hold
the State in his hand. Jackson's superiority as a
leader over Clay is manifested in the struggles
between the two in Arkansas. Clay's followers
here were men after his fashion, as were Jackson's
men after his mold. Taking Robert Crittenden
as the best type, he was but little inferior to Clay
himself in his magnetic oratory and purity of prin-
ciples and public life; while Jackson sent here
the Seviers, Conways and Rectors, men of the
people, but of matchless resolution and personal
force of character. No two great commanders
ever had more faithful or able lieutenants than
were the respective champions of Old Hickory
and Harry of the West, in the formative days of
the State of Arkansas. The results were, like
those thoughout the Union, that Jackson triumphed
in the hard strife, and Arkansas entered the Union,
by virtue of a bill introduced by James Buchanan,
as a Jackson State, and has never wavered in its
political integrity.
As an evidence of the similarity of the con-
tests and respective leaders of the two parties
here to those throughout the country, it is only
necessary to point out that Crittenden drew to
his following such men as Albert Pike, a genius
of the loftiest and most versatile gifts the country
has so far produced, while Jackson, ever supplying
reinforcements to his captains, sent among others,
as secretary of the Territory, Lewis Randolph,
grandson of Thomas Jefferson, and whose wife
was pretty Betty Martin, of the White House, a
niece of Jackson's. Randolph settled in H(>mp-
stead County when it was an unbroken wilder-
ness, and his remains are now resting there in an
unknown grave.
Clay, it seems, could dispatch but little addi-
tional force to his followers, even when he saw they
were the hardest pressed by the triumphant onemj'.
There was not much by which one could draw
comparisons between Clay and Jackson — unless
it was tiieir radical difference. As a great ora-
tor. Clay has never been excelled, and he lived in
a day when the open sesame to the world's de-
lights lay in the silver tongue; but Jackson was
a hero, a great one, who inspired other born
heroes to follow him even to the death.
Arkansas was thus started permanently along
the road of triumphant democracy, from which
it never would have varied, except for the war
times that Ijrought to the whole country such con-
fusion and political chaos. Being a Jackson
State, dominated by the blood of the first governor
of Tennessee — Gen. John Sevier, a man little in-
ferior to Jackson himself — it was only the most
cruel circumstance that could force the State into
secession. When the convention met on the 4th
of March, 1861, " on the state of the Union," its
voice was practically unanimous for the Union,
and that body passed a series of as loyal resolu-
tions as were ever penned, then adjourning to
meet again in the May following. The conven-
tion met May 0, but the war was upon the coun-
try, and most of the Gulf States had seceded.
Every one knew that war was inevitable: it was
already going on. bnt very few realized its immen-
sity. The convention did not rush hastily into
secession. An ordinance of secession was intro-
duced, and for days, and into the nights, run-
54
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
ning into the small liours, the matter was delib-
erated upoa — no prelimiuary test vote was forced
to an issue. Delegates were present in anxious
attendance from the Carolinas, Alabama and
Georgia. They knew that the fate of their action
largely depended upon the attitude of Arkansas.
If Arkansas voted no, then the whole secession
mov(!ment would receive a severe blow. The after-
noon before the final vote, which was to take place
in the evening, these commissioners from other
States had made up their minds that Arkansas
might possil)ly vote down secession. When the con-
vention adjourned for supper, they held a hurried
consultation, and freely expressed their anxiety
at the outlook. It was understood that the dis-
cussion was closed, and the night session was
wholly for the purpose of taking a vote. All was
uncertainty and intense excitement. Expressions
of deepest attachment to the Union and the old
flag were heard. The most fiery and vehement
of the secessionists in the body were cautious and
deliberative. There was but little even of vehe-
ment detestation of the abolitionists — a thing as
natural then for a Southern man to despise as
hatred is natural to a heated brain.
At a late hour in the evening, amid the most
solemn silence of the crowded hall, an informal
vote was taken. All except six members voted to
secede. A suppressed applause followed the
announcement of the vote. A hurried, whispered
conference went on, and the effort was made to
have the result unanimous. Now came the final
vote. When the name of Isaac Muri)hy, afterward
the military governor, was reached, it was passed
and the roll call continued. It was so far unani-
mous, with Mr. Murphy's name .still to call. The
clerk called it. Mr. Murphy arose and in an
earnest and impressive manner in a few words ex-
plained the dilemma he was in. but said, "I cannot
violate my honest convictions of duty. I vote
'No.'"
When the day of reconstruction began, at first
it was under the supervision of the military, and
it is yet the greatest pity that Congress did not let
the military alon(> to rehabilitate the States they had
conquered. Isaac Murphy was made governor.
No truer Union man lived than he. He knew the
people, and his two years of government were
fast curing the wounds of war. But he was
turned out of ofi&ce.
The right to vote compels, if it is to be other
than an evil, some correct and intelligent under-
standing of the form of government prevailing in
the United States, and of the elementary prin-
ciples of political economy. The ability to read
and write, own property, go to Congress or edit a
political jDaper, has nothing to do with it, no more
than the color of the skin, eyes or hair of the voter.
The act of voting itself is the sovereign act in the
economic affairs of the State; but if the govern-
ment under its existing form is to endure, the
average voter must understand aad appreciate the
fundamental principles which, in the providence
of God, have made the United States the admira-
tion of the world.
Arkansas, the Democratic State, was in political
disquiet from 1861 to 1874 — th? beginning of the
war and the end of reconstruction. When in the
hands of Congress it was returned at every regular
election as a Republican party State. The lirief
story of the political Moses who led it out of the
wilderness is of itself a strange and interesting
commentary on self government.
When the war came there lived in Batesville
Elisha Baxter, a young lawyer who had been
breasting only financial misfortunes all his life.
Utterly failing as a farmer and merchant, he had
been driven to study law and enter the practice
to make a living. An honest, kind-hearted, good
man, loving his neighbor as himself, but a patriot
every inch of him, and loving the Union above all
else, his heart was deeply grieved when he saw
his adopted State had declared for secession. He
could not be a diaunionist, no more than he could
turn upon his neighbors, friends and fellow-citi-
zens of Arkansas. He determined to wash his
hands of it all and remain quietly at home. Like
all others he knew nothing of civil war. His
neighbors soon drove him from his home and
family, and, to save his life, he went to the North-
ern army, then in Southern Missouri. He was
welcomed and offered a commission in the Federal
3<i;
:tz
2iJf
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
55
army and an opportunity to rotiirn to his State.
He declined the offer; he could not turn and shed
the blood of his old neighbors and former friends.
In the vicissitudes of war this non couibatunt was
captured by an Arkansas command, paroled and
ordered to report to the military authorities at Lit-
tle Rock. He made his way thither, and was
thrown into a military prison and promptly indicted
for high treason. Then only ho began to under-
stand the temper of the times, for the chances of
his being hanged were probably as a thousand to
one to acquittal. In this extremity he broke jail
and fled. He again reached the Northern army
in which he accepted a commission, and returned
to his old home in Batesville, remaining in mili-
tary command of the place. He was actively
engaged in recruiting the Union men of Northern
Arkansas and forming them into regiments. It
goes without saying that Baxter never raised a
hand to strike back at those who had so deeply
wronged him, when their positions were reversed
and he had the power in his hands.
At the fall election, 1871, Baxter was the regu-
lar Republican candidate for governor, and Joseph
Brooks was the Independent Republican nom-
inee. The Republican party was divided and each
bid for the Democratic vote by promises to the
ex- Confederates. Brooks may have been elected,
but was counted out. Baxter was duly inaugu-
rated. ^Vhen he had served a year the politicians,
it is supposed, who controlled Arkansas, finding
they could not use Baxter, or in other words that
they had counted in the wrong man, boldly pro-
ceeded to undo their own acts, dethrone Baxter and
put Brooks in the chair of State. An account of
the Baxter-Brooks war is given in another chapter.
Thus was this man the victim of political cir-
cumstances; a patriot, loving his country and his
neighbors, he was driven from homo and State; a
non-combatant, he was arrested by his own friends
as a traitor and the hangman's halter dangled in
his face; breaking prison and stealing away like a
skulking convict, to return as ruler and master by
the omnipotent power of the bayonet; a non-party
man, compelled to be a Republican in politics, and
finally, as a Republican, fated to lead the Demo-
cratic party to success and power.
The invincible Jacksonian dynasty, built up in
Arkansas, with all else of pul)lic institutions went
down in the sweep of civil war. It has not been
revived as a political institution. But the Demo-
cratic party dominates the State as of old.
50
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
eiiiTiit ¥».
>♦<'
Societies, State Institutions, etc.— The Ku Klux Klan— Independent Order of Odd Fellows-
.Vncient, Free and Accepted Masons— Grand Army of the Reitislic- Bureau of Mines-
Arkansas Agricultural Association.?— State Horticultural Society— The Wheel
—The State Capital— The Capitol Building— State Librarie.s— State
Medical Society— State Board of Health— Deaf Mute Institute
—School for the Blind— Arkansas Lunatic Asylum— Ar-
kansas Industrial University— The State Debt.
Heaven forming each on other to depend.
A master, or a servant, or a friend.
Bids each on other for assistance call,
Till one man's weakness grows the strength of all.
-Pope.
'I'.CRET societies are a form of
social life and expressiou which,
in some mode of existence,
antedate even authentic his-
tory. Originally a manner
of securing defense from the
common enemies of tribes
and peoples, they have developed
into social and eleemosynary insti-
tutions as advances in civilization
have been made. At first they
vpere but a severe necessity, and as
that time slowly passed away, they
became a luxury and a pleasure,
having peculiar and strong attrac-
tion to nearly all men. That part of
one's nature which loves to lean
upon others for aid, even in the social scale, finds
its expression in some of the many forms of
societies, clubs, organizations or institutions that
now pervade nearly all the walks of life. In every
day existence, in business, church, state, politics
and pleasure, are societies and organizations every-
where— for the purposes of gain, charity and
comfort — indeed, for the sole purpose of finding
something to do, would be the acknowledgment of
many a society motto. The causes are as diversi-
fied as the bodies, secret and otherwise, are
numerous.
The South furnishes a most remarkable instance
of the charm there is in mystery to all men, in the
rise and spread of the Ku Klux Klan, a few years
ago. Three or four yoimg men, in Columbia,
Tenn., spending a social evening together, con-
cluded to organize a winter's literary society. All
had just returned from the war, in which they had
fought for the ' ' lost cause, ' ' and found time
hanging dull upon them. Each eagerly caught at
the idea of a society, and soon they were in the
intricacies of the details. Together, from their
sparse recollections of their schoolbooks, they
evolved the curious name for the society. The
name suggested to them that the sport to be
derived from it might be increased by making it a
secret society. The thing was launched upon this
basic idea. In everything connected with it each
one was fertile it seems in adding mystery to mys-
tery in their meetings and personal movements.
-—-¥■
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
■01
The initiation of a new member was made a grand
and rollicking affair. So complete had the mem-
bers occasioned their little innocent society to be
a mystery, that it became in an astonishingly brief
time a greater enigma to themselves than even to
outsiders. It swiftly spread from the village to the
county, from the county to the State, and over -ran
the Southern States like a racing prairie fire,
changing in its aims and objects as rapidly as it
had grown. From simply frightening the poor
night-prowling darkeys, it became a vast and
uncontrollable semi-military organization; inflict-
ing punishment here, and there taking life, until
the State of Tennessee was thrown into utter con-
fusion, and the military forces were called out;
large rewards were ofPered for the arrest even of
women found making any of the paraphernalia of
the order. Government detectives sent to pry into
their secrets were slain, and a general reign of
terror ensued. No rewards could induce a mem-
ber to betray his fellows; and the efPorts of the
organizers to control the storm they had raised,
were as idle as the buzzing of a summer fly.
Thousands and thousands of men belonged to
it. who knew really little or nothing about it, and
who to this day are oblivious of the true history
of one of the most remarkable movements of large
bodies of men that has ever occurred in this or
perhaps any country. It was said by leading
members of the order that they could, in twenty-
four hours, put tens of thousands of men in line of
battle, all fully armed and equipped. It was
indeed the "Invisible Empire." By its founders
it was as innocent and harmless in its purposes as
a Sunday-school picnic, yet in a few weeks it spread
and grew until it overshadowed the land — but little
else than a bloody, headless riot. The imagina-
tions of men on the outside conjured up the most
blood-curdling falsehoods as to its doings; while
those inside were, it seems, equally fertile in
schemes and devices to further mystify people,
alarm some and terrify others, and apparently the
wilder the story told about them, the more they
would enjoy it. Its true history will long give it
rank of first importance to the philosophic and
careful, painstaking historian.
Among societies of the present day, that
organization known as the Independent Order of
Odd Fellows is recognized as a prominent one. The
Grand Lodge of the order in Arkansas was organ-
ized June 11, 1819. Its first past grand master
was John J. Horner, elected in 1854. His succes-
sors to date have been as follows : James A. Henry,
1858 ; P. O. Hooper, 1859-1800 ; Richard Bragg,
Sr., 1802; Peter Brugman, 1807, 1868, 1871; Isaac
Eolsom, 1873; Albert Cohen, 1874; John B. Bond,
1876; E. B. Moore, 1878; James S. Holmes, 1880:
Adam Clark, 1881 ; W. A. Jett, 1882 ; James A.
Gibson, 1884 ; George W. Hurley. 1885 ; H. S.
Coleman, 1886, and A. S. Jett, 1887. The pres-
ent able ofi&cers are K. P. Holt, grand master:
J. P. Woolsey, deputy grand master; Louis C.
Lincoln, grand warden ; Peter Brugman, grand
secretary; H. Ehrenbers, grand treasurer; H. S.
Coleman, grand representative; A. S. Jett, grand
representative; Rev. L. B. Hawley, grand chap-
lain; John R. Richardson, grand marshal; J. G.
Parker, grand conductor; "William Mosby, grand
guardian ; VV. J. Glenn, grand herald. In the
State there are eighty-two lodges and a total mem-
bership, reported by the secretary at the October
meeting, 1888, of 2,023. The revenue from sub-
ordinate lodges amounts to $13,832, while the
relief granted aggregates $2,840. There were
sixteen Rebekah lodges organized in 1887-88.
The Masonic fraternity is no less influential
in the affairs of every part of the country, than the
society just mentioned. There is a tradition — too
vague for reliance — that iMasonry was introduced
into Ai'kansas by the Spaniards more than 100
years ago, and that therefore the first lodge was
established at Arkansas Post. Relying, however,
upon the records the earliest formation of a lodge
of the order was in 1819, when the Grand Lodge
of Kentucky granted a dispensation for a lodge at
Arkansas Post. Robert Johnson was the first mas-
ter. Judge Andrew Scott, a Federal judge in the
Territory, was one of its members. But before
this lodge received its charter, the seat of govern-
ment was removed to Little Rock, and the Arkan-
sas Post lodge became extinct. No other lodge
was attempted to be established until 1836, when
a) V
Al
<5 w.
-^
58
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
a dispensation was granted Washington Lodge No.
82, at Fayetteville, October 3, 1837. Onesimus
Evans, was master; James McKissick. senior wai'-
den; Matbew Leeper, jtinior warden.
In 1 838 the Grand Lodge of Louisiana granted
the second dispensation for a lodge at Arkansas
Post— Morning Star Lodge No. 42; the same year
granting a charter to Western Star Lodge No. 43,
at Little Rock. Of this Edward Cross was master;
Charles L. Jeffries, senior warden; Nicholas Peay,
junior warden. About this time the Grand Lodge
of Alabama granted a charter to Mount Horeb
Lodge, of Washington, Hempstead Count}'.
November 21, 1838, tliese four lodges hold a
convention at Little Rock and formed the Grand
Lodge of Arkansas.
The representatives at this convention were:
From Washington Lodge No. 82, of Fayetteville,
Onesimus Evans, past master; Washington L. Wil-
son, Robert Bedford, Abraham ANhinnery, Richard
C. S. Brown, Samuel Adams and Williamson S.
Oldham.
From Western Star Lodge No. 43, of Little
Bock, William Gilchrist, past master; Charles L.
Jeffries, past master; Nicholas Peay. past master;
Edward Cross, past master; Thomas Parsol. Alden
Sprague and John Morris.
From Morning Star Lodge No 42, of the Post
of Arkansas, John W. Pullen.
From Mount Horeb Lodge, of Washington,
James H. Walker. Allen M. Oakley, Josej)!] \V. Mc-
Kean and James Trigg.
Of this convention John Morris, of Western
Star Lodge No. 43, was made secretary. Mi-.
Morris is still living (1889), a resident of Auburn,
Sebastian County, and is now quite an old man.
Mr. John P. Karns, of Little Rock, was in
attendance at the convention, although not a dele
gate. These two are the only ones surviving who
were present on that occasion.
The Grand Lodge organized by the election of
William Gilchrist, grand master; Onesimus Evans,
d(»pnty grand master; James H. ^^'alker, grand sen-
ior warden; Wa.shington L. Wilson, grand junior
warden; Alden Sprague, grand treasurer, and
George C. Watkins, grand secretary.
The constituent lodges, their former charters be-
ing extinct by their becoming members of a new jur-
isdiction, took new numbers. Washington Lodge,
at Fayetteville, became No. 1; Western Star, of
Little Rock, l)ecame No. 2; Morning Star, of the
Post of Arkansas, became No. 3, and Mount Horeb,
of Washington, became No. 4. Of these Wash-
ington No. 1, and Western Star No. 2, are in vig-
orous life, but Morning Star No. 3, and Mount
Horeb No. 4, have become defunct.
From this beginning of the four lodges, with a
membership of probably 100, the Grand Lodge
now consists of over 400 lodges, and a member-
ship of about 12,000.
The following are the ofiBcers for the present
year: R. H. Taylor, grand master, Hut Springs;
J. W. Sorrels, deputy grand master. Farmer,
Scott County; D. B. Warren, grand lectui'er,
Gainesville; \V. A. Clement, grand orator. Rover,
Yell County; W. K. Ramsey, grand senior ward-
en, Camden; C. A. Bridewell, grand junior ward-
en, Hope; George H. Meade, grand treasurer. Lit-
tle Rock; Fay Hempstead, grand secretary. Little
Rock; D. D. Leach, grand senior deacon, Augusta;
Samuel Peete, grand junior deacon, Batesville; H.
W. Brooks, grand chaplain, Hope; John B. Baxter,
grand marshal, Brinkley; C. C. Hamby, grand
sword bearer. Prescott; S. Solmson, senior grand
steward, Pine Bluff: A. T. Wilson, junior grand
steward, Eureka Springs; J. C. Churchill, grand
pursuivant. Charlotte. Independence County: Ed.
Metcalf, grand tyler. Little Rock.
The first post of the Grand Army of the Repub-
lic, Department of Arkansas, was organized under
authority from the Illinois Commandery, and called
McPherson Post No. 1, of Little Rock. The
district then passed undei' command of the Depart-
ment of Missouri, and by that authority was or-
ganized Post No. 2, at Fort Smith.
The Provisional Department of Arkansas was
organized June 18, 1883, Stephen Wheeler being
department commander, and C. M. Vaughan, adju-
tant general. A State encampment was called to
meet at Fort Smith. July 11, 1883. Six posts were
represented in this meeting, when the following
State officers were elected: S. Wheeler, com-
\
mander; M. Mitchell, senior vice; R. E. Jackson,
junior vice; H. Stone, quartermaster, and the
following council: John F. Owen, A. S. Fowler,
W. \V. Bailey, A. Walrath, Bonton Turner.
There are now seventy- four posts, with a mem-
bership of 2,500, in the State. The present offi-
cers are: Department commander, A. S. Fowler;
senior vice commander, John Vaughan; junior vice
commander, E. A. Ellis; medical director, T. G.
Miller; chaplain, T. R. Early.
The council of administration includes A. A.
Whissen, Thomas Boles, W. S. Bartholomew, R.
E. Renner and I. B. Lawton. The following were
the appointments on the staff of the department
commander: Assistant adjutant-general, N.W. Cox;
assistant quartermaster-general, Stephen Wheeler;
judge advocate, S. J. Evans; chief mustering
officer, S. K. Robinson; department inspector,
R. S. Curry. Headquarters were established at
Little Rock, Ark.
There are other bodies in the State whose aims
and purposes differ materially fi'om those previously
mentioned. Among these is the Arkansas Bureau
of Mines, Manufactures and Agriculture, which
was organized as a State institution at the session
of the legislature in 1889. The governor ap-
pointed M. F. Locke commissioner, the latter mak-
ing M. W. Manville assistant. They at once pro-
ceeded to organize the department and open an
office in the State-house.- The legislature appro-
priated for the next two years for the bureau the
sum of 118,000.
This action of the legislature was in response
to a demand from all parts of the State, which,
growing in volume for some time, culminated in
the meeting in Little Rock of numerous promi-
nent men, and the organization of the Arkansas
State Bureau of Immigration, January 31, 1888.
A demand from almost every county prompted
Gov. Senior P. Hughes to issue a call for a State
meeting. The meeting was composed only of the
best representative citizens. Gov. Hughes, in his
address, stated that "the State should have an
agricultural, mining and manufacturing bureau,
which should be a bureau of statistics and immi-
gration, also." Hon. Logan H. Roots was elected
president of the convention. He voiced the pur-
poses of the meeting still further when he said,
"We want to educate others on the wealth-mak-
ing properties of our State." A permanent State
organization was effected, one delegate from each
county to constitute a State Board of Immigra-
tion, and the following permanent officers were
chosen: Logan H. Roots, of Little Rock, presi-
dent; Dandridge McRao, of Searcy, vice-president;
H. L. Remrael, of Newport, secretary ; George R.
Brown, of Little Rock, treasurer; J. H. Clen-
dening, of Fort Smith, A. M. Crow, of Arkadel-
phia, W. P. Fletcher, of Lonoke, additional exec-
utive committee. The executive committee issued
a strong address and published it extensively, giv-
ing some of the many inducements the State had
to offer immigrants. The legislature could not
fail to properly recognize such a movement of the
people, and so provided for the long needed bu-
reau.
Arkansas Agricultural Association was organ-
ized in 1885. It has moved slowly so far, but is
now reaching the condition of becoming a great
and prosperous institution. The entire State is soon
to be made into sub-districts, with minor organ-
izations, at least one in each Congressional district,
with a local control in each, and all will become
stockholders and a part of the parent concern.
A permanent State fair and suitable grounds and
fixtures are to be provided in the near future, when
Arkansas will successfully vie with any State in
the Union in an annual display of its products. ,
The officers of the Agricultural Association for
1889, are as follows: Zeb. Ward, president. Little
Rock; B. D. Williams, first vice-president. Little
Rock; T. D. Culberhouse, vice-president First
Congressional district; D. McRae, vice president
Second Congressional district; W. L. Tate, vice-
president Third Congressional district ; J. J. Sump-
ter, vice-president Fourth Congressional district; J.
H. Vanhoose, vice-president Fifth Congressional
district; M. W. Manville, secretary; D.W. Bizzell,
treasurer.
Arkansas State Horticultural Society was or-
ganized May 24, 1879, and incorporated Januarj-
31. 1889. Under its completed organization the
» V
first fair was held ia Little Rock, commencing
Wednesday, May 15, 1889. President, E. F. Bab-
cock; secretary, M. AV. Manville; executive com
mittee, S. H. Nowlin, chairman, Little Rock;
George P. C. Rumbough, Little Rock; Rev. S. H.
Buchanan, Little Rock; E. C. Kiuney, Judsonia,
and Fred Dengler, Hot Springs, constitute the
official board.
In 1881 three farmers of Prairie County met
and talked over farm matters, and concluded to
organize a society for the welfare of the farming
community. The movement grew with astonish-
ing rapidity. It was organized as a secret, non-
political society, and in matters of trade and com-
merce proposed to give its members the benefit
of combination. In this respect it advocated ac-
tion in concert with all labor unions or organiza-
tions of laborers. A State and National organiza-
tion was effected, and the sub-organizations, ex-
tending to the smallest school districts, were re-
quired to obtain authority and report to the State
branch and it in return to the National head. Thus
far its originators sought what they believed to be
the true co-operative method in their business af-
fairs.
The next object was to secure beneficial legis-
lation to farmers — each one to retain his polit-
ical party affiliations, and at the ballot-box to vote
for either farmers or those most closely identified
with their interests as might be found on the
respective party tickets.
The officers of the National society are: Isaac
McCracken, president. Ozone, Ark., and A. E.
Gardner, secretary and treasurer, Dresden, Tenn.
The Arkansas State "Wheel officers are: L. P.
Featherstone, president, Forrest City; R. H.
Morehead, secretary, White Chapel, and W. H.
Quayle, treasurer, Ozan.
The scheme was inviting to honest farmers and
the humble beginning soon grew to be a most pros-
perous society — not only extending over the State,
but reaching boldly across the line into other
States. When at the zenith of its prosperitj', it
is estimated there were 60,000 members of the
order in A rkansas. This was too tempting a pros-
pect for the busy political demagogues, and to the
amazement of the better men in the society, they
soon awoke to the fact that they were in the hands
of the wily politicians. It is now estimated that
the ranks in Arkansas are reduced to 20,000 or
less — all for political causes. The movement now
is to purge the society of politics and in the near
future to meet the Farmer's Alliance in St. Louis,
and form a combination of the two societies. It
is hoped by this arrangement to avoid the dema-
gogues hereafter, and at the same time form a
strong and permanent society, which will answer
the best interests of the farming community.
As stated elsewhere, the location of a capital
for Arkansas early occupied the attention of its
citizens. On November 20, 1821, William Rus-
sell and others laid off and platted Little Rock
as the future capital of the Territory and State.
They made a plat and a bill of assurances thereto,
subdividing the same into lots and blocks. They
granted to Pulaski County Lots 3 and 4 in trust
and on the conditions following, viz. : ' ' That the
said county of Pulaski within two years" should
erect a common jail upon said Lots 3 and 4. Out
of this transaction grew a great deal of litigation.
The fir.st jail was built of pine logs in 1828. It
stood until 1837, when it was burned, and a brick
building was erected in its stead. This stood for
many years, but through the growth of the city, it in
time became a public nuisance and was condemned,
and the location moved to the present site of the
stone jail.
The Territory was organized by Congress in
1819, and the seat of government located at the
Post of Arkansas. In the early part of 1820
arose the question of a new site for the seat of
government, and all eyes turned to Pulaski County.
A capital syndicate was formed and Little Rock
Bluff fixed upon as the future capital. The one
trouble was that the land at this point was not yet
in market, and so the company secured ' ' sunk land
scrip" and located this upon the selected town
site. The west line of the Quapaw Indian reser-
vation struck the Arkansas River at "the Little
Rock" and therefore the east line of the contem-
plated capital had to be west of this Quapaw line.
This town survey "west of the point of rocks,
9 \-
M
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
r.i
immediately south of the Arkansas River, and
west of the Quiipaw line," was surveyed and re-
turned to the recorder at St. Louis as the new town
site and Territorial capital — called Little Rock.
The dedication of the streets, etc. , and the plat as
laid off, was dated November 10, 1821. Grounds
were given for a State house, and other public
buildings and purposes, and for " the permanent
seat of justice of said county (Pulaski)" was ded-
icated an entire half square, ' ' bounded on the north
by Markham Street and on the west by Spring
Street and on the south by Cherry (now Second)
Street" for court house purposes. In return the
county was to erect a court house and jail on the
lots specified for these purposes, ' ' within ten
years from the date hereof. ' ' A market house was
to be erected by the city on Lots 4 and 5, Block 99.
The latter in time was built on these lots, the upjjer
story containing a council chamber, which was in
public use until 1864, when the present city hall
was erected.
By an act of the legislature, October 24, 1821,
James Billingsly, Crawford County, Samuel C.
Roane, Clark County, and Robert Bean, Inde-
pendence County, were appointed commissioners,
" to fix on a proper place for the seat of justice of
the County of Pulaski;" the act further specify-
ing ' ' they shall take into consideration donations
and future divisions." Th"^ latter part of the
sentence is made still more important by the fact
that at that time the western boundary of Pulaski
County was 100 miles west, at the mouth of Petit
Jean, and the eastern boundary was a few miles
below Pine Bluff.
October 18,1820, the Territorial seat of govern-
ment was removed from the Post of Arkansas to
the Little Rock, the act to take effect June 1, 1821.
It provided ' ' that there shall be a bond » » *
for the faithful performance of the promise and
good faith by which the seat of government is
moved. ' '
In November, 1821 , about the last of the belong-
ings of the Territorial capital at the Post were
removed to Little Rock. It was a crossing point
on the river of the government road leading to
Missouri, and the place had often been designated
as the "Missouri Crossing," but the French had
generally called it Arkapolis.
During the short time the Territorial capital
was at Arkansas Post, no effort was made to erect
public buildings, as from the first it was under-
stood this was but a temporary location. When
the capital camo to Little Rock a one-story double
log house was liuilt, near the spot where is now
the Presbyterian Church, or near the corner of
Scott and Fifth Streets. This building was in
the old style of two rooms, with an open space
between, but all under the same roof. In 1826
the log building was superseded by a one-story
frame. March 2, 1831, Congress authorized the
Territory to select ten sections of land and appro-
priate the same toward erecting capitol buildings;
and in 1832 it empowered the governor to lease
the salt springs. With these different funds was
erected the central building of the present capitol,
the old representative hall being where is now the
senate chamber. In 1836, when Arkansas became
a State, there was yet no plastering in any part of
the brick building, and in the assembly halls were
plain pine board tables and old fashioned split
bottomed chairs, made in Little Rock.
In 1886,at the remarkably small cost of $35,000,
were added the additions and improvements and
changes in the capitol buildiug, completing it in
its present form. And if the same wisdom con-
trols the State in the future that has marked the
past, especially in the matter of economy in its
public buildings, there will be only a trifling
additional expenditure on public Viuildings during*
the next half century. The State buildings are
sufiicient for all public needs; their plainness and
cheapness are a pride and glory, fitting monuments
to the past and present generation of rulers ami
law makers, testifying to their intelligence and
integrity.
The State library was started March 3, 1838, at
first solely as a reference and exchange medium.
It now has an annual allowance of $100, for pur-
chasing books and contains 25,000 volumes, really
more than can suitably be accommodated.
The Supreme Court library was established in
January, 1851. It has 8,000 volumes, including
02
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
all the reports iind tlio leading law works. The
fees of attorneys' license upon admission to the
bar, of ten dollars, and a dollar docket fee in each
case in court, constitute the fund provided for the
library.
The State Medical Society, as now constituted,
was formed in May. 1875. It held its fourteenth
annual session in 1889, at Pine Bluff. Edward
Bentley is the acting president, and L. P. Gibson,
secretary. Subordinate societies are formed in all
parts of the State and are represented by regular
delegates in the general assemblies. In addition to
the officers for the current year above given are
Z. Orts, assistant secretary, A. J. Vance, C. S.
Gray, B. Hatchett and W. H. Hill, vice presidents
in the order named.
The State Board of Health was established by
act of the legislature, March 23, 1881. It is com-
posed of six commissioners, appointed by the gov-
ernor, "a majority of whom are to be medical grad-
uates and of seven years ' practice in the profes-
sion." The board is required to meet once in
every three months. The secretary is allowed a
salary of $1,000 per annum, but the others receive
no compensation except traveling expenses in the
discharge of official duties.
The present board is composed of Dr. A. L.
Breysacher, president ; Dr. Lorenzo R. Gibson, sec-
retary ; Doctors J. A. Dibrell, P. Van Patton, W.
A. Cantrell and V. Brunson.
The beginning which resulted in the present
elegant State institution for deaf mutes was a school
established near the close of the late war, in Little
Rock, by Joseph Mount, an educated mute, who
gathered a few of those unfortunate ones together
and taught a private school. The State legislature
incorporated the school and made a small provision
for it, July 17, 18(58, the attendance that year
being four pupils. The buildings are on the beau-
tiful hill just west of the Union Depot, the im-
provement of the grounds being made in 1869. .
The attendance in 1870 was 48 pupils, which in
the last session' s report, 1888, reached the number
of 109; and the superintendent, anticipating an at-
tendance for the current two years of 150, has
solicited appropriations accordingly.
The board of trustees of the Deaf Mute Insti-
tute includes: Hon. George E. Dodge, president;
Col. S. L. Griffith, vice-president; Maj. R. H. Par-
ham, Jr., secretary; Hon. W. E. WoodiufF, treas-
urer; Maj. George H. Meade and Col. A. R. Witt.
The officers are: Principal, Francis D. Clarke;
instructors: John W. Michaels, Mrs. I. H. Carroll,
Miss Susan B. Harwood, Miss Kate P. Brown, Miss
Emma Wells, S. C. Bright; teacher of articulation,
Miss Lottie Kirkland. Mrs. M. M. Beattie is
matron; Miss Luciuda Nations, assistant ; Miss
Clara Abbott, supervises the sewing, and Mrs.
Amanda Harley is housekeeper. The visiting phy-
sician is J. A. Dibrell, Jr. , M. D. ; foreman of the
printing office, T. P. Clarke; foreman of the shoe
shop, U. G. Dunn. Of the total appropriations
asked for the current two years, $80,970, $16,570
is for improvements in buildings, grounds, school
apparatus, or working departments.
The Arkansas School for the Blind was incor-
porated by act of the legislature, February 4, 1859,
and opened to pupils the same year in Arkadel-
phia. In the year of 1868 it was removed to Little
Rock, and suitable grounds purchased at the foot
of Center Street, on Eighteenth Street.
This is not an asylum for the aged and infirm,
nor a hospital for the treatment of disease, but a
school for the young of both sexes, in which are
taught literature, music and handcraft Pupils
between six and twenty-sis years old are received,
and an oculist for the purpose of treating pupils
is a part of its benefits; no charge is made for
board or tuition, but fi'iends are expected to fur
nish clothing and traveling expenses.
It is estimated there are 300 blind of school
age in the State. The legislature has appro-
priated $140 a year for each pupil. On this allow-
ance in two years the steward reported a balance
unexpended of $1,686.84. In 1886 was appro-
priated $6,000 to build a workshop, store-room,
laundry and bake-oven. In 1860 the attendance
was ten — five males and five females; in 1802,
seven males and six females. The year 1888
brought the attendance up to fifty males and fifty-
two females, .or a total of 102. During the last
two years six have graduated here— three in the
r^
industrial department, and three in the industrial
and literary department. Four have been dis-
missed on account of recovered eyesight.
The trustees of the school are: J. R. Right-
sell, S. M. Marshall, W. C. Ratcliffe, J.W. House,
and D. G. Fones; the superintendent being John
H. Dye.
Another commendable institution, carefully
providing for the welfare of those dethroned of
reason, is the Arkansas State Lunatic Asylum,
which was authorized by act of the legislature of
1873, when suitable grounds were purchased, and
highly improved, and buildings erected. The in
stitution is three miles west of the capitol and one-
half mile north of the Mount Ida road. Eighty acres
of ground were originally purchased and enclosed
and are now reaching a high state of improve-
ment. The resident population of the asylum at
present is 500 souls, and owing to the crowded
conditions an additional eighty acres were pur-
chased in 1887, making in all 160 acres. A care-
ful inquiry shows there are in the State (and not in
the asylum, for want of room) 198 insane persons,
entitled under the law to the benefits of the insti-
tution. Of the 411 patients in the asylum in 1888,
only four were pay patients.
John G. Fletcher, R. K. Walker, A. L. Brey-
sacher, John D. Adams and William J. Little are
trustees of the institution, while Dr. P. O. Hooper
is superintendent.
In 1885 the legislature made an appropriation
of $92, 500 for the erection of additional buildings
and other needed improvements. This fund was
not all used, but the remainder was returned into
the State treasury. The total cuiTent expenses for
the year 1887 aggregated $45, 212. 00. The current
expenses on patients the same year were $29, 344. 80.
The comfort of the unfortunates — the excellence of
the service, the wholesome food given them, and at
the same time the minimum cost to the tax payers,
prove the highest possible commendation to those
in charge.
The Arkansas Industrial University is the prom-
ise, if not the present fultilhnont, of one of the
most important of State institutions. It certainly
deserves the utmost attention from the best people
of the State, as it is destined to become in time one
of the great universities of the world. It should
be placed in position to be self-supporting, be-
cause education is not a public pauper and never
can be permanently successful on charity. Any
education to be had must be earned. This law of
nature can no more be set aside than can the law
of gravitation, and the ignorance of such a simple
fact in statesmen and educators has cost our civili-
zation its severest pains and penalties.
The industrial department of the institution
was organized in June, 1885. The act of incor-
poration provided that all males should work at
manual labor three hours each day and be paid
therefor ton cents an hour. Seven thousand
dollars was appropriated to equip the shops. Prac-
tical lalior was defined to be not only farm and
shop work, but also surveying, drawing and labor-
atory practice. Mechanical arts and engineering
became a part of the curriculum. The large major-
ity of any people must engage in industrial pur-
suits, and to these industrial development and
enlightenment and comfort go hand-in-hand.
Hence the real people's school is one of manual
training. Schools of philosophy and literature will
take care of themselves; thit)kof a school (classical)
endeavoring to train a Shakespeare or Burns! To
have compelled either one of these to gi-aduate at
Oxford would have been like clipping the wings
of th(f eagle to aid his upward flight. In the edu-
cation at least of children nature is omnipotent and
pitiless, and it is the establishment of such train-
ing schools as the Arkansas Industrial University
that gives the cheering evidence of the world'l
progress. In its continued prosperity is hope for
the near future; its failure through ignorance or
bigotry in the old and worn out ideas of the dead
past, will go far toward the confirmation of the
cruel cynicism that the most to be pitied animal
pell-melled into the world is the new-born babe.
The University is situated at Fayetteville,
Washington County. It was organized by act of
the legislature, based on the "Land Grant Act"
of Congress of 1802, and supplemented by liberal
donations from the State, the County of Wash-
ington, and the city of Fayetteville. The school
r
04
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
was opened in 1872. March 30, 1877, the legisla-
ture passed the act known as the " Barker Bill,"
which made nearly a complete change in the pur-
view of the school and brought prominently for-
ward the agricultural and mechanical departments.
"To gratify our ambitious" [but mistaken]
' ' youth, ' ' says the prospectus, ' ' we have, under
Section 7 of the act, provided for instruction in the
classics."
Under the act of Congress known as the
'•Hatch Bill," an Agricultural Experimental Sta-
tion has been organized. Substantial buildings
are now provided, and the cost of board in the in-
stitution is reduced to $8 per month. The attend-
ance at the present time is ninety-six students,
and steps are being taken to form a model stock-
farm. The trustees, in the last report, say: " We
recommend that girls be restored to the privi-
leges of the institution." The law only excludes
females from being beneficiaries, and females may
still attend as pay students.
A part of the University is a branch Normal
School, established at Pine Bluff, for the purpose
of educating colored youth to be school teachers.
These Normal Schools have for some years been
a favorite and expensive hobby in most of the
Northern States. There is pi'obably no question
that, for the promotion of the cause of education
among the negroes, they offer unusual attractions.
The following will give the reader a clear com-
prehension of the school and its purposes. Its
departments are:
Mechanic arts and engineering, agriculture,
experiment station, practical work. English and
modern languages, biology and geology, military
science and tactics, mathematics and logic, prepara-
tory department, drawing and industrial art, and
music.
To all these departments is now added the med-
ical department, located at Little Rock. This
branch was founded in 1871, and has a suitable
building on Second Street. The tenth annual
course of lectures in this institution commenced
October 3, 1888; the tenth annual commencement
being held March 8, 1889. The institution is self-
supporting, and already it ranks among the fore-
most medical schools in the coimtry. The graduat-
ing class of 1888 numbered twenty.
The State Board of Visitors to the medical
school are Doctors W. W. Hipolite, W. P. Hart,
W. B. Lawrence, J. M. Keller, I. Folsom.
The debt of Arkansas is not as large as a cur-
sory glance at the figures might indicate. The
United States government recently issued a statis-
tical abstract concerning the public debt of this
State that is very misleading, and does it a great
wrong. In enumerating the debts of the States it
puts Arkansas at $12,029, 100. This error comes
of including the bonds issued for railroad and levee
purposes, that have been decided by the Supreme
Court null and void, to the amount of nearly
$10, 000, ()()(). They are therefore no part of the
State indebtedness.
The real debt of the State is 12,111,000,
including principal and accumulated interest.
There is an amount in excess of this, if there is
included the debt due the general government,
but for all such the State has counter claims, and
it is not therefore estimated in giving the real
indebtedness.
^^
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
65
The Bench and BAR-A^f Analytic View of the Profession of Law-Spanish and French Laws-
English Common Law-The Legal Circuit Riders-Territorial Law and Lawyers
—The Court Circuits— Early Couiit Ofkicers— Thk Supkkme Court— Promi-
nent Members of the State Bknch and Bar— The Standard
of the Execution of Law in the State.
Laws do not put the least restraint
Upon our freedom, but maintain 't;
Or it tliey do, 'tis for our good.
To give us freer latitude:
For wholesome laws preserve us free
By stinting of our liberty. — Butler.
HE Territory when under
Sjiauish or French rule
was governed by much the
same laws and customs.
The home government ap-
pointed its viceroys, who
were little more than nomi-
under the control of the
^ king, except in the general laws
'■ of the mother country. The neces-
** sary local provisions in the laws
*" were not strictly required to be
'^Q submitted for approval to the mas-
,5T-ter powers before being enforced
in the colony. Both govern-
ments were equally liberal in
bestowing the lands upon sub-
jects, and as a rule, without cost. But the shadow
of feudal times still lingered over each of them,
and they had no conception that the real people
would want to be small landholders, supposing
that in the new as in the old world they would
drift into villanage, and in some sense be a part
of the possession of the landed aristocracy. Hence,
these governments are seen taking personal charge
as it were of the colonies; providing them masters
and protectors, who, with government aid, would
transport and in a certain sense own them and
their labor after their arrival. The grantee of cer-
tain royal rights and privileges in the new world
was responsible to the viceroy for his colony, and
the viceroy to the king. The whole was anti-doin-
ocratic of course, and was but the continued and
old, old idea of " the divine rights of rulers."
The commentaries of even the favorite law-
writers to-day in this democratic country ar«
blurred on nearly every page with that monstrous
heresy, "the king can do no wrong" — the gov-
erning power is infallible, it needs no watching, no
jealous eye that will see its errors or its crimes ; a
fetich to be blindly worshiped, indiscriminately,
whether it is an angel of mercy or a monster of
evil. When Cannibal was king he was a god, with
no soul to dictate to him the course he pursued.
"The curiosities of patriotism under adversity"
just here suggests itself as a natural title-page to
one of the most remarkable books yet to be written.
The bench and bar form a ver}' peculiar result
<i k^
Of)
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
of modern civilization — to-day fighting the most
heroic battles for the poor and the oppressed ; to-
morrow, perhaps, expending equal zeal and elo-
quence in the train of the bloody nsui'per and ty-
rant. As full of inconsistencies as insincerity it-
self, it is also as noted for as wise, conservative and
noble efforts in behalf of our race as ever distin-
guished piitriot or sage.
The dangers which beset the path of the law-
yer are a blind adherence to precedent, and a love
of the abstruse technicalities of the law practice.
When both or either of these infirmities enter the
soul of the otherwise young and rising practitioner,
his usefulness to his fellow man is apt to bo perma
nently impaired. He may be the "learned judge,"'
but will not be the great and good one.
The history of the bench and bar should be
an instructive one. The inquirer, commencing in
the natural order of all real history, investigating
the cause or the fountain source, and then follow-
ing up the effects flowing from causes, is met at
the threshold with the question. Why ? What
natural necessity created this vast and expensive
supernumerary of civilization ? The institution in
its entirety is so wide and involved, so comprehen-
sive and expensive, with its array of court officials,
great temples, its robes, ermine and wool-sacks; its
halls, professors, schools and libraries, that the
average mind is oppressed with the attempt to
grasp its outlines. In a purely economic .sense it
produces not one blade of grass. After having
elucidated this much of the investigation as l)e.st
he can, he comes to a minor one, or the details
of the subject. For illustration's sake, let it be
assumed that he will then take up the considera-
tion of grand juries, their origin, history and present
necessity for existence. These are mere hints, but
such as will arrest the attention of the student of law
of philosophical turn of mind. They are nothing
more than the same problems that come in every
department of history. The school of the lawyer
is to accept precedent, the same as it is a common
human instinct to accept what comes to him from
the fathers — assuming everything in its favor and
combating everything that would dispute "the
old order." It is the exceptional mind which
looks ancient precedent in the face and asks ques-
tions, AVhence r Why ? Whither ? These are gen-
erally inconvenient queries to indolent content,
but they are the drive- wheels of moving civiliza-
tion.
One most extraordinary fact forever remains,
namely, that lawyers and statesmen never unfolded
the science of political economy. This seems a
strange contradiction, but nevertheless it is so.
The story of human and divine laws is much alike.
The truths have not been found, as a rule, by the
custodians of the temples. The Rev. Jaspers are still
proclaiming ' ' the world do move. ' ' Great states-
men are still seriously regulating the nation's
' ' balance of trade, ' ' the price of interest on money,
and through processes of taxation enriching peo-
ples, while the dear old precedents have for 100
years been demonstrated to be myths. They are
theoretically dead with all intelligent men, but
are very much alive in fact. Thus the social
life of every people is full of most amusing curi-
osities, many of them harmless, many that are not.
The early bench and liar of Arkansas produced
a strong and virile race of men. The pioneers of
this important class of community possessed vigor-
ous minds and bodies, with lofty ideals of personal
honor, and an energy of integrity admirably fitted
to the tasks set before them.
The law of the land, the moment the Louisi-
ana purchase was effected, was the English com-
mon law, that vast and marvelous structure, the
growth of hundreds of years of bloody English
history, and so often the apparent throes of civil-
ization.
The circuit riders composed the first bench
and bar liere, as in all the western States. In
this State especially the accounts of the law prac-
tice—the long trips over the wide judicial circuits;
the hardships endured, the dangers encountered
from swollen streams ere safe bridges spanned
them; the rough accommodations, indeed, some-
times the absence of shelter from the raging ele-
ments, and amid all this their jolly happy-go-lucky
I life, their wit and fun, their eternal electioneering,
for every lawyer then vras a ])olitician; their quick-
ened wits and schemes and devices to advantage
^ s
}£.
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
(•.7
each other, both in and out of the courts, if all
could be told in detail, would read like a fascinat-
iii<>- romance. These riders often traveled in com-
panies of from three to fifteen, and among them
would be found the college and law school gradu-
ates, and the brush graduates, associated in some
cases and opposed in oth(ir8. And here, as in all
the walks of life, it was often found that the rough,
.self educated men overmatched the graduates in
their fiercest contests. While one might understand
more of the books and of the learned technicalities
of law, the other would know the jury best, and
overthrow his antagonist. In the little old log
cabin court rooms of those days, when the court
was in session, the contest of the legal gladiators
went on from the opening to the closing of the
term. Generally the test was before a jury, and
the people gathered from all the surrounding coun-
try, deeply interested in every movement of the
actors. This was an additional stimulus to the
lawyer politicians, who well understood that their
ability was gauged by the crowd, as were their suc-
cesses before the jury. Thus was it a combination
of the forum and "stump." Here, sometimes in
the conduct of a noted case, a seat in Congress
would be won or lost. A seat in Congress, or on
the "wool sack," was the ambition of nearly every
circuit rider. Their legal encounters were fought
out to the end. Each one was dreadfully in earn-
est— he practiced no assumed virtues in the strug-
gle; battling as much at least for himself as his
client, he would yield only under compulsion, even
in the minor points, and, unfortunately, sometimes
in the heat of ardor, the contest would descend
from a legal to a personal one, and then the handy
duello code was a ready resort. It seems it was
this unhappy mixture of law and politics that
caused many of these bloody personal encounters.
In the pure practice of the law, stripped of polit-
ical bearings, there seldom, if ever, came misunder-
standings.
They must have been a fearless and earnest
class of men to brave the hardships of professional
life, as well as mastering the endless and involved
intricacies of the legal practice of that day. The
law then was but little less than a mass of un-
meaning technicalities. A successful practitioner
required to have at his fingers' ends at least Black-
stone' s Commentaries and Chitty's Pleadings, and
much of the wonders contained in the Rules of
Evidence. Libraries were then scarce and their
privations here were nearly as great as in the com-
mon comforts for ' ' man and boast. ' ' There have
been vast improvements in the simplifying of the
practice, the abolition of technical pleadings es-
pecially, since that time, and the young attorney
of to-day can hardly realize what it was the pio-
neers of his profession had to undergo.
A judicial circuit at that early day was an im-
mense domain, over which the bench and bar
regularly made semi-annual trips. Sometimes
they would not more than get around to their
starting point before it would be necessary to
go all over the ground again. Thus the court was
almost literally "in the saddle." The saddle-bags
were their law offices, and some of them, upon
reaching their respective county-seats, would sig-
nalize their brief stays with hard work all day in
the court-room and late roystering at the tavern
bar at night, regardless of the demurrers, pleas,
replications, rejoinders and sur-rejoinders, declara-
tions and bills that they knew must be confronted
on the morrow. Among these jolly sojourners,
' ' during court week ' ' in the villages, dignity and
circumspection were often given over exclusively
to the keeping of the judge and prosecutor. Cir-
cumstances thus made the bench and bar as social
a set as ever came together. To see them return-
ing after their long journeyings, sunburned and
weatherbeaten, having had but few advantages of
the laimdry or bathtub, they might have passed for
a retm-ning squad of cavalry in the late war. One
eccentric character made it a point never to start
with any relays to his wardrobe. When he reached
home after his long pilgrimage it would be noticed
that his clothes had a stuffed appearance. The
truth was that when clean linen was needed he
bought new goods and slipped them on over the
soiled ones. He would often tell how he dreaded
the return to his home, as he knew that after his
wife attended to his change of wardrobe he was
"most sure to catch cold."
r'T
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
A
On one occasion two members of the bar met
at a county seat where court was in session a week.
They had cume from opposite directions, one of
them riding a borrowed horse seventy miles, while
the other on his own horse had traveled over 100
miles. Upon starting home they unwittingly ex-
changed horses, and neither discovered the mistake
until informed by friends after reaching their des-
tination. The horses could hardly have been more
dissimilar, but the owners detected no change. It
was nearly the value of the animals to make the
return exchange, yet each set out, and finally re-
turned with the proper horse. No little ingenuity
must have been manifested in finally unraveling
the great mystery of the affair.
Surrounded as they were with all these ill con-
ditions, as a body of men they were nevertheless
learned in the law, great in the forum, able and
upright on the bench. Comparisons are odious,
but it is nothing in disparagement to the present
generation of courts and lawyers, to say that to be
equally great and worthy with these men of the
early bench and bar of Arkansas, is to exalt and
ennoble the profession in the highest degree.
Sixty years have now passed since the first
coming of the members of this calling to the State
of Arkan.sas. In 1S19 President Monroe appointed
James Miller, governor, Robert Crittenden, secre-
tary, and Charles Jouitt, Andrew Scott and Robert
P. Letcher, judges of the Superior Court, for the
new Territory of .\rkansas. All these, it seems,
except Gov. Miller, were promptly at the post of
duty and in the discharge of their respective offices.
In the absence of Mr. Miller, Mr. Crittenden was
acting governor. These men not only constituted
the first bench and bar, but the first Territorial offi-
cials and the first legislature. They were all lo-
cated in the old French town of Arkansas Post.
The lawyers and judges were the legislative body,
which enacted the laws to be enforced in their re-
spective districts. At their first legislative session
they established but five statute laws, and from
this it might be inferred that there wore few and
simple laws in force at that time, but the reader
will remember that from the moment of the Louis-
iana ])urchase all the new territory passed under
the regulation and control of the English common
law — substantially the same system of laws then
governing England.
It is a singular comment on American juris-
prudence that this country is still boasting the pos-
session of the English habeas corpus act, wrung
by those sturdy old barons from King John, — a
government by the people, universal suffrage,
where the meanest voter is by his vote also a sov-
ereign, and therefore he protects himself against
— whom? — why, against himself by the English
habeas corpus act, which was but the great act of
a great people that first proclaimed a higher right
than was the " divine right of kings. ' ' When these
old Englishmen presented the alternative to King
John, the writ or the headsman's ax, he very sensi-
bly chose the lesser of the two great inconven-
iences. And from that moment the vital meaning
of the phrase "the divine right of kings" was
dead in England.
In America, where all vote, the writ of habeas
corpus has been time and time again suspended,
and there are foolish men now who would gladly
resort to this untoward measure, for the sake of
party success in elections. There is no language of
tongue or pen that can carry a more biting sar-
casm on our boasted freemen or free institutions
than this almost unnoticed fact in our history.
One of the acts of the first legislative session
held in August, 1819, was to divide the Territory
into two judicial circuits. As elsewhere stated, the
counties of Arkansas and Lawrence constituted the
First circuit; Pulaski, Clark and Hempstead Coun-
ties forming the Second.
The judges of the Superior Courts were as-
signed to the duties of the different circuits. At
the first real Territorial legislature, composed of
representatives elected by the people, the Territory
was divided into three judicial circuits. The
courts, however, for the diffei'ent circuits, were all
held at the Territorial capital. There was no cir-
cuit riding, therefore, at this time.
Judicial circuits and judges residing therein
were not a piirt of judiciary affairs until 1823. The
judges of the First circuit from that date, with time
of appointment and service, were : T. P. Eskridge,
\
December 10, 1823; Andrew Scott, April 11, 1827;
Sam G. Roane, April 17, 1829-36. The list of
prosecuting attorneys includes: AV. B. R. Horner,
November 1, 1823; Thomas Hubbard, November
5, 1828, to February 15, 1832; G. D. Royston,
September 7, 1833; Shelton Watson, October 4,
1835; A. G. Stephenson, January 23, 1836.
Of the Second circuit the judges were: Richard
Searcy, December 10, 1823, and J. W. Bates,
November, 1825, to 1836; while the prosecuting
attorneys were R. C. Oden, November 1, 1823; A.
H. Sevier, January 19, 1824 (resigned); Sam C.
Roane, September 26. 1826; Bennett H. Martin,
January 30, 1831 ; Alssalom Fowler, ; D. L.
F. Roy.ston, July 25, 1835; Townsend Dickin-
son, November 1. 1823; A. F. May, March 29,
1825 (died in office); W. H. Parrott, April 21,
1827; S. S. Hall, August 31, 1831; J. W. Robert-
son, September 17, 1883; E. B. Ball, July 19,
1836.
Samuel S. Hall was judge of the Third circuit,
serving from December, 1823, to 1836. As pros-
ecuting attorneys, are found the names of T. Dick-
inson, January 10, 1823; A. D. G. Davis, June
21, 1829; S. G. Sneed, November 11, 1831; David
Walker, September 13, 1833; Thomas Johnson,
October 4, 1835; W. F. Denton, January 23, 1836.
The appointment of Charles Caldwell as judge
of the Fourth circuit dates from December 27,
1828; while E. T. Clark, February 13, 1830; J. C.
P. Tolleson, February 1, 1831; and W. K. Sebas-
tian, from January 25, 1833, served as prosecuting
attorneys.
The Supreme Court of Arkansas has ever com-
prised among its members men of dignity, wisdom
and keen legal insight. The directory of these
officials contains the names of many of those whose
reputation and influence are far more than local.
It is as follows:
Chief justices: Daniel Ringo, 1836; Thomas
Johnson. 1844; George C. Watkins, 1852 (re-
signed); E. H. English, 1854 (also Confederate);
T. D. W. Yonley. 1864 (Murphy constitution); E.
Baxter, 1861 (under Murpliy regime); David
Walker, 1866 (ousted by military); W. W. Wil-
shire, 1868 (removed); John McClure, 1871, (re-
moved); E. H. English, 1874. Sterling' R. (Jock
rill is present chief justi-
Associato justices: Thomas J. Lacey, 1836:
Townsend Dickinson, 1836; George W. Paschal.
1842; W. K. Sebastian, 1843; W. S. Oldham,
1845; Ed ward Cross, 1845; WilliamConway, 1846;
C. C. Scott, 1848; David Walker, 1847 and 1874;
Thomas B. Hanley, 1858 (resigned); F. I. Batson.
1858 (resigned); H. F. Fairchild, 1860 (died):
Albert Pike, 1861 (al.so Confederate); J. J. Clen-
denin, 1866 (ousted); T. M. Bowen, 1868; L.
Gregg, 1868; J. E. Bennett, 1871; M. L. Steph
enson, 1872; E. J. Searle, 1872; W. M. Harrison,
1874; J. T. Bearden, 1874 (appointed); Jesse
Tui-ner, 1878; J. R. Eakin, 1878; AV. W. Smith,
1882; B. B. Battle, 1885, re-elected. By law
three additional judges were elected April 2, 1889:
Simon B. Hughes, W. E. Hemingway and Mont.
H. Sandels.
Reporters: Albert Pike, N. W. Cox, E. H.
English, J. M. Moore, L. E. Barber, B. D. Turner
and W. W. Mansfield (present incumbent).
Clerks: H. Haral.son, L. E. Barber. N. W. Cox,
and W. P. Campbell (in office).
Special chief justices: William Story, F. W.
Compton, J. L. Witherspoon, S. H. Hempstead.
C. B. Moore, Thomas Johnson, R. A. Howard,
George A. Gallagher, B. B. Battle. Sam W. Will-
iams, A. B. Williams, G. N Cousin, Isaac Strain.
N. Haggard, Edward Cross, R. C- S. Brown, L.
A. Pindall, Sam C. Roane, George Conway, Sack-
field Macklinin, John Whytock, C. C. Farrelley,
W. W. Smith, W. I. Warwick, B. B. Morse, B.
D. Turner, George W. Caruth, S. H. Harring-
ton.
In this list are the names of nearly all early
members of the Arkansas bar. Commencing here
as young attorneys in their profession, many of
them have loft illustrious n.'imes — names that adorn
the history of the State and Nation, and time
will not dim nor change the exalted esteem now
given them. Not one of them but that was an ex-
ample of that wonderful versatility of American
genius — the young lawyer l>i'oomiiig great in the
practice of his profession in the wild wood: or cel-
ebrated on the bench for decisions that came to the
<s »^
70
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
world like beacon lights from the unknown land;
or as senators holding civilized people apell-bouud
bj' their wisdom and eloquence; and all, at all times,
listening for their country's call to play as con-
spicuous a part in camp and field as they bad in
the walks of civil life. To undertake all these
things is not wonderful with a people so cosmopol-
itan as those of the west, but to be preeminent in
each or all alike is most remarkable.
Of this brilliant galaxy of pioneer legal lights
— giants indeed- — there now remain as a connect-
ing link with the present generation only the ven-
erable Gen. Albert Pike, of Washington City, and
Judge Jesse Turner, of Van Buren.
Writing in a reminiscent way of the bench and
bar, Albert Pike says: " M'hen I came to the bar
there were William Cummins, Absalom Fowler,
Daniel Ringo, Chester Ashley, and Samuel Hall,
at Little Rock. I served on a jury in 183-1 where
Robert Crittenden was an attorney in the case; the
judge was Benjamin Johnson, who died in Decem-
ber, 1834, at Vicksburg. Parrott and Oden died
before I went to Little Rock. Judge William
Trimble was an old meml)er of the bar when I en-
tered it, as was Col. Horner, of Helena. Thomas
B. Hanley had recently come to Helena from Louis-
iana. I think Maj. Thomas Hubbard and George
Conway were practicing at Washington in 1835.
Judge Andrew Scott had been Territorial judge, but
retired and lived in Pope County. Frederick W.
Trapnall and John W. Cocke came from Kentucky
to Little Rock in 1836, and also William C. Scott
and his partner, Blanchard. I think Samuel H.
Hempstead and John J. Clendenin came in 1836.
John B. Floyd lived and practiced law in Chicot
County." Gen. Pike further mentions Judge David
Walker, John Linton, Judges Hoge and Sneed,
John M. Wilson, Alfred W. Wilson, Ai'chibald
Yell, Judge Fowler, Judge Richard C. S. Brown,
Bennett H Martin, Philander Little, Jesse Turner
and Sam W. Williams as among the eminent law-
yers of the early courts of Arkansas.
The list of those who have occupied positions
as circuit judges and prosecuting attorneys in the
various circuits, will be found of equal interest
with the names mentioned in connection with a
higher tribunal. It is as below, the date affixed
indicating the beginning of the term of service:
Judges of the First circuit: W. K. Sebastian,
November 19, 1840; J. C. P. Tolleson, February
8, 1 843 ; John T. Jones, December 2, 1842 ; Mark W.
Alexander, ; George W. Beasley, September
6, 1855; C. W. Adams, November 2, 1852; Thomas
B. Hanley, ; E. C. Bronough, August 25,
1858; O. H. Gates, March 3, 1859; E. C. Bronough,
August 23, 1860; Jesse M. Houks, September 17,
1865; John E. Bennett, July 23, 1868; C. C. Wat-
ers, February 23, 1871; M. L. Stephenson, March
24, 1871; W. H. H. Clayton, March 10, 1873; J.
N. Cypei-t, October 31, 1874; M. T. Saunders,
October 30, 1882. Prosecuting attorneys: W. S.
Mosley, November 14, 1840; A. J. Greer, Novem-
ber 9, 1841; S. S. Tucker, January 20, 1840:
Alonzo Thomas, August 5, 1842; W. N. Stanton,
December 2, 1842; N. M. Foster, December 4,
1843; A. H. Ringo, March 2, 1849; H. A. Bad
ham, March 12, 1851; L. L. Mack, September
6, 1855; S. W. Childress, August 30, 1856; Lin-
coln Featherstone, August 23, 1860; Z. P. H Farr,
December 1, 1862; B. C. Brown, January 7, 1865;
P. O. Thweat, October 15, 1866; C. B. Fitzpatrick,
March 16, 1871; W. H. H. Clayton, March 23,
1871; Eugene Stephenson, April 23, 1873; C. A.
Otey, October 31, 1874; D. D. Leach, October 13,
1876; P. D. McCulloch (three terms); Greenfield
Quarl^s, October 30, 1884; S. Brundridge, October
30, 1886.
Judges of the Second circuit: Isaac Baker,
November 23, 1840; John C. Murray, August 18,
1851; W. H. Sutton, January 11, 1845; John C.
Murray, August 22, 1858; Josiah Gould, Febru-
ary 26, 1849; W. M. Harrison, May 17, 1865;
T. F. Sorrells, August 22, 1853; W. C. Hazeldine,
April 14, 1871; J. F. Lowery, December 12,
1863; L. L. Mack, October 3l', 1874; William
Story, July 23, 1868; W. F. Henderson, April 26,
1874; J. G. Frierson, October 31, 1882; W. A,
Case, vice Frierson, deceased, March 17, 1884,
elected September 1, 1884; J. E. Riddick, Oc-
tober 30, 1886. Prosecuting attorneys: John S.
Roane, November 15, 1840; Samuel Wooly, Sep-
tember 19, 1842; J. W. Bocage, November 20,
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
71
1843; S. B. Jones, April 20, 184(5; T. F. Sorrells,
February 26, 1849; W. P. Urace, August 22,
1858; S. F. Arnett, August 23, 1850; D. W.
Carroll, August 30, 1860: C. G. Goddeu, May 17,
1865; W. F. Slemmons, October 15, 1866; D.
D. Leach, December 16, 1868; R. H. Black. May
6. 1873; J. E. Riddick, October 13, 1870; W. A.
Gate, October 14, 1878; E. F. Brown, May 5,
1870; W. B. Edrington (four terms). October 30,
1880; J. D. Block, October, 1888.
Judges of the Third circuit: Thomas Johnson,
November 13, 1840; William Conway, November
15, 1844; W. C. Scott, December 11, 1846; R.
H. Nealy, February 28, 1851 ; W. C. Bevins, August
23, 1856; W. R. Cain, August 23, 1860; L. L.
Mack. March 15. 1806; Elisha Baxter, July 23,
1868: James W. Butler, March 10, 1873; William
Byers, October 30, 1874; R. H. Powell (threo
terms). October 30, 1882; J. W. Butler, May, 1887.
Prosecuting attorneys: N. Haggard, November 30,
1840; S. S. Tucker, January 20, 1842; S. H.
Hempstead. February, 1842; A. R. Porter, Decern
ber 2, 1842; S. C.Walker, December 2, 1846; J. H.
Byers. March 5, 1849; W. K. Patter.son, August
30. 1856; F. W. Desha, August 30, 1860; L. L.
Mack, July 8, 1861; T. J. Ratcliff, July 9, 1865;
M. D. Baber, October 15, 1866; W. A. Inman,
December 8, 1868; J. L. Abernathy, October 31,
1874; Charles Coffin, October 14, 1878; M. N.
Dyer (two terms), October 30, 1882; W. B. Padgett,
October 30, 1886; J. L. Abernathy, October, 1888.
Judges of the Fourth circuit: J. M. Hoge,
November 13, 1840; S. G. Sneed, November 18,
1844; A. B. Greenwood, March 3, 1851; F. I.
Batson, August 20, 1853; J. M. Wilson, Febru
ary 21, 1859; J. J. Green, August 23, 1800; Y.
B. Sheppard, May 9, 1803; Thomas Boles,
August 3, 1865; W. N. May. April 24, 1868;
M. L. Stephenson, July 23, 1868; C. B. Filz-
patrick, March 23, 1871; J. Huckleberry, April
10, 1872; J. M. Pittman, October 31, 1874; J. H.
Berry, October 21, 1878; J. M. Pittman (three
terms), October 31, 1882. Prosecuting attorneys:
Alfred M. Wilson, November 13, 1840; A. B.
Greenwood, January 4, 1845; H. F. Thomasson,
September 6. 1853; Lafayette Gregg. August 23,
1856; B. J. Brown, December 1, 1802; J. E.
Cravens, January 7, 1865; Squire Boon, October
15, 1806; Elias Harrell, August 11, 18(38; S. W.
Peel, April 26, 1873; E. I. Stirman, October 13.
1876; H. A. Dinsmoro (three terms), October 14,
1878; J. Frank Wilson, October 30, 1884; J. W.
Walker, October 30, 1866; S. M. Johnson. Octo
ber 30, 1888.
Judges of t)ie Fifth circuit: J. J. Cleudenin,
December 28, 1840; W. H. Field, December 24,
1846; J. J. Clendenin, September 6, 1854; Liberty
Bartlett, November 12, 1854; E. D. Ham, July 23,
1868; Benton J. Brown, September 30, 1874; AV.
W. Mansfield, October 31, 1874; Thomas W.
Pound, September 9, 1878; W. D. Jacoway, Oc-
tober 31, 1878; G. S. Cunningham (three terms),
October 31, 1882. Prosecuting attorneys: R. W .
Johnson, December 29, 1840; George C. Watkius,
January 11, 1845; J. J. Clendenin. February 17,
1849, to 1854; J. L. Hollowell, September 8, 1858,
to 1860; Sam W. Williams, May 10, 1860; Pleas-
ant Jordan, September 7, 1861 ; Sam W. Williams,
July 6, 1863; John Whytock, December 19, 1865;
R. H. Dedman. October 15, 1866; N. J. Temple,
August 15, 18(38; Arch Young, August 24, 1872;
Thomas Barnes, April 23, 1873; J. P. Byers, Oc-
tober 31, 1873; A. S. McKennon, October 14,
1878; J. G. Wallace (two terms), October 31,
1882; H. S. Carter, October 30, 1886. •
Sixth circuit — judges: William Conway, De-
cember 19, 1840; John Field, February 3, 1843:
George Conway, August 1, 1844; John Quillin.
March 2, 1849; Thomas Hubbard, August 22,
1854; A. B. Smith, February 7, 1856; Shelton Wat-
son, September 26, 1858; Len B. Green, April 5,
1858; A. B. Williams, January 28, 1865; J. T.
Elliott, October 2, 1865; J. J. Clendenin, October
31, 1874; J. W. Martin. October 31, 1878; F. T.
Vaughan, October 31, 18S2; J. W. Martin, Octo-
ber 30, 1886. Prosecuting attorneys: G. D. Roys-
ton, November 11, 1840; O. F. Rainy, June 12,
1843; Isaac T. Tupper, January 18, 1844; A. W.
Blevins, January 11, 1847; E. A. Warner, March
3, 1851; Orvillo Jennings, August 23, 1853; E.
W. Gantt, August 22, 1854; James K. Yoimg,
August 30. 1800; Robert Carrigau, September 13,
72
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
1865; J. F. Ritchie. October 15, 1866; T. B. Gib
son. January 11, 1868; Charles C. Reid, Jr., April
30, 1871; F. T. Vaughan, September 18. 1876;
T. C. Trimble, September 30, 1878; F. T. Vaughan,
September 30, 1880; T. C. Trimble, October 31,
1882; R. J. Lea. October 30, 1884; Gray Carroll.
October 30, 1886; R. J. Lea, October 30, 1888.
Seventh circuit — judges; R. C. S. Brown, 1840;
W. W. Floyd. November 30, 1S46. (December
20, 1849, the State was redi.stricted into six cir-
cuits. Hence this was abolished for the time.)
William Byers, July 8, 18(')1; R. H, Powell. May
11, 1866; John Whytock, July 23, 1868; J. J.
Clendenin, May 29, 1874; Jabez M. Smith, Oc
tober 31, 1874; J. P. Henderson (three terms), Oc-
tober 31, 1882. Prosecuting attorneys: John M.
Wilson, November 20, 1840; J. M. Tebbetts, De-
cember 5. 1844; Elisba Baxter, December 7, 1861:
W. B. Padgett. August 29, 1865; W. R. Coody.
October 15, 1866; E. W. Gantt, July 31, 1868;
J. M. Harrell, May 5, 1873; M. J. Henderson.
October 31, 1874; James B. Wood, October 14.
1878; J. P. Henderson (three terms), October 31,
1882: W. H. Martin, October 30, 1888.
Eighth circuit — judges: C. C. Scott, December
2, 1846; William Davis. July 8, 1848 (abolished
December 20, 1849); James D. Walker, July 25.
1861; Elias Harrell, May 8, 1865; William Story,
March 27, 1867; E. J. Earle, July 23, 1868; T. G.
T. Steele, February 23, 1873; L. J. Joyner. Octo-
ber 31, 1874; H. B. Stuart, October 31, 1878;
R. D. Hearn, October 30, 1886. Prosecuting attor-
neys: Richard Lyons, February 5, 1847; N. W. Pat-
terson, October 25, 1865; C. G. Reagan, January
7, 1865; J. C. Pratt, July 23, 1868; T. M. Gun-
ter, October 15, 1866; Duane Thompson. January
4, 1874: George A. Kingston, July 26. 1871; J.
D. McCabe, October 31, 1874; J. H. Howard, April
26, 1873; Rufus D. Hearn (three terms), July 6,
1874; Lafayette Gregg, November 13. 1862; W.
M. Green (three terms), October 30, 1884.
Ninth cireuit^udges: H. B. Stuart, Novem-
ber 28, 1862; W. N. Hargrave, , 1865; E. J.
Searle, February 25, 1867; G. W. McCowan, July
23, 1868: J.T. Elliott, April 26. 1873: J. K. Young,
October 31. 1874; C. F. Mitchell. October 31. 1882;
L. A. Byrne, November 4, 1884; A. B. Williams,
vice Mitchell, resigned. September 10, 1884; C. E.
Mitchell, October 30, 1886. Prosecuting attorneys:
A. J. Temple, July 8, 1861; A. T Craycraft,
January 7, 1865; E. J. Searle. Febraary 19, 1866;
R. C. Parker, October 15, 1866; N. J. Temple.
January 20, 1867; J. R. Page, January 9, 1869;
J. M. Bradley, April 26, 1873; Dan W. Jones,
October 31. 1874; B. W. Johnson, October 13.
1876; John Cook, October 14. 1880; T. F. Web-
ber (four terms), October 31, 1882.
Judges of the Tenth circuit: H. P. Morse,
July 23, 1868; D. W Carroll, October 28, 1874;
T. F. Sorrells, October 31, 1874; J. M. Bradley,
October 30. 1882; C. D. Wood. October 30. 1886.
Prosecuting attorneys: J. McL. Barton, March
29, 1869; H. King White, April 20, 1871; M. Mc-
Gehee, April 29, 1873; J. C. Barrow, October 31,
1874; C. D. Woods, October 30, 1882; M. L.
Hawkins, rnce Woods, October 10, 1886; R. C.
Fuller, October 30. 1888.
Eleventh circuit — judges: J. W. Fox, April
30, 1873; H. N. Hutton, July 24, 1874; John A.
Williams. October 31, 1874; X. J. Pindall. Octo-
ber 31, 1878; J. A. Williams (two terms). October
30,1882. Prosecuting attorneys- H. M. McVeigh,
April 26, 1873; Z. L. Wise, October 31. 1874; T.
B. Martin. October 10, 1878; J. M. Elliott (five
terms), October 10, 1880.
Twelfth circuit — judges: P. C. Dooley. April
26, 1873; J. H. Rogers, April 20, 1877;" R. B.
Rutherford, October 2, 1882; John S. Little, Octo-
ber 20, 1 886. Prosecuting attorneys : D. D. Leach,
April 26, 1873; John S. Little (three terms), April
2, 1877; A. C. Lewers (two terms), September 20,
1884; J. B. McDonough, October 30, 1888.
Thirteenth circuit — judges: M. D. Kent, April
26, 1873; B. F. Askew, October 30, 1882; C. W.
Smith, Octol>er 30. 1886. Prosecuting attorneys:
W. C. Langford, April 26, 1873; W. F. Wallace,
June 5, 1883; H. P. Snead (three terms), Octo-
ber 30, 1884.
Fourteenth circuit — judges: George A. King-
ston, April 26, 1873; R. H. Powell, May, 1887.
Prosecuting attorneys: Duane Thompson, April
26, 1873; De Ross Bailey. May, 1887.
.|^
y
^C^--/- <--(-—
I
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
L. D. Belden was appointed judge of the Fif-
teenth circuit April 20, 187:^ the prosecuting at-
torney being G. G. Lotta, elected April 23, 1873.
Sixteenth circuit— judge: Elisha Mears, April
2G, 1873. Prosecuting attorneys: H. N. Withers,
September 27, 1873; V. B. Shepard, April 30,
1874.
By an act of April 10, 1873, the Stale was di-
vided into sixteen judicial circuits, but two years
later a reduction to eleven in number was made.
» <<-
lliflt IX.
The Late Civil War-An.vlytical Viisw of the Troublous Times-Passage of the Ordinanxe or
.SECE.SSION-THE Call to Aiims-Tiie Fiust Tkoops to Take the Field-Invasion ok the State
BY THE Federal Army— Sketches of the Regiments-Names ok Officers-Outline ok
Field Operations-Claibourne and Y ell— Extracts from Private Memo-
randa—Evacuation OF THE State— Re-Occupation— The War OF 1812—
The Mexican War— Standard of American (Jeneralsiiip.
ysiii.
Tlie cannon's hiishd! nor dium nor claiion sound;
Helmet and hauberk gleam upon llie giouud;
Horsemen and horse lie weltering in their gore;
Patriots are dead, and heroes dare no more;
While solemnly the moonlight shrouds the plain.
And lights the lurid features of the s\mn.— Montgomery.
\ RKANSAS was not among
the States that may be call-
' ed leaders in inaugurating
the late war. It only pass-
ed a secession ordinance
'i May 6, 1861, nearly a
1?^ month after hostilities had
commenced, and Lincoln had issued
his call for 7-"), 000 ninety-day troops
■ ' to put down the rebellion. ' ' The re-
liictance with which the State finally
joined its sister States is manifested
Ijy the almost unanimous refusal of
the State convention, which met in
March, 1801 — the day Lincoln was in-
augurated— and nearly unanimously voted down
secession and passed a series of conservative resolu-
tions, looking to a national convention to settle in
some way tlie vexed (juostion of slavery, and then
voting a recess of the convention. \\'hen this
re assembled war was upon the country, and the
ordinance of secession was passed, only, however,
after full discussion, pro and con. There was
but one vote against secession finally, and that wa*
given by Isaac Murphy— afterward the military
governor of Arkansas.
Local authorities received instructions to arm
and equip forty regiments of State troops. The
ruling minds of the State were averse to war,
and resisted it until they were forced into the po-
sition of siding with their neighbors or with the
Union cause. In the South, as in the North,
there were inconsiderate hot-heads, who simply
wanted war for war's sake — full of false pretexts,
but eager for war with or without a i:)retext. These
extremists of each party were, unconsciously, per-
74
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
haps, but in fact, the two blades of the pair of
scissors, to cut asunder the ties of the Uuion of
States. Shivery, possibly not directly the cause of
the war, was the haudie.st pretext seized upon at
the time, with such disastrous results. In the dis-
pensations of heaven, had the fanatics of the North
and the tire-eaters of the South boon hung across
the clothes-line, as a boy sometimes hangs cats,
and left in holy peace to fight it out, what a bless-
ing for mankind it would have been!
The history of the late war cannot yet be writ-
ten. Its most profound effects are not yet evolved.
The actual fighting ceased nearly a generation ago,
and the cruel strife is spoken of as over. It is the
effects that true history observes. The chronicler
records the dates and statistics, and tiles these
away for the future historian. It is highly prob-
able that there is no similar period in history
where the truth will be so distorted as by him
who tells ' ' the story of the war. ' '
Anyone can begin to see that there are many
things now that were unknown before the war.
Great changes are still being worked out, anti
whether or not yet greater ones are to come, no one
knows. The abolitionists thirty years ago hated
the slave owners, — the slave holders loved slavery.
The former thought to forever end slavery on this
continent by liberating the slaves, and now the
once alarmed slave owner has discovered that the
great benefits of the abolition of slavery have been
to the whites far more than to the blacks.
There is little idea of what the real historian
one hundred years from now will be compelled to
say of these "' blessed times." He will mo.st prob-
ably smile in pity upon all this self- laudation and
wild boast. If men could have known the effects
to follow in all the important movements of peo-
ples, it is highly probable there would have been no
civil war. Those who "sectionally hated" may
sleep quietly in their graves, because they died
unconscious as to whether their supposed Ijloody
revenge, driven hiirtling at the enemy, was a bullet
or a boomerang.
The Southern individual may look with envy to
the pension fund now being poured out in North-
ern States, while, instead of this, ho should only
remember that the Southern soldier is making his
way unaided in the world. It should not be for-
gotten that the rapid development of the South is
sadly in want of the constant labor of thousands of
immigrants, and that the New South is just entering
upon a period of surprising and unexampled pros-
perity, which certainly must continue.
In Arkansas, as in Illinois, when Fort Sumter
was fired on, instantly there was a storm of excite-
ment to "let slip the dogs of war." Action took
the place of argument. The best men in the com-
munity, those who had so long talked and pleaded
against war, closed their mouths, and with sore
hearts turned their eyes away from the sad outlook.
The young and the inconsiderate seized the power
to rule, and (though they knew it not) to ruin.
Bells were rung, drums were beaten, and fifes made
strident martial music, and people rushed into the
streets. Open air meetings for the Confederate
cause gathered, and songs and speeches inflamed
the wildest passions of men. Poor men ! they
little r(>cked the cruel- fate into which they were
plunging their country — not only themselves, but
generatiotis to come. A tifer and drummer march-
ing along the streets, making harsh and discordant
noises, ■\tere soon followed by crowds of men,
women and children. Volunteers were called for
by embryo captains, and from these crowds were
soon recruited squads to be crystallized into armies
with heavy tramp and flying banners — the noisy
prologue to one of the bloodiest tragedies on which
time has ever rung up the curtain.
The first official action of the State was that
authorizing the. raising and equipping of seven
regiments. These were soon ready to report with
full ranks. Seven regiments ! Even after the
war was well on foot, men were forming companies
in hot haste, in fear that before they could reach
the field of action the war would be over. And
after they were mustered in and at their respective
rendezvous, without iiniforms and with sticks for
guns, learning the rudiments of drill, they were
restless, troubled seriously with the fear that they
would never see or feel the glory of battle. The
youths of the State had rushed to the recruiting sta-
tions with the eager thoughtlessness with which
y-.
i) I'y
-^
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
75
they would have put down their names for picnic,
hunting or fishing expeditions, and the wild delights
of a season of camp life. Perhaps to some came
indistinct ideas of winning glory on the field and a
triumjjhant return home, to be met by the happy
smiles of a people saved — when the bells would
ring and flowers be strewn in the highway.
The seven regiments first authorized by the
military board (the board consisting of the gov-
ernor, Col. Sam W. Williams and Col. B. C Tot-
ten) had hardly been formed when more soldiers
were wanted. Ten additional regiments wore
authorized, and of the ten seven were recruited
and organized. Fourteen infantry regiments be
sides the cavalry and artillery had been a strong
demand on the people, but the calls for men were
increased. By voluntary eidistments twenty-one
infantry regiments were finally in the field. In-
cluding cavalry and artillery, Arkansas had about
25,000 volunteer soldiery.
Then came the remorseless conscription. The
glamour of soldiering was now all gone. Ragged,
hungry, wounded and worn with hard marches,
men had suffered the touch of the hand of the
angel of destruction. The relentless conscripting
went on. The number of years before old age
exempted was lengthened, and the age of youth
exempting was shortened, until as said by Gen.
Grant, they were "robbing the cradle and the
grave ' ' to recruit their decimated ranks in the
army.
There are no records now by which can be told
the number of men Arkansas had in the Confeder-
ate army, but it is supposed by those best informed
to have had nearly 40,000. In addition to this the
State furnished soldiers to the Union army. In
the history of wars it is doubtful if there is anything
to exceed this in the heroic sacrifices of any people.
The original seven regiments were authorized
as the first exuberant war expression of the State.
They were State troops, armed and equipped by
the State; but the fact is that the poorest men went
into the army at their individual expense and armed
and equipped themselves. This was the rule — not
by men only who were fighting for their slave
property, but largely by men who had never owned
or expected to own a slave. When the Union army
under Gen. Curtis was bearing down to invade Ar-
kansas, ten more regiments were autlmrized and
responded to this call, and seven additional regi-
ments were raised and mustered into the State's
service.
A military board had been provided for, con-
sisting of three men, the governor and two advis-
ors, who had a general supervision in organizing
and equipping the army.
The first regiment raised in the State is known
as the Pat Cleburne regiment. Patrick A. Cleburne,
colonel, was soon made a general, and took his
brigade east of the Mississippi River. The gal
lant and dashing leader was killed in the l)attle of
Franklin, Noveml)er 80, IHO-i. At the first call
to arms he raised a company and named it the Yell
Rifles, of which he was first captain, and on the
formation of the first regiment he became colonel,
rising up and up by rapid promotions to a major-
generalship.
The names of Yell and Pat Cleburne are en-
twined closely in the hearts of the people of Arkan-
sas. Yell was killed at the bloody battle of Buena
Vista, Mexico, at the head of his charging column.
The military lives and deaths of the two men were
much alike. Their names and fames are .secure in
history. There is a touch of romance about Pat
Cleburne's life in Arkansas. A Tipperary boy, of
an excellent family, born in 1828, he had, when not
more than sixteen years of age, joined the English
army, where he was for more than a year before his
whereabouts became known. His friends secured*
his release from the army, when he at once bade
adieu to his native land and sailed for America.
Stopping in 1849, a short time in Cincinnati, he
was for a while a drug clerk. In 1859 he came
to Helena. Ark. , and engaged here also as a pre-
scription clerk, in the meantime reading law; he
was made a licensed attorney in 1856. In the
bloody street affray soon after, betwe;>n Hindman
and Dorsey Rice, he was drawn into the fracas and
was shot through the body by a brother of Rice's,
who came upon tiie ground during the mel6e. The
latter noticed the encounter, and seeing that Cle-
burne stood at one side, pistol in hand, tired. On
f-
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
tvu-ning to see who had shot him, Ck^burne saw
James Marriott, a brother-iu-law of Dorsey Rice,
with pistol in hand, and imder the mistake that
he was the assailant, shot him dead. Cleburne
lingered a long time from his wound but finally
recovered.
In the yellow fever scourge in Helena, in 1855,
he was at one time about the only well person re-
maining to care for the sick and dying. He was a
strict member of the church and for some years a
vestryman in St. John's Episcopal Church, Helena.
He was engacfed to wed Miss Tarleton, of Mobile,
when he fell upon the battle field, and the dead
soldier lay upon the ground, with his arms folded
over his breast, as if even in death he would pro-
tect the sacred tokens of love that he wore next his
heart.
The military board elected two brigadier-gen-
erals— James Yell and N. B. Pierce. The latter
was sent to Northwestern Arkansas, where was
fought the first battle on Arkansas soil — Pea Ridge,
or as it is better known in the South, Elkhorn.
This was a severe engagement, and a decisive one.
There is yet some confusion in referring to the
respective numbers of the Arkansas regiments.
Gen. Pierce, supposing he had full power, gave
numljers Third, Fourth and Fiftli to what the
board, the proper and only authority, designated
as numbers Second, Third and Fourth. The fol-
lowing shows the board's numbering and names
of the colonels :
First, Col. P. H. Cleburne; Second, Col.
Gratiot; Third, Col. Dockery; Fourth, Col. Davis
Walker; Fifth, Col. D. C. Cross; Sixth, Col. Lyon;
Seventh, Col. Shaver; Eighth, Col. W. K. Patter-
son; Ninth, Col. John Roane; Tenth, Col. T. D.
Merrick; Eleventh, Col. Jabez M. Smith; Twelfth,
Col. E. W. Gantt; Thirteenth, Col. J. C. Tappan;
Fourteenth, Col. W. C. Mitchell, (never com-
pleted); Fifteenth, Col. Dawson; Seventeenth, Col.
G. \V. Lamar, Lieut. -Col. Sam W. Williams.
In the scraps of records now to be found there
are mentioned as the different arms in the Confed-
erate service of Arkansas men, in addition to those
above given, the following: Light artillery. Hill's;
batteries, Blocher's. Brown's, Etter's, Hughey's,
Marshall's and West's; cavalry battalions, Chris-
man's, Crawford's, Hill's, Witherspoon's; detached
companies. Brown's, Coarser' s, Desha's, Ranger's,
Fitzwilliam's, Miller's and Palmer's; regiments,
Carroll's, Dobbins', Newton's; infantry, regiments
from one to thirty-nine, inclusive.
Four regiments of infantry of Federal recruits
were raised in Arkansas, the First commanded by
Col. M. La Rue Harrison; the Fourth by Elisha
Baxter. The First Arkansas Light Artillery was
150 strong. The Arkansas Infantry Brigade was
under command of Col. James M. True. August
5, 1863, Adj't Gen. Thomas made a trip to the
Southwest for the purpose of gathering in all the
negroes possible by scouting bands, and to enlist
the able bodied men. The First Arkansas Battery
was commanded by Capt. Dent D. Stark, and the
First Arkansas Cavalry by Maj. J. J. Johnson.
The Second Arkansas Cavalry is mentioned.
Lieut. -Col. E. J. Searle, authorized to raise the
Third Arkansas Cavalry, reported 400 strong.
The Foui'th Arkansas Cavalry comprised nine
companies, commanded by Capt. W. A. Martin.
The Second and Third Arkansas colored in-
fantry regiments are mentioned, in addition to the
Second and Third white regiments.
In the spring of 1861, the Richmond govern-
ment authorized Col. T. B. Flournoy to raise a reg-
iment. It was collected in and about Little Rock
and Col. Fagan was elected commander. This
command went to Virginia. Gen. Churchill organ-
ized the first regiment of cavalry, with rendezvous
at Little Rock. Gen. T. C. Hindman organized
Hindman's Legion. It consisted of infantry and
cavalry and had fifteen companies. He took his
command east of the river. Under the direction of
the military board Col. Rosey Carroll's regiment
of cavalry was raised. The Second Arkansas Reg-
iment of Mounted Infantry was mustered at Osage
Springs, by Col. Dandridge McRea. James Mcln
tosh became colonel and Capt. H. H. Brown, major.
J. P. Eagle was first lieutenant-colonel and after-
ward colonel. Col. Mcintosh was killed at Pea
Ridge, but had been promoted a brigadier-general
a few days before his death.
The absence of war archives from the State,
r
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
77
the most of them that were proserved until after
the war being now in Washington, and the pass-
ing away of so many of tho prominent participants,
and a common fault of human memory, make it
well-nigh impossible to gather for permanent form
any satisfactory roster of the different Confederate
commands or the order of their organization. No
Arkansan so far, which is much to be regretted,
has attempted to write a history of the State in
the civil struggle.
Gov. J. P. Eagle happened to keep dupli-
cates of certain reports he made while in the ser-
vice, and discovered them recently where they had
been laid away and forgotten among old papers.
Fortunately when he made the reports the idea
occurred to him to keep a copy for himself, that
some day he might look over them and be inter-
ested.
" This is a list of the killed and wounded in my
regiment," he remarked, "the Second Arkansas,
from May 8 to August 31, 1864, and the other is a
report of the same from November 26, 1864, to
March 21, 1865."
The Second Arkansas at the beginning of the
war was a mounted regiment, commanded by Col.
James Mcintosh. It was dismounted early in the
conflict. Col. Mcintosh was promoted to the rank
of brigadier-general in the spring of 1862. He
led his brigade bravely into the heaviest fighting
at the battle of Elkhorn (Pea Ridge), where he
was killed. He was succeeded by Col. Embry,
who was soon after succeeded by Col. Flannagin,
afterwards the "War Governor" of Arkansas.
Flannagin was siicceeded by Col. James William-
son, who lost a leg at the battle of Resaca, Ga. ,
May 14, 1864. Col. J. T. Smith then became
colonel. He was killed July 28 following, in the
fight at Lick Skillet Road, and J. P. Eagle, now
governor of Arkansas, became colonel. Col.
Eagle had been wounded at Moore's Mills, and at
the time of his promotion was not with the famous
regiment. He remained in command until the
regiment was consolidated with other regiments
and the whole formed into one regiment, with Col.
H. G. Bunn commanding. Gov. Eagle became
lieutenant-colonel and George Wells, major.
The battle of Elkhorn checked the advance of
Curtis' army into Arkansas, and the Federals re-
mained hovering in the southwest of Missouri and
northwest of Arkansas for some time. Immedi-
ately after the fight Van Dom's forces were with-
drawn and taken east of the Mississippi to resist
the Federal advance down the river to Vicksburg.
Gen. T. C. Hindman returned and took command
of the Confederates in Arkansas and cstablislicd
headquarters at Little Rock and slightly fortified
the place.
Gen. Curtis then moved with the Federal army
down the valley of White River, acting in con
junction with the river fleet, and when he reached
Cotton Plant a flank attack was made on his army
and the battle of Cotton Plant was fought. The
Confederates were repulsed, and Curtis moved on
and took possession of Helena, the Confederates
retiring. Northern and Northeastern Arkansas
were then in the possession of the Union army.
The Federals were in the possession of the Missis-
sippi down to a point just above Vicksburg. The
Confederates made a futile effort to re-capture
Helena, July 4, 1863, but heavy rains, swollen
streams and impassable roads thwarted every
move.
June 2, 1862, Gov. Rector issued the following:
"It being essential that but one military organization
shall exist within the Trans-Mississippi department, all
Arkansas troops are hereby transferred to the Confeder-
ate service." (Signed) H. M. RKCTOn.
Gov. «& Prest, Mil. Board.
The authorities at Richmond, as well as in the »
Trans- Mississippi district, were anxiously awaiting
news of the war steamer, "Arkansas," then build-
ing up the mouth of Red River. June 2, 1862,
she steamed out of that river and passed the fleet
guarding the river for the purpose of capturing the
rebel steamer. The attempt and success in run-
ning the fiery gauntlet was one of the most exciting
scenes ever witnessed on western rivers. Proudly
the vessel kept on her covu'se, sending volleys into
every vessel to the right and left, and at nearly
every turn of her wheels encountering new enemies.
A Federal surgeon of the Union fleet said that
wonderful trip of the "Arkansas" reminded him
78
HISTOKY OF AEKANSAS.
of the Irishman's advice on going into the "free
tight " — " wherever you see <i hoail hit it. ' ' The
Confederate reports say two Federal gun-boats
were captured and others disabled.
August 7, following, the "Arkansas," when five
miles above Baton Rouge on her way down the
river, again encountered Federal gun -boats. Her
machinery being disabled, after she had fought
long and well, her crew "blew her up, and all
escaped. ' '
January 3, 1863 Gen. J. M. Schofield wrote to
Gen. Curtis, from Fayetteville, Ark. : "The oper-
ations of the army since I left it have been a series
of blunders, from which it narrowly escaped dis-
aster * * At Prairie Grove (fought in Decem-
ber, 1802) Blunt and Herron were badly beaten in
detail and owed their escape to a false report of
my arrival with re-enforcements." It now is
revealed that Hindman did not know the extent
of his victory, but supposed he was about to be
overwhelmed by the enemy. Thus the two armies
were as secretly as possible running away from
each other.
July 13, 1863, Gen. E. Kirby Smith wrote from
Shreveport, headquarters of the Trans- Mississippi
district, to Govs. Thomas C. Reynolds, F. R. Liib-
bock, H. Flannagin and Thomas O. Moore, calling
on these, as the heads of their respective States, to
meet him at Marshall, Tex., August 15, following:
"I have attempted to irajKirtially survey the field
of my labor. * * j found on my arrival the
headquarters of Arkansas district at Little
Rock. * * Vicksburg has fallen. The enemy
possesses the key to this department. * * The
possession of the Mississippi River by the enemy
cuts off this department from all communication
with Richmond, consequently we must be self-
sustaining, and self-reliant in every respect. * *
With God's help and yours I will cheerfully
grapple with the difficulties that surround us,'' etc.
This was a gloomy but a correct view of the
situation west of the Mississippi River after the
fall of Vicksburg.
On January 11, 1863, from Helena, Gen. Fiske
reported to Washington : ' ' Found Gorman actively
organizing expedition to go up White River to
co-operate with Gen. McClernand on Arkansas
River. Twenty-five transports are waiting the
signal to start. ' '
Fi-om "Prairie Landing, twenty-five miles up
Arkansas. January 13, 1863," Amos F. Eno. sec-
retary jjro tern of Arkansas and adjutant-general,
telegraphed Staunton: "Left Helena on 11th. and
took with me books and papers of ofiice of military
government of Arkansas. ' '
January 14, 1803, the Federals captured St.
Charles, the Confederates evacuating the day before.
January 18, Gen. W. A. Gorman occupied
Devall's Bluff, which the Confederates had also
evacuated.
These captures and evacuations were the pre-
liminary movements looking toward Little Rock,
the Federals clearing out the small outposts, and
the Confederates gathering in their forces.
On August 5, 1863, Gen. Frederick Steele
"assumed the command of the army to take the
field from Helena, and advance upon Little Rock."
In his order for movement mention is made of
the following: First division — cavalry under
commandof Gen. J. W. Davidson; Second division
—Eighteenth, Forty-third, Fifty-fourth, Sixty-
first, One Hundred and Sixth, and One Hundred
and Twenty-sixth regiments, Illinois Infantry;
Twelfth Michigan, Twenty-second Ohio, Twenty-
seventh Wisconsin, Third Minnesota, Fortieth
Iowa and Forty-third Indiana Infantry regiments;
Third division — Twenty-ninth, Thirty-third and
Thirty-sixth Iowa, Forty-third Indiana, Twenty-
eighth Wisconsin, and Seventy-first Ohio Infantry
regiments; and the Fifth Kansas, First Indiana
Cavalry, and a brigade under Col. Powell Clayton.
Four batteries of field pieces — five wagons to each
regiment; 100 rounds of ammunition, 40 rounds to
each cartridge-box; 400 rounds to each j^iece of
artillery, and sixty days' rations for the whole
army, were the supplies granted these forces.
Gen. Steele was occupied in the expedition
from Helena to Little Rock, from August 5 to Sep-
tember 10. The cavalry under Gen. Davidson
had to scour the country to the right and left as
they made their slow advance. Twelve miles east
of Little Rock, at Bayou Meta bridge, was a heavy
"'^ ®
Tv"
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
79
skirmish, indeed, a regular battle, being the first
serious effort to check the Federal advance upon
the capital. Again there was heavy fighting sis
miles east of Little Rock, at what is now the
Brugman place. Here Confederate Col. Coffee,
of Texas, was killed. This was the last stand
made in defense of the city, and in a short time
Davidson's cavalry appeared in Argenta, and
trained their Held pieces on the city, and tired a
few shots, when the place was surrendered by the
civil authorities, September 10, 1863. The Con-
federates had evacuated but a few hours before
the Federal cavalry were galloping through the
streets, and posting sentinels here and there.
There was no confusion, no disorder, and none
of the usual crimes of war under similar circum-
stances. In an hour after Gen. Steele was in
possession of the city he had it under strict con-
trol, and order prevailed. Gen. Reynolds was put
in command of Little Rock.*
The Confederates wisely retreated to Arkadel-
phia. They were pursued by the Federals as far
as Malvern, but no captures were made and no
heavy skirmishing occurred.
It is said that Price evacuated Little Rock un-
der the impression that his force was far inferior
to that of Gen. Steele. Those who were Confeder-
ate officers and in Little Rock now believe that his
force was equal at least in numbers to Steele's.
*Abstract from consolidated tri-montbly report of the
Army of Arkansas. Maj.-Gen. Frederick Steele command-
ine, for September 10, 1863; headquarters, Little Rock:
Commaod.
Present for
duty.
1
o
£
<
Aggrega
auu a
Pieces of
First Oivisioa (Davidson)
200
Mil
123
89
30
15
4
3,3281 5.372
2.047 2,990
1,083 2,:iI6
1,790 2,2511
445 736
495! 607
&»l 91
7,735
8,885
4,007
2,825
i.aoo
844
18
Second Division (Enyleiuann)
Third Divi-'ionfRlce)
6
6
Arlille'rv fHuvden)
28
12'
619
9,854
14,362
23,e30
57
Gen Price liad not made a mistake of the comparative
strength of the two armies. The commissary informs
me that on the mornins of tlie evacuation he issued 8.000
rations — full number.
They think that Price had based his idea of the
enemy's numbers by allowing the usual propor-
tion of armies of infantry and artillery t« cavalry.
They believe also that the Confederates at Little
Rock at the evacuation had between 11,000 and
12,000 men present — not the number for duty —
basing this upon the number of rations issued
that day.
After the occupation of Little Rock the Federals
dominated all that portion of the State north and
east of the Arkansas River, and yet their actual
occupied posts were the only grounds over which
Confederate rangers were not frequently roving
with impunity.
The Confederates exercised ruling power all
south and west of the Ouachita River, and for quite
a while the territory between the Arkansas and
Ouachita Rivers was a kind of "No Man's Land "
so far as the armies were concerned.
Steele early in 1804, having been re-enforced,
began to move on Arkadel()hia. Price retreated to
Camden, where the Confederates had several fac-
tories for the manufacture of war materials.
Price made a stand against Steele and fought
the battle of Prairie D'Ann, but there was noth-
ing decisive in this engagement, although it was
a severe one. Price withdrew and fell back on
Rondo, in the southwest corner of the State.
In the meantime Banks' expedition was as-
cending Red River, the plan being to catch Price
between Banks and Steele, and destroy the Con-
federate army. Price and Gen. Dick Taylor did
not wait for Banks, but met and overwhelmingly,
defeated him. Having defeated Banks, they turned
and gave Steele battle at Jenkins' Ferry, and de-
feated him. This was the great and ili'cisiv.> bat-
tle of the Trans-Mississippi district.
Steele retreated and fell back on Little Rock,
his superior generalship lieing shown in extricat-
ing his badly crippled army and saving it on the
withdrawal.
The Federal expeditions were well plannetl for
"bagging' 'the whole Confederate Trans-Mississippi
army, but the vicissitudes of war ordained other-
wise. Banks' expedition and its overwhelming mis-
fortunes ruined him as a military man throughout
80
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
the North, while the brilliaat successes of Price
raised the hopes of the Confederacy. Some, how-
ever, still criticise.
Price failed to follow up his advantage and
either destroy or capture Steele's entire army.
Had lie fully known the condition of affairs at
Kichiuoiid possibly he might have adopted that
course. The Federals were confined within their
fortified posts and Confederate bands were again
scouring over the State.
Price, losing no time, then started on his raid
back into Missouri to carry out his long cherished
hope of re-possessing that State. The history of
that raid and the dissolution and end of the Con-
federacy are a familiar part of the country's
history.
Other wars than that mentioned have occupied
the attention of people of this section, though
perhaps not to such an extent as the great civil
strife. There were not people in Arkansas to go
to the AVar of 181 2, and the State becomes con-
nected with that struggle chiefly because Archibald
Yell, the brave young hero, was at the battle of
New Orleans, and afterward l)ecame one of the most
prominent citizens of Arkansas. He was born in
North Carolina, in August, 1797, and consequently
was but fifteen years of age when the Ropond war
with England began. But the lad then and there
won the inalienable friendship of Gen. Jackson.
Arkansas acquired no little fame in the Mexican
War, chiefly, however, through the gallantry and
death of Gov. Yell, the leader of the Arkansas
forces. AVhen troops were called for in the year
1840, in the war with Mexico, Yell was a member
of Congress. A regiment of cavalry was raised
and he was asked to take the command, and obedi-
ent to this request he promptly resigned his seat
to assume leadership. Albert Pike was a captain
in the regiment.
At the battle of Buena Vista, on February 22,
1847, Yell led' his cavalry command in one of the
most desperate charges in the annals of war. In
his enthusiasm he spurred on his horse far in
advance of his men. He was charging the enemy,
which outnumbered his force more than five to
one. He reached the ranks of the enemv almost
alone, and raising himself in the saddle commenced
to slash right and left, totally unmindful that it
was one against thousands. Just as the foremost of
his men came up he was run through the body and
killed. William A. L. Throckmorton, of Fayette-
ville. it is agreed, was the first to reach the side
and catch the falling form of his loved leader. Mr.
Throckmorton says he saw the man who gave the
fatal thrust and quickly killed him, thus avenging
so far as the wretched greaser's life could go the
life of as gallant and noble a knight as ever re-
sponded to bugle call. He was the dashing cava-
lier, great in peace, superb in war. Leading his
trusty followers in any of the walks of life, death
alone could check him, nothing could conquer him.
After the war was over the government brought
his remains and delivered them to his friends in
Fayetteville, his home, who lovingly deposited
them beneath the cold white marble shaft which
speaks his fame. The burial ceremony occurred
August 3, 1847, and a vast concourse of people,
the humblest and highest in the State, were the
sincere and deep mourners on the occasion.
Arkansas won everlasting laurels through its
gallant soldiers in the Mexican A\'ar.
Omitting all reference to the Revolutionary
War, there are conclusions to be drawn from the
wars our countrymen have been engaged in since
the days when Gen. Jackson was the national hero.
None of these were significant enough to be used
by the philosophic historian from which to draw
conclusions as to the character of modern or
contemporary Americans as warriors, or their dis-
tinguishing characteristics as a warlike nation
The late Civil War, however, furnishes a wide and
aniple field for such investigation. An impartial
view of the late struggle presents first of all this
remarkable fact. In by far the longest and great-
est war of modern times, neither side has given
the age a great captain, as some call greatness,
though one furnished Grant, the other, Lee, both
men without a superior; whilst in the ranks and
among the sub-commands, no battles in history
are at all comparable for excellence and superior
soldiership to those of the great Civil War. On
both sides there were any number of great field
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
81
commanders, as great as ever drew a sword. But
they received orders, did not give them, and in
the execution of orders never were excelled. Lee,
Grant, Jackson, Sherman, Hancock, Johnston,
Sheridan and hundreds of others on both sides, to
the humblest in the ranks, were immortal types of
the soldier in the field. These men were like
Napoleon's marshals — given a command or order
they would risk life itself to execute it. But on
neither side was there the least exhibition of the
qualities of a Napoleon or Von Moltke.
Napoleon was his own secretary of war, gov-
ernment, cabinet, and commander in the field, and
for this very reason, he was Von Moltke' s inferior
as a great commander, whose genius saw the weak
point, the point of victory on the map of the
enemy's country, and struck it with a quick and
decisive blow.
Our Civil War and the Franco- German War
were closely together in time. War was hardly over
in America when it commenced in Europe. Any
student of German history who has studied the
German-Prussian war, can not but know that Von
Moltke was the pre-eminent captain in all the his-
tories of wars. Had Washington or Richmond had
his peer at the commencement of our struggle, the
high probabilities are that the war would have
been over before the first twelve months had ex-
pired.
In war, it is a fact, that it is the strategy be-
fore the armies meet in battle array which decides
the struggle. It is only thus that one man can
become more powerful than a million with guns in
their hands. It is in this sense — this application
of the science of modern warfare, that a com-
mander wins battles and decides victories. He
conquers enemies, not by di-awing his sword, but,
studying his maps in his quiet den when others
sleep, he directs the movements of his armies and
leaves the details of the actual fight to others. He
is indifferent to the actual fighting part of it, be-
cause ho has settled all that long beforehand by
his orders.
In all actual battles, as was testified by the
Federal commanders before Congress about the
battle of Gettysburg, if victory is not organized
beforehand, all is chance, uncertainty, and both
armies are little else than headless mobs — ignorant
of whether they are whipping or being whipped.
The field commander may save the day and turn
the tide and gain a victory, but what is it after all,
— so many men killed and captured on either side,
and then recruited up, and rested a little, only to
repeat the bloody carnage again and again.
Let it be assumed that the absence of great mil-
itary genius on both sides is the highest compli-
ment that can be paid to American civilization. War
is barbarism. The higher civilization will eradi-
cate all practical knowledge of the brutality of
warfare from men's minds. Then there will be
no wars, save that of truth upon the false — intelli-
gence upon ignorance How gi-andly divine will
be, not only the great leaders in this holy stmggle
for victory, but the humblest of all privates!
:tx:
82
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
;iftiTiR X.
Public Exteuprises— The Real Estate Bank of Arkansas— State Roads and other Highways-
The Military Roads— Navigation Within the State from the Earliest TniES to the
Present— Decadence of State Navigation— Steamboat Racing— Accidents to
Boats— The Rise and Growth of the Railroad Systems— A Sketch
of the Different Lines— Other Important Considerations.
From the blessings they bestow
Our times are dated, and our eras move.-
-Prior.
*HE first session of the new
State legislature, among
other acts, incorporated the
State Bank, and as if fur-
ther determined to show
that the legislature was at
least in the front in those
days of wild-cat bank enterprises,
))rocoeded to make money cheap
and all rich by incorporating the
celebrated Real Estate Bank of
Arkansas. Already John Law's
Missis.sippi bubble had been for-
gotten— the old continental money
and the many other distressing
instances of those cruel but fas-
cinating fictions of attempts to
make credits wealth. No statesman in the world's
history has ever yet made an ajsproach to the
accomplishment of such an impossibility, and still
nearly all financial legislation is founded upon
this basic idea. State and national banks have
been the alluring will-o'-the-wisps in this per-
sistent folly. All experience teaches that the
government that becomes a money-changer soon
becomes the pow(>rful robber, and the places of
just rulers are filled with tax bandits — there the
lordly rulers are banditti, and the people the most
wretched of slaves.
The State Bank was, as were all such institu-
tions of that day in any of the States, demoraliz-
ing in the financial affairs of the people, encourag-
ing extravagance and debt, and deceiving men with
the appearances of wealth to their ultimate ruin.
The Real Estate Bank, as its name indicates,
was for the purpose of loaning money on real
estate security. Up to that time the American
farmer had not learned to base his efforts upon any-
thing except his labor. To produce something and
sell it was the whole horizon of his financial educa-
tion. If, while his crop was maturing, he needed
subsistence he went to his merchant and bought
the fewest possible necessities on credit. It was
an evil hour when he was tempted to become a
speculator. Yet there were some instances in
which the loans on real estate resulted in enabling
men to make finely improved cotton plantations.
But the rule was to get people in debt and at the
same time exhaust the cash in the bank. The
bank could collect no money, and the real estate
owner was struggling under mortgages he could
not pay. Both lender and borrower were sufferers,
and the doable infliction was upon them of a public
and individual indebtedness. The Real Estate
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
83
Bank made an assignment in 1842, and for years
was the source of much litigation. It practically
ceased to do business years before it had its doors
closed and was wound up, and the titles to such
lands as it had become the jiossessor of passed to
the State.
The old State Bank building, in front of the
State house, is the only reminder of the institution
which promised so much and did so little for the
public. The old building is after the style of all
such buildings — a low, two-story brick or stone,
with huge Corinthian columns in front, having
stone steps to ascend to the first floor. Similar
structures can be found in Illinois, Missouri and
all the Western and Southern States. The one in
Little Rock is unsightly and gloomy and does little
else but cumber the ground. It is in the way, ow-
ing to a difficulty in the title, of such a modern
and elegant building as would be in keeping with
the rapidly advancing and beautiful "City of
Roses."
Roads and highways have always occupied pub-
lic consideration. Being so crossed with rivers
passing from the west toward the Mississippi
River, the early settlers all over the confines of this
State passed up the streams and for some time
used these as the only needed highways. In the
course of time they began to have bridle-paths
crossing from settlement to settlement.
The United States military road from Western
Missouri passed through Arkansas and led on to
Shreveport, La. This extended through East-
ern Ai'kansas, and Arkansas Post was an import
ant point on the route. It was sui-veyed and
partially cut out early in the nineteenth century.
A mimthly mail proceeded over the route on horse-
back, the mail rider generally being able to carry
the mail in his pocket.
A trail at first was the road from the mouth of
the White River to Arkansas Post. This portage
soon became a highway, as much of the business
and travel for the Post was landed at the mouth of
M'hite River and transported across to the Red
River.
In 1821 Congress authorized the sur^'ey and
opening of a public highway from Memphis, via
Little Rock, to Fort Smith. The work was com-
pleted in 1823. This was the first highway of
any importaiice in the Territory. The other routes
mentioned above were nothing more than trails, or
bridle-paths. A weeldy mail between Little Rock
and Memj)his was established in I82S).
In 1832 a government road leading on a di
rect line fi-om Little Rock to Batesville was cut
out, and the Indians removed from Georgia were
brought by water to the capital and taken over
this road. At that time it was the best public
course as well as the longest in the State, and be-
came in time the main traveled road from the
northern part of the State to its center.
Arkansas was settled sparsely along the Missis-
sippi River some years before Fulton invented the
steamboat. The first steaml)oat ever upon western
waters passed down that river in the latter part
of 1811— the "Orleans," Capt. Roosevelt.
The Indians had their light cedar bark canoes,
and were remarka1)ly e.xpert in handling them.
These were so light that the squaws could carry
them on their backs, and in their expeditions in
ascending the streams frequently saved much time
by traveling across the great bends of the rivor
and carrying their conveyances. Of course in going
with the current, they kept the stream, skimming
over the waters with great speed. At one time the
migratory Indians at stated seasons followed the
buffalo fi-om the Dakotas to the Gulf, the buffalo
remaining near, and the Indians on the streams.
The latter could thus out-travel the immense
herds and at certain points make forays upon
them and so keep an abundant supply of meat. *
The buffalo had the curious habit of indulging
in long stops when they came to a large river in
their course, as if dreading to take to the water
and swim across. They would gather on the bank
of the river at the selected crossing- [)lace, and
after having devoured everything near at hand
and hunger began to pinch, would collect into a
close circle and liegin to move, circling round
and round, the inside ones ever crowding the out-
side ones closer and closer to the water. This
continued until some one, crowded into the deep
water, had to make the plunge, when all followed.
84
HISTOEY OF AKKANSAS.
These animals when attacked by other animals,
or when danger threatened, formed in a compact
circle, with the cows and calves on the inside and
the bulls on the outer ring. In this battle array
there was nothing in the lino of beasts that dared
molest them.
The white man came and to the canoe he added
the skiff, the pirogue, the raft, the keel boat and
the flat boat. The raft never made but one trip
and that was down stream always, and when its
destination was reached it was sold to be converted
into lumber. Other water crafts could be hauled
back by long tow lines, men walking on the banks
and pulling them up stream. There are those now
living who can remember when this was the only
mode of river navigation. The younger people of
this generation can form no adequate idea of the
severity of the toil and the suffering necessarily in-
volved in the long trij)s then made by these hardy
pioneers. If the people of to-day were compelled
to procure the simple commodities of life at such
hard sacrifices, by such endurance, they would do
without them, and go back to tig leaves and nuts
and roots for subsistence.
When Fulton and Livingston had successfully
navigated their boat from Pittsburg to New Or-
leans, they made the claim of a sort of royal patent
to the exclusive navigation of the Mississippi River
and its trilmtaries. This claim was put forth in
perfect good faith and it was a new question as
well as a serious one for the courts, when these
claimants arrested Captain Shreve upon his arrival
in New Orleans with his boat, and carried him be-
fore the court to answer in damages for navi-
gating by steam the river that belonged to them
as the first steam navigators. This curious inci-
dent indicates how little even the inventor of the
steamboat appreciated of what vast imjioitance to
civilization his noble invention really was. To
him and his friend it was but a small personal
right or perquisite — a licensed monopoly, out of
which they could make a few dollars, and when
they passed away probably the invention too would
die and be forgotten. How infinitely greater had
the noble, immortal originator builded than he
knew! The revolving paddles of the steamboat
were but the wheels now whirling so rapidly be-
neath the flying railroad trains over the civilized
world. From this strange, rude craft, the "Or-
leans," have evolved the great steamships, iron-clad
war vessels, and the palatial steamboats plying the
inland waters wherever man's wants or luxuries
are to be supplied. The genius and glory of such
men as Fulton belong to no age, much less to
themselves — they and theirs are a part of the world,
for all time.
In 1812 Jacob Barkman opened up a river
trade between Arkadelphia and New Orleans, car-
rying his first freights in a pirogue. It took six
months to make a round trip. He conveyed to New
Orleans bear skins and oil, pelts, and tallow se-
cured from wild cattle, of which there were a great
many; these animals had originally been brought
to the country by the Spaniards and French, and
had strayed away, and increased into great herds,
being as wild and nearly as fleet as the deer. He
brought back sugar, coffee, powder, lead, flints,
copperas, camphor, cotton and wool cards, etc.,
and soon after embarking was able to' own his
negro crews. He purchased the steamboat ' ' Dime ' '
and became one of the most extensive and enter-
prising men in the State. With his boat he ascended
rivers, and purchased the cotton, owning his cargo,
for a return trip.
In IS 11), James Miller, the first governor of the
Territory, and a military suite of twenty persons,
embarked at Pittsburg in the United States keel-
boat, ' ■ Arkansas, ' ' for Arkansas Post. The trip
occupied seventy days, reaching the point of desti-
nation January 1, 1820. It was difficult to tell
which excited the greatest curiosity among Ihe
natives — the new governor or the keel-boat.
The flood-tide of western river navigation
reached its highest wave soon after the close of the
late war. The Mississippi River and tributaries
were crowded with craft, and the wharves of cities
and towns along the Ijanks were lined with some
of the finest boats ever built, all freighted to the
water's edge and crowded with passengers. Build-
ers vied with each other in tuining out the most
magnificent floaters, fitted with every elegance and
luxury money could procure. The main point after
^1
M^ — ^
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
85
elegance, in which they rivaled most, was the speed
of their respective craft. From the close of the
war to 1870, steamboatinar was the overshadowing
business on western waters. Of the boats of this
era, some will go into history, noted for their
fleetness. but unlike the fleet horses of history,
they could not leave their strain in immortal de-
scendants, rivaling their celebrated feats. Racing
between boats that happened to come togetlier on
the river was common, and sometimes reckless
and dangerous, as well as exciting. Occasionally
a couple of "tubs," as the boys called a slow
boat, engaged in a race and away they would go,
running for hours side by side, the stokers all
the time piling in the most iutlammal)le material
they could lay hands on, especially pine knots and
fat bacon, until the eager flames poured out
of the long chimney tops; and it was often told
that the captain, rather than fall behind in the
race, would seat a darkey on the end of the lever
of the safety valve, and at the same time scream
at the stokers to pile on the bacon, pine knots, oil,
anything to make steam. Roustabouts, officers,
crew and passengers were all afi wildly excited as
the captain, and as utterly regardless of dangers.
From such recklessness accidents of course did hap-
pen, but it is wonderful there were so few.
Not infrequently commanders would regularly
engage beforehand for a race of their boats; fixing
the day and time and as regularly preparing their
vessels as a jockey trains and grooms his race-horse.
The two most noted contests of this kind on the
Mississippi River were, first, in the early times,
between the ' ' Shotwell ' ' and ' ' Eclipse, ' ' from
Louisville to New Orleans. The next and greatest
of all was just at the time of the commencement of
the decline in steamboating, between the steamers
"Rol)ei-tE. Lee" and "Natchez," from New Or-
leans to St. Louis. The speed, the handling of
these boats, the record they made, have never been
equaled and probably never will be, unless steam-
lioating is revived by some new invention. The
race last mentioned took place in 186S.
Fearful steamboat calamities, from explosions
and from tires, like the awful railroad accidents,
have marked the era of steam navigation.
The most disastrous in history occurred in 1805,
in the loss of the " Sultana," on the Mississippi, a
few miles above Memphis, a part of the navigable
waters of Arkansas. The boat was on her way up
stream from New Orleans laden principally with
soldiers, some of them with their families, and
several citizens as passengers. There were 2,350
passengers and crew on the vessel. A little after
midnight the sudden and awful explosion of the
boilers came, literally tearing the boat to pieces,
after which the wreck took fire. Over 2,000 peo-
ple perished.
The early decline of the steamboat industry
kept even pace with the building of railroads over
the country. Main lines of railroads were soon
built, the streams being used as natural road beds
through the rock hills and mountains. In passing
over the country in trains one will now often see
the flowing river close to the railroad track on one
hand, when from the opposite window the higli
rock mountain wall may almost be touched. Then,
too, the large towns were along the navigable riv
ers, lakes and ocean. The sage couclusiou of the
philosopher when he went out to look at the world,
and was impressed with the curious coincidence
that the rivers ran so close by the big towns, is a
trite one: A great convenience to those who used
water.
The first railroad built in Arkansas was the
Memphis & Little Rock Railroad. ^Vork was com-
menced with the intention of first constructing it
from Little Rock to Devall's Bluff, on White
River, whence passengers might |)roceed by boat
to Memphis. It was started at both ends of the
lino and finished in 1859. the next year being
extended to St. Francis River, and then in ISflO
completed to the river opposite Memphis. When
the Federal army took possession of the Mississippi
River, and their forces began to possess the north-
eastern portion of the State, the Confederates as
they retired toward Little Rock destroyed the road
and burned the bridges. Indeed, when the war
ended in 1865, Arkansas was without a mile of
railroad. Soon after the war closed the road was
rebuilt and put in operation, and for some time
was the only one in the State.
<s~
f
8G
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
The next was the old Cairo & Fulton Railroad,
now the St. Louis, Iron Mountain & Southern
Road. It was organized in IS'tS, and in 1854-55
obtained a large Congressional land grant in aid
of the enterprise, and built first from Fulton to
Beebe, in 1872: it was comi)l(>ted to Texarkana
in 1873, and soon came to be the most important
line in the State. The Camden branch, fi-om Gur-
dou to Camden, was comjileted in 1882. The Mem-
phis branch, from Bald Knob to Memphis, ninety-
three miles, was finished and the first passenger
train passed over the line May 10, 1888. The
branch from Newport to Cushman, a distance of
forty-six miles, was built in 1882. The Helena
branch, from Noble to Helena, 140 miles, was com-
pleted in 1882.
The main line of the St. Louis & Iron Moun-
tain Railroad enters the State on the north, at
Moark (combination for Missouri and Arkansas),
and passes out at Texarkana (combination for
Arkansas and Texas). The distance between these
two points is 305 miles.
The first section of the St. Louis, Arkansas &
Texas Railroad, from Clarendon to Jonesboro, was
built in 1882, and the next year completed to Tex-
arkana. It was built as a narrow gauge and made
a standard gauge in 1886. Its northern terminus
for some time was Cairo, where it made its St.
Louis connection over the St. Louis & Cairo Nar-
row Gauge Road, now a standard, and a part of the
Mobile & Ohio system. The Magnolia branch of
this road runs from McNeal to Magnolia, about
twenty miles, and was built in 1885. The Althei-
mer branch, from Altheimer to Little Rock, was
constructed and commenced operation in 1888.
The main line of this road enters the State from
the north in Clay County, on the St. Francis River,
penetrating into Texas at Texarkana.
The Little Rock, Mississippi River & Texas
Railroad, now in course of construction, is a much
needed road from Little Rock to Pine Bluff, on to
Wai'ren and Mississippi, and will form an important
outlet for Arkansas toward the Gulf. This was
built from Arkansas City to Pine Bluff, and then
completed to Little Rock in 1880.
The Pine Bluff & Swan Lake Railroad was
built in 1885. It is twenty-six miles long, and
runs between the points indicated by its name.
The Arkansas Midland Railroad, from Helena
to Clarendon, was built as a narrow gauge and
changed to a standard road in 1886.
The Batesville & Brinkley Railroad is laid as
far as Jacksonport. It was changed in 1888 to a
standard gauge, and is now in course of construc-
tion on to Batesville.
The Kansas City, Fort Scott & Memphis Rail-
road enters the State at Mammoth Spring, and
runs to West Memphis. Its original name was
Kansas City, Springfield & Memphis Railroad. It
now is a main line from Kansas City to Birming-
ham, Ala.
Work was commenced on the Little Rock &
Fort Smith Railroad in 1871 at Little Rock, and
built to Ozark; later it was fini.shed to Van Buren,
there using a transfer, and was completed to Fort
Smith.
The Hot Springs Railroad, from Malvern, on the
main line of the Iron Mountain Railroad, to Hot
Springs, was built and is owned by "Diamond
Joe ' ' Reynolds. Operations were commenced in
1874.
The line of the St. Louis & San Francisco Rail-
road passes near the west line of Arkansas adjacent
to Fort Smith. There is a branch road of this
line from Jensen to Mansfield, sixteen miles long.
It looks a little as though the sponsor for the
name of the Ultima Thule, Arkadelphia & Missis-
sippi Railroad intended to use the name for a main
track through the State. It was built in 1887 for
the use of the Arkadelphia Lumber Company.
Eureka Springs branch runs from Seligman to Eu-
reka Springs. Another branch goes from Rogers
to Bentonville. Still another, extending from Fay-
etteville to St. Paul, is thirty-five miles in length.
The branch from Fayetteville is now in course of
building.
The Russellville & Dardanelle Railroad is four
miles long, extending from the .south hank of the
Arkansas River to Russellville.
The Southwestern, Arkansas & Indian Terri-
tory Railroad indicates that there is nothing in a
name, as this road is but twenty-seven miles long,
■^
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
87
running from Southland to Okolona on tbe west,
and also extending east from tho main line.
A line is being surveyed and steps actively
taken to build a road from Kansas City to Little
Rock, which is to cross the Boston Mountains near
the head waters of White River.
Several other important lines are at this time
making preparations to l)nil(l in the near future.
Charters for nearly 100 routes in the State have
been secured siuce 1885. There is not only plenty
of room, but a great necessity for yet hun«lred.s of
miles of new roads here. They will greatly facili-
tate the development of the immense resources of
this favored locality.
),^^_(^
llflliPR XI.
— >*«^
The Counties of the State— Their Formation and Changes of Boundary Lines, etc— Their
County Seats and other Items of Intere.st Concerning Them— Defunct Counties- New
Counties— Population of all the Counties of the State at every General Census.
Not chaos-like, together crush'd and bruised:
But as tbe world, harmoniously confused:
Where order in variety we see.
And where, thouirb all tliitis-'' differ, they agree.-
-Pope.
'ERHAPS to many, no more
interesting subject in the
history of the State can be
j)resented than that refer-
ring to the name, organiza-
tion, etc., of each county
within its limits. Careful
research has brought forth the fol-
lowing facts presented in a concise,
but accurate manner:
Arkansas County was formed
December 13, 1813. As the lirst
municipal formation within the
boundary of the State, in Lower Mis-
souri Territory, it was first a parish
under Spanish rule and then under
French. October 23. 1821, a part
of Phillips County was added to it; the line be-
tween Pulaski and Arkansas was changed October
30, 1823; Quapaw Purchase divided between Ar-
kansas and Pulaski October 13, 1827; line between
Arkansas and Phillips defined November 21, 1825);
boundaries defined November 7, 1830. County
seat, De Witt; first county seat, Arkansas — oppo-
site Arkansas Post.
Ashley, formed November 30. 1848, named for
Hon. Chester Ashley, who died a Tnited States
Senator; line between Chicot changed January 19,
ISfil. County seat. Hamburg,
Baxter, March 24, 1873; line between Izard and
Fulton defined October 10, 1875; line between
Marion changed March 9, 1881. County seat.
Mountain Home,
Benton, September 30, 183(5. named in honor
of Hon. Thomas H. Benton. County seat, Ben-
tonville.
Boone, April 9, 1809 ; named for Daniel
Boone; line between Marion defined December 9.
1875. Harrison, county seat.
Bradley, December 18, 1.S40; jjart of Calhoun
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
attached October 1 9, 1 862 ; part restored to Ashley
County January 1, 1859. Warren, county seat.
Calhoun, December 0, IS-iO: named for John
C. Calhoun; part added to Union and Bradley
November 19, 1862. County seat, Hampton.
Carroll, Novemlier 1, 1833; named in honor of
the signer of the declaration; boundary defined
December 14, 1838; line between Madison defined
January, 11, 1843, and again January 20, 1843;
line between Marion defined December 18, 184G;
line between Madison defined December 29, 1854,
and again January 16, 1S57: part of Madison
attached April 8, 1869. Berryville, county seat.
Chicot, October 25, 1823; boundary defined
November 2, 1835; part attached to Drew Decem-
ber 21, 1846; line between Ashley changed
January 19, 1861; line between Drew changed
November 30, 1875; line changed between Desha
February 10, 1879. Lake Village, county seat.
Clark, December 15, 1818, while Lower Mis-
souri Territory; named in honor of Gov. Clark,
of Missouri; the line between Pulaski and Clark,
changed October 30, 1823; divided November 2,
1829; line between Hot Springs and Dallas changed
April 3, 1868; line between Pike defined April
22, 1873 ; line between Montgomery changed April
24, 1873; line between Pike changed March 8.
1887. Arkadelphia, county seat.
Clay, March 24, 1873; named for Henry Clay.
This county, formed as Clayton County, was changed
to Clay on December 6, 1875. The act of March
24, 1873, changed the boundaries of a large num-
ber of counties. Boydsville and Corning, county
seats.
Cleburne, formed February 20, 1883; named
in honor of Gen. Patrick A. Cleburne. Heber is
the county seat.
Cleveland, formed in 1885; named for President
Cleveland ; was formed as Dorsey County. Toledo,
county seat.
Columbia, December 17, 1852; part of Union
County added December 21, 1858; line between
Nevada defined April 19, 1873. Magnolia, county
seat.
Conway. December 7, 1825; named after the
noted Con ways; the northeast boundary defined
October 27, 1827; line between Pulaski and Con-
way defined October 20, 1828; part of Indian pur
chase added October 22, 1828; line between Con-
way, Pulaski and Independence defined November
5, 1831; part added to Pope January 6, 1853;
part added to White January 11. 1853; act of
March, 1873; line between Pope defined May 28,
1874. County seat, Morrillton.
Craighead, formed February 19, 1850. Jones-
boro, county seat.
Crawford, October 18, 1820; boundary was
changed October 30, 1823; divided and county
of Lovely established October 13, 1827; part of
the Cherokee Country attached to, October 22,
1828; boundary defined December 18, 1837; line
between Scott defined; line between Washington
defined November 24, 1846; line between Frank-
lin defined March 4, 1875; line changed between
Washington March 9, 1881. Van Buren, county
seat.
Crittenden, October 22, 1825; named for Rob-
ert Crittenden; St. Francis River declared to be
the line between St. Francis and Crittenden Coun-
ties November, 1831; portion attached to Missis
sippi County January, 1861; act, March, 1S73.
Marion, county seat.
Cross, November 15, 1862, 1866, 1873. Witts-
burg, the county seat.
Dallas, January 1, 1845; line between Hot
Springs and Clark changed April 3, 1869. Prince-
ton the county seat.
Desha, December 12, 1838; named for Hon.
Ben Desha; portion attached to Drew January 21,
1861; part of Chicot attached February 10, 1879;
also of Lincoln, March 10, 1879. Arkansas City,
county seat.
Drew, November 26, 1846; part Chicot attached
December 21, 1840; part of Desha attached Jan-
uary 21, 1861; March, 1873; line between Chicot
changed November 30, 1875. Monticello, county
seat.
Faulkner, April 12, 1873; line defined Decem-
7, 1875. Conway, county seat.
Franklin, December 19, 1837; line between
Johnson defined December 14, 1833; line between
Crawford defined March 4, 1875. Ozark, countv seat.
K,
HISTOR-i OF ARKANSAS.
89
Fulton, December 21, 1842; part attached to
Marion County January 18, 1855; part of Law-
rence attached January 18, 1855, March, 1873;
line between Baxter and Izard defined February
1(5, 1875. County seat, Salem.
Garland, April 5, 1873; named after Gov.
A. H. Garland. Hot Springs, county seat.
Grant, February 4, 1869. Sheridan, county
seat.
Greene, November 5, 1833; act March, 1873.
Paragould, county seat.
Hempstead, December 15, 1818, when this
was Lower Missouri Territory; Lafayette County
carved out of this territory October 15, 1827; line
between Pike defined December 14, 1838. Wash-
ington, county seat.
Hot Spring. November 2, 1829; certain lands
attached to March 2, 1838; Montgomery taken out
of December 9, 1842; line between Saline defined
December 23, 1846; line between Montgomery
changed December 27, 1848; line between Saline
changed February 19, 1859, and changed again
January 10, 1861 ; line between Clark and Dallas
changed April 3, 1869; March, 1873. Malvern,
county seat.
Howard, April 17, 1873. County seat. Centre
Point.
Independence, October 20, 1820; part of east-
ern boundary defined October 30, 1823; Izard
County formed of October 27, 1825; part of Inde-
pendence added October 22, 1828; line between
Independence and Izard defined November 5, 1831 ;
line between Independence and Conway, November
5, 1831; between Independence and Jackson, No-
veuiV)er 8, 1830; between Izard February 21, 1838;
December 14, 1840; Lawrence changed December
20, 1840; March. 1873; Sharp County defined Feb-
ruary 11, 1875. Batesville, county seat.
Izard, October 27, 1825; western boundary
line extended October 13, 1827; part of the Indian
piu-chase added October 22, 1828; between Inde-
pendence and Izard defined November 5, 1831;
between Conway and Izard, November 5, 1831;
southern boundary established November 1 1, 1833;
line between Independence defined I\?bruary 21.
1838, and December 14, 1838, and December 21,
1840; western boundary line defined December 24,
1840, March, 1873; between Baxter and Fulton
defined February 16, 1875; between Sharp changed
March 9, 1877. Melbourne, county sent.
Jackson, November 5, 1829; line between In-
dependence defined November 8, 1836; part of
St. Francis attached January 10, 1851. Jackson-
port, county seat.
Jefferson, November 2, 1829; boundaries de-
fined November 3, 1831. and again October 29,
1836; line changed between Lincoln and Desha
March 20, 1879. Pine Bluff, county seat.
John.son, November 16, 1833; southern line
defined November 3, 1835; east line defined Octo-
ber 5, 1836; line between Franklin defined Decem-
ber 14, 1838, 1848; between Pope Fel^ruary 19,
1859, again March 27. 1871; line between Pope
re-established on March 6, 1875; between Pope
changed March 9, 1877. Clarksville, county seat.
Lafayette, October 15, 1827; the line between
Union defined November 26, 1846. Lewisville,
county seat.
Lawrence, on January 15, 1815, while Lower
Missouri Territory; east line defined October 30,
1823; between Independence changed December
20, 1840; part attached to Fulton January 18,
1855; part attached to Randolph January 18,
1861; nearly half the county cut off the west side
to form Sharp County, 1868. Powhatan, county
seat.
Lee, April 17, 1873. Marianna. county seat.
Lincoln. March 28, 1871; part transferred to
Desha County, March 10, 1879. Star City, county
seat.
Little River, March 5, 1867. Richmond is the
county seat.
Logan, originally Sarber County, March 22,
1871; amended, Fobrnary 27. 1873; changed to
Logan, December 14, 1S75; line between Scott
changed, March 21, 1881. Pari.s, county seat.
Lonoke, April 16, 1873; named for the lone
oak tree, by simply spelling phonetically — the
suggestion of the chief engineer of the Cairo &
Fulton Railroad. Line laetween Prairie defined
November 30, 1N75, and again. December 7, 1875.
Lonoke, county seat.
V
90
HISTOEY OF ARKANSAS.
Lovely, October 13, 1827; abolished October
17. 1828.'
Madison. September 30, 1830; west bouudary
changed on November 26, 1838; between Carroll
defined January 11, 1843, and again January 20,
1843, 1846; between Newton, December 21, 1848;
between Carroll. April 8, 1869. Huntsville, county
seat.
Mai ion, September 25, 1836; originally Searcy
County; changed to Marion, September 29, 1836
(Searcy County created out of December 13, 1838);
west hounihiry defined November 18,1837; between
Carrol! defined December IS, 1840; part of Fulton
attached January 18, 1855; between Van Buren
and Searcy defined Jannary 20, 1855, and March,
1873; line between Boone defined December 9,
1875; line between Baxter changed March 9, 1881.
Yellville, county seat.
Miller, April 1, 1820; the greater portions fell
within the limits of Texas; county abolished there-
fore, 1836; re-established. December 22, 1874, and
eastern boundary extended. Texarkana, county seat.
Mississippi, November 1, 1833, 1859; portion
of Crittenden attached, January 18, 1S61. Osceola,
county seat.
Monroe, November 2, 1829; boundaries defined
December 25, 1840; line between Prairie changed
December 7, 1850; line changed April 12, 1869,
March, 1873, April, 1873, and May 27, 1874.
Clarendon, county seat.
Montgomery, December 9. 1842; line between
Yell defined January 2. 1845; between Perry,
December 23, 1846; between Perry re-established
December 21, 1848; between Hot Spring changed
December 27, 1848; between Polk changed Feb-
ruary 7,1859. March, 1873; between Clark changed
April 24, 1873; line between Pike defined Decem-
ber 16, 1874. Mount Ida, county seat.
Nevada, March 20, 1871; line between Colum
bia defined April 10, 1873. Prescott, county seat.
Newton, December 14, 1842; line between
Madison defined December 21 , 1848; between Pope
January 10, 1853. Jasper, county seat.
Ouachita, November 29, 1842; line between
Union changed January 6, 1853. Camden, county
seat.
Perry, December 18, 1840; line between Pul-
aski, Saline and Montgomery defined December
23, 1846; old line between Montgomery re-estab-
lished December 21,1848. Perryville, county seat.
Phillips. May 1, 1820; part attached to Arkan-
sas County October 23, 1881; west boundary
defined October 30, 1823; act to divide and create
Crittenden County October 22, 1825; divided and
St. Francis County created October 13, 1827; line
between Arkansas County defined November 21,
1828, 1840, March, 1873. Helena, county seat.
Pike, November 1, 1833; line between Sevier
defined November 15,1883; between Hempstead,
December 14, 1838; between Clark, April 22,
1873; between Montgomery, December 16, 1874;
between Clark denned March 8, 1877. Murfi-ees-
boro, county seat.
Poinsett. February 28, 1838, 1859. Harris-
burg, county seat.
Polk, November 30, 1844; line between Mont-
gomery changed February 7. 1859; part of Sebas-
tian County added by ordinance of convention,
June 1, 1861. Dallas, county seat.
Pope, November 2, 1829; part added to Yell
January 5, 1853; part of Conway attached Janu-
ary 6, 1853; line between Newton, January 10,
1853; part of Van Buren attached January 12,
1853; between Van Buren defined February 17,
1859; between Johnson, October 19, 1859, March,
27, 1871; between Conway, May 28, 1874; between
Johnson re-established March 6, 1875; between
Johnson changed March 9, 1877. Dover, county
seat.
Prairie. October 25, 1846; between Pulaski
changed December 30, 1848; between Monroe
changed December 7, 1850: line changed April 12,
1869; between White defined April 17, 1873; line
changed April 26, 1873, May 27, 1874; between
Lonoke changed November 30, 1875; separated
into two districts, 1885. Devall's Bluff, county
seat.
Pulaski, December 15, 1818, while a part of
Lower Missouri Territory; line between Arkansas
and Pulaski October 30, 1823; between Clark
changed October 30, 1823; divided October 20,
1825; Quapaw Purchase divided — Arkansas and
:rz
4^^
k^
HISTORY OF .UtKANSAS.
91
Pulaski, October 13, 1827; uorthwost boundary
defined October 23, 1827; between Pulaski and
Conway, October 20, 1828; line between Saline
defined February 25, 1888, December 1-1, 1838;
between White changed February 3,1843; between
Saline defined December 21, 1846; between Perry
defined December 23, 1846; between Prairie
changed December 30, 1848; between Saline de-
fined April 12, 1873; again, December 7, 1875.
Little Rock, county seat.
Randolph, October 29, 1835; part of Lawrence
uttacbed January 18, 1864, March, 1873. Poca-
hontas, county seat.
Saline, November 2, 1835; boundaries defined
November 5, 1836; between Pulaski, February 25,
1838, December 14, 1838, December 21, 1846; be-
tween Hot Spring, December 23, 1846, February
19, 1859, January 19,1861; between Pulaski, April
12, 1873. December 17, 1875. Benton, county
seat.
Scott, November 5, 1833; boundaries defined
October 24, 1835; between Crawford, December
16, 1838; part of Sebastian attached by conven-
tion June 1, 1861; line between Logan changed
March 21, 1873. Waldron, county seat.
Searcy, November 5, 1835; boundaries defined
September 26, 1836; name changed to Marion
September 29, 1830; county created out of Marion
December 13, 1838; between Van Buren defined
October 2. 1853; between Van Buren and Marion
defined October 20, 1855, March, 1873. Marshall,
county seat.
Sebastian, January 6, 1851; part attached to
Scott and Polk by the convention June 1, 1861.
Fort Smith and Greenwood, county seats.
Sevier, October 17, 1828; boundaries defined
November 8, 1833; between Pike, November 15,
1833; southeast boundary defined October 29,
1836. Lockesburg, county seat.
Sharp, July IS. 1868; act March 3, 1873; be-
tween Independence defined February 11, 1875;
line between Izard changed March 9, 1877, 1883.
Evening Shade, county seat.
St. Francis, Octolier 13, 1827; St. Francis
River declared boundary lino between Crittenden
Novembers, 1831; part attached to Jackson Jan-
uary 1, 1851, March, 1873. Forrest City, county
seat.
Stone, April 21, 1873. Mountain View, county
seat.
Union, November 2, 1829; boundaries defined
November 5, 1836; line between Lafayette,
November 26,1846; line between Ouachita changed
January 6. 1853; part added to Columliia, Decem-
ber 21, 1851; part of Calhoun attached October
19, 1862. El Dorado, county seat.
Van Buren, November 11. 1833; boundaries
defined November 4, 1836; part attached to Po])e
January 12, 1853; between Searcy and Marion
defined January 20, 1855; between Pope defined
February 17, 1859. Clinton, county seat.
Washington, October 17, 1828; certain lands
declared to be in Washington County October 2'),
1831; line between Crawford defined November
24, 1846; line changed between Crawford March
8, 1883. Fayetteville, county seat.
White, October 23, 1835; line between Pulaski
changed February 3, 1843; part of Conway at
tachod January 11, 1853; line between Prairie
defined April 17, 1873. Searcy, county seat.
Woodruff, November 20, 1862; but vote, in
pui-suance to ordinance of conventions 1861, 1806,
1869; line changed April 26, 1873. Augusta,
county seat.
Yell, December 5, 1840; northern boundary,
December 21, 1840; line between Montgomery,
January 2. 1845; part Pope attached January 6,
1853. Danville and Dardauelle, county seats.
The following table will prove valuable for
comparison in noting the growth in poimlation
of the counties throughout the State in the various
decades from their organization:
AGGBEQ4TE
POPULATION BY
COUNTIES
AGGREGATE POPULATION BY
COUNTIES.
Counties in
1880
1870
1860
1850
1840
1830 j 1820
:.0,388 14,255
1810
1,062
Counties in
tbe SUte.
1880 1 1870 1860
1850 I 1340
1
1830 i 1820
1
1810
the State.
802,525
484,471
485,460 209,897
1
97,574
802,525| 484,471
435,450:209,897 97,574
30,388; 14,255
1,062
8,038
10,156
6,004
20,837
1A146
6,285
.■i.U"!
13,337
10,117
15,771
7,213
M.O'.IO
l-.',7.'\5
7,037
;4,740
9,415
5,030
6,5' >5
8,873
8,870
12,231
1J,7H6
14.9.il
6,720
9,023
6,185
7,480
19,015
7,775
9,917
18,086
10,857
10,877
22,386
11,565
5,730
8,782
8,238
8,042
8,884
8,690
3,245
:i,058
1,346
1 426 t •3(^
1,062
Lee
Lincoln
Lilile River
13,288
9,255
6,405
14,885
12 146
Ashley
Baxter
3,246
13,831
7,032
8,646
6,780
7,214
11,953
9,306
3,710
2,228
I i
Booue
Lonoke
Madison
Marion
Bradley ,...
8,.388
4,103
9,383
9,2.34
9,785
3,829
11,4,55
7,907
9,919
7,142
9,574
8,739
12.959
6,120
11,758
3,873
21,262
6,345
2 192
8,231
3,979
7,740
6,192
4,823
2,308
3,775
1 ,325
1 4,617
■ 5,115
4,070
2,814
3,8U«
2,300
Miller
1,165
1,369
Mississippi
Monroe
Montgomery
Nevada
3,6.33
8,336
2,984
3,895
5.657
3,633
2,368
2,049
1,958
1,410
936
Clark
1.040
461
Clay
11,307
8,112
4,577
8,9,57
8,831
3,915
5,707
6,125
12,459
6,697
8,066
7,8,50
4,920
'
3,.583
2,892
982
4,374
12,975
2,685
15,372
3,788
1 790
3..393
12,9.36
2,465
14,877
4,025
3,621
4,262
7,883
8,854
11,699
6,261
8,672
6,540
5.142
.5,271
1,7.58
9,591
978
6,9.35
1,801
2,308
1,263
4,710
2,097
6,657
3,375
4,457
3,903
3,083
1,979
7,960
2,648
4,200
1,561
2,440
1,273
Phillips
3,547
969
1,.320
1,1,52
1.197
Cross
Pike
Dallas
8.283
6,459
6,877
2,911
1
Poinsett .
1,698
■
Polk
I
Pope
14,322
8.435
32,616
11,724
8.389
8,953
9.174
7,278
8,386
5,604
32,006
7,466
6.714
3,911
7,483
5 613
2,(!50
1,483
9,960
9,087
3,276
Prairie
Pulaski
5.350
2,196
2,499
2,061
1,694
9.3R
2,395
'i','56'5
1.921
9,027
4,843
3,943
7,573
13.768
6,877
7,898
4,024
"s.'si's
13989
5,636
3,972
1,819
"2,.593
7,672
3,609
2,065
St. Francis
Saline
Garland
'1,58(1
4,921
1,907
:::::::::l:::::::::
Grant
gpott
Searcy ~
Sebastian
Sevier
Shatp
Hempstead
Hot Spring
2,512
4.58
2,?46
19 560 1 12 940
6,192
9,047
5,089
13,419
4.492
5,400
10,516
4,240
2,810
634
Independence...
Izard
14,666
6,806
7,268
15,733
9,1.52
9.1.39
5,981
14,307
7,215
10,493
14,971
7,612
8,464
9,373
7,767
3,212
3,086
6,834
5.227
6.220
6,274
3,669
2,340
1,640
2..';66
3,4.33
2,280
2,835
2.031
1,266
333
772
'748
2,806
Stone
10571
12,288
5,357
14,673
8,316
10,298
3,884
9,97(1
2,619
2,889
1 518
7,148
920
640
Van Buren
Washington
White
9,565 ' 6,107
23,884 ' 17,266
17,794 1 10.347
8.(146' 6,981
13,853 8.048
5,182
Lafayptie
Woodruff.
YpII
5,592
6,333
...
3,341
'
1
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
98
®iiAiTit xn.
o»<«
Edtjcation-The Mental Type Considered-Tekritorial Schools, Laws and Funds-Constitutional
Provisions for Education— Legislative Provisions— Progress since the War— The State
Superintendents— Statistics-Arkansas Literature— The Arkansaw Traveler.
Delightful task! to rear the tender thought.
To teach the young idea how to shoot;
To pour the fresh instructions o'er the mind,
To breathe th' enlivening spirit, and to fix
The generous purpose in the glowing breast.-
Thormon.
J^Titre^ each other
ERE is oue subject
at least in the economic
institutions of our country
where men do not divide
on political lines. To the
historian it is a restful
and refreshing oasis in
the arid desert. From
the Canadas to the Gulf commun-
ities and States earnestly vie with
'«&j eacn otner in the establishment of
the best public schools. The pres-
ent generation has nearly supplant-
ed the former great universities
with the free public high schools
A generation ago the South sent its
boys to the North to school; the
Nortli sent its boys to the old universities of Europe.
Oxford and Heidelburg received the sons of ambi-
tious, wealthy Americans of the North, while Yale,
Harvard and Jefferson Colleges were each the alma
mater of many of the youths of the South. The
rivalry in the schools between the two sections at
that time was not intense, but the educa'.ed young
men of the South met in sharpest rivalry in the
halls of Congress the typical Northern man. As
the highest types of the North and the South in
active political life may be placed Thomas Jeffer-
son and Daniel Webster. In peace or in war the
differences in the intellectual advancement of the
two sections were more imaginary than real. The
disadvantage the South met was tlie natural ten-
dency to produce an aristocratic class in the com-
munity. Cotton and the negro wore impediments
in the Southern States that clogged the way to the
advancement of the masses. They retarded the
building of great institutions of learning as well as
the erection of large manufactories. This applied
far more to collegiate education than to the com-
mon or public school system. The Southern man
who was able to send his children away from his
State to school realized that he gave them two ad-
vantages over keeping them at home; he aided
them in avoiding negro contact and association,
and provided the advantage of a better knowledge
of different peoples in different sections.
Arkansas may have Ligged somewhat in the
cause of education in the past, but to-day, though
young as a State, it is far in advance of many older
communities who are disposed to boast greatly of
their achievements in this direction.
When still a Territory the subject of education
received wise and considerate attention. March
2, 1827, Congress gave the State seventy-two
^
w
zrr^" — r *
-n jfv
94
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
sections of land for the purpose of establishing
"a seminary of learning." A supplemental act
was passed l)y Congress, June '23, 183(5, one week
after it became a State, offering certain propo-
sitions for acceptance or rejection: 1. The six-
teenth section of every township for school pur-
poses. 2. The seventy- two sections known as the
saline lands. By article 9, section 4, State con-
stitution of 1S()9, these lands were given to the free
schools. 3. The seventy-two sections, known as
the seminary lands, given to 'the Territory in 1827,
were vested and conhrmed in the State of Arkansas
for the use of said seminary. October 18, 1836,
the State accepted the propositions entire; and the
legislature passed the act known as " the ordinance
of acceptance and compact." December 18, 1844,
the general assembly asked Congress for a modi-
fication of the seminary grant, so as to authorize
the legislature to appropriate these seventy-two
sections of land for common school purposes.
Congress assented to this on July 29, 1840, and
the lands were added to the free school fund.
These congressional land grants formed the basis of
the State's free school system.
The first State constitution of 1836 recognized
the importance of popular education, and made it
the duty of the general assembly to provide by
law for the improvement of such lands as are, or
may be, granted by the United States for the use
of schools, and to pass such laws as "shall be cal-
culated to encourage intellectual, scientific and
agricultural improvement."
The general assembly of 1842 established a sys-
tem of common schools in the State, which was ap-
proved and became a law February 3, 1853, pro-
viding for the sale of the sixteenth section, and
election of school trustees in each township, to ex-
pend the money from the sale of land in the cause
of education. The act required schools to be main-
tained in each township ' ' for at least four months
in each year, and orthography, reading, writing,
English grammar, arithmetic and good morals
should be taught." The trustees were required
to visit the schools once in each month, and the
school age was fixed at from five to twenty-one
years. The act also provided for the establishment
of manual labor schools. It went to the extent of
appropriating a sum of money for the purchase of
text-books. This was a long step in advance of
any other portion of the country at that time. To
the fund arising from lands the act added "all
tines for false impri.sonment, assault and battery,
breach of the peace, etc." This act of the assem-
bly placed the young State in the vanguard of
States in the cause of free schools. It is an
enduring monument to the men of that legis-
lature. Under this law the reports of the county
commissioners of education were ordered to be
made to the State auditor, but if so made none can
be found in the State archives.
A State board of education was provided for
by the act of 1843, and the board was required to
make a complete report of educational matters,
and also to recommend the passage of such laws
as were deemed advisable for the advancement of
the cause of education. By an act of January 1 1 ,
1853, the secretary of State was made ex- officio
State commissioner of common schools, and re-
quired to report to the governor the true condition
of the schools in each county; which report the
governor presented to the general assembly at
each regular session. The provisions of an act of
January, 1855, relate to the sale of the sixteenth
section, and defined the duties of the school trus-
tees and commissioners. Article 8, in the consti-
tution of 1807, is substantially the same as the pro-
visions of the law of 1836.
From 1830 to 1807, as is shown by the above,
the provisions of the law were most excellent and
liberal toward the public schools; legislative enact-
ments occur at frequent intervals, indicating that
the State was well abreast of the most liberal school
ideas of the time, and large funds were raised
sacred to the cause.
Investigation shows that from the date of the
State's admission into the Union, until 1867, there
were many and admnable stipulations and statutes,
by which large revenues were collected from the
sale of lands, but the records of the State depart-
ment give no account of the progress of free
schools during this period, leaving the inference
that but little practical benefit accrued to the
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
95
cause from these wise and libonil measures put
forth by Congress and the State.
By act approved May 18, 1807, the legislature
made a marked forward movement in the cause of
education. Considering the chaotic conditions of
society, and the universal public and private bank-
ruptcy, the movement is only the more surprising.
The act stipulated that a tax of 20 cents on every
$100 worth of taxable pro]ierty should be levied
for the purpose of establishing and maintaining
a system of public schools. The second section
made this fund sacred — to be used for no other
purpose whatever. The fourth section provided
for a superintendent of public instruction and
defined his duties. The eighth section provided
for a school commissioner, to be chosen by the
electors of each county, who should examine any
one applying for a position as school teacher;
granting to those qualified to teach a certificate,
without which no one could be legally em-
ployed to teach. Prior to this a license as teacher
was not considered essential, and there was no one
authorized to examine applicants or grant certifi-
cates. The Congressional township was made the
unit of the school district, the act also setting
forth that in the event of the trustees failing to
have a school taught in the distiict at least three
months in the year, the same thereby forfeited
its portion of the school revenue. These wise and
liberal arrangements were made, it must be remem-
bered, by a people bankrupt by war and suffering
the hard trials of reconstruction.
No regular reports were made — at least none
can be found — prior to 1867, the date of the ap-
pointment of a superintendent. Though reports
were regularly received ^om the year mentioned,
the most of them were unsatisfactory and not
reliable.
The constitution of 1868 created some wise
amendments to the previous laws. It caused the
schools to become free to every child in the State;
school revenues were increased, districts could have
no part of the school fund unless a free school had
been taught for at least throe mouths. The leg-
islature following this convention, July 23. ISfiS,
amended the school laws to conform to this con-
stitutional provision. In addition to State super-
intendent, the office of circuit superiiitendi'iit was
created, and also the State board of education.
The constitutional convention of 1874 made
changes in the school law and provided for the
school system now in force in the State. The act
of the legislature, December 7, 187^, was passed
in conformity with the last preceding State con-
vention. This law with amendments is the present
school law of Arkansas.
Hon. Thomas Smith was the first State super-
intendent, in office from 1808 to 1873. The
present incumbent of that position, Hon. Wood-
ville E. Thoujpson, estimates that the commence-
ment of public free schools in Arkansas may prop-
erly date from the time Mr. Smith took possession
of the office — schools free to all ; every child entitled
to the same rights and privileges, none excluded:
separate schools provided for white and black;
a great number of schools organized, school houses
built, and etKcient teachers secured. Previous to
this time people looked upon free schools as largely
pauper schools, and the wealthier classes regarded
them unfavorably.
Hon. J. C. Corbin, the successor of Mr. Smith,
continued in office until December 13, 1875.
Hon. B. W. Hill was appointed December 18,
1875, and remained in office until 1878. It was
during his term that there came the most marked
change in public sentiment in favor of public
schools. He was a zealous and able worker in the
cause, and from his report for 1870 is learned the
following: State apportionment. §213,000; dis-
trict tax, $88,000; school population, ISU.OCO.
Through the directors" failure to report the enroll-
ment only shows 10,000. The total revenue of
1877 was $270,000; of 1878, 8270,000.
Mr. Hill was succeeded in 1878 by Hon. J. L.
Denton, whose integrity, earne-itnesa and great
ability resulted in completing the valuable work so
well commenced by his predecessor— removing the
Southern prejudices against public schools. He
deserves a lasting place in the history of Arkansas
as the advocate and chami)ion of free schools.
The present able and efficient State superin-
tendent of public instruction, as previou.sly men-
-* 9
Vt6
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
tioned, is Hon. Woodville E. Thompson. To his
eminent qualificationa and tireless energy the
schools of Arkansas are largely indebted for the
rapid advance now going on, and which has
marked his past term of oflSce. From his bien-
nial report are gleaned most of the facts and sta-
tistics given below.
The growth of the institution as a whole may
be detined by the following statistics: In 1879
the revenue raised by the State and county tax was
$271,000; in 1880, $285,000; in 1881, $710,000;
in 1882, $722,000; in 1883, .'{;740,000; iu 1884,
$931,000; in 1885, $1,199,000; in 1886, $1,327,-
000. The district tax in 1884 was $34(3,521; in
1885, $343,850, and in 1886, $445,563. The dis-
trict tax is that voted by the people.
Arkansas to-day gives the most liberal sup-
port to her free schools, all else considered, of any
State in the Union. It provides a two mill tax, a
poll tax, and authorizes the districts to vote a live
mill tax. This is the rule or rate voted in nearly
all the districts, thus making a total on all taxable
property of seven mills, besides the poll tax.
The persistent neglect of school officers to re-
port accurate returns of their school attendance is
to be regretted. The number of pupils of school
age (six to twenty-one years) is given, but no ac-
count of attendance or enrollment. This leaves
counties in the unfavorable light of a large school
population, with apparently the most meager at-
tendance. The following summaries exhibit the
progress of the public schools: Number of school
children, 1869, 176,910; 1870, 180,274; 1871,
196,237; 1872, 194,314; 1873, 148,128; 1874, 168,-
929; 1875, 168,929; 1876, 189,130; 1877, 203,567;
1878, 216,475: 1879, 236,600; 1880, 247,547; 1881,
272,841; 1882, 289,617; 1883, white, 227,538;
black, 76,429; total, 304,962; 1884. white, 247,-
173; black, 76,770; total, 323,943; 1885, white,
252,290; black, 86,213; total, 338,506; 1886,
white, 266,188; black, 91,818; total, 358,006;
1887, white, 279,224; black, 98,512; total, 377,-
730; 1888, white, 288,381; black, 99,747; total,
388,129. The number of juipils enrolled in 1869
was 67,412; 1888, 202,754, divided as follows:
White, 152,184; black, 50,570. Number of teach-
ers employed 1869, 1,335; number employed 1888,
males, 3,431, females, 1.233. Total number of
school houses, 1884, 1,453; erected that year, 263.
Total number school houses, 1888, 2,452; erected
in that year, 269. Total value of school houses,
1884, $384,827.73. Total value, 1888, $705,-
276.92. Total amount of revenues received, 1868,
$300,669.63. For the year, 1888: Amount on
hand June 30, 1887, $370,942.25; received com-
mon school fund, $315,403.28; district tax, $505,-
069.92; poll tax, $146,604.22; other sources,
$45,890.32; total, $1,083,909.32.
While there were in early Territorial days great
intellectual giants in Arkansas, the tendency was
not toward the tamer and more gentle walks of lit-
erature, but rather in the direction of the fiercer bat-
tles of the political arena and the rostrum. Oratory
was cultivated to the extreme, and often to the
neglect apparently of all else of intellectual pur-
suits. The ambitious youths had listened to the
splendid eloquence of their elders — heard their
praises on every lip, and were fired to struggle for
such triumphs. Where there are great orators one
expects to find poets and artists. The great states-
man is mentally cast in molds of stalwart pro-
portions. The poet, orator, painter, and eminent
literary character are of a finer texture, but usually
not so virile.
Gen. Albert Pike gave a literary immortality to
Arkansas when it was yet a Territorial wilderness.
The most interesting incident in the history of
literature would be a true picture of that Nestor of
the press. Kit North, when he opened the mail
package from that dim and unknown savage
world of Arkansas, and turned his eyes on the
pages of Pike's manuscript, which had been offered
the great editor for publication, in his poem en-
titled "Hymn to the Gods." This great but mer-
ciless critic had written Byron to death, and one
can readily believe that he must have turned pale
when his eye ran over the lines — lines from an un-
known world of untamed aborigines, penned in the
wilderness by this unknown boy. North read the
products of new poets to find, not merit, but weak
points, where he could impale on his sharp and
pitiless pen the daring singer. What a play must
;^
:>
\r>
DsCE QLR .
Mississippi Cdunty Arkansas .
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
i»7
have swept over his features as his eye followed
line after line, eager and more eager from the first
word to the last. To him could this be possible —
real — and not the day dream of a disturbed im-
agination. This historical incident in the litera-
ture of the wild west — the pioneer boy not only on
the outer coufines of civilization, but to the aver-
age Englishman, in the impenetrable depths of a
dark continent, where dwelt only cannibals, select-
ing the great and severe arbiter of English litera-
ture to whom he would transmit direct his fate as
a poet; the youth's unexpected triumph in not
only securing a place in the columns of the leading
review of the world, but extorting in the editorial
columns the highest meed of praise, is unparalleled
in the feats of tyros in literature. The supremacy
of Pike's genius was dulled in its brilliancy be-
cause of the versatility of his mental occupations.
A poet, master of belles leitres, a lawyer and a poli-
tician, as well as a soldier, and eminent in all the
varied walks he trod, yet he was never a book-
maker— had no ambition, it seems, to be an author.
The books that he will leave, those especially by
which he will be remembered, will be his gathered
and bound writings thrown ofP at odd intervals and
cast aside. His literary culture could produce only
the very highest type of effort. Hence, it is prob-
able that Lord North was the only editor living to
whom Pike might have submitted his " Hymn to
the Gods" with other than a chance whim to de-
cide its fate.
There was no Boswell among the early great
men of Arkansas, otherwise there would exist biog-
raphies laden with instruction and full of interest.
There were men and women whose genius com-
pelled them to talk and write, but they wrote dis-
connected, uncertain sketches, and doubtless often
published them in the columns of some local news-
paper, where they sank into oblivion.
The en-atic preacher- lawyer, A. W. Arrington,
wrote many and widely published sketches of the
bench and bar of Ai-kansas, but his imagination
so out-ran the facts that they became mere fictions
— very interesting and entertaining, it is said,
but entirely useless to the historian. Arrington
was a man of superior natural genius, but was so
near a moral wreck as to cloud his memory.
Years ago was published Nutall's History of
Arkansas, but the most diligent inquiry among
the olde.st inhabitants fails to find one who ever
heard of the book, much less the author.
Recently John Hallum pulilished his History
of Arkansas. The design of the author was to
make three volumes, the first to treat of the
bench and bar, but the work was dropped after
this volume was published. It contains a gi-eat
amount of valuable matter, and the author has
done the State an important service in making his
collections and putting them in durable form.
A people with so many men and women com-
petent to write, and who have written so little of
Arkansas, its people or its great historical events,
presents a curious phase of society.
A wide and inviting field has been neglected
and opportunities have been lost; facts have now
gone out of men's memories, and important histor-
ical incidents passed into oblivion beyond recall.
Opie P. Read, now of Chicago, will be known
in the future as the young and ambitious literary
worker of Arkansas. He came to Little Rock
from his native State, Tennessee, and engaged in
work on the papers at that city. He soon had
a wide local reputation and again this soon grew
to a national one. His fugitive pieces in the news
papers gained extensive circulation, and in quiet
humor and unaffected pathos were of a high order. .
He has written several works of fiction and is now
running through his paper. The Arkansaw Traveler,
Chicago, a novel entitled ' ' The Kentucky Colonel,"
already pronounced by able critics one among
the best of American works of fiction. Mr. Read
is still a comparatively young man, and his pen
gives most brilliant promise for the futui'e. His
success as an editor is well remembered.
^^
98
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
DO
The Churches ok Arkansas— Appearance of the Missionaries— Church Missions Established in the
Wilderness— The Leading Protestant Denominations— Ecclesiastical Statistics-
General Outlook from a Heligious Standpoint.
No silver saints bj' dying misers giv'n
Here bribed the rage of ill-requited Heav'n;
B\it such plain roofs as piety could raise.
And onlj' vocal with the Maker's praise. — Pope.
V<»
N all bistories of the early
settlers the pioneer preach-
ers and missionaries of the
Church are of first inter-
est. True missionaries, re-
gardless of all creeds, are
a most interesting study,
and, in the broad principles of Chris-
tianity, they may well be considered
^ ■«« as a class, with only incidental refer-
■^Jfe^r enees to their different creeds. The
^\.^ essence of their remarkable lives is
^^( i the heroic work and suffering they so
cheerfully undertook and carried on
so patiently and bravely. Among the
iirst of pioneers to the homes of the
red savages were these earnest church-
men, carrying the news of Mount Calvary to the
benighted peoples. It is difficult for us of this
age to understand the sacrifices they made, the
privations they endured, the moral and physical
courage required to sustain them in their vrork.
The churches, through their missionaries, carried
the cross of Christ, extending the spiritual empire
in advance, nearly always, of the temporal empire.
They bravely led the way for the hardy explorers,
and ever and anon a martyr's body was given to
the flames, or left in the trackless forests, food for
ravenous wild beasts.
The Iirst white men to make a lodgment in
what is now Arkansas having been Marquette and
Joliet, France and the Church thus came here
hand in hand. The Spanish and French settlers
at Arkansas Post were the representatives of Cath-
olic nations, as were the French-Canadians who
came down from the lakes and settled along the
banks of the lower Mississippi River.
After 1803 there was another class of pion-
eers that came in — Protestant English by descent
if not direct, and these soon dominated in the
Arkansas country. The Methodists, Baptists and
Cumberland Presbyterians, after the building of
the latter by Rev. Finis Ewing, were the pre-
vailing pioneer preachers. Beneath God's first
temples these missionaries held meetings, traveled
over the Territory, going wherever the little col-
umn of blue smoke from the cabin directed them,
as well as visiting the Indian tribes, proclaiming
Christ and His cause. Disregarding the elements,
swollen streams, the dim trails, and often no other
guide on their dreary travels than the projecting
ridges, hills and .streams, the sun or the polar star;
facing hunger, heat and cold, the wild beast and the
far fiercer savage, without hope of money compen
3 J
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
IW
sation, regardless of sickness and even death, these
men took their lives in their hands and went forth.
Could anything be more graphic or pathetic of the
conditions of these men than the extract from a
letter of one of them who had thus served his God
and fellow-man more than fifty years: "Inmylong
ministry I often suffered for food and I spent
no money for clothing. * * The largest
yearly salary I received was $100." Were ever
men inspired with more zeal in the cause of their
Master ? They had small polish and were as rugged
as the gnarled old oaks beneath whose branches
they so often bivouacked. They never tasted the
refinements of polite life, no doubt despising them
as heartily as they did sin itself. Rude of speech,
what eloquence they possessed (and many in this
respect were of no mean order) could only come
of their deep sincerity.
These Protestant missionaries trod closely upon
the footsteps of the pure and gentle Marquette in
the descent of the Mississippi, and the visits to
the Indians amid the cane-brakes of the South.
Marquette's followers had been the first to ascend
the Arkansas River to its source iu the far distant
land of the Dakotas in the Northwest. Holding
aloft the cross, they boldly entered the camps of the
tribes, and patiently won upon them until they laid
down their drawn tomahawks and brought forth
the calumet of peace. These wild children gath-
ered around these strange beings — visitors, as they
supposed, from another world, and wherever a
ci'oss was erected they regarded it with fear and
awe, believing it had supreme power over them
and their tribes.
He who would detract from the deserved im-
mortality of any of these missiocaries on account of
their respective creeds, could be little else than a
cynic whose blood is acid.
Marquette first explored the Mississippi River
as the representative of the Catholic Church.
The old church baptismal records of the mis-
sion of Arkansas Post extend back to 1764, and the
ministrations of Father Louis Meurin, who signatl
the record as "missionary priest." This is the
oldest record to be found of the church's recog-
nition of Arkansas now extant. That Marquette
held church service and erected the cross of Chriet
nearly one hundred years anterior to the record
date in Arkansas is given in the standard histories
of the United States. Rev. Girard succeeded
Meurin. It may be gleaned from these records
that in 1788 De La Valliere was in command of
Arkansas Post. la 1780 the attending priest was
Rev. Louis Guignes. The record is next signed Ijy
Rev. Gibault in 1792, and next by Rev. Janniii in
1796. In 1820 is found the name of Rev. Chau-
dorat. In 1834 Rev. Dupuy, and in 1838 Father
Donnellj' was the priest in charge. These remained
in custody of the first mission at Arkansas Post.
The second mission established was St. Mary's,
now Pine Bluff. The first priest at that point was
Rev. Saulmier. Soon after, another mission, St.
Peter's, was established in Jefferson County, and
the third mission, also in Jefferson County, was
next established at Plum Bayou. In order, the
next mission was at Little Rock, Rev. Emil Saul-
mier in charge; then at Fort Smith; then Helena,
and next Napoleon and N(>w Gascony, respectively.
The Catholic population of the State is esti-
mated at 10,000, with a total number of churches
and mi.ssions of forty. There are twenty-two
church schools, convents and academies, the school
attendance being 1,600. The first bishop in the
Arkansas diocese was Andrew Byrne, 1844. He
died at Helena in 1802, his successor being the
present incumbent, Bishop Edward FitzGerald.
who came in 1807.
From a series of articles published in the -Vr
kansas Methodist, of the current year, by the emi-
nent and venerable Rev. Andrew Hunter, D. D. , •
are gleaned the following important facts of this
Church's history in Ai'kausas: Methodism came to
Arkansas by way of Missouri about 1814, a com-
pany of emigrants entering from Southeast Mis-
souri overland, and who much of the way had to
cut out a road for their wagons. They bad heard
of the rich lauds in Mound Prairie, Hempstead
County. In this company were John Herirey, a
local preacher, Alexander and Jacob Shook, broth-
ers, and Daniel Props. In their long slow travels
they reached the Arkansas River at Little Rock,
and waited on the opposite bank for the comple-
100
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
tion of a ferry-boat then building. When these
people reached their destination they soon set iip
a church, and erected the first Methodist "meet-
ing-house" in Arkansas, called Henrey's Chapel.
"Father Henrey," as he was soon known far and
wide, reared sons, all preachers. This little col-
ony were all sincere Methodists, and nearly all
their first generation of sons became preachers,
some of them eminent. Jacob Shook and three
of his sons entered the ministry; Gilbert Alex-
ander, his sons and grandsons, became ministers
of God's word, as did two of Daniel Props' sons.
The small colony was truly the seed of the church
in Arkansas.
In 1838 two young ministers were sent from
Tennessee to the Arkansas work, and came all
the way to Mound Prairie on horseback.
The church records of Missouri show that the
conference of 1817 sent two preachers to Arkan-
sas— William Stevenson and John Harris. They
were directed to locate at Hot Springs. It is
conceded that these two missionaries "planted
Methodism in Arkansas."
In 1818 the Missouri Conference sent four
laborers to Arkansas, with William Stevenson as
the presiding elder of the Territory. The circuits
then had: John Shader, on Spring River; Thomas
Tennant, Arkansas circuit; W. Orr. Hot Springs;
William Stevenson and James Lowrey, Mound
Prairie. What was called the Arkansas circuit in-
cluded the Arkansas River, from Pine Bluff to the
mouth. After years of service als presiding elder,
Stevenson was succeeded by John Scripps; the ap-
pointments then were: Arkansas circuit, Dennis
Willey; Hot Springs, Isaac Brookfield; Mound
Prairie, John Harris; Pecan Point, William Town-
send. The Missouri Conference, 1823, again made
William Stevenson presiding elder, with three itin-
erants for Arkansas. In 1825 Jesse Hale became
presiding elder. He was in charge until 1829. He
was an original and outspoken abolitionist, and
taught and preached his faith unroservedl}' ; so
much so that large numbers of the leading fam-
ilies left the Methodist Episcopal Church and
joined the Cumberland Presbyterians. This was
the sudden building up of the Cumberland Pres-
byterian Church, and nearly fatally weakened the
Methodist Church. Some irreverent laymen desig-
nated Elder Jesse Hale's ministrations as the
"Hail storm" in Arkansas. Fortunately Hale
was succeeded by Rev. Jesse Green, and he poured
oil on the troubled waters, and saved Methodism
in Arkansas. ' ' Green was our Moses. ' '
The Tennessee Conference, 1831, sent eight
preachers to Arkansas, namely: Andrew D. Smyth,
John Harrell, Henry G. Joplin, William A. Boyce.
William G. Duke, John N. Hammill, Alvin Baird
and Allen M. Scott.
A custom of those old time preachers now
passed away is worth preserving. When possi-
ble to do so they went over the circuit together,
two and two. One might preach the regular ser-
mon, when the other would ' ' exhort. ' ' Under these
conditions young Rev. Smyth was accompanying
the regular circuit rider. He was at first difiS-
dent, and ' ' exhorted ' ' simply by giving his hearers
" Daniel in the lion's den." As the two started
around the circuit the second time, on reaching a
night appointment, before entering the house, and
as they were returning from secret prayer in the
brush, the preacher said: "Say, Andy, I'm going
to preach, and when I'm done you give 'em
Daniel and the lions again." Evidently Andy and
his lions were a terror to the natives. But the
young exborter soon went up head, and became a
noted divine.
The Missouri Conference, 1832, made two dis-
tricts of Arkansas. Rev. A. D. Smyth had charge
of Little Rock district, which extended over all the
country west, including the Cherokee and Creek
Nations.
The formation of the Methodist Episcopal
Church, South, occurred in 1844. This is a well
known part of the history of our country. In Ar-
kansas the church amid all its trials and vicissi-
tudes has grown and flourished. The State now
has fifteen districts, with 200 pastoral charges, and,
it is estimated, nearly 1,000 congregations.
The Methodist Episcopal Church has a com-
fortable church in Little Rock, and several good
sized congregations in different portions of the
State. This church and the Methodist Episcopal
f
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HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
101
Church, South, are separate and wholly distinct
in their organization.
The Baptists are naturally a pioneer and fron-
tier church people. They are earnest and sincere
proselyters to the faith, and reach very effectively
people in general. The Baptist Church in Ben-
ton -celebrated, July 4, 1889, its fifty-third anni-
v(>rsary. Originally called Sjiring Church, it was
built about two miles from the town. The organi-
zation took place under the sheltering branches of
an old oak tree. One of the first churches of this
order was the Mount Bethel Church, about six
miles west of Arkadelphia, in Clark County. This
was one of the oldest settled points l>y English
speaking people in the State. The church has
grown with the increase of population.
Rev. James M. Moore organized in Little Rock,
in 1828, the first Presbyterian Church in Arkan-
sas. He was from Pennsylvania, eminent for his
ability, zeal and piety. For some time he was
the representative of his church in a wide portion
of the country south and west. He was succeeded
by Rev. A. R. Banks, from the theological sem-
inary of Columbia, S. C. , who settled in Hempstead
County in 1835-3G and organized and built Spring
Hill Church, besides another at Washington. The
next minister in order of arrival was Rev. John
M. Erwin. He located at Jackson, near the old
town of Elizabeth, but his life was not spared long
after coming. He assisted Revs Moore and Banks
in organizing the first presbytery in Arkansas.
In 1839 Rev. J. M. Moore, mentioned above,
removed to what is now Lonoke County, and or
ganized a congregation and built Sylvania Church.
His successor at Little Rock was Rev. Henderson,
in 1840. The death of Rev. Henderson left no
quorum, and the Arkansas presbytery became /unc-
tui> officio.
Rev, Aaron Williams, from Bethel presbytery,
South Carolina, came to Arkansas in 1842, and
settled in Hempstead County, taking charge of a
large new academy at that place, which had been
built by the wealthy people of the locality. He at
once re-organized the church at Washington, which
had been some time vacant. Arkansas then be-
longed to the synod of Mississippi. In 1842, in
company with Rev. A. R. Banks, he traveled
over the swamps and through the forests 400 miles
to attend the Mississippi synod at Port Royal.
Their mission was to ask the synod to allow Revs.
Williams, Moore, Banks and Shaw to organize the
Arkansas presbytery. They obtained the permis
sion, and meeting in Little Rock the first Sunday
in January, 1843, organized the Arkansas presby-
tery. The Rev. Balch had settled in Dardanelle.
and he joined the new presbytery. In the next
few years Revs. Byington and Kingsbury, Con-
gregational ministers, who had been missionaries to
the Indians since 1818, also joined the Arkansas
presbytery. The synod of Memphis was subse-
quently formed, of which Arkansas was a part.
There were now three presbyteries west of Mem-
phis: Arkansas, Ouachita and Indian. In lS3ft
Arkansas was composed of four prpsbytories — twu
Arkansas and two Ouachita.
Rev. Aaron Williams assumed charge at Little
Rock in 1843, where he remained until January,
1845. There was then a vacancy for some years
in that church, when the Rev, Joshua F, Green
ministered to the flock. He was succeeded iiy
Rev. Thomas Fraser, who continued until 1859.
All these had been supplies, and in 18r)9 Little
Rock was made a pastorate, and Rev. Thomas R.
Welch was installed as first pastor. Ho filled the
position the next twenty five years, and in 1885
resigned on account of ill health, and was sent
as counsel to Canada, where he died. About the
close of his pastorate, the Second Presbyterian
Church of Little Rock was organized, and their
house built, the Rev. A. R. Kennedy, pastor. He'
resigned in September, 1888, being succeeded by
James R. Howerton. After the resignation of Dr.
Welch of the First Church. Dr. J. C. Barrett was
given charge.
Rev. Aaron Williams, after leaving the synod,
became a synodical evangelist, and traveled over
the State, preaching wherever he found small col-
lections of people, and organizing churches. He
formed the church at Fort Smith and the one in
Jackson County.
A synodical college is at Batesville, and is
highly prosperous.
T'
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HM
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
IfiCTlt XI¥.
Names Illl-striol's in Arkansas History— Prominknt Mention of Noted Individuals— Ambrose
H. Sevier— William K. Woodruff— John Wilson— John Hemphill— Jacob Barkman— Dr.
Bowie— Sandy Faulkner— Samuel H. Hempstead— Trent, \Villiams, Shinn Families,
AND Otheiis— The Conways— Robert Crittenden— Archibald Yell— Judge
David Walker- Gen. G. D. Bovston— Judge James W. Bates.
The gen'ial voice
Sounds him, for courtesy, behaviour, language
Aud ev'ry fair demeanor, an e.xamplc;
Titles of honour add not to liis worth.
Who is himself an honour to his lilli'. — Ford.
O history of Arkansas, worthy
of the name, could fail to
refer to the lives of a num
her of its distinguished
citizens, whose relation to
■^ great public events has
,-?r%^ made them a part of the
tine history of their State.
The following sketches of repre-
sentative men will be of no little
interest to each and every reader
of the present volume.
Ambrose H. Sevier, was one of
the foremost of the prominent men
of his day, and deserves es|)i'cial
mention. The recent removal of
the remains of Gen. John Sevier from
Alabama to Knoxville, Tenn. (June 19,
1S89), has awakened a widespread inter-
est in this historic family name. The re-interment
of the illustrious ashes of the first governor, found-
er and Congressman of Tennessee, by the State he
had made, was bttt an act of long deferred justice
to one of the most illustrious ;md j)icturesque char-
acters in American history. He founded two States
and was the lirst governor of each of them; one of
these States, Tennessee, he had, in the spirit of dis-
interested patriotism, erected on the romantic ruins
of the other— the mountain State of "Franklin."
A distinguished Revolutionary soldier, he was the
hero of King's Mountain, where he and four broth-
ers fought. He was first governor of the State
of "Franklin," six times governor of Tennessee,
three times a member of Congress, and in no in-
stance did he ever have an opponent to contest
for an office. He was in thirty- five hard fought
battles; had faced in bitter contest the State of
North Carolina, which secretly arrested and ab-
ducted him from the new State he had carved out
of North Carolina territory; was rescued in open
court by two friends, and on his return to his ad-
herents as easily defeated the schemes of North
Carolina as he had defeated, in many battles, the
Cherokee Indians. No man ever voted against
" Nolichucky Jack," as he was familiarly called —
no enemy ever successfully stood before him in
battle. A great general, statesman, and patriot,
he was the creator and builder of commonwealths
west of the Alleghanies, and he guided as greatly
and wisely as did Washington and Jefferson the
' -^ i
V
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HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
103
new States and Territories ho formed in the paths
of democratic freedom; and now, after he has slept
in an obscure grave for three quarters of a century,
the fact is beginning to dawn upon the nation that
Gov. John Sevier made Washington, and all that
great name implies, a j)Ossibilit}'.
The name, illustrious as it is ancient, numer-
ous and wide spread, is from the French Pyrenees,
Xavier, where it may be traced to remote times.
St. Francis Xavier was of this family, and yet the
American branch were exiles from the old world
because of their revolt against papal tyranny.
Sturdy and heroic as they were in the faith, their
blood was far more virile, indeed stalwart, in de-
fense of human rights and liberty, wherever or by
whomsoever assailed.
In France, England and in nearly every West-
ern and Southern State of the Union are branches
of the Xaviers, always prominent and often emi-
nent in their day and time. But it was reserved
to the founder of the American branch of the
Seviers to be the supreme head of the illustrious
line. He builded two commonwealths and was im-
j)elled to this great work in defense of the people,
and in resistance to the encroachments of the cen-
tral powers of the paternal government.
In Arkansas the Seviers, Conways and Rectors
were united by ties of blood as well as by the ever
stronger ties of the sons of liberty, independence
and patriotism. Here were three of the most
powerful families the State has ever had, and in
Iiublic affairs they were as one. The political
friend and worthy model of Gov. John Sevier was
Thomas Jefferson. Indeed, Gen. Sevier was the
fitting and immortal companion piece to Jefferson
in those days of the young and struggling repub-
lic. The Seviers of Arkansas and Missouri were
naturally the admirers of Andrew Jackson - cham-
pions of the peo[>le's rights, watchdogs of liberty.
Ambrose H. Sevier, was the son of John, who
was the son of Valentine and Ann Conway Sevier,
of Greene County, Tenn. Ann Conway was the
daughter of Thomas and Ann Rector Conway.
Thus this family furnished six of the governors of
Arkansas.
In 1S'21. soon after Mr. Sevier's coming to Ar-
kansas, he was elected clerk of the Territorial
house of representatives. In 182:^ he was elected
from Pulaski County to the legislature, and con-
tinued a member and was elected speaker in 1827.
He was elected to Congress in August, 1828, to
succeed his uncl(>, Henry W. Conway, who had
been killed in a duel with Crittenden. Ho was
three times elected to Congress. When the State
came into the L'nion, Sevier and William S. Fulton
were elected lirst senators in Congress. Sevier
resigned his seat in the Senate in 18-18, to accept
the mission of minister plenipoteutiaiy to Mexico,
and, in connection with Judge Clifford, negotiated
the treaty of Guadaloupe Hidalgo. This was the
last as well as crowning act of his life. He died
shortly after returning from bis mission. The
State has erected a suitable monument to his mem-
ory in Mount Holly Cemetery, Little Rock, where
sleeps his immortal dust.
How curiously fitting it was that the Sevier
of Arkansas should follow so closely in the foot-
steps of the great governor of Tennessee, his lineal
ancestor, and be the instrument of adding so ira-
- mensely to the territory out of which have grown
such vast and rich commonwealths. As builders
of commonwealths there is no name in American
history which approaches th<it of Sevier. A
part of the neglect — the ingratitude, possibly — of
republics, is shown in the fact that none of the
States of which they gave the Union so many besir
their family name.
William E. Woodruff was in more than one
sense a pioneer to Arkansas He was among
the distinguished men who first hastened here
when the Territory was formed, and brought with
him the pioneer newspaper press, and established
the Arkansas Gazette. This is now a flourishing
daily and weekly newspaper at the State capital,
and one of the oldest papers in the country. Of
himself alone there was that in the character and
life of Mr. Woodruff which would have made him
one of the historical pioneei-s to cross the Missis-
sippi River, and cast his fortune and future in this
now world. But he was a worthy disciple and
follower of Ben. Franklin, who combined with the
art preservative of arts, the genius that lays found-
k.
lOJ-
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
ations for empires in government, and the j'et far
greater empires in the fields of intellectual life.
He was a native of Long Island, Suffolk Coun-
ty, N. Y. Leaving his home in 1818, upon the
completion of his apprenticeship as printer, with
the sparse proceeds of his earnings as apprentice
he turned liis face westward. Reaching Wheel-
ing, Va. , he eml larked in a canoe for the falls of
the Ohio, now Louisville, where he stopped and
worked at his trade. Finding no sufficient open-
ing to permanently locate in this place, he started
on foot, by way of Russellville, to Nashville, Tenn.,
and for a time worked at his trade in that place
and at Franklin. Still looking for a possible
future home further west, he heard of the Act of
Congress creating the Territory of Arkansas, to
take effect July 4, 1819. He at once purchased
a small outKt for a newspaper office and started to
the newly formed Territory, determined if possible
to be first on the ground. He shipped by keel-boat
down the Cumberland river, the Ohio and the
Mississippi Rivers to Montgomery's Point, at the
mouth of White River; thence overland to Arkansas
Post, the first Territorial capital. Montgomery
Point was then, and for some years after, the main
shipping point for the interior points of the
Arkansas Territory. From this place to the capi-
tal, he found nothing but a bridle-path. He
therefore secured a pirogue, and with the services
of two boatmen, passed through the cut off to
Arkansas River and then up this to Arkansas Post,
reaching his point of destination October 31, 1819.
So insignificant was the Post that the only way he
could get a house was to build one, which he did,
and November 20, 1819, issued the first paper —
the Arkansas Gazette. He was the entire force of
the office — mechanical, clerical and editorial. To-
day his own work is his fitting and perpetual
monument — linking his name indissolubly with
that of Arkansas and immortality.
His genius was in the direct energy and the
impelling forces which drove it with the sure cer-
tainty of fate over every opposing obstacle. Broad,
strong and great in all those qualities which
characterize men pre eminent in the varied walks
of life; a true nation founder and builder, his
useful life was long spared to the State, which will
shed luster to itself and its name by honoring the
memory of one of its first and most illustrious
pioneers — William E. WoodruU'.
Reference having been made to John W^ilson
in a previous chapter, in connection with his un-
fortunate encounter with J. J. Anthony, on the
floor of the hall of the legislature, it is but an act
of justice that the circumstances be properly ex-
plained, together with some account of the man-
ner of man he really was.
John Wilson came from Kentucky to Arkansas
in the earl}' Territorial times, 1820. His wife was
a Hardin, of the noted family of that State — a sis-
ter of Joseph Hardin, of Lawrence County, Ark.,
who was speaker of the first house of representa-
tives of the Territorial legislature. The W'ilsons
and Hardins were prominent and highly respecta-
ble peo[)le.
When a very young man, John Wilson was
elected to the Territorial legislature, where he was
made speaker and for a number of terms filled that
office. He was a member of the first State legis-
lature and again was elected speaker. He was the
first president of the Real Estate Bank of Arkan-
sas. Physically he was about an average sized
man, very quiet in his manner and retiring, of dark
complexion, eyes and hair, lithe and sinewy in
form, and in his daily walk as gentle as a woman.
He was devoted to his friends, and except for
politics, all who knew him loved him well. There
was not the shadow of a shade of the bully or des-
perado about him. He was a man of the highest
sense of personal honor, with an iron will, and even
when aroused or stung by injustice or an attack
upon his integrity his whole nature inclined to
peace and good will. He was a great admirer of
General Jackson — there was everything in the
natures of the two men where the ' ' fellow feeling
makes us wondrous kind."
The difficulty spoken of occurred in 1836. Wil-
son was a leader in the Jackson party. Anthony
aspired to the lead in the W^hig party. At that
time politics among the active of each faction meant
personality. It was but little else than open war,
and the frontier men of those days generally went
"ir^
armed, the favorite weapou being the bowie
knife— a necessary part of a Imnter's ecjiiipment.
Unfriendly feelings existed between Wilson and
Anthony.
Upon the morning of the homicide (in words
the substance of the account given by the late
Gen. G. D. Royston, who was an eye witness)
Mr. Wilson came into the hall a little late, evi-
dently disturbed in mind, and undoubtedly ruf-
fled by reason of something he had been told that
Mr. Anthony had previously said about him in dis-
cussing a bill concerning wolf-scalps. A serio-
comic amendment had been offered to the bill to
make scalps a legal tender, and asking the presi-
dent of the Real Estate Bank to certify to the
genuineness of the same. Anthony had the floor.
When Wilson took the speaker's chair he com-
manded Anthony to take his seat. The latter
brusquely declined to do so. Wilson left the chair
and approached his opponent, who stood in the
aisle. The manner of the parties indicated a per-
sonal encounter. As Wilson walked down the aisle
he was seen to put his hand in the bosom of his
vest. Anthony drew his knife. Gen. Koyston said
that when he saw this, hoping to check the two
men he raised his chair and held it between them,
and the men fought across or over the chair. They
struck at each other inflicting great wounds, which
were hacking blows. Wilson's left hand was nearly
cut off in warding a blow from Anthony's knife.
Wilson was physically a smaller man than Anthony.
Royston held the chair with all his strength be-
tween the two now desperate individuals. So far
Anthony's longer arm had enabled him to give the
greatest wounds, when Wilson with his shoulder
raised the chair and jslunged liis knife into his
antagonist, who sank to the floor and died immedi-
ately. It was a duel with bowie-knives, without
any of the preliminaries of such encounters.
Wilson was carried to his bed, where for along
time he was confined. The house expelled him
the next day. The civilized world of course was
shocked, so bloody and ferocious had been the
engagement.
Wilson removed to Texas about 1842, locating
at Cedar Grove, near Dallas, where he died soon
after the close of the late war. Mrs. A. J. Gentry,
his daughter, now resides in Clark County, Ark.
The Hardins, living in Clark County, are of the
same family as was Mrs. Wilson.
John Hemphill, a South Carolinian, was born
a short distance above Augusta, Ga. He immi-
grated west and reached (now) Clark County, Ark. .
in 1811, bringing with him a large family and a
mxmber of slaves, proceeding overland to Bayou
Sara, La. , and from that point by barges to near
where is Arkadelphia, then a settlement at a place
called Blakeleytowu, which was a year old at the
time of Mr. Hemphill's location. He found living
there on his amval Adam Blakeley, Zack Davis,
Samuel Parker, Abner Highnight and a few others.
Mr. Hemphill was attracted by the salt waters
of the vicinity, and after giving the subject intel-
ligent investigation, in 1814 built his salt works.
Going to New Orleans, he procured a barge and
purchased a lot of sugar kettles, and with these
completed his preparations for making salt. His
experiment was a success from the start and he
carried on his extensive manufactory until his
death, about 1825. The works were continued by
his descendants, with few intermissions, until 1S51.
Jonathan O. Callaway, his sonin-law, was, until
that year, manager and proprietor.
There is a coincidence in the lives of the two
men who were the founders of commerce and man-
ufacturing in Arkansas, Hemphill and Barkman,
in that by chance they became traveling compan-
ions on their way to the new country.
Two brothers, Jacob and John Barkman, came
to Arkansas in 1811. They worked their passage
in the barge of John Hemphill, from Bayou Sara,
La., to Blakeleytown, near Ai'kadelphia. They
were a couple of young Kentuckians. full of cour
age, hope, and strong sense, seeking homes in the
wilderness. Their coming antedated that of the
first steamboat on western waters, and the history
of the river commerce of this State with New Or-
leans will properly credit Jacob Barkman with
being its founder. • Considering the times and real-
izing what such men as Jacol> Barkman did, one
is constrained to the belief that among the first
settlers of Arkansas were men of enterprise, fore-
1(1(1
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
sight and ilaiiiig in commerce that have certainly
not been surpassed by their successors.
On a previous page the methods of this pioneer
merchant in the conduct of his business have been
noted. His miscellaneous cargo of bear oil, skins,
pelts, tallow, etc., found a ready market in New
Orleans, which place he reached by river, return-
ing some six months later well laden with commod-
ities best suited to the needs of the people. In-
deed his "store" grew to be an important institu-
tion. He really carried on trade from New Orleans
to Arkadelphia. In 1820 he purchased of the gov-
ernment aboiit 1,200 acres of land on the Caddo,
four miles from Arkadelphia, and farmed exten-
sively and had many cattle and horses, constantly
adding to the number of his slaves. Having
filled the field where he was he sought wider op-
portunities, and in 1840, in company with J. G.
Pratt, opened an extensive cotton commission busi-
ness in New Orleans, building large warehouses
and stores. Mr. Barkman next purchased the
steamboat "Dime," a side- wheeler, finely built
and carrying 400 bales of cotton. He ran this in
the interest of the New Orleans commission house;
owned his crews, and loaded the boat with cot-
ton from his own plantation. In 1844 his l)oat
proudly brought np at New Orleans, well laden with
cotton. The owner was on board and full of hope
and anticipated joy at his trip, and also to meet
his newly married wife (the second), when the.se
iiopes were rudely dashed by the appearance of an
officer who .seized the boat, cargo and slaves, every -
tiling — and arrested Mr. Barkman and placed him
in jail undc^r an attachment for debts incurred by
the commission house. His partner in his absence
had wrecked the house.
To so arrange matters that he might get out of
jail and return to his old home on the Caddo, with
little left of this world' s goods, was the best the poor
man could do. He finally saved from the wreck-
age his fine farm and a few negroes, and, nothing
daunted, again went to work to rebuild his fortune.
He erected a cotton factory on the Caddo River,
and expended some $80,000 on the plant, having
it about ready to commence operating when the
water came dashing down the mountain streams in
a sudden and unusual rise, and swept it all away.
This brave pioneer spent no hour of his life in idle
griefs at his extraordinary losses. Though unscru-
pulous arts of business sharks and dire visitations
of the elements coniViined to make worthless his
superb foresight and business energy, he overcame
all obstacles, and died about 1852, a wealthy man
for that time.
When Arkansas was yet a Territory, among its
early pioneers was Dr. William Bowie, whose name
has become familiar to the civilized world, though
not in the way that most men are emulous of im-
mortality. Dr. Bowie had located, or was a frequent
visitor, in Helena, Ark., and was a typical man of
his times —jolly, careless and .social, and very fond
of hunting and fishing.
Among the first settlers in Little Rock was a
blacksmith, named Black. He possessed skill in
working in iron and steel, and soon gained a wide
reputation for the superior hunting knives he
made. When nearly every man hunted more or
less, and as a good knife was a necessity, it will
be seen that Black was tilling a general want.
The material he worked into knives consisted of
old files.
One day while he was just finishing a superior
and somewhat new style of hunting knife. Dr.
Bowie happened to enter the shop. The moment
he saw the article he determined to possess it
at any price. Black had not really made it to
sell — simply to gratify a desire to see how fine a
blade he could make, and keep it. But a bargain
was finally arranged, the blacksmith to cpmplete it
and ]iut Bowie's name on the handle. The inscrip-
tion Ix'ing neatly done read: "Bowie's Knife.'" Its
beauty and finish attracted wide attention, and all
who could afford it ordered a similar one, the name
of which was soon shortened into " Bowie Knife. "
Bowie died, a patriot's death, fighting for the in-
dependence of Texas, by the side of David Crockett.
The one pre-eminent thing which entitles the
Arkansas pioneer, Sandy Faulkner, to immortality
is the fact that he is the real, original "Arkansaw
Traveler. ' ' He was an early settler, a hunter, a wild,
jolly, reckless spendthrift, and a splendid fiddler.
He was of a wealthy Kentucky family, and settled
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
HIT
first ill Chicot County iitid then on the river only a
few miles below Little Rock. By inheritance he
received two or three moderate fortunes, and spent
them royally. Of a roving nature, a witty and rol-
licking companioti. he would roam through the
woods, hunting for days and weeks, and then en-
liven the village resorts for a while. He was born
to encounter just such a character as he did chance
to dnd, playing on a three -stringed fiddle the first
part of a particular tune. Now there was but one
thing in this world that could touch his heart with
a desire to possess, and that was to hear the re-
mainder of the tune.
After meeting this rare character in the woods
what a world of enjoyment Sandy did carry to the
village on his next return! "With just enough
and not too much." with fiddle in his hand, the
villagers gathered about him while he rejjeated the
comedy. His zest in the ludicrous, his keen wit
and his inimitable acting, especially his power of
miniici'j' and his mastery of the violin, enabled him
to offer his associates an entertainment never
surpassed, either on or off the mimic stage.
After the war Faullaier lived in Little Rock
until his death in 1875, in straitened circumstan-
ces, residing with a widowed daughter and one son.
Another sou was killed in the war; the two daugh-
ters married and are both dead, and the son and
only remaining child left this portion of the coun-
try some years ago.
When Faulkner died — over eighty years of age
— he held a subordinate office in the l(»gislature
then in session, which body adjourned and respect-
fully buried all that was mortal of the "Arkansaw
Traveler," while the little morceau from his
harmless and genial soul will continue to travel
around the world and never stop, the thrice wel-
come guest about every fireside.
What a comment is here in this careless, aim-
less life and that vaulting ambition that struggles,
and wars and suffers and sows the world with
woe that men's names may live after death. Poor
Sandy had no thought of distinction; his life was a
laugh, so unmixed with care for the morrow and
so merry that it has filled a world with its cease
less echoes.
Though there may be in this country no titled
aristocracy, there are nobles, whose remotest de-
scendants may claim that distinction of race and
blood which follows the memory of the great deeds
of illustrious sires. It is the nobles whose lives
and life's great work were given to the cause of their
fellowmen in that noblest of all human efforts —
liberty to mankind. There is something forever
sacred lingering about the graves, nay, the very
ground, where these men exposed their lives and
struggled for each and all of us. All good men
(and no man can really be called good who does not
love liberty and independence above everything in
the world) cannot but feel a profound interest in
the lineal descendants of Revolutionary fathers.
"My ancestor was a soldier in the war for inde-
pendence!" is a far nobler claim to greatness than
is that of the most royal blue blood in all heraldry.
W. P. Huddleston, of Sharp's Cross Roads,
Independence County, has the following family
tree: Israel McBee was for seven years a soldier
in a North Carolina regiment in the Revolutionary
War. He died in (irainger County, Teiin.. aged
110 years. He was the father of Samuel JIcBee,
who was the father of Rachel McBee, who married
John Huddleston. the'grand father of W. P. Hud-
dleston, Jr. The McBees were originally from
Scotland.
Samuel S. \\'elborn. of Fort Douglas, Johnson
County, was the youngest son of Elias. Samuel
was born December 30, 1842. His grandfather.
Isaac Welborn, was seven years a soldier in a
Georgia regiment, and died at Hazel Green, Ala.,
in 1833, aged eighty-four years.
Samuel H. Hempstead is a name illustrious in
Arkansas outside of the fact that it is descended
directly from a soldier in the war for independ-
ence. The above-named was born in New London,
Conn., iu 1814, and died in Little Rock in 18t')2.
He was a son of Joseph Hempstead, born in New
London in 1778, and died '\n St. Louis in 1N31.
Joseph was a son of Stephen Hempstead, born in
New London in 1742, and died in St. Louis iu
1832. Stephen was a soldier in the American
Revolution, serving under Col. Ledyard at the
l>attle of Fort Griswold, near New London, when
iy£
108
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
these towns were captured by the British under
Benedict Arnold, September 6, 1781. Hempstead
was wounded twice during the engagement — a
severe gunshot wound in the left elbow disabling
him in the arm for life. He wrote and published
in the Missouri Republican in 1826, a detailed ac-
count of the battle.
Stephen Hempstead's father was also Stephen
Hempstead, born in 1705 and died in 1774. The
records of Connecticut, Vol. VII, show that he
was made an ensign in a train band company,
by the colonial council, in October, 1737, where he
served with distinction through this war, known as
King George's War. In May, 1740, he was made
sui'veyor by the council. He was the son of
Joshua Hempstead, born in 1(378, and died in
1758. He was a representative in the Connecticut
council in October, 1709; a member of the Royal
council in October, 1712; ensign in train band com-
pany in 1721 ; lieutenant in same company in May,
1724; auditor of accounts in May, 1725. He was
the son of Joshua Hempstead, Sr., born in 1649,
and died in 1709; Joshua Hempstead, Sr., was a
son of Robert Hempstead, born in 1600 and died
in 1665. The last-named was the immigrant to
America, one of the original nine settlers of New
London, Conn., the founder of the town first called
Hempstead, on Long Island. In 104() Robert
Hempstead built a house at New London for a res-
idence, which is still standing, an ancient relic of
great interest. It is occupied by descendants of
the builder, named Gaits, from the female branches.
Though much modernized the old house still shows
the port- holes used for defense against the Indians.
A daughter of Robert Hempstead, Mary, was the
first white child born in New London, March 26,
1647.
Fay and Roy Hempstead, Little Rock, are de-
.scendants of this family. Other descendants live
in St. Louis, Mo.
Jesse Williams, of Prince William County, Va.,
enlisted under Dinwiddle's call in the French-
Indian War on the English settlers in 1754,
under then Lieut. -Col. Washington, of the First
Virginia Regiment of 1 50 men. The command at-
tempted to reach where is now Pittsburg to relieve
Trent's command at that place. Two descendants
of the Trents now live in Washington County. In
this hard march to Fort Duquesne the men dragged
their cannon, were without tents and scant of pro-
visions, and deprived of material or means for
bridging rivers. They fought at Fort Necessity.
Washington cut a road twenty miles toward Du-
quesne. On July 3 the fight took place, and July
4 Washington capitulated on honorable terms.
In 1755 Jesse Williams again entered the ser-
vice under Washington and joined Braddock at
Fort Cumberland. In 1758 he was once more with
Washington when Forbes moved on Fort Duquesne,
being present at the capture, and helped raise the
flag and name the place Pittsburg.
In the Revolutionary War he was one of the
first to enlist from Virginia, and was commissioned
captain, and was present in nearly all the battles
of that long war.
The maternal ancestor of the Williams family
was Thomas Rowe, of Virginia, a colonel in the war
for independence, who was at the surrender of
Yorktown.
David Williams, a son of Jesse, married Betsy
Rowe. He was a soldier in the War of 1812, and
served with distinction, and also in the Seminole
War. He settled in Kentucky, Franklin County.
His children were Jacob, Urban V., Betty, Mil-
lie, Hattie and Susan; the children of Urban V.
Williams being John, Pattie and Minnie. Bettie
married Jeptha Robinson, and had children, David,
Owen, Austin, May, Hettie, Ruth, Sue, Jacob,
Frank and Sallie. Hettie married Dr. Andrew
Neat, and had children, Thomas, Estelle (Brink-
ley), Ella (Ford), Addis and Ben. Sue married
George Poor, and had children, George, Lizzie.
Sue and Minnie. Jacob Williams, the father of
Mrs. Minnie C. Shinn (wife of Prof. J. H. Shinn,
of Little Rock), Otis Williams and Mattie Wil-
liams, Little Rock; Josi>])h Desha Williams and
Maggie Wells, Russell ville; Lucian and Virgil,
Memphis, are all of this family. Jacob Williams
was a private in the Fifth Kentucky, in the late
war, under Humphrey Marshall.
Among the pioneers of what is now the State
of Arkansas, there was perhaps no one family that
^^
.-"it
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
lOU
furnished so many noted characters and citizens
jis the Conway family. Their <:fenealogy is traced
' ■ Itack to the reign of Edward I, of England, in the
latter part of the thirteenth century, to the cele-
brated Ca.stle of Conway, on Conway River, in
the north of Wales, where the lords of Conway,
in feudal times presided in royal style." Thomas
Conway came to America about the year 1740,
and settled in the Virginia colony. Henry Conway
was his only sou. The latter was first a colonel
and afterward a general in the Revolutionary War.
His daughter, Nellie, after marriage, became the
mother of President Madison, and his son, Mon-
cure D., was brother-in-law to Gen. Washington.
Thomas Conway, another son of Gen. Henry
Conway, settled, during the Revolutionary period,
near the present site of Greenville, Tenn. He
married Ann Rector, a native of Virginia, and
member of the celebrated Rector family. To this
union seven sons and three daughters were V)orn,
and all were well reared and well educated.
In 1818, Gen. Thomas Conway mov(^d with
his family from Tennessee to St. Louis, in the
Territory of Missouri, and soon after to Boone
County, where he remained until his death, in
1835. Henry Wharton Conway, the eldest son,
was born March IS, 1793, in Greene County.
Tenn., and served as a lieutenant in the War of
1812-15; subsequently, in 1817, he served in the
treasury department at Washington, immigrated
to Missouri with his father in 1818, and early in
1820, after being appointed receiver of public
moneys, he immigrated in company with his next
younger brother, James Sevier Conway, who was
born in 1798, to the county of Arkansas, in the
then Territory of Missouri. These two brothers
took and executed large contracts to survey the
public lands, and later on James S. became
surveyor-general of the TeiTitory. During the
twenties Henry W. Conway served two terms as a
delegate in Congress, and received the election
in 1827 for the third term, but on the 29th of
October of that year, he was mortally wounded in
a duel with Robert Crittenden, from the effects of
which he died on the 9th of November, following.
[See account of the duel elsewhere in this work.]
A marble shaft with an elaborate inscription,
erected by his brother, James S. Conway, stands
over his grave in the cemetery at Arkansas Post.
James S. Conway became the first governor
of the State of Arkansas, upon its admission into
the Union, serving as such from 183(5 to 1840,
after which he settled on his princely possessions
on Red River in the southern part of the State.
He was a large slave holder and cotton planter.
He died on the 3d of March, 1855, at Walinit
Hill, his country seat, in Lafayette County.
Frederick Rector Conway, the third son of
Gen. Thomas Conway, was a noted character in
Missouri and Illinois. John Rector Conway, the
fourth son, was an eminent physician, who died in
San Francisco in 1868. William B. Conway was
born at the old homestead in Tennessee, about 1806.
He was thoroughly educated, read law under
John J. Crittenden, of Kentucky, and commenced
the practice at Elizabethtown in that State. He
moved to Arkansas in 1840, and in 1844 was
elected judge of the Third circuit. In December,
1846, he was elected associate justice of the
supreme court. He died December 29, 1852, and
is buried by the side of his noble mother, in
Mount Holly Cemetery, Little Rock. The sixth
son, Thomas A., died in his twenty-second year in
Missouri.
The seventh and younge.st son, Gov. Elias N.
Conway, was born May 17, 1812, at the old home
stead in Tennessee, and in November, 1833, he
!(>ft his parents' home in Missouri, and came to
Little Rock, and entered into a contract to survey
large tracts of the public lands in the northwest-
ern part of the State. Having executed this con-
tract, he was. in 1836, appointed auditor of State,
a position which he held for thirteen years. In
1852 and again in 1856. he was elected on the
Democratic ticket as governor of the State, and
served his full two terms, eight years, a longer
period than any other governor has ever served.
Much could be said, did space permit, of the emi
nent services this mau has rendered to Arkansas.
Of the seven brothers named he is the only one
now living. He leads a retired and secluded life
in Little Rock, in a small cottage in which he has
[
k
no
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
resided for over forty years. He has no family,
having never been married.
Robert Crittendon, yontif^cst son of John Crit-
tenden, a major in tlid Revolutionary War, was born
near VersailleH, Woodford County, Ky. , January
1, 1797. Ho was educated by and read law with
his brother, John J. Crittenden, in Russellville,
that State. Being appointed first secretary of
ArkaiiKas Territory, he removed to Arkansas Post,
the temporary seat of government, where on the
Sd day of March, 1819, he was inaugurated and
HSKUmed the duties of his office. On the same
day James Miller was inaugurated first gov(>rnor
of the Territory. It seems, however, that Gov.
Miller, though he held his office until succeeded by
Gov. George Izard, in March, 1825, was seldom
present and only occasionally performed official
duties. This left Oittenden to assume charge of
the position as governor a great portion of the
time while Miller held the office. Crittenden con-
tinued as secretary of the Ten'itory vintil succeeded
by William L'ulton, in April, 1829, having served
in that capacity a little over ten years. In 1827
he fought a duel with Henry W. Conway, the ac-
count of which is given clsf^whcre. According to
Gen. Albert Pike, with whom ho was intimately
associated, ' ' he was a man of fine presence and
handsome faoe, with clear bright eyes, and unmis-
takable intellect and genius, frank, genial, one to
attach men warmly to himself, impulsive, generous,
warm hearted. " " He was the first great leader of
the Whig party in the Territory, and continued as
such until his death, which occurred December 18,
18154, at Vicksburg, Miss., whither he had gone
on business. He died thus young, and before the
Territory, which he had long and faithfully served,
became a State.
Archibald Yell, not unfamiliar to Arkansans,
was born in North Carolina, in August, 1797, and
while very young immigrated to Tennessee, and
settled in Bedford County. He served in the Creek
War as the boy (ra])tain of the Jackson Guards,
under Gen. Ji^ckson, also under the same general
in the War of 1812-13, participating in the battle
of New Orleans, and also in the Seminole War.
He was a man of moderate education, and when
the War of 1812 closed, he read law and was ad-
mitted to the bar in Tennessee. After the close of
the Seminole War, he located at Fayetteville, Lin-
coln County, Tenn. , and there practiced law until
1832, when President Jackson gave him the choice
to till one of two vacancies, governor of Florida
or Territorial judge in the T(U'ritory of Arkansas.
He chose the latter and in due time located at
Fayetteville, in Washington County. Ho was a
man of tine personal appearance, pleasant and
humorous, and possessed the faculty of making
friends wherever he went. He was elected and
sei-ved us grand master of the Masonic fraternity
in tlu! jurisdiction of Arkansas; was a Democrat
in jwlitics, and the tirst member of Congress from
the State of Arkansas; was governor of the State
from 1840 to 1844; was elected again as a member
of Congi-ess in 1844, and served until 1S46, when
he resigned to accept the colonelcy of an Arkansas
regiment of volunteers for the Mexican War. He
was killed in the battle of Buena Vista, February
22, 1847.
In his race for Congress in 1844, he was op-
posed by the Hon. David Walker, the leader of the
Whig party, and they made a joint canvass of the
State. Yell could adapt himself to circumstances
— to the different crowds of people more freely than
could his antagonist. In 1847 the Masonic fra-
ternity erected a monument to his memory in the
cemetery at Fayetteville. Gov. Yell was a man of
great ability, and one of the great {)ionoer states-
men of Arkansas.
The eminent jurist. Judge David Walker, de-
scended from a lin(> of English (Quakers, of whom
the last trans-Atlantic ancestor in the male line
was Jacob W' alker, whose son (ieorge emigrated to
America prior to the war of the Revolution, and
settled in Brunswick County, Ya. Here he mar-
ried a lady, native to the manor born, and be-
came" the tirst American jiucestor of a large and
distinguished family. One of his sons, Jacob
Wythe Walker, born in the decade that ushered
in the Revolution, early in life removed to and
settled in what is now Todd County, Ky. Here,
on the 19th day of February, ISOfi, was born un-
to him and his wife, Nancy (Hawkins) Walker,
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
the subject of this sketcli — David Walker. Youug
Wiillcei's oppoitunities for obtaining a school edu-
cation in that then frontier country were limited,
but, being the son of a good lawyer, ho inherited
his father's energetic nature, became selfodueatod,
read law and was admitted to the bar in Scotts-
ville, Ky., early in 1829, and there practiced
until the fall of 1830, when he moved to Little
Kock, Ark., arriving on the 1 0th of October.
Soon after this he located at Fayetteville, Wash-
ington County, and remained there, except when
temporarily absent, until his death. From ]833
to 1835 he was prosecuting attorney in the Third
circuit. He was one of the many able members of
the constitutional convention of 1830. In 1840 he
rode "the tidal wave of whiggery " into the State
senate, in which he served four years. In 1844 he
led the forlorn hope of his party in theever memor-
able contest with Gov. Yell for Congress. In
1848, while on a visit to Kentucky, and without
his knowledge, a legislature, largely Democratic,
elected him associate justice of the supreme court
over strong D(>mocratic opposition, embracing such
men as Judges English and William Conway, both
of whom afterwards succeeded to the office.
He had always been a lover of the Union, but
when the Civil War came on, having been born
and reared in the South, and having become
attached to its institutions, he finally chose rather
to cast his fortunes with the proposed Confederacy
than with the Federal Union. In February 1861,
he was elected a delegate to the State convention
which convened on the 4th of March, and linally,
at its adjourned session, passed the ordinance of
secession. He and Judge B. C. Totten were can-
didates for the chairmanship of this convention,
the former re[>resenting the Union strength, and
the latter the disunion element as it was then
developed. Walker received forty out of the sev-
enty-five votes cast, and thereupon took the chair;
but owing to the rapid change of sentiment all ot
the majority, save one, finally voted with the
minority, and Arkatisas formally withdrew from the
Union, with Judge Walker as a leader. In 18(5(5
he was elected chief justice of the State, but in
less than two years was removed from the office by
military power. .\t the close of the reeonBtruction
period he was again elected to the supreme bench
and served thereon until September. 1878, when
he resigned at the age of seventy-two, and retired
to private life. He died September 30, 1879. He
was a pious and conscientioiis man, an able jurist,
a pioneer of Arkansas, highly res)>eefed liy its citi
zens.
(ien. Grandison D. Koyston, a ^ui\ of Joshua
Itoyston and Elizabeths. (Watson) Royston, na-
tives, respectively, of Maryland and Virginia, and
both of j)ure English descent, was born on the
9tli of December, 180it, in Carter County, Tenu.
His father was an agriculturist and Indian trader
of great en(*rgy and character, and his mother
was a daughter of that eminent Methodist divine,
Rev. Samuel Watson, one of the pioneers of
the Holstein conference in East Tennessee. He
was educated in the common neigliborhood schools
and in a Presbyterian academy in Washington
County, Tenn. In 1829 he entered the law office
of Judge Emerson, at Jonesboro, in that State,
and two years after was admitted to the bar. Sub-
sequently he emigrated to Arkansas Territory, and
in April, 1832, located in Fayetteville, Washing-
ton County, wh(>re he renniined only (>ight months,
teaching school five days in the week and practic-
ing law iii justices' courts on Saturdays. He then
moved to \\'ashington, in Hempstead County,
where he continued to reside until his death. In
the performance of his professional duties he trav-
eled the circuits (jf the Tenitory and Sfafe in that
cavalcade of legal lights composed of such men as
Hemijstead. Fowler, Trajmall, Cummins, Pike,
AValker, Yell, Ashley, Bates, Searcy and others.
In 1833 he was elected |)rosecuting attorney
for the Third circuit, and performed the duties of
that office for two years. In January. 183(5. he
served as a delegate from Hempsteail County in
the convention at Little Rock, which framed the
first constitution of the State: and in the fall of
the same year he was elected to represent his
county in the first legislature of the State. After
the expulsion of .lohn Wilson, speaker of the house,
who killed Representative John J. Anthony, Roy-
ston was on joint ballot elected to till the vacant
-* V
speakership but declined the office. In 1841
President Tyler appointed him United States dis-
trict attorney for the district of Arkansas, which
office he held a short time and then resigned it.
In 1858 he represented the counties of Hempstead,
Pike and Lafayette in the State legislature, and
became the author of the levee system of the State.
In 1861 he was elected to the Confederate Con-
gress, serving two years. In 1874 he was a dele-
gate from Hempstead County to the constitutional
convention, and was elected president of that
body. In 1876 he represented the State at large
in the National Democratic convention at St. Louis,
and voted for Tilden and Hendricks. He was al-
ways a Democrat, a man of culture, refinement and
winning manners, and enjoyed in a large degree
the confidence of the people. He obtained his
title as general by serving on the stafF of Gov.
Drew with the rank of brigadier-general. He
died August 14, ]S89, in his eightieth year. He,
too, was one of the last prominent pioneers of Ar-
kansas, and it is said he was the last surviving
member of the constitutional convention of 1836.
Judge James Woodson Bates was born in
Groochland County, Va. . about the year 1 788. He
was educated in the Yale and Princeton Col-
leges, graduating from the latter about 1810.
\A'hen quite youug he attended the trial of Aaron
Burr, for treason, at Eichmond. Soon after grad-
uating he read law. In the meantime his brother,
Frederick Bates, was appointed first secretary of
Missouri Territory, and was acting governor in
the absence of Gov. Clark. About 1811) he fol-
lowed his brother to the West, and settled in St.
Louis. In 1820 he removed to the Post of Arkan-
sas and there began the practice of his profession,
but had scarcely opened his office when he was
elected first delegate to Congress from Arkansas
Territory. In 1823 he was a candidate for re-
election, but was defeated by the celebrated Henry
W. Conway, an able man, who commanded not
only the influence of his own powerful family, but
that of the Rectors, the Johnsons, Roanes and
Ambrose H. Sevier, and all the political adherents
of Gen. Jackson, then so popular in the South
and West. The influence and strength of this
combined opposition could not be overcome.
After his short Congressional career closed, he
moved to the newly settled town of Batesville, and
resumed the practice of his profession. Batesville
was named after him. In November, 1825, Presi-
dent Adams appointed him one of the Territorial
judges, in virtue of which he was one of the
judges of the superior or appellate court organized
on the plau of the old English court in banc. On
the accession of Gen. Jackson to the presidency,
his commission expired without renewal, and he
soon after removed to Crawford County, married
a wealthy widow, and became stationary on a rich
farm near Van Buren. In the fall of 1835 he
was elected to the constitutional convention, and
contributed his ability and learning in the forma-
tion of our first organic law as a State Soon
after the accession of John Tyler to the presidency,
he appointed Judge Bates register of the land
office at Clarksville. in recognition of an old
friend. He discharged every public trust, and
all the duties devolved on him as a private citizen,
with the utmost fidelity. Strange to say, whilst
he possessed the most fascinating conversational
powers, he was a failure as a public speaker. He
was also a brother to Edward Bates, the attorney-
general in President Lincoln's cabinet. He was
well versed in the classics, and familiar with the
best authors of English and American literature.
He died at his home in Crawford County in 1846,
universally esteemed.
^i
GKEENE COT'NTY.
118
Gkkkne County— Piiysioal Features— Streams— Forests— Kind of Soil— Agricultural Products
—Stock Interests— Real and Personal Property— Population— Railways— Era of Settle-
ment—A Noted Hunter- Acts of the County Board— County Seat and Buildinos-
Officers— Political Outlook— Legal Matters— Military Affairs
— MuNrciPALiTiES—SciiooLS— Churches— Biography.
Be mindful
With iron teeth of rakes and prongs to move
The crusted eartli. —Dri/den.
7'-
•■.!^
KEENE COUNTY, Ark.,
lies in the northeastern part
of the State, in latitude 3(5°
37 ' North, and longitude
91° west from Greenwich,
England. It is bounded on
the north by Clay County,
east by the St. Francis
River, which separates it from Dunk-
lin (Jounty, Mo., south by Craig-
head, and west by Lawrence and Ran-
dolph Counties. It has an area of
600 square miles, of which less tlian
one tenth is improved. Its boundary
lines are as follows: Commencing
where the line between Sections 21
and 28, Township 19, Range 9, intersects the mid-
dle of the main channel of the St. Francis River;
thence down the middle of the main channel of that
river to the line between Townships 15 and 16;
thence west on the township line to the Cache
River; thence up said river, with its meanderings.
to the line between Townships 17 and 18; thence
west on the township line to the line between
Ranges 2 and 3; thence north on the range line to
the northwest corner of Section 30, Township 19,
Range 3; thence east on the section lines, and on
the county line, to the place of beginning.
Crowley's Ridge, from its continuation in Clay
County, extends in a rather southwesterly direction
through Greene County, with a width varying from
five to ten miles, and slopes gently on either side
to the level of the bottom lands. This ridge in
the southern part of the county is more rolling
than elsewhere, and farms have been opened en-
tirely across it, though generally speaking its sum-
mit is not much cultivated. The early settlers, for
the most part, selected their homes on the foot of
the ridge and on ridges between the creeks. The
farms now extend from both slopes of the ridge
far out into the rich level lands.
From Crowley's Ridge the waters flow through
several small streams in a southeasterly direction
and empty into St. Francis River; and west of the
ridge the waters course through small streams in
a southwesterly direction, emptying into Cache
River; thus all that portion of the county lying
between these rivers is drained. That part north
west of Cache River is drained through the streams
tributary to Cache and Black Rivers.
"The entire county with the exception of
places where the forest has been cleared and farms
opened — is finely timbered with unequaled quality
of white oak, red oak, hickory, sweet gum. ash,
po])hir, pine, and walnut timber. The Crowley's
Ridge summit is timbered its entire length through
,J^
114
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
the county with pitch or red pine of the finest
qualit}', and the slopes with other timber named.
"The soil is varied. One discovers ])oor, thin
and rocky points on the summit and almost any
grade between sandy soil of the bottom lands. It
produces good crops of corn, wheat, rye, barley,
oats, sorghum cane, broom corn, cotton, potatoes,
turnips, tame grasses, clover and millet, while the
range for cattle from eight to ten months of the
year, and for hog.s through the fall, is almost in-
inexhaustible." *
At present lumbering is, and until the timber
supply becomes exhausted will continue to be,
one of the leading if not the principal industry of
the county, and a great source of income. In
April of the current year there were thirty-four
steam power saw-mills, six stave factories, one shin-
gle-mill, and two planing-mills, within the county
— all engaged in cutting the timber into lumber,
etc. One of these mills — that of the J. M. Reed
Lumber Company — has capacity for cutting 100,-
000 feet of lumber per day. The most profitable
source of revenue to the farmers consists in the
raising of cotton and corn, which yield probably a
nearly eqiial income. Most of the saw-mills have
cotton gins, and some grist-mills attached.
In 1880 there were, according to the United
States census, 1,181 farms, with 80,596 acres of
improved lands in the county, and from these the
vegetable productions were as follows: Indian
corn, 347,926 bushels; oats, 29, 110 bushels; wheat,
10,475 bushels; hay, 124 tons; cotton, 3,711 bales;
Irish potatoes, 5,181 bushels ; sweet potatoes, 18,989
bushels; tobacco, 5,785 pounds. A large acreage
has since been cleared, and the vegetable produc-
tions correspondingly increased.
The numbers of head of live stock within the
county, as indicated by the same census, were as
follows: Horses, 7,694; mules and asses, 760;
neat cattle, 8,975; sheep, 1,727; hogs, 16,984.
The following show the number of head of live
stock in the county as declared by the assessment
rolls for 1888: Horses, 2,826; mules and asses,
991; neat cattle, 10.125; sheep, 1,685; 'hogs,
16,481. The comparison of these figures is inter
* Quotations from Greene County Record.
esting. The decrease in the number of sheep is
probably due to the reduction in the price of wool,
while the decrease in the number of hogs is appar-
ent but not real. The census of 1880 gives the
number raised, sold and slaughtered during the
year, while the assessment rolls show only the
number on hand when listed for taxation; hence
the increase must have been large. As previously
stated, all parts of the county are well supplied
with streams, and an abundance of good well
water can be obtained at a depth of from thirty to
forty feet, without blasting through any rock, and
as the lands are well adapted to the raising of
grains, tame grasses and clover, this country must
eventually — after the lumber industry ceases —
become excellent for diversified farming, and
especially for the raising of live stock, the climate
being mild, and the shipping facilities to the great
commercial centers unusually superior.
The country is also well adapted to the growing
of all manner of fruits common to this latitude.
The assessed value of the real estate of Greene
County for the year 1880 was $426,685, and of the
personal property $254,361, making a total of
$681,046, and the total amount of taxes charged
thereon was $16,099. The assessed value of the
real estate of the county for 1888, including the
railroad j)roperty, was $1,313,392.72, and of the
personal property, $562,719, making a total of
$1,876,111.72. upon which the total amount of
taxes charged was $29,103.63. This demonstrates
that the taxable wealth of the county has about
doubled since 1880, but that the taxes have not
increased in the same ratio. The railroads, which
now constitute a considerable portion of the tax-
able wealth of the county, and pay a large percent-
age of the taxes, were assessed for the year 1888
as follows: St. Louis, Iron Mountain & Southern,
$330,750; St. Louis, Arkansas & Texas, $200,677:
Kansas City, Fort Scott & Memphis, $4,560; total,
$585,987.
The county has excellent public buildings, and
a floating debt of only about $7,000, which will be
canceled after another year's taxes are collected.
This covers the whole indebtedness — there being
no bonded del)t at all. Such favorable facts prove
-4-2L,-
that Greene County haB many attractions for home :
seekers. Lands are yet cheap, and immigrants from !
the over-crowded Eastern and Northern States can
certainly do much V^etter by coming to this country
than by going west to points beyond the improve-
ments of civilization. Capital is beiug rapidly
invested here, thus insuring employment to the
laborer. Here an industrious man with but small
capital may soon possess and own a home, where
society is good and the climate unexcelled; here he
may gain, by application and energy, just recogni-
tion, and here, too, may he avoid the tinancial
burdens which characterize other less- favored com-
munities.
The population of Greene County in 1860, in-
cluding what is now the Eastern district of Clay
County, was 5,654 — 189 of whom were colored.
The population of 1870, comprising the same terri-
tory, was 7,417 — 156 of whom were colored. The
population in 1880, embracing only the present
area of the county, was 7,405, of whom only 75
' were colored. Considering the recent rapid in-
crease by way of immigration, together with the
natural accession, it is safe to estimate the popula-
tion of the county at the present vwiting, at more
than double that of 1880.
The main line of the St. Louis, Iron Mountain
& Southern Railroad — completed about 1872 —
runs in a southwesterly direction across the north-
western portion of the county, a distance of nine
and three-fourth miles. The Helena branch of
the same road, finished in 1882, runs through in a
southeasterly and southerly course across the
entire county, by way of Gainesville, Paragould
and minor points, a distance of twenty-three miles.
The St. Louis, Arkansas & Texas Railroad, com-
pleted in 1882, passes through the entire county
in a southwesterly direction along the eastern side
of Crowley's Ridge, by way of Paragould and
other points, a distance of twenty- four miles and
2,904 feet. The Kansas City, Fort Scott & Mem-
phis Railroad, constructed in 1883, runs in a south-
easterly direction across the extreme southwestern
corner of the county, a distance of only 2,400 feet.
The Paragould & Buffalo Island Narrow Gauge
Railroad runs eastward from Paragould to the St.
Francis River, a distance of ten miles. It was
built in 1888, by a local company, for the purpose
of shipping out timber and lumlier. The combined
length of the llirough lines of railroad is fifty -seven
miles and 3,984 feet, which added to the ten miles
of narrow gauge road, makes over seventy-seven
miles of railway in the county.
The settlement of the territory now composing
Greene County began almut the year 1820. Ben-
jamin Crowley, grandfather of Hon. Benjamin H.
Crowley, and his family were the first settlers, and
their nearest neighbors were then at Pocahontas,
now the county seat of Randolph County. Crow-
ley's Ridge was named in honor of this pioneer
settler. The Pevehouse family, Wiley Hutchins,
Jerry Gage, Samuel Willcockson, the Robertsons
and J. W. Gage, were among the first settlers of
the Crowley neighborhood, which is some twelve
miles west of Paragould. William Pevehouse
was the first child born in the county, and his
brother, Wiley, and Hon. Ben. H. Crowley were
first among the next children born. James McDan-
iol and Jesse Payne were early settlers on Village
Creek. Isaiah Hampton and Lewis Bramlet set-
tled in 1848, four miles east of Gainesville. John
Mitchell, an early settler near Gainesville, put u))
the first cotton gin in the county, and Samuel
Wilcockson erected the first steam grist mill on
Crowley's Ridge, it being on Pojilar Creek in the
Crowley settlement. Parson William Nutt located
near Gainesville; and Aaron Bagwell, from whom
Bagwell Lake in the eastern part of the county
took its name, and C. G. Jones, after whom Jones
Ridge on the western border of the county is called,
were also early settlers.
The Bradshaws — noted hunters — settled on the
upper end of the ridge, iu what is now Clay
County, and A. J. Smith, "the great Arkansas
bear hunter." settled near the Bradshaws and mar-
ried into their family. He subsecpiently located
and cleared up a farm a few miles east of the pres
ent town of Paragould, where he lived until his
death. He was known far and near, and was the
most noted eccentric character in all of Northeast
em Arkansas, possessing many of the traits of the
famous Col Butv Crockett. He was a veritable
'Xl
116
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
backwoodsman, not accustomed to the finer com-
forts of advanced civilization. He owned slaves,
raised large numbers of cattle, and undoubtedly
killed more wild animals than any other man in
the State. He usually went bareheaded and bare
footed, with his collar opened and sleeves rolled
up, and nearly always carried with him his rifle,
shot pouch and large hunting knife. Upon his ap-
pearance in this plight he was much feared, espec-
ially by those not acquainted with him. He was,
however, kind and benevolent, brave and generous,
and had but few enemies, being a firm friend to
those he respected, but a dangerous man in a
quarrel.
On one occasion after having sold a herd of cat-
tle to Gov. "Jack" Drew, he went, equipped as
usual, to the governor's residence to collect his
pay. The governor happened to be absent. He
was met at the door by Mrs. Drew, who though
much frightened invited him to step in and take a
seat at the fire. He looked down and said he did
not like ' ' to step on that quilt. ' ' The carpet be-
ing loose he took it by the edge, folded it over and
then sprang across and took a chair near the fire.
Mrs. Drew felt convinced that her unwelcome
guest was a horse thief, and thereupon had his
horse put into the stable and locked, knowing that
her husband would return soon. On seeing the
latter she went out to meet him, and related the
appearance of the mysterious stranger, whereupon
the governor, with a hearty laugh, replied, "O!
that is Jack Smith, it's just like him."
Angeline, his wife, was an excellent shot with
the rifle, and often accompanied him on his hunt-
ing excursions. Once while returning home upon
a trail, desiring to " prowl around a little longer,"
he requested his companion not to wait for him.
Accordingly she rode on, but had not gone far un-
til the dogs — remaining with Jack — chased up a
huge bear, pursuing it so closely that it stopped
and turned its back against the roots of a fallen
tree, and began to cuff the dogs right and left.
Jack ran to their assistance, whereupon the bear,
having cowed the dogs, sprang forward and rushed
upon him. Jack in retreating, stumbled and fell.
Just at this critical moment, Angeline, who had
heard the confusion, wheeled her steed about, took
deliberate aim and shot and killed the monster
beast, thus saving her husband's life. Ever there-
after upon relating this incident, he never failed
to declare that Angeline was the best woman ever
created.
This gi-eat hunter generally wore ' ' buckskin
breeches." He was of a humorous disposition,
and on one occasion was visited by a party of well
dressed gentlemen from Memphis, who, upon seeing
the large quantity of peltry he had on hand, asked
how he came to be so successful in hunting. His
reply was that formerly when dressed in his buck-
skin trousers and other outfit, the animals, espec-
ially the deer, had become so well acquainted with
him that they knew him by sight, and were always
on the outlook for him, in consequence of which
he could not get near enough to shoot them. It
then occurred to him that he must change his
garb, and thus deceive the animals. So now, he
said, that upon approaching a herd of deer, the
sentinel buck seeing him would inform the rest
that there was no danger — that it was only some
finely dressed gentleman from Memphis, who was
harmless. In this way he claimed to delude the
deer, succeeding in killing a great many. The
numerous eccentricities, bear and deer hunts and
the like, of this famous hunter, if compiled would
make an interesting book on frontier life.
Wiley Clarkson was an early settler and hunt-
ing companion of Smith. The county settled very
slowly prior to 1855, but after that more rapidly
until the war period, during which time it received
no new comers. Soon after the war the growth in
population was renewed and continued gradual
until four years ago, since which time it has been
and still is very rapid. For additional mention
of settlers, with more specific dates, the reader is
referred to the biographical pages of this volume.
Greene County was organized in accordance
with an act of the legislature of Arkansas Terri-
tory, approved November 5. 1833, and was made
to embrace the territory it now comprises, except-
ing that portion lying west of Cache River, to-
gether with the whole of what is now the Eastern
district of Clay County, and a j)ortion of Craig-
5j^
head County, all formerly lielonging to Lawrence
County. When Clay County was formed in 1873,
that portion of Greene now lying west of the
Cache River was attached from Randolph County.
The original seat of justice was located about
1835, at a point five miles northeast of Gaines-
ville, and was named Paris. Here a log court-
house was erected and one or two stores opened.
Afterward the question of re-locating the county
seat was agitated, and of the different points com-
peting for it, the one where Gainesville is situated
gained the location, henco the name Gainesville.
To this place the seat of justice was moved about
the year 1840. A log court-house and subsequent-
ly a log jail were erected. The former was soon
abandoned and in its stead a three-story frame
court house, about thirty feet square, was con-
structed. The first floor of this building was
occupied with the county ofl[ices, the second with
the court-room, and the third with a Masonic hall.
The building, with a portion of the records, was
burned in 1874. A store room was then rented
for a court- house, and soon thereafter, in the
same year, it was, with all the balance of the
records, also burned. These buildings were sup-
posed to have been set on fire by certain parties,
that the records, noting their rather questionable
conduct, might be destroyed. This led to the
shooting and killing of Sheriff Wright, by a citizen
whom the people justified by not prosecuting.
Two other persons, supposed to bo implicated in
the crime of burning the buildings, were arrested
and placed in jail, from which they escaped and
were not afterward apprehended. One of them,
it is said, confessed his guilt.
The next court-house was another store room,
which, with all accumulated records, was burned
in 1876, presumably by an incendiary resting un-
der indictments for crime. A one-story frame
court-house was then erected, and continued to
be used until 1884, when the county seat was
removed from Gainesville to its present site, at
Paragould. In 1884 the one story frame build-
ing now standing east of the court-house square
was erected for a temporary court-house. In 1888
the present beautiful and well-proportioned two-
story brick building, with the halls and oUices on
the first floor and the court-room on the second,
was erected by Contractors Boone and Mcfxinnis,
at a cost of $14,700. The clock in the tower cost
$700 more. In 1877 the same contractors l)uilt
the present two-story jail, containing four iron
cells or rooms, and the jailer's residence, at a cost
of $7,000.
Following is a list of the names of the county
officers of Greene County from its organization to
the present, together with the term of service of
each:
Judges: I. Brooktield, 1833-35; W. Hanes,
1835-36; George Daniel, 1836-1838; L. Thomp
son, 1838-40; J. M. Cooper, 1840-42; H. Powell,
1842-44; N. Mmphree, 1844-46; J. M. Coopei.
1846^8; C. G. Steele, 1848-50; H. T. Allen,
1850-52; J. Bellinger, 1852-54; H. T. Allen,
1854-60; T. Clark, 1860-64; J. J. Wood, 1864-
66; H. T. Allen, 1866-68; A. Seagroves, 1868-
72; David Thorn. 1874-76; J. P. Culver. 1876-78;
J. McDauiel, 1878-80; M. C. Gramling, 1880-82;
J. O'Steen, 1882-88; W. C. Jones, present in
cumbent, elected 1888.
Clerks: L. Thompson, 1833-36; G. L. Mar-
tin, 1836-38; H. L. Holt, to November. 1838: J.
L. Atchison, 1838-44; H. L. Evans, 1844-46; H.
Powell, 1846-50; M. T. C. Lumpkins, 1850-54;
J. W. McFarlaud, 1854-56; L. B. McNeil. 1S56-
I 58; H. W. Glasscock, 1858-64; R. H. Gardner.
I 1864-68; E. R. Seeley, 1868-72; D. B. Warren,
j 1872-82; R. H. Gardner, 1882-88; T. B. Kitch-
ens, present incumbent, elected in 1888.
Sheritt's: James Brown. 1833-34; Charles Rob-
ertson, 1834-36; J. Stotts, 1836-38; J. Clark,
1838-44; J. R, Ragsdale, 1844-46; A. F. Puryer.
1846-48: J. Clark. 1S4S-50: William Pevehouse,
1850-52; W. M. Peebles, IS52-58; F. S. White,
1858-62; A. Eubanks. 1862-64: F. S. White.
1864-68; M. Wright, 1868-72; M. C. Gramling.
1872-74: J. P. WiUcocU.son. 1S74-76: J. A. Owen.
1876-77; F. S. White. 1877-80; T. R, WiUcock
son, 1880-84; J. M. Hightield, 1884-86; T. H.
Willcockson, present incumbent, first elected in
1886.
Treasurers: James Katchford 1S36-38: H. X.
' >
118
HLSTORY OF ARKANSAS.
Reynolds, 1840-42; G. W . Hurley. 1842-44: M.
Carter, 1844-46; J. W. Poole, 1846-52; C. G.
Jones, 1852-54; W. Meredith, 1854-56: J. Payne,
1856-58: T. H. Wyse. 1858-62; C. Wall, 1862-
64; M. C. Gramling, 1864-66; Alex. Wood, 1866-
68; Sam Newberiy, 1868-72: R. Jackson. 1S72-
76; H. C. Swindle, 1876-78; G. W. Stevenson,
1878-80;* R. Jackson, 1880-84: J. N. Johnson,
1884-86; H. S. Trice, jiresent incumbent, first
elected in 1886.
Coroners: J. Sutfin, 1833-35; J. Fowler, 1835
-36; John Anderson, 1838-42: P. K. Lester,
1842-44; J. Lawrence, 1844-46; J. Hunt, 1846-
48; W. H. Mack, 1848-50; R. W. Dorsey, 1850-
54; J. S. Hibbs, 1854-56; M. McDaniel, 1856-58;
A. P. Bobo, 1858-60; H. B. Wright, 1860-64: J.
R. Gentry, 1864-66; H. Jackson, 1866-68: L.
Steadman, 1868-72; J. H. Dudley, 1872-74: E.
Daniels, 1874-76; J. A. Little, 1876-78: W. M.
McKay, 1878-80; J. W. Hardy, 1880-82: J. R.
Gross, 1882-84; V. Looney, 1884-86; J. M. Ham-
mond, 1886-88; B. Terrell, present incumbent,
elected in 1888.
Surveyors; G. Hall, 1833-36; William Hatch,
1838-40; J. J. Johusou; 1840-42; J. B. B. Moore,
1842-44: James Mitchell, 1844-56; E. M. Allen,
1856-58; W. C. Reyburn, 1858-60; R. G. Mc-
Leskey, 1860-62; J. P. Harris, 1862-64: R. C.
Mack, 1864-66; L. M. Wilson, 1866-68: J. See-
ley, 1870-72; R. H. Gardner, IS72-82: O. S.
Newsom, 1882-88; Len Merriweather, present in-
cumbent, elected in 1888.
Assessors: R. H. Gardner, 1859-62: T. C.
Murphy, 1862-64; H. W. Glasscock, 1864-66;
M. C. Gramling, 1866-68; D. J. Edwards, 1868-
70; P. G. Straughn, 1870-72; W. F. Clements,
1872-74; W. S. Ledbotter, 1874-76; J. Huckabay,
1876-78; J. F. Lytle, 1878-80; P. G. Light,
1880-84: J. R. Thompson, 1884-88; E. L. Bab-
bett, present incumbent, elected in 1888.
Representatives of Greene County in constitu-
tional conventions: G. L. Martin, January 4 to
13, 1836; J. W. Bush, March 4 to 21, and'May 6
to June 3, 1861; Benjamin H. Crowley, July 14,
to October 31, 1874. "
*R. Jackson on resignation of Stevenson.
Representatives in general assembly; Alex.
Tucker was the first representative of the county
in the State legislature, and Hon. A. P. Cos is the
present one. The Senatorial district, composed of
Greene. Clay and Craighead Counties, is repre-
sented in the State Senate by Hon. Ben. H.
Crowley.
To show the political aspect of the county the
vote cast therein for the candidates for governor at
the September election in 1888 is here given, it
being as follows: J.P.Eagle, Democrat, 1,378 votes;
C. M. Norwood, combined opposition, 841 votes.
Upon the organization of Greene County and
prior to the location of the original county seat,
courts were held at the house of Mr. Crowley the
first settler, as before mentioned, on Crowley's
Ridge. A portion of the time the sessions were
held in the house and. also, under the adjacent
trees. It is said that the judge of the circuit court,
after charging the grand jury, usually sent them in
charge of the sheriff or bailiff under a certain white
oak tree to make their deliberations. Since those
days the courts have been held in the various court
houses elsewhere described. The regular terms
of the county court commence on the first Monday
in January, April, July and October, and of the
probate court on the third Monday of the same
months in each year. The regular terms of the
circuit court have heretofore commenced on the
first Monday of February and August of each year,
but probably the last legislature has slightly
changed the time. This court has not been over-
biu'dened with murder trials, as but few murders
have been committed within the county. No one
has ever been executed in Greene County for a
capital offense except one person who killed an
individual in another county, and was brought
here and tried on a change of venue.
The following are the resident members of the
legal bar of Greene County: Hon. L. L. Mack,
Judge J. E. Reddick. now on the bench; Hon.
Ben. H. Crowley, J. B. Boykin, A. P. Mack, W.
S. Luna, Eugene Parrish, W. W. Bandy, S. R.
Simpson, A. Knox and J. F. Lytle. Mention of
many prominent citizens of the county is also
made in subsequent pages.
At the outbreak of the Civil War of 1801-65,
the citizens of Greene County, being mostly immi-
gi'ants or descendants of immigrants from the
former slave-holding States, were found to be
almost to a man, in full sympathy with the South-
ern cause, and consequently lent their energies to
sustain it. As might be expected great excitement
then prevailed, and in the spring of 1861 Capt.
W. G. Bohaning raised a full company of soldiers
mostly in the territory now composing Cireenc
County, for the First Regiment of Arkansas Con-
federate Infantry. Soon thereafter Capt. J. L.
Kuykendall formed another company in the same
territoiy for the same regiment, and later Capt.
D. G. Byers recruited a company for the Twenty
Fifth Regiment of Arkansas Confederate Infantry.
In 1864 Capts. Park Willcockson, John McHenry
and H. W. Glasscock, each raised a company of
cavalry in Greene County for Maj. J. F. Davies'
liattalion of Col. Kitchens' regiment. The pop-
ulation being then small, these were the only or-
ganized bodies of soldiers raised in that part of the
county as it is now composed. Other troops were
obtained in that portion since set off to Clay. No
skirmishes or l)attles took place in the county dur-
ing the war, and it was but little over-run with
soldiers, consequently not suffering the devasta-
tions incident to many other counties in the State.
Only two Federal commands, together with a
few small scouting parties, passed through the
county, and as a result the people fortunately es-
caped the raids of foragers; owing also to their
unanimity of sentiment, there was but very little
l)ushwhacking done. In addition to the com-
panies above mentioned some individuals went out
of the county and enlisted in other commands.
Notwithstanding the natural preferences of the
people here in the war period, they are now vieing
with the immigrants from both North and South,
in developing the resources of this section. Uni-
versal peace and harmony prevail, and all just and
upright newcomers are received with a hearty wel-
come. The survivors of both armies have organ-
ized an association in Paragould known as the
"Blue and Gray" — there being many ex-Federal
soldiers among the recent arrivals in the countv.
and together they meet and rejoice that the con-
flict is forever settled, and that while they were
enemies in war they are friends in peace.
(ireene is well supplied with villages, towns,
postotlices. etc.. as the following facts indicate:
Bethel is a postoffice and flag station on the
railroad, five miles south of Paragould.
Crowley is a postoffice twelve miles northwest
of Paragould.
Finch is a postoffice ten miles southwest of
Paragould.
Gainesville, on the Helena branch of the St.
Louis, Iron Mountain & Southern Railroad, eight
miles north of Paragould, formerly the seat of
justice for Greene County, was established about
the year 1840. In 184t) it contained a log court-
house, two store buildings and five dwelling houses
— all log except one dwelling house, which was a
frame, sided up with clapboards. The town has ever
been of slow growth, but situated as it is in a good
community far from other villages, it is a point of
considerable trade, containing four general stores,
one drug store, four family groceries, two black-
smith shops, one steam grist mill and cotton-gin
combined, two hotels, one printing office, from
which is published the Greene County Event, by
F. M. Dalton, one livery stable, two church edi-
fices— Cumberland Presbyterian and Methodist-
one public school-house, three physicians, and one
lawyer, the latter being the Hon. J. E. Reddiek,
present judge of the circuit court of this judicial
circuit.
Halliday, a postoffice and flag station on tlie
"Cotton Belt" Railroad, is six miles north of
Paragould.
Herndon is a postoffice in the so\ithwost part of
the county.
Lorado, also but a postoffice, is in the south-
west part of the county.
Marmaduke, a town of about 200 inhabitants on
the " Cotton Belt" Railroad, twelve miles north-
east of Paragould, contains four stores, a black
smith shop, cotton gin and press, church, school
house, a saw-mill and boarding house. From lierc
a tramway is run a mile out on the St. Franci.-^
River, where other mills are located. The village
\
2iJ«
120
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
was first laid out in 1882 by the Railroad Company.
Paragould, the county seat of Greene County,
situated at the connection and crcssiug of the St.
Louis, Arkansas & Texas and the St. Louis,
Iron Mountain & Southern Railroads, was laid
out in April, 1882, by the Southwestern Improve-
ment Company, Willis Pruet and wife and J. A.
Laml)ert and wife. It was named after President
Paramore of the former and President Gould of
the latter of these routes, the name Gould being
substituted for the last syllable of Paramore, mak-
ing it Paragould. The town has grown rapidly, and
in the seven years of its existence has attained a
population of about 2,000. It contains the Greene
County Bank, nine general stores, five family
groceries, four drug stores, one hardware, saddlery
and farm implement store, six saloons, two baker-
ies, two millinery stores, four hotels and many
boarding houses, two livery stables, two butcher
shops, one shoe, four blacksmith and one foundry
shop, five stave factories, three saw-mills, one
cotton gin, a feed store, photograph galleries, bar-
ber shops, laundry and many other industries, four
church edifices --Methodist, Baptist, Cumberland
Presbyterian and Christian, a public school-house,
seven physicians, three dentists, a lodge each of
Masons, Odd Fellows, Knights of Honor, Knights
of Pythias and a Post of the G. A. R. ; also these
newspapers — the Paragould Evening Times, pub-
lished daily, by W. A. H. McDaniel, editor and pro-
prietor; the Record, published weekly, by Messrs.
Taylor & Carter, the Press recently being consoli
dated with this journal. In politics the entire
press of the county is Democratic, but the papers
are published in the interest of the people, and are
doing their best to promote and increase the pros-
perity of the county. Near Paragould on the west
side are situated the grounds and buildings of the
"Greene County Fair Association," which held
its second annual exhibition in October, 1888.
Paragould is incorporated as a city, and has a mayor,
recorder, marshal, and a board of five aldermen.
The present officers ai'e H. W. Glasscock, mayor:
T. P. Cole, recorder; John M. Winder, marshal.
A vast amount of capital is here invested. The
town is beautifully located, and its growth is rapid
and permanent. It is surroimded by a good agri-
cultural and stock-raising country, which insures its
future pi'osperity. The Bank of Paragould which
was organized on March 19, 1889, is deserving of
mention. It was incorporated with C. Wall,
president, E. S. Bray, cashier, and A. A. Knox as
secretary of the board of directors. The directors
are as follows: Dr. C. Wall, A. Berteg, A. P.
Mack, W. H. Jones, J. W. Crawford, D. D.
Hodges and A. A. Knox. They have a capital
stock of $30,000. The new bank building, which
is a neat two-story structure located on the corner
of Pruet and Emerson streets, was completed and
occupied on the 1st of July, 1889.
Stonewall, a post village on the Iron Mountain
Railroad, fourteen miles north of Paragould, con-
tains a store, saw-mill and shingle factory.
Tilmanville is a postoffice fifteen miles north
of Paragould.
Walcott is a postoffice twelve miles west of
Paragould.
As was common throughout Arkansas in early
days, the pioneer schools of Greene County were
"few and far between," and of the most inferior
nature. A few of the pioneer settlers employed
such teachers as could be obtained for what might
be considered ordinary laborers' wages, and thus
afforded some meager facilities for the educa-
tion of their childi'en. Though the State had a
school system, there were practically no free schools
prior to the inauguration of the present school sys-
tem, which has taken place since the Civil War.
Owing to the inadequate facilities for education,
many of the citizens of the county reached their
manhood without ever attending school. The
children of this generation have great advantages
over those of their parents. Seven years ago, as
shown by reports of the State superintendent of
public instruction, there were thirty-nine school
districts organized in Greene County, with only
seven* wood school-houses, to accommodate a
scholastic population of 2,191. The following
statistics, taken fi'om the superintendent's report
for the year ending June 30, 1888, will show the
improvements since made within the temtory:
*Tbere were perhaps others not reported.
^.
The white schoolchildren number 4,387; col-
ored, 14; total, 4,401. The minil)er taught in
the public schools is: White, 2,219; colorc'd, none;
number of school districts, 59; number of teachers
employed, males, 37; females, 14; total, 51;
average monthly wages paid teachers of the first
grade, males, $42.50; females, $37.50; second
grade, males, |40; females. $85; third grade, males,
$32.50; females, $30; frame and log school-houses
reported, 28, valued at $4,338. 75; revenue rai.sed
for the support of common schools, $18,957.09;
amount expended, $9,690.58; amount unexpended,
$9,260.51. These figures show a great increase
over those of seven years ago. The schools are
increasing in number and quality — the wages paid
being sufficient to secure teachers of good ability.
The figures show also that of the scholastic pop
ulation of the county only a little over one-half
were taught in the public schools, which is con
elusive that the people do not as yet fully sustain
and patronize the free school system. However,
the outlook for popular education is encouraging.
A. Knox is the present county examiner.
Religious meetings were held, and preaching
was had in Greene County soon after it was or-
ganized, and from the best information obtainable
societies of the Methodist and Baptist denomina-
tions were probably formed during the 40' s. The
Methodist Episcopal Church. South, has now at
least seventeen organizations within the county.
The Paragould circuit consists of the following:
Mount Carmel, Pleasant Grove, New Bethel,
Wood's Chapel, a congregation four miles west
of Paragould, and Greensboro and Pine Log, in
Craighead County, with Itev. W. W. Anderson,
pastor in charge. Lorado circuit consists of Pleas-
ant Hill, Shady Grove, Warren's and Owen's
Chapels, Old Bethel and Salem, with Rev. T. B.
Williamson, pastor in charge. Gainesville circuit
includes Friendship, Hurricane, Harvey's Chapel,
Starne's (Jhapol. Scatter Creek, Beech Grove and
Strong's Chapel, with Rev. N. W. Farrar. pastor
in charge. Another congregation in the eastern
part of the county, belongs to an outside circuit.
Rev. W. W. Watson is pastor of the charge com-
posed of Gainesville and Oak Grove, and Rev.
J. C. Ritter is pastor of the charge at Paragouhl.
The Bai>tist(*hurch has at least fourteen organ-
izations within th(> county, one of which is the
colored church at Paragould. Tin- others are
named New Providence, Friendship. Liberty.
Epsaby, Fairview, Unity, New Hop(>, Rock Hill,
Pleasant Grove, Cedar Hill, Mount Zion, Para
gould, and another, name not learned. New
Providence, Friendship, Fairview, New Hope, and
perhaps others, were organized long before the
Civil War. All of these organizations have an
average membership of about fifty, and the Meth-
odist denomination is about equal in strength.
Elders David Thorn, Lively, W. C. Jackson,
Faulkner, J. T. Edmonds, and Halcomb are the
ministers now officiating at these several churches,
all of which are designated as Missionary Baptists.
The several organizations of the Christian
Church within the county are known as Paragould,
Pine Knot, Sugar Creek, Gainesville and Liberty,
with a combined membership of nearly 400. Pine
Knot was organized in a very early day — long
before the Civil War. and has had a very large
membership. Liberty, which was organized in
1879, was composed mostly from the membership
of Pine Knot. The Christian Church in Para
gould was organized in 1885.
The organizations of the Cumberland Presby-
terian Church within Greene County are known as
Gainesville, Friendship and Paragould, the latter
having been organized in 1884. The one at or
near Gainesville was organized early in the 80' s.
In point of numbers this is probably the weakest
denomination in the county. There are no Roman
Catholic organizations here, but this sect is pre-
paring to build a church edifice in Paragould.
Nearly all of the church organizations named
have houses of their own in which to worship, and
all, except a few not supplied with pastors, have
regular preaching, and are doing good work. In
the summer season Sunday-schools are connected
with them, but only a few in the more populous
districts continue throughout the year.
The people of (ireene County are almost with-
out exception moral, law abiding, kind, generous
and hospitable, and welcome anil protect all de-
122
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
serving immigrants that come among them. Here
the opportunities for securing a home in a com
paratively new country, where the climate is mild,
the railroad facilities good, churches and schools
numerous, all without the inconveniences of front-
ier lite, are unexcelled.
W. T. Allison was born on the 25th of Decem-
ber, 1850, in Gibson County, Tenn., being the
eldest of six children, two now living, born to
John W. and Elizabeth (Harrington) Allison, who
were born in the ' ' Old North State ' ' and emigrated
to Gibson County, Tenn., in 1828, where the
father engaged in cabinet making and farming,
and made his home until 1867, when he moved to
Weakley County, Tenn. , where he now resides. In
1802 he enlisted in the army and served imder
Gen. Forrest until nearly the close of the war.
He is a Democrat. His wife died in 1801. W.
T. Allison attended the schools of Gib.son County,
and in his youth also followed the plow, which
occupation has been his chief calling ever since.
In January, 1876, he removed to Stoddard County,
Mo., and for a number of years was engaged in
teaching school in Dexter and other places. While
there he was married on the 8th of May, 1879, to
Miss Minnie A. Walker, a native of Carroll County,
Tenn. , and a daughter of John and Sarah (Gib-
bons) Walker, also Tennesseeans and farmers by
occupation; after residing in Stoddard County,
Mo., for five years, the father died in 1877. The
mother is still a resident of that county. Remain-
ing in Stoddard County until the 5th of Sep-
tember, 1882, Mr. Allison and wife then moved
to Craighead County of this State, and after work-
ing as salesman in that county until March, 1888,
he came to Greene County, Ark., and i)urchased
two years later eighty acres of improved land,
to which he has since added 122 acres, making
202 acres in all, of which forty are under culti-
vation. He has taken an active part in politics,
and votes the Democratic ticket, being the present
justice of the peace and is filling his second term.
Socially, ho is a member of the Agricultural Wheel
at Halliday, and he and wife belong to the Baptist
Church. Three of the four children born to their
union are living: Clyde Eugenia, Dero Dean, and
Vernie Pearl. Adolphus Burdette died in 1881 at
the age of six months and three weeks. Mr. Alli-
son is still engaged in teaching, having followed
that occupation a part of four years in Greene
County, and is considered one of the successful
educators of his district.
T. J. Archer. Among the many sturdy "sons
of the soil ' ' of Greene County, Ark. who have
attained wealth and prominence in their calling by
the sweat of their brow, and who command an en-
viable social position, is Mr. Archer, the subject of
this biograpliy. He was born in Alabama in 1S47
and is the youngest in a family of nine children
born to the marriage of Eev. Philip Archer and
Artemisa Maxwell. The father, in connection with
his ministerial duties, was engaged in farming,
and followed these two occupations until his death
which occurred on the 10th of August, 1808, his
death being preceded by that of his wife by
twenty-one years. The paternal grandfather left
Alabama and settled in Arkansas during the early
history of that State, being an extensive farmer for
many years. His death occurred very suddenly.
T. J. Archer was reared to farm labor, and at the
age of twenty-one years married Miss Lenora
Amorine, of Alabama, and two years later came to
Arkansas, settling first in Polk County, remaining
one year, and then went to Monroe County, where
he stopped five years. Since 1875 he has resided
in Greene County, and the first few years was
engaged in tilling rented land, and since 18S5 has
been the owner of 160 acres of land near the
Cache bottoms, which was at first wild land but is
now well improved, with seventy-five aci-es under
fence and cultivation. His land is among the best
in this section and is devoted principally to raising
corn and cotton. To the union of Mr. and Mrs.
Archer have been born the following children:
Philip William Thomas, who is married and resides
on his father's place; Benjamin O. , Adolphus,
Osceola, Thome and Moses Ray, living; and Jolin,
Ida, Eldora and Daniel, deceased.
H. L. Ayers, a wealthy farmer of Greene
County, Ark., was born in Bedford County, Tenn.,
^^
V
U^r.
Craibhcao Couhty, Arkansas.
♦
GREENE COUNTY.
123
in 1858, jitul is the second in a family of four chil-
li ion born to the miirriage of Frank and Loddie
(^\'illiams) Ayers, tho former a native of Pennsyl-
vania and the latter of Tennessee. At the early
age of eight years H. L. Ayers loft home and
began depending on his own resources for obtain-
ing a livelihood, and up to the age of seventeen
years worked on farms and did teaming. In 187U
he was married in Gibson County, Tenn., to Miss
Addie Rosson, who was born, reared and educated
in that State, being a daughter of Joiin Rosson,
who was known as one of the best farmers in West
Tennessee, his farm of 300 acres being valued at
|i),000. After his marriage, Mr. Ayers worked
with his father-in-law until 1883, when he made a
trip to Arkansas and traveled over the greater ]X)r-
tion of that State, as well as Missouri, the Indian
Territory, Texas, New Mexico, Louisiana and
Mississippi. After one year he returned to M'est
Tennessee, and at the end of one year went to
Fulton County, Ky., where he resided two years.
In August, 1886, he moved his family to Greene
County, Ark. , where he engaged in the teaming
business, which he followed for two years, and then
acted as stave inspector for J. F. Hasty & Son for
one year. He next began farming on a tract of
IfiO acres of land in Greene County in December,
1S88, and on this he immediately began to make
improvements, and has introduced many new
methods of farming. He has thirty-five acres in
corn, fifteen in oats, thirty-five in rye and oats for
pastiu'e, and two in |)otatoes. On this farm is a
tine orchard of 540 trees, mostly peach, beside a
tine assortment of other fruit. He is doing well
in his calling and promises to become in time a
wealthy man. He and wife are the jjarents of one
daughter, Lizzie May.
Josej>h Bleier, proprietor of the Vienna Bakery,
at Paragould, was born in Bohemia, Austria,
December 17, JS4f5, and is the son of Ignatz and
Anna (Freitle) Bleier, also natives of Austria.
The parents are still living in their native country,
and the father follows the occupation of a farmer.
In their family were eight children: Joseph,
Frank, Robert, Ignatz. John and Otto (twins),
Barbara and Anna. Joseph Bleier received his
education in Austria, and remained on the farm
with his father until fourteen years of age, when
he began learning the baker's trade. In 1807,
when in his twc'ntieth year, he took i)a8sage from
Bremen to America on the steamer ' ' Ocean, ' '
which was stranded one year later, and lauded at
New York City. He came on to Cincinnati, where
he worked for about eight years itj and around the
city. He then went to Chicago, remained there
about three years and then engaged in business
for himself at Joliet, 111. In 1880 he came to
Paragould and immediately engaged in his present
business, at which he has been very successful.
He is an excellent Ijaker and keej)8 a good stock of
everything carried in his line. He was married in
October, 1873, to Miss Mary Gaker, a native of
Hamilton County, O. , and a daughter of John and
Rosa (Schleer) Gaker, who were natives of Ger-
many and early settlers of Ohio. To Mr. and Mrs.
Bleier have been born five children, three now liv-
ing: John K. , Frank and Joseph E. The two
deceased were Robert and Mathew. Mr. and Mrs.
Bleier are members of the Catholic Church.
E. M. Bobo. Among Greene County's self-
made, enterprising and successful citizens, none
deserve more favorable mention than the subject
of this sketch, E. M. Bobo, who was born in South
Carolina in 1840. His father, A. P. Bobo, came
from the Palmetto State to Arkansas in 1857, and
entered 160 acres of land, upon which he lived
engaged in farming and stock raising until his
death in 1S86. He was held in favor by his fel-
low farmers, and was for two years coroner of^
Greene County. Of his family of seven children,
two sons and five daughters, four are still living,
one in North Carolina, two in Texas, and one in
Arkansas. They are Mary (Bobo) Prince, E. M.
Bobo, Virginia (Bobo) Swindle, and Spotana
(Bobo) Love. E. M. Bobo was seventeen years of
age when he came with his father to this State,
where he has since made his home. He has about
154 acres of laud, with eighty under cultivation,
forty of which he has cleared himself, and his farm
is well stocked with horses, cattle, hogs and fine
sheep. October 2. 1861, Mr. Bobo enlisted in
the Fifth Arkansas Infantrv, and though twice
124
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
wounded, continued in service during the entire
war. He and wife have reared a family of nine
children: M. A., horn in 1862: Matilda, horn in
186(3; G. M., born in 1867; Olive, horn in l«6y,
Victoria, born in 1871; Arthur E., born in 1872;
J. E.. born in 1874; Alice, horn in 1875, and Ada,
in 1878. Mr. Boho belongs to the Agricultural
Wheel, and he and wife and family are active
members of the Methodist Church.
M. W. Boyd (deceased) was an enterprising
and industrious farmer of Greene County, Ark.
He was born in Tennessee on the l'2th of October,
1846, and came to Arkansas with his father when
a child, where the latter died shortly after. In
1868 M. W. Boyd was united in the bonds of
matrimony to Miss M. J. McMillin. who was born
in the "Palmetto State" and came to Arkansas
with her parents, W. P. and Adaline (Cooley) Mc-
Millin in 1853, settling on what is known as the
old Willcockson estate, consisting of 500 acres.
Here Mr. McMillin greatly improved his farm,
became a well-known citizen of the county, and
died on the 19th of May, 1862. After his marriage
Mr. Boyd began improving his farm on an exten-
sive scale by erecting good buildings, setting out
orchards, etc., and did considerable in the way of
stock raising. He was interested in all things that
promised to promote the welfare of his section, and
was a liberal contributor to churches and schools.
He died on the 27th of May, 1885, leaving his
wife and children one of the beat farms in the
county, on which is a roomy and substantial
dwelling-house, surrounded by ornamental trees
and shrubbery. Mrs. Boyd is ably managing the
farm, and besides the usual crops is engaged in
raising cotton. She and Mr. Boyd became the
parents of the following childi-en; Onie, Alice,
Clara and Selma.
E. S. Bray, postmaster at Paragould, and cash-
ier of the Bank of Paragould, is classed among
the prominent and successful business men of that
town. He was born in Chatham County, N. C,
and is the son of Solomon and Sarah (Brooks)
Bray, natives of North Carolina, where they passed
their entire lives. They were the parents of nine
children, seven now living, three in North Carolina,
two in Tennessee, and two in Arkansas. E. S.
Bray was but a lad when his parents died, and he
went to live with an elder brother in Tennessee,
where he remained until grown. He received his
education in that State and remained engaged in
assisting on the farm until 1878, when he came to
Arkansas. Previous to this, in 186U, he married
Miss Margaret E. Cox, a native of Tennessee, and
after coming to Arkansas he located three miles
from Paragould and followed agricultural pursuits
until July 14, 1885, when he was appointed post-
master. He is the owner of 440 acres of good
land with about fifty acres under cultivation, and
has made many improvements since purchasing
the farm. He has been magistrate for a number
of years, and was one of the enumerators of the
census of Greene County in 1880. He is a mem-
ber of the Masonic Fraternity, and represented
his lodge at the Grand Lodge. He is also a
member of the K. of P. He and wife belong to
the Baptist Church.
William B. Breckenridge. Few men in the
county have made agricultural pursuits such a de-
cided success, or have kept more thoroughly apace
with the times, than has the above mentioned
gentleman, Mr. Breckenridge, who was lioru in
Missouri, on Castor River, March 13, 1843, and
who is the son of James Harvey and Susan (Huff-
stettler) Breckenridge, the parents of European
descent. In 1844 Mr. and Mrs. Breckenridge left
Missouri and located in Arkansas near the farm
where their son, William B. , is now residing.
Here the father tilled the soil until his death,
which occurred in 1888, the day he was sixty-sis
years old. He enlisted in the Confederate service
in 1864, and was with Gen. Price on his raid
through Missouri. He was a member of the Metho
dist Episcopal Church, South. He had been mar-
ried three times, his second marriage being to Miss
Maggie Light, a native of Missouri, who died one
year later. He then married Miss Mary Ann Batto,
and the result was a large family of children. One
child was born to the second union, l)ut it died in
infancy. William B. Breckenridge was but ten years
of age when his mother died, and he was the eldest of
five children: William B., A. (t., Eli Greene, James
^
Jd-
l^
GREENE COUNTY.
125
Franklin, and Jane (deceased). The mother of these
children was a worthy member of the Methodist
Episcopal Church, South. The eldest of the above
mentioned family reached manhood on the farm,
and at the age of nineteen years began tilling
the soil for himself, which occupation he has
carried on ever since. At the beginning of the
war he enlisted in the Confederate army, was at
the battles of Corinth, luka and Port Hudson, and
was soon after paroled and returned home. In
1S63 he married Miss Sarah E. Mielar, a native of
Tennessee, born in 1S43, and who came to Arkan-
sas with her parents, John and Ann Mielar, in
1 851 , when a child. Both her parents are deceased.
To Mr. and Mrs. Breckenridge were born twelve
children, four of whom are deceased. The chil-
dren are named as follows: James Henry, William
Lee. Mary Jane (wife of Ezekiel Williams), Sarah A.
(wife of James Branch), Minnie A., Edward Jef-
ferson, Eli Blanton, Arra Frances, and Charles
McCarsy. Those deceased were named James Hen-
ry, Samantha, Vira and Joseph R. The family are
members of the Methodist Episcopal Church,
South. Mr. Breckenridge is an active worker in
school matters, and a liberal contributor to all public
enterprises reflecting credit on the community in
which he has made his home. His father had live
brothers and three sisters : John I. , Thomas
W.. James H., Mary (Chrits), a widow, Sarah,
David I., Andrew J. (who moved to Wright
County, Mo., in 1879, and died in 1880), Anne,
(Taylor), a widow, and Jackson. Those not liv-
ing were active, enterprising farmers of Northeast
Arkansas, and m\ich esteemed. They left a
large number of cousins, among whom is W. B.
Breckenridge, our subject. His wife's brothers
and sisters are: Nicholas M. Mielar, Sarah E. ,
Milliam H. , Neuben R., James R.. Louisa A..
Lucy A., Nancy C, Arra S., and Mary E.
Daniel W. Breckenridge. who is one of the
sturdy sons of toil of Crowley Township, and the
son of David and Caroline (Yoekum) Breckenridge.
was born in Greene County, Ark., in 1856, and
grew to manhood in that county. His parents
were natives of North Carolina, where they re-
mained until about 1838, and then moved to Mis-
souri, coining from there to Arkansas, where the
father died in 1877 at the age of fifty-five years.
He was a soldier in the late war, on the Confed-
erate side, and served until cessation of hostilities.
He took an active part in church and school affairs.
He was married four times; first to Miss Kinder,
who bore him four children, all deceased, and after
her death he married Miss Caroline Yoekum, and
by her became the father of six children, three
now living: James D., Daniel W. and Sarah C,
now Mrs. Taylor. Those deceased were named
Malinda Ann, Nancy J. and Julia Aim. After his
second wife's death Mr. Breckenridge married
again, and five children were the result of this
union: One deceased, Parthenia, Amelia J., Elihu
and Parris. The one deceased was named George
W. Daniel W. Breckenridge, the fourth child by
the second marriage, attained his majority in his
native county, and commenced working for himself
at the age of twenty-one. He followed tilling the
soil on the farm given him by his father at the
time of his death, and there he has remained ever
since. He was man'ied in 1878 to Mrs. Maria
Spain, a native of Tennessee, born in 1848, and
who came to Arkansas when twenty-two years of
age. She is the daughter of Hugh Spain, now de-
ceased, but her mother is still living and is a
resident of the ' 'Lone Star" State. To Mr. and
Mrs. Breckenridge were born six children: Rufus
W., Victoria A., Ezra E. and Willie P. Two are
deceased (unnamed). Mr. Breckenridge is active
in school matters, having been school director for
ten or twelve years, and is a Democrat in politics.
He is the owner of a tine farm, well under cultiva- *
tion.
M. D. Bridges. In giving a brief sketch of
the life of Mr. Bridges it can with truth be said
that he is one of the foremost men of his county,
and has become one of the wealthy planters of his
region by honest toil and good management and
by the aid and advice of his admirable wife. He
was born in Dunklin County, Mo., in 1804, and
was the sixth in a family of ten children born to
Amherst D. and Charlotte (Russell) Bridges, who
were also born in Kentucky and at an early day
emigrated to Dunklin County, Mo., where they
-^-^
126
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
are now residing. Here M. D. Bridges was born,
reared and educated, and as his father was a mer-
chant and farmer by occupation, he first worked
on the farm and then clerked in his store. Later
he engaged in the saloon business at St. Francis,
Mo., and after following that calling for about
eighteen months sold out, and on the 15th of
March, 1887, came to Greene County, Ark. The
same year he was married, in Clay County of
this State, to Mrs. Theodocia Nolen, widow of
David Nolen, and soon after moved to his present
farm, which consists of 280 acres of arable land,
with about 160 under cultivation. In addition to
this he has forty acres under cultivation in Clay
County, the most of which he devotes to the rais-
ing of cotton. This year (1889) he had seventy-
five acres in cotton, and also raises considerable
stock. He has never been very active in politics
but usually votes the Democratic ticket; he is ever
deeply interested in the proper education of the
youth of this country, and has always been a
patron of education, being now a member of the
school board. Socially he is a member of Four
Mile Lodge No. 412, A. F. & A. M., and also be-
longs to Pittsburg Lodge No. 273, I. O. O. F., at
Campbell, Mo. Mr. and Mrs. Bridges are the par-
ents of one son, Andy Lee.
C. J. Brinkman, a member of the firm of John
F. Brinkman A Son, manufacturers of tight bar-
rel staves, Paragould, is a native of Batesville,
Ripley Co. , Ind. , and the son of John F. Brink-
man, who is also of Indiana nativity. The mother,
Catharine (Kipper) Brinkman, was born in Ba-
varia, Germany, and was married to Mr. Brink-
man April 28, 1863. The fruits of this union
were eleven children, seven of whom yet survive.
John F. Brinkman engaged in the lumber busi-
ness in his youth, and bought walnut lumlier for a
large furniture factory. In the fall of 18()8, he
embarked in the manufacture of staves at James-
town, Ind., and there remained until 187"), when
he removed to Indianapolis to educate his children,
at the same time running his factory at Jamestown.
He made his home in Indianapolis until 1879, and
in April of that year, moved to Terre Haute, Ind.,
where he put up a stave factory and ran it until
1889, when he sold out and is now living a retired
life. His wife died in May. 1889. C. J. Brink-
man was but four years of age when he moved with
his parents to Jamestown. He received a good
education in the schools of Indianapolis and Terre
Haute, and graduated at the Notre Dame Univer-
sity in 1881. He then started in the stave busi-
ness with his father, and has since been a member
of the firm of John F. Brinkman & Son. In Feb-
ruary, 1888, they began the erection of their pres-
ent factory, and commenced working in the same
May 2, since which time they have continued the
business successfully. The foreman is W. W.
AMlson, who has been with this firm for eighteen
years. Mr. Brinkman was married in September,
1888, to Miss Marie C. Vesque, a native of Frank-
lin County, Ind., and both he and wife are mem-
bers of the Catholic Church.
Charles Brock, another prominent and success-
ful agriculturist of Cache Township, and one
whose name is synonymous with the farming inter-
ests of the county, was born in Georgia in 1825,
and is the son of Thomas and Jemima (Kinzie)
Brock, both natives of South Carolina. The father
grew to manhood in his native state, and was there
married to his first wife, who bore him four chil-
dren. He then removed to Alabama and there
married Miss Kinzie, with whom he returned to
Georgia in 1834. He died in that State three
years later. The mother then married again and
died in Georgia, in 1855, at the age of fifty years.
She was a member of the Methodist Episoojial
Church, South. Charles Brock, the eldest of the
three brothers and sisters, attained his majority in
the State of Georgia, receiving very little education
aside from home study, and at the age of fourteen
began working for himself. After a few years he
learned the blacksmith trade, and in 1851 immi-
grated to Morgan County, 111., where he remained
three years. From there he went to Polk County,
Mo., resided there several years and was then in
New Madrid County for two years. In 1 866 he came
to Greene County, settled in Cache Township, im-
proved a large tract, and moved to several places
where he made many improvements. He was first
married in Georgia to Miss Cynthia Walker, a
_il-
GREENE COUNTY.
127
iiiit.ivc of Kentucky, who died in Vernon County,
Mo., in 185"), and the result of this union was
three children, two now livin<^: John R., and
Martlia, who is now the wife of Frank (irauil)linu',
and who resides in Boone County, Ark. The one
deceased was named James. Mr. Brock was mar-
ried the sec^ond time to Miss Elizabeth AValker, a
native of Alabama. She died in 1870. The fol-
lowing; children were born to this union: William,
at home; Margaret, now Mrs. Jones; Nancy, now
Mrs. Johnson; Catherine, now Mrs. Beaty; Re-
becca. Mrs. Belk; Triphena and Tri{)hocia (twins,
and the latter deceased); Charles (deceased);
Lizzie, at home; Lee (deceased), and Jesse (de-
ceased). For his third wife Mr. Brock took Mrs.
Luemma Israel, nee Cooper, in 1879. Three
children wore born to this marriage, Mary, and
two deceased. The family are memlsers of the
Methodist Episcopal Church, and Mr. Brock is
steward and trustee in the same at tiie present
time. He has held the office of school director
for many years, and is liberal and generous in
his contributions to all meritorious enterprises.
He is a Democrat in politics but is not an active
partisan. He has a tine farm of thirty acres in
cultivation, owning 160 acres of laud.
L. H. Case, real estate and loan agent, also
attorney, of Paragould, is a native of Licking
County, Ohio, born August 7, 1833, being the son
of Ra])hael and Rosetta (Hayes) Case, the father
a native of Ohio and the mother of New York, and
both families of old Puritan stock. The mother
was a tirst cousin of Rutherford B. Hayes. The
paternal grandfather, Frederick Case, was from
Simsbury, Conn. , and the maternal grandfather
was a native of the Green Mountain State. The
latter was a captain in the War of 1812 and was in
command of Vermont troops. Grandfather Case
was also a captain in the War of 1812, and was at
Hull's surrender, but escaped. They both died in
Ohio, whither they had emigrated at ijuite an early
date. Raphael Case was born in Licking County,
Ohio, and was a farmer by occupation. He was
county treasurer one term and tilled that position
with credit and honor. He died in 18*50, in his
fiftieth year. The mother died previously to this.
In their family were si.\ children, four now living:
Leonus H., Frederick, in Missouri; Sylvester, also
in Alissonri; Jason, in Ohio; Wilbur, killed at
the battle of Spottsylvania Court House, and
Fannie (deceasert). wife of Rev. W. M. Mullin.
L. H. Case attained his growth and received his
education in Licking County, Ohio, attending the
Ohio Wesleyan University. At the age of twenty-
one he began the study of law and was admitted to
the bar in 1858. He then commenced jiracticing at
Bloomfield, Ind., remained there a short time, and
on the breaking out of the late war he went home
and enlisted in Company D, First Ohio Cavalry,
and served three years. He was at the battles of
Pittsburg Landing, Perryviile, Stone River, Chick-
amauga. Missionary Ridge, and particijmted in
many minor engagements. He was discharged at
Washington, D. C, and afterward went to St.
Joseph, Mo., raising a company of his own, after
which ho went to Cape Girardeau where he had
command as captain of six companies. He re-
mained there about seven months, when they were
mustered out and he went to Maysville, Mo., where
Cajit. Case practiced his profession until 1885.
Locating at Norfolk, Neb., where he had a good
farm, he remained there for about two years, and
then settled in Little Rock. Ark., forming a jiart-
nership with an old planter, William Field, in the
real estate and loan business. This they carried
on imtil October, 1888, when Mr. Case came to
Paragould, bought property and located here. He
has since been engaged in the practice of his pro-
fession, and has also lieen occupied in the real es-
tate and loan business. He is agent for about
200,000 acres of wihl land and some good pine
land. He also owns considerable land and prop-
erty in Greene County. He is ]>roj)ared to loan
money in almost any amount from $250 u|>ward.
Mr. Case was married, first, in 1857, to Miss Mary
\\'arner, by whom he had one child, Willard. He
was married the second time, in 180l'>. to Miss
Amanda Terhune, of Missouri, and two children
were the result: Cora and Harry. Mr. Case's third
marriage was to Miss Mattie McDowell, of Mis-
souri, in 187<i. He is a member of the I'.piscopal
Church.
:\>^
Dr. R. C. Cavitt. Oue of the most familiar
and welcomed faces in the home of the sick ami
afflicted of Greene County, is that of Dr. Cavitt,
who administers to the physical wants of his fellow-
man, in a highly satisfactory and successful man-
ner, as his many patients, now living, can testify.
The Doctor was born in Henry County. Tenn. ,
but was reared in Obion County, of the same
State, where he lived with his father on a farm.
At a very early age he commenced learning the
blacksmith trade which he completed, and, al-
though he has not worked at his trade for over
nineteen years, still thinks that his hand has
not lost its cunning, and that he can do as good a
piece of work in that line as he ever could. At
the age of twenty-seven he commenced the study
of medicine with his brother, B. H. Cavitt, then
of Obion County, Tenn., and graduated at the ex-
piration of two and a half years' study at the
Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tenn. He then
moved to Greene (bounty, Ark., locating near Til-
man ville, two' miles west of Marmaduke (then not
in existence), and here the Doctor, after twelve
years of -iabor, has built up an enviable practice.
After coming to this State he was married to Miss
N. E. Jones, a native of Clay County, Ark., and
the daughter of John Jones, who came from Ten-
nessee about 1830. To this marital relation
were born two children: Vera Ethel and Her
Myrtle. Dr. Cavitt has about 120 acres of land
in cultivation where he lives, and which he has
had improved to such an extent that it is one of
the finest farms in the county. The Doctor says
he' intends it to be the best in the county within
a year or two at the most. He has always, since
living here, been dealing in cotton, and by care,
and by closely watching the market, has man-
aged to benefit himself very much in that line.
He is a member of the I. O. O. F. lodge at Til-
manville, is also a member of the Masonic fra-
ternity, and in each has tilled many of the chairs,
holding one position at the present time. He and
Mrs. Cavitt are members of the Methodist Epis
copal Church, South, near Tilmanville.
A. T. Chaffin is one of the energetic and pro-
gressive farmers and stockmen of Cache Township,
Greene County, Ark., and was born in Georgia in
1832. being the eldest of a family of ten children
belonging to Elias and Sarah (Yearwood) Chaffin,
who were born in North Carolina and Georgia, re-
spectively; the former, besides his association with
farming, is a Missionary Baptist minister, and is
actively engaged in preaching the gospel at the
present time, although eighty-three years of age.
His wife died in 1872 at the age of sixty- four
years. Both grandfathers were soldiers in the War
of 1812. A. T. Chaffin was reared on a farm in
Georgia, and in his youth received very limited
educational advantages, but managed to attend the
common schools to some extent. When but nine-
teen years of age he bought a farm and began till-
ing the soil, the same year marrying Miss Nancy
E. Gosa, who was born in Alabama. They lived
on this farm for ten years, then sold out and came
to Arkansas, and soon located in Greene County,
where he bought forty acres of slightly improved
land, and in time cleared thirty acres and erected
buildings. He continued to purchase other tracts
of land from time to time, on which he also made
improvements, and at one time owned 800 acres
of land. He sold off a portion of this, however,
and on the remainder has erected six dwellings,
with out-buildings, and on all these places has set
out good orchards of well assorted fruits. His home
farm is a fine tract at the foot of Crowley's Ridge,
of which sixty acres are under cultivation. In
1861 Mr. Chaffin enlisted in the Confederate army,
and was mustered into the service at Little Rock,
being assigned to Bragg' s division; and was in the
battles of Oak Hill, Corinth, Murfreesboro, Chat-
tanooga, Chickamauga, Cross Roads, Shiloh, where
he was wounded, and was mustered out of service
at Columbus, Miss. He then returned home and
resumed farming, which occupation has since re-
ceived his attention. He is a Democrat politically,
and takes considerable interest in the political
affairs of the county. In 187S Mrs. Chaffin died,
leaving these children: Calvin, who is married
and resides in Mississippi; Benjamin (deceased);
Catherine and Roxana, residents of Mississippi;
and John Walter, who lives at home. In 1881
Mr. Chaffin wedded Mrs. Susan (Croft) Shoe-
maker, who was bora in Kentucky, being the
daughter of Logan Croft, an early immigrant to
Arkansas. By her first husband Mrs. Chafiin was
the mother of three sons; Peter, Thomas and
John. Mr. ChafSn is active in j)romoting the
welfare of schools and churches, as well as the
county in which he resides.
^^■illiam H. Cothren. No matter in what busi-
ness a man may engage, if he is industrious and
fair in his dealings with his fellow men, he is sure
sooner or later to win their confidence, respect and
liking, and to become in time well -to do in worldly
goods. Mr. Cothren possesses these qualities, and
as a conse(juence stands remarkalily high in the
estimation of all who know him. He was born in
South Carolina in the month of February, 1842,
and at an early day began to tight his own way in
the world. When the Rebellion broke out he left
his labors to enlist in the Southern army, joining,
June 10, 18()1, the Fifth Arkansas Regiment, and
was sent east of the Mississippi, taking part in the
battles of Farmington, Shiloh, Perryville, Mur-
freesboro (where his shoulder was broken by a
minie ball), Chickamauga, and other engagements
of that campaign. He was also at Atlanta, Jones-
boro, Franklin, Nashville, Tupelo, and Smithville,
N. C , after which engagement the army surren-
dered and Mr. Cothren soon I'eturned home. He
was married a short time afterward to Miss Mary
Gregory, a native of South Carolina, a daughter of
William Gregory, who came from South Carolina
in IHOH and engaged in farming. In 18()V* Mr.
Cotliren bought a farm of eighty acres, slightly
im])roved, and on this land he began an extensive
scale of improvement, continuing to add to his
original purchase until he became the owner of
240 acres, with about ninety acres cleared. He
has excellent buildings and orchards, and has taken
great pride in b(>autifying his home besides putting
his land in good tillable condition. He is engaged
in general farming and gives his attention to rais-
ing cotton, corn, wheat, oats, grasses, etc He is
a Democrat in politics, a patron of education, and
has served as school director for eight years. He
and family attend the Methodist Church, of which
himself and wife are members. They are the ,
parents of the following children: Nancy E. , wife
of Harve Spain; Reuben M., Richard V., and
James W. Mr. Cothren is the eldest of seven
I children born to the man-iage of Jackson Cothren
and Sarah Gnimling, who were born in South
, Carolina, and were engaged in farming in that
j State until the father's death in 18r>7. after which
the mother came to Arkansas and resided with her
father, Reuben Gramling, who, with his sons, was
among the earliest settlers of the west side of
Crowley's Ridge.
Alfred T. Craig, farmer and stock raiser, was
born in Tennessee, in 1847, being the second of
five children liorn to Andrew and Jane (Lambeth)
Craig, the former a native of Tennessee, and the
latter of North Carolina. The maternal grand-
father was born in the "Old North State," and
came to Tennessee at a very early day, settling in
the western part of the State, where he was en-
gaged e.vtensively ni farming, and died in 1888, at
the age of eighty-three years. His father was a
soldier in the Revolution, and served throughout the
entire war. The paternal grandparents were Vir-
ginians. Andrew Craig was also an extensive
farmer, and died in 1863. His widow still sui'vives
him and lives on the old homestead in Tennes.see.
Alfred T. Craig worked on the home farm in his
youth and received but little schooling. At the age
of seventeen he left home and went to North and
Middle Tennessee, where he resided for over a
year, then went to Texas and was engaged in the
distilling Imsiness for one year, after which he re
turned to Tennessee, and soon after married Miss
Martha Brown, a native of Tennessee, and a
daughter of Hiram Brown, of the same State, a
well known farmer in his section. In 18(58 Mr.
Craig purchased a farm on which he lived for three
years, and on the ^M of December. ISTl, came to
Arkansas and settled in Greene County, where he
bought 120 acres of wild land. On this he imme-
diately began making improveu)ents. and up to the
present time lias opened up some seventy -five acres,
aliont all of which is under fence and in a high
state of cultivation. He has two acres in orchard.
His stock is of a good grade, his hogs being Jersey
Reds and Berkshires, and his cattle |iart Jersey.
^^f.
,4^ — ^
,(^
130
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
Mr. Craig is a Democrat, and has held the office
of school director for eight years. To him and
wife were born fourteen children, twelve of whom
are living: Andrew, who died in infancy; Fannie
Ella, wife of John Jones; William Charles, James
Alfred, Mary Elizabeth, Lucy, John, who died at
the age of nine months; Rosa Lee. Eli, Van,
Winston, Francis Clyne and Frances (twins), and
James Adaline. In 1886 Mr. Craig bought eighty
acres of land on Eight Mile Creek, which is a choice
piece of bottom laud, and is improved with two
good houses. Forty acres are under cultivation.
His son William resides on and tills this farm.
J. W. Craven, a successful planter residing
near Paragoukl, was born in Randolph County, of
the "Old North State," February 22, 1834, being
the fourth of eleven children born to Andrew R.
and Elizabeth W. (Garner) Craven, who were also
born in that State. In 1840 the father emigrated
to Georgia, and two years later to Mississippi,
where he ojDened up a large plantation on which he
resided thirteen years, moving then to Tennessee.
In January, 1855, he came to Greene County,
Ark., and settled near where his son now resides,
on 640 acres of land, 1 00 acres of which he cleared
and improved, and here lived until his death,
March 30, 1807, at the age of sixty-tive years.
His wife died in Mississippi in the fall of 1845.
J. W. Craven received a common education in the
schools of Mississippi, and besides becoming famil-
iar with the details of farm work, learned the
blacksmith's trade, which occupation he followed
for some years. He assisted in clearing the home
farm, and was married in Hardeman County, Tenn. ,
in 1853, to Miss L. M. Daniel, a native of that
State, and a daughter of Ephraim and Penelope
(Mundou) Daniel, who were born in North Caro-
lina, and emigrated to Tennessee in 1840, and in
1855 to Greene County, Ark. Here the father
died on his farm, in 1876, his wife's death having
occurred four years earlier. After his marriage,
Mr. Craven settled down to farming in Tennessee,
but in 1855 bought an eighty-acre timber tract in
Greene Couiitj', Ark. . on which he enacted a cabin,
and commenced clearing and improving. He now
has 120 acres, with eighty-five under cultivation,
which he devotes principally to raising corn. In
1863 ho enlisted in the Home (inards under Capt.
Kirkeudall, and in September of the same year,
joined the infantry under Capt. Anderson, holding
the rank of second lieutenant. In December, 1863,
he was honorably discharged, but in 1864 joined
the cavalry, and was in the fight at Little Rock,
and several other engagements. Since the war he
has been engaged in farming. He votes with the
Democratic party, biit is not active in politics. He
has held the office of justice of tlie peace for about
seven years, and being an active supporter of the
cause of education, is now a member of the school
board. He also assisted in re-organizing the coun-
ty. Socially he is a member of the Agricultural
Wheel, and also a memljer of Paragould Lodge
No. 368. F. & A. M. He and wife are members of
the Baptist Church, and are active workers for the
cause of Christianity. Seven of their nine chil-
\ dren are living: Andrew Nelson (died in 1863,
at the age of ten years). Mary Jane (died in
1858, aged two years and six months), Julia Ann
(Mrs. Morgan), Martha T. (Mrs. Gwyn), John
, W., Lillie C, Eliza C. Sarah Elizabeth and Will-
{ iam L., all members of the Baptist Church. Mr.
Craven can remember wlien there was only one
public road in the county, and when Capo (jirar-
deau was their nearest market.
J. W. Crawford. Prominent among the many
esteemed and respected citizens of Paragould
stands the name of the above mentioned gentleman,
who was l)orn in Orange County, N. C, June 4,
1854, and who is the son of William and Elizabeth
(Howard) Crawford, both natives of North Caro-
lina. They are still residents of that State, and
the father is a farmer by occupation. Their fam-
ily consists of ten living children, five sons and
five daughters. J. W. Crawford was reared on
the farm, in Orange County, N. C. , receiving his
education in the common schools, and in 1868
went to Tennessee, locating in Fayette County.
He was but a boy at this time, and engaged as
clerk in a store, which business he followed most
of his time while in Tennessee. In 1877 he came
to Arkansas, locating at Gainesville, Greene Coun-
ty, and sold liquors for two years. He then em-
GREENE COUNTY.
131
hcarked iu mercantile pui-suits, which he carried on
until his removal to Paragould, in 1885, and was
one of the first business men of the town. Previ-
ous to this, in 1880, he married Miss Sadie Ghiss-
eock, daughter of Capt. H. W. Glasscock, and the
result of this union is two children: Guy E. and
Henry V. Mr. Crawford continued his mercantile
l)usiness at Paragoiild until 18SS, when he sold
out, and has since been practically retired, al-
though he turns his attention somewhat to real
estate speculations. He owns a half-interest in
the Gager Hotel, which is a fine brick building,
and a credit to Paragould; and he is also the
owner of a good farm adjoining the cor]ioration of
Paragould. No man has been more active in im
[)roving this place than has Mr. Crawford. He is
a m(>mber of the Masonic fraternity.
Hon. Benjamin H. Crowley is a wealthy farmer
and an eminent lawyer of Greene County, Ark.,
and is State Senator from the First Senatorial
District of Arkansas. His birth occurred in 1836,
and he is the only child born to the marriage of
Samuel Crowley and Sallie Hutchins, who were
born respectively in Kentucky and Tennessee. The
})aternal grandfather was a Georgian, who re-
moved to Kentucky at an early day, where he met
and married Miss Annie Wylie, a supposed na-
tive of that State, and there made his home, being
engaged in farming and stock-raising and dealing
on a very extensive scale until IS'21, when became
with his family, which consisted of his wife and
eight children, five boys and three girls, to what is
now Greene County (then Lawrence). At that
time the country was very sparsely settled, he be-
ing the only settler within a radius of many miles.
He located on a tract of land consisting of 240
acres, and gave his name to a ridge of land run-
ning for more than 200 miles through Arkansas
and 100 miles in Missouri. Here he erected a
dwelling house, opened about fifty acres of land
for cultivation, set out orchards, and became one
of th(^ thriftiest farmers and best-known men in
Northeastern Arkansas. All his children settled
near him, where their descendants are still resid-
ing. He died about 1842 at the age of eighty-
four years, and his wife's death occiuTed in 1850,
she never having married again after his death.
Samuel Crowley, the father of our subject, was
married in 1832 to Miss Sallie Hutchins, whoso par-
ents came from Tennessee to Arkansas and settled
where Paragould is now situated, where the father
died in 1!S37, having been an extensive farmer and
stockman. She subsequently married a man by
the name of Robert H. Halley. In his youth Ben-
jamin H. Crowley attended the common schools
and at the age of nineteen years he entered the
Wallace Institute, which he attended one year.
After spending several years in Greene County he
removed to Scott County, where he had previously
lived with his mother. On the 10th of May, 18oS,
he was married to Miss Elizabeth J. Crowley, a
cousin, and a daughter of W. Crowley, and when
the war broke out he left home and friends and
the peaceful pursuit of farming to enlist in the
Confederate service. He was in nearly all the bat-
tles of importance that were fought in the South-
west, and was soon promoted to the rank of lieu
tenant, and later was made captain of Company
H, Nineteenth Infantry, and at the close of
the war was commanding a company of cavali^y.
He was captured in Scott County after the fall of
Little Rock, and was in confinement at various
places for fifteen months. During this time, while
at Johnson's Island, Lake Erie, he and a number
of other officers formed a class and began the study
of Black.stone, and after his return home he contin-
ued his legal studies until 1871, when ,he was ad-
mitted to the bar and, in 1874, was admitted to
practice in the Federal courts, and in 1888 in the
Supreme Courts of Arkansas. Immediately after
the war he traveled for some time in Texas, and
then returned to Arkansas and settled down to
farming in Cache Township. Greene County. In
1HC)X, when Clayton's militia were over running the
State, and when they had stationed themselves at
Jonesboro and arrested a number of the l)est citi-
zens of the town, Capt. Crowley raised 100 jiicked
men in his county and went to their rescue. There
was a fight at Willis' Mills and his company lost
one man and had several wounded, while the mili
tia lost several men and were driven back to Jone^
boro. Afterward Capt. Crowley succeeded in ef-
L£:
132
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
fecting a compromise whereby all prisoners taken
by the militia were released, and peace and order
were once more restored in that section of the
State. To this day Capt. Crowley's efforts in pre-
venting strife and restoring order are remembered
with pleasure and gratitude by those whose lives
and property were endangered. In 1869 he bought
the old homestead settled by his grandfather,
which had been oiit of possession of the family
for several yeai's, and with this his lands amount
to about 4,000 acres in Greene County. 500 of
which are in a highly cultivated condition. He is
the most extensive farmer in the county and is also
largely interested in stock-raising and dealing. He
has cleared over '200 acres of land, has erected
many buildings, and in 1880 built his present com-
modious and substantial residence, it being situated
on a natural building site. In 1880 his wife died,
leaving a family of six children: Victoria, wife of
Dr. J. D. Sibert, of this county; Cynthia H. ,
Nannie P., wife of E. R. Page, residing in Crow-
ley Township; Lueian G., Bell and Ben. H. On
the 26th of June, 1881, he married his present
wife, whose maiden name was Miss R. L. Fielder,
a native of Tennessee. They have two children,
Thomas Garland, who is deceased, and Sallie Al-
ice. Mr. Crowley is an eminent lawyer and has
won an enviable reputation among his legal breth-
ren in Arkansas. He has always been an active
])olitician, and in 1872 was elected representa-
tive to the State legislature. The poll-books
were at that time destroyed, but the Captain se-
cured his seat and secured a new election for the
county officers, who were all elected on the Demo-
cratic ticket. He was in the stormy session of
1884, and during this time declined a commission
as colonel from Gov. Baxter. In 1876 he was
elected to the State Senate from the First District
of Arkansas and in 1888 was re-elected by a very
large majority. He is one of the most useful
members of that body, and is a fluent and forci-
l)le speaker, sound in his views. In the space al-
lotted in this volume it would be impossible to give
a detailed account of his public and private career,
or to speak at length of his many sterling social and
business qualities; suffice it to say that in every
walk in life his career has been above reproach.
He was the author of the bill for the organization
of Clay County, and was also the author of sev-
eral other important measures.
Henry Cupp, one of Greene County's leading
farmers, is a native of Georgia, where he was
born January 10, 1839. In the same year his
father emigrated from that State to Craighead
Coimty, Ark., where he remained but one year,
when he again moved, this time selecting Greene
County. There he was very successful at farming
until his death, February 17, 1871. His wife
hardly survived him a year, but died January 18,
1872. Mr. and Mrs. Cupp, reared a family of
nine children, five of whom are yet living. Henry
Cupp was but a child when his parents came to
this State, and he was reared to farm life. He had
very limited school opportunities, but has all his
life been an industrious farmer; and through his
practical knowledge of farming, has been suc-
cessful. He owns a large well-stocked farm, much
of it under cultivation. He has been married
four times, and is the father of seven children,
two of whom, Sarah Ann (born October 18, 1S67)
and Emeline (born February 2, 1871) are the
only survivors. His first wife was Margaret
Dennis, and after her death, he chose Lucy
Stevens, who was born December 2, 1841. His
third marriage was with Nancy Smith, who died
in 1884. Mrs. Cupp, whose maiden name was
Emeline Lane, was born November 21, 1862, and
is a true wife and benevolent woman. Mr. Cupp
is one of the prominent farmers and stock raisers
of the county, has decided political views, and is
interested in progress and development.
F. M. Daulton, editor and proprietor of the
Greene County Events, is a resident of Gaines-
ville, Ark., but was boiu in Ralls County, Mo., in
1832, and after acquiring a common school edu-
catioQ and attaining a suitable age he commenced
working on the Quincy Herald, at Quincy, 111.
After serving a five-years' apprenticeship, he re-
turned to Shelby ville. Mo., and established the
Spectator in 1853, which he conducted until the
breaking out of the war, when he gave up this
work to enlist as major in the Twenty-first Mis-
Koiiri. He served about two years, and was shot
through the neck at the battle of luka, in Mis-
sissippi. After receiving his discharge he went to
Ohio, where he spent two or three years, and next
located in Indiana, being engaged in pul)li8hini>-
papers in both these States. After coming to
Greene County, Ark., in 1878, he established the
Press, and in 1882 his present pajjer, which has a
circulation of over 500; this is a i)ap(>r pure in
tone and fearless in its attacks upon the popular
shortcomings of the day. He was first married to
Miss M. M. Connor, who died, having Iwrne the
following children: Emma (Hindman), living, and
Jennie and Frank, deceased, the latter being
killed in 1807, while braking on the Iron Moun-
tain Kailroad. Mr. Daulton took for his second
wife Miss Lizzie Lanker, by whom he has five
children: William, Charles, Daniel, Delia and
Benjamin.
K. T. Daniel, a merchant and farmer of Clark
Township, Greene County, was born in 1837 in
Tennessee, and is the fifth of a family of nine
children born to Ephraim and Pennie (Mundson)
Daniel, who were Teunesseeans. The father was
a sturdy son of the soil, and when our subject was
a child removed to Mississippi, where he was
engaged in farming until 1855. At that date he
came to Greene County, Ark. , and settled on the
farm on which R. T. Daniel is now residing, which
consisted of 200 acres. He improved this farm
very much and soon had quite an extensive tract
under cultivation and furnished with good build-
ings. R. T. Daniel remained with his parents
until twenty-five years of age, then marrying Miss
Elizabeth Pilmore, who was born in Mississippi
and came with her parents to Arkansas at an early
day. Soon after he erected a cottage on his father's
farm, and began tilling the soil for himself on
forty acres of land purchased from his father.
Later he bought eighty acre.s more, and at his
father's death, in 1870. inherited the remainder.
When the war broke out he enlisted in Cai)t.
Anderson's company, and was with Gen. Shelby
on bis raid through Missouri, and was in the battle
of Cape Girardeau, where he was wounded. He
was also at Helena, Devall's Bluff. Little Rock.
Camden and Saline River. While with Price on
his raid through Missouri he was in the engage-
ments at Iron Mountain, Independence, Blue Lick,
Boonville and Kansas City. He then retreated to
Texas and surrendered at Pine Bluff. After his
return home he resumed farming successfully, con-
tinuing until 1887, when he received a stroke of
paralysis, and has not been alile to do hard labor
since. He is now conducting a general mercantile
store on his farm, which is netting him a fair in
come. Sixty acres of his place are under cultivn
tion, and he devotes it to raising corn, cotton, etc.
He and wife are the parents of the following chil-
dren: James, who is married to Miss Nancy
Fielder; Eliza Jane, wife of Jeff Adams; Henry.
Thomas, Pollie, and Sarah Elizabeth. The family
worship in the Methodist Episcopal Church, South.
Mr. Daniel has served as school director and has
always taken a deep interest in educational matters,
as well as all other worthy enterprises.
Dr. John M. Davis, druggist, of Paragould, and
son of Dr. James S. and Nancy E. (Farmer) Davis.
was born in Limestone County. Ala. , December 31 .
1840. His parents were both natives of Alabama,
and removed to Marshall County, Miss., in 1844,
going in 1850 to Salem, that State, and thence to
luka, where the father died. Dr. James S. Davis
was a graduate of Jefferson Medical College of Phil-
adelphia, and was also a graduate of the Louisville
Medical College. He was a very prominent physi-
cian and noted surgeon, and people came from a
great distance for his treatment. He practiced from
1844 to 1N7U, a period of about thirty-five years.
He was one of the members of the secession con-
vention of Mississippi, and signed the declaration
of independence for that purpose. He was a sur-,
geon in the late war and in command of a company
a portion of the time. His wife is still living, and
is a resident of luka. Miss. They were the par-
ents of ten children, five now living, of whom Dr.
John M. Davis is the eldest. He was principally
reared and educated in Mississip]ii, and at the age
of sixteen began the study of medicine with the in-
tention of later following tiiat profession, but about
this time the war broke out which jjrevented him
from further pursuing his studies. He shoul-
i;{4
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
dercd his musket, marched to the front and eu
listed in the Tenth Ahibama Cavalry Regiment,
serving over three years. He was ensign of his
regiment, with the rank of first lieutenant, and was
in all tlie principal engagements — Shiloh. Atlanta,
Days Gap, etc. His whole service was in the cav-
alry. At Pulaski, during Hood's advance on
Franklin, Mr. Davis received a severe gun-shot
wound, the ball passing through his body at the side
of the abdomen. He had the honor of carrying
home the captured Federal flag and also his own
flag. At the close of the war he returned to Missis-
sippi, and engaged in merchandising, which he con-
ducted for four years. After this he went to the
Lone Star State, resuming the mercantile business
at Tyler and Fort Worth, where he remained until
1880, then returning to Mississippi. One year
later, he came to Paragould where he embarked in
the drug business, which he still continues. He was
one of the first business men of Paragould, and is
the oldest druggist in point of residence in Greene
County. He carries a general line of drugs, etc.
He was married, April 8, 1861, to Miss Altie E.
Robbins, a native of Alabama, and the fruits of this
union were nine children, seven now living: Nan-
nie A. , wife of P. W. Mass, editor of the Thayer
(Mo.) Tribune; \\illiam S. , Maggie, Russell J.,
Hattie A. , Thomas B. and Sallie B. Dr. and Mrs.
Davis are members of the jNIethodist Episcopal
Church, and he is superintendent of the Sunday-
school. He belongs to the Masonic fraternity, the
I. O. O. F., and is also a member of the K. of H. ,
being treasurer of that organization. He is city
treasurer, and treasurer of the Building and Loan
Association
L. T. Dennis, a successful farmer and justice
of the peace of Cache Township, Greene County,
Ark., is a native of the county, born in 1843, be-
ing the second of ten children born to Robert and
Ellen (Tompkins) Dennis, natives of Tennessee
and Kentucky, respectively, who came to Arkansas
with their parents during the early history of this
State. On his arrival in Arkansas, in 1837, Robert
Dennis entered and piu'chased land in what is
known as St. Francis Township, and on this he
lived and made improvements until about 1848,
when lie sold out and entered a tract of forty acres
on the west side of Crowley's Ridge, on which he
lived ten years. This he sold and bought eighty
acres in the same locality, clearing nearly the en-
tire tract, and making many other improvements,
and here resided until his death on the 20th of
December, 1867, followed by his widow, February
14, 1881. The maternal grandfather, Lawrence
Tompkins, came from Kentucky to Arkansas about
1833, and settled on the east side of Crowley's
Ridge, and was one of some six families that were
among the first settlers. Here he resided until his
death, being an active participant in the develop-
ment of the county. L. T. Dennis, whose name heads
this sketch, was reared to farm labor, and in his
youth received quite meager educational advanta-
ges, but by applying him.self to his books at home,
secured a fair education. He remained with his
father until twenty-two years of age, then married
Miss Nancy Ann Newsom, a daughter of Sterling
Newsom, who was a Tennesseean, and came to
Arkansas at an early day. After his marriage Mr.
Dennis bought a slightly improved farm of seventy-
five acres, and on this tract he located and began
making improvements in the way of clearing and
building. After about ten years his house caught
fire and was consumed, but the same year he pur-
chased 325 acres of land, erected a new dwelling and
began a fresh start in life. He has opened about
seventy-five acres, set out orchards, and otherwise
greatly improved his property. In 1885 he erected
a new residence on a natural building site, and
his surroundings are now most pleasant. On
the 16th of December, 1874, Mr. Denni.s lost his
estimable wife and the following year he married
Miss Martha Jane Gramlin, a daughter of Rawlins
Gramlin, who came from North Carolina to Arkan-
sas in 1857, and settled on the west side of Crow-
ley's Ridge. To his first union were born the
following childi-en: William Pleasant and Mary
Jane living, and Henry Albert, Robert Sterling
and an infant deceased. His second union has
resulted in the birth of seven children: Lawrence
M. , who died at the age of four years; James
Edward, Walter Anderson, Leopold Leaton and
Gopel Wiley, twins; Lucy Ellen, and Thomas
Jefifersou. In 18(52 Mr. Deunis enlisted in Jeffer-
son Thompson's artillery compiiny and was sent to
the division of the Missonri, and was on the Arkan-
sas Ram when she ran the blockade past Mem-
[)his; he was also on the same vessel when she ran
the blockade at the mouth of the Yazoo liiver.
He was then transferred to the infantry, and in
the fall was in the battle of Corinth, and was also
at Grand Gulf, Port Gibson, Bakers Creek, and
in Vicksburg during the siege of forty-nine days,
after which he was paroled and returned home,
but again enlisted in July, 1804, joining a cav-
alry company, and during the remainder of that
year was in and around Little Rock. While there
he met with an accident and was compelled to re-
turn home, and took no further part in the war.
He is now engaged in general farm work and de-
votes about seventy- five acres of his farm to the
culture of corn, forty acres to cotton and ten acres
each to wheat, oats and clover. He is quite an
active politician, votes with the Democratic party,
and has served as justice of the j)eace ten years,
and as school director six years. He belongs to
the Baptist Church and his wife to the Methodist.
ly/' L. G. Dillman, manufacturer of plain lumber
and building material at Paragould, was born in
Stark County, Ohio, April 15, 1830, and is the son
of Jacob Dillman, a native of Pennsylvania, and
Maria (Crocker) Dillman, of Vermont nativity.
The parents were married in Ohio, and here the
father followed the cabinet-maker's trade, al-
though his principal occupation was farming. He
was one of the pioneers of Williams County, Ohio,
and when first settling there his nearest neighbor
was fifteen miles distant. He died in Ohio in 18'5'J.
The mother died in 1842. They were the parents
of six children, only two now living: Lemuel G. ,
and Susan, wife of Dwight Stoddard. A brother,
Sylvester Dillman, was killed at the battle of Win-
cliester, Va. , and his widow has been postmistress
at Toledo. Iowa, for several years. L. G. Dili-
man remained on the farm in Ohio until twenty-
one years of age, and in 18r>l went to St. Jo
seph County, Ind., where he was engaged in the
lumber business for several years. In I8fi4 he en-
listed in Company B, One Hundred and Fifty fifth
Indiana Volunteers, and served until cessation of
hostilities. He remained in St. Joseph County,
Ind., being engaged principally in the lumber bus-
iness, until coming to Arkansas. In 1876 he went
to Nashville, Tenn., and put up a machinery plant
for the Indiana Lumbering Company. In I. SSI he
came to Arkansas, located at Bradford, on the Iron
Mountain Railroad and |)ut up a saw-mill, but soM
out in a short time and put up a foundry and ma-
chine shop at Newport, which he ran for about one
year. He then sold out and <;am(> to Greene Conn- '
ty, and has since made Paragould his headcpiarters.
He has had several .saw-mills in this and Craighead
Counties. He was married in 1858 to Miss Mar
garet Vanderhoof, a native of Rochester, N. Y. ,
by whom he has two children, Frank, and Arl.
who is at school at Cape Girardeau. Mr. and Mrs.
Dillman are members of the Methodist Episcopal
Church. He is a member of the G. A. R.
A. L. Dover, proprietor of a saw and gristmill
and cotton-gin, situated near the Fair Ground in
Clark Township, was born in Blount County, Ala.,
in 1848, and was the third in a faiuily of nine chil
dren born to B. A. and Patsy (Fielding) Dover,
the former a native of North Carolina and the lat
ter of Georgia. They settled in Alabama in 1847,
where the father opened uj) a farm and resided
several years, and in 1868 moved to Poinsett Coun-
ty, Ark., where he settled and improved another
farm. Since 1874 he has lived in Greene County.
His wife died in 1884. A. L. Dover received his
early education in Alabama, and after coming to
Poinsett Countv began farming for himself, and
like his father has resided in Greene County ^
since 1874. The year following his location here
he purchased a tract of land containing I'JS acres,
which was heavily covered with timber, and com-
menced immediately to clear it. He now has sixty
acres under cultivation, which are well improved
with good buildings and orchard. In 1876 he wa>
married to Miss Tennessee V. Yates, a daughter of
Henderson and Martha Yates, who were born in
Tennessei> and Virginia, respectively: the father
came to Greene County, Ark., in lS7r'">,his wife having
died in Tennessee the year before. Mr. Yates is '
now residing in Paragould. Mr. Dover votes with I
136
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
the Democratic party, and was elected on that ticket
to the office of magistrate, which position he held
four years. He has always taken an interest in
school matters and is now a member of the school
board. Socially he belongs to the Masonic fra-
ternity and the I. O. O. F., Paragould Lodge.
He and wife became the parents of live children,
three of whom are living: William Wallace, Le-
ander Byrd and Henderson Franklin. Arthur
Bruce died at the age of one year, and Major Oscar
died when two years of age.
J. C. Field. Among the many wealthy farm-
ers of Greene County, Ark. , well worthy an honor-
able place in these columns may be mentioned Mr.
Field, who was born in Cross County, Ark., in
1849, and is the fourth in a family of six children
bom to John and Catherine (Curtis) Field, who
were born, reared and married in Maury County,
Tenn. , where the father was engaged in tilling the
soil. In 1848 he removed with his family to Ar-
kansas, purchased a tract of 160 acres, which he
improved, and then sold out and moved to Poin-
sett County, in 1875, where he boiight a farm, on
which he died, in 1880. His wife died while they
were residing in Cross County. J. C. Field re-
ceived the education and rearing that usually fall
to the farmer's boy, and at the age of twenty-
four years began farming for himself, making his
iirst crop on Buffalo Island. The next year he
came to Greene County, and from time to time
purchased land until he became the owner of 560
acres of some of the best land in the county. He
cleared about 175 acres of timber land, and now
has at least 200 acres under cultivation. He has
erected good buildings on his property, set out
orchards, and has done general farming, raising
cotton and the cereals, and this year has devoted
about sixty acres to corn and 140 to cotton. He
has some good stock, and his first labors are meet-
ing with deserved success. In 1874 he was united
in marriage to Miss Mary Gulches, by whom he
has two children: Jefferson and James.
B. C. Gallup, proprietor of the City Bakery
and Confectionery Store. Paragould. In this city
are found quite a number of prosperous estab-
lishments, and of none can mention be made with
more pleasure than of the bakery of B. C. GaUup.
Mr. Gallup was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, on the
12th of August, 1840, and is the son of Henry and
Elizabeth Gallup, the father a native of Massa-
chusetts, of French descent, and a Huent speaker
of three different languages. He was a carpenter
by trade, and after his removal to Quincy, 111. , in
1841. he built the first Methodist Fipiscopal Church
on Vermont Street. He died in that city, as did
also his wife, leaving B. C. Gallup, who was then
but an infant. A guardian was appointed for the
little orphan, but. after growing up, his relations
with his guardian were not of the most pleas-
ant nature, and consequently he took French leave
of him, and engaged as cook on a Mississipjii
steamer, serving in that capacity for about five
years. During this time he learned the turner's
trade, but did not put it to immediate use, for in
1857 he engaged in the bakery business in Quincy,
111. , where he remained until the breaking out of
the Civil War. He then left the bakery to shoul-
der a musket, and in 1861 enlisted in the Tenth
Illinois Infantry, and served three years. He was
at the battles of Belmont, Tiptonville, Shiloh,
Farmington, Corinth, luka, Nashville, Chatta-
nooga, and at Atlanta, being under fire for three
months. He was at Missionary Kidge, Resaca,
Dalton, etc., but never received anything but a
flesh wound. He was mustered out in 1865, and
returned to Quincy, 111. , where he continued until
1868. From there he went to Kansas City, re-
mained there a few years, and then went to Mis-
souri, but only tarried in that State a short time,
and then went to Kansas, Colorado, and thence to
Texas, where he was engaged on journey-work.
After residing in that State for six or seven years,
he came to Greene County, Ark., in 1884, and
located in Paragould, when there were but few
business men in town. He bought a little prop-
erty, and immediately embarked in business for
himself. He has built i\\> a good trade, and by
his upright and honest dealings has won the con-
fidence of his patrons. He has bought consider-
able town property, and is doing well. While in
Kansas City he married Miss Katie Lightman,
who bore him four children, all deceased. Mr.
GREENE COTTNTY.
137
Gallup' s second niiirriage was at Jacksonport.Ark.,
in December. 1881, to Miss Hannah E. Bickel, a
native of Ohio. One child, now deceased, was
born to this union. Mr. Gallup is a m(»mber of
the G. A. R., and also belongs to the I. O. O. F.
Richard H. Gardner, ex-county clerk and sur-
veyor of Greene County, Ark., is a gentleman of
wide experience, who has been actively interested
in politics from his youth up. He was born in
Weakley County, Tenn., in 1831, and is a son of
Richard W. and Eliza (Thomas) Gardner, who
were of English and German descent, having been
born in Virginia and South Carolina in 1808 and
1811, and died in Tennessee in 1852 and 1842,
respectively. The former was taken to Kentucky
when a boy, by his father, John A. Gardner, and
there resided until 1825 or 1826, when he moved
to Tennessee, and there spent the remainder of his
days. He was a soldier in the Mexican AVar
under Gen. Cheatham, of Tennessee, serving as
surgeon, having graduated from the Louisville
Medical College in 1845. He practiced in the
State of Mississippi for a short time after the war,
when he returned to Tennessee and resumed i)rac-
tice. He was always a strong advocate of tem[)er-
auce. Four of the eight children born to himself
and wife lived to be grown, and two are living at
the present time : Jerome A. and Richard H. The
latter lived in Weakley County, Tenn., until eleven
years of age, and was then sent to Franklin College,
near Nashville, where he remained until he was
twenty-one years of age.. He engaged in civil
engineering in Tennessee, Kentucky and Missis-
sippi, continuing from 1852 to 1855, and then
clerked in a steam flouring- mill for two years,
after which he came west, and in 1857 located at
Oak Bluff, Greene County, Ark., where he was oc-
cupied in merchandising for a short time, and was
then elected assessor and deputy clerk, serving
until 1801. When the war broke out he enlisted
in the Confederate army and commanded a com-
pany as captain in the battles of Pleasant Grove,
Helena and Pleasant Hill. After the war he
returned home and was appointed to the office of
county clerk for six months, being re-elected in
lSf)<') for two years. In 1870 he was elected county
surveyor, holding the position ten years, and in
1882 was again elected county clerk, which he
held for four years. In Januai-y, 1 887, after
retiring from office, he came to his present place of
abode. He is a strong advocate of churches
and schools, and has been a liberal contributor to
both. He was married in 1850 to Miss .Sarah
Towles, of Nashville, Tenn.. who died in 1880.
leaving a family of nine children, sis of whom are
now living: Arthur C, Flora G., Oliver \V.,
Albert D., Ada B. and Nerly R. Stapleton .li.'d
at the age of twenty-one; Elmore at the age of
twelve years, and Algernon, when three yearn of
age. Mr. Gardner took for hia second wife.
Lucretia C. Harris, who died in 1881, having
borne one child, wliich died in infancy. In 1882
he married his present wife, Mrs. Ann E. Thomp
son, who was born in the State of Mississipjii. in
1844, and when fourteen years of age came to
Arkansas, where she grew to maturity. She and
Mr. Gardner are the parents of two children:
Bei-ah B. and Kathleen. One son was liorn to her
first marriage named James Thompson. Mr.
Gardner belongs to the Christian Church, and his
wife to the Methodist Episcopal Church, South.
She was the widow of Isaac Thompson, and the
daughter of James and Jane Johnston, who came
to Arkansas in 18r8. Here the father died in
1872 at the age of sixty-nine years, and the mother
in 1880, aged seventy-six years. The former was a
merchant in Mississippi until his failure in busi-
ness, then selling clocks until he was able to re
sume mercantile ])ursuits, which he did in Gaines-
ville. Ark. He and wife became the parents of
eight children. Mrs. Gardner being one of four
now living.
G. L. Gentry, a successful planter residing
near Paragould, Ark., was born in 1841 in Weak-
ley County, Tenn., being the eighth of twelve
children born to the marriage of J. K. Gentry and
Sarah Nance, the former a native of Tennessee and
the latter of Virginia. In 1858 they locatt^d near
Gainesville, Ark., in which the father died in
1884, having been a prominent resident of the
county. The mother is still living, and resides at
Paragould. G. L. Gentry was reared to manhood
i:iS
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
ou a farm in Tennessee, and in 1858 came to
Greene County, Ark. , enlisting fi'om this count}',
in 18(51, in Company K, Fifth Arkansas Vol-
unteers, under Col. Cross, and went into service at
Columbus, Ky. He was a member of a scouting
party along the Red River, and in 186"J was hon-
orably discharged at Bowling Green. Ky. After
his return home he joined Gen. Marmaduke. and
was with him for some time. In 1869 he was
married to Miss Angeline McWhirter, of Tennes-
see, a daughter of John and Matilda (Yarber) Mc-
Whirter. who were also born in that State, coming
to Arkansas at a very early day, in which State
they both died. After his marriage Mr. Gentry
settled near Gainesville, and in 1873 bought a
partly improved farm of 200 acres, but sold it
some time later and went to Paragould, where he
engaged in the saw-mill business (in 1881). Three
years later he embarked in grist-milling, and also
operated a cotton-gin, which he sold in 1887, and
returned to the farm. Sixty acres of his 100-acre
farm are under cultivation, and on it he raises cotton
and cereals. By his wife, who died in 1883, he be-
came the father of the following children: Joseph
W., Laurettie, Oney, Gilbert M'., Albert and Wil
lis. all of whom are at home. In 1884 Mr. Gentry
married his present wife, whose maiden name was
Frances Drollender, of Tennessee, a daughter of
\Villiam and Elizabeth (Bond) Drollender, of Ten-
nessee, l)oth of whom are deceased, the latter dying
in Paragould in 1887. Mr. Gentry has seen a vast
change in the country since his boyhood days, as
it was then in a very wild and unsettled condition.
He is a member of the A. F. & A. M., and was
Worshipful Master of Gainesville Lodge for a
number of years, and in 1887 filled the same posi-
tion in Paragould Lodge No. 3RS. He is a mem-
ber of the Agricultural Wheel, and although a
Democrat, is not very active in polities. A station
on the Iron Mountain Railroad, midway l)etween
Paragould :ind Gainesville, is called Geatry in
honor of our subject.
H. W. Glasscock, mayor of Paragould and real
estate dealer, was born in Randolph County. Ai'k..
February 19, 1834, and is the son of George W.
and Catherine (Gray) Glasscock, natives of Ten-
nessee. The parents were married in their native
State, and in about 1830 they emigrated to Arkan-
sas, locating in Randolph County, and were among
its very first settlers. Here the father died in
1834 and the mother three days later. They were
the [)arents of seven children, three now living:
William, Henry AV., and George F. When the
parents tirst made their home in Arkansas, the
country was a wilderness, and wild animals were
plentiful, the red man's face frequently being seen
at the door of the log c-al^in. H. W. Glasscock
was reared in Randolph County, Ark., until twelve
years of age, when he moved to (iaiuesville,
Greene County. He was educated principally at
Gainesville and in Mississippi. In 18o8 he was
elected county clerk of Greene County, and
served until after the war. In 1861 he enlisted in
the first regiment that was organized in Greene
County, and left a deputy to attend to his business.
He served in the eastern army and was discharged
in 1S62 on account of his health. He then came
home and re-enlisted in Kitchens" regiment in the
cavalry, and was in command of Company E,
serving until the surrender: he was on the raid
through Missouri. After returning to his home
he took charge of the clerk's office, and in 1868
engaged in mercantile business at Gainesville,
which he continued until 1883, when he sold out
and came to Paragould. Since that time he has
been occupied in the real estate business. He
owns about 12,000 acres of land, with some 600
under cultivation. His lands are among the best in
the country, as he has been investing and buying
since 1857. Mr. Glasscock was elected mayor of
Paragould in April, 1888, which position he is now
tilling. He was married first in 1858 to Miss
Amanda Conduff, by whom he had four children,
two now living: H. F. and Sudie. His second
marriage was to INIrs. Emily J. Williauison. liy
whom he has six children, four ntjw living: John,
Jennie, Etta and Albert (twins). Mr. and Mrs.
Glasscock and family are memliers of the Metho-
dist Episcopal Church, and Mr. Glasscock is a
member of the Masonic fraternity and Knights of
Pythias. He is one of the prominent and leading
citizens of his vicinity.
^^
GREENE COUNTY.
r
139
M. C. Gramling, who is one of the first and most
successful farmers and stock raisers of Greene
Connty, Ark., was born in Spartanburg (Jounty.
S. C, November 2i), 1839, and is the eldest in a
family of twelve children born to the marriage of
Benjamin M. "and Mary (Wilson) Gramling, also
natives of the 'Palmetto State,'' who were there
engaged in farming until 1858, when they came to
.-Vrkansas and settled in Greene Connty. Here
they entered a tract of 160 acres, and began imme-
diately to make improvements, opening aliout
seventy-tive acres of land, erecting good buildings
and setting out orchards. After living on this tract
for about sixteen years the father sold out and pur-
chased 100 acres in Cache Township, which he also
greatly improved. He is here living at the pres-
ent time, and is in his seventy-first year. M. C
Gramling. our subject, has always been familiar
with farm labor, and assisted his father until twen-
ty-one years of age, when he became an employ^
of the Government in di'aining this section of the
State. At the lireaking out of the Rebellion he
enlisted in Company D, Fifth Arkansas Infantry,
and was assigned to the Army of the Tennessee,
and was with Gen. Joe Johnston, participating in
the battles of Perryville, Murfreesboro, Corinth,
whei'e he was promoted to the rank of lieutenant,
and Chickamauga. In this engagement, while his
company was making a charge, and he was crying
to his comrades " Come on, boys," he was wounded
by a bullet striking him in the cheek. He was also
at Ringgold, Resaca, where he was wounded in the
thigli. and Jonesboro, Ga. , where he lost his left
arm l)y the explosion of a shell on the 1st of Sep-
tember, 1864. He remained in the field until the
close of the war, then returned to Arkansas, and
in 18(56 was married to Miss Mary Smith, a native
of South Carolina, and a daughter of William and
Elizabeth (Otts) Smith, who were also from South
Carolina, and emigrated to Arkansas in I8r)l>, set-
tling on 160 acres of land in Greene County.
They were very successful, and in time became the
owners of 1, 100 acres of laud. The father died in
September, 1878, but the mother is still living.
In 1866 Mr. Gramling located at Gainesville, where
ht- started a general store, and in the f:dl of the
name _\eai' lie was ehfcted assessor of (ireene Coiin
ty, for one term of two years. In the spring of
this year he was appointed treasurer of the county
till the election of a successor, but continued also
to manage his store for three years, then moving to
St. Francis Township, where he rented land, and
made one crop. In 1870 he bought 240 acres of
land, and since that time has continued to add
to his acreage until he now possesses 560 acres of
fertile land. He has made many improvements on
his property, and in 1877 erected a handsome res
idence, and has also built good barns. Two hun-
dred acres of his land are under cultivation, and two
acres are in orchard. He gives considerable atten-
tion to stock raising, and has a full-blooded Hol-
stein bull imported from Northern Missouri. In
1872 he was elected to the office of county sheriff,
and subsequently was elected county judge, which
he held two terms. He has always been active in
political and school matters, and is always inter
ested in every enterprise for the welfare of the
county. He aud wife are the parents of the follow-
ing children : William M. , who died on the 6th of
August, 1870, aged eleven years, six months:
James M., Alice, Jennie, Joseph F. , Earl V.,
Jesse M. . Elbert S., Van W., and Mary, who died
in infancy.
George A. (iramling is classed among the sue
cessful tillers of the soil and stockmen of Cache
Township. Greene Conntv. Ark., of which he is a
native, having been born in the year 1850. He is
the ninth of eleven children born to Richard and
Cynthia (Brannon) Grainliug. whose birthplace
was in South Carolina. They were married in that
State, and in 1856 came to Greene County. Ark.,
settling on the east side of Crowley's Ridge, where
they acquired a large tract of land, 20(1 acres of
which were under cultivation. Here he erected a
building, set out orchards, and made many other
improvements, his attention being also largely
given to the propagation of stock. He had a
blacksmith's shop on his farm and made the most
of the farming tools for this section. During his
Ions residence iu the county be became well known
and highly respected. He died at the age of sixty
three years, in I.SS2. His widow is still living.
e »^
140
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
The paternal grandfather also came to Greene
County, Ark., and l)ecame the owner of 200 acres
of wild land, which he improved and on which he
resided until bis death. George Gramling was
reared to farm labor, and at the age of twenty-two
years began farming for himself, buying, at the
time of his father's death, the interest in the home
property of all the heirs except two, and is now
the owner of the old homestead, which consists of
640 acres. He has opened about thirty acres, and
in partnership with his brother John, in 1888,
erected a saw and grist-mill, and a cotton-gin, doing
that year an excellent business, which promises to
increase as time goes on. He carries on a general
farming, and has about seventy acres in cotton, and
too acres in corn. In 1882 he was married to Miss
Lucy Pevehouse, a native of Arkansas, by whom
he has three children: Thomas, Bertie and John.
The family attend the Methodist Church.
C. W. Green. To omit the name of Mr. Green
from this volume would be to leave out one of the
most prominent and successful farmers of the
county, who has not only made himself thoroughly
identitied with the farming interests of this section
but by his pleasant, genial manner has won a host
of friends. He was born in Forsyth County, Ga. ,
in 1857, and is the .son of William J. and M. E.
(Garrett) (-ireen, natives of Georgia. The father
was born in the year 1826, and died February 17,
1889, but the mother is still living, and is in her
sixtieth year. They were reared in their native
State, were married there, and here the father
carried on farming until 1848 or 1849, when he
made a trip to California by water, remaining there
eighteen months, and being snccessful, returned
home by the Isthmus. In I860 be and family
moved to Arkansas, and located near Gainesville,
on the west side of Crowley's Ridge, where they
resided eight years, and then settled on Jones'
Ridge, Greene County, where the mother is .still
living. He served as a soldier in the Confederate
army ten months, and was taken prisoner on the
Osage River, in Kansas, in October, 1864, during
Price's raid, being carried thence to Alton, 111.,
and later to Rock Island, where he was contined
seven months. He was released in March, 1865,
and taken to Richmond. Va. . on exchange. Sub-
sequently he returned to the home place, and there
passed the remainder of his life. He held the
office of justice of the peace in Union Township
several years, and after he came to Jones Town-
ship he again held that office. He was a Democrat
in politics, a leading man of the coiinty. and a
strong advocate of schools. To his marriage were
born the following childi-en: Serena N.. aged
thirty-five years, wife of William A. J. Compton,
who is living in Jones Township; Isaiah N., who
died October 17, 1885, aged twenty- nine years,
leaving no children: C. AV., and Georgian, wife of
Franklin J. Igert. She died June 19, 1888, aged
twenty-nine years, leaving no children. C.W.Green
attained his majority in Greene County, where he
has resided ever since. In 1879, he, with his fa-
ther and brothers and sisters, made a trip to Cali-
fornia by railroad, and landing in Stockton, of that
State, remained there three months, after which,
the father made a trip to Oregon, to look at the
country, but soon returned to Stockton, and with
his family made his way back to old Arkansas, in
August of the same year. C. W. Green had but
poor educational advantages, but attended to some
extent the s'i)).scription and free schools of the
county, and in 1880 commenced for himself on the
home place. Two years later he married Gertrude
Gardner, who was born in 1865. and who is the
daughter of R. H. Gardner [see sketch]. To this
marriage were born two children: Barnie O. and
Maude B. Mrs. Green is a member of the Chris-
tian Church.
John W. Halley was born in Scott County, Ark. ,
in the year 18()0, and is the youngest in a family
of eight children born to the marriage of Robert
Halley and Sarah Crowley, who died when he vv;is
an infant. The mother when married to Mr. Halley
was a widow with one child : Capt. Benjamin
H. Crowley, whose sketch appears in this volume.
John Halley spent his childhood in the western
part of Arkansas, but since eight years of age he
has made his liome. the greater portion of the
time, with his halt brother, Capt. Crowley. Dur-
ing his youth he received no educational advantages
and up to the age of twenty • four years his education
GllEENE COUNTY.
141
was acquired by self- application, since which time
he has received only the advantages of the com-
mon schools. At the age of eighteen years he
rented land and began farming for himself, and
has continued this in connection with teaching
school during winter and summer since 1885. At
this date he purchased 280 acres of land in the
Cache bottoms, and in 1884 exchanged a portion
of this farm for forty acres near Walcott, on which
property there were but eight acres cleared. He
opened up the remainder and now has the entire
tract under cultivation and fence. This laud is
very fertile and last year (1888) averaged one bale
of cotton to the acre. Mr. Halley is a young man
whose energy, enterf>rise and good business abilities
will one day place him among the wealthy residents
of the county. He possesses excellent principles,
is ])ublic spirited, and takes a deep interest in
worthy enterprises.
JVIanoah B. Hampton. This name is synony-
mous in (ireene County, Ark., with successful
agriculture, for Mr. Hampton has been one of its
enterprising tillers of the soil since 1878. He was
born in Lincoln County, Tenn., in 1841, and is a
son of James M. and Melissa (Owen) Hampton,
who were also born in that State, the former's
birth occurring in 1812 and the latter's in 1823.
The father was reared to maturity in Lincoln
County, Tenn., and there continued to make his
home until 1871, then moving to West Tennessee,
where he died in 187ti, having been an active
member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and
a stanch supporter of Christianity and education.
His wife died in Shelby County, Tenn., in 1883;
she was a daughter of William Owen, a prom-
inent farmer of the middle portion of that State,
where he died in 1861, being eighty years old.
The paternal grandfather. James M. Hampton,
was l)orn, reared and married in North Carolina,
and after becoming the father of a number of
children, moved to Tennessee and located OQ a
plantation in Lincoln County, where he became a
wealthy planter and slaveholder. He died in
1858 or 1S59 at the age of eighty years, he, as well
as the maternal grandfather, having been an
earnest member of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
The immediate subject of this sketch is one of the
following children: Martin F.. Pinkney P..
Pleasant K. (deceased), Manoah Ji., James \\.,
Martha J., Mary (deceased), John T., Franklin H.
(deceased), Narcissa A., Maggie (deceased), and
Nancy S. Manoah Hampton attained his majority
in Lincoln County, Tenn., and received his early
education in the old log school house. He remained
with his parents until the lireaking out of the Civil
\\ ar, when he enlisted in 1861 in the Confederate
army, in Company K, First Tennessee Regiment,
under Col. Turner, and was at first and second
Manassas, Cedar Mountain, under Stonewall Jack-
son, Sharpsburg, Fredericksl)urg, Chancellorsville,
\\'ildern<'ss. S])ottsylvania Court House, (iettys-
burg, Richmond and Petersburg, besides numerous
other engagements. At Hanover Junction he was
wounded by a spent cannon ball striking him in
the left side. He was taken prisoner at Shepherds-
town, Md., and taken to Baltimore jail, where he
and 800 others were condemned to be hung.
They were afterward taken to Point Lookout. Md. ,
where they were kept in prison for eight months,
then being exchauged. He, however, remained
there until the final surrender, when he returned
home and continued his farm work until 1867.
Later he moved to Shelby County, Tenn., and in
1878 to Arkansas, as above stated. He has an
excellent farm here, with 100 acres of it under
cultivation, and is doing well financially. He was
married in 18(56 to Miss Mollie Stevenson, who was
horn iu Giles County, Tenn.. in 1848; she became
the mother of three children: JohuB. . who died at
the age of eleven months: MattieM., wife of James
It. ililler, deputy clerk of Greene County: and
Sally N., who lives at home. Mr. Hampton is
now rearing a little girl by the name of Anna
Davis. Ho is a member of the Methodist Episco-
pal Church, a stanch supporter of churches and
schools, and iu his political views is a Democrat.
W. C. Hasty is of the firm of J. F. Hasty iSi
Sons, Paragould. Throughout the county and
especially over this portion of it, the name of
Mr. Hasty is well known, not only as one of its
solid, substantial citizens, but as a thorough
and reliable business man. His birth occurreil
'A
ll£
142
HISTORY or ARKANSAS.
in Portland, Me., on September 15, 1862, and
there he spent his boyhood days and received
a good, practical education. His parents, Joseph
F. and Annie N. (Phillips) Hasty, were both natives
of Portland, Me., and were of Scotch and French
descent, respectively. Joseph F. Hasty has been
a lumberman all his life, and is now residing in
Detroit, Mich., engaged in the stave business.
W. C. Hasty removed with his parents to Detroit,
where he served as accountant in the lumber
business, becoming well posted on this topic. In
January, 1888, he removed to Paragould, Ark.,
and purchased the mill he is now running. He
enjoys large sales and employs, on an average,
about fifty men. He is a bright, intelligent young
man and is thoroughly acquainted with bis busi-
ness. The stave factory firm consists of the fol-
lowing members: J. F., E. F. and W. C. Hasty,
the last named having the entire management ol
the factory at Paragould. Mr. Hasty is a Royal
Arch Mason, and is a director in the Greene
County Bank.
Mrs. Isabella Highlill. widow of Hezekiah
Highfill, and daughter of Samuel and Rebecca J.
(Ellis) Medlock, was born in Henry County, Tenn. ,
October 25, 1831, and as the country was very
sparsely settled in her youth, and schools were
few and far between, she received only a common
school education. While growing to womanhood,
all the clothing the family wore was home made,
and she became very skillful in the use of the loom
and all kinds of women's work. At the early age
of seventeen years she was married to John A.
Hargrove, a native of Southern Alabama, and a i
farmer by occupation, V)y whom she bore a family
of three sons and five daughters, all of whom are
deceased except Ann M. and Francis V. , who live
with their mother. On the 15th of December.
1870, Mr. Hargrove died, leaving his wife with a
farm to be improved, and four small children to
care for. She entered bravely upon her work,
succeeded in paying for her home, and bought
another farm, which she also improved. In 1854
she moved with her husband to Poinsett County.
Ark. , made three crops, and was raising the third,
when the memorable overflow of 1858 inundated
that section to such an extent that all had to seek
for higher land. They removed to Buffalo Island,
Craighead County, where they homesteaded and
improved 160 acres of land, but after Mr. Har-
grove's death his widow traded her farm for land
in Greene County, which she also disposed of
shortly after her marriage with Mr. Highfill, in
1876, and purchased the farm upon which she is now
living, which consists of eighty acres, forty of the
same being in a high state of cultivation, furnished
with good bitildings and an excellent orchard. The
land is a fine, sandy loam, and is devoted equally
to cotton and corn. Mr. Hargrove was a leading
member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, of
which Mrs. Highfill is now a member, and was a
man of exemplary habits and character, and for
many years held the office of the justice of the
j peace. He was allowed to remain at home unmo-
lested during the Rebellion. He was a Democrat,
and was in sympathy with the Union. Hezekiah
Highfill was an elder in the Methodist Ej)iscopal
Church, and was not a participant in the late war,
but sent out two sons, who enlisted in the Con-
federate army, Isaac being killed by a cannon ball
in the battle of Shiloh, and Hezekiah, the other
son, was wounded in the same engagement by a
minie ball, in the left shoulder, from the effects of
which he died in March. 1880, having suffered
from the same for seventeen years. Another son,
J. M. Highfill, has a sketch in another part of
this work. His three daughters are as follows:
Sarah A. (Woods), widow of William Woods;
Fanny (Lloyd), and Mary, wife of Rev. Isaac Ver-
i ner, a Methodist minister of Lake County, Fla.
Mrs. Highfill is a very interesting and intelligent
lady, and having lived in this section for thirty-
five years, can recount many interesting incidents in
the early settlement of this section. She says that
during the first years of her residence here the men
would devote the summer to raising crops, and
would hunt and trap during the winter months,
their game consisting of deer, bear, wild cats,
wolves and turkeys for food, and otter, beaver,
mink and raccoon for their furs. These were
taken by ox team to \\'ittsburgh or Memphis, and
often realized .f 100 on one load. Prices ranged as
^ &
"^*
IS
©Jv"
GREENE COUNTY.
143
follows; hfar meat, 25 cents per |iouii(l; deer. 10
eents; turkeys. SI eacli: wild cat, 10 cents and
wolf 10 cents. Otter hides brought $5 each: bea-
ver, $7.50; mink, $3, and raccoon 50 cents, thus
making the hunting season much more profitable
than the farming season, hence there was very
little done toward developing the country prior to
the war. Everything was plentiful in the way of
wild game and fruits, and the range was so good
that stock could live the year round without being
fed. In those days the women made all their own
clothing, and raised their own cotton and sheep.
Mrs. Highfill is now residing about one-half mile
from two large mounds, containing the skeletons
and relics of the pre-historic Mound Builders. l)ut
the Indians who were here when she first settled
could tell her nothing about them. Mrs. Highfill' 8
falher and mother were born in South Carolina: the
former was a farmer and mechanic by trade, and
owned a tine farm of 320 acres in his native State,
on which he resided until his death in April, 1879.
The mother died in ISfiS. They were members of
the Baptist and Methodist Churches, resjjectively,
and in his political views he was a Democrat.
John M. Highfill. a prosperous farmer and
stock raiser of the county, is the tenth of eleven
children, and was born in Hardeman County, Tenn. .
in 1850, being a son of Hezekiah and Temperance
B. (Rook) Highfill, who were also Tennesseeans,
and were married in their native State. The father
was a farmer and miller by occupation, and was
also a local minister in the Methodist Episcopal
Church. In 1858 he removed with his family to
Greene County, Ark., and settled on 160 acres of
land, about eight acres of which were cleared, and
on which was erected a little log cabin. He began
immediately to clear his land from timber, erect
l)etter buildings and otherwise improve his prop-
erty, and became in time one of the well-to do
citizens of the county. During this time he con-
tinued his ministerial labors, and was instrumental
in saving many souls. His death occurred in
issn. and his wife's in 1872. John M. Highfill
was reared to farm labor, but never attended the
public schools, the most of his education being
ac(iuired at home. When about twentv-one years
of age he liegan farming for himself, purchased
his father's old home, and was married to Miss
Sarah L. Norton, a native of Alabama. He was
engaged in general farming for :'!ome time after
his marriage and did considerable speculating and
trading, and in 1880 erected a good frame resi-
dence and made other valuable improvements. He
has cleared aljout forty acres, and has some ninety
under cultivation and fence, nearly all of which
is excellent bottom land. In 1887 he bought
eighty acres of tine bottom land, and now, taking
his property all together, it is one of the tinest
bodies of land in the county. He has a good
young orchard of about 200 trees. In 1880, in
partnership with J. H. Thomas, he bought an
interest in a general mercantile store at Bethel,
and continued this business until the spring of
1888. At the present time he is dealing <|uite ex-
tensively in horses, but also gives his attention to
the propagation of other stock. In April, 1888,
he went to Florida, where he purchased land suit-
able for orange orchards, and has twelve acres im-
ju-oved. and has also |)urchased a house and lot
in the town of Umatilla. Lake County, Fla. In
1881 ho had a contract to clear the right of way
and fixrnish the ties for five miles of the Knobel
Branch of the Iron Mountain Railroad. He has
always taken an active interest in polities, being a
Democrat in his party affiliations, and in 1874
was elected justice of the peace, and after serving
four years was elected sheriff of Greene County,
in September. 1885. serving a term of two years,
but was defeated for re-election by a small major
ity. On the 30th of October. 188(1, in his official
capacity as sheriff, he was com])elled to execute
William H. Hopper, the only man ever hanged by
law in Greene County. He is Past Master in
Paragould Lodge No. 308, of the A. F. & A. M.,
and he and wife are the parents of the following
children : Henry N. . Lovy A. (who died at the age
of five years). Hezekiah, .Joseph B. (whcxlied when
five years old), Eliza L. . Benjamin Franklin and
Delia Frances. Mr. Highfill had two lirothers in
the Confederate army: Isaac E., who was killed at
the battle of Shiloh, on the 7th of A])ril, 1SI)2,
while serving under Joe Johnston: and Hezekiah.
\u
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
wlio was with Hood ia all his campaigns, aud was
wounded at the battle of Murfreesboro ; he died
March 22, 1880.
D. D. Hodges, of the mercantile tirm of D. D.
Hodges & Co., Paragould. A review of the Imsi-
iiess of Paragould discloses the existence of a num
ber of houses which compare favorably with those
of any city, and enjoying a foremost position as
one of such is the establishment of D. D. Hodges
& Co. Mr. Hodges was born in East Tennessee,
his parents, B. Marshall and Mary (Adams) Hodges,
also being natives of that section. D. D. Hodges
was but six years of age when he moved with his
parents to Metropolis, 111., aud there the father
died in 1869 and the mother in 1879. They had
a family of six children, four now living, viz. :
William T. , Charles F., Lizzie, wife of Jo-seph
Wyess, and David D., who is the youngest of the
family living. The latter was principally reared
iu Illinois and received his education in the com-
mon schools. At the age of twelve years he en-
tered a store at Metropolis, 111. , as clerk, and there
remained until sixteen years of age, when he took
charge of a branch house at Woodville, Ky. , and
remained with this firm all together ten years, thus
forcibly demonstrating the fact that he was reared
iu the mercantile business. In 1877 he was em-
ployed as traveling salesman for Fisher & Farley,
of Paducah, Ky., with whom he remained two
years. He then engaged in business for himself
at Woodville, Ky., and in 1 881 he came to Arkan-
sas, where he sold on commission for Col. Beal on
the "Cotton Belt"' Railroad until the spring of
1882. Later he served as clerk for C D. Pruet
and in 1886 bought an interest in the store, after
which a partnership was formed as C. D. Pruet &
Co., which continued until January, 1888. Mr.
Pi-uet'a death occurred in August, 1887, and in
January, 1888, the tirm was changed to D. D.
Hodges & Co. The firm members are: D. D.
Hodges, W. F. Pruet and E. C. Deakin. A large
stock of goods of general merchandise is carried,
occupying two large store rooms in a brick build-
ing. Mr. Hodges was married in 1875, to Miss
Ella V. Settle, a native of Kentucky. Two chil-
dren were born to this union, Walter D. and Mary
O. Mrs. Hodges is a member of the Christian
Church. Mr. Hodges is a member of the K. of P.
and also belongs to the K. of H. He is well re-
spected and is one of the enterprising citizens of
Paragould.
E. P. Holt, one of the leading and successful
merchants of Marmaduke. Ark., was born in Mid-
dle Tennessee, where his father. Garrison Holt,
now lives, and in 1865 was united in marriage to
Miss Elizabeth Parker, daughter of C. C. Parker,
of Wayne County, Tenn. In 1874 he emigrated
to Pemiscot County, Mo. , where he followed
farming along the Mississippi River until 1884,
when he moved to Arkansas and settled in Greene
County. His wife died in Paragould January 10,
1885, and in the fall of the following year Mr.
Holt commenced farming, and also engaged iu the
tie business, which he continued for several years.
In February. 1888, he bought out Mr. J. L. Spen-
cer, who carried on business at Holliday, and Mr.
Holt moved the stock to Marmaduke, first renting
a building, and then erecting a store room during
the summer of 1888. His second marriage was
to Miss Mary J. (Freeman) Barton, of West Ten-
nessee. Mr. Holt has been identified with the
improvement and growth of the town since coming
here. At that time there was neither church nor
school, and it is mainly by his efforts that school
is now in session live months in the year, held in
a very good building, 24x40 feet, which edifice
is also used as a Baptist Church, and to which
Mr. Holt and family belong. He is the father of
one son by his first wife, and this young man is
now attending school. During vacation he assists
his fathei' in the store. Mr. Holt has a well se-
lected stock of goods, valued at about $2,000, and
endeavors to furnish his patrons with the best to be
obtained.
John W. Hooker. A gratifying example of
success and ably conducted home industries is af-
forded by the large lumbering-mill owned by Mr.
Hooker, which is situated on the Iron Mountain
Railroad, about eight miles below Knobel. The
works are quite extensive, and have a capacity of
10,000 feet per day, and Mr. Hooker utilizes in a
great measure the timber of his own land, his acre-
GREENE COUNTY.
1 ir.
age comprising 540, with about 100 acres under cul-
tivation, all of which is the result of his own labor.
He was born in Scott County, lud. , in 1834, and
is a son of Emsley and Eliza (Hubanks) Hooker,
who were born in North Carolina and Virginia,
respectively. The father was taken by his parents
to Clark County, Ind. , when one year old, the
country at that time being a wilderness, and here he
attained his majority, being reared on his father's
farm. The grandfather died in that county in
ISyS, at the age of seventy-six years. Emsley
Hooker was fifty- four years old at the time of his
death, in 1862, in Scott County, Ind. Through-
out life he had followed the occupation of farming.
He was a Democrat politically, and was a liberal
contributor to and a member of the Methodist
Episcopal Church. His wife died in 1839, having
borne a family of four children, two of whom are
now living: Lorenzo D. , a resident of Indiana, and
John W. The latter is the elder of the two, and
was reared to mature years on a farm in Scott
County, and in 1854 commenced working for him-
self on a farm, at $13 per mouth. Three years
later he was married, but continued his farm labors
until the latter part of the Civil War. when he
enlisted in the Thirty-first Indiana Volunteers,
Company I, under Charles Adamson, of Rockport,
Ind., and served twelve months (the last year),
participating in the battles of Franklin, Nashville,
and a number of minor engagements. He was
dischai'ged at New Orleans, and mustered out at
Victoria. Tex. He then returned to Indiana,
where he was engased in farming until 1880, com-
ing thence to Greene County, Ark., where he
embarked in lumber-milling and farming, which
occupations have received hi.s attention up to the
present time. Mr. Hooker's first marriage was to
Miss Hannah J. Reynolds, a native of Indiana,
born in 1840, who died in 18(i2 by drowning. She
and another lady were in a canoe on White River,
when they struck a snag, upsetting their boat.
Her companion chuig to the snag and was saved.
Three children were born to this union: Alvin A.,
at home; Oldridge, married and residing at his
father's mill, and John W., who died at the age
of six weeks. Mr. Hooker took for his second wife
Mrs. Jeanette (Weddell) Heart, who was born in
Jackson County, Ind., and died in 1886, at the age
of forty-four years. To thorn were born six cliil
dren: Ross, Nathan. Charles, Austin. Eliza J. and
Georgia (who died in 1879, at the age of two
years). To the mother's first union three children
were born: America. Mary A. and liriller Heart.
The last two are deceased. Both wives were mem
bers of the church. He belongs to the G. A. R.
George R. Hopkins, a well known and success-
ful educator of the county, and a farmer by occu-
pation, was born in Gwinnett County, (ia. , in
1860, being a son of Melmoth D. and Elizabeth
(Martin) Hopkins, who were also born in Georgia.
The grandfather, George H. Hopkins, was a verj'
prominent educator in his day, and taught one
school for over thirty years. He also represented
his county in the State legislature several terms,
always taking an active part in politics. He wa.s
of English descent and died in Gwinnett County,
in 18S9, at the age of eighty years, esteemed by
all. Melmoth D. was one of his twelve children,
and was reared in that county, where he received
a good education in his youth, afterwards being
engaged in farming and teachiug school. He was
a member of the A. F. & A. M., and belonged
to the Baptist Church. During the late Rebellion
he served four years in the Confederate army, and
during his term of service was in prison seven or
eight months. Since 1866 he has resided in Ar-
kansas, and is now living in Sebastian County, be-
low Fort Smith, on a farm, his wife also surviv-
ing. The following are the children l)orii to their
union: Aldorah, George, Julian, Mary. Warner
(deceased), Thomas and Pearlie. (ieorge R. Hoj)
kins attained his growth principally in Jonesboro,
Ark., also receiving tlie moat of his education
there, but attended one year in (Jeorgia. Shortly
after he began teaching school, continuing one
year, when he was elected surveyor of Craighead
County, which positioti he held two years. Since
1884 he has resided in Cireene County, and the
tirst year taught school in Paragould: he has con-
tinued to be one of the successful educators of
Gainesville, being now engaged on his fourth term
of ten months in that town. He was married in
146
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
1S85 to Anna Newberry, who was born in Carroll
County, Tenn. , and by her has two children: Buna
and Irene. Mr. Hopkins is a member of the K.
of H., is a Democrat in his political views, and is
a thorough, competent, and extensive educator of
the young. During the foiu- years he has taught
in Gainesville, he has fitted about twenty of his
pupils for the profession of teaching. His wife
is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
South.
Pressley Huckabay, one of the pioneers of
Greene County, Ark., and one who has witnessed
the rapid development of that county in the last
thirty years, was born in Campbell County, Tenn.,
where he grew to manhood and was married. In
1857 he and family moved to Greene County, Ark.,
settling about a mile and a half from his present
residence, where he cleared a farm of seventy-two
acres and erected houses, etc. This laud belonged
to the railroad company, and having a chance to sell
the improvements made on the same, Mr. Hucka-
bay did so, and then moved to his present farm,
which consists of 120 acres, with 100 under culti-
vation. He married Miss Mary Bullock of Ten-
nessee, and twelve children were born to this union,
eight now living. The following grew to matur-
ity: Elizabeth married Jackson Purcell, a farmer
of Greene Count}', and became the mother of one
child; Nancy married Obadiah Purcell, a farmer
of Greene Covinty, and became the mother of
two childi'en; Sarah married John Van Guilder,
a farmer of Greene County, and became the mother
of six children; John A. died, leaving two chil-
dren, and his wife also died; William T. married
and lives on a farm a short distance from his father,
and has a family of six children; Commodore
Perry married and resides at Marmaduke, where
he runs a saw-mill — he has five children: Rhietta
was married to M. B. Harvey, a farmer of Greene
County, and is the mother of eight children; Almar-
ine married, lives near his father, and has three
children; Alfi-ed remains on the farm with his
father, is married and has four children: Francis
Marion died and left a wife and one child. Mr.
Huckabay has a niece. Miss Nancy E. Huckabay,
who makes her home with lu-r uncle. Tlie latter
takes a deep interest in the political issues of the
day, and affiliates with the Democratic party. He
is a member of the Missionary Ba])tist Church.
During the late unpleasantness between the North
and South he was in Col. McNeill's regiment and
participated in the battles of Little Rock, Forrest
City, was in the Red River Expedition, and in a
number of sharp skirmishes. When Mr. Hucka-
bay first moved. to Greene County, Ark., settlers
were few, provisions scarce, and all depended, to
a great extent, upon the gun for a means of living.
When he wanted fresh meat he frequently sent his
children around a thicket within HOO yards of the
house, and would pick out a good one from the
drove of deer thus started up. His method for
catching turkeys was very ingenious. Building
a square pen of logs near where he fed his stock,
he covered it with poles, and then digged a slant-
ing passageway leading under the logs. This
passage-way would end abruptly after entering
the pen. Corn was then scattered along the pass-
age or outside slant; the turkey would have to stoop
a little to go under the pen, but as soon as inside
would fly up to the level ground above, and instead
of looking down to get out would always look up.
Mr. Huckabay often caught as high as eight or ten
at a time in this manner. Coons were so thick
that a man could take his rifle and kill as many as
fifteen or twenty a day. John Wooten, a neigh-
bor, killed twenty-five on one occasion, and Mr.
Huckabay has killed as many as fifteen himself.
Bears were so plentiful that their meat was used
instead of bacon, and was put down for the season
in much the same way as pork. A good bear skin
was worth about $5 at Cape Girardeau, Mo.
Mr. Huckabay has killed a number of panthers,
and can relate numerous thrilling exploits with
these animals. He was attacked by one at one
time, and after having fired three bullets against
its head, which failed to penetrate the sknll, he
realized that he was getting in very close quarters.
Just at this critical moment his faithful dogs re-
newed their attacks on the panther, thus giving
their owner a chance to send a bullet just back of
the fore legs of the animal, which stretched him
lifeless on the ground.
-Ji^ftWfe
DaCEDLA
Mississippi CounTT,ARKAnsAS .
C. p. Huckabay, the leading mill man of this
section, was born in Campbell County, Tenn., and
came to Greene County, Ark.. al)out thirty two
years ago. He is a self made man, was reared ou
the farm, and picked up his education as best he
coukl after reaching his majority. The schools
were all elo.sed during the war in that [)ortion of
the country, and as Mi-. Huckalmy was a school
boy at that time, his educational advantages were
not of the best. He was industrious, full of (>nergy
and perseverance, and is now the owner of 1,000
acres of land, with seventy-five acres under cultiva
tion. This he rents, and his time is fully occupied
in the lumber and stave business, being the owner
of two large saw mills, one located in Marmaduke
and the other in the vicinity. The one at Marma-
duke has a capacity of 1,500 feet per day, and
the one in the country will run about S.OOO feet.
Mr. Huckabay is now building a tram road three
and a half miles into the woods, which will be con-
nected with the road of Mr. Rosengrant, ex-
tending two and a half miles further into a fine
timbered country, and will supply them timber for
about five years. Mr. Huckabay has been in the
railroad supply business, getting out ties and other
timbers, and at one time ran about 300 men, fur
nishing them with provisions from his su])ply store
then located at Marmaduke. He is now securing
all kinds of building and bridge timber. Mr.
Huckabay chose for his companion in life Miss
Nancy A. llamsey, a native of Tennessee, and the
daughter of M. Ramsey (deceased), of Greene
County. To this union were born five children:
Virginia E., Nathan P., William B. , Carrie A.
and Mary. Mr. Huckabay is conservative, both in
politics and religion, not but that he believes in
both, but he considers every one possesses the right
to his own views on the subject. He is a member
of the I. O. O. F., belonging to Evergreen Lodge,
located at Tilmanville.
H, C. Hunter is a representative man of Greene
County, Ark., who has attained his pro])erty by
industry and good business ability, and has won an
enviable position in .society circles. He was born
in Middle Tennessee, in 1S4'2, and up to the age of
eighteen years was reared on his father's jilanta
tion, thus becoming familiar with the details of
farm life. When eighteen he eniigrat«Hl to Greene
County, Ark., I)ut when the Relx-llion broke out,
in 1S61, he enlisted from Tennessee for twelve
months, in Company G, Ninth Tennessee Infantry,
Confederate States Army, and participated in tiie
battles of Belmont. Shiloh, Murfreesboro, Perry
ville, and at Chickamauga was wounded by a gun
shot, and was confined in the hospital at Mont-
gomery, Ala. After recovering he was detailed to
the engineers' department, and was engaged in con-
structing bridges until the final surrender, when
he returned to Greene Coixnty, Ark., and resumed
farming. He has now an excellent farm of over
2(10 acres, with about 1 HO acres under cultivation,
on which he raises cotton and corn. He also gives
considerable attention to the propagation of stock,
and has an excellent range on which his animals
pasture. Having been a resident of this State for
many years, he has seen the gradual but sure
development of the country from a wilderness to
finely cultivated farms, for where churches, schools
and substantial homes now are, then Indians and
wild animals in profusion roamed the woods. He
has done a full share in securing this desirable
change, and by industry and shrewd management
has made his farm one of the best in the county.
Where he was previously obliged to go 125 miles
to market he now only goes eight miles, to Para-
gould. He was married in Greene County, in
1873, to Miss Georgiauua King, a native of
Tennessee, and a daughter of John M. and Sarah
Jane (Freelandi King, who were also Tennesseeans.
emigrating to Gr(>ene County. Ark., in \H~i2. and
opening up a farm: later they moved to Pemiscot
County, Mo., where they are living at the present
time. The father was a volunteer in the Mexican
War. Mr. and Mrs. Hunter are members of the
Methodist Episco]>al Church, and are the parents
of the fi)lk>wing children: Betty, Alva, Minnie,
Charles, James and Eufus M. Mr. Hunter is a
Democrat. He was the youngest of eight children
born to Lay ton and Elizabeth (Hobison) Hunter,
the former a native of Tennessee and the latter of
Kentucky. They were married in the former
State, and here the father became ijuite a wealthy
^^ r-
148
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
planter, but in 1859 removed to Greene County,
Ark., and settled on the farm now owned by our
subject, H. C. Hunter. He figured quite promi-
nently in politics while in Tennessee, but after
coming to Arkansas he remained more at home.
His health was always good and he died in 1875,
at the age of seventy -live year.s, his wife's death
occurring within a few days of his own. The
paternal grandfather was a Virginian, and a sol-
dier in the War of 1812, as was also the maternal
grandfather, the latter being a native of Kentucky
soil.
Richard Jackson is well known by reason of his
association with the general mercantile firm of
Jackson Dry Goods Company. His career in
Greene County has been markedly rapid and suc-
cessful, and his name stands to-day among the
leading business men of the county. The business
was established in 1867, he and his l)rother. J. R.,
purchasing the stock of gooils formerly owned by
Taylor & Miller, which consists of a full line of
general merchandise, and he and his present part-
ners are now doing the leading business in Gaines -
\ille. He was born in Stoddard County, Mo., in
1843, and was the son of John J. and Emily
(Montgomery) Jactson, who were Tennesseeans,
and came to Missouri at an early period, being
among the first settlers of Stoddard County. He
was engaged in farming until the late war, then
coming to Greene County, Ark. , and locating near
Gainesville, where he died in 1877, after having led
a very active life. He was quite an active politi-
cian, and held the office of deputy sheriff of Stod-
dard County for four years, and sheriff four j'ears
after coming to Greene County. He was active in
advocating schools, chui'ches, etc. His wife died
in 1885, at the age of seventy-three years. Their
children all lived to be grown; one son, two daugh-
ters and the father died within two months of each
other. Those living are Isaiah, Richard and
I'ranklin, the latter being in partnership with his
brother, Richard. Richard Jackson attained his
eighteenth year in Stoddard County, and remained
at home until the breaking out of the Civil War in
1861, when he enlisted in the Confederate army,
under Jeff Thompson, and served until the final
siurender, taking part in a numlier of important
engagements, and was wounded at Pilot Knob,
having his leg broken. He was captured while
there, and sent to the hospital at Ironton, and was
soon after exchanged. He returned home and there
remained until able to get about, when he rejoined
his regiment, and continued in service until the
close. Again coming home he resumed farming,
then clerked in a general store, and in 1867 estab-
lished his present business, and in addition to this
gives much of his attention to real estate, having
charge of all the Iron Mountain Railroad lands in
the county. He also manages several large stock
farms, and deals and trades extensively in stock.
He is a Democrat in his political views, and when
the county seat was at Gainesville he held the
office of treasurer of the county. He has always
been a liberal contributor to churches, schools,
and all worthy enterprises, and now occupies a
high position both in mercantile and social circles.
His wife, whose maiden name was Jennie Stead
man. was born in North Carolina, and their union
was blessed in the birth of six children: Clara.
Frannie, Arthur, Emma, Maggie, and an infant
daughter unnamed.
A. D. Jackson, of the firm of Jackson &
Byers, proprietors of a livery stable, has one of
the best equipped enterprises of the kind in the
county. This stable, from the large business it
does, not only exemplifies the importance of the
town, but reflects credit upon its management.
Mr. Jackson was born in Greene County, Ark. .
January 20, 1865, and is one of three children
born to James R. and Nancy (Davis) Jackson, na-
tives of Tennessee. The parents were early settlers
of this part of Arkansas, but duiing the war the
family moved to Missouri, and there the father
, served as captain of a company. During the ser-
vice he was wounded in the hip by a gunshot. He
died in 1881, but the mother is still living and re-
sides in Paragould. Their children are named as
follows: Jennie, wife of John Perry; Albert D. .
and Lela, wife of Oscar Huff. A. D. Jackson
grew to manhood in Gainesville, receiving his edu-
cation there, and afterward clerked in a store for
, about four years. He then engaged in merchan-
GREENE COUNTY.
MU
I-
r
dising with an uncle, Kichard Jackson, at (iaiues-
ville, remained with him three years and then ran
the business alone for a short time. After this he
went to Hot Springs, thence back to Gainesville,
where he was occiipied in farming and teaming for
about three years. In November, 1888, he came
to Paragould and embarked in the livery business
with his present partner. He keeps about fifteen
good horses and can furnish, day or night, as neat
a turnout as one could desire and at the lowest
figure. Mr. Jackson chose for his life's companion
Miss Joe Collins, who became his wife on Decem-
ber 25, 1884. Two children are the result of this
union: James A. and Pearl. Mr. Jackson is a
member of the I. O. O. F. lodge.
I. C. Jeffers. Greene County, Ark. , ranks
among the first in the State in regard to its man-
ufacturing intere.sts. and Mr. Jeffers is one of its
foremost lumber maniifacturers. He engaged in
liusiness for himself in 1888, his mill being at
South Miser; it was previously known as Miser's
Mill, and has a capacity of 10,000 feet per day.
Mr. Jeffers was born in Clark County, 111., in
1851, and was the third in a family of seven chil-
dren born to Thomas and Julia Ann (Lafferty)
Jeffers, natives, respectively, of Kentucky and Illi-
nois. The father was a tiller of the soil and
opened up several large farms, and is now residing
in Edinburgh, 111. In 18f?l he enlisted from
Moultrie County, of that State, in Company C,
One Hundred and Twenty-sixth Illinois Infantry,
and was wounded at Devall's Bluff, Ark., receiving
a gunshot wound by the bushwhackers, and was
confined in the hospital for some time, obtaining
his discharge in May. 1865. His wife died in
Shelbj' County, 111. . at the age of fifty-six years,
February lU, 1878. I. C. Jeffers spent his early
life on his father's farms and attended the common
schools, supplementing this by one year's attend-
ance at St. Mary"s, Indiana. When about seven-
teen years of age he began learning the miller's
trade in Moultrie County, 111. , and has followed
that occupation with success ever since. He was
married there, in 1877, to Miss Frances Anna
Jones, a native of Illinois, and a daughter of Amos
and Mary Ann (Steele) Jones, the former having
been born in South Carolina and the latter in Illi-
nois, both of whom are still living. After his mar-
riage Mr. Jeffers remained in Illinois until 1881,
when he came to Corning and embarked in the tim-
ber business, moving thence to Rector, where he
was foreman four years for W. G. Hutchings' saw-
mill; since 1888 he has been engaged in operating
his mill at Rector, and now ships from four to five
carloads per week. He has always supported the
Democratic, party, and although having resided
in Greene County only a few years has b(!come
well and favorably known. His children are
Marietta, Charles Albert, Clara Ethel and Julia
Cora.
William C. Johnson has been identified with
the farming and stock dealing interests of Friend-
ship Township, Greene County, Ark., since 1850,
and in that time he has proven himself to be a man
of intelligence and enterprise. He was born in
Knox County, Tenn., in October, 1821, and is the
eldest of five children born to Pleasant M. and Ellen
(Thompson) Johnson, who were born in Virginia,
and at an early day emigrated to Tennessee, where
they were married. Thej' were engaged in farm-
ing in West Tennessee imtil 1858, when they moved
to Dunklin County, Mo., where the father died in
1861, aged sixty-four years, his wife's death hav-
ing occurred in Tennessee, in 1854. He was a
soldier in the War of 1812. His mother was Mary
Hancock, a niece of John Hancock, a signer of the
Declaration of Independence. William C. Johnson
was educated in the district schools near his home
in Tennessee, and was married in Madison County,
.of that State, in 1842. to Amanda C. Sanders, a
native of Lincoln County, Tenn., a daughter cf
Samuel and Linnie (Looney) Sanders, who were
Tennesseeans. and prosperous farmers of that
State. They moved to Ozark County, Mo., in
1854, where they were engaged in farming until
their respective deaths in 1857 and 18S7. Mr.
Johnson and family emigrated to Lawrence Conn
ty, Ark., in 1854, where they entered a tract of
120 acres and remained two years, moving thence
to his present farm in (ireeue County. He first
entered 156 acres, which he proved up in ISCil,
and has added to this land imtil he now owns 107
^
HISTOKY OF ARKANSAS.
acres, with nearly 100 acres under cultivation.
Besides this he owns forty acres of land in Clark
Township (twenty-two acres in cultivation), the
most of his tillable property being devoted to cot-
ton and corn. He has aided in the organization
of Friendship Township, and assisted in building
the county road. He has always atRliated with the
Democratic party, and has helped largely in in-
creasing the number of Democratic voters in his
section. He has been one of the foremost men in
developing the resources of the county, and has al-
ways been an active supporter of schools and
churches, being ordained in 1874, by Thomas D.
Lloyd and David Thorn, a minister of the Mis-
sionary Baptist Church. He has ex])ounded the
gospel since that time and has been instrumental
in converting some people to Christianity. He
and wife are the parents of threi> daughters and
ten sons: Permelia Lane and Emerentha Virginia
(deceased); Linna Blender, wife of A.M. Shearer,
living near Halliday; W. S. C, married and resid-
ing in Greene County; John H. . married and resi-
dent of Halliday; David Pleasant and James Mon-
roe (deceased); Ben. Franklin, also deceased; Al-
fred Jefferson, single; Christopher A, also married;
J. N., P. G. and L. L.
B. A. Johnson, a wealthy farmer and stock-
man, of Greene County, Ark., was born in Hick-
man County, Tenn., in 1834, and is the iifth in a
family of ten children born to Granville M. and
Nereusa (Gardner) Johnson, who were Tennessee-
ans, the father being a farmer by occupation, and
a wealthy citizen. He was justice of the peace in
Tennessee for many years, and died in that State
in 1S84, followed by his wife some two years later.
The paternal and maternal graudfatliers were Vir-
ginians, who removed to Tennessee at an early
day. the former reaching this State in 1812. Here
they both died. B. A. Johnson was reared to farm
labor, and had very poor educational advantages
in his youth. He remained at home until attain-
ing his majority, and then for .several years was
engaged in brick-laying. At the age of twenty-one
he was wedded to Miss Sarah E. Fielder, a native
of Tennessee. In 1855 he located in Wayne Coun-
ty. Mo., where, in 180(1, he bought a farm, and
embarked in agricultiu'e, continuing until the war
broke out, when he raised a company of Missouri
State Guards, of which he was elected first lieuten-
ant. He soon resigned this position, and enlisted
as a private in the Confederate army, being
elected first lieutenant of Reeves' cavalry company
of inde])endent scouts. He was soon sent east of
the Mississippi, and was in the battles of Mem-
phis, Corinth, luka, Jacinto, Richmond, Ky.,
Perryville, after which he was transferred to the
western department of Arkansas, where he was
detailed to raise a regiment, of which he was made
lieutenant-colonel. In this capacity he partici-
jmted in the battles of Little Rock, Pine Bluff and
Saline River, and was then with Price on his Mis-
souri raid, taking part in every battle fought on
this trip. During the war his family removed from
Missouri south to Clay County, Ark., and here Mr.
Johnson went after the cessation of hostilities,
where he remained three years, and then came
to Cache Township, Greene County, Ark, where
they are still residing. He purchased a partially
improved farm of 160 acres, opened about sixty
acres, and in 1871 purchased 160 acres three miles
south of his first place, to which he has added 170
acres, and has cleared 100 acres, having about 200
under cultivation. In addition to these tracts he
has about 500 acres in another locality. He does
genera] farming, but gives the most of his atten-
tion to the raising of corn and cotton. He is an ac-
tive politician, a substantial supporter of churches
and schools, and he and family attend the Baptist
Church, of which he and his wife are members.
His family consists of the following children:
John W., born February 17, 1856, who is married
and resides on his father's land; William G., born
February 9, 1858, also married and living in the
township: Barbara Etta Bell, born October 5. 18()0,
wife of E. R. C. Biggs, a resident of Woodruff
County; Robert E. Lee, born October 21, 1863,
died in 1864; Adelaide, born September 24, 1865,
wife of P. Eubanks, of Greene County; Samantha
C, born August 4, 1867; Victoria R., wife of
James Light, born July 19. 1869; Sarah N., born
October 10, 1871; Benjamin O, born June 10,
1S74: and Lizzie B. . born August 11, 1877.
GREENE COUNTY.
IM
R. B. Joues. No matter how disagreeable tlie
outlook in life, or how little encouragement is re-
ceived, there are some who will succeed in what
ever they undertake, while others, placed in the
same circumstances, will give uj) in despair.
Among those who have won universal respect by
push and energy, and who are classed among the
first in whatever they undertake, is the above
mentioned gentleman. Mr. Jones was born in
that part of Greene County, Ark., which is at this
time known as Clay County, September (j, 1848,
and remained in that county, engaged in farming,
until about twelve years ago, when he moved to
what is known as Tilmanville and opened a black-
smith shop. This he has curried on in a successful
manner ever since. In addition to this Mr. Jones
manages his farm of 180 acres, which his sons are
now working, and he has opened aboiit five or six
acres on the home place, consisting of eighty acres.
He was married to Miss Martha J. Bradsher,
daughter of Jefferson Bradsher, of Greene Coun-
ty, Ark., and three interesting childi'en were the
result of this union: J. M. , J. C. and W. A., all
at home. Mr. Jones is also rearing two of his
sister-in-law's children, they being the orphan
children of J. H. and Mary C. Huckabay, and are
named Almon E. and Hiram C. John Jones, the
father of the subject of this sketch, came to
Greene County, Ark., in 1830, and died here in
1871. His wife died in 18(51. They were the
parents of eight children, two surviving. By his
second wife John Jones became the father of five
children. R. B. Jones is a member of the Ma-
sonic fraternity, Danley Lodge No. 300, and he
also belongs to Evergreen Lodge No. 66, of the
I. O. O. F. He and wife are members of the
Missionary Baptist Church.
S. L. Joseph, one of the leading merchants of
I'aragonld, was l)orn in Germany, on the Rhine, in
October, 1854, receiving his education in his native
country, and at an early age engaged in mercantile
])ursaits, which he has followed ever since, thus
securing a thorough knowledge of the busini^ss.
In 1871 he sailed for America, taking passage iit
Bremen, and landing at New York City, where he
remained about three years. He then went to
Pennsylvania, and for a period of some three ynars
was engaged in the ottice of the Buffalo & Philadel-
])hia Railroad Company, going thence to St. Louis,
where he remained one year. In 1878 he went to
Walnut Ridge, Ark., followed clerking until 1880,
and then came to Gainesville, of the same State,
and there opened a store in partnership with Isaac
Less. He continued the business at Gainesville
and Jonesboro for three years, after which he sold
his interest and took a trip to Europe, traveling
over the continent, and was absent about ten
months. After his return he went to Wichita,
Kan., resided at that place one year, and in the
fall of 1885 came to Paragould, where he em-
barked in merchandising under the firm name of
Harris & Joseph. In the spring of 1889 Mr.
Joseph bought out his partner and is now con-
tinuing the business alone. He carries a large
stock of merchandise, averaging about $25,000,
and is one of the enterprising business men i/f
Paragould. He is a member of the Masonic
fraternity, the I. O. O. F. , and also belongs to the
K. of H. He was married May 1, 1889, to Miss
Setta Goldman, a native of Europe, and sister of
J. D. Goldman, of the large firm of Goldman <&
Co., of St. Louis. Mr. Joseph's parents, Maurice
F. and Babbet (Steinheimer) Joseph, were natives
of Europe. The father is deceased, but the mother
is still living in Germany.
Jesse Kenemure, a successful farmer and stock
raiser of Jones Township, was born in Georgia,
in 1819, and is the sixth in a family of eiglif
children born to David and Lucy (Price) Kene-
mure, luitives of South Carolina. The parents
remained in their native State until after theii-
marriage, and then moved to Georgia, where the
mother died a few years later. The father again
married and lived in that State until his death.
Jesse Kenemure assisted his father in the arduous
duties on the farm until nineteen years of age,
after which he began farming for himself, and
this occuj)ation has continued all his life. He was
married when twenty -one years of age to Miss
Rebecca Rock, a native of Georgia: and eight
children were the result of this union, four now
living. They are nar 1 as follows: Luciuda
1 r.2
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
I
Margaret (deceaHed), Jiimes Franklin, married and
lives on his father's place: N. W., married and
lives on Crowley's Ridge; Charles D. , married
and lives in this township; Missouri Jane, died in
Georgia; William Ross, died in Georgia; L.
W., married and resides in Greene County, and
Margaret. Jesse Kenemure followed farming in
Georgia, until 1856, when he moved directly to
Greene County, Ark. , and settled on the west side
of CJrowley's Ridge, where he bought forty acres
of wild land. He immediately began improving,
by erecting buildings and clearing land, etc., and
after having cleared about thirty acres and remain-
ing there for some twelve years, he sold out and
moved to Jones' Ridge, being one of four families
in that section. He bought 180 acres of land,
cleared 100 acres, erected buildings, set out an
extensive orchard of all kinds of fruits, and has
surrounded himself with everything to make a
pleasant, comfortable home. During the late war
he was with Price on his Missouri raid, and was
in the battles of Iron Mountain, Blue Lick, In-
dependence and Boonville. He is a member of the
Wheel, and is an active worker in the cause of
education.
T. B. Kitchens, circuit court clerk, exrofficio
clerk of the county and probate courts, and recorder
of Greene County, Ark., is one of the prominent
and leading citizens of that county. He was born
in Craighead County, Ark., August 21, 1854, and
is the son of James H. and Arminda J. (Davis)
Kitchens, natives of Forsyth County, Ga. The
parents were married in their native State, but af-
terward removed to Cherokee County, Ala., where
they remained i;ntil the winter of 1851, and then
located in what is now Craighead County, Ark.
In the early part of the following year the father
removed to the farm he now occupies, and there
he has since resided. He was one of the first
settlers of Craighead County, having located there
when the country was wild and unbroken. T. B.
Kitchens was reared and received his primary
education in his native county. Later he attended
school at Gainesville, and completed his educa-
tion at the Arkansas Industrial University, at
Fayetteville, from which institution he graduated
with honor, being valedictorian of his class in
1880. He was also awarded the gold medal of
$25, oflFered by B. B. Stone, of Fayetteville, for the
best set of literary essays of the season of 1880, as
well as the gold medal otfered by the publishing
house of D. Appleton & Co., to the member of
the senior class of 1880, who had the highest
standing in mathematics in the four years' course.
Following his graduation, Mr. Kitchens taught
school until the spring of 1882, and in the fall of
the same year he entered the county clerk's office
as deputy, and served for four years, discharging
his duties faithfully and honorably, and in such
an efficient and capable manner that he won many
friends, and at their solicitation he became a candi-
date for his present office. He was elected in Sep-
tember, 1886, without opposition, and reelected to
the office in 1888, which position he is now holding.
He was county examiner from 1882 to 1886, and
discharged these duties, as he does all others, with
honor and credit. He owns town property and a
half interest in the Gager House, which is a large
three-story brick building, and a first-class hotel.
Mr. Kitchens was maiTied January 1, 1884, to Miss
Alice B. Burton, a native of Tennessee, whose
parents came to this county when she was a child
four years of age. Mr. and Mrs Kitchens are the
parents of one child, William M. Mr. Kitchens is
a member of the K. of P., and a charter member
of the lodge at Paragould.
John J. Lambert (deceased) was born in Harde-
man County, Tenn., in 1822, and his father being
a farmer he was reared to that occupation, remain
ing on the old homestead until he attained his
majority. He was married July 14, 1858, to Miss
Jennie Cox, a native of Tennessee, whose fathei
was a farmer. When the war broke out Mr. Lam
bert espoused the cause of the Confederacy and
served one year in the Confederate army, then re
turning home and resuming farming. In 1867 he
emigrated, with his family, to Arkansas, locating
in Greene County, where he bought 100 acres
of land, a portion of which was improved. On
this tract ht erected barns and stables, and opened
about fifty acres, but later bought other large
tracts, part of it joining this, from which he cleared
Jf-
^k
GREENE COUNTY.
153
the timber. To his union with Miss Cox onu child,
James Abner. was born, and his second resulted iu
the birth of three children: Mary W., wife of
Allen Howell; John J. and Thomas L. Th(> last
two are young men, who are managing the home
farm, being engaged in general farm work. They
have about seventy-tive acres under cultivation.
At the time of Mr. Lambert's death, November
28, 1SS7. the farm was divided and sold, with the
exception of several tracts of land in Tennessee,
Thomas L. buying eighty acres of the old home-
stead and 240 acres of another tract, forty acres
of another and some town property. Mr. Lambert
was one of Greene County's most substantial and
j)rominent citizens, and was a generous and public-
spirited man. ever ready to aid enterpriser for the
public good, and is remembered with gratitude
and affection by all his neighbors. He was a
member of the Masonic fraternity.
E. D. Landi'um. Owing to the fertility of the
soil in Greene County, Ark., and by energy, indus-
try and economy, Mr. Landrum has become one of
the wealthy farmers and stock raisers of this sec-
tion. He was born in Weakley County, Tenn. , in
1848, was reared on his father's farm, and there
received his education in the common schools. In
1868 he enlisted from Weakley County in Com-
pany B, Faulkner's Regiment cavalry service, and
was in the fights at Paducah, Union City and Co-
lumbus, receiving his discharge in the fall of 1864
aud returning home. In the fall of 1865 he came
to Greene County, Ark., and began farming for
himself on eighty acres of land which he purchased,
aud in 1867 purchased eighty acres more, eight of
which were cleared and under cultivation. In 1869
he located on this property and erected a log
house, and iu ISSu built an excellent frame resi-
dence. He now owns 320 acres of splendid land
with 150 under cultivation, 125 of which he has
cleared himself since ISO'J. His principal crops
are corn and hay. He raises some stock, his cattle
being of the Durham breed, his horses Morgan,
and his hogs Berkshire. He is not very active in
politics, but votes with the Democratic party. He
was married in Greene County, in 1867, to Mary
A. Burnett, a native of North Carolina, aud a
daughter of John and Sarah (Howell) Burnett,
who were also born in that State, and emigi-ated
to Greene County, Ark., at a very early day, set-
tling on a farm in Clark Township, on which the
father died. The mother is still living. To Mr.
and Mrs. Landrum have been born the following
children: James Edward and John Clinton. Mr.
Landrum is the fourth of ten children born to
James and Emeline (Anderson) Landrum, the
former a native of Virginia and the latter of Middle
Tennessee. The father was a wealthy planter of
Tennessee, and died there in 1862, followed by his
wife several years later.
John V. Landrum, of the mercantile firm of
Stallcup & Landrum, Paragould. There are a
number of men prominently identified with the
mercantile interests of Greene County, but none
among them are more deserving of mention than
John V. Landrum, who, although not old iu
years, is a substantial business man. He was born
in Weakhn' County, Tenn., August 18, 1853,
and is the sou of James and Emeline (Anderson)
Landrum, the father a native of Halifax County,
Va. , and the mother of Dickson County, Tenn.
The parents were married in the last mentioned
State, and reared ten children, .six of whom are liv-
ing at the present time: Lucy A., widow of Mr.
Turner; James M., Edward D. , Samuel H.,
Fannie E. , wife of J. N. Wright; and John V.
Nancy E. died May 11. 188'J. The parents
moved from Middle Tennessee to West Tennessee
and died in Weakley County, the father in 1862 and
the mother in 1874. The former followed agri-
cultural pursuits all his life. John Y. Landrum,
the youngest member of the family now living,
was reared and received the principal [lart of his
education in \\'eakley County, Tenu. He re-
mained on the farm until twenty-one years of age,
after which he completed his education as best he
could and then taught .school for three years in
Gibson County. After this he engaged in the mill
business for one year. In 1 888 he came to Greene
County, Ark., from Carroll County, Tenn.,
located in Paragould, and immediately embarked
in the mercantile business in partnershi]) with his
brother, James M., who was the first man to sell
IfZ
ir.4
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
<j;oods in Paragoulcl. lu November, 1884, he
married Miss Ella M. Stale-up, and the fruits of
this union are two children : Horace M. and Char-
les V. Mr. Landrum continued in lousiness with
his brother for aliout two years, after which he
sold out to him and formed a partnership with
his father- in law, C. T. Stalcup, with whom
he is carrying on business at the present time.
They keep a large stock of goods and have built
up a good trade. Asid(> from this Mr. Land-
rum is the owner of a good farm of 1*10 acres, also
some valuable town property, and has one of the
finest residences in Paragoidd, in fact, one of the
best in the county. Mr. and Mrs. Landrum are
both faithful members of the Methodist Episcopal
Church. South. He served four years' as treas-
urer of Paragould, and is an enterprising and pub
lie-spirited citizen. They are members of the
Triple Alliance Life Association. His maternal
grandfather. Benjamin C. Aadersou, was reared
and married in the blue grass region of Kentucky.
He moved to Dickson County, Tenn. , while a young
man, where he lived to the ripe old age of eighty-
five, and died at his daughter's, Mrs. Emeline
Landrum, in Weakley County, Tenn., at the age
of eighty-seven.
John M. Lloyd. In every condition of life
and in every locality where the struggle for a live-
lihood is going on, where can independence be
found more faithfully portrayed, or more clearly
demonstrated, than in the life of the honest, in
(histrious farmer? Among those who have made a
success of farming is the gentleman whose name
heads this sketch, who, although a young man, is
now the owner of one of th(> best improved farms
in the county. He was born in Madison County
(now Crockett Coimty), Tenn., August 26, 1856,
and is the son of John \V. and Elizabeth (Raines)
Lloyd, natives of North Carolina and Alabama, re-
spectively. The father was born in 182(), and
died February 11, 1869, and the mother was born
in 1833, and died November 6, 1882. John W,
Lloyd, when a lad of sixteen, went with his
l)arents to Madison County, Tenn., where his
father died at about the age of seventy-two years.
He had been a soldier in the War of 1812. John
W. was an agriculturist, a house carpenter and
also followed the occupation of digging wells for
many years. In 1861 he enlisted in the Confed-
erate army. Gen. Forrest's regiment, of which he
was wagon master for two years; he was in ser-
vice in South Carolina, Alabama and Louisiana,
and was in a number of prominent battles, re-
ceiving a slight flesh wound on the knee. He sur-
; rendered with his regiment at Paris, Tenn. , after
which he returned to his home and followed his
trade. He was a member of the A. F. & A. M. ,
and was an advocate of churches and schools. Of
the nine children born to his marriage, seven lived
to be grown, and live still survive. These are
I named as follows: Thomas H. , Jefferson, M. , J. M.
and Mrs. S. E. Jones. Those deceased are: Jas-
per W., Mollie, Mattie and an infant. Mrs. Lloyd,
with the above mentioned family, came to Arkan-
sas in 1871, and part of the family located in
Jackson Coimty, while the mother, M. J., J. M.
and Mattie, came to Greene County in 1872.
Here the mother and Mattie died. John M. Lloyd
attained his majority in the county, spending the
early part of his life on a farm, and afterward
engaged in clerking in a general store. He
worked at stave manufacturing for about seven
years, being foreman for J. F, Hasty & Sons, for
about six months, at Paragould. He located on
his present property in 1888, and now has 110 acres
under a good state of cultivation, and almost
wholly free from stumps. Mr Lloyd chose for his
wife, Mrs. S. J. Gramling nee Halley, who was
born and reared in Scott County, Ark. Her par-
ents, Robert H. and Sarah (Hutchins) Halley, were
natives of Virginia and Tennessee, respectively.
Robert H. , on leaving his native State, went to
Tennessee, and thence to Arkansas, in 1838, where
he was married to Mrs. Sarah Crowley, March 10,
of the following year. In 1848 they moved to
Scott County, Ark., where Mrs. Halley died, Octo-
ber 29, 1861. She was born in September, 1819,
and was first married to Harrison Crowle}', who
died at the age of thirty-tive years, leaving one
son, Benjamin (See sketch of B. H. Crowley).
Robert H. Halley was born October 25, 1819, and
died in the Confederate army, in December, 1868.
^'
GREENE COUNTY.
1 ")<")
Mr. and Mrs. Halloy are the parentH of uiiif chil-
dren, two of whom are still living : S. J. and J.
M. , the latter living in this county. Mrs. Lloyd
was first married to Henry C. Gramliug, who diod
in 1882. To Mr. and Mrs. Gramling were born
two children: Victoria and Richard C. Mr. and
Mrs. Lloyd are members of the Methodist Episco-
pal Church of Paragould.
William F. Lovejoy is foreman of the Leonard
plantation in Greene County, Ark., which is one
of the finest in the State, containing 2,000 acres
under wire fence, with 600 acres in cultivation.
On this farm is a good general store, belonging to
Mr. Lovejoy, and a saw and grist-mill and a cot-
ton-gin belonging to Mr. Leonard. They are large-
ly interested in raising blooded stock, the planta-
tion being admirably adapted to this industry, and
a specialty is made of raising Poland China and
Berkshire hogs. Nineteen dwelling houses are on
the place, and the barn, which is 100x85 feet, is
one of the best in the State. From 250 to 300
acres of land are annually devoted to the culture of
cotton, which receives the most of Mr. Lovejoy' s
attention. He was born in DeKalb County, Ga. ,
in 1848, and was the second in a family of five chil-
dren born to Samuel and Paulina (Scaife) Lovejoy,
who were also Georgians, the father a planter and
merchant by occupation. In 184S they moved to
Alal)ama and resided on a plantation in that State,
and here the mother died, in 1850. The father re-
mained there until 1870, when he moved to Phillips
County. Ark., in which State he resided until his
(loath, in 1883. William F. Lovejoy was reared
on a plantation and received his education in the
schools of Alabama. While living in that State
he was married, in 1864, to Frances Carrington,
and at the time of his father's removal to Arkan-
sas he and wife came also and engaged in farming
and merchandising. He owns a good farm in St.
Francis County, but since 1883 he has resided in
Greene County, and since 1886 has had charge
of Mr. Leonard's farm, which he is conducting in
a highly satisfactory manner. Besides his pro|)-
erty in St. Francis County he has 160 acres, with
forty under cultivation, near Mr. Leonard's farm.
He has never been very active in politics, but voti'.s
the Democratic ticket. In 181)2, while in Alabama,
he joined M, M, Slaughter's Company, Bell's Bat
talion. Tenth Regiment, Confederate States Army,
but became afflictiul with chronic diarrhoea and
was honorably discharged. He is a member of
the A, F, & A, M,, Brinkley Lodge No. 295. He
has seen a great change for the better in Greene
County since locating here, and has witnessed
the full growth of Rector, and has been the means
of opening up more land than any man in Blue
Cane Township. He has also done much to in-
crease the wealth of the same, and has expended
over $10,000 in clearing the large plantation of
which he is manager, and which is now one of the
most valuable pieces of property in the State. He
and wife became the parents of two children, one
of whom died in infancy, and the other, Mary
Paulina, is the wife of Mr. Bradford, mer-
chant and express agent at Brinkley, Ark, ; she
is the mother of one child, William Monroe,
Dr. Robert Lovelady, of Greene County, Ai-k, ,
and an eminent physician of the community, was
born in Hamilton County, Teun, , in 1846, being
the second of six children born to Joseph and De-
borah (Harris) Lovelady, both of whom are Ten-
nesseeans, who emigrated to Northeast Arkansas
in 1852, where they entered 200 acres of wild
land, which was given Mr, Lovelady as a comjjen-
sation for services rendered in the Florida War,
Here they made many valuable improvements, and
resided until their respe(!tive deaths, the father
dying on the 12th of April, 1861, Dr. Robert
Lovelady remained with his parents until twenty-
one years of age, attending the common .schools:
later he began farming for himself, and taught
school for a few terms. In 1872 he took up the
study of medicine, under the instruction of Dr, C,
Wall, continuing with him three years, and then
entered the LouisvUle University of ^Medicine, at
Louisville, Ky, , which he attended for some little
time. After practicing his profession in Greene
County for about three years he returned to the col-
lege, and was graduated at the end of five months,
being the second resident of Crowley's Ridge to
graduate in any profession. In 1879 he returned
from college and settled in Cache Township,
Tv"
-IL.
156
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
where he entered upou the practice of his profes-
sion. During this time his patronage has been
constantly growing, and he is counted among the
most successful professional men of the county. He
is well fixed financially, and deserves much credit
for the way in which he has succeeded, for on
leaving college he had no capital whatever, save a
good knowledge of his calling. He is an active
worker for the cause of education, aiul has done
all he could to raise the standard of the public
schools. In 187!) he was married to Miss Maggie
A. Morgan, a native of Alabama, who came to
Arkansas in 1871, with her mother and stepfather.
By her he has three little children: Ethel, Aden B.
and Clifford. The Doctor is the owner of a small
tract of land near Walcott, on which he has erected
a neat cottage and out-buildings, and has set out a
considerable number of fruit trees. He and wife
are members ot the Methodist Episcopal Church.
Calvin E. McAuley, M. D. The most import-
ant science bearing upon man' s happiness, comfort
and welfare, is that of medicine, and Dr. McAuley
is a credit to the profession. His birth occurred
in Carroll County, Tenn. , in April, 1857, and he
is the only surviving member of a family of three
children, bom to Dr. Enos and Martha (Duke)
McAuley, who were born in North Carolina and
Tennessee, in 1821 and 1883, respectively. The
father was taken by his parents to ('arroll County,
Tenn. , when ten years of age, and was reared to
manhood in that State on a farm. He gradu-
ated from a medical college of Kentucky and in
February, 1878, came to Greene Coxinty, Ark.,
where he died in 1881, having been an active
medical practitioner for about thirty-seven years,
or since twenty-one years of age. He also taught
school in his youth, and socially was a Royal
Arch Mason: he was an active member of the
Baptist ChiU'ch, to which his wife also belonged.
Dr. Calvin E. McAuley attended the common
schools of Carroll County, and in 1872 or 1873
commenced the study of medicine under his father,
and at the age of nineteen began practicing. He
entered the Louisville Medical College in 1885,
and since July, 1878, has been a very successful
practitioner of Greene County, Ark. In 1877 he
was married to Miss Mary U. Butler, a native of
Tennessee, who was born in 1868, and died Decem-
ber 17, 1878, having been an earnest member of
the Baptist Church. She left one child, Lelah U.
The Doctor took for his second wife Miss Mary F.
Ledbetter, who was born in Arkansas in 1859, and
by her he has three children: Maud L. , Irvin E.
and Florence P. Mrs. McAuley is a member of
the Methodist Episcopal Church, South. The
Doctor belongs to the I. O. O. F. , is an advocate
of schools, and a Republican in his political views,
and in 1886 was tendered the nomination as repre
sentative to the State legislature, but would not
accept. After coming to Arkansas he was in part-
nership with his father until the latter' s death.
William J. McBride, one of the independent
sons of toil and a successful horticulturist of Hur-
ricane Township, Greene County, Ark., was born in
Tennessee and came with his parents, Daniel and
S. M. (Jones) McBride, to Greene County, Ark.,
about 1870. He was one of ten children, two
of whom were born after their arrival in Greene
County. William J. McBride remained on his
father's farm until he was nineteen years of age,
when he was united in marriage to Miss Mary Jane
Edmondson, daughter of Archibald Edmondson,
of Greene County. After marriage he and his
wife settled on forty acres, to which he has since
added forty more, all improved, this forming one
of the be.st farms in the neighborhood. He has by
far the finest peach and apple orchard to be found
in his section of the neighborhood, last year hav-
ing from it 300 to -100 l>ushels, all of which was
fed to the hogs with the exception of that used
by the family, there being no market for the
fruit. To Mr. and Mrs. McBride have been born
five children: Matilda E., Daniel S., Malinda .)..
Julia C. and William H. Mr. McBride is a mem
ber of Evergreen Lodge No. 66. I. O. O. F. , and
also of the Agricultural Wheel. He and wife bi>
long to the Methodist Episcopal Church, South.
John McHaney, {)lauter and stockman, of
Friendship Township, Greene County, Ark. , is a
native of Wilson County, Tenn., born on the 22d of
June, 1811), being the third in a family of twelve
children in the family of William and Sarah (Word)
GREENE COUNTY.
loT
JIcHaney, who were Virginians, and among the
early pioneers of Tennessee. In the latter State
the father was engaged in farming and school-
teaching for some time, and in 1840 emigrated
to Marion County, 111., where his death occurred
ten years later, his excellent wife surviving him
nntil 1875, when she too died, at the age of eighty-
four years. John McHaney was reared to a farm
life, and educated in the common schools of Ten-
nessee, and began his independent career as a
farmer in Illinois, remaining thus engaged in that
State for seven years, when he emigrated to Gib-
son County, Tenn., in 1845. After living there
until January 1, 1861, he moved to Greene County,
Ark. , and settled on the farm where he is now re-
siding, purchasing 100 acres of almost totally un-
improved land. He has since added to this pur-
chase, until he now owns 200 acres of land, with
ninety under cultivation, the greater part of which
he devotes to raising corn. He has a line orchard,
and takes great interest in fruit culture. In 1863
he returned to Tennessee, and was there married
to Miss Sarah Sims, who was born in Middle
Tennessee, being a daughter of Chesley and Mar}'
Sims, also Tennesseeans by birth, the original
stock coming from North Carolina. He lost his
wife in 1870, and the same year was married in
Greene County, Ark., to Mrs. Amanda (Allisson)
Shearer, who had two children by her former hus-
band, both of whom are married. Of seven chil-
divn born to Mr. McHaney' s first union only one
is now living, Sarah, wife of Mr. Mc(Tlumphy, of
Marion County, 111. By his last wife he is the
father of four children: John Lafayette, James
Thomas, Almeda Alice and Minnie Estelle. The
first named died at the age of five years. Mr.
McHaney has seen many changes take place in
Greene County, and has done his share in devel-
oping the same. He was a member of and assisted
in organizing the first church in the township,
which is now in a nourishing condition. He has
been a patron of education, and donated the land
for his home school building, and was one of a
committee to re-district Greene County, and name
the townships, giving the name of Friendship
to the township in which he is now living. He
has been a justice of the peace here for over
twenty years. Socially he has been a member of
Gainesville Lodge No. 168, in the town of Gaines-
ville, and is also a member of the Agricultural
Wheel. Mr. McHaney enlisted in the .army in the
latter part of 1864, and was captain of Company
C, DeVee's Battalion, Kitchens' Division, and
oj)erated in Missouri and Arkansas, and was with
Price on his raid through Missouri, Indian Terri-
tory, Kansas and Arkansas. He left the company
at Fort Smith, Ark., and with a number of others
returned home and resumed farming.
LaFayette McHaney is one of the sturdy sons
of the soil of Greene County, Ark., who has won
his property by the sweat of his brow and by good
management. He and his parents, William and
Sarah (Word) McHaney, were born in Tennessee,
his birth occurring in Wilson County in 1837.
When the latter was three years old he was taken
by his parents to Marion County, 111., where the
father died in 1851 at the age of sixty-six years,
and the mother in 1880. aged seventy- nine years.
The father was a Democrat and he and wife were
members of the Baptist Church. They had a
family of thirteen children, ten of whom lived to
be grown and seven are yet living. LaFayette was
the eleventh child, and attained his majority in
Marion County, 111. His youthful days were spent
on a farm and in attending the common schools,
and after attaining his twenty-second year he
taught one term of school of nine months, later
o-oinor to Tennessee, whore he was maiTied. In
January, 1861, he came to Arkansas and joined
the Confederate army, serving as first lieutenant,
and was captured on the 4th of July, 1S63. at
Helena, Ark., and was taken to Johnson's
Island, Ohio, where he was kept a prisoner from
August of that year to January, ISC),"), when he
was exchanged and returned home. In February,
1865, he began teaching school, continuing twenty
months, and the rest of his timi> has been devoted
to his farm. He first located southeast of (xaines-
ville, but in 1881 came to his present farm, of
which he has about 200 acres under cultivation.
He raises considerable stock. His wife, whose
name was Nancv C. Thorne, was l)orn in Tennes-
:?;
^
'T
see. and when a child moved to Gibson County, of
the same State, where she was married. The fol-
lowing are their children: William W., John T..
Avey Ann (wife of William Russell). John H.,
Robert L.. Samuel P.. Onia A., Susan A. A., Mel-
vin M. . Maude and Claude (twins), and Edward
E. Henry L. died from the effects of a fall, at
the age of seven years. Mr. McHaney is a Demo-
crat, has been a Master Mason for two years, and
he and wife are members of the Baptist Church,
in which he has been a deacon for twelve years.
James K. P. McKelvey. whose success in life
is mainly diie to his industry and perseverance,
coupled with a pleasant, genial disposition, is a na-
tive of Franklin County, Tenn., born in 1844, being
the son of John and Mary Ann (McKelvey) Mc-
Kelvey, natives of South Carolina. The parents
came to Franklin County, Tenn.. in their youth-
ful days, were reared in that county, and were
married there about 1842. In 1850 they moved
to Benton County, Tenn., and there remained un-
til 1863, when they located in Union County, 111.
In the fall of 1865, they came to Lawrence
County, Ark., settling on a farm where they re-
mained about one year, and afterward moved to
Carroll County, thence to Sebastian County, where
the father died in 1874, at the age of fifty-five
years. He practiced medicine the later part of
his life; was a self-made man, and a member of
the Methodist Episcopal Church, South, of which
he was a minister for twenty-two years before his
death. He was very successful in administering
to the physical as well as the spiritual wants of
his fellow-men. and his face was welcomed in the
homes of all, and especially in the homes of the
sick and aiflicted. He was a member of the
Masonic fraternity, a Democrat in politics, and a
strong advocate of free schools. He was a very
popular man, but never aspired to office. The
mother is still living in Sebastian County, Ark.,
on the home place. She was born in 1825, and
has been a member of the Methodist Episcopal
Church, South, for many years. To their union
were born thirteen children, twelve of whom grew
to maturity; Loxiisa E., James K. P., Mary J.,
Martha F., who died at the age of thirty eight
years; George N., died at the age of thirtj' years:
Elizabeth Ann, William H., Millie H.. John G.,
died at the age of thirteen years; fsaac N., Joseph
T. , Aaron A. and Luther W. Aaron A. is now
attending the St. Louis Medical College. James
K. P. McKelvey was reared in his native county,
and received limited educational advantages. In
1864 he commenced farming for himself in Illinois,
but one year later returned to Tennessee, to the
old home place, where he I'emained until 1873,
and then moved to Greene County, Ark. He
located west of Gainesville, and soon after went
to Sebastian County, to settle the estate of his
father, where he remained until the fall of 1876,
then returning and settling on his present prop-
erty. He has 100 acres under cultivation, and is
a thriving, industrious farmer. He was married,
in the fall of 1863, to Miss Ferlissa A. Swindle, a
native of Tennessee, bom in 1848, and the fruits
of this union were ten children, all living: Will-
iam T. , a student at the State University of Fay
etteville, Ark. ; Italy, John, Alonzo, Horace and
Hervey (twins), Adolphus L. , Anna L. , Clara M.
and James R. Italy is the wife of L. C. Rudesial.
Mr. and Mrs. McKelvey are members of the
Methodist Episcopal Church, South, of which he
is local deacon; he was ordained in 1879, and com-
menced preaching in 1874. He is a Royal Arch
and Master Mason, belonging to the Blue Lodge
at Gainesville, and has served as Worshipful Mas-
ter for several years. He has a dimit from Duval
Chapter, No. 65. He is a Democrat in politics.
His father was a Union man during the war, and
was opposed to secession. Mr. McKelvey is a
strong advocate of the free school system, but has
never sought political prominence.
Dr. J. G. McKenzie. Among the many suc-
cessful farmers and practitioners of the ' ' healing
art" in Greene County, Ark., de.serving of spec-
ial mention, is Dr. McKenzie, who was born in
Aberdeen, Scotland, in 1851, and is the third in a
family of seven children born to Alexander and
Jeanette (Patterson) McKenzie, the former of
whom was engaged in commercial pursuits, and
conducted a boot and shoe factory. The Doctor
attended school in his native land until nineteen
^'
GREENE COUNTY.
159
years of age, then entered tlie Alton Medical
Collefje for a course of two years, after wbicli
he took a finishing course of six months at the
Itush Medical College, in 1878. Subseijuently he
emigrated to the United States, and after remain-
ing in New York City for some time, made a tour
of the great lakes, and settled in Canada for
about one year. He then went to the State of
Illinois, and engaged in practicing the medical
]irofessiou at Dresdon, in partnership with Dr.
Rhodes, making his next move to Cotton Plant,
in Southeast Missouri, and about one year later
went to Kennett, and was associated with Dr. Har-
vey for another year. After following his profes-
sion in Northeastern Arkansas for some time he
came to his present location about lS7f), purchased
one acre of land, erected a residence, and here has
since made his home. He has added eight and
one half acres to his home lot, and has bought
eighty acres of good farming land in one tract, be-
sides eighty acres in the Cache River bottoms,
making the last purchase in 1887. Fifty acres of
land are cleared and under cultivation, and the rest
is devoted to stock raising, in which he is quite ex-
tensively engaged, making a specialty of horses
and mules. The Doctor's practice is very large,
and although he has lived in Greene County a
comparatively short time, he is well and fav-
orably known. He is also doing a commercial
l)usiness among his friends and neighbors, and is a
stockholder in the First National Bank of Greene
County. He votes with the Democratic party, and
in 1885 was postmaster of Crowley. In 188G the
Doctor mfide a trip to Europe and visited his old
home and the Edinburgh Exposition, which was
being held at that time. He returned to the
United States after al)Out a month fully convinced
that this country was the easiest and best in which
to acfjuire a competence. He was manied in
November. 1878, to Miss Cynthia Ann Pevehouse,
a native of Arkansas, and by her is the father of
five cliildreu: Willie Alexander, Jessie Odel, who
died at the age of six years: James, Maggie and
Hoger Q. Dr. McKenzie's father is deceased, but
his mother, two sisters and two brothers are living
in retirement at Aberdeen. A brother, John G. .
is chief engineer on a line of steamships sailing
between Shanghai and Hong Kong. He also has
an uncle who is captain on the ocean, and sails be-
tween Liverpool and New Orleans.
Judge L. L. Mack, attorney at law. The firm
of Mack & Son is one of the leading and most
influential at the bar in the city of Paragould. and
gives strength to the fi'aternity. The gentlemen
composing it are admirably adapted to the honor
able prosecution of this most exalted of profes-
sions, and possess that easy and interested grace of
manner not easily acquired by the majority. Judge
L. L. Mack was born in Maury County, Tenn., on
the 18th of December, 1817, and is the son of Lem-
uel D. and Mary (Taylor) Mack, natives of Rock-
ingham County, N. C, and of Wake County, N. C,
respectively. The parents emigrated to Teimessee
when single, were there married and located in
Maury County, of that State, where they remained
for several years, and then removed to Wayne
County, also in that State. In 1851 they removed
to (Jreene County, Ark., locating near Gainesville,
where they passed the remainder of their days.
They lie buried in the cemetery at Gainesville.
They were the parents of eleven children, of whom
our subject Ls the eldest. He was Iwrii a cripple,
and on that account it was thought that he would
never amount to anything. He was reared and
educated in Maury C!ounty, Tenn.. receiving an
ordinary education, ami after his school day's work
was over he l)egan the study of law, a part of the
time with a preceptor and a portion without any.
When in his twenty-first year he was admitted
to the bar in Maury County, although living in
Wayne County, and practiced in the last named
county for about twelve years. In the year 1844
he was elected county clerk, and filled this position
with credit for four years. He became very
prominently identified with the whole section of
country for many miles. He was a candidate for
the legislature from Wayne County, but was de-
feated by forty -four votes. In December. 1850,
he landed in Greene County, Ark., with his family,
and in October of the following year settled at
Gainesville, then the county seat. Here he began
the struggle for life and reputation. Previous t«
'f'
•t
1C)(I
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
this, in 1844, \w niarried Miss Felicia Cypert, a
a sister of Judge Cypert, and became the father of
eleven children, nine now living. They are named
as follows: Rol)ert P., an attorney; Allen P.. also
an attorney; William N. , aj>hysician; Messilla B.,
wife of P. H. Cren.shaw: EmmaW., wife of Judge
James E. Riddiek; McCall, Thomas C. Idella A. ;
and Sarah J. After locating in Greene County,
Ark., he found his money scarce though a good
sized family depended upon him for support. He
had a little library and set to work in earnest in the
practice of his profession, notwithstanding there
was very little to be done in those days. How-
ever he held on to what little there was, and in
1855 he was elected prosecuting attorney from the
First district, and on next election was defeated.
In November, 1860, he was elected to the legisla-
ture and served during that session, but later i
resigned and was a candidate for prosecuting
attorney fi-om the Third district. He was elected
and served one term. In the year 1865 he was
elected circuit judge of the same circuit and
went off under reconstruction in 1868. In 1874
he was elected circuit judge of the Second circuit
without opposition, and held one term of four
years. He was re-elected in 1878 and served until
1882. Since that time he has turned his attention
to his practice. The most of his life has been
spent in serving tiie public, and in that capacity
he has given entire satisfaction, meriting the
respect and admiration of all by his firmness and
advancement. As a lawyer he is a ready and
fluent speaker, and has l>ut few superiors. A sin-
gular, circumstance of the family is that there were
eleven children in his father's family, of whom
the subject of this sketch is the eldest, and eleven
children in the wife's family, she being the young-
est. The Judge is also the father of eleven chil-
dren. Theie were twenty-three grandchildren
born, and twenty-two are living at the present
time. Judge Mack is a member of the Masonic
fraternity and also the I. O. O. F. He and wife
belong to the Methodist Episcopal Church.
Kuf us A. Markham, M. D. , an energetic prac-
titioner, is recognized throughout this State as a
friend of and laborer in the cause and advance-
ment of the medical profession, and has acquired
a flattering reputation as a physician. He was
born in Orange County, N. C. (now Durham
County), in 1848, and is a son of Benjamin and
Rhoda (Pritchard) Markham, who were born in
North Carolina. The father was the eldest of nine
children and grew to matiirity in his native State,
after which he emigrated we.stward to Tennessee,
where he was engaged in teaching school for some
time. He returned to the old home place, and at
the age of forty years located within three miles
of the old home, where he lived until his death, in
1866, at the age of sixty-three years, rearing there
a family of five children, all of whom are living.
His wife was born in 1807 and died in 1861, and
she, as well as her husband, was a member of the
Baptist Church, the latter being a deacon in the
same for twenty years. The grandfather was bom
and reared in the Carolinas, and the great grand-
father was a soldier in the Revolutionary War: he
reared a large family of children. He lived to be
over ninety years of age, and had several sons who
also lived to extreme old age, one lacking seven
days of b(>ing ninety-nine years old at the time of
his death. Dr. Rufus A. Markham' s brothers and
sisters are as follows: Eliza Ann, Felix G., James
D. and Martha J. Dr. Markham remained at
home until the death of his parents and acquired a
fair education in the district schools and at Dur-
ham, N. C. In 1870 he came to West Tennessee
and the following year removed to Greene County,
Ark. In 1874 he went to Texas, where he en-
gaged in teaching school. After returning to Ar-
kansas he was appointed, in 1876, to the office of
deputy clerk of Greene County. In 1878 he began
the study of medicine under Dr. M. V. Cam)),
now of Walnut Ridge, Ark., and soon after entered
the Missouri Medical College, of St. Louis, from
which institution he graduated in 1885, though
previous to graduating he bf.d practiced in Greens-
boro from 1880 until 1884. After graduating he
came to Gainesville, where he has since been en-
gaged in the active practice of his profession, and
is ranked among the leading ph3'sicians of the
county. He was married in the fall of 1880 to
Miss Maggie Steadman, who was born in Chatham
.JL S>
l^
GREENE COUNTY.
Kil
("onnty, N. C. in 1845, and died in October, 1888,
having become tl>e mother of three children : Ed-
ward L. , James C. and Rufus P. The last child
died in infancy, soon after the mother's death.
She was an active worker and member of the
Methodist Episcopal Church. The Doctor is a
member of the Baptist Church. He belongs to
the A. F. & A. M. , and is in every respect a self-
made man.
W. H. Martin, a fanner of Blue Cane Town-
ship, was born in Caldwell County, N. C, in 1832,
and is the son of William R. and Anna (Hood)
Martin, who were of English and Scotch ancestry
respectively, and were natives and farmers of the
••Old North State." W. H. Martin resided in his
native State until sixteen years of age, when he left
home and went to Union County, 111., where he
engaged in the sawmill business as a hand sawyer.
He was married there in 1856 to Mary Jane Hart-
line, a daughter of John and Margaret (Kendel-
mau) Hartline. who were among the pioneer set-
tlers of that county and State, from North Caro-
lina. The father was a farmer by occupation and
died some years ago. The mother is still living.
Mr. Martin remained in Illinois until INGti, when
he went to Texas, where he purchased an im-
proved farm and remained until the fall of IS'iU.
Selling his property, he came to Greene County,
purchasing an improved farm on Crowley's Ridge.
Here his wife died in 1880, having borne a family
of six children, three of whom survive: Willis
A., Walter L., and Eliza Jane. The latter is the
wife of C. L. Sides, and resides on Crowley's
Ridge. In the fall of 1880 Mr. Martin married
Mrs. J. F. Lewis, a widow of Jacob Lewis, of
Stodihud County. Mo.: he was reared in Illinois,
where he resided on a farm until 1809, when he
came to Greene County, Ark., and l)ought eighty
acres of land, which he improved and added to.
He was conservative in politics. He died in 1871)
and left his widow with two children to care for:
William Franklin and Myrtle May. Mr. Martin
owns lands to the amoiuit of 480 acres, 200 being
under cultivation, and has taken an interest in
fruit culture, having on his home farm a tine or-
chard. He raises and buys considerable stock.
and is one of the successful farmers of the county.
He votes with the Democratic party, and has been
a member of the school board ever since his resi
dence in Arkansas. Socially, he is a member of
the A. F. & .\. M., Danley Lodge No. 8, and is
a member of the Kniglits of Honor, at Rector. He
and wife are members of the Missionary Baptist
Church, and are the jjarents of one chihl: Edgar
C. Mr. Martin has seen many changes in the
growth and ])rosperity of the county since coming
here; he often wont to Cape Girardeau, a distance
of 125 miles, to do his marketing, when now it is
only necessary to go a very few miles to obtain all
the articles one desires.
J. R. Miller, deputy circuit and county clerk,
and a prominent educator of the county for a num-
ber of years, was born in Gordon County, Ga.,
April 8, 1856, and came to Greene County, Ark.,
in 1879. His father. W. W. Miller, was a native
of South Carolina, where he followed agricultural
pursuits for some time, and, when a young man.
moved to Georgia. Here he was united in mar-
riage to Miss Amelia Erwiii, a native of the last
mentioned State and the daughter of James Erwin.
The grandparents, Archibald and Hannah Miller,
were of English stock. After coming to Greene
County, Ark., J. R. Miller engaged in agricultural
pursuits, which had been his principal occupation
while in Georgia, and h(? has also been occupied in
the teacher's profession for several years. He set-
tled oh a farm near Gainesville, cultivating sixty
acres or more, and has a fine residence. He was
married December 26, 1883, to Miss Mattie Hamp-
ton, daughter of M. B. and M. C. (Stevenson)
Hampton, of Greene County, formerly of Shell)y
County, Tenn. One child is the result of this un-
ion, a daughter, named Minnie May. The mother
of Mr. Miller makes her home with him. In his
political views he atHIiates with the Democratic
party, and in January. 1889, he was appointed to
the position of deputy circuit clerk l>y Mr. T. B.
Kitchens. Mr. and Mrs. Miller are members of
the Methodist Episcopal Church. South.
James F. Newberry, apromiiuMit and highly re-
spected farmer of Greene County, was born in Ala
bama in 1844, and is the son of John Newberry,
who came to this State in 1854. Here he engaged
in farming and was for two years justice of the
peace. At the breaking out of the Civil War he
entered the Confederate service under Gen. Joseph
E. Johnston, and was killed in 1862. He reared a
family of six children, five sons and one daughter.
James F. Newberry was in the Confederate service
during the entire war, and was wounded in the left
leg. In 1864 he returned to his farm in Greene
County, and devoted himself to its improvement.
He then owned 100 acres, which he has since in-
creased to 425. A part of his farm is under
cultivation, and he is also interested in raising
cattle and tine mules. He married Marj' Mor-
gan, who bore him six children and died in 1880,
aged thirty years. He chose as his second wife
Mrs. Charity (Dennis) Ross, and to their union
have been given four childi-en. The nine chil-
dren are: Robert E., born in 1865; Martha C,
born in 1867, died in 1880; Sarah F., born in
1870; John E., born in 1872; Isabella, born in
1874: Laura E. , born in 1881; James J., born
in 1883, died in 1884: Jennie B., born in 1885,
and Myrtle G., born in 1887, died in 1889. Mr.
Newberry is a stanch Democrat in politics, and
he and his wife are popular in the community
in which they live.
W. C. Newberry is in every way worthy of
being classed among the prosperous planters of
Greene County, Ark. He was born in Weakley
County, West Tenn., in 1852, and was the sixth
of eleven children born to Samuel and Nancy
(Trantham) Newberry, the former a native of
North Carolina, and the latter of Tennessee. In
1854 they moved to Greene County, Ark., and
settled near the farm on which W. C. Newberry
is now residing, where they entered land and re
sided until their respective deaths, the father's
demise occurring in February, 1874, and the
mother's in 1883. They took quite an important
part in the early history of the country, and the
father assisted in organizing the county. W. C.
Newberry received his early education in the dis-
trict schools of Greene County, and aided at home
in opening up his father's farm. He was married
in Greene County, in 1872, to Miss Martha Jane
McHaney, who was born in Arkansas, and is a
daughter of John and Sally (Sims) McHaney.
Tennesseeans. Mr. Newberry soon located on his
present farm of 120 acres, about tifty five acres of
which he has cleared and put under cultivation.
He has added to his original purchase until he now
has 200 acres of as good land as there is in the
county, with 110 under the plow, the principal
products of which are corn and cotton. Mr. New-
berry is inde])endent in jiolitics, and is not an office-
seeker. In 1874 he lost his wife, and four years
later he was married to Mary H. Hartso, of Arkan-
sas. His first union was blessed by one sou,
Samuel; and his last by four children: Luther,
Clifton, Charley and Tuler. His wife is a daugh-
ter of William and Sarah (McFarland) Hartso,
who came to Arkansas at an early day. The
father is still living, but the mother is deceased.
Mr. Newberry has been active in aiding <ill laud-
able enterprises, and is one of the self made men
of the county.
John Nntt, fanner and stock raiser, of Greene
County, Ark., is one of its foremost men in the
support of all measures for its progress and devel-
opment. He was born in Shelby County, Tenn. ,
and grew to manhood on his father's farm, there
receiving his education in the county schools.
His father. William Nutt, was a native of Alabama,
and moved from that State to Tennessee in 1827.
There he engaged very successfully in farming,
and, being a minister of the gospel, devoted much
time to his Master's cause. He reared a family
of eleven children, four of whom are yet living.
All his life he was faithful to his ideas of right
and duty, and died in 1844. John Nutt has dur-
ing his life engaged in farming, and now owns 520
acres of splendid land in this county, and 600 acres
in Lawrence County. He has given some attention
to stock-raising, and now has many good horses and
mules. To him and wife have been born six chil
dren, and five of them have grown to manhood
and womanhood. They are three sons and two
daughters: William C. , George W., Sampson M. ,
Lavina E. and Nancy Ann. Mr. Nutt is a mem-
ber of the Masonic order, and he and wife are
worthy members of the Baptist Church.
^^
GREENE COUNTY.
H)8
John M. Nutt. The fine quality of the soil in
(Ireene County, Ark. , added to energy and good
management, ha.s placed Mr. Nutt among the pros-
perous farmers of the community. He was boru
on the old homestead near his own farm on the
14th of January, 1863, being the eleventh of four-
teen children born to W. G. and Sarah (Ellis)
Nutt, the former a native of Alabama, and the
latter of Maryland. The father came with his
parents to what is now Greene County in 1839,
and settled with them on a farm near Gainesville,
where the parents died. He was married in
Greene County and became a very wealthy farmer,
being the owner of 2, 500 acres of land, with 600
acres under cultivation. He always votes with
the Democratic party, and socially is a member of
Gainesville Lodge No. 168. He is a member of
the Baptist Church, and his wife is a Methodist.
The maternal grandfather was a very early resi-
dent of Arkansas, and was a soldier in the Mexican
war. John M. Nutt has always resided in Greene
County, and in liis youth attended the common
schools; this with a few years spent at Howell, Mo.,
has enabled him to successfully cope with tickle
fortune. When first starting out in life for him-
self he began tilling the soil on the farm where he
now lives, his acreage amounting to 167 J, eighty
acres being under the plow. The most of this he
cleared himself, and nOw has one of the best farms
in the county. He was married in Greene County
in 1887 to Miss Lulu, a daughter of W. G. But-
ternut aud wife, nee Skiles, all being natives of
Tennessee, who came to Greene County in 1871.
The parents are living in the county. Mr. Nutt
always votes the Republican ticket, but is not a
seeker after office, and has ever been deeply inter-
ested in educational matters. His wife is a mem-
ber of the Baptist Church. Their union has been
blessed in the birth of one child : Ivery.
John Odam is of the mercantile firm of McCon-
nell & Odam, Parat;ould. In scannine the sketches
of Greene County, Ark., one fact must strike the
reader with peculiar force: the high standing at-
tained by its business men. It is known to have
a thoroughly (pialified business population, and
Mr. Odam is a leading light among the number.
He was born in Hardin County, 111.. August Ti,
1832, and received such educational advantages as
the schools of those days afforded. Until thirty-
three years of age he assisted his father on the
; farm, and then went to Crittenden County, Ky.,
i where he was engaged in the hotel and lumber
business for about ten years. After this he went
to Dyer County, Tenn., there following saw-
milling, having a mill built on a steamboat, and
I taking the timber from the river. He was also
occupied in merchandising for about four years.
In January, 1888, he came to Paragould, Ai-k. ,
where he bought his present property and immedi-
ately embarked in the mercantile business under
the present firm name. He carries a good stock
of general merchandise and has a thriving trade.
He was married in 1S62, but lost his wife the fol-
I lowing year. He is a member of the Masonic
fraternity, having joined that order in 1862. Mr.
Odam's parents, Cleyburn and Mary (McConnell)
Odam, were natives of Middle Tennessee and
Maysville, Ky. , respectively. The mother emi-
grated from Kentucky to Illinois in 1816, when
the last named State was a Territory, and the
father came to the same State about 1 820. They
were mai-ried there and located in Hardin County,
where the father successfully cultivated the soil.
He died August 5, 1834, of Asiatic cholera. In
their family were two children: John and Sarah,
wife of Thomas McConnell. After the death of her
husband Mrs. Odam married Mr. Commodore P.
Tadlock, by whom she had five children, three
now living: Edward J., Jonathan L., and Nancy J.
The mother died in 1858.
John O'Steen, ex-county and probate judge,
and merchant, Paragould. In these days of
money-making, when life is a constant struggle
between right and wrong, it is a pleasure to lay
before an intelligent reader the unsullied record
of an honorable man. To the youthful it will be
a useful lesson— an incentive to honest industry.
John O' Steen was born in Panola County. Miss.,
on Ajn-il 27, 1845, and is the son of Harvey and
Elizabeth (True) O'Steen, both of Scotch origin.
The parents were married in Alaliania, and in
1834 removed to Panola County, Miss., wher- tli.'
® fc^
KU
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
mothor died in 1S52. Tlip father passed his last
days in Craighead County, Ark., dying there in
1865. Of the seven children born to this mar-
riage, three are now living: Mary, wife of W. G.
Starling; John, and Samuel. The father was a
blacksmith, and also a gunsmith, which occupation
he followed up to the time of his death. John
O'Steen was partly reared and educated in Panola
County, Miss., but moved with his father to Craig-
head County, Ark., in 18511. He went to work in
the shop, learning the gunsmith trade of his father,
and now has the reputation of being the finest
gunsmith in Northeast Arkansas. In 1862, during
the late war, he was very anxious to become a sol-
dier, but could not obtain the consent of his par-
ents. His mind was so wrapi)ed up in it that,
notwithstanding all obstacles, he ran away from
home, and enlisted in Capt. Adair's company,
serving about three years. He was in several hard
skirmishes, but, on account of being a cripple, he
could not keep up with his command, and in con-
sequence was captured by scouts, who kept him in
custody about two weeks. In 1870 he chose for
his partner in life Miss Bethany A. Jones, a native
of Alabama, and the fruits of this union were two
children: Mary A. and Nora Inez. The same year
of his marriage Judge O'Steen came to Greene
County. Ark., and carried on his trade until 1888.
when he sold out. and engaged in the mercantile
business, which he still continues. He was elected
probate and county judge in 1882, and re-elected
in 1884 and 1886. thus serving six successive
years. Prior to his election he served four years
as justice of the peace, and served one term as
constable. Judge O'Steen is one of the prominent
men of Greene County, and may be counted among
the pioneers, having been a resident here for thirty
years. He is the owner of 16(1 acres of land, with
about forty acres under cultivation. He is a mem-
ber of the Masonic fraternity, and also of the I.
O. O. F.
Eugene Parrish. of the law firm of Crowley &
Parrish. was born in Dover, Stewart (Jonnty, Tenn.,
and is the son of Abraham P. and Mary M. (In-
gram) Parrish, natives respectively of Virginia and
Tennessee. Abraham P. Parrish emigrated to
Tennessee when quite small, grew to manhood in
that State, and there received a liberal education.
For many years before the war he ran a fvu'nace at
Dover, Tenn., but during that eventful period he
was financially crippled and retired to a farm in
Humphreys County, on the banks of the Tennessee
River, where he is residing at the present time.
He is now in his seventy second year. The mother
died when Eugene Parrish was quite young. Of
the children born to this marriage, two are now
living: Charles and Eugene. After the death of
his first wife Mr. Parrish, was married again and
became the father of three children: Lamar,
Walter L. and Daisy. Grandfather Parrish was
a soldier in the Revolutionary War. and died in
Virginia. Eugene Parrish was princijiall)' i^eared
in Tennessee, and received his education at West
Kentucky College and at the University of Ohio, ob-
taining the means to prosecute his studies by teach-
ing school between terms until he completed his
education. He was admitted to the bar at Jonesboro
in 18S4, located at Wittsburg, Cross County, and
there remained until June, 1885, when ho settled
at Paragoiild, Ark. He was associated with J. D.
Block, present prosecuting attorney at Wittsburg,
and, on coming to Paragould, he formed a partner-
ship with B. H. Crowley, the present senator of
the First district, and a very noted and prominent
man. This law firm has one of the finest libraries
in Northeast Arkansas, and both members are men
of ability. Mr. Parrish is a self made, self-edu-
cated man. and is well fitted for the profession he
has chosen.
Seth W. Peebles, one of the many successful
agriculturists and stock raisers of Greene County,
Ark., and one who has attained wealth by the
sweat of his brow, is classed among the prosper-
ous men of the county. He was born in North
Carolina in 1825, and is the eldest one of the
family of six children born to the marriage of
Wyatt and Nancy (Biggs) Peebles, who were born
in North Carolina and emigrated to Virginia, where
they were engaged in husbandry. The mother
died in that State, and subsequently the father
emigrated to Greene County, Ark., and in 1842
settled near Greensboro, where he became well and
favorably known, and served as sheriff of the
county six years. He died in December, 1876.
Seth W. Peebles has been familiar with farm life
from earliest youth, and received his education in
the schools of Virginia. He began his independent
career as a farmer in 1846, in Tennessee, and was
married there in December of the following year
to Miss Catherine Mingle, a native of Virginia, and
a daughter of William and Rebecca (Kagley) Min-
gle, who were also Virginians and early emigrants
to Tennessee, in which State the father died. His
wife's death occurred in Arkansas in 1864. Mr.
Peebles became a resident of Greene County, Ark.,
in 1855, and in 1859 bought a partially improved
farm in Union Township, consisting of 160 acres, of
which he improved and cleared forty acres. Besides
this property he owns the old homestead of 117
acres, sixty of which are under cultivation. He has
always been interested in [wlitics and has aflMiated
with the Democratic party, but is not an office-
seeker. He has been a member of the school
board several times and assisted in the re- organiza-
tion of the townships. In 1872 his wife died,
having borne a family of six children: Nancy Jane,
Rebecca E., who died in February, 1S77, the wife
of Joel Dollins; George W., who died in 1886; !
John M., who died in October, 1878; Sarah Ann.
wife of J. P. Walls, who died in 1880; and James
L.. who also died in 1880. In 1863 Mr. Peebles
enlisted in Company K. Seventh Missouri Con-
federate cavalry, and was with Price on his raid
through Missouri, Kansas, etc. He was wounded I
in the Mine Creek light in Kansas, receiving a gun-
shot through the right lung. Since the war he
has been engaged in farming. He is a consistent
member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South.
Wiley Pevehouse. In giving a sketch of this
gentleman it is but fair to say that he is one of the
prominent farmers of Greene County, Ark., and
that h(> is a man of sound judgment and unim-
j)eachable honesty. He was born on Crowley's
Ridge, in Greene County, on the '2d of July, 1828,
being the second child born there, his brother
William, whose birth occurred April 7, 1826, hav-
ing been tirst. He was the fourth child of Abraham
and Polly (Crowley) Pevehouse, who came to
Arkansas at an early day. [For a history of the
Crowley family see sketch of Hon. B. H. Crowley. ]
After spending a year on Black River they came
to Crowley's Ridge, and made the first settlement
in Northeast Arkansas. The paternal grandjiar
ents were of Virginia stock, and moved from that
State to South Carolina, and thence to Kentucky,
of which section they were pioneers, about 1822
coming to Arkansas. The parents of our subject
died about 1835, and from that time up to man-
hood he made his homo with his grandfather, Ben-
jamin Crowley. The latter was a very extensive
farmer and stock raiser, and Mr. Pevehouse drove
stock all the way to St. Louis, and later to Mem-
phis and Helena. During his childhood he de-
pended on his own resources for a livelihood and
hunted and sold his furs and hides, and later
farmed in a small way. When about twenty years
of age he entered land, subsequently buying small
tracts from time to time, and in the spring of 18()1
sold out aiid went to Scott County, where he re-
mained about eighteen months, then returning to
the Cache bottoms. When some twenty-five years
of age he w;w married to Miss Margaret Ca])ps. a
native of Arkansas, whose family were early set
tiers in this section. She died in 1858, leaving
two children: Sarah, who married a Mr. Harris,
and died soon after, and Cynthia Ann, wife of Dr.
McKinzie, now living at Crowley. Mr. Pevehouse
took for his second wife Miss Frances Bowman,
whom he married in 1860. Her death occurred on
the 13th of October, 1870. She and Mr. Peve-
house were the parents of the following children;
William, who is married and resides in Lawrence
County; Lucy Jane, the wife of George Gramling;
John P., who died on the 81.st of March. 1SS8. at
the age of twenty-two years: and Mary Elizabeth.
February 16, 1873, Mr. Pevehouse married Mrs.
Sarah Ann (Cooper) Allen, a native of Mississi])pi,
who was reared in Tennessee, and came to Arkansas
with her fiist husband, settling in Lawrence
{'ouiity. In 1876 he purchased his ])resent pro]i
erty of 160 acres, of which al>out five acres wen'
cleared, and now has ninety-five acres in a tiIlHl>ii'
condition and well imju'oved with good buildings,
orchard, etc. His principal crops are corn and
16()
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
cotton, and he gives much attention to stock
raising of a good grade, and also to the culture of
bees. He is public spirited, and has held the
offices of de[)uty sheriff and county clerk. In
1864 he enlisted in the Confederate army, and
was with Price on his raid through Missouri, but
being in poor health was left at Boonville. where
he received good attention, and was soon after
paroled and retm-ned home. The close of the war
left him destitute, and since that time he has made
his present property.
I. H. Pillow, deputy sheriff, farmer and stock
raiser of Greene County, Ark. , is a native of Giles
County, Tenn., where he was born in 1851, being
a son of Levi and Elizabeth (Willcockson) Pillow,
also natives of that State. They came to Greene
County, Ark., in 1851, settling on the farm
on which the subject of this sketch is now living.
The father made some valuable improvements on
his place of 320 acres, and at the time of his death,
in 1862, had cleared thirty acres from timber. In
1862 he enlisted in Capt. Clemens" company. Gen.
Pillow's brigade, and at the tight at Fort Pillow
became overheated, from the effects of which he
died seven days latei-. He was a Democrat polit-
ically, a Methodist in religious belief, and was a
man always noted for his public spirit and benevo-
lence. He left a widow and three children to
mourn his loss, the names of the latter being: I.
H., Sina M., wife of F. F. Martin, a farmer of
Greene County, and Sarah A. , wife of N. A.
Danley, also u farmer of Greene County. Mrs.
Pillow was left to care for her cliildren with but
little means, but with the aid of her son, she suc-
ceeded in doing well for them. I. H. Pillow re-
ceived only a limited education in his youth, but,
assisted by his mother, witli subsequent api)lica-
tiou he has become a practical and intelligent
business man. December 28, 1872, he was mar-
ried to Miss Martha, a daughter of Absalom and
Mary (Cobal) Arn(^I, Teunesseeans, and by hor be-
came the father of two chUdi-en; Mary E. and
Annie Elnora. Mrs. Pillow died on the 29th of
September, 1875, and November 26, 1876, he
wedded Mrs. Martha (Newsom) Wood, a daughter
of Henry and Grace A. Newsom, natives of Mis-
sissippi. To this last marriage four children have
been born: Ida Lee, Joseph Henry, Thomas A.
and Charley. Ninety acres of his 160-acre farm are
under cultivation, and well improved and culti-
vated. His orchard is large and well selected and
his crop is usually extensive. He is interested in
stock-breeding, and has a fine Norman and Morgan
stallion. His cattle are of the Durham breed, and
his hogs are Berkshire and Jersey. During the
fall, for the past fifteen years, he has oi)erated a
threshing machine. Mr. Pillow, his wife, and two
daughters are members of the Methodist Episcopal
Church, in which he is a class leader, and in his
political views he is a stanch Democrat, having
been elected on that ticket, in 1887, to the office of
deputy sheriff, which position he has very accept
ably filled up to the present time.
Robert \V. Pruet, a well known and successful
farmer of the county, was born in East Tennessee
in 1825, and is the third in a family of fifteen
children born to Willis and Mary (Williams) Pruet,
who were also Tennesseeans, the paternal and
maternal grandparents being from North Carolina
and Virginia, respectively. Grandfather Pruet
was a participant in the Creek war, and was at the
battle of Horseshoe Bend. The maternal grand-
parents lived to be very old, reaching the age of
ninety and one hundred years. Willis Pruet was an
extensive land holder in Tennessee, and dealt in
stock, being a prominent and influential citizen of
his time. He died in August, 1850. Robert A\'.
Pruet was reared to farm labor, attended the com-
mon schools, and after attaining his majority en-
gaged in stock dealing, and also kept a country store
for some time. In 1851 be was married to a Miss
Stuart, a native of Illinois, and in 1853, in com
pany with three brothers, came to Northeast Ar-
kansas and settled in Greene County, where he
entered 120 acres, on which he at once located
and began improving. In 1858 he sold his pro[)-
erty with the intention of going to Texas, but in-
stead purchased 160 acres of wild land in St.
Francis Township, 100 acres of which he now has
under excellent cultivation, furnished with good
buildings and orchards. He devotes the most of
his land to general farming, and raises cotton, corn,
-IL.
GREENE COUNTY.
IftT
and the smaller grains, the land yielding a good
average. He is trying to improve his stock and is
going to cross his cattle with Jersey. In 1872, in
jsartnership with his brother, C D. Pruet, he
opened a general store on his brother's fcarm, ami
they carried on an extensive business for many
years. In 1862 he and two brothers, with several
brothers in-law, enlisted in the Twenty-fifth Ar-
kansas Infantry, but he served only seven months,
when he was discharged on account of illness, at
Georgetown, Ky. In 1870 Mrs. Pruet died, and
for several years Mr. Pruet resided with his
brother. In 1877 he married Frances Owens, who
was born in West Tennessee, though reared in Ar-
kansas, to which State she was brought by her
father. Dr. Owens, who practiced in this vicinity
for a number of years, and died from an accidental
fall from his horse. Mr. Pruet is an active
worker in church and school matters, and is a
member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South,
the building in which he worships being on ground
donated by himself; this was erected by means
contributed mostly by the Pruet brothers. Mr.
Pruet is one of the original members of the first
church organized in this section in 1858.
W. S. Pruet. Prominent among the much es-
teemed and respected citizens of Paragould stands
the name of Mr. Pniet, who was born in Koane
County, Tenn. , September 27, 1829, and who is
the son of Willis and Polly E. (Williams) Pruet,
natives also of Roane County, Tenn. Willis Pruet
was a very successful man, both as a farmer and
speculator. He died in Memphis in 1851, while
there on business. The mother died in ISdO. in
Greene County, Ark. Their family consisted of
fifteen children, nine of whom lived to be grown,
but only two now living: Robert and Willis S.
The paternal and maternal grandparents were na
tives of Virginia and North Carolina, respectively,
and were early settlers of Tennessee. The pater-
nal great-grandfather was in the Indian wars.
M'illis S. Pruet. the subject of this sketch, was
reared on a farm in Roane Count}'. Tenn., and in
that county received his education. In 1857 he
came to Greene County, Ark. . when there were
very few settlers, and when the city of Gainesville
was represented by one business house and a clap-
board hotel. He located about four miles south
of what is now Paragould, on a farm in the forest,
put up a little house, built of poles with clapboard
roof, and lived in this style for about eighteen
months, when his cabin burned down. He then
put up a good log house, and lived there until
1869, when he moved to his present location, join-
ing the town of Paragould. He bought 27 1 acres
of laud along the railroad, and the principal part
of the town lies on his land. When he first came
to the county he had but $ 1 . 50, and neither a cow
nor horse; but ho was determined to make a start,
and by his industry and perseverance has accom
plished his pur|)ose, and is now one of the sub-
stantial men of the locality. He has about 600
acres of good land, and is also the owner of con
siderable town proi)erty in Paragould. He con-
tributes liberally to all worthy enterprises, and has
been active in his endeavors to build up the town.
In 1851 he married Miss Elizabeth Tucker, a na-
tive of Alabama, by whom he has three children
living: Julia, Sarah and Theresa. In 1862 Mr.
Pruet enlisted in Capt. Pruet' s company, and
served for three years. He was at the battles of
Farmington, Murfreesboro, Richmond, Shiloh arid
Jackson, Miss., and carried his brother, who was
severely wounded, twice from the battle-field. He
is a member of the lirm of D. D. Hodges & Co..
merchants of Paragould; is also dealing consider-
ably in stock, and it may be noted that Mr. Pruet
has been, and is. a leading spirit of the place.
He and wife are members of the Methodist Epis-
copal Church.
(Japt. Charles D. Pruet (deceased) was one of
four brothers who came from Tennessee to Arkan-
sas in 1857. and engaged in farming and stock
raising, and various other enterprises. He was
born in Roane County, Tenn., in 1827, and was
married on the 28d of January, 1847, to Miss
Caroline M. Nelson. After coming to Greene
County, Ark., he entered a tract of laud on which
he located and began improving. In 1S62 he
joined the Confederate forces, being lieutenant <>f
his company, and was soon after advanced to the
rank of captain, and was in the army twenty two
mouths, participating in the most of the battles in
which the Army of the Cuuil)erland was enj^ageil.
He was wounded in the engagement at Chicka-
manga, and also at Mnrfreesboro, so severely in
the latter battle that he was compelled to re-
turn home. In 1870 he embarked in mercantile
])ursuits on his farm, in partnership with his
brother Robert, and did a thriving business there
for ten years. In the fall of 1882 he started a
general store in the then new town of Paragould.
being one of the first merchants of the place, and
was alone in business until 1886, when he formed
a partnership with D. D. Hodges, and the firm
name was changed to C. D. Pruet & Co.. remain-
ing as such until Mr. Pruet' s death on the 20th
of August. 1887. He was a prominent Mason,
and was buried \>y that order. He operated a
cotton gin on his farm for many years, and was
engaged in stock raising and dealing. He left a
fine farm of over 500 acres, the most of which was
in a high state of cultivation, and also left behind
him a name that will long be remembered, for he
was honest, industrious and enterprising, and
known to be a stanch supporter of church and
educational institutions. He was well-known
throughout the country as a man of unimpeachable
honesty, and was possessed of exceptionally fine
business qualifications, and natural characteristics
which won the respect of all. He contributed
the most of the means for the erection of a church
near his home, and ilid much to build up the town
of Paragould. being one of the best business men
of the place. He was followed to his long home
by numerous friends and neighbors who had
known and loved him in life, and is now sleeping
in the cemetery near the scene of his greatest
usefulness. He was married in 1875 to Miss Irene
McElwee. a native of Tennessee, who came to
Arkansas with her mother in 1878. Her father,
Samuel McElwee. was an extensive farmer and
died in 18B5. Mrs. Pruet" s mother resides with
her on the homestead in Arkansas.
George M. Rosengrant, manufacturer of lum-
ber and cooperage, Paragould. Ark. The business
interests of this portion of the country are well
represented by the subject of this sketch, George
M. Rosengrant, who bas been located long enough
at this i)lace to become firmly established. He
was born in Wyandot County. Ohio, in October,
1855, and is the son of James and Lenora (Con-
nor) Rosengrant, both natives of the Buckeye
State. The father was a large stock dealer, and
is now deceased. George M. Rosengrant grew to
manhood in Guernsey County, of his native State,
received his education in the common schools, and
subsequently attended the college at Antrim, Ohio.
At the age of sixteen he began to learn telegraphy,
which he continued for five years for the Pennsyl-
vania Railroad Company. He then engaged in
the lumber business in Wyandot County, Ohio,
where he caiTied on a good trade until 1884, when
he came to Greene County, Ark., and located at
Paragould. Here he established his present busi-
ness and has been occupied in the manufacture of
lumber ever since. He added the cooperage de-
partment in the winter of 1888. He runs a large
mill and employs on an average fifty men. In the
year 1883 he chose Miss Kitty Jurenall, a native
of Wyandot County, Ohio, for his companion in
life. Mr. Rosengrant averages about $75,000
annually from his mill business, and aside from
this he is the owner of 5,000 acres of land, all of
which has valuable timber thereon. He is a sub-
stantial, representative business man, is a member
of the Knights of Pythias, and a progressive, en-
terprising citizen of the county.
T. T. Ross. Few men have attained greater
prominence in Greene County, in a social as well as
business point of view, than has Mr. Ross, who by
his pleasant and courteous manner has made many
friends and built up a successful trade. He was
born in Kentucky, in 1826, and is the son of Caleb
and Alifal (Hutchison) Ross, and the grandson of
William Ross, who was born in Maryland, and
came to Kentucky at an early day. Caleb Ross was
also a native of Maryland, and was there married
to Miss Hutchison. T. T. Ross left his native
State in 1873, emigrating to Greene Coimty. Ark.,
and locating on a farm two miles north of where
Marmaduke is now standing. This land he opened
up and improved eighty acres, erected buildings and
remained on the same for about five years, when he
sold out and moved to the village of Marmadvike.
Here he has since been engaged in merchandising,
and has built up a good trade. Ho has a conven-
ient, substantial building for that purpose, two
stories high, the upper portion of which is used for
a dwelling. He was married, in Kentucky, to Miss
Martha Coles Otey, who died, leaving two chil-
dren: C. H. , who resides in Greene County, mar-
ried, and the father of two children; and Susan,
who married L. C. Harvey, a farmer of Greene
County, and has two children. Mr. Ross was
married to the sister of his lirst wife. Miss Eliza-
beth Otey, and they are the parents of three chil-
dren: Frances Orlena, wife of James Stone, re-
sides one and a half miles from Marmaduke and
has four childj-en; Margaret A., wife of A. B. Har-
vey, is living in Marmaduke and keeps the hotel,
also being engaged in farming, and has live chil-
dren; and W. A., a merchant of Marmaduke. Mr.
Ross is a member of the Masonic fraternity, and
Evergreen Lodge of the I. O. O. ¥. He has been a
member of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church
since eighteen years of age.
Dr. Jefferson Davis Sibert, an eminent physician
of Walcott, Greene County, Ark., was born in Ala-
bama in 1858 and is the youngest of a family of six
childien, born to the marriage of Henry Sibert and
Dorcas Edwards, who were also born in Alabama,
the former being an extensive farmer and mer-
chant. The paternal grandfather, David Sibert,
was engaged in farming in South Carolina and was
a soldier in the Indian wars. He removed to Ala-
bama in 1834 and bought extensive tracts of land
in the northeast part of that State, on which he
died in 1874 at the extreme old age of 100
years. The maternal grandfather, Jesse Edwards,
came to Alabama and also settled in the northeast
part of the State. He purchased his lauds from
the Indians, and was one of the most extensive real
estate holders of the State. His death occurred
in 1868. Henry Sibert, the father of our subject,
was reared on a farm and did much to improve
the large tracts of land bought by his father. At
the breaking out of the late Civil War ho enlisted
in the Third Alabama and .served throughout the
struggle, thirteen months of this time being spent
I I
in prison. His uncle, Jeptha Edwards, was a col-
onel in the Mexican War, also in the late war, and
has represented his county in the State legisla-
ture, being a well known citizen of Alabama. After
the war Mr. Sibert engaged in farming and mer-
cantile pursuits, and he and wife are now residing
on the old homestead in Northeast Alabama. At
the age of fourteen years. Dr. Jefferson Davis Si-
bert entered Andrews' Institute and finished a
course of five years, after which h<^ immediately
began the study of medicine, entering the medical
department of the Vanderbilt I'niversity, at Nash
ville, Tenn., in 1880, and graduating as an M. D.
in 1882. In the spring of that year he commenced
practicing his profession near his old home, but
came to Greene County, Ark. , at the end of one
year. After residing here a year, he returned
to his native State and practiced three years. Since
that time he has j)ermanently located at Walcott,
Ark., where he enjoys a large practice, and is be-
coming well known in this, as well as other counties.
He has a pleasant home in the town and is highly
esteemed by his neighbors. In 1 887 he was united
in marriage to Miss Victorine Crowley, a daughter
of Capt. Crowley, whose sketch appears in this
work. By her he has one child, a bright little
daughter named Eleanor. The Doctor has two
brothers who are practicing physicians of Alabama,
and another brother who is an extensive farmer
and stock raiser of that State.
Joseph P. Smelser is classed among the worthy
and leading tillers of the soil of Greene County,
of which he is a native, having been born in 1858.
He was a son of John W. and Nancy (Clark) Smelser,
who were born on Kentucky soil and in Tennessee,
respectivelj-. They came to Greene County, Ark. .
on the 6th of May, 1836, and located in Cache
Township, where the paternal grandfather, Abra-
ham Smelser, settled on a tract of wild land and
opened up 100 acres. He and wife reared a large
family of children, and both died of smallpox in
1863. John W. Smelser was their oldest child,
and attained his majority in this section of the
country. In 1864 he joined Price in his raid
through Missouri, but since the war has given his
attention to farming and merchandising at Crow-
170
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
ley, he aud wife being memljers of the Methodist
Episcopal Church at that place. To them were
born seven children, three of whom are deceased.
Joseph P. Smelser is their fifth chihl and grew to
manhood in Cache Township, receiving a very
limited education in his youth. At the age of
twent}- years he began earning his own living, and
was married to Miss Margaret Adams, residing on
the old home place for eight years. He then came
to his present location, which was then a tract of
wild land, aud now has fifty acres under cultiva
tion, improved with good buildings, etc. Although
not active in politics, he votes the Democratic
ticket, and he and wife are members of the Metho-
dist Episcopal Church, South. They are the
parents of two children: John William and Nancy
Ann Delvada, who died at the age of seven years,
after a brief illness of five days.
David A. Smith. In the space allotted in this
volume it would be impossible to give a detailed
account of the career of this gentleman, but it is
only just to say that in his walk through life his
course has been marked by honesty, industry, and
a manly, independent spirit. His birth occurred
in Middle Tennessee on the Sth of July. 182<), and
he was the eldest in a family of twelve children
born to Stantford and jMargaret (Tassey) Smith,
who were natives of North Carolina and Alabama,
respectively, and with their parents removed to
Tennessee at an early day. where they met and
married. In the fall of l-^'i.") they came to
Greene County, Ark., and bought a tract of K3O
acres of land which was in a wild stat(^ and on this
they located, improved it. and resided here until
187fi, when the father died. His wife's death
occurred on April Sth, 1 874. David A. Smith was
reared to manhood on this farm and, besides be-
coming familiar with the details of farm work,
learned the car])enter's trade of his father, fol-
lowing this occupation in Tennessee and also after
coming to Arkansas. He came to the latter vState
at the same time of his parents' removal and bought
UiO acres of wild land on Sugar Creek, on which
he erected buildings, set out orchards, and cleared
forty acres. After making this his home for about
fifteen vears. he sold out and purchased liis present
property on Crowley's Ridge, which consists of
225 acres of land, !<•() of which are under cultiva-
tion. He has cleared forty acres himself and has
made other improvements, which goes to make his
home one of the most valuable in the country.
He does general farming, raising corn, the smaller
cereals, and cotton. He also has a good apple
and peach orchard. During the intervals between
the farming seasons he has worked at the carpen-
ter's trade, and has built most of the better class
of houses in the township, among which are the
residences of Capt. Crowley and Mrs. Boyd. Mr.
Smith was married on the 6th of January. 1858.
to Miss Margaret Pevehouse, a native of Arkansas,
l)y whom he became the father of six children,
four of whom are living: William W. C, Sarah
Ann, who died at the age of twenty years: Mary
Elizabeth, who died when one year old; Logan
L. R., Susan Causada, wife of G. B. Harris, a
resident of the count}-; and James A. Smith. In
1879 Mr. Smith lost his worthy wife, and in 1879
he wedded Mrs. Cothren. He is quite an active
politician and has served as bailiff of Greene
County. He is a patron of ediTcation and is at
present a director of his school district.
Simpson Smith. In former years the life of
the farmer was considered a laborious one. Vmt in
this progi'essive age. with such improvements in
machinery, he can do his work with half the dis-
patch or labor as in the time of his father, and in
fact works but little if any harder than the aver-
age man who strives to make a living. Besides
all this he is independent, which is one of the
much .sought-for conditions of life. Mr. Smith
is one of the successful farmers who have kept
thoroughly apace with the times, and has reached
the condition of life mentioned above. He was
born in Benton County, Tenn. , in 1833, and is the
son of William and Elizabeth (Lewis) Smith, na-
tives respectively of South Carolina and North
Carolina. William Smith came with his parents
to Tennessee when a small boy. settling in Maury
County for some time, and then moved to Benton
County, where he passed the remainder of his
days. He was a farmer and trader by occupation.
He volunteered in the war under Gen. Jackson.
\
Jacksdn County, Arkansas
GREENE COUNTY.
171
Mrs. Smith was horn in 1798, and died May 13,
188U, on the old home place in Tennessee. She
was a worthy member of the Methodist Episcopal
Church, South. Their family consisted of eight
children, six now living: Angoline, Ellen, Eliza-
beth, Simpson, Mary and Thomas J. Those de-
ceased died in infancy. Simpson Smith grew to
manhood on the home place in Tennessee, and at
the age of fourteen years began working for him-
self as a day laborer. After this he worked on
the railroad for two or three years, then farmed
for some time, and when the war broke out he en-
listed in the Confederate army, Company I.
Forty-ninth Volunteer Infantry, and served three
j years. He was in the battles of Fort Donelson,
j Port Hudson and Jackson, Miss. He was taken
; prisoner twice, first at Fort Donelson, and was
carried to Chicago, where he was retained seven
months and three days, and was then exchanged.
He then returned to the South, entering the
Southern army in the same company, re-organized
and consolidated with the Forty-eighth Tennessee
Volunteer Infantry, and was captured at Port
Hudson, but was soon afterward paroled, when he
returned home and resumed his farm work. He
I remained in Tennessee until 1881, when he came
to Arkansas and settled on his present farm in
I Greene County. He had first moved to Arkansas
in 1854, but later returned to the home-place,
where he was married, in 185(), to Miss Ellen Erp,
a native of Benton County, Tenn. The result of
J this union was the birth of nine children, seven
now living: William, Mary, Belle, Caldonia, John,
Augustus, Scott, Doy, Daniel Lee and Vency.
Those deceased were Porter and an infant un-
named. Mr. and Mrs. Smith are members of the
Methodi.st E])iscopal Cliurch, South, in which he
is a deacon. He is a member of the A. F. & A.
M. , is a Democrat in politics, and tak(>s an active
y)art in all public enterprises. He has a tine farm.
with 170 acres under cultivation, and is one of the
leading farmers of the county.
Irvin G. Smith, whose career as a farmer has
been one of success and prosperity, was born in
Benton County, Tenn., in 184(>, and is the sou of
John and Fannie (Krj)) Smith, both natives of
North Carolina, who came to Benton County,
Tenn., with their pwents when children. They
were married in that State after growing u)i, and
there the father followed farming until his death,
which occurred in 1877 at the age of fifty-six years.
The mother died in 1802 at the age of forty years.
In their family were seven children, six of whom are
still living: Irvin G. . Disa (now Mrs. Smith),
Harvey, Jonathan. Berry H., Thomas \\'. and
Simpson. Harvey died at the age of eighteen
years. Irvin G. Smith attained his majority on a
farm in Tennessee, and when of age commenced
for himself on the home place, where he remained
until 18()1. when he enlisted in the Confederate
army, Fortj'-ninth Tennessee; the regiment was
captured at Fort Donelson and taken to Chi-
cago. Mr. Smith was sick at this time and was
at home. As soon as able he went back to the
army, joined the Thirteenth Tennessee Cavalry, and
served until the close of the war. He was captured
at or near Johnsonville, Tenn., and was put on a
parole of honor. He participated in the Okolona,
Miss. , battle, was also in the battle of Yazoo City,
Bolivar, Tenn., Johnsonville, Tenn., and in a
numljer of other engagements. After the cessation
of hostilities Mr. Smith returned to Tennessee, re-
sumed his farming interests, and thus continued un-
til 187;^ when he came west to Arkansas and located
in Greene County, three miles southwest of where
he now lives. In 1870 he moved to his present
property, where he has remained ever since. He
was married in 1808 to Miss Louisa Swindle, a
native of Benton County. Toun. , born in 1 84-t, and #
the daughter of Thomas and Mariam Swindle, na-
tives respectively of South Carolina and Kentucky.
Thomas Swindle went from South Carolina to Illi-
nois, thence to Tennessee, where he was married in
1832, and is still living in Benton County, Tenn.
He was born in the year 1814, as was also his wife.
She died March 10. 1872. Both were members of
the Methodist Episcopal Church. After the death
of his wife Mr. Swindle married Mrs. Nancy Har
ris, who still survives. Mrs. Smith is one of
twelve children, eight of whom are living, born to
her parents. She was reared in Tennessee, and by
her marriatre to Mr. Smith became the mother of
A.
172
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
three childi-eu, all living: Martha A., wife of
William Swindle, now residing in Greene Coun-
ty, Ark. ; Walter D. and Cordal C, at home. Mr.
Smith resides three and a half miles southwest of
Gainesville, where he has improved a good farm
and has 155 acres under cultivation. He is an
active worker in school affairs, and is director in his
district. He served as deputy sheriff in 1881-82-
83 and 1884 under Mr. Willcocksou, and served as
constable of his district to till a vacancy. In 1883
he was elected to that position, which he held one
term. Mrs. Smith is a member of the Methodist
Episcopal Church, South.
E. T. Smith is the junior member of the firm
of Smith & Son, proprietors of a lumber mill on
Bark Camp Island, Greene County, Ark. The busi-
ness was established in August, 1878, and is man-
aged by a force of thirty-five men, the capacity
being 25,000 feet per day. Mr. Smith was bom
on Blue Grass soil, in 1851 (Hopkins County,
Ky. ), and was the youngest of a family of five chil-
dren of W. E. and Sarah (Hicklin) Smith, who
were also Kentuckians. The father removed to
Greene County, Ark., in 1885, and now resides in
Paragould, being senior member of the lumber
milling firm. E. T. Smith's early days were spent
in following the plow and in attending the common
schools of Kentucky. He was married in Hick-
man County, of that State, in 1880, to Ella Leet,
a native of Kentucky, and by her has an interest-
ing little family of three children: Dora, Kenner
and Charley M. Socially he is a member of the
Knights of Honor, and in his political views affili-
ates with the Democratic party. He is enterpris-
ing and industrious, and promises to become in
time one of the wealthy citizens of the county.
S. J. Smith was born about two miles north-
west of Paragould, Greene County, Ark. , December
20, 1852, and is one of three surviving members
of a family of eleven children, born to Charles C.
and Millie J. Smith, who were Tennesseeans, and
came to Arkansas by ox team when the country
was almost a wilderness, inhabited by Indians and
wild animals, the latter being very plentiful. A
brother of our subject killed sixteen bear the first
year. The father cleared the land upon which
Paragould is now situated, afterward moving to
Buffalo Island, and still later (in 1861) to the
farm of 160 acres, on which his sons, John and
Joseph, are now living. He died in April, 1865,
still survived by his widow, who is living in Craig-
head County. When S. J. Smith first came to
Arkansas his time was about equally divided be-
tween farming in the summer, and hunting and
trapping during the cold weather, the latter occu-
jjation being the more profitable. By industry
and good management he has become the owner
of 120 acres of land, the most of which is covered
with timber, but has forty-five acres under cultiva-
tion, and sixty-five under fence, improved with
substantial buildings and good orchard. He well
remembers the time when there were only two
farms in a radius of ten miles, and can point out
hundreds of acres of land then covered with tim-
ber and water, which is now in dry and well cultivat-
ed farms. He raises cotton and corn, also horses,
cattle and hogs. He was married, in 1870, to Miss
Mary F. Sypes, a daughter of Eli and Christina
Sypes, natives of North Carolina, who came to
Perry County, Mo. , at a very early day, where the
father followed the occupation of farming and
blacksmithing until his death. Five of their eight
children are living: Eli J., Calvin L. , George \\',,
Martha and Charles Andrew.
W. H. Sollis, a member of the firm of W. H.
Sollis & Co., merchants, is one among the first
business men of Paragould, having established his
business here in July, 1882, when the town was in
its infancy. The firm was changed to its present
name in March, 1883. Mr. Sollis was born in
Duplin County, N. C. , July 31, 1837, and is a sou
of Luke and Martha (Taylor) Sollis, natives of
North Carolina, but of French descent. The
paternal grandfather, Abraham Sollis, was born
in France, and emigrated to North Carolina at an
early day. There he passed his last days. Luke
Sollis was married in North Carolina, and emi-
grated to Tennessee about 1840, where he fol-
lowed farming until his death. The mother also
died in that State. They were the parents of nine
children, only one now living, W. H. Sollis, who
is the subject of this sketch. He was reared and
cr^
lil.
GREENE COUNTY.
173
educated in Gibson County, Tenn., and was
attending school when the Civil War broke out. He
left the school room to defend his country, en-
listing in Companj' D. Seventh Tennessee Cavalry,
in 1861, and served until the close of the war. He
was at the battles of Belmont, Mo. , Britton's Lane,
last battle of Corinth, and at West Point, Miss. ,
where he was captured and carried to Memphis,
thence to Alton, and from there to Camp Douglas.
He was kept a prisoner for sixteen months, and
experienced many hardships during that time. He
had two horses shot from under him while in ser-
vice, but never received the least wound himself.
At the close of the war he was paroled, after which
he returned to Tennessee and began speculating in
cotton. He was turned loose without a dollar and re-
mained in that condition for one year, when he went
to Cincinnati and obtained a position in a whole-
sale clothing house as traveling salesman. He was
engaged in this for about one year, after which he
returned home and embarked in merchandising,
which he continued until January, 1870, when he
went to Memj)his, Tenn. , and was here interested in
the commission business. This he carried on until
September, 1871, when he was driven out by the
yellow fever, and again his fiuancial condition was
in a very low state. He did not despair, luit with
renewed energy started out and was soon on a
sound footing. He then decided to go to Greene
County, Ark., and arrived here September 17, 1871.
He located on a farm he had previously liought,
and which was all that he had left, engaged in
farming and this c6ntinued until 1882, when he
resumed merchandising. He was agent for the
Pomona Nursery of Tennessee for two years, and
has planted more fruit trees in Greene County
than any two men in it. He is the owner of 610
acres of land, with about 100 acres under culti-
vation, which he improved himself. He was mar-
ried in March, 1868, to Miss Louisa C. Ferrell, a
native of Tennessee, and the result of this union is
one child: A\'illie. wife of John Reeves. Mrs.
Sollis is a member of the Baptist Church. Mr.
Sollis has erected several houses in Paragould,
and completed his brick store in February, 1889.
He is a member of the I. O. O. F.
John R. Starnes. The growth and jirosperity
of Greene County, Ark., has been upon a scale
commensurate with the immigration to this region
in past years, and this prosperity is largely
due to the members of the agricuUiiral profession,
prominent among which stands the name of Mr.
Starnes. He was born in Lauderdale County,
Tonn. , in 1829, and there reimiined until 1871,
having been engaged in farming for himself since
1861. Since the year 1871 he has resided in
Greene County, Ark. , and since 1876 has been a
resident of his present farm, where he is doing a
prosperous business, and besides being engaged in
tilling the soil, gives considerable attention to stock
raising. He was married in 1861 to Miss Eliza-
beth Lacey, who was born in Henderson County,
Tenn., in 1838, and is the mother of three chil-
dren: Josephus, Marshall and Parlee. Mr. and
Mrs. Starnes are members of the Baptist Church,
of which he is an active sujiporter, and in his po-
litical views he is a stanch Republican. His par
ents. Marshall and Sarah (Golden) Starnes, were
born in Tennessee and North Carolina, respectively,
in 1818, and were married on the 6th of Decem-
ber. 1838. The father was reared in Tipton
County, Tenn., but when a young man located in
West Tennessee, on a farm, and there continued to
make his home until 1871, when he came to Ar-
kansas, and is now residing in Greene County on
the farm on which he first settled. He is a mem-
ber of the Methodist Ejiiscopal Church, as was his
wife, who died March 21, 184U. They were the
parents of four children, John R. being the only
one living. The father took for his second wife
Parlee Johnson, on the 28th of May, 1851, and
by her had twelve children, six now living: Mary
J., Militia E. , Martha F. , Moses. Nancy P. and
James. The paternal grandfather, Moses Starnes,
was a Virginian, who became a resident of Tennes-
see at an early day and died at middle age. having
reared a large family of children.
G. AN'. Stevenson has attained wealth as a
planter and stock raiser by honest labor, and is a
gentleman who commands the respect and esteem
of all who know him. He was born in the year
1831, in Giles County. Tenn.. and is the youngest
174
HISTOEY OF ARKANSAS.
in a family of ten children born to Elem and Lydia
(Payne) Stevenson, both natives of the "Old
North State." They were married there and at an
early day moved to Tennessee, locating in Giles
County, where the father opened up quite an ex-
tensive farm and was a large slaveholder. He died
in 1876 at the age of ninety-one years, having
been a minister of the gospel for sixty-seven years,
being the oldest one in Middle Tennessee at the
time of his death. His wife died in 1874 at the
age of eighty-nine years. The paternal grand-
father was born in Ireland, and was one of the
early settlers of North Carolina, and a soldier in
the Revolutionary War. The maternal grand-
father, also born in the Emerald Isle, was an early
resident of North Carolina, and was a soldier in
the Revolutionary War. G. W. Stevenson was
reared to manhood in Middle Tennessee, and re-
ceived his education in Forest Hill Acadejuy, and
Giles College, at Pulaski. At the age of twenty-
one years he began teaching school, and has fol-
lowed this occupation very successfully up to the
present time, being also engaged in tilling the
soil and raising stock. He was married in Lincoln
County, Tenn., May 2U, 1855, to Miss M. J.
Thorp, who was born in that county, and is a
daughter of Joel and Elizabeth (Osborne) Thorp,
who were also Tennesseeans. The father was a
wealthy planter and died in 1847, still survived
by the mother. In 1861 Mr. Stevenson enlisted
in Company A, Eleventh Tennessee Cavalry, and
was mustered into service at Nashville, afterward
participating in the battles of Corinth, luka,
Chickamauga, and oth(>rs of minor importance.
He served as a scout for some time, and after the
war returned to Tennessee, emigrating in 1884 to
Greene County, Ark. . where he is now residing on
a farm of '200 acres, 123 of which are under culti-
vation. He is interested in buying, selling and
raising stock. He is a stanch Democrat in politics,
and was electeil l)y that party to the office of county
treasurer, and also to the office of justice of the
peace. Socially he belongs to the I. O. O. F.,
Paragould Lodge No. 13, of which order he has
been a member for over forty years, having passed
all the chairs, and was grand lecturer of ^^'est
Tennessee. He is chaplain in the A. F. & A. M.,
and also belongs to the Center Hill Wheel. He
and wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal
Church, South, and are the parents of eight chil-
dren, five of whom are living: Margaret Alice
(Mrs. Huckabay), Louisa A. (Mrs. Dover), Will-
iam Ernest, Ulpian Baker and Mollie Ann Baxter.
Mr. Stevenson has been identifi<>d with the county's
interests for many years, and has always been an
advocate of churches, schools and temperance.
He was the first examiner of (ireene County.
J. R. Taylor, ex-editor of the Paragould Press,
was born in Williamson County, Tenn.. in 1854,
and was left an orphan at two years of age. He
spent his boyhood days in Humphreys County,
Tenn., receiving an ordinary common-school edu-
cation, and having no means by inheritance, was
obliged to start out at an early age to support
himself. He worked for wages on a farm six
years, and in 1874 went to West Tennessee,
where he spent five years teaching in the common
schools of Obion, Gibson and Madison Counties.
He was elected to the Academic Chair in Odd
vFellow's College, at Humboldt, Imt failed to receive
notice of such election in time to accept the position.
He commenced the newsjiaper Inisiness at Bell's
Depot in 1880, and published a paper at Dyers-
burg one year. He was married in January,-
1882, to Miss Lucy White, of Jackson, Tenn.,
and in March, 1883, he moved to Jonesboro, Ark.,
where he established the Jonesboro Democrat. He
was elected mayor of that city in 188f), and re-
signed the editorship of the Democrat. Before
the term of mayor had expired he bought the
Paragould Press, and moved to Paragould. In De-
cember, 1888, he sold the Press to W. A. H. Mc-
Daniel, and established the Greene County Record
in May, 1889. He was a candidate for State
senator in 1888. but withdrew from the race in
favor of Hon. B. H. Crowley, an old citizen and
politician, it appearing that his age. long resi-
dence and prominence with the people during the
war, and just afterward, made him a probably
stronger leader of the Democratic party. Mr.
Taylor served as clerk of the senate judiciary
committee of the last legislature, and reported
GREENE COUNTY.
J 75
spuatc |)roce('dings for the Daily Ciazette. Hi' is
a ])iact.ical printer and journalist, and a stanch
Democrat, but the nnHinching foe of monopoly.
He read law but has never entered the i)ractice.
Having consolidated the Record with the Press,
he is now exclusively in the line of book and jol)
printing, liaving the only exclusive job printing
establishment in Northeast Arkansas.
James S. Tenisson, a prominent citizen and
farmer of Greene County, Ark., was born in
A\"arreu County, Tenn., in 1826, and is the son of
Abraham Tenisson, a native of Rowan County,
N. C. His grandfather was a seaman from 1780
to 1800, when he returned to his home in Missis-
sippi, where he died in 1847. His father was a
highly respected farmer and stock raiser, and
dealt extensively in mules. He died in 1858.
James S. was educated in Tennessee, receiving all
the advantages the county afforded. He came to
this Slate in 1S50, and now owns I'iO acres of
good land and fine stock. He is the father of ten
children, seven of whom are living, and six of
these are married and have families. Five of them
live in this township, and one is a leading merchant
of Coquille City, Cove County, Ore. Thomas F.
was born August 10, 1S5J; John H. , May 12,
1859; Elizabeth, April 26. 1862; George M.,
March 12, 1865: Martha, August 21, 1867; Julia
A., January 2, 1870, and Albert N., February 18,
1875. Albert is still at home and assists his father
in cultivating the farm. Mr. Tenisson has been
for six years justice of the peace of Salem Town-
ship. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity,
having held all of the oilices from worshipful
master to warden. Both he and his wife are
members of the Methodist Church, and are liberal
in their support of all praiseworth}' enterprises.
\V. F. Thoraj)son. Greene County, Ark., is one
of the most fertile counties in the State, and in
this higldy productive region Mr. Thom])son has
resided since 185'J. becoming well and favorably
known, for he commenced life a poor boy and is
now one of the well-to-do citizens of the county.
He was born in Giles County. Tenn.. in 18;{2, and
was the second of six children born to John and
Lucy (Meeler) Thompson, who were natives respect-
ively of Tennessee and Virginia. They were
married in the former State, and there the father
was engaged in wagon making and blacksmithing
until his death, which occurred in 1841. His wife
survived him many years and died in 1875. Her
father was a soldier in the Revolutionary War and
entered the service at the early age of thirteen
years. W . F. Thompson has been familiar with
farming from boyhood, and received his education
in the district schools of Tennessee. After the
death of his father the most of the farm work
devolved upon him, and at the age of nineteen
years he began tilling the soil for himself. When
twenty years old he went to Pope County, 111.,
where he was engaged in farming for about seven
years, moving in 185S to Arkansas, and the follow-
ing year to Greene County, where he enti'red a
tract of' 160 acres, and opened up and cleared
about eighty acres of land. He erected thereon a
small log cabin, but built twice afterward, and in
1882 put up a large frame house and set out an
orchard. He has divided his land, and now owns
eighty acres, all of which, however, is under cul-
tivation. He was married in Greene County, Ai-k..
in December, 1858, to IMiss Millie T. Hollerman,
of North Carolina, and a daughter of John and
Millie (Hartso) Hollerman, who moved from their
native State to Greene County. Ark., in 1855, both
of them now being deceased. Mr. Thomp.son has
resided on his ])resent farm ever since his marriage.
He assisted in organizing Clay County, Ark. He
is a member of the Union I^abor i)arty, but is not
a seeker after office. In„1862 he enlisted in Com-
pany D, First Arkansas Battery, and went into
service at Pocahontas, being second lieutenant of
his company. He was at Fort Farmington, Miss. ,
and received his discharge at Tu)ieloin 1863. after
which he returned to Greene County, Ark. In
1865 he went into a cavalry company and served
until the close of the war. later on returning
to the farm. He is a member of the Agricultural
Wheel, and he and wife are members of the Baptist
Church. Six of their nine children are living:
William Oriu. who died in 187:?, at the age of
fourteen years; Sidney Thomas, who is married
and resides in Greene County: Eliza Jane, wife of
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
Elijah Goff, died on the 23d of February, 1883.
at the age of eighteen years; John AVesley, mar-
ried and residing in the county; Sebell (Mrs. De-
Moss), resides in Friendship Township; Mary
Angeline ( Mrs. Burgess), resides in Lake Township ;
Emma Elizabeth (Mrs. Peyton), residing on the
home farm; Lucy, who died in infancy, and Nar-
cissus at home. Mr. Thompson is rearing a boy,
named George Thompson.
Rev. J. T. Thompson, a prominent merchant
of Marmaduke, and one of the representative
men of the county, was born near Jackson, West
Tenn., January 27, 1833, and is of English par-
entage. His father, James Thompson, was a na-
tive of North Carolina, in that State growing to
manhood, and was there married to Miss Lydia Ter-
rell. He followed the occupation of a farmer, but
also carried on the blacksmith trade for many
years. In 1825 he moved to Tennessee, and there
lost his wife, when their son, J. T. . was seven
months old. The latter attained his growth in
Tennessee, attending the common country schools,
and at the age of nineteen years was united in
marriage to Miss Mary J. Worrell, who bore him
eight children, seven of whom are now living;
James F., married and engaged in the marble
business at Helena, Ark.; J. P., a carpenter by
trade, living in West Tennessee, is married and
has one child; J. J., a carpenter at Marmaduke, is
married and has one child; Albert Sidney was a
cari^enter by trade, who, while occupied at his
work on a house in Rector, in 1887, fell and was so
injured that he died a few days later; Mary T. is
at home; Sarah A. married Joseph Conger, of
Greene County, and is now living on a farm near
Marmaduke; Susan E. is at home and so also is
William H. Mr. Thompson enlisted in the Fifty-
first Confederate Tennessee Regiment, in Novem-
ber, 1861, at Jackson, Tenn., and was in serv-
ice in that State, Alabama and Mississippi. His
regiment was captured at Fort Donelson, but he
succeeded in making his escape on a steamboat up
the Tennessee River. His recjiment was reorganized
at Corinth in the March following, and then in May
he was sent home on sick furlousrh. Having suf-
ficiently recovered by August of the same year, he
enlisted in the Fourteenth Tennessee Cavalry, in
Gen. Forrest's command, and took part in his
campaigns through Mississippi, Tennessee and
Alabama, in 1865. He was detached from his
command in December, and never returned to his
regiment until after the close of the war, and so
was never discharged. After the war he returned
to Jackson, Tenn. , remained there for some time,
and then was in Denmark for about four years.
He moved to Arkansas in 1870, settling within two
miles of Marmaduke, where he followed farming
until 1888, and then bought out the drug firm of
Huckabay & Moore, in Marmaduke. Since then
he has added dry goods, notions, etc. For his
second wife Mr. Thompson chose Mrs. Martha A.
Brand, and four children have been the result of
this union ; Robert Lee, Rosa B. , Beuna C.
("Dot ") and an infant, Charles C. Mi-. Thomp-
son is thoroughly identified with all public enter-
prises, and a liberal contributor to the same. He
was licensed to preach in the Methodist Episcopal
Church, South, in 1874, and has since ministered
to the spiritual wants of his fellow men in that
church. He is a member of the Masonic frater-
nity. Blue Lodge, in which he has filled all the
chairs. Mrs. Thomjison and most of the children
are also members of the Methodist Episcopal
Church, South.
Rev. David Thorne, an extensive farmer and
fruit-grower, of Greene County, Ark., was born in
Edgecombe County, N. C, in 1828. His parents,
Thomas and Morning (Dawes) Thorne, were of
English descent, and were also born in the "Old
North State," the former's birth occurring in
1781. while Gen. Cornwallis was encamped within
seven miles of the scene. He emigrated to Madi-
son County, Tenn., in 1831, located, and became
an extensive farmer, and owned slaves, departing
this life in his eighty-second year. He and his
life-partner lived together nearly fifty- five years,
raising to maturity eleven children, and losing one
in infancy. His father. Nicholas Thorne, accord-
ing to family tradition, was liorn in North Caro-
lina about 1730 or 1740. His father, Richard
Thorne, was born in England, about the year 1700
or 1710, and came to America, perhaps, about the
r'^
GREENE COUNTY.
177
year 1710 or 1720, serving an apprenticeship
in Charleston, S. C. His son, Nicholas Thorne,
was a farmer, and participated in the Revolution-
ary War, on the side of the colonies. David
Thorne, the subject of this sketch, attained his
majority in Madison County, Tenn., and received
his education in the common schools and the acad-
emy at Denmark, Madison County, Tenn., his
instructor in-chief being Dr. William L. Slack,
now of Friar's Point, Miss. While a resident of
Hardeman County, Tenn., in the year 1859-60, he
was elected presiding justice of the county and
probate court, which position was held two or
three terms, and was much esteemed by him;
indeed, with one exception, that honor was held
par excellence among many favors conferred by the
grand old county of Hardeman, because it was
bestowed gratuitously and without solicitation.
Emigrating to Greene County in 1871, three years
after, in 1874, he was prevailed upon, by strong
and urgent solicitation, to become a candidate for
the constitutional convention, making the race be-
fore the people in competition with Hons. L. L.
Mack and B. H. Crowley, and was beaten by only
fifteen votes, by Mr. Crowley. He was afterward
elected county and probate judge, and served one
term. Having been reared by pious and religious
parents, he naturally felt an interest in Christi-
anity, and for nearly forty years has had member-
ship in a Missionary Baptist Church, and since
18fi8 has been engaged in the ministry. Before
closing this sketch it is proper to say, that Mr.
Thorne attributes everything pertaining to what
he is and has enjoyed, as respects morals and re-
ligion, to parental training and early impressions
made In' Christian parents in their work in the
family nursery; and, in justice to them, whatever
may have been accom]ilished in the way of good —
yea. even the hope of Heaven, under the blessings
of God— all is dedicated in memory to the Christ-
ian iniluonce of loved parents that have laid their
armor by. The subject of this sketch is sharing
the income of a good farm, and is taking a warm
interest in fruit-growing, for which this section
seems well adapted. The crowning blessing, re-
ferred to heretofore, which Hardeman County be-
stowed, was the gift, in marriage, of one of her
best daughters, in the person of Miss Mary A.
Toone, who was a daughter of James Toone, Sr.
■James Toone, Sr. , was one of the pioneer settlers
of West Tennessee, and Hardeman County was bis
adopted home. Before the late war he was one of
the leading farmers, owning large slave property.
The marriage i)artnership entered into in June,
1857, by Mr. and Mrs. Thorne, has culminated in
quite a family, namely: James L., Thomas L. B. ,
William H., David C. and Wiley, five sons: and
Mary F. B., JinieB.. Ida R. and AUisE., four
daughters; all have made the Christian profession,
and the whole family are members of the same
church — truly a Baptist family.
John C. Tredaway is one of the successful
farmers of Union Township, and one of its oldest
settlers. He was born in Pendleton District. S.
C, in 1812, and is a son of Richard and Nancy
(Smith) Tredaway, who were born in Georgia and
South Carolina, the former's birth occurring in
1787. He grew to manhood in his native State,
was married in South Carolina, and after residing
in Tenne.ssee for about ten years, returned to
Georgia, where he was engaged in farming until
his death in 1851. His wife was born in 1704
and died in 1871, and both were members of the
Methodist Episcopal Chiu'ch, South. Of their ten
children, eight lived to be grown, and seven are
living at the present time. The maternal grand-
father came from Europe with two brothers and
settled in Georgia, but it is not known where the
others settled. He was a farmer, and lived and
died in the state of his adoption, his death occur
ring when between sixty and seventy years of age.
His wife lived to be nearly 100 years old. and also
died in Georgia. She was an earnest member of
the Baptist Church. To them were born five chil-
dren, the father of our sul)ject lieing the eldest.
John C. Tredaway, who was the second of his par
ents' children, grew to manhood in East Tennessee.
At the age of twenty-one years he commenced for
himself, engaging in the shoemaker's trade, and
followed this occupation in connection with farm-
ing until he went to Georgia, when he opened a
wagon shop, which he managed with farming for
<£ k_
ITS
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
eight years. In J 85(3 be came to Arkansas and
located on a farm on Crowley's Ridge in Clay
County, where he remained for about sixteen
years, subsequently spc^nding three years in Boone
County, Ark. Here his wife died on the I'ith of
November, 1872, her birth occurring in South
Carolina November 6, 1808, her maiden name
being Rebecca Chapman. They were married
August 21, 1834, and became the parents of ten
children, four of whom are alive. The names of
the children are: John W., who died in Tennessee;
Asbury F., who first joined the Confederate army,
and later, on account of his wife, joined the Union
forces, went South, and as he was never after-
ward heard fi'om, was supposed to have been
killed; Francis M. , who served in the Confeder-
ate army and died in Mississippi, being buried
there with 10,000 other soldiers; William B. , also
a Confederate soldier, was taken sick and died
somewhere in the South; James R. , who sickened
and died in Greene County, and was buried at
Oak Bluff: Nancy E., wife of William Wagner,
residing in Clay County, Ark.: Sidney S., a resi-
dent of Clay County; Sarah A., wife of Benjamin
Copeland, of Clay County ; Mary A. , wife of Buck
Fain, of Boone County, Ark., and an infant not
named. Mr. Tredaway was married a second time
to Amanda Fielder, who was born in Hickman
County, Tenn. , in 1840. To them six chikken
have been born: Thomas F. , John W. W. , Edward
S. , Mary and Martha (twins), and an infant that
died in childhood, not named. Mr. Tredaway and
wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal
Church, South, the latter having been a professed
Christian for fifty-eight years, and an active work-
er in the church. He is a member of the A. F. &
A. M. , and in his political views is a Democrat.
Henry S. Trice, treasurer of Greene County,
and undertaker, was born in Craighead County,
Ark., November 'J, 1853, and is the son of Samuel
T. and Sarah H. (Smith) Trice, both of whom
were natives of Bedford County, Tenn. The par-
ents emigrated to Craighead County, Ark. , in 1 853,
and located on a farm eight miles north of Jones-
boro. The father was one of the early settlers of
that county, improved a good farm there, and
attended to farming until his death, which oc-
curred at his home, in August, 1861. He was
county and probate judge of Craighead County
when he died, and was a very prominent citizen.
He was also for many years justice of the peace.
The mother now resides in Jonesboro. They were
the parents of six children, four of whom are now
living: Joseph H. , Henry S. , Andrew J. and Sa-
rah T. (wife of Franklin Lane). Henry S. Trice
assisted his mother on the farm to make a hard-
earned living, and received his education in Craig-
head County. He followed farming until 1885,
when he moved to Paragould, Greene County, and
in the fall of 1886 established the undertaker's
business, which he has since carried on. He was
elected county treasurer of Greene County in 1886,
and re-elected in 1888, thus illustrating his popu-
larity. He was married in 1873 to Miss Margaret
A. Gamble, a native of Bedford County, Tenn.,
and the fruits of this union are five children:
Ada P., William F., Joseph T., Mary E. and Sarah
V. Mr. and Mrs. Trice are members of the Jleth-
odist Episcopal Church, and he is a member of the
K. of r.
William H. Walden, who is not only one of the
substantial farmers of the county, but also re-
spected and esteemed for his many good qualities,
was born near Lexington, Ky., in 1840, and is the
son of Coleman and Melvina (McKinney) Walden,
both natives, also, of Kentucky. The father was
a farmer by occupation, and died in 1878 at the
age of fifty-five years. He had been twice mar-
ried; first, in 1839, to Miss McKinsey, who died
in 1846, leaving one child, William Walden. Mr.
Walden then selected for his second wife Miss
Louisa J. Price, a native of Kentucky. The fol-
lowing children were the result of the second un-
ion: John, Mollie, Elizabeth, Alice (deceased in
infancy), Joshua L. (died when grown), George W.,
Mattie C. and Emma. William Walden moved
with his parents to Haywood County, Tenn., in
1842, and there remained until 1878, when he
came to Arkansas and located on his present farm,
which he cultivates, but also, in connection, is en-
gaged in running a cotton-gin. When the war
broke out 'Mv. Walden enlisted in the Confederate
GREENE COUNTY.
179
army, but was rejected on account of a crippled
foot. During the latter part of the war, however,
he enli.sted and was wounded at the Battle of
Perryville, Ky. He was color-bearer of the Ninth
Tennessee Regiment, Cheatham's division, and
after receiving his wound he was taken to a hos-
pital, where he remained about three weeks, fol-
lowing which he was taken to Danville, Ky. , and
tliere remained until able to go home. He was
married to Mis.s Hattie T. Martin, a native of
Haywood County, Tenn. , bora in 1841, who died
April 17, 1886, in full communion with the Meth-
odist Episcopal Church. Seven children were
born to this union, all living: Edward C, (who
married Mattie Russell and lives near the home
place), John R. L.. James B. , Rosa Lee (wife
of J. P. Hampton), Freddie, Walter B. and Jes-
sie T. Mr. Walden was married the second time
to Mrs. Mollie Bowler, nee Eiberhard, a native
of New Orleans, who had previously married Eras-
mus Bowler, who died April 7, 1886. Mr. Wal-
den affiliates with the Democratic ])arty in his
political views.
Dr. Calvin Wall, president of the Bank of
Paragoukl, and physician, was born in Spartanburg
District, S. C, October 12. 182-4, and is the son of
Zachariah and Oney (Clement) Wall, the father a
native of Wilkes County, N. C, and the mother of
South Carolina. The parents were married in South
Carolina and remained there until their deaths,
the father devoting himself to agricultural pur-
suits. Their family consisted of ten children,
only one now living, Dr. Calvin Wall. He was
reared and educated in South Carolina, assisted
on the farm until nineteen years of age, and then
taught school until twenty-six years old, when
he Vjegau the study of medicine. He graduated at
the iledical University of Lexington, Ky., in lsr)4,
and in July of the same year began practicing
in Polk County, N. C where he remained until
the latter part of 1857. He then returned to the
homestead in South Carolina, where he stayed un-
til Fel)ruary 7, 18ri9, when he started for Greene
County, Ark. , coming through on horseback and
arriving March 21). of that year. He located at
Gainesville and entered upon the i)ractice of his
profession, in 1S()() he went to Greensboro, Craig-
head County, remained there six months and then
returned home, where he practiced until 1886,
when he came to Paragoukl. Here he has since
continued to follow his profession. In March, 18Stt.
he was elected president of the Bank of Paragoukl,
which position he now occupies. He is also
president of the Building and Loan Association,
served two terms as county treasurer while living
at Gainesville, and has been notary public for over
twelve years. He owns several thousand acres
of land in the county, with about 200 acres under
cultivation. He was married March 18, 1800, to
Miss Emily A. Gentry, a native of Tennessee, and
to them have been born six children: Ona J.,
wife of Dr. Kitchen; Elmer S., wife of W. S.
Ellis; MelvinC, Ethel M., Arthur G. and Ernest
N. Mr. and Mrs. Wall are members of the Bap-
tist Church. He is a member of the Masonic
Fraternity, also belongs to the I. O. O. F., and is
one of the oldest physicians, in ])oint of residence,
in the county.
Rev. Daviil B. Warren, a local minister of the
Methodist Episcopal Church, South, residing four
miles south of Gainesville, Ark., was born in Giles
County, Tenn., October 3, 1827, and is the fourth
son of John B. and Rachael (Hunt) Warren, who
were born near Petersburg, N. C. , the former
February 27, 17'J(), and the latter November 24.
17U7. They were married about the year 1817.
and about 1824 removed to Middle Tennessee, set-
tling in Giles County. He was a farmer, and a
part of his life worked at the blacksmith's trade,
but gave up both occupations several years before
his death owing to the failure in his eyesight, and
the last five years of his life he was entirely l)liud.
He was a worthy, good citizen, and in politics was
an old line Whig. He took no part in the late
Civil War, but was a soldier in the War of 1812.
His wife was a member of the Methodist Episcopal
Church, South. They both lived to a ripe old age:
he died February 23, 1884, within only four days
of being eighty-eight, and she died in March,
1885, wanting only a few months of being also
eighty-eight. To them were boru nine children,
all of whom lived to mature age: Henry J. (who
180
HISTOKY OF ARKANSAS.
died ia 1882), Sarab J. L. (deceased), James A.,
Joseph A., David B., Mary F., Louisa E., Elmina
M. (deceased) and William W. Rev. David B.
Warren received a very meager education in the
old field schools of that day, but after he attained
the age of twenty-two attended better schools
awaj' from home. In 1850 he taught his first
session of three months, being employed by three
of his neighbors for |25 (which was only 18 J^ per
month). But this small beginning was sufficient
to demonstrate his worth as a teacher, and for
more than twenty years — six in Tennessee, and
more than fourteen in Arkansas — his labors were
crowned with great success, and many of the most
useful and influential men and women in the com-
munities where he taught in both States were his
pupils in their youth, and received instruction at
his hands. In 1854 he made a profession of
religion, and two years later was licensed to preach,
and has been a local minister of the Methodist
Episcopal Church, South, ever since. In 1870 and
1871 he was in charge of the Greenslwro circuit as
a supply. He has been instriunental in doing
much good, both as a teacher and a preacher, and
has performed more marriage ceremonies and
preached more fimeral sermons than almost any
other preacher in Northeast Arkansas. In 1882
he was a lay delegate from the White River con-
ference to the General conference of the Southern
Mt^thodist Church, which met in Nashville, Tenn. ,
and faithfully represented his constituents in that
highest and only legislative body of the church.
He was ordained a deacon by Bishop Marvin, in
1867, and an elder by Bishop Kavanangh, in 1877,
and worthily honors the church in the faithful
discharge of the duties of these important oflices.
He was married March 4. 1855, to Miss Lucy J.
Ford, who was born in Giles County, Tenn.,
March 26, 1834, where she grew to maturity and
was married. Five of the eight children born to
them are still living: Alice, wife of J. W. New-
berry ; Ezra, married and living near the old home
place; Ida, wife of (i. W. Walden, also residing
near the home place; Osmer, who died November
11, 1883, aged twenty-one years; Mackey, who
died February 11, 1882, aged eighteen years;
Clara, who died December 2. 1871, aged five years;
Minnie and Albert, who still remain under the
parental roof. Mr. W'arren has a splendid little
farm of about KtO acres in cultivation, and a neat,
comfortable home, and is much beloved and highly
respected for his sterling integrity as a citizen and
as a Christian gentleman. He is a distinguished
member of the Masonic fraternity, and has served
in several important positions in a local sphere,
and is now (1889) serving his second year as grand
lecturer of the State. He takes a lively interest
in the work and lectures of this ancient and honor-
able institution, and travels extensively in the dis-
charge of the duties of his high office. He is also
an uncompromising advocate of temperance, and
is opposed to the liquor traffic in all its forms, be-
lieving it to be the greatest enemy to the pros-
perity and happiness of the people. In November,
1872, he was elected clerk of his county, to which
position he was re elected for ten years in succes-
sion, and served his people with fidelity and marked
ability, ]ierforming the intricate and complicated
duties of the office with satisfaction to the people,
and in 1882 he voluntarily retired to private life,
followed In' the good wishes and benedictions of
all the people, and has well earned their universal
plaudit, "Well done, thou good and faithful ser-
vant."
John E. Watson, father and stockman of
Greene County, Ark. , was born in Lawrence Dis-
trict, S. C, July 25, 1841, and is a son of Till-
man and Sarah (Pape) Watson, who were also
born in that State. The father was a Democrat,
a farmer, and he and his wife were members of
the Baptist Church. They moved from South
Carolina to Alabama in 1842, remained there un-
til 1861), and the year following the father's death,
which occurred in 1875, the mother came to
Greene County, Ark., where she is still residing.
The following are their children: William F.,
James H., Martha M., J. E., Sarah J., Elizabeth,
Israel, and Louis J. , who died when five years of
age. William F. is a farmer of West Tennessee,
and he and John E. are the only ones of .the family
living at the present time. The latter began an
independent career at the age of twenty years,
.f
^
aud enlisted in Company D, Twenty-second Ala-
bama (Day's) Regiment, and Bragg' s division, of
the Army of the Tennessee, and was in the liattlos
of Murfreesboro, Chickamauga, Missionary Ridge
and Atlanta. He was captured at Atlanta on the
3d of August, 1804, and was kept in i)rison at
Camp Chase, Ohio, until the 18th of March, 18G5,
when he was released on parole, but before the
parole term had expired the war was ended. After
his return to Alabama he engaged in farming with
his father, and in August, 1865, was married to
Miss Martha P. Grcenway, a daughter of Thomas
aud Olive Greenway, natives of Georgia, the fa-
ther a farmer by occupation. Mr. and Mrs. Wat-
son became the parents of five children: Lugenia
(Turner), of Greene County, Ark. ; Laura S.
(Tatum), John H. , living, and Mary Lee and
James F., deceased. Mr. Watson's second mar-
riage was to a Miss Smith, in July, 1880, aud by
her he has one child, Milton. This wife died in
November, 1885, and in January, 1880, he mar-
ried his third wife, Mrs. Catherine C. (Lender-
man) Hyde. To this last union has been born a
son, William Tell. After his hrst marriage Mr.
Watson lived one year in Alabama, then removing
to West Tennessee, where he was engaged in
farming until the fall of 1869, since which time he
has been a successful tiller of the soil in Greene
County, Ark., his first purchase being 120 acres.
Five years later he traded this farm, which he had
improved somewhat, for other laud, forty acres of
which are in the place he now owns. His farm con-
sists of 140 acres of very finely improved land, and
the most of this he devotes to cotton, though also
giving attention to other crops. He is also inter-
ested in stock breeding. He is an independent
Democrat in politics, and he and wife are mem-
bers of the Christian Church. His wife became
the mother of five children by her first husband:
Christiana E. , wife of D. C. Smith, a farmer
residing with Mr. Watson; John Thomas, Edward,
Jasper E. and Walter, all living with their mother
and step- father.
A^'illiam M. Weatherly. In the series of names
wliich have made Greene County one of the most
populous and prosperous of the State, Mr. Weath-
erly's name holds a prominent place. He was
born in Madison County, Tenn., in 1834. and is
a son of Wright M. and Ann (Bryant) Weath
erly, who were born in North Carolina and Ten
nessee, in 1805 and 1808, respectively. The father
came to Tennessee in 1826, where he was mar-
ried soon after, and then located in Madison
County, where he remained until 1881, after
which he moved to Arkansas, and here died, in
January, 1888. He was a successful farmer up
to the time of the war, but during that time
lost his property. He was a Democrat in poli-
tics, was very active in supporting schools and
churches, and in early life was a Whig in poli-
tics, afterward becoming a Democrat. His wife
was also a member of the Baptist Chiuch, and
died in February, 1886, mourned by all who
knew her. They were the parents of nine sons
and three daughters: John T. (killed at the
battle of Missionary Ridge), James (killed at the
battle of Franklin), Thomas, Robert. William,
Houston S., Rufus A., Richard T., Alexander.
Wright, Elizabeth C Mary and Nancy A. Will
iam M. Weatherly attained his majority in Mad
ison County, and commenced doing for himself
in 1855, clerking in a dry goods store in Den
mark one year. He then married and commenced
farming in Madison County, continuing two years,
and spent the following three years as overseer
of a large plantation in that State. In 18()3 he
enlisted in Company C, Fourteenth Regiment of
Cavalry, commanded by Capt. Voss. and was at
the battles of Franklin and Memphis. He was
wounded at a little fight in Haywood County,
and was relieved from duty for two weeks. At
the time of the surrender he was at Gainesville,
Ala., and returned home, where lie farmed until
1877, then coming to his present farm in Greene
County, Ark. On the 26th of January, 187S.
he was married to Ann Rievely, who was born
in Madison County, Tenn., in 1835, and by her
became the father of three ciiildren: Mollie B.
(who died in infancy), James William (who attend
ed school in Denmark, Tenn., and at Austin, Ark.,
and has been a teacher of ten years' standing, and
is now drumming for .i St. Louis grocery ami |iro-
is-j
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
vision company), ami lvi)l)c(t H. (who is a farmer
of Greene County, is married and the father of
two children). Mr. and Mrs. Weatherly are mem-
bers of the Baptist Church, and he has been a
member of the A. F. & A. M. since 1873. He has
always supported the principles of the Democratic
party. He and wife are rearing a little trjrl l)y the
name of Ida Davis.
S. H. Weatherly, a planter, of Friendship
Township, was born in Madison County, Tenn., in
1837. being a son of Wright and Aim (Bryant)
\^'eatherly. the father a native of North Carolina,
and the mother of Middle Tennessee. They were
married and resided in the latter State until 1881,
when they disposed of their large farm, and came
to Greene County, Ark., and made their home with
our subject until their respective deaths, in 1882
and 1885. S. H. Weatherly assisted in clearing
the home farm in Tennessee, attended the common
schools, and, while still a resident of that State,
began doing for himself. He was married in Mad-
ison County, Tenn., in ]8<)7, to Miss Ann Valen-
tine, a daughter of William and Charity Valentine,
who came originally from North Carolina and set-
tled in Tennessee. They were agriculturalists,
and the .father died in his adopted State. The
mother came to Grieene Covinty, Ark., in 1867,
and is now residing in Friendship Township, being
the widow of William Burton. Mr. Weatherly re-
mained one year in Tennessee after his marriage,
and in 18fi7 came to Greene County, Ark., where
he bought a farm of 240 acres, only ten of which
were under ciiltivation. He has since added 360
acres more to his land, and has 100 acres under
cultivation, on which are a good residence and
orchard. He makes a specialty of raising corn and
hay. He votes with the Democratic party, and has
ever taken an interest in the political affairs of
the county. He and wife are members of the Ba]>-
tist Church, and are the parents of a family of
seven children, six of whom are living: Texanua
(Mrs. David Falkner). Mosella, Eldredge M..
Florence Ethel, Egbert Eugene and Cornelia A.
Mr. Weatherly has dom^ a large .share in devolo])-
ing the coimty, and has always taken an active
interest in enterprises tending to benefit the same.
While in Tennessee he joined Company G, Sixth
Tennessee Infantry, Confederate States Army,
and was mustered in at Jackson, Tenn., April 22,
1861, and was at Mi.ssionary Ridge, Franklin, Mur-
freesboro. Atlanta, and was discharged at Browns
ville, Tenn.
Andrew Webb, an enterprising tiller of the soil,
of (ireene County, Ark., and postmaster of Bethel,
was born in the State of Tennessee, in 1824, and
is the fourth of nine children born to James and
Monnima (Crisp) Webb, who were natives of North
and South Carolina, respectively. The father fol-
lowed farming on an extensive scale, and was a
soldier in the War of 1812. being with Jackson at
the battle of New Orleans. He died in Tennes-
see, where he had made his home for many years,
in 1866, at the age of seventy-six years, followed
by his wife in 1867. Andrew Webb resided on a
farm in Tennessee, and vehen twenty -one years of
age purchased a farm, and began doing for him-
self. He was married about this time to Miss
Winnie C. Coburn, a native of Alabama, and re-
mained in the State of Tennessee engaged in im-
proving his farm, until 1858, when he sold out
and came to Greene County, Ark. , where he bought
a tract of eighty acres of wild land. He cleared
about forty acres of this farm, set out orchards,
and put his property under fence, but some three
years later traded it for a tract containing l'^)0
acres, on which is now situated the station of
Bethel. Here he opened up about sixty acres,
erected good buildings, set out orchards, etc. , and
when the railroad was established he sold a con-
siderable amount of his property for business pur-
poses. In 1883 he received a commission as first
postmaster of Bethel, and has held this office up to
the present time. His wife, who died in October,
1887, bore him five children: Lucinda E., wife of
\V. A. J. Wood; James W., John William, who
died at the age of nineteen years; Pamelia E.,
wife of W. O. Lane, and Sarah Ella, who died at
the age of six years. May 3, 1881t. he was mar-
ried to Mrs. Mary C. Yepp, a native of Georgia.
James W. Webb, the only living son of Andrew
Webb, is at present thirty-seven years of age, and
is tilling the soil on a portion of his father's farm.
s-rv
GREENE COTTNTY,
and oil 120 acres which he hud purchased. Mr.
Webb has one of (he best farms in his section,
al)out sixty acres being under cultivation and fence.
Ho takes considerable interest in politics, and is a
Democrat, having been elected on that ticket, in
1880, to the office of justice of the peace, which
position he has since held, with th(^ exception of
two years. He was married in 1869 to Miss Mary
R. Wood, a native of Mississippi, and a daughter
of James R. Wood, who came to Arkansas in 18r)9,
being one of the early settlers of Greene County.
To them have been born five children: Calador W.
J. , Sarah Ella, James A. , who died at the age of
four years and one month, and Mary Lelor. One
child died in infancy, unnamed. Mr. Webb has a
pleasant home in Bethel, his lot consisting of two
acres. He has always been a patron of education,
and all worthy public enterprises, and his business
as justice of the peace is quite extensive. He has
served as school director for six years.
Dr. Henry McC. AVebb. The name of ^^"ebb ,
is one of the most influential in Greene County,
Ark. , and Dr. Webb, among its most talented
^)hy8icians, has obtained a reputation placing
him in the front rank of the medical fraternity.
He was born in Madison County, Tenn. , in 1851,
being a son of Theodric and Elizabeth (Watson)
Webb, who were born, married and resided in
South Carolina, and about 1842 settled on a farm
in Madison County, Tenn., where he is now living
at the age of seventy-six years. His wife died in
1 S6 1 . They were members of the Presbyterian
Church, and the father is now a Democrat in his
political views, a Royal Arch Mason, and an en-
thusiastic patron of schools, churches, etc. Dr.
Henry McC. Webb is next to the youngest of the
four surviving members of their family of eight
children. After attending the common schools and
the High School near Greeneville, he entered the
I'niversity of Alabama in 1S72. fi'om which insti-
tution he was graduated in July of the following
year. He then rtiturned to Lexington, Tenn., and
being well fitted liy nature for the profession of
medicine soon entered upon his medical studies
under Dr. H. W. Wassen. but gave this u]i after
a short time and entered the law school at Le-
banon. Tenn.. graduating in June, IS74, later
practicing this profession for five years in Lexing-
ton. In the fall of 1879 he entered Vanderbilt
University, at Nashville, Tenn., attending during
that year and 1880, and then resumed his practice
in Lexington, continuing until 188r). when he re
turned to college and graduated from the medical
department in the spring of 1886. Since that
time he has resided in Gainesville, Ark., where
he has become a leading practitioner, although
a resident of the county only a few years. He
is becoming well known, but the heavy calls for his
services at home prevent him from going much
abroad. In 1878 he was married to Miss Addle
E. Smith, who was born in Henderson County.
Tenn.. and is the mother of three children: Cossy
T. , Ella Louisa and Robert B. Mrs. Webb is a
member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South.
James H. Willcoekson, one of the wealthy resi-
dents of the county, is a native of Middle Tennes-
see, where he was l)orn in the year 1845. He was
the third in a family of nine children born to
William and Mary (Rose) Willcoekson, who were
Tennesseeans, the grandparents being wealthy
farmers of Middle Tennessee. Grandfather Rose
went to Texas, where he bought a large tract of
land on which he made his home until his death.
William Willcoekson engaged in farming for him-
self after attaining his majority, and resided in
Tennessee (where he was married about 1841)
until 1850, then moving to Texas, wiiere he bought
a tract of 100 acres, which he opened for cultiva-
tion, improved with good buildings, and on which
he resided until 1853, then coming to Greene
County. Ark. After residing here for four years
on two different farms he returned to Texas, where
he died in December, 181)0, his wife also dying
the same month. James H. Willcoekson returned
to Arkansas after the death of his parents, and for
some time made his home with his grandmotlu'r.
In 18(55, at the age of twenty years, he began
farming for himself on rented laud, and continued
this for three years, when he married Miss ,\.daliue
Bowling, a native of Greene County, and a daughter
of one of the early settlers. After his marriage
he purchased a small farm whicli he sold later
184
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
ou, aud then bought an excellent tract of land
consisting of eighty acres in the Cache bottom,
which was then wOd land but is now one of the
finest fanns in the county. He has since purchased
twenty-six additional acres, and has now seventy
acres under fence and cultivation, it being devoted
to raising the cereals and cotton. He is improving
his grade of stock, and has crossed his cattle with
Durham, and has some tine Jersey red hogs. Mr.
and Mrs. Willcockson are members of the Baptist
Church, and are the parents of the following
children: William Carroll, Robert Alexander,
Lawrence Jetferson, and Anna Lee, who died at
the age of eighteen years.
Joseph H. Willcockson ranks among the first of
the many wealthy farmers of Greene Coiinty, Ark.
He was born in Tennessee in 1845, and is the sixth
of a family of fifteen children born to the marriage
of Sam Willcockson and Frances Gibson, who were
Tennesseeans, and came to Greene County, Ark.,
in 1850. They settled on a tract of land on the
west side of Crowley's Ridge, but sold this soon
after and purchased 200 acres near by, on which
he erected a steam saw and grist-mill in 1853,
which was the first mill of the kind in the county.
Mr. Willcockson owned this mill for many years,
and many of the houses and buildings in this sec-
tion are made of lumber sawed here. He soon
had 100 acres of his land cleared, on which he
erected a nice residence. He became quite wealthy,
and continued to add to his original purchase until
he was the owner of about 1,000 acres of land. He
was a conspicuous figure in the political circles of
his section, and besides holding man}' minor offices
in the county, he was elected to the State legisla-
ture from Greene County, which position he filled
for two successive terms. He assisted in the or-
ganization of the school districts of this locality,
and held the office of school commissioner for
many yeiirs. In 1870 or 1871 he disj)osed of his
extensive farming interests in the county, and
moved to Newton County, where he purchased
a large milling jiroperty, consisting of a saw and
flouring mill, and a cotton-gin. Here he did a
successful business for many years, and sold out at
a large advance over what he originally paid. He
next moved to Brown County, where he bought a
farm, which he managed until his death, in 1886,
at the age of seventy years. His widow still sur-
vives him, and resides on the estate left by her
active and enterprising husband. Joseph H. Will-
cockson, the immediate subject of this sketch, was
reared on his father's extensive farm, and in his
youth received limited educational advantages. At
the age of twenty years he rented land and began
farming for himself, and after one year bought a
tract of wild land ou the St. Francis River, where
he cleared about fifty acres, erected buildings, and
made a good and pleasant home. Subsequently
he married Miss Matilda McDaniel, a native of
Greene County, and a daughter of John McDaniel,
who belonged to one of the first four or five fami-
lies who settled in Greene County. After resid-
ing one year in Bethel, Mr. Willcockson bought a
tract of 160 acres of wild land on Crowley's
Ridge, and here his wife died, at the end of two
years, leaving two children: John Gibson and
Virginia C. (wife of John Patton). who resides on a
farm belonging to Mr. Willcockson. The latter has
improved his property very much, and has seven-
ty-two acres under cultivation and fence, on which
is a good orchard of assorted fruits. In 1888 he
erected a commodious dwelling, which is fitted up
with many conveniences. He carries on general
farming, but makes a specialty of raising corn, and
this year (1889) has devoted fifty acres to that grain.
In 1888 he raised 2,000 bushels. Miss Mary Jane
'Roberds became his wife in 1884. She was born
in Arkansas, and by Mr. Willcockson is the mother
of two children : Ovid Clifton and Ota Louisa.
Mr. Willcockson is a Democrat politically, but is
not an active politician.
T. R. Willcockson, sheriff of Greene County,
Ark., was born in Giles County, Tenn., August
10, 1848, and is the son of Samuel and Frances
(Gibson) Willcockson. the father a native of Vir-
ginia, and the mother of Kentucky. They were
married in Tennessee, and there remained until
October, 1851, when they immigrated to what is
now Greene County, Ark., coming through in
wagons, and locating near the old Crowley farm,
in Cache Township. Heje the father bought a
171"
foity-acre' tract, which was about the first deeded
land in this section of Arkansas. He also put up
the first steam, saw and grist-mill in Greene County,
and ran this for several years. He also carried on
farming, and being one of the earliest settlers, ex-
perienced all the hardships and privations incident
to pioneer life. In 1808 he removed to Boone
County, Ark., where he died in June, 1886. The
mother is still living. They were the parents of
fifteen children, only six now living: John W.,
Isaac (deceased), William and Mary Annie (twins
and both deceased), David C. (deceased), James
(deceased), Joseph, Thomas R. , Sina, Sarah, Sam-
uel (deceased), Marion and Frances (twins and
deceased), Polk and Virginia. T. R. Willcockson,
the subject of this sketch, was but an infant when
he was brought to Greene County by his parents,
and here he grew to manhood and received his
education in the common schools. He was reared
on the farm, and tilling the soil has been his chief
pursuit ever since. He owns 241 acres of land,
with about sixty acres under cultivation. He was
elected sheriff and collector in 1880, served four
years, and in 1886 was re-elected to the same office,
which position he is now filling. He was married
in 1868 to Miss Mary Bowlin, who bore him six
children: Callie, Lucy, Deany, Mack, Sudie and
Nannie. Mrs. AVillcockson is a member of the
Baptist Church, and Mr. Willcockson is a member
of the K. of P.
J. W. Williams is a native of Panola County,
Miss., where he was born in the year 1859, being
the eldest of two children born to John and Mary
J. (Bishop) Williams, the former of whom was an
extensive farmer of that section for a long time,
whither he had come with his father at an early
day. When the war broke out he enlisted in the
Confederate army in the company known as the
"Sardis Blues," and was killed in the battle of
Shiloh, on the 7th of April, 1862. His widow is
still living, and resides in Mississippi on the old
homestead. J. W. Williams was reared to farm
labor and attended the common schools until four-
teen years of age, when he began working for
himself, continuing at farm labor for seven years.
In 1880, at the age of twenty-one years, he came
to Greene County, Ark., and located at Walcott,
where he has since been engaged in renting land;
this year farming on some of Capt. Crowley's
property. He contemplates entering a tract of
160 acres in the fall. He is active and enterpris-
ing and takes an interest in all matters pertaining
to the good of the locality in which he has made
his home. On the 7th of October, 1888, he was
married to Miss Susie Eubanks, a native of Greene
County, and a daughter of James and Mary E.
(Gramling) Eubanks [see sketch of Judge Gram
ling]. The former came to Greene County, Ark.,
at an early day and entered a large tract of land,
on which ho did extensive improving, clearing
about 160 acres and erecting excellent buildings.
He died a few years ago, and is remembered by all
as an honest gentlemen and an estimal)le citizen.
A brother of J. W. Williams, Charles H., came
with him to Arkansas and married Miss Janie
Eubanks, a sister of Mrs. J. W. Williams.
William Worrell, stockman and farmer, was
born in Tennessee in 1839, and is the tenth of
twelve chikken born to Peter and Martha Nancy
Worrell, who were born, reared and married in
Virginia, and emigrated to Madison County, Tenn. ,
in 1833. They purchased a farm of 103 acres,
which they improved and made their home until
their respective deaths. The father died in 1871
at the age of seventy-four years, and the mother
when her son William was a child. The latter
was reared to farm labor and attended the public
schools until the age of twenty, then renting
land and farming for three years. In 1862 he en-
listed in Company C, Twenty-second Tennessee
Infantry, Confederate States Army, and was in
the battles of Belmont, Richmond and Mur-
freesboro, where he was captured and sent to
Camp Douglas, at Chicago, and there he took the
oath of allegiance and returned home, where he
was almost an invalid for three years. In 1864
he purchased a farm of 303i acres, where he
resided until 1871, making many improvements,
then sold out and came to Greene County, Ark. ,
settling near Gainesville, where ho lived for two
years, later moving to a tract of 360 acres, which
he liad jM-eviously purchased. Here he cleared
|M>
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
about 150 acres, erected good buildings, set out
orchards, and now lias one of the most pleasant
homes in the county, but owns only eighty acres,
having sold the rest. He has given considerable
attention to stock raising, and raises a good grade
of Berkshire hogs. March 20, 1888, he purchased
a fine Norman- Perch eron stallion, named George,
which weighs 1,060 pounds, and is finely marked
in all points. This animal has an excellent record
from Indiana where it was raised, and shows a fine
grade of colts from last season. It is undoubt-
edly one of the best horses in Northeast Arkansas.
He also owns another horse named Buck, which has
an enviable record. On the 7th of July, 1859,
Mr. Worrell was united in marriage to Miss Ann
Eliza Freeman, a native of Tennessee, and a
daughter of AVilliam and Nancy Freeman, who
were also Tennesseeans, coming to Northeast Ar-
kansas in 1859. To Mr. and Mrs. Worrell have
been born the following children : John Isaac, who
is married and resides in Greene County, and
Loueza, wife of J. R. Hicks, also of this county,
being the only ones living. Those deceased are
Newson, who died at the age of twenty years;
Luhx Bell, who died when eighteen; Willie, at
the age of sixteen ; Savannah, who died in infancy,
and Eveline, at the age of eight years. The fam-
ily attend the Methodist Episcopal Church. Mrs.
Worrell takes considerable interest in the culture
of bees, and has forty stands, all doing well.
Henry Wrape, manufacturer of tight barrel
staves, at Paragould, was born in Jennings County,
Ind. , January 15, 1850, and is the son of Henry,
Sr. , and Ann (Bible) Wrape, the father a native
of Ireland, and the mother of New York State.
Henry Wrape, Sr., emigrated from the Emerald
Isle when a boy, locating for a while in New York
State, and went from there in 1850 to Jennings
County, Ind. He became a large railroad con-
tractor, and was on the I. M. R. R., and on sev-
eral other noted railroads. Both parents died in
Indiana. They had four children: John. Robert,
Kate, wife of Able T. Morgan, and Henry, who is
the youngest of the family. The latter was reared
and educated in Indiana, at Notre Dame, the re-
nowned Catholic school. He assisted his brother
on the farm until si.xteen years of age, when he
engaged in merchandising at North Vernon, Ind. ,
and this continued for one year. He then took a
trip to South America, stopping at Buenos Ayres to
settle up the estate of an uncle. He was absent
about eighteen months, and on his return engaged
in the stone-quarry business at North Vernon,
which he followed for five years. In 1882 he
came to Greene County, Ark, and embarked in his
present business, which he has since continued.
He has a large factory, and employs about fifty
men. He makes a good stave, and turns out about
5,000,000 per year. He is president of the Para-
gould & Buffalo Island Railroad, which was built in
1888, and which extends to the St. Francis River.
Mr. Wrape is one of the prosperous and public-spir-
ited men of Paragould. He was married in 18S5 to
Miss Emma Davis, a native of Indiana, and to them
have been born two children: Harold and Emma.
Mr. and Mrs. Wrape are members of the Catholic
Church. He is the owner of 4,000 acres of land
in Missouri, and a number of acres in this county.
Hezekiah B. Wright. In reviewing the various
business interests of Greene County, Ark. , the name
of Wright is found to be one of the most prominent,
especially in connection with farming and mer-
chandising. Mr. Wright was born in Hickman
County, Tenn. , in 1829, and there made his home
until 1850. when he came to Arkansas, having
commenced the battle of life at the age of eighteen
years. Two years later he located on his present
farm, and has about 250 acres of land in an excel-
lent state of cultivation, besides several other
tracts, all of which he has earned by energy and
good judgment. He is also engaged in general
merchandising at Gainesville, the style of the firm
being H. B. Wright & Co.. and they are enjoying
a prosperous trade, owing to their thorough knowl-
edge of the details of the business and the wants
of the public, combined with honorable dealing.
Mr. Wright was married to Mrs. Martha J. (Stares)
Perry, who died in 1863, having borne two chil-
dren by Mr. Wright: William J. and John N.
(twins); and one child by her first husband, Mr.
Perry: Mary, the wife of H. C. Sharer, of Wright
County, Mo. Mr. Wright took for his second wife
^-
^f==±
GBEENE COUNTY.
187
Mr.s. Peimelia E. (Ward) Wood, widow of C.
Wood. Their iiiiiou has resulted in the birth of
eight children: Joseph D., Franklin C. , Alvin T. ,
Emma M., Anna A., Revis and Hezekiah B. j
Addie J. died when two years and nine months old.
Mr. and Mrs. A\' right are members of the Mission-
ar}- Baptist Church, to which their childi'en, Jo-
seph, Frank and Emma, also belong. Mr. Wright
is a Royal Arch Mason, and in his political views
is a Democrat; he was elected county coroner on
that ticket in 1858, and held the position until the {
breaking out of the late Civil War. He is a strong
advocate of and a liberal contributor to schools
and chui'ches. He is the only surviving member
of a family of three children (Thompson and Re-
becca being the other two) born to John and Sarah
( Barr) Wright, who were natives of South Carolina
and Kentucky, respectively. When a small boy
the father was taken by his parents to Tennessee,
and resided first in Robertson County, then in
Hickman County, where he attained his majority,
and where his father died at an advanced age. He i
was the eldest child, and in 1849 moved to Arkan- '
sas, and died in Greene County, in 1867, at the
age of sixty-five years, his wife dying in 1851,
aged about forty-seven years.
Christopher C. Wright (deceased) was one of
the representative citizens of Greene County, and
followed the occupations of farmer and miller the
principal part of his life. He was born in Vir-
ginia in 1S41 and died February 15, 1889, while
yet in the prime of life. His father, Dr. John
Wright, is still living in Lunenburgh County, Va. ,
and is a prominent jihysician and farmer of that
State. Christo])her C. Wright remained in his
native State \nitil nineteen years of age, and seven
years of that time were spent at the tobacco-manu-
facturing Ijusiness. He then went to Missouri and
remained in Franklin County until the breaking
out of the late unjjleasantness between the North
and South, when he went Soutli and joined the Con-
federate army. He was wounded at the battle of
Shiloh, and taken to Memphis. Tenn. , where he
was discharged. He then went to Arkansas, re-
mained on Crowley's Ridge for a numl)er of months,
and then re-enlisted in Price's army, with which
ho continued until the last raid through Missouri.
After the war he came Ijack to Clay County, Ark.
(then Greene County), where he remained three
years, and at last settled on what was known as
the Meredith farm, at the original site for the
county seat of Greene County, where his widow
now resides. The farm was then unimproved, but
Mr. Wright went to work and soon had it under
cultivation and in fine condition. In fact he was
80 industrious and such an inveterate worker that
he undermined his health, and death was the re-
sult. Aside from his farming interest he also ran
a saw and grist-mill, which he conducted until
within a short time of his death, when he sold
the saw-mill, and afterward ran a grist-mill and
cotton-gin. This Mrs. Wright now manages and
conducts. Mr. Wright was a member of the
Methodist Episcopal Church, to which he was a
liberal contributor, and although quiet and unob-
trusive in his demeanor, not a better man was to
be found in the county. Well respected and
cordially liked by all, his death, which was a sad
blow to his wife and children, was also lamented
by his many friends. He was married first at Oak
Bluff, Ark., to Miss Ann Boothe, who died about
one year afterward. His second marriage was in
January, 1866, to Miss C. A. Ledbetter, a native
of Chatham County, N. C, and the daughter of
Thomas and Frances Ledbetter, also natives of
North Carolina. Her parents moved to Arkansas
in 1851 and located in Greene County, within one
mile of where the mother is still living, at the age
of seventy-one years. Her father died May 26, *
1883. To her parents were born nine children,
two of whom are now deceased. To the marriage
of Mr. and Mrs. Wright were born eight children,
seven of whom are living: Charles (died in in-
fancy), Lillie, Billie, Katy, Thomas M. and John
H. (twins). Ruby J. and Robert W. Mrs. Wright
and family have conducted the farm and mill since
the death of her husband. She and her eldest
daughter belong to the Methodist Episcopal
Church.
Dr. T. H. W'yse, president of the Greene
County Bank, was born in Jones County, N. C,
April 19, 1827, and is the son of James and Nancy
^P
188
HISTORY or ARKANSAS.
(Nunn) Wyse, who were natives of North Carolina,
and who emigrated to Tennessee in 1838, in that
State passing their last days. The father was a
farmer by occui)ation. Dr. T. H. Wyse, one of
ten children, four now living, was reared in what
is now Crockett County, Tenn. , and received his
education in the common schools. At the age of
twenty- four years he began the study of medicine,
and graduated at the University of Nashville in
1854. He then came to Greene County, Ark.,
locating at Gainesville, then the county seat, where
he practiced for about twenty-five years. He was
also engaged in mercantile business at that
place for eighteen years. He lias now retired from
practice. In November, 1887, he moved to Para-
gould, and in February, 1888, the Greene County
Bank was organized, with Dr. Wyse for president,
which position he now holds. In 1861 he was
elected to the legislature and served one term.
He served six years as county treasurer of Greene
County, and has been one of the county's most
prominent citizens. He owns some 2,000 acres
of land in Greene County, about the same number
in Randolph County, and has nearly 400 acres in
cultivation. He was married first, in 1851, at
Brownsville, Tenn. , to Mary Williams, and his
second marriage was to Miss Alice Kibler, of Ran-
dolph County, Ark. No children have ever blessed
his marriages. The Doctor is a member of the
I Masonic fraternity, a member of the I. O. O. V. ,
and also belongs to the Chapter. He has repre-
sented both of these lodges several times in the
grand lodges, and takes a great interest in each
of them. He is also a liberal contributor to
worthy enterprises, aiding by his influence in all
laudable movements.
CLAY COUNTY.
189
-4-^-^
Clay County— Location and Description— Duainage— Timber— Soil— Natural Resources— Live
Stock — Taxation — Population— Railroads— Settlement— County Organization— Change
OF Name— The County Divided— Public Buildings— County Officers— Politics—
The Courts— Legal Executions— The Civil War— Towns and Villages—
Newspapers- Education and Religion— Biographical Sketches.
I love everything that's old — old friends.
Old times, old manners, old books. o)(lwine. — Ooldsmith.
J. AY COUNTY lies in tho
northeast corner of the State,
and is bounded north by
Ripley and Butler Counties,
in Missouri ; east by Dunklin
County, of that State; south
by Greene County, Ark. , and
west by Randolph, in the latter State.
It is separated from Dunklin County,
Mo. , by the St. Francis River, and its
boundary lines are as follows: Com-
mencing where the line between the
States of Arkansas and Missouri inter-
sects the St. Francis River; thence down
said river, following its meanders, to
the line between Sections 21 and 28,
Township 19 north, Range 9 east; thence west on
the section lines to the range line between Ranges
2 and 8 east ; thence north on the range line to Black
River; thence with the meanders of that river to the
lino Ijetween Sections 15 and 16, in Township 19
north, Range 3 east; thence north on the subdivis-
ional lines to the line between Townships 20 and
21 north; thence west to the range line between
Ranges 2 and 8 east; thence north on the range
line to the State line between Arkansas and Mis-
souri; thence east on the State line to the place of
beginning. The area of the county is 613 square
miles, or 392,820 acres, about one-tenth of which
is improved.
A strip of broken or hilly lands, averaging
between seven and eight miles in width, known as
Crowley's Ridge, extends through the county in a
southwesterly direction from its northeast corner.
The summit of the hills in this tract reaches an
altitude of fi'om 100 to 200 feet above the sun-ound-
ing country. There are also four or five sections
of hilly lands in the northwest portion of the coun-
ty, west of CuiTent River; and all the balance of
the county varies only a few feet from a level sur-
face. The village of Knobel, on the St. Louis,
Iron Mountain & Southern Railroad, is 181 feet
above sea level, and this is about the average
elevation of all except the hilly portions of the
county; hence the highest point in the county
may reach an elevation of 400 feet above the sea.
All that portion lying east of the broken or hUly
tract above described is drained by the St. Francis
River and its tributaries, a large part of it being
subject to overflow in the winter and spring, and
that division located west is drained by Cache,
Black and Current Rivers and their tributaries.
Cache River enters the county from the north,
near the middle of Range 7 east, and flows ou
^«-
190
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
through the county in a southwesterly direction
to Cache Lake, on the southern boundarj' line, in
the eastern half of Range 5; thus dividing the
area of the county into nearly two equal portions.
It drains the western slope of Crowley's Ridge,
and central portion of the territory. Black River
enters fi'om the north about two miles east of the
range line, between Ranges 5 and f3, and Hows, on
a very tortuous route, toward the southwest, leav-
ing the county at a point about two miles north of
its sonthwest corner. Current River enters the
county from the west, a short distance south of the
northwest corner, and flows thence easterly to the
second tier of sections, thence in a southerly and
finally in a southwesterly direction, passing out at
the western boundary of Section 80, Township 20
north, Range 3 east. The bottom lands along the
St. Francis and Black Rivers usually overflow in
the late winter and early spring to a depth of from
one to two feet, and those along the Current River
from three to five feet. The water, however, re-
cedes so early as seldom to interfere with the rais-
ing of summer crops, and the overflow always de-
posits a sediment which enriches and re-fertilizes
the land. It has been demonstrated that the river
beds are sufficiently low to admit of the complete
drainage and reclamation of nearly all swamp and
overflowed lands in the county. Such can be done
by removing the drift and rubbish from the rivers,
straightening their channels, and constructing lat-
eral ditches to empty into them. This, however,
can only be accomplished by a State drainage law,
which will assess for the purpose the lands alike of
the non-resident and resident owners.
The entire county was originally covered with
a dense forest, consisting of four varieties of white
oak, several of black and red oak, three of gum,
several of hickory, a little walnut, cypress, ash,
maple, honey locust, poplar, beech, elm, sassafras,
catalpa, etc., with an iindergrowth of dogwood,
pawpaw, redbud, spice-wood, hazel, privet, horn-
beam, huckleberry, blackberry,' etc. Some trees
of the largest kinds of timber measured from
four to six feet across the stump. Much of the
timber has been cut into logs and floated down the
i streams and thus shipped away; and since the
county has been traversed with railroads, a great
deal has been cut into lumber and shipped by rail,
and there is yet a seemingly ine.\haustible supply.
The average acreage production of lumber is care-
fully estimated as follows: Cypress, 5,000 feet:
poplar and sweet gum, 3,000 feet each: white oak,
2,000 feet; hickory, ash, walnut and black oak to-
gether, 3,000 feet. Logs can be rafted on all the
rivers mentioned and on some of their tributaries.
It is estimated that each acre of timbered land
will produce from twenty-five to thirty cords of
wood, after the saw timber is taken away.
The soil of the entire county is moderately
rich and fertile, that of the bottom or overflowed
lands being mostly composed of alluvial deposits;
the balance is formed of sand, clay and vegetable
mould, and the whole is imderlaid with a clay
subsoil.
At present the cutting and shipping of logs
and lumber, with the running of the many saw-
mills in the county, which give employment to a
large number of men, constitute one of the leading
industries and form a source of considerable rev-
enue to the people of the county. This occupation
will continue for many years, or imtil the supply
of timber becomes exhausted. The vegetable pro-
ductions, as shown by the census of 1880, were as
follows: Indian corn, 343,836 bushels; oats,
12,406 bushels; wheat, 13,408 bushels; hay, 100
tons; cotton, 2,307 bales; Irish potatoes, 4,427
bushels; sweet potatoes, 5,381 bushels; tobacco,
11,390 pounds. These amounts were then pro-
duced from much less than one-tenth of the area
of the county. Considering the large increase of
the present population over that of 1880, together
with the advanced improvements, it is certain that
the amount of vegetable productions now far ex-
ceeds, and in some things more than doubles that
of 1880. Surely "Cotton is king" in Clay Coun-
ty, as it is the moneyed crop, and the source of the
greatest income. It is raised to the exclusion of
many other things that might be produced in
larger quantities. Some of the late immigrants
have begun the raising of clover and tame grasses,
for which the soil is well adapted, with a view of
making the raising of stock a leading industrj-.
^
^1^
i£:
CLAY COUNTY.
nil
The numlier of live animals in tlie county in
ISSO, according to the census of that year, were
as follows: Horses, 1,444; mules and asses, 832;
cattle, (i,574; sheep, ],9fiO; hogs, 24,277. The
number of animals within the county, according
to late assessment rolls, are: Horses, 1,698; mules
and asses, 922; cattle, 8.802; sheep, 1.159: hogs,
1,325; a large gain in all except sheep and hogs.
The reduced price of wool accounts for the decrease
in the number of sheep, and the hogs enumerated
in 1880 were all that were produced and on hand
during the year, including those slaughtered and
sold; while those recently enumerated included
only those on hand when assessed for taxation;
consequently there is not a decline in this direc-
tion. As before stated, the county is well sup-
plied with streams, and an abundance of good well
water can be obtained almost anywhere at a depth
of from twenty to forty feet by simply digging,
without any blasting or boring through rock.
These facts, coupled with the great adaptability
for the growing of tame grasses and clover, the
mildness of the climate, and the good shipping
facilities, must eventually make Clay one of the
best stock-growing counties in the United States,
a truth of which farmers may profitably avail
themselves. It is also well adapted to the grow-
ing of all kinds of fruit common to this latitude.
Fruit-growing however has not been made the
specialty that it might. Some of the late immi-
grants have set out, and are preparing to do so,
large orchards and develop this industry, having
perfect confidence of success.
In 18S0 the real estate of the county was as-
sessed at !?408,561, and the personal property at
$244,717, making a total of $713,278; and the
total taxes charged thereon were $10,022. The
real estate of the county, as shown by recent
assessment rolls, was valued at $1,211,258, and
the personal property at $522,227. making a total
of $1,733,485, upon which the total taxes charged
were $25, 502. 25. By comparison it will be seen
that since 1880 the taxable property and taxes
charged have much more than doubled. The
county has fair public buildings, is out of debt, and
its scrip is worth one hundred cents on the dollar.
There are twenty-six saw mills and eight stave
factories within the county.
In 1880 the population of Clay County was
white 7,191, colored 22, total 7,213. Since that
time, and especially within the last four years,
emigration has so increased that the population
at this writing (1889) is estimated at about double
that of 1880.
The St. Louis, Iron Mountain & Southern
Railroad runs in a southwesterly direction across
the western half of Clay County, the length of the
main line within its territory being about nine-
teen miles. The Helena branch extends in a
southeasterly direction from Knobel, and has a
length of about four miles within the county. The
St. Louis & Texas Railroad crosses the St. Francis
River in Section 18, Township 21, Range 9, where
it enters the county, and run.s southwesterly along
the eastern side of Crowley's Ridge, departing a
few hundred yards below Rector. The length of
its line here is about seventeen miles. The com-
bined length of the railroads within the county is
forty miles, not including a few l)ranches extend-
ing one or two miles out to certain saw mills.
The main line of the St. Louis, Iron Mountain
& Southern Railroad was completed through the
county early in the 70' s.
The Helena branch of this road, and the St.
Louis & Texas (Cotton Belt) Railroad were com-
pleted through this vicinity in 1882.
The settlement of the territory composing Clay
County began al)out the year 1.S32, but increased
very slowly for the first twenty years, after which
it advanced quite rapidly, until the outbreak of
the Civil War, when it came to a standstill. Its
most noticeable growth has l)een within the last
five years, immigrants having located here from
Tennessee, Kentucky, Indiana. Illinois and other
States. Among the first settlers in the western
part of the county were John J. Griffin, who
located on Black River in 1832, and Abraham Rol)-
erts, who settled a few years later near the present
site of Corning. Prominent pioneers in the east-
ern part of the county — mostly on Crowley's Ridge
— were William and Elihu Davis, who settled early
in the 30' s and were soon followed by the Payne,
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l'.t2
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
Hollis and other families. Among the settlers of
the 40's were William H. Mack, James Watson
and others, and during the 50' s the families of
the Liddells, Millers, J. G. Dudley, Buck Wagster,
B. H. Mitchell, William Dean, H. M. Granade,
James Campbell, Singleton Copeland, Edward
Allen, C. H. Mobley, Dr. Simmons were some of
those who became settlers. Nearly all of the ear-
liest comers were from Tennessee. Later immi-
grants came from other Southern States, and now
many are entering from the North.
Clay County was organized as Clayton County,
in accordance with an act of the General Assembly,
approved March 24, 1873, and became a part of
the Third judicial circuit and of the First Con-
gressional district. That part of it now known as
the Eastern district was taken from Greene, and
that known as the Western district was removed
from Randolph County. The county seat was
originally located at Corning, on the lot of ground
now occupied by the present court-house in that
place. The first term of the coimty court was held
at Corning, beginning on the 16th day of May,
1873. Soon after a temporary frame court-house,
22x40 feet in size, containing two rooms, was built,
by order of the court, under the supervision of the
sheriff. A common jail was also erected; subse-
quently the question of the removal of the coimty
seat to Boydsville — a more central point — began
to be agitated, and on the 30th of June, 1874, an
election was held for the purpose of submitting the
question to the electors of the county, and when
the votes were counted it was found, by the court,
that the people, by a majority of 310. had voted in
favor of removal. Thereupon the court declared
Boydsville to be the county seat. However, such
strong resistance to this decision was manifested
that no permanent removal of records was made
for a long time.
Finally, after a lapse of a few years, the ques-
tion was again submitted to the people at an elec-
tion held May 22, 1877, on which occasion forty-
two votes were cast against the removal and 603
in favor of it, making a majority of 561 in favor
of the project, and the court again declared Boyds ■
ville to be the county seat, to which place the
records were soon removed and placed in a tem-
porary court-house, previously erected by order of
the county court. The first term of the county
court was held in Boydsville beginning on Monday
October 1, 1877.
By an act of the General Assembly of the
State, approved December 6, 1875, the name • of
' ' Clayton ' ' County was changed to ' ' Clay. ' '
Having lost the county seat, the people of Corn-
ing and the western portion of the county, finding
it difficult to reach Boydsville, commenced to con-
sider the question of dividing the county into two
districts. Consequently the legislature, by an act
approved February 23, 1881, provided that the
county should be divided into two judicial districts,
the "Eastern" and the "Western," and that the
following described line should separate them:
Commencing at tlie center of the main chan-
nel of Black River where it crosses the Missouri
and Arkansas State line; thence down the main
channel of said river to the range line between
Ranges 5 and 6, in Township 21; thence south on
the range line to the west bank of Cache River;
thence with the west bank of Cache River or lake
to the line between Clay and Greene Counties.
The act further provided that the seat of justice
for the Western district should 'be at Corning;
that the circuit, chancery and probate courts
should be held both at Boydsville and at Corning;
that the circuit courts established in the re-
spective districts of the county should be as sepa-
rate and distinct, and have the same relations to
each other, as if they were of distinct counties;
that the sheriff, clerk, treasurer and probate judge
of the county should be the same for both districts;
that the financial affairs of each district should be
kept as separate and distinct as though they were
separate counties, and that the offices for the West-
ern district should be filled by the deputy county
officers.
After dispensing with the temjtorary court-
house at Boydsville, the present two-story frame
court-house, with the hall and four rooms on the
first floor, and court-room on the second, was
erected, about 1881. The present log and board
jail, with iron cells, at Boydsville, was erected
3?11
CLAY COUNTY.
l'J3
immediately after the county seat was perma-
neutly located there.* The public buildings at
Corning consist of a court-house similar to the one
at Boydsville, and the original jail with iron cells,
which latter were put in immediately or soon after
the county was divided into districts. The county
has no ' ' poor farm ' " or asylum for her paiipers.
The latter are let out separately for their keeping,
to the lowest responsible bidders.
Following is a list of the county officers of
Clay County, from its formation to the present
time:
Judges: T. M. Holliiield, 1874-78; E. N.
Ro^'all, 1878-86; Robert Liddell, present incum-
bent, first elected in 1886.
Clerks: T. L. Martin, 1873-74; W. H. Smith,
1874-78; R. Liddell, 1878-86; W. E. Spence,
present incumbent, elected in 1886.
Sheriffs: William G. Akers, 1873-74; E. N.
Royall, 1874-76; E. M. Allen, 1876-78 ;t J. A.
McNiel, 1878-86; G. M. McNiel, 1886-88; B. B.
Biffle, present incumbent, elected in 1888.
Treasurers: William Little, 1873-74; James
Blackshare, 1874-78; John Bearden, 1878-80; N.
J. Burton. 1880-82; W. S. Blackshare, 1882-84;
J. S. Simpson, 1884-86; A. L. Blackshare, present
incumbent, first elected in 1886.
Coroners: J. Cunningham, 1873-74; J. J.
Payne, 1874-76; J. N. Cummins, 1876-78; H. W.
Cagle, 1878-84; Dallas Taylor, 1884-86; D. G.
See, elected in 1886, but failed to qualify; office
since vacant.
Surveyors: W. C. Grimsley, 1873-74; E. M.
Allen, Jr., 1874-76; A. J. Caldwell, 1876-82; E.
M. Allen, 1882-86; A. Williams, 1886-88; E. M.
Allen, present incumbent, elected in 1888.
Assessors: E. N. Royall, 1873-74; J. S.
Rodgers, 1874-76; W. H. Mack, 1876-78; J. W.
Rodgers, 1878-82; Henry Holcomb, 1882-86; J.
S. Blackshare, present incumbent, first elected in
1886.
The county at this writing is represented in
the State legislature by Hon. J. W. Dollison, of
* The cells were those taken from the jail at Corning.
+E. X. Royall from September, 1877, I'icc Allen, sus-
pended by order of circuit court.
Greenway, and the offices of the Western district
are filled by the following persons, viz. : E. D.
Estes, deputy clerk; W. A. Brown, deputy sheriff;
E. V. Sheeks, deputy treasurer; Jacob Brobst,
deputy assessor; Z. T. Daniels, deputy surveyor.
The judge of the county court is also judge of the
probate court, and the clerk, by virtue of his
office, is recorder of deeds, the sheriff, by virtue of
his office, being collector of revenues. The school
examiner for the Eastern district is R. L. O. Bryen,
and for the Western district, F. G. Taylor.
Politically the county of Clay is strongly Dem-
ocratic. At the State election, held in September,
1888, J. P. Eagle, the Democratic candidates for
Governoi', received 1,108 votes, and C. M. Nor-
wood, the Wheeler, Labor Union and Republican
candidate, received 717 votes. At the same time
B. B. Chism, Democratic candidate for secretary
of State, received 1,121 votes, and G. W. Terry,
opposition candidate for the same office, received
697 votes. Only a light vote was cast at the pres-
idential election.
The several courts of the county consist of
the county, probate and circuit courts. The judge
of the county court is also judge of the probate
court, and the clerk of the circuit court is also
clerk of the county and probate courJ;8, and ex-officio
recorder.
The county cnurt, which is held only at Boyds-
ville, meets on the first Mondays of January,
April, July and October of each year, and the pro
bate court meets at Boydsville on the third Mon-
days, and at Corning on the fourth Mondays of
the same months. The circuit court convenes at
Corning on the first Mondays of January and
August of each year, and on the third Mondays of
the same months at Boydsville.
The local bar of Clay County consists of G.
B. Holifield, of Boydsville, F. G. Taylor, G. B.
Oliver and J. C. Staley, of Corning, John Jones,
of Peach Orchard, J. A. Barlow, of Rector, and
H. W. Moore, of Greenway.
Only two men have been legally executed in
Clay County for the crime of murder; one of
these being Bent Taylor, hanged for the murder
of Rilev Black, and the other Lafayette Melton,
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194
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
for the murder of Fank Hale. Both were executed
at Corning, the former in iSSti, and the latter in
1884. Other crimes have been committed within
the coimty, for which the perpetrators have re-
ceived lighter punishments.
The territory over which Clay now extends
was but slightly over-run and devastated during
the Civil War of 1861-65. The citizens at that
time, having emigrated mostly from Tennessee and
other .slaveholding States, were in full sympathy
with the Southern cause, in consequence of which
a goodly number of soldiers were furnished for
the Confederate army, while none joined the Union
forces. Three companies of soldiers, organized re-
spectively by Capts. F. S. White, Reed and E. M.
Allen, were recruited principally from what is now
Clay County. A few also enlisted in the company
commanded by Capt. G. D. Byers. A company
of Home Guards consisting of old men was or-
ganized. In the spring of 1863 Col. Daniels with
a force of Federal cavalry moved southward on
Crowley's Ridge, and at a point about two miles
northeast of the present site of Rector, came in
contact with this company of Home Guards, firing
upon and dispersing them. In this action Squire
George Lynch of the attacked party was killed.
There was no general biishwhacking here during
the war, but a number of citizens were taken out
and ' ' removed ' ' by scouting parties.
Of the towns of the county, Advance is a post-
office in the northeastern part.
Boydsville, the county seat, situated on the
southeast quarter of the southwest quarter of
Section 25, Township 20, Range 6, was established
in 1877. It contains the court-house and jail, four
general stores, one drug store, one grocery, one
hotel, two cotton-gins with grist and saw- mills
attached, one school-house, two churches — Meth-
odist Episcopal, South, and Methodist Protestant,
with a hall over the former; a lodge each of
Masons, Odd Fellows and Knights of Honor, .some
mechanics' shops, and a population of about 150.
Corning, the seat of justice for the Western
district, situated on Section 6, Township 20, of
Range 5, and on the St. Louis, Iron Mountain &
Southern Railroad, was established in 1873. It
contains the court house and jail, six general stores,
two drug stores, one grocery, three saloons, one
livery stable, four hotels, one stave factory, two
cotton-gins with grist mills attached, one wagon
shop, one blacksmith shop, two shoe shops, three
church organizations — Methodist Episcopal, South,
Christian and Baptist — with but one church edifice,
belonging to the Methodists, one school house,
postoffice, and a population of about 600. It also
contains a lodge each of Masons, Good Templars
and Triple Alliance.
Don is a postoffice in the western part of the
county.
Greenway, a town on the St. Louis & Texas
Railroad, on Section 28, Township 20, Range 8,
was laid out in February, 1883, by the South-
western Improvement Company. It contains four
general stores, one diug store, two groceries, one
hardware and furniture store, one saloon, two saw-
mills, two grist-mills, one stave factory, one school-
house, two church organizations — Methodist and
Baptist — five physicians, one attorney, the post-
office, and a population of about 500.
Knobel, a station at the junction of the St.
Louis, Iron Mountain & Southern Railroad and
Helena branch, on the south part of Section 36,
Township 20, Range 4, was established soon after
the completion of the railroad. It contains three
general stores, the railroad buildings, a large hotel,
one school house and about twenty-five residences.
Moark, situated on the same railroad, near the
northern boundary of the county, was established
soon after the road was completed. It contains
three saw-mills, one of which is located on Black
River, three miles east, being connected with the
village by a wooden tramway, one general store,
one school house, postoffice, and a few residences.
Peach Orchard, a station on the St. Louis,
Iron Mountain & Southern Railroad, on Section
20, Township 19, Range 4, contains one general
store, one cotton gin, with sorghum and corn mill
attached, postoffice, and a few residences.
Piggott, on the St. Louis & Texas Railroad, on
Section 10, Town.ship 20, Range 8, was laid out in
November, 1882. It contains two general stores,
one drug store, three gi'oceries, one, cotton gin and
^
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CLAY COUNTY.
iy5
grist-mill combined, one stave factory, one hotel,
some work-shops, one school house, church and
hall combined, a lodge of Odd Fellows, a post of
the (t. a. R., two physicians, and about 150
inhabitants.
Pitman, a postoffiee hamlet, is in the extreme
northwest corner of the county.
Rector, on the St. Louis & Texas Railroad, on
the south half of Section 23, Township 19, Range
7, was laid out in June, 1882, by the Southwestern ;
Improvement Company. It contains seven gen-
eral stores, three di*ug stores, one grocery, two
(temperance) saloons, one hardware and grocery,
one harness and saddlery store, some work-shojjs,
a photograph gallery, one stave factory, two saw-
mills, two cotton gins, with grist-mills attached, i
one livery stable, two hotels, one meat market, a
millinery store, postoffiee, four church organiza-
tions— Baptist, Cumberland Presbyterian, Meth-
odist Episcopal, South, and Methodist Protestant; {
two church edifices, a lodge each of Masons, Odd
Fellows and Knights of Honor, a public school- '
house, two select or private schools, four physi-
cians, and a population of 700 or over.
St. Francis, on the St. Louis & Texas Railroad,
on the west bank of St. Francis River, was laid
out in January, 1883, by the Southwestern Im- i
provement Company. It contains six general
stores, one dtxig store, four groceries, four saw-
mills, one stave factory, one meat market, some
work shops, two churches, Methodist and Cum-
berland Presbyterian, two hotels, one school house,
restaurant, postoffiee, two physicians, a lodge of
Triple Alliance, and a population of about 200.
Thnrman is a postoffiee seven miles west of
Corning.
Vidette is a postoffiee ten miles northwest of
Corning.
Williams is a postoffiee four miles west of Moark.
The press of Clay County has ever exerted no
slight influence in the growth and development of
this section. While not numerous, those journals
found here are ever active and energetic in giving
to the outside unprejudiced, candid facts relating
to the locality whose interests they represent.
The Corning Index, a six-column folio weekly
newspaper, at Corning, was established in the fall
of 1887. It is published by Clyde C. Estes, and
edited by E. D. Estes in an acceptable manner, in
dicating ability and force.
The Clay County Record, a seven-column week
ly newspaper published at Rector, was established
in January, 1889, by its present proprietor, Mr.
Taylor. This joiu-nal also has at heart the welfare
of the community, and enjoys a liberal circulation.
Before the inauguration of the free school sys-
tem, the educational facilities of the territory now
composing this county were very meager. The
old subscription schools taught in the primitive log
school houses were generally of little benefit to the
country. The scholastic pojjalation of the county
in 1882 amounted to 2,863, live of them being
colored, and in 1886 it reached 3,274, with only
one colored — an increase, in the four years, of 411.
In the latter year only 1,791 pupils (all white)
were enrolled in the public schools, but a little over
one-half of the scholastic population. This shows
that the schools were not well attended, or that
nearly one-half of the children were not compelled
to attend school. For the year ending June 30,
1886, there were thirty-four male and eight female
teachers employed to teach the common schools of
the county. The male teachers of the first grade
were paid an average salary of S50 per month . and
the female teachers of the same grade 137. 50 per
month. The male teachers of the second grade
were paid an average salary of $35, and the female
teachers S32. 50 per month. The male teachers of
the third grade were paid an average salary of i?25,
and the female teachers $20 per month. The
number of school houses re[)orted in the county in
1886 was thirty-six, both frame and log, valued at
$6,505. The amount of revenue received for the
year ending Juue 30, 1886, was $13,224.60, and
the amount expended for the same time was
$11, 272.00. leaving a balance on hand of $1,951 .60.
These statistics have been taken from the last pub-
li.shed re])ort of the State superintendent of jiub-
lic instruction. The public schools here, as else-
where, are improving and becoming more and
more efficient.
The first organization of the Methodist Epis-
196
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
copal Churoh, South, in Clay County was effected
at Mar's Hill, four miles north of Boydsville, early
in the 50' s, and the tirst church edifice was erected
there in 1856. The next society was organized at
the house of Capt. F. S. White, at Oak Bluff, in
1856, near where Evans' Chapel was erected the
next year. There are now three circuits of this
church within the county, with an aggregate of
eighteen organizations and about 570 members.
The circuits are the Boydsville. St. Francis and
Corning, belonging to the Jonesboro district of
White River conference.
Salem Church, three- fourths of a mile south
of Boydsville, was the first Missionary Baptist
Church organized within the county, and the num-
ber has since increased to fourteen, with a total
membership of 680. Elder Lloyd preached here
forty years ago, and was probably the first Mis-
sionary Baptist minister in the county. The Beth-
lehem Missionary Baptist Association was organ-
ized at Salem Church in 1868.
The tirst society of the Methodist Protestant
Church within the territory of Clay County was
organized in 1858, at Liberty Hill, five miles north
of Rector. There are now ten or more organiza-
tions within the covmty, with a membership of
about 350.
The oldest Cumberland Presl)yterian Church
here was organized at Chalk Bluff", about the year
1855. There are now four organizations, located
respectively at St. Francis, Piggott, Greenway and
Rector. The total membership numbers, perhaps,
100.
Within the county there are at least two Regu-
lar Baptist Churches, with an aggregate member-
ship of about fifty, and one or more Free Will
Baptist Churches. There are also a few Christian
Churches of recent organization.
S. V»\ Alexander, manufacturer and dealer in
hard wood lumber, railroad ties, wagons, agricul-
tural implements, car material, etc. , at Corning,
Ark., was born in Hancock Comity, Ind., October
17, 1835, his parents, James and Mary (Mac
Michael) Alexander, and his grandparents, on
both sides, being natives of Orange County, N. C.
They all emigrated at an early day (about 1828)
to Indiana where they died. The great-grand-
father was in the Revolutionary War. and fired the
tirst cannon in that service. James Alexander
remained in Hancock County, Ind., until the
spring of 1857, when he emigrated to Polk County,
Iowa, where he was living at the time of his death,
in 1882. His wife died in 1872, have borne five
children: John C, Julia A.. Simeon W., James
A. and Louisa. Mr. Alexander was a farmer by
occupation. Simeon W. Alexander, our subject,
was reared and educated in his native county, and
from childhood has been familiar with farm life.
On reaching his majority he was married, and emi-
grated to Illinois, locating in Cumberland County,
where he was engaged in the saw-mill business
until 1859, when he removed to Polk County,
Iowa, but returned to Illinois in December, 1863,
and there resided until the fall of 1869. In the
fall of that year he sold his mill and returned to
Iowa, where he remained until 1886, being en-
gaged in both lumbering and farming on an exten-
sive scale. He owned 400 acres of good land, and
on coming to Clay County, emljarked in the lumber
busine.ss, putting i;p a large saw-mill . He still con-
tinues this business and employs a great many
hands. He owns about 2,400 acres of land in
Clay County, some 1,000 of which will make fine
farming land when improved. He also has one of
the best houses in the county, situated in Corn-
ing. October 23, 1856, he was married to Miss
Mary Faster, a native of Indiana, by whom he has
seven children: William (in Dakota), Lucy M. ,
Cora (wife of T. J. Conway, of Chicago), Charles
W., Addie, Freddie and Edward. Mr. Alexander
is a member of the I. O. O. F., and is one of the
public-spirited men of Clay County, always being
ready to advance the interests of the people.
J. H. Allen, stockman and farmer of Clay
County, Ark., was born in North Carolina in July,
1828, being the eighth of nine children born to
Isaac and Sarah (Hawkins) Allen, who were born
in North Carolina and Virginia, respectively, the
latter being a daughter of a Revolutionary i)atriot.
Both parents died on their home farm in North
a t-
CLAY COUNTY.
197
Carolina. J. H. Allen attended the public schools
for some time and remained at home until twenty-
four years of age, being engaged in overseeing
the farm until the breaking out of the Rebellion,
when he gave up this work and began operating a
grist mill. In November, 1866, he came to what
is now Clay County (then Randolph County), and
settled twenty-five miles from Pocahontas, in which
locality he rented land for some time. He then
purchased 380 acres of wild land two miles west
of Knobel, on which he immediately began to
make improvements. At the present time he has
150 acres under cultivation, well improved with
good buildings, orchard, fences, etc. He has
added 120 acres to his original purchase, on which
he raises a large number of horses, cattle and hogs
each year. He has devoted most of his cultivated
land to corn and stock for his cattle and horses,
but this year (1889) has put in about lifty acres of
cotton. He has always been quite active in poli-
tics, and has held the office of justice of the
peace for ten years, and has been school director
a number of years. In 1853 he married Miss
Margaret Wagner, who was liorn in North Carolina,
and by her had five children: William, John,
Isaac, Henry, and Albert, all of whom are dead.
In 1871 he married Miss Nancy Demaree, a native
of Illinois, and to them were born three children:
Amanda, Jesse and David, all now living at home.
Capt. John J. Allen was born in Lee County,
Ga., on the 2nd of July, 18-11, and is the son of
Edward M. and Mary J. (Knight) Allen. The
father was born in the "Palmetto State" in 1819
of Scotcli-Irish parents, and was a mechanic and
ginwright, making machines by hand. He was
taken to Georgia when small, and was there reared
to manhood. During the Indian troubles in the
Southern States, especially in Florida, Mr. Allen
participated as a private, and received in payment
for his services a land warrant for 160 acres, and
in 1853 chose the land on which Capt. John J. Allen
now resides. Prior to this, however, he took a
trip through Texas, Arkansas, Mississippi and
the Indian Territory, making the journey on horse-
back, a distance of 3.lt00 miles. He then re-
turned to Georgia, and the following year (1853)
located in Arkansas, the nearest post-office at that
time being sixteen miles distant, and the second
nearest (Pocahontas) fifty miles distant. The
families of McNiel, Nettles, Wooter, Singleton.
Copeland, Sexton and White, were the only ones
within a radius of ten miles. Wild animals
roamed the country at will, and Indians were also
very numerous. Schools were almost unknown,
and Mr. Allen assisted in building many of the
first houses. John G. Taylor, a Missionary Bap-
tist minister, came with Mr. Allen to the State;, and
preached the first sermon in Northeast Arkansas.
The latter oi)ened thirty acres of land the first
year, which was heavily covered with timber. He
was a slave owner, and served for twelve months
in the Confederate army under Price, holding the
rank of captain, when he resigned on account of his
age. He died in 1877. His wife was born in
Jasper County, Ga., about 1822, and was there
married to Mr. Allen, by whom she became
the mother of ten children: William A., John J.,
Elizabeth J., Edward M. , Thomas M. , living to
be grown, and the following dying in infancy:
Martha, Stapie, and two infants. Mrs. Allen died
in 1860, and Mr. Allen then married Sarah J.
Palmer, who bore him five children: Robert,
Georgia L., George W., Willie, and Odus. Capt.
Allen, our subject, has resided in Arkansas since
twelve years of age, but spent his entire school
days in Georgia. He was reared on the farm on
which he is now residing, and remained at home
until his marriage at the age of eighteen years,
when he was engaged in farming until 1 86 1 . Then
he enlisted in Company H, Fifth Arkansas Volun-
teer Infantry, and ser\'ed until the close of the
war, participating in many battles: Helena. Fred-
ericksburg, Boonville, Lexington. Newtonia, and
many others of less note. He enlisted as a pri-
vate, but was promoted to captain, and was then
transferred to the cavalry, serving two years.
After coming home he engaged in farming, and in
18*)8 opened a mercantile estaVilishment at Scatter-
ville, and followed this occupation in connection
with ginning for four years. He then removed
to Tilton. where he was occu])ied in business until
August, 18yy, since which time he has been one of
A*
198
HISTOEY OF AllKANSAS.
the successful business men of Rector. He has
been a large speculator in land, and in addition to
his farm, runs a stave factory and saw-mill. His
farm comprises about 4.000 acres, and he has
2,200 acres in Greene County, besides consider-
able land in other districts, all of which is the re-
sult of his own labor. He was married to Miss
Permelia L. McNiel, a daughter of Neil McNiel.
She was born in Clay County, Ark., and she and
Capt. Allen are the parents of live children: Mary
L., James B. , Minnie A., Myrtie, and Charles A.
In 1872 Mrs. Allen died, and Mr. Allen then mar-
ried Xancy O. McNiel, a sister of his first wife.
Their children are: George M., Gertrude, Harry
P., Carrie, and Leonard W. Capt. Allen has
never been a political man, the highest office he
ever held being that of notary public. He is one
of the best known men in the county, and is a
member of the I. O. O. F. , the Knights of Pythias,
and the Masonic fraternity, and has long been con-
nected with the Missionary Baptist Church.
Joshua Bare, farmer and stock raiser of St.
Francis Township, is a fair sample of what can be
accomplished by industry and perseverance. Al-
though starting life with a limited amount of this
world's goods, he is now one of the substantial
farmers of the county, and is the owner of 240
acres of land in the home place, with 160 acres
cleared, on which he has good buildings. Aside
from this he is the owner of another tract of land
in the township, one and a (juarter miles from
the home place, consisting of IBO acres of timber
land. He also possesses some 320 acres in the
St. Francis bottoms, with about 100 acres cleared,
and has an interest in 205 acres of other lands, all
the result of industry and good management. Mr.
Bare was born in Crawford County, Ind. , Decem-
ber 13, 1833, and is the son of Jacob Bare and
Nancy (Copple) Bare, the latter of German descent.
The father was born in Virginia but was reared in
Indiana. After marriage he settled in Crawford
County of that State, where he followed farming
until about 1843, when he moved to Illinois and
settled in Jefferson County. He resided there up
to 1868, when he came to Arkansas, and located in
what is now Clay County. Here he died in Feb-
ruary. 1877. He served as sheriff and deputy
sheriff in Indiana, and was quite a prominent man.
Joshua Bare was reared in Jefferson County, 111.,
and came to Arkansas in 1855, locating in Clay
County, but what was then Greene County, and
entered eighty acres of land. He then bought
eighty acres near Brown's Ferry, resided there
about fifteen years, after which he sold this, and
bought the place where he now lives. He has
been four times married; first, to Miss Susan
Williams; then to Nancy Brown, who bore him
one daughter, Peggy A., wife of John Nettle: his
next marriage was to Mrs. Nettle, a widow, who
bore him four childi-en: Clarissa (wife of Wiley
Thomas), Joshua, Bettie and Arabella. Mr.
Bare's fourth marriage was to Mrs. Marietta
Sarver, a widow, and the daughter of Jacob Sarver.
Three children were born to this union: Jacob,
Mattie and John Harry. When Mr. Bare first
came to the State it was a comparative wilderness,
and for about eleven winters he was engaged in
trapping. He has killed bear, wolves, wild cats,
lots of deer, turkey and small game. He would
average about $200 worth of furs annually at that
business. Mr. Bare has been a member of the
I. O. O. F. for thirteen years. Mrs. Bare belongs
to the Christian Church. An interesting volume
might be written of many of Mr. Bare's hunting
expeditions, but space will permit mentit)n of only
the following: In 1867, one of his neighbors, Billy
Maner, a single man, had struck camp some seven
miles south of where our subject lived, in a wild
locality on Old River. Mr. Bare went on one occa-
sion to spend the night with him. but found the
unsuccessful hunter without food. Starting the
next morning with a determination to return only
after he shot something, he traveled some distance,
occasionally seeing game which could not be se-
cured. Later on, while not far from camp, he
killed two wolves, and lieing of a humorous dispo-
sition, the thought was suggested to pass off this
meat upon the iinsuspecting Billy as venison.
Bringing a portion of the animal to headquarters
(together with a squirrel), and assuring him that
a large buck had been killed, the mess was eaten
by the victim of Mr. Bare's joke, with a casual
CLAY COUNTY.
ik
remark as to its toughness, etc. Subsequently
the truth was toUl. Imagination rather than
words can jjicture the result of such a revelation.
In 1876 a three-days" hunt was indulged in by Mr.
Bare, two of his nephews and a little negro boy.
Starting with a cart and a yoke of oxen, they drove
into a bottom farm, proceeding horse-back until
about a mile from their camping ground, when
fresh bear tracks were discovered. Before very
long an effort to secure bruin was commenced, and
proved fruitful. While waiting for help to remove
the animal (which weighed about 400 pounds) a
large buck was killed by Mr. Bare. These furnish
but mere instances of his good fortune with the
guu and rifle.
W. F. Barnes, undertaker and furniture dealer,
of Corning, Ark. , has been in business here since
August, 1888, when he purchased his stock of
goods of Mr. Bishop and continued at that stand
until June 1, 1889, when he moved to his present
location. His establishment is a two-story frame
building, 40x20 feet, now under process of erec-
tion, which will, when finished, be commodious
and substantial. Mr. Barnes' success in this line
has been due to his energy and enterprise, and his
establishment is now one of the leading concerns
of this kind in the county. He was born in Law-
rence County, 111., in 1856, and was the eldest in
a family of eight children born to John and Jane
(Thompson) Barnes, who were Kentuckians by
birth, but emigrated to Illinois in their youth,
where they grew to maturity and met and married.
The father settled with his parents in Lawrence
County in 1826, and afterward became a successful
farmer and teacher of that region, following these
occupations for many years in that State. He died
in 1885, but his widow is still residing in Illinois.
The paternal gi-andfather was an early settler of
Illinois, where he also makes his home. Mr.
Barnes was early inured to the duties of farm life,
and dui'ing his youth also attended the common
schools of Lawrence and Wabash Counties, 111.
He engaged in farming for himself in that State
and was mamed there in 1882 to Miss Ella P.
Price, a native of that county. Her parents. Jo-
seph and Hannah (Dart) Price, were born in Ohio
and Kentucky, respectively, and are now residing
in Illinois. In 1887 Mr. Barnes came to Corning,
Ark., and until 1888 worked at the carpenter's
trade, but has since been engaged in his present
business. Politically he is a Democrat, and always
supports the princijiles of that party. He belongs
to the K. of H. and the I. O. G. T., and he and
wife are members of the Methodist Church. Thev
are the parents of two children: Opal V. and
Verna D. Mr. Barnes has done well financially,
is the owner of some valuable town property, and
predicts a bright future for Corning.
Zachariah T. Bearderi was born in Montgomery
County, Tenn. , September 29, 1849, and is the son
of John and Prudence (Majors) Bearden. John
Bearden was born in Montgomery County, Tenn.,
and is of Irish-English parentage. He received
a fair, common-school education, later followed
farming and emigrated to Clay County, Ark., in
1851. The county was called Greene County at
that time, but was afterward changed to Clay. At
that early day there were but six families in an area
ten miles square, and all the hardships and priva
tions incident to pioneer life were experienced by
Mr. Bearden. Schools were taught on the sub-
scription plan, and church was held about once a
month in old log cabins. Mr. Bearden was a slave
owner but generally preferred white labor. He was
the owner of a large farm, but was broken up dur-
ing the war. He died May 10, 1888, being seventy-
six years of age. During life he was never an
office seeker, but was elected by the people, with
out solicitation, to the office of county treasurer.
Mrs. Bearden was also reared in Tennessee, grew to
womanhood there, and was man-led in that State.
Nine children were the result of this union; Rich-
ard E. , Isom K., Judge H. , Zach. T., Samuel J.,
Susan U., William J., Robert W. and Mary E.
Mrs. Bearden died in this county, August 16. 1877.
Grandfather and Grandmother Bearden died in
Tennessee; she was a native of North Carolina.
Grandfather and Grandmother Majors were na-
tives of ^^'est Virginia, and at an early day emi-
grated to Tennessee. Zachariah T. Bearden came
with his parents to Arkansas when two years of
age, settling in Greene County, and there remained
200
HISTOKY OF ARKANSAS.
assisting his father on the farm until twenty-one
years of age. His educational advantages were
rather limited, but by self study he became a well
informed man. At the age mentioned he began
business for himself by hiring out at a cotton gin by
the day, and later followed clerking. He then
bought a tract of land and carried on agricultu-
ral pursuits for nine years. January 2, 1873, he
married Miss Elizabeth Harber, a native of Dyer
County, Tenn. , and the daughter of G. A. Har-
ber. The fruits of this union were five children,
four now living: Drewy D., George O., John S.
and Ethel M. The one deceased was named Dora
L. Mr. Beardeu engaged in the mercantile busi-
ness at his present stand in 1882, building the sec-
ond house in Rector, and has been occupied in
merchandising ever since. He is also interested
in a large timber business. He carries a stock of
merchandise valued at about $3, 000, and also buys
and exchanges cotton. He is a Democrat in his
political views. Mrs. Bearden is a member of the
Methodist Episcopal Church, South.
B. B. Biffle, sheriff of Clay County, and one of
the representative citizens of this section, is a na-
tive of Humphreys County, Tenn., where he was
reared and where he received a fair education in
the common schools. He is the son of William and
Martha (Skelton) Biffle, the grandson of Nathan
Biffle, and the great-grandson of Jacob Biffle, who
came from Germany many years ago. To William
Biffle and wife were born six children, B. B. Biffle
being the eldest. He left his native county at the age
of twenty-one years, or in 1879, and made his way
to Clay County, Ark. , where he started a store in
Greenway. and, although a young man, he was the
first to engage in merchandising at that place.
After that, in connection with his store, he was for
some time occupied in running a stave mill, but in
September, 1888, he was elected to the office of
sheriff, and then closed out the milling and stave
business, to give his undivided attention to his
official duties. He fills that position in an able
and efficient manner, and to the satisfaction of all
concerned. He is a member of the Masonic fra-
ternity, of the Blue Lodge and Chapter. For his
companion in life he chose Miss Ella Turner,
daughter of Thomas Turner, of Tennessee. He and
Mrs. Biffle are members of the Methodist Church.
Sylvanus Bishop, wagon- maker, painter and
farmer, is a son of Stephen M. and Caroline (Bun-
nell) Bishop, and was born in Crawford County,
Penn., March 1, 1841. His parents were also born
in that State, and in 1837 emigrated to Indiana,
\ but, after remaining there a short time, returned
i to Pennsylvania. About 1844 they again came to
Indiana, where they made their home until 1880,
then moving to Peabody, Kas. , where Mr. Bishop
died in 1886. His widow still survives. To them
were born fifteen children, eleven of whom are
living: Jefferson, Sylvanus, Stephen W., Adeline,
David, Elmira J., Merriman, Silas, Delilah, Mon-
roe and Daniel S. Sylvanus Bishop attained his
growth in Indiana, and in 1861 enlisted in Com-
pany E, Twenty-ninth Indiana Infantry, and
served iintil the close of the war, participating in
the following engagements: Shiloh, Stone River,
Chickamauga, Liberty Gap and others. At the
battle of Shiloh he was wounded by a gun-shot in
the left arm. At Stone River he was captured,
but succeeded in making his escape, and. after a
time, was discharged for disability, owing to the
effects of small-pox, which he had contracted in
the service. From that time until 1877 he was
engaged in learning and working at his trade in
Indiana, and then came to Clay County, Ark., and
has since resided at Corning. He owns a small
farm adjoining the town, which is in a good state
of cultivation and well improved, and this he con-
ducts in connection with carrying on his trade. In
January, 1886, he was married to Miss Mary E. Ben-
edict, a native of New York State, by whom he has
five children: Anna M. , John L., Amy W., Elsie
V. and A. McDonald. Mr. and Mrs. Bishop are
members of the Baptist Church, and he belongs
to the Masonic fraternity. He has been a school
director for about eleven years, and is interested
in all public enterprises. For some ten years he
was engaged in the undertaker's business, his
profits amounting to about $1,500 per year. He
now gives his attention to his shop, and is doing
well. His son, John L. , is an intelligent young
man, and is one of the first teachers in the county.
CLAY COUNTY.
201
James Blackshare. Among all classes and in
every condition of life where the struggle for a
livelihood is going on, where will independence
be found more clearly demonstrated than in the
life of the honest, industrious farmer? Mr.
Blackshare, who has followed agricultural pursuits
for the past tifty-two years, and who has never
missed a crop during the years thus spent, is a fair
example of the independent tiller of the soil. He
was V)orn in West Tennessee, in 1824, and is the
son of Rev. Jacob and Mary (Berry) Blackshare,
the father a native of Tennessee, born in 1802,
and the mother born in 1799. James Blackshare
was left motherless at the age of ten years, and
May 27, 1847, he was united in marriage to Miss
Sarah A. Dines, who bore him five sons: William
S. , a member of the firm of Blackshare & Co. ,
in the manufacturing of staves and in the gen-
eral milling business, is married and the father of
six children: Robert B. (deceased), left a widow
and five children; Sidney A. (deceased), left a
widow and five children; James T., lives on a farm
near Boydsville, is married and the father of three
sons, and Jacob L., farmer near Boydsville, is
married, and the father of two sons and two
daughters. The mother of these children died in
1857. March 14, 1858, Mr. Blackshare took for
his second wife Mrs. Ruth E. Evans, of Tennessee,
and in the fall of the same year he and family
moved to Clay Comity (then Greene County),
Ark. , and settled on the farm where he is now re-
siding, three miles northeast of Boydsville, which
consisted of eighty acres, to which he added eighty
more. To his last marriage were born six chil-
dren, three of whom survive at the present: Mary
F., wife of Dr. John J. Prince, and the mother of
one daughter, resides at Bethel Station, Tenn. ,
where her husband follows his profession and is
also engaged in merchandising; John S., a merch-
ant at Rector, married and the father of one child,
a daughter; Ora A., the wife of A. J. Burton, and
the mother of three children, two daughters and
a son, is now living near her father, where her
husband is occupied in farming; Ira E., died in
his sixteenth year. Mr. Blackshare came to this
State with his wife and seven children in two
13
wagons, drawn by oxen, being the owner of seven
or eight head of cattle, six or eight head of horses,
and about $200 in money. The first winter before
there were gins introduced into the country, the
cotton, which they picked with their fingers, was
made into clothing, for the family. There were no
mills then except little hand mills, which were only
used to grind corn, and were called corn crackers.
They would crack the kernel into about four
pieces. A few years later Mr. Blackshare raised a
little wheat and ground it in the same mills and
" sarcht it;" this consisted of a box with a muslin
cloth over it, opened at one end, on which was
dropped some of the meal, and then by a rocking
motion the bran was forced to the top and back
through the opening at the rear, while the fine
flour passed through the muslin into the box. At
that time their trading was done by exchanging
pelting and furs for salt, sugar, coflPee, etc.. at
Cape Girardeau, Mo., 100 miles distant, to which
place they made their trips with ox teams about
once a year. Mr. Blackshare has not taken a
drink of liquor of any kind, or a chew of tobacco,
for over forty years, or since joining the church,
and has always been willing to render aid, as far
as he was able, to all laudal)le enterprises. He
and wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal
Church, South. Mr. Blackshare was township
magistrate for four terms of two years each, and
was also county treasurer for two teims. He is a
member of the Masonic fraternity, and is one of
the representative men of the county. He is now
the owner of 340 acres of land, after having sup-
ported his family and settled nine children at an
expense of $14,000, and does not owe a cent.
W. S. Blackshare, of the milling and stave
manufacturing firm of W. S. Blackshare & Co..
is a native of Tennessee, born in November, 1849.
•and came to Clay County, Ark., with his father,
James Blackshare, when a boy of nine years.
Here he grew to manhood on a farm, and in 1878
he was appointed by Gov. Garland to the office of
sheriff of the county, and for two years he was
county treasurer, having also filled that office for
several incumbents. He was deputy sheriff for
four years, and is consider<»1 •mh' .>f the leading
'2( 12
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
Imainess men of the county. He is the owner of
aljout 200 acres of land on his home place, which
adjoins the town of Boydsville, and has about
1 500 acres in the country, and has the best
buildings to be found in the count}', all erected
by himself. The house is a two story frame,
16x40, with a one story L fifty feet long and
sixteen feet wide, and a porch running the entire
length of the L. He also has a very large cistern
under cover. He has two large frame barns, one
30x40, two stories high, and the other 80x50
feet, also two stories high, with out-sheds on the
sides. On his farm on the Cache he has built
another house on the same plan as his home place,
and he is also building a good barn there. He was I
married to Miss Emily S. Cox. who lived Imt
eighteen months after marriage, and died in 1871,
leaving him a son, Arthur Lee, who is attending
the home school. For his second wife Mr. Black-
share married Miss Mary A. Ellis, daughter of
Rev. Ira O. Ellis, who came here fi-om Mississippi,
where his father, Rev. Reuben Ellis, was an
itinerant preacher in the Methodist Church, South.
Mrs. Ira O. Ellis is still living in Missoiui. To
Mr. and Mrs. Blacksharo were bom these children:
Ezra O., Annie (who is dead), Edgar M. , Angie,
Lena and Jennie. Mr. Blackshare belongs to
the I. O. O. F., and is also a member of the
Masonic fraternity, into which order he was
initiated about the time he was twenty-one years
of age.. In his political views he affiliates with
the Democratic party. In 1871 he engaged in the
mercantile business at Big Creek, with his father,
buying out the interest of Judge Royall, paying
$500 on time for the goods, and in 1878 removed
to Boydsville. This business he continued until
January, 1888, having in the meantime several
partners: first the firm was J. & W. S. Black-
share, then for eight years he was in company with-
his brother, R. B. Blackshare, under the firm title
of W. S. Blackshare & Co., and was then with i
Judge Royall for three years, the firm title continu- |
ing the same. In 1888 he disposed of his stock
to A. L. Blackshare, who now conducts the busi-
ness in the same building. In connection with his j
seventeen years at merchandising, Mr. Blackshare
devoted some of his time to farming, and is at
present junior partner of Royall & Blackshare.
real estate dealers. He is a pleasant, genial
gentleman, a good conversationalist, and has a
host of warm friends. He is a splendid man
physically, and although forty years of age does
not look a day over thirty.
A. L. Blackshare, of Boydsville, another prom
inent and much respected citizen of Clay County.
Ark., was born in Tennessee, in 1856, and came to
Clay County, Ark., in 1880. He followed agri-
cultural pursuits for two years, and in 1885 bought
out the stock of Mrs. Ella Blackshare, widow of
R. B. Blackshare, and began business in Boyds-
ville. This he continued for two years, and then sold
out to J. S. Blackshare, after which he purchased
the stock of \V. S. Blackshare & Co., and is now
engaged in that business, under the firm title of
A. L. Blackshare. Aside from this he is also oc-
cupied in milling and manufactimng, under the
business title of Blackshare & Blackshare. In
1 886 he was elected to the position of treasurer of
the company, and was re- elected in 1888. Miss
Ada Berton, a native of Arkansas, and the daugh-
ter of Robert Berton, became his wife, and to them
were born two children, one now living: Robert
Bascom. The other child, Ernest," died at the age
of one year. Mr. Blackshare is a member of the
Masonic fraternity.
Larry Boshers. This successful young planter
and stockman, of Clay County, of which he has
been a resident for seventeen years, is well and
favorably known to the many citizens of Kilgore
Township. He was born in the State of Tennesseo.
in 1802, being the seventh of fourteen children
of Henry and Tabitha (Stewart) Boshers, who were
also originally from that State, the former being
a planter by occupation, and there he died. After
his death his widow came to Clay County, Ark. ,
and here di(>(l on her farm, in 1882. Larry Bosli-
ers was early taught the rudiments of farm life,
becoming still better acquainted with that calling
as he grew to manliood. and is now considered one
of the enterprising, thorough and reliable young
agriculturists of the count}'. In 1880 he made
his first pui'chase of land, which amounted to forty
acres, in a raw state, and has since added from
time to time to tbis tract, until he now has a
vahiahle farm consisting of 480 acres, with 17^)
under cultivation, the rest being well adapted to
raisins' stock, to which Mr. Boshers gives consid-
erable attention. He devotes seventy hve acres to
the culture of cotton each year. He votes with
the Democratic party, is a member of the Agri-
cultural Wheel, and, personally, is held in high
esteem by all who know him. Miss Jennie Mont
gomery, a native of Clay County, became his wife
in ISSO, and died in 18S4, having borne two chil-
dren, both deceased. Her parents were Daniel and
Polly Montgomery.
Giles Bowers, carpenter and builder of Boyds-
ville, and one of the successful business men of
that village, is a native of North Carolina, and
remained in his native State until twenty-seven
years of age. He was engaged in gold mining
until the lireaking out of the late war, when he
enlisted in the Forty-ninth North Carolina Infan-
try, in April, 1862, and served until the termina-
tion of hostilities. He was in Gen. Lee's army,
in Gen. Matt. W. Ransom's brigade, and partici-
pated in the seven days' fight at Richmond, at
Gen. McClellan's defeat, and was in all the tights
and campaigns before Richmond. He was at the
second battle of Bull Run, Antietam, Fredericks-
burg, and was captured at Five Forks and placed
on Johnson Island. Ohio, as a prisoner of war, be-
ing discharged there from June IS, 1S(55. He then
returned to North Carolina, remaining until the
spring of 1868, when he came to what is now Clay
County, and, settling on a farm, tilled the soil
until 1879. He is the owner of 120 acres of land,
with about seventy acres under cultivation. In
the last mentioned year he opened up a carpenter-
shop, having learned the trade in previous years,
and has erected the principal part of the buildings
in Boydsville. At one time ho was a member of
the tirm of Bowers &, Toombs, and later of the
firm of Bowers & Downs. Mr. Bowers also manu-
factures seats and desks for church and school
purposes. He has been married twice; tirst, to
Miss Elizabeth Almond, of North Carolina, who
bore him ten children, eight of whom survive and
are named as follows; Josephine, wife of James
Mooning, and the mother of two children, ie now
living on a farm in Sharp County; John \V. is
engaged in business in Boydsville; Flora J., mar-
ried to C. M. King, a farmer of Clay County, is
the mother of three children; Nancy A. is at home
with her father; Kittie Belle, wife of James W.
Dobbins, a farmer near Boydsville; Frederick C,
Giles L. and Brantly H. The mother of these
children died in September, 1885. For his second
wife Mr. Bowers chose Miss Maggie J. Matthews,
who survived only seventeen months after mar-
riage, and left a child, which followed its mother
to the grave but a month lat(?r. Mr. Bowers is a
Republican, and is somewhat active in politics,
having done valiant woik for that party. Although
not a member of any church, he works in harmony
with all good people for the benefit of the commu-
nity and for his fellow men.
W. D. Bowers. Among the extensive indus-
trial enterprises which form the basis of Clay
County's importance and j)ro8perity is the stave
and head factory located at Corning, in which
Mr. Bowers has worked for ten years, and of
which he has been foreman two years, working his
way up to that position from a mill-hand. His
native State is Ohio, his birth having occurred in
Harrison County in 1851, and his parents wei-e also
from that State. They were Jacob and Lavina
Bowers, iiee Downs, the father being a tiller of
the soil and successful in his calling, which occu-
pation he continued to follow until his death
in 1881. His wife is still living and makes her
home in her native State. W. D. Bowers, like
the majority of youths, lient his energies to learn-
ing the occupation in which his father was en-
gaged, and also acquired a good education in the
public schools of Harrison County. After the
late Civil War he joined the regular army of the
United States, and was stationed at different points
in the South, but in 1879 he came to Corning,
Ark., and began working in the mill in which he is
now employed. His wife, whom he married in
1879, and who was formerly Miss Lenora Powell,
was born in Tennessee, and was a daughter of B.
C. Powell and wife, also of that State, the for-
mer now residing near Austin, and the latter de-
ceased. In 1883 Mr. Bowers lost his excellent
wife, she having borne him two children, one of
whom is living, Floyd. In 1886 Mr. Bowers was
married in Union County, 111., to Miss Mary Stew-
art, a native of Indiana. Her parents. Henry
and Jane (Pollock) Stewart, were Ohio people,
who moved first to Indiana and from there to
Cape Girardeau County, Mo., where they opened
up a farm in 1874, and later kept a hotel at Doni-
phan. Here Mr. Stewart died in 1887, his wife
having died in Indiana, in 1885. He enlisted in
the Union army from Indiana, at the breaking out
of the Civil War. Mr. Bowers has never been
very active in politics. Socially he is a member of
the K. of H. He is very public-spirited, and has
always practiced those principles of fairness and
honesty which are bound to command the respect
and admiration of all right-minded people.
C. Fred. Brennecke. editor of the Clay County
Advocate, at Greenway, Ark., was born in Cape
Girardeau County, Mo. , December 19, 1866, being
a son of Frederick Brennecke, a native of Ger-
many, who came to the United States with his
parents when a lad of ten years and settled in
Cape Girardeau County, Mo., where he grew to
manhood and was married, the latter event being
in the city of Cape Girardeau to Miss Dena Hunze,
who was born in Germany. Mr. Brennecke served
in the Union army during the late war. Since
about 1865 he has resided in Cape Girardeau, and
is in the service of Col. Robert Sturdivant. C.
Fred. Brennecke grew to manhood in his native
county, and learned the printer's trade in Cape
Girardeau, commencing when thirteen years of age
and continuing for about four and one half years.
From this place he went to Jefferson City, but
only worked there a short time, when he moved to
Higginsville, La Fayette County, Mo., where he
followed his trade for two years. J Subsequently
he came to Greenway, Ark,, and became asso-
ciated with Mr. Dollison in the publication of the
Advocate, having charge of the mechanical depart-
ment one year. January 2, 1889, he became sole
proprietor, and is now editor and publisher of that
paper. It is the leading newspaper of the county
and is independent in politics. Mr. Brennecke
receives a liberal amount of advertising, and his
journal has the largest circulation of any ])aper in
the county. He is a practical printer, a thorough
business man, and is of exemplary hal)its and
character. He was elected a member of the town
board, and is now town recorder.
Jacob Brobst, the present mayor of Corning,
and county jailer of the Western division of Clay
County, Ark., is descended from a family that has
held a worthy place in the history of this country,
and wherever its representatives have settled they
have became recognized as prominent and influen-
tial members of society. He was born in Colum-
bus, Ohio, on the 18th of June, 1839, and of this
State his parents, John and Catherine (Bachar)
Brobst, were among the pioneer settlers. The
father is still living and resides in Upper Sandusky,
Ohio, but the mother died in 1874. Jacob followed
the occupation of his father until eighteen years of
age, receiving in the meantime a good education
in the public schools of Wyandot County, Ohio,
and after starting out to fight the battle of life for
himself he worked at the carpenter's trade and
taught school, securing in the latter profession the
reputation of being one of the best educators in
the county. Miss L. M. England, a native of
Hancock County, Ohio, became his wife in 1862,
and their union was blessed in the birth of two
children: J. K.. who is married and resides at
home, and Mary Alice, also at home. ]\Irs.
Brobst's parents, Robert and Ellen (Lape) Eng-
land, were Ohio people, the former being a farmer
who died in 1875. His widow is a resident of
Goshen, Ind. In 1864 Mr. Brobst went to Fort
W'ayne, Ind., and was engaged in railroading in
that State imtil 1879, when he took up his abode in
Corning, Ark., which was at that time a very small
place, and has since given his attention to carpen-
tering. He votes with the Democratic party, and
has been jailer of the West division for three years;
was first elected to the position of mayor in 1882,
next in 1883, and is now serving his third term.
During 1884-85-86 and 1887 he was a member of
the city council, and has also been deputy assessor
of the Western division of Clay County. He was
W*^ li
foreman of the grand jury that found thp indict-
ment by which the second man of tlie Ku Klux
was hung, thus breaking up that gang in this sec-
tion of the country. He is the owner of some fine
residence property in the town, and besides this
has a fertile and well tilled farm of ii'iO acres
in Nelson Township. He believes in building up
this place, and has done his full share in this direc-
tion. He and wife are members of the Methodist
Episcopal Church.
J. W. Brown, a farmer residing near Vidette,
Ark., was born in Hardin County, Tenn., February
"26, 1835, and is a son of John and Sarah (Garner)
Brown, who were Tennesseeans, the mother dying
in her native State when the subject of this sketch
was a small boy. J. W. Brown was reared on a
farm in his native county and in 1854 emigrated
to Arkansas, coming by wagon, and located on the
farm where he now lives. His place was heavilj'
covered with timber when he located, but he
soon erected a little log cabin and began clearing
his land. He was compelled to work very hard,
but made good headway, and now has one of the
most valuable farms in the county, consisting of
'200 acres, with about 100 acres under cultivation.
Game of all kinds was quite abundant when he
tirst came to the State, and one time he brought
down a bear with his trusty rifle. In 18f>2 he
enlisted in Company B, Col. White's regiment,
and during six months' service was in the battle of
(Jrane Hill. Owing to rheumatism he was compelled
to leave the army. His first wife was Patience
Vassar, and his second Emily Sloan, by whom he
had a family of seven children, four now living:
Henry, Amanda, George "W. and Sarah E. Both
these wives were Tennesseeans, whom he married
while living in that State. His present wife, whose
maiden name was Martha Garner, has borne him
three children: Minnie A., Ida M. and Reulien A.
Mr. and Mrs. Brown are members of the Christian
Church, and he is a member of the Masonic order.
Andrew J. Brown, merchant and postmaster at
Piggott, Ark. , is one of the prominent residents of
the county, and in his business as well as social
relations has won the confidence and respect of all
who know him. His birth occurred in Union
County, 111., Juno 15, 1843, his parents, Samuel
and Annie (Dillow) Brown, being natives of the
same State. They reared their family on a farin
in Union County, and here Andrew J. Brown re-
mained until twenty-five years of age, enlisting in
18()2 in the One Hundred and Ninth Illinois
Infantrj', which was afterward consolidated with
the Eleventh Illinois, and served until he received
his discharge at Springfield on the 15th of July,
1805. He was in the fight at Vicksburg on the
4th of July, 1868, and was at Yazoo City, Fort
Spanish, and the surrender of Mobile. He was in
the hospital at La Grange, Tenn., a short time, and
in 1868 removed to Arkansas and located in what is
now Clay County, where he was occupied in farm-
ing for a few years. In 1879 he embarked in
merchandising, and in 1882 located at Prggott,
where he erected a business house and has since
been engaged in keeping a general mercantile
establishment, and has built up a good trade. He
was appointed postmaster of the town in April,
1888, which office he has since held. He and wife
are members of the Missionary Baptist Church (in
which he is a deacon), and he is a member of the
G. A. R. organization, and is quartermaster of
his post. He was married on the 28th of Decem-
ber, 1868, to Miss M. J. Pollard, a sister of W.
^\'. Pollard, whose sketch appears in this work,
and they are the parents of the following cbiltb-en:
Henry O. , a lad of twelve years: Cindona, a
daughter, who died March 11,1 889, at the age of
seventeen years, and an infant deceased.
Hiram Calvin, of the firm of Clemson & Calvin,
although a young man, is one of the most success-
ful business men in this portion of the State. He
has l)een running the business exclusively for six
and a half years last, having come to this point with
a stock of goods in December, 1882. He passed
through the country eightetni months before the
road was Iniilt, and, from what he reported, his
partner in Illinois bought 4,200 acres of timber
land, about half of which still belongs to the estate.
They commenced business in Clay County, Ark.,
with a stock of goods worth $2,497, which has
been increased since .then to $3, 500. In addition
to the store, the firm own a stave-mill, which they
J'-
^
206
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
operate, and a farm of 120 acres, all under im-
provement and well stocked. They have also been
interested in steamboats on the river, and still
own a small interest there. The original and only
investment in goods and buildings amounted to
$3,100, and, at a very low estimate, profits worth
$10,000, and the first investment, have been paid
out. Hiram Calvin is the son of K. T. Calvin and
Angie (Rifner) Calvin, and the grandson, on his
mother's side, of Peter and Elizabeth (Rockafellow)
Rifner. Peter Rifner was a soldier in the War
of 1812, being commissioned by Gen. Harrison as
commander of a company. R. T. Calvin was born
in New Jersey, and emigrated to Harrison, Ohio,
when a young man. There he man-ied Miss Rif-
ner. Hiram Calvin easts his vote with the Demo-
cratic party, and is a member of the "Triple Alli-
ance. ' ' He married Miss Gussie Boren, daughter
of Cole Boren, of Mound City, 111. , who was a pilot
on the Mississippi River, and whose father, Mor-
gan Borenr, was born in Tennessee, in 1789, he be-
ing a soldier in the Black Hawk War. The latter
married Miss Anna Lathran, of Tennessee. To
Mr. and Mrs. Calvin have been born three chil-
dren: Fannie, Gussie and Aggie. Mr. Clemson
died March 30, 1889, at his residence near Olm-
sted, 111. , aged sixty-four years and ten days.
William A. Campbell was born in Greene
County, Mo., April 10, 1848, being a son of Will-
iam and Nancy Campbell, and grandson of James
and Lucy Campbell and James and Hannie Col-
lins, who were natives of Patrick County, Va.
William Campbell, Sr. , was a farmer, and moved to
Missouri in 1845, residing in Greene County
until 1852, when he removed to Cass County, and
two years later to Kansas Territory. He eon- j
tinned to make this his home iintil 1807, since
which time he has been a resident of Vernon
County, Mo., and is now living at Milo, of that
county, engaged in merchandising. He and wife
are the parents of the following family: John W.,
a resident of Arizona Territory, engaged in the
milling business; George W. , who died in Newton
County, Mo., in 1886; Marthie E., who died in i
Greene County, Mo., in 1846; William A., James
E. , who died in Vernon County, Mo., in 1872; ,
Isaac F., a merchant of Arizona Territory; Melissa
J., who died in Bourbon County, Kas. , in 1859;
Thomas H. , who died in Crawford County, Kas. ,
in 1863; David H. , a blacksmith at El Paso, Tex. :
Melissa, married Charles Baker in 1883, and resides
in Crawford County, Kas. William A. Campbell
began life for himself in 1863, when only sixteen
years old, at which time he enlisted in the Federal
army, in Company B, Fourteenth Regiment of
Kansas Volunteer Cavalry, under Capt. Charles
H. Haynes, and Col. C. W. Blair, in which regi-
ment he served until June 15, 1865, then being
honorably discharged with the balance of his regi-
ment, at Lawrence, Kas. He then went to South-
east Kansas, where he joined his parents, staying
there until May 20, 1866, the date of his marriage
to Miss Rebecca A. Cooper, afterward moving
to McDonald County, Mo., and from there to
El Paso, Tex., where he lived one year. Going
thence to Benton County, Ark., he lived there two
years and later settled in Newton County, Mo.,
but after a residence in that locality until 1S84,
moved to Clay County, Ark. , reaching this place
November 17, 1884. Here he still resides. He
bought 320 acres of heavily timy>ered land, and
now has eighteen acres cleared and under fence,
with a young orchard of 100 apple trees of a select
variety. William A. Campbell was elected justice
of the peace in his county, October 20, 1888,
which ofiice he still holds. He is a member of the
Masonic fraternity. Rebecca A. Campbell, his
wife, is the daughter of Hiram and Lucinda
Cooper, and was born in McDonald Coimty,
Mo. , March 7, 1 848. Her father died when she
was four years old, and when she was seven years
old her mother died, leaving her and one sister
and two brothers to tight the battle of life as best
they could. The oldest child was only ten years of
age. She lived in McDonald County, Mo., until
the spring of 1862, when she moved to Southeast
Kansas with relatives, residing there until her
marriage in 1866. AVilliam A. and Rebecca A.
Campbell are the parents of six children : George
W., the eldest, died in Jasper County, Mo., in
1872; John W. died in Mexico, in 1874; Alex-
ander died in Mexico in 1874; John W. and Alex-
CLAY COUNTY.
207
ander (twins) died on the same day; Lucinda J.,
Martlia E., and Rosa A., the youngt^st child, still
remain with their pai'ents.
William C. Cochran, merchant of Greenway,
Ark., was born in Massac County, 111., September
4. 1854, his father. Jesse Cochran, being a native
of North Carolina. The latter went to Illinois
when a young man, where he was married to Jane
Sexton, and resided in Massac County np to 1856,
when he moved to Arkansas and settled in what
is now Clay County. Here he entered land, made
a farm, and reared a family. His death occurred
in September, 1869. William C. Cochran and two
sisters are the only surviving members of a family
of six children. He was reared in Clay County,
his youth being spent on a farm. He was married
in this county on the 5th of December, 1881, to
Miss Sarah E. Leeth. a daughter of John A. Leeth,
formerly from Tennessee, now deceased. Mrs.
Cochran was born in Tennessee, but was reared
in Clay County, and by Mr. Cochran is the mother
of one child, who is living: Lura, now six years
old. Jesse died in January, 1886, at the age of
live months. Mr. Cochran had been engaged in
farming and the ginning business previous to his
marriage, and afterwards continued the former
occupation for three years. In August, 1885, he
commenced merchandising at Greenway and has
been interested in that business since that time.
He was appointed deputy postmaster in 1885 and
served two years. He carries an excellent stock
of general merchandise, and has built up a good
trade. He is a Mason and belongs to the I. O. O. F.
Robert L. Coleman, proprietor of Piggott
Hotel, Piggott, Ark., and the son of Col. David
and Sarah (Love) Coleman, was born in Haywood
County. N. C, March "26, 1823. Col. David Cole-
man was a native of North Carolina, but moved to
Tennessee at an early day. locating in Carroll Coun-
ty, where he followed farming, and there remained
until his death. He served as colonel of the State
militia. His wife, Sarah Love, was also a native
of North Carolina. Her father, Gen. Tliomas
Love, was in the Revolutionary War as well as the
M'ar of 1812. Robert L. Coleman was reared to
manhood on a farm in Tennessee, read law in Car-
roll County, and was admitted to the bar, after which
he practiced there until his removal to Missouri
in 1851. He then located at Hartsville, Wright
County, practiced there for throe years and upon re-
turning to Tennessee, engaged in mercantile pur-
suits until the breaking out of the late war, wlienhe
enlisted in the Confederate service, in 18(')2. in Col.
Napier's regiment. He remained in this regiment
for about eight months, afterward l>eing in Col.
Green's regiment, where he was promoted to adju-
tant and served in that capacity. He was captured
at Parke's Cross Roads by Gen. Sullivan, was held
a prisoner at Cam]) Douglas for over three months,
and was then exchanged. He then returned to
Tennessee and did not enter the service again. He
resumed the j>ractice of law in Carroll County for
about three years, l)ut finally gave up law. He
has been a member of the Methodist Episcopal
Church, South, for many years and was licensed to
preach in 1868. He was a local preacher in his
church for some years. He was ordained deacon
in 1870 at Trenton, Tenn., by Bishoj) McTyre, and
followed his ministerial duties in Tennessee up to
1875, when he moved to Arkansas, settling at Oak
BlufP in Clay County, and there resided for a num-
ber of years. He taught school for nine months,
and then engaged in the manufacture of tobacco
in 1878, which occupation he has followed up to
the present date. He built his hotel in the fall of
1888 and moved in December. His is the first
and last and only hotel in Piggott. Mr. Coleman
was married in Carroll County, Tenn., December
4, 1850, to Miss Harriet E. Norman, a native of
Carroll County, and the daughter of Judge John
Norman. To this union were born three children,
two daughters and a son: Sarah N., wife of Albert
Hubbard, of Piggott; Mollio X.. widow, and John
R., who died May 7, 1883, in his twenty-fifth year.
Mr. Coleman was ordained local elder here in 1881
by the same bishop that ordained him deacon in
Tennessee.
G. W. Cook is a successful agriculturist and
stockman of Oak Blutf Township, Clay County,
.\rk. , and was born in Weakley County, West Tenn. ,
in 1N4(), being the youngest in a family of seven
children born to Richard A. and Ann (David)
208
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
Cook, both of whom were born in Old Virginia.
At an early day they moved to West Tennessee,
where the father opened up a farm and there died
in 1860, at the age of fifty-eight years. His widow
came to Greene County, Ark. , in August, 1874,
and here died in October of the same year at the
age of seventy-six years. G. W. Cook grew to
manhood in his native State, and received his edu-
cation in Weakley County, being also married there,
in 1864, to Miss M. M. Jenkins, a daughter of C. P.
and Mary G. (Boothe) Jenkins, who were born in
North Carolina, and were early immigrants of Ten-
nessee, where they became wealthy farmers and
spent their declining years, the father dying in 1889
and the mother in 1872. After his marriage Mr.
Cook settled on the old homestead, aud there made
his home until 1873, when he came to Greene
County, Ark., and purchased a timber tract of
eighty acres, which he cleared and sold in 1888.
In 1874 he moved to Clay County, and five years
later purchased the farm on which he is at present
residing, which consisted of 120 acres, with thirty
acres under the plow. He has increased his lands
until he now has 960 acres, 200 of which are under
cultivation, in the home farm, and 320 acres, with
thirty-two under cultivation, in Blue Cane Town-
ship, Greene County. He is interested in stock
raising, and makes a specialty of Berkshire and
Poland China hogs. His principal crop is corn.
He has never been very active in politics, but
usually votes the Democratic ticket. He is a mem-
ber of the A. F. & A. M. lodge at Rector, and is
intere.sted in all worthy public enterprises. He is
in every respect a self-made man, and all his prop-
erty has been acquired by his own exertions. He
and wife are the parents of the following children:
Ella, now Mrs. Bolton; Daniel Elvis, Joseph, Oda
and Edar living, and six children deceased. In
1861 Mr. Cook enlisted in Weakley County in Com-
pany C, Fifty-second Tennessee Infantry, and was
mustered into service at Henderson Station, after-
ward participating in the battle of Shiloh. At the
end of six months he returned home.
Fred \V. Cooper, merchant of Green way, Clay
County, Ark., was born on the 9th of October,
1866, in Pulaski County, HI., his parents, C. C.
and Georgia (McDonald) Cooper, being also born
in that State. Mr. Cooper was a merchant of Cale-
donia, 111., for a number of years and died there
in May, 1877. Fred W. Cooper remained with his
father until the latter' s death -and received his
education in the common schools of Illinois and in
Cincinnati, Ohio. After spending about one year in
the ' 'Lone Star State' ' he located in Clay County,
Ark. , in July, 1887, where he bought property,
erected a store building, and engaged in merchan-
dising, carrying a large and select stock of shelf and
heavy hardware, farming implements and furni-
ture. He has built up a good trade and is making
money. He was married in Pulaski County, Novem-
ber 9, 1887, to Miss Gertrude Williamson, a native
of Ohio, who was reared and educated in Pulaski
] County, 111. Mr. and Mrs. Cooper are the parents
of one child. Velaria. Mr. Cooper is a young
man of energy, push and enterprise, and possess-
I ing excellent business qualifications, is certain to
; succeed in whatever he undertakes.
Henry B. Cox, a prominent merchant of Rec-
tor, Ark., was born February 13, 1843, in Weakley
County, Tenn. His parents were, William A.
Cox and Hiley Cox, natives, respectively, of Buck-
ingham County, Va. , and Giles County, Tenn.
William A. Cox, the father of our subject, was
born March 22, 1815. He was of Scotch-Irish
descent. Remaining in his native State until
twelve years of age, he emigrated with his parents
to Tennessee, which State at that time was wild
and sparsely inhabited, and furnished very limited
means of education. Still, William A. Cox, in the
face of every disadvantage, by his own extraor-
dinary efforts, succeeded in qualifj'ing himself for
business affairs, and filled various important sta-
tions. In 1838 he was married to Mrs. Hiley Scho-
tield, widow of Thomas Schotield, and daughter
of Asa and Nancy Magee, of Tennessee. Result-
ing from this union were six children: Ballard C,
Leamma M. , Henry B. (subject of this sketch),
William A., Jr., Emily S. and Amanda Cox. Ball-
ard C. Cox was killed at the battle of Chickamauga
while in the Confederate sei-vice. Amanda and
Emily S. , late wife of W. S. Blackshare, are also
deceased. In 1857 William A. Cox and family
s.pV
CLAY COUNTY.
209
emigrated from Tennessee to Greene County, Ark. ,
and settled three miles north of the town of Oak
Bluff. The woods at that time abounded in wild
animals. School and church privileges were very
limited. During the late war William A. Cox re-
mained at home, but he was a Southern sympa-
thizer. In religion he was a Presbyterian, but was
identified with the Methodist Episcopal Church,
South, at the time of his death, in 1871. Mrs.
Hiley Cox is still living, and is a resident of Clay
County, Ark. (Clay County was formerly a part
of Greene County.) The paternal grandfather,
John Cox, was a native of Virginia, as was also his
wife. He was of Scotch descent, and was a farmer
bj- occupation. The maternal grandparents were
of Tennessee. The grandfather participated in
the Indian wars. He was engaged in the memora-
ble battle of Horseshoe Bend. Henry B. Cox was
thirteen years of age when the family removed to
Arkansas. He remained at home on the farm un-
til March, 1862, when he enlisted in Company D,
Twenty fifth Arkansas Volunteer Infantry, under
Capt. G. D. Byers, Confederate army. He was
elected third lieutenant at Corinth, Miss. At
Readerville, Tenn., he was promoted to first lieu-
tenant. He was in the battles at Richmond.
Ky., and Murfreesboro, Tenn., as well as numer-
ous smaller engagements. At Murfreesboro he
was wounded in the right foot, which resulted
in much suffering and long confinement in the
Medical College Hospital, at Atlanta, Ga. , of which
Dr. Willis Westmoreland was chief surgeon. In
]Sr)3, near GriflSn, Ga. , he was married to Miss
Addie E. Lavender, daughter of Judge James La-
vender, a native of Georgia. For two years after
his marriage he was engaged in farming. In 1867,
in Carroll County, Ga. , he went into the mercan-
tile business. He emigrated to Greene County,
Ark., in 1867, and is still occupied in the same
business. By his marriage Mr. Cox became the
father of nine children, as follows: Charles M. B.,
.■Vugusta O., Eugene H. . Cora B. , Mary F., Annie
L. , Dreas L., Augustus C. and Hubert D. Cox.
Of these there are surviving only Charles M. B. ,
Cora B., Mary F. and Dreas L. Cox. The wife of
Mr. Cox, Mrs. Addie E. Cox, passed from this life
into the future on July 9, 1880, at the age of thirty -
six years. Mr. Cox afterward married Miss Laura
I. Cox, a native of Missouri, and daughter of Rev.
J. W. Cox, of the Methodist Protestant Cliurch.
To this union were born two children: Addie B.
and Everett; the last named died at the age of
four months. Mr. Cox established his business in
Rector in 1882. He was the purchaser of the first
lot sold in town, and has l)een quite successful.
Mr. Cox and family are members of the Methodist
Protestant Church. He was ordained a minister
in 1872. He has been a member of the Masonic
order since 1866, and took the Chapter and Coun-
cil degrees in 1867, at CarroUton, Carroll County.
Ga. He is a Democrat in jjolitics; a stanch advo-
cate of the principles of prohibition, he supported
Gen. Fisk for president in 1888. In personal ap-
pearance Mr.. Cox is tall and imposing; is six feet
and two inches, and weighs 200 ll)s. He has dark-
brown eyes, and wears a heavy, full beard.
Thomas J. Crews, farmer and stock raiser of St.
Francis Township, Clay County, Ark., was bom
in Bedford County, Tenn., August 1, 1847, and is
the son of Dr. John Crews, a native of Virginia,
and Mary A. (Tribble) Crews. Dr. John Crews
was reared in his native State and was married
twice, his first wife bearing him two sons and
three daughters, all now deceased but one, a
daughter. His second marriage was to the mother
of our subject, who bore him four children, two
sons and two daughters, all of whom grew to ma-
ture years. The Doctor moved from Bedford to
Weaklev County, residing there some nine years,
engaged in farming, and then, aliout 187)7, he
moved with his family to Arkansas, locating in what
is now Clay County, made a farm and there resided
until his death, which occurred in December. 1876.
Thomas J. Crews grew to manhood on the farm in
Clay County, remaining with his parents until
''rown, and was married in that county September
1, 1872, to Miss Mary J. Lively, a native of Ar
kansas, and the daughter of William Lively, and
sister of Rev. Lively, whose sketch appears else
where in this work. After his marriage Mr.
Crews settled in the neighborhood where he now
lives, and after his father's de.ith he came to the
-il
210
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
old home and bought out the heirs. He has 250
acres of land with about 125 fenced and under
cultivation. Mrs. Crews died February 12, 1878,
and since then Mr. Crews' mother, who is still
living, has been his housekeeper. Mr. Crews is
a member of the Masonic fraternity. Wisdom
Lodge No. 343, and has filled all the official posi-
tions in his lodge. He has represented the lodge
in the grand lodge two different times. He is also
a member of the I. O. O. F., Lodge No. 56, at
Piggott, and is Noble Grand of this lodge. He
has served as district deputy for four years, and
has represented this lodge and Clark Bluff a num-
ber of times. He is a prominent man and an ex-
cellent citizen.
Z. T. Daniel is well known thoughout Clay
County, Ark. , and for a number of years tilled the
office of deputy county surveyor, with competence
and ability. He was born on Blue Grass soil in
Grant County, in 1848, being the eldest of a
family of eight children born to Lewis B. and
Sardinia K. (Canfield) Daniel, the former a native
of Kentucky, and the latter of Ohio. The father
was reared in his native State, and in March, 1849,
moved to Illinois and settled in Schuyler County,
•where he engaged in farming, continuing this oc-
cupation until 1862, when he left his farm to en-
gage in the war, enlisting from Rushville, III.,
in Company B, One Hundred and Nineteenth Illi-
nois Infantry, and was mustered into service at
Qujncy. He died in 1863 of disease contracted
while in the service. His excellent wife still sur-
vives him and resides at Rushville, 111. Z. T.
Daniel received excellent facilities for acquiring
an education, and besides attending the public
school at Rushville, 111., attended the Washington
University at St. Louis, in 1874, 1875 and 1876.
During this time he studied surveying, and in
March, 1876, he came to Corning, Ark., for the
purpose of continuing his agricultural operations
but drifted into surveying, which occuj)ation re-
ceived the greater part of his attention, his serv-
ices being utilized in Northern Arkansas and South-
ern Missouri. He was married in Clay County,
Ark., in the fall of 1882, to Miss Ellen McClintick,
a native of Quincy, 111. , and a daughter of Henry
Clay and Mary Ann (Dilley) McClintick, also of
Illinois, who came to Corning, Ark., in 1878,
where they are still residing, the father being the
proprietor of the Illinois Hotel. Subseqiient to
his marriage, Z. T. Daniel settled in Corning.
He worked for the Iron Mountain Railroad Com-
pany as civil engineer nearly two years. He is
reporter for the K. of H. , and is an active mem-
ber of the I. O. G. T. His wife is a member of
the Baptist Church, and having no family of
their own they have adopted . a little boy named
Eddie,
Elihu Davis, whose success as a farmer and
stock raiser is well established throughout the
county, is a native of Hardin County, Ky. , born
March 11, 1S21. His father, William Davis, was
also a native of Kentucky, and was married in that
State to Miss Sarah Hardin, of the same State,
although her people were from the Carolinas.
William Davis settled on a faraj in Kentucky, re-
sided there a number of years, and then moved to
Wayne County, Tenn., where he purchased a farm
and here reared his children. He died about
1835 or 1836. His wife survived him until 1877,
when she died at the home of her son in Arkansas.
Elihu Davis was reared in Tennessee and came to
Arkansas when a young man of eighteen, or in
1838, locating in Greene County, but now Clay
County, and finally settled on his present property
in 1844. His nearest neighbor was three miles
distant, wild animals were plentiful and many a
deer and wild turkey fell before his unerring rille.
Mr. Davis cleared over 100 acres where Greenway
is now located, and sold forty acres of this in May.
1889, for an addition to the town. He was mar-
ried first in Clay County, October 16. 1844, to
Susan Sites, a native of Arkansas, who died Sep-
tember 16, 1863. To this union were born seven
children, who grew to mature years. Mr. Davis
married his second wife. Mrs. Nancy Boggus, a
widow, formerly Miss Nancy Sheltou, who was
born in Alabama. She was the mother of one son
by her first marriage. This wife died October 23,
1873, and Mr. Davis married again, in Clay Coun-
ty, Miss Tennessee Horton, who bore him two chil-
dren, Joseph and Nancy. Mrs. Davis was born in
r"^
CLAY COUNTY.
211
Tennessee, but was reared in Missouri and Arkan-
sas. To Mr. Davis by his first wife were born
these children: William A., whose sketch appears
in this work; Solomon T., John, Elilui, Jr., (Clar-
issa, wife of T. J. Smith; Sarah, and Mary, wife
of Lewis Clippard. To his second marriag(> one
son, Thomas L. , was born. Mr. Davis is a Master
Mason, and a member of the Baptist Church.
William M. Davis. Among the worthy resi-
dents of Clay County, Ark., it is but just to say
that Mr. Davis occupies a conspicuous and honor-
able place, for he has always been honest, indus-
trious and enterprising, and as a result has met
with more than ordinary success. He was born in
Georgia, on the 1 5th of August, 1842, and is a
son of D. D. and Rebecca (Isbul) Davis, who were
born, reared and married in South Carolina. They
moved to Georgia after their marriage, where they
remained about ten years and then located in Ala-
bama, and afterward in Greene County, Ark.,
where the father is now living. William M. Davis
remained with his father until of age, and in
1862 enlisted in the Twenty-fifth Arkansas In-
fantry. Confederate States Army, and served until
the spring of 18fi5, when he surrendered at Witts-
burgh, Ark. He was at Murfreesboro, Chick-
amauga, Franklin, and the siege and surrender
of Atlanta, being in about thirteen regular engage-
ments. After the war he was engaged in farming
in Greene County, and was married in Dunklin
County, Mo., on Buffalo Island, September lU,
1867, to Miss Martha Cochran, who was born and
reared in Dunklin Coimty, being a daughter of
Pleasant Cochran. Mr. and Mrs. Davis remained
in Greene County until 1874, when he moved to
his present place in Clay County, trading his farm
there for the one on which he is now residing. He
has 160 acres, with about seventy-five under culti-
vation, and has built a good frame residence,
stables and sheds and otherwise greatly imjjroved
his jiroperty since locating, Mr. and Mrs. Davis
are the parents of the following children: Cynthia
E., wife of James Golden; Pleasant L., James
E., WUliam David, George F., Samuel A., Lou
Z., John Henry and Poarlie Gertrude. Two chil-
dren died in early childhood. Mr. and Mrs. Davis
are members of the Methodist Episcopal Churcli,
South, and he is a Master Mason.
William A. Davis, another prominent farmer
and stock raiser of Haywood Township, Clay
County, Ark., was born in the above-mentioned
county, near Greeuway, April 20. 1853, and is the
son of Elihu Davis, a Kentuckian by birth, who
was reared in that State and in Tennessee. The
father came to Arkansas when a young man and
was here married. AVilliam A. Davis grew to
manhood on the home farm, remaining with his
father until twenty-seven years of age, and was
married here first, March 10, 1881, to Miss Anna
Randleman, who died in September, 1881. Mr.
Davis had boiight and located where he resides in
1880, and this place he has greatly improved. He
has fifty-five acres of cleared land, neat buildings,
a good orchard, and has twenty-five acres in tim-
lier, all good bottom land, one mile from Green-
way. Mr. Davis was married, in this county, De-
cember 29, 1886, to Miss Belle Gorden, a native of
Tennessee, but who was reared and educated in
Clay County, Ark. Her father, Jordan Gorden,
who is now deceased, was one of the pioneers of
Arkansas. To Mr. and Mrs. Davis have been
born one child. Myrtle, who is now six months old.
Mr. Davis is a member of the Masonic Order,
Wisdom Lodge No. 348, in which he is senior
deacon.
James Deniston, who is ])rominently identified
with the farming and stock raising interests of
Oak Bluff Township, was born in Ballard County,
Ky., July 13, 1839, and is the son of John Denis-
ton, who was born and reared in Washington
County, Va. He was also married in that State,
to Miss Dorotha L. Puckett, a native of Amelia
County, Va. Her father served in the War of
1812. After man-iage Mr. Deniston settled on a
farm in Kentucky, and followed tilling the soil
up to the breaking out of the late war, when, at
the age of fifty-two, he enlisted in the Twenty-
third Kentucky Infantry, Union Army, and died
in Texas. James Deniston spent his youth in
his native county, in Kentuck)', assisting his father
on the farm, and when in his nineteenth year,
he was married there to Miss Eliza Brown, who
212
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
bore him five children. After marriage Mr. Den-
istou followed agricultural pursuits iu Kentucky
until 1868, when he moved to Missouri, and spent
one year in Cape Girardeau County. He then re-
sided two years in Stoddard County, and in the
spring of 1872 moved to Arkansas, bought raw
land, and there he lives at the present time. He
is the owner of 280 acres of land, with about 125
acres cleared, all good bottom land. He served as
a member of the school board for ten consecutive
years, and has the confidence and esteem of his
fellow men. He was married, in Cape Girardeau
County, to Miss Mary E. Welch, a native of Illi-
nois, but who was reared near Alton. Obion Coun-
ty, Tenn. Nine children were born to the last
marriage: Isabelle, Ada, Bernetta J., Rhoda,Ida
M. , Stonewall J. , Scott H. , George and Effie W.
Mr. and Mrs. Deniston are members of the Mis-
sionary Baptist Church, and he is a deacon in the
same. He is a Master Mason, and a member and
treasurer of Danley Lodge No. 800. A. F. & A. M.
William H. Denny. Among the many sturdy
and energetic agriculturists of Clay County, Ark.,
who have attained their property by hard labor
and economy, may be mentioned Mr. Denny, who
was born in Monroe County, Mo., September 25,
1856, being a son of William T. F. and Martha
(Atchison) Donny, who were born in St. Louis
County. Mo., and Illinois, respectively, the form-
er's birth occurring September 24, 1828. They
were married January 1, 1849, and became the
parents of seven children; "W. H. , Florence,
Charles E., Andi-ew J., Cory Bell, Samuel W. and
Lizy Edna. They moved to Monroe County, Mo. ,
in 1854, but returned to St. Louis County in 1861,
where they are still living, being engaged in agri-
cultural pursuits. The mother is a member of the
Presbyterian Church, and the father is a Mason,
and in his political views a Democrat. William
H. Denny moved from St. Louis County to Howell
County, Mo., in 1883, and from the latter county
to Clay County, Ark., where he purchased, in
1885, a tract of land consisting of eighty acres,
twenty of which are under cultivation, lying on
Current River bottom. It is well adapted to cot-
ton, corn and fruit, and can all be easily put in a
tillable condition. It is also a fine grazing prop-
erty, and is in condition to pasture stock the year
round. Land in this section is valued at from $2
to f 25 per acre, and cleared land is equal to the
best in the State. It is usually covered with a
heavy growth of timber (suitable for all kinds of
work), among which may be mentioned gum, ash,
oak, walnut, linn and cj'press. Mr. Denny in his
political views is a Democrat.
Hon. Jasper W. Dollison, a resident of Green-
way, Clay County, Ark., was born in Cambridge
City, of the "Buckeye State," December 20, 1849.
His father, William E. Dollison, was born in
Pennsylvania, but was reared in Ohio, and was
married there to Miss Susanna Laird, who was
born in the State. Mr. Dollison removed to the
State of Indiana in 1857, and located in Clay
County, where he engaged in farming and stock
raising and dealing until 1884, then moving to Kan-
sas, and he has since made his home in Independ-
ence. Hon. Jasper W. Dollison grew to mature
years in Clay County, Ind., and received an excel-
lent education in the Greencastle University. He
was engaged in teaching in the public schools of
that State for a number of years, and in 1877
moved to Missouri, and located in Andrew County,
moving from there to Union County, Iowa, after a
short time, where he made his home for nearly two
years, having been engaged in teaching in both
places. In 1881 he located at Newport, Jackson
County, Ark., and for two years was superintend-
ent of a lumljer mill. He then entered into the
newspaper business in Greene County, at Para-
gould. but in 1884 moved to Clay County and
bought out the proprietors of the Rector Advocate,
which he changed to the name of the Clay County
Advocate, and moved the paper to Greenway in
June, 1887. He continued the publication of this
paper until .January, 1889, when he sold out to
the present editor. In his political views he was
formerly identified with the Democratic party, but
when the movement known as the Labor movement
was inaugurated, he recognized the justice of the
cause and espoused it. In June, 1888, the State
Union Labor convention, assembled at Little Rock,
tendered him the nomination for State land com-
missioner. He decliaed the honor, however, and
after very urgent solicitation agreed to make the race
for the legislature, and vfas nominated and elected
on that ticket as representative of Clay County,
serving vpith distinction for the term commencing
January 14, 1889. He vyas married in Clay County,
Ind., March 30, 1872, to Miss Anna Williams,
who was born iu Kentucky, but was reared and
educated principally in Indiana. Her parents
were Van Buren and Mary Williams, of Clay
County, Ind. Mr. and Mrs. Dollison are the
]>arent8 of live childi'en: Lethe, Delia, Vincent,
Charles and May. Mrs. Dollison is a mem-
ber of the Christian Church, and he is a member
of the K. of H. , the K. of L. and the Agricultural
Wheel. He is engaged at present in real estate
and timber enterprises.
W. S. Downs, blacksmith, and one of the skill-
ful workmen of the county, is a native of Georgia,
born in 1848, and the son of Shelly Downs, who
was born in Virginia. The latter was married in
his native State, and afterward moved to Georgia,
where the mother died shortly afterward, and
where the father died in 18fil, leaving a family of
three children. ^V. S. Downs was but thirteen
years of age when his father died, and for three
years after this, and during the war, he drove a
team from Atlanta to Bowden, Ga. , and was with
his teams near Franklin, Ga. (which is 100 miles
from Atlanta), when that city fell into the hands of
the Federal troops. At the age of sixteen Mr.
Downs went to work to learn the carriage and
wagon-maker's trade with the firm of J. W.
Downs, and afterward with Downs & Langford,
at Conyers, Ga., remaining in their employ for
three years. He then came to Clay County, Ark. ,
where he has resided ever since, with the exception
of about three years, two of which he spent in New
Madrid. Mo. , and one year at his old home, where
he worked for Mr. Langford, who was carrying on
the same business. During his stay here six years
were spent in the mill business, the second steam-
mill in the county, and he afterward followed
farming until about 1888, when he opened up his
old business in Boydsville. He has built a shop
for general repair work, and is having a fair
trade. He was married in 1869 to Miss Martha
A. Arnold, daughter of Andrew Arnold, of Clay
County (but which at that time was Greene Coun-
ty), and nine children have been the result of this
union, eight now living. They are named as fol-
lows: Lenora J., wife of J. A. Burton, of Tennes-
see, and the mother of one child; J. H., at home
attending the farm; L. E., at home; William E.,
J. B., Florence A.. Matthew A. and Alvin Shelly,
who is named after his grandfather. Mr. and
Mrs. Downs are members of the Methodist Episco-
pal Church, South, and he is a Democrat in jwlitics.
Joseph Dudgeon. There is nothing which
adds so much to the prestige of a city in the estim-
ation of a stranger as first-class hotel accommoda-
tions, and the Dudgeon House, of which our sub-
ject is proprietor, has an excellent reputation both
at home and abroad, although it has been in
operation only a short time (since February,
1888). His hotel, so recently completed, consists
of twenty-three commodious rooms, with a large
bath-room, all of which are well furnished, and
supplied with modern conveniences, and he is
ever coiu'teous and aceommodatintr to his sruests.
He was born in the "Emerald Isle," County Mon-
ahan, in March, 1833, and is a son of John and
Margaret (Mills) Dudgeon, who were of Scotch
descent, but were born in Ireland, in which coun-
try the father died. In 1844 Joseph, with his
mother, went from Belfast to Liverpool, and in the
latter city took passage for America on the sailing
vessel "Patrick Henry," and after an ocean voy-
age of six weeks landed at New York (Jity. Shortly
after they went to Sullivan County, N. Y. . where
Joseph received his education, and was reared to
manhood. He started out to battle his own way in
the world at the early age of thirteen years, and
from earliest boyhood his career has been charac-
terized by hard work, for he was l)rought up as
a farmer, and received such education as could l)e
acquired in the common schools previous to his
sixteenth year. About this time lie and his mother
went to New Orleans, and there he worked as a
clerk in a store for about two years, and from that
time up to ISO") lived lioth in Jri8sissii)pi ami
Texas. He next located in Saginaw, Mich., where
214
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
he resided three years, then returning to New York
State, and the same year located at An Sable, Ulich. ,
being an employe for eleven years of the Loud,
Priest & Gay Lumber Company, acting as their
foreman; he was held in tlie highest esteem, and
commanded the full confidence of his employers.
He became a noted lumberman of that region, and
was engaged in the business for himself for some
time, continuing successfully until 1882, when he
went to Chicago, and was employed in paving the
streets for a number of months. In 1883 he moved
to Randolph County, Mo., but after a short time
sold all his effects, and returned to Michigan. In
the spring of 1885 he came to Clay County, Ark.,
and was engaged in tilling a farm near Corning,
which he had purchased, until February, 1888,
when he moved to the town, and embarked in his
present enterprise. In 1860 he was married to Miss
Amanda Tiffany, a native of Pennsylvania, and a
daughter of Edwin and Joannah (Parks) Tiffany,
the former a native of Connecticut, and the latter of
New York State. Mr. Tiffany is a second cousin of
George Tiffany, the noted New York City jeweler.
Mr. and Mrs. Dudgeon became the parents of
seven children, of whom live are living: Arthur F.,
residing in Michigan; Ella, wife of R. G. Gillard.
of Ashland, Wis. ; John A., Bertha M., wife of J.
M. Hawks, of Cotton Plant, Ark., and Pearl A.
Mr. Dudgeon is a member of the I. O. O. F. , and
in his political views is a Republican. His mother
was born in Ireland May 5, 1781. and died at the
age of 104 years.
Edward B. Earle, druggist at Rector postoffice,
was born in Obion County, Tenn. , February 28,
1858, but was reared at Arlington, Ky. He re-
mained on the farm until nineteen years of age,
receiving a common school education, and worked
in a drug store for some time. October 25, 1886,
he made his advent in the State of Arkansas with
$2.85 in cash and worked at the carpenter's trade
until February 27. 1887, when he began working
for Mr. Outlaw, with whom he continued for 889
days without losing any time. Afterward he was
occupied at odd jobs. He then bought out the
drug store which he now owns and later purchased
other property. He is now the most successful
druggist in Rector, carrying a stock of drugs
valued at $1,000, and is also a much esteemed
citizen. September 15, 1887, he married Miss
Clemmie Trantbam, a native of Clay County, Ark.
Both he and wife are members of the Cumberland
Presbyterian Church. He is a member of the
Masonic fraternity, and is a Democrat in politics,
but not a radical one. Mr. Earle' s parents, J. H.
and Elvira (Ghalson) Earle, were natives of Ken-
tucky. The father was reared near Barlow, a
short distance from Cairo, and was quite an exten-
sive stock man. He was a soldier in the late war
and is now living in Illinois, aged sixty-six years.
Mrs. Earle remained in her native State until
grown, and was married there. To this union
were born eight children: Sallie. John. Lee,
Charles, Arthur, Edward B. , Mollie and Leana.
Dr. Charles Earle, brother of the subject of this
sketch, came to Rector in 1883, and is a graduate
of Bellevue College, New York.
Frederick Ermert is an excellent example of
the success attending hard work and faithful and
persistent endeavor, and is now one of the wealthy
planters of Clay County, Ark. , having been a resi-
dent of this region since 1856. He is a native of
Germany, born in 1847, and is the eldest of five
children born to John and Caroline Ermert, who
were also natives of that country, and came to the
State of Missouri in 1850, settling in Madison
County, where the father engaged in lead mining.
The following year he took the overland route to
California, the journey occupying five months, and
remained in that State for three years. He then
returned to Madison County, Mo., but shortly
after moved to Randolph County, and in 1856 he
settled in what is now Clay County, where he
followed the occupation of agriculture until his
death in 1864, Iteing still survived by his ex
cellent wife. Frederick Ermert received good
training in growing up, became familiar with the
details of farm life, and entered actively upon life's
duties as a farmer after the close of the war, pur
chasing a piece of raw land, which has since, by
honest and continued eft'ort on his part, become one
of the valuable places of the county. This pro-
perty he sold in 1885, and since March, 1889, has
CLAY COUNTY.
215
resided on bis present farm of 120 acres, sixty of
which are under cultivation, thirty being devoted
to the culture of cotton. He has always supported
the Republican ticket, considering its views as
sound and well suited to any man. He has been
married thrice, his first union taking place in Clay
County, in 1867, to Miss Mary Ann Whitehead,
a native of that county, whose jjarents were early
settlers of the locality. He lost his wife in 1875.
she having borne him one child: Amanda, now the
wife of William M. Williams, residing in Texas.
His second marriage took place in Clay County, in
1878, to Mildi'ed Rhodes, of Mississippi, who died
in 1879, also leaving one child, William, who is
residing with his father. His present wife was a
Miss Sarah Elizabeth Calhoun, of Tennessee, her
parents, Dunklin and Penelope Calhoun, being
deceased. To the last union the following chil-
dren were born: James, Lewis and Fred. Many
are the changes which have occurred since Mr. Er-
mert first located here, and he has lived to witness
the growth of what was almost a wilderness to one
of the most prosperous counties of the State.
Watson Forrest, better known as "Patter'"
Forrest, is one of the oldest settlers in Clay
County at the present time. He left Gibson
County, Tenu.. in October, 1832, with his brother,
Abraham Forrest, and Elisha Fly and their wives,
all in one wagon drawn by cattle, and they soon
fell in with James Kennedy, who, with his wife
and four children, were in a wagon drawn by
horses. They all settled on Slavin's Creek, in
what is Greene County now, and there they re-
mained for three years. During this time Watson
Forrest was married to Miss Sarah Crafton, of Gib-
son County, Tenn. , and the daughter of John B.
Crafton, of Tennessee. Mr. Forrest had returned
to Tennessee to assist his father, Mark Forrest, to
move to the farm picked out for him by his son,
on Slavin's Creek, and here married Miss Crafton,
and with her and his father he returned to Greene
County al)out D<>cember 10. 1838. In 1835 he
and wife moved to what is known as Clay County
at the present day, settling about one mile from
where he now lives, and there remained some five
years. He then moved to Barry County, Mo.,
continued there but thi-ee months and then returned
and bouglit a log cabin, where his present resi-
dence is standing. He paid $250 for the log
cabin and the improvements, and $2.50 per acre
for forty acres of land. To this he has since
added 220 acres. The old log house be uses for a
stable. When Mr. Forrest first came to this State
there was no market for anything; neither was
there any law, nor officers neither sejuire, sheriff
nor constable, and Mr. Forrest assisted in electing
the first sheriff, Charley Robinson. A man by the
name of Tucker was the first representative of
Greene County, and there were only forty votes
cast in the whole county. Stock had to be driven
on foot to Memphis. Teiin., 125 miles away, but as
there was but very little stock in the county, these
trips were seldom made until about 1845. Pre-
vious to that time the only way of obtaining
money was by selling the pelts of animals, deer,
elk, bear, wildcat, panther, raccoon, mink and
otter being plentiful at that time. Deer skins
were the most sought after, and at Cape Girardeau
were worth from about $1.00 to 12.00 each; coon
skins fi-om twenty-five to fifty cents each; elks,
from $1.50 to $2.00 each; bear, from $1.00 to
$3.00; wildcat, about twenty-five cents; panther.
fix)m$1.00to $1.50; mink, fi'om $1.50 to S3. 00,
and otter, from $4.00 to $6.00. Buffalo, in
rather limited numbers, were in the State also.
With the exception of the buffalo and elk. all the
above mentioned animals are still represented in
the woods, coon and deer being very plentiful.
The next nearest trading-point was Pocahontas, on
the Black River, which offered a market for the
first time about 1835. This was twentj' miles dis-
tant from where Mr. Forrest lived. The first rail-
road market to which Mr. Forrest went was Dexter,
on the Iron Mountain road, in Missouri, and about
forty miles from his residence. The first church
built in what is now Clay County was at Salem,
in about 1842, and was of the Baptist denomina-
tion. It was constructed by two men. M'illiam
Nutt and Mr. Winingham, the latter preaching
the first sermon. He was also the first Baptist
pnvicher. The first preacher of any kind that Mr.
Forrest heard was Rev. Fountain Brown, a Meth-
210
HISTOKY OF AKKANSAS.
odist. circuit rider. The first school house in the
county was l)uilt within a mile of where Mr. For
rest now lives, and a man by the name of Cyrus
Owens taught the first session as near as can be
remembered. Mr. Forrest has in his possession a
stone which he took fi-om the maw of a spotted
deer killed by him thirty years ago, and which
he believes to be a veritable mad stone. It is
about the size and shape of a chicken's heart, of a
dull, yellowish or brown color, and resembles a
well worn molar. On one side is a decayed place
which appears to be porous in its nature, while the
stone has a smooth, polished appearance. Three
people bitten by mad dogs have been cured by
this stone. In each case, animals had been bitten
b_y the same dog, and in every case went mad. It
will also cure rattlesnake bites. In case of the lat-
ter, or that of a mad dog, the stone adheres to the
wound until saturated with the poison, when it
falls, and by placing the stone in warm water or
milk it will cleanse itself. When there is no poi-
son in the wound the stone will not take hold.
John C. Frew. Prominent among the successful
farmers and stock-raisers of Haywood Township
stands the name of the above-mentioned gentleman,
who was born in Wealdey County, Tenn., June 15,
1843, and is the son of A. and Sarah (Hattler)
Frew, the former a native of North Carolina and
his wife of Tennessee. A. Frew went to Tennes-
see when a young man, was married there and
afterwards engaged in farming, which he con-
tinued all his life. He died in November, 1885,
and his wife died in June of the same year. Their
family consisted of three sons and three daughters,
all of whom grew to mature years. One sister
has since died, but the others are all residents of
Arkansas. John C, the eldest of this family, re-
mained with his parents until after his marriage,
which occurred in Obion County, November 11,
1866, to Miss Eda Tennessee Rucker. a native of
Middle Tennessee, and the daughter of Samuel W.
Eucker. After marriage Mr. Frew raised one crop
on the old home place, and then moved to Obion
County, where he farmed for five years. He moved
to Arkansas in the fall of 1872, and located in what
is now Clay County, and on the place where he
at present resides. The place at that time had a
few acres cleared and on it was a log cabin. Since
then Mr. Frew has cleared the farm, erected build-
ings and has greatly improved it. He owns 120
acres, sixty fenced and under cultivation, and has
a fine young apple and peach orchard. To his
marriage were born two children: Laura Victoria,
wife of J. I. Williams, and Geneva, a miss of ten
years. Mr. Frew is a member of the Agricultural
Wheel and served as president of the same one
term.
Pierce Galvin. The life of this well known
farmer and stockman affords an example that
might well be imitated by the young men of to-
day, for at the early age of fourteen years he left
the home place, without means, to battle his own
way in the world, and his endeavors have been re-
sultf ul of good, and he is now a well-to-do farmer
of Clay County. He possesses an excellent plac(>
of 240 acres, 100 being under cultivation, and con-
duets his farm in an intelligent manner and has it
well stocked. He was born in Ireland, December
24, 1834, and on coming to the United States, in
1845, landed at New York City, but moved on im-
mediately to Philadelphia, where he had a sister
living, and there he made his home until grown.
He then traveled for some time and was engaged in
railroading in Ohio for seven or eight months, later
going to Pittslmrgh, Penn., and in 1852 he com-
menced braking on a train on the Missouri*Pacifie
Railroad, remaining with this company until 1S73.
The following year he came to Arkansas and again
became an employe of the above named road, and
continued the occupation of railroading until 1884,
since which time he has resided on his present
farm. He was first married to Miss Mary Malony,
who was born in Ireland, but was brought to the
United States when a child, being reared in the
State of Missouri. She died in Augu.st, 1879,
having borne a family of five children: Mary. Mag-
gie, Katie, James and Statia. who died at the age
of two years. The living children are residing
with their father and he is doing all in his power
to give then good educational advantages. He
was nexi married to a sister of his first wife, Kate
Malony, by whom he became the father of two
CLAY COUNTY.
217
:V£
children: Frank, who died at the age of live years,
and Agnes. Mr. and Mrs. Galvin are members
of the Catholic Church, but he contriVmtes liberally
(o all enterprises he deems worthy of support.
During the war he served in the Twenty-third
Missouri Volunteers anil did railroad work under
Col. Crowley. He is now a Democrat in politics.
John T. Gilchrist, merchant at Knobel, Ark.,
was born in 18(il in St. Charles County, Mo., being
the eldest of nine children born to Kichard and
Fannie (Coleman) Gilchrist, who were born in
Ohio and Illinois, respectively. The former was
a hotel keeper, and in 1860 removed to East St.
Louis, III., there following that occupation until
1S76, when he moved to Knobel and engaged in
the stock raising and saw mill business for a few
years; then he retired from the saw mill business
and settled on his farm, where he died in 1888.
He had about 1(50 acres of farming land, with some
eighty acres under cultivation, and had 420 acres
in a stock ranch. His wife died in 1882. John
T. Gilchrist attended the schools of St. Louis
until seventeen years of age, then began clerking
for the Consolidated Steamboat Company, continu-
ing one year, and in 1879 came to Knobel, Ark.,
and secured the agency at this place of the Iron
Mountain Railroad Company, and had charge of
the office for live years. In 1884 he erected a tine
building and started a saloon and billiard hall, and
in 1887 built a large store-house and engaged in
general merchandising, his stock of goods being
valued at $6,000, and he has a large and rapidly
increasing trade. He is a member of the K. of P.,
the K. of H., and the K. and li. of H. He is
particularly active in politics, and votes with the
Democratic party. His brother, Richard F., is
associated with him in business. The latter came
to Knobel with his father in 1876, and worked on
the farm until 1886, when he formed his present
partnership.
A. W. Gills, one of the most thorough going,
wide-awake business men of this section of the
county, and a genial, pleasant gentleman, is a
native of Fulton County, Ky., and came with his
parents, who were natives of Virginia, to what is
now Clay County, Ark., at the age of nineteen
years. They settled near his present residence,
where the mother died in 1870, and the father tw..
years later. Later A. W. Gills [mrchased this
farm. In addition to his agricultural interests he
also erected a cotton-gin, and about the 1st of Octo
ber, 1886, commenced ginning cotton, with acajjac
ity of nine bales per day. In September of the
same year he started a stave factory and corn mill,
all of which he now runs with steam under the
same roof, the stave business being the principal
industry, the factory having a capacity of 8,000
staves per day. He regularly employs fi-om thirty
to thirty- five men and ten teams. This has been
the means of building at least half a dozen houses
in his neighborhood. He still carries on his farm
of 180 acres, which he has well supplied with good
stock. Mr. Gills was married in 1882 to Miss
Claude Gwin, whom he met in Missouri, and whose
parents are now living there. He is a member
of the Masonic fraternity, being attached to the
Eastern Star Lodge, and is also a member of
Chalk Bluff Lodge No. 72, I. O. O. F., and of
the K of H. In politics he votes with the
Democratic party.
Marion C. Glasgow, a prominent agricultur-
ist and stock raiser of Oak Bluff Township, was
born in Weakley County, Tenn., Augu.st 25, 1842,
and is the son of Elijah Glasgow, a native of
North Carolina, where he was reared and where he
married Miss Jane Jones, a native of Tennessee.
He and family moved from Tennessee to Arkansas,
in October, 1854, locating in Clay County, and
here Mr. Glasgow followed farming until his death
which occurred in 1875. Mrs. Glasgow died sev-
eral years previous. In their family were six sons
and three daughters who grew to mature years,
but one brother and one sister are deceased. Mar-
ion C. Glasgow came to this State and county with
his parents, and here he attained his growth. In
March, 1862, he enlisted in the Confederate army,
and served about eight months, when he was
wounded and returned home. In 1864 he re-en-
tered the service, remaining until the close of the
war. He participated in the following battles: Pilot
Knob, Independence, Sedalia. ainl many minor en-
gagements. He was paroled at W ittsburg. Ark. , and
^
I
218
HISTOEY OF ARKANSAS.
then came home and engaged in faiminor. He was
married in Clay County, Ark. , in September, 1863,
to Mrs. F. S. Stephens, daughter of James
Nettles, one of the pioneer settlers. Mrs. Glas-
gow was born in Tennessee. Mr. Glasgow located
on his present property in 1878, bought raw land
and has cleared and made a valuable farm of the
same. He has 1()0 acres, with over 100 acres
under cultivation, all bottom land situated one and a
half miles from Hector. He has a good house,
good out-buildings and a fine'ycmngorchard, etc.
Mr. and Mrs. Glasgow h^d a famiTy-of eleven
children, named as follows :"■ Luella, James M.,
Dora J., Levana, Thomas E., Benjamin F.,
George H. . Viora and Columbus L. Three chil-
di'en died in early youth. Mr. Glasgow lost his
wife October 2, 1884, and later he married Mrs.
Emma A. Walker, who bore him one child, Colum-
bus L. Mr. Glasgow is a Master Mason, is also a
member of the I. O. O. F. , and is Noble Grand of
his lodge. His first wife was a member of the Mis-
sionary Baptist Church.
John M. Gleghorn was born in Independence
County, Ark., near Batesville, December 10, 1843,
being a son of John and Sisley (Coleman) Gleg-
horn, who were both natives of South Carolina,
the mother being principally reared in Alabama.
John Gleghorn removed to Tennessee when a
young man and there remained until 1842, when
he emigrated with his family to Independence
County, Ark., coming on the first steamer that
sailed up the White Kiver. He entered land
in that county, on which he remained until 185il,
subsequently coming to Greene County, Ark., and
residing on a farm near Gainesville until his
death, which occurred in April, ISIJd. His widow
is yet living and resides in Marion County, in her
eightieth year. The paternal grandfather was
born in Scotland and emigrated to America at an
early day. when only twelve years old, locating
first in South Carolina, then in Middle Tennessee,
where he spent the remainder of his days. The
maternal grandfather was born and raised in
South Carolina, and later spent some time in
Alabama, dying in Limestone County of that
State. John M. Gleghorn is one of seven surviv-
ing members of a family of twelve children, their
names being as follows: Rhoda E., wife of Samuel
Pool; Stephen C, Lucretia. widow of William
Jones; Melissa, wife of J. A. Pool: John M. ,
James K., and Marietta, wife of David Gouch.
John M. Gleghorn was reared and educated in In-
dependence County, and was in his sixteenth }'ear
when he went to Greene County with his parents.
From early boyhood he has been familiar with
farm life, and when the war broke out he left the
plow to engage in that struggle, enlisting in No-
vember, 1861, in Capt. Morgan's company, in
which he served until 1863, then being discharged
on account of disability, at Readyville, Tenn. He
returned home but afterward enlisted in Mar-
maduke's brigade, and served until the war
closed, having taken an active part in the battles
of Corinth, Fort Pillow, Murfreesboro, Bragg' s
raid through Kentiicky, Harrisburg, and a num-
ber of other hard fights. He was wounded by a
pistol shot while with Price at Big Blue. He
surrendered at Shreveport, La., June 8, 1865,
and returned to Greene County, Ark., and was
engaged in farming there until February, 1871,
when he came to Clay County, Ark. , and locate<l
near Knobel, where he farmed on rented land until
January, 1881, then purchasing his present farm of
325 acres, about 140 of which are under cultivation.
He has a good two-story frame house and has
made other valuable improvements. His princi-
pal crop is corn, but he also raises some cotton,
and gives much attention to stock raising, both
buying and selling. In November, 1865, he was
married to Mary Arnold, a native of Tennessee, l)y
whom he has had ten children, five living: Mary J.,
Lindsey C. , Etta, Amanda, and James R. Those
deceased were : Luther L. , William, Walter, John
and Anna, the last two twins. Mrs, Gleghorn
died in November, 1887, having been a worthy
member of the Methodist Episcopal Church for a
number of years. Mr. Gleghorn is a Democrat,
but has never been an office seeker. He has done
a great deal to Ijuild up his section of the countrj'
and has been the cause of manj' worthy men locat-
ing here, having furnished them with land, and
grain with which to make a start.
si
i
Lawrence CourHir, Arkansas
:i£:
CLAY COUNTY.
21U
I. N. Goldsby, who is classed amoug the lead-
ing and industrious farmers of the county, was
born in Kentucky and is the son of Mentor Golds-
by, and the grandson of Edward Goldsby, who
took part in the War of 1812. Mentor Goldsby
died in Kentucky in 1858, and in 1861 I. N.
Goldsby and his mother came to Clay County,
Ark., and settled on a farm near his present place
of residence. He is the owner of 180 acres of
land, seventy-iive of which are improved, and on
which he has three houses. He was married in
18r35 to Miss Minerva C. Liddell, daughter of
William and sister of Robert Liddell, of Clay
County. Previous to this he served three years
in the Confederate army, taking part in the battles
of Prairie Grove, Rector and Pilot Knob, and was
all through Price's raid in Missouri. He was
paroled at Vicksburg in May, 1865, after which he
returned home, married, and settled down to farm-
ing, which occupation he has followed ever since.
Mr. and Mrs. Goldsby were the parents of fourteen
children, seven of whom died in infancy. Those
living are: William M. (Charley), who is now deputy
county clerk under Mr. Spence, at Boydsville, and
is a young man of ability and promise; Jennie, at
home; Lora, Ettie, Robert, Florence and Lem-
mer (a daughter). Mr. Goldsby is a member of
the Masonic fraternit}', and has ever been a liberal
contributor to all laudable public enterprises.
G. G. Green, a farmer residing near Vidette,
Ark., was born on the ISJth of November, 1831, in
Montgomery County, N. C, his parents being
James and Elizabeth (Wyatt) Green, who were
also born in that State, and removed to Kentucky
in 1832, locating in what was then Galloway
County, where they made their home until their
respective deaths. The father was a blacksmith
and farmer, and he and wife were the parents of
eleven children, four now living: George G.,
^larcus M. , Frank and Henry. George G. Greene
was an infant when brought to Kentucky, and he re-
mained in that State until 1857, then emigrating
to Butler County, Mo., where he made his home
one year; coming thence to what is now Clay Coun-
ty, Ark., he located on the farm of 120 acres on
which he is now residing. He has about 100 acres
under fence ami eighty-tive acres under cultivation,
which he devotes principally to raising corn and
cotton, but the soil is well adapted to all cereals.
He rais(>s considerable stock during the year, and
is a prosperous farmer, and has shown his enter-
prise and industry by putting his farm, which was
heavily covered with timber when he settled, in
its present admirable condition. In 1850 he was
imited in marriage to Miss Melvina Hyatt, a native
of Kentucky, by whom he had three children, only
one of whom is living at the present time: Delia,
wife of Albert Rhodenback. His second marriage
took place in 1863, to Miss Sarah J. Gilbert, by
whom he has the following family: William,
Robert, Elizabeth, Vernon E., Ida M. and Rosa L.
Mr. and Mrs. Green have long been members of
the Methodist Church.
John J. (iriffin was born in Greene County, N.
C, June 1, 1826, being a sou of William and Sa-
rah Griffin, who were members of the Old-School
Baptist Church and were born in North Carolina,
the former's birth occurring in 1784 and his death
in 1859. Of their seventeen children, John J.
Griffin is the only one now living. He became the
architect of his own fortune at the age of twenty-
one years, and for a number of years was engaged
in farming and rafting. On the 25th of July,
1846, he was married to Miss Theresa L. Hicks, a
daughter of Thomas S. and Jane Hicks, who were
Tennesseeans, the former being engaged in tilling
the soil. To this union eleven children were born,
only four of whom are living at the present time:
Sarah E. (Winningham), James M. (farmer, of
Clay County, Ark.), John J. (a farmer of Dunk-
lin County, Mo.), and T. J., also a farmer of
Dunklin County. Mr. Griffin took for his sec-
ond wife Miss Sarah E. Spikes, their maiTiage
taking place on the 22d of June, 1875. Four
of the seven children born to their marriage are
living: Sanford and Adaline (twins), born Sep-
tember 22, 1875; Lee, born February 27, 1880.
and Rosa, born September 12, 1887. Mr. Grif-
fin owns a good farm of eighty acres, sixty un-
der cultivation, and devotes his land [irincipally
to raising corn and cotton. His pro|>erty was at
first heavily covered with timber, but he has made
220
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
valiiHbli' iinprovoiupnts, and has now a >i;oo(l and
comfortable Lome. He and wife are members of
the Missionary Ba]>tist Church, and he is a Demo-
crat, and a member of tlio Aii;ricnltnial Wliei^l.
For about, lifteen j'ears after tirst coming west he
spent the fall and winter months in hunting and
trappinj^, and has killed at least tifty bear and
hundreds of deer, and in some of his hunting ex-
peditions met with many thrilling adventures and
narrow escapes from death. He was also engaged
in rafting on Black River. His parents moved
from North Carolina to Tennessee in 1820, and
two years later located in Posey County, Ind. ,
and in 1840 in Randolph County, Ark.
\y. T. Griffith, lumberman and ])ostmaster at
Thurmau, Ark., was l)oru on Kentucky soil (Mont-
gomery County) June 11, 1885, his parents being
JetTer.son and Lydia (Brothers) Griffith, who came
from the " Old Uoniinion " at an early day with
their jjarents; David Griffith, the grandfather, be-
ing one of the tirst settlers of Montgomery County,
Ky. He located near Mt. Sterling, the county
seat, and became a very wealthy farmer, but died
in Fleming County, of that State. Jefferson Grif-
fith died in Kentucky in 1882, at the age of seven
ty years, having been a mechanic by trade, and a
prominent man, serving as sheriff of Nicholas
County for some time. His wife also died in Ken-
tucky. Five of their seven children are now liv-
ing: Samuel, John, Sarah J., William T. and
Maitha. A\'illiam T. Griffith, our 8ubj((ct, was
reared in Kentucky until fifteen years of age, and
there received the greater part of his education.
In 1853 he went to Union County, 111., and located
on a farm near Jouesborough, the country at that
time being in a very wild and unsettled condition,
and here made his home until 1877, when he came
to Clay County, Ark., and began logging in H. H.
Williams' large mills, remaining thus employed
for five years, then locating on his ])rosent excellent
farm in Kilgore Township. The ino.st of his at-
tention, however, is given to lumbering and cotton-
ginning. He owns a sawmill and employs several
hands to operate it. In July, 1888, the post-office
at Thurman was established and he became the
first jrostmaster, and is now holding that position.
He has held the office of justice of th(> peace for
two years, and is a member of the Masonic frater-
nity and the Agricultural Wheel. In 1855 he
wedd(Hl Miss Barbara I. Lipe, a native of Illinois,
and by her became the father of twelve childi-en,
six now living: AV alter, Emma A., Elsie J., Anna,
John and Lillie. His wifi> dicnl in October, 1880,
and in 1881 he married Louisa Carter, who was
born in Adams County, Ind., and by her had one
child, Rosa P. He and wife are members of the
Missionary Baptist Church, of which he is also
clerk.
Roliert L. Hancock, agent for the "Cotton Belt"
Railroad and the Soiithern Exjiress Company, is a
native of Prentiss County, Miss., where he was
born on the 15th of March, 1852, being the son of
Benjamin Hancock, who was born in Tennessee
and reared in Virginia. When a young man he
went to Tennessee, where he met and married
Matilda Rowsy of that State, and afterward moved
to Mississi})pi, residing on a plantation in Pren-
tiss County until his death in 1854, followed by
his wife in 18(57. After coming to years of ma-
turity, Robert L. Hancock attended school in
Boonville, Miss., receiving a good education, and
then clerked for four years. In 1874 he went to
Tennessee, and was married there on the 4th of
April, 1884, to Miss Delilah Matbeny, who was
born, reared and educated in Hardin County of
that State, being a daughter of James and Eliza
Matbeny. After their marriage they located in
Williamsville, Wayne County, Mo., and for two
years he was engaged in teaching school, and the
next two years oecupi(>d in farming and teach-
ing in Hardin County, Tenn. In 187U he came to
Clay County, Ark. . locating on a farm near Green -
way, and devoted himself to tilling the soil and
pedagoguing up to 1884, when he moved to (ireen-
way and was appointed telegraph operator, depot
and express agent, which ])osition he is now fill-
ing. He was also engaged in mercantile business
for one year, and has served as a member of the
town board. He is an active worker for the cause
of temperance, and organized the Hancock Tem-
perance Club at Greenway, of which he is presi-
dent. Mr. Hancock commenced life in Clav
»r^
CLAY COUNTY.
221
Couuty with litUc or no cupital, Imt. is now ono of
the substcantial men of the community, and is the
owner of considorable town i)ro])orty and a good
farm near Greeuway.
J. W. Harb, a mercliant of Corning, Ark.,
was born in Wiilshire, Van Wert Connty, Ohio,
on the 27th of July, 1851), and is the son of W.
B. and Caroline (Harper) Harb, who were born in
Franklin and Richland Count i(>s,(^liio, resi)eetivi>ly.
In 187;i they removed to Blackford County, Ind. ,
locatincr in Hartford City, where Mr. Harb en-
gaged in merchandising and manufacturing head-
ings and staves. In 1S7(') he removeil his family
to Corning, Ark., whore he continued his manufac-
turing business until 1878, in the meantime con
ducting a drug store, which in 1885 he enlarged,
adding general merchandise, and thus being oc-
cupied until his death. In 1887 he went back to
Ohio to take a rest and regain his health, and
died in West Milton, Ohio, September 11, 1887.
His nmiains were brought to Corning and buried.
He was one of the founders of the town, and being
a physician by profession, practiced considerably
in tlie county. Altliough not a graduate of any
college, he was one of the most intelligent pupils
in the Medical College of Columbus, Ohio. His
wife died December 24, 188(). J. W. Karl),
whose name heads this sketch, resided in Ohio and
Indiana until sixteen years of age, and since 1876
has lived in Arkansas, l)eing first engaged in the
drug business with his brother (who is now de-
ceased) at Walnut Ridge, Ark., continuing until
1884. At the death of his father he and his
brother, O. C. Harb, liegan managing the business
at Corning, but since January 12, 1889, J. W.Harb
has had entire control of the establishment.
John H. Hardin ileserves to be classed among
the prosperous farmers and stockmen of Clay
(-'ounty, Ark. He was born in McNairy ('ouuty,
T(>nn., January 2fi, IS^S, and is a son of B. J.
Hardin and Nancy Bennet, who were also born in
tliat State. After their marriage they st^ttled in
McNuiry County, whore the father was engaged in
husbandry until the opening of the late Civil War,
when he joined the Fed"ral army and served four
years, coutractiag in his service chronic diarrhceu.
which afterward caused his death, in Octolier, 1881.
His wife died here in September, 1884. In the
summer of 1805 ho mo.ved to Clay County, Ark.,
and engaged in farming. John H. Hardin re
mained with his father until he attained mature
years, and was married here, December 25, 187:5,
to Miss Sarah I. Mayes, who was born in Tennes
see August 25, 1854, though reared in Clay Coun
ty, Ark. After their marriage they rented land
one year, when Mr. Hardin purchased a tract,
which he began clearing and improving. He has
opened up about eighty acres, and has 100 acre.s
under cultivation, besides twenty acres of timber
land. He has a comfortable frame residence, two
fair barns, and an apple and peach orchard con
sisting of three acres. Ho is a member of the
Agricultural Wheel, and he and wife are members
of the Methodist Episcopal Church. They are the
parents of live children: Lucy Ann, l)orn Septem-
ber 9, 1876; Dury J., born November 4, 1878;
Owen D. , born Aiignst 4, 1881, and died Febru-
ary 4, 1888; Henry L., born April 18, 1884, and
an infant, born and died December 12, 1887.
Robert A. Hawthorne, farmer, and postmaster
at Don, Clay County, Ark., was born on the 12th
of August, 1849, in Benton County, Tenn., his
parents, llol)ert H. and Elizal)eth (Baker) Haw-
thorne, being born in Ohio and Virginia, respect-
ively. The paternal grandfather was born in Ire-
land, locating in Ohio after coming to America, and
afterward moved to Illinois, where he died. The
maternal grandfather was born in Virginia, and
removed from there to Tennessee, in which State
he died, being engaged in farming. Roljert A.
Hawthorne was reared and educated in Ohio, and
removed with his father to Illinois, wiiere he made
his home until about twenty two years of age, when
he went to Tennessee and began the study of law,
being admitted to the bar shortly after. He prac-
ticed his profession for a number of years, and
was also engaged in farming. At the age of about
fifty years he gave up his law practice, and turned
his attention to obtaining pensions for claimants.
In the summer of 1861 be enlisted in Forrest's
cavalry, and was sliortly after transferred to the
infantry and was sent .south, participatiiii.' in many
]
battles, and holding the rank of provost mar-
shal. He was never wounded nor taken prisoner.
He died January 1, 1866, his death being deeply
regretted by his many friends and acquaintances.
His widow is still living, being in her seventy-
ninth year, and resides with her children: Robert
A. and John C. The former obtained his educa-
tion and rearing in Tennessee, remaining on a
farm in that State until twenty-one years old, when
he came to Clay County, Ark., and located at Corn-
ing, where he was engaged in the sale of liquors
for six years. He then turned his attention to
farming, and in 1882 bought the farm of 262 acres
where he now lives; 110 acres are under cultivation
and fairly improved. He raises corn and cotton,
principally, and some clover. The land is well
adapted for raising all the cereals, and makes an
excellent stock farm, which industry receives much
of his attention. October 12, 1888, the postoffice
was established at his house, and he was made
postmaster, the office taking the name of Don. In
1871 he was married to Miss Alice Polk, by whom
he has two children: Ethel and Mary E. (who is
deceased). Mrs. Hawthorne is a member of the
Methodist Episcopal Church, and he is a member
of the Masonic fraternity.
Hon. G. B. Holifield, who stands at the head
of the legal profession in the Eastern district of
Clay County, is a native of Graves County, Ky. ,
and the son of T. M. Holifield, who came to Clay
County, Ark., with his wife and four children, No-
vember 15, 1855, and settled two miles northeast
of Boydsville. Here G. B. Holifield was reared
and here he received the meager schooling afforded
by the then few subscription schools of the county.
Later he finished his education by attending six
months at Gainesville, Ark., and later, after study
ing law for some time, was admitted to the bar in
August, 1881, in the Western district of Clay
County. He has ))een in constant practice since.
In 1878 he was elected to the legislature, but pre-
vious to this he had filled the position of justice of
the peace for three terms. He has always been
quite active in politics, though as there is nomi-
nally only the one party, he has made but few
speeches. His first marriage was to Miss Mary
Cummings in 1871, and the fruits of this union
were two children who survive their mother, she
dying February 4, 1878. They are named as fol-
lows: William Stanford and Martha J. For his
second wife Mr. Holifield chose Miss Verdilla P.
Perrian, of Clay County, and three children, Etta
Lee, Maiy Susan and Otis Oscar, are the result of
this union. Mr. Holifield is one of the prominent
legal lights of the county, and is thoroughly apace
with the times in every respect. He and wife are
members of the Methodist Protestant Church.
James R. Hollis is a Tennesseean, born in
Wayne County, January 16, 1837, and is a son of
W. B. and Susan (Meredith) Hollis, both of whom
were born in Wayne County, Tenn. In 1839 they
moved to Ai-kansas and settled in what was then
Greene County (now Clay), where they made a
farm and resided until their respective deaths, the
former's demise occurring in 1873. James R.
Hollis remained with his father until he attained
his majority and in June, 1861, enlisted in the Con-
federate service. Fifth Arkansas Infantry, and
served until the final surrender, participating in
some of the most important engagements of the
war, among which were Murfreesboro, Shiloh,
siege and surrender of Atlanta, Jonesboro, where
he was taken prisoner, but was exchanged soon af-
ter, Nashville, where he was also taken prisoner,
and Franklin, where he was captured and held un-
til June 21, 1865. After being paroled he re-
turned home and engaged in farming. He was
married in what is now Clay County, August 19,
1858, to Elizabeth Payne, a daughter of Boswell B.
Payne, whose sketch appears in this work. Mrs.
Hollis was born in Adair County, Tenn. , and was
reared in Arkansas. Soon after his marriage he
located on his present farm, consisting of some 220
acres, about 120 acres of which are fenced and
mostly under cultivation, well improved with good
residence and barns. Mr. and Mrs. Hollis are the
parents of the following family: William Thomas,
JaneB. , wife of G. W. Pickens, Joseph E. , Ada
E. , Mary Alice, Albert Harvey and John Royal.
Three infants are deceased. Susan was the wife
of Francis Davis, and died about 1878. Mr. and
Mrs. Hollis are members of the Baptist Church,
^^=^
CLAY COUNTY.
223
aod ho is a Mason aud a member of the Agriciiltu
ral Wheel.
G. H. Hovey, cue of the successful and enter-
prising "sons of the soil," residing near Pitman,
Ark. , was born in the State of New York, September
15, 1851, being a son of A. G. Hovey. who was also
born in that State February 4, 1814. The latter
was a well-known resident of his county, and while
residing there held a number of offices, such as
justice of the peace and postmaster. He removed
to Newton County, Mo., in 1877, and in 1884
located in Howell County, where he is still residing,
being a carpenter by trade. He was married iu
1841 to Miss Maria Brewer, a native of New York
State, and by her became the father of three chil-
dren, two of whom are living: F. A., a farmer re-
siding in Howell County, the owner of 160 acres
of land, and George H. , our subject, who is also
a farmer and owns 200 acres of land, 135 being
under cultivation, of which 105 have been cleared
by him in the last three years. He removed to
this farm from Howell County, Mo., in 1885, and
here has since made his home, and has one of the
finest young orchards in the country. He gives
considerable attention to stock raising and has
some excellent Durham cattle and Poland China
hogs. In his youth he acquired a superior edu-
cation, and in addition to attending the common
schools was a student in the Tenbroeck Free
Academy in Cattaraugus County for three years.
He was then engaged in teaching for twelve terms,
one term in Pennsylvania, two in New York, and
nine terms in the public and private schools of
Missouri. He removed from New York to Penn-
sylvania in August, 1874, thence to Newton County,
Mo., in 1876; in the spring of 1883 to Howell
County, Mo., and from there to Clay County, Ark.
On the 31st of December. 1871, he was married
in his native State to Miss Sarah Burns, of New
York, a daughter of -John and Jiilia (Collins)
Burns, who were farmei's of that State. Tliey
have one daughter, born May S, INS I. Mrs.
Hovey is a member of the Christian Church, and
he is an earnest worker for education, (>shibiting
that intelligence and enterprise necessary for the
successful development of the community.
A. Hudgeus was born in Robertson County,
Tenn. , in 1 834, and is the .son of John and Nancy
(Durham) Hudgens, and the grandson of James
Hudgens, a native of Virginia. John Hudgens
was also a native Virginian, but later moved to
Tennessee, where he married Miss Durham. He had
limited opportunities for an education, but made
up for this to some extent by studying at home.
Besides his work on the farm he conducted a store
in Marion, 111., and at one time was in quite
comfortable circumstances, but was obliging enough
to place his name on a friend' sl)ond, iu consecjuence
of which he was compelled to pay a large sum of
money. Thus he was badly harassed for some
time. A. Hudgens attained his growth in Tennes-
see, learning the carpenter's trade, and went with
his father to Illinois in 1852. He was married in
that State to Miss Harriot IMcIntosh, a native of
\\'illiam8on County, 111., aud the daughter of
Benjamin and Elizabeth (Mason) Mcintosh, who
came from Robertson County, Tenn. After living
iu Illinois until 1882 Mr. and Mrs. Hudgens moved
to St. Francis, there being but one dwelling there
at that time, and ])ut uj) the third house in the
village. Here they now live and have a very nice
residence. He has followed his trade and has
built more than half the houses since he came.
He has followed contracting and building, and is
now holding the office of justice of the peace in
the county. To his marriage were horn seven
children, all in Illinois. They are named as fol-
lows: Emma, received her education in the high
school at Marion, 111., and after teaching in that*
State for some time is now teaching in .Arkansas;
Sula, at present finishing her education at Carbon-
dale, and is studying stenography, having taken
one course in St. Louis; Minnie, is attending
school at the State University at Fayetteville, Ark. ,
and will graduate in the class of 1S89; Oscar, is
also attending the same school and will graduate in
1889; Frank is at home; Gertrude is also at home,
and Bessie, an infant. Mr. Hudgens is a ii;,eml)er.
of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, located
at St. Francis, as is also his wife, and he affiliates
with the Democratic party in his jiolitical views.
Dr. Samuel W. Huston, physician and surgi-on
'224-
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
of Piggott, Clay County, Ai-k. , was born in Ripley
County, Mo., February 15, 1847, being a son of
Dr. William A. Huston, a Missourian, who was
reared and studied his profession at Troy. He
was married in Randolph County, Ark. , to Miss
Vernetta Pittman, a daughter of Dr. Pitiman, of
Pittnian's Ferry, one of the pioneer physicians of
Arkansas. After his marriage Dr. Huston settled
in Ripley Countj% where he practiced a few years
and afterward moved to Charleston. Mo., and died
in Perry County, of that State, in 1S50. While
in Arkansas he represented Randolph County in
the State legislature. Dr. Samuel W. Huston
grew to. manhood in Cape Girardeau Count}', Mo.,
making his home with his uncle, M. J. Himes, and
remained with him until he attained his majority.
He studied medicine under Dr. Henderson, one of
the leading physicians of eJackson, and took his
fir.st course of lectures at the McDowell Medical
College, of St. Louis, about 1868. He continued
the study of his profession in Cape Girardeau
County, and did his first practicing in Greene
County, Ark., in 1874, remaining there about
eighteen months, when he moved to his present
location, where he has built up an excellent prac-
tice. He was married in the village of Piggott,
September 23, 1877, to Miss Susan Jane Low-
rance, a native of Carroll County, but reared in
Clay County, Ark. She is a daughter of David G.
Lowrance (deceased), and she and Dr. Huston are
th(> parents of six children : Lenora M. , Myrtle C. ,
Edna S. , Sam, Oran and Carl. The Doctor and
wife are members of the Cumberland Presbyterian
Church (in which he is an elder), and are highly
respected citizens of the community in which they
reside.
N. A. Keller, another successful business man
of St. Francis, was born in Tennessee, but grew to
manhood in Union County, 111., where he went
with his father. Rev. Francis F. Keller, when but
a child. The father was a minister in the Cum-
berland Presbyterian Church and followed that
calling for many years. The mother, Elizabeth
Keller, was a member of that church for nearly
sixty years. She recently died at the age of sev-
enty-eight years. N. A. Keller attended the district
schools in Union County until twenty-one years of
age, after which he spent a year at Gravel Hill,
Mo., and then taught school for several years in
Missouri and Arkansas. After this he went with
Gregorj', Lasswell & Co., of Maiden, Mo., where
he remained for about two years engaged in the
general merchandise business, and then came to
St. Francis, and after embarking in business for
some eighteen months, accepted a position on the
road for Kelley, Goodfellow & Co., boot and shoe
dealers of St. Louis, with whom he remained for
about two years, traveling in Southern Illinois
and West Tennessee. He then returned to St.
Francis and took a position with Clemson & Calvin,
with whom he continued until July 1, 1889, when
he purchased the entire stock of that firm. He was
married January 20, 1886, to Miss Mattie Calvin,
daughter of Robert T. Calvin, of Pulaski County,
111., and the sister of Mr. Hiram Calvin of the
firm of which Mr. Keller was the trusted employe.
Two children were born to this union: Tell and
Pearl. Mr. Keller has been reasonably successful
since coming to St. Francis, and is the owner of
three houses and lots in the village. He is a mem-
ber of Evergreen Lodge No. 581, I. O. O. F.. of
Illinois, and belongs to the Triple Alliance, in
which he carries 11,000 insurance, and also $1,000
in the Globe, of Baltimore, Md. Mrs. Keller is a
member of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church.
G. W. Kelley, of Corning, Ark., is now serving
his second term as justice of the peace of Kilgore
Township, and no man has ever held the position
who was belter fitted to discharge the duties con-
nected with it than he. He was born in St. Louis
County, Mo., in 1813, being the eldest of six chil-
dren born to the marriage of William Kelley and
Nancy Lancaster, who were Virginians, and early
emigrants to Missouri, where they opened and im-
proved a farm. In 1837 William Kelley removed
to West Tennessee, where his death occurred in
1843, and his wife's in 1858. G. W. Kelley as-
sisted on the home farm until twelve years of age,
and was then apprenticed to the machinist's trade,
which occupation received his attention for a num-
ber of years. While a resident of Tennessee he was
married, in 1856, to Miss S. E. Andrews, a native
y\-.
CLAY COUNTY.
of M'est Tennessee, iiud a danghter of Edmond
and Lanina Andrews, who were born in the ' ' Old
North State," and there lived, afterward moving
to Tennessee, where they died. They were en-
gaged in tilling the soil. After his marriage Mr.
Kelley settled in Tennessee, and in 1S40 enlisted
fi'om Adairsburg, of that State, in Company E,
Second Tennessee, under Gen. Taylor, and was in
the battles of Cerro Gordo, Monterey, Cheruliusco,
City of Mexico, and other engagements. After the
war he returned to Tennessee, and in 1867 moved
to Hickman, Fulton County, Ky., where he worked
at his trade, moving from there, in 187-t, to Clay
Coanty, Ark., where he purchased and began im-
proving a farm in Bradshaw Township. In 1S84
he moved to Corning, and although he still owns
his farm, is living retired from the active duties of
life. In 1885 he was elected, on the Democratic
ticket, of which party he is a member, to the office
of justice of the peace, which position he is now fill-
ing. He has aided very materially in building up
Corning and vicinity, and has given liberally of his
means in supporting worthy enterprises. He and
his wife are members of the Baptist Church, and
the names of their children are as follows: Ed-
ward A., who is married and resides at Tiptonville,
Tenn. ; A. M., Julia (Mrs. Gills), residing at Buf-
tington. Mo. ; Ula, Willie, Anton and Kirby.
During his term of service Mr. Kelley has come in
contact with many criminals, and has dealt with
them in a manner highly satisfactory to lovers of
good law.
Marcellus Ketchum, hotel- keeper and farmer,
at Knobel, Clay County, Ark. , was born in Will-
iamson County, m., in 1852, being the third of
seven children born to Jesse and Elizabeth (Mc-
Cowan) Ketchum, who were born in North Caro-
lina and Illinois, respectively. The maternal
grandfather, who was a native of Ireland, became
an early settler of Illinois. Jesse Ketchum fol-
lowed the occupation of farming throughout life
and died when his son Marcellus was a child. The
latter has been familiar with farm life from early
boyhood, but received little or no educational
advantages in youth. At the age of nineteen
years he began farming for himself in his native
State, which occupation he followed there until
1877, then coming to Clay County, Ark., where he
resumed farming near Peach Orchard. In 1887
he bought property in the village of Knobel and
opened a hotel, but still continues his agricultural
pursuits in the vicinity. He has about fifty acres
devoted to raising such crops as are intended for
feeding stock, his hogs amounting to about 100
head and his cattle to thirty. In his political
views he is conservative, and always votes for whom
he considers the best man. In 1873 he was mar-
ried to Miss Mary Jane Fozzard, a native of Illi-
nois and a daughter of Edward Fozzard, who was
captain of Company G, Eighty-first Illinois Cav-
alry. He was a well known farmei' of \Mlliamson
County and died in 1870. To the union of Mr.
and Mrs. Ketchum two children have been born:
Minnie and Lebert Otto. Mr. Ketchum is ant en-
terprising citizen and is rapidly becoming identi-
fied with the growth and prosperity of his section.
Franz Kop]), farmer and proprietor of Kopi)'s
sawmill, in St. Francis Township, was born in Ba-
varia, Germany, May 24, 1840, and is the son of
Philip and Mary Ann Kopp, both natives of Ba-
varia. Philip Kopp emigrated to the States in
1848 and nine years later, or in 1857, Mrs. Kopp
and family arrived and settled in New iladrid,
Mo., where Mr. Kopp engaged in the lumber
business, manufacturing for a number of years.
He died in Octoljer, 1879. Franz Kopp attained
his growth in New Madrid, Mo., and there followed
farming and assisted his father in the manufacture
of lumber until twenty-one years of age. In
August, 1864, he enlisted in the Federal army.
First Missouri Cavalry, and served until his dis-
charge, September 1, 1865. He was stationed at
Little Kock, Ark., and was mustered out there.
He then returned to his home and for a niimber of
years was engaged in farming and in the luml)er
business. June 3, 1880, he married Miss S. C.
Morrison, a native of New Madrid. Mo., and the
daughter of Hon. T. J. O. Morrison, one of the
pioneers and prominent men of New Madrid Coun-
ty. After marriage Mr. Kopji followed his former
business for three years in the county mentioned,
and then in July, 1883, removed his mill to
i^
226
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
Arkansas and located in St. Francis Township,
Clay County, where he has been manufacturing
lumber ever since until a short time ago, when
he leased the mill out. He has been very suc-
cessful in this business. Mr. Kopp settled with
his family at Piggott and opened up a farm adjoin-
ing the town. He now has some eighty acres of
cleared land and about 800 acres of heavily tim-
bered land all in a body. He has a neat residence
and good outbuildings. Mr. Kopp served as al-
derman while in New Madrid and filled other local
offices. He and wife are members of the Catholic
Church. He has cut on an average 500,000 feet
of lumber per year.
A. J. Langley, a South Carolinian by birth,
who is prominently identified with the farming in-
terests of Clay County, was reared and remained
in his native State until forty-two years of age. He
attended the common subscription schools of the
county of his birth, and in 1862 enlisted in the
Twenty-ninth Mississippi Regiment, Volunteer In-
fantry, and served three years. He was under
Gens. Bragg, Johnston and Hood, in all the prin-
cipal fights, was captured at the battle at Franklin,
Tenn., in November, 1864, and was sent to Chi-
cago, 111. He was held at Camp Douglass as a
prisoner of war until he was released June 18,
1865, and then returned to Mississippi, where he
followed farming until 1869, finally moving to
his present residence, seven miles west of St.
Francis, Clay County. He is the owner of 240
acres of land, 100 under cultivation, and is one of
the wide-awake, thorough-going farmers of the
county. His first marriage was to Miss Mary A.
Pert, of South Carolina in which State Mr. Lang-
ley first met her, and to them wore born two chil-
dren, one of whom, Thomas L., now lives near
Yazoo City, Miss., where he owns a farm, and is
the father of one child, Mr. Langley was mar-
ried the second time to a sister of his former wife.
Miss Elizabeth Pert, who bore him one child, Eliz-
abeth, who is now married to Willis White, and a
resident of South Carolina. After the death of
his second wife Mr. Langley married Miss Mary
A. Goodman, also of South Carolina, she being the
daughter of James W. Goodman, of Cross Hill.
To this union were born eleven children: W. W.
lives on a farm in Mississippi; Virginia, one of a
pair of twins, married J. W. Daniels, a farmer of
Clay County, and is the mother of seven children:
Andrew W. married Miss Fannie Malone, and is
the father of three children — he is farming in
Clay County: Charles married, and died, leaving a
wife and child: Jackianna, married R. M. Ways-
ter, of Clay County, where they -now live, and are
the parents of three children: Samuel, recently
married to Miss Lula Booth, is now living in Mis-
souri; Fannie, who married John McLeskey, bore
two children, and is now deceased: Tollula, mar
ried D. J. McCleskey, and is now deceased: Eugene
P. is not married, and lives on a farm in Missouri;
Ira C, at home, and Robert, at home. Mr. Lang-
ley is a Democrat in his political views; is a mem-
ber of the Methodigt Church, and belongs to the
Masonic fraternity, Blue Lodge and Chapter. He
is generally identified with all public enterj)rises,
giving cheerfully as far as he is able.
W. S. Liddell, postmaster, and one of the
prominent business men of St. Francis, was born
in Weakley County, Tenn., and is the son of
William and Louisa (Mitchell) Liddell, the latter
a daughter of Archilles Mitchell, of Virginia.
William Liddell is a native of Tennessee, and im-
migrated to Arkansas, settling in Clay (then
Greene) County, in 1852. There Mrs. Liddle died
in 1881. and he in 1887. W. S. Liddell remained
on the farm until he enlisted in the Fifth Trans-
Mississippi Regiment, commanded by R. A. Hart,
and was in the battle of Helena, Ark., July 4.
1863. where he was captured and carried to Alton,
111., and there held as a prisoner of war until
March, 1864, when he was removed to Fort Dela-
ware, Del. There he was held until the close of
the war. After this he returned to Clay (then
Greene) County, Ark., continuing on his father's
farm, and was united in marriage to Miss Sarah J.
Dalton, in 1867, a native of Clay (then Greene)
County, and the daughter of Timothy Dalton.
Mr. Liddell continued farming until 1832, and in
connection with it he found time to assist in con-
ducting a store and attend to his duties as post-
master of Chalk Bluff. AVhen the " Cotton Belt "
^
:i^
CLAY COUNTY.
227
Route was opened through the county in 18S2,
Messrs. Liddell & Sons built a storeroom in St.
Francis, which was just started, and moved their
stock of goods. The original firm, up to the time
of the death of Mr. Liddell, Sr. , was Liddell &
Sons; since then it has been changed to Liddell
Bros. They carry a stock of goods valued at
$2,000 during the busy season, consisting of gen-
eral merchandise. AV. S. Liddell is at this time
postmaster, which office he has held since 1878,
beyond the existence of St. Francis as a town.
Since coming to this place he has built a nice
house, which he now occupies. To his marriage
were born seven childi-en, four now living: James
Albert, who assists his father in the postoffice and
store; Stella May, at home attending school; Fan-
nie E. and Thomas. In polities Mr. Liddell affil-
iates with the Democratic party. He is a mem-
ber of Eastern Star Lodge of the A. F. & A. M. ,
also of Chalk Bluff Lodge No. 72, I. O. O. F.
In the former he has held the office of secretary
for about eight or ten j-ears, and has also served
as treasurer and junior warden.
Robert Liddell, judge of the county and pro-
bate court of Clay County, Ark., was born in
Tennessee, in 1850, and is the son of William and
Louisa (Mitchell) Liddell. and a grandson of Fran-
> eis Liddell. In 1852 the parents emigrated to
Greene County, Ark. (which was afterward formed
into Clay County), and made their home at what
is now known as Chalk BlufF. Clay County,
where they continued to pass the remainder of
their days. Judge Robert Liddell was but two
years of age when he came with his parents to
Greene County, and here he grew to manhood.
He received a practical English education in the
common schools of the locality, which he supple-
mented by attending two terms in ^[issouri. He
then followed agricultural pursuits until 1878,
when he was elected clerk of the circuit court, and
held this position with honor and credit until Octo-
ber, 1886. He was then elected judge of the
county and probate court, and has served in that
capacity ever since. He takes a deep interest in
all laudable and worthy enterprises, and is a liberal
contributor to the same. He is a genial companion.
an intellectual associate, as his many warm friends
can testify, and is in every way fitted to till liis
present position. He was married in 1873 to Miss
Mary Crawford, of Butler County, Mo., and the
daughter of P. P. and Margaret (Hudson) (Craw-
ford. Mrs. Liddell was but a child eight years
old when her mother died, and her father died
soon after her marriage. To the Judge and wife
eight children have been born, five of whom sur-
vive: Clara, Willie, Beulah, Finis and Eunice.
The others died in infancy. The Judge is a mem-
ber of the Masonic Order, the I. O. O. F. and K.
of H. , and he and his wife are members of the
Cumberland Presbyterian Church, located at St.
Francis.
Rev. Garland Lively, a successful merchant of
Piggott, Ark. , was born in Monroe (Jounty, Ark. ,
February 10, 1848, and is a son of William R.
Lively, who was born, reared and married in Mis-
sissippi, the latter event being to Miss Elizabeth
Hall of the same State. They moved to Arkansas
in 1852, but after some time went back to Mi.ssis-
sippi, and there the father died in De Soto County
in 1858. His widow returned to Arkansas, and
after living for three years in Phillips County,
moved to Tennessee, locating in Dyer County.
Here our subject was reared, and when in his
eifhleenth year was married January 30, 1866, to
Miss Martha J. Hall, a native of Tennessee, and a
daughter of Jesse Hall. After their marriage
they resided in that State up to 1 870, then moving
to Arkansas, and in October of that year settled on
a farm near the town of Piggott, where he was en
gaged in tilling the soil up to 1888. Since 1872
he has been a member of the Missionary Baptist
Church, having previously been a member of the
Methodist Episcopal Cliurch for eight years. In
1878 he was licensed to preach, and was or
dained a minister the following year, and has had
charge of a number of churches since that time.
In 1880 he engaged in the mercantile business, and
carries a good stock of drugs and groceries. He is
a Mason, a member of the I. O. O. F. . in which he
has been Noble Grand, and has represented the
former order in the Grand Lodge. One son, Will-
iam J. , is married and resides in Clay County.
.^r 9
228
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
Loda & Bro. , proprietors of the Knobel House
at Knobel Station, Clay Count}', Ark. This is one
of the finest hotels in the State, and was erected
in 1884 by the Iron Mountain Railroad Company
at a cost of about $10,000, and was first opened
to the public in June of that year, being placed
under the management of the Loda Bros. , who are
experienced hotel men. Eli, the elder member of
the firm, was born in Cape Vincent, Jefferson
County, N. Y. , in 1853, and is the seventh of
twelve children born to Leision and Adelaide
(Boler) Loda, who were natives of Lower Canada.
The father was a ship builder by trade, and later
followed the business of hotel keej)ing, which oc-
cupation received his attention until his death,
which occurred in 18G5. His wife died in 1871.
Eli Loda attended school until his father's death,
and then secured employment on the lake steam-
ers for several years, and after that was engaged
in the railroad business for three years as fireman
and engineer. In 1874 he came to St. Louis,
Mo. , securing employment on the Iron Mountain
Railroad, and ran the engine of the pay-car for
several years, and in 1884 made a ruQ of over
3,900 miles with engine No. 380, of the Missouri
Pacific, which is the longest run ever made by an
engine; and on this trip he hauled the general
manager of the road, Mr. A. A. Talmadge. He
gave up railroad work in June, 1884, leaving an
excellent record behind him, for during his experi-
ence on the road he never had an accident happen
to one of his trains. In 1883 he assumed the
management of the Belmont Hotel, at Belmont,
Mo. , it being conducted by his wife (whose maiden
name was Miss Ida Cloud, and whom he married
in 1877) and by his brother, Darius. The follow-
ing year he and his brother assumed the manage-
ment of the Knobel House, which they have since
carried on with the beat of success. The younger
member of the firm, Darius, was also born at Cape
Vincent, N. Y. , in the year 1857. He was en-
gaged in steamboating for about nine years, act-
ing as steward the most of the time, but in 1878
he gave up this work and went to Colorado and
opened a restaurant at Georgetown, where he re-
mained for about three years, being also occupied
in mining to some extent. He next went to Wyo-
ming Territory, and was engaged in hotel keeping
at Laramie City for several months. In 1882 he
came east as far as Missouri, and in partnership
with his brother soon after opened the Belmont
Hotel. These gentlemen are extensive stock raisers
and farmers, but devote the most of their fine farm
of 120 acres to stock raising, and give their prin-
cipal attention to the propagation of horses. They
purchased their tine Norman-Pereheron stallion,
St. John, in Illinois, in 1887, at a cost of f(500.
He is a draft horse of about 1,800 pounds, and is
a colt of St. Benoit, Jr., by the imported horse
St. Benoit, owned by the Browns. St. John is
one of the best animals ever brought into Northeast
Arkansas. The Loda Bros, also keep twelve
breeding mares. Owing to the enterprise of these
men, there is a growing desire among the citizens
for a better grade of stock, and this feeling is being
shown by an improved class of stock on the farms.
Eli Loda has about 140 acres of land under culti-
vation, which he devotes to raising such ciops as
are needed for his stock. In 1888, in partnership
with W. P. McNalley and Harry Flanders, he pur
chased 100 acres of land adjoining the station and
railroad land at Knobel, and they immediately had
their land surveyed and laid out into city lots, antl
their enterjjrise will secure a fine town here as soon
as this point is made the terminus of a division.
Mr. Flanders is master of transportation for the
South Division of the Iron Mountain Railroad, and
Mr. McNalley Is passenger conductor for the same
division. Three children have been born to the
marriage of Eli Loda and wife: Guy, who is de-
ceased; Mabel, and Nellie Irene.
W. R. Looney, a popular druggist of St. Fran-
cis, Ark. , and one of the most successful in the
county, was born in Tennessee in 1853, and on ac-
count of poor health in youth received Imt a lim
ited education, although he has in late years made
this up to a great extent by observation and study.
At the age of seventeen he came, with his father,_,
mother, and brother, James W. (who died in 1873),
to Clay County, Ark., and settled near Chalk
Bluff on the 10th day of January, 1870. Here he
remained until twenty-two years of age. and Fel)-
^
'\(S
^y
— ►
CLAY COUNTY.
•J'JU
ruary "23, 1875, he married Miss Susan E. Leigh,
dauirhter of J. H. ami Susan E. (Long) Leigh.
,4ftpr marriage Mr. Looney remained on the farm
iu Clay County until March, 1881, when he moved
to Dunklin County, Mo. , and was there engaged in
the drj-goods store of Sheldon & Wright Bros.,
at Maiden. Afterward, in June, 1883, he was em-
l)loyed by J. S. Kochtitzky & Co. to run a steam
corn-sheller, and on the 20th of November met
with a very serious accident. Having been caught
ill the main shaft of the machinery, his clothing
\v;is wound so tightly about him that it dislocated
his left arm at the shoulder. He suffered excru
ciatingly from this, failed to get a night's rest for
forty days, and is now a crijij^le in that arm. Em-
barking in the grocery business, iu partnership
with Mr. John Allen, under the tirm title of Allen
& Looney, six months later he bought Mr. Allen
out and continued the business until April, 1886,
when he sold out, and came to St. Francis May
19 of that year, then starting a drug and grocery
store. One year later he closed out the groceries
and now has the finest drug store in the county.
The firm name is W. R. Looney & Co., and they
enjoy a profitable, legitimate trade. Mr. Looney
has been generally identified with the enterprises
of the town and county. He is the owner of about
I'iO acres of land adjoining his father's place,
some four miles from St. Francis, and is paying
particular attention to the raising of clover, which
he tliinks is a successful crop and also renews the
laud. Mr. and Mrs. Looney became the parents
of six children, all of whom died in infancy. He
is a Democrat in politics.
Samuel W. McDonald, a progressive farmer
and stock raiser, and one who has kept thoroughly
apace with the times, was born in Randolph
County, Ala., in December, 1844, being the sou of
Sebbon McDonald, who was born and reared in
Georgia, but wlio was married in Alabama to Miss
Rhoda BIack.ston, a native of the last mentioned
State. Mr. McDonald served in one of the old
Indian wars. He was a farmer, and followed this oc-
cupation in Alabama until his death, which oc-
curred about 1864. Samuel W. McDonald at-
tained his growth in Alabama, remained with his
father until grown, and in 1862 enlisted in the
Confederate army. Seventeenth Alabama Infantry,
serving until the final surrender of the Confed-
eracy. He participated in the fight near Daltou,
and was stationed nearly all the time at Molule.
He surrendered in 1865, and after being paroled
returned to Alabama, where he engaged in farming
in Randolpli County. He moved to Arkansas in
1876, located in Clay County, remained there two
years, and then moved to Boone County, Ark.,
whence after a residence of two years he returned to
Clay County, and settled on his present farm in
1881. He has 120 acres of land, with about sev-
enty-five fenced, and some forty under cultivation.
Mr. McDonald has been married twice; first, in Clay
County, in 1874, to Miss Elizabeth Sexton, a na-
tive of Illinois, who was reared in Arkansas. She
died in 1885, and was the mother of four children,
who ai-e named as follows: William B., Riley S.,
Samuel W. and OUie B. Mr. McDonald took for
his second wife Mrs. Adaline Melton, in September.
1886, and the results of this union are two chil-
dren: John E. and Reuben H. Mrs. McDonald is
a native of Clay County, Ark., where she gi'ew to
womanhood. She is a member of the Methodist
Episcopal Church. Mr. ilcDonald is a member of
the Baptist Church.
Thomas Cary McGuire was born in Carroll
County, Tenu. , June 9, 1850, and is a son of Dr. J.
M. McGuire. mentioned elsewhere in these pages.
He became the architect of his own fortune at the
age of twenty years, and was actively engaged in
tilling the soil until twenty-seven years old, when
he was married to Miss Louisa Jane Gossett, a
native of Jefferson County, 111., and a daughter
of William and Maiy Gossett, who were farmers.
To Mr. and Mrs. McGuire have l)een born the fol-
lowing family of children: America Leota, born
February 21, 1875, and died Fel)ruary 7, ISM:
Melissa J., born November 18, 1877; William Mar-
tin, born March 25, 1879; Dora, born Septemlier
4, 1880, and died Sej.tember 30, 1884; Mary J.,
born March 21, 1882; Louella. born January S,
1884; John H., born December 18, 1885; Fred,
born February 14, 1887, and died June 11, ISsS,
and Ida May, born November IS, 188S. Mr.
•^h — ^
2:^,0
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
McGuiie has a good farm of eighty acres, twenty-
live of which are under cultivation, on which he
raises corn and cotton. This farm is well improved
with good buildings, fences and orchard, and in
fact is one of the best improved places in the
county. He also devotes a considerable amount
of time to raising cattle and hogs, and is active in
furthering the cause of education. He belongs to
the Masonic order, is a member of the Agricultural
Wheel, and in his political views is a Democrat.
George M. McNiel, ex-sheriff of Clay County,
Ark., was born in this county February 28. 1847,
and is the son of Neal McNiel, who was a native of
Tennessee. The father left that State about fifty
years ago, emigrating to Arkansas, and settling in
what is now Clay County. He was here married
to Miss Nancy Thomas, daughter of Matthew
Thomas, one of the earliest settlers of Arkansas.
Mr. McNiel was for many years a leading stock
dealer of Arkansas, and died in 1857, at Helena,
Ark., while on a trip to New Orleans, with a large
drove of hogs and cattle, valued at $5,000. After
the stock was sold in New Orleans the money was
sent to his widow. She is still living, is eighty
years of age, and has resided near Rector for the
past thirty-eight years. George M. McNiel re-
mained with his mother until his marriage, which
occurred in 1880, to Miss Clara Rosaline Seegraves,
daughter of J. H. Seegraves, of Oak Bluff, Clay
County, Ark. Mrs. McNiel died in September,
1888, leaving three children: Ruth Edith, George
A. and Ethel. The mother was a worthy and con-
sistent member of the Methodist Episcopal Church,
and died in that faith. The childi'en are now liv-
ing with Dr. Seegraves, in Rector. In 1874 Mr.
McNiel engaged in business in Oak Bluff, remain-
ing there about a year, and then went to Bollinger
County, Mo., where he accepted a position in the
firm of Eli Lutes, and there continued eight years.
He then left and took a place as deputy under
his brother James, who was sheriff of Clay County,
and filled this position for eight years. He was
elected sheriff' in 1886, and his brother was deputy
iinder him for two years, ending in 1888. Mr. Mc-
Niel is a member of the Masonic fraternity, and is
also a member of the K. of H. , in which he has
filled many important offices. During the late war
he was a member of Capt. J. J. Allen's company,
Davis' battalion, Clark's brigade, under Gen.
Price, and surrendered at Shreveport, La., in
1865, this command being the last army of the
Confederation to surrender.
James A. McNiel, ex-sheriff, and one of the
sturdy sons of toil of Clay County, Ark. , was born
in Ihis county at Oak Bluff', near where Rector
now stands, February 7, 1849, his parents being
Neal McNiel and Nancy (Thomas) McNiel. natives
of East and West Tennessee, respectively. The
maternal grandfather, Matthew Thomas, was a na-
tive of North Carolina. James A. McNiel attended
such schools as the country afforded, which were
very primitive up to the breaking out of the late
war, when all the schools were closed. During
that time he remained at home with his mother,
and still continued with her until 1878, when
he was elected to the office of sheriff of the
county. He was re-elected four consecutive terms,
holding that office until 1886, when his brother,
George McNiel, was elected to the same office.
Mr. McNiel was married November 19, 1879, to
Miss Mary Luella Brake, daughter of Jesse Brake,
of Clay County, and five children were the result
of this union, four now living: Jesse McNiel, Lil-
lian Lee, Ralph Alonzo and Rudy Eugene, all now
at home. Since retiring from office Mr. McNiel
has followed agricultural pursuits, and has been
paying considerable attention to trading in stock.
He has an excellent farm of 580 acres, is the
owner of one and a half blocks in Rector, and is
also the owner of his residence in Boydsville. He
is an honest, upright citizen, and stands in the
front ranks of his townsmen. He is a member of
Boydsville Lodge No. 75, A. F. & A. M. , is also a
member of Boydsville Lodge No. 16, I. O. O. F.,
and is a member of the local Knights of Honor.
Mr. McNiel is a Democrat in his politics. His wife
is a member of the Christian Church.
Daniel W. McPherson, who is recognized as
one of the county's best citizens, was born March
25, 1853, in Lee County, Miss., and received a
good practical education in the common schools.
At the age of about seventeen, he began working
CLAY COUNTY.
231
oil bis own responsibility as clerk in a grocery
store, and this continued until coming to Clay
County, Ark., in 1879. After reaching this
county he had $2.75 in ready cash, and as soon as
possible he began clerking for G. W. Spraygins,
remaining with him and Capt. John J. Allen, for
about fifteen months. He then engaged in mercan-
tile pursuits on a limited scale, having but $77 in
cash, and doing business on a cash basis, as his cap-
ital would indicate. He thus continued for about
five years, meeting with merited success from the
beginning. He is now conducting a general mer-
cantile business, and is also engaged iu the liquor
trade. Mr. McPherson is the son of William
B. and Fidelia W. (Ringo) McPherson. The
father was born in 1797, in Blount County, Ala.,
was of Scotch parentage, and after growing up
followed the occupation of a farmer. In 1849 he
moved to Lee County, Miss., where he died in
1881. His wife was a native of Kentucky, and to
them were born ten children: Frank, Lot W. ,
Wallace W., Charles. James M.. Dauiel W., Mary,
Josephine, Ellen and Catherine. Daniel W. Mc-
Pherson was married in October, 1881, to Miss
Lura Johnson, a native of Middle Tennessee
(where she received her education), and the daugh-
ter of John R. Johnson. She came to Arkansas
when grown, and by her union to Mr. McPherson,
thi'ee children were born, two now living: Ella
and Lena. Mr. McPherson is one of the pro-
gressive young men of Arkansas, and is doing
well at his adopted calling. He is a Democrat in
politics.
John S. Magee was born in Pope County, 111. ,
September 19, 1833, being a son of Thomas and
Nancy Magee, who were born respectively in Ten-
nessee and Kentucky. John 8. Magee began work-
ing for himself at the age of eighteen years, first
as a farm hand, and was married in that State to
Miss Abbie, a daughter of Austin and Louisa
Williams, who were farmers of Illinois. They
were married March 21, 1850. and about a year
later the mother and an infant died. Mr. Magee
remained single three years, then moved to Clay
County, Ark., and was again married, September
17, 1854, his wife's maiden name beinj; Luvina
Watson, of Kentucky. She bore him four cliil-
dren, two of whom are living: W. R., born August
7, 1855, and Nancy J., who was born Ainil 1(5,
1861, and is the wife of Robert Hasten, a farmer
of Louisville, Tex. Eliza A. was born June 28.
1859, and died January 1, 1883. May 19, 1881.
Mr. Magee wedded his present wife, Elisabeth
Tittle, a daughter of Peter and Rachel Tittle of
Missouri. The last marriage has been blessed in
the birth of one son and one daughter: John H.,
who was born March 13, 1882, and Mary E., born
August 6, 1885. Mr. Magee has made the fol
lowing changes of residence: From Kentucky to
Arkansas, in 1854; to Illinois, in 1863; to Kansas,
in 1867; to Illinois, in 1868; to Clay County, Ark.,
in 1869; to Boone County, Ark., in 1875, and back
to Clay County, Ark., in 1877, where he has since
made his home, being the owner of 120 acres of
laud, forty-five of which are under cultivation, the
rest being heavily timbered. He has good build-
ings, orchards, and fences, and is considered one
of the prosperous farmers of the county. He and
wife are members of the Missionary Baptist Church,
and he is a Republican in his political views. Dur
ing the late war he served the cause of the Con
i'ederacy in the Home Guards.
J. F. Mahan is one of Clay County's worthy
tillers of the soil, residing near Vidette. He was
born in Ozark County, Mo., on the 30th of May.
1841, and is the eldest of eight children, five now
living, of the family of Noah and Oriuda Mahan.
who were born in Tennessee and Missouri, respect
ively. The father emigrated with his parents to
Missouri in 1840, locating iu Ozark County, where
he and his wife died, as did also his parents. They
were among the early settlers, and e.\perienced
many hardships and privations in their endeavors
to obtain a home. Noah Mahan cleared several
farms, and became quite wealth}-. His children
who are living are: James F., William, Cynthia.
Mary, Hansen. James F., the eldest child, was
reared on a farm in Ozark County, but owing to
poor school facilities at that day, received a some-
what limited education. In 1882 he enlisted in
Company F, Greene's regiment, and served a little
over two years, participating in the battles of Ht>li>
232
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
na. Little lioek, Camden, Shreveport, Gaines' Fer-
ry and several skirmishes. In the fall of 1804 he
stopped on furlough in Clay County. Ark. . having
but 110 in Confederati' monej', and without a whole
garment on his bfick. He fell into the hands of
strangers, but was kindlj' cared for l)y his future
wife's father. After recovering, he worked out for
some time, and in 1869 bought a farm in Rich woods,
on which he lived until 1884, when he sold out and
bought the place where he now resides, consisting
of 160 acres, about 100 of which are under cultiva-
tion and finely improved. He has put over 11,000
worth of improvements on his farm in the last five
years, and it is now one of the finest places in the
coimty. He usually devotes about thirty acres to
cotton, and raises about one bale to the acre. He
was married, in 1867, to Miss Susan J. Cleveland,
a native of North Missouri, and by her has five
children: William T. , Don, Mary, Hugh and
Edna. Mr. and Mrs. Mahan are members of the
Methodist Episcopal Church, and he belongs to
the Masonic order. He lias been a resident of Clay
County for twenty- three years, and is considered
one of its best residents.
W. S. Malone is an agriculturist of prominence,
who, notwithstanding many reverses and discour-
agements, has ever come l>oldly to the front, and,
with the push and energy characteristic of him, sur-
mounted all difficulties. He is a native Tennes-
seean, moving with his parents to Mississippi when
nine years of age, or in 1841. They settled in
Yalobusha County, and here W. S. Malone remained
until twenty years of age, after which he went to
Panola County. He continued in this county until
1859, subsequently locating in Texas, where he re-
mained until the breaking out of the late war. Then
he came to Oak Bluff, in what is now Clay Coun-
ty, and enlisted in the Fifth Arkansas Regiment,
Col. Cross commanding, and was elected lieutenant
of the company. He served in that capacity until
the winter of 18<)2, when he was discharged at
Bowling Green, Ky. , but re-enlisted in Capt.
Allen's company, of which Mr. Malone was first
lieutenant. Later he was put into Col. Hart's regi-
ment, and took part and commanded the company
during the battle of Helena, Ark. He was with
Gen. Price on his raid through Missouri, and took
part in all the fights that occurred, always having
command of the company. At one time he was
shot in the mouth, and lost two teeth. He was dis-
banded at Cane Hill, and was paroled at Vicks-
bnrg. In 1863 he was united in marriage with Miss
M. A. C. Daniels, daughter of John Daniels, of
Clay County. They settled on a farm of 1 20 acres,
where they have remained ever since. Shortly
after marriage they were burned out, losing all their
possessions and the first crop they had, and for a
time had nothing but dry corn bread as food, and
straw, with a limited amount of covering, for a bed.
Now they are very nicely fixed, having a comforta-
ble house and good outbuildings, and are prepared
to enjoy life. In their family were seven children,
two having died in early youth. Those now living
are: Fannie L., married Andrew Langley, and is
the mother of three children ; she now resides near
the home of her father; Margaret L., married
Wade Thomas, a farmer who lives in Clay County,
and is the mother of two children; Willie Genoa,
a daughter, is now deceased; Lucy Ila, at home;
H. Eddie, at home, and Bob L., an infant. Mr.
Malone is a member of the Masonic fraternity; is
an elder in the Cumberland Presbyterian Church,
and a Democrat in politics. He is now fifty-
nine years of age, and never sued nor was he ever
sued. He has not been in a fight since the war,
but at the battle of Joneslioro, Ark. , was shot in the
mouth. During the entire time he has been en-
gaged in farming Mr. Malone has never bought a
pound of bacon, nor has he ever bought corn to
eat, always raising sufficient for his family. Mrs.
Malone, who is a daiighter of Louisa and John
Daniel, was born near Cottage Grove, Henry
County, Tenn., and remained there until 1859,
coming then to Arkansas. Three of the children
which she has borne, as well as herself, are mem-
bers of the Cumberland Presbyterian ChiU'ch :
Maggie, Fanni(> and Ila. The two sons, still small
children, are lieing train(<d in the right way, the
hope of their parents being to see them embrace
religion before they enter their teens. Mrs. Malone
carries them to Sunday-school each Sunday, where
she has a class of fifteen scholars. Her father is
CLAY COUNTY.
rm
deceased. Her mother, seventy-eigbt years of. age,
but still quite cactive, resides with the oldest daugh-
ter, Nancy. Mrs. Malone has three sisters and
one brother.
Patrick Martin's name is well known through-
out Northeast Arkansas by the traveling ])ublic,
for since September 10, 1885, he has been the
proprietor of the City Hotel at Corning, which
establii^hment, situated opposite the depot, is one
of the best of its kind in Clay County, and is
quite commodious, consisting of thirty good-sized
rooms, with a large sample room. In addition to
managing the hotel, he keeps a fine stock of liquors
and cigars, having l)een engaged in this business
since coming to the county, in the fall of 1888.
He was born at Donegal, in the North of Ireland,
March 17, 1858, his parents, Francis and Ann
(Monday) Martin, being also natives of that coun-
try, where they are still living. In 1880 Patrick
Martin emigrated to the United States, and landed
at New York City in the month of May, but went
directly from there to Philadelphia, where he re-
mained throe years, acting as clerk in a wholesale
and retail liquor store, also serving part i^f the
time as manager. Since coming to Clay County.
Ark., in 1883, he has made bis home at Corning,
but September 7, 1885, was married, at Pocahon-
tas, Ark., to Miss Nannie B. Lansdell, a native
of Virginia, as were also her parents. Her father
was a teacher of high standing in his nativ<' State,
and there spent his life. After the war her mother
came to Randolph County. Ark. After his mar
riage Mr. Martin o])ened his present hotel, which
he has since very ably conducted. He possesses that
feeling of kindly hospitality which characterizes the
people of Arkansas, and has rendered the City
Hotel a comfortable and desirable hostelry. He
has always been quite active in politics, and has cast
his vote with the Di'mocratic party. He and his
wife are the parents of one child, Andrew, and are
rearing another child by the name of Hattie Lans-
dell. They are members of the Catholic Church.
Robert I. Masterson (deceased) was born in
Cape Girardeau County, Mo., June 25, 183f). be-
ing a son of Samuel Masterson, who was a farmer
l)y occupation. Roliert I. served a short time in
the late war, and in 18(50 removed to Clay County,
Ark., locating where his widow and children are
now living. At that time there was only a small
portion of the farm under cultivation, and but few
imi)rovements made, but previous to his death,
which occurred May 19, 1878, he did much to bet
ter the condition of his farm. He was married,
about 1857, in Ca]ie Girardeau County, Mo., to
Miss Mary Collins, by whom he became the father
of eight children, four of whom are living: Sarali
I., Mary L., Robert F. and John H. After his
death his widow, in 1878, married Elias Cunning
ham, who was shot December 2, 1878, by outlaws,
while sitting by a window in his home, and died
on the 8th of that month. The widow and family
now live on the old homestead, which consists of
U)< I acres, about eighty of which are under culti-
vation. Robert F. and John manage the farm,
and are experienced and intelligent young men.
They give the most of their attention to raising
corn and cotton, their annual yield being very
large. It is one of the best fai-ms in the northern
part of Clay County, and the house, which is on a
high elevation, is surrounded l)y natural shade
trees.
Joseph Mellert, hotel jn-oprietor and farmer of
Kuobel, Clay County, Ark., was born in Germany,
in 1836, and is the fifth (with a twin brother) in a
family of twelve, born to F. and Mary Mellert.
Joseph was reared on a farm and attended school
until fourteen years of age, when he began learn-
ing the cigar maker's trade, and in 1859 came to
the United States and settled in St. Louis, where
he worked at his trade for about ten years, six
years of that time being engaged in b\isiness on
his own account. In 1870 he moved to Illinois,
remaining there for six years: then moved to
Randolph County, of the same State, where he
remained six years more. He then located in
Cape (Tirardeau, Mo., and after working at his
trade there for three years, went to Pilot Knob
for about one year, and in 1881 came to
Knobel. Ark. . and opened his present hotel. He
farms about twenty- five acres of land and keeps
quite a number of cattle and hogs. In 18()1 he
married Miss Wilhelmina Branica. a native of
:!4
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
St. Louis, and by her has two childreu: August
and Louisa. Mr. Mellert is not very active in
politics, but usually votes vpith the Democratic
party. Although he has only resided in the county
a short time, he has seen many improvements
made, and has aided materially in advancing all
enterprises for the good of his section.
Stephen C. Michell was born in Obion County,
Tenn.. September 21, 18fiO, and is the third of
nine children, four now living, l)orn to the mar-
riage of Stephen Michell and Emeline Watts, who
were born in Tennessee and Indiana, in 1829 and
1844. respectively. Their marriage took place in
1 857, and they removed from Tennessee to what is
now Clay County, Ark., at an early day, and be-
came the owners of a good farm comprising 160
acres of land, eighty of which they succeeded in
putting under cultivation, and greatly improved
their property by good buildings, fences and or-
chards. During the Rebellion, Mr. Michell served
for aViout six months in the Confederate army, and
after the surrender returned home, where he re-
sumed farming. He was a member of the Grangers,
the Masons, and the I. O. O. F., and he and wife
were first members of the Methodist Church, but
afterward became connected with the Christian
Church. His death occurred on the 1st of Novem-
ber, 1884. The following are his children: Docia
(Deckard), who died at the age of twenty years;
Wapallan. who died in Arkansas when fifteen
years of age; James D. , who was accidentally
killed by a pistol shot when twelve years old;
Margaret E., who died at the age of eight; Will-
iam, who is now twenty years of age and resides
in Clay County: Mary T. (Moran): Elizabeth, who
died when five months old; Robert Theo. , who
lives at home, and Stephen C. The latter owns a
farm of 120 acres in Clay County, on which he
has resided for the past fifteen years, and has fifty
acres under cultivation, and devotes much of his
time to raising cattle and hogs. He is a member
of the Christian Church, a Mason, a member of
the Agricultural Wheel, and in his political views
is a Democrat, having been elected on this ticket to
the office of justice of the peace, on the Hd of Sep-
tember, 1888. He has also been constable of the
same district a number of terms. April 10, 1S87,
he married Miss Alice Dennisou. a native of Ar-
kansas.
J. T. Miller is a substantial farmer of Clay
County, who has become well known for his hon-
(!sty, energy and intelligence. His birth occurred
in Hardin County, Tenn., in September, 1844, his
parents, James and Jane (Black) Miller, being also
natives of that State. In 1850 they emigrated to
what is now Clay County, Ark., coming through
in wagons, and located on the Little Black River,
and here the father died in the fall of 1866, his
wife's death occurring in Tennessee. They were
the parents of two children. John T. being the only
one now living. He grew to manhood on a farm,
and received such education as could be obtained
in private schools. In 1882 he purchased the farm
where he now lives, consisting of 160 acres, about
seventy of which are under cultivation. He has
made a great many improvements since locating,
and devotes the most of his land to corn and
cotton, but also gives much attention to stock
raising, being extensively engaged in this business
at times. He is intelligent and enterprising, and
is counted one of the influential and jirosperous
farmers of his locality. He was married, in 186'),
to Miss Amanda Mulhullen, -who bore him three
children: Pauline I., Lewis A. and Vandella, who
is deceased. In 1877 Mr. Miller wedded Miss
Sarah M. Mulhullen, and by her is the father of
six children, five of whom are living: Lucy I.
(deceased), John R. , Leoter, Rosa M. , Gertie C.
and Thomas J. Mrs. Miller is a member in good
standing of the Christian Church.
Harvey W. Moore. Among the prominent and
numerous attorneys of Clay County may be men-
tioned Mr. Moore, who was born in Fulton Coun-
ty, Ind., May 27, 1864, his ])arents being Milton
M. and Mary A. J. (Stone) Moore, natives, respect-
ively, of Indiana and Ohio. They were married
in Montgomery County. Ind , in 1855, and in
1863 located in Fulton County, where they made
their home until 1881, removing in January, of
that year, to Randol[)h County, and in the fall of
the same year to Clay County. Ark. For five
years young Moore was here engaged with his
:^
CLAY COUNTY.
235
father in changing ii dense forest into a fiirni, ami
during this time all of his spare moments were
s])('ut in the study of those branches that were re-
(luiidd to be taught in the common schools. After
having taught school successfully he entered the
('orninghigh school, where ho took a course in the
highiM- branches of study, commencing the study
of law in February, 1888, with F. G. Taylor, the
leading attorney of Clay County, and after reading
until August, 1888, he was admitted to the Clay
County liai'. He located in Greenway, in the fall
of 1888, where he has since been actively engaged
in the practice of his profession and is doing well,
giving fair ])romise of becoming one of the lead-
ing lawyers of N.ortheast Arkansas. He is well
versed on all of the general topics of the day, is a
hard .student, and is a young man of exemplarj'
habits and character.
John H. Mowls, Jr., a farmer of Clay County,
Ark., was born in Roanoke County, Va. , March
29, 1858. and is a son of Henry and Polly Mowls,
the former of Scotch Irish and the latter of Dutch-
English ancestry. The father was a colonel in the
(-'onfederate army during the Rebellion, and acted
as recruiting officer, and throughout life has fol-
lowed the occupations of farming, distilling, mer-
chandising and mechanics, he and wife being now
losidi'uts of California. John H. Mowls began
fighting the battle of life for himself at the age of
I'ighteen years, working as a teamster at the Can-
iu'lton Coal Jlines of We.st Virginia for one year,
after which he moved to Portsmouth, Ohio, where
he was engaged in engineering a tugboat. He
nest moved to St. Louis, thence to Kansas City,
and from there to Topeka, where he joined a' trad-
ing expedition, being thus connected for eighteen
months. The following two years he spent as a
cow- boy at Galveston. Tex., and then returned to
St. Louis and made three trips on the Mississippi
River as engineer on the tow-boat " Elliott.'" He
next operated a shingle-yard and farmed in Missis-
sippi, spending one year at each occupation, liut
was inundated hy the great overflow of 1873,
which compelled him to move. He went first to
C!ape (iirardeau. Mo., then to Union County, 111.,
and was engaged in farming four years. He was
married there on the 13th of February, 1870, to
Miss M. A. , a daughter of Daniel and Ann Cook,
natives of North Carolina and Australia, respect
ively. On the 10th of August, 1877, Mr. Mowls
left Illinois and located in Nevada City, Mo.,
where he worked as a painter and mechanic until
February 27, 1878, when his wif(> died, leaving
him with an infant only two months old to rear.
He took the child to his mother, who cared for it
until its death at the age of si.\ months. Mr.
Mowls next went to Chicago, and from there to
Waterloo. 111., where he was occujjied in engineer-
ing throe months. He ne.vt began railroading, con
tiuuing this three years. The nuptials of his sec-
ond marriage were celelwated on the 2r)th of De
cember, 1870, his wife's maiden name b(>ing Miss
Emma A. Griffith, of Union County, 111., a
daughter of W. T. and Jane Griffith, who are
natives, respectively, of Kentucky and Illinois. In
1880 Mr. Mowls removed to Butler County, Mo.,
and in 1881 came to Clay County, Ark., and is
the owner of a saw, grist and cotton- mill in Kil-
gore Township. He has been engaged in man-
aging various mills ever since removing to Mis-
souri in 1880, and has also been interested in
farming some of the time, and is at present fol
lowing this occupation, his principal crops being
cotton and corn. He is a Mason, a member of
the Agricultural Wheel, is independent in politics,
and he and wife are members of the Missionary
Baptist Church. The following are their children:
Elmer R., born February 11, 1882: Lily M., born
February 3. 1887, and Joseph J., born July 13, i
1887. Mr. Mowls was educated in the common
subscription schools, and expects to give his chil-
dren good educational advantages.
J. M. Myers, mayor of St. Francis, and one of
the most enter])rising men of the town, was Iwrn
in Upper Sandusky, Ohio, and is the .son of Mich-
ael Myers, who came with his father from Penn-
sylvania, settling in Ohio, and was there married
to Miss Susan McClane. a native of Ohio. J. M.
Myers remained in Sandusky until 1880, when he
came to St. Francis, where he engaged in the lum
ber busine.ss and has continued this calling since.
He is the owner of 380 acres of land in his na
five State, and 8,000 acres of timber and coal
land in Morgan County, Ky. After arriving in
Clay County, Ark., Mr. Myers joined the firm of
Juvenall, Myers & Co., operating Mr. Ro.sen-
grant's mill. Afterward in company witli W. S.
Bryon, of St. Louis, he built a mill and opened
under the firm name of J. M. Myers & Co. This
he still contimies and has now completed one of
the largest and best equipped mills in the county
or State. When the town of St. Francis was or-
ganized in 1888 Mr. Myers was elected to the
office of mayor to fill the interim until the first mu-
nicipal election, when he was re-elected, and is now
holding that position to the entire satisfaction of
all concerned. He has built, in addition to the
two mills, the finest residence in the county. Al-
though not a member of any church he has assisted
materially in the building of the Methodist Epis-
copal Church, South, to which he contributed very
liberally. He was married in Ohio to Miss Ella
Bair. who came fi'om Pennsylvania with her pa-
rents, Jacob and Amy (Uber) Bair, a number of
years ago. To Mr. and Mrs. Myers have been
born five children: Edith Floy, Sadie Grace, Gail
Roena, Grover C. and an infant unnamed. Mr.
Myers is a Democrat in politics.
Bertrand Nicolas, farmer and stockman of Clay
County, Ark. , was born in France in 1844, being
the second of a family of eight children born to Ber-
trand and Catherine (Johnson) Nicolas, who were
also born in France and came to the United States
in 1847, landing at New Orleans, and afterward set-
tling at St. Louis, Mo. , where the father engaged
in weaving. In 1858 they moved to the country
about twelve miles from the city, where they lived
ten years, and afterward located about six miles
north of Kirkwood, where both parents died.
Bertrand Nicolas, whose name heads this sketch,
was reared to a farm life and attended the schools
of St. Louis, receiving a good education. At the
age of twenty-eight years he began working for
himself, and was married at the age of thirty-two
to Miss Rebecca Towe, a native of Missouri, by
whom he became the father of two children, and
at the birth of the second child Mrs. Nicolas died.
George, the elder, is attending school in St.
Louis. Katie died in infancy. In 1884 Mr. Nic-
olas married his second wife, whose maiden name
was Miss Julia Mercillo. a native of Missouri.
After his second marriage he remained in Missouri
one year, and then came to Arkansas in the spring
of 1885, settling near Peach Orchard, and at the
end of two years located upon his present farm,
where he is now tilling an excellent tract of fifty
acres.
Dr. J. Marshall Orr, physician and surgeon of
Greenway, Ark. , is a native of Lee County, Miss. ,
where he was born on the 5th of August, ISfil.
He was reared to manhood here, and received
a good English education, at the age of eight
een years, commencing the study of medicine un
der his father, Dr. Harvey C. Orr, and took his
fii'st course of lectures in the University of Louis-
ville, Ky., in the winter of 1882-83. After fin-
ishing his course, he returned to Mississippi, and
practiced his profession with his father one year,
when he located in the county and began practicing
on his own responsibility, continuing there up to
February, 1886. He then took another course of
lectures in the Hospital College of Medicine, at
Louisville, Ky., and graduated June 17, 1886.
After completing his course, he located at Green-
way, Ark., and has built up a large and paying
practice, which is increasing steadily and profitably.
His father was born in the " Palmetto State," and,
after receiving his education and residing there
until reaching manhood, he went to Mississippi,
where he met and wedded Miss Mary E. Weath-
erall. who was born and reared in Mississippi. Dr.
Orr became settled in Lee County of that State,
where he has practiced for over thirty years, and
is still successfully following his calling.
W. R. Paty, of Corning, Ark., was born in Hum-
phreys County, Tenn. , August 28, 1849, his parents
being Matthew and Priscilla Roberts, of Tennessee.
The former's birth occurred about 1814, and in
1838 he was married to one Miss Hendi'ix. They had
three children born to them, of whom two are yet
living. The wife died in 1845, and in 1847 he was
maiTied to Miss Priscilla Roberts. They had nine
children, of whom W. R. Paty is the only living
member. Matthew Paty was a land holder in his
CLAY COUNTY.
237
native State. In the spring of 1S58 he moved to
Kipley County, Mo., where he bought a tract of
land, consisting of 120 acres, on which he resided
three years, and then moved to Butler County, of
the same State, where he made his home until his
death, on the ITjth of February, 1865. He was a
Democrat in his political views, and he and wife
were members of the Methodist Church. In the
spring of 1N07 the widow, with seven children,
moved to Randolph County, Ark. , and by the
10th of May, 1884, they all had died, except
W. R. Paty. On the 30th of November, 1873, he
was married to Miss Caroline Watson, of Clay
County, a daughter of Rev. Peter Watson. They
had five children born to them, all of whom died
in their infancy. Caroline Paty died October 12,
1883. On the 14th of September, 1884, W.
R. Paty was married to Mrs. Ruth A. Alexander,
a native of Tennessee. She was a widow with one
child. Mr. Paty now owns a farm, and lives on
the same, ten miles west of Corning, in Clay Coun-
ty, Ark., where he intends to remain the rest of
his days. He received very little education in his
youth, just learning the forms of the letters, but
by self application he has made rapid strides in
the acquirement of knowledge and acquaintance
with current events. He is independent in his
political views, and has served as school director
and road overseer. He is a member of the Agri-
cultural Wheel.
Boswell B. Payne, Sr. , retired farmer, is a
native of Rutherford County, Tenn., born Febru-
ary 1, 1815, and is a son of James and Permelia
Ann (Hitchcock) Payne, born in North Carolina and
Ireland, respectively, though they were reared, mar-
ried, and resided in Tennessee, and died in that
State about 1827 and 1828, respectively. Boswell
B. Payne grew to manhood in Madison County,
Tenn., and was married in Dyer County, March
4, 1836, to Miss Nancy Nettle, a daughter of
Jesse and Catherine (Derosett) Nettle. Mrs.
Payne was born in Franklin County, Tenn., July
30, 1817, and she and Mr. Payne reared a family
of nine children, all of whom are manied and the
parents of families. They have forty-seven grand-
children and about eight great-grandchildren.
After their marriage they farmed in Tennessee for
seven years, then moving to Poinsett County, Ark. ,
in 1843, where they were engaged in farming for
about four years, coming thence to what is now
Clay County, and in 1847 locating near Green way
on the farm which he now owns. He built a good
double log house, cleared a farm of sixty-five acres,
and reared his family. He was a great hunter in
his day, and has killed many bear, elk, deer, and
a great amount of small game. He and wife are
members of the Missionary Baptist Church.
John H. Payne. The genealogy of this family
can be traced directly back to two brothtn-s who,
on coming to America, settled on James River, Va.,
and were among the early colonists. This family
is among the old and much respected ones of the
country. J. H. Payne was born in Greene County
(now known as Clay Count}'), Ark., Aj)ril 20, 1850,
and is the son of B. B. and Nancy (Nettle) Payne,
and grandson of James Payne and wife, nee
Hitchcock, the latter being of Irish extraction. In
1844 B. B. Payne came to Clay County, Ark., with
his wife and family consisting then of three chil-
di'en, and is now living one and a half mile from
Greenway. There were nine childjreu in the
family, five daughters and four sons, all now mar-
ried, and six of whom were born after their parents
came to Arkansas. There are seventy five descend-
ants to this family in children, grandchildren and
great-grandchildren, living at the present time.
Jesse Nettle, the maternal grandfather of the sub-
ject of this sketch, was of Welsh descent, and his
wife, Polly (Derosett) Nettle, was of French ex-
traction. J. H. Payne, one of the rising young
men of the county, has filled the office of magis
trate for three consecutive terms, and in 1885 he
was elected to the XXVth General Assembly of
Arkansas. At the present time he is occupied in
timber speculations, but previous to this he had
made farming a specialty. He is a member of the
Missionary Baptist Church, holding credentials as
a preacher in the same, and at present is study-
ing for the legal profession. He chose for his wife
Miss Susan D. Nettle, a native of Clay Coiuity.
Ark., and the daughter of William R. Nettle, of
Tennessee. She died September 16, 1888, and
^1
SI p
238
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
-i£:
left five children: J. H. , Jr., Laura J., David L.,
James C. and George. He is a Democrat and
takes considerable interest in politics. He lives in
Piggott, and j)ractices in the inferior courts of the
State.
Thomas L. Pierce, M. D. , one of the many emi-
nent practitioners of Clay County, who has min-
istered to the wants of the sick and afflicted of
Clay County, Ark., is a native of Tennessee and
went with his father, John J. Pierce, to Illinois in
the spring of 1806. The father was a Union
man in sentiment, but during the war he re-
mained in Tennessee, and sided with neither the
North nor South. After moving to Illinois he
settled near Vienna, the count}' seat of Johnson
County, where his son, Thomas L., grew to man-
hood. The latter received a good practical edu-
cation in the schools of Johnson County, and in
1878, when twenty- two years of age, entered the
College of Physicians and Surgeons at Keokuk,
I<jwa. Previous to this he had studied in the
office with Dr. T. L. Grissom, of Samoth, 111., and
after retm-ning from Keokuk he commenced prac-
ticing with Dr. J. H. Norris, of Metropolis City,
III. After remaining there one year he came to
Boydsville, Ark., where he opened an office in
1879, and has been engaged in the practice of his
profession ever since. Aside from the large prac-
tice that the Doctor has, he also finds time to pay
some attention to his farms lying in the neigh-
borhood. He was united in marriage, in 1880, to
Miss Berlinda Betts, daughter of John H. and
Martha (Ford) Betts, of Dunklin County, Mo.,
and the result of this union has been the birth of
five children: Norris, Lillie Myrtle, John Edgar,
Martha Lena (died at twenty-two months old) and
Roy Dwight. In his political views Dr. Pierce
affiliates with the Republican party.
Willis W. Pollard, druggist of Piggott, Ark.,
was born in L'nion County, 111., in March, 1852,
being the son of John and Nellie (Leight) Pol-
lard, who were also of Illinois nativity. In 1854
they moved to what is now Clay County, Ark.,
where the father died in 1801, after which Willis
W. Pollard moved back to Illinois with his mother,
and there made his home until 1883. He was in
the family grocery business for two years prior to
coming to Arkansas, aind after removing to this
State first engaged in the merchandise trade,
and has been one of the prominent business men
of the place. In July, 188-t, he was appointed
station agent for the railroad at Piggott, which
position he is filling at the present time, being the
first and only agent at this point. The firm of
W. W. Pollard & Co., druggists, has just been
organized, and they carry a well selected stock of
drugs, medicines, paints, oils, cigars and tobacco.
Mr. Pollard has been married twice; first, in mi-
nois in September. 1873, to Mary Casper, a native
of Union County, 111., who died there in December,
1870, having borne three children: Martha I.,
C. Otto, and an infant, deceased. In 1877 Mr.
Pollard married his present wife, whose maiden
name was Amelia Beaver, who was born, reared
and married in Union County, 111., and by her be-
came the father of five children, Charles W. be-
ing the only one living, four dying in infancy.
Mr. Pollard is an elder in the Cumberland Pres-
byterian Church, of which his wife is also a mem-
ber, and he has filled all the chairs in the I. O. O.
F,, and is the present District Deputy Grand
Master.
Dr. Henry C. Redwine, physician at Vidette,
Ark. , was born in Graves County, Ky. , June
15, 1854, and is a son of Jacob and Mary Redwine,
the former a native of North Carolina, the latter
of Tennessee. They moved to Graves County
while young, and are still residing there on a
farm. Henry C. remained on the farm until his
seventeenth year, when he began teaching in the
public schools of his native State, and continued
this occupation for seven years, being engaged in
the study of medicine in connection with his teach-
ing, the last two years of his pedagoguism. In
1878 he entered Keokuk (Iowa) Medical College,
from which he came to Randolph County, Ark.,
where he remained until March 1, 1880, then re-
moving to Clay County, Ark., and locating within
about two miles of where he now resides. In 1884
he bought his present property, and in 1888 be-
came engaged in general mercantile business. In
September, 1888, a postoffice was established in
r
CLAY COUNTY.
28St
bis store, thf plucf taking the nnme of Vidette,
and lif was appointed j)ostmaster. He has a very
extensive practive, and is also meeting with good
success in the mercantile business.
Isaac Reed, a blacksmith and wagon maker at
Corning, Ark., is a native of Lee County, Va. ,
where he was born on the 12th of March. 1843, his
parents, George and Mary (Grabill) Heed, being
born in West Virginia. In 1849 they emigrated to
Kentucky, locating in Pulaski County, where the
mother died ten years later. Here the father re-
sided, engaged in farming, until 1805, when he
emigrated to Washington County, Ark. , and there
still makes his home. Of the eight children born
to himself and wife, live are living: Isaac, Jane,
Mary, Margaret and Nancy E. Isaac Keed was
reared priucipally in Kentucky, and in that State
received the most of his education. When the war
broke out, he enlisted, on the 24th of Jiily, in
Company K, Third Kentucky Infantry, and served
three years and four months, being in the battles
of Stone River, Chickamauga, Mission Ridge,
Buzzard Roost, Pumj)kin Vine, Resaca, Kenesaw
Mountain, Peach Tree Creek, Siege of Atlanta and
Jonesboro. He was mustered out of service and
discharged October 14, 1864, at Louisville, Ky.,
after which he returned home and remained one
month, then went to Lexington and was engaged
in driving a post team for the Government. There
was a train of 800 wagons made uj) to go to Mex-
ico, but on reaching Louisville, all the men were
discharged. He then returned home and was en-
gaged in farming until 18(>9, when he went to
Clark County, Ind. . and engaged in blacksmithing
and farming, lemaining ten j-ears.at which time he
removed to Jefferson County, Mo. In ISSO he
came to ('orning. Ark., and has since been follow-
ing his present business, in which he is meeting
with good .success. He does all kinds of repairing
and his work is always well performed. He owns
several lots in the town and a nice home. In IS'io
he was married to Miss Nancy L. Brown, a native
of Kentucky, who bore him ten children, six now
living: Nancy A.. William A. and Isaac M. (twins),
George W. and Henry C. Itwins) and Charles
F. Mr. Reed is a member of the Agricultural
Wheel, and liis wife is a member of the Bajitisl
Church.
The Rou.se Springs Sanitarium, so intimately
connected with the affairs of Clay County, is of
sucli importance to the interests of this portion of
the State, that no worthy history of the community
conld fail to make mention of it, or of its worthy
and well-known owner. Dr. James Rouse. The
experiences through which he has passed, the
honors conferred u])on liini by rich and poor alike,
the success which has attended his efforts almost
without exception, proclaim him a man worthy of
more than ordinary notice, so that a sketch of his
eventful life cannot but be of interest to the many
readers of this volume. Dr. Rouse comes from a
noble ancestry, liaving d(>scended from Rouse who
was lord of admiralty during Cromwell's govern-
ment. The Doctor's great-grandfather commanded
an English ship in the wars between Spain,
France and England j)rior to tlie American Revolu-
tion. His grandfather and three brothers served
in the Revolutionary War in the army of Washing-
ton, one of the l^rothers falling at Yorktown while
besieging that place. One of the brothers rose to
be a general, and settled at Rouse's Point, N. Y.
Dr. Rouse's father, James Rouse, served in the
AVar of 1812 under Gen. Brown, and rose to a cap-
taincy. He man'ied Miss Helen Temple, of Aljer-
deen, who descended by both her i)arents from the
house of Stuarts, her uncle being earl of Aberdeen.
Dr. Rouse, who is now sixty-seven years of age,
was born in Canada while his parents wei-e there
on business, but was taken back to Virginia when
only a few weeks old. He was sent to school in
Northern Ohio, and also attended schools in Penn-
sylvania and New York, studying medicine under
Dr. Dustan, a French physician, and Dr. Johns, an
English physician. The Doctor, although a Vir-
ginian, is cosmopolitan in sentiment. He was a
young man at the breaking out of the Mexican
War, but saw active service in that conflict, his re-
turn being through the locality which thirty-live
years hence was to claim him as a resident. It
was then that he discovered the rare curative
(jualities of the springs now bearing his name.
The beginning of his extensive travels had been
made. Edinburgh College, of Scotland, had given
him a dijiloma as a graduate, and being already
possessed of an excellent knowledge of the science
of medicine, he has since added to his learning by
contact with different nations of the world, and by
observing closely the diversified methods employed
by various people. The experience thus gained
has proved of incalculable benefit. While occupied
at one time in three years of travel in Europe and
Asia, he was called upon to perform an intricate
and delicate operation upon one of Queen Victoria's
army ofiicers, for which he was knighted. Two
years were spent in South America, and while
there also the success attending his efforts in sav-
ing the life of the daughter of the emperor of
Brazil, and restoring her to health, was rewarded
by a gift (in addition to a magnificent fee) of a solid
gold inkstand, weighing three pounds and three
ounces, inlaid with fine rubies, each valued at over
1200. Besides this Dr. Rouse possesses a num-
ber of diamonds and other precious stones received
from grateful potentates, who had been the bene-
ficiaries of his ability. Amid constantly changing
scenes time passed rapidly, and before conscious
of it the Doctor had passed the three-score mile-
stone, and was almost broken in health. The ad-
vent of the St. Louis, Arkansas & Texas Rail-
road, through this locality in 1882 caused him
to turn his attention in this direction, and in
1883 he settled here, and by personal experience
determined the effects of the mineral waters so
bountifully provided by nature. An analysis made
by the Washington University, of St. Louis, indi-
cates the presence of silica, iron, magnesium,
iodine, potassium, sodium and manganese, ingre-
dients sufficient to have wrought within the past
six years some wonderful cures. One of the ,
most noteworthy was the case of Joseph Coch-
ran, son of J. Henry Cochran, banker of Will-
iamsport, Penn., whose condition had baffled the ]
skill of physicians of wide reputation for some six
months. An abscess forming internally had burst
into the cavity of the bowels, discharging and
emptying large quantities of pus into the cavity of
the abdominal and peritoneal membrane. From
an incision ten inches in length through the ab-
dominal wall there was removed the matter dis-
charged into the peritoneal cavity from an ab-
scess in caecum. The case was most critical as the
constant discharge needed frequent cleansing, and
any little exercise caused the bowels to protrude
some six or eight inches. Hope had almost been
abandoned when Dr. Rouse undertook the treat-
ment. There were besides now two holes in crecum,
one three-quarters of an inch and the other half
an inch in diameter, from which faeces were con-
stantly discharged. By patient, untiring atten-
tion and the help of his good wife, with the aid of
instruments constructed for this particular case,
the young man was restored to sound health
within three months, the medicinal properties of
the water used aiding greatly in this result. The
father, without considering the usual formality of
a bill, presented the Doctor with a check for
$5,000. The Sanitarium is beautifully situated on
an eminence overlooking the track of the ' ' Cotton
Belt ' " Route. In it are contained many interesting
and curious specimens, viz. : fossils, shells, min-
erals, etc., evidences of Dr. Rouse's taste as a
geologist and paleontologist; one of these is a
piece of rich quartz, containing $700 worth of gold.
He owns over 700 acres of land in the county, his
home place containing sQme 2,000 peach and 200
apple trees, and a garden surpassed by none in
this portion of the State. One variety of grape is
produced from a vine the original of which he
brought from Riga, Russia; other small fruit of
Canadian origin grow profusely. It only needs a
visit to his wine cellar to demonstrate his abOity to
preserve fruit after raising it, last year's crop pro-
ducing over $1,000 of wine. With opportunities
for gathering berries from the verge of eternal
snow to the tropics, and fruit from every clime,
he claims that there is no country like Arkansas
capable of producing such a variety of highly fiav-
ored and useful fruits, while the roses here are
more fragrant than those of Persia. He already
has one of the largest farm residences in the county,
to which an addition will be built sufficient to ac
commodate fifty patients by the fall of 1889. In
addition to his duties about the Sanitarium the
Doctor is surgeon for the railroad, and also has a
^-.
CLAY COUNTY.
■n\
large practice in the surrounding country. He is
of untiring energy, ceaseless activity and persever-
ing industry, of lithe and sinewy form, erect and
of commanding presence, his hair tinged with gray
indicating a dignified age. He has been three times
married, his hrst wife bearing two children; by his
second wife he had six, three now living. His first
wife's children are both married; the eldest, Helen,
to Mr. Edwin Levitt, of Liberty, Me. ; the second
daughter to Mr. J. Henry Cochran, of Calais, Me.,
now of W'illiamsport, Penn. His second wife's
children are also married: James W. Rouse, con-
ductor on a railroad in Colorado; Lizzie, wife of
Mr. Frank Miller, an electrician, of Philadelphia,
Penn. , and Eva Virginia, married to a Mr. Win-
slow, of Maine. The present Mrs. Rouse was born
in 1855, and has proved of invaluable benefit to her
husband in the treatment of cases. Pleasing in
disposition, an agreeable companion and a welcome
visitor to the sick room, she has shared very largely
in the respect and esteem accorded her husband.
She is a lady of intelligence and worth, having
graduated from the normal school of her native
town, Fredericton, N. B. , Canada. She is of Scotch
descent, her grandfather having been professor in
Edinburgh University. Her father, William An-
derson, is the recipient of a valuable gold medal
given him as the best school-teacher in the Domin-
ion of Canada. Dr. Rouse is a member of Orient
Lodge No. 15, A. F. & A. M., of Thomaston, Me.
E. N. Royall, a self made man and one who
merits the respect and esteem of all by his industry
and perseverance, is a native of Carroll County,
West Tenn., born October 17, 1836, and a son of
Joseph A. and Ollie (Steel) Royall, the latter a
daughter of John Arnold, of Virginia. After reach-
ing manhood, Mr. E. N. Royall engaged in mer-
chandising in his native State, and was there mar-
ried to Miss Frances C. Ozier, daughter of Reuben
Ozier, of Tennessee, formerly of North Carolina.
Ml', and Mrs. Royall came to Clay County, Ark., in
18(39, settling on a farm about two miles north of
Boydsville, on what is known as "' Big Creek," and
a little later he was appointed assessor of the coun-
ty, when it was first formed as Clayton County, and
held this position two j'ears. He was also the first
sheriff here, serving a full term, and after two
years was elected county and ])robate judge, in
which office he remained four consecutive terms,
or eight years. He has been agent for the St. Louis
& Iron Mountain Railroad for the past ten years,
and is still acting as such. He engaged in mer
handising with James Blackshare, with whom he
continued for three years, and was then in the same
business with W. S. Blackshare for some time.
When first coming to Clay County, Ark. , with his
family he had about $500 in money and a horse.
He is now the owner of some 1,500 acres of land
and has some good property in the village of
Boydsville. To his marriage has been born one
son, B. L. Royall, who has been sent to Cape
Girardeau, Mo., and is also a graduate of the Com-
mercial College of Lexington, Ky. , and is now
clerking in the store of A. L. Blackshare, of Boyds-
ville. Mr. Royall is a member of the Masonic fra-
ternity, Boydsville Lodge No. 75, and is a Demo-
crat in politics.
James R. Scurlock, a successful and promi-
nent merchant of Piggott, and the son of J. C. and
Eliza (Davis) Scurlock, was born in Union County.
111., February 27, 1863. J. C. Scurlock was a
native of Illinois, where he grew to manhood and
married Miss Davis, who was also a native of the
same State. Mr. Scurlock was a prominent man
of Union County, and held several local oftices.
He died January 1, 1872. Mrs. Scurlock died
December 25, 1879. James R. Scurlock attained
his growth in Union County, 111., receiving a lib-
eral education, and remained in Illinois until grown.
He came to Arkansas in November, 1S85, located at
Piggott, and bought a mercantile house and has con-
tinued merchandising up to the pre.sent. He car
ries a stock of general merchandise, dry goods,
hats, caps, queenswaro and glassware, and has built
up a very goocTtrade. In May, ISS'.I, he formed
a partnership and engaged also in the drug busi
uess. He was married in Illinois, Union County.
July I'J, 1S88, to Miss Mary E. Lingle. a native
of Union County, 111., where she was reared and
educated. She is a daughter of Moses Lingle.
and a member of the Baptist Church.
Joseph F. Schnei'l"v ..f tli.' Vik.-insas Stave
242
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
Works, was boru in Clermont County, of the
"Buckeye State," June 20, 1857, his jjarents be-
ing Adam and Anna (Weindle) Schneider, both
of German nativity. Joseph F. Schneider re-
mained with his father in his native county imtil
twenty-one years of age, and in 1879 moved west to
St. Louis, Mo. , where be continued working at the
cooper business for about six years. In ISSO iie
came to Greenway, Ark. , and engaged in the man-
ufacture of staves and headings, and has been
man.iger of an established business ever since.
This enterprise gives employment to from fifteen
to twenty men, and the establishment ships from
eighty to 100 cars of stock annually. The Arkan-
sas Stave Works pays, on an average, $1,000 per
month, for help and material. Mr. Schneider was
married in St. Louis, Mo., May 15, 1883, to Miss
Anna Schmitz, who was born, reared and educated
in St. Louis, and is the daughter of Jacob Schmitz,
of Union City, Tenn. Mr. and Mrs. Schneider
have two children: Cecelia and Clarence. He and
wife are members of the Catholic Church.
Dr. J. H. Seegraves, a prominent physician and
leading citizen of Clay County, Ark., was born in
Surry County. N. C, August 1, 1832, and is the
son of Gilbraand Sarah (Wilson) Seegraves. Gil-
bra Seegraves was born in Virginia in 1800, of
Scotch-Irish descent, and was a brick-mason and
farmer by occupation. He immigrated to Macon
County, Tenn., in 1839, and was one of the pio-
neers of that locality. In 1874 he removed to Ar-
kansas, settling in Clay County, and there died May
27, 1887, in his seventy -seventh year. Sarah (Wil-
son) Seegraves was born in Ashe County, N. C. ,
and was reared and married in that State. The
nine children born to this union are named as fol-
lows: Louis, William, Maxwell, Samuel T., Henry,
Gilbra, Sarah. Martha and John H. Mrs. See-
graves died December 31, 1885. Dr. J. H. See-
graves, the subject of this sketch, was jnincipally
reared in Tennessee, and had good school advan-
tages. Later he studied for three years under I.
M. Livingston, M. D., of Lafayette, Tenn., and
then practiced in partnership with him for four
years. About this time the war broke out, and he
enlisted in the Federal army, as recruiting officer.
There being vacancies to till, he, among others,
applied as assistant acting surgeon, of the United
States army, which required a man to be a grad-
uate of some reputable college. There were four
who applied for the position, but three failed to
pass. Dr. Seegraves claimed an examination, and
passed with honor, and although not a graduate,
was appointed to the place. His commission was
as below:
Hkadquauters Department Tenn , Medical Dikect-
or's Office, Nashville, Tenn., September 21, 18(i.5.
Special Order 33: — Surgeon Thaddeus Donahue, One
Hundred and Tenib United States Cavalry Troops, in
charge of Post Hosjiilal, Galhitin, Tenn., will be relieved
of that charge without delay by Acting Assistant Surgeon
J. H. Seegraves. United States Army, and return to duty
wilh his regiment. He will turn over his property to his
successor. By order of the Medical Director.
John E. McGuirr,
AsuuUiitt tiiirijean, United Std/ex Vohiitteers.
Following this Dr. Seegraves was ordered to
report the sale of property without reporting to
superior officers, a new departure in military af-
fairs. He then took charge of the hospital, after
the abandonment of which he received orders to
sell and turn over the proceeds, which was done,
thus showing his standing. Below may be found
his discharge from duty, and Tiis standing:
Property Division, Surgeon General's Office,
Washington, D. C May 1, 18fi6.
Sir: — I am instructed by the Surgeon General to in-
form you that your returns of public property belonging
to the Medical and Hospital dei)artment of the Army, for
a period commencing September 22, 1805, and ending De-
cember 31, 1865, with vouchers thereto pertaining, have
been examined in this office, and found to be correct, and
finally settled. Relating to Gallatin, Tenn.
Ver3' respectfully, your obedient servant,
I W. C. Spencer, Assistant Suryeon, U. S. A.
Dr. Seegraves served in the medical department
from 1864 until April 10. 1800, participating in the
battle of Nashville, and was honorably discharged
at Louisville. He then located in Illinois, began
the practice of his profession, and was ofPered the
position of chief surgeon of the West, but declined.
Later he settled in Clinton County, 111., practiced
six years, then came to Arkansas, and settled in
Clay County, where he has since practiced his pro-
fession. He is also engaged in the drug business,
^r^
Capx DanMathev^s
Mmsiesippi Cquntv Arkansas.
CLAY COUNTY.
243
and is the local surgeon of tho St. Louis, Arkaiisas
& Ti>xas Railroad, which is au honor held by few
physicians. Dr. Seegravesis also president of the
Clay County Medical Examining Board. He was
niiirried, in 1859, to Miss M. A. Atkerson, a native
of Macon County. Tenn. , and the daughter of
Johu AV. Atkerson, now a resident of Macon Coun-
ty. Tenn. To the Doctor and wife were born four
children living: Lydia A., Ida L. , John O. and
t'Ora E. Those deceased were named Clara R. ,
Ethel, J. O., aud an infant. The Doctor and wife
are members of the Missionary Baptist Church. He
is a member of the G. A. R. and I. O. O. F., join-
ing the last-named organization in Gallatin, Tenn.,
while surgeon of the army, and while almost a
stranger, being struck by the grandeur of a proces-
sion. He also belongs to the K. of H. Aside
from his profession and the drug business. Dr.
Seegraves is one of the prominent farmers of the
county.
B. H. Selhneyer & Bro., merchants of Knobel,
Ark. This firm is composed of Bernard H. and
Joseph Sellmeyer, who were born in Franklin
County, Ind. , in 1850 and 1S62, respectively, and
were the sons of John H. and Elizabeth (Brug
gensmith) Sellmeyer, who were native Germans,
and came to the United States, where they met
and afterward married. The father is a tanner by
trade, and is the owner of a tannery at Olden-
burg. Ind., which is managed by his eldest son,
John. Our subjects attended school in Oldenburg
until a somewhat advanced age, then following
clerking in their father's store. Bernard continued
until about 1S70, whea he went to St. Louis and
clerked in a store in that city for five years, later
engaging in the grocery business for himself, which
he continued until 1880, since which time ho has
resided in Knobel, Ark. He first engaged as a
contractor in furnishing tics for the Knobel &
Helena Branch of the Iron Mountain Railroad,
in partnership with Crawford & Lintz, and in
about eight months furnished 350.000, and dur-
ing this time also did some grading on tho White
River Branch of that railroad. In the fall of
1S81 he started the first store in Knobel, and it was
practically the only store in the place for about
four years. In 1884 he was joined by his l)rotlier
Joseph, and they formed their present partnership,
and in coiuiection with their store they are exten-
sively interested in the timber business, making a
specialty of piling, staves and ties, which indu.stry
gives employm(>nt to forty or fifty men. They are
notv about to erect a cotton-gin and saw mill, and
owing to the erection of the former, the farmers
have beeu encouraged to increase their cotton
cro]> at least 400 per cent, which will prove of
great benefit to the county. In 1882 Bernard
Sellmeyer was appointed third postmaster of
Knobel, and held the position several years, and
in 1888 Joseph became postmaster, and is holding
the office at the present time. Since 1884 Ber-
nard H. has held the office of justice of the ])eace.
In 1886 Joseph Sellmeyer returned to Oldenburg,
Ind., and accepted the position of secretary of
the St. Joseph Western Mill, of Oldenburg, in
which his father is an extensive stockholder. In
September, 1888, he was married to Miss Dinah
Damhus, a native of Indiana, and a daughter of
Bernard and Philema Damhus, who reside in that
State. The Sellmeyer brothers own over 2,000
acres of land, more than half of which is excel-
lent farming land and susceptible of a high state
of cultivation. They have about 100 acres under
cultivation, and are constantly opening up new
land, and their enterprise and energy form a com-
mendable example to the citizens of the county.
Edward Silverberg, M. D., a physician ami
farmer of Clay County, Ark., was born in Colum-
bia, Marion County, Miss., in 1829, and is the
.second of four children of Johnson and Sarah
(Jones) Silverberg, who were born in Holland and
Georgia, respectively. When about sixteen years
of age the father emigrated to the United States,
and soon after engaged in mercantile business
in Columbia. Miss., where he remained twelve
years, then removing to Canlon, Miss., where he
resumed biisiness in 1833, continuing until his
death in 1838. He and wife were married in 1S25.
the latter being a daughter of one of the early
pioneers of Mississippi. He was a soldier in the
War of 1812, and participated in the battle of New
Orleans. Dr. Edward Silverberg received his
^ 4v>'
244
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
education iu the common schools and the Masonic
College at La Grange, Ky., leaving the latter
institution at the age of eighteen years. He was
engaged in clerking for two years and tlnni began
the study of medicine, graduating from the Medi-
cal University of Louisville, Ky., in 1S55, and
entered upon the practice of his profession in
Jessamine County, Ky. He then spent one year
in Columbus, Ky. , two years iu Louisiana, and
came to Helena in 1858, where he was iu the drug
business, and from that time until 18IH resided in
Helena. In May, 1862, he entered the Southern
army as medical purveyor under Gen. Hindmau,
who had command of the Trans-Mississippi depart-
ment, and later was under Gen. Holmes, and was
stationed with his office at Little Rock, Ark. In
18(54 he resigned this office and entered the field
as adjutant of what was known as Dobbins' brigade,
being in the battle of Big Creek, near Helena,
and in a raid south; was with Price on his raid
thi'ough Missouri, and took part in the battles at
Iron Mountain, Big Blti«>. Kansas City and Fort
Scott, then fell back to Benton County, Ark. , and
was in his last battle at Fayetteville, in the winter of
1 864. The army was here divided and the Doctor' s
command was sent to Northeast Arkansas, and in
the winter of that year the command stai-ted to
Mexico with Gen. Shelby. He was taken sick at San
Antonio, Texas, and, after the final surrender, re-
turned to Kentucky. He was married in 1856
to Miss Sallie Lockart, a native of Pennsylvania,
by whom he became the father of three children:
Sallie L., wife of Judge J. F. Humphries, clerk
of the court at Helena, Ark. ; Edward, who is
married and resides with his father, and Ida, who
died in infancy. In the spring of 1858 the Doctor
brought his family to Ai-kansas and settled in
Helena, where he was in the drug business when
the war came on. In 1873, after coming to North-
east Arkansas, and practicing for a short time at
Pocahontas, he went to Poplar Bluff, Mo., but re-
turned to Corning, Ark. , in 1876, remaining here
six years, since which timt! he has lived at Knobel
and Peach Orchard. In 18S5 he bought a tract of
laud one-half mile south of Knobel, and on this
farm he has since resided and made many improve-
ments. He raises considerable stock and has an
excellent stallion for breeding purposes. In part-
nership with his son he is extensively engaged in
the timber business, shipping staves, stave bolts
and piling, and making cross ties. He takes an
active part in politics, and has held the office of
postmaster at Peach Orchard three years, and at
Knobel about the same length of time. At both
these places he carries on general merchandising.
He is chairman of the County Democratic Conven-
tion, and was a delegate to the Congressional Con-
vention at Helena in 1888. He takes quite an
interest in the culture of fruit, and his orchard
consists of 300 peach trees, fifty pear, fifty plum,
twenty-five cherry and 200 apple trees, all of which
are doing well, and those that are bearing show
excelh^nt fruit. His son, Edward L. , was married
to Miss Annie Ratclift'e, a daughter of Hon. T. J.
and Huldah A. Ratcliffe. The father was a noted
lawyer and politician of this section and held the
office of State senator. He died in 1881, but his
widow still survives him and resides on the old
homestead, one and a half miles west of Peach
Orchard.
G. W. Simmons, M. D., whose face is familiar
in the homes of the sick and jifflicted of this coun-
ty, was born in Halifax County, N. C. in 1827,
and is the son of Jesse H. Simmons, whose father,
John Simmons, was a native of Scotland. Jesse
H. Simmons married Miss Nancy B. Whitaker,
also a native of North Carolina, and the daugh-
ter of James Whitaker. Her grandfather, >Johu
Whitaker, was a native of North Carolina and was
a colonel of some note in the Revolutionary War,
as was also John Bradford, Mrs. Simmons' maternal
grandfather. Gov. John Branch, of North Caro-
lina, who was secretary of the navy in the cabinet
of President Jackson, was a cousin of .Airs. Sim-
mons. The Whitaker family was one of the most
illustrious iu the State. G. W. Simmons moved
to Wayne County, Tenn., at the age of seventeen,
and later was married to Miss Martha J. Gee.
daughter of Thomas Gee, of English and Welsh
pareutage. He then entered the office of Dr. T.
L. Carter, where he studied medicine, and a few
years later opened an office, but in 1856 came to
CLAY COUNTY.
Clav County, aud formod a partnership with
Thomas J. Harris, at Oak Bluff, near where Rector
now stands, and was the loading physician of the
county. The partnership continued for three years
when Dr. Simmons opened up business for himself,
as his partner had entered the Confederate array.
Since that time the Doctor has had the greatest
practice of any physician in the eovmty, and says
that after an experience of thirty-three years,
hi> can truthfully say it is an error to make the
statement that this is an unhealthy country. In
his earlier practice, when people were very poorly
housed and very little attention was paid to the
laws of health, they suffered from ill health, l)ut
just in proportion to their imjirovement did they be-
com(> healthier. The Doctor's own family, consist-
ing of six robust children, is evidence enough of
the salutary condition of the country, and nowhere
is to be found a better specimen of young man-
hood than William H. Simmons, who is clerking in
his father's store. Dr. Simmons, by his first wife,
was the father of six children, all of whom are
now living: Jesse, married, has three children,
and resides near his father; Alice married G. W.
Webb, who is now living near Oak Bluff, is a
carpenter, and they have three childi-en; Ella
married James Merriwether, son of Dr. Merri-
wether, of Paragould, and has two children;
William H. is at home with his father and attends
the store; Charles lives with his father and attends
to the farm, and Mary married W. E. Spence, now
circuit clerk of the county, whose sketch appears
in anotlier part of this volume. Dr. Simmons
married Miss Carrie M. Lavender, of Rector, who
came from Georgia when a girl, with her sistok
and brother-in-law, H. B. Cox. Her father. James
Lavender, was a native of Georgia, and her mother,
Malinda (Ansley) Lavender, was of Irish extrac-
tion. The Doctor takes an active part in politics
and votes the Democratic ticket, as do his two sons
who are old enough to vote. He is a member of
the Methodist Prolestant Church, and is a Royal
Arch Mason, having passed through all the chairs
in that order, and for six years was District Deputy
Grand Master of the State. He has done much for
the l)eiietit of the county in which he lives, has liuilt
several of the finest houses in the vicinity, and is
now engaged in the general merchandise business,
having one of the y)est selected stocks in the town,
valued at from $1,500 to $4,000. When the
Doctor first settled in the county very little atten-
tion was paid to education, but whisky was con-
sidered the staff of life and was sold at every cross-
roads. Now a school-house takes the place at the
cross roads and the wliisky seller receives a limited
amount of patronage.
A. R. Simpson, M. D., ])hysician and .surgeon,
was born in Lawrence County, S. C, Augn.st 25,
ISOO, being a .son of D. D. and E. A. (Harris)
Simpson, who were also born in the " Palmetto
State," the father being a m(>rchant and farmer by
occupation. They are both living and reside in
their native State. The following are their chil-
dren: J. H., of Mississippi: Sallie R. (Blakely),
T. S., R. L (Janes), P. A. and Dr. A. U. The
paternal grandparents were born in Ireland, and at
an early day emigrated to America, locating in
South Carolina, where they spent the rest of their
days, and died when very old. Dr. A. R. Simp-
son is the youngest of his parents' children, and
his youth was spent in attending school and as-
sisting on the home farm. At the age of sixteen
I years he began the studj' of medicine, and in
September, 1S79, entered the University of Balti-
more, Md., in 1881 entering as a student the Lou-
isville (Ky. ) Medical College, from which institu-
tion he was graduated in March, 1882, being one
of seventeen who gi'aduated with honors out of a
classof 115. He began practicing liis profession in
Lawrence County, S. C, and remained until 18S1,
when he went to Marshall County. Misr,. , but only
continued here one year. In April, 1885. became
to Corning, Ark., where he has since resided, and
has built np a large and lucrative practice. He is
very public spirited and is ever reatly to advance
any good cause. He was married in October.
1886, to Miss Winnie D. Whitehead, of Crystal
Springs, Miss., and by her has one child. Perry O.
Dr. and Mrs. Sim])son are members of the Presby
terian Church.
J. B. Smith is a planter and stockman of Kil-
gore Township. C!lay C^ouiity. It is a remarkable
'A
240
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
fact that the majority of those men of Kentucky
l)irth, who have become residents of Clay County,
have been peculiarly successful in the accumula-
tion of worldly goods, and are considered superior
farmers, and Mr. Smith is but another example of
this truth. He was born in Calloway County,
Ky., September 14, 1849, his parents, Gabriel and
Agnes (Shotwell) Smith, being natives of Kentucky
and Ohio, respectively. The father was an hone.st
tiller of the soil, and remained in the State of his
birth until 1861, when he removed to Randolph
County, Ark. (now Clay County), and opened a farm
in Cache Township, on which he resided until his
death in 1881, followed by his excellent widow two
years later. Jasper B. Smith, the subject of this
sketch, was brought up as a farmer's boy, and has
ever devoted himself to that calling, and with a
perseverance and industry which could not fail of
favorable results. At the age of twenty years he be-
gan depending on his own resources to obtain a
livelihood, and made his first purchase of land in
1S75, which consisted of eighty acres near Black
River. This farm he improved greatly, then sold
it and bought his present farm of 1 60 acres, sev-
enty being under cultivation, and forty of that be-
ing devoted to the culture of cotton. His attractive
farm is especially fitted for the raising of stock,
which occupation receives a fair portion of his
attention, and his out buildings are all in excellent
condition. He has always voted the Democratic
ticket, and socially is a member of the Orient
Lodge, at Corning, and the Agricultural Wheel.
He was married in Arkansas on the 14th of March,
1S6'.), to Miss Harriet Pitcock, a native of Ten-
nessee, whose parents moved to Arkansas during
the war; by her he is the father of these children:
Nancy Ella (Mrs. Park), William Hastings, James
Caswell, Marcus Vain, Bert, Enola, Ernest and
Joseph G. and Elgin Eugene, l)oth of whom died
at the age of one year. Mr. Smith received poor
school advantages in his youth, but knowing the
value of a good education has given his childi-en
excellent opportunities for acquiring learning. He
and wife are members of the Missionary Baptist
Church. He has been remarkably healthy, never
having had to call a physician on his own account.
William E. Spence, circuit clerk of Clay Coun-
ty, also county clerk and probate court clerk, was
born in Wilcox County. Ala. , and is the son of Rev.
Spence and wife, nee Evelyn McNiel, and the grand-
son, on the mother's side, of Hector McNiel, of
Camden, who was of Scotch descent. Rev. Spene^e
was a native of Tennessee, and moved to Alabama
when a young man, where he married Miss Mc-
Niel. In 1876 he settled with his family in Greene
County, Ark., where he remained for about one
year, and then moved to what was known as Oak
Bluff, locating about a mile north of the town,
where he taught school. He was also a preacher in
the Presbyterian Church, having been ordained
about the time he moved to Alabama. He was of
English descent. William E. Spence accompanied
his parents to Greene County, and always attended
school to his father until he attended the Commer-
cial College, at Lexington, Ky. , from which insti-
tution he graduated the same year. After this he
took a position as book-keeper and salesman with
the firm of Tatum & Bragg, of Maiden, Mo.,
where he remained for about two years, or until
the firm stopped business. He then went to work at
the same occupation for I. Harris & Co. , also of that
place, remained about a year, and then came to
Boydsville, where he is now located, and accepted
a position with W. S. Blackshare & Co. He re-
mained with this company for about a year, when
he engaged in mercantile business for himself,
thus continuing until elected to his present oflice.
He then closed out his trade, and now devotes his
whole time to his official duties. He was first
married to Miss Dora Pollock, who bore him one
child, which died with its mother in 1884. Mr.
Spencer's second marriage was to Miss Mary Sim-
mons, daughter of Dr. G. W. Simmons, of Boyds-
ville, in December, 1888. Mr. Spencer is a mem-
lier of the Masonic fraternity, and is also a mem-
ber of the K. of H. While modest and unassum-
ing in his demeanor, he is endowed with those very
rare qualities of good sense and good judgment,
which, together with his genial and pleasing man
ners, not only lit him for any position to which
he may be elected, but congregate around him
many warm friends.
^
dA
CLAY COUNTY.
2-1";
Charles Stokes, farmer auil mechanic of Hay
wood Township, Clay County, Ark., was born iu
Winston County, Ala., October 81, 1840, being a
son of William Stokes, who was born in Georgia,
and was reared in Warren County, Tenn. He
was married in that State, and afterward moved
to Alabama, where he farmed for a numl)er of
years and then came to Ark., locating in this State
about 1S77, his death occurring in February,
18S4. Charles Stokes was reared in the State of
Alabama, and made his home with his father until
November 27. 1801, when he married Susan
Smith, a native of Tennessee, who was reared in
Alabama, and in August of the following year
moved to Illinois, locating in Massac County. e
resided iu this and Pope Counties until the spring
of 1868, when he moved to Arkansas, arriving on
the 5th of April of that year. A short time after-
ward he homesteaded 120 acres, then bought 120,
and has since increa.sed his acreage to 600, all of
which is in Mrs. Stokes" name. About 100 acres
are under cultivation. They have a good residence,
two good barns and an excellent orchard. Mr.
Stokes has served as justice of the peace for about
sis years, and has been a member of the school
board a number of years. He has filled several of
the chairs in the Masonic fraternity, and is a member
of the Agricultural Wheel. In addition to his
farming he has been doing considerable mechani-
cal work, such as wagon repairing, blacksmithing,
carpentering, etc. He and wife are the parents
of the following children: J. R., A. J., J. H., F.
M., T. A., Queen C, Pearlie and Nancy A. Two
children died in infancy.
Henry Swift was born in Orange County, N.
Y., July 29, 1843, and is a son of John and Jane
(Welch) Swift, who were born in Nottingham,
England, the former's birth occurring in 1815.
His father, William Swift, was a j)ostman, and
carried the mail fi'om Longar to Elton, a distance
of four and a half miles, making two trips per day,
and in fifty-three years' service did not lose one
day's time. John Swift served as a jirivate in the
Crimean War, and was iu the siege of Sebastopol,
being one of the only two surviving members of
his camp. He died in 1882, having been a mem-
ber of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and a well-
to-do land holder. His wife was also a member of
the Methodist Church, and in 1848 came to the
United States, locating in New York State, but re-
turned to England the same year, and died there
in October. 1846. Henry Swift lived with his
giandfathor until his eleventh year, and received a
good common school education in the schools of
Longar. He then made a trip to the United
States, and after living three years iu York State
returned to England and again attended school.
Eleven years later he came again to the United
! States, and lived with an uncle in Jo Daviess Coun-
ty, 111., for about three years, later working out
and residing among the farmers in that county for
two years more, attending school during the winter
and doing farm work in the summer months.
While the war was going on he traveled over the
States of Minnesota and Wisconsin, and at the
close of hostilities began working on the Missis-
i sippi River, being engaged in the construction of
the Belleville RaOroad, continuing such work until
1873, when he came to Arkansas. He was occu-
pied in farming in Randolph County until 1885,
since which time he has been a resident of Clay
County, and owns 280 acres of fertile land, eighty-
three of which are under cultivation, although all
could be easily put under improvement. It was
heavily covered with timber, but is now furnished
with good buildings and fences. He gives much
attention to breeding Poland China hogs, and is a
thrifty and successful farmer and stockman. He
was among the first to demonstrate the fact that
swamp and overflowed land could l)e tilled as
profitably as the sand ridges, and seven or eight
of his neighbors have followed his example and
now possess comfortable homes of their own. He
is active in school matters, is a Mason, and in his
political views is a Democrat. He was first mar
ried February 7. 1871), to Miss Malinda Smart, a
daughter of Lemuel and Jane Smart, of Arkansas.
< and by her became the father of two children ;
Laura, who died at the age of fifteen months,
and an infant, deceased. His wife died in 18S2.
and he took for his second wife, in 1884, Mis-.
Retta Boyd, a daughter of William Boyd, of Shan
248
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
uon County, Mo. She died quite suddenly in
Fehniary, 188"), having borne one daughter: Hen-
rietta, who was l)ora on the 22d of March, 1888.
Dr. C. C. Synionds. There are always, in the
profession of which this gentleman is a member,
some individuals who become eminent and com-
mand a large patronage, and among these deserv-
ing of especial recognition is Dr. Symonds, who is
a skillful physician and surgeon. He was born in
Cayuga County, N. Y., P^ebruary 15, 1829, and
was the fourth in a family of five children born to
the marriage of Shubel Symonds and Mary Baker,
natives of Rhode Island. They were early pio-
neers of Syracuse, N. Y., where the father fol-
lowed tilling the soil, and resided foi a number of
years. He died in Allegany County, of the same
State, in 1853, at the age of seventy-six years.
His excellent widow still survives him, and resides
at Flora, 111. , having reached the advanced age of
ninety-three years. Dr. C. 0. Symonds attended
the common schools of Cayuga County, and after
attaining a suitable age, began the study of med-
icine. May 4, 1832, he was married to Miss Sally
Ann Sawyer, and soon after moved to Allegany
County, N. Y., and in 1857 to Clay County, 111.,
where he practiced medicine, and was also engaged
in merchandising and shipping grain. In 1878 he
emigrated to Corning, Clay County, Ark., where
he has since been devoting his time to the practice
of medicine and surgery. He assisted in incor-
porating Corning, and has been one of the fore-
most men in building up the town, being now a
member of the city council. He has always Ijeen
interested in educational advancement, and is inde-
pendent in his religious views. He has never been
very active in politics, but casts his vote with the
Republican party. He owns a good farm in the
western division of Clay County, besides other
property. He and wife are the parents of the fol-
lowing children: Harriet (Mrs. Loppins), residing
in Clay County. Ark. ; Amanda (Mrs. Marrow),
residing in Madison County, Ind. ; Ida (Mrs.
Noble Stacey), whose hiisband is a druggist at Du
Quoin, and Marenous, who is married and resides
with his parents. Mrs. Symonds was born in
Cayuga County, N. Y., and is a daughter of, Eben-
ezer and Laura (Smith) Sawyer, also natives of
New York State. The father was a sturdy tiller
of the .soil, and remained in his native State
until his death, in 1854, his wife having died in
1844. The Doctor has three brothers: Syrenous,
who is married and resides in Cortland County,
N. Y., seventy- three years of age; John S. , who
is married and lives at Flora, 111., of which
place he is a prominent resident (he represented
his county in the State legislature, and is now in-
spector of the Southern Asyltim), and Marenous,
who resides in Sedgwick County, Kas. , near
Wichita, and is engaged in farming.
R. I. Taylor is a native of Henry County,
West Tenn. , and was born on the 'Jth of April,
1839, his parents being John and Sarah (Carey)
Taylor, the father a native of West Tennessee and
the mother of South Carolina. The paternal
grandfather was a Virginian by birth, the maternal
grandfather having come originally from South
Carolina. John Taylor emigrated from Tennessee
to what is now Clay County, Ark., about 1852,
coming in a wagon drawn by an ox team, and
settled on the farm now owned by Robert Haw-
thorne, in Carpenter Township, where he made
improvements and resided until about 1859. Then
he removed to Howell County, Mo. , and died there
in ISHfi. His wife died in Stoddard County, Mo.,
on her way to Arkansas. To them were born four
children R. I. Taylor being the third in order of
birth. He was but thirteen years of age when he
came to this State, and received only limited educa-
tional advantages as there were but few settlers
and no schools in the coivntry at that time. Such
knowledge of books as he possesses was obtained
at home l)y self a))plication. In the spring of 1801
he enlisted in (Company F, Seventh Arkansas Regi-
ment, and served until the close of the war, being
a participant in the battles of Shiloh, Perryville,
Murfreesboro, Mission Ridge and several hard
skirmishes. He was wounded by a gun shot in
the left arm at Shiloh, which has nearly ruined the
use of that member, and was also wounded by a
gun-shot at Murfi-eesboro, l)ut soon recovered as it
was merely a flesh wound. He served as second
sergeant and was |)aroled in 1865. He returned
CLAY COUNTY.
245)
'~]
^
f
to Clay (,'ounty, aud about 1872 located on his
present farm, which consists of 200 acres of land,
with some sixty-five acres under cultivation. He
raises corn principally, and gives considerable
attention to stock. Having followed farming all
his life he is thoroughly ac(iuainted with its varied
features. In 1807 he was married to Rebecca
Howell, a native of Missouri, by whom he has
three children: John, Lewis and Alma. By his
second wife, whose maiden name was Annie Heath,
he had two children: Bosa, living, aud RosellaL.,
who is deceased. Mr. Taylor is a well-respected
pioneer of Clay County, having resided here since
the time when not more than a half dozen families
were within miles of him. He has aided very
materially in the advance and progress of the com-
munity.
Daniel D. Throgmorton, who is classed among
the respected farmers and stock-raisers of Clay
County, Ark. , was born on a farm in Henry County,
Tenn. , January 20, 1850, and is the son of James
AV. Throgmorton, a native of North Carolina. James
W. Throgmorton was reared in Tennessee, and
was there married to Miss Eleanor Pollard, also of
North Carolina nativity. After marriage he re-
sided in Henry County, Tenn., until 1809, when
he came to Arkansas and settled in Clay County,
where he died June IS, 1876. His wife had died in
Tennessee in 1866. Daniel D. Throgmorton grew
to manhood in Henry County, Tenn., came to Ar-
kansas in 1870, and later spent three years in Dunk
lin County, Mo. In 1874 he settled on the place
where he now lives, and bought raw land, which
he has since cleared, and the town of Piggott is
laid out on his land. Mr. Throgmorton has about
ninety acres, with some forty acres under good
cultivation. He was married first in Dunklin
County, Mo., February 15, 1873, to a widow, Mrs.
Amanda E. Lively, who died May 23, 1883. Mr.
Throgmorton was married in Clay County, Ark.,
December 27, 1883, to Miss Nancy B. Featherston,
a native of Tennessee, who was reared in Dyer
County, and a niece of his first wife. This last
union resulted in the l)irth of three children:
Thomas Edward, born Novpml)er 24, 1884, and
Nora B., born September 26, 1888. They lost one
child, L. Ora, who iliod Uctober 15, 1887, at the
age of thirteen months. Mr. Throgmorton has
been elected to and held the office of justice of the
peace for twelve consecutive years, and has also
filled other local positions. Mrs. Throgmorton is
a menil)er of the Methodist Epi.scopal Church.
John Tisdial. a farmer residing near Corning,
Ark., was born in Marshall County, Ky., July 22,
1837, and is a son of Sherrill and Julia (Casinger)
Tisdial, who were also Kentuckia[is, and of Ger-
man descent. The paternal grandfather, John,
was an early settler of F\entucky, and there reared
six children and resided until his death. Sherrill
Tisdial was reared and educated in his native State
and in 1838 emigrated to what is now Clay Coun-
ty, Ark., making the toilsome journey in wagons.
He erected a little log cabin at Rockfield. weighted
down with poles, in which he resided a few years,
then locating one mile below on the river. In
the winter of 1866 he was thrown fi-om ahorse and
killed. He was an extensive stock dealer, and was
leading a steer when he became fast in the rope.
During the war he lost heavily, as all his stock was
taken from him by the soldiers. His widow is still
living, being in her seventy fourth year. The)'
were the parents of thirteen children, twelve of
whom grew to maturity and six of whom are living
at the present time: John, Frank, Monroe, Eliza
beth, Ellen and Margaret. John Tisdial was an
infant when brought to Arkansas, and from ear
liest boyhood has had the welfare of his adopted
county at heart. In his youth the country was
nothing but a wilderness, with a few scattering log
cabins long distances apart, and he assisted his
father in clearing their farm and remained with
him until he attained his majority. Althougli
there were no schools at that time he applied him-
self to such books as came in his way, and became
a well educated man. After his marriage in 18<)0
he moved to a |)lace of his own, and in the spring
of 1864 came to his present farm, which consist>
of 160 acres, eighty being under cultivation. He
was married to Miss Polly Harriet, a native of
Missouri, and by her becauje the father of five
children: William J., Euphemin D. . Julia A..
John, and one decreased. He took for his secontl
a k.
2.")(1
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
wife Miss Fauuie Leslie, who has borne him two
children: Daniel H. and Thomas A. His third
marriage was to Miss Long, who has borne him
three children: Avey and Noverller living, and
Bertha deceased. In 1863 Mr. Tisdial enlisted in
Company E, Second Missouri Cavalry, and served
until September 15, 1863, when he was discharged
on account of disability, and remained in the hos-
pital until convalescent. On entering the army
he weighed 175 pounds in his stocking feet, but on
coming out only weighed ninety pounds. In 1864
he took his family away from Arkansas, though he
returned in 1866 and has since lived here.
Marion J. Tucker, merchant and postmaster at
Greenway, Clay County, Ark., was born in Nash-
ville, Tenn., November 14, 1844, his father. Col.
Thomas J. Tucker, being a native of Virginia.
Upon remaining in the " Old Dominion " until a
young man, the father went to Tennessee, where
he was married to Nancy Nance, of that State, and
after residing in Nashville, Tenn., for several
years, moved to Haywood County, Tenn., where
he became the owner of a plantation, and lived
until his death, his wife having died some time
before. He was a colonel of militia, and was a
prominent and well-known man in his day. Marion
J. Tucker grew to manhood in Haywood County,
and when the war broke out, in 1861, he enlisted
in the Confederate service, Ninth Tennessee In-
fantry, and served until captured at Chick -
amauga, and was held a prisoner of war until the
close of the conflict, most of the time at Indian-
apolis. He was at lirst in Nashville, Tenn., and
was placed with 115 others in the top story of the
Maxwell House, which broke through with them,
and he and the others were carried clear to the
basement. Mr. Tucker was badly wounded, and
had one leg and an arm broken. After remaining
in the hospital until convalescent, he was sent to
Indianapolis. He was in the engagements at Bel-
mont, Chickamauga, Murfreesboro and several
others. After the close of the war he returned
to his home in West Tennessee, and was married,
in Lauderdale County, January 9, 1866, to Mary
Jane Chambers, a native of Tennessee and a
daughter of Thomas Chambers. After following
mercantile pursuits in Alamo, Tenn.. for one jear,
he, in 1867, moved to Lauderdale County, there
being engaged in farming up to 1874, when he
sold out and located in Clay County, Ark. , purchas-
ing a farm and engaging in tilling the soil, also
following the occupation of merchandising. He
established a postoliice at that point, of which he
became postmaster in 1878. He continued this
business until 1887, then gave the management of
affairs into the hands of his son, and moved to
Greenway, where he built a store and put in a
stock of general merchandise. He has a general
stock of goods, and in connection with this also
owns and conducts a livery barn. Since Septem-
ber, 1888, he has held the office of postmaster of
Greenway. He is a Master Mason, and is a deacon
in the Missionary Baj^tist Chiu'ch. January 20,
1889, his wife died, leaving him with a family of
nine children: Edgar M. , Columbus, Laiu-a, Gas-
ton, Wittie, Clyde, Lily, Luther and Lola. Mr.
Tucker owns two farms in Clay County, amounting
to about 300 acres, and has some 175 acres under
cultivation. He married his present wife, a Mrs.
Annie Gault, May 12, 188U. She was born in
Illinois.
Dr. Wiley V. Turner, a retired physician and
farmer of Greenway, Ark., was born in Humphreys
County, Tenn., May lU, 1836, his father, Wiley
Turner, being a native of South Carolina. He was
reared in Wilson County, Tenn., and was mar-
ried in Davidson County to Miss Maria Thompson,
who was born near Nashville. He served in the
War of 1812 tinder Jackson, and was at the battle
of New Orleans, dying in Humphreys County.
Dr. Turner grew to manhood in that county and
until he attained his majority made his home with
his father. He received a good practical education
in Waverly Academy, and when twenty years of
age commenced the study of medi('in(> under Dr.
Ellis, taking his first course of lectures in the
winters of 1858-59 and 1859-60, in the University
of Nashville, graduating from that institution in
the spring of the latter year. He then practiced
his profession in Houston County until the open-
ing of the war, and in the fall of 1862 enli.sted as
a private in the Fiftieth Tennessee Infantry, Con-
CLAY COUNTY.
•^
federate States Army. He was soon after detailed
as assistant snri^eon, and served in this capacity
until 1864, when he left the army and returned
JKime and resumed practice. Here he remained
until 1871, when he removed to Clay County, Ark.,
and continued the practice of his profes.sion for
nine years. About 1875 he was appointed post
master of Clayville. and in 1878 became the first
postmaster of Greenway. He kept a stock of
general merchandise at his residence, and con-
tinued for one year after the location of the town
of Greenway, when he moved his store to about
one-half mile from his residence. He has also been
engaged in farming for a number of years. Au-
gust 4, 1864, he was married, in Tennessee, to
Miss Louisa Skelton, a native of Tennessee, and a
daughter of A. B. Skelton. The Doctor and his
wife have four children: James, Jo.seph, Charles
and Robert. Minnie was the wife of B. B. Bif-
fle, and died in December, 1884. The Doctor and
his wife are members of the Cumberland Presby-
terian Church, in which he is a ruling elder, and
he belongs to the Masonic fraternity.
Wright Ward was born in Webster, Hancock
County, 111., July 18, 1849, and is a son of Zebe-
diah and Arzilla (Wright) Ward, natives, respect-
ively, of New York and Tennessee, the former's
birth occurring on the 23d of March, 1816, in New
York City. When a child he removed with his
parents to Dearborn County, Ind. , where he grew
to manhood, and then located in Hancock County,
111. , where he apprenticed himself to the wagon-
maker's trade, which calling has received his atten-
tion up to the present time. He is a Democrat,
and he and wife are members of the Christian
Church. Their children are Wright, a farmer and
mechanic; Lorinda, who lives in Carthage, 111., and
Mark, a farmer residing in Northeast Missouri.
Wright Ward was married in Illinois, on the 1st of
May, 1873. to Miss Elizabeth L. Pryor, a daugh-
ter of Lewis R. and Hannah J. Pryor, natives of
Hancock County, 111. , and by her he has one child,
Cora L. . bornOctolier '21. 1874. Mr. Ward moved
with his familv to Clarion County, Mo., in 1875,
and in 1879 to Randolph County, Ark., where
he rented land and farmed for four vears. then
coming to Clay County, Ark., wliere he purchased a
tract of land containing 200 a(!res. He has fifteen
acres under cultivation. He has a good young or
chard, and su\)stantial fences and buildings, and is
I)reparing to erect a new residence. He is a Dem
ocrat, is active in his support of schools and
churches, and is an industrious farmer.
W. H. Watts, hotel keeper at Boydsville, was
born in Humphreys County, Tenn., in 1840, where
he ntmained until after the war, althourrh during
that eventful period he joined Gen. Forrest's cav
airy and participated in the battles of Athens.
Ala., Johnsonville, Tenn., Paducah, Ky., Fort
Pillow, Parker's Cross Roads, Gun Town, and was
on the Hood raid from Florence, Ala., to Nashville.
Tenn. He was in thirteen fights, among which
was the Franklin fight, where fully one-third of
the men in the company and regiment were lost,
and in the Nashville fight, after which a retreat was
made to Florence, Ala., continued skirmishing be
ing experienced. During this time Mr. Watts had
his clothes riddled with bullets, and his hat rim shot
away in pieces, but he miraculously escaped without
injury to himself. He was discharged in Missis
sippi, and sent to Nashville, Tenn., where he took
the oath of allegiance to the United States. He wa--
offered $100 in gold by the officers to go to Texas
and not to Nashville. He then returned to Humph
reys County. Tenn.. where he remained about two
years, after which he moved to Graves County,
Ky, , where he engaged in agricultural pursuits
for about seven years. In 18<)8 Miss L. F. Simp-
son, daughter of D. M. Simpson, became his wife,
and, in the spring of 1874, they moved to Clay
County, Ark., and settled where Boydsville now
stands. At that time the county seat question
was not settled, but the object was to have it at
Boydsville, and Mr. Watts built the first house on
the ground. He lived in one part of this house
and sold goods in the other, thus continuing until
the fall, when he gave it up for the county records,
built a log house and resided in that a number of
years. In 1878 the county erected the Iniilding at
present used as the county court-house. Mr. Watts
now owns the house, a large frame one, which he
and Judge Holifield built in 1876. and he has
I*
bought and sold several farms in this locality.
To his marriage were born four children, two of
whom were born in Kentucky, and three are now
living. They are named as follows: Laura C,
wife of C. B. Johns, and the mother of two chil-
dren, now resides in Boydsville, where her hus-
band is engaged in the stock breeding business;
William H. and Albert Sidney. Mr. Watts is
a member of the Masonic fraternity, and also a
member of the K. of H. , and he and wife belong
to the Primitive Baptist Church.
H. J. Weindel, manufacturer of all kinds of
staves, headings, also lumber and cooi)erage stock
in general, always carries a large stock, and has on
hand from 4,000,000 to 5,000,000 staves. He
runs the largest factory in Northeast Arkansas, and
pays out about $5,000 jjer month for labor. The
factory was organized by L Weindel and L. Wirth-
lin, in 1862, at St. Louis, and just at the comple-
tion of the Iron Mountain Road was moved to
Corning, where in 1883 the name was changed to
the Southern Cooperage Company. Mr. Weindel
was superintendent of the company from 1881 to
1885, after which he purchased the business from
the Southern Cooperage Company, and has had
charge of it since that time. He has a large
and extensive trade, and has made the busi-
ness what it is by upright and honest dealing.
He was born in Bavaria, Germany, July U, 18(51,
and is the only son born to the union of John and
Mary (Brobst) Weindel, also natives of Bavaria,
Germany. The parents moved to St. Louis in
1882, but in the same year came to Corning,
and here the mother died in 1882. The father is
still living. H. J. Weindel came to this country
in 1880, first settling in St. Louis, attended col-
lege, and there learned the English language.
Prior to this he had received a thorough education
in Europe, had taught school, was also a teacher
of music, and held an excellent position. He
came to Corning, Ark., in 1881, not with the inten-
tion of remaining, but being so thoroughly satis-
fied with the country, concluded to stay. He was
married at Corning, in 1886, to Miss Jessie Mc-
Kay, a native of Illinois, and the daughter of Will-
iam and Mattie (Knowlen) McKay, the father a
native of Scotland, and the mother of Alabama.
Mr. and Mrs. McKay came to this country at an
early day, locating in Illinois, and in 1880 moved to
Corning, Ark. The father died in the spring of
1882, but the mother is still living, and resides in
Corning. After marriage Mr. Weindel settled
where he now lives, and there he has since lived.
He has always taken an active interest in building
up the town, and in all enterprises pertaining to
the good of the country. He is not particularly
active in politics, but votes with tbe Republican
party. He is a member of the Roman Catholic
Chui'ch. To his union with Miss McKay were born
two children, one living, named Hermina. The
one deceased was Winifred.
Joseph Whitaker is one of Clay County's
most prosperous farmers and stockmen. His birth
occurred in Crawford County, Perm., in 1838, he
being the second of a family of ten children born
to the marriage of John Whitaker and Euphemia
Ann Johnson, originally from New York State.
After their marriage in their native State, they
immediately moved to Crawford County, Penn.,
where they bought land and were engaged in
farming for about fifteen years, then purchasing
land in Erie County, twenty miles from the city
of Erie. Here the father is still living, but the
mother died in 1SS2. Joseph Whitaker attended
school until he was about nineteen years of age,
and on the 6th of May, 1861, enlisted in Company
D, First Pennsylvania Rifle Regiment, which was
known in the field as the "Old Buck-tail Regi-
ment." He was in the First Army Corps, and
was assigned to the Army of the Potomac, partici-
pating in the battles of Drainsville, the Peninsula
Campaign, Second Bull Run, South Mountain,
Autietam, Fredericksburg, Gettysburg, and was
with Grant until the battle of Cold Harbor, which
was the last combat in which he took part. He
received his discharge on the 4th of July, 1884,
and was mustered out at Harrisburg, but soon af
ter re- enlisted in the service, joining the Ninety-
eighth Pennsylvania Veteran Volunteers, and was
sent to the front after Johnston, in North Carolina.
When the latter surrendered, he returned to Wash-
ington, D. C , l)ut was mustered out at Philadel-
' ■^ «
-r-
-4-
CLAY COUNTY.
253
pliia. After returuing home ho went to Warren
County, Penn. , where he was engaged in the lum-
ber business for some time, and operated two saw-
mills. In 1883 he sold out and came to Clay
County, Ark. , and bought eighty acres in what is
now the village of Knobel, being occupied in
sawing lumber for a mill company fi'om Burling
ton, Iowa. There were no improvements whatever
on his land, but Mr. Whitaker immediately erected
a comfortable house and out buildings, and cleared
about twenty-five acres, which are under cultivation.
He has a good young orchard. He has sold con-
siderable of his land for town lots, and during his
residence here has taken considerable interest in
raising the grade of stock, and in December, 1888,
imported two registered Durham cattle, a cow and
a ViuU, which are the only registered animals in
Clay County. He was married, in 1S66, to Miss
Elizabeth Searl, a native of England, and an e.sti-
mable lady, who died in February, 1886, having
borne the following children: Richard, in the em-
ploy of the Missouri Pacific Railroad, his head-
quarters being at Jefferson City, Mo., and Adelle,
a young lady who manages her father's household
affairs.
Elvis B. Whitehorn, a successful fi'uit grower
and farmer of Clay County, Ark. , was born Sep-
tember 30, 1840, in Carroll County, Tenn., being
a son of Jacob H., who was born in Virginia, May
13, 1815, and grandson of George Whitehorn,
also born in Virginia, his birth occui'ring October
17, 1779. The latter moved with his family to
Tennessee in 1829, being among the pioneers of
Carroll County, and when the War of 1812 broke
out he enlisted and served throughout that strug-
gle. Jacob H. Whitehorn grew to manhood in
Carroll County, but was married in Humphreys
County, to Miss Keziah A. Petty, a native of Ten-
nessee. They resided in that State, near Hunt-
ington, until their respective deaths, and there
reared tiieir family. The father's death occurred
in 1878. Elvis B. Whitehorn remained with his
father until about eighteen years of age and August
4, 1864, enlisted in the Twelfth Tennessee Cavalry,
Company M, serving until he received his dis-
charge October 7, 1865; he participated in the fight
at Pulaski, and was with Hood on bis thirteen
days' raid, being in the battle of Franklin. After
this battle he was in the hospital a short time, and
was then sent to the Kansas frontier, being dis-
charged at Fort Leavenworth. After returning
home he resumed farming, and August 11, 18*)7,
was married in Carroll County, to Miss Pearl ie
Williams, who was born, reared and educated in
Carroll County. Mr. Whitehorn is a carpenter by
trade, and was engaged in house carpentering and
railroad bridge building for a number of years.
In the wintt^r of 1880 he moved to Arkansas, and
located on his present home farm consisting of
200 acres, about 100 of which are under cultivation.
Besides this he owns SO acres more. He has a
comfortable home and substantial buildings for
his stock and grain, and has an orchard consisting
of 3,000 peach trees, 400 apple trees, and also
many plum and cherry trees. He raises straw-
berries in abundance. The j^ear following his ar-
rival here he engaged in railroading, l)eing em-
ployed on the construction of the ' ' Cotton Belt ' '
Line for about thirteen months. Mr. Whitehorn is
a member of the Agi-icultural Wheel and was elected
President of the County Wheel in 1888, being the
second man in the county to join that society af-
ter its organization. He and wife are the parents
of the following family: Mary Alvira, Hester Caro-
line, Henry B. , James G. , George T. and Joseph B.
H. H. Williams, manufacturer of lumber for ag-
ricultural implements, first saw the light in Oneida
County, N. Y., in September. 1841. being one of
nine children, eight living, born to thi> marriage of
Herbert Williams and Jane Hughes, natives of
Wales, who came to New York State at an early
day, where they both spent their lives: the father
being a farmer by occupation. Their children
who are living are: William H., Evan H., Cather-
ine, Mary, Amos. Sarah, Hattie an<l Hugh H.
The latter is the youngest of the family and was
reared and educated in Oneida County, receiving
an academic as well as a common school education.
From early chiklhood he was reared to a farm life,
which he followed until January, 1864, when he
went to Jacksonville, 111., and was employed in
the .Insane Asylum. From that time until ls76 he
A
254
"HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
was engaged in the lumber business in Pulaski and
Aloxander Counties, and at the latter date moved to
Scott County, Mo., locating near Morley, where
he remained two years, since which time he has
lived in Clay County, Ark., being a resident of
Corning the first year. He has since been occupied
in the lumber business in Williams, which he con-
ducts on a very large scale, and employs on an
average about thirty men, shipping his product
north. In 1887 he shipped from his mill $32,000
worth of lumber. This mill is one of the largest
in the county, and besides he owns a large farm
and several thousand acres of timber land. In
September, 1888, he had a postoffice established
at his mill, which is called Williams' postoffice.
Mr. Williams is wide-awake and enterprising, and
takes an interest in all movements to l)eneiit the
county. He belongs to the I. O. O. F. , and in
1863 was married to Miss Kate B. Billings, a
native of Oneida County, N. Y. They have no
family.
Francis A. Williams, one of the well-to-do
farmers and stockmen of the county, is a Carroll
Coimty Tennes8eean,and was born January 5, 1844,
being a .son of Benjamin Williams, who was born
in North Carolina, but was reared in Tennessee.
In this State he was married to Hester C. Enix, a
native of the State, and settled on a farm in Carroll
County, where he resided until his death, in the
summer of 1871. Francis A. Williams made his
home in Carroll County until twenty-three years
of age, and was married August 11, 1868, to Mrs.
Martha ^Vynn, a daughter of John Foster. She
was born and reared in Gibson County, Tenn.
After marriage Mr. Williams made three crops in
Carroll County, and in the fall of 1870 moved to
Arkansas and located in Clay County, where he
bought the tract of laud where he now lives three
years later. It consists of 240 acres in one body,
about 135 acres being cleared and improved with a
good frame residence and out- buildings. He has
two cotton-gins on his farm and for the past
ten years has been engaged in ginning cotton. He
has been a member of the Agricultural Wheel
ever since the organization of that society in the
county, and held some local offices in his township.
Mr. and Mrs. Williams are the parents of nine
children: Hester, wife of Lee Wiley; Benjamin
E., Mary F., wife of Samuel Blackshare; Elbert.
Ada, Edwin, Lola, Lura and Alfred D.
Wilson Bros., proprietors of the Piggott Stave
Factories, at Piggott, Ark. , are deserving of high
tribute for the enterprise and influence which have
contributed to the commercial success of this sec-
tion. All manufacturing establishments of mod-
ern times have embraced many features of practical
utility, and the concern with which these brothers
are associated is worthy of high consideration.
They located herein the spring of 1884 and estab-
lished at this point one stave factory, but two
years' experience was sufficient to demonstrate
the need of increased capacity, and another fac-
tory was started in the summer of 1886 two miles
from Piggott. Even this has not proved adequate,
and at the present time another is being pushed
forward. Each factory has a daily capacity of ten
cords of timber, and forty men are actively occu-
pied in various caj)acities. The quality of work
turned out is unexcelled, and the attention given
by the proprietors to their product is a sufficient
guarantee as to its sale. It is evident that they
have only tried to make the merits of the work
satisfactory to all. Charles, Cyrus F. and H. S.
Wilson are Kentuckians by birth, and natives of
Fulton County, their father now belonging to
Hickman, of that county. Dr. H. H. Wilson was
born, reared and educated in Tennessee, and there
commenced the study of medicine, subsequently
graduating from one of the medical colleges of
Philadelj)hia. Afterward he located at Hickman,
Ky., and entered upon the successful practice of
his profession. He was first married in Tennes-
see to Miss Lucy Davis, of that State, after whose
death he married again. Besides the tliree sons
living there is one daughter, a resident of Ken-
tucky. Cyrus F. Wilson grew to manhood at
Hickman, to which i)lace he afterward returned
and married, February 29, 1888, Mrs. Bettie Pl-
iant, a native of Kentucky, and daughter of Judge
Rile}', of Hickman. She was partially reared in
Louisiana. One child was born to this union,
Nannie Belle. Mrs. Wilson is a member of the
f
^f
.i£.
Prcslntprian Chnrch. H. S. Wilson was married
at Martiu, Tenn.. March 28. 187S. to Miss Jennie
Anderson, of Tennessee, and the daughter of Ed-
win Anderson. They have five children: Cora,
Lucy, Gland, Stanley and Aleck.
John S. W instead, farmer and stock raiser of
Haywood Township, Clay County. Ark. , is a native
of North Carolina, and was born in Persoh Coun-
ty May 4, 1830. His father, Seth M. Winstead,
was also of North Carolina birth, and was there
married to Miss Mary Winstead, daui>;hter of John
Winstead. The Winsteads were prominent ])io-
neers of that State. Seth Winstead moved to
Tennessee about 1S3.S, settling in Weakley Covinty,
engaged in farming, and there reared his family.
He died in that State in 1882. John S. Winstead
is the second in order of birth of three sons and
one daughter born to his parents. He attained
his growth in AVeakley County, remaining with his
parents until twenty-three years of age. and was
married, in Obion County, November 18, 1860, to
Miss Victoria Rucker, a native of Middle Tennes-
see, and the daughter of S. W. and Eda Rucker.
After maiTiage Mr. Winstead farmed in Obion
County for a number of years, but later sold out
and moved to Arkansas in 1872. Two years later
hi' bought and settled on his present farm, which
he has greatly improved. He has 100 acres cleared
and si.xty acres in timber, all one tract. He has
fair buildings and a good orchard. This is a very
desirable farm, and is located one mile duo west
of Gre(»nway. To Mr. and Mrs. Winstead were
born these children: Erasmus, Charles, William
Samuel, Minnie Ballard, John, Zachariah T. and
Victoria. They lost unc daughter, Emma, who
grew np, was married, and died in February, 1888,
leaving one child. Mr. and Mrs. Winstead are
members of. the Christian Church, and Mr. AVin-
stead belongs to the Agricultural Wheel.
Louis M. Wolf, of the firm of Long & Wolf,
merchants, of Greenway. Clay County. Ark., was
born in the city of St. Louis October 12, 1803, and
is a son of Raphael Wolf, who was born and reared
in Germany. After reaching manhood he emi-
grated to the United States, and was married, in
St. Louis, Mo., to Miss Minnie Schoen. also a na
' tive of Germany. He was a stock dealer, trader
and merchant in St. liouis until his death, in 1S71.
Louis M. Wolf remained in St. Louis until he was
eight years of age, and was then sent to Cleveland,
Ohio, and was educated in a Jewish college of
that city. After completing his studies, at the
end of seven years, he returned to St. Louis and
was engaged in clerking there for a short time,
going thence to Topeka, Kas. , and later to Missouri.
After clerking in Maiden, Mo., for J. S. Levi iV;
Co., for a number of years, he, in April, 1887,
came to Arkansas and located at Greenway, where
he bought property and Ijuilt a business house,
and ill connection with Louis Long, of St. Louis,
Mo., conducts a general mercantile establishment,
their stock of goods being large and well selected,
and their aniuxal sales amounting to $2,500. Mr.
Wolf is an enterprising young business man, and
is doing a pro.sperous business. He is also a mem-
ber of the K. of P., and is connected with the
Hebrew Synagogue. His mother is residing with
and keeping house for him.
C. W. Woodall. Among the planters and stock
dealers of Kilgore Township, Clay County, Ark.,
who have attained the highest round in the ladder
of success, and are counted among its worthy and
honored citizens, may be mentioned Mr. Woodall,
who was born in Marshall County, of the "Blue-
grass State," in 1845, lieing the second of eleven
children born to the marriage of Roland Woodall
and Nancy Urennon, natives, respc^ctively, of Nortli
Carolina and S])ringtield. 111. The father was
taken to Kentucky by his i)arents when three years
of age, and was there reared and educated, and
spent his days. He was an extensive planter, and
owned a large farm of 500 acres, successfully
managing it until his death, which occurred in
18fi4, and throughout life he was an active politi-
cian. His estimable wife survived him many years
and died in 1886, at the age of sixty nine years.
Her father was one of the first settlers of JIarshall
County, Ky., and was the first one buried in the
family cemetery in that county. C. W. Woodall,
whose name heads this sketch, was reared on his
father's plantation and educated in tlie schools of
his native State, but in 1803 left school, and August
-*fv
2r^c,
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
29 of that year went to Padueah, Ky. , where he
enlisted in Company A, Fifteenth Kentucky Cav-
alry, for three years, and afterward participated in
the battles of Spring Creek, Murfreesboro, and
several skirmishes, serving as orderly for Maj. W.
W. Waller. He served until the close of the war,
and after receiving his discharge at Padueah. Ky.,
returned home and engaged in farming, and was
married here on the 29th of August, 1867, to C. A.
Brazell, a native of Kentucky, by whom he is the
father of live children: Mary A., wife of J. Dud-
geon: Sarah Elizabeth, Ida Belle, Amy and Nora
Arlena. After his marriage Mr. Woodall purchased
a plantation in Kentucky, on which he resided until
1871, when he came to Clay County, Ark., and set-
tled on the plantation which he now occupies.
November 12, 1872, he bought 120 acres of raw
land, which he has since improved and added to
until he now has 467 acres in the home plantation,
and besides this property has forty-one and a half
acres at Corning, and his old farm in Kentucky,
besides selling 300 acres. On an average he de-
votes 100 acres to cotton raising and about the
same to corn, and the greater portion of the re-
mainder of his land is given to stock, of which he
is the heaviest buyer as well as raiser in Clay
County. He stall-feeds about sixty head of cattle
each year and from fifty to seventy-five hogs, be-
sides what he buys and .ships. His property is
nicely improved by a good house and barns and a
fine apple and peach orchard. He has always
taken great interest in enterprises tending to bene-
fit the county, and has given much attention to
school matters and to the church. He is an ad-
mirer of the Ji'ffersonian sy.stem and supports the
Democratic party, and has served on the United
States grand jury two terms, and the county grand
jury nearly every year. Socially he belongs to
Orient Lodge No. 297, at Corning, Ark. ; I. O.
O. F. Lodge No. 78, and he and wife belong to
the Eastern Star Lodge at Reno. Mrs. Woodall's
parents. Pleasant and Mary Jane (Hunt) Brazell,
were born in North Carolina and Virginia, respect-
ively, but removed with their jmrents to Kentucky
at a very early day, where they were reared, mar-
ried, and spent the remainder of their days.
William Wynn. In giving a history of the
jirominent citizens of Clay Countj% Ark., the bio-
graphical department of this work would be in-
complete without mentioning the gentleman whose
name heads this sketch, for he is deservedly ranked
among its prominent planters and stock dealers.
His birth occurred in West Tennessee in 1857.
being the fifth of thirteen children born to W. J.
and Mary (Barker) Wynn, who were natives of the
" Old North State" and Tennessee, respectively.
\V. J. Wynn became an early resident of Tennes-
see and eventually acquired considerable wealth,
owning some 1,500 acres of land, and he and wife
are now residents of Tiptonville. William Wynn
while young aided his father on the plantation, re-
ceiving his education in the district schools and
the schools of Tiptonville. In October, 1885, he
was married in Benton ("ounty to Miss Arabelle
Walker, a native of Tennessee, and soon after this
settled on his farm in Clay County, Ark., which
he had purchased in 188-1. It then comprised
160 acres of land, but since locating he has
greatly improved and increased his property until
he is now the owner of 696 acres in Kilgore and
Carpenter Townships. He has cleared about 200
acres and has 400 under cultivation. He puts in
annually 150 acres of cotton, and devotes the rest
to the cereals and to the pasturage of a large
number of cattle, horses, and mules, in which he
is an extensive dealer. He has the largest amount
of land in a tillable condition of any one in Kil-
goi'e Township, and has done his full share in de-
veloping and furthering the interests of Clay
County, being especially concerned in the cause of
education, to which he gives his liberal support.
He has never been a verj' active politician, but
has always given his infiuence to the Democratic
party. In March, 188S, he lost his excellent wife,
who had l)orne him two children: Thomas W^ill-
iam and John Henry, and he was afterward
wedded in Clay County in Septemlier, 1888, to
Mrs. Margaret (Allen) Toms, who was born in
Kentucky, and is a daughter of Daniel Allen.
The father was also a Kentuckian, but in 1880 be-
came a resident of Carpenter Township, Clay
Countv, Ark., where he and wife are living at the
y\-.
a
CLAY COUNTY.
2.".7
present time, being worthy and successful tillers
of the soil. Mr. Wynn is a member of the Agri-
cultural Wheel, and during his short residence in
the county, he has become well known for his intel-
ligence, enterprise, and liberality, not only in a
business way, but socially, and commands the re
spect. confidence and esteem of all who know him.
William L. Yancey, another prominent farmer
and stock raiser of Oak BlufiP Township, and son
of Robert and Parthena Yancey, was born in Fay-
ette County, Tenu., September 22, 1837. Rob-
ert Yancey was born in Mecklenburg County,
Vh. , grew to manhood there, and was there mar-
ried to Parthena Yancey, who was also a native of
Virginia. After marriage they moved to Tennes-
see, settling in Fayette County, and here the father
followed farming and reared his family. He died
in 1849, and his widow in 1865. In their family
were two sons and one daughter, all of whom grew
to mature years. Both brothers grew up in Fay-
ette County, Tenn. , and both served in the Con-
federate army. William L. enlisted, in March,
1862, in Col. Jackson's cavalry regiment, com-
manded by Gen. Forrest, and served until the
final surrender. He was paroled at Gainesville,
Ala., in 1865, and was a participant in the follow-
ing battles: Jackson, Miss., Holly Springs. Miss..
Guntown, Miss., Nashville and Franklin, Tenn.,
and was in a number of minor engagements. After
the war he returned to Tennessee, farmed in Fay-
ette County for two years, and then moved to Ar-
kansas in the fall of 1866, where he remained for
one year, when he bought the place where he
now resides, five acres being cleared. He is the
owner of 240 acres, all in one tract, 180 acres
cleared and one-half bottom and very rich land.
He has good buildings on his farm, five acres of
bearing orchard and five acres in young orchard.
Mr. Yancey has been three times married; first, in
1859, September 22, to Miss Susan Bradsher, a
native of North Carolina, and five children were
lK)rn to this union, four now living. Mrs. Yancey
died in Arkansas, and Mr. Yancey took for his
second wife Miss Jane Wooten, a native of Arkan-
sas, reared in Greene County. She died in Au-
gust, 1877, leaving one son. Mr. Yancev married
his present wife, Mrs. Martha Virginia Owen,
in January, 1878. She was born in Tennessee,
and is the daughter of Rev. A. M. Pickens, a minis-
ter in the Presbyterian Church. Mrs. Yancey ha<l
one daughter by her former marriage, Edgewortli.
wife of Matthew Thomas, and Mr. Yancey's chil
dren are named as follows: Sarah P., wife of
James Wooten; Willie Ann, deceased; Mary K..
wife of John Wamble; Robert J. and James, by
his first wife, and Stephen H. by his second wife.
Mr. Yancey and wife are members of the Alethod
i.st Protestant Church. He is a member of the
Masonic fraternity, Dannolley Lodge No. 300, also
belonging to Evergreen Lodge No. 66, I. O. O. F.
Bustamente Yates, merchant, emigrated to
Greene County, Ark., in 1876. Going from Weak-
ley County, Tenn., to Texas, he remained three
years engaged in the photograph business, that be-
ing his profession, and while in that State was (piite
successful financially. Mr. Yates was born in
Henry County, Tenn., Fel)ruary 15, 1844, and
when small came with his parents to Weakley
County, of the same State. He is the son of
Joseph M. and Ann W. (Davis) Yates, and grand
son of Lloyd Yates, who lived to be one hundred
and four years of age, and never had an ailment
until his death. He was a soldier in the Revolu
tionary War. Joseph Yates was born in North
Carolina, and is now living four miles from Rec-
tor, in his eightieth year, and is hale and hearty.
He is of Irish descent. During his trip to this
country from North Carolina he was taken with
measles, and was unconscious for seven days, sub-
ject to the severe weather, snow, etc.. during that
time. While in North Carolina he was planter and
overseer, having charge of a large number of
negroes. Ann W. (Davis) Yates, was also Ijorn in
North Carolina, probably Orange County, but was
married after going to Tennessee, in Obion County.
She was the mother of eleven children, nine now
living: Lavinia V.. Bustamente H.. Roan. Cazelia
F., Dalphin W., Lanora M., JohnC. William H.
and Emma. DeWitt and an infant are deceased.
The mother of these children is .still living. Grand
father Davis was from Orange County, N. C. , and
emigrated to Tennessee many years ago. He was
J^l
-L^
258
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
a fanner by occupation, and followed this industry
in Tennessee until his death. Grandmother Davis
was also from Orange County, N. C and died a
number of years ago in Tennessee. She was proV)-
ably of German descent. Bustamente Yates was
principally reared on a farm in Tennessee, and re-
ceived a common school education. After growing
up he went to Dresden, Tenn., and clerked for
some time, after which he engaged in merchan-
dising until coming to Ai'kansas, thirteen years ago.
Since then he has been interested in many differ-
ent pursuits, and is now in the mercantile business.
being occupied also in the liquor trade, and is the
owner of considerable jiroperty. In 1877 Mr.
Yates was married to Miss Sarah L. Eason, daugh-
ter of Alfred and Emily E. Eason. both natives of
Virginia, but reared in Tennessee, where their
daughter was born. Mr. and Mrs. Yates are the
parents of six children, four now living: Robert
H. , George, Joseph and Annie L. Rose and an
infant are deceased. Mr. Yates is not active in
politics, but affiliates with the Democratic party.
He is a member of the I. O. O. F. , and also a
member of the Masonic fraternity.
A
FULTON COUNTY.
'Ihil
XI
-4-4-5-
FuLTOx CoTNTY— Its Formation, Organization AND Ofi-hjehs— Its Caimtal and Biildinhs— Polit-
ical Record— The Bench and Bar— Sititation ok the County— I.MPoitTANT Statlstics fok
THE iNSTurcTioN of Immigrants— Real and Personal Taxation— Aggregate Popu-
lation—Educational and Religious Advancement— Selected Family-
Records — The Gi'.eat REBELLiox--MrNiciPAL Organizations.
O. the pleasant days of old, whiili so often ))eoi)le praise!
True, they wanted all the luxuvies that i^racc our modern days:
Bare floors were strewed with rushes, the walls let in the cold:
O, how they must have shivered in those pleasant days of old. — Br
'ULTON COUNTY was organ
ized in 1843, in accordance
with an act of the General
Sr Assembly of the State ap-
proved December 21, 1842.
The tirst officers under the
.^Jl^O^ organization head the list
^ of county officers following
in this work. The territory com-
posing the county formerly belonged
to Izard, and was originally a por-
tion of the old county of Lawrence.
In 1855 a part of Fulton County was
set off to Marion, and a part of Law-
rence was attached to it. In 1878
territory from Fulton was taken ofF in the forma-
tion of Baxter County.
Soon after the county was organized, the site
of the present town of Salem was selected for the
seat of justice, where it has ever since remained.
-V log court house containing one room was soon
erected on the public square. After being used
for a numl)er of years it was replaced with a larger
log structure containing a court-room and clerk's
office. This l)nilding. together with all of Salem
except one log cabin, was consumed by tire during
the Civil War. The lire was supposed to have
been the work of a marauding party. Afterwards
another log court-hotise was erected and stood
ttntil the fall of 1870, when it, together with all
records saved to that time, was also consumed by
fire. After that time, the present court house, a
medium-sized, two-story frame structure, with a
hall and offices on the first floor and the court-
room on the second, was erected. It .stands in the
center of the large public square; and the jail, a
wooden building, the walls of which are made of
planks lying flatwise — one upon another and se-
curely spiked together — is located in the southwi-st
corner of the square.
The following is a list of the names of county
officers, and dates of term of service, from the or
ganizatiou of the county to the present writing:
Judges: E. C. Hunter, 1843-10; John Plum
lee, 1846-48; S. Billingsley, 1848-50; L. Bowling,
1850-54; R. L. Brantley, 1854-50; S. Billingsley,
1856-58; E. C. Hunter. 1858-60; L. Bowling,
1860 62; W. R. Chestnut, 1862-64; J. D. Isham,
1864-66; \V. R. Chestnut, 1866-68: H. Turner.
1868-70; J. W. Ball, 1870-72; commissimier-.
260
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
1872-74; T. J. Cunningham. 1874-80; S. H.
White, 1880-82; R. E. Richardson, 1882-84; T. N.
Chestnut, present incumbent, first elected in 1884.
Clerks: Isaac King. 1843-52; W. M. Bennett,
1852-54; J. A. Simpson, 1854-56; J. C. Todd,
1856-58; S. W. Davis. 1858-62; T. N. Estes,
1862-64; J. P. Cochran. 1864-68; Wiley King,
1868-71; A. R. Brantley. 1871-72; W. P. Rhea,
1872-82; L. P. Kay, 1882-86; H. F. Northcutt,
present incumbent, first elected in 1886.
Sheriffs: F. Tolbert, 1843-44; Daniel Beck,
1844-46; C. E. Simmons, 1846-48; S. H. Tolbert,
1848-50; N. L. Barker, 1850-54; R. Benton,
1854-56; L. D. Bryant, 1856-58; T. Martin,
1858-60; L. D. Bryant, 1860-62; E. O. Wolf,
1862-64; M. V. Shaver, 1864-66; E. O. Wolf,
1866-68; W. E. Spear, 1868-72; W. T. Livingston,
1872-74; B. R. P. Todd, 1874-76; W. T. Living-
ston, 1876-80; D. P. Tunstall, 1880-82; W. T.
Livingston, 1882-84; D. P. Tunstall, 1884-86;
W. T. Livingston, 1886-88; A. F. Basham, 1888,
present incumbent.
Treasurers: D. Hubble, 1843-44; W. Falken-
berry, 1844-60; J. Montgomery, 1860-64; S. Bil-
lingsley, 1864-66; J. M. Archer, 1866-68; J.
Andrews, 1868-70; T. Chestnut. 1872-74; E. D.
Hays, 1874-76; T. W. Chestnut. 1876-84; S. P.
Welden, present incumbent, first elected in 1884.
Surveyors: B. Archer, 1843-46; H. Long,
1846-50; W. E. Davis, 1850-52; J. O. Brown,
1852-58; J. T. Livingston, 1858-60; S. H. Tol-
bert, 1860-62; M. F. Billingsley, 1862-64; S.
Vanatta, 1864-68; William Raines, 1868-72; S.
H. White, 1872-76; C. C. Torrence, 1876-80;
William Anderson, 1880-82; W. C. Anderson,
1882-84; C. C. Torrence. 1884-88; C. C. Davis,
1888, present incumbent.
Assessors: J. W. Kennedy, 1864-66; W. H.
H. Orr, 1866-68; J. W. Cleghorn, 1868-72; J.
M. Archer, 1872-74; A. L. Pearson, 1874-76; S.
H. White, 1876-80; M. T. Price, 1880-82; C. C.
Torrence, 1882-84; W. C. Anderson. 1884-86; T.
H. Hammond, present incumbent, first elected in
1886.
Representatives in constitutional conventions:
1861, S. W. Cochran and George C. Watkins;
1868. William A. Wyatt; 1874, Edwin R. Lucas.
At the September election in 1888 the number
of votes cast in Fulton County, for the candidates
for governor, were as follows: James P. Eagle,
Democrat, 1,011; C M. Norwood, opposition, 612.
At the presidential election in November. 1888,
the number of votes cast within the county for the
several candidates were as follows: Cleveland. Dem-
ocrat, 873; Harrison, Republican, 272; Streeter,
Union Labor. 195: Fisk, Prohibition, 29.
Just when, or in what particular house the
sessions of the county and probate courts were held
prior to the selection of the site for the seat of
justice, and before the first court-house was con-
structed, can not now be given, for the reason that
all records of the county prior to the fall of 1870
have been destroyed. It is presumed, however,
that they were held in Salem very soon after the
county was organized. The regular sessions of the
county coiirt now begin on the first Mondays of
Januar}', April, July and October of each year, and
of the probate court on the first Mondays of March,
June, September and December.
The Fulton circuit court belongs to the Four-
teenth judicial district, and its regular sessions
begin on the fourth Mondays of March and Sep-
tember of each year.
The legal bar of Fulton County is composed
of the following named attorneys: C. A. Phillips.
B. H. Castleberr.v, J. L. Short, R. B. Maxey and
J. M. Burrow.
Fulton, like all sections of country, has, to
some extent, been afflicted with criminals. A few
murders have been committed, but no legal execu-
tions of the offenders have taken place. They
have, however, been punished with terms of ser-
vice in the penitentiary. Society is now well
regulated, and the safety of persons and property
is secured.
The county of Fulton, located in Northeast
Arkansas, on the southern slope of the Ozark
Mountain Range, is bounded north by Ozark. How-
ell and Oregon Counties in Missouri, east by Sharp
County, Ark., south by Sharp and Izard Coun-
ties, and west by Baxter County, and has an area
of 600 square miles, with only about one-tenth of
FULTON COUNTY.
261
it improved. Its hoiuidary lines are hs follows:
Beginning on the State line between Arkansas
and iVIissouri, where it crosses the line between
llanges 4 and 5 west of the Fifth Priuci])al
Meridian; thence south on the range line to the
line dividing Townships 19 and 20 north; thence
west on the township line to the line betwiien
Ranges 5 and 6 west; thence south on the range
line to the line dividing Townships 18 and 19
north; thence west on the towilship line to the
middle of Range 11, west; thence north on section
lintis to the north line of the State; thence east
(jn the State line to the place of beginning.
Spring River is formed by the Mammoth Spring
at the town of Mammoth Spring, at the State line,
about three miles west of the northeast corner of
the county, and flows in a southerly direction
across its eastern portion. Myatfs Creek rises
near the center of the northern boundary of the
county and flows southeasterly and empties into
Spring River in the east central part. Soiith Fork
enters the county from Missouri a little west of
the middle of the northern boundary, and flows
south and east to its junction with Spring River
in Township 19 north. Range 5 west. Straw-
berry River and the tributaries forming it rise in
the south central portion of the county — the river
itself flowing in a southeasterly direction. The
creeks in the extreme western division of the county
flow in a southwesterly direction and partially
form the Big North Fork of White River. The
streams above named, together with their tribu-
taries, furnish excellent drainage for the entire
county, and on the larger ones there are many
good mill sites. Numerous jjure mountain springs
abound everywhere, the most noted of which are
Mammoth Spring, at the head of Sjmng River,
and Sharp's Spring, in the southern part of the
county. Good well water can be obtained at an
average depth of thirty feet, and many wells are in
use, as are also cisterns. These sources furnish an
abundant supply of water for all purposes.
The entire surface of the county is more or
less hilly and mountainous, though the knobs and
ridges do not reach to any considerable height.
Many of the hill sides are sufficiently level for
cultivation, and on the tops of the ridges are
found a number of comparatively level tracts.
Valley lands abound along the larger streams.
The south central and southwestern portion of the
county is not so hilly and broken as elsewhere,
and in this and in the valleys of the streams the
best farms are found. In the extreme southwest-
ern portion, where pine timber abounds, the soil
is thin and sandy. On Myatt's Creek and South
Fork the soil is a black sandy loam, while on
Spring River it is mostly a clay soil. On Straw
berry the soil is called a "mulatto soil," and is
that kind best adapted to the raising of cotton.
It is a loamy clay, composed largely also of veg
etable mould. The soil of the uplands consists
principally of clay and vegetable mould, and in
many places is exceedingly stony. The stone,
however, is small and loose upon the surface, and
easily removed. Lead and zinc have been dis-
covered in different places within the county, but
no mines have been opened.
The first land entries date from 1880, but
not many were made prior to 1850. During the
50' s more entries are noticed than at any other
period of similar length. Large tracts of laud are
owned by non-residents. Many of the citizens
have made homestead entries, and many have al-
ready '"proved up" and secured their titles.
There are thousands of acres of Government lands
in each of several Congressional districts yet sub-
ject to homestead entry, and to the home-seeker
who desires to secure a home under the homestead
laws, this county presents many advantages over
those of the cold, bleak and liarren regions of the
West and Northwest.
The timber of the valley lands consists of wal-
nut, sycamore, burr, white and "sour" oak, lin-
den, ash, hickory, sweet and black gum, cotton-
wood, box- elder, etc. On the uplands black jack,
post, black and white oak and hickory abound.
The best saw-timber is found in the valleys. Good
pine timber is also abundant in the extreme south-
western portion of this territory. The timber has
not been shipjied out of the county to any consid-
erable extent. A few saw-mills are iu oi>eration,
all of which are doing good busiue.ss.
•262
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
The principal resources of the county, as now
developed, and the principal vegetable productions
are corn and cotton. According to the United
States census of 1880, there were within the
county 866 farms and 24,629 acres of improved
land, and from these the vegetable produetions of
the previous year were as follows; Indian corn,
299,980 bushels; oats. 20,827 bushels; wheat,
10,924 bushels; hay, 166 tons; cotton, 2,438
bales; Irish potatoes, 95 bushels; sweet potatoes,
681 bushels; tobacco, 3,400 pounds. Thus it will
be seen that corn and cotton were extensively raised,
while but little attention was given to the growing
of other crops. The soil is well adapted to the
development of all kinds of vegetables named, and
the tame grasses and clover. Clover, timothy and
herds grass (red top) have recently been introduced,
but have not been raised to any considerable ex-
tent. The reason for this is the liberal range
upon which the stock lives and fattens, requiring
only a little feed through the short winters. The
number of live stock within the county, as shown
by the census of 1880, was as follows: Horses,
1,615; mules and asses, 567; neat cattle, 5,934;
sheep, 4, 189; hogs, 16,427. The number assessed
for taxation in 1888 is as follows: Horses, 2,471;
mules and asses, 891; neat cattle, 12,426; sheep,
5,764; hogs, 16,483. The apparent small increase
in the number of hogs is attributable to the fact
that the number given by the census of 1880 in-
cliules all slaughtered and sold during the previous
year, while the number given in 1888 includes only
those on hand when assessed. The real increase
of hoffs must have been enormous. Fulton Countv
is excellent for stock raising, the climate being
mild, the water supply good, and the range for
pasturage extensive. It is also well adajited to the
cultivation of all kinds of fi-uit common in this lati-
tude: V)ut fi-uit growing has not been very largely
followed, at least not for shipping purposes. It
could be made a very profitable industry, and the
opportunity is here for all who may wish to en-
gage in it.
According to the United States census of 1880
the assessed value of real estate in Fulton County
WMs $201,186, and of personal i)roperty, $205,836,
making a total of $407,022. The total taxes
charged thereon for all purposes amounted to
$7,008.
The taxable wealth of the county in 1888, as
shown by the assessment rolls, is as follows: Real
estate, 1617,821; personal property, $519,371,
making a total of $1,139,192; and the total taxes
charged for all purposes is $17,150.92. Thus it
is seen that from 1880 to 1888, the taxable wealth
of the county nearly trebled. The assessment of
1889 will undoubtedly show it more than trebled.
These figures prove that the county's resources are
being rapidly developed.
Tlie aggregate population of the county at the
end of the several census decades has been as fol-
lows: 1850, 1,819: 1860, 4,024; 1870, 4,843; 1880,
6,720. The colored population was, in 1860, 88;
1870, 85, and in 1880, only 36.
The only railroad here is the Kansas City, Fort
Scott & Memphis, which was completed in 1883.
It enters the county, from Missouri, at Mammoth
Spring, and runs thence in a southerly direction
across its territory for between thirteen and four-
teen miles. It was assessed for taxation in 1888
at $141,765. It has been and will continue to be
of great advantage to the county.
Prior to the actual settlement of the section
now composing Fulton County, it was occupied by
a few adventurous and migratory hunters who suli-
sisted upon wild game, wild honey, berries and other
articles of food that they sometimes procured by
returning to the frontier settlements and stealing.
This class did not long remain after the permanent
settlement began, which, according to best infor-
mation, took place during the 20' s and early in the
30' s. Among the early settlers that may now be men-
tioned were G. A\'. Archer and his family, consist-
ing of nine sons and three daughters, who settled
on South Fork, four miles east of Salem, and Daniel
Hubble, William Wells, Moses Branaon, Mr. Cobb,
the Barkers, John Nichols, the Batons and the Lew-
ises, all of whom located with their families on
South Fork. '■ Tilt " Hubble settled on the Nes-
bit place, four miles south of Salem, and Moses
Steward in the same neighborhood. It is said of
the latter that he raised a familv there without any
■«. = ^»-
!>:
FULTON COUNTY.
2(53
beds except beds of leaves. Enos C. Hunter, the
first judge of the county court, took up his resi-
dence in 1840 on Indian Camp, six miles east of
Salem. Milton Yar berry settled eight miles north-
west of Salem, near the Stat(> line. A Mr. Mor
rison located on the site of Salem, and John C.
Claiborne near that place. John D. Isenhour,
Ferd. and Daniel Shaver, Dr. A. Cantrell and Sam-
uel W. Cochran were j)ioueers near the present
town of Union.
A few Indians remained here until after the
settlement began, and it is related by surviving old
residents that one of the pioneers, whose name, for
the sake of his descendants, shall not be revealed,
stole a pony from the Indians, for which offense
the Indians caught and punished him in a novel
manner. Placing him astride of a pony, they tied
his feet together under its body, with his hands
behind him, attached a halter around his neck and
the other end of it to a tree, then removed the bridle
from the pony and quietly left him to his fate.
As the pony began to graze, the halter became
stretched, and the man was about choking to death
just as a party of his friends arrived and by free-
ing him saved his life.
The early settlers suffered many hardships and
l)rivations. They wore their own homespun cloth-
ing, and upon attending preaching service in a pri-
vate house or in " God's tirst temples, the groves,"
the rich, as they were called, wore moccasins on
their feet, while the poor went barefooted.
In this county the cause of education has been
greatly benefitted by the stanch public sentiment
in its favor. About the year 1850 a subscription
school lasting only a few weeks was taught in
Salem. This it is believed was the tirst school
taught here, and only a few others were in exist-
ence until the fi'ee school system was established,
after the close of the Civil War. The old citizens
of the county — those who were children when the
settlements began, or were born .soon afterward,
never had an opportunity to attend school. l)ut
grew to manhood with such education as they could
ac<juire at home. The following statistics, taken
from the report of the State superintendent of
public instruction for the year ending June 30,
1888, indicates the advancement made in the pub-
lic schools of the county: Scholastic popula-
tion— white 3,500, colored 32, total 3,592: numVier
of pupils taught in the public schools — white,
1,647; colored, 16; total, 1,663; number of school
districts, 61); number reporting enrollment in the
schools, 48; number of teachers employed — males,
20; females, 18; total, 38; average monthly salar-
ies paid teachers — first grade, males, $34 ; females,
$27; second grade, males, $24.75: females, none;
third grade, males, $26; females, $20; amount of
revenue expended for the support of the schools,
$6,208.51. These figures show by comparison
that of the .scholastic population less than one-half
were enrolled in the public schools; but the figures
do not include the pupils of schools where the di-
rectors failed to make reports. The wages paid
teachers are much less than in many other coun-
ties. County Examiner S. H. White said in his
report to the State superintendent for 1888: " The
public schools have no opposition in this county at
this time, and the tax books show that thirty-nine
of the districts voted a tax last year ranging from
two and one-half to five mills.'"
In addition to the public schools there are two
well sustained academies in the county, the Salem
Academy and the County Line Academy, the hit
ter in the northwest corner.
Of the several religious denominations, the
Methodists and Baptists were the pioneer workers
hereabouts. About 1840, the former had preach
ing at the Hubble place, three miles north of the
present site of Salem, and a little later the latter
held services at Indian Camp, some six miles east
of Salem. Churches then began to be organized,
but the few that were formed prior to the war pc
riod became disorganized during that time.
The Methodist Episco]jal Church. South, now
embraces one circuit and three missions. Salem
circuit contains seven appointments, with an ag-
gregate membership of 3i)4, including three local
preachers. Rev. J. S. Watson is the pastor in
charge at this writing. Viola Mission includes
six appointments, with a total membership of 233.
including six local preachers. Rev. R. D. Moon is
the present pastor. Mammoth Spring Mission has
264
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
three appointments, whose membership has reached
I forty-five. Rev. J. F. Troy is present pastor.
State Line Mission has seven appointments, with
j an aggregate membership of 187. The present
pastor is Rev. J. R. Edwards. These all belong
; to the Batesville district of the White River con-
ference, from the minutes of which the statistics
have been taken.
The Methodist Episcopal Church embraces
I within the county the whole of one and a portion
of another circuit. Viola Circuit contains six ap-
pointments, with an aggregate membership of 105.
Wild Cherry Circuit has two appointments in the
county — Wild Cherry and Gum Springs — the two
having a membership of about 125. Rev. J. W.
Slusher is pastor. Viola Cu'cuit has no pastor at
this writing. These churches belong to the Harri-
son district of Arkansas conference, of which Rev.
W. C. Evans is presiding elder. There are a few
organizations in the county of Methodist Protes-
tants.
Of the Missionary Baptist Church there are the
following organizations: Mount Zion, at Union,
Lil erty Hill, Little Strawberry, Enterprise, Gum
Springs, Shady Grove, Mount Vernon, Salem,
Viola, Oak Grove and Shiloh, with an estimated
aggregate membership of 4-13. These organiza-
tions all belong to Big Creek association of Mis-
sionary Baptists. There are not less than eleven
Christian Church organizations scattered though -
out the county, having an aggregate membership
of about 350. At Mammoth Si:)ring is the St.
Andrew's Episcopal Church, with a membership
of twenty five. It was organized in November,
1887, by Dr. Lawson, of Mississippi, and is the
only one of that denomination in the county. Of
the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, there are at
least three organizations in the county, viz: Hick-
ory Grove, Fairview and one near Pleasant Valley.
One Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church is
in the county — Prosperity, four and a half miles
southwest from Salem. It has a membership of
about forty-five. Rev. J. C. McDonald, of Izard
County, is the present pastor. All the settled por-
tions of the county are supplied with churches and
school-houses.
At the outbreak of the Civil War nearly all the
citizens of Fulton County were in favor of estab-
lishing the Southern Confederacy. A very few
who remained loyal to the Union departed to the
North. Several companies of soldiers, commanded
respectively by Capts. M. V. Shaver, Harry Tracy,
L. D. Bryant and others, were raised within the
county and served in the Confederate army during
the war. In the early part of that period a skirmish
took place on the Simmons farm in the northern
part between a battalion of Confederate and a bat-
talion of Federal troops, on which occasion the lat-
ter were routed, with a loss of six killed and a few
wounded. The Confederates lost but one killed.
Another skirmish occurred toward the close of
the war, on Little Strawberry Creek, about four
miles south of Salem, between a battalion of Clay-
ton's command of Federal troops and a battalion
of Confederate troops, under Col. Cloud, on which
occasion the latter were completely routed. There
was a small loss on each side. These were the
only engagements worthy of mention within the
county between the contending forces, but scout-
ing and marauding parties frequently scoured the
country, killing individuals and taking or destroy-
ed much property. The county was over-run and
laid waste, and before the war -closed it was almost
deserted. There was no bushwhacking among its
citizens.
Towns and villages of commercial importance
have sprung up here and there, forming necessary
trading points for the surrounding country.
Afton, a station of the Kansas City, Fort Scott
& Memphis Railroad, five miles south of Mam-
moth Spring, contains a depot, store, hotel and
sawmill.
Camp is seven miles northeast of Salem. Here
are a store, grocery, grist-mill and cotton-gin.
Elizabeth, eighteen miles southwest of Salem,
has a general store, drug store and a cotton-gin,
with three saw-mills in the near vicinity.
Mitchell, fifteen miles southwest of Salem, has
one general store.
Myatt, in the northeastern part of the county,
has one store, grist-mill and cotton gin.
Mammoth Spring is located on the Kansas
FULTON COUNTY.
2fi5
City, Port Scott & Memphis Railroad, at the fa-
mous sprinw of that name. The old town, con-
taining a .small cluster of houses and a saloon, on
the Missouri side of the State line, located at the
Hany Tunstall Spring, about half a mile west of
the big spring, was established many years ago,
!)ut the new town, near the big spring and the rail-
road, has been almost wholly constructed since the
completion of the railroad, in 1883. It now con-
tains three general stores, three groceries, two
drug stores, a hardware and furniture store, a ,iew-
elry and a millinery store, three hotels, two res-
taurants, a livery stable, a weekly newspaper, two
real estate offices, a liuilding and loan association,
a lumber yard, a lish farm, the Calumet Cotton
Factory, two church edifices, a large brick school-
house, a complement of mechanics' shops, a lodge
each of Masons, Odd Fellows and Knights of
Pythias, etc., etc.. and a population of about 800.
The town is "booming," the immigration is rapid
and the population will soon double and treble.
The place is designed by nature for a health and
summer resort, and is being fitted up for that pur-
pose. A commodious hotel, commanding splendid
views, recently under construction, is now com-
pleted, and is especially adapted for the accommo-
dation of health and pleasure seekers. The Mam-
moth Spring Monitor, a Democratic newspaper, is
published weekly by its proprietors. Gulp & Dead-
erick. It is now in its second volume, and is well
supjiorted, as its ably written columns and sub-
stantial local matter deserve.
The great spring from which the river flows is
about liSO feet in diameter, but the Mammoth
Spring Improvement Company have constructed a
huge dam across the river at a projier distance
below the spring, thus forming a reservoir, com-
pletely submerging the spring and containing an
area of eighteen acres. The sheet of water that
flows over the dam is 107 feet wide, the depth of fall
is fourteen feet, and the quantity that falls is over
45,000 cubic feet per minute, enough to turn all
the mills and factories that can be built adjacent
to it. The supply is constant and does not vary
with the change of seasons. The river, with this
great body of water, for a distance of eleven and
three-fourth miles from below the dam has a fall
of 134 feet. In this distance many dams co\ild l)e
constructed and hundreds of mills operated. Mam
moth Spring and the river that flows from it form
one of nature's greatest wonders. The Calumet
Cotton Factory stands by the dam mentioned. It
is a two-story brick building. 50x250 feet in size,
with a one-story wing attach(>d, 40x90 feet, and at
this writing is well supplied with looms and other
machinery. The rnimber of looms is about 120
and the number of spindles 5,000. One hundred
and fifty hands are employed and all the finer
grades of colored cotton goods manufactured.
These hands and their families add mucli to the
population of the place.
Salem, the county seat, is near the geograph-
ical center of the county, and has a beautiful site
at the foot and south of Pilot Hill. It had its
origin with the county's organization. As pre
viously mentioned, it was destroyed during the
Civil War. It now contains two general stores,
a drug store, grocery, school-house, church, two
hotels, the county buildings, two newspapers, etc..
and twenty two families. The Fulton County Ban-
ner, published weekly at Salem, is now in its fifth
year. It is published by Lee Davis, is Demociatic
in politics, and has a fair circulation. The Salem
Informer, now in its thirteenth volume, is published
by Jesse Matthews. It advocates Republican ])rin-
ciples and has for its motto. '" Whatever will ad-
vance the laborer's interest."
South Fork, in the eastern part of the county,
has a general store, a drug store, flouring-mill
and cotton-gin.
Union, ten miles south of Salem, contains a
general store and school-house.
Viola, in the western part of the county, con-
tains two general stores, a drug store, flouring
mill, two cotton-gins, blacksmith shops, a school
house and Masonic hall.
Wheeling, four miles south of Salem, has a
grocery, a saw and grist-mill and cotton-gin. a
church and school -house.
Wild Cherry, in the .southwest portion of the
county, contains two general stores, two churches,
a grist mill and cotton-gin. blacksmith shop, a
2i)()
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
Masonic hail and Odd Fellows" hall. At each of
the towns and places above named there is a post-
office.
James M. Archer, senior member of the jj^en-
eral merchandise firm of Archer, Daniels & Co.
Fulton County has within her borders many men
to whom she may point with ]>ride; men, who, for
getting their own interests, have labored assidu-
ously, bending all their eflPorts to one great end —
their country's advancement and welfare. These
men, in braving the dangers and privations in-
cident to a pioneer's life, have pressed rapidly
forward, paving and preparing the way for the
advantages now reaped by a younger generation.
Such a man is James M. Archer, who was born in
Lawrence County, Ark., June 10, 1832, and when
but five years of age removed with his parents to
Fulton County. He suffered the loss of his
mother when still a mere lad, and a few years
later his father was stricken down with paralysis,
lingering a helpless cripple for sixteen years.
This was a terrible blow for young Archer, as it
robbed him of his support and reduced him to a
state of destitution. It was in this trying ordeal
that the boy showed the metal of which he was
made. Born of a sturdy line of ancestry, he inher-
ited a vim which refused to bow under adverse cir-
cumstances, and here were developed that deter-
mination of purjaose and untiring energy which
has characterized his after life. He is first found
occupying the humble position of knife rubber on
a steamboat, which he followed for three years,
never once complaining of his hard lot. Later he
was engaged in labor upon a farm, receiving for
his work the mere pittance of four dollars per
month, which he saved for the purpose of attending
school. His small amount of funds was soon ex-
hausted, and he was compelled to resume his la-
bors, and for five years more was engaged in
various occupations. When the war broke out he
was not long in making his decision, and, espous-
ing the cause of the Confederacy, he organized the
first company of Confederate troops in Marion
County, Ark., where he was then located. He
assumed the captaincy of this company, which was
mustered into service in the Seventh Regiment
Arkansas Infantry, and for a short time was sta-
tioned at Pocahontas, Ark. He next joined the
Regulars and was commissioned regimental adju-
tant of the Fourth Cavalry, participating in many
engagements, among which were the battles of
Fitz Hugh's Woods, Ironton, Boonville, Inde-
pendence and others. After the close of the war
he embarked in agricultural pursuits near Salem.
Ark., and in 1869 he engaged in business at that
town, where he remained until 1882. In 1887 he
obtained control of Mammoth Spring, and at once
devoted his attention to the general improvement
of the place. He is now general manager and
secretary of the Mammoth Spring Imjirovement
& Water Power Compau)', and director of the
Calamity Cotton Mills. In 1879 Mr. Archer was
elected representative of Fulton County, and re-
elected in 1881. His wife was Miss Laura Tun-
.stall, of Arkansas, a daughter of Thomas T. and
Elizabeth Tunstall, early settlers of this State.
They are members of the Methodist Episcopal
Church, South, and are held in the highest esteem.
In political faith Mr. Archer is an ardent adherent
of Democratic principles. He is also a member of
the K. of P,
A. F. Bassham is the present efficient sheriff
and ex-officio collector of Fulton County, Ark., and
is well-known throughout the county as a man of
ability and honor. He was born in Lawi-ence
County. Tenn., January 25, 1859, and is a son of
S. H. and Elizabeth (Ray) Bassham, who were
born in Tennessee and Alabama, September 9,
1829, and January 1, 1830, respectively. The
former grew to maturity and was married in his
native State, being there engaged in the pursuit
of farming, but after the late war, in which he
served on the Confederate side, he emigrated to
Arkansas, in 1874, where he followed the same oc-
cupation, but is now residing in Salem. He is a
Democrat, and he and wife are members of the Free
Will Baptist Church. His father, Richard Bassham.
was a native and a farmer of Tennessee, and was
married to a Miss Pennekuff, who died in Lawrence
County, Tenn. In all probability the maternal
'^%V ^ L
V
SHARP couifrr, Arkansas
FULTON COUNTY.
2Cn
giandfutber, Beujiimiu Euy, was a native of Ala-
bama. A. F. Basshaiu was reared to the age of
foui'teeu years in Tennessee, since wbi(!h time be
has been a resident of Fulton County, Ark. Being
desirous of supplementing the primary education
which he received, in the vicinity of his home, with
a more thorough knowledge he entered the graded
school at Mountain Home, Ark. , where his career was
marked with rapid advancement. Now thoronglilv
(jnalitied to enter upon a ]irofessional career, he
engaged in teaching school, and was one of the
popular educators of Fulton County for several
years. He gave up this work, however, to assume
the responsible duties of his present office, to which
he was elected September 3, 1888, by the Demo-
cratic party, of which he has always been an active
member. He is a Master Mason, and is secretary
of Viola Lodge No. 399; also belonging to Salem
Lodge No. 28, I. O. O. F. October 15, 1881, he
was married to Miss Allie Brown, who was born in
1862, and by her has an interesting little family of
three children; Frederick, Maude and William.
Mr. Bassham owns a good farm of 120 acres.
W. W. Brooks, now in the employ of the Mam-
moth Spring Fish Farm, was originally from Troup
County, Ga. , where he was born in 1851. His
father, Capt. Henry Brooks, was born in Jackson
County, Ga. , in 1816, and was married in Troup
County, of the same State, to Miss Eliza Wideman,
a native of Trou]) County, born in 1824. The
mother died in 1856, and two years later Mr.
Brooks removed to Tallapoosa County, Ala., from
there to Pontotoc County, Miss., in 1868, and in
ISTO to Independence County, Ark., where he
died in 1874. He had been married twice. Dur-
ing his entire life he followed the occupation
of a farmer, and was very successful in this pur
suit. During the late war he was captain of
Company (t. Fourteenth Alabama Infantry, Con-
federate Army, and was with the Army of Virginia
until 1862, when he resigned on account of poor
health. He then joined Young's company of Ala-
bama State troops and served uutil the close of the
war. He was captured at the surrender of Selma,
Ala., and paroled. He was major of the militia in
an early day, and held the position of justice of
the peace for a niiinber of years. He was a mem
ber of the Masonic fraternity for years, and also
belonged to the Methodist Episcopal Church,
South. His father, John Brooks, was born in
Jackson County, Ga., and died in Troup County.
of the same State. He was of English descent,
was a member of the Baptist Church, and was a
soldier in the early wars. The maternal grand
father of the subject of this sketch was a native of
South Carolina, and died in Troup County, Ga.
\V. W. Brooks was the third of four sons born to
his parents. Like most of the youths of his vicin-
ity, as he grew up he devoted his time and atten-
tion to labors on the farm, and in the meantime re-
ceived a fair education in the common schools.
He began for himself at the age of twenty-one
and went to the Lone Star State, where he went
at braking on the railroad. Later he clerked in a
store a( Batesville for two years, and was tlien
made deputy sheriff of Independence County.
After this he engaged in the milling business, raiU
roading, and was also in the railway mail service
for a number of years, or until in March. 1889,
when he was employed by his present company.
His marriage to Miss MoUie Jeffeiy occurred in
1882, and two sons were the result. Mrs. Brooks
was born in Izard County, and is the daughter of
Daniel M. JefFery, who was also a native of Izard
County, where he died in 1888. He was a farmer,
also being a Cumberland Presbyterian minister.
Mr. Brooks came to Fulton County, Ark., in 188(l,
lived at Salem three year.s, and while there was en-
gaged in the milling business. Since then he has
resided at Mammoth Spring. He was appointed by
President Arthur postmaster at Mammoth Spring,
and tilled this position in a satisfactory manner for
two years. He was justice of the peace from 18S4
to 1886. and was postmaster at the same time. In
1885 he was a member of the equalization board
of Fulton County, appointed by Gov. Hughes.
He was formerly a member of the I. O. O. F. He
is an active worker iu the Democratic ])arty, and
voted for Horace Greeley in 1872.
Hon. S. A. Brown, ex- member of the Twenty -
fifth General Asspinl)ly. and one of the largest land
owners and farmers of Bennett Bayou, was bom in
f
L^
2fi8
HISTOEY OF ARKANSAS.
tlu> Buckeye State, and is the son of Matthew and
Hannah (O'Key) Brown, natives of Ohio. They
were married in their native State, and remained
there until 1866, he engaged in farming and stock
raising. In 1861 the elder Brown joined the United
States troops as first lieutenant of Company D,
Twenty- seventh Ohio Infantry, and served about
one year, participating in the following battles:
New Madrid, Island No. 10 and Corinth. When
the call for 600,000 troops was made, Lieut.
Brown came home, raised a company, was made
captain, and joined the One Hundred and Sixteenth
Ohio Infantry, Company F, and remained with
that company for three years. He took part in
several noted engagements: Winchester, Cedar
Creek, Piedmont, Petersburg and Richmond. He
was wounded at Winchester while on picket duty,
being shot in the arm. He was discharged at Har-
per's Ferry in 1864, and came home. In 1866 he
went to Southwest Missouri, and in 1869 came to
Fulton County, Ark., and bought the place on
which his son, Hon. S. A., now resides, for $2,000.
Three years later he sold this farm to his son, and
bought one on Big North Fork of White River,
in Baxter County. Ark. , where he died in 1876.
Ho was public administrator of this county for
three or four years, and was also county judge of
the same county. He was not an office seeker,
and was appointed to the positions he held by the
Governor. Previous to the war, he had been a
strong Democrat, but after that his ideas coincided
witli those of the Republican party. He was a mem-
ber of the Masonic fraternity. Nine children were
born to his marriage, eight of whom lived to V)e
grown, and seven are now living: Edward, S. A.,
born December 28. 1839; Catherine, A. R., Nancy
(deceased), Mary A., Jennie D. and Josephine.
S. A. Brown was a soldier in the late war, having
joined Company F, One Hundred and Sixteenth
Ohio, in his twenty-first year, and served three
years. He was discharged on accoiuit of a wound,
and was afterward captured at Staunton, Va. , and
kept in prison three months. He was in Libby
prison a short period, but the principal part of the
time was spent in the hospital. He was paroled at
Richmond, Va., on the Tith of August, 1865.
While in service he participated in the following
battles: Winchester, Gettysburg, and at Piedmont,
Va. , where he was wounded by a musket ball in
the arm. He held the rank of orderly sergeant of
his company during the war. After his return
home in 1865, he remained there for about a year,
and then, in company with his father, moved to
Polk County, Mo. , where he continued for three
years. After this he taught school, and in 1S69
came to Fulton County, Ark., where he taught the
fiirst free school in this section after the war. Sub-
sequently he engaged in agricultural pursuits, and
has continued the same up to the present. On the
8th of December, 1870, Miss Lou Baker became
his wife, and to them have been born three chil-
dren: Claud, born on the 19th of September, 1871;
Bettie, born on the 2d of November, 1878, and
Bertha, born on the 4th of February, 1881. Mrs.
Brown died on the 28th of April, 1882, and Mr.
Brown married Mrs. Josie Simpson, nee Tuttle,
August 4, 1884, and they have two children, Ros-
coe C, born on the 16th of August, 1885, and
Archie, born on the 16th of April, 1887. Mrs.
Brown is the daughter of Capt. T. C. Fluty, of
Tennessee, a captain in the Confederate army,
and one of the prominent farmers of Baxter Coun-
ty, Ark. Mr. Brown has represented his county
in the legislature, and has held several minor offi-
ces, filling the position of commissioner of public
accounts for two terms. He is a member of the
Masonic fraternity. Queen Elizabeth Lodge No.
360, and is also a member of the I. O. O. F.,
Vidette Lodge No. 94. He belongs to Simp.
Mason Post No. 228, G. A. R., Department of
Missouri, and was appointed on the staff of John
E. Phelps, commander of the State of Missouri.
He is a Republican in politics, and he and Mrs
Brown are members of the Methodist Episco[)al
Church.
Thomas J. Brown. No name is more prop-
erly placed in the history of the county than that
of Mr. Brown, who is not only one of the most
enterprising farmers of the county, but is of such
a social, genial nature, that he has made many
friends. He owes his nativity to the State of Ten-
nessee, where his birth occurred January 5, 1854.
FULTON COUNTY.
'im
His parents, John and Caroline (Harber) Brown,
are natives of Tennessee. The elder Brown was a
sturdy sou of toil and followed this occupation in
his native State until his subsequent removal to
Dunklin County, Mo. His death occurred April 30,
1S5S. He had been constable in Tennessee and
filled the position in a highly satisfactory manner.
His marriage took place in 184:4, and six children
were the result: Henry N. , born Sept(!mber 27,
1846, died October 2S, 1846; Martin W., born Sep-
tember 30, 1847, died October 14, 1848; Martha
J., born December 22, 1849, died May 4, 1886,
Joseph M. , born January 26, 1852; Amanda C,
born July 30, 1858, died February 22, 1876. John
Brown, the father of these childi-en, was born on
the I'Jth of July, 1824, and his wife was born on
the 20th day of October, 1825. She died August
28, 1888, and was a worthy and consistent member
of the Christian Church. Thomas J. Brown com-
menced life for himself at the age of nineteen
years, and his marriage to Miss Eliza J. Pumphrey
was consummated on the 24th of August, 1873.
She was born in Ozark County, Mo., October 10,
1852. With his parents he left Dunklin County,
Mo. ; came to Fulton County, Ark., iu 1858, and
has been a resident of this county ever since. In
1874 he purchased his present property, and is
now the owner of 320 acres of land, 150 under a
tine state of cultivation. Over his Inroad acres
roam cattle, sheep and horses and mules, which
he makes a specialty of raising. To his marriage
were born six children : John ^N" . , born on the 13th
of .Tune, 1874; Richard W., born on the 12th of
Fel)ruary, 1877; Elizabeth C, born on the 20th of
August, 1879; Ollie M., born on the 7th of May,
1885; Thomas M., born on the 21st of March,
1887 ; James E. , born on the 6th day of August,
1889. Mr. Brown has made the principal part of
his property by his own labor. His wife is the
daughter of ^\■illiam (J. Pumphrey and Elizabeth
(Hawkins; Pumphrey, both natives of Tennessee.
They came to Missouri at an early day. settling
on The Big North Fork of White Biver, in Ozark
County, Mo. , and were married there in 1848. After
remaining in that county until 1887, he moved to
Boone County, Ark. His tirst marriage was to Miss
Fannie Holt, of Tenne.ssee, who bore him two
children, one living at present: Mary. By his
marriage to Miss Hawkins he l)ecame th(? fatlier of
six children, four of whom survive: Benjamin J.
(deceased), Eliza J., George W., Sarah A., M. T.,
and William (deceased). Mr. Brown is a Demo-
crat and has tilled the office of deputy sheriff of his
county for two years. His wife is a member of
the Missionary Ba[)tist Church.
Charles J. Brimsou's life from his earliest rec-
ollections has been passed on a farm, his early
days being spent in assisting his father on the old
homestead in Georgia, iu Twiggs County of which
State he was born January 7, 1827. His parents,
Jarrett N. and Mary M. (Stephens) Brunson, were
born in South Carolina, the former's birth occur-
ring about 1797. He was a farmer by occupation,
of Scotch descent, and died in Georgia near 1842,
being one of thirteen children (eleven sons and
two daughters) born to Peter Brunson, who lived
and died in South Carolina. Mrs. Mary M. Brun-
son died in the State of Georgia about 1829, hav-
ing borne a family of four children, of whom our
subject is the third. After his father's death
Charles J. began making his home with his elder
brother, and while living with him attended school
one year, making good use of his opportunities. He
then went to his uncle's, Marion Brunson, in Ala-
bama, and again entered school, attending about
three months, after which he took charge of liis
uncle's plantation, and overseered his slaves, who
numbered about sixty, for two years. Being of-
fered better wages, he became an overseer for a
neighboring planter, remaining with him one year.
In 1848 he was married, in the State of Alabama,
to Miss Mary Hickman, who was born in Twiggs
County, Ga., October 23. 1833, and died iu Ful-
ton County, Ark.. January 1, 1872. She left,
besides her hu.sband, a family of three children to
mourn her loss: Charles J., James L. and Anna
E. (wife of J. H. Nichols.) Three children are
deceased. In the latter part of 1872 Mr. Brunson
took for his second wife Mrs. Margaret (Huffman)
Willcox, who was born in Davidson County, N. C ,
November 19, 1837. They have one son, Joseph
A. In 1854 Mr. Brunson moved with his family
270
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
to Ashley County, Ark., and there resided until
1865, when he settled in Jefferson County, where
he spent two years. Since that time he has been
a resident of Fulton County. By his own unaided
efforts he has become the owner of a fine farm
comprising 280 acres, with about 130 under culti-
vation, and has made all the improvements, stich as
building fences and houses, and clearing the land,
himself. He served two years in the Confederate
army during the Rebellion, and has since been a
Democrat in politics. He has held the position of
constable both in Alabama and Arkansas, and has
been solicited to accept other local offices, but has
declined. He and family belong to the Methodist
Episcopal Church, South, of which he has been a
member since twenty one years cf age. His first
wife was a member of the Missionary Baptist
Church.
George C. Buford, dealer in general merchan-
dise, farm implements, etc.. Mammoth Spring. Of
the many names that make uj) the strength of the
business portion of Mammoth Spring that of Mr.
Buford is foremost. His business was established
in 1885, and the value of the stock is estimated at
about $12,000. Mr. Buford was born in Frederick-
town, Mo., October 20, 1849, and is the son of
Christopher Y. and Mary (Nifong) Buford, natives
of South Carolina and Pennsylvania, respective!}'.
The parents were married in Missouri, and there
spent the remainder of their lives. Mrs. Buford
died in 185,5 and Mr. Buford in 1879. Her father,
George AV. Nifong, was a native of Pennsylvania,
and moved to Southeast Missouri at a very early
day, where he died at the age of ninety-eight years.
Mr. Buford was married twice. He was a well to-
do farmer, stock raiser and general trader, and was
also a member of the Masonic fraternity. His
father died in Louisiana at the age of eighty years.
George C. Buford was one of six children born to
his parents, and received a thorough education at
Fredericktown, and at Washington University, St.
Louis. He also graduated from Reed's Commer-
cial College, of St. Louis, in 1869. SuVisequently
he taught school for several years in Frederick-
town, Mo., until 1871, when he removed to New-
port, Ark., and there engaged in merchandising
and general trading with marked success until
1884. He then came to Mammoth Spring, where
he purchased the first business and residence lots
sold by the town syndicate. He immediately
erected buildings, and built the first brick business
house in that town, besides investing largely in real
estate there. He is also the owner of considerable
real estate in and around Newport, and is one of
the most thoroughgoing and active business men
in Fulton County. He enjoys an immense trade.
He was the assessor of Jackson County, Ark. , for
four years, and filled that position to the satisfac
tion of all. He has been married three times; first,
in 1874, to Miss Lena Claridge, the daughter of
Dr. H. B. Claridge, who came from Tennessee to
Jackson County, where he was one of the leading
physicians. Mrs. Buford died in 1879, and in 1883
Mr. Buford married Miss Delia Harrison, who died
in 1884. In 1886 he married Miss Nettie Ander-
son, daughter of J. L. Anderson, who came from
Iowa to Arkansas, where he is living at the present
time, engaged in agricultural pursuits. Mr. Bu-
ford is a Democrat in jjolitics, and his first presi-
dential vote was for Horace Greeley in 1872. He
has been a member of Mammoth Spring Lodge of
the I. O. O. F. for twelve years.- He and wife are
much esteemed members of the Christian Church.
G. A. Bundren. farmer and stock raiser of
Washington Township, was born in Tennessee,
January 30, 1847, and passed his youth and early
manhood in that State and in Illinois. His par-
ents, G. C. and Lucinda (Keyton) Bundren, were
natives of Virginia, the father born in 1807, and
the mother in 1828. In their family were five
children, four of whom lived to be grown. They
were named as follows: James C, who died in the
Union army in 1863, and whose family now reside
in Johnson County, 111. ; Surena, wife of George
Everett, a resident of Williamson County, 111. ;
Melissa, wife of David Sollis, living in Du-
quoin. 111., and G. A. The father of these chil-
dren was a successful agriculturist, and followed
this occupation in Tennessee until 1851, when be
moved to Illinois. He entered land in that State
and continued tilling the soil until his death, which
occurred in 1882. He was a Democrat in politics,
A.
J) 'y
l>£
FULTON COUNTY.
271
but wiis aot an aspirant for office, nor was Im act
ive in politics. He was a member of the United
Baptist Chnrch, as was also his wife. G. A. Buiid-
ren, like so many of the substantial citizens of this
county at the present time, was initiated into the
mysteries of farming fi'om the very first, and this
has since continued to be the calling to which his
attention has been directed. He received a fair
education in his native State, and in the State of
Illinois, and at the age of seventeen began for
himself, attending to farm duties in Illinois until '
1866, when he moved to Kentucky. Two years
later he went to Cape Girardeau, Mo., resided
there two years, going thence to Dunklin County,
thence in 1876 to Scott County, Mo., and from
there, in 1878, to Peach Orchard, Clay County,
Ark., where he engaged in the practice of medicine,
and also started a drug store. At the same time he
filled the position of postmaster. In 1882 he left
Peach Orchard, and moved to Knobel the same
county, where he embarked in merchandising, and
this continued for two years. From there he
moved to Woodruff County, Ark., and in connection
with farming, practiced medicine, conducting also
a mercantile store at Howell Station, on the Bates-
ville & Briukley Railroad. He remained there but
a short time, and in 1885 came to Fulton County,
and here attends to his practice in connection with
farming. By his marriage to Mrs. Elizabeth
Holmes nee Thompson, January 1, 1863, he be-
came the father of six children, three now living:
James A., born February 26, 1865, and now liv-
ing at home; C. W., born February 3, 1869, and
also at home, and M. B. , whose l)irth occurred on
the 3d of February, 186U, and is at home. The
other children died in infancy. Mrs. Bundren died
at Knobel, Ark., in 1883; she was a consistent
member of the Baptist Church. Mr. Bundren was
7narried the second time in May, 1885, to Mrs.
Sarah J. Wilson, nee Young, a native of Ken-
tucky, and the mother of four children, the fruit
of her former union. They are named as follows:
Hannibal Wilson, living at Alicia, Ark.; W. V.,
also at Alicia. Ark.. Mary, wife of H. Hensley, re
siding at Alicia, Ark., and Celia, wife of T. B.
Caple, a resident of P'ulton County, Ark. Mr.
Bundren is not active in politics, but votes the
Democratic ticket. He and wife are members of
the Christian Church.
J. M. Burrow, a prominent attorney-at-law al
Mammoth Spring, is among those who contril)nte
to the strength of the Arkansas bar. He is a na
tive of Tennessee, born in Bedford County in 1854.
His parents. Freeman and Louisa (Nichols) Bur
row, were born also in Bedford County, Tenn., in
1834 and 1833, respectively. They resided in that
county until 1857, when they came to Sharp Coun-
ty, Ark., where Mrs. Burrow died in 1874. Mr.
Burrow is slill living, and has followed tilling the
soil for many years. He tilled the position of jus-
tice of the peace for four years, and served four
years in the Confederate array with Gens. Price
and Freeman. He has been a member of the A. F.
& A. M. since 1857, and belongs to the Methodist
Church, of which his wife was also a member. Of
the six children born to their union J. M. was the
eldest. He was educated in the log school- houses,
and like the majority of farmers' boys, assisted on
the farm. When about twenty one years of age he
taught school, and followed this occupation for two
years. When twenty- two years of age he began
the study of law, and diligently continued this in
connection with farming for several years. In 1885
he was admitted to the bar. and since 1883 has
lived at Mammoth Spring. He is one of the
most substantia] attorneys of Fulton County, and
also practices in Sharp and Izard Counties. He
was married in Se])tember, 1878, to Miss Josie
Whiteside, daughter of Allen and Sarah Whiteside,
who came to Fulton County from Illinois at an
early day, and there the father died. The mother
is still living. In politics Mr. Burrow is a Demo
crat, his first presidential vote being for S. J. Til
den, in 1876. He is a member of the A. F. & A.
M., Myatt Lodge No. 401, and also belongs to
Spring River Lodge No. 4V), K. of P., at Mammoth
Spring. He has a very i)leasant home on Emi-
nence Hill, Archer Avenue. *
James Marion Butler. Ever since his location
in this county in 1870, Mr. Butler has enjoyed the
reputation of being not only a substantial and pru
irressive farmer, but au intelligent and thoroughly
4,
•21-2
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
posted man in all public affairs; and a short sketch
of his life will lie of more thau passing interest to
the citizens of this locality. He was born in
Chambers County, Ala., October 15, 1838, and is
a sou of Nathan H. and Francis R. (Hogue) But-
ler, who were born in Elbert and Waltham Coun-
ties, Ga., respectively, the former's birth occur-
ring in 1818; and like his father, Daniel Butler
(■who was born in South Carolina, and died in
Georgia), he was a worker in wood and a skillful
wagon-maker. He and wife were married in
Paulding County, Ga., and resided in that State
and in various counties in Alabama, until 1855,
when they came to Arkansas, locating in White
County, but only remained a short time and then
moved back to Alabama. In 1863 or 1864, they
went to Mississippi and Tennessee, and in 1875
located in Fulton County, Ark., where the father
died the same fall. His widow is now residing in
Viola, of that county, and is enjoying good health.
She is a member of the Missionary Baptist Church,
as was her husband, and to them were born eight
children, of whom James Marion was the eldest.
Of these only four are now living: M. L. , a
blacksmith of Viola; Louisa M. . wife of William
Smith; William P. H. , residing in the State of
Colorado, and our subject. Those deceased are
Napoleon B. , Martha A. E. , George W. and Mary
J. -Tames Marion Butler received his schooling
in the State of Alabama, and while growing to
manhood learned the blacksmith and wagon-
maker's trade of his father. At the age of twen-
ty-one years he began depending on his own re-
sources for obtaining a livelihood, and from that
time until the opening of the Rebellion worked in
Alabama. Although his father served in the
Union army for some time, he espoused the cause
of the Confederacy and first joined the Alabama
Legion, which was consolidated and thrown into
other regiments, the Twenty-third Alabama Bat-
talion of Sharp-shooters being a part left over.
He served two years as sergeant, participating in
many battles, among which wen^ Chickamaugn,
Petersburg, being intrenched in the ditches of that
city for nine months; Hatch's Run, and the Vir-
ginia campaign. He received a flesh wound in
the leg at Chickamauga, and at Appomattox Court
House, about two hom-s before the sun-ender, he
received a very severe wound in the right arm.
After the war he remained in Alabama until 1866.
when he went to the State of Mississippi, and
from there came to Fulton County, Ark., in 1870.
and here has since made his home. In 1879 he
moved to his present location, which is a farm
consisting of 360 acres of as good land as there
is anywhere, and in addition to looking after
this property still continues to work at his trade.
He is a Democrat in his political views, and in
1885-86 served as justice of the peace. He is also
a member of the Masonic fraternity, and as a citi-
zen of Fulton County has been identified with its
advancement and growth ever since locating here.
He was married in 1860 to Miss Rhoda Ann Bry-
ant, a daughter of Alexander Bryant, and her
death occurred in Izard County, Ark., in 1875,
when thirty-seven years of age. Of the eight
children born to her union only four are now living;
Charles D., of Texas; Elizabeth E. , wife of James
A. Talley, a farmer of the county; Nancy E.,
wife of Abraham L. Reed, a farmer residing near
Mansfield, and Nathan D., at home. Mrs. Butler
was a member of the Methodfst Episcopal Church,
South.
Thomas B. Caldwell is possessed of those ad-
vanced ideas and progressive principles regarding
agricultural life which seem to be among the
chief characteristics of the average native Mis-
sourian. He was born in Franklin County of that
State on the 16th of October, 1840, and is a son of
James Patten and Ann (Caldwell) Caldwell, the
former of Irish descent, born in the State of Mis-
souri, in the year 1816. He was a well known
agriculturist of his region, and died in Fulton
County, Ark., in 1S63. His wife was also born
in Missouri, and died when her son, Thomas B.,
was about seven years of age, her demise occur-
ring in Franklin County. The paternal grand-
parents were Andrew and Nancy (Farrow) Caldwell,
the former being a native Kentackian. He moved
to Franklin County, Mo., during the early history
of that country, and died there at his son's home
in 1847. His wife, Nancy, died there also. The
FULTON COUNTY.
'>7:i
paternal great-graudfather, Kincaid Caldwoll, was
l)orii in the " Emerald Isle." The maternal grand-
father also bore the name of Andrew Caldwell, but
the two families were not related. Thomas B.
Caldwell is one of two surviving members of a
family of five children, the other being a sister
residing on the Iron Mountain Railroad in Mis-
souri. He was reared in his native State, but never
received any educational advantages in youth,
being compelled to assist his father in tilling
the home farm; but by contact with the world
and by self-application he has liecome a well posted
man. He was twenty years of age when he enlisted
in the army, and was a member of Capt. B. B.
Bray's Seventh Division of Missouri Volunteers.
He particiijated in the engagements at Mansfield,
Pleasant Hill, and in numerous skirmishes. He
was second sergeant of artillery for about twelve
months prior to the close of the war. On the 9th
of March, 1802, he was captured at Mountain
Grove, Mo. , and was sent to St. Louis, thence to
Alton, 111. , and from there to Vicksburg, Miss. ,
where he was exchanged on the 22d of September,
of the same year. Nearly ever since the close of
the war he has been a resident of Fulton County,
Ark. , and has been actively engaged in tilling the
soil. On the 5th of March, ISOS, he was married
to Miss Luciutha M. Smith, who was born in
South Carolina in 1842, a daughter of Inman and
Mary A. Smith. The father died in the "Palmetto
State," but the mother is still living and resides
in Fulton County, Ark., the wife of a Mr. Hutch-
esson. To Mr. Caldwell and his wife the follow-
ing children have been born: James Henry,
Benjamin H. , Thomas J. (deceased), John H.,
Mary A. (deceased). Iluthi(> J. and Joanuah. The
greater part of Mr. Caldwell's time has been occu-
pied in farming, and he is now the owner of 310
acres of land, with about eighty acres under culti-
vation. He is a Democrat, his tirst presidential
vote being cast for Douglas, and he was elected on
that ticket to the office of deputy sheriff and con-
stable. He and wife are connected with the Chris-
tian Church, and he is a Mason and a member of
the I. O. O. F. Mr. Caldwell is a man univer-
sally respected, and to know him is to Inive a high
admiration for him, for he is possessed of those
sterling principles which make a true man and a
valuable citizen.
C!apt. John G. Carroll, a farmer of Fulton
Township, is now successfully following the occu-
pation to which he was reared and which has Ijeeii
his life work, a calling that for ages has received
undivided efforts from many worthy individuals,
and one that always, furnishes sustenance to the
ready worker. He was born in North Carolina in
1834, and is the son of Green and Priscilla (Earles)
Carroll, natives of South Carolina and North Car
oliua, and born in 1802 and 1808, respectively.
The parents removed to White County, Tenn., and
in 1859 came to Fulton County, Ark., where Mr.
Carroll died in 1870. He was the son of Jesse
Carroll and the grandson of William Carroll, who
was of English descent, went through the Rev
olutiouary War, and died in North Carolina at the
age of nearly one hundred years. Jesse Carroll
was born in North Carolina, and died in Georgia at
the age of ninety-eight years. He was a mill-
wright by occupation. This family is of the same
as that Carroll who was one of the signers of the
Declaration of Independence. The paternal grand-
father, William Earles, was bom in North Caro-
lina and died in Tennessee at about the age of one
hundred and two years; he was of Welsh descent.
His father was a Revolutionary soldier. Capt.
John G. Carroll, the second of eight children
born to his parents, received very meager edu-
cational advantages. He came with his parents
to Fulton County, Ark., in 1859 and in ISOl Miss
Auerilla Copeland, a native of Tennessee, became
his wife. She died in 1879, leaving six children,
three sons and three daughters. Capt. Carroll
then married Miss Eliza Baize, a native of Mis-
souri and the daughter of George Baize. To this
union were born four children, a son and three
daughters. Capt. Carroll is one of (he prominent
agriculturists of Fulton County, is the owner of
520 acres of land, with 300 under cultivation, and
also possesses consideraliie [)roj)erty in Viola, all
the result of his own industry. When the war
cloud hovered over the United States he enlisted
in Company F. Fourteenth Arkansas Infantry,
274
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
Coufederate Army, and served three years and
eleven months. After the first nine months he
was promoted to the rank of captain in his regi-
ment and operated in Arkansas, Mississippi and
Louisiana. He took a prominent part in the
battles of Elkliorn, Augusta, Farmington, Corinth,
luka. Port Hudson, etc. He was captured at
Saltillo, Miss., but after sixteen days escaped and
rejoined his regiment at Tupelo. At the clo.se of
the war he returned to farm life. Politically a
Democrat, his first jiresidential vote was for Bu-
chanan in 1856. He filled the office of deputy
sheriff two years, justice of the peace for four
years and constable two years. He has been a
member of the A. F. & A. M. for twenty-eight
years, now belonging to Viola Lodge No. 399, and
was master and senior warden for sixteen years of
that time. He is also a member of the Eastern
Star lodge at Viola. He and wife belong to the
Missionary Baptist Church, he having experienced
religion at the age of sixteen, and he is a deacon
in the same.
B. H. Castleberry is another excellent example
of what can be accomplished through energy
and perseverance, for he has won his way up to
his present enviable position through his own vm-
aided efforts. He was born in the State of Geor-
gia, on the 1st of July, 1854, and is a son of S. G.
and Jane E. (Bell) Castleberry, both of whom
were Georgians, the former born in 1S21. He was a
farmer and a miner, but made milling his principal
occupation through life, and is still the owner of
some gold mines in Georgia, near Cleveland. His
father, who was a native of the State, owned some
mines there and was also an extensive slave owner
at the time of his death. The great-grandfather
was a Georgian, but the great-groat-grandfather
and six brothers emigrated from the Old "World,
and settled in the Southern States. B. H. Castle-
berry was one of seven children, and his youth and
early manhood were spent in his native State. He
received his literary education in the North Georgia
Agricultural College, and principally through his
own efforts secured means with which to prosecute
his studies. In December, 1876, he emigrated to
the State of Arkansas, settling in Fulton County,
where he began the study of law, and the same
characteristics which marked his progress at school,
were prominent in his legal studies. After a
thorough preparation he was admitted to the bar
and entered upon his practice at Salem, and his
patronage steadily and substantially increased dur-
ing his two years of practice. At the end of
that time he engaged in merchandising with his
brother, their stock of goods amounting to about
$8,000, and besides this they each own a half in-
terest in 500 acres of land. Our immediate sub-
ject also owns 1,500 acres in his own right. He
was married on the 10th of April, 1881, to Miss
Laura P. AVainwright, by whom he has two inter-
esting children: William Lessie and Rex. Mr.
Castleberry is a Democrat, and a member of the
I. O. O. F. William Castleberry, his brother, a
member of the general mercantile firm of Castle-
berry & Co., was born in White County, Ga., in
1856, and during his youth and early manhood
worked with his father. He received an excellent
education in Dahlonega College, Ga. , and also at
Nacoochee Valley, and after leaving school engaged
in mercantile pursuits as clerk in a general mer-
chandise store in the latter ])lace, but eighteen
months later went to Rabun County, where he be-
gan merchandising in partnership with C. W. Oakes.
Two years later they dissolved partnership, and Mr.
Castleberi-y came to Salem, and in 1881 embarked
in business with his brother and William Wain-
wright, keeping a grocery. At the end of one year
this association was terminated, and the two
brothers started a general mercantile establishment
of their own. They thoroughly understand the en-
terprise in which they are engaged, and have done
much in their line to increase the trade and influ-
ence of the town. They are thoroughly reliable
and honest in all their transactions, and as a result
enjoy a large and lucrative custom. William Cas-
tleberry is also a Democrat politically, and a mem-
ber of the I. O. O. F. He is unmarried.
William D. Chase, one of the prominent mil-
lers and farmers of Elizabeth, was born in Maury
(now Gordon) County, Ga. , in 1839, and is the son
of Hon. Dean W. and Alley (Johnson) Chase.
The father was born in Pawtucket, R. I., and re-
FULTON (X)TTNTY.
275
ceivod iiu unusually good education. ■ At the age
of nineteen he was sent to Georgia to erect a spin-
ning factory, which he operated for a number of
years. He was married and spent the remainder of
his days there and in Tennessee, where he manu-
factured cotton goods all his life. He died in Gil
more County, Ga., in ISSl. He was justice of
the peace many years and once represented Gor-
don County in the legislature. He was also for
thirty-five or forty years a traveling minister in the
Methodist Episcopal Church, and besides was an
officer in the Mexican War. His wife was a native
of North Carolina, and died in Gilmore County,
Ga. , July 8, 1S86. She, too, was a member of the
Methodist Episcopal Church. Her father, James
Johnson, was a native of North Carolina, who died
in Walker County, Ga. He was a soldier in the
Mexican War. William D. Chase, the second of ten
children, born to his parents, received his educa-
tion in the common schools. He was reared to the
arduous duties on the farm, and in 1861 Miss Ade-
line Sprouell became his wife. She was bom in Ful-
ton County, Ga. , and was the daughter of Wilson
E. and Eliza J. Sprouell, natives of Abbeville Dis-
trict, S. C. , but who moved to Georgia, where Mrs.
Sprouell died. To Mr. and Mrs. Chase were born
eleven children, seven sons and three daughters
now living. Mr. Chase served over four years in the
Confederate Army, Company E, Georgia Volunteer
Infantry, was at Cumberland Gap, Richmond,
Siege of Vicksburg. Lookout Mountain, Missionary
Hidge, Resaca, Kingston, Calhoun, New Hope
Church. Kenesaw Mountain, etc. He was captured
several times, the last time at Peach Tree Creek,
and imprisoned at Nashville. He was afterward
taken to Indianapolis, where he was at the time of
the surrender. He never received a wound during
his time of service. After the war he returned to
the farm and in 1872 came to Fulton County, Ark.
He followed agricultural pursuits for five years
and then engaged in merchandising at Newburg,
Izard County, for three years. This not suiting him
be entered into the milling business there for six
years, after which he returned to Fulton County,
and continued merchandising at Elizabeth for four
years. Since then he has been occupied in milling
and farming and has two Hour and saw, shingle and
planing mills. He is also the owner of about 900
acres of land in Missouri, Fulton, Izard and Law
rence Counties. All his ])roperty is the result of
hard labor since the war. He has been a Demo-
crat in his i)olitical views all his life, and his fim*
jjresidential vote was for Gen. McClellaii. He is
a member of the Masonic fraternity, Elizabeth
Lodge, and is also a member of Newburg Lodge
of the I. O. O. F. in Izard County. Mrs. Chase has
been a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church
for many years.
Hon. Samuel W. Cochran. For a jjeriod up
wards of thirty-three years, he whose name heads
this sketch has been a resident of Fulton County,
and during this time he has enjoyed the reputation
of being an honest, upright man in every respect,
fully deserving the good opinion with which he is
regarded by all who know him. His life up to
the time of his location in Arkansas was rather
unsettled, but notwithstanding the old sfiying that
"a rolling stone gath(^rs no moss," Mr. Cochran
has been quite successful in accumulating worldly
goods, and is one of the leading merchants of
this county. His birth occurred in Abbeville Dis
trict, S. C. May 20, 1820, and he was left an
orphan when an infant. Lentil ten years of age
he was cared for by an uncle. J. C. Wharton, and
from that period until sixteen years of age was taken
care of by his guardian, Samuel Jordan. At this
time he went with his uncle, Mr. Wharton, to
Tennessee, and located at Raleigh, near Memphis,
but shortly after went to Tipton, and still later to
Columbia, of the same State, where he remained
two years. He then returned to his old home in
South Carolina, where he attended school for one
year, after which he came back to Columliia, and
was a salesman two years for the mercantile firm of
G. Frierson & Co. At the end of this time he again
returned to South Carolina, where he remaineil
with his guardian for some time, and was married
there to Miss Julia A. Chiles, moving with her at
a later period to Cass County, Ga., where he gave
his attention to farming until 185(>. In that year
he came to Fulton County, Ark., and located in
the neii'hborhood of where he now lives, continu-
if
w"
^
<a k^
ing his farming operations up to 1881, when he
opened a store at his present stand, and has met
with the best of success in this enterprise. In 1861
he was a member of the State convention, and
voted for secession, and in 1863 was elected to
i-^resent Fulton County in the State legislature.
His wife was a daughter of William Chiles, of
Abbeville District, S. C. , and was born October 7,
1827, being killed at Rolla, Mo., November 6,
1864. To them were boru four children, three of
whom are living: William C, a farmer of Fulton
County ; J. C. , also a farmer of the county, and
J. D., farming near his father. Samuel W. died
in 1863, when twelve years of age. In 1865 Mr.
Cochran wedded Miss Martha E. Living.ston, a
daughter of James Livingston, who was also born
in Abbeville District, S. C. , her birth occurring in
1831. In 1818 Mr. Cochran was licensed to preach
the gospel, having joined the Missionary Baptist
Church three years previous, and his wife and
children are also members of this church. He is a
Democrat politically, and previous to the war held
the position of postmaster at Union, and received
his last appointment in 1887. When a young
man he taught school in Georgia, and also in Ful-
ton County, Ark. Mr. Cochran's parents, Clark
iiud Sarah (Wharton) Cochran, were born in Abbe-
ville District, S. C, where the father was engaged
in merchandising and farming imtil his death. He
was of Scjtch-Irish descent, and was a son of John
Cochran, a native of Virginia, and a soldier in the
Revolutionary War. He died in South Carolina.
The maternal grandfather. Pleasant Wharton, was
born in the ' ' Palmetto State. ' " A large extent of
land in South Carolina was given his ancestors by
George III, and has been in possession of the fam-
ily ever since that time.
Alvah L. Cooper, farmer and stock raiser, and
the recently appointed postmaster of the thriving
little city of Mammoth Spring, was born in Tomp-
kins County, New York, April 1, 1842, and was
the fourth of ten children, eight now living, born
to Laban D. and Sarah M. (Woodin) Cooper, both
of whom were born in Dutchess County, N. Y., the
former in 1780, and the latter in 1812. In the
primitive days of the Republic, the Coopers were
among its most valiant defenders. In the gloomy
days of 1778, when the notorious Tory refugee,
John Butler, defeated his cousin. Col. Zeb Butler,
and so unmercifully massacred the inhabitants of
Wyoming, Penn. , the paternal grandfather became
one of the victims. Laban Cooper was of English
descent, and a soldier in Gen. Scott's brigade, re-
ceiving four different gun-shot wounds. At the
memorable battle of Lundy's Laneor Bridgewater,
he was wounded twice, one of which was received
while assisting Col. Miller in his historical charge
on the British batteries on the heights, the kej'
to the British position. In the no less eventful
battle of Chippeway he was wounded. He was
promoted to the rank of lieutenant for services ren-
dered during the war, and as his wife is still living,
she now receives a pension. She resides at Moun-
tain Lake, Penn., at the age of seventy-seven
years. Alvah Cooper's youth was spent in Bradford
County, Penn., and his education was there re-
ceived in the public schools. He and two of his
brothers served nearly four years each in the late
Rebellion. Alvah enlisted May, 1881, in Company
F, Sixth Pennsylvania Reserve Corps, was elected
captain and transferred to Company D, One
Hundred and Thirty- Second 'Pennsylvania Volun
teers of the Second Army Corps. From the
baftle of Bull Run to the closing scene at Appo-
mattox, he was in all the principal battles in
Virginia, Maryland and Pennsylvania, never re-
ceiving a wound. Mr. Cooper has been in the em-
ploy of the Government as special pension examiner
and other positions almost continually since the
war, and has ever been a consistent, hard working
Republican. It was in recognition of his services
and abilities as a political organizer that he was
recently ap})ointed postmaster at Mammoth Spring.
He is thoroughly imbued with the principles of
the Republican party, and is an indefatigable polit
ical worker, and has probably done more than any
other single man toward organizing the Republi-
can^party of this part of the State. He was one
of the first to Join the G. A. R., and has held
many offices of trust in that order. Before com-
ing to this State he was elected commander of the
Soldiers' and Sailors' encampment of Bradford
■^k.
FULTON COUNTY.
277
County, iilso ohairraan of tbo Bradford County
Soldiers' and Sailors' Monumental Association, for
three years. On leaving his native State he re-
signed both positions, but was held in such high
esteem by his eomrailes that his resignation was
not accepted, and he continued to hold his office
until the expiration of his term although out of the
State. For a number of years he was a director
of the Agricultural Society of Bradford County.
In 18H6 he was married to Miss Sarah Ann Lar-
com. a native of Bradford County, Penn., born in
1*^1:3. and dying in 1888; to them were born these
children: Mintie M.. wife of F. L. Sayles; Elmer
C. , Woodard C. , killed when fourteen years of age;
(jracie, Fred. C, Nellie, Warner and Grant.
In 1886, like many of the. hardy sons of the East,
desiring a more congenial clime and soil in which
to care for his family, he started toward the
•'Sunny South" to try his fortunes. The wood-
land of Arkansas pleased him. He and his son
each homesteaded 160 acres, and have purchased
240 acres in addition, making in all a ranch of 560
acres of land. In every day life Mr. Cooper is
looked upon as an energetic, honest citizen. He
spends his time closely in building up his farms
and superintending the postoffice, and if fortune
continues to smile on him, in a few years he will
be one of the most prosperous as well as one of
most jirominent citizens of North Arkansas.
Charles W. Culp, M. D. , is one of the rising
young members of the medical fi-aternity of Ful-
ton County, Ark. He was born in Izard County,
of the same State, May 14, 1858. His parents,
Thomas and Elizabeth (Benbrook) Culp, were
born, reared and married in Izard County, the for-
mer's birth occurring in 18>il, and his death March
8. 1S80. The paternal grandfather, Thomas B.
Culp. was a Tennesseean, who removed to Izard
County, Ark., at an early day and took a prom-
inent part, in aiding in the growth and devel-
opmt'ut of this region, and both he and his son
Thomas were physicians. They were of German
descent, and all the male members of the family
have been Democrats in their political views. Of
the family of eight children born to Thomas and
Elizabeth Culp, four are now living, two sons and
two daughters, all of whom reside in Fulton Coun-
ty, with the exception of a daughter, who is a resi-
dent of Izard County. Dr. Charles W. Culp re-
ceived his literary education in the common .schools
of Izard County, after which he entered the Mem-
pliis Hospital Medical College, fi-om which institu-
' tion he was graduated as an M. D.. February 25.
1885. Previous to graduating he had practiced
the profession (since 18711), and has won an envia-
ble position among the medical fraternity of Ful-
ton and surrounding counties. December 22,
1880, he was married to Miss Joannah C. Sharp,
who was born in Sharp County, Ark.. December
4, 1861, and is a daught(»r of Ephraim Sharp,
whose sketch appears in this work. Dr. Culp is a
RoyaJ Arch Mason, belonging to Rural Chapter
No. 50, Evening Shade, Sharp County. He is al
so a member of Ash Flat Lodge No. 159, F. & A.
M., Ash Flat, Ark. He is a Democrat, his first
presidential vote being cast for Hancock, and he
and wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal
Church, South. His mother is a resident of Ful
ton County, and is the worthy wife of J. M. Cook.
W. H. Culp, editor and proprietor of the Mam
moth Spring Monitor, at Man)moth Spring, Ark. .
is of German descent, the name originally being
Kolb, but it was changed to Culp when the family
became Americanized. He was born in Izanl
County, Ark.. November 5. 1863. and after ac-
quiring a fair education in the common schools he
entered the office of the Clipper, at Melbourne.
Ark., and learned the ])rinter's trade. In 188'2
he bought a half intere.st in the Izard County Reg
ister, at Melbourne, and in August, 1884, purchased
the remaining interest and conducted the paper
with highly satisfactory results until November.
1886, when he leased the press and moved to Lee
County, Ark., where he spent a part of the follow
ing year in an unsuccessful attempt to raise a cot-
ton crop. Moving to Mammoth Spring, Ark.,
he established the Mammoth Spring Monitor, the
first number being issued February 2. 1888. This
paper has proved a decided success financially, and
is one of the spiciest, best and most iMy edited
business papers in Northwest Arkansas, and Mr.
Culp has become well known throughout the State
^ spy
278
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
as one of its most .successful editors. He e.stab-
lished the Thayer Tribune at Thayer, Mo., in
1888, but has since sold it and is now devoting
his time and energies to the publication of the
Monitor. He was married in 1884 to Miss Amy
D. Owen, of Forrest City, Ark., she being a daugh
ter of Dexter Owen, who was born in Providence,
R.I. They have two children: Homer and Madge.
Mr. Gulp is a son of Dr. T. B. and Elizabeth
(Benbrook) Gulp, the former's birth occurring in
Izard Gounty, Ark. , in 1835, and his death in Mel-
bourne of the same county in 1880. His widow
still survives him and is a resident of this covmty,
being forty-five years of age.
Judge Thomas J. Cunningham, a prosperous
Fulton County farmer, came originally from Ran-
dolph County, Mo. , his birth occurring December
31, 1837. His father, Robert H. Cunningham,
was born in Lincoln County, Tenn., in 1808, and
in 1834 emigrated to Randolph County, Mo., where
he was one of the earliest settlers. He was an
active tiller of the soil there until about 1807, and
from that time until his death, in 1868, he resided
in Fulton County, Ark. His parents, James and
Jane Cunningham, removed from Tennessee to
Randolph County several years prior to their son,
and both died in Adair County of that State. The
wife of Robert H. Cunningham was born in Ten-
nessee in 1810, and died in Fulton County, Ark., in
August, 1886, having borne a family of ten chil-
dren, nine of whom grew to mature years, and
eight of whom are yet living. Four sons and one
daughter reside in Fulton Coimty, one son lives
in the State of Texas, a daughter in Randolph
County, Mo., and one son in Macon County, Mo.
Thomas J. Cunningham is the fourth of the family,
and from his earliest recollections has been famil-
iar with the details of farm life; while growing up
he learned lessons of industry, fnigal habits and
economy, which he has never forgotten. His rudi-
mentary education was acquired in the common
schools, and was supplemented by a collegiate
course in Macon County, Mo. He remained with
his father and mother until 1861, when, full of zeal
and enthusiam for the land of chivalry and the
cause of the South, he joined Gen. Price's com-
maud, whose division was commanded by Gen.
John B. Clark, Sr. , and served two years, partici-
pating in the battle of Lexington and numerous
other engagements. In 1863 he went by mule
train to California, in which State he remained
until 1870, being engaged in farming, and in that
year he left California and came to Fulton Gounty,
Ark., and located near where he now lives. In
1866, while in California, he was married to Miss
Mary E. Proctor, who was born in Randolph
County, Mo., in 1841. She died in 1873. in Ful-
ton County, Ark . having borue a family of four
children: Julia, wife of William T. Cunningham,
of Texas; Jennie D. , wife of John D. Isenhour,
of Fulton Gounty; Rollen P., now in Texas, and
Robert H. (deceased). In 1875 Mr. Cunningham
united his fortunes with those of Miss Sarah E.
Jeffery, a native of Izard Gounty, Ark. , born Oc-
tober 26, 1853. Her parents are Rev. Daniel and
Nancy Jeffery. To Mr. and Mrs. Cunningham
were born the following children: Rol>ert G. (de-
ceased), James G., Edgar, Margaret Ann, Ida,
Thomas J. and Henry K. Mr. Cunningham has
resided in Fulton Gounty sufficiently long to ena-
ble his many sterling qualities to become well
known. About forty-tive acres of his 180 acre farm
are under cultivation. He is a Democrat, and in
1874 was elected judge of the county court, and
served six successive years, making an able and
efficient officer. His first presidential vote was cast
for John G. Breckenridge. His wife is a member
of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church.
Charles C. Davis, surveyor of Fulton County,
and one of the enterprising agriculturists of Mam-
moth Spring Township, was born in Webster
County, Mo., January 22, 1854, receiving a very
meager education in the common schools. He fol-
lowed the plow for his father until nineteen years
of age, and was then united in marriage to Miss
Nancy G. Young, a native of Oregon County, Mo.,
August 11, 1872, the daughter of J. L. Young.
Mrs. Davis died April 17, 1885, and September 18
of the same year Mr. Davis married Martha, sister
of his first wife. Her parents were natives of St.
Francois Gounty, Mo. , now of Oregon Gounty, Mo. ,
and Mr. Young served in the Confederate army as
FULTON COUNTY.
27<t
a private. By his fii'st marriage Mr. Davis became
the father of live children, three sons and two
daughters, and to his second union were born two
children, l)oth sons. Since his first marriage lie
has lived on his present farm, one mile east of
Mammoth Spring, where he has 'JOG acres of good
land, with 180 under cultivation. He followed
farming and also dealt in stock until the railroad
was built, after which for some years he was local
agent, locating settlers, etc. He has been a practical
survej'or for some time, surveying for the county,
and in 1888 was elected county surveyor for two
years. In politics he affiliates with the Democratic
party, and his first presidential vote was for S. J.
Tilden in 1876. He is a member of the Masonic
fraternity, Myatt Lodge No. 401, and was Junior
Warden one year. Mr. Davis is pleasant and agree-
able in his demeanor to all with whom he comes in
contact, and is a man who attracts the regard of
all who api)roach him. He is universally respected
by his fellow citizens. He is the sou of Eliphaz
and Permealey Davis, and the grandson of Charles
(j. Davis, who was born in Jackson County, 111 , in
1800, and died in Oregon County, Mo., in 1878.
He was a soldier in the Black Hawk War, was jus-
tice of the peace and also county judge for some
years. He was of Welsh descent. Eliphaz Davis
was born in Randolph County, Ark., January 1,
1822, and was mamed in that county to Miss Ed-
wards, a native of Indiana. From there they
moved to Webster County, Mo., and in 1858 to
Oregon County, where Mrs. Davis died in 1863.
Mrs. Davis is still living there. He is a member
of the Christian Church (as was also his wife), and
is a successful farmer.
Lee Davis. Under the efficient management
of Mr. Davis the Fulton County Banner has come
to be regarded as one of the representative journals
of the county, and although he has only been its
editor since 1887, be has proven himself to be a
man of good judgment in directing the editorial
I)olicy of his paper. He is a native of the county
in which he is now residing, his birth occurring in
186."), but received his education in La Crosse,
Izard County, Ark. . and as the school was good,
he acquired an excellent education. After train-
ing the -'young idea" for some time, lie first
entered the journalistic field in 1884. in Elizabeth,
Ark. In 1887 he purchased the Banner, at Salem,
Ark., a paper which he has since edited in a very
efficient manner, and through the columns of this
journal he has wielded no slight inflnenec in di-
recting the proper steps to be taken for worth}-
movements. As the worth of his paper becomes
known the circulation increasas accordingly, and
he has won the patronage of all the l)etter class of
citizens in the county. He was first married, at
the age of nineteen years, to Miss Josie Lytle, a
native of Tennessee, who died ten months after
her marriage, and after remaining a widower until
1889, he wedded Miss Mary Jeffery, whose birth
occurred in Izard County, Ark. Mr. Davis is one
of eight children born to Solomon M. and Eliza
(Pipkin) Davis, who were born, reared and mar
ried in the State of Tennessee, and who lived there
until a number of their children were born, after
which they moved to Missouri, being among the
pioneers of that State. After residing there a
number of years they came to Arkansas, being
among the first settlers of Fulton County. The
father was an officer in the Confederate array, and
died in 1880, at the age of forty-nine years. He
was a farmer by occupation, and is still sur\ived
by his widow. Our subject's paternal and mater-
nal grandfathers, G. A. Davis and G. F. Pij)kiii,
were also Tennesseeans by birth.
Dr. D. S. Deaderick, real estate agent. Mam-
moth Spring. In that proud series of names
which have aided materially in developing the bus-
iness interests of Fulton County, that of Mr.
Deaderick holds a leading place. He was born in
Saline County, Mo., in 1842 and is the son of John
S. and Ellen (Cotter) Deaderick, and grandson of
David Deaderick. who was a native of Tennessee.
John S. Deaderick was born in Georgia in 18111.
and in 1840 was united in man-iage to Miss Cotter.
at Potosi, Mo. She was Ixirn in Pittsburg. Penn..
in 1820. After mairiage the parents removed to
St. Louis, where the father was interested in the
shot tower. In 1S48 they moved to Saline County
of the same State, and there he was engaged
in agricultural pursuits until 1857. when they
_J
•>H0
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
moved to Plattin Rock, in Jefferson County. Dur-
ing the year 1861 they were in different parts of
the South, and in 1865 returned to St. Louis,
where Mr. Deaderick was occupied in wool manu-
facture for several years. In 1874 they came to
Mammoth Spring and were the first settlers here.
He erected a flonr mill and cotton-gin, which he
operated until June, 1887, when he sold out. He
was a thorough-going business man and was at one
time (juite wealthy. His death occurred in 1887.
Florence Cotter, the grandfather of Dr. Dead
erick. was a native of Ireland and came to the
United States about 1796. He settled in Penn-
sylvania, where he died early in the present cen-
tury. Dr. D. S. Deaderick, the eldest of two
sons and one daughter, received his education
in the St. Louis University. During the late up-
pleasantness between the North and South he
served four years in the Confederate Army, Com-
pany E, Second Missouri Cavalry. He enlisted as
a private and came out as adjutant of the regi
iment. He operated in Missouri, Tennessee and
Mississippi with Gen. Forrest, and was wounded
several times. After the war he engaged in the
lumber business in Iron and St. Francois Coun-
ties, Mo., and in 1870 took up the study of medi
icinc and graduated at the St. Louis Medical Col-
lege in 1872. He then practiced in that city until
1874, when he came to Mammoth Spring, and in
comjiany with his father embarked in milling and
merchandising, and was also for a number of
years interested in the real estate business. He
has continued the real estate business in town and
besides is the owner of several farms in Missouri
and Arkansas. In his political views he affiliates
with the Democratic party, and his first presiden-
tial vote was cast for Gen. Hancock in 1880. He is a
member of the Masonic fraternity, Myatt Lodge
No. 401, and Evening Shade Chapter No. 50. He
is also a member of Mammoth Spring Lodge No.
48. I. O. O. F. His only sister is the wife of J.
D. Lucas, of St. Louis, and his brother. Dr.
James S.. is a practicing physician of De Soto.
Mo. His mother is still living and resides at
Mammoth Spring. The family are members of
the Catholic Church.
William Deatherage, one of the foremost farm-
ers of Mount Calm Township, on Bennett River,
owes his nativity to Tennessee, where he was born
in 1842. His father, A. J. Deatherage. was born
in Tennessee, about 1811, and died in Roane Coun-
ty, of that State, in 1847. The latter was married
in his native State to Miss Sarah Jackson, also a
native of Tennessee, born about 1822. Three chil-
dren were the result of this union, William being
the eldest. One was drowned in the Tennessee
River, by the overturning of a skiff, when only
seven years of ago, and Martha, became the wife
of O. B. Fuller, and is now living in Tennessee.
Mrs. Deatherage was married the second time, in
1850. to W. F. Ellis, and by this union became
the mother of eight children, six daughters and
two sons: Sarah (deceased), Margaret (deceased).
Minerva, wife of George Jones, and now living
in Tennessee; Nancy and Becky (twins), were mar-
ried to twin brothers, Samuel and Elijah Kelon.
and live in Tennessee; Caleb, Franklin, and Mary,
at home with her mother. A. J. Deatherage was
a major in the United States army when the In-
dians were moved to Indian Territory. William
Deatherage commenced for himself in life l)y join-
ing the Confederate army. Company A, Twenty-
sixth Tennessee Infantry Regiment, on the 1 5th
of June. 1861, and served about four years. He
participated in sixteen hard-fought battles, the
principal ones being Fort Donelson, Murfrees-
boro, Chickamauga, Missionary Ridge, Taylor
Ridge Gap, Swamp Creek, Resaca, New Hope,
Marietta, Jonesboro, Columbia, Franklin, Nash
ville; was with Forrest at Murfreesboro the second
time, Columbia. Bentonville, Chickasaw Mountain,
etc. He surrendered on the 5th of April, 1865, at
Greensboro. N. C. after which Mr. Deatherage re
turned to Greeneville,Tenn. , and from thence home,
where he commenced farming. He started out after
the war with nothing but a Confederate suit of
clothes, with forty-eight bullet holes in it. He
was married. May 28, 1868. to Miss Rebecca Hall,
of Tennessee, and in the fall of the following year
he came to Fulton Coiiuty, and settled on Ben-
nett's Bayou, and there remained three years. In
1873 he moved to his present line property, con-
sistingof 'If'tl iicrns, with 100 acres improved. He
has irood liuildings, and a comfortable home. As
he has had hut little help since comuieiicing for
himself, he is the architect of his own fortune. To
his marriage were born eleven children, eight liv-
ing at present: Snsan. born October 12, 1870;
E. J., born February 9, 1872; G. W'., born on the
:id of September, 1874; Lydia M., born on the Sth
of September, 1876; Sarah A., born on the 5th of
December, 1878; W. S., born on the 5th of March,
1880; James K. P., born on the 12th of October,
1885, and Nancy, born on the 11th of June, 1888.
Mr. Deatherage has been justice of the peace of his
township for one term. He is a member of the
Masonic fraternity, County Line Lodge No. 873,
and in his political opinions is with the Democrats.
Mrs. Deatherage is the daughter of Elijah and
Lydia Hall, who were the parents of eleven chil-
dren, the following living: Samuel, Elisha, Mollie,
Elijah, Lydia, Thomas, Rebecca D. and J. K. P.
James Dinwiddle is a man whom nature seems
to have especially fitted to be a farmer, for he has
met with good success in his farming operations.
He was born in Greene County, East Tenn.. on the
14th of August, 1856, and is a son of Calvin and
Mary (Carr) Dinwiddle, the former being also a
native of East Teimessee, his birth occurring Feb-
ruary 23, 1828. He was a school teacher in his
youth, and by trade was a tailor, and these occu-
pations he followed in his native State until 1859,
when he moved to Arkansas. While at Greenfield,
Mo., in 1864, he was captured by the Federal
troops and taken to Indianapolis. Ind. , where he
died the same year from the effects of a wound re-
ceived from a sabre at the time of his capture. He
was a son of James H. Dinwiddie, who died in
East Tennessee. Mary (Carr) Dinwiddie was born
in Knoxville, Tenn., April 5, 1830, and died in
.\rkansas on the 13th <lay of December, 1885. Of
her two children. James, the subject of this sketch,
was the elder. His youth was spent in .Vrkansas,
and in this State his early scholastic advantages
were eujoye<l. though only such as the common
schools of that period afforded. He has resided
in Fulton County since February 11, 1862, and
has thoroughly identified himself with the interests
of this section, owning an excellent farm com-
prising IflO acres of land. He is industrious and
enterprising, and his present farm denotes him to
be possessed of thrift and energy. He is a Demo-
crat in his political views. Mi.ss Elizabeth Taylor
became his wife on the 1 6th of February, 1 888. She
was born in Fulton County, Ark., in 1871. and is
a daughter of C. C. and Mary Taylor, both of
whom are now deceased.
John L. Golden. Among the ])romiuent farm-
ers of Washington Township appears the name of
the above mentioned gentleman, whose success as
a tiller of the .soil is second to none in the town-
ship. He was born in Weakley County, Temi.,
on the 27th day of • July, 1849, and since early
youth has applied himself steadfastly to agricul-
tural pursuits, and with what success may be in-
ferred when the fact is mentioned that he is the
owner of one of the finest tracts of land in this
section of the county. He is the son of J. C. and
Mary (Winu) Golden, both natives of Mississippi,
and of English parentage. The father was born
in 1824, was a tiller of the soil, and moved to Ten-
nessee at a very early day. They were the parents
of ten children, seven living to be grown: S. D.
(deceased), W. W., lives in Lawrence County,
Ark.; James H. (deceased), J. L., Martha, wife
of Alexander Cannon; Jesse F. , Lydia J., wife of
George Dunivan. Mr. Golden was a Democrat
during his life, ami had accumulated considerable
property which he lost during the war. John L.
Golden commenced work for himself at the age
of twenty one. and has tilled the soil assiduously
ever since. When first starting out for himself
he was possessor of 185, one horse, a few hogs,
and a little corn. He is now the owner of 219
acres of land, with about 140 acres under culti
vation, besides having his farm well stocked with
horses, cattle, hogs, and all else to be ,seea on a
well conducted farm. He left Tennessee in 1872,
settling in Independence County, Ark., ami there
remained for three years. In 1875 he came to
Fulton County an<l followed farming on rented
land. He then bought a farm of eighty acres, im-
proved the same, and in 1884 sold out and lionght
his present property. He was married on the 6th
; Vw
_^.
282
HISTOEY OF ARKANSAS.
of January, 1S7'J, to Miss Rachel M. Anderson,
and two children have been born to this marriage:
Lula A., born August 2. 1883, and Luther F.,
born May 20, 1889. Mrs. Golden is the daughter
of J. M. and Martha J. (Kelton) Anderson, natives
of Tennessee, and the parents of live childi-en, four
now living: J. C. (deceased), Rachel M. , Lucy
A. M. , wife of Jasper Rives, of Fulton County ;
Martha C, wife of Alexander Sanders, and Har-
riet L. , wife of James Lingle, of Fulton County.
Mr. Anderson came to this State in 1874, settling
first in Stone County, and in 1875 moved to this
county, where he has since resided. He has been
postmaster at Ten Mile postoffice for thirteen years,
and is a much esteemed citizen. John L. Golden
votes with the Democratic party, and Mrs. Golden
is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church,
South.
Amos E. Golder has passed the uneventful lif(>
of the farmei', continuing steadily to pursue the
even tenor of his way, and is now ranked among
the prosperoiis farmers of Fulton County, being
the owner of 312 acres of land in the home place,
of which forty-eight are under cultivation, and
seventy-five acres in Myatt Township. He was
born in Phillips County, Ark., October 27, 1842,
and is the second of eight children born to Dr.
James B. and Mary (Bond) Golder, whose births oc-
curred in Richmond, Va., Octobers, 1816, and Knox
County, Tenn., May 27, 1813, and died in Randolph
and Fulton Counties, Ark., December 26, 1861,
and January 9, 1888, respectively. Dr. James
Golder removed to Phillips County, Ark., at an
early day, and was there married, moving in 1852
to Fulton County, of which he was one of the
early settlers. Politically he was a Democrat, and
held the office of justice of the peace, and was also
postmaster in Fulton County. He served in the
Confederate army, and just prior to his death was
to have been appointed regimental surgeon. Amos
E. Golden and his brother, J. M., are the only
ones of their parents' family who are now living,
and both reside in Fulton County. The former
has lived here since ten years of age, but before
reaching his twenty- first birthday he received only
few educational advantages. In July, 1861, he
enlisted in Company I, Seventh Arkansas Regi
ment of the Confederate States Army, and served
until he was captured at the battle of Franklin,
Tenn., in 1864. He was taken to Chicago, 111.,
and after being ke])t in captivity five months, was
liberated and soon after joined the United States
army, and served from 1865 to November. 186(i.
After receiving his discharge he returned to Ar-
kansas and resumed farming in Fulton County.
On the 5th of September, 1867, he was married to
Miss Mary R. Partie, who was born in Izard
County, Ark., on the 6th of April, 1843, and by
her has had a family of eight children: James (de-
ceased), Elisabeth K. (deceased), George A.,
Laura (deceased), Martha, Emma (deceased), Peter
E., and Amos G. (deceased). Mr. Golder is a
Democrat, his first presidential vote being cast for
Greeley. He is a Master Mason, belonging to
Myatt Lodge No. 407. He and wife are members
of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South. Mr.-.
Golder' s parents, George and Mary Partie, were
born in Kentucky and Tennessee, November 25.
1811, and March 4, 1814, respectively. They
were married in Arkansas. The maternal grand-
father, Louis Partie, was born in Kentucky in
1763, and in 1814 emigrated to Arkansas, locat-
ing near Mount Olive, being'oue of the first set
tiers of that part of the State. His wife, whose
maiden name was Mary Ramsey, was born in
Maryland, in 1768, and was of English descent.
Mr. Partie was a French Canadian. They were
married in 1787. Soon after the former joined
the United States army, and served three years in
the defense of the Union. The great-grandfather,
Charles Ramsey, spent seven years of his life in
fighting for the liberty we now enjoy. This has
been handed down to the present generation by
Mrs. Golder' s grandmother, who now rests under
the sod on the bank of White River.
J. R. Green, farmer, Bennett's Bayou, Fulton
County, Ark. The father of Mr. Green, William
Green, was a native of Alabama, and after reach-
ing manhood was united in marriage to Miss Ro-
sanna Deshazo, a native of Tennessee, in 1857 or
1858. To this marriage were born four children,
two now living: J. R. Green, born on the 24th
«■
^'*
-i\
of May, 1859, aad Susau, wife of L. C. Woods.
The parents moved to Arkansas iu 180], set-
tling in Izard County until after the war, and
then, in 18fi(5, moved to Fulton County. They
[)urchased a farm on Bennett's Eiver, and this he
improved in every respect. During the late Civil
War the father served in the Confederate army
nearly the whole time of the conflict, and was with
Gen. Price on his raid through Missouri. He was
a Democrat in politics, and although a man who
had received but limited educational advantages,
had improved his time to such an extent that he
was considered well-informed on all subjects.
Mrs. Green was married the second time, about
1870, to Mr. W. Harber, by whom she had two
childi'en: Rebecca Jane, born in 1872, and Mi'iry
E., born in 1874. Mr. Harber was born in Crock-
ett County, Tenu., and was married to Mrs. Green
iu Greene County, Ark. He died in 1874. He was
a man who had taken a prominent part in the poli-
tics of the county, and voted the Democratic
ticket. He was a member of the Christian Church.
Mrs. Harber was a member of the Missionary Bap-
tist Church. J. R. Green's chances for an educa-
tion were very limited and the principal part of his
youthful days were spent on the farm. On the
10th of July, 1884. his marriage to Miss F. A.
Wilson, of Alabama, took place. She. also, had
received rather limited advantages for an educa-
tion, but. like her husband, she has improved her
time by study and observation. They are the par-
ents of three children : M. C. , born on the 6th of
July, 1885; W. H., born on the 17th of March,
18S7, and Rebecca, born on the 'I{fth of April,
1889. Mr. Green commenced farming in 1884,
and has continued this pursuit up to the present.
He is the owner of a tine farm of '280 acres, which
he jKiid for l)y the honest sweat of his brow.
Alth<iugh of limited education himself Mr. Green
is always in favor of public schools, and is a liberal
contributor to that and all other laudable enter-
prises. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity,
Waterville Lodge No. 50. He is also a member
of Vidette Lodge No. 94, I. O. (). F. In poli-
tics his political preference is with the Demo-
cratic party. His wife is the daughter of W. H.
and M. J. (Driseol) Wilson, natives of Alabama,
and the parents of only one child, Mrs. Green.
Mrs. Wilson died on the 4th of January, 1870, in
full communion with the Methodist Episcopal
Church. Mr. Wilson married the second time.
Miss Martlia Graves, of Alabama, on the 25th of
December, 1870, and they became the parents of
four children, three deceased. The one living is
William H., who.se birth occurred on the 25lh of
December, 1874. Mr. Wilson resides in Baxter
County and is in very comfortable circumstances.
He takes quite an active part in politics and is a
Republican. He was in the Confederate army dur-
ing the war, was a commissioned officer and was
taken prisoner, remaining in prison for some time.
He is a member of the Masonic fraternity, belong-
ing to County Line Lodge No. 373, and also the
Chapter at Mountain Home.
Thomas Hall has been a resident of Fulton
County, Ark., for the past nineteen years, and his
example of industry, and his earnest and sincere
efforts to make life a success, are well worthy the
imitation of all. The condition of his farm, which
consists of 280 acres, shows the thrift and energy
which are among his chief characteristics, and all
necessary buildings and fences form a prominent
feature of the improvements. Thomas Hall was
born iu Morgan County, Tenn. , February 25,
184U, and is one of eight surviving members of a
family of eleven children, born to Elijah and Lydia
(Scott) Hall, who were born in Morgan County,
Tenn., and Kentucky, iu 1797 and 1812, respect-
ively. Elijah Hall was a farmer by occupation,
and about 1870 moved to Fulton Coimty, Ark.,
where he passed the rest of his days, dying in
1881. His widow still survives him, and resides
in Baxter County, Ark. The paternal grandpar
ents were North Carolinians, who removed to Ten-
nessee at an early ilay, and there died. The youth
ful days of Thomas Hall were divided between farm
work and attending the common schools, where he
received a fair education oidy. He remained with
his parents until he attained his majority, and was
then married August 14, 1870, to Miss Dorcas E.
Kerr, who was l)orn iu Tennessee October 30.
1850, and is a daughter of William aud Jane Kerr,
- 1 »
LA
284
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
both natives of Ireland, who died in Fulton Coun-
ty. Ark. To Thomas Hall and liis wife eight chil-
dren have been born, six of whom are living: Katie,
born August 3, 1872; Glory Ann, born January '2(\,
1875; Mary Alice, born May 20, 1877: John L.,
born May 13, 1879, died January 13, 1880: Ada
Gordan. born April 21, 1881; Myrtle Eva, bom
October 30, 1883: Sabra Poreas, born October
9, 1886, and Victor Thomas, born August 13.
1889. Mr. Hall has always voted the Democratic
ticket, and his first vote was cast for Horace Gree-
ley for the Presidency. He is a member of the
Missionary Baptist Church, and his wife is con-
nected with the Methodist Episcopal Church, South.
They are intelligent and enterprising citizens, and
would give life to any community in which they
might settle.
W. S. Hamilton. A history of any community,
large or small, is made up, to a greater or less de-
gree, of the lives of its citizens, and it is apparent
to any intelligent observer that the history of this
coiinty is only such as has been made by those who
have been identified with its development for
some time. Mr. Hamilton can safely be classed
among the pioneers of the State of Arkansas. His
father, Thomas Hamilton, was a native of Ohio,
born in 1822, and came to Kentucky at an early
day. He was a miller liy trade, and followed this
pursuit during the principal part of his life. He
was married in Kentucky, in 1846, to Miss Sarah
Bunton, a native of Virginia, Ijorn about 1828.
Eight children were given them, five of whom
are now living: W. S., John W., David, farmer in
the Indian Nation; William, resides in Independ-
ence County, Ark., and is a farmer; and Melissa,
wife of John M. McCandlass, a farmer of Fulton
County. Thomas Hamilton left Kentucky in 1856,
and moved to Illinois, where he resided until 1809,
but subsequently he located in Greene County,
Ark. After remaining there two years he moved
to Fulton County, Ark., and engagcKl in the mill-
ing biisiness at Elizabeth, where he remained
thus occupied until his death, which occurred on
the 20th of Octolier, 1887. He had been justice
of the peace of his township in this county for some
time, and was a man universally respected. He
and wife were both members of the Cumberland
Presbyterian Church. The mother died JIarch 3,
1861. W. S. Hamilton came to this county with
his father, and settled on Spring River, in the east
portion foj' some six years. He then moved to
liis present property of 160 acres, eighty acres
under cultivation, and there he has since remained.
He has made all the improvements, and has a fine
farm. His marriage occurred in 1868, in Illinois,
to Miss Mary A. Green, a native of Tennessee, and
to them have been born ten children, nine now liv-
ing: Sarah E. (deceased), Philip T., born April 7,
1871; N. J., born on the 22d of July, 1873; Me-
lissa, bom January 22, 1876; Emily F., born on
the 7th of November, 1878; George W. , born on the
17th of March, 1880; Nancy E., born on the 22d
of June, 1882; H. W. and Letha A. (twins), born
on the 6th of November, 1885; and Susan M. , born
on the 23d of April, 1888. Mrs. Hamilton is the
daughter of Thomas and Mary A. Green, natives
of Tennessee, who were the parents of two children:
Mary A., born on the 12th of January, 1852, and
Philip, who resides in Illinois. Mr. Green died in
1852, and in 1855 his widow married Thomas Nip-
per, by whom she had these children: Sarah J. (de-
ceased), Emily C. (deceased), J. H. , and Thomas
(deceased). Mr. Nipper died in 1865, of smallpox,
and all the children, but the two mentioned above,
died of the same dread disease. Mr. Nipjier was in
the Union army, but was so disabled from exposure
that he was discharged about 1863. Mr. Hamil-
ton has filled the office of constable, has also been
justice of the peace, and, like his father, is a Dem-
ocrat in politics. He is a member of Lodge No.
94, of the I. O. O. F.. at Vidette, Ark., and has
served as secretary and treasurer, and also vice
grand of his lodge.
Sidney K. Harkleroad. The subject of this
sketch is a Tennesseean by birth and bringing up,
and has inculcated in him the sterling principles
of his German ancestors. He was born in Sulli-
van County, Tenn., March 13, 1848, and is a son
of Henry and Margaret Adaline (Berry) Harkle-
road, who were born in East Tennessee and Vir-
ginia, respectively, and both died in Fulton County,
Ark., the former on the 18th of December, 1869.
FULTON COUNTY.
285
at the -Age of eighty one years, and the latter
on the ISth of November, 1888, aged seventy-one
years. They were married in the mother's native
State, but resided in Sullivan County, Tenn., un-
til coming to Arkansas in 18r)0. They were mem-
bers of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South,
and he was a soldier in the War of 1812, and by
occupation was a blacksmith, carpenter, and far-
mer, as such being very successful until coming to
Arkansas. At his death he left a competency for
his family. He was a son of Henry Harkleroad, a
native German, who was one of the first settlers of
the State of Tennessee, and died there. Five
sons and one daughter were born to the latter,
five of the family now living: W. H. C. , a farmer
of Union Township, James H. , Joseph T. and S.
K., being also millers of that township, and Mar-
garet E., wife of R. C. Byrumof Union Township. }
\\'. H. C. was in the Confederate army thiee years 1
during the Rebellion, and participated in many j
battles, and James H. was also in the service a i
short time. The latter, with our subject and his
brother, J. T. , were extensively engaged in the
saw-mill business in Izard County for about eight-
een years. In 1888 Sidney K. Harkleroad built a
grist mill and cotton-gin on his farm, which he
has since been successfully operating, the work j
which he turns out proving unusually satisfact-
ory, and the ])atronago that has been attracted
to this ])hice for milling purposes is steadily in-
creasing. If close application and study of the
wants of his customers will serve to make a per-
manent success of this mill, then Mr. Harkleroad
need have no fear as to the outcome of his venture.
He endeavors to please and keep apace with other
institutions of like nature, and the results are prov-
ing very favorable. In connection with his mill
and farming, he and his brother, James H. , are
engaged in operating a tan yard, which is the only
business of the kind in Fulton ('ounty. Sarah R.
Berry, a native of East Tennessee, and a daughter
of Thomas Berry, became his wife in 1870, and
their union has resulted in the l)irth of live chil-
dren: ^Margaret A., Thomas H., James M., Julia
E. and Elmer C. Mr. Harkleroad and his wife
are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church,
South, in which he is trustee and clas.s k-ader.
Both he and his brother, James H., are members
of the Masonic fi-aternity, and are Democrats in
their political views.
Dr. James Monroe Hazlewood was born in
Williamson County, Tenn., October 15, 1837, and
is the only surviving one of two children of
Thomas and Sarah (Sutton) Hazlewood, the form
er born in Virginia March 15, 1807, and the latter
in the same State February 14, 1814. Thomas
Hazlewood was taken to Tennessee at an early day
by his father, who also bore the name of Thomas,
and there spent his life, engaged in farming, his
death occurring October 7, 1838, followed l)y his
wife November 3, 1887, she being an earnest
member of the Christian Church. Our subject,
Dr. Hazlewood. inherits English and Irish Ijlood
from his father. In 1842 he was taken by his
parents to Mississippi, and until 1847 they resided
near the city of Jackson, then moving to Hardin
County, Tenn., and in 1852 to Perry County. In
18(50 Dr. Hazlewood emigrated to Dunklin Coun-
ty, Mo., and in 1870 to Oregon County, of the
same State, and in 1871 he again made a change
of residence, this time coming to Sharp County,
Ark., and three years later to where he now lives.
His lands amount to 215 acres, and he has about
sixty acres under cultivation. His marriage to
Miss Martha J. Lindsey took place August 1<).
1855. She was born in Tennessee May 4, 1837,
and is a daughter of John and Sarah Lindsey, who
removed to Arkansas during the early history of
that State, and there died. Dr. and Mrs. Hazle-
wood became the parents of eleven children, of
whom the following are living: Mary J. (wife of
John A. Michael), Margaret M. (wife of C. C.
Allen), Martha T. C, Julia I. V., Samuel J. S.
and John S. D. The Doctor has been au ordained
minister of the Christian Church since 18<S4, and
has been a practicing physician since 1874. Dur-
ing the war he served six months as lieutenant of
Company B, Richardson's artillery. His first
presidential vote was cast for John Boll, of Tt-ii
nessee. He is a Master Mason.
Joseph Highfill has given his attention strictly
to farming throughout life, and his eaiuest en-
^=-[v
^
it
286
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
deavors iu pursuing this calling, coupled with
strict integrity and honesty of purpose, have
placed him among the honored and respected agri-
culturists of the county- He was born in Tennes-
see in 1839. and is a son of Dr. James and Martha
(Jackson) Highfill, who were born in Tennessee in
1812 and 1825. and died in Oregon County. Mo.,
and Jackson County, Ark., in 1878 and 1874, re-
spectively. The father was of English lineage,
and was a well-known and skillful physician. He
also followed the occupation of farming, and in
this connection as well as in the capacity of a phy
sician, he attained prominence. Bennett and
Margaret Hightill emigrated from Tennessee to
Dallas County, Mo., in 1854, and five years later
moved to Oregon County. The grandfather Ben-
nett died in Tennessee, and his wife in Dallas
County, Mo. Joseph Highfill was the fourth of
fourteen children, and made his home with his
parents until twenty two years of age, receiving
during his youth a very limited education. In
1880 he removed from Oregon County, Mo., to
where he now lives, and is the owner of a good
farm, comprising 120 acres, with about forty acres
under ciiltivation. Dnrincj the Rebellion he spent
some eight months in the Confederate army, but
has since been a Republican in politics. Miss
Mary Kirby, who was born in Tennessee, in 1843,
became his wife in 1803, and by her he has had a
family of five children: Jennie, Rosa, Ellen, Alice
and Hattie. They are also rearing an orphan
child named Maud Koontz. Mrs. Highfill is a
daughter of Henry and Temperance Kirby, the
former born in the State of Tennessee, and the
latter in North Carolina. They moved fi'om Ten-
nessee to Illinois in 1851, and in 1859 located in
Oregon County, Mo., where they both died. Mrs.
Highfill belongs to the Christian Church.
Sell W. Hinkle, farmer, is now following the
occupation to which he was reared, and which has
been his life work, a calling that for ages has re-
ceived iindivided efforts from many worthy individ-
uals, and one that furnishes sustenance to the ready
worker. His parents, Jesse and Annie (Hopkin.s)
Hinkle, were both natives of North Carolina, and
at an early day came to Arkansas. They purchased
a farm in Oil Trough Bottom, and made a great
many improvements on it. Mr. Hinkle' s first mar-
riage occurred in 1825 or 1826 in North Carolina,
and this union was blessed by the birth of these
children: Wes (deceased), Jesse (deceased). Nar-
cissus, ' Artemus and Louisa. Mrs. Hinkle died
about 1852, and Mr. Hinkle took for bis second
wife, two years later. Miss Fannie Hopkins, who
bore him two children: Sell and Sarah J. (de-
ceased). Mr. Hinkle died near 1858, and his widow
followed him to the grave the next year. Sell
Hinkle began working for himself at the age of
nineteen as a farm hand, and this continued until
twent}' years of age. He then chose Miss Lucy
Lee, of Leon County, Texas, as his companion
through life, and they were married in 1878. Mr.
Hinkle continued to farm in Oil Trough Bottom
until 1S84, when he moved to Fulton County and
bought 160 acres of land. He erected good build
ings and made many other improvements, and still
I owns eighty acres in Oil Trough Bottom, all well-
improved and worth 150 per acre. Mrs. Hinkle is
the daughter of Thomas and Jane (Merriman) Lee,
and one of two children: Lucy, born November 10,
1861, and Sarah, wife of Mr. James, living in Fill
ton County. Mr. Lee died in 1865 from the effect
of injuries received in a collision on the train.
He served " in the Confederate army as a private.
Mrs. Lee was married the second time in 1870 to
Wesley Thompson, and by him became the mother
of five children: George and Mollie (twins), Elijah,
Carroll and Alice. Mrs. Thompson died in 1880,
and Ml-. Thompson five years later. He was a
farmer in Jackson County, Ark., and was one of
the well-to-do farmers. Mr. Hinkle received a very
meager education, but is a liberal supporter of
public schools, etc. He is a Democrat in politics.
Mrs. Hinkle is a member of the Christian Church.
He belongs to the I. O. O. F.
William Howard is one of the sturdy and pro-
gressive tillers of the soil of Fulton County, Ark.,
and a man who has won a host of warm friends
by his many admirable traits of character. He
was born in Lauderdale County, Ala., August 15,
1823, and is a son of Robert and Susan (Smith)
Howard. The father died in Wayne County, Mo. ,
liL
FULTON COUNTY.
287
wlipn our subject was about thirteen yt><li"s of age,
and the ilate of his liirth is uiikiiovvu. He re-
moved from Alabama to Missouri in 1820, and was
of Irish descent, his iijrandfathei- having Ijeen born
in the " Emerahl Isl(>. '" His wife was supposed to
have been born in Alabama in 1805, and died in
Jackson County, Ark. , in 1 8f)2. Two of her nine
children are now living, of whom our subject is
the eldest. He attended the common schools of
Wayne County, Mo. , and until twenty two years
of age remained faithfully by his mother, assist-
mg her iu making a living. In March, 1844, he
moved to Jackson County, Ark., and was married
there in May two years later to Miss Caroline
Kinder, who was born in Cape Girardeau County,
Mo., in 1828. She died in her native county
iu LS'il, having become the mother of two chil-
dren, both of whom are deceased. On February
22, 1S5S, he married Mrs. Elizabeth (Brecken-
ridge) Dennis, who was born in Alabama in 1826.
Of the seven children born to them only one is
now living: William, who was born June 14, 1854,
is living with his parents and is married to Susan
Mtillens. They have two children: Robert L. and
Walter C. Mr. and Mrs. Howard are members of
the Baptiist Church. In 1863 Mr. Howard enlisted
in Company E, Clark's regiment, and served un-
til the final surrender, the latter part of his ser-
vice being under Marmaduke. He was also with
Price on his raid and served as second lieutenant.
Since al)Out 1844 he has been a resident of Ar-
kansas and in his political views has always been a
Democrat, having cast his first presidential vote for
James K. Polk.
Dr. D. T. Hudgens, of Elizabeth. Ark., has
been successful as both druggist and practicing
physician, and is one of the prominent business
men of the place. He was born in Pulaski County,
Mo., March 27, 1850. and received his rudimentary
education in the common schools, supplementing
the same by a two years" course in the high school
at Itolla. When about twenty years of age he en-
gaged in farming, and two years later entered the
ministry, being licensed in August, 1872. He was
a traveling preacher for five years and held all
the offices in the Free Will Baptist Church. He
has l)een an ordained elder since 1872 and occa
sionally occupies the pulpit now, thus administer
ing to the spiritual wants of his fellow man as well
as to their i)liysical n(>eds. He is popular with all.
kind and courteous in his intercourse with his ac-
quaintances, and is always to the front in aiding
any enterprise which tends to the advancement of
the county. In December, 1869, he selected a wife
in the person of Miss Martha Ousley, a native of
Osage County, Mo., and the daughter of William
and Martha Ousley, the father one of the wealth-
iest farmers of Pulaski County, Mo. This union
resulted in the ))irth of five children, one son and
three daughters living. While practicing he was
studying medicine in Pulaski County, and in 1878
he came to Fulton County and was the first settler
at Elizabeth, becoming one of the most successful
and prominent physiciaiis of the county. When
first entering upon the practice of his profession
he was in poor circumstancc^s. but his true worth
soon became apparent and a large patronage was
the result. Ho never attended medical college, but
in 1882 he passed the l)est examination before the
medical examiners of any physician in Fulton Coun-
ty. For three years he has been in the drug bus
iness in connection with his practice. He was the
first postmaster at Elizabeth and held the position
for several years. A Democrat in his political
preferences, his first presidential vote was cast for
Tilden in 1876. He was a charter member of AVild
Cherry Lodge No. 443, A. F. & A. M., and has
held nearly all the offices. He is also a member
of Eastern Star Chaj»ter, at Wild Cherry. His
wife has been a member of the church for many
years, and he has been a member since 180(1.
His parents, Robert and Mahala C. (Dodd) Hudg
ens, were born in Kentucky and Tennessee, re-
spectively. They were married in Missouri, where
they were eai-ly settlers, and there the father was
a successful attorney for twenty years. He died
in Rolla in October, 1864, and at the time of his
death was one of the leading lawyers of Southern
^lissouri, then holding, also, the position of provost
marshal. He was also treasurer of Pulaski County
at one time. After his death his widow married
again and moved to Elizabeth, where shi' died in
1885. She was a member of the Baptist Church
for soventeen years.
Jacob T. Hudson is a man whose natural char-
acteristics have especially favored as a tiller of the
soil. The pursuit of agriculture has afforded him
high gratification, and in the conduct of a farm
the jirinciples which he haa held have been pecu-
liarly adapted to the successful development and
improvement of the varied elements of farm life.
Of unquestioned honesty and integrity, his course
through life has been unimpaired by criticism. Mr.
Hudson was born in Itawamba County, Miss., in
1850, and is the son of William P. and Celia
(Thomas) Hudson, the former a native of Anson
County, N. C, born July 8, 1808, and the latter
of Darlington District, S. C. They were wedded
in the last named place, and from there removed
to Pickens County, Ala., in 1845 or 1846, and
from there soon after to Itawamba County. Miss.
In 1870 they moved to Fulton County, Ark., and
there Mr. Hudson died in 1871. He was a well-
to-do farmer, and was of Dutch extraction. His
wife died in Tennessee about 1884, and both were
members of the Missionary Baptist Church. Like
most of the youths of that viciuity, as he grew up,
he devoted his time and attention to farming, re-
ceiving in the meantime a rather limited amount
of schooling. In ISrJO he came with his brother-
in law to Fulton County, and was engaged in farm
labor until 1873, when he was united in marriage
to Miss Martha E., daughter of Josiah and Ma-
tilda Ross, natives of Tenne.ssee and Kentucky,
respectively. Mr. Ross died in Fulton County,
but his wife is still living. Mrs. Hudson was born
in Izard County, and by her union to Mr. Hudson
became the mother of six childi-en, one son and
three daughters living. Since 1878 Mr. Hudson
has lived on his present farm of 175 acres, with
sixty-five or seventy under cultivation. All this is
his own work, as there were but twelve acres cleared
when he first settled there. He is a Republican
in his political views, and his first presidential vote
was for Gen. Grant in 1872. He has been a mem-
ber of Lodge No. 443, A. F. & A. M. , at Wild
Cherry, and has held nearly all the ofiices except
Master. He is also a memlier of Ladies Chapter
of Eastern Star (White Lily) No. fil. at Wild
Cherry, and is a charter member of both lodges.
He and wife belong to the Missionary Baptist
Church, and he is clerk in the Mount Vernon and
Pleasant Ridge Church. One brotlier, E. D., and
two sisters, Mrs. Elizabeth Wallace and Mrs.
Argen D. Harris, are residing in Fulton County,
while one brother, John A., is in Alabama, and
two sisters, Mrs. Mary P. Mayhall and Mrs. Bet
sey A. Mayhall, are both natives of Mississippi.
Dr. John S. Hutchensou, physician and sur-
geon. Wild Cherry. Among the people of Fulton
as well as surrounding counties the name that
heads this sketch is by no means an unfamiliar
one, for for many years he has been active and
successfully occupied in the prosecution of his
chosen profession, and during that time his career
as a practitioner and thorough student of medicine
has won for him no less a reputation than did his
personal characteristics as a citizen and neighbor.
He owes his nativity to Carroll County, Ark. , where
he was born in 1854. His parents, John W.
and Mary (Sudduth) Hutchenson, the former a na-
tive of Alabama, and the latter of South Carolina,
were married in Mississippi, about 1850, later re-
moving to Carroll County, Ark. , and four years
after to Fulton County, of the same State. They
settled on the farm where the Doctor is now living,
and in 1855 the father went to Kansas and was
absent about four months in search for gold. He
was a farmer, but also followed merchandising at
Wild Cherry. There he died in 1858 in full com-
munion with the Christian Church. Mrs. Hutch-
enson was married twice, Mr. Hutchenson being
her last husband. She has been living on the old
home place since 1854, and is one of the old set-
tlers in Big Creek Township. She has be(>n a
member of the Christian Church for many years.
Dr. John S. Hutchenson wasthe third of four sons:
and his education was acquired in the common
.schools. When sixteen years of age he began the
study of medicine and in 1878 ami 187U at-
tended Keokuk Medical College, at Keokuk, Iowa,
and has since practiced his profession in the locality
in which he was reared. January 2, 1874, Miss
Mary Trap, originally from Tennessee, became his
rv
«
FULTON COUNTY.
285)
wife. She was sin orphan, was roared in Missouri,
and died on September 20, 187(5, leaving one son.
She was a member in good standing in the Metho-
dist Episcopal Church. Dr, Hutcheuson owns the
home farm of 520 acres, with 225 under cultiva-
tion. He is the only child living of his father's
family. In politics he affiliates with the Demo
cratic party, and cast his fiist presidential vote for
S. J. Tilden in 1870.
P. P. B. Hynson of the general mercantile lirm
of Archer, Daniel & Co. of Mammoth Spring,
Ark., was born in Batesville, Independence Coun-
ty, in 1851, his parents being William and lios-
alie (Burton) Hynson, the former of Maryland by
birth and rearing. In 1838 he came to Arkan-
sas, and located at Batesville, where he married
in 1842, and resided until his death in 1858, at the
age of forty three years. His family came from
England and settled upon the eastern shore of
Maryland. His wife was born in Virginia, and
now resides in Batesville, having become the
mother of four children. The maternal grand-
father. P. P. Burton, was a native of Virginia, and
was a successful physician; he graduated from
a medical college at Philadelphia, and tirst prac
ticed his profession at Lexington, Va. , then at
Holly Springs, Miss., and finally located in Little
Rock, Ark., in 1840. He was a practicing ]ihysi-
cian for sixty years, and was United States sur-
geon at Little Rock for many years. His death
occurred in 1S72 at the age of eighty-five years.
The great grandfather was a Scotchman, who moved
from his native land to the colonies at an early day,
and during the progress of the Revolutionary War
served in the Continental army in the rank of
major. He was donated 4,000 acres of land by the
Government for valuable services. P. P. B. Hyn-
son was educated in Batesville, Ark. , and began
life for himself as a clerk in a general mercantile
store in that town at the age of sixteen years, con-
tinuing until 1871 when he became a member of
the firm, remaining as such until 1873. Since 1876
he has been a resident of Fulton County, Ark.,
and has been associated with his present partners.
They carry a stock of goods valued at about ^2'!.-
000. Mr. Hynson is president and a stockholder
of the Mammoth Spring Fish Farm, is a director
in the Motor Light & Water Company and is a di
rector of the Building & Loan Association, all of
these companies being incorporateil. He was mar
ried in 1879 to Miss MoUie McKee, of Owensboro.
Ky. . and their union has resulted in the l)irth of fonr
children : Robert T., Rosalie B. , Lawrence M. and
Selden L. Mr. Hynson is a Democrat. His
grandmother was a Scott, a relative of Gen. Scott.
William M. Lafevers, farmer, Viola. No
worthy reference to the affairs of this county
would be com[)lete without mention of Mr. Lafevers,
who, among others, is engaged in tilling the soil.
Besides enjoying to an unlimited extent the conti
dence and respect of all who know him he came
of a family of children that have not only done
credit to themselves but have brought honor upon
the name they bear. Mr. Lafevers' parents, Alex-
ander and Rebecca (Bradley) Lafevers, were both
natives of North Carolina, the father bora iu Burke
County and the mother in Cherokee County. They
moved to Hardin County, Tenn., in 1871, to Izard
County, Ark., about 1876, and to Fulton County
in 1878, where Mrs Lafevers died in 1883. The
father is still living, and is sixty-four years of age.
He is a member of the Presbyterian Church, as
was also his wife. He is a farmer by occupation
and served in both th(* Mexican and Civil Wars.
Of the ten children born to his marriage seven are
still living, and all but one iu Fulton County.
William M. Lafevers is the eldest child of thi.-^
family. He was born in Cherokee County, N. C. .
in lNr)2, and though his educational advantages iu
youth were very meager, and though perhaps deti
cient in general learning, his vigorous mind has so
grasped and embraced the opportunities which
have presented themselves that he is accounted
among the intelligent men of this vicinity. He
was from the first taught everything connected with
farming, later moving with his parents to Izard
County. In 1875 he wedded Miss Tennessee Cole,
daughter of Henry and Mary Cole, early settler>
of Arkansas, and the same year of his mairiage
he moved to Fulton County. He is the owner of
207 acres of land, with 100 under cultivation, and
also has other interests. He is a Democrat in
"' w^
21)0
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
politics, casting his first vote for Tilden: is a mem-
h)er of the Agricultural Wheel, and he and wife
belong to the Methodist Episcopal Church, South.
William Thomas Livingston. The many j'ears
])assed in sincere and earnest endeavor in thor-
oughly discharging every duty in the different
branches of business to which his attention has
been directed, have contributed very materially to
the success that has fallen to the career of Mr. L.
He was born in Chambers County, Ala., May 14,
1885, and is a son of James T. and Emma W.
(Childs) Livingston, who were born in Abbeville
District, S. C, in 1803 and 1810. and died in
Fulton County, Ark.. July 7, 1859, and in 1864,
respectively. Their marriage took place in their
native district in 1830. and about three years later
they moved to Chambers County, Ala., and in
1850 to Cass County, Ga. (now known as Bartow
County), where they made their home until the
fall of 1856. Then they came to Arkansas and
located in Fulton County, the country at that time
being in a very wild and unsettled condition and
the homes of the settlers few and far between.
Mr. Livingston engaged in farming and milling,
and was successful in the former occupation, but in
the latter his efPorts were not attended with good
results. He served in the Creek War for a short
time, and while in Alabama and Georgia held the
office of justice of the peace at different times, and
at the time of his death in this State he was county
surveyor of Fulton County. He acquired an excel-
lent education by experience as a salesman in a
mercantile establishment in Old Cambridge, S. C,
and afterward became a partner in the business.
He was a son of Thomas Livingston, who was a
soldier in the Revolutionary War, being at the
battle of Horse Shoe Bend. He died in Abbeville
District, S. C. William Thomas Livingston, our
immediate subject, was the second of eight chil-
dren, six of whom survive, and acquired his edu-
cation in the common schools of Alabama and
Georgia. He remained faithf ullj' by his parents
until their deaths, and assisted his father in man-
aging the home place. In 1858 he was appointed
deputy sheriff under Thomas E. Martin, serving
two years, then farmed iintil May, 1862. at which
time he enlisted in the Confederate army, in the
Tenth Missouri Infantry, and served as forage and
wagon-master until starting for home the day
Isefore Lee surrendered. April S, 1865, with a dis-
charge by reason of his election as representative
of his county. After his retui-n home he again
took up the implements of farm life, was appointed
deputy sheriff of Fulton County, and in 1S6H again
appointed to the same position under M. Y.
Shaver, and again in 1867 under E. O. Wolf. In
1872, at the close of reconstruction, he was elected
sheriff, again in 1876 and 1878, then in 1882, and
once more in 1886, in all ten years — a longer term
of office than has ever been held by any one man in
the county, with the exception of W. P. Rhea, who
was circuit court clerk for the same length of time.
He was assessor of Fulton County in 1859, 1867
and 1868: and in 1864, while in the army, was
elected to represent Fulton County in the General
Assembly. In 1867 his union with Miss Louesa
L. Jenkins took place, and by her he became the
father of eleven children, seven of whom are living:
James T. , William S., Mary T. , Emma J., Carrie
M. . Cora A. and Daisy B. Mr. Livingston is a
member of the Missionary Baptist Church, is a
Democrat in his political views, and has shown his
brotherly spirit by becoming a member of the
Masonic fraternity, rejiresenting his lodge in the
Grand Lodge in 1873.
Hon. E. R. Lucas, farmer, Viola. No name is
justl)' entitled to a more enviable place in the his-
tory of Fulton County than the one which heads
this sketch, for it is borne by a man who has been
usefully and honorably identified with the inter-
ests of this county, and with its advancement, in
every worthy particular. He owes his nativity to
Dallas County, Ala., where he was born in 1835.
His parents, Harvey B. and Amy (Wilson) Lucas,
were born in Kentucky, in 1808, and Georgia, in
1810, respectively. The father went to New York
City when twenty-one years of age, engaged in
merchandising, but was burned out in the fire of
1833. After this he went to Alabama, was mar-
ried there, and began the study of medicine. He
practiced in that State for some time, then gradu-
ated in his profession at Cincinnati, Ohio, after
w^ ^
0 SC EDl-A
Mississippi County, Arkansas
>>•
PULTON COUNTY.
'2111
whieli, his health beiug very poor, ho was advised
to go to Europe, but died on the ocean, in 1844 or
lS4r). leavini; a wife and fonr children, in poor
circnmstanoes. He was of Scotch descent, was a
member of the Baptist Chnrcli, also a Mason,
and was a very promising man. His widow is
still living, and has been a meml)er of the Baptist
Clinrch for over sixty years. She reared four
children, Hon. E. R. lieing the eldest. Ho re
ceived very little education until grown, and then
taught seven terms of school. His wife was for-
niejly Miss Nancy Radford, whom he married in
liSriO. Her parents, Reuben and Sarah Radford,
were natives, respectively, of Alabama and Ken-
tucky, and jiassed their last days in the former
State, Mrs. Radford dying in 1853, and Mr. Rad-
ford some years previous. To Mr. and Mrs. Lucas
were born ten children, throe sons and four dangh
ters living. Mr. Lucas served through the war,
having enlisted in Company K, Eleventh Alabama
Volunteer Infantry, Confederate Army; the first
year he was a private, then third lieutenant, and
afterward first lieutenant, and finally captain. He
operated in Northern Virginia with Gen. Lee, and
was in twenty- four general engagements, among
them Seven Pines, seven days' fight before Rich-
mond, Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville, Gettys-
burg, Wilderness. Spottsylvania, etc., and was
never captured nor wounded. He received a fur-
lough, and was at home during the final surrender.
He then returned to tilling the soil, and in 186'J
came to Fulton County, Ark. , where he has since
lived, residing on his present farm for the |>ast six
years. He has been a close student all his life,
and is at present one of the best informed men in
Fulton County. In 1874 he was a member of
the constitutional convention that framed the pres-
ent constitution of Arkansas, and in 1882 was
elected to represent the county mentioned in the
State legislature, holding the position for two
years. He has been a life-long Democrat, and his
first presidential vote was for James Buchanan, in
1^5(1 He has been a Mason since 1801. now
belonging to Viola Lodge No. 399. and has held
nearly all the offices, and was Master two years.
He is also a member of the Agricultural Wheel.
He and wife belong to the Missionary Ba])tist
Church, in which he has been a divicon for a num-
ber of years. His maternal grandfather, William
Wilson, was a native Virginian, and died in Georgia.
He was of English descent, and a soldier in the
Rm'olutionary War. Mr. Lucas has one brother,
Rev. Oscar M. Lucas, who has been a prominent
Baptist minister for about twenty-five years. He
was educated principally at Mountain Home, in
Baxter County. William P., another brother,
served about fourteen months in the ('onfederate
army, and was wounded at the seven days' battle,
in June, 1802, and died from the effects July 9, of
the same year. A sister, Sarah F., is the wife of
William P. Cameron, and is also a member of the
Baptist Church.
Elder Joseph B. McGlasson, minister of the
(christian Church, and farmer of Big Creek Town
shij>, was born in Cumberland County, Ky., in
1809, and is at present one of the oldest and most
esteemed citizens of Fulton County. His early life
was one of hardship and trouble, and at that day
he received very limited educational advantages,
the most of his education being acquired after
attaining his majority. Previous to that he had
left home under rather unpleasant circumstances,
his father being (|uite dissipated, and ragged and
bare-foot, and with little or no schooling, he was
compelled to make his way in life. He worked for
a man one day to get some leather, and for anothei-
man a short time to get the leather made up into
a pair of shoes. He continued to labor at such
occupation as be could find, until he had a good
suit of clothes, after which he attended school, etc.
He was married September 16, 1830, to Miss
Fannie Ross, who was originally from Cumberland
County, Ky., and who died in Fulton County.
Ark., in 1858. Eleven children were born to tliis
marriage, six sons and five daughters, only four of
whom are now living, viz.: Isabelle S. , Susan,
wife of William L. Cavnett, of Phelps County, M<>. :
Jane and Fannie. Mr. McGlasson's second nuir
riage occurred, in isr)9, to Mrs. JIargaret J. Nib-
blett, daughter of William and Lucy Fewell.
She was born in Alaljama, and by her marriage
became the mother of four children, two now
* »
292
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
liviug: Francis M. and Tabitba. wife of James '
James, of Randolph County, Ark. The second
Mrs. McGlasson died about 1877, and Mr. Mc-
Glasson then married Mrs. Nancy Hewitt, who
died in 1883. In August of the following year
he man'ied Mrs. Elizabeth Watson, daughter of
James Hammond, and a native of Graves County,
Ky. She was previously a member of the Baptist |
Church, but for the last seven years has been a
member of the Christian Church. In 1836 Mr.
McGlasson removed to Southwest Arkansas, where
he remained until 1851, then locating in Izard
County, and from there, one year later, in Fulton
County, Ark. He settled in the neighborhood
where he now lives, and was one of the first white
settlers of the county, he being only one of two \
now living in Big Creek Township who were I
in that township at that time. He has long been
recognized as an honest, upright and much es-
teemed citizen, and one of the county's leading
farmers. He now has 148 acres of land, with
some sixty acres under cultivation. For about
fifty- eight years he has been a Christian, first a
member of the Methodist Church, and in 1845 he
was licensed to preach by that church. He has
preached more or less ever since, and is among
the oldest ministers of Arkansas. He was a Meth-
odist until the separation in 1845, and was then a
Protestant Methodist until the war. He then re-
mained out of the church until 18*35, when he
joined the Christian Church. From 1844 to 1850
he was justice of the peace, and filled this position
for four years in Fulton County. He was drum-
mer for four years in the militia in Kentucky, and
was lieutenant of a volunteer company in the
year 1845. In politics he has been a Democrat
all his life, and his first presidential vote was .
cast for Andrew Jackson, in 1828. He is a mem-
ber of Wild Cherry Lodge No. 85, I. O. O. F.
Mr. McGlasson is the son of James and Susannah
(Harley) McGlasson, natives of Virginia, born in '
Franklin and Bedford Counties, respectively. The
parents were married in their native State, in
1807, and removed to Cumberland County, Ky. ,
locating in the woods, and were among the very
earliest settlers. Theie they spent their entire ,
lives, the mother dying since the war, at the age
of ninety-seven years. She was a member of the
Baptist Church for many years. The father was
a good farmer. They were the parents of eleven
children. Matt McGlasson, the grandfather of
the subject of this sketch, was a native of Scot-
land, and came to America when quite young. He
enlisted in the Revolutionary War when only
eighteen years of age, and was in service during
the entire war. He located first in Virginia, but
later moved to Kentucky, where he passed his
last days. He was one of the first settlers. His
wife, Elizabeth Cunningham, was born in France.
Mathew McGlasson, the great-grandfather of the
subject of this sketch, spent his entire life in Scot-
land. The maternal grandfather, Francis Harley,
was of Dutch descent, and died in Virginia.
Azriah W. McKenzie. The career of Mr. Mc-
Kenzie presents an example of industry, j)ersever-
ance and good management, rewarded by substan
tial results, well worthy the imitation of all who
start out in life as he did with no capital except a
good constitution and liberal supply of pluck and
energy. He is numbered among those of Georgia
nativity now in Fulton County, having been born
in that State on the 7th of November, 1831.
John McKenzie, his father, was a Georgian, born
about 1800, and first settled in the wilds of Law-
rence County, Ark., in 1848. He pursued the oc-
cupation of farming until his death at the age of
sixty-five years. After residing in Lawrence
County a few years he moved to Madison County,
thence to Missouri, and finally returned to his son's
(Azriah) home in 1862. He was a soldier in the
Florida and Indian War. His father was born in
Scotland, and came to the United States at the
time of the Revolutionary War. Our subject's
mother was a Miss Jane Canady, who was born in
Georgia, about 1801, and died in Lawrence
County, Ark. (now Sharp County), in 1851. She
was the mother of seven sons and four daughters,
all of whom grew to mature years, and two of
whom art5 now liviug: Azriah and a sister, both of
whom live in Fulton County. The former was the
sixth of the family, and remained with his parents
until about eighteen years of age, when he started
~7n
for California, which State he reached in the sum-
mer of 1852. He remained there engaged in
mining until December, 1857, then returned to
Arkansas, where he continued until the spring of
1859, when he again crossed the plains, and for
two yeai's was occupied in cattle dealing in Cali-
fornia. In the last named year he again returned
home, and in July of that year enlisted in the
('onfederate army, being under Capt. Wyatt, and
>erved until the close of the war. He was taken
prisoner at Big Blue while with Price on his raid,
and was retained at Alton, 111., for four months,
lifter which he was jiaroled. He then rejoined
his company in the south part of Arkansas, and
at the close of hostilities returned home and re-
sumed his farming operations. He has a fine farm
of 400 acres, with 185 under cultivation, which he
has acfpiired by hard work and good management.
His first vote for the presidency was cast for Frank-
lin Pierce, and he has always been a Democrat.
He is unmarried.
Dr. Joel McLemore, a physician of acknowl-
edged merit in Fulton County, was born in Hali-
fax County. N. C, June 1'2, 1835. and there re-
mained until ten years of age, when he was taken
by his mother to Tennessee, receiving his liter-
ary education in Waynesboro, of that State. Dur-
ing this time he formed a strong desire to study
medicine and made the investigation of this
science his chief business for a number of years.
He has been practicing since 1865, and has
been a successful practitioner of Fulton County
ever since 1878. In October. 1855, he was mar-
ried in Tennessee to Miss Harriet G. McClearen,
who was born and reareil in Hickman County,
Middle Tenn. Her parents, John and Elzada
(.\dams) McClearen, were born in Northern Ala
bama and Bedford County, Tenn., respectively.
To Dr. and Mrs. McLemore nine children have
been given, seven of whom are living: John B.,
Joel H. (deceased), James F. , William B.. Albert
A.. Sterling P.. Samuel (i., an infant deceased,
and Allie. During the late war the Doctor served
four years in the Confederate army as major of a
battalion. He is a Master Mason, a member of the
Democratic party, and he and wife belong to
the iMethodist Protestant Chinch. He owns a
farm of 240 acres on English Creek, aboijt seven-
ty-five acres of which are under cultivation. His
tiarents, Joel and Mrs. Elizabeth (PuUou) McLe-
more, were born in Virginia and North Carolina in
May, 1773, and 1803, respectively. The father re-
moved to North Carolina when a young man and
was married there. He was a tailor by trade, and
also followed the occupation of farming, and on his
extensive plantation in Halifax County employed lOO
hands. He was twice married, Miss Pullen lieing
his second wife, and by her he became the father
of two sons; Joel, and James H., who lives in
Wayne County. , Tenn. After his demise his widow
mairied John Whittakei-. and moved to P(>rry
County, Tenn.. whore she died in April, 1859.
The jiaternal grandparents of our subject were
born near London, England, and a short time
prior to the R(;volutionary ^\ar they emigrated
to the United States and settled near Richmond,
Va., where they afterward died. The grandfather
served as major in the Continental army during
that war.
Jesse Matthews is a iiewspajwr man of long ex-
perience, his connection with his present pajjer
dating from January 8, 1879. Under his able
management it has become recognized as a journal
of decided merit, its editorials being written with
a clearness and force which indicate a writer of
ability, while it has become very jiopular for its
bold and fearless advocacy of measures which it
deems will |)rove of benefit to this section. His
parents, Jesse and Mary ( Houston) Matthews, were
born in Baltimore, Md. . and Paris. Bourbon
County, Ky., respectively, the former being reared
to manhood in his native town; then he came west
and settled at Glasgow, Mo., in whicii place he en-
gaged in merchant tailoring, and followed this oc-
cupation for some time. In 1849 he went to Cali-
fornia, where he spent eight years in gold digging,
accumulating considerable money. After his re-
turn to Missouri he located at Huntsville. where his
worthy wife departed this life. aft(>r which lie re-
moved to the northwest county in Missouri, where
he is spending his declining years with a son. The
paternal grandfather was an early emigrant to
J^l
294
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
America, ami was of Scotch ancestry although
born iu the " " Emerald Isle. ' ' Jesse Matthews, the
immediate subject of this sketch, was reared at
Huiitsville. Randolph County, Mo., but was fav-
ored with only poor advantages for obtaining an
education, which he improved by entering a print-
ing office when fourteen years of age, only going
to school two ten months' sessions. In 1874 he
was married to Miss Sarah E. Rider, who was born
in Pulaski County, Mo. , in 1856, and six children
blessed their union: Maggie A., Edgar M., Elmer
H. , Mattie, Jessie P., Earnest L. and Emmett G.
Mr. Matthews learned the printer's trade in his
youth at Huntsville, Mo., commencing his appren-
ticeship in July, 1864, and serving five years. He
then went to Kansas City, and worked on the
"Kansas City Times" as a compositor for one
year, and the following year worked on the
' ' Oswego (Kansas) Register. ' ' He next made a
short stay iu Arkansas, after which he went back
to Missouri, and for four years worked at Salem
on ' ' The Success, ' ' as foreman. He next went to
Pulaski County where he bought a printer's out-
fit, and moved to Gainesville, establishing the
"Gainesville Gazette," afterward removing to
Licking, where he established the ' ' Ledger, ' '
which he conducted one year, then starting the
" Spirit,"' at Salem, Mo. Since January 8, 1879,
he has been a resident of Salem, Ark., establish-
ing the ' ' Salem Informer" " at the above date,
which he has continuously published up to the
present time. Mr. Matthews is a conservative
Democrat, and his paper is independent. He is
a member of the A. F. & A. M. , and also a mem-
ber of the Kansas City Typographical Union.
K. B. Maxey is an attorney of Salem, Ark., who
has steadily and surely made his way to the front
in the practice of his chosen profession, and as a
prominent and useful citizen. He was born in
Giles County, Tenn., October 11, 1846, and re-
ceived his education in Lebanon, Wilson County,
Tenn., and while there formed habits of applica-
tion and industry so essential to any successful
career through life, and which stood him iu good
service when entering upon his legal studies,
which he did after wielding the ferule for three
years. His legal ])receptor was AV. F. Hender-
son, the present supreme judge of New Mexico,
who was then attorney general of Arkansas. He
was admitted to the bar of Randolph County, Ark.,
in March, 1872, and the two following years were
spent in practicing his profession at Pocahontas,
Mo. From that time until 1878 he resided iu
Corning, Clay County, Ark. , and then on account of
ill health, came to Salem, where he has since been
engaged in regular practice and the real estate
business. He owns considerable land in the county,
and some valuable town property. Miss Minnie
Jones, who was born in Pocahontas, Randolph
County, Mo., became his wife in 1874, and by her
he has an interesting family of four children:
Ollie, Soula, Kittie and Harry. Mr. Maxey holds
a membership in the I. O. O. F. lodge at Poca-
hontas, and he and his wife are worthy members
of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Mr. Maxey's
parents, J. H. and Elizabeth (Black) Maxey, were
born in the State of Virginia, the former's birth
occurring in 1812. He was reared to a farm life
in Tennessee, and there married and spent his life,
his death occurring in 1871. His wife, who died
in 1850, bore him five children. Grandfather
Maxey was a Virginian, who emigrated to Tennes-
see at an early day, and there spent the rest of his
days.
Daniel W. Mitchell, farmer, merchant, and
postmaster of Mitchell postoffice, which was estab-
lished in 1881, through his efforts, owes his birth
to Marion County, Tenn. , where he was born in
1828. His father, Warren W. Mitchell, was a na-
tive of North Carolina, born in 1782, and was mar
ried in Tennessee to Mrs. Blender Lewis, also a
native of North Carolina, and born in the year
1792. The father died in Tennessee in 1842. He
was a successful tiller of the soil. His father,
John Mitchell, was born and reared in Ireland,
but on coming to the United States, settled in North
Carolina, and there died. He served all through
the Revolutionary War. Mrs. Elender (Lewis)
Mitchell was married the hrst time in North Caro-
lina. After the death of Mr. Mitchell, she re-
moved to North Mississippi, and there died in April,
1857. Her father, Harbored Lewis, was a Welsh-
"71
" — " i\
FULTON COUNTY.
2'.)r.
man, luul his wife wrh Diitcli. They came to
America prior to the Revohitionar}- War, settling j
in Chatham County, N. C, and there passed the
remainder of their lives. Daniel W., the second of
tliree sous and four daughters born to his parents,
received a very limited education, and remained
with his mother uatil grown, taking charge of the
family at the age of seventeen. His marriage oc-
ciured in 1856 to Miss P. A. Walker, a native of
Alabama, and the daughter of John and Mary
Walker, who were natives of Tennessee, but who
passed the last of their days in Mississippi. Mr.
Mitchell lived in Mississippi until during the war, |
when he moved to Perry County, 111. , after which he
returned to Mississippi. In ISTOhecame to Fulton
County, rented land until 1872, and then settled in
the dense woods on his present farm, now of about
600 acres, with 100 acres under cultivation, all
the result of his own energy, never having inherited
anything. He is at present a prominent farmer,
and a successful business man. In 1883 he es- !
tablished a store on his farm, and has carried this
on nearlj' ever since. He was justice of the peace for
some years in Mississippi, and also filled that posi-
tion for about two years in Fulton County. In
politics he was reared a Whig, but is now a Ke-
publican. Mr. and Mrs. Mitchell are members in
good standing in the Methodist Episcopal Chui'ch,
and he has been steward in the same for many
years.
Edward S. Nesbit is manager of the Nesbit
Lumber Company, of Mammoth Spring, Ark.,
dealers in dressed and rough lumber, shingles, sash,
doors, blinds, lime, cement, laths, hair, etc. This
business was established in March, 1889. Mr.
Nesbit was born in De Soto County, Miss., in 1838,
and is the son of Thomas and Margaret (Driver)
N(>sbit, natives of South Carolina and Alabama, re-
spectively. When a boy, Thomas Nesbit went to
Alabama, where he grew to manhood, married,
and soon after removed to Mississippi, being one
of the pioneers of that State. He was a wealthy
farmer, and died in the last mentioned State in
1SS5, at the age of seventy-three years. He was
the founder of the town of Nesbit. on the Illinois
Central Railroad, and one of the most prominent
citizens of the locality in which he lived. He and
wife were for many years members in good stand-
ing in the Cumberland Presbyterian Church.
Thomas Nesbit, grandfather of Edward H. Nesbit,
was of Irish parentage, and was a soldier in the
Revolutionary War. Mrs. Nesbit died about 1881 ;
she was the daughter of Lewis Driver, who was
a wealthy agriculturist, and who died in Alabama.
Of the nine children born to his parents, Edward S.
Nesbit was the third. He secured a fair education
in the common schools until nearly grown, and
when nineteen years of age graduated from W'es-
leyan University at Florence, Ala. He then en
gaged in the lumber and saw-mill Imsiness on
Tallahatchee River, where he remained until the
breaking out of the Civil War. He then joined
Company K, Ninth Mississippi Volunteer Infantry,
and nine months later was appointed lieutenant
of a battalion of sharp shooters, serving in that
capacity until the close of the war. He was ca])
tured in West Mississippi in October, 1802, and
was held a prisoner at Fort Pickering for about
three months. At the close of the strife he en-
gaged in farming and merchandising, which he
carried on for some time. On the 1st of March,
1861, he married Miss Maggie Bradford, a native
of Arkansas, and who died in 1866. Her father.
Thomas Bradford, was one of the organizers of the
Mississippi and Tennessee, now Illinois Central
Railroad Company. He was a director and leading
factor in that road until his death. To Mr. and
Mrs. Nesbit were born four children, two sons auil
two daughters, all living. Mr. Nesbit" s secoml
marriage occurred about 1881, to Mrs. Nancy E.
Nesbit, daughter of J. R. Jeffer^'s, a native of
Virginia, who died about 1884, in De Soto County,
Miss. Mrs. Nesbit was also born in Virginia. Mr.
Nesbit lived in his native county until 18SI, when
he removed to Imboden, and in ISS'J to Mammotli
Spring. He was in company with his father in
the milling, ginning and lumber business, and this
continued extensively until he came to Arkansas.
and was then connected with the Imboden Milling
Company, until 1889. He was mayor of Nesbit,
Miss., for a number of years. Politically, he was
a Whig until the war, since which time he has
7?=;="
;r^
290
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
been a Democrat, casting bis fiist presidential vote
for Bell in 1860. He is a Master Mason and Royal
Arch Mason, and also belongs to the K. of H.
and K. of L. He is a member of the Cuml>erland
Presbyterian Church, and bis wife of the Mission-
ary Baptist. Their children are named as follows:
Mary E., wife of W. J. Johnson, farmer of De Soto
County, Miss.: Edward S., Jr.. was educated at
Nesbit, Miss. , and is a telegraph operator at ImVio-
den; Milton W. received his education at the same
place, and is also a telegraph operator at Portia;
Maggie E. was educated principally at Pulaski,
Tenn. The children received good school advant-
ages.
H. F. Northcutt. one of the most efficient cir-
cuit and county clerks Fulton County has ever had,
is a young man well known in the community, and
has been an incumbent of his present office since
the fall of 1886, serving by re-election. In the
year 1863 he first saw the light of day in Warren
County, Tenn., but was reared in this county, and
although he attended the free schools for some
time, he is mainly self-educated. After following
the monotonous duties of farm life for some time,
he abandoned this work to enter the county clerk" s
office as deputy, continuing as such until he was
elected to the office of county assessor, as soon as
he was eligible for office, when twenty one years
of age. He continued to discharge the duties of
this office in a very satisfactory manner until 1886,
at which time he was elected to his present posi-
tion. In social as well as public life he is kind,
courteous and afPable in his demeanor to all classes,
and is a young man who attracts the regard of all
who approach him. He is Democratic in politics,
and has shown his approval of secret societies by
becoming a member of the I. O. O. F. His wife
was formerly Miss Mattie L. Wainwright, whom
he married in September, 1885. she having been
born in Fulton County. Ark. Mr. Northcutt is a
son of J. M. and Mary E. (Doughty) Northcutt,
who were born in Warren and Wilson Counties,
Tenn., respectively. They were reared, educated
and married in their native State, and there made
their home until 1868, when they came to Arkan-
sas, locating in Fulton County, at Salem. Mr.
Northcutt established a general mercantile store,
and did a prosperous business for a number of
years, being also quite extensively engaged in stock
dealing. At one time he left home to dispose of
some stock and was never afterward heard from,
but all his baggage was traced to Louisville, Ky. ,
and the supposition is that he was murdered for
his money. His widow and two children survive
him (two other children having died), the former
being a resident of Salem. The paternal grand-
father, J. M. Northcutt, was a native German.
Dr. William B. Phillips is a leading physician
and surgeon of Fulton County, Ark., and pos-
sesses those sterling qualities which are character-
istic of people of Scotch descent, as well as of those
who claim Ohio as the State of their birth. He
was born in Morgan County, July 24, 1836, and
there received good educational advantages, which
he did not fail to improve. He removed with his
parents from Ohio to Missouri in 1859, and having
formed the desire to pursue the study of medicine
with a view to making it a profession, he entered
the St. Louis Medical College (then called Pope's
College), where he acquired an excellent knovpledge
of that calling. When the mutterings of war re-
sounded through the land he entered the service
as hospital steward, Vjut afterwaid became hospital
surgeon, and acted in this capacity until the close
of the war. After residing in Missouri until 1876
he came to Izard County, Ark., and in 1882 to
where he now lives, where his efforts to alleviate
the sufferings of the sick have been attended with
most pleasing results. His name has become well
known throughout the length and breadth of the
county as an able practitioner, and his success fully
justifies the large and lucrative patronage he has
always received. In 1858 he was married to Miss
Louisa Valaivies, who was born in Belmont County,
Ohio, in 1889, l)ut her death occurred the follow-
ing year. Miss Elizabeth M. Hamilton became his
second wife in 1864. She was born in Pulaski
County. Mo., in 1842, and she and the Doctor have
; become the parents of the following children:
William S., born August 3, 1865; Livie L., born
January 24, 1867; Hugh H., born April 7, 1868;
j Viola M.. born May 5, 1870; Ernest A., born
y'r.
e w
Dcc'crnbw 28, 1871; Ansel B., born December 21,
1873; ArtliurL., born February 1 0, 1876: Alexan-
der B. , born July 17, 1878; Anna P., born May
l(i, 1880, and Myrtle L., born January 29, 1883.
Dr. Phillips resides on a good farm of 200 acres.
He is a Republican in politics, and cast his first
vote for Stephen A. Douglas, for the Presidency.
He is a member of Vidette Lodge No. 94. of the
I. O. O. F. , at Vina postofBce, and is Deputy
Grand Master of his district, and secretary of his
lodge. He is a consistent member of the General
Baptist Church. He was the eldest of five chil-
dren, two now living, of Zadock and Phcebe
(Brown) Phillips, who were born in Athens County.
Ohio, in 1813 and 1818, respectively. The father
is yet living, and is engaged in farming in Doug-
las County, Mo., to which county he moved in
1859. His wife died in this county in March,
1889. The grandfather was born in North Caro-
lina, and the great grandfather was of Scotland
nativity.
J. M. Picki'en, one of the most extensive and
prominent farmers of Fulton County, Ark., is a
native of the county, born November 15, 1848.
His father, John Pickren, was a native of Italy,
born in 1798, and when only nine years of age took
passage in a vessel and worked his way to Amer-
ica. He landed in New York, remained there for a
short time, and then went to Pennsylvania, whence,
after a stay of five or six years, he journeyed
to North Carolina, continuing there until about
1840, when he came to Fulton County, Ark.
Previous to his advent into North Carolina he had
followed various occupations, l)ut while in that
State he had charge and superintended the hands
working in the gold mines of that State. After
coming to Arkansas he settled on the tract of land
owned by his son J. M. , and followed agricultural
pursuits successfully for a number of years. He
was killed in 1863 by the Jayhawkers, who claimed
to be United States soldiers. He was married in
1841, and was sixty-five yearsof age at the time of
his death. He was married in North Carolina to
Miss Mary Stoop, a native of North Carolina, and
of German origin. Five children were the fruits
of this union, two of whom died when small and
10
one was killed at the same time as the father,
when sixteen years of age. Those living are;
Mary, wife of H. Tracey, and is now living in
North Carolina, and J. M., the subject of this
sketch. The latter commenced work for himself
as a farmer in 1872, and cultivated the old home
stead, which consisted of 510 acres, 150 under
improvement. He was married November 7 of the
same year to Miss Nancy Farril, a native of Mis-
souri, and seven children have been the result of
this union: Maud, born August 4, 1874; John,
born January 4, 1876; Harry, l)orn April 21, 1878:
Minnie. l)orn February 12, 1879: Luther, born
April 15, 1881; Myrtie, bom Jnne 7. 1885, and
Cnthliert, born May 20, 1887. Mrs. Pickren is
the daughter of Wilson and Mary (Grubl)^ Farril,
and one of ten children, six now living: George,
John, Mary, Nancy and Hardie. besides one in
Ozark County. Mr. Pickren is a member of the
Masonic fraternity, and also of the I. O. O F. ; and
in his political views he is with the Democrats.
Dr. G. \V. Ray, a prominent medical practi-
tioner of Fulton County, Ark., was bom in David-
son County, Tenn., May 8, 1831, being a son of
Henry D. and Lamora (Glasgow) Ray, who were
born in Brunswick County, Va. . and Davidson
County, Tenn., January Vt, l.SOO. and l.SOS, and
died in the latter State in 1865 and 1873, respect-
ively. The father removed with his j)arents to
Tennessee when fourteen years of age, his father
being Patrick Henry Ray, a native of either Scot
land or Ireland— not definitely known which. He
was a soldier in the Revolutionary War, and died
in Virginia. The maternal grandparents, Jesse
and Catherine Glasgow, were of Scotch descent,
and were born in North Carolina. Jesse was also
a Revolutionary soldier and was an officer in the
Continental army. Dr. G. W. Ray is the eldest
of seven children, two .sons and one daughter now
living. After receiving his early education in the
academic schools of Tenne.ssee he adopted medi
cine as his profession and entered upon its prac-
tice in his native State in 1856. At the same time
he was in the wholesale liipior liusiness, follow-
ing other occupations at various times until IS77,
wlien he left Tennessee, and moved to Stoddard
208
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
County. Mo. Seven yeurs later lie came to Fnltou
County, Ark. In 1868 he wedded Miss Susan
Browning, who was born in Robertson County,
Tenn. , but she lived only two years after her mar-
riage. December IS, 1888, he took for his second
wife Mrs. A. C. Jeffrey, nee Cunningham. Mr.
Jeffrey was a very intelligent and influential citizen,
and was the author of a descriptive history of
Fulton and Izard Counties, being the editor of a
newspaper in the latter county. He and his wife
(now Mrs. Ray) became the parents of three sons
and one daughter: Curren, Lulu, Robert and Mit-
chell. In 1862 Dr. Ray recruited a company of
soldiers in Robertson County, Teun. , and served as
its captain until near the close of the war. He
was also assistant surgeon of his regiment, and
was in the battles of Fort Donelson and others.
He is now a Democrat in his political views, but
was formerly a Whig, and cast his first presidential
vote for Gen. Scott. He is a member of the I. O.
O. F., and for many years has been one of the
active and successful practitioners of the county.
His wife belongs to the Cumberland Presbyterian
Church.
W. P. Rhea, of the mercantile firm of W. P.
Rhea & Co., of Salem, Ark., was born in East
Tennessee in 1831. and while growing up attended
Maryville College, receiving educational advan-
tages which he improved. He was married, in
1855, to Miss Sarah Pile, who was born in East
Tennessee September 30, 1836, and the following
are the children born to their union: Laura E.
(wife of R. A. Robins), David C, Joseph M., Mar-
garet L. (wife of A. W. Ellis). Edmund G., Bet-
tie E., Rob Preston, Kittie (who died in infancy),
Oscar Lee and Holmes G. In 1866 Mr. Rhea emi-
grated to Arkansas, thinking to l)etter his worldly
condition, and after residing in this county for
some time, and his many admirable qualities be-
coming known, he was elected to the offices of cir-
cuit clerk, ex-officio county clerk, clerk of the pro-
bate court, and county recorder, holding these
responsible positions for ten consecutive years.
Since 1883 he has also been engaged in mer-
cantile business, but is now retired, his establish-
ment being managed by his two partners, R. A.
Robins and Arch. Northcutt. Mr. Rhea served
in the late war for three years, under Gen. Long-
street, and was in a number of fiercely contested
engagements. He has since been a Democrat in
his political views, and has always been deeply
interested in the cause of education. He is a mem
ber of the Presbyterian Church. He is the owner
of 600 acres of fertile land. He was next to the
youngest of eleven children, eight of whom grew
to maturity, born to Joseph M. and Kittie (Myers)
Rhea, who were born in East Tennessee and Berk-
eley County, Va., May 14, 1787, and July 28, 1788,
respectively. The father was a farmer and school-
teacher by occupation, was reared in his native
State, but was married in the "Old Dominion."
He served in the War of 1812, and was in Canada
during that time as private secretary to one of the
officers of the army. He spent the remainder of
his life in Tennessee, and died August 14, 1860.
his wife having died February 25, preceding.
Matthew Rhea, the grandfather of our subject,
was born in Scotland, and was an early emigrant
to America, and took an active part in the Revolu-
tionary War, being a major in the Continental
army. After the close of that conflict he settled in
Tennessee, and was for many years clerk of Sulli
van County, and held various other civil positions
in the county. He died at about the age of sixty
years. The maternal grandparents. Charles and
Ann (Care) Myers, were Virginians, and were of
German and French descent, respectively. R. A.
Robins, of the above mentioned firm, and a pros-
perous young financier of the county, was born in
Izard County, Ark., in 1852, and is a son of A. A.
and Indiana (Pritchett) Robins, the former being
a Virginian, who grew to manhood in his native
State, but removed to Tennessee at an early day,
and still later to Izard County, Ark. , where he
followed the occupation of carpentering R. A.
Robins was educated in Philadelphia, of his native
county, and upon reaching a suitable age, entered
mercantile pursuits as clerk in a general store in
Batesville, Independence County, Ark. He re-
mained here ten years, and then came to Salem,
and in 1883 became a member of the present firm.
He owns some valuable town property, and was
:>:
FULTON COUNTY.
2m
marriod. in 1S(S2, to Miss Laura E. Rhea, wlio
was horn in Tennessee. They have two <jhildreu
living; Maud E. and Bernice Preston, and one
child deceased, named Lillias. Mr. Robins is a
Democrat, and a member of the Methodist Episco-
[lal Church, South. The other member of the
lirm. Arch. Northcutt, is a Warren County Ten-
nesseean, bis birth occurring in 1858. He loft
his native State when eleven years of age, and
came with his people to Arkansas. He was edu-
cated in the common schools of Izard County, and
worked at the monotouous duties of farm life for
his father until be reached his majority, when he
was married, and entered the employ of Archer &
Daniels, general merchants of Salem, with whom
he remained eight years, during which time he
never lost a day from sickness or otherwise. In
February, 1887, he became a member of the pres-
ent firm, which carries a stock of about $5,000,
their annual sales amounting to $25,000. Mr.
Northcutt is chairman of the Democratic Central
Committee of Fulton County, and is now dis-
charging the duties of this position. He is a char-
ter member of the I. O. O. F. , and is a member of
the Methodi.st Episcojial Church. His wife, whose
maiden name was Jennie Brown, was born in the
State of Ohio in 1859, and is connected to Judge
0"Key. To their union have been born three
children: Burton, Horace and Mamie O'Key.
Daniel P. Rogers is one of three surviving
members of a family of six children of Jonathan
and Martha (Knighton) Rogers, and was born in
Humphreys County, Tenn., on the 'ifith of Janu-
ary. 1830. His parents are supposed to have been
natives of North Carolina, the former's birth oc-
curring in 1787, and his death in Tennessee in
1S3U. He was a farmer and mechanic, and served
two years as a private in the War of 1812. He and
his wife, who was born about 1795, were married
iu the State of Tennessee, and after his death the
widow and her children came to Arkansas, locating
iu what is now Sharp County, about 1844, where
she died in 1S59. Daniel P. Rogers received only
one month's schooling after coming to Arkansas,
owing to his mother's straitened circumstances,
and the necessitv of his assistance at home to aid
in su|)porting the family. He made his home
with his mother until his marriage, and then she
continued to reside with iiim until her death. His
maiTiage to Miss Rebecca Copeland took place in
1850. She was born in Tennessee in 1832, and
died six years after her marriage, having become
the mother of three children: Jesse, who is mar
ried and is a farmer of the county; George, who
is also married and resides on a farm; and John
A., married and residing on a farm near his father.
In 1858 Mr. Rogers wedded Miss Mary Dowell,
who was born in Tennessee about 1845, and to
them was given one son. James P., who resides in
Boone County, Ark. In 1872 he was so unfort-
unate as to lose his second wife, but on the 8th of
October, 1875, he found a true helpmate in the
person of Mrs. Martha (Davis) Brasier, whose
birth occurred iu Whitley County, Ky., in 183U.
They have two children: Martha A. and Andrew
J. During the Rebellion he joined the Confeder-
ate army, and served until the final surrender, be-
ing a member of Capt. Wyatt's Company. He
was at Prairie Grove and Helena, and was captured
at the fall of Little Rock, being retained in that
place for four months. While being taken North
by his captors, he jumped from the boat near
Cape Girardeau, Mo., and managed to elude his
pursuers and rejoin his command. He was then
in the engagement at Poison Springs, Mark's Mill,
and Jenkins' Ferry, and was with Price on his
raid, receiving a slight wound while with his com-
mand. At the close of the war he returned to his
farm and has since resided in Fulton County,- of
which he was one of the pioneers. His farm em-
braces 200 acres, and i> located between Myatt
and South Fork Creeks. One hundred acres are
under cultivation. He is a member of Myatt
Lodge No. 401, of the A. F. & A. M., and in
his political views is a Democrat, having cast his
tirst presidential vote for Pierce. He and wife
are members of the Protestant Methodist Church.
Thomas G. Sears is another successful tiller
of the soil of Fulton County who has secured his
possessions by energy, determination and judicious
management. He is a Georgian, born in Octo-
ber, 1824, and is a son of Wyatt and Frances
:"?"
30(1
HTSTOEY OF ARKANSAS.
(Satterwbite) Sears, both natives of North Caro- ';
lina, who died in Georgia in 18(53 and 1868, re- j
spectively. They were married in their native j
State, and thi'oughout his life the father was an
industrious tiller of the soil Thomas G. Sears,
the fourth of their ten children, was educated
in the common schools of his native State. Like I
the majority of sons he followed the occupation in
which his father had always been engaged, and to
which he was reared, and up to the present day j
has made that his calling. In the year 1875 he
moved to Izard County, Ark., and in 1880 settled
on the farm of 280 acres where he now lives. He
has ninety acres under cultivation. In 1846 he
was married in Georgia to Miss Sarah E. Payne,
who was born in South Carolina in 1826, the
daughter of Enoch and Sarah Payne, both natives
of the "Palmetto State," who died in Georgia.
Eight children have been born to Mr. and Mrs.
Sears, but the following five are the only ones now
living: Enoch G., Martha L. (wife of William
Hollingsworth), James, Frances (wife of William
Cochran) and Thomas. When the war had l>een
going on for two years Mr. Sears enlisted as a pri-
vate in Beauregard's battery and served imtil
June 20, 1865, proving himself an eflScient and
trustworthy soldier. He was formerly a Whig
and cast his vote for Henry Clay for the Presidency,
but since the war has been a Democrat. He and
family are all members of the Methodist Episcopal
Church, with the exception of one son. who he-
longs to the Baptist Church, and all are substan-
tial and law-abiding citizens. The children who
are deceased are William T. , who died at the age
of three months; Sarah E. , whose death occurred
when fourteen years of age, and an infant.
Ephraim Sharp, an old resident, and a leading
merchant and farmer of the county, and proprietor
of a cotton-gin and flour-mill at South Fork, in
Myatt Township, twelve miles east of Salem, was
born in Decatur County, Ind. , June 23, 1833,
and is a son of John E. and Susan (Armstrong)
Sharp, who were born in Pennsylvania in 1802,
and in Ohio in 1800, respectively. The father now
resides in Decatur County, Ind.. and, although he
is eighty -seven years of age, takes a number of
newspapers, and is able to read them by lamplight
without his glasses. He has always followed farm-
ing as an occupation, and is of Dutch-Irish ances-
try. His wife died in Decatur County. Ind. . in
1842, as did his father. John Sharp, who was born
in Pennsylvania, his death occurring in 1842.
Ephraim Sharp is one of two surviving members
of a family of seven children, and was reared in
Decatui' County, Ind., to which place his parents
moved about 1826. He attended the common
schools, and at the age of twenty-one years left
home and came to Lawrence County, Ark. , where
he made his home until 1867. when he moved to
his present property. His first purchase of land
comprised 120 acres, but being a good business
man he has increased this to 400 acres, and has
150 acres under cultivation, and everything about
his place shows the energy and good management
for which he has ever been noted. In 1868 he
opened a general mercantile establishment under
the firm name of Wainwright & Sharp, but in 1873
he purchased Mr. Wainwright's interest, and con-
ducted affairs alone until 1884. when he sold out
to Dr. J. S. Risher. He repurchased the goods
the following year, and has remained proprietor of
the same ever since. In 1875 South Fork post-
office was established at Mr. Sharp's store, and he
was appointed postmaster, which he has since re
mained, with the exception of one year. He was
married in Sharp County, Ark., November 22,
1858. to Miss Mary E. Wainwright, who was l)orn
in Madison County, Ala., in June, 1833. Six of
the seven children born to their union are now
living: Martha M. , wife of Hardy Croom; Joanna
C, wife of C. W. Culp; Sarah B., Johnnie (de-
ceased), Thomas W., Hettie L. and Ollie J. In
1862 Mr. Sharp enlisted in the Confederate army,
and was first lieutenant of Company L, Tappen's
brigade. He served in this capacity two years,
participating in the battle of Prairie Grove, and
numei'ous skirmishes; then he was honorably dis-
charged, and returned to his home in Indiana,
where he remained until 1866. He is a member of
Myatt Lodge No. 401, of the Masonic order, and
in his political views is a stanch Democrat, having
cast his first presidential vote for James Buchanan.
FULTON COUNTY.
301
Ho Hiid iill his children, with tho exception of the
youngest, are members of the Methodist Episcopal
Church, South.
Rev. J. L. Short, Sr. , a prominent agriculturist
of Washington Township, Fulton County, Ark.,
and the son of Joab and Sarah (York) Short, was
born in Franklin County, Tenn. , in 1824. His
parents were natives of Rockingham County, N.
C, and were of Irish descent. Joab Short was
born on the 12tli of August, 1788, and died on the
1st of April, 1866. The mother was bora in 1790,
and died in September, 1870. They left their
native State about 1810, and moved to Tennessee.
They were the parents of thirteen children, all of
whom lived to be grown : Alpha, wife of E.
Thacker; Omega, wife of A. Muse; Mary, wife of
Rev. John Byrum; Gracie and July (twins), the
former the wife of P. Holley, and the latter of F.
M. Yell; Sarah, wife of Thomas Muse; Tabitha,
wife of John Antney; Delia, wife of William
W alsh (deceased); Caroline, wife of John Ross; J.
L., Constant B. (deceased), Joab B., killed at the
battle of Shiloh, and C. C. (deceased). Mr.
Short was a Democrat in politics, and was a very
prominent man in his section of the country. He
was quite wealthy, and was the owner of a number
of slaves. His son. Rev. J. L. Short, had all the
advantages for a thorough education in his youth,
enjoying opportunities above the average. Since
then, by close study and observation, he has become
a well informed man. He commenced work for
himself at the age of nineteen as a tiller of the
soil, and this he has followed since in connection
with his pastoral work. His wife was formerly
Misa Frances Hawkins, a native of Tennessee,
whom he married on the 22d of November, 1842.
One child was born to this union, named Sarah,
who became the wife of J. W. Blanton, and now
resides in Cooke County, Tex. Mrs. Short died in
April, 1844, and our subject was married the sec-
ond time to Mrs. Frances B. (Campbell) Short,
widow of Col. A. M. Short, who was in the Mexi
can \\ ar, and took part in some of the prominent
engagements of that war. He was county clerk of
Coffee County. Tenn. , at the time of his death,
which occurred in 1852 or 1853. He left two
children, J. L. , who lives in Fulton County, and is
engaged in farming, and Nancy J., wife of John
Pendergrass, who is a tiller of the soil and resides
in Izard County. J. L. Short's second marriage
occurred in 1857, and to this union were born
eight children: Tabitha P., born on the 12th of
December, 1860, is now at home; C. B., born in
March, 1863, is married and lives in Izard County;
M. L., born June 24, 1865; J. B.,born March 11,
1867; Julia F., born May 4, 1869, and the wife of
Mr. Lavell; Manrie, lives in Fulton County; J.
M., born April 5, 1872, and J. N., born June 24,
1875. Mrs. Short was born in 1831, and is the
daughter of John and Helender (Neel) Campbell,
natives of South Carolina and Virginia, respect-
ively. Mr. Campbell was justice of the peace of
his section for many years, was in very comfort-
able circumstances and a much respected citizen.
He was the father of eleven children: William
(deceased). James, a minister in the Methodist
Episcopal Church, and ex -county treasurer of
Coffee County, Tenn. (he is now living in the Lone
Star State); Sarah, widow of R. Blanton, and
Nancy, widow of Coleman Blanton, live in Ten-
nessee; Caroline, widow of M. Holland, and now
residing in Bedford County, Tenn. ; Armsted is a
farmer and lives in Texas; Susan resides in Texas;
Civility, wife of James Angle, resides in Texas;
Frances B., Duncan, lives in Coffee County, Tenn.,
and John T. (deceased). Rev. J. L. Short has
been a minister in the Methodist Episcopal Church
thirty three years, and his wife is a member of that
denomination. He also belongs to the A. F. &, A.
M., and in his political views affiliates with the
Democratic party. He is the owner of 270 acres
of land. Previous to coming to Fulton County he
had lived in Izard, Independence, and other couu
ties of the State.
Hon. J. L. Short. Jr. The public services of
Mr. Short have been characterized by a noticeable
devotion to the welfare of Fulton County, and his
ability and fidelity in his present position have
made a lasting impression upon his sphere of public
duty. Although a young man, his name has al-
ways been closely identified with the interests of
this section and he need have no fear as to his
future prosperity. He was born in Coffee County,
Tenn., in 1858, being the seventh of a family of
nine children, all of whom are living, born to Rev.
J. L. and Frances B. (Campbell) Short, both of
whom were born in Tennessee, the former's birth
occurring in 1824. They were reared, married
and remained in their native State until 1870, at
which time they settled in Izard County, Ark,
moving afterward to Sharp County, and finally to
Fulton County, where the father engaged in till-
ing the soil and also preached the gospel, being a
minister of the Methodist Episcopal Church. He
belonged to the White River conference and was a
circuit rider. He and wife now reside in Fulton
County. The paternal grandfather was a North
Carolinian. J. L. Short, our subject, was placed
in school as soon as a suitable age was reached,
where the opportunities afforded were enjoyed and
improved to the best advantage. He attended
an academy and evening high school, and the
reputation he now enjoys as a bright and able
young lawyer was acquired through his own efforts
and at the expense of diligent study and hard
practical experience. He graduated from the law
department of the University of Mississippi in
1881, and since 1886 has been one of the leading
members of the legal fraternity in Salem. In 1888
he was elected to represent the county in the State
legislature, and is discharging his duties to the
entire satisfaction of his constituents. He is a
Democrat, and a member of the Methodist Episco-
pal Church. He was married in October, 1886,
to Miss Josephine Roberts, who was born in 1869.
Dr. Benjamin S. Thomason, of Fulton County,
Ark., first saw the light of day April 1, 1841, in
Dickson County, Tenn., and is one of eleven chil-
dren born to John and Nancy (Swift) Thomason,
natives of South Carolina and Tennessee, respect-
ively. John Thomason was born in 1807 and came
to Tennessee when yet a boy. In that State Mrs.
Thomason was born in 1819. They were the par-
ents of these children: James W. , who died in pris-
on at Chicago in 1862; Elijah, who died in 1877:
B. S., Hannah, wife of James W. Swindle and
died June 5, 1881; John lives in Greene County,
Ark. ; Elizabeth, wife of Peter Woods, and resides
in Greene County: Nancy lives in Greene County:
Richard lives in the same county; Jemimah. wife of
Bud Newsom,of Greene County, Ark. , and Victoria,
wife of John McMillan, of Greene County. John
Thomason entered the service of the Confederate
army in 1862 under Col. Knapper, and was in a
number of battles. He was captured, sent to prison
in Chicago, and there died in 1863. He followed
trading as his occupation in life, and made a spec-
ialty of negroes and land. His farm was culti-
vated by negroes and whites. He always voted
the Democratic ticket. Benjamin S. Thomason
left the parental roof in 1859 and journeyed to
Kentucky, where he remained for some time. He
then returned to Tennessee, and made his home
with his uncle for a number of years, and in the
meantime attended school. He also clerked in a
store until the breaking out of the late unpleasant-
ness between the North and Sovith, when he en
listed in the Eleventh Tennessee Infantry, Com
pany C, William Green, captain, and commanded
by James E. Rains. Mr. Thomason served from
May 9, 1861, until the close of the war and jiartic-
ipated in the most prominent battles. He was in
the following engagements besides numerous minor
ones: Barbersville, London Wild Cat, Fishing
Creek, Goose Creek, Richmond, Perryville, Mur-
freesboro, Shelbyville, Chattanooga, Lookout
Mountain, Kenesaw Mountain and Atlanta. His
brother, Elijah, was in forty-three pitched battles,
but was never seriously wounded. Benjamin S.
Thomason was wounded at Murfreesboro in the
left wrist and this disabled him from service for
some time. He was taken prisoner at Thompson's
Station, Tenn., and remained a prisoner at Fort
Delaware for some time. When exchanged ho was
in a very sorry condition. He surrendered at
Memphis, Tenn., April 26, 1865. He was first
married November 20, 1875, to Miss Ellen Cannoy,
of New Madrid County, Mo. , and by her became
the father of six children, only two now living:
Hettie M. T., born January 19, 1880, and Benja
min W. , born December 7, 1882. Mrs. Thomason
died July 6, 1886, and Mr. Thomason then married
Miss Mary F. Roby, of Fulton County, Ark., No-
vember 4, 1886. One child was born to this union.
FULTON COUNTY.
iim
|3
Jowie M.. whose l)irth occuired July '21. 1887.
.Mr. Thomasoii is the owner of 210 acres of land,
and is a very enterprisintj farmer. He and wife
are members of the Christian Church. Mr.
Thomason is a member of the A. F. & A. M. , and
in his political views affiliates with the Democratic
party.
Dr. William A. Thompson, an eminent medical
practitioner, who has recently located in Mammoth
Spring, is a native of Pope County, III., where he
was born December 22, 1852, being a son of Jacob
A. and Polly (Shuffelbarger) Thompson, who were
born in West Virginia in 1819 and Pennsylvania in
1824, respectively. The former, with his parents,
was among the very earliest settlers of Pope Coun-
ty, and there the latter couple died. Jacob Thomp
son inherits Scotch and Irish blood from his parents,
and has inherited many of the sterling qualities of
his Scottish ancestors. He has been a farmer
throughout life, is still residing in Pope County,
and in his political views has always been a Dem-
ocrat. He was a faithful .soldier for the Union
cause throughout the Rebellion, and was a partici-
])ant in the battle of Pittsburg Landing, and nu-
merous other important battles, and was promoted
to the rank of orderly sergeant. He was one of
the men who went through on the Gerrison raid.
His wife died in Pope County the iirtt year of the
war. having borne a family of eight children, only
four of whom are now living: One a merchant in
Alton, Mo., another a stockman of Kansas, one a
minister of the gospel, and the Doctor. The latter
was nine years of age when his mother died, and
shortly after his father went to the war, and he was
left to make his home with a neighbor. At the
age of fourteen years he went to Northern Illinois,
and reci'ivi'd excellent educational opportunities
(which he did not fail to improve) in McKendrie
College. St. Clair County, 111. In the spring of
1888 he was graduated from the Medical University
of Louisville, Ky. , and after practicing a very short
time in Stoddard County. Mo., he moved to Oregon
County, where ho became a well ■ known and success-
ful practitioner. Since the first of the year 1889 he
has resided in Mammoth Spring, where he is win
uing the contideuce and respect of all who know
him. In March, 1S76, he was married to Miss
Amanda Miller, who was born in Stoddard County,
Mo., in 185(), and was there reared to womanhoo<l.
She died in 1882, having borne two children:
Birdie and Hattie. She was a daughter of George
F. and Sarah (Hardy) Miller, both of whom spent
their lives in Stoddard County. Mrs. Margaret
George became Dr. Thompson's second wife iti
December. 1883. Her birth occurred in Randolph
County, Ai-k., in 184(i, she being a daughter of
Rev. R. O. Tribble, a Missionary Baptist minister,
and the tirst minister of Oregon County. The
Doctor and his wife have one child, William A.
He owns 700 acres of land in Oregon County, Mo. ,
and his home lot in Mammoth Spring comprises
three acres. He is a member of the Masonic lodge
at Alton, Mo., and in his political views has al-
ways been a stanch Republican, having cast his first
presidential vote for R. B. Hayes He and wife
are members of the Missionary Baptist Church.
His first wife l)elonged to the Methodist Episcopal
Church.
Robert L. Thompson, who is closely connected
with the farming interests of the county, is of
Arkansas nativity, and dates his l)irth from De-
cember 30, 1856. His father, (i. W. Thompson,
was a native of Temiessee, a farmer and .stock
trader, and accumulated considerable property.
He came to Fulton County at an early day, and
there met and married Miss Eliza Pumphrey about
1848. Eight children were born to this union,
three now living: H. J., living in Baxter County;
Robert L. , in Fulton, and G. W.. who resides in
Boone County. The father of these children left
Fulton County several years ago. and has not been
heard from since. He is su])])Osed to Ije dead. In
politics he atliliated with the Republican party.
Mrs. Thompson resides in Boone County, Ark.
Robert L. Thompson passed his youth and early
manhood in his native State, Arkansas. On the
12th of December, 1880, he married Miss Emma
E. Cook, daughter of Henry and Elizabeth (Har
ris) Cook, and inw of si.K children born to their
union: Ephraim (deceased). Sarah ■(.. Mary, Per-
necia. William W., Emma E. and Alice. Henry
W. Cook was born in Kentucky. July 22. 1S22.
304
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
and married Miss Elizabeth Harris, of the same
State about 1844. They moved to Arkansas in
1860, where he died March 17, 1877. He was a
member of the Missionary Baptist Churcli, and
also of the Masonic lodge at the time of his death.
His widow still remains on the old homestead at
Viola. Alice, the youngest child, who is now a
widow with two children, resides with her brother,
William W., whose home is in Texas. He is a
lawyer by profession, and unmarried. The other
dve have homes in Arkansas, and are married.
The fruits of Mr. and Mrs. Thompson's union are
three children: Huston B.. burn May 11, 1S88;
Nora A., born January 24, 1885, and James T.,
born August 5, 1887. At the commencement of
his farm life, Mr. Thompson had 120 acres, and
has since added eighty acres. He now owns con-
siderable stock, consisting of hogs, cattle and
horses. He is considered one of the leading farm-
ers in this section. He is a man greatly in favor
of public enterprises, and donates liberally to
school, churches and all laudable movements. Po-
litically, he is a native-born Republican. Mr. and
Mrs. Thompson are members of the Missionary
Baptist Church. Mr. Thompson professed relig-
ion in September, 1885, and joined the church in
August, 1888. Mrs. Thompson professed religion
August 17, 1874, and joined on the 20th of the
same month. She has been a member of the
church fifteen years, becoming such while only
fourteen years old.
David P. Tunstall, one of the leading citizens
of Fulton County, Ark., is a native of Independ-
ence County, of the same State, his birth occur-
ring on the 7th of July, 1841. His father, Thomas
T. Tunstall, was born in Pittsylvania County, Va. ,
and when a boy removed with his parents to Shelby
County, Ky., where he grew to mature years and
learned the cabinetmaker's trade, at which occu-
pation he worked for a few years. He afterward
turned his attention to steamboating. and after re-
siding in Chicot County, Ark., for six years he
moved to Independence County in 1833, in which
county he was residing at the time of his death,
in November, 1863, at the age of seventy- six
years. During his lifetime he farmed for some
time, and while steaml)oating brought the first
boat up the White River. He accumulated consid-
erable wealth in the different enterprises in which
he was engaged, and at one time was worth over
$100,000, but lost heavily during the bank crash
of 1841. He was in the cavalry service during the
War of 1812, and in one engagement had a horse
shot from under him. He took a great interest in
the political affairs of his day and was one of the
best politicians of the State at that time, although
not an office-seeker. He was married three times,
but the name of his tirst wife is unknown. His
second wife was a Miss Sarah World, who died af
ter having borne eight children, only one of whom
is now living: James M. , a farmer, of Independ-
ence County. His last marriage was to Miss
Elizabeth Magness, by whom he became the father
of eleven children, five of whom are living: Har-
rison M. , David P., Laura (wife of J. M. Archer),
Rose (wife of Richard A. McHeury), and Kate J.
(wife of C. A. Phillips, a prominent attorney of
Fulton County). David P. Tunstall received his
education in Jackson County, Ark., but in 1861
gave up all his work to enlist in Company E, of
the Seventh Arkansas Infantry, Confederate service,
and served until April, 1804, the last two years
being orderly sergeant. He was at Shiloh. Per-
ryvill(\ Murfreesboro, Chickamauga, Missionary
Ridge, the Atlanta campaign and Jonesboro, Ga. ,
where he was taken prisoner. He managed to
escape by jumping from a train at Decherd Sta-
tion, Tenn. He was recaptured live days later and
was taken to Camp Chase, Ohio, where he was
kept until February 14. 1865. He was paroled at
Richmond and returned home. His clothes were
many times riddled with bullets and at Murfrees-
boro he had one of his pants-legs shot off. He
then remained in Independence County, Ark., un
til 1877, at which time he came to Fulton County,
where he has since made his home. He owns
some of the best farming laud in the county, his
property being located on South Fork. In 1880
he was elected to the office of county sheriff and
collector, and was reelected in 1884. On the 25th
of May, 1865, he was married to Miss Martha Jer-
nigan, a daughter of Rev. \\'illiam H. Jernigau.
^
'■
FULTON COUNTY.
305
She was born in Henry County, Tenii., in 1845
(August 16), and to their union the following chil-
dren have been born: Lemuel E. (farming his
father's farm), William T. , James F., Harrison
M., Dioy E. , Charles P., Daniel A. and Grover C
Mr. and Mrs. Tunstall are members of the Metho-
dist Episcopal Church, South, and he is a stanch
Democrat in his politics. On coming home froui
the army he was without means, and all his proj)-
erty has been acquired since then, and notwith-
standing the fact that he has had to pay a great
many security -debts he has prospered. He is a
second cousin of Abraham Lincoln's wife, his
grandmother being a Todd.
E. L. Tunstall, M. D., a widely known and
most successful physician of Mammoth Spring,
Ark., was born in Independence County, of this
State, in September, 1864. He is a son of H. M.
and Melissa (Baker) Tunstall, who were born re-
spectively in Independence County, Ark., and
Middle Tennessee. The father was reared to a
mercantile life in his native county, was married
there, and a few years since came to Fulton
County, Ark., and engaged in various piirsuits at
Mammoth Spring. He and wife, who came to
Arkansas at the age of tive years, became the
parents of three children, of whom Dr. E. L.
Tunstall is the second. The paternal grandfather
was a native of the " Old Dominion," and removed
to Kentucky during the early history of that State,
afterward locating in Arkansas, where he engaged
in steamboating and horse dealing, accumulating
a large amount of property thereby. The great-
grandfather came from Wales and located in Vir-
ginia. Dr. E. L. Tunstall was educated in the
graded schools of his native county, and during
this time acquired a taste for the study of medi-
cine. He determined to make this his professioti.
and for some time at first studied under a {)receptor,
and attended his first course of lectures in the
Missouri Medical College at St. Louis, during the
winter of 1884-85. He graduated from the Mem-
phis Hospital Medical College in the spring of
18S7 (the regular school). After practicing in
Ozark County, Mo., for some time, he commenced
practicing in Fulton County in the fall of 1885.
Miss Mary A. Tyree, who was born in Pulaski
County, Mo., in February, 1867, became his wife
in October, 1882, and to their marriage have been
given two bright little children: Katie S. D. and
A. G. Thurman. The Doctor is a member of the
Tri-State Medical Society, which meets once a
year at Memphis. Tenn. Politically he is a Demo-
crat.
William Wainwright is recognized as a careful,
energetic agriculturist of Fulton County, and by
his advanced ideas, progressive habits, and liberal
contributions to worthy enterprises, he has gained
the respect and esteem of his fellow men. His birth
occurred in Madison County, Ala., in 1826, and
he is a son of William and Nancy (Turner) Wain-
wright, who were born in Virginia and Tf^messee,
respectively. Upon first leaving his native State,
he went to Georgia, but before his marriage moved
from AlaV)ama, where he had located, to Arkansas,
in 1853, locating in Independence County, but
afterward died in Sharp County in 1855, at the
age of seventy -three y^ars. He was a soldier in
the War of 1812. William Wainwright is one of
his nine children, and was reared to manhood on a
farm in Alabama, but when his father came to the
State of Arkansas, he came with him and liere has
since made his home. He was married in Sharp
County, on the ■28th of February, 1860. to Miss
Margaret Elizabeth Huddleston, and by her has had
a family of nine children: John B., who died at
the age of nine months; Louise, who died in 1884
at the age of twenty-two years; Laura P.. William
E., Mary M., Martha M., Samuel P.. Lu<-y M.
and Gundoland. During the late Civil War Mr.
Wainwright served four years under Gen. Price,
being in the commissary department the most of
the time. In 1862 he came to Fulton County,
Aik., and is now the owner of 1,346 acres of land
in the country and considerable property in town.
He has the finest dwelling house in the county, it
being a fine brick structure, containing eight large
rooms. Politically he has always atViliated with
the Democratic party, and socially lie is a memb./r
of the A. F. & A. M., being a Master Mason. He
belongs to the Methodist Episcopal Church.
Rev. William Iv Watson, a M.-tlmili-,! minister
306
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
and farmer of Fulton Township, was born in Bal-
lard County, Ky. . in 1846, and received very
meager educational advantages. He remained
with his widowed mother until sixteen years of
age and then, in June, 1863, he enlisted in Com-
pany B, Wood's Battalion of Missouri Cavalry,
Confederate troops, and served until the close of
the war, most of his operations being in Arkansas.
He was in the engagement at Pine Bluff, and all
through Price's raid in Missouri. At one time while
a soldier there was some talk of promoting him
for bravery to the position of fourth corporal. He
was captured during that raid in Kansas, in October,
1864:, and was a prisoner about four months at St.
Louis and Alton, 111. He was paroled just before
the general surrender, rejoined his command and
surrendered in May, 1865. at Shreveport, La.
He then came to Izard County, and was married
in June, 1866, to Miss Martha J. Williams, a na-
tive of Kentucky, and the daughter of Henry and
Elizabeth Williams, also of Kentucky nativity.
Her parents died in Izard County, whither they
had moved when Mrs. Watson was a little girl.
The fruits of Mr. Watson's union were seven chil-
dren, four sons and one daughter now living. He
remained in Izard County until 1875, and then
came to his present farm, which was then in the
woods, but now he has 160 acres, with fifty under
cultivation. He has a pleasant home, one and a
half miles east of Viola, and aside from his farm-
ing interest he has been local minister in the
Methodist Episcopal Church, South, for about ten
years, administering to the spiritual wants of his
fellow men in a very satisfactory manner. He has
been a member of that church for a period of
about twenty-two years. He is a Democrat in his
political prefei'ences and has held the office of
justice of the peace since September, 1888. He
has one brother, James M. , and a sister, the widow
of William Ferguson, who are living in Fulton
County. His {)Hrents, Miles and Mary S. (Gilles-
pie) Watson, were born in Kentucky, where the
father died when William E. was an infant. In
about 1853 the family moved to Lawrence County,
Ark., where Mrs. Watson married William Hawk-
ins. She afterward moved to Fulton C(Minty, and
died about 1S6'2, in what is now Baxter Countj'.
She had been a member of the Methodist Clmrch
for many years.
Z. L. Watters, M. D.. is of Scotch-Irish birth
and antecedents, and his ancestors for four gener-
ations back have been prominently identified with
the interests of the State of Georgia, his father,
Joseph Watters, having been a prominent poli-
tician of that State in the days of his prime.
The latter was born in 179'2 and was reared
to manhood in his native State. During the
Florida War he served as captain under Gen.
Nelson. He was a member of the legislature
from Floyd County, and was also a United States
Senator from his senatorial district, comprising
three counties. His death occurred in 1866. His
wife was born in Oglethorpe County in 1799, and
became the mother of thirteen children, ten sons
and three daughters, all of whom grew to maturity.
All the former served in the Confederate army
with the exception of two brothers. One brother
was killed at Sharpsburg while serving in Lee's
army, and another at Atlanta. Dr. Z. L. Watters,
our subject, was captain of a company from Gor-
don County, Ga.. and for gallant service was pro-
moted to the rank of lieutenant colonel, and served
until Lee's surrender. He received his literary
education at Rome, Ga. , and being now prepared
to carry out a long cherished desire he entered
upon a course of medical study, entering the med-
ical college of his native State, from which he
graduated in 1852. He had practiced until the
opening of the war at Calhoun, Ga.. and also at other
places in that State, and after the war he again
located in Calhoun, residing there until he came to
Arkansas in December, 1869. From that time
until quite recently he was engaged in practicing
his j)rofession at Salem, and acquired a suj)erior
reputation as an able physician and surgeon. A
short time since he retired from practice and is
now conducting a drug store, for which he is thor-
oughly qualified. He was for many years the only
physician in the place, and owing to his remark-
ably successful career as such he has become the
owner of 820 acres of land in three different
farms. He was married in 1866 to Miss M. A.
--» ® %•
FULTON COUNTY.
!(>7
Hmuiihieys, liut be was called upon to monru her
loss liy death in 1874. She left two children:
Frank and Nora. He subsequently wedded his
j)resenfc wife, whose maiden name was Saniantha
Jeffrey. The following are the children which
have been given them: Zula Lee. Nettie Medora,
Lamar, Leila and Ethel. Dr. Watters is a Demo-
crat, and has shown his brotherly spirit by becom
ing a Mason.
S. P. Welden, treasurer of Fulton County, Ark. ,
was born in Jackson County, Tenn. , June 15,
1S32, but was reared in the State of Kentucky, re-
ceiving fairly good advantages for acquiring an
education in the old subscription schools of early
days. His boyhood days were spent in following
the plow, and learning the blacksmith's trade, the
two occupations receiving his attention for a num-
ber of years. He was married at the age of twen-
ty-four years, to Miss Elizabeth S. Duncan, in Bol-
linger County. Mo. She was born in Livingston
County, Ky., May 7, 183S, and to their union five
children were born, all of whom have passed to
their long home: Mary A., born December 27,
1857, died March 14, 1858; an infant, born May
6, 1859, died the same day; Madoriah F., l)orn
July 20, 1860, died October 23, 1872; Ewell B.,
born February 2, ]8fi4, died DeQember Ifl, 1S82;
and one other infant, born November 2, 1867, died
the same day. Mr. ^'elden bought two quarter-
sections of land in Fulton County, Ark., in 1868,
and moved here in 1881. He resided on his prop
erty until elected to the office of county treasurer
in September, 1884, when he located at the county
seat of Fulton County. He was re-elected in Sep-
tember. 1 88(), and again re-elected in September,
188S, his majority being each year increased; and
although he has only been a resident of the county
a few years, he has become one of its prominent
citizens, and is respected by all for his sterling in-
tegrity, sound judgment and liberal, progressive
ideas. He now owns over 000 acres of land in the
county, ten forty-acre pieces being in one body.
He is an old line Democrat, and is the master of
Salem Lodge No. 418, of the A. F. & A. M. Mr.
Welden was the third in a family of twelve chil
dren, seven boys and five girls, eight of whom are
now living, born to William Welden and wife,
formerly a Miss Jones, the former being probalily
a native of North Carolina, born June 12, 180'.),
and the latter of Tennessee, born May 11, 180'J.
William Welden moved to Tennessee with his fa-
ther when young, and was there married to Mary
K. Jones, subsequently following the occupation
of farming. He is still living, and is residing at
Pinkneyville. Livingston County, Ky. His wife
died on the 18th day of March, 1865. The pater
nal grandfather, Daniel Welden, was born in North
Carolina, and died in Kentucky at the home of our
subject, between ninety-tive and one hundred years
of age. He was a veteran in the War of 1812,
under Andrew Jackson. The great grandfather.
Pines Welden, was a Revolutionary soMier. and
was of Scotch Irish descent.
Mfirion Whiteside is a residnit of Fulton
County, Ark., who seems to be eminently fitted
for the occupation of farming, for he possesses in-
dustry and good business ability, and from earliest
boyhood has been fanjiliar with the details of farm
life. He was born in Oregon C!ounty, Mo., Oc-
tober 11. 1850, but was reared in Fulton County.,
Ark., remaining with his parents until he at-
tained his majority, and. although he received no
schooling he became familiar with the details of
farming and blacksmithing, which occupations his
father followed. He has continued the former oc-
cupation ever since starting out in life for himself,
and since 1873 has lived on his present farm of
120 acres, fifty-five acres of which are under culti-
vation. He has always been a Democrat political-
ly, and his first vote for the Presidency was cast
for Horace Greeley. He is now deputy assessor
of his townshi]). has been constable of Mammoth
Spring Townshiii two years, and has served seven
years as school director, and is elected for two more
years. He is a member of Mammoth Spring
Lodge No. 48, of the I. O. O. F. July 7. 1S72.
he was united in marriage to Miss Annis Moonoy.
who was born in Dent County. Mo., about 1852.
and by her he l)eeame the father of eight children,
six of whom are living: Margaret E., Jackson F.,
IMarthaL., Josephine, Minnie A. and Monroe C.
Mrs. \\ hiteside is a daughter of John and Mnr
^
a k^
308
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
garet Mooiiey. who were native Tennesaeeans, and
were early settlers of Deut County, Mo. The
father died in that State, but the mother's death
occurred in Arkansas. Mr. Whiteside is one
of eight surviving members of a family of eleven
children, nine of whom reside in Fulton Coun-
ty, Ark., and one in Oregon County, Mo., born to
Hayes and Sarah J. (Payne) Whiteside, who were
born in Indiana and Missouri, in 1833 and 1836,
respectively. The father was brought to Arkan-
sas by his parents when nine years of age, and be-
came a noted hunter of Fulton County and lived
in this county until his death, August 27, 1879,
still survived by his widow. The paternal grand-
father, Thomas Whiteside, was a Virginian, and
with his wife moved from that State to Indiana,
at a very early day. and later to Fulton County,
Ark., of which they were among the earliest set-
tlers. He was also a noted hunter and while on
a hunting expedition was taken sick and died in
Independence County, Ark. His wife died in Ful-
ton County, Ark.
Dr. Joseph M. Wolf, a physician of more than
ordinary ability, who has practiced his profession
at Mammoth Sj)ring and vicinity since in August,
1887, is a native of Izard County, born in 1841,
and the son of Maj. Jacob and Elizabeth (Sanders)
Wolf, nee Lantz, natives of North Carolina anil
Ohio, and born in 1785 and 1800, respectively.
They were married in Izard County, where they
came in 1817, and spent the rest of their lives
there, the mother dying iu 1840, and the father in
1865. They were excellent people, and both were
members of the Baptist Church, Mr. Wolf being
an active worker in the same. Ho had been
married three times, Mrs. Lantz being his second
wife; she was the widow Sanders at the time of her
marriage to Mr. Wolf. The latter was a black
smith and farmer by occupation, and followed this
all his life. He was major in the militia, and or-
ganized a company to go to the Mexican War, but
it was not received. He served one term in the
council when Arkansas was a part of Indian Terri-
tory, and was also a member of the State legisla-
ture soon after the State was organized. He was
a pioneer, and one of the representative citizens
of the State. He traded with the Indians in the
early settlement of the country, and was for some
time engaged in flat-boating on the White River.
His father, Michael Wolf, was a German soldier
in the War of 1812. He removed from North
Carolina to Kentucky about 1796, and to Arkansas
in 1817, where he received his final summons. Of
the ten children born to Mr. and Mrs. Wolf, Dr.
Joseph M. was the ninth in order of birth. He
assisted his father on the farm, and received very
little education until grown, when he attended
school for about ten months at Mountain Home,
Ark. He then went all through the war in the
Confederate army, serving in various companies,
but principally in the Fourteenth Arkansas Infan-
try, Trans-Mississippi department. He was in
the fights at Oak Hill, Pea Ridge, luka, Corinth,
Port Hudson, Jenkins' Ferry, and many others.
He siirrendered at Marshall, Texas, in May,
1865, and during his entire time of service was
never wounded. In August, 1865, he began the
study of medicine with his brother in-law. Dr. J.
M. Casey, graduating from the University of Louis-
ville, Ky. , in 1870, and began practicing near
Jacksonport, where he lived five years. He sub-
sequently removed to Baxter County, and from
there soon after to Boone County, thence to Stone
County, where he remained until he came to Main
moth Spring, where he has })racticed successfully
ever since. By his marriage in 1872, to Miss Sarah
Sink, daughter of George and Sarah Sink, early
settlers of Jackson County, Ark., there were born
two sons, Montrose and Eugene. Mr. and Mrs. Sink
•died in Jackson County, Ark., where Mrs. Wolf was
born. The latter died in Boone County in 1876.
Mr. Wolf was married the second time in Stone
County, in 1878, to Miss Effie, a native of North
Carolina, boru in 1857, and the daughter of Ben-
jamin R. and Mary J. Eaton. Mr. and Mrs. Eaton
came to Washita County in 1865, and are now re
siding in Van Buren County. To Mr. and Mrs.
Wolf were born four children now living: Caddie.
Gertrude, Liiuiie and Virgie. The Doctor is a
Democrat in his political i)references, and his first
presidential vote was for Seymour, in 1868. He is
a member of Blue Mountain Lodge No. 202, A.
CRAIGHEAD COUNTY.
309
F. & A. M., in Stone County, and has been sec- ^ at Mammoth Spring, an.l is vic...cliancellor. H.-
retary of the same several times. He is also a , and wife are members in good standing in th.-
member of Spring River Lodge No. 49. K. of P., Baptist Church.
AiL^
'>i *
* i*-
;iaif 11 x¥m
-^•i-fr
Ou.\ionKAD County— LocATio>f and Dksckii'tion-.Stkeams and Drainage— 'I'imbkk and .Sou, -Ki.
SOURCES and Productions— Live Stock— Property, Heal and Personal— Popula-
tion—Railroads— Settlement— County Organization- County Seat— County
Buildings— Local Officers— Politics— The Courts— The Civil War-
Towns and V"ili.a«es— County IJiogkaphy- Education— Religion.
Tbcy slimined not labor when 'twas due.
They wroiii>lit with right good will;
And for the homes they won for them,
'J'heir children bless them still. — Anon.
RAIGHEAD COUNTY, situ
ated in Northeastern Arkan-
sas, is hounded on the north
Viy Lawrence and Greene
Cotmties, Ark., and Dunklin
County. Mo. : east by Mis
sissippi County, south by
Pomsett and west by Jackson County,
Ark. Its length ea.stand west is forty
two miles, and the width at different
places is twelve, eighteen and twenty -
one miles, including lakes, river beds
and sloughs. Its entire area is 710
ifj:*3i: square miles, or 454, 100 acres, of which
Tf(jj,)f' 405,430 are under taxation, and of the
■»lV whole area less than one-tenth is im-
proved.
The boundary lines are as follows: Commenc
ing on the Fifth Principal Meridian at the inter-
section of the line dividing Townships 14 and 15
north; thence east on the township line to the in-
tersection of Cache River, in Range 2 oast: thence
up stream with its meanders to the line dividing
Townships 15 and 16; thence east on the township
line to the St. Francis River in Range 7: thence
up stream, with the meanders thereof, to the line
dividing Sections 17 and '20. in Township 16,
Range 7; thence east to the line dividing Ranges 7
and 8; thence south on the range line to the line
dividing Townships 12 and Vi: thence west on the
township line to the Fifth Principal Meridian;
thence north on the meridian line to the place of
beginning.
Crowley's Ridge, from its continuation in
Greene County, crosses the west centnil portion of
Craighead in a southerly direction, lieing twelve
miles or more in width at the northern boundary.
and tirst widening and then narrowing down to a
width of only about thi'ee miles near the southern
line. The lands on the ridge are gently rolling,
and gradually slope down to the l(>vel or bottom-
lands on either side. The low or tlaf and mneh of
T'
:^10
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
the swamp aud overflowed lands, the latter cousti-
tiiting a large percentage of the area of the count}',
will eventually become superior for farming and
grazing purposes, when the timber shall have been
cleared away and the drift removed from the water-
courses.
The St. Francis River flows from north to
south across the eastern portion of the county,
entering it over Section (i. in Township 1"), Range
7, and over Sections 1 aud 2, in Township 15,
Range '). This stream varies in its width from a
half mile to three miles. Its bed covers large
tracts of land along its original channel which
were sunk in the earthquakes of ISl 1 -1 'i ; and thus
becoming covered with water they have since been
known as the " Sunk Lands." Other tracts lying
east of the St. Francis River were sunk in the
same earthquakes, and are also called by a similar
name. Clay, Greene and other counties in North-
eastern Arkansas were likewise affected by these
earthquakes. All that portion of Craighead Coun
ty lying east of Crowley's Ridge is drained by the
St. Francis River and its numerous tributaries.
Cache River enters from the north at the north
west corner of Section 2, Township 15, Range 2,
and flows in a southerly and southwesterly direc-
tion, leaving the county a short distance east of
its southwest corner. With its tributaries it drains
all that territory lying west of Crowley's Ridge.
The water supply for all purposes is abundant.
A number of good springs — especially on Crow-
ley's Ridge — are foimd. and a liberal supply of
good well water can, at all places, be obtained at
an average depth of a) )out thirty feet, without blast-
ing or boring through rock. Indeed from wells,
cisterns and springs, besides the streams, an abun-
dant supply of water may lie had for every needed
purpose.
The timber here is not unlike that of Clay and
Greene Counties. On the ridge nearly all species
of oak, gum, poplar, some pine, hickory, ash, etc.,
are common, while on the lower lands the oaks,
gum, Cottonwood, cypress, hickory, a little wal-
nut, tupelo, etc. , abound. The poplar and walnut
have been largely cut out, but of several other
varieties, especially oak, gum and cypress, a seem-
ingly inexhaustible supply, excellent for saw tim-
ber, remains; rail and building timber and wood
for fuel are sufficiently plenty to last for years.
The county has a variety of soil from the poor-
est '"pipe" or white clay to the richest black
sandy loam. Of the former there is but little.
With proper cultivation all soils produce well.
Experienced farmers claim that clover grows lux-
uriantly on all except the white clay lands, where
its roots heave out by the action of the winter
frosts. However, on these lands herds-grass, or
red top, stands through the winters, and succeeds
well. The soil in general is thoroughl)' adapted
to the raising of Indian corn, wheat, oats, cotton
and all kinds of vegetables, also clover and the
tame grasses, and tobacco. Fruits common to
this latitude thrive splendidly.
At this time lumbering is one of the leading
industries and greatest sources of income to the
community. Two stave factories and about fifteen
saw mills are within the county, engaged in pre-
paring lumber for shipment, and many logs are
rafted out on the river ways. The largest revenue
to the farmers is from the raising of cotton and
corn, which yield probably a nearly equal crop.
Some of the saw-mills have cotton-gins and grist-
mills attached.
The census of 1880 shows that there were 1, 130
farms in Craighead County, and 37,(378 acres of
improved lands. From these the vegetable pro-
ductions for the year 1879 were as follows: In-
dian corn, 367,451 bushels; oats, 20,260 bushels;
wheat, 15,552 bushels; hay, 206 tons; cotton,
4.374 bales: Irish potatoes, 4,806 bushels: sweet
potatoes, 9,715 bushels; tobacco, 24.942 poiinds.
In the growing of tobacco the report shows that
Craighead ranked as the sixth count}' in the State,
notwithstanding its small population and small
area of improved lands. These figures will be
interesting to compare with the forthcoming cen-
sus of 1890, which will show a large increase in
improvements, and a corresponding advance in
vegetable productions.
The same census gives the live stock within the
county in number as follows: Horses, 1,817; mules
and asses, 778; neat cattle, 10,691; sheep, 2,615;
!£:
CRAIGHEAD COUNTY.
811
hogs. 20, IS'2. The returns as indicated on the
aissessment books for 1888 are: Horses, 2,541;
mules and asses, 967; cattle, 12,191; sheep, 2,217;
hogs, 15,053. By comparison it is seen that siucio
1880 the number of horses has more than trebled,
tlie number of mules, asses and cattle has largt^ly
increased, while there has been a small decrease in
the number of sheep, caused, probably, by the re-
duction in the price of wool.
The showing of the census of 1890 will be of
much advantage to this territory.
In 1880 the taxable wealth of the county was
assessed as follows: ileal estate, $535,011; per-
sonal property, $280,025; a total of $816,236, on
which taxes for State, county and all purposes, to
the amount of $11,150, were charged. In 1888
real estate, including the railroads, was assessed
at $1,817,464, and the personal property at $821,-
264, making a grand total of $2,638,728, with
$40,841.33 as the total amount of taxes charged.
These figures demonstrate the great increase in
taxable wealth. The personal property alone now
exceeds in value the entire taxable wealth of the
county in 1M80 — conclusive proof of the wonder-
ful and rapid development of the resources of the
county.
The railroads, which constitute large propor
tions of the taxable wealth, were assessed in 1888
as follows : Helena Branch of the St. Louis, Iron
Mountain & Southern, $181,000; St. Louis, Arkan
sas & Texas, $238,637.52; Kansas City, Fort Scott
& Memphis, $283,212.95; total, $702,850.47. All
of this has been added to the county since 1880.
Craighead has no bonded debt, but has a floating
debt, on outstanding warrants, of about $7,500,
which will soon be canceled.
No better argument than the facts and figures
mentioned, coupled with the mild and genial
climate where extremes of heat and cold are never
felt, and where the peojile are hospitable and gen-
erous constituting excellent society — can be
offered in favor of inducing immigration. Here
the moral, sober and industrious man can find and
obtain everything so desirable, and while, per-
haps, one may not rise by magic to positions of
affluence or perfect independence, he may be as-
sured of the certain success of proper application
and itidustry.
In 1860 the population of Craighead County
was 3,066, of whom 88 were colored; in 1870,
4,577, with 253 colored; in 1880, 7,037; colored,
261. There is no means of obtaining the popula-
tion of the county at this writing, but it is safe to
estimate it at much more than double that of 1880.
The Kansas City, Fort Scott & Memphis Rail-
road, completed in 1883, enters the county near the
northwest corner, and runs in a southeasterly
direction through and across by way of Jonesboro
and Nettleton. The length of its line within the
boundary is twenty six miles and 4,206 feet. The
Helena Branch of the St. Louis, Iron Mountain &
Southern Railroad enters on Section 3. Township
15, Range 5, and runs thence in a southerly direc-
tion, bearing slightly to the westward, clear
across the county by way of Nettleton. three
miles southeast of Jonesboro. Its length is
twenty and sixty-four onehundredths miles. The
St. Louis, Arkansas & Texas Railroad reaches the
county line by the side of the Helena Bi-anch
of the St. Louis, Iron Monntaiu & Southern Rail
road, which it follows for several miles; then turn-
ing to the westward, it passes through Jonesboro,
and afterward runs in a southwesterly ilirection
through the remainder of the county. Its length is
twenty-eight miles and 1.953 feet. The combined
length of the main lines of these three railroads
within the county is seventy-five miles and 4,31.S
feet. These railroads give an advantageous outlet
to all points of the compass. But few counties,
even in old settled communities are so favored with
railroad and shipping facilities.
Entrance into the territory composing Craig-
head County began about the year KS30, and
among the first settlers was a Mr. Martin, who
chose a location some five miles south of the
present site of Jonesboro. He was probably the
first permanent resident. Other very early set-
tlers wore Rufus Snoddy. Daniel O'Guinn. Yancey
Broadaway and Joshua Grinder. John Hamilton.
Asa Puckett and Eli Quarles settled in the Broad-
away settlement, a few miles west of the site of
Jonesboro. Uncle JackPearce, John and Thunias
312
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
Simmons took up their residence in the Grinder
settlement, a few miles southwest of that place.
Perry Osborn, James Stotts, Hardiman Puryear
and his son, William, the latter now living near
Jonesboro; D. R. Tyler, the McCrackens, Elias
Mackey, Henry Powell and William Q. Lane were
all pioneers to this locality. In 1840, John An-
derson and his son, John S., the latter now living
in Jonesboro, settled on Big Creek, in the north-
west part of the county. Christopher and George
Cook located on the same creek. The Puryears in
1840 made a home in the southern part.
William Pnryear opened the first store in the
county at his present home near Jonesboro, haul-
ing his goods from Memphis. He gave $8 per
sack for salt, the sacks weighing from 200 to 250
pounds each, and for many other necessaries of
life corresponding prices were paid. During one
season, about the year 1 854, his purchase of furs
from the pioneer settlers and subsequent sales
amounted to $3,700. In "early days," every-
thing was of a primitive order. The pioneers wore
their homespun clothing, also making garments
out of the skins of animals. Many of the women
had no shoes to wear except moccasins, made of
skins with the flesh side turned out, and on fre-
quent occasions the men attended religious services
barefooted, and the women with moccasin shoes on.
None but the survivors can form a proper concep-
tion of the hardships endured by the pioneer set-
tlers. Prior to the war period immigration to the
new territory was extremely slow, and during that
time it was at a standstill. Afterward it was re-
newed, but did not increase very perceptibly until
the completion of the railroads, since which time
it has been quite rapid. As the county is new and
but a small portion improved, there is room and
excellent opportunities for thousands more to ob-
tain homes within its borders.
The county of Craighead was organized in ac-
cordance with an act of the legislature of the State,
approved February 19, 1859. Thomas B. Craig-
head, then representing Mississippi and Critten-
den Counties in the Senate, was opposed to the
bill creating the new county, while William A.
Jones, representing St. Francis and Poinsett Coun-
ties in the same body, was its principal supporter.
The bill was called up for passage when the form-
er was absent from his seat, and upon returning
he found that it had been passed, and that his own
name had been inserted in the space left blank
for the name of the county.
In 1883, the legislature, upon the solicitation
of certain individuals in the eastern part, divided
the county into two judicial districts, the Western,
to be known as the Jonesboro district, and the East-
ern, as the Lake City district. The range line be-
tween Ranges 4 and 5 was made the dividing line.
Two years later (in 1885) the legislature changed
the line between the districts to the range line
dividing Ranges 5 and 6, and in 1887, it passed
another act by which Sections 5. 6, 7, 8, 17, 18
and 19. in Township 13, Range 6, were taken from
the Eastern and attached to the Western district.
The probability is that the districts will, ere long,
be abolished and the county placed as it formerly
was, under the management of one seat of justice.
AViout two years after the county' s.organization,
the site of Jonesboro was selected for the ])ermHnent
seat of justice, and before long a two-story fi'ame
court-house, with the county offices below and the
court room above, was erected on the public square,
where the present one stands. This building stood
until February 14, 1869, when it was consumed
by lire. A company of the State Militia, who had
lodged in it the previous night (fire being discov-
ered shortly after their departure), were charged
by some with having set it on fire, while others,
more charitably inclined, deemed the burning a re-
sult of unintentional carelessness. A frame store
building on the west side of the square, was then
rented and used as a court-house, until 1876, when
it also was burned. Marion Sanders was indicted
for the destruction of this building, was tried,
found guilty, and sentenced to serve a term of
two years in the penitentiary. A similar building
was then erected on the same ground, and used as
a com-t-house until 1878. when it was consumed
in a general fire, in which eight buildings were
destroyed. In these several fires the early public
records of the county were all destroyed. The
present court house was completed in the summer
of 1886, by the contractor. W. C. Clark, of Little
Rock, at a total cost of $lt), 500. It is a siil)stiui-
tial two- story brick structure, with five rooms and
a fire-proof vault for the records on the first floor,
and the court and jury rooms on the second. It
is finished in modern architectural style, with a
tower and town clock, and is a handsome, attrac
live building.
The only jail the county has ever had is a
small log building, a portion of which is still
standing a little distance north of the northwest
corner of the public square. The seat of justice
for the Lake City district is at the town of Lake
City, where the county owns no liuildings, but
rents a small frame building for a court-house.
The following is a list of the names of the of-
ficers of Craighead County from its organization,
with the date of their terms of service.
Judges: Isham Fuller. 1859-60; Sam P. Trice,
1860-62; A. C. Huston. 1862-64; J. S. Anderson,
1864-66; J. M. Cumutt, 1866-67;* James Carson,
1867-72; J. H. West. 1874-76; W. S. Stepliens.
1876-80: J. M. Raines, 1880-82; L. W. Loftis,
1882-86; J. H. Edwards, present incumbent, first
elected in 1886.
Clerks: L. H. Sntfin, 1859-64; F. M. Davis,
instead of Sutfin, from January, 1864; A. Lynch,
1864-66: L. H. Sutfin, 1866 to October, 1867; R.
H. McKay fi-om October, 1S67 to 1872; J. C.
Knight. 1872-76; Jacob Sharp. 1876-86: J. H.
Maiigrum, present incumbent, first elected in 1886.
Sheriffs: William T. Armstrong, 1859-60:
W. T. E. Armstrong, 1860-62; William Puryear,
1862-65; W. T. E. Armstrong from January,
1865 to 1866; J. G. Wood, 1866-67; W. H. Nes-
bitt, 1867-72; Samuel Nash, 1872-74; D. H.
Thorn, 1874-80: William T. Lane, present in-
cumbent, first elected in 1880. and re-elected,
has since served continuously.
Treasurers: Thomas Nelson, 1859 60; S. W.
Chisenhall, 186(1 64: C. Sharp, 1864-65; L. W.
Loftis, 1865-68; T. S. Ray, 1868-74; E. Watkins,
1874-78; A. S. Nash, 1878-80; J. M. Minton,
1880-82; AV. F. Little, 1882-86; J. D. C. Cobb,
♦James Carson from October. 1867, vice Cumutt, re-
moved.
20
1886-88; a. \V. Cook, present incumbent, elected
in 1888.
Coroners: R. H. McCoy, 1859-60; Uriah Kel-
lar, 1860-64: L. W. Loftis, 1864-65: J. H. Gam-
ble, 18()5-68; J. Hargruves, 1868-71: J. H. Steph-
ens. 1871-72; John Tanehill, 1872-74; A. N.
Couch, 1874-76; R. Rol)ertson, 1876-78; A. N.
Couch, 1878-80: H. Dorton, 1880-86; David Cal-
vert, 1886-88; M. D. Willey, present incumbent,
elected in 1888.
Surveyors: J. N. Bnrk, 1859-62; S. M. Odeu,
1862-64; A. J. Barnett, 1864-66; E. A. Albright,
1866-68; Joseph New.son. 1872-73: J. W. New-
son, 1873-78; W. M. Armstrong, 1878-80; T. M.
Boyd, 1880-82; G. B. Hopkins, 18.82-84; T. M.
Boyd. 1884-86; J. H. Burk. present incumbent,
first elected in 1886.
Assessors: W. T. E. Armstrong, 1868-72; D.
M. Goodman, 1872-73; C. W. Covender, 1878
74: J. M. Raines, 1874-76; J. R. Rutfin, 1876-
78; J. Broadaway, 1878-84; R. L. Collins, present
incumbent, elected in 1884, re-elected and served
continuously since.
Representatives: Z. Stoddard was the first reji-
resentative of Craighead County, and J. A. Meek
is the present one.
The political aspect of Craighead County may
be seen by reference to the number of vot(>s cast
at the September election in 1888, for the candi-
dates for governor, as follows: James P. Eagle.
Democrat, 1,386; C. M. Norwood, com 1 lined op
position, 662. The number of votes ca.-^t in the
county at the November election in 1888, for the
presidential candidates, were: For Cleveland,
1,212; for Harrison, 217; for Streeter, 147.
Upon the organization of the county the
courts were held, as provided in the creating act.
at the store-house of William Puryear. at his pres-
i*nt residence near Jone.sboro, where future ses-
sions were held until the site for the seat of justice
was selected and a court-house erected.
The county court holds its regular sessions at
Jonesboro, commencing on the first Mondays of
January, April, July and October of each year, and
continuing as long as the Imsiness requires. It
has jurisdiction over the county business in both
^^
314
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
judicial districts, but does not meet in the Lake
City district.
The regular sessions of the probate court are
held in the Jonesboro judicial district, commenc-
ing on the second Mondays of January, April,
July and October of each year, and in Lake City
judicial district, commencing on the fourth Mon-
days of the same months. It continues '"from
day to day until the business is disposed of. " '
The regular sessions of the circuit court for the
Jonesboro district commence on the sixth Monday
after the first Monday of February and August of
each year, and for the Lake City district, on the
fifteenth Monday after the first Monday of the
same months. * This coiu-t has fortunately never
been overburdened with criminal trials in this
county, because of the absence of unlawful citizens.
A few murders have been committed, but no legal
executions have followed. Some years ago a negro
murdered Miss Mattie Ishmael at her father's
house, a few miles north of Jonesboro. He and
three other negroes, accessaries, were arrested
and given a jireliminary trial before a justice of
the peace. From the evidence it appeared that
the negroes had contrived to steal money which
thev thought to be in Mr. Ishmael" s house, and that
the young lady, being the only one at home, was
killed to enable them to accomplish the act. The
justice of the peace found sufficient evidence to
hold the negroes for the action of the grand jury,
whereupon the citizens seized and hanged them
until they were dead.
The legal bar of Craighead County is composed
of the following named attorneys: J. C. Brook-
field, W. H. Cate, T. P. McGovern, J. C. Haw-
thorn, J. A. Meek, S. A. Warner, N. J. Thompson,
Will A. May, W. A. May wood. W. W. Nisbett,
L. J. Wear, E. W. Hillis, E. M. Rolesou, H. J.
Smith. Additional mention of the members of the
bar is made on other pages.
At the oiitbreak of the War of 1861-05, the
citizens of Craighead County in their actions pur-
sued the course most natural for tiiem. Being
emigrants, or their descendants, from Tennessee
*The time for convening at Lake City ias probably
been changed by the last session of the legislature.
and other Southern States, they were almost unan-
imousl}- in favor of the Southern cause, and eonse
quently did what they could in its behalf, by fur
nishiug soldiers for the Confederate army. The
first company in the county was organized in ISfil.
and was commanded by Capt. J. M. Pollard. It
served iu the Thirteenth Arkansas Infantry. The
next company, raised in the winter of 1S62-63, was
commanded by Capt. J. D. Hillis. It served in
Col. O. P. Lyle's Twenty-third Arkansas Infantry.
The next company was that of Capt. M. A. Adair,
which served in Col. Young's regiment of Arkan-
sas infantry. Another, commanded l>y Capt. J. G.
W'ood, was raised in Craighead and Greene Coun-
ties, but mostly from the former. It served in a
battalion of Col. Kitchens' regiment of Arkansas
troops. Another company raised in 1864 in this
and Jackson and WoodrufP Counties, by Capt. J.
B. Hillis, hadaliout one-fourth of its men from this
county. A few individuals joined companies or-
ganized outside. No body of troops were organ-
ized here for the Federal army. A few individu-
als may have joined regiments from the North
after their removal from this locality.
The only action that took place within the
county during the war, was a tight at Jonesboro in
1863, between two companies of Confederate troops,
commanded, respectively, by Capts. Adair, of
Craighead, and Allen, of Clfiy Counties, and a de-
tachment of a Federal regiment, commanded by
Col. Daniels. The latter had stopped in the town
and were attacked by their enemies, and driven
out. In the contest about thirty were killed and
wounded, principally Federals. A portion of Mar-
maduke's army moved through the county, on his
retreat from Missouri, and some Federal commands
also passed through. It was, however, not much
over-rtin, and did not sittfer from the devastations
of war such as fell to the lot of many other coun-
ties within the State. Among the recent immigrants
from the North are many ex Federal soldiers, and
their friendly intercourse shows that the battle-ax
has long since been buried.
Craighead is favored with a usual quota of
towns, so essential to any community.
Bay, a small place situated on the Kansas City,
Jackson CouMrr, Arkansas.
/
4^
CRAIGHEAD COUNTY.
3ir.
Fort Scott & Memphis Railroad, ten miles southeast
of Joiieshoro. contains a postoffice, three or four
stores, a saw-mill, two churches, two boarding
houses, etc.
Bono, a station and postoffice on the same rail-
road, ten miles northwest of Jonesboro, is but a
small village.
Biouklaiid, on the St. Louis, Arkansas &
Texas Railroad, eight miles northeast of Jonesboro,
contains tTireo general stores, one di'ug store, two
hotels, a church and school-house.
Culberhouse. on the Kansas City, Fort Scott &
Memphis Railroad, one and a half mile below Bay,
has a postoffice, store, boarding-hous<>. and saw-
mill.
Dee, a station on the Iron Mountain Railroad
eight miles south of Jonesboro, contains two stores,
two churches and two saw-mills.
Gilkerson is on the St. Louis, Arkansas &
Texas Railroad, nine miles southeast of Jonesboro.
A postoffice, store, and a grist and saw- mill and
cotton-gin coml)ined comprise its interests.
Greensboro, a very old village and formerly
a place of much business, eleven miles east of
north from Jonesboro, has within it a postoffice,
two or three stores, two churches and a school-
house.
Gubertown is a post hamlet in the northeastern
part of the county.
Jonesboro, the county seat of Craighead
County, was established when its site was selected
for the permanent seat of justice. It was named
ill honor of William A. Jones, State Senator for
the counties of St. Francis and Poinsett, for his
able support of the act creating the county. Lo-
cated on a beautiful site at the crossing of the St.
Louis, Arkansas & Texas Railroad and the Kan-
sas City, Fort Scott &, Memphis Railroad, it is
near the center of the territory whose capital it is.
William Puryear moved his store from his farm
to the town site and became its first merchant.
At the beginning of the Civil War the place con-
tained about ir)0 inhabitants. After the close of
that struggle it contiiuKid to grow, but slowly, so
that in 1880, it had three or four small stores and
some other business enterprises, and a population
of from 200 to ;50l). Upon the completion of the
railroads through the county in 1882 and 1883, en-
terprise was awakened, and now, according to an
actual and careful census just taken within the
corporate limits, the population numbers 2,240—
1,954 white, and 280 colored. To this number
should be added about 300 for those living just
outside of the corporation.
On Saturday, April 27, 1889, about forty
business houses and residences, including some of
the best of both within Jonesboro, were swept
away by devouring flames, causing an estimated
loss to the property owners of about §175,000.
The burnt district lies immediately north and
northeast of the public square, on both sides of
the street leading to the Union Depot. Before
this occurrence the town contained the Bank of
Jonesboro, six general stores, ten groceries, eight
drug stores, one hardware store, one hardware and
grocery store, three dry goods stores, one clothing
store, one undertaker's store, twelve hotels, five
barber shops, several temperance saloons, several
blacksmith and other mechanical shops, two corn-
mills, three planing-mills, two saw- mills, one stave
factory, three brick yards, three lumber yards,
four church (edifices, a largo and new two-story
brick school-house with six rooms, costing $7,000,
the Union Depot, round house, two freight depots
and other railroad l)uildings, a number of restaui'-
ants, boarding houses and business bouses not
here enumerated. The property Inu-ned consisted
of stores, warehouses, livery staljle, the Cumber-
land Presbyterian Church, the Southern Hotel,
residences, etc., etc.
In addition to the foregoing the city contains
two weekly newspapers. The Jonesboro Times and
The Craighead County Sun, both well edited, and
both devoted to the general interests of the county
and its people. The Times is published by J. D.
C. Cobb & Son, and The Sun by Emmet Rudgers.
The Times lost its press and some othi>r property
in the late fire, but did not miss its regular ])ul)li
cation.
Jonesboro has a lodge and chapter of the Ma-
sonic fraternity, a lodge and encampment of Odd
Fellows, a lodge each of the Knights of Honor.
\ «
316
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
Knights and Ladies of Honor, Knights of Pythias,
Kuights of Labor, and other societies; also six
physicians and oae dentist. The place was incor-
porated February 2, 1883, as a city of the second
class. Its present officers are N. J. Thorn ()sou,
mayor; J. W. Mackey, recorder; I. J. Stacey,
treasurer, and J. J. Rooney, marshal. Jonesboro
is so pleasantly and advantageously located that it
is a desirable place of residence. Its residences
in the shady forest surrounding the business por-
tion of the city al-e both attractive and comforta-
ble. Though individuals have suffered by the
late devastating elements the loss v?ill soon be re-
covered, proving, perhaps, a siabstantial l)lessiug,
as brick will take the place of wooden buildings.
Lake City, the seat of justice of the Lake City
district, was established soon after the Civil War
as a boat-landing on the St. Francis River. It
contains the court-house, postoffice, two stores,
two hotels, a church and school -house.
Macey is a postoffice in the extreme northeast
corner of the county.
Nettleton, at the crossing of the railroads three
miles southeast of Jonesboro, contains a po.stoffice.
three or four business houses, etc.
Stottsville, in the extreme eastern part of the
county, has a postoffice, store, saw and grist-mill
and cotton-gin combined, a church and school-
house.
Wardsdale, on the St. Louis, Arkansas & Texas
Railroad, thii-teen miles southwest of Jonesboro,
contains a postoffice and saw-mill.
No adequate educational facilities existed with-
in the county prior to the inauguration of the free
school system. There were, however, a few sub-
.scription schools taught here and there in the most
thickly settled neighborhoods, the terms being for
three months in a year. The following statistics
from the report of the State superintendent, for
the year ending June 30, 1888, will prove of inter-
est to those whose sympathies are with this worthy
movement. Scholastic population: White, 3,988;
colored, 160 — total, 4,148. Number of pupils
taught in the public schools: White, 1,95'.); colored,
3(3 — total, 1,*JU5. Number of school districts, 56.
Number of teachers employed: Males, 32; females.
15 — total, 47. Average monthly salaries paid
teachers — tirst grade, males, $51); females, 145,10:'
second grade, males, $40; females, $37.30; third
grade, males, $33.35; females, $32.50. Revenue
raised for the support of the common schools, total
amount, $20,595,64; amount expended, $9,142,53;
balance unexpended, $11,453,11, These figures
indicate that less than one-half of the white, and
less than one-fourth of the colored scholastic popu-
lation were taught in the public schools during the
year. However, considering the short time in
which the free school system has been in existence,
and the distance the children of sparsely settled
sections of the county have to travel to attend, it
may be considered a fair showing. When the
county becomes more thickly settled and more
school-houses are erected, a much larger attend-
ance will result. The wages paid for teachers of
the first grade is sufficient to secure able and com-
petent instructors.
Of the Missionary Baptist Church, the pioneer
organization of this religious denomination within
the territory composing Craighead County is
that known as Macedonia, six miles northeast of
Jonesboro. It was formed prior to 1846. Next
was the Jonesboro Church, organized some ten
years later. Other organizations have since been
formed from time to time until they now number
twelve, and are named as follows: Antioch, Black
Oak, Bethabra, Enterprise, Hermon, Jonesboro,
Liberty. Macedonia, New Hope, Oak Grove,
Philadelphia and Rock Hill, with an aggregate
membership of about 800. The pastors of these
churches, so far as given in the minutes of the
Mount Zion Association, are J. F. Mills, at An-
tioch; E. P. Minton, at Black Oak and Liberty;
W. G. Stamper, at Bethabra; M. Ball, at Jones-
boro; J. T. Arrington, at Macedonia, New Hope
and Oak Grove* J. M. Raines, at Philadelphia, and
Thomas Williams, at Rock Hill.
Of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South,
the Jonesboro Station, W. D. Matthews, pastor,
has 160 or more members. The Jonesboro Cir-
cuit, M. J. Hively, pastor, consists of five organi-
zations: Pleasant Grove, Marvin, Bay, Forest
Home and Hope, with a membership of 400.
^^
Lake City Circuit, S. G. Lape, pastor, consists
of four organizations, viz. : Hollywood, Forest
Chapel, Pleasant Valley and Lake City. ShiloL
Circuit. John Edison, pastor, consists of seven or-
f^anizations, viz. : Trinity, Oak Ridge, New Hope,
Colwell's Chapel, Shiloh, New Haven and Union
Grove, with an aggregate membership of 432.
Buffalo Island Mission has seven appointments
or preaching places: Trinity, Young's Chape],
Huntou's Chapel, Poplar Ridge, Union School
House and Black Oak, with an aggregate member-
.ship of 152. Rev. A. S. Hilburn is pastor. Lake
City Circuit was recently established, and a por-
tion of its members were taken from the Jonesboro
Circuit and Buffalo Island Mission, thus reducing
their membership as above given. All the Meth-
odist Episcopal Church organizations within the
county belong to the Jonesboro District of the
White River Conference, of which Rev. M. M.
Smith, of Jonesboro, is Presiding Elder.
The oldest Christian church organization here
is Christian Valley, seven miles southwest of
Jonesboro. It was organized soon after the Civil
War. Other Christian churches are Hope, held in
a school -house two miles southeast of Jonesboro,
one at Jonesboro, one on Buffalo Island, and
another in Texas Township. Together they ag-
gregate a membership of about 350. Elder J. H.
Terrell preaches at Hope and Christian Valley,
and Elder W. Y. M. Wilkerson, at Buffalo Island.
The Cumberland Pre.sbyterian Church has but
one organization in the county, and that is at
Jonesboro. It was organized in 1878, by Rev. J.
D. C. Cobb, who has since continued to be its
pastor. The membership numbers sixty. In 1887
this church society erected a line frame edifice at a
cost of §2,000. It was consumed in the great fire
at Jonesboro April 27, 1889. Until further ar-
rangements are made the society will worship in
the ilethodist Episcopal Church edifice. A society
of seven or eight members of the Northern branch
of the Presbyterian Church have a frame church
edifice a few miles southeast of Jonesboro.
The Roman Catholic Church has recently
erected a small frame edifice in Jonesboro, the
only one in the county.
Nearly all of these denominations, excepting
the latter, have Sunday-schools connected with
them. Regular preaching services are held, and
all are doing good work in the cause of Christian-
ity. The county, though new, and with but ii
small population, is well supplied with churches.
James C. Anderson, an influential farmer of
Craighead County, is a native of Bedford County,
Tenn. The paternal grandfather, Isaac Ander-
son, was a native of Virginia, and married Eliz-
abeth Hunter, fi'om Maryland. They settled in
Tennessee, and here Richard Anderson, the father
of James C, was born. He gi'ew to manhood in
that State, and married JIartha Campbell, also
born and reared there. There are now four sur-
vivors of their family of nine children. Richard
Anderson served creditably as a captain in the late
war, and was esteemed by all as a good soldier and
a worthy citizen. He was an active member of the
I. O. O. F. James C. also served in the late war
as a lieutenant, and participated in a number of
engagements, among them New Madrid and Island
No. 10. He has now a large farm of 400 acres, much
of which is excellent land, and under cultivation.
His farm is well stocked with horses, mules and cat-
tle. He was united in marriage with Susan Nance,
a native of Tennessee, and after her death was
again married, this time selecting Martha Jackson,
who was born and reared in .Alabama. She came
to Arkansas in 1870 with her father, who is a
prominent citizen and postmaster at Bono. Eight
children have been born to this union. Mr. An-
derson is a member of the Masonic order and of the
I. O. O. F. , and has occupied official chairs in Ijoth
of these orders. He and his wife are memliers of
the Methodist Church.
Edwin G. BaiTett. Prominciil amimg tin-
prosperous and intelligent young farmers of Craig
head County, may be mentioned the name of Ed-
win G. Barrett, a native of the county, born April
21, 1859. His paternal grandfather was Caswell
Barrett, a native of South Carolina, who was reared
in that State and all his life followed agricultural
pursuits. He was born in 1793 and died in 1S30.
S r-
i.
318
fflSTORY OF ARKANSAS.
His wife, Nancy (Ferguson) Barrett, also a native
of South Carolina, was of Irish descent, and to
their union were bom two sons and two daughters,
the only survivor being Arthur J., who is now a
prominent planter of Craighead County. He was
born in Greenville District, S. C, Augu.st 31, 1821,
and was reared on the farm, receiving a very good
education. In 1858, to better his fortune, he con-
cluded to come to Arkansas, and with his wife and
three children and household goods, started in a
wagon for this State. After traveling sixty days,
he drove up and unhitched his wagon at his pres-
ent farm, where he has lived ever since. There
are 140 acres in the homestead, about ninety un-
der cultivation, and he has also eighty-three acres
of very rich land on the edge of ' ' Cache Bottom. ' '
He has always been a Democrat in politics, but
has never aspired to office. Before the war, he
was county surveyor for one term, and during the
war was in the Confederate service. He was mar-
ried October 11, 1849, to Eunice Barton, a native
of Georgia, whose parents were Willoughby and
Sarah (West) Barton, both natives of South Caro-
lina. Her mother died in 1844, and her father
afterward came to Arkansas and died in White
County in 1862. Of Mr. and Mrs. Barrett's ten
children, only five are living, viz., William F.
(married to Marzee Watkins), Mary (wife of Pey-
ton Watkins), Edwin G. (the immediate subject of
this sketch), and Sarah and Eliza at home. Those
deceased are: Albert, Gilford, Luther, John and
Nancy. Nancy was the wife of S. A. Neal, and
left three little children, Arthur, Marvin and Ida
Myrtle. Mr. and Mrs. Barrett and their entire
family are members of the Missionary Baptist
Church, and those deceased were members. Ed-
win G. was reared on his father's farm, receiving
a very fair education. He has been principally
engaged in farming, but was for a while a clerk
in the mercantile trade. He has a nice farm of
seventy-five acres, forty of which are splendidly
improved. January 20, 1885, he married Julia
Dodds, a daughter of Allen and Julia (Saye)
Dodds, residents of this county. This union has
been blessed by two children: Alva and Margaret.
Mr. Barrett is a man of strong political convictions.
and is a Democrat. Both he and his wife are de-
vout Christians, the former a member of the Mis-
sionary Baptist Church, and the latter of the
Methodist Episcopal Chru'ch, South.
J. R. Blalack, was born in Monroe County,
Miss., October 2, 1849. He is the son of Josiah
and Elizabeth (Hendrix) Blalack, both natives of
Mississippi. They twice came to Arkansas, but
returned each time to their native home, where
they both died — the father in 18G5 and the mother
in the winter of 1885-86. They were the parents
of eleven children, six of whom are now living,
and four in this county: John, George, Willis and
James R. , all farmers. J. R. Blalack was reared
in his native State and obtained Imt a moderate
education. When yet a young man he came with
his father's family to Arkansas and located in
Craighead County. In the spring of 1869 he was
united in marriage with Sophia Miranda Herrin.
a native of Georgia. After his marriage he farmed
for awhile, then went to Prairie Coimty, Ark. , re-
maining two years. Then he moved to Bourbon
County, Kas. , and after eleven months returned to
Arkansas. He was on St. Francis River two
months, operated a cotton-gin on Big Bay for one
year, then he came to his present farm, where he
rented forty-five acres and a gin — ginning 300
bales of cotton that year. He then purchased
thirty acres of land, added to it for two years, and
for two years more ran a saw-mill. After another
year of farming he bought ten acres of land,
moved to his present location, and in connection
with James M. Herrin erected a combined cotton-
gin and corn-mill, which they operate together.
By economy and earnest endeavor he has been
generally successful. One of his farms contains
100 acres and the other forty, with two acres for a
home place. He is a Mason, holding membershi])
in Jonesboro Lodge No. 129, and is a Democrat.
He never sought office, but was always content to
bear the brunt of the burden in the field or mills.
He is the father of seven children : Aden C. ,
Philip C, Pervison W., Dell D., Modena, Taylor
and Zenobia.
John Boren (deceased) was a successful farmer
and greatly respected citizen of Maumelle Town-
V
CRAIGHEAD COUNTY.
•■uu
ship. He was boru in Washington Couuty, Tenn.,
but was mostly reared in Macon County, N. C. , his 1
parents having gone there when he was a small ,
child. He remained there until 1859, when he
came to Arkansas, locating on a place near Big
Bay. With the beginning of the war he entered
the Confederate service, and remained through the
entire conflict, making a very creditable military
record. He was in several engagements and had
many narrow escapes ; he had been promoted to the
office of first lieutenant when he was captured near
Mount Vernon. He was then taken to Johnson's
Island, where he was retained as prisoner for
eight months. His comrades all remember him as
a brave and gallant .soldier. He died August 29,
1809. His widow, whose maiden name was Char-
lotte Gouldman, was born in Richmond County,
Va. , in 1832, and is a daughter of Robert and
Nancy (Parker) Gouldman, natives of the "Old
Dominion."' Her father, who was a farmer by
occupation, was born about 1803, and died in No-
vember of 1838; the mother was born in July,
1805, and survived her husband until 1842. About
a year jsrevious to her death she had moved with
her family first to Tennessee and later to Alabama.
Of the eight children born to this union, four ai'e
still living. Mrs. Boren was the fourth child and
grew to womanhood in Alabama, where she was
first married to Benjamin C. Vick, a native of
Limestone County, Ala., born, in 1827, and died
July 29, 1860. Mr. and Mrs. Vick came to Ar-
kansas in 1857, locating on the place where he
soon afterward died, and where his widow still re-
sides. He was a charitable and enterprising citizen
and a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
They were the parents of six children, three of
whom are living. William J. is a promising and
sulistantial farmer and school teacher, educated at
the Bethel Institute, Tenn. , who has taught school
for eight years, and served as justice of the peace
for ten. He married C. E. Tabor, a native of
Kentucky. September 29, 1878, and they are the
parents of three children: Mary, Benjamin and
Willis. Frances M. and Benjamin C. are the two
other children of Mrs. Boren by her first hu.sband.
Those deceased were Joseph, Preston and an in-
fant. To Mr. and Mrs. Boren were born three
children: Maiy T., James C, and Martha L. (de-
ceased). Mrs. Boren has a splendid farm, and
displays much executive ability in its management.
Simon M. Bowman. Prominent among the
prosperous and enterprising citizens of Lake City
Township may he mentioned the subject of this
sketch, who is a leading farmer and stock raiser,
and also proprietor of a cotton-gin and saw-mill.
He vpas born in Henderson County, Tenn., in
1847, and is a son of Joshua and Sally (Easley)
Bowman, natives of Tennessee. They were reared
and married in the "Old Volunteer State," where
the father died in 185(3. One year later the moth-
er moved with her family to Arkansas, and located
on the Maumelle Prairie in this county, where sh&
remained until 1862, when she removed to Crow-
ley's Ridge, returning but shortly afterward to the
Prairie. To Mr. and Mrs. Bowman were born
eight children, two of whom are now living: Simon
M. and Mrs. Margaret Butcher. Mrs. Bowman
was again married to Moses W. Lewis (now de-
ceased), l)y whom she was the mother of one child.
Perry E. Lewis. She married the third time, and
after a life of charitable iisefulness, died aljout
1871. Simon M. Bowman attained his majority
in this county, and in 1869 moved to the ])lace
where he has since resided. He now has about
400 acres of land, with 110 imder cultivation, over
sixty of which he has cleared and cultivated him-
self. He has a good residence, tenant house, or-
chard, etc. In 1888 he built a cotton gin and saw-
mill in partnership with his half brother. Perry
E. Lewis, and that year they ginned 127 bales of
cotton. Mr. Bowman was first married in 1S68.
to Miss Sarah Harris, a native of the State, who
died in June, 1873, leaving two children, Melinda.
and Perry, both now deceas(>d. For his second
wife, he married his first wife's sister. Alice Har
ris, the fruits of which union have been nine chil
dreu. There are seven living: Mary, Oscar, Joliu,
Rosa, Amos, Willie and Ada. Those deceased are
Sally and Jimmie. Mr. and Mrs. Bowman are
members of the Methodist Chin-ch.
Jesse C. Broadaway was boru in Lincoln Coun
ty, Tenn., October 27, 1829, and is the son of
Yaucy and Elizabeth (Hodges) Broadaway, the for-
mer born in North Carolina in 1801, the latter a
native of Lincoln County, Tennesse. When the
father was yet a boy, his parents moved to Tennes-
see, where he was reared and educated in his wife's
native county. Mr. and Mrs. Broadaway were the
parents of eleven children, seven sons and four
daughters, six of whom are still living, all in this
county. Mr. Broadaway all his life engaged in
farming and stock raising, and in Tennessee was
very successful in that occupation, and was also
elected to some local offices. He came to Arkansas
in the fall of 1841, and here engaged in farming
and reared his family. He was elected justice of
the peace, and held that office for eighteen years;
also served one term as county and probate judge.
He and wife were devoted Christians, and zealous
members of the Missionary Baptist Church. After
a long life of usefulness, he died April 14, 1885,
aged eighty-four years. His wife still survives
him, and makes her home with one of her sons.
The family is of English descent. Jesse C. Broad-
away, the immediate subject of this sketch, is one
of the thrifty and successful farmers of the county.
He owns about 250 acres of good land, and of
this has about seventy-five acres in a flourishing
state of cultivation. November 15, 1855, he was
married to Naucy Jane Harris, a native of Craig-
head County, Ark., born November 18, 1837, and
died March 29, 1885. Their union was blessed by
eleven children, five of whom are yet living:
William E., Y. E. W., Robert J., Leila L. and
Lula L.
George M. Broadaway, a substantial agricult-
urist and stock dealer of Craighead County, was
born in Lincoln County, Tenn., January 1, 1832,
and is a son of Yancy and Elizabeth (Hodges)
Broadaway, natives of North Carolina and Tennes-
see, respectively [see sketch of Jesse C. Broad-
away]. January 3, 1850, he was united in mar-
riage with Delila Cline, who was born in Alabama
August 21, 1836, and died December 23, 1861.
Of this union two children were the issue: John
C. and Andrew C. January 20, 1868, Miss Cyn-
thia Barnett became his second wife. She is a
native of Mississippi, and a daughter of John and
Jane (Willhite) Barnett, natives of Middle Tennes-
see, who came to Arkansas in 1864. Mr. Broad-
away enlisted, in 1862, in the support of the Con-
federate cause, and served until the sui-render.
He has a large, nicely improved farm, and devotes
much time and care to stock raising. He is a
thorough Democrat, and in the supjiort of progress
and enterprise, one of the foremost men of the
county. Mrs. Broadaway is a member of the
Baptist denomination, which church the family
attend.
Anderson K. Broadaway, a prominent mer-
chant of Lake City, is a native of Craighead Coun-
ty, born August 1, 1850. He is a son of Judge
Broadaway [see sketch of Jesse C. Broadaway],
and like his father, by energy, enterprise and
strict integrity, has attained the position among
his fellow citizens of a leading business man. He
grew to manhood in this county, and remained at
home until his father's death, in 1885. In early
life he engaged in farming, but in 1883 began
selling groceries in Jonesboro, and continued in
that business for three years, at the same time
dealing in railroad ties, timber, etc. In 1887 he
piu'chased an established business at Lake City,
and has since been enjoying a splendid trade in
general merchandise. He keeps a good stock, and
has established an enviable reputation for fair and
strictly honest dealing. June 4, 1874, he was
united in marriage with Julia Minton, a native of
Alabama, and daughter of F. M. Minton. Their
union has been blessed by two children: Ira Galon
and Era E. Mr. Broadaway is a member of the
Knights and Ladies of Honor, and both he and
wife belong to the Missionar}' Baptist Church.
J. C. Brookfield. a careful student, a fluent
speaker, and an able and successful lawyer, is a pio-
neer citizen of Northeast Arkansas, born in Law-
rence County, Ark., July 14, 1829. The Brook-
field family are of Scotch and English origin, and
were early emigrants to America. Isaac Brook-
field, Sr., the paternal grandfather of J. C, came
with his wife, Hannah, from England, and set
tied in Newark, N. J., and there they resided
until their respective deaths. James Campbell,
the maternal grandfather of our subject, was of
^'^
CRAIGHEAD COUNTY.
:!21
Scotch -Irish descent; and his wife, whose maiden
name was Wilson, was descended from the Khine
Dutch, and was a sister of Col. Wilson, once speaker
of the House of Representatives, who killed Col.
Anthony in the State-house at Little Rock. Mr.
and Mrs. Campbell emigrated to Lawrence County,
Ark., in the fall of \S]'2., and were among the very
first settlers. About 1821 he was elected sheriff
of the county, which then comprised several of the
present counties, and served for some time in that
capacity. Isaac Brooklield, Jr., the father of J.
C, through the influence of Bishop Asbury, came
from New Jersey to St. Louis in 1819, as a mis-
sionary to the Indians. He was a minister of the
Methodist Episcopal Church, was thoroughly edu-
cated, and possessed that power and magnetism of
speech and character so necessary to a successful
preacher. In 1823 he married Nancy Campbell,
and after locating settled in Lawrence County,
where he continued his Master's work, and lived
an earnest, zealous and consistent Christian life.
In 1825 he began mercantile Vmsiness, his dry-
goods, which were shipped from New York, being
six months in reaching their destination; his gro-
ceries were principally from New Orleans. He
continued this business imtil ,his death, in 1844.
His wife died in 1875. To them were born a
family of six children. J. C. Brooklield was reared
on the farm, receiving his education mainly at
Batesville, Ark. After his father's death, he
closed up the business, and engaged in rafting on
the St. Francis River, thus earning sufficient
means to educate himself. When twenty-one
j'ears of age he began the study of law, and was
admitted to the bar in Poinsett County, Ark.,
October 23, 1853. He immediately began practice
in Harrisburg, and his practice, now extending
over all adjoining coimties, still embraces that
court. In 1883 he moved to Jonesl)oro, where he
has since made his home. At the opening of the
late war he was captain of a company of militia,
and once served as deputy clerk of Poinsett County,
but has never aspired to office, rather choosing to
serve his party than ask of it official favor. He
has been for many years a leading lawyer of North-
east Arkansas, and enjoys, in its fullest extent, the
love, respect and confidence of his people. He
was first married, in 1855, to Susan C. Arledge,
and to them were l)orn five children, two now liv-
ing: Mrs. Mary L. Roleson and Mrs. Ida A. Ware.
Mrs. Brooktield died in 1871, and three years later
Mr. Brookfield was married to Mrs. Julia F. Pope,
who was the mother of one child, Albert M. Pope.
Mr. and Mrs. Brookfield are members of the
Methodist Episcopal Church, South, and lie is
prominent both as a Mason and an Oddfellow.
Abraham Brown, farmer and stock raiser of
Maumelle Township, is a son of David Brown, a
native of North Carolina, and was born in Hay
wood County, N. C, October (1, 1832. The father
was reared in his native State and married Rhoda
Chastine, a native of South Carolina. After his
marriage he moved to Georgia, where he engaged
in both farming and blacksmithing for a numl)(>rof
years. In 1858 he came to Arkansas, locating on
Crowley's Ridge, in Poinsett County, where he re-
sided until his death, in August, 1858. He had
lost his wife in 1850 and had married a second
time. Abraham Brown grew to manhood in Geor-
gia, and until his father's death remained with
him. After his death he went to Jonesboro and
ran a hor.se-mill (that was some time before the
existence of the town), and also engaged in farming
for two years. September 17, ISOl, he entered
the Confederate army under Col. Marsh Walker
and served until the close of the war, when he sur-
rendered at Wittsburgh, in May, 18(55. He was
second sergeant and was in several engagements,
among them New Madrid, Mo., and Island No. 10.
at the latter of which places he was taken prisoner,
and held five and one-half months at Camp Butler.
111. He was exchanged at Vicksburg. and was af-
terward in the siege at Port Hudson. After tlie
smrender he returned to this county and soon set-
tled on the place where he now resides. In \SC,Z
he had purchased forty acres of timliered land,
which he then began to clear and improve. He has
GOO acres in one tract and forty in another. He
has cleared ninety acres of rich ami valual)le land:
the remainder is timbered. March H5, 1865, be
was married in this township to Sarah Thorn, a na-
tive of Kentuckv, l>ut reared in .Vrkansas. Her
322
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
father, Jesse Thorn, was one of the pioneer set-
tlers of Maumelle Township. Mr. Brown has a
family of seven children: Nancy C. (wife of Guy
Winningham), Adella, Newton, Alsa, Abraham,
Joseph A. and Silas. Both Mr. and Mrs. Brown
are consistent Christians and members of the Meth-
odist Episcopal Church.
E. F. Brown, a leading and prominent attor-
ney, of Jonesboro, Ark., was born in McNairy
County, Tenn. , November 22, 1844, and is a son
of William F. Brown and Nettie (Swain) Brown,
the former a native of Virginia, and the latter of
Tennessee, who in 1858 came to Randolph County,
Ark. , locating near Pocahontas. Here Mr. Brown
engasred in farming and mercantile business until
his death in 1869. His wife died two years later.
To their union were born thirteen children, only
four of whom are now living. E. F. Brown was
the fourth child, and when fourteen years of age
came with his parents to Arkansas. He received
a common school education, and in 1862, in the
early part of the late war, enlisted in Col. Kitchens'
regiment. Reeves' company, and served until the
close of the conflict, surrendering under Gen. Jeff
Thompson, at Wittsburg, Ark. He was in battle
at Whitewater bridge, Redlief farm, Little Mis-
souri and Saline Rivers, and Little Rock. Peace
having been restored, he returned home, and com-
pleted his education. He was admitted to the bar
in 1871, and in 1872 took a course of lectures in
the law department at Lebanon, Tenn., and in
July, 1873, located at Oak Bluff, Clay County,
where lie began the practice of his chosen profes-
sion. The following year he was elected a dele-
gate to the constitutional convention, and in 1875-
76 represented the First district in the Senate.
In 1878 he was elected prosecuting attorney of the
Second judicial district, and was re-elected to the
same office. In 1883 he came to Jone.sboro, where
he has since been engaged in the practice of his
profession. He was married, in 1879, to Ada Par-
risli, daughter of N. C. Parrish, of Humphreys
County, Tenn., and their union has been blessed
by one child, Doswell. Mr. Brown has a beauti-
ful residence in Joucslwro, and has one of the fin-
est libraries in Northeast Arkansas. He is a mem-
\
ber of both the A. F. & A. M. and the I. O. O. F..
and he and his wife are members of the Methodist
Episcopal Church. He is a leader of the Demo-
cratic party, as a lawyer is an able and fluent
speaker, and as a business man his career has been
one of unusual success.
J. G. Bryant, a leading merchant at Ridge,
Craighead County, was born in Madison County,
Ga. , September 20, 1843, and is the son of J ason and
Elizabeth (Berryman) Bryant, both natives of the
same State. They came to Craighead County
December 25, 1857, locating in Big Bay Bottom,
where they remained until their deaths. The
father died September 8, 1858, the mother De-
cember 22, 1868. They were the parents of
three children, the two surviving being residents
of this county: John G., the subject of this
sketch, and Elizabeth, wife of J. T. Dudley. The
father was a quiet, industrious man, and the
mother a devoted Christian and member of the
Missionary Baptist Church. John G. was reared
on a farm in Big Bay Bottom, and has been a
farmer all his life. In 1885 he bought of Burst
& Stills a stock of goods, at Big Bay Siding, and
carried on a mercantile business at that point until
January 5, 1889, when he removed his stock of
goods to Ridge. By industry and integrity he has
established a good and successful business in gen-
eral merchandise. He has two farms in Greenfield
Township, one of eighty acres, thirty-three under
cultivation, and the other of 160 acres, with sev-
enty-six under cultivation. He was married No-
vember 29, 1868, to Mary H. McGown. daugh-
ter of Sam and Sarah (Tannehill) McGown, early
settlers of this county. Mr. and Mrs. Bryant are
the parents of eight children, three deceased: John
D. and two infants. Those surviving are Sarah
E., wife of J. R. Fuller; Nancy O., Charlie A\.
and Thomas A. Mrs. Bryant possesses many true
womanly virtues, and is a consistent member of the
Missionary Baptist Church. During the Civil War
Mr. Bryant was a member of Company I, in
McNieFs battalion, serving under Price. He was
in active service from June, 1862, until the sur-
render, participating in several engagements in both
Louisiana and Arkansas. He has never sought
CRAIGHEAD COUNTY.
office, but is a strong Democrat and an influential
citizen.
Hon. VV. H. Gate. The origin of this family
in the United States dates from 1752, when three
brothers of that name emigrated from Wales an<l
located in America. One of the brothers took up
his residence in New England, and but little is
known of him or his descendants; while the other
two settled in the South, and from this branch of
the family the subject of this sketch ia descended.
That they took an active part in the struggle for
independence is well known, and after the war
they became tillers of the soil in the South, prob-
ably in North Carolina, as the paternal grand-
father was a native of that State. He was a pio-
neer settler of Jefferson County, Tenn. , and it was
here that his son Noah, the father of W. H. , was
born. Few men were better or more favorably
known in Tennessee than the Rev. Noah Gate.
He married Mrs. Margaret M. Lee, a widow whose
maiden name was Henderson, a native of the
famous Shenandoah Valley, Va. ; he was for forty
years a minister of the Baptist Church, and a
faithful worker in his Master's vineyard. In 1865
lie came to Jonesboi'o, Ark. , and it was largely
through his efforts that the present Baptist Church
at that place was built. His was an active, zeal-
ous, consistent Christian life, and one well worthy
of emulation. He died at Jonesboro, October 23,
1871, and his wife at Peirce City, Mo., in March,
1876. Only two of the children born to these
parents survive them: W. H., tiie subject of this
memoir, and a daughter, Mrs. J. N. Patrick, a
resident of p]ast Tennessee. The maternal grand-
father of W. H. Gate was a native of Scotland,
and was killed at the battle of Bladensburg. Two
uncles served as soldiers under Jackson, and other
members of the family in the same and later wars,
some of them winning distinction by their zeal and
bravery. M'. H. Gate was born in Rutherford
County, Tenn., being reared in Sullivan and Haw-
kins Counties, when he attended the common
school in his early youth, later entering an acad-
emy at Abingdon, Ya. , for some time, and also one
at Rogersville, Tenn.. and at the early age of
eighteen years graduatetl from the State Univer-
sity at Knoxville, Tenn. His father, like most
ministers, had but limited means, and could assist
l>ut little in defraying his son's expenses whili' at
school. After graduating he began teaching school,
and at the same time took up the study of law.
While thus engaged, the war Ijroke out, anddro]>-
ping his studies, he espoused the Southern cause.
The year the war closed he located at Jonesboro,
and resumed (he study of law, so abruptly yet
cheerfully dropped live years previous. In ISfUi
he was admitted to the bar, and was soon enjoying
a good practice. He hiis now practically ietir"d
from practice, but was for years one of the leading
attorneys of Northeast Arkansas. In March, 1884,
he was appointed judge of the Second judicial dis-
trict, and the following September was elected to the
same position. In 1887 he organized the Bank of
Jonesboro, and was its first president. He was
for some years attorney for the St. Louis, Arkan-
sas & Texas, and the Iron Mountain & South-
ern Railroads. He is a large land owner, and has
been at times extensively engaged in farming. In
the fall of 1888, after a hard and exciting contest,
he was chosen to represent the people of the First
district in Congress. In 1808 Miss Virginia E.
Warner, a native of Dresden, Tenn., became his
wife. They have one child, William W., a prom-
ising young man, and a student at Bryant and
Stratton's College, St. Louis. It can be truly said
of W. H. Gate that he is in the fullest acceptation
of the term, a self-made man. As the son of a
poor minister, he worked his way through college,
graduating with honors at the age of eighteen
years: while yet a boy, lie was found bravely risk
ing his life for a cause he believed to be right, and
before the period of his service had closed, hold-
ing a captain's commission; a few years later a
leading attorney of Northeast Arkansas, he was
elected to the legislature in 1871 and re-elected in
1873; in 1878 elected pnjsecuting attorney of the
second district, judge of the Second judicial dis-
trict. j)resident of a bank, and attorney for two
large railroad companies. Besides the above, he
has held many otlier positions of honor and trust,
and has always acted in such a way as to maintain
the res]iect and coulidence of the public. In poli
^1
324
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
tics he has always been a Democrat, but has broad,
liberal, conservative views, which have gained for
him the respect and friendship of men of all par-
ties. He is a man of a pleasant, genial type of
character, and has the happy faculty of inspiring
those around him with his own bright and sunny
life. He and wife are members of the church,
leading and popular members of society, and pos-
sess social qualities of a high order.
J. G. Christian, retired farmer, of Jonesboro
Township, was born in Hickman County, Tenn.,
about seventy-five years ago. His parents, Jesse
G. and Nancy (Higginbotham) Christian, were both
natives of Georgia. They were among the pioneer
settlers of Middle Tennessee, and when the subject
of this sketch was six years of age moved to Mon-
roe County, Miss., where a few years later the
father died. A short time after the husband's
death the mother moved with the family to Tish-
omingo County, Miss., and in 1S87 from there to
Greene (now Craighead) County, Ark. Here the
mother died about 1841. J. G. Christian was
brought u]) on a farm, and from early boyhood was
accustomed to hard work. His educational ad-
vantages were very limited, as after the father's
death much of the responsibility of caring for the
family devolved upon him. This responsibility,
like all others encountered during his long and
eventful lifetime, was met and overcome. In 1844
at the old homestead he was united in marriage
with Susan Mackey, who when a child came with
her brother, Elias, from McNairy County, Tenn.,
to Arkansas. To this union were born the follow-
ing children: Nancy, wife of Lewis Simonds, a
farmer of Jonesboro Township; William W., resid-
ing near his father; Tersey, who married A. J.
Wilson and died about seven years ago; Jesse, who
grew to manhood, married Etta Graham, and died
in September, 1887, aged twenty- four years; Polly,
Rebecca, John and Tom, at home, and two others
who died in childhood. Mrs. Simonds is a mem-
ber of the Baptist Church. At her death Mrs.
Wilson left four children, whom the grandfather is
now rearing. Mrs. Christian died March 8, 1887,
aged sixty-five years. Mr. Christian has always
been engaged in agricultural pursuits, and at pres-
ent owns a well -improved plantation of 185 acres.
He is a Democrat in politics, unassuming but
courteous in his manner, and one of the most use-
ful and progressive citizens of Craighead County.
James R. Claunch, M. D. , was born in Bedford
County, Tenn., in 1833, and is now one of the
eminently successful farmers of Lester Township,
possessing a thorough and practical knowledge of
medicine. His parents, James H. and Charlotte
(Bearden) Claunch, were natives, respectively, of
Kentuck}' and .South Carolina. They were both
greatly respected as citizens, and were members of
the Methodist Episcopal Church, South. The
father came with his father to Tennessee, and there
grew to manhood and followed the occupation of
farming. He was born in 1810, and is still living,
aged seventy-nine years. The mother was born in
1815, and died in Tennessee April 7, 1882. To
them had been born nine children, six of whom are
still living. Dr. Claunch was the oldest child, and
was reared and educated in Tennessee, coming to
Arkansas in ISSB. He settled in Poinsett County,
where he engaged in farming and studied medicine
with Dr. Todd W. Beecher, of Harrisburg, who is
a graduate from the Ohio Medical College, at Cin
cinnati. He began practice in that county. Jan-
uary 6, 1860, he was united in marriage with Miss
Martha J. Crook, a native of South Carolina, and
daughter of Martin Crook. She came with her
father to Mississippi in 1854, and to this State in
1859. Her mother died in 1846, and her father in
1858. To Dr. and Mrs. Claunch have been born the
following family of children: Thomas M. , Lottie
L., Annie B. , Charles, William, Mahalia C. , John
B. and Albert M. , living, and Laura and Harriet
A. G., deceased. They also have with them one
granddaughter, Estella Davis. In the War of the
Rebellion Dr. Claunch saw much active service.
He was in Col. Adams' regiment, and was assistant
surgeon with Price on his raid through Missouri.
At the close of the war he returned to his farm, and
two years later resumed his practice. He came to
his present location in Craighead County in 1872,
and has since engaged in farming and the practice
of medicine. He has a splendid farm of 300 acres,
100 under cultivation, and has a good residence.
-^
orchard iiud outbuildings. He is a member of the
Masonic order, is very successful in his practice,
being one of the leading physicians of the county,
and greatly respected as a citizen.
George W. Clements, a well-to-do farmer,
stock raiser and cotton-ginner of Cane Island, was
born in Tennessee in 1834. His father, William
Clements, was a native of Alabama, and married
Miss Melinda Mooney, a native of Georgia. In
1840 they came to Mississippi County, Ark., and a
year later settled on a tract of land on Big Lake,
renting for about four years, and then moved to
Little lUver neighborhood. Soon after they located
in what is now Craighead County, in the Varner
settlement. Mrs. Clements died in 1845 and was
followed four years later by her husband. They
were among the pioneer settlers of Craighead
County, and were in all ways most worthy and ex-
emplary citizens. George Clements was reared
among the rude siUTOundings of those days, receiv-
ing but a meager education. He was a gallant
Confederate soldier and participated in several en-
gagements. He located where he now resides in
18*')8, and has since been occupied in farming and
cotton-ginning. His present gin is one of the best
in the county. In 1887 he ginned ninety-eight
bales of cotton, and the year following 146 bales.
He owns 100 acres of good land, a portion of
which is under a high state of cultivation. Mr.
Clements has been married four times. His first
wife was Sarah McDaniel, who died in 1805, and
was the mother of one child, James F. Elizabeth
O'Conley liecame his second wife and one son,
George, was born to this union. He married for
his third wife Mrs. Susan (Folks) Roberts His
present wife was Mrs. Luanna Smith, who is a
daughter of Thomas Slocum; she was born in Madi-
son County, Tenn., but left there when a child ten
years of age. Mrs. Clements was the mother of a
son by her former husband, but it died in child-
hood. Mr. and Mrs. Clements are members of the
Methodist Episcopal Church, and are useful and in-
fluential members of societj*. They interest them-
selves in moral and educational matters and liber-
ally contribute to all worthy enterprises.
Rev. J. D. -C. Cobb, pastor of the Cumberland
Presbyterian Church, and eibtor of the Jonesboro
Times, was born in Dyer Comity, Tenn., Julv 2'\
1838. His parents, Christian S. and Juditli
(Clapp) Cobb, were natives of Guilford County, N.
C, and in 1830 moved to Tennessee, where the
father died. He was a farmer of sterling character
and worth and was greatly res]>ected by all who
knew him. The mother afterward went to Texas
and there died. They reared a family of five chil-
dren, three now living: Jackson D. C. Lucinda
S. (wife of Elder E. P. Minton), and Elizabeth S.
(wife of Luke Summers). Rev. J. D. C. Cobb
was reared and educated in Dyer County, Tenn.,
remaining on the farm until twenty years of
age, and then taught and attended school. When
twenty-three years of age he entered the mini.stry
of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church and was
licensed to preach, but was not ordained until
1807. During the late war he was chaplain of the
Fifteenth Tennessee Cavalry. The war over he re-
turned to his duties, and in 1871 moved to Dunklin
County, Mo., and located at Clarkton, where he
was pastor until 1874, and then went to Gaines-
ville, Ark., where he remaiiie<l until 1870, when
he came to Jonesboro, where he has since resided.
In 1874 he estal)lished the Gainesville Times, and
two years later moved the paper to Jonesboro,
where it has since been a leading and widely circu-
lating joiu-nal. In the lire of 1889 the office was
burned, but w-as soon in operation again. The
Cumberland Presbyterian Church, too, was burned,
and now efforts are being made to build a large
l>rick edifice. Mr. Cobb organized the Cumberlaml
Presbyterian Church at Jonesboro in 1870. and ha?-
been its pastor since its organization. Miss Ann E.
Kirk, a native of the "Old Dominion." liecame
his wife in 1861, and they are the parents of two
childi'eu: William D. and Mary J. Mr. Cobb is
a ])rominent citizen and one of the leading spirits
of Jonesboro.
George W. Cook, a prominent and well-to-do
farmer of Big Creek Township, is the sou of James
and Elizabeth Cook, natives of Tennessee. The
father was for many years a farmer of that State.
which occupation he followed until his death, in
1857. The mother was a member of the Method-
±1
:«6
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
ist Church, and both she and her husband -were
worthy of the respect shown them. Eight children
were born to this union, only three of whom are
now living. George W. is accounted br all one
of the prominent farmers of Craighead County,
having a large, well-cultivated farm, splendidly
stocked with horses, cattle and fine hogs. His
marriage to Miss Sarah J. Kitchens was consum-
mated in 1865, and to their vinion have been born
twelve children, seven of whom are living. One
daughter is married to James Coward, and the
youngest is two years old. Mr. Cook is a man of
sterling worth iu the community. He belongs to
both the Masonic order and the Eastern Star, is a
member of the Missionary Baptist Church, and
gives freely of his means for the promotion of
progressive movements.
James F. Cross is a substantial and public-
spirited citizen of Craighead County, and has a
large, well improved farm of 120 acres, about
three miles from Jonesboro. He was born in
Shelby County, Tena., July 29, 1840, and is the
son of B. F. Cross, a native of Giles County,
Tenn. , and a substantial farmer of that State. In
184-1 the father came to Craighead County (then
Poinsett), and located near Greensboro, where he
bought eighty acres of land, and engaged in farm-
ing for several years. Ten or twelve years later
he came to Jonesboro Township, where he rented
land until his death, in 1877. He was a member
of the Sons of Temperance at an early day, and
was honored by local offices in Powell Township.
His wife, Mary (Hannah) Cross, was a native of
North Carolina, and six children blessed their
union, five sons and one daughter. Of these,
James F. , J. H. and Benjamin R. are the only
survivors. The mother died in this township in
December, 1887, aged about sixty-seven years.
All his life James F. Cross has been a resident of
the same settlement in Craighead County, except-
ing the four years of the late war. In 1861 he
entered the Confederate service, enlisting in Com-
pany I, Thirteenth Arkansas Infantry, and served
four years and seventeen days. After the war he
bought eighty acres of his farm, and has since
added forty. April 23, 1869, he married Mary J.
Higginbotham, a native of Poinsett County, Ark.,
and daughter of Franklin and Nancy (Edwards)
Higginbotham, residents of this township. Five
children have been born to this union: William
Thomas (deceased), John Franklin, Mary Melvina,
Stephen Lafayette and Jodella. Mr. Cross has
all his life been an energetic and industrious
man, and though he received no education in his
childhood, has been a successful farmer, and ac-
cumulated a valuable property. He has been a
member of the Masonic order, and is a Democrat.
Hon. Thomas D. Oulberhouse, farmer, mer-
chant and lumber manufacturer, was born in Bed-
ford County, Tenn., March 10, 1836, and is a son
of MOses Culberhouse, a native of North Carolina,
and a grandson of Thomas Culberhouse, who was
born in Berkshire, England. Moses Culberhouse
was an extensive farmer and stock dealer in his na-
tive State, and there married Parthenia Roberts, a
native of North Carolina, and in 1834, emigrated
to Tennessee. Eighteen years later they came to
Greene (now Craighead) County, and here Moses
Culberhouse died in 1871 or 1872. His wife is still
living, and resides with her son, George, of Jones-
boro. She is now seventy-four years of age. They
were the parents of nine children, four now living:
Thomas D., Nancy J. (wife of William Puryear),
Angeline (wife of James Haynes), and George W.
Thomas D. was reared in Tennessee, and received
but a common-school education. In 1852 he came
with his parents to this county, and until 1859 fol-
lowed farming: he then engaged in the grocery
business, which he continued until the spring of
1862. In February of that year he enlisted in
Company I, Twenty-third Arkansas Infantry, served
two months as a private, and was then sent home
on furlough. He came home and raised a company
with Capt. Adair, and was made first lieutenant
of Col. Hart's regiment, McCray's brigade. He
served with them until about November, 1863,
after the battles of Helena, Little Rock and Prairie
Grove, when, retreating toward Arkadelphia, he
was sent home on recruiting service. He raised
another company, which became Company I, Twen-
ty-third Arkansas Cavalry. Mr. Culberhouse was
made a scout, and served as such until the surren-
CRAIGHEAD COUNTY.
>?-
der at Wittshaii^. After the war he retm-ned home
and made crops in 1805 and 18()(), and then en
Imaged in mercantile pursuits, and has since Ix-cn
engaged in merchandising, farming, saw-milling
and stock-raising. About 1886 he located the town
of Culhorhonse. on the Kansas City, Springfield
& Memphis Kailroad, and now has a general store
there, also has a saw-mill, cotton-mill and shingle-
machine. The postoffice was established in 18S7,
and named in honor of our subject. Mr. Culber-
house is a large landholder, owning about 6,000
acres of comliined farm and timber-land, and has
almost 1,000 under cultivation. He also gives a
great deal of attention to raising line breeds of
stock — Norman horses, Poland China and Berk-
shire hogs and Durham cattle. He imported his
cattle from Kentucky, and in 187'.) bought an im-
ported Norman horse, pure breed, which has about
800 descendants in Craighead and adjoining coun-
ties. He has taken the premium at each fair where
exhibited, and some of his horses are quite speedy,
having taken premiums at the last Paragonld fair.
July 0, 1854, he was united in marriage with
Sarah Elizabeth Coleman, a native of Tennessee,
and a daughter of Chastine A. Coleman. There are
six survivors of the ten children born to this union:
Sarah Jane (wife of Sam. A. Warner, Jr., president
of the Bank of Jonesboro), W. D. (farmer and
merchant). Virginia A. (wife of Thomas Elder, of
Jonesboro), R. S. (merchant of Jonesboro, who
married Mrs. Willie Wooten, of Mississipj^i), Katie
(wife of Mr. Pace, a merchant of Jonesboro), and
Thomas (at home). Mrs. Culberliouse was a mem-
l)er of the Methodist Church, and died in that
faith in 1882. Mr. Culberhouse was again mar-
ried June 10, 1884, this time selecting Miss Pattie
Wooten, of Mississippi. Mrs. Culberhouse is a
member of the Ba^itist Church, and possesses social
(jualities of a high order. Mr. Culberhouse is a
prominent Mason, belonging to the Blue Lodge,
Chapter and Commandery, and is also connected
with the Knights of Honor. Ho is a Democrat in
politics, and in the session of 1885-86 repre.sented
Craighead County in the State legislature.
John H. Darr, a prominent farmer of Jones-
boro Township, is a native of the county in which
he resides, his birth occurring January 1. 1849.
His parents, Hiram and Elizabeth (McGown)
Darr, were natives of Tennessee, although tlieir mar-
riage occurred in Arkansas, and a portion of their
yotith was spent there. Mr. Darr was a prominent
Democrat, and a zealous member of the Masonic
fraternity. He held local positions of honor and
trust, and had the respect and confidence of all
who knew him. To him and wife were born the
following family of children: A. J., a resident of
Jonesboro Township; Sarah, wife of T. H. Porter;
ElizalwthE.. wife of G. W. Wilkerson (both resi-
dents of Craighead County); Stephen S., and the
subject of this sketch. Hiram Darr died February
11, 1860, and his wife October 11, 1872. John
H. Darr was roared upon a farm and has always
been engaged in farming and stock raising, being
measurably successful at both. He received but a
meager education, as his services wore recjuired at
home on the plantation. He owns 100 acres of
land, sixty of which are imder a good state of cul-
tivation. November 22, 1871, he was united in
marriage to Maiy, daughter of Abraham and Mar-
tha J. (Cary) McDani(>l, early and favorably known
citizens of Craighead County. To this union have
been born eight children: Martha E., Mary A.,
Sallie J., John W., Abraham and James G., liv-
ing; Hiram S. and William D., decea.sed. In
national politics Mr. Darr votes with the Republi-
can party, but in State and local elections he sup-
ports men and measures and not party. He is a
reader of cun-ent literature, is well informed, but
has never aspired to any political prcfortuont. He
is Past Master and a member of Jonesboro Lodge
No. 129, A. F. & A. M., and liberally contributes
to all worthy enterprises.
William A.. Davis, a prominent merchant of
Bay Siding, is a native of Georgia, born Septem-
ber 7, 184.3, and is a son of John and Margaret
(Lewis) Davis, natives of South Carolina. The
parents passed their youth in their native State,
and soon after their marriage moved to (ieorgia,
and there reared their famil}-. The father engaged
very successfully in farming until his death, in
1857. His wife died about eighteen months later.
W. A. Davis, the immediate sul>ject of this skotcli.
attained his majority in Georgia, and became famil-
iar in his boyhood home with iutelliirent farming.
In 1 873 he came to Craighead County. Ark. , and
located on Crowley's Ridge, where he engaged in
farming until 1888. He then moved to Bay Sid-
ing, purchased a lot, erected a building and en-
gaged in merchandising. He keeps a good stock
of general merchandise, and by (lolite attention,
energy and fair dealing, has established a good
custom, doing an annual bxisiness of about $12,-
000. In the fall of 1888 he was married in this
county to Miss Jane Tyler, born and reared in this
State. She died eighteen months later leaving one
child, Henry, now a lad of seven years. In 1884
he selected as his second wife, Laura Martin, a
native of Arkansas, and this union has been blessed
by two children: Josephine and Lura. Mrs. Davis
is a member of the Baptist Church, and is active
and zealous in all church work.
Nathan A. Davis is a native of Craighead Coun-
ty, and is one of its younger and more progressive
farmers. His parents, James and Nellie (Lowery)
Davis, were natives of Alabama, and about 1851
came to Craighead County, locating on Crowley's
Ridge: but .some time later moved to the western
portion of the State, where they remained only a
short time, then returning to Craighead County,
and both died soon after. To them were born the
following family of children: John, Jacob, and
Nathan A., living; and Jefferson, Nancy, Mary
and Taylor, deceased. The death of the parents
left the family in somewhat straitened circum-
stances, and young Nathan, as a boy, had but few
advantages and underwent many hardships. He
has always been energetic and frugal, and by his
thrift and industry, is now the possessor of eighty
acres of well improved land, and a larger tract un-
improved. He married Miss Lizzie Gatlin, a na-
tive of Craighead County, who was the daughter
of Lee Gatlin, now deceased, but at one time a
well known citizen of the county. Mr. and Mrs.
Davis have one child, Nancy Ellen. Mr. Davis
has held the offices of magistrate and constaljle,
acquitting himself with honor, and with benefit
to those for whom he labored. He is one of the
county's useful and progressive citizens;
Joseph Dixon, farmer, stock dealer and lum-
berman, was born in England. October 26. 1842,
and is a son of John and Eliza Dixon, of English
bii-th, who came to America in 1842, and located
in New York City, where they both died in 1849.
John Dixon was a butcher by occupation, and he
and wife were parents of two children. Joseph
Dixon was left an orphan when seven years of age,
and until fourteen years old. worked for his board
and clothes. He received such education as he
could afford. He learned the trade of a machin-
ist, and for some time fired an engine on the
Chicago & Rock Island Railroad. Coming to
('hicago in ISoS, he was soon made an engineer,
and for nine years followed that occupation. He
then went to Freeport. and later to Pecatonica,
III., in both of which places he engaged in mercan-
tile pursirits. He came in 1882 to Jonesboro, and
engaged in saw-milling, which he has since fol-
lowed. In 1883 he built a large three-story hotel,
of which he was proprietor until the disastrous fire
of 1889, when it was entirely lost, with all his
household effects — total loss. $5,000, without insur-
ance. Mr. Dixon is a large land owner, owning a
great deal of property in Jonesboro, and about 340
acres of farm land, with 200 acres under cultiva-
tion. Miss Jane A. Clark became his wife in 1866,
and they have one child, Carrie, wife of J. M.
Bennett, of Pine Bluff, Ark. Mr. Dixon began
life a poor boy, but by industry, economy and
thrift, he has conquered adversity, and has made
himself one of the leading and influential citizens
of the community in which he lives. He is a prom-
inent member of the Masonic order, and is a
Knight Templar.
Allen Dodds was born in Georgia, in 1827.
His father. James Dodds, also a native of that
State, was born in Elbert County, in 1785, and
there grew to manhood and married Sarah Thorn-
ason, who lived but a short time after her mar
riage. He chose for his second wife Winnie Ber-
den, also a Georgian, whose grandfather Penn
was an officer in the Revolutionary army. James
Dodds gave his entire time to agricultural pursuits.
Both he and wife were members of the Baptist
Church, and thev reared a family of twelve chil-
CRAIGHEAD COUNTY.
329
dren, six boys and six girls. Allen Dodds was
reared on his father's farm, receiving his educa-
tion at the county schools. He married Julia
Suye, who was born in Georgia in 1826, and
moved to Arkansas in 1N55. Of this union six
children have been the issue. Mr. Dodds entered
the Confederate service in 1861, his first engage-
ment, which lasted almost a day, being at Belmont,
Mo. There he was slightly wounded in the left
arm, and afterward in the right shoulder. He
was discharged from Jacksonport, in 1865, and
then returned home and began teaching school.
Later he turned his attention to farming, at which
he has made a decided success. He owns about
318 acres of land, and 100 acres are in a good
state of cultivation. He has also, in connection
with his farm, a grist-mill and a cotton gin. Polit-
ically he is a Democrat, and fraternally a Mason.
Both he and his wife are members of the Method-
ist Church, of which denomination he is also a
minister.
Francis Marion Douglas was born in Hender-
son County, Tenn., December 7, 1847, and is a son
of Thomas Logan Douglas, a native of the same
State, who went to Missouri in 1857, and, after
the surrender, came to Craighead County, and
located in Big Creek Township. He is still a res-
ident of the State. His wife's maiden name was
Catherine Ignite, and she was also a native of
Tennessee. They are the parents of five children,
and of the four living three reside in this county.
The mother died in January, 1875, and was about
forty-two years of age. Francis M. was ten years
old when he removed with his father to Missouri,
and at the beginning of the late war enlisted in the
Tenth Tennessee Cavalry, under Gen. FoiTest, and
served as a private under him until the surrender.
A year later he came to Craighead County, where
he rented property for some time, but has for
many years cultivated his own farm, now con-
sisting of forty acres, most of which is well im-
proved and beai's many evidences of prosjierity.
His marriage with Fannie Wade, a daughter of
Noah J. NN'ade, of this township, was consum-
mated September 19, IS72, and four children have
been born to this union: Blanche, Noah, Inez and
21
Hazel. Mr. Douglas is a member of the Forest
Home Methodist Episcopal Church, South, and,
politically, is a Democrat. He is a director of
school district No. 2'), and belongs to both the
Agricultural Wheel and the Farmer's Allianc-.
James T. Dudley, a prosperous merchant, and
postmaster at Bay, also interested in agricultural
pursuits, is a native of Madison County, Ga.,
born Decemlier 2"), 1852. His parents were
Lemuel and Nancy S. (House) Dudley, both na-
tives of Georgia. After liis marriage, Lemuel
Dudley engaged in farming, blacksmithing and
wagon building in Madison (.'ounty, and left his
farm to enlist in the Confederate service. He
served throughout the entire war, and in 1865
died of small-pox in Atlanta, Ga. Mrs. Dudley
moved with her family to Arkansas, and in Octo-
ber of 1867, located in Crsighead County, where
she died October 1 4, 1883. James T. grew to man-
hood in this county and is mainly self-educated,
having devoted much time to study since arriving
at years of maturity. January 11, 1878, he was
united in marriage with Elizabeth Bryant, a native
of Georgia, but reared and educated in Craighead
County. She is a charitable lady and is a member
of the Baptist Church. Mr. Dudley followed
farming until 1882, when he began merchandising
eight miles west of the Bay. He there sold dry
goods, groceries and general merchandise for two
years, and in 1844 moved to Big Bay, where he
has since continued in l)usiness, with the exce|)tion
of seven months, while running a saloon in Mem.
phis in 1887. He owns a fine farm adjoining the
town, and has thirty-five acres of it in a fine state
of cultivation and the same amount in timbered
land. He has four fair residences on the place
wliich bears evidence of thrift and industry. He
has l)uilt and owns four- business houses in Bay,
and as a merchant has a good trade. In 1884 ho
was appointed postmaster, which [losition he has
held since that time.
Robert Y. Duncan, an active and jirogressive
farmer, and proprietor of a cotton-gin and gri.st
mill, was liorn in Perry County, Ala., Jiily 23,
1844. His father was Samuel A. Duncan, a native
of South Carolina, who located in .\labHmR when
A
330
HISTOEY OF ARKANSAS.
about eighteen years of age. He was a plauter uutil
thirty-five years old, when .he began contracting
and building railroad bridges and houses. In
December, of 1880, he was working on a dwelling
in Birmingham, Ala., and fell from a scaffold, liv-
ing only three hours afterward. He was married
to Mary Ann Roberts, also a native of South
Carolina, and they were the parents of fourteen
children. Nine of them are still living, Ijut only
Robert Y. is in Arkansas. The mother is si.xty seven
years of age, and still resides in Alabama. Rob-
ert Y. was reared in his native State, and coming
to Arkansas with some friends when twenty-four
years of age, arrived at Jonesboro November 17,
1868. In the spring, he rented a farm and worked
it for one year. In August, 1869, he was mar-
ried to Matilda R. Lynch, daughter of Aden and
Susan Lynch. In the fall of 1871 he bought
eighty acres of his present farm and built his home.
He subsequently bought forty acres of adjoining
land, making a farm of 120 acres, forty of which
are cultivated. In 1879 he built a good cotton-
gin, and in 1886 opened a grist-mill in connec-
tion, and these have proved successful. To Mr.
and Mrs. Duncan have been born nine children:
Ruby A. J. (deceased), Samuel A., John J.,
Thomas M., Essie B., Effie Y., Robert M.. Taylor
A. and Rufus Elbert. Mr. Duncan is a member
of the Masonic fraternity, Jonesboro Lodge No.
129, and has been president of Pine View Wheel
No. 881. since its organization in 1886. He was
in Company A, Fifty-third Regiment, Twenty-
fourth Alabama Battalion, and during his eighteen
months' service was mostly in Alabama, Georgia
and Tennessee. He and his wife, oldest daughter
and two oldest sons are active members of the
New Salem Methodist Episcopal Church.
Martin V. Echols, a successful farmer of Jones-
boro Township, was born in Georgia, December 1,
1838, and is the son of Jabal and Frances (Davis)
Echols. Jabal Echols was born February 15, 1803.
and Frances (Davis) Echols was born May 20, 1807,
both in Franklin County, Ga. , where they were
married, subsequently removing from that county
to Habersham County, of the same State. Jabal
Echols was a farmer and school teacher. He was
also sheriff of that county for a number of years.
He died at the early age of forty years, October 3.
1843, honored and respected by his countrymen.
Mrs. Francis (Davis) Echols died at the old home-
.stead on September 8, 1869. She was a devoted
member of the Baptist Church and a true Chris-
tian woman. An older brother of M. V. Echols
(the subject of this sketch), L. M. Echols, was a
private in the Fifty- second Georgia Infantry.
Confederate States Army, and died a prisoner of
war at Rock Island, 111. Two younger brothers
were in the Confederate service. Jackson L. was
killed at the battle of Resaca, Ga. Jabal D.
Echols died of sickness at Vicksburg during the
siege of that place. M. V. Echols, the subject of
this sketch, was a soldier in Wharton's Texas
Cavalry, Confederate States Army. He saw hard
service and went through some of the bloodiest
V)attles of the war. He was taken prisoner at
Dalton, Ga. , and from there sent to Johnson's
Island, where he was kept till the end of the war.
Of a family of twelve children, eight of whom are
now living, Martin is the only one residing in
Craighead County. He was reared on a farm in
Georgia and received a very fair education. He
farmed for several years in his native State, and
in 1869 came to Craighead County, Ark., and
studied photography with George Cooper, of
Jonesboro, subsequently removing to Paris, Tex. ,
where he followed that art for several years.
When he returned to Jonesboro he bought eighty
acres of land, and has forty of it well improved.
November 30, 1876, he married Miss Mattie Bird,
whose parents were John and Barbara (McCarty)
Bird. Mr. and Mrs. Echols are the parents of
seven children, five of whom are living, viz. :
Frances Cora, Lawrence Stanley, Lulu May, The-
ora Myrtle and Lena Jewell. Mr. Echols and
wife are active meml)ers of the Methodist Episco-
pal Church, South.
George W. Evans, a prominent citizen of
Craighead County, was born in Gibson County,
Tenn. , January -t, 1849. His parents were Mal-
achi, and Sarah (.Scarberry) Evans, natives of
Alabama. The mother died in Tennessee in 1859.
aged about forty- two years, and in 1867 the father
•<*
CRAIGHEAD COUNTY.
m\
removed to Craifrbead County, Aik. Several
years later he went to Izard County, wliere he died
v?hen about sixty-five years of age. He was a
farmer by occupation, and much respected by all
who knew him. There were twelve children,
eight of whom are living, and two, George W. and
Harriet McGavock, are residents of Jonesboro
Township. George W. was reared on a farm; and
the war breaking out when he was but a boy, he
had meager school advantages. He came with his
father to this State, locating near Harrisburg, in
Poinsett County. He afterward came to Craig-
head County, and was for one year in the employ
of Dr. Wadkins, and after his death, remained in
the employ of his widow for three years. Decem-
ber 28, 187^^, he was married to Nancy Stotts, a
daughter of John and Melinda (Darr) Stotts, old
residents of the county. To them seven chil-
dren were born: Sarah Virginia, Mary Jane (de-
ceased), Lucy Belle, William Thomas, Cassie, Effie
and Cleo. After his marriage, Mr. Evans located on
the farm on which he now resides, which then con-
tained but thirty acres. He now owns 178 acres.
Seventy-five acres are under splendid cultivation,
and two acres were sold to the Hope school. He
is greatly interested in education. Mrs. Evans is
a member of the Christian Church, and the family
attend the Hope Church of that denomination.
George \V. Finch, a farmer and stock raiser of
Buffalo Island, was born in Campbell County,
Georgia, Feliruary 20, 1 S49, and is the son of
Willis and Elizabeth (Harrison) Finch, both na-
tives of South Carolina. They moved to Georgia
and later to Alabama, where the father died in
1Sf)8. George W. was reared mainly in Alabama,
and began farming for himself when eighteen
years of age, and in 18f)9 he was united in mar-
riage with Adaline Maith. a native of Alabama.
In 1880 he came to Arkansas, locating on Buffalo
Island, where he rented for two years, and then
bought his present place of residence. He has a
farm of 400 acres, witii 100 improved. May 26,
1884, Mrs. Fincli died, leaving rive children:
Belle (wife of George Hogar), Oscar, Ethel,
Luther and Itha. Mr. Finch chose a second
wife, this time selecting Nannie Goss, who lived
but a short time, dying June 22, 1887. His pres-
ent wife was Mrs. Skelton, »iee Stoddard, a nativu
of Alabama; a widow and mother of eight children :
William, Florence, Joseph. Sarah, Walter, Clin
ton, Jennie, and James (deceased). Mr. Finch
is one of the public-spirited and enterprising men
of the Island, and his wife is a member of the
Methodist Church.
James Gordon Frierson was born on Duck
River, in Maury County, Tenn., November 5, 1838,
and died in Jonesboro, Ark., March 8, 1884. His
father was Dr. Charles Curren Frierson, descended
on the father's side from French Huguenots, who
settled in South Carolina some time before the
Revolutionary War; on the mother's side, he
comes from Scotch-Irish lineage — early emigrants
to Middle Tennessee. Dr. Charles Frierson mar-
ried, in 1828 or 1829, Miss Mildred Paj-ne, of West
Tennessee, of English descent, numbering among
her progenitors some of the ])ioneers of the State,
and among her kindred some of the best people of
Tennessee and Mississij)pi, counting among their
cherished possessions many relics of the Revolu-
tionary days, and pointing with pride to the record
of their family. Among these are the Van Burens,
the Taylors, the Alexanders, and others. Thomas
Paine, the noted political and deistic writer of early
times, was a member of the family and was spoken
of with mingled feelings, in which pride of race did
not predominate. Dr. Frierson and wife were the
parents of eleven children, only five of whom arc
now living. They removed many years ago, witli
quite a colony of neighbors and relations, accom-
panied bj' many colored families who had descended
to them, to La Fayette County. Miss., where, four
miles from Oxford, the site of the State University,
they founded College Hill with a fine Old Presby
terian Church, and male and female high schools,
and added much to the culture and refinement of that
part of the State. Dr. Frierson died at a ripe old
age in 1879, and his wife the previous year. Both
were devout members of the Presbyterian Church,
in which faith their children were all reared. One
daughter married Rev. Mr. McLamroch, of Her-
nando, Miss. ; another Hon. Martin L. Clardy, of
St. Francois (bounty, Mo. ; a third, Ben. G. Peers.
-^rv*"
^-VM
332
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
of Farmington, Mo. ; still another, a Mr. Hm-t, of
Germantown, Tenn. Tho remainder of the family
still reside at the old homestead at College Hill,
Miss. James Gordon Frierson was the second son.
At the age of twelve or fourteen years he was taken
fi-om the home of his birth, near old Zion Church,
in Maury Countj', Tenn., to Mississippi, the State
of his adoption. He was educated at Oxford,
graduating with honor, and numbering among his
professors the distinguished Dr. F. A. P. Barnard,
Dr. John Waddill, Justice Lamar, Judge Long-
street, and others of less note. Mr. Frierson vol-
unteered at the age of twenty-three in an infantry
regiment, in the Confederate service, serving as
captain under the noted Gen. Walthall, in the Ai-my
of Tennessee, and was in many of the fiercest bat-
tles fought in that section— Corinth, luka, Frank
lin, Perryville, Chickamauga, Missionary Ridge
and Lookout Mountain. Here above the clouds
he was captured by some of Hooker's men, taken
to Johnson's Island, held a prisoner for nineteen
months, being released at the close of the war, with
health shattered by hardships and privations and
exposure he was poorly fitted by nature to en-
dure. Soon after the war (in January, 1861))
he with his brother in-law, Maj. M. L. Olardy,
located at the little village of Cleburne, Cross
County, then the county seat of the county, to
practice law. November 12, of the same year, he
was married to Miss Emma G. Davis, the oldest
daughter of Dr. N. A. Davis, formerly of Ozark,
Christian County, Mo. In 1870 he was elected to
the State Senate of Arkansas, held this office two
terms (four years), and was president of the senate
during the Brooks -Baxter war. Mr. Frierson, as-
sisted by the Hon. James Berry, who was then
speaker of the house, drew up a bill the next day
calling for a constitutional convention. The bill
passed immediately. He was then elected a mem-
ber of the convention, and took a leading part in
its deliberations. In 1882 he was elected judge
of the Second judicial district, consisting of the
counties of Cross, Craighead, Clay, Randolph.
Greene, Mississippi, Poinsett and Crittenden. He
held this office to the entire satisfaction of all
parties, by his pure life and varied learning win-
ning the respect and affection of the people. He
possessed, in an eminent degree, those virtues
which adorn the bench, and that law knowledge
which makes the safe and wise jurist a unity of
purity and integrity. He was kindly, true and
patriotic, a zealous Christian, and as legislator,
patriot or jurist, his merit was only exceeded by
his modesty. He died at the age of forty-six at
his home in Jonesboro, Ark. , leaving a wife and
three children: Gordon, Camille and Charles Davis
Frierson. Mrs. Frierson established and con-
ducted a high school, which flourished for several
years until superseded by the Jonesboro graded
schools, in which she at present occupies a position
i as first assistant.
William Lewis Gage, a prominent and enter-
prising farmer of Jonesboro Township, was born
in Greene County, Ark., November 27, 1845, and
is the son of Jeremiah and Martha (Hutchinsi
' Gage, both natives of Tennessee, who were mar-
ried in that State and emigrated to Arkansas about
1830. They first located at Gage's Point, on the
Cache River, and from there went to St. Francis,
and afterward to Greene County. He was a farmer
all his life, and during the War of the Rebellion
served under Gen. Marmaduke of the Trans-Missis-
sippi department, receiving a wound in a battle in
Missouri, from the effects of which he died at Cane
Hill, Washington County, in November of 186-1.
He was a member of the Missionarj' Baptist Church,
a devout Christian and strong in his political con-
victions. They were the parents of eight children,
four of whom are living and in this county. After
her husband's death Mrs. Gage married Larkin
Johnson, of Greene County. She died in 186S,
aged forty years. W. L. Gage was reared in
Greene County, receiving a moderate education.
In the spring of 1863 he enlisted in Col. Cooper's
company and surrendered at Shreveport, La. , June
9, 1865. In 1870 he moved to Craighead County,
locating on his present farm, and having been very
successful in farming operations at present owns
1,620 acres in Greene and Craighead Counties.
He devotes much time to stock raising and takes
great interest in obtaining better breeds of stock.
Mr. Gage was married October 22, 1868, to Maria
* -iAs:
CRAIGHEAD COUNTY.
333
Elizabeth Paramore, a native of Missouri, and
daugbter of Robert P. and Nancy Caroline (Man-
sese) Paramore. The fruits of this marriage are
six children, one deceased: Ona Kate. Martha
Caroline, Ethel Paramore, Grace Truman, Mary
Ella and Maud Aimer. Mr. Gage is a member of
the I. O. O. F. and Knights of Honor fraternities,
and he and wife and three oldest daughters are
members of the Missionary Baptist Church at
Jonesboro, and he is one of the executive board
of the Mt. Zion Association of that denomination.
A. Thomas Gatlin, a successful self-made
farmer of Craighead County, was born in Tennes-
see December IC), 1849, and is the son of Hardy
and Mary (Gullett) Gatlin, the former a native of
Virginia, the latter of Mississippi. The father
moved to Tennessee when a young man and there
man'ied and remained for several years; then,
about 1856, came to Arkansas, locating near Jones-
boro, where he remained until his death, in 1860.
After his father's death Mi-. Gatlin went to Ken-
tucky with his mother, who is still living, and re-
mained there until after the Rebellion. In 1873
he returned to Craighead County, this time select-
ing a location on Cane Island, where, by the fruits
of his own labor, he has become the foremost
farmer. The land was covered with heavy timber,
but now he has 120 acres cleared and under culti-
vation and sixty acres yet timbered. In connection
with his farm he is owner and proprietor of a cot-
ton gin, which he built in 1885, and with which
in 1887 he ginned over 200 bales of cotton. In
1868 was consummated his marriage with Amanda
Gibson (now deceased), who bore him three chil-
dren: Riley, Hardy and Lovenia. Mr. Gatlin
married his present wife on this Island in July of
1878. She was a daughter of William Bennett
(her maiden name Sallie Bennett), and a native of
Alabama. Mr. Gatlin is noted as one of the most
energetic and industrious farmers of the county.
He is a member of the Masonic order and is mas-
ter of the lodge at Lake City.
Needam Harvey Grady, M. D. . a successful
medical practitioner on Buffalo Island, also en-
gaged in merchandising and farming, was born in
Gibson Countv, Tenn., March 5, 1852. He is the
son of William Giady. a native of North Carolina,
who was reared and married in that State. Hi-
moved to Tennessee and engaged in farming for
several years, and when our subject was about ten
years old, went to Pomi.scot County, Mo., where
the father and mother both died. Dr. Grady,
then a boy of fourteen, returned to his old home
in Tennessee, where he remained until he was
twenty- five years of age. He had superior educa-
tional advantages, and has taught school sttveral
terms. In his profession he is well posted, Ijegan
the study of medicine with Dr. James, of Gibson
County, Tenn., and has attended lectures at Vioth
St. Louis and Louisville, Ky. Hci practiced in
Butler County for three years, then in Independ-
ence County, Ark., and after trying Greene County.
Ark., and Dunklin County, Mo., settled in Craig-
head County, Ai-k., in the fall of 1884. In 1886
he began merchandising, keeping a general stock,
and at this has been (juite .successful. He owns
several good farms, aggregating 600 acres, with
over 200 under cultivation. In October, 1872, he
was imited in marriage with Nancy A. Keith, a
native of Indiana, and daughter of Isom Keith,
an early settler of Missouri. During the five
years Dr. Grady has been on Buffalo Island, he
has built up a wide practice, and has won the es-
teem and confidence of the people.
Henry M. Griftin (deceased) was born in Cal-
houn County, Ala., December 4, 1842. His father
was Benjamin Griffin, a farmer of that county, who
died in 1856, and his mother was Mary (Moody)
Grifttn, a native of South Carolina, who died in
1873. Henry Griffin toiled faithfully and dili-
gently on the farm through his youth, receiving
but a limited education. He was a youth seventeen
years of age, attending school at Selma, when the
war broke out, but he immediately enlisted in the
Tenth Alabama Regiment, and served gallantly
for four years. When mustered out, he was cap
tain of a company of fifty sharp shooters. He
made a crop in 1S66, and February 3, 1867, mar-
' ried Rachel A. Bennett, a daughter of Thomas
Bennett, a native farmer of Alabama. Mr. Ben
nettcame to Craighead County in the latter part of
1866, and located in Jonesboro Township, where
334
HISTOKY OF ARKANSAS.
he passed the remainder of his life. His widow,
Martha (Rollins) Bennett, a native of Georgia,
now resides with Mrs. Griffin. The seven surviv-
ors of their eleven children are all residents of
Craighead County. In 1807 Mr. Griffin located
in Greenfield Township, about one mile east of
Dee Station, where he remained but one year.
After trying two other farms he bought forty acres
of his present place, and subsequently adding 120
acres, later had a farm of 160 acres, and much
of it is improved. He was a member of the Mis-
sionary Baptist Church, and also of the Agricul-
tural Wheel. After a life of patient toil and sterl-
ing integrity, he died, January 27, 1888. Mr.
and Mrs. Griffin were the parents of seven children ;
those now living are: John Henry, Benjamin,
Jiramie, Belle and Ruthie. Mrs. Griffin is a pious
and charitable lady, and she and her oldest son are
members of the Baptist Church.
Christopher C. Hale, an energetic and worthy
citizen of Buffalo Island, is one of the leading
farmers and stock raisers of the community in
which he lives. He was born in Shelby County,
Tenn., in March, 1835, and is the son of Edward
D. Hale, of Middle Tennessee, who married Hettie
Fleetwood, a native of North Carolina. They set-
tled on a farm in Shelby County, Tenn., where
she died in 1865), and he in 1872. To them were
born four children, one son and three daughters.
Christopher C. attained his majority in Tennessee,
and joined the Confederate army in 1862, serving
until the spring of 1864, when he went home on
furlough, having participated in several minor
engagements. Being sick and unable to return to
the field, he hired a substitute. He engaged in
farming in his native State until 1871, when he
came to Poinsett County, Ark. ; there he remained
several years, and, in 1879, came to Craighead
County, where he has since resided. He pur-
chased 160 acres of wild, timbered land, and soon
had 100 acres of it cleared and under cultivation.
He has two good residences, good outbuildings and
a nice young orchard. He has in all 200 acres of
good land. He was married in Tennessee Janu-
ary 20, 1861, to Martha A. Carr, a native of that
State, who died in 1877. They had four children:
John B., George D., Mary E., wife of W. A. Wil-
kin, and Hettie, wife of P. Foster. Mr. Hale
chose as his second wife Mrs. Mary A. McDonald, a
daughtei' of Larkin Majors. She was the mother
of two children: Alexander and James. To Mr.
and Mrs. Hale has been born one child: Luna Z.
Joseph W. HaiTell, postmaster at Macey, and
a farmer of sterling worth in Buffalo Township,
is a native of Arkansas, born in White County,
February 6, 1846. His father, Jethro Harrell,
was a native of South Carolina, where he was
reared and married Mildi-ed Htint. In 1840 they
came to Arkansas, where Mrs. Harrell died, in
1846. After his wife's death he was unsettled
until 1851, when he located in St. Francis County,
where he remained for several years. He after-
ward came to Craighead County, and died Febru-
ary 7, 1866. He was an active member of the
Methodist Episcopal Church, greatly respected by
all who knew him. His second wife, whose maiden
name was Elizabeth Morrow, survived her husband
several years, dying in Alabama in 1883. By his
first wife Mr. Harrell had five children, Joseph W.
being the only one who grew to manhood; and by
his second wife four sons and two daughters, who
reached mature years. Joseph W. Harrell was
reared and educated in Poinsett and Craighead
Counties. In the late war he enlisted in the Con-
federate service, and participated in several en-
gagements during Price's raid in Missouri and
Kansas, and at last surrendered at Wittslnirg, May
25, 1865. He returned to Poinsett County, and
remained there until his father' s death. He was
married in this county, February 16, 1873, to
Frances E. Hunton, a native of Georgia. She
died February 20, 1887. To this union were born
seven children: Charles J., Martha Jane, Mary F.,
Macy A. , Lucy A. , William J. and Joseph E. Mr.
Harrell went to Dunklin County, Mo., in 1872,
and farmed there for two years, after which he
located in this townshi^a, where he has since re-
sided. He bought timbered land, ;ind has cleared
100 acres, and liuilt a comfortal)le home and five
tenant houses. He has married Amanda Carson,
a native of Lauderdale County, Tenn., where she
was reared. She is a zealous member of the Meth-
CRAIGHEAD COUNTY.
385
odist Church. Mr. Harrell was the first postmas-
ter at Macey, appointed in 1882. He is a member
of the Masonic fraternity, and takes active interest
in the promotion of the educational interests of his
neighborliood.
Benjamin J. Harrison. Few farmers and stock
raisers of Lake City Township have been more
universally successful than the subject of this
sketch, who is a native of Marshall County, Tenn.,
born November 27, 1844. He is a son of J. W.
Harrison, born and reared in Virginia, who, when
a young man, moved to Tennessee, and there mar-
ried Lucy Emeline Culberhouse, a native of North
Carolina. He then located on a farm in Marshall
County, and there engaged for several years in
agricultural pursuits. In 1856 he came to what is
now Craighead County, Ark., where he resided
until his death, in 1881, his wife having previously
died, in 1871. Benjamin J. was but twelve years
of age when he came with his father to this State,
and he grew to manhood and was educated in
Craighead County, remaining with his father un-
til his marriage. In 1863 he enlisted in the Con-
federate service. Fourteenth Tennessee Cavalry,
and served until near the close of the war, be-
ing at home on a furlough at the time of the
surrender. He was second sergeant, was once
captured, and participated in a number of engage-
ments. Returning home, he engaged in farming
until 1881, when, in June, he bought a building
in Lake City, put in a stock of general merchan-
dise, and followed mercantile business for throe
years. December 25 following, he lost everything
by tire, having no insurance, his loss is estimated at
.^lO.OOO. The following fall he rebuilt the store
and rented it, himself moving to a farm near the
village, where he has since resided. He has a
comfortalile home, witli 125 acres of good laud in
a splendid state of cultivation, and a large orchard
of 1,200 trees, mostly apple, and all choice fruits,
some just beginning to bear. March 25, 1868, ho
married Miss MaiT E. Lewis, a native of this
county, who died in 1877, leaving two sons. Mr.
Harrison chose a second wife, and February 14,
1871), was united in marriage with Victoria Eveline
Grayson, born, roared and educated in this coun-
ty, and a daughter of Col. Adam D. Grayson, a
colonel in the Confederate army, killed at the bat-
tle of Shiloh. Mrs. Grayson died March 5, 1889.
Mr. and Mrs. Harrison have also two sons, the
four children being John A., George T., James
and Walter S. Mrs. Harrison is a member of the
Methodist Church. Mr. Harrison owns, in con-
nection with his farm, a cotton-gin and grist-mill,
possessing also hotel property in Lake City. He
is one of the leading spirits of the community.
James H. Houston was born in Sholl)y County,
Tenn., October 1, 1849, and is now a farmer of
Greenfield Township, residing about six miles
south of Jonesboro. His father was William Bird
Houston, a prominent and highly esteemed citizen
of Poinsett County. He was a native of Tennessee,
and came with his family to Arkansas, about
December, 1856, locating in the northern part of
Poinsett County, where he engaged extensively in
farming and stock raising. He was a Democrat,
belonged to the Masonic fraternity, and was a mem-
ber of the Methodist Church. When about twenty-
five years of age he was married, in his native State,
to Harriot Jane Steelman, also a native of Tennes-
see. To them were born thirteen children, the
four surviving making their home in Arkansas.
They are: James H. (the subject of this sketch),
Melinda (widow of S. HaiTis, son of Capt. Harris,
who has several times represented Poinsett County
in the State Senate), John F. (married to Emma
J. Allen, deceased), and William Bird, Jr. (mar-
ried to Elizabeth Kelsoe, deceased). The father
died in 1872, the mother in 1867. James H. was
seven years old when his parents came to this
State, but he retvu-ned to Tennessee to school after
the war. He owns 130 acres of land in Poinsett
Coimty, much of it under fence. He moved to
Craighead County in August of 1887, locating at
his present residence — the old ;McCarty homestead.
February 15, 1880, Mr. Houston was married to
Lucinda J. Stephens. To them were born three
children, all deceased: Cora M., Lorenzo B. H.
and John H. Mrs. Houston died August 22. 188(5.
and he was married again August 4, 18S7, to Me-
linda Josephine McCarty, a dnughlor of Michael
and Melinda (Weor) Mcf'sirtv . th.- r.nin.'r h i.:itiv.'
336
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
of Ohio, the latter of North Carolina; the former is
deceased, but the latter is still living, aged seventy-
one years. Mr. and Mrs. Houston have had one
child, a daughter, now deceased. Mr. Houston is a
member of the Methodist Church, has taken great
interest in Sunday-school and church work, and is
a leading member of the denomination to which he
belongs. He is a member of the Agricultural
Wheel, and a prominent and enterprising citizen.
Philip T. Hudson was born in Madison County,
Tenn. , and is the only surviving son of Baker Hud-
son, a native of Mecklenburg County, Va., born
May 18, 1783. Baker Hudson was reared and ed-
ucated in Virginia, and engaged in farming all his
life. He married Jane Fletcher, whose birth oc-
curred in Louisa County, of the same State, No-
vember 17, 1798, and to this union were born nine
children, only two of whom, Mrs. Elizabeth Peebles
and Philip T., are now living. Mr. Hudson died
May 2^, 1850, in Fayette County, Tenn., and his
widow in the same county, May 7, 1878. They
were both active and consistent members of the
Methodist Church. The marriage of Philip T.
Hudson and Mary E. Perkins was consummated in
Fayette County, Tenn., May 9, 1866. In that
county, near Somerville, he had spent his boyhood,
and received his education. To this union have
been born five children : Sallie S. , Philip B. . Will-
iam H. , Tillie andCuthbert L. Mr. Hudson came
to Arkansas in 1870, and since that time has been
engaged in farming. He owns 160 acres of good
land, and has about eighty acres under cultivation.
He has cleared most of this himself. For six years
he served as justice of the peace in Craighead
County, is a member of the Agricultural Wheel,
and both be and his wife are members of the Pres-
byterian Church. Having the public interest al-
ways in view, he is one of the class of citizens who
exert a marked influence for good in the com-
munity.
William Huggaus was bora in Hall County,
Ga. , in 1821, and is a son of David and Elizabeth
(Irbel) Huggans, natives of Georgia and South
Carolina, respectively. The mother went to Geor-
gia when quite a girl, was there married, and re-
sided until her death in 1849. Her husband died
in 1882. They were the parents of one son and
three daughters, our subject being the only surviv-
ing child. Though only a boy, he went to Florida
during the Seminole War, enlisting as a soldier.
He returned home in 1839, and in the fall of the
same year moved to Alabama, where he remained
until 1854, when he came to Arkansas, locating
near Greensboro, in Greene (now Craighead) Coun-
ty. He entered some land in Greene County, and
rented for several years, and had improved a num-
cer of farms before coming to his present location.
He is a wide-awake and energetic farmer, and al-
though he only came to this place in 1887, he now
i has in a state of splendid cultivation seventy-five
acres of choice farming land. December 8, 1839,
he was married to Miss Mary Anthony, who was
born and reared in South Carolina, and to this un-
ion have been born two children : John J. and Mrs.
Elizabeth Steward, both now deceased. The son,
John J. , had married, and to him and wife had been
born two children, one of whom grew to woman-
hood and married. She had one child, AVilliam T.
Manerd, who is now living with Mr. Huggans.
Both Mr. and Mrs. Huggans are active and char-
itable members of the community in which they
live, and the latter is a member of the Methodist
Episcopal Church.
Ivy S. Hughs, proprietor of the Hughs House
of Jonesboro, Ark. , was born in the Pickens Dis-
trict, S. C, March 5, 1829, and is the son of
George and Margaret (Tannery) Hughs, both na-
tives of the same State. His father was a farmer
and brick mason by occupation, and died about
1847, aged fifty-five years. His mother's parents
were Zopher and Mary (Minturn) Tannery. Of
the thirteen children born to this union, only eight
are now living — Ivy S. being the only one in Ar-
kansas. In October, 1887, Mrs. Hughs came on
a visit to her son and died in the Hughs House,
March 25, 1888, aged ninety-one years. I. S.
Hughs left South Carolina with his father's family,
when fifteen years of age, and located in Chero-
kee County, Ga. , where he resided until after he
was of age. In 1856 he came to Arkansas, select-
ing a site within a mile of what is now Jonesboro,
but then a wild timbered country. Mr. Hughs
%
entored eighty acres of laud, remained on it but
a short time, and then engaged in merchandising
for two years. Then he returned to the farm and
was at the same time proprietor of a grocery store,
where he remained until the beginning of the late
war. He enlisted in the Confederate service,
Company I, Thirteenth Arkansas Infantry, com-
manded by Col. Tappan. He served until the sur-
render, was promoted from private to captain, and
was mustered out as the latter. He returned to
Jonesboro, and after clerking for two years in the i
dry goods store of Burk & Chisenhall, went into
business for himself, but was burned out. There
being no hotel here for the accommodation of the |
public, he began keeping boarders, and as business
increased, he erected the old part of the present
Hughs House in 1881. Additions have been made
until now it has thirty-three sleeping apartments,
and is one of the largest hotels in this part of the
State, and is located on two acres of hotel property.
Mr. Hughs has also several farms scattered over
the county, amounting in all to about 6-tS acres.
October 28, 1858, he married Martha I. Kellar,
a daughter of Uriah and Julia Kellar, residents of
this county. To this union were born five chil-
dren, only three of whom are now living: W. J., a
merchant of St. Louis, married Belle Hughes;
Ben. and I. O. Hughs. Mr. and Mrs. Hughs
spare no pains in their efforts to make their gue.sts
as comfortable as possible. Mr. Hughs was ap-
pointed deputj' under Sheriff Thorn, and served
four years in that capacity, also holding the same
position under Sheriff Lane for one term. He is
a Democrat in politics, and a charter member of
the Masonic order.
James C. Johnson, a substantial farmer of Buf-
falo Island, was born in Newt<m County, Ga.. in
1834, and is a son of John and Sarah (Lacy) John-
son, natives of Georgia. The father followed
farming in both Georgia and Mississippi, in the
latter of which States he died in 1850, aged fifty
years. The mother came to Arkansas in 1880,
and died here in 1884. They were members of
the Baptist Church. To them were born nine
children, eight of whom grew to manhood, and
four are still living. James C. Johnson was the
fifth child, and was reared, educated and married
in Mississippi. He was married in 185(i to Mary
Q. McLemore, a native of Tennessee, where she
lived until eight ytars of age, when her parents
moved to Mississippi, and there she grew to woman
hood. The fruits of this union have been nine
children, three of whom are living: Mary Ann
(wife of William Lamb), Sarah C. (wife of Ed.
Goss), and Charles T. William J. died at sixteen
years of age, and James F. at eight years; the
others died in infancy. They have also reared an
orphan boy, Albert T. Graham, whom they took
when four years of age. Mr. Johnson followed
farming in Mississippi until 1855), when he started
for Arkansas, locating in Poinsett County in 18f5(t,
and in 1865 in Craighead County, near where he
now resides. He moved to his present location
in 1875. He entered the Confederate army in
1862 — Twenty-third Arkansas Infantry under Col.
Adams. He was in the siege of Port Hudson, and
returning home, remained one year, when he re-
enlisted and served until the close of the war. He
then resumed the cultivation of his farm, which
though small, is well improved, and his home is
comfortable. He is a Democrat in politics and a
member of the Agricultural Wheel, and both he
and Mrs. Johnson are meuil)ers of the Methodist
Episcopal Church, South. Mrs. Johnson's parents
were natives of South Carolina and Kentucky, re-
spectively, the former removing when a young
man to the "Blue Grass State," whence, after
several years, he went to Tennessee. In 1 838 he
became located in Mississippi. They were mar-
ried in Tennessee, and had nine sons and two
daughters born to them; one son died at the age
of eighteen months.- and two others died six hours
apart, one in his eighteenth year and another in his
sixteenth year. The other chikb-en married and
reared families. Before their deaths the parents
came to Arkansas, the father dying when about
ninety years of age, and his wife when seventy.
They were members of the Methodist Church.
Dr. Roderick Joyner, a successful medical
practitioner of Jonesboro, was born in Limestone
County, Ala., July 22, 1833. and is a son of Rod-
erick and Emily (Williams) Joyner, hotii natives
\
338
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
of the " Old Dominion. " The father was a soldier
in the War of 1812, and in 1818 moved to Ala-
bama, where he was a successful farmer in early
life, and later engaged in mercantile business. In
1859 he immigrated to Poinsett County, Ark., lo-
cating five miles south of Harrisburg. He died in
Harrisburg in 1866, his wife having previously
died in 1860. They were the jiarentsof eight chil-
dren, four now living: Elizabeth (wife of G. B.
Parker, residing in Florida), Emily V. (wife of
Judge John A. Tinnon, of Nashville, Tenn.), Mary
P. (wife of S. O. Nelson, of Montgomery, Ala.),
and Roderick, who is the youngest living member
of the family. Dr. Joyner was reared and educated
in Limestone County, Ala., and when fourteen
years of age engaged in the drug business, and
when twenty years old began the study of med-
icine. He practiced some in Memphis, where he
was a di'uggist a number of years, and in 1859
came to Poinsett County, Ark. , where he continued
the practice of his profession. He also dealt in
general merchandise for several years, and in 1872
was elected to the State legislature; in 1874 was
elected a member of the State constitutional con-
vention, and in 1878 was reelected to the State
legislature. In 1884 he came to Jonesboro, and
the following year went into the drug business
and during the five years he has been in Jonesboro
he has built up a splendid custom and a wide prac-
tice, and has won the esteem and confidence of the
people. Being a physician of extraordinary abil-
ity, and possessing the rare gift of bringing social
sunshine as well as medical skill into the sick-
room, he stands high among medical practitioners
of his section of the State. In the late war he
served in the Twenty-third Arkansas Regiment
until after the surrender. In 1860 he was mar-
ried to Mary E. Bradshaw, who bore him ten chil-
dren, four now living: Thomas W., Augustus G.,
Elisha B. and MaryE. Mrs. Joyner died in 1883,
and the following year Dr. Joyner was again mar-
ried, to Mrs. Martha A. (Knight) Moberly. He is
a member of the Baptist Church, and she of the
Methodist. Dr. Joyner is a Democrat in politics,
and is a Royal Arch Mason.
W. D. Kirksey, a prominent agriculturist of
Jonesboro Township, is a native of Georgia, bom
in Monroe County, twenty-five miles above Macon,
February 2, 1832. He is the son of William and
Martha (White) Kirksey, the former a native of
Abbeville District, S. C, the latter of Virginia.
The father moved to Georgia, when twenty years
of age, and in the fall of 1871, when eighty years
of age, he came to Craighead County, Ark., with
his son W. D. The mother went from Virginia
to Georgia, when yet a child and died in this coun-
ty in 1878, aged seventy-six or seventy-seven years.
They were the parents of nine children, five of
whom are living, four being residents of this
county. W. D. Kirksey spent his childhood on
the farm, and when twenty years of age, went
into the saw-mill and lumber business, at which he
was engaged for twenty yeai's. He also si)ent
four yeers in a machiae shop in Atlanta. He
came to Craighead County in the latter part of
1871, and purchased 300 acres of laud, which
with seventy-five under cultivation make a good
farm. In November, 1857, he married Mary E.
Bishop, a native of Georgia, and daughter of
Jones and Margaret (Holland) Bishop. Mr.
Bishop is dead, and his widow resides in this
township with her eldest son, Joe. Ten children
have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Kirksey, eight of
whom are now living, viz. : Mary Jane (wife of
John Stidman), \V. J. (married Ella Sillman).
Sarah Ann (wife of Thomas Barker), Emma Lee
(wife of Willis Ironton), Andrew J., Alice, Ella
and Lewis R. Mr. Kirksey is a Democrat in
politics, and is active in the promotion of educa-
tional interests. He and his wife and most of
their children are members of the Missionary Bap-
tist Church, and contribute liberally to the u])-
building of all charitable and praiseworthy enter-
prises.
Herman Koehler, a well-known farmer, stock
raiser and carpenter of Buifalo Island, was born
in Hanover, Germany, May 1, 1826. His father,
John Henry Koehler, was also a Hanoverian by
birth, and stood high in the estimation of those
who knew him. Herman, like all German boys,
received a good common-school education, and also
served a four years' apprenticeship at the car-
MiaSISBIPPI CaUNTY,ARKAMSAS.
>^
CRAIGHEAD COUNTY.
m\>
penter's trade. In 1848, thinking to better his
condition, he emigrated to the United States; and
after working at his trade in New Orleans for live
years, he went to St. Louis and to Iowa, where for
some time he worked at carpentering and build
ing, and then went to Memphis, Tenu. , where he
resided working at his trade for nineteen years.
Here he formed tlie accjuaintance of Miss Ann M.
Meyer, who became his wife July *J, 1854. This
lady was a native of Germany, but was reared in
Cincinnati, Ohio. To this union have been born
two children: Adaline and John August. In 1877
Mr. Koehler moved to Mississippi County, Ark.,
where he farmed and worked at his trade some
three years, and then moved to his present loca-
tion on Buffalo Island, which has since been his
home. He at first purchased forty acres of un-
improved land, to which he has since added until
he now owns 184 acres, 100 of it being under a
good state of cultivation. He also owns valuable
property in Florida and California. Like most of
his countrymen, Mr. Koehler is frugal and indus-
trious, and has made what he has by his own exer-
tions. He is unassuming in his manner, charital)le
and honest in his thoughts and dealings with his
fellow men, and is one of Craighead County's
mo.st substantial citizens. His wife and children
are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
W. T. Lane, sheriff and collector of Craighead
County, was born in Greene (now Craighead)
County, December 30, 1850, and is a son of Thomas
J. and Mary (Hughes) Lane, the father a native
of Illinois, and the mother of Tennessee. Thomas
Lane emigrated with his father, William Lane, to
Arkansas about 1840, and located ten miles south
of the present site of Jonesboro. They were among
the first settlers of this section. William Lane
engaged in mercantile business, and in rafting
on the St. Francis Kiver, in both of which he was
very successful. He never returned fi'om his last
trip on the raft, and the cause of his death is un-
certain. The body was recovered almost two years
later, /sind was identified by his suspender buckles
and raft auger. While a resident of Illinois, he
was a colonel of a regiment of State militia, and
held a commission as lieutenant under Gen.
Jackson. His son, Thomas J. Lane, was a stock
dealer and general trader, owning also a small
farm. He died in 1858, and his wife in 18(50.
Both were estimable and gi-eatly respected citizens.
They were the parents of but one child, W. T.
Lane, the immediate subject of this sketch, who,
left an orphan in infancy, was reared by his
grandmothiM- Lane, now in her eighty-sixth year.
He received a common-school education, and so
far as his means would allow, became engaged in
farming and stock dealing. He made his home
with his grandmother imtil 1880, when he was
elected sheriff and collector, to which office he has
been re-elected each ensuing election. At Sum-
merville, Tenn., in December, of 1887, he was
united in marriage with Miss Mattie Thurman, a
native of that State, and to them has been l)orn
one child, now deceased. Mr. Lane possesses ex-
traordinary stability of character and perseverance,
and l)eing eminently (jualified for the position
which he holds, tilK it ■satisfactorily to his con-
stituents.
W. Stanford Lane is a native of Arkansas,
having been born and reared in the State which
has always been his home. His father, W. Q.
Lane, was born in Tennessee, and moved to this
State about IS32. His mother, Caroline (Harris)
Lane, was a native of South Carolina. Of this
union, seven children were the issue, and the four
survivors are all residents of Craighead County.
The father was an honest, hard working farmer,
who achieved success through earnest endeavor.
He was a worthy member of the Masonic order.
Stanford Lane is one of the enterprising farmers
of Craighead County, and owns 700 acres of land,
of which about 100 acres are well improved. By
patient toil and industry he has made his farm one
of the best in the county. He was united in mar-
riage with Elnora Carter, a native of Tennessee,
who came with her father to this State in 1850.
This union has been blessed with three children:
Jarvis Q., Harry B. and Daisy E. Mrs. Lane is a
devoted wife and mother, a zealous Christian, and
a member of the Methodist Church. Mr. Lane is
a stanch Democrat, but prefers rather to serve his
party than receive official favors. It may be truly
^
a 1^
340
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
said of him that h« is one of the progressive cit-
izens of the county.
B. Frank Lee, a native of Jonesboro Town-
ship, has lived in this county over forty-five years.
He vpas born August 5, 1844, and is the son of Dr.
Charles Lee, an early settler and pioneer physician
of this county, who attended to the physical needs
of the citizens of his time until his death. He
married Mrs. Eliza (Pierce) Cook, widow of Will-
iam Cook. Charles Lee and wife became the par-
ents of three children, one daughter, deceased, and
two sons, B. F. and Claiborne N. The mother
died about ten years ago. Frank Lee was reared
in this township, and has been all his life a farmer,
but did not have school opportunities when a bov.
His half-brother, Thomas Cook, entered eighty
acres of laud, and at his mother's death it descended
to Mr. Lee by inheritance. It is a good farm, with
about forty acres of rich bottom land under culti-
vation. Mr. Lee was married, October 7, ISHQ, to
Mary, a daughter of Albert and Rebecca Pierce,
residents of this township. Of the eleven children
born to this union, ten are living. They are: Cal-
vin, Susan, Charlie, Nancy, John, Harriet, Re-
becca, Eliza, Josie, and a baby boy, Harrison Col-
umbus Lee. Mr. Lee is a man of decided politi-
cal and religious convictions, and supports all
charitable and progressive enterprises. He is a
member of the Missionary Baptist Church, and is
a Republican in politics.
Aris R. Lunsford, though but recently a resi-
dent of Buffalo Island, has already attained a posi-
tion among its leading farmers. He was born in
Lauderdale County, Tenn., January 23, 1844, and
is the fifth of a family of eight children, five of
whom are still living, His father, William Luns-
ford, a native of North Carolina, was married in
that State, and later moved to Tennessee. There
his first wife died, and he married Marcie Norris,
the mother of A. R. The father was a prominent
farmer and trustee of the county for several years,
and remained in Tennessee until his death, April
27, 1884, aged seventy -seven years. The mother
is still living. Aris R. Lunsford was reared in
Tennessee, receiving such education as the county
schools of the time afforded. He enlisted in the
Confederate army, in October, 1861, participating
in several engagements, and saw much active ser-
vice. He was corporal of his company, and was
several times captured, paroled and exchanged,
being last taken at Ripley, Tenn., where he was
held until the close of the war. He then returned
to his home, where he remained until 1886. Jan-
uary 15, 1863, he was united in marriage with
Margaret Brimm, a native of Tennessee, and
daughter of Thomas Brimm. Eight children have
been the fruits of this union: William G., Sarah
M. (wife of William Markham), James R., So-
phronia (wife of N. S. Tucker), John S., Mary A.,
Jason H. and Maggie L. In 1886 Mr. Lunsford
sold out in Tennessee and came to Arkansas, locat-
ing where he now lives. He has cleared seventy
acres of land, and has a good residence, stables
and orchard, all bearing evidence of thrift and
success. In 1876 he was elected jitstice of the
peace in Tennessee, and held that office until he
removed to Arkansas, where he has been elected
justice of the peace of Buffalo Township. He is
president of the district and local Agricultural
Wheel. Both he and wife are members of the
Methodist Church.
L. A. Lynch, an active, enterjsrising farmer of
Jonesboro, living five miles south of the city, was
born in Marshall County, Miss., August 14, 1850.
His father was Aden Lynch, a native of Middle
Tennessee, who was a mechanic by trade and a
farmer by occiipation, working at both. In 1 855
,he moved to Poinsett (now Craighead) County.
Ark., and bought a claim of 160 acres, living
thereon one year. Then obtaining the contract to
build the court-house of Poinsett County, at Har-
risburg, he removed his family there; but after two
or three years returned to Jonesboro, having se-
cured the contract to build the first court-house in
Craighead County. In the winter of 1867 he
removed to the farm where he still resides, one
mile south of Jonesboro. He has been twice mar-
ried. His first union, with Susan Lynch, was
blessed with nine children, only three of whom are
now living: J. J., a farmer of Jonesboro Township:
Matilda (Mrs. Robert Y. Duncan), also of Jones-
boro Township; and Lewis A., the subject of this
Ll£
CRAIGHEAD COUNTY.
:!H
sketch. After his wife's detath, in 1854, Mr.
Lynch was again married to Mary Martin. Mr.
Lynch is a member of the Methodist Church and
is a Mason. He has been honored with various
positions of trust, having been for several years
justice of the peace in Marshall County, Miss.,
and after coming to Craighead County, served sev-
eral years as county clerk, was elected county
probate judge, and was subsequently appointed by
Gov. Baxter one of three county supervisors. He
was also the first mayor of the city of Jonesboro.
Lewis Aden Lynch was reared in Craighead
County, receiving the best education the district
afforded. At eighteen years of age he began
farming for himself and for others, homesteaded
120 acres, moving on it in 1877. His father gave
him forty acres, completing the quarter-section.
About thirty- five acres of this are in a splendid
state of cultivation. MJr. Lynch was married, Feb-
ruary 4, 1S77. to Eliza J., daughter of Calvin and
Sallie (Shaw) Shores. To them have been born
four children: Albert Clifton, Henry Ollie, Eddie
Omer and Dixie May. Mrs. Lynch is a member
of the Christian Church and a charitable lady.
Mr. Lynch has always been a Democrat and served
one term as justice of the peace of Jonesboro
Township. He has resided on his present })lace
since 1877, and has needed a physician for him-
self or family but once in all that time. He is a
member of the Agricultural Wheel, and at present
occupies the position of school director of district
29. He takes quite an interest in all educational
matters.
John J. McBroom, an influential farmer, and
proprietor of the Lake City ferry, was born in
Orange County, Ind., December 27, 1825, and is
a son of Jesse and Susan (Sowards) McBroom, the
former a native of Virginia, the latter of Kentucky.
The father was reared in Virginia and Kentucky,
was married in Indiana, and in that State engaged
in farming for a number of yeai's. In the winter
of 1837 he came to Arkansas, locating in Phillips
County, where he engaged in farming and reared
his family, residing there twenty-one years. He
then removed to Lawrence County, and remained
until his death. His wife survived him several
years, and died in 1884. J. J. McBroom carae
with his father to this State when a lad twelve
years of age, and grew to manhood on the farm in
Phillips County, receiving his education at the
county schools. In 1850 he went to Independence
County, where he engaged for four years in steam -
boating on the Black and White Rivers. He has
seen much war service, having been actively oc-
cupied in both the Mexican and the late war. The
former he entered in 1846, enlisting in the First
Arkansas Cavalry. Col. Yell's regiment, and par
ticipated in several skirmishes and the battle of
Buena Vista. When discharged he returned to
Philli])s County. In 1861 he entered the Confed
erate service, McGee's battalion, Col. Dobbin" ^
regiment. He was in many prominent engage
ments. and served until the close of the war, when
he settled in Craighead County, and has since been
steamboating. He is an engineer, but has also
served as pilot, and has always been an active,
energetic business man. He was first married in
Phillips County, in 1849, to I. H. Metcalf, who
was born and reared in Kentucky, and died May
29, 1884. There are three chihlren living of this
union: Willdie, wife of J. E. Mattax; Adora,
wife of Chancy Gillum, and J. J. McBroom, Jr.
J. R. died in 1887. aged twenty- nine years. Jan
uary 10, 1886, Mr. McBroom married Mrs. (Twad
dell) Stroud, a native of New York City, reared in
the city and on Long Island. Her first husband
was a native of Canada, and after their marriage
they resided theie three years, and then returned
to Long Island. In 1861 they came west to Cm-
cinnati, Ohio, and remained there two years, then
removed to Memphis, where they resided three
years, and in 1806 settled in Craighead County,
Ark. Here Mr. Twaddell died, December 25.
1878. Mrs. Twaddell subsequent]}' married Henry
Stroud, September 16, 1881, wh'o died March 1.
1885. Two children, Charles P. and Ostram, died
after reaching mature years. Mr. McBroom has
a good farm on Cane Island, and his wife one on
Buffalo Island. For three years he has operated
the Lake City ferry. His wife is a meml)er of the
Methodist and he of the Christian Church. He is
a Mason, and is Junior Warden of his lodge.
h
^J^
342
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
Lucian T. McDaniel, merchaat and postmaster
at Gilkerson, is one of the prominent and enterpris-
ing business men of Jonesboro Township. His
father, Solomon McDaniel, one of the oldest set-
tlers and leading citizens of Craighead County,
was born in Wilson County, Tenn., July 12, 1820.
His paternal grandfather was John F. McDaniel,
a native of Randolph County, N. C. , who removed
to Tennessee after his marriage to Mary Horn, by
whom he had several children. After her death he
was again married, to Mrs. Mary (Reaves) Thomas,
a native of Tennessee. These two were the parents
of seven children, two of whom are now living,
viz. : Mary, widow of William Paultin, and Solo-
mon. Mrs. McDaniel died in Hardin County,
Tenn., and her husband subsequently married
again and removed to Arkansas in 1839. He lo-
cated several miles below the old farm, and after a
few years removed to Missouri, where he died.
His father, Abraham McDaniel (the paternal great-
grandfather of the subject of this sketch), fought
through the Revolutionary War, and John F. was
almost old enoiigh to be mustered into service.
Solomon McDaniel was a boy when he came to this
county, and has lived on his present farm thirty-
one years. He has been engaged principally in
farming, but is al.so a blacksmith and gunsmith.
He has a tine farm of 170 acres about five miles
south of Jonesboro, and 100 acres are in a splendid
state of cultivation. He was married A])ril 6,
1848, to Juliet White, a native of Craighead Coun-
ty, and daughter of Thomas and Liicy (Trigg)
White, residents of this county. To their union
were born thirteen children, seven living, as fol-
lows: John T. (married Margaret Porter, now
deceased), Margaret King, William F. (married
Sarah Kellar), Lucian T. (married Matilda Shel-
ton), Andrew J. and three girls. Mr. McDaniel
is a Republican in politics, and was a Union man
during the war. He has been a member of the
Christian Church for about fifteen years, and his
wife, two sons and two daughters are members of
the same denomination — all connected with the
Christian Valley Church. Lucian T. McDaniel
was born on the old homestead, August 14, 1859,
and was reared on the farm, receiving a fair dis-
' trict school education. When twenty-two years of
age he engaged as a clerk for B. C. Shiery, a
grocer of Jonesboro, and five months later moved to
Wiener, Poinsett County, becoming a merchant of
that place. Four months after, when the Cotton
Belt Railroad was opened, he removed to Gilkerson
and engaged in mercantile business. In June,
1887, W. M. Robertson, of Jonesboro, liecame a
member of the firm now known as Robertson &
McDaniel. They keep a stock of general mer-
chandise and have a very good trade; also operate
a saw-mill (capacity, 6,000 feet per day), and a
cotton-gin, and grist-mill (capacity, 200 bushels
per day), and are agents for the Cotton Belt Rail-
road and Southern Express Company. Mr. Mc-
Daniel was married January 17. 1883, to Matilda
J. Shelton, daughter of Stephen and Mahala
; Shelton, residents of this township. Their union
has been blessed with four children: Maggie Lee,
James Garland, Stephen Andrew and Angle Belle.
Mrs. McDaniel is a pious and charitable lady, and
a member of the Christian Valley Church, of the
Christian denomination.
Abraham McDaniel (deceased) was one of the
prosperous and esteemed farmers of Craighead
County. He was a native of Tennessee, his par-
ents, John and Mary McDaniel, having been resi-
dents of that State. After his mother's death,
his father came to Poinsett (now Craighead)
County, Ark., locating near the present home of
' his son's widow, but he afterward removed to Mis-
souri, where he died. His children. Abraham.
Mar)', Nicholas and Charlie, returned to Arkansas.
There were six children, only two of whom, Solo-
mon N. , and Mary, widow of William Pauldin,
are now living. Abraham was about grown when
, he came to this county, and has engaged in farm-
ing all his life. He settled on the homestead
farm in September. 1852, entering a half section of
land. Having given to his sons, John B. and
James N., sixty and sixty-three acres of land, re-
spectively, the homestead now contains 183 acres.
He was a member of the Masonic fraternity, and
in 1865 was ordained to preach in the Christian
denomination, and devoted the greater part of his
life to his Master's cause. He died March 7, 1879,
CRAIGHEAD COUNTY.
34,5
aged tiftythree years. He was married October
1 20, 1S47, to Jane Cary, a daiightpr of Benjamin
' and Sallie (Stotts) Carj', residents of this county.
Mrs. McDaniel was born in Carroll County, Tenn. ,
October 31, 1832. In 1839 Mr. Cary removed
with his family to Poinsett County, Ark., where
he died in 1843, his wife having died two years
previously Mr. and Mrs. McDaniel were the par-
ents of ten children, three deceased: Rebecca,
Sally and an infant boy; and seven living: John
B., married to Mintie McGown. James N., married
to Mary Hendrix; Mary, wife of John H. Darr;
Nancy Ann, wife of Louis Sowells ; Elizabeth, wife
i)f William Fuller, and Martha Jane and A. B. , at
home. Mrs. McDaniel has been a devout and in-
fluential member of the Christian Church for
about nineteen years, and four of her children are
also members.
A. L. Malone. insurance agent, and a member
of the firm of Malone & Bell, dealers in books, sta-
tionery, etc., was born in Fayette County, Tenn.,
September 29, 1853. His parents, William C.
and Elizabeth M. (Gardner) Malone, natives re-
spectively of Orange County, N. C, and Powhatan
County, Va. , were married in Fayette County,
Tenn., where they resided until December, 1853,
when they came to Northeast Arkansas, locating
in Poinsett County. He was a minister of the
Methodist Episcopal Church, and also followed
farming. He devoted much time to his Master's
cause, and organized many churches in this part
of the State. His latter years were spent in Cross
County, Ark., where he died in November, ]88f5.
His wife still resides in Cross County. To
them were born eight children, only three now
living: Alvis L., John K. and Blanche. A. L.
Malone was an infant when his parents came to
this State, and received his education in the
common schools of Poinsett County. He remained
on the farm until eighteen years of age, then
entered a store as a clerk, and later engaged in
the mercantile busine.ss for him.self. in Wittsburg,
Cross County. He came to Jonesboro in the fall
of 1883, and since that time has been occupied in
his present business. He represents the following
Insurance Companies: Phoenix, Hartford and Orient
of Hartford, American of Philadelphia, Union and
Anglo Nevada of California, and other leading
and noted companies. He is assistant postmaster,
and has held that office for four years. He and
partner keep a large stock of books, stationery,
etc., located in the postoflSce building. In 1879
he was married to Miss Florence McFerrin, and of
this union four children have Ijeen the issue, three
living and one deceased. Those living are, Lil-
lian, James W. and Mary. The one deceased was
Charles M. Both paients are members of the
Methodist Episcopal Church, and Mr. Malone be-
longs to the Knights, and Knights and Ladies
of Honor. He was elected in April, 1880, and
served one term as city recorder of Jonesboro.
Politically he is a Democrat, is an energetic and
thoroughgoing business man, and has the confi-
dence and respect of all who know him.
Isaac N. Mangrum is a native of Maury Coun-
ty, Tenn., his birth occiUTing Noveralier 28, 1836.
His parents, L. B. and Stacy Mangrum, were both
natives of the " Old Volunteer State." where they
were married and resided a number of years, and
then moved to Shelby County, Tenn. They came
to Craighead County, Ai'k. , prior to the War of
the Rebellion, and located on a farm near Jones-
boro, which was their home until their respective
deaths. They were the parents of nine children,
and had the respect and confidence of all who knew
them. Isaac N. was reared upon a farm, and re-
ceived but meager educational advantages. He
came with his parents to Arkansas in 1854, and a
year later was united in marriage with Miss Talii-
tha Blackstone, and from then until entering the
Confederate service, he followed farming in Craig-
head County with varied success. His war exper-
ience was eventful, and he saw much active service
and underwent many iiardships and privations.
After the war, he returned to his home and family,
and resumed his agricultural labors, locating where
he now resides. The place at that time was almost
wholly unimproved, but by hard work, intelligent
and business-like management, Mr. Mangrum has
improved and added to it, until he is now one of
the leading planters and owns one of the best im-
proved farms in the county. His improvements
344
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
are all good, and upon his place are two cotton-
gins, which do a thriving business. By his first
marriage there were two children, both of whom
are worthy citizens, and are married and reside
near the home place. Mrs. Mangrum died in 1866.
Miss Susan Sage, a native of Craighead County,
became the second wife of Mr. Mangrum in 1866.
Ten children are the fruits of this union, of whom
these are now living: Stacy, James, Robert,
George and Ettie. Some of the children died in
infancy. Stacy is the wife of Mr. James Stotts.
Mr. Mangrum is, in the fullest sense of the term,
a self-made man. He is progressive in his ideas,
and liberally contributes to all worthy objects. He
is a member of the Masonic order, and is one of
Craighead County's most esteemed citizens.
Nicholas P. Mangrum was born in Maury
County, Tenn. , in 1S46. His father, James Man-
grum, was a native of Virginia, and when a child
six years of age came with his parents to Maury
County, Tenn. Here he was reared, and married
to Ann Craig, a native of Maury County. In 1858
he moved with his family to Poinsett County, Ark.,
remaining three years, when he moved to Dyer
County, Tenn., and remained for some eight years;
thence to Butler County, Mo. , for one year, later
to Dunklin County, Mo., for one year, when he
returned to Craighead County, Ark. , where he died
in February, 1887, aged sixty-seven years. He
was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church,
and much respected by all who knew him. The
mother died in Maury County, Tenn.-, in 1846,
when Nicholas P. was but six months of age, leav-
ing five children, all of whom lived to maturity.
Only two of them are now living: Mrs. Martha
Todd, now living in Texas, and our subject. Those
deceased are William, Robert and James. James
Mangrum was married a second time, and had a fam-
ily of seven children, two of whom are now living:
George and Sophrouia, the latter residing with our
subject. George is deputy sherifif of this county,
and resides at Lake City. Nicholas P. Mangrum
was reared in Tennessee, receiving his ediication
at the county schools. He was married, in 1871,
to Amanda Stotts. a daughter of Arnold Stotts,
and began farming for himself on this Island near
where he now resides. He came to his present
place in 1874, purchasing wild land, with only
seven acres cleared. Now he has cleared, and has
in cultivation, eighty acres, and is one of the most
thriving and prosperous farmers on the Island.
He is a wide-awake and public -spirited citizen, and
is a consistent Christian, and member of the Meth-
odist Church.
aohn H. Mangrum, clerk of the circuit court,
exofficio clerk of the county and i^robate courts,
and recorder, is a native of Cross County, Ark. , born
July 29. 1855. His parents, L. B. and Eustatia
(Lovell) Mangrum, the former a native of Vir-
ginia, the latter of Tennessee, were married in the
" Old Volunteer State," and emigrated to Arkansas
in 1852, locating in Cross County. There the
father cleared a good farm and engaged in agricul-
tural pursuits until January of 1861, when he
moved to Craighead County, and located one half
mile northwest of Jonesboro, where he resided
until his death, which occurred January 4, 1883,
his wife having previously died July 25, 1881.
They were the parents of thirteen children, five of
whom are now living John H. Mangrum, the
youngest child, was reared on a farm, receiving
his education at the common schools of the county.
He followed farming and school teaching in his
early life, acquitting himself with personal credit
and to the benefit of those for whom he labored. In
188() he was elected to his present office, and was
re-elected m 1888, now serving his second term.
In November of 1881, he was united in marriage
with Miss Jeannette Culberhouse, a daughter of
G. T. Culberhouse. Mrs. Mangrum is an estima-
ble lady, and a member of the Presbyterian
Church. Mr. Mangrum belongs to the Masonic
and Knights of Honor fraternities, is a Democrat
in politics, and is an active member of his party
in this coutity, meriting by his untiring services,
the honorable recognition which he has received.
Z. T. Matthews, of the firm of Matthews, Pet-
er.son & Pace, merchants of Jonesboro, is a native
of Paulding County, Ga , born February 2, 1848.
His ])arents, L. M. and Mary Ann Matthews, were
natives of Virginia and Georgia, respectively, and
were the parents of ten children; Z. T. and a sister.
CRAIGHEAD COUNTY.
■ur
Louisa, in Paulding County, Ga. , being the only
survivors. The mother died in Georgia, and, by
his second marriage, Mr. Matthews became the
father of three children, all deceased. He was by
occupation an agriculturist, and in the winter of
1857 came to what is now Craighead County, Ark.,
and located about one and one- half miles from the
present site of Jonesboro. When, two years later,
the town of Jonesboro was laid out, he was living
on the present town site, and had his field planted
with cotton. Some years later he moved to Poin-
sett County, where he died during the war. Z. T.
Matthews was but eight years of age when he came
with his parents to Arkansas, and here grew to
manhood, receiving such education as the schools of
that day afforded. He went to the first log school-
house built in the town, attended private schools
and also the old academy. He was reared mainly
on a farm, but, in 1808, began clerking at $r2.r)0
per month, and retained that position for two
years, and then entered into partnershij) with W.
J. Witt, continuing but a short time. He then
entered into a partnership with William Puryear,
which lasted for about four years. Selling out
to Mr. Puryear, he formed a partnership with
J. C. Knight, with whom he continued eleven
years, and then formed his present partnership.
The firm has a large stock of dry goods, clothing,
gent's furnishing goods, boots and shoes, etc.,
and, by strictly fair and honest business princi-
ples, have established a splendid custom. Mr.
Matthews is also a partner of Johnson, Berger &
Co., dealers in groceries, furniture and hardware,
owning both store buildings, which are large two-
story bricks. In 1864 he was married to Miss C.
J. Witt, and of this union four children have been
the issue: Waughlie, Gordon, Eva, and Willie,
who died when seven months old. Mr. and Mrs.
Matthews are members of the Baptist Church.
Mr. Matthews' business career has been one of
unusual success; starting as a clerk on a small sal-
ary, he soon engaged in business for himself; was
during Grant's administration appointed postmas-
ter of Jonesboro, which position he held for about
s(>ven years, resigning in favor of J. D. C. Cobb,
and now is a leading and successful citizen.
James D. Mead, an energetic and successful
agriculturist of Lake City Township, was born in
Madi.son County. Ga., in 1822, and is the son of
John and Elizabeth (Hall) Mead, the former a na-
tive of Georgia, the latter of South Carolina.
His grandfather. Miner M. Mead, was of English
descent, and was born in Virginia, where his par-
ents had settled a few years previous. He served
in the Revolutionary War, and was afterward a
pensioner for services rendered. His wife, Mary
Mead, lived to be one hundred and five years of
age, and drew a pension after her husband's death.
She died in Carroll County, Ga., having lived a
devoted Christian life as a member of the Baptist
Church. They were the parents of thirteen chil-
dren, John, the father of our subject, being the
oldest child. John Mead served in the War of
1812, and aft,er a life of success and usefulness,
died in Georgia, when fifty seven years of age.
The mother died in Craighead County, at the home
of her son, James, in 1807. To them were born
nine children, James D. being the third child, and
he and two sisters, Mary and Sarah, are the only
survivors, and all live in this county. Mr. Mead
was reared and educated in Georgia, where he re-
sided until the spring of 1857, when, with his
family, consisting of his wife and five children,
he came to Arkansas, locating on what is now Bay
Siding. There he followed farming for sixteen
years, and in 1872 moved to his present location.
Since coming to Arkansas he has put in cultivation
over 200 acres of land, and now owns 480 acres,
and has under good cultivation 125 acres. April
6, 1848, he was united in marriage with Miss
Thessa Moon, born in Georgia, in 1820, who died
in this county, in 1807. Their union was lilessed
by nine children, only two of whom are now liv-
ing: Mrs. Nancy S. McLean and James W. Mr.
Mead was married a second time, ia 1872, this
time selecting Mrs. Elizabeth Farmer, nee Lewis,
who. by her former marriage was the mother of
three children: Mrs. Mary Gatlin, Mrs. Sarah Bag
well and Mrs. Nellie Wilson. Mr. Mead's family
have always been Whigs, and he is now a stanch
Republican.
James W. Mead, a leading planter of tln'
^ ''^r »>
346
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
county and also mail contractor, is a native of
Georgia, born in Madison County, January '22,
1850. His parents were James D. and Thessa
(Moon) Mead [see sketch], both natives of Georgia.
He came with his father to this State and county
when a boy seven years of age, and was reared on
his father's farm, receiving his education at the
county schools. He chose as his life companion,
Jane Beaty, a native of Arkansas, reared in this
county, and December 24, 1868, they were united
in marriage. He engaged in farming for several
years after this event, and in 1880 opened a
saloon at Lake City, and was engaged in the saloon
business for six years. In 1883 he was appointed
deputy sheriff, and served in that capacity until
November, 1888. Since that time he has been
farming. Mr. and Mrs. Mead have two children,
Nora and Otto, and lost three in early child-
hood. Mr. Mead has been quite prominent in
local afPairs, is a Republican in politics, and has
been postmaster, serving in that capacity for sev-
eral years. He is a Knight of Honor and also a
Mason.
J. A . Meek, attorney at law at Jonesboro, Ark. ,
was born in Lincoln County, Tenn., April 8, 1830,
and is the only son of Urban E. and Nancy (Dean)
Meek, who were natives of the "Old Volunteer
State." The paternal grandfather, Alexander
Meek, a native of Virginia, emigrated to Tennes-
see at an early day, and was among its pioneer
settlers. Moving later to Marshall County, Miss.,
he was among the early settlers of that State,
which was still largely inhabited by Indians.
Though at the time but sixteen years of age, he
was a soldier of the Revolution, participating in
the battles at King's Mountain and at Cowpens.
He was with four bi-others and two uncles during
his military service. After the war he was a pen-
sioner for service rendered; and returning to his
farm resumed his occupation. He died in 1858,
at that time one hundred years of age. The
maternal grandfather, too, lived to be almost a
centenarian. Urban E. Meek built the first house
in Chulahoma, Marshall County. Miss., and re-
sided there until his death in 1847. He was a
farmer by occupation, and was a prominent man
in the county, having held several oflBces of honor
and trust. His wife died in 1848. They were
the parents of two children: Joseph A. and
Minerva E., wife of James H. Wilburn, of De Soto
County, Miss. Joseph A. Meek was reared in
Holly Springs, Miss., and there received his edu-
cation. His parents having died when he was
about fifteen years of age, he worked his war
through school until able to teach; and while
teaching school, studied medicine under Rev.
Stark Depree, of De Soto County, Miss. In 1857
he entered McDowell Medical College of St. Louis,
and at the beginning of the late war enlisted as
assistant sui-geon, and served in that capacity until
I the close of hostilities. He then returned to Har-
risburg, Poinsett County, where he had gone in
1858, and resumed his practice, remaining there
until 1873. During that time he was twice'elected
to the legislature, first in 1866, and afterward in
1871. He entered the Atlanta Medical College in
1871, and graduated in September of that year.
In 1873 he came to Jonesboro, where he practiced
his jjrofession until 1883, when he gave up the
I medical profession and began the practice of law,
having been admitted to the bar in Poinsett County.
The circumstances attending his admission are
I interesting and unique. Once, in 1858, being on
trial, he defended himself, showing such unusual
tact and ability that he was admitted by a petition
i from the bar, and without examination. In 1881
he was elected to the legislature from Craighead
County, and was re-elected in 1883 and 1888. He
was first married November 19, 1856, to Miss
Madella Russell, of De Soto County, Miss., who
bore him two children. One of them is now de-
ceased, and the other, Jodella, is the wife of W.
M. Robertson. Mrs. Meek died August 12, 1860,
and June 7, of the following year, Mr. Meek was
united in marriage with Miss Caroline F. Parker,
a native of North Carolina, and a graduate of
Chawan College. He has been for years a leader
of his party in both Poinsett and Craighead
Counties, untiring in his labors, and deserving the
honors bestowed upon him. He is a member of
I the I. O. O. F., and he and wife are members of
the Methodist Episcopal Church.
— » 9
^
CRAIGHEAD COUNTY.
34';
Joseph W. Moss, a, leading farmer and stock
dealer of Craighead County, whose parents, Willis
and Sarah (Mnllinax) Moss, were both natives of
South Carolina, was born in that State August 25,
182U. His father died in his native State, his mother
in Tennessee. He was reared on a farm, and had
l)ut limited educational advantages. When, in
1851, his brother Barnett came on a prospecting
tour to Arkansas, and located in Poinsett (now
Craighead) County, Joseph W. came with him, and
for a while made his brother's house his home.
He at first bought fifty-two acres, and has since
added to it. until he now owns about 1,000 acres,
mostly woodland. He began $60 in debt, but by
industry, economy and thrift, he has cancelled
this indebtedness and accumulated a competency,
which he has from time to time invested in land
and stock. He lost fifty fine horses in the disas-
trous overflow of 1882. He was married, in 1853,
to Mary Simonds, a native of Illinois, and to this
union was born one child, Henry, married to Mat-
tie Wilson. His first wife died, and Mr. Moss
was married again, in 1861, to Lousina Kelsoe, a
native of Tennessee. This union was blessed with
nine children, all living: John R. (married to
Florence Stotts). Sarah (wife of Morgan Denham),
Joseph L. (married to Jane Patterson), Mary (wife
of Theodore Johnson), Carroll, Barnett, Hettie,
Newton B. and Wallace. Mrs. Moss died in 1880,
and Ml-. Moss married Mrs. Martha Patterson, a
native of the county, and daughter of Andrew
Stotts (now deceased), an early settler of the coun-
ty. Mr. Moss is a Democrat in politics, has held
various oflSces, and takes great interest in educa-
tional matters.
A. S. Nash, merchant at Jonesboro, was born
in Bedford County, Tenn., July 23, 1829, and is
a son of Travis and Joanna (Miller) Nash who
came fi-om Virginia to Tennessee early in the his-
tory of that State. The Nash family are of Irish
and the Miller family of French descent. Travis
Nash was a farmer by occupation, and in the War
of 1812, wasacaptain. He was a successful farmctr
and a brave and gallant soldier, and died at Shel-
by ville, Tenn., April 7, 1844. The mother moved
with her family to Texas, where she died in 1862.
Of the family of fifteen children, only two are now
living, Mary, widow of John McGimsey, and Au-
gustus S. Two brothers, Thomas and Franklin,
who went from Texas, were killed in the war, and
two others, Lafayette and Granderson M. died in
Texas at the close of the war. Augustus S. Nash
was reared in Shelby ville, Tenn., remained on the
farm until fourteen years of age, when he was aj)-
prenticed to learn the saddler's trade. He fol-
lowed saddlery for several years, then engaged
for several years in farming, and in 1860 moved to
Jackson Coimty. Ala. While living in Tennessee,
he was lieutenant of militia under the old muster
law, and in 1S61, at the outbreaking of the Civil
War, he enlisted in Company G, Fourth Alabama
Cavalry, and during the war saw much active ser-
vice. He was in the battles of Fort Donelson,
Murfreesboro, Resaca, Missionary Ridge, Atlanta,
Franklin, Knoxville, Tenn., and several others.
He was with Gen. Wilson from Alabama to Co-
lumbus, Ga., where they surrendered. He was
not seriously wounded, but had his left ear shot
off at Chickamauga. At the close of the war, he
returned to Nashville, where he took the oath, and
then returned to his farm in Alabama. In 1 870
he moved to Jonesboro, Ark., where for six years
he engaged very successfully in farming, and in
1876, he began merchandising, which he has since
followed. He was married in 1849 to Margara
Atkins, and they are the parents of seven living
children: Thomas, William, Charles, Leander.
Richard, Wiley and Victoria. The father and
mother are both members of the Methodist Epis-
copal Church. Ml-. Nash belongs to the Masonic
fraternity; he owns a great deal of property in
Jonesboro, and as a lousiness man has been very
successful. In 1 880 he was elected county treas-
urer, which ofiice he filled satisfactorily to his con-
stituents. He is one of the leading business men
of the town.
Francis M. Newcom and Robert T. Wallace
are both natives of Kentucky, the former boril in
Crittenden County, October 15, 1855, the latter
in what is now Webster County. August 27, 1847.
They are now prosperous and representative farm-
ers of Craighead County, Ai-k. Francis M. Newcom
348
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
is a son of W. D. and M. E. (Heath) Newcom, na-
tives of Kentucky, who later settled in Webster
County, where both parents died. Francis M.
came to Arkansas in 1882, and three years later to
his present residence. He has cleared and now
has under cultivation seventy-live acres of good
land. October 1'2, 1882, he was united in mar-
riage with Eliza Wallace, born and reared in Ken-
tucky, and to this union have been born foiir chil-
dren: Ivy Lillie, Nannie D. , Lee E., and Rosa
Belle (deceased). Mr. Newcom is a prominent
member of the Missionary Baptist Church. Rob-
ert T. Wallace is the eldest of the six children
born to the union of Col. Benjamin P. Wallace and
Eliza Bruce, natives of Kentucky. The father was
a farmer in his native State, and in the Civil War
enlisted in the Confederate service, in which he was
colonel. He died July 12, 1870, the mother hav-
ing previously died July 10, 1869. Robert T. was
reared in Kentucky, and lived with his father until
his death, when he bought the old homestead,
on which he resided until he came to Arkansas, in
1882. He had been deputy sheriff for one year,
and sheriff for two. Since 1882 be has resided in
Arkansas, except one year spent in Howell Couuty,
Mo. , and he moved to his present location Christ-
mas of 1887. He owns several tracts of land, and
has a well-cultivated farm. July 17, 1875, he
married Annie Moore, also a native of Kentucky,
and a daughter of Allen Moore. They had grown
up together in the same county. The fruits of this
union have been foiu- children, only one living,
Maude. Those deceased are Florence, died in
1885, at the age of nine years; Molly, died when
five years of age, and Willie, who died at three
years of age. The parents are both consistent
Christians, the father a member of the Cumberland
Presbyterian Church, and the mother of the Meth-
odist Church. Mr. Wallace is a member of the
I. O. O. F.
Rev. William J. Newton, one of the leading
citizens of Buffalo Island, was born on the place
where he now lives, March 3, 1849, and is the son
of John Newton, who was born in Tennessee, and
reared near Nashville. To better his fortune, he
came to Arkansas in 1841, and here married Cather-
ine Lamb, the mother of our immediate subject.
The father died in 1857. William J. attained his
majority on the Island where he had always lived,
and served for seven months in the Confederate
ranks. He lost his right limb in New Madrid,
Mo., in 1805. In September, 1880, he and
Martha L. Towers were married. She was a na-
tive of Arkansas, born on Crowley's Ridge, this
county. The fruits of this union have been si.\.
children: Minerva A., Bertha, Charles J., Gert-
rude, William J. and John R. Mr. Newton has
a farm of 200 acres, with 124 under cultivation,
is an energetic man and has cleared all but eight
acres of this himself. In 1874 he professed
religion, in 1876 was licensed to preach, and in
1880 was ordained a minister of the Methodist
Episcopal Church. At first he had charge of a
circuit for two years, 1880 to 1882; but since that
time has been stationed, and has labored zealously
in the cause of Christ, doing much good through-
out this section. By his kindness to the poor, and
generosity to his fellow-men, as well as by his fer-
vent piety, he has attained an enviable popularity.
W. W. Nisbett, lumber dealer and manufact-
urer of brick, etc., is a native of Lancaster County,
S. C. , born October 14, 1836. His parents, James
and Jane Y. (Rogers) Nisbett, natives of South
Carolina, were of Irish descent, the grandfather, a
native of Ireland, having been an early immigrant
to South Carolina. The paternal grandfather, Jo-
siah Nisbett, was a soldier of the Revolution, and
he and all the grandparents lived and died in South
Carolina. James Nisbett emigrated with his fam-
ily to Coffee County, Tenn. , in 1844, and three
years later to Monroe County, Miss., thence to
Memphis, Tenn., in 1850, and in 1852 came to
what is now Craighead County, Ark., locating
where Jonesboro now stands. He was a farmer
and mechanic, and followed both occupations for
several years; made the first improvements and
built the first frame house in Jonesboro. He then
kept a hotel in Jonesboro for some time, and in
1867 moved to Pike County, where he resided for
five years, then returned to this county, where he
remained until his death in 1884. The mother
died three years later. They were the parents of
CRAIGHEAD COUNTY.
349
r
six children, live now living, four sons and one
daughter: William W., John G. R., Benjamin F.,
Joseph A. and Sarah, widow of P. H. Winke.
William W. was but eight years of age when he
left his native State, and, school advantages being
very poor, his education was necessarily very lim-
ited. However, since arriving at maturer years,
he has closely applied himself to study, and is now
a self educated man. He was eighteen years of
age when he came with his parents to Craighead
County, and had learned from bis father the car-
penter' 8 trade, and intelligent farming. His early
life was devoted mainly to mercantile business un-
til the late war, and after the surrender, he was
for many years a furniture dealer and undertaker.
While in business, he was three times burned out,
but was by no means discouraged by his misfor-
tunes. After the fire of 1886, he closed out what
remained of his stock, and turned his attention to
his milling business. He has been for twenty years
engaged in the milling and lumber business, also
handling grain, and is now engaged in the man-
ufacture of brick, making from 35,000 to 40,000
per day. Having a nice farm in the suburbs of
Jonesboro, be also gives some attention to agricult-
ural pursuits. In 1882, he began the study of law,
and in 1884 was admitted to the bar, and has since
been engaged in the practice of his profession. He
has been the leader of the Republican party since
the war, and has been identified with all its meet-
ings and important moves. He was elected sheriff
of Craighead County in 1866, and served until
18T'2; was also sheriff in 1865 under military order.
He has held the offices of county supervisor, presi-
dent of the board of supervi.sors, county assessor,
sheriff, collector, postmaster, assessor of internal
revenue, and deputy United States marshal. In
1858 he was united in marriage with Mary Mattix,
and they are the parents of ten children, seven of
whom are living: Elizabeth (wife of J. R. Smith),
Mattie (wife of H. H. Houghton), William S.,
Alice, Delia A., Minnie M. and George E. Mr.
Nisbett is a member of the Masonic fraternity, is
Master of the Blue Lodge, and High Priest of
the Chapter. He belongs to the I. O. O. F., and
also to the Eastern Star.
William O'Guinn. Among the pioneer settlers
of Craighead Coimty, none are more worthy of
special mention than the subject of this sketch,
who came with his parents to this State in 1836,
whim, before the encroachment of civilization, wild
game was plentiful. H(> was a great hunter in his
youth, making this sjwrt the means of his support.
He was born in Perry (now Decatur) County, Tenn. ,
May 17, 1827, and is a son of Daniel and Mar-
garet (Anderson) O'Guinn, natives of the "Old
Volunteer State," who were reared and married
in that State, and in 1836 came with their three
sons and daughter and grandfather Anderson and
a part of his family, to Arkansas. All located first
on Crowley's Ridge in Greene (now Craighead)
County, and Daniel O'Guinn opened up a splen-
did farm in the timber, near where Jonesboro is
now situated, where he reared his family and died
in 1859. His wife followed him in 1872. Both
were very worthy citizens and members of the
Methodist Episcopal Church. They were the par-
ents of thirteen children, ten of whom lived to be
grown, but only two, William, the oldest child,
and the youngest child, Martha, now the wife of
Henry Haze, are now living. Willaim O'Guinn
began life on his own responsibility when nineteen
years of age, married and settled on a timbered
jjlace near the old homestead. He cleared a small
farm, but kept eighteen or twenty hunting dogs,
and spent most of his time hunting, often spend-
ing the whole night in this occupation, sometimes
with the Indians as companions. Four years later
he sold his farm, and improved another which two
years later he likewise sold ; then bought a small
partly improved farm, afterward clearing forty
additional acres, and here he resided until the
breaking out of the late war, when he moved with
his family to Scott County, Mo., remaining there
until 1866, when he returned to the old home
place and resumed his farming. In 1869 he came
to his present place of residence, on Big Bay.
where he owns 800 acres of land, and has improved
about 120 acres. His farm is well stocked and
bears every evidence of prosperity. Mr. O'Guinn
has been man-ied four times, and is the father of
twenty-four children, and twelve of them are now
^-
^ s>Lv
350
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
living. He was married to his present wife fCalli-
donia Coleman) in 1883, and she is the mother of
four children, two deceased. Mr. O'Guinn is a
stanch advocate of both church and school, and
contributes liberally to their support. Both he
and Mrs. O'Guinn are members of the Methodist
Episcopal Church.
J. W. Owens, Jr., postmaster at Jonesboro,
Ark., received his appointment in 1885, and has
been a most courteous, obliging and efficient offi-
cial. He was born in Rutherford County, Tenn. ,
February 29, 1856, and is a son of J. W. , Sr. , and
Frances H. (Tune) Owens, the father a native of
Kentucky, and the mother of Virginia. They were
married in Rutherford County, Tenn. , where their
parents had immigrated in an early day. J. W.
Owens, Sr. , a blacksmith by trade, came to Craig-
head County in 1870, and located in Jonesboro,
where he followed his calling until 1874, when he
went to Southern Illinois, where he died in 1879.
The mother died in 1859. She was the mother of
seven children, J. W. being the only one now liv-
ing. The father had married three times. By
his second wife he had one child, Robert H., and
by his third marriage eight children, six living:
Joseph E., George \\'., Lizzie, Jennie, Willie and
Lura. J. AY. Owens, Jr., came with his parents
to Arkansas when thirteen years of age, and was
reared partly in Tennessee and partly in this
State, receiving his education in the county schools
of the former and in the Jonesboro schools. Reared
to farm life, he followed that occupation until
1881, and then entered the employ of J. B. Colt
& Son, railroad contractors, and remained with
them eighteen months. In October, 1883, he
went into the Jonesboro postoffice as assistant
postmaster, where he remained in that capacity
until he received his appointment as postmaster.
May 20, 1885, he was united in marriage with
Miss Nannie E. Hannah, a native of Craighead
County, and their union has been blessed with two
children, Mollie and Morris B. Mr. Owens is a
member of the Methodist Episcopal Chiirch, and
belongs to the K. and L. of H. He is energetic
and industrious, enjoys an enviable popularity, and
richly deserves the official favor accorded him.
Alfred Pagan, one of the leading farmers of
Cane Island, was born in Meade County, Ky. , Feb-
ruary 8, 1851, and is the son of David and Han-
nah (Halls) Pagan, the former a native of Vir-
ginia, the latter of Kentucky. The father was
reared and educated in Virginia and when a young
man moved to Kentucky and was there married.
He remained for several years in Meade County,
and then removed to Daviess, where he engaged in
farming until his death in 1864. His wife sur-
vives him and now resides on Cane Island. All of
the family of six sons and two daughters reached
maturity, but one son, who was a soldier in the Con-
federate service, and who died since the war. One
brother lives in Kentucky, four brothers and one
sister on Cane Island, and one sister in Missouri.
Alfred Pagan was reared in Kentucky and re-
mained with his mother until his marriage, Feb-
ruary 17, 1872, with Ellen Martin, a native of
Daviess County, Ky. , and a daughter of James and
Jane Martin, who still reside in Daviess County.
Mr. and Mrs. Pagan are the parents of six chil-
dren: James, Minnie, Mary, Eva, Alfi-ed and Rosa.
Two children died in infancy. Mr. Pagan was
always a farmer in Daviess County until 1881,
when he came to Arkansas. He remained one
year at Elmot Landing, Mississippi County, then
came to Craighead County, selecting the place
where he now resides. It was then but little im-
proved; now he has four farms, aggregating 350
acres, with about KtO acres cleared and improved.
It is all rich and valuable land and he has on the
home place two residences and one on each of the
other farms. Mr. and Mrs. Pagan are members
of the Missionary Baptist Church, in which Mr.
Pagan is also a deacon.
J. M. Penix, whose well-improved farm is sit-
uated three miles from Jonesboro, is one of the
progressive, wide-awake citizens of the county.
He was born in Cherokee CoiTnty, Ala., November
12, 1836, and is the son of John and Sallie (Roach)
Penix, the former a native of Alabama, the latter
of Shelby County, Tenn. After the death of his
wife and in the first year of the Civil War, Mr.
Penix came to Arkansas and located in wliat is now
Powell Township, Craighead County, and there
f.
CKAIGHEAD COUNTY.
351
resided for three years. In 1805 he moved to
Louisiana, where he died in 1867. Of the four-
teen chiklren born to them, only four are now
living — our immediate subject being the only one
iu Craighead County. He was reared on a farm,
and in 1857 came to Arkansas, and in 1860 married
Elizabeth Albright, a native of Tennessee, whose
parents were Simpson and Hulda (Snodderly) Al-
bright— the former is deceased, the latter resides
with Mr. Penix. In the war of the Rebellion, he
gave his support to the Confederate cause, serving
in the Thirteenth Arkansas Infantry for about
eight months, when he Vifas discharged on account
of sickness. He re-enlisted in the Trans-Missis-
sippi department at Little Rock and served another
twelve months. At the close of the war he re-
turned to Craighead County and bought eighty acres
of his present farm of 100 acres, forty of which are
splendidly improved. Mr. and Mrs. Penix are the
parents of nine children: Wiley E., William T.
S. and an infant (deceased), and Eli Thomas (mar-
ried to Lucinda Raines), Mary Magdalene. James
Cornelius, Midas Ludella, Samuel Elbert and Scott
Hinman. Mr. Penix is a Democrat, has been
school director for five years, and has given one-
half acre of his farm for a school-house site. He
and his wife and oldest son and daughter are active
members of the Baptist Church.
David L. Perkins, one of the foremost citizens
of Craighead County, and a resident of Jonesboro
Township, was born in Fayette County, Tenn.,
October 17, 1845, and is the son of William H.
Perkins, a native of Virginia, who emigrated from
the '"Old Dominion"" to Tennessee in 1826, and
Sarah (Wrightsell) Perkins, a native of Tennes-
see. They had six children, four of whom are
living — three sons and one daughter — and three
are residents of this coixnty: Mary (wife of P. T.
Hudson), D. L. and John W. Mr. Perkins made
a visit to this State in 1871, but returned to the
old homestead in Fayette County, Tenn., where
he and his w'ife still reside, aged seventy-nine and
sixty four years, respectively. David L. spent his
boyhood on the farm, and received a fair education
in the common schools of the county. He came
with his father to this State in 1871, and selected
it as the place of his permanent residence. The
father bought 200 acres of land, and for nine years
David L. lived on it, but then bought his home-
stead of 160 acres. He has a well-cultivated farm,
with about fifty-five acres improved. December
26, 1872, he wedded Laura Thnrman, a native
of Fayette County, Tenn. , who died in May, 1887,
leaving five children: Clarence C, Howard L. ,
William D., Linnie E. and Ernest D. He was
again married, October 13, 1887, this time choosing
Mrs. Nannie E. (Fuller) Falls, a resident of this
county. The result of this union has been one
boy, Edward Cecil. Mr. Perkins is prominent in
religiou.s and educational interests, and in politics
is a stanch Democrat. He is a member of the
Christian Church, and is an elder of the Hope
Church of that denomination. Mrs. Perkins is a
benevolent Christian lady, and also a member of
the Christian Church at Hope.
J. D. Phillips was born in Pike County, Oa. ,
December 1, 1S28, and is a son of Thomas G.
and Mary L. (Sessions) Phillips, both natives of
South Carolina. They made their residence in
Georgia, where the father died in 1867. The
mother's death occurred in 1868, while on her way
to this State. They had twelve chiklren, six of
whom are living, but only one, the subject of this
sketch, in this State. James D. was reared on a
farm until fifteen years of age, when he learned
the machinist's trade at Savannah, Ga. , and after
nine or ten months engaged in the saw and grist-
mill business in Georgia, Tennessee and Kentucky.
He came to Craighead County, Ark., in March of
1861. and followed blacksmithing until 1871. He
went to Phillips County, where he remained but
two years, and then returned to Craighead, and
has since then been engaged in farming, at which
he has been very successful. He has been an ex-
tensive land holder in both this and Poinsett
Counties, and at present owns a farm of H'20 acres,
forty of which are under cultivation. He operated
the first saw-mill in Craighead County, thus in-
troducing one of the leading industries, and is one
of the oldest and most experienced mill men in the
county. He was married, September S), 1852, at
Chattanooga, Tenn., to Sarah A. McLemore, a
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352
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
I.
native of East Tennessee. Their union has been
blessed with nine children: Josephine, Thomas,
James A. (was married to Melinda McCarty),
Henry C, Mary and Alonzo, all deceased, and
Eliza Virginia, Vestie A. and William R. Mrs.
Phillips and two daughters are members of the
Christian Valley Church. Mr. Phillips is a mem-
ber of the Masonic fraternity, and is greatly in-
terested in religious and educational matters. He
belongs to the Agricultural Wheel, and was among
the first and is one of the most prominent Wheelers
in the county.
Albert Pierce, of Jonesboro Township, is the
oldest living settler, in point of location, in Craig-
head County and Northeast Arkansas. He was
born in Giles County, Tenn., September 12, 1826,
and is the son of John Pierce, also a native of Ten-
nessee, who came to Arkansas in 1831, locating in
Poinsett (now Craighead) County. He was one of
the first settlers of the county, and took a deep
and active interest in its early formation. Though
a farmer by occupation, he hunted much in early
days, and devoted much time to stock raising.
He at one time owned 320 acres of land. His wife
was Nancy Maguire, also a native of Tennessee,
and of their ten children, seven are now living,
four daughters and three sons, all residents of this
coiinty. The father is dead, but the mother is
still living in full possession of all her mental and
physical faculties. She is eighty -three years of
age, and resides with her daughter, Mrs. Elizabeth
Cacry, widow of John Cacry. Albert Pierce was
but six years of age when he came with his father
to this county, and has lived within ten miles of
his present farm for almost sixty years. He had
no educational opportunities in childhood, but has
been an energetic farmer and stock raiser all his
life, the result of which is a large farm of ISO
acres, with 100 under cultivation. He is a mem-
ber of the Agricultural Wheel, and is a Democrat.
In 1844 he was married to Rebecca Simmons, a
daughter of Joseph and Sarah Simmons, residents
of this county. Of the ten children born to them
nine are yet living. They are Mary, wife of
Franklin Lee; Franklin, married Caroline Howell;
David, married Mrs. Emily Smith; Samuel, mar
ried Jane Lusk; John, married Mrs. Harriet Smith;
Joseph, married Sarah Smith; Nancy, wife of
Thomas Sheffield; Calvin and George. Mr. Pierce
is esteemed for his strict integrity, and has at-
tained a reputation among his many friends which
will live after him.
Robert W. Rains, a leading farmer of Jones-
boro Township, resides on his well-improved farm
three miles north of Jonesboro. His parents were
natives of Tennessee, in which State he was born
August 27, 1847. His father, Hugh G. Rains,
came to Craighead County, Ark. in the year 1871,
locating in Powell Township on a farm of 270
acres, 100 of which are improved, and resided
there until his death in 1872. He was a Mason
and was buried with Masonic honors. In his po-
litical convictions, he espoused the cause of the
Democratic party. He was married to Margaret
A. McCarns, who still resides on the old home-
stead; and of this union fourteen children were the
issue, of whom the following reached their majority:
Sarah, Cathaline, Robert W., John M.. Neal
B., James F., Alantha C, Margaret E. and Mar-
garet Ann and Lucinda J. (twins). Robert W.
Rains was reared in Tennessee, and was there
married November H, 18fi6, to Margaret E. Stiles,
a native of Tennessee, whose parents were Evan
and Polly Stiles, the latter deceased, the former
still residing in Tennessee. He lived with his
father for two years, then bought a farm near
Herndon and remained there for the same period.
Then he bought eighty acres of land near his moth-
er, and after three years there, went back to Ten-
nessee for a year. Returning to Arkansas, he en-
gaged in the saw and grist-mill business in Powell
Township for two years. He then bought his
present farm of 120 acres, and on this and his
farm of 128 acres has about sixty under cultiva-
tion. Mr. Rains has been married three times,
his second wife was Margaret M. Albright, and
his present wife who is a pious lady and a member
of the Methodist Church, South, was . Eugenia O.
Grigsby. Mr. Rains has had five children: Lee
Etta, Cicero D. , Margaret E., Ida C. (deceased)
and Kenneth W. He is a Mason, and a member
of the Missionary Baptist Church, has always
CRAIGHEAD COUNTY.
353
been a Democrat ia politics, and was elected in
1888 justice of the peace of Jonesboro Township.
Emmet Rodders, editor of the Craighead
County Sun, is the oldest son of Calvin and Al-
media Rodgers, and was born in Jonesboro, Ark.,
September 21, 1866. He attended the common
schools of Jonesboro until thirteen years of age,
and went the term of 1881-82 to the Judsori Uni-
versitj'. Until sixteen years of age, he engaged
in farm work, and assisted his parents in the
hotel. For three years he was a railroad brake-
man, and in the winter of 1887-88, engaged as
clerk in general mercantile business in Florida.
Returning home in May, he became interested
with Wrenn & Phelps, in publishing the Craig-
head County Sun, and Janu^ary 18, 1889, became
sole proprietor of that paper. He is one of
Jonesboro' s popular and promising young business
men, and has the talent and ability to accomplish
whatever he may undertake.
H. C. Roy, a prominent and substantial planter
of Craighead County, Ark., was born in the
county, and is one of its leading citizens. His
father, Jesse L. Roy, also a successful farmer,
was born in Tennessee, in 1828. He married
Emily C. Courtney, a native of Mississippi. In
the Mexican War he was a valiant soldier, and in the
late war was a captain in the Confederate ser-
vice. He participated in several engagements,
Helena being the most important. He is a mem-
ber of the Masonic Lodge and has occupied many
of its official chairs, and is also connected with
the Agricultural Wheel. Both he and his wife are
highly respected citizens, and are zealous members
of the Methodist Church. Mr. Roy is a man of
sterling worth in the community, strong in his
political views and his convictions of right: and
as the fruits of his industry has a farm of 100
acres, about half of which is in a splendid state
of cultivation.
W'illiam D. Safley is well known and highly re-
spected throughout Buffalo Island Township as
one of its worthy and intelligent citizens, public-
spirited and of sterling integrity. He was born in
Staidey County, N. C. , in 1851, and is a son of
A\illiam B. and Mary Ann (Biles) Satiey, natives
of North Carolina, where they were reared, edu-
cated and married. In 1859 they came to East
Tennessee, locating on a farm in Cocke County,
where he died, but not until after espousing the
Southern cause, and serving valiantly in the Con-
federate army. The mother and family came to
Craighead County, Ark., in 1869, and located in
Powell Township, where they remained for several
years. In 1881 Mrs. Safley started for Oregon,
where she died the day after reaching Eugene City,
May 22 of the same year. She was a member of
the Baptist Church, and well liked by all who
knew her. Mr. and Mrs. Safley were the paients
of nine children, all of whom livcul to maturity,
and eight of whom are still living. They were Mrs.
Sarah E. Jackson (deceased), Thomas F., Mrs.
Mary L. Heritage, Alexander W., William D. (the
immediate subject of this sketch), Julius H., Mrs.
Rebecca E. Cox, Mrs. Margaret A. Yarlsrough and
Mrs. Edosia J. Hawthorne. William D. is the
fifth child, and has made his home in this State
since 1869. When twenty-four years of ago he
chose as his life companion Anna E. Stoddard, a
nativeof this State, who died March 16, 1888, leav-
ing a family of live children: David E. (deceased),
Sarah M., Joseph F., Rosa Lee and Lillie May.
Mr. Safley has since married Mrs. Sarah E. Meach-
iem, nee Foster, a native of Tennessee, who was
the mother of two children by her former marriage.
One of them, Willie, is deceased; the other, James
E., lives with his parents. Mrs. Satiey is a zeal-
ous member of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
Mr. Safley made a trij) to Oregon and other points
in 1888, and has seen a great deal of the world.
L. J. Salmons, a substantial farmer of Craig-
head County, was born in Cherokee County, Ala..
April 14, 1839. His father. Jeremiah M. Sal-
mons, who was a native of Franklin County, Ga. ,
and was educated in that State, was a farmer by
occupation, and had married Lucinda Waters,
born and reared in Georgia. Jeremiah M. Sal-
mons had five sons and five daughters, four of
whom live in this county. In polities he was a
Whig. L. J. Salmons was educated in Alabama
at the Lawrence school, and while yet a young
man came to Arkansas. In 1862 he entered the
^-
354
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
Confederate service, and was in several engage-
ments, receiving a number of wounds. He was
discharged in May of 1865, when he returned
home to his farm and devoted himself to its im-
])rovement. December 19, 1867, he was imitedin
marriage with Nancy Christian, a native of Craig-
head County, Ark., born December 26, 1846, and
both he and his wife are zealous members of the
Baptist Church, and contribute liberally to its sup-
port. Mr. Salmons has about 1,880 acres of good
land, about 100 of which is very rich soil and the
best farming land. He has been justice of the
peace in Poinsett County, and has been for five
years a member of the school board of directors.
He is a prominent member of the Agricultural
Wheel, of which he was president for one year.
Having made a thorough study of mineralogy and
the locating of all kinds of minerals, and having
made research throughout the State and discovered
gold and other metals in more or less paying quan-
tities, he may be considered expert in all such
matters.
Anderson M. Self, a young and prosperous
planter of Craighead County, was born on Crow-
ley's Ridge in 1856. His father. Noble Self, was
a native of Alabama, but has been a resident of
Craighead County since 1840, at which time his
parents located on ' ' The Ridge, ' ' where he grew
to manhood and married Miss Emily Mountz, a
native of Illinois. He was a soldier in the Mexi-
can War, and served in the Confederate army
during the War of the Rebellion, seeing consid-
erable active service in both wars. Three chil-
dren were born to his union with Miss Mountz:
Thomas, Anderson M. and one that died in in-
fancy. Mrs. Self died July 3, 1858, and Mr.
Self, by a subsequent marriage, is the father of
ten children. He is still a resident of Craighead
County, and one of its earliest and best- known
citizens. Anderson M. was reared upon his
father's farm, receiving but a rudimentary educa-
tion. He began life's duties for himself at twen-
ty-one years of age, with no capital, but plenty of
energy and native ability. He located on his pres-
ent place in the fall of 1879, and soon after was
united in marriage with Miss Rebecca, daughter
of Allen Smith, and a native of Georgia. To this
union have been born three children: William.
Maude and James. Mr. Self owns 234 acres of
land, with 135 under cultivation. He also owns and
operates a cotton-gin, which, in 1887, turned out
124 bales, and, in 1888, 205 bales. He is a push-
ing, energetic and thrifty farmer and business man,
and has, for the most part, gained what he has by
his own endeavors. Mrs. Self is a member of the
Methodist Episcopal Church.
Stephen Sheltcn, an enterprising farmer and
influential citizen of Craighead County, Ark. , was
born in Jackson County, Miss., September 22,
1826. His parents, Stephen and Matilda (Martin)
Shelton, both natives of the "Old Dominion,"
were of Welsh and German descent. Stephen
Shelton, Sr. , a physician by profession, in 1828
moved his family to Arkansas, and located in St.
Francis County, but being displeased with the
locality, removed to Mississippi. Later he came
again to Arkansas, this time selecting a situation
at the mouth of Big Bay, near the site of Witts-
burg. After practicing his profession there for a
year, he moved fifty miles, near where Harrisburg
is now located, twenty years later to near the
southern line of this county, where after two years
he died. He was one of the earliest and most
noted physicians of Arkansas, then a Territory, and
patients from hundreds of miles around were
brought to him for medical and surgical aid. He
is the father of seven children, but only one is now
living, one having died before and five after the
father's coming to Arkansas. After the husband's
death, the mother brought her family to Craighead
County, and here resided until 1863, when trouble
over the Civil War caused her death. She was about
seventy years old. Stephen Shelton was mostly
reared in the Territory and State of Arkansas, his
widowed mother giving him the best education the
country afforded. He had no taste for medicine
or surgery, but was reared on a farm and has been
engaged in farming all his life. He now owns 197
acres of land five miles south of Jonesboro, about
ninety acres of whicti are under cultivation. While
this section was a portion of Poinsett County, Mr.
Shelton was deputy internal improvement com-
17^
missioner, was also deputy sherifl and constable,
and for four years a preacher of the Christian
douomination. He was once offered license, but
not deeming himself sufficiently qualified, he
thought best to decline. Mr. Shelton is and has
always been a Repul^lican in politics, and has once
been constable of Jonesboro Township. He mar-
ried Mahalia McCracken, daughter of Aquilla and
Nancy (Lane) McCracken, and to them have been
born the following named children: Matilda J., wife
of L. T. McDanield, of Gilkerson; Eliza P., wife
of G. Edgar, residing near Jonesboro; Mary A.,
wife of Prof. Walter E. Dean, educator, of Smith
County, Tex. : Thomas B. , Nancy J., George W. ,
Louisa, Belle, Stephen A., Francis M. N. and
William D. Mr. Shelton was quite a noted and
successful hunter of early times. He is a member
of the I. O. O. F., a practical and self-made man,
and one of the county's earliest and most worthy
citizens.
William Stephen Shores, a prominent planter
of Jonesboro Township, was born in Poinsett
County, January 17, 1842. His father, a retired
farmer of the same township, and one of the
oldest settlers in what is now Craighead Coiinty,
was born in St. Clair County, Ala., March 2, 1815.
The paternal grandparents were William and Mary
(Pipes) Shores, natives most probably of Alabama.
William Shores was a soldier imder Gen. Jackson,
and fought in the battle of New Orleans, was
taken sick in that city and died in 1815. His
widow subsequently removed with the family to
Wayne County, 111., near the Little Wabash River,
where she died about 1825. About 18;'0 the family
came to Arkansas Territory and located in Poinsett
(now Craighead) County. In those early days
game was very plentiful, and Calvin — then about
fifteen years of age — worked hard on the farm and
had great sport hunting all kinds of wild game.
Mciiipliis, the nearest trading point, being seventy-
five miles, they had to grate corn and beat it in
mortal's to get corn-meal, and were subject to the
many hardships and priviitions incident to pioneer
life. When he grew to manhood, he bought 160
acres of land in Poinsett County, where he lived
twenty-five years. Just before the Civil War he
moved to his present location, where he entered
eighty acres of land and has since added 200 acres.
The ground was covered with a dense forest, so that
he and Sol McDaniel took axes and cut a road to
enable him to move to his home. By energy,
economy and thrift, he has cleared over 150 acres
of land and become one of the foremost farmers of
the county. He now owns 160 acres, having
given to his boys the remainder. He has lived in
Arkansas about sixty years, but this last year
gave up the cultivation of the farm to his youngest
son, Andrew. He has been married four times, his
last marriage being with Mrs. Emmaline (Suffell)
Nelson, a native of Mississippi. Her parents,
Zachariah and Susannah (Cornelius) Suffell, came
to Arkansas about thirty-two years ago, locating
two miles southwest of Jonesboro. The mother
died February 0, 1884, and the father July 4,
1871. Mr. Shore has been the father of sixteen
children: William S. (subject of this sketch), mar-
ried and living on part of the old homestead; Levi,
married to Olie Hopkins, living near the home
stead; Webb, married to Lane Shelton; Mary, wife
of William McGown; Eliza, wife of Lewis Lynch:
Alice, wife of Sam Gridsinger: George married
to Edna Nealy; Thomas and Andrew, living. He
has thirty grandchildren and two great-grandchil-
dren (one living). Mrs. Shore was formerly a
a member of the Methodist Church, but is now a
member of the Christian Church, of which her
husband has been a member for about twelve
years. Williiim Stephen Shores resided with his
father until his marriage with Aily McGown, who
died a few years later. H^e then married Fanny
H. Duke. To them have been born eight children,
five living: John C, Marshall A., Alivia H. ,
Thomas H. and Laudie L. Mrs. Shores is a
member of the Baptist Church, a devout Christian
and a charitable lady. Mr. Shores owns a well-
imj)roved farm, is a Republican in politics, and
was a member of Company A, Thirteenth Arkan-
sas Infantry, serving in Col. Lyle's regiment about
seventeen months. Having had but limited educa-
tional advantages themselves, and realizing its
gi-eat importance, both he and his wife are striving
to give their cliildren a thorough education.
^1
356
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
John M. Sipes. a lumber manufacturer of Buf-
falo Island, is a native of Missouri, born in Bu-
chanan County, July 18, 1840. His parents, Eli
and Christina (Rhynes) Sipes, the former born and
reared in Pennsylvania, the latter in South Caro-
lina, were married in Perry County. Mo. Mr.
Sipes was one of the pioneer settlers of Buchanan
County, Mo., having gone there in 1830. In 1856
he moved to Greene County and remained there
until his death in 1859. John M. grew to manhood
in Missouri, and resided in Buchanan, Perry,
Greene, Webster and Barton Counties. He re-
mained on the home farm until his father's death.
In 1861 he entered the Confederate service, enlist-
ing in the Eighth Arkansas Infantry, and served
until the final surrender. He participated in the
battles of Shiloh, Perryville, Murfreesboro, Chat-
tanooga, and many lesser engagements. He was
never wounded, taken prisoner, nor lost a day from
service. After the war he remained for a time in
Arkansas, then went to Missouri. In 1866 he set-
tled in Craighead County, Ark. , where he has since
resided. When, in 1868, he bought his jjresent
farm, it was but little improved; now he has 120
acres, 112 under fence, with a ver^' good house and
out buiklings. Mr. Sipes began operating a grist-
mill and cotton-gin in 1881, which burned down in
1887. He then put up a steam saw-mill and cot-
ton-gin, which has proved a very successful enter-
prise. In the spring of 1865 he married Nancy J.
Smith, a native of Kentucky, whose parents died
while she was yet a child. This union has been
blessed with six children: Joel, Serena, George
W., Rose Ann, Julia C. and Henry. Mr. Sipes is
a member of the I. O. O. F., and has held all the
chairs of the subordinate lodge.
William S. Skelton was born in Tennessee,
July 14, 1857, and is now one of the leading
farmers and stock raisers of Buffalo Island. His
parents were John M. and A. C. (Stoddard) Skel-
ton, natives of Alabama. The family came to
Arkansas in 1860, locating near Wittsburg, where
they remained for about four years and then came
to Craighead County, locating first on Cane Island
and later on BufPalo Island. Here Mr. Skelton
died in 1882, and his wife, since married to G. W.
Finch, still resides on the old homestead. William
S. Skelton is the second of the family of twelve
children, seven of whom are now living, three hav-
ing died in infancy and the others after reaching
maturity. He grew up in Craighead County and
began farming on his own responsibility when
nineteen years of age, when, July 6, 1876, he mar-
ried Dora A. Goss, a native of this State, who died
the next year, 1877. He farmed on the homestead
some time and in 1879 settled on his present farm,
then in heavy timber. Now he has under cultiva-
tion forty-eight acres of splendid land, and has
built him a good home. He also owns one-quar-
ter interest in the Lumsford & Co. cotton-gin.
For his second wife he chose Rebecca E. Richard-
son, and their union has been blessed with four
children: Jodella, Jonathan N. , James T. and
Paul W. Mr. Skelton is progressive and influential,
and his wife is a member of the Methodist Church.
Allen Springer, merchant and postmaster at
Lake City, and a prominent farmer of Buffalo
Island, is a native of Indiana, born in Crawford
County, of that State, January 4, 1843. His
parents, Elihu and Mahulda (Pearson) Springer,
both natives of Indiana, were reared and married
in that State, and there resided until the death of
the former in 1852. Mrs. Springer still survives
her husband, who was a prominent farmer and
esteemed by all as a worthy citizen of the county.
Allen Springer, at his father's death a boy nine
years of age, grew to manhood in his native county,
receiving his education at the county schools; and
in July of 1861 enlisted in the Indiana Infantr}-,
and served until mustered out at Indianapolis,
July 29, 1865. He participated in many engage-
ments, among them Shiloh, Champion's Hill, siege
and surrender of Vicksburg, siege and surrender
of Atlanta, was with Sherman in his memorable
march to the sea, and his last engagement at
Goldsboro. During his entire service he received
but one slight wound, at the siege of Vicks-
burg. He participated in the grand review at
Washington, and when peace was restored re-
turned to Indiana, and engaged in boating on the
Ohio and Mississippi rivers until 1870, when he
came to Arkansas. He located in Lee Countv and
^
-* e>
CRAIGHEAD COUNTY.
357
there engaged in milling for two years, then went
to Howard County, Kas. , and farmed one year, then
came to Craighead County, Ark., locating on Buf-
falo Island. Here he followed farming until 1880,
when he moved to Lake City, where he continued
the same occupation. In 1885 he purchased an
established mercantile business, and keeps a good
stock of dry goods, clothing, boots, shoes, hats,
caps, implements, etc. At merchandising he has
been very successful, doing an annual business of
$15,000. He was appointed postma.ster in 1888.
June 7, 1867, he was united in marriage with
Nancy Ellen Walker, a native of Indiana, born and
reared in Crawford County. She died in 1880,
leaving two children, Samuel E. and Percy, both
promising young men. Mr. Springer married his
present wife, whose maiden name was Emily Cum-
mings, in December, 1887, in Kearney County,
Kas. She is a native of Indiana, and was in child-
hood a schoolmate of Mr. Springer. She is a con-
sistent member of the Methodist Church. Mr.
Springer owns one farm of 240 acres on Buffalo
Island, with 125 acres cleared, and in his home
place has 235 acres, with about eighty under cul-
tivation. He has also 200 acres of timbered land.
All this property and all that he has, he owes to his
own perseverance, industry and excellent manage-
ment. He is a lloyal Arch Mason, and is Master
of the Lake City lodge.
John H. Stephens is a substantial farmer of
Craighead County, and was born in Bedford Coun-
ty, Tenn., June 7, 1826. His father, Wiley Steph-
ens, was a native of North Carolina, and a vei-y
successful farmer until his death in 1873. His
mother, Mildred (Carlisle) Stephens, was also a na-
tive of North Carolina, and both .she and her hus-
band lived consistent Christian lives, and were
members of the Baptist Church. After her hus-
band's death, she was married to H. Smith, and
died in 1886. J. H. Stephens was the eldest of
eight children, only two others, William S. and
Leander, the youngest, now living. He has 2it5
acres of land, half of which is very rich farming
land, and of this he has cleared about eighty acres.
He also gives much attention to stock raising, and
owns many tine horses, mules, and Poland-China
hogs. He is a Mason, and a member of the Grange,
and is popular among his many friends. Both
he and his wife, who is a meml)er of the Methodist
Church, are liberal to all progressive enterprises.
Arnold Stotts. Joshua and Rebecca (Thomas)
Stotts, the paternal grandparents of our subject,
were natives of Virginia and North Carolina, re-
spectively, and after their marriage remained some
time in Virginia, and in 1810 went to AVilson
County, Tenn., and in 1827 went farther west to
Perry County, where the husband died the same
year. Mrs. Stotts married a second time, and
about 1850 came to Arkansas, locating near Jones-
boro, now Craighead County, where she died about
1853 at the age of ninety-eight years. Of the
nine children born to this union only one is now
living, William Stotts, one of the oldest and most
highly respected citizens of the island. He was
born in Wythe County, Va., in 1802, and, being
but a child when his parents moved to Tennessee,
grew to manhood in Tennessee. In 1S43, he came
by wagon to Arkansas, and located in what is now
Craighead County, below Jonesboro, where he re-
mained till 1878, when he moved to Buffalo Island,
where he has since resided. He was first married
in 1830 to Frances Thomason, a native of North
Carolina, who died February 12, 1877, aged fifty-
three years. By this union there were nine chil-
dren, four of whom are still living: Arnold, Eliz-
abeth (widow of John Garrett), Wiley and Mrs.
Sarah Itandson. Those deceased are William,
Rebecca A., John and two infants. Mr. Stotts'
second wife was Mrs. Tempie Cannon, nee Morgan,
and both of them are members of the Baptist
Church. Mr. Stotts has a small farm of forty
acres, with twenty-eight under cultivation, which
he cultivates himself and uj)on which ho makes his
living and clears about .f500 per year. Arnold
Stotts, the oldest child of William, and the imme-
diate subject of this sketch, is a merchant and
farmer of Stottsville and also owner and proprietor
of a cotton-gin and saw and grist-mill. He was
born in Perry County, Tenn., in October, 1N31.
and was but twelve years of age when his parents
came to this State. July 18. 1851, he was united in
marriage with Cynthia Mattox, l)orn near (iaiiies
A
o *^
-« — ^'i
358
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
ville, Ark. . and daughter of Edward Mattox. This
union has been blessed with five childi-en: Mary
Ann (wife of J. Tonson), James, Amanda (wife of
Richard Mangrum). "William and Alabama (wife of
Walter Skelton). All are married and live around
the home place. After his marriage Mr. Stotts lo-
cated near Jonesboro, and in 1863 moved to Buffalo
Island, and in 1881 to his present place. He owns
580 acres of land, and on his home place 320 acres,
with 100 under cultivation. In 1874 he began
merchandising, and in 1876 put up a cotton gin, a
year later adding a saw and grist-mill. He has
also a blacksmith shop. When he located on the
island there were but four families residing on it,
and he has killed deer and bears in numbers. He
raised the first cotton crop ever made on the island,
and the first year he built his gin, ginned sixty-five
bales of cotton, and in 1888 ginned 378 bales. He
is one of the leading citizens of the community, and
is eminently a self-made man. Mrs. Stotts is a
charitable lady and a member of the Methodist
Episcopal Church, South.
J. M. Stotts. postmaster of Dee, and a farmer
of Greenfield Township, is a native of Craighead
County, born December '28, 1842. His parents,
Andrew J. and Mary Ann (Crowder) Stotts, wore
among the first settlers of Craighead County, com-
ing from Tennessee, their native State, in 1836.
The father died in 1852, the mother five or six
years later. These parents had nine children, five
living and residents of this county: William, mar-
ried to Caroline Pierce; Martha, wife of Abner
Patterson; A. J. Stotts, married to Mila Ann
Rickles; Thomas, married to Lena Freeman, and
J. M. Stotts, the subject of this sketch. Mi-.
Stotts was reared in this county, and received a
fair common-school education, the war breaking
out when he was yet a boy. When about seven-
teen years of age he entered the Confederate army,
Thirteenth Arkansas Infantry, and served two
years. On Christmas day, 1865, he was united in
marriage with Sarah Ann Bishop, a daughter of
Jones and Margaret (Holland) Bishop, both of
whom are natives of Georgia, and came to Arkan-
sas in the spring of 1861. The father is deceased,
but the mother is still living, and is about fifty
years of age. To Mr. and Mrs. Stotts were born
nine children, four of whom are deceased; Abra-
ham, Hiram. Andy J. and Mary Ann. The living
are William Levi, James Warner. Sarah Ann.
Marietta and Hattie. Since his marriage Mr.
Stotts has been engaged in farming, and now owns
a well-improved farm of fifty acres, mostly under
cultivation. He was for four years a merchant of
Dee, and in November, 1882, was appointed post-
master, which office he has since held. He is a
member of Harrisburg Lodge No. 77, I. O. O. F.,
and both he and his wife are members of the
Christian Valley Church.
Albert F. Taylor, one of the most extensive
farmers and stock dealers of Craighead County,
was born in Henderson County, Tenn., in 1824.
His parents, Abner and Mary (Baker) Taylor,
were natives of East Tennessee, where the father
was a prosperous and successful farmer. About
1820 they moved to Western Tennessee, where,
being owner of a number of slaves, he engaged ex-
tensively in farming. The father died in the
"Old Volunteer State," and the mother came with
her family to Arkansas, where she died a few years
thereafter. They were the parents of four chil-
dren, Albert F. being the second child, and the
only one now living. He came with his mother to
Arkansas in 1838. and located on Crowley's Ridge,
now in this county, where he remained for six
years, and then moved to Maumelle Prairie, near
where he is now living. There he purchased and
improved a large farm, and remained on it for six-
teen years, and then came to his present location.
Since coming to this county he has put in cultiva-
tion over 600 acres of land, and now owns over 3, 000
acres, with about 500 on the home place, where
there are forty acres in clover and timothy meadow,
good residence, tenant house, orchards and barns.
He has 150 head of cattle, and in connection with
his farm operates a cotton-gin. He was married
in 1852 to Elizabeth Snodderly, born in Tennessee,
who is the mother of seven childi'en, one, Jennie,
deceased. Those living are Alanson L., Fer-
gus W., William, Albert F., Jr., John P. and
Thomas W. Mr. Taylor is a member of the A. F.
& A. M. , is a Democrat in politics, and in the late
"71
war served eighteen months in the Confederate
army.
D. H. Thorn, of Jonesboro, a prouiinent and
prosperous farmer of Craighead County, was horn
in York District, S. C, September 1, 1836. His
parents, Jesse and Frances (Miller) Thorn, were
both natives of South Carolina. The paternal
grandfather, Hezekiah Thorn, also a native of
' ' The Palmetto State, " ' was a farmer by occupa-
tion, and died in the State of his nativity. The
maternal grandfather, Jacob Miller, also a farmer,
went from South Carolina to Kentucky, in an
early day and there died. Jesse Thorn went to
Calloway County, Ky., about 1838, and in 1844
came to Craighead (then Poinsett) County, Ark.,
and located twelve miles south of the present site
of Jonesboro. There he remained until 1850,
when he removed to what is known as East Bot-
tom, where he settled in the woods, building a lit-
tle log cabin with clapboard roof and door, and
puncheon floor. They were subjected to all the
privations and hardships incident to pioneer life,
using all manner of crude contrivances for making
lueal, wearing bome-spun and home-made cloth-
ing, and, with Memphis as the nearest market,
hauling there all produce with wagons and ox-
teams. Jesse Thorn was the first school teacher
in the county, would make his croji and then teach
a subscription school for the remainder of the
year. He taught for several years, and died in
this county in 1873, his wife having died two
years previously. They were the parents of thir-
teen children, only six of whom are now living:
John N. , Alsey S. , Dawson H. , Martha (wife of
G. W. Hubbs), Sarah (wife of Abraham Brown),
Caledonia (wife of William Guinn). One brother,
M'illiam, was killed during the war. D. H.
Thorn was l)ut ten years of age when he came
with his parents to Arkansas, and, until his mar-
riage, remained with his father assisting in clear-
ing the farm, and then settled near the old home-
stead where he resided until 1869. He then
moved to Jonesboro, where he is now living in his
second house in Arkansas. In 1874 he was elected
sheriff of Craighead County, and was re-elected
each successive election until 188(1. He has served
four years as deputy sheriff, has been constable
and justice of the peace, and has been thirteen
times a candidate for minor offices, and been each
time elected. He is one of the most extensive land
owners in the county, and has about 2,000 acres
of land with 500 under cultivation, and has also a
large stock farm known as the Miller Mounds.
His especial attention is now given to the raising
of fine stock. For twelve years he has been en-
gaged in the manufacture of lumber, owning two
fine large saw-mills. He was first married in 1858
to Eliza Ford, a native of Teimessee, and they are
the parents of three children, all married: Will-
iam T., Dawson H. and John N. He was again
married in 1876, to Cora Henson, also a native of
Tennessee, a consistent Christian and member of
the Methodist Episcopal Church. Mr. Thorn is a
member of the Masonic fraternity, and a leading
citizen of the county. Having l)een a pioneer
citizen, he has witnessed the rapid gi-owth and de-
velopment of the county, the change from a cane
brake to the thriving little city of Jonesboro. By
industry, thrift and economy, he has accumulated
a competency, and can now enjoy the fruits of his
toil.
L. G. Thornton, a fariner of Jonesboro Town-
ship, has been a resident of Craighead County for
twenty-five years. He was born in Wayne Coimty,
Tenn., October 17, 1827. His parents, Hosea and
Catherine (Hendrix) Thornton, were both natives
of the old ' ' Volunteer State. ' ' They were the
parents of five children, foiir sons and one daugh-
ter, L. G. l)eing the second child. The father died
of consumjition when the sul)ject of this sketch was
nine years of age, and the mother was married
again, to John Baker. They moved to Arkansas
just before the War of the Kebellion, and located
in Izard County. Mr. Baker gave his life for the
Confederate cause, was taken prisoner, and died
in prison at Little Rock. The mother died in
Izard County, in 1881, aged seventy-nine years.
L. G. Thornton was reared on a farm, grew to
manhood there, and was married Xovemlier 7,
1844, to Cynthia Ballard, a native of Hardin Coun-
ty, Tenn. Her parents were Williford and Cath-
erine (Carr) Ballard; the former died in Tennessee,
360
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
and Mrs. Ballard subsequently removed to Izard
County, -where she died in 1855. They were the
parents of four children, three daughters and one
son. Mr. Thornton removed to this State in 1 849,
coming by wagon and water, and settled on a farm
of 160 acres in Izard County, at that time nearly
all timbered, cleared it up, and lived in that set-
tlement until 1865. He served bravely as a Con-
federate soldier, being a member of Col. Freeman's
regiment, and Capt. Meadows" company. In
December of 1864 he started for Craighead County,
arriving January 1, 1865: rented for one year,
then bought his present farm of ISO acres, on
which he has since lived. By dint of hard work
and perseverance he has cleared about 100 acres,
most of which he rents, himself at present farming
only forty acres. Mr. and Mrs. Thornton are the
parents of ten children, four of them living: Mar-
tha Ann, Henry C. (married to Amanda Garrett, and
living in Jonesboro), James M. (married to Mary
Travis, and lives on the old homestead), Lewis S.
(married to Mary Wood, and is a prominent physi-
cian of Big Bay Station). Those deceased were
Mary, Sparling, William, Lucy and two daughters
who died in infancy. At the time of his death,
April 18, 1880, Sparling was a prominent young
man of twenty five, and at that time county clerk
of Cross County. While a citizen of Izard County
Mr. Thornton was justice of the peace and consta-
ble. He is a Democrat, has held local positions of
honor and trust, and is a practical farmer and pro-
gressive citizen.
Francis H. Varner, whose extensive farm is
second to but one on Buffalo Island, was born in
Dunklin County, Mo., September 6, 1842, and is
the son of Thomas Varner, a native of Georgia.
The father's first wife lived but a short time, and
he was afterward married to Susan Moore, a na-
tive of Virginia. . They were married in Dunklin
County and there engaged in farming for several
years, but soon after the birth of Francis H.
moved to Buffalo Island, in 1844. Here the
father engaged in farming, besides practicing
his profession as physician and surgeon until his
death, July 3, 1876. His wife survived him sev-
eral years, dying January 30, 1SS5.. Francis H.
is the oldest of the family of seven children — five
boys and two girls — all of whom are now living
and residents of this island. He was actively em-
ployed on the farm until after his father's death,
and educational advantages being at that time very
limited received but a meager education. He has
improved several large farms and of 800 acres has
about 175 cleared, and has also a good residence
and outbuildings. In connection with his farm he
has a cotton-gin and grist mill. In the latter part
of the late war he entered the Confederate service,
and surrendered at Wittsburg, Ark. April 13,
1867, he married Tennie C. Lambert, who was a
native of Tennessee, but was reared in Arkansas.
She died June 10, 1883, leaving the following chil-
dren: Mary Ann (wife of Dawson Brooks), born
January 30, 1868; William T., born January 25,
1870; Corintha J., born October 23, 1873; Tabi-
tha E., born July 28, 1876, and Ava V., born Au-
gust 9, 1879. Two children died in infancy. De-
cember 24, 1885, he was married to Margaret Arm-
strong, nee Privett, who is a native of Alabama and
the widow of W. J. Armstrong. She is the daugh-
ter of A. R. Privett, who was born in North Caro-
lina March 19, 1806. and died in Union County,
Miss., December 24, 1877. Mr. Varner is a mem-
ber of the Christian Church and his wife of the
Methodist Episcopal.
S. A. Warner, president of the Bank of Jones-
boro, is a native of Obion County, Tenn., born
December 17, 1848. His father, S. A. Warner,
was born in North Carolina, March 26, 1800, and
in early life moved to Tennessee, where in 1828
he was united in marriage with Miss Martha A.
Mosley, a native of Charlotte County, Va. They
then resided for several years at Dresden, Weak-
ley County, Tenn., where the father was an attor-
ney in early life, and was popular and successful
in his profession. After retiring from his profes
sion, he engaged extensively in agricultural pur-
suits. In ]8r)9 he came to Craighead County,
Ark., locating about three and one half miles from'
Jonesboro. Here he purchased a vast amount of
land, and at his death in October, 1887, owned
several hundred acres. He served with distinc-
tion as a soldier under Jackson, and was a major
yz
CRAIGHEAD COUNTY.
361
ill his ar uy. Mrs. Warner died January 15, 1884.
They w(Te the parents of ten children, live of
whom a;e now living: Martha A. (widow of Dr.
J. D. Hdlis), Mary S. (widow of W. A. Brevard,
of Hickman, Ky.), Hiilda A., (widow of T. J. Rat-
cliffe), "^'irginia E. (wife of \\. H. Cate) and Sam-
uel A. One son, John Robert, a soldier in the
late wai', over-exerted himself during the evacua-
tion of Memphis, and died while in service. Sam-
uel A. vas but nine years of age when his parents
came to Craighead County, and here he grew to
manhood, i^^ceiving a good education in the Jones-
boro schools. When twenty years of age, he be-
gan the study of law, attended the St. Louis law
school, and in 1870 was admitted to the bar. He
entered a partnership with W. H. Cate, and began
the practice of his profession. This partnership
continued until 1S82, when it was dissolved, and
Mr. Warner continued the practice alone. Though
for many years a successful lawyer, he has now
practically retired from his profession, and has
turned his attention to commercial pursuits. He
rypreseuts R. G. Dun & Cos.' Commercial Agen-
cy of all the large cities, Wilbur Commercial
jigency of Chicago, and Northwestern of New
York. He was elected in 1879 to represent his
county in the State legislature, serving one term.
Mr. Warner is a large property holder, and has
been extensively engaged in agricultural pursuits,
and now has about 300 acres of good land under
cultivation. He has valuable town property, his
residence, a magnificent brick, being the finest in
the city. It was built at a cost of $15,000, and
has all modern improvements, heated by steam,
lighted by gas, furnished with hot and cold water,
etc. In 1874 Miss Sarah J. Culberhouse became
his wife, and two children are the fruits of this
.icion: Samuel A. and Thomas D. Mr. and Mrs.
Warner are members of the Methodist Episcopal
Church, South, and are prominent and popular
members of society. Having the public interest
in view, Mr. Warner is foremost in the support of
charitable, progressive and praiseworthy enter-
prises.
Rev. William Y. M. Wilkerson, a minister of
the Christian denomination, and deputy clerk of
Craighead County, wiis born in Lawrence (now
Sharp) County, Ark., in 1844, and is a son of
Purvey Wilkerson, a native of North Carolina.
The father was reared in Illinois, but came to Ar-
kansas in 18:^(), and married while here, returning
the same j'ear to Illinois, where he remained for
.six years. He then returned to Arkansas, locating
in what is now Sharp County, where he improved
a large farm, on which he resided until 1863, when
he again returned to Illinois. Three years later
he started to return to his home in Arkansas, but,
before reaching here, died in Perry County, Mo.,
November 24, 1866. He was devoted to the cause
of his Master, and was a deacon in the Baptist
Chnrch. The mother is an estimable lady, and
still resides in Sharp County, of which she is a
native, born in 1821. Our subject and Benjamin
W. are the only survivors of the family of seven
children. William Y. M. has spent all but tive
years of his life in this State, and in his youth
attended school and assisted on the farm. In the
War of the Rebellion he served in the Union army,
enlisting first in the Third Missouri Militia, and
later in the Fourteentli Missouri Volunteers. He
saw much active service, and was slightly wounded
at Licking, Mo. After the surrender he went to
Franklin County, 111., and attended high school
one year, when he returned to Arkansas, and fol-
lowed farming and school teaching until 1884,
when he was elected deputy clerk, to which office
he has since been three times elected. He is a
Republican in politics, but stands so high in pop-
ular favor that he has l)een four times elected in a
county where there are twenty Democrats to one
Republican. Mr. Wilkerson was married in 1876
to Miss Morrilla T. Herren, a native of Alabama,
and to this union have been born five children:
Rebecca E. , Henry M., William A. W., James B.
P. and Clarkie G. Mr. and Mrs. Wilkerson are
members of the Christian Church, and he has V)een
an ordained minister of that denomination since
November 20, 1870. He professed religion in
1800, and since that time has given twenty years
to the ministry of the Gospel. He located in this
county in 1880, and, through his kindness to the
poor, thoughtful consideration of his fellow men.
•f*
362
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
fervent piety and devotion to his Master's cause,
he has won an enviable and lasting popularity.
Jacoli ^Villiams, a thrifty, self-made farmer of
Buffalo Island, was born in Cumberland County,
Tenn., in 1829. and is the fifth child of Caleb and
Lucy (Jones) Williams, natives of Virginia. The
father was born in 1797, and when a young man
moved to Kentucky, where he engaged in farming
for several ypars. His wife died aliont the close
of the war, but he, though quite helpless, is still
living. They had eleven children, and all but
two lived to be grown. Jacob Williams was
reared on a farm, and had but limited educational
advantages, but through wide practical knowl-
edge, has made himself what he is. When twen-
ty-one years of age, he began farming for him-
self in Cumberland Coimty, where he remained
until 185(5, when he moved to West Tennessee.
In 1867, he came to Arkansas, locating on Buffalo
Island. From heavy woodland, he has cleared
100 acres, and now owns 200, all of which, by his
own industry, thrift and economy, he has made
since coming to this State. In 1849 he was united
in marriage with Mary Smith, a native of Virginia,
and thoy are the parents of two sons. Dr. Joseph
M. and Clarence W. They are highly esteemed
in the community in which they live for their
strict piety and sterling worth. Mr. Williams and
family are members of the Methodist Church.
George W. Wilson is a native of Craighead
County. Ark. , where he still resides, and occupies
a prominent position among its farmers. His fa-
ther, also George W. Wilson, was liorn in South
Carolina, July 30, 1829, was educated in that
State, and followed farming very successfully.
November 12. 1854, he married Martha Loftis,
born in South Carolina, and daughter of Morris
and Priscilla (Cantrel) Loftis, who are the parents
of eleven children, seven of whom are living in
this State. He was a member of the Baptist
Church, and died September 7. 1859. George
W. Wilson, the immediate subject of this sketch,
received his education in Jonosboro, Ark., and
married Sarah Stroud, a native of Tennessee,
and daughter of Anderson and Sarah Stroud, na-
tives of the same State, who ''ame to Arkansas in
1859. Mr. and Mrs. Wilson are the parents of
three children: Alvan D., Levi T. nnd Varina G.
Mr. Wilson has a large, well-stocked farm of 140
acres, with about 100 acres under cultivation. He
is a member of both the Masonic fraternity and of
the Agricultural Wheel, in both of which organiza-
tions he has occupied oflieial chairs. He manife.sts
a great deal of pride in the county's development
and progress, and is one of the kind that make^ it
thrifty community. Both he and his wife arc
members of the Baptist Church.
W. J. Witt, of Jonesboro, was born in Jeffer-
son County, Tenn., December 2, 1831, is a son of
Joseph M. and Cynthia (Lawrence) Witt, natives
of Tennessee, and is one of the prominent, pro
gressive farmers of the county. Joseph M. Witt
was a farmer by occupation, was successful in that
pursuit, and was greatly esteemed by his many
friends. About 1S4(I he moved to eastern Ala-
bama, where both parents resided until their
deaths. They had eight children, four of whom
are now living: William J.. James L. , Nancv and
Thomas H. William J. AVitt was reared and edu
cated in Alabama, and in 1800 moved to Craighead
County, Ark., locating on a farm about nine miles
west of Jonesboro, and remained there until the
close of the war. He served in the Confederate
army about eighteen months, and at the close of
the war moved to Jonesboro, that his children
might have advantage of the Jonesboro schools.
He owns eighty five acres of laud, with about one-
half well improved. lu 1849 he was married to
Matilda A. Shirey, aud thev were the [larents of
four children, two now living. They are Martha
C, wife of A. \V. Sparks, and Cynthia J., wife of
Z. T. Matthews, a leading merchant of Jonesboro.
Mr. Witt was again married, in 1878, selecting
Sidda Mangrum. She is the mother of three chil-
dren. Mr. Witt has strong convictions of right,
and is a man of sterling worth in the community.
Both he and Mrs. Witt are members of the Mis-
sionary Baptist Chiu-ch. of which he is a deacon.
Joel G. Wood (deceased). William H. and
Elmira (Lane) Wood, both natives of Alal-anui.
were the [)arent8 of nine children, all of whoui
moved to Arkansas. Two .still live in Craighead
ii -T^- l.i^
o
Independence Cqunty^Arkansas.
County: Greene, on Maixmelle prairie, and Fran-
cis, two and a half miles north of Jonesboro. Joel
G. was born in Cherokee County, Ala.. , October 7,
1829, and was reared on the farm, receiving a fair
"district school' ' education. January 29, 1854, he
was married to Maria Evans, daughter of Jesse
and Caroline (Anderson) Evans, parents of eight
living children. Both Mr. and Mrs. Evans met
an untimely death in a destructive cyclone which
passed over Northern Alabama about 1884. The
father was sixty and the mother about fifty years
of age. Mr. Wood farmed in Alabama for two
years after his marriage, then moved to Greene
County, Ark. , and two years later came to Craig-
head County and purchased sixty acres of land
one and one-fourth mile south of Jonesboro, where
he resided until the time of his death. He was a
successful farmer, a grocery merchant of Jones-
boro, also a butcher and did some freighting from
Wittsburg, Walnut Ridge, and Memphis to Jones-
boro. He served with credit one term as sheriff
of Craighead County, and filled the offices of
justice of the peace and constable in Cherokee
County, Ala. He was a prominent citizen and a
Democrat, meriting the honors bestowed upon him.
He died from an accident November 10, 1882. To
Mr. and Mrs. Wood were born twelve children,
eight of whom are living: Alice V., wife of Napo-
leon Keller, a farmer of White County, Ark. ;
James Buchanan, married to Elizabeth Cox, and
residing in Craighead County; Mary, wife of Dr.
Lewis S. Thornton, a leading physician of Big
Bay Station, Ark. ; Joel G., who lives with his wife
in Conway County; Albert Pike, married to Laura
Rackley, and living near the old homestead; Will
iam P., Starling W., and Dora Lee, at home.
The deceased are Josephine and three infants.
Mrs. Wood resides on the old homestead, and con
ducts the farm in a successful and thrifty manner.
She is a member of the Methodist Episcopal
Church, and a lady of social and moral worth.
364
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
/BimI^'ImK. xix.
«>*<
Randolph County— The Pioneers— The County Formed and Organized— Seat of Justice— Build-
ings— Local Officers— Elections— Natural History— Water-courses— Minerals,
Soil, etc.- Wood Supply— Vegetable and Other Products— Statistics—
Taxables— The Census— Public Highways— The Great War-
Law AND Lawyers— Instruction— Morals— Towns
AND Villages— Selected Biography.
Ye pioneers, it is to you
The debt of gratitude is due ;
Ye builded wiser than ye knew
The broad foundation
On which our superstructure stands. -
-Peiirre.
'lONEER SETTLERS of
any community are deserv-
ing of more than ordinary
mention for the important
part they occupied in its
earliest development. The
first settler of the territory
' '' embraced within Randolph County
was John Janes, a survivor of the Rev-
olutionary War, who was wounded in
the battle of Yorktown, and who,
about the year 1800, emigrated from
Virginia to Missouri, and thence, in
1809, to this county, locating on
Janes Creek on the farm now owned
by William Bridges. Other very early
comers to this creek were the Rick-
mans, Bakers and Davises. On the other streams
the first settlers were as follows : On Spring River,
James Campbell, on the farm now owned by John
Miller, Sr. ; the Stubl)lefields and Loneys, on
Eleven Point River; Samuel McElroy, who was a
iiatter by trade and supplied the country for fifty
miles around; Edward Mattix, Robert M. Revvel
and Thomas Holderby ; On Fourche Dumas River,
the Fletchers, Fosters, Swezy, Jarrett and Plott;
on Current River, Frank Hix, Peyton R. Pittman
(the first county judge), Duckworth, Pyburn and
Ingram; on Black River, Caspar Schmick chose a
residence two miles below Pocahontas, and in 18'28
Gov. Thomas S. Drew and R. S. Bettis located on
the site of Pocahontas. James Russell, at whose
house the tir.st courts were held, made a home on
the uplands eight miles north of Pocahontas on
the farm now known as the Foster place. Mathias
Mock was an early settler on Mud Creek. In 1815
David Black, formerly of South Carolina, the
grandfather of John P., David C, Rufus H. and
William A. Black, all of whom are living, settled
at Black's Ferry, on Eleven Points River.
The DeMunns, two or three brothers, refugees
from the French Revolution, highly respected,
intelligent and liberal Frenchmen, became resi-
dents on Black River, some two miles below the
site of Pocahontas, where they built the first water-
power grist and saw-mill in the county, about the
year 1822. Prior to this John Janes had erected
a horse-power grist-mill at his residence. All of
RANDOLPH COUNTY.
365
these settlers mentioned, except the DeMunns and,
perhaps, one or two others, have left within the
county a numerous progeny. The first immigrants
were from Virginia, the Carolinas, Kentucky and
Tennessee; later they were mostly from the latter
State, and for a time before and up to tlie Civil
War there was a large influx from Indiana and
Kentucky. Recently the immigration has been |
from various States, both north and south. It is
said that when the war came those individuals
fi'om Indiana sympathized with the Southern
cause, while the Kentuckians generally remained
loyal and refugeed from the county.
The county of Randolph was organized in ac-
cordance with an act of the legislature of Arkan-
sas Territory, approved October 29, 1835. As orig-
inally constituted, it included all the territory
lying west of Cache River, in what is now Clay
and Greene Counties. By a subsequent legislative
act, approved January 18,1861, a portion of Law-
rence County, about twenty-five square miles, was
cut off and attached to Randolph.
Under the act creating the county, commis-
sioners were appointed to select two separate
places, either of which would be suitable for the
location of the county seat. It was further pro-
vided that the people should decide, at an election
to be held for the purpose, at which of these points
the county seat should be fixed. Accordingly the
commissioners selected the site of Pocahontas, and
another place at some noted springs in the woods,
about eight miles north. At that time Thomas S.
Drew (afterward governor) and R. S. Bettis owned
the present location of Pocahontas. The larger
portion of the settlers had gathered in the northern
part of the county, and felt confident that the
people would select the place at the springs for
the seat of justice. The election was held in the
summer or fall of 1S3G, on which occasion Messrs.
Drew and Bettis gave a free barbecue at the site of
Pocahontas, and, as men could then vote at any vot-
ing place in the county, the barbecue proved a suf-
ficient inducement to draw voters enough to secure
a small majority in favor of locating the seat of
justice at the latter place. Here it was accord-
ingly placed, and has since remained. The pro-
prietors of the site donated the public square to
the county. Soon after a contract was entered into
between the county and Thomas O. Marr, for the
construction of a two-story brick court-house, 4(lx
40 feet in size, with the court room below and the
offices above. The contractor agreed to complete
the building for $2,400, but it was several years be-
fore it was finished and accepted. This house
stood until about the year 1870, when on account
of its improper construction it fell down. A Mr.
McKay secured the contract for the construction of
the present courthouse, for the sum of ?4r),0()0.
and the material of the old building. Afterward,
in 1874, when the local administration changed
hands, and before the contractor had received his
pay, it was discovered or believed that some fraud
had been connected with the contract, which led to
litigation, whereupon a compromise was made with
the contractor by confessing judgment in his favor
for 128,000, which, together with costs and inter-
est, amounted b_Y the time it was all i)aid to about
135,000. The court-house is a substantial and
fairly handsome two-story brick structure, on a
rock foundation, with a fire- proof vault for the
records attached, and with offices below and court-
room above.
A double-walled, squared-log jail, with stone
filling between the walls, and two stories in height,
was erected about 1840, and was used until 1870;
then a frame jail, with an iron cell was erected
and used until 1886, when the present one, a frame
with an iron cell, metal roof and siding, was con-
structed at a cost of a little over ?4,000. These
constitute all the county buildings, there being no
poor farm or poor asylum.
The following list includes the names of the
officers of this county, together with their terms
of service, from its organization to the present.
Judges: P. R. Pittman, 1835-42; James Mar
tin, 1S42-46; B. J. Wiley. 1846-50: James :^Iai
tin. 1850-52; B. J. Wiley, 1852-54; J. P. In-
gram, 1854-60; William Thompson, 1860-62; H.
Cockran, 1862-68; C. V. Cory, 1868-72; com-
missioners, 1872-74; Isham Russell, 1874-76; J.
H. Purkins, 1876-78; S. J. Johnson. 1878-82;
J. H. Richardson, 1882-86; Daniel Wyatt, 1886 -
'
^
® l^
366
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
88; A. J. Witt, present incumbent, elected in
1888.
Clerks: B. J. Wiley, 1835-42; J. H. Imbo-
den, 1842-44; T. O. Marr, 1844-49; Alex.
Smith, 1849-50; L. F. Johnson, 1850-52; J. C.
Walker, 1852-54; E. L. Urmston, 1854-58; J. B.
Kelsey, 1858-64; C. C. Elder, 1864-68; E. Rock-
well, 1868-72; J. T. Robinson, 1872-76; J.
Schoonover, 1876-82; J. T. Robinson, 1882-86;
W. T. Bispham, present incumbent, first elected
in 1886.
SherifPs: Wm. Black, 1835-40; J. H. Imbo-
den, 1840-42; J. Spikes, 1842-49; John Chand-
ler, 1849-52; W. G. Murphy, 1852-58; D. C.
Black, 1858-62; M. McNabb, 1862-64; S. M.
Truly, 1864-65; D. C. Black, 1865-68; G. A.
Eaton, 1868-72; J. T. Fisher, 1872-74; J. F.
Spikes, 1874-76; D. C. Black, 1876-78; W. Con-
ner, 1878-82; A. J. Witt, 1882-86; B. F. Spikes,
present incumbent, first elected in 1886.
Treasui-ers: B. M. Simpson, 1836-38; J. New-
land, 1838-46; W. L. Rice. 1846-52; J. D.
Cross, 1852-57; W. W. Douthit, 1857-64; Thom-
as Foster, 1864-68; A. J. Pack, 1868-72; J.
Hufstedler, 1872-74; T. S. Bennett, 1874-76;
J. W. Slayton, 1876-78; A. H. Kibler, 1878-86;
J. R. Chambers, present incumbent, first elected
in 1886.
Surveyors: J. M. Cooper, 1835-38; John John-
son, Sr., 1838-40; J. Vanbibber, 1840-42; I. L.
Garrett, 1842-44; William McLain, 1844-54;
T. S. Swingington, 1854-56; I. L. Garrett, 1856-
66; N. C. Dodson, 1866-68; I. L. Garrett, 1868-
72; N. C. Dodson, 1872-82: J. H. Skaggs, 1882-
84; N. C. Dodson, 1884-88; G. B. Smith, present
incumbent, elected in 1888.
Assessors: L. F. Johnson, 1862-68; D. C.
Downey, 1868-72; J. D. Wyatt, 1872-74; S. W.
Thompson, 1874-76; J. H. Richardson, 1876-82;
W. H. Johnson, 1882-84; M. D. Bowers, 1884-
88; Gideon Thompson, present incumbent, elected
in 1888.
Representatives in constitutional conventions:
1836, none; 1861, J. W. Crenshaw; 1864, none;
1868, Ham. W. EatclifFe; 1874, none.
The first representatives of Randolph County
in the lower house of the legislature of 1837-38
were W. Piboum and J. Anthony.
The first State senator of the county was Rob-
ert Smith, who represented this and Lawrence
County.
At the last election for President, Randolph
gave Cleveland 1,606 votes, Harrison, 249, Street-
er, 45, and Fisk, 6.
Randolph County is in Northeast Arkansas, and
is bounded north by Oregon and Ripley Counties,
in Missouri, east by Clay and Greene Counties in
Arkansas, south by Lawrence, and west by Sharp
Counties, and contains about 640 square miles, of
which only about one-fifth is improved.
Its boundary lines are as follows: Beginning
on the State line between Missouri and Arkansas,
it crosses the line between Ranges 2 and 3 east;
thence, south on the range line to the line dividing
Townships 20 and 21 north; thence, east on said
line to the northeast corner of Section 4, Township
20 north, Range 3 east; thence, south on the sec-
tion lines to the middle of Black River; thence,
down the middle of Black River to the line divid-
ing Ranges 2 and 3 east; thence, south on the
range line to the line between Townships 17 and
18 north; thence, west on the township line to the
middle of Black River; thence, downstream to the
mouth of Spring River; thence, up Spring River
to the line dividing Ranges 2 and 3 west; thence,
north to the northeast corner of Township 18
north. Range 3 west; thence, west to the south-
west corner of Section 36, Townshija 19, Range
3 ; thence, north to the northeast corner of Section
23, same township and range; thence, west to the
northwest corner of that section; thence, north to
the northwest corner of Section 26, Township 20,
Range 3; thence, northwesterly to a point on the
State line near the northwest corner of Township
21, Range 4 west; thence, east on the State line to
the place of beginning.*
Black River enters the coiinty from the east,
south of the center of its eastern boundary, and
runs in a southwesterly direction to its juiiction
with Spring River, where it passes out. Current
*Tlie northern portion of the western boundary of the
county has never been definitely located and described.
River enters from the northeast, in Section 4,
Township 20 north, Range 3 east, and flows thence
southwesterly to its junction with Black River, in
Section HO, Township I'J north, Range "1 east.
Black River is navigable for boats of fair size, to
the mouth of Current, and the latter is navigable
up to Shoemaker's Ferry, near the eastern bound-
ary of the county. Both are navigable farther up
for smaller vessels. Fourche Dumas — originally
Fourche a Thomas — enters from Missouri in the
eastern part of Range 1 east, and flows in a south-
erly direction to its confluence with Black River, a
mile above Pocahontas. Eleven Points River first
touches the county from the north, near the mid-
tUe of Range 2 west, and flows southward, bearintr
slightly to the east, and empties into Spring River,
near the southern boundary. Janes Creek rises !
in the county's extreme northwest corner and flows
southeasterly to its junction with Spring River, in
Section 7, Township 18 north. Range 2 west. '
Spring River flows in a southeasterly direction,
forming the boundary between Randolph and Law-
rence Counties, and empties into Black River at
the extreme southern point of the former. These
streams have many tributaries, and together form
a beautiful "river system " for the county. The
surplus water of the county flows into Black River,
and all the streams named, with the exception of
•lanes Creek, have their source in Missouri. Their
miited direction resembles a fan or a tree with a
spreading top, the lower Black River being the
handle of the fan or the trunk of the tree. The
natural drainage of the county is good. Fish are
abundant in all the streams.
About one-half of the lands of Randolph
County are level river bottoms, and the remainder
hill or uplands, the latter being mostly in the
western portion. Its location is such that nearly
all is fit for cultivation.
There are large (juantities of Government land
subject to sale at $1.25 per acre, or that can be
taken as a homestead by heads of families, in tracts
of 100 acres each, also a large area of State lands,
Ui be had at 50 cents per acre, or that can be do-
nated at a cost of 4^15 for Ifil) acres, to actual set-
tlers. Much land has already been taken np by
"homesteaders." There are indications of met
als beneath the surface, such as lead, zinc and
copper, but mines have not yet been of)ened.
In addition to the many streams mentioned,
numerous springs abound, especially in the hilly
portions of the county, two of which, "Warm
Springs" and " Ravenden Springs " have ol)tained
more than a local reputation for their curative
properties. Each of these springs is provided with
a commodious hotel for the accommodation' of
pleasure and health-seekers. An abundance of
well water can be ol)tained throughout the county
at a moderate depth, and at reasonable cost. Cis-
terns, constructed at a small expense, are in general
use. These various sources furnish an abundant
water supply.
About four-fifths of the whole area of the coun-
ty is covered with a dense forest of fine timber,
consisting of white, black, red and swamp, or cow,
oaks, white and black hickory, white and black ash,
cypress, sweet gum, cedar, birch, cherry, and some
walnut and sassafras. The higher or hilly lands
abound with oak and hickory, the more valuable
timber being generally in the bottoms or level
lands.
The soil here is generally good, and with proper
cultivation is well adapted to the production
of corn, cotton, oats, wheat, clover, the tame
grasses, tobacco, vegetables, and all fruits common
to this latitude. It varies in quality from the
poorer to the richest, the latter being the alluvial
soils of the bottom lands.
Among the many resources of this section is
the seemingly inexhaustible supply of timber,
though only about six saw-mills are found; conse-
(piently the timber now being cut is mo.stly rafted
down the streams in the log to Black River, and
thence to Black Rock and other points below where
it is sawed. The land owners receive a large in-
come from the sale of the timber in the log, or on
the stump, and enough is sold fiom many tracts to
pay for them. Besides timber, agricultural pur-
suits and the raising of live stock are excellent
sources of income. According to the I'uited States
Census of 1880, there were 1,471) farms within the
couutv, and ."15,138 acres (about one eighth of the
368
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
entire area) improved, and the vegetable produc-
tions for the previous year were: Corn, 782,403
bushels; oats, 33,137 bushels; wheat, 31,244 bush-
els; hay, 275 tons; cotton, 6,248 bales; Irish po-
tatoes, 6,696 Vnishels; sweet potatoes, 5,570 bush-
els; tobacco, 13,348 pounds. In the amount of
tobacco produced, it ranked as the tenth county in
the State. These figures show that corn and cotton
were then, as now, the staple products of the
farmers. A good supply of grist-mills and cotton-
gins convert the raw material into marketable con-
dition. The same census shows the following num-
ber of head of live stock: Horses, 3,021; mules
and asses, 1,216; neat cattle, 10,720; sheep, 6,334;
hogs, 33, 184. The assessment rolls of the taxable
personal property for 1888 showed: Horses,
3,594; mules and asses, 1,610; neat cattle, 17,481:
sheep, 6,673; hogs, 19,915 — a large increase in all
except hogs.
In 1880 real estate was assessed for taxation at
$384,141, and personal property at $285,597,
making a total of $669,720; the total amount of
taxes charged was $26,513. In 1888 the real
estate assessment amounted to $690,677, and per-
sonal property, $671,202, making a total $1,361,-
879, taxes on which were $20,795.59. By com-
paring these figures it will be observed that since
1880 the taxable wealth of the county has a little
more than doubled, while the taxes have become
less. The recent immigration and the more rapid
development of all resources account for this in-
crease in values. The county's public debt is about
$15,000, and its scrij) is, at this writing, worth
from 75 to 85 cents on the dollar.
The aggregate population of Randolph since
its organization has been as follows: 1840, 2,196;
1850, 3,275; 1860, 6,261; 1870, 7,466: 1880,
11,724. The colored population in 1860 was 359,
in 1870, 357, and in 1880, 627. The census of
1890 will probably give the aggregate population
at about 15,000. On each occasion when the
census was taken prior to 1880, the area of the
county was about 40 per cent larger than at the
present time.
About two miles of the main line of the St.
Louis, Iron Mountain & Southern Railroad run
across the southeast portion of the county, and
1,046 feet of the main line of the Kansas City, Ft.
Scott & Memphis Railroad run near Ravenden.
O'Kean, on the former line, is the only railroad
station within the county limits.
At the beginning of the Civil War in the
spring of 1861, the people of Randolph County,
with V)ut few individual exceptions, were in favor
of the proposed Confederacy, and did all in their
power to help establish it. At least eight com-
panies of soldiers, commanded, respectively, by
Capts. Joseph Martin, T. J. Mellon, Albert Kelsey,
Eli Hufstedler, Mahlon McNabb, William A. Black,
Isaac Schmick and John Mitchell, were raised
here for the Southern army. With these com-
mands, and recruits that joined others, both in
Arkansas and Missouri, it is estimated that the
county furnished over 1,000, perhaps 1,200, sol-
diers. Nearly eveiy able-bodied man — including
boys over fifteen years of age (save a few who
refugeed) were in the Confederate army. For a
long time early in the war period, Gen. Hardee
had his headquarters at Pocahontas while he or-
ganized an army of about 10,000 men, consisting
of Hindman's Legion, a battery, and several
Arkansas regiments, all of whom were camped at
different points along Black River.
No command or commands were raised within
the county for the Federal army. In the summer
of 1862, after Hardee's army had moved away,
Gen. Steele, with a division of Federal troops,
occupied Pocahontas for several weeks, and to his
honor it can be said that the citizens of the place
and vicinity found no fault with his treatment,
and that they still remember him with kindness. In
September, 1863, a portion of Col. Reeves' regi-
ment of Confederates concealed themselves in am-
bush on tlie Herrou farm on Current River, from
which they fired upon and killed and wounded a
few men of Col. Leeper's regiment of Federal
troops as it passed along. Aside from this there
were only a few shots exchanged within the county
between the contending parties. There was no
"bushwhacking" between its citizens, but a few
men were killed by transient scouting parties. Hav-
ing graciously accepted the result of the war the peo-
EANDOLPH COUNTY.
non
pie are generally pleased that the Union was [)re-
served, and now extend a hearty welcome to immi-
grants. Sectional animosity long ago disappeared.
The records of the sessions of the several courts
held within this Territory prior to the admission
of Arkansas as a State have not been preserved.
Upon the county's organization, courts were held
at the house of James G. Eussell, eight miles north
of Pocahontas, on the farm now known as the Fos-
ter place, and until the county-seat was located.
The records show that a county court convened as
early as July, 1836, but it is probable that one or
two sessions were held prior to that date. The
first recorded session of this court was in Pocahon-
tas, in July, 1837, when there were present Peyton
K. Pittman, judge, and William L. Rice and Jo-
seph Spike, associate justices. Court now con-
venes on the first Mondays of January, April, July
and October of each year, and the probate court
convenes on the second Mondays of the same
months. The first session of the circuit court was
held at the house of Mr. Russell in August, 1836,
and was presided over by Judge Archibald Yell.
The first term held at Pocahontas, as appears of
record, began on the fifth IMonday after the fourth
Monday of April, 1887, Judge Lewis B. Tully pre-
siding. The circuit court of the county now con-
venes in regular session twice a year, beginning
on the first Mondays of February and August.
The legal bar of Randolph County is composed
of men who have demonstrated themselves to be
possessed of ability and thorough knowledge of the
legal profession. The following named attor-
neys are located here: Rufus H. Black, John P.
Black, R. D. Brown, J. T. Lomax, George T.
Black, M. F. Collier and S. A. D. Eaton.
Randolph, like all the other counties, has had
its share of suffering on account of criminal offend-
ers. But few cai)ital offenses, however, were
committed prior to the war period. The first exe-
cution, in its present boundary, was that of a slave
who killed his mistress, in 1830, and was hung in
1831, at old Jackson, then the county-seat of the
mother county, Lawrence. Nothing now remains
of this old town. In 1850 two men. Miner and
McGee, waylaid a stranger, a Kentuckian, who
was passing through the county. One struck him
from his horse with a gun, dragged him from the
road into the woods, and there left him for dead.
His horse, and saddle-bags containing some money,
were then taken, after which the assailants at-
tempted to escape. The stranger recovered suffi
ciently to give an alarm. The offenders were
caught by the citizens, and, upon being identified
by the injured man. were tried and hanged for tlie
offense. The victim died from the effects of his
wounds. About the close of the Civil War two
men, Brainard and Turpin, broke into a store and
killed the keeper, for which offense they were tried
and hanged. Later, during the reconstruction per
iod, when chaos reigned, a number of murders
were committed, and the offenders went unpun-
ished. In 1877 Marcus A. Whitley killed Duke
Summers, and subsequently was tri(>d and hanged.
In 1884 Milliam H. Harper killed John Sellers.
He was tried in Greene County, on a change of
venue, found guilty, and there executed. A few
individuals have been compelled to take the lives of
antagonists in defense of their own. Ever since
the reconstruction period law and order have pre-
vailed here, and a safer or more [leaceable com-
munity cannot now be found.
Education is not at a stand.still in this section,
as the following from the report of Mr. C. E.
Witt, county examiner, amply indicates: There
was within the county in 1888, a scholastic popula
tion of 4,804 white, and 180 colored children,
making a total of 4,993. Of these, only 1,300
white, and eighty-.six colored, making a total of
1,302, were enrolled in the public schools. But the
latter — owing to the failure of directors to make
reports — is not a true representation, as the at-
tendance is only given for the number of schools
reported, and thus the system does not receive
credit for its actual work.
The following letter bearing so directly to the
point is worthy of insertion:
P()r.\iiONTAS. AiiK.. Skpt. 25, 1888.
Hon. W. E. Thompson, Little Rock. -Vrk.
Dear Sir:— You will find enclosed the iinnuiil report
of the public schools of this eouiily. Il is not u correct
report by a great deal. Il is untrustworthy in every par-
ticular; nearlv seventy-five percent of llie districts failcil
371)
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
to report anything except the number of persons between '
the ages of six and twenty-one years, and four districts
did not report anything at all. The public schools of this |
county are more popular with the natives than any
other class of people, but not appreciated like they should
be, taking into consideration the iramense amount of '
good they are doing. Yours truly,
C. E. Witt, Cnunty Examiner.
Other county examiners complain oi the failure
of the district directors to make reports as re-
quired by law. There are seventy-five school dis-
tricts in the county, and for the year ending June
30, 1888, there was expended on account of the
jjublic schools the sum of 18,822.63. The aver-
age monthly wages paid teachers with first-grade
certificates was: Males, $37.50; females, $35.
The Roman Catholic Marienstine Institute,
located at Pocahontas, is under the management
of the Sisters. This is an institution of great ex-
cellence, and wields considerable influence in edu-
cational circles.
The religious denominations of Randolph
County are: Methodist Episcopal. South, Baptist,
Christian and Roman Catholic. The former two
were the pioneer Christian workers, having organ-
ized the first religious societies in the county. Of
the Methodist Episcopal Church, South, there are
three circuits and a mission. The Pocahontas
Circuit, consisting of Pocahontas, Clearview Chapel,
Oak Grove and Mount Pisgah, with Rev. R. H.
Grissett, pastor, has a membership of 301. The
Siloam Circuit containing several appointments in
the northeast part of the county. Rev. J. S. Best,
pastor, has a membership of 368. The Walni;t Hill
Circuit, covering several points in the northwestern
portion. Rev. J. F. Armstrong, pastor, has a
membership of 215. The Warm Springs Mission
in the central part. Rev. J. G. Miller, pastor, has
a membership of seventy-two.
Belonging to the Baptist Churches are Witt's
Chapel, Pleasant Grove, Oak Grove, Mount Pleas-
ant, Little Vine, Shiloh, Spring Hill, Macedonia,
Antioch, Mud Creek, Dry Creek, James School-
house, Vandergriff School house, Reyno and a few
others, all with an average membership of from
forty to fifty. Some of these are attached to the
State Line Association of Missionary Baptists,
and some to the Spring River Baptist Association.
Among the Baptist ministers of the county are
elders I. H. Witt, D. A. Pressley, J. B. Roach,
M. D. Bowers, Isham Looney, John A. Giles and
A. W. James.
The Christian Churches are represented by
Stony Point, Dry Creek, Maynard. Union,
Liberty, Warm Springs and one near Noland
postoffice. Elder B. F. Hollowell is pastor of the
first three named. Two elders by the name of
Lemon also preach to the people.
The Roman Catholics have one church, St.
Paul's, with a large membership, located at Poca-
hontas. Rev. Father J. Eugene Weibel is the pas-
tor. The Marienstine Institute, before mentioned,
is located by and connected with this church.
All these denominations, except the latter, main-
tain Sunday, schools in the most thickly settled
neighborhoods, and all according to their several
creeds are actively engaged in the advancement
of Christianity.
Randolph County is not without its towns. Al-
bertha, twelve miles northeast of Pocahontas, con-
tains a postoffice, store, grocery, and church and
school-house combined.
Daltou, a post hamlet on Eleven Point River,
is composed of two stores, and a water-power grist-
mill.
Elm Store is a postoffice near Eleven Points
River, on the north line of the county.
Ingram is a post hamlet near the mouth of Mud
Creek.
Kingsville, in the western part, contains two
general and one drug store, and a church and
schoolhouse combined.
Lima, a postoffice, is ten miles northwest of
Pocahontas.
Maynard, fourteen miles northeast of Pocahon-
tas, comprises a postoffice, two stores, a hotel, grist
and saw-mill, cotton-gin, a church and school
house.
Middlebrook, on Fourche Dumas, has a post-
office, two stores, a cotton-gin, and church, school
house and Masonic lodge combined.
Noland is a postoffice in the south central iiart
of the county.
EANDOLPH COUNTY.
O'Kean, a station on the St. Louis, Iron Mouut-
aiu & Southern Raih'oad, in tlie southeast corner,
contains a general store, drug store, hotel and liv-
ery stable.
Peru has a postoffice and store in the southeast
part.
Pocahontas, the county seat, situated on the
right bank of Black River, a little southeast of the
center, had its origin with the organization of the
county in 1 8;i6, when it was selected as the site for
the seat of justice. The first merchant of the place
was W. R. Hunter. The business increased and
the town prospered until it was known as the lead-
ing trading point in Northeast Arkansas. Being
about the head of navigation, it became the whole-
sale distributing point for a large tract of country
hereabouts, even to Southeast Missouri, and reached
its highest success from 185(^ to lS(iO. Ju.st before
the Civil War its commercial business was indeed
extensive. Natural prostration resulted during
this period, but it partially recovered afterward,
and continued excellent until 1872-73, when towns
sprang up along the Kansas City & Memphis Rail-
road, then being completed, and Pocahontas lost
its former prosperity. It now contains the coiuity
liuildings, postoiiiice, five general stores, three gro-
ceries, two drug stores, two saloons, one livery sta-
ble, three hotels, two newspapers, a saw-mill, three
cotton-gins, a number of shojss, three churches —
Methodist, African Methodist and Roman Catholic
— a public school -house, a Roman Catholic institute,
a complement of professional men and agents, two
Masonic lodges — white and colored — a lodgi^ of
Odd Fellows, and two lodges of Knights of Honor,
one being composed of Catholics only. The pop-
ulation is about r)00. The press includes the
Randolph Herald, now in its eighth volume, pub-
lished by J. N. Bolen, and the Pocahontas Free
Press (first volume), published hy B. B. ^Morton.
Both of the papers are ably edited, and advocate
Democratic principles. They are published week-
ly, and are bright, spicy and full of promise.
Eavenden Springs, a summer resort in the west-
ern part of the county, contains a i)ostoffice, two
genera] stores, one drug store, a first-class hotel, a
church and a school house.
Reyno, in the eastern extremity, contains a
postoffice, four general stores, one drug store, two
saloons, one millinery store, one livery stable, one
hotel, a saw- and grist-mill, a church and school-
house.
Supply, northeast of the center, consists of a
l)ostoflfice, a general store and a cotton-gin.
Warm Sjirings, in the northern part of the
county, contains noted springs, a postofSce, two
general stores, one drug store, two cotton gins, and
a school-house and church combined.
Water Valley is a postoffice on Eleven Points,
northwest of Pocahontas.
H. W. Ball, farmer and stock raiser, Dalton,
Ark. In reviewing the contents of this volume
no adetjuate idea of the agricultural affairs of
Davidson Townshij>, or of its sul)Btautial citizens
could be obtained which failed to make mention of
Mr. Ball or the excellent estate which he owns.
He was born in Independence Coimty, Ark., on the
15th of December, 1840, and is the son of Benja-
min F. and Elizabeth (Dillard) Ball, both natives
of Virginia. Benjamin F. Ball came to Arkansas
about 1825, and settled in Independence County.
He was twice married, first to Miss Elizabeth Dil-
lard, who bore him thirteen children, those now
living being C. M. , in Independence County ; W. G. ,
also in that county: H. W. : \V. S.. in Independ
ence County; Elizabeth, and Arvilla, widow of Rob-
ert Wann. Mrs. Ball died in 1848. She was a
member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Mr.
Ball's second marriage was with Mrs. Minerva
Baker, nee Muskgrove, and by her he became the
father of four children, only one now living, G. B.,
who lives in Independence County. The second
Mrs. Ball died in 1876, and Mr. Ball died on the
24th of June, 188'.). He was born in 1800: ha.1
been justice of the peace of his township for a
number of terms, was a member of the Methodist
Episcopal Church for forty years, and was a mem
ber of the Masonic fraternity for thirty-six years.
In his politics he aflfiliated with the Republican
party, and was a man universally respected for his
honesty, integrity and lil)erality. He was among
>»
7
J^l
372
HISTOKY OF ARKANSAS.
the lirst settlers of his county, and his first crop
was put in with a wooden plow, as no iron had been
shipped into that country at that time. At the end
of his second year's residence there, a small keel-
boat was pulled by hand up to Batesville, and
brought some iron. The first few years of his life
were spent in opening his farm. He was, up to the
late war, a great stock raiser. The greater part of
the first two years his meat was obtained in the for-
est by killing bears, deer and wild turkey. Mr.
Ball had very little propei'ty when he went to Arkan-
sas, but at the time of his death he owned about
500 acres of land, and was one of the leading
farmers of that part of the county. He was the
owner of the first threshing machine brought to
that section of country (old fashioned ground-hog
thresher). H. W. Ball received but a limited edu-
cation, attending only the subscription schools of
his section, and at the age of eighteen engaged in
driving a hack from Batesville to Smithville. He
only followed this business a short time when he
engaged in boating on the Black River, from
Jackson Port to Pocahontas. Subsequently he en-
gaged in agricultixral pursuits, and this continued
until 1802. when he joined the Confederate army
under Col. McCarver, and served twelve months. He
then returned home, and there remained until
1864, when he assisted in raising a company for
the Unites States forces, and served for eleven
months. After being disbanded Mr. Ball moved
to Illinois (Union County), and after a residence
there of two years came back to Arkansas, where
he again engaged in farming, in Black River
Bottom. The first crop he made was with a steer,
bnt the second year he bought a yoke of steers,
with which he made his second crop. He cleared
twenty acres of land, and all his hauling was done
with the oxen. For a wagon he used wooden
trucks. He first purchased eighty acres, bvit at the
end of four years sold this for $800, and moved to
Sharp County, where he purchased a farm for
1900, and there remained for ten years. He then
.sold out for the same amount, and moved on his
present property in 1880. There were 240 acres
in this, and he paid 1750 for it. Since then he
has added eighty acres. He has been twice mar-
ried; first, to Miss Mildred K. Baker, daughter of
Harrison Baker, who represented Independence
County in the legislature two terms, and by her
became the father of nine children, six now living:
Ulysses R., wife of J. H. Moore, living in Ran-
dolph County; Harriet A., a teacher; James C,
Eunice A. , Franklin H. and Callie R. Mr. Ball
served two terms as justice of the peace in Sharp
County, Ark., and was elected to the third term,
but did not serve. After coming to this county he
was elected justice one term, and has also been
school director a number of terms. His first wife
died on the 6th of April, 1881. She was a mem-
ber of the Methodist Episcopal Church and East-
era Star Chapter, and was an excellent woman.
Mr. Ball was married, the second time, to Miss
Cynthia J. Jones, of Sharp Coiinty, who is a mem-
] ber of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and an
active worker in the same. Mr. Ball is a member
of the Masonic fraternity, is treasurer of his lodge,
has also served as Worshipful Master, and has
filled all the principal stations in the lodge. In
politics he affiliates with the Republican party.
John W. Bennett, one of Randolph County's
substantial and enterprising citizens, was born in
Jefferson County, 111., December 16, 1865, being a
son of Thomas S. and Elmira E. Bennett. His
father was born in Tennessee in 1834 and his
mother in St. Francois County, Mo., and they
were married in Ripley County, that State. They
afterward located in St. Francois County and
moved from there to the State of Illinois near
Rome, Jefferson County, coming thence to Ran-
dolph County, Ark., in 1868, where, after fanning
for some time, Mr. Bennett became collecting
agent for Hecht & Co. , of Pocahontas. He served
as treasurer of Randolph County two terms, and he
and his wife were members of the Methodist Epis- j
copal Church. He was a Democrat in his political
views, and while in Missouri he enlisted in the
Southern service, being promoted to the rank of
lieutenant. He participated, with credit to himself,
in many a hard-fought battle. He was a member
of the Masonic fraternity, and died December 25,
1885, at the age of fifty -one years. His widow still
survives him and remains in Randolph County.
RANDOLPH COUNTY.
Of the nine children born to their union, six are
now living: Wesley C, a farmer of the county;
John W., J. S., Mary C, Thomas S. and Emily.
The early scholastic training of Jolin \V. Bennett
was received in the common schools near his home,
and he aftervyard finished his education in the
schools of Pocahontas. He remained with his
mother until 1887, then entered the employ of
William T. Mcllroy at Dalton, with whom he
remained as salesman for eight months, after which
he sold goods in Pocahontas for Snowtree, remain-
ing in this place for eight months also. Since that
time he has devoted his attention to agriculture,
and is a farmer of this county, having 400 acres
of land. He is a Democrat, and he and his wife,
whose maiden name was Annie Foster, and whom
he married February 14, 1889, are members of tlie
Methodist Episcopal Church. January 3, 1867,
his wife was born. She was reared in Randoli)h
County, Ark., and is a daughter of Thomas Foster,
who was a very prominent resident of the county,
and here spent his life, dying January 22, 1S8U,
at the age of sixty-six years. He was one of the
most extensive real estate holders in the county,
and owned 2,200 acres of land. His name will
long be remembered by the residents of the coun-
ty, for he was public spirited and enterprising, and
was ever the friend of the poor. During his long
residence in the county he held some responsible
positions. He was also a member of the Masonic
fraternity.
William R. Bigger is a native resident of Ran-
dolph County, Ark., and was born on the farm
where he now lives January 1, 1850, and was the
eleventh of thirteen children, three now living,
born to the marriage of James N. Bigger and Lu-
cretia Parrish, who were born in the State of Mis-
souri in 181() and 1812, and died in Randolph
County. Ark., in 1872 and 1874, respectively.
Their marriage was consummated in Missouri, and
they afterward came to this State and settled on
the farm on which their son. William K., is now
living, which they made their home until their
death. They were members of the Methodist Epis-
copal Church. South, and were well-to-do residents
of the county. Their children who are living are
Chesterfield, who is a farmer of the county: Caro-
line, wife of Arthur Barm, also a farmer of the
county, and William R. The latter remained
with his parents until their demise, and at that
time he and his brother took charge of the home
farm, which then consisted of 400 acres of land,
and by industry and good management have added
considerable more land to the original amount.
Laura McKee, who was born in North Carolina in
185"), a daughter of John McKee, became his
wife in 1879. She is an earnest member of the
Methodi.st Episcopal Church, South, and he is a
stanch Democrat in politics. He is an energetic
and successful agriculturist, and has vastly im-
proved the property left him by his parents.
B. F. Bigger has been the X3i'oi>i"ietor of the
Bigger' s House, one of the first-class hotels of the
county, ever since 18S1, but previous to that time,
his attention had been given to directing the plow
and in attending to the duties of farm life. He is
a native-born resident of Randolph County, Ark.,
his birth occurring in 1851, and he is principally
self-educated, his knowledge of business affairs
being acquired mainly by contact with the world.
At the age of twenty two years, he was married to
Miss Ida Simington, who was also born in Ran-
dolph County, and of the seven children born to
their union, four are living: Thomas, Lute, Kate
and George. The other children died in infancy.
From the date of his marriage up to 1881, he was
engaged in farming fur himself, but since that
time he has been keeping a hotel in Pocahontas,
and by good management, hospitality and fair
dealing, he has succeeded in gaining an excellent
patronage, and his earnest endeavors to see that
the wants and needs of his patrons are satisfied,
have tended to make his estal)lishment a favoritt-
resort for the traveling public. He also manages
a livery stable, the only one in the place, and has
some excellent vehicles and animals ready for use.
He owns two excellent farms, one com]>risiug 'lOO
acres and the other 400 acres, and although one
place is rented to tenants, it is under his super
vision, and he manages the other farm himself, de-
voting it to the raising of stock, grain and hay.
He owns his hotel and stalile. and is one of the
^
374
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
wealthy citizens of the county. His parents, J. G.
and Catherine (Lewis) Bigger, were born and reared
in Randolph County, the father being engaged in
farming. J. G. was a soldier in the Confederate
army, and died in 1863. His father was a Ken-
tuckian, who emigrated to Randolph County, Ark. ,
with his parents when a child, the country at that
time being a Territory. Mr. Bigger is a Democrat
and a member of the A. F. & A. M.
W. T. Bispham. circuit clerk, Pocahontas, Ark.
The subject of this sketch needs no introduction
to the people of Randolph County, for a long resi-
dence, and, above all, a career of usefulness and
prominence, have given him an acquaintance which
shall last for many years. He is a native of West-
moreland County, Va., born in IS-tl, and is the son
of John F. and Martha C. (Templeman) Bispham,
both of whom were born in the same county in
Virginia. The paternal grandfather, "William
Bispham, was a native of Lancaster, England, and
came to America with an older brother, when a
child. He was a successful agriculturist, and
died in Richmond County, Va., about 185"2. The
maternal grandfather, Samuel Templeman, was a
native of Virginia, a minister in the Baptist Church,
and was in the Home Guards during the War of
1812. He was one of the early settlers of Vir-
ginia. John F. Bispham was a successful agricultur-
ist and followed this occupation until his death in
1872 at the age of tifty-two years. The mother
died in 1870, at about fifty -four years of age.
Both were members of the Baptist Church, and
the father was for many years a deacon in the same.
Both took a great interest in church work. They
reared to maturity a family of five children, W. T.
Bispham being the eldest. John H. was a soldier
in the Ninth Virginia, Confederate army, and was
killed at the battle of Hatch's Run; Robert A. is
a carpenter in Washington, D. C. ; Samuel T. is a
coach maker by trade, and resides in the District of
Columbia; Emma died in 1875, and Lou H. mar-
ried James May, and resides in Washington, D. C.
W. T. Bispham remained on the farm until sixteen
years of age, and received his education in the
private schools. At that age his father engaged
in merchandising and W. T. acted in the capacity
of clerk, continuing as such until the breaking out
of the war. In April, 1861, he enlisted in Com-
pany C, Montrose Guards, attached to the Forty -
seventh Virginia Regiment, Confederate Ai-mv.
and served until the close of the war. He partic-
ipated in the battle of Seven Oaks, and was in the
entire Richmond Campaign, at Cedar Run, Fred-
ericksburg, Chancellorsville. and was appointed
commissary of his regiment after the last mentioned
battle. After the war he returned to merchandis-
ing in Virginia. His father was at that time sher-
iff of Westmoreland County, which office he held
a number of terms, and W. T. was made deputy
sheriff, tilling this position for about a year. In
March, 1867, he moved to Brownsville, Tenn. , and
entered the employ of Yancey, Wilder & Co.,
merchants, as salesman. In January, 1868, he ac-
cepted the agency of the Carolina Life Insurance
Company, and finally located in Randoljih County.
Ark., and engaged in teaching school, after which
he became salesman in a store for Levi Hecht, of
Pocahontas and continued in this capacity for a few
months, when he engaged as book-keeper for E. B.
Burr & Co. This position he held until July, 1869,
when he again resumed the position as local agent
for the insurance business, and continued that about
a year. He then engaged as book-keeper for J. P.
Black & Co. In 1872 he went to Walnut Ridge,
Ark., and kept books until the fall of 1873, when
he returned to his native State and remained there
and taught in the public schools until the fall of
1877; then returning to Pocahontas, he kept books
for R. N. Hamil, merchant, until 1885, when he en-
gaged with L. E. Imboden in the same capacity,
and remained in that position until 1886. He was
then elected clerk and recorder of Randolph Coun-
ty, Ark., and has held that office ever since, being
re-elected without opposition by the people of his
county in 1888. He is a member of the Masonic
fraternity, a Royal Arch Mason and member of the
Knights of Honor. He is unmarried.
John P. Black, attorney at law, Pocahontas,
Ark. What is usually termed genius has little to
do with the success of men in general. Keen
perception, sound judgment and a determined
will, supported by persevering and continuous ef-
^
fort, are essential elements to success in any call-
ing, and their possession is sure to accomplish the
aims hoped for in the days of our youth. The
juris})rudonce of a commonwealth is the most !
necessary factor toward its growth and permanence,
for without a thorough knowledge and administra-
tion of the law, no form of popular government
coald long exist. Mr. Black was born at Black's
Ferry, Randolph County, Ark., on the 1st of Oc-
tober, 1822. He is the son of William Black
the grandson of David Black, and the great-grand-
son of David Black, who was a native of Amster-
dam, Holland. The elder David Black came to
America when a boy, settling at Charleston, S. C,
and there learned the blacksmith trade. .He died
in that State. David Black, Jr., was a native of
South Carolina, and was a farmer by occupation.
He emigrated to Kentucky at a verj' early day,
settling near Hopkinsvillo, where he lived many
years, and in 1815 moved to Randolph County,
Ark. He settled at Black's Ferry, and lived there
many years, but died at Davidsonville. Lawrence
County, Ark. , at the age of sixty years. The father
of the subject of this sketch, William Black, passed
his j'outh on his father's farm in Kentucky, and
moved to Randolph County, Ark., with his -par-
ents, in 1815. After reaching manhood he mar-
ried Miss Elizabeth Jones (who became the mother
of John P. Black), in 1820, and lived at Black's
Ferry until his death in Febraary, 1852, at the
age of fifty four years. The mother died in July,
1851, at the age of forty-nine years. She was a
devoted member of the Methodist Episcopal
Church. The father was a leading and prominent
man in this part of the State; was the first sheriff
of Randoli)h County, served in that office two
terms, and in 1840 was elected to the State Senate
of Arkansas. He served in that body two terms,
and during that time acquired a State rejnitation
as a general worker, and an influential man in that
august body. He was noted far and near for his
liberality and hosjiitality, especially to new settlers.
He was ever public spirited and always ready and
willing to do all he could to promote any and all
enterprises for the good of the county and State.
He and his wife reared a family of seven children.
five sous and two daughters, all of wiioui are
highly respected men and women. The maternal
grandfather of John P. Black, John Janes, was
a native of Virginia, was a soldier in the Revolu-
tionary War, and was wounded at the battle of
Yorktown. His wife, whose maiden name was
Margaret Arming, was also a native of Virginia,
and in 1800 they came down the Ohio River in ca-
noes, settled on Merrimac River, near St. Louis,
and there remained imlil 1801), on a Spanish grant
of land. They then emigrated to Randolph
County. Ark., settled on Janes' Creek, and there
remained until the death of the father in I82f>, at
the age of eighty two years. John P. Black as-
sisted his father on the farm in Randolph County,
and received his education in the county schools,
that is, a part of his education, for the most of it
was obtained by his own application at home. He
began managing a farm at the age of eighteen
years, and this continued until twenty-two, when he
went to work for a New Orleans house at I'owhat-
an, where he remained until 1811), after which he
came to Pocahontas. He there engaged in mer-
cantile pursuits, which he carried on until 1873.
excepting a period during the war, when he served
two years in Fagan's command. Confederate
army. He returned to the farm in 1872, remained
there a few years and then came again to Poca-
hontas, where he entered the law office of Thomas
Ratliff, as a student. He was admitted to the bar
in 1875, and has been actively engaged in the
practice ever since. He was first married in 1855,
to Miss Isabella Waddel, a native of Arkansas.
In 1859 he was again married, taking for his
second wife Miss Claude Inman, a native of In-
diana. In 1868 he married Miss Lottie Inman.
and in 1875 was united in marriage with Miss
Flora Kebler. a native of Arkansas, who bore him
six children: Charley, Guy, Hattie, Irene, Lulu
and Blanche.
R. H. Black, attorney, Pocahontas. Ark. As
a leading citizen of Pocahontas in its profes
sional, business and social life, lending eminent
strength to her bar, tone to her finance and grace
to her society, Mr. Black commands attention from
the pen of the historian who would wish to do this
P^
376
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
city justice. He owes his nativity to Randolph
County, Ark., and is a son of Williara Bhick, whose
sketch appears elsewhere in this volume. He grew
to manhood on his father's farm at Black's Ferry,
in Randolph County, securing his education in the
private schools of the county and at Shelbyville,
Ky. He was admitted to the bar in 1860, and has
been actively engaged in the i)ractice ever since.
He has been for two terms presiding attorney of
the Second Judicial District of Arkansas, and in
1879 he represented Randolph County in the Gen-
eral Assembly, one term. Iii 1861, when the war-
cloud hung heavy over the United States, Mr.
Black enlisted in the First Arkansas Cavalry, C. S.
A., commanded by ex- Gov. Churchill, as private,
and was made lieutenant after the second year.
He served until May 14, 1864, when, at the bat-
tle of Besaca, Ga. , he had the misfortune to lose
his right arm by a gun-shot wound, which dis-
abled him from further service. He participated
in the battles of Chickamauga, Murfreesboro and
Richmond, Ky. and numerous othi r battles. After
being discharged he came back to Pocahontas, be-
gan the study of law, was afterward admitted to
the bar and opened office here. His marriage
with Miss Virginia L. Criddle, a native of Jackson,
Cape Girardeau County, Mo. , occurred on Novem-
ber 14, 1867, and to them were born five chil-
dren: Edward, Marvin, ^Valdo, Blanche and Ina.
Mrs. Black died on the 26th of December, 1880,
in full faith with the Methodist Episcopal Church,
South. Mr. Black is a member of the I. O. O. F.
and is not only a pleasant gentleman in the social
walks of life, but is also among the first in his pro-
fession. He and his children are the owners of
about 1,000 acres of land.
William F. Blackwell. Among the business
men of Randolph County, Ark., who have won dis-
tinction as successful merchants, and who have,
by personal industry and genuine business ability,
succeeded in establishing a desirable trade, may
be mentioned Mr. Blackwell, whose name heads
this brief biography. He was l)orn in Lawrence
County, Ark., December 20, 1S51, and is a son of
James and Parnesia Jane (Smith) Blackwell, the for-
mer being a native of Virginia. He died while
our subject was two years old. while on his way
home from New Orleans, whither he had been on
business, he having been a merchant and stock
dealer at the time of his death. After removing
from his native State, he first came to Tennessee,
and afterward to Arkansas. His wife was born in
Lawrence County, this State, in 1828, and after
his death she married a Mr. Ellison, who left her
again a widow some time after, and she next
wedded Bennett Holder, who is also dead. She is
a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church;
she became the mother of four children, two
being now dead. Those living are Isabella, wife
of Frank M. Baker, and William F., who was
educated in the schools of Lawrence County, and
from boyhood up has been familiar with mer-
cantile life, having acted in t'ne capacity of .sales-
man at Powhatan, Smithville, Walnut Ridge,
Delaplaiiie. Lauratown. and then in his jiresont
location. One year after coming to Randolph
County, he engaged in business for himself, form-
ing a partnership with W. W. Tanner, the firm be-
ing known as Tanner Sc Blackwell. This part-
nership lasted until 1883, and since that time Mr.
Blackwell has been in business alone. The first
money he earned for himself was at picking cotton,
and in all the enterprises in which he has been en-
gaged, his labors have lieen attended with good re-
sults. He was so unfortunate as to be burned out in
February, 1888, but he has since retrieved his for-
tunes to some extent, and, in connection with his
business, is engaged in farming. He received his
last appointment as postmaster in 1888. February
10, 1S78, he was married to Miss Mollie F. Tanner,
daughter of W. W. Tanner, and by her he is the
father of four children: Jennie May, Pearl Grace
and William Harry. James Marvin, the eldest child,
died in bis third year. Mrs. Blackwell was born
in Obion County, Tenn., and is a member of the
Cumberland Presbyterian Church, and her hus-
band belongs to the Methodist Epi.scopal Church,
South. He is a Democrat. His career has placed
him before the public as a successful financier,
and his reputation has been obtained by tireless
industry, a keen foresight of events, and a judicious
use of his means.
!L>
RANDOLPH COUNTY.
377
Capt. J. N. Bolen, editor of the Herald, Po-
cahontas, Ark. The enviable position which the
town of Pocahontas occupies to-day as an industrial
and mercantile center is due to the enerify, enter-
prise and ability of the inhabitants, and to the
wise and judicious government of the local authori-
ties. Prominent among those who have made an
impress on the history of the town, in more re.
spects than one, is Capt. J. N. Bolen, editor and
publisher of the Herald. Mr. Bolen owes his na
tivity to Fayette County, Penn. , where his birth oc-
curred in the year 1881 . and he is the son of Reuben
and Nancy (Walters) Bolen, natives of Virginia
and Pennsylvania, respectively. The father was
born in Powhatan County, Va., in the year 1790,
was a soldier in the War of 1S12-14, removed to
the State of Pennsylvania in the year 1820, and
soon thereafter was married to Miss Nancy Wal-
ters, only dau^ghter of Abraham Walters, and there
he continued to reside until his death, which oc-
curred in the year 1840, the mother surviving the
father until 187<). in which year she died at the
home of her son. J. N. Bolen, at Murray, Callo-
way County. Ky. . in the seventy-sixth year of her
age. They were members of the old School Pres-
liyterian and Methodist Church, respectively.
The father was active in political affairs, always
voting the Democratic ticket, having been three
times elected sheriff of his county as the nominee
of that party. The paternal grandfather of J. N.
Bolen. Powhatan Bolen. was a native of Powhat-
an County. Va. . and was a Revolutionary soldier.
The maternal grandfather. Abraham Walters, was
a native of Fayette County, Penn. , and also a sol-
dier of the Revolutionary War. J. N. Bolen was
early trained to the arduous duties of the farm
and this continued until eighteen years of age
when he left the parental roof and served an ap-
prenticeship at the tailor's trade at Brownsville,
continuing at this for ten years. He then learned
dentistry, located at Murray. Ky. , where he estab-
lished the Murray (Tazette, and ran the same for
six years as a Democratic paper. He then came
to Randolph County, Ark. , and bought the Her-
ald, of Pocahontas, which he has ably edited ever
since. In June, 18(')1. he enlisted in the war and
armed and equip|)ed. at his own expense, a com
pany of cavalry which was attached to the
Seventh Kentucky Regiment, Col. Forrest com
raanding, and served until the close of the war
with the command of captain, until the last two
years, when he was promoted to the rank of major
and commanded the battalion until the close of
the war. He participated in the following battles:
Fort Henry. Fort Donelson, Jackson, Raymond,
Baker's Creek, Paducah, and in numerous skir-
mishes. By his marriage, which occurred in 1858
with Miss Carrie Allbntton. a native of Calloway
County, Ky.. one child was born, Ella, wife of
Jacob Schoonover, of Pocahontas.
William B. Bridges (deceased) was a man well
known to the early settlers of Randolph (bounty.
Ark., and was respected for his straightforward
course through life, and for his noble. Christian
qualities of mind and heart. He was born in
North Carolina in 1810, and was a son of Benjamin
Bridges, who was also born in that State, and was
a soldier in the War of 1812. He was a black-
smith by trade, and William B. , like the majority of
sons, followed in his father's footsteps and liecanie
a blacksmith also. He was the eldest of sixteen chil-
dren, and in his youth was taken by his parents to
Tennessee, where he grew to manhood. When eight
een years of age he was married to Miss Rebecca
Sherrel, a native of Wilson County, that State,
and after residing there the eight years following
his marriage he emigrated to Arkansas, locating at
Pittman's Ferry, but one year later removed to Poca-
hontas, having been identified with the interests of
this place for many years. His death, however,
occurred in Gainesville, Greene County, Ark., in
1868, at the age of tifty- eight years, his widow dy-
ing June 9, 1882. Both were members of many
years' standing of the Baptist Church, and were
earnest and devoted Christians. Mr. Bridges was
a well-posted man, and was a leader in the church
of which he was a member, as well as in public af-
fairs, and was an eloquent and fluent speaker. He
was very popular in the community in which he
resided, and for many years held the office of jus-
tice of the peace, and socially was a member of the
k. F. & A. M. Of his large familv of children six
:^
IS k.
878
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
grew to maturity, the only surviving member Ijniiig
A. M. Bridges, who is a leading farmer of Wiley
Township. At the age of nine years he accom-
panied his father to Randolph County, Ark. , and
his youth was spent in learning the intricacies of
farm work and blaeksmithing, he also acquiring a
fair education in the common schools of his adopted
county. ITpon the breaking out of the Rebellion
in 1801 he joined the Seventh Arkansas Cavalry,
Confederate States Army, took a stirring part
in the battle of Corinth, and was in numerous
skirmishes. At the second battle of Corinth he
was one out of eight of his company to escape un-
hurt, and at the close of the war he went to the city
of St. Louis, and served a three-years' apprentice-
ship at the machinist's trade under G. H. Timons;
then came to Randolph County and purchased 100
acres of land, on which he now lives. The prop-
erty at that time was raw timber land, but he has
made valuable improvements in the way of build-
ing, fences and clearing, and has added to his
original purchase until he now has a fine tract of
land embracing 4GU acres, of which 175 are under
cultivation. He has been married four times and has
four living children: Susan, wife of Paul S. Leonard,
of Randolph County; Martha, wife of John Ball,
also of this county; VV. B. . at home, and one other.
Mr. Bridges has Iseen the architect of his own
fortune, and through his own exertions has ac-
quired his present property which is one of the
finest farms in the county. For the last few years
in connection with his farm work he has also con-
ducted a blacksmith shop on his farm, and is con-
sidered a skillful mechanic.
William Bridges. In any worthy history of
the county the name that heads this sketch will
always be given an enviable place among the lead-
ing citizens of the county, and its self made agri-
culturists. Mr. Bridges is a native of Randolph
County, having been born here November 18, 1S27.
and is the seventh of ten children, three of whom
are now living, the other two being Martha, wife
of William Fry, a farmer of this county, and
Nancy, born to the marriage of John Bridges and
Cynthia Spivey. Both parents were born in the
"Old North State," and the father died in Ran-
dolph County, Ark., when alujut forty-four years
of age, the mother dying in Fulton, while on a visit
several years after the war. After their marriage,
which occurred in their native State, fhey came to
this pari of Arkansas, it being then a Territory,
and engaged in farming, which occupation proved
quite successful. Game of all kinds was quite
plentiful at that time, and Indians were also
numerous, but they never molested the Bridges
family, although many of the other settlers suffered
severely at their hands. Jfr. Bridges was a life-
long Democrat, and he and wife were members of
the Presbyterian Church. William Bridges re-
mained with his parents until their deaths, and has
been a farmer all his life. In ISOl his farming
operations being interrupted by the opening of
the Rebellion, he laid down his farming imple
ments to take up the weapons of warfare, and eu
listed in Capt. Wright's company, Col. William
Patterson's infantry. Confederate States Army, and
' served until the close of the war, his regiment be-
ing the first to cross the Mississip{)i River. He
was at the battles of Shiloh and Perryville, and
also participated in a number of skirmishes. Since
returning home from the army he has been en-
gaged in farming and stock raising, and from
starting in life with not so much as a good suit of
clothes, he has become one of the heaviest tax payers
in the county, and now owns 778 acres of some of
the best land of which the county can boast. He
has long been a Democrat, and is one of the enter
prising citizens of the county. His marriage with
Elizabeth Wells took place July 21, 1804, she hav-
ing been born in Randolph County, Ark., a daugh-
ter of Hugh Wells. To them were born five chil-
dren, now living: Elizabeth, William W., Margaret,
Hugh and Nevada. John died March 10, 1889,
at the age of twenty-one years; George died De-
cember 30, 1888, in his seventeenth year; Emily
died December 15, 1888, when twenty-four years
of age, the wife of George Wells: Hugh died when
thirteen years old; Samuel when three years of
age, and two infant daughters are deceased. Mr.
Bridges, like his father, is a Democrat, and he and
wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal
Church, South.
y]'.
A. W. W. Brooks, one of the most oxteusive
laud owners and cotton growers of Randolph
County, Wcas boru ia Davidson County, Tonn., in
the year 1882. His parents were liichard P. and
Mary N. Brooks, the former a prominent citizen
of that portion of Tennessee, and for several years
sheriff of Jackson County, liichard F. Brooks
was a member of the legislature for a great
many years, and at the age of seventy -four was
elected a ' ' Hoater, ' ' or in other words, a repre-
sentative from more than one county. He died at
the age of seventy-five years, after an honorable
and brilliant career. His son, A. W. W. Brooks,
was reared and received his education in Jackson
County, Tenn. He seemed to be imbued with
the spirit that characterized his father, and fol-
lowed closely in his footsteps early in life. When
war was announced between the North and South,
he occupied the clerkship of Jackson County cir-
cuit court, and at the outset of the National excite-
ment he was the first to organize a company in
Jackson County. He held the rank of lieutenant,
and, when the conscript act was enforced, returned
to that county and organized another company, of
which he was lieutenant. During an engagement
with an overwhelming force the captain was killed
and the company disorganized, many of the men
being captured. Lieut. Brooks was among the
prisoners, and after fifteen months' confinement he
returned and collected the shattered fragments of
his company, of which he was the captain until
the spring of 1865, the time of the surrender. At
the close of the war he returned to Jackson County,
in the same State, like many a chivalrous spirit
who had cast his fortune with the Confederacy —
penniless. He soon started, however, at the task of
regaining at least a portion of what he had lost,
and, leaving the old home behind him, traveled
further west. He settled in Lawrence County,
Ark., and remained there two years, but thinking
that Randolph County would be a more desirable
location, he moved to that place. On his arrival
there, all his worldly possessions consisted of a
pair of steers and a very meager outfit, but if his
riches were small his heart was large, and accom-
panied by a spirit too proud to be east down by
the prospects before him. In the first year of his
arrival he succeeded in getting some one to rent
him a portion of land, upon which lie began farm
i°g' paying them with a portion of the crop he
raised. He finally became the owner of a piece of
land, which his ingenuity and foresight put him
in possession of, and from that time to the present
he has been successful in his financial enterprises.
His wealth has grown to massive proportions, and
at one time he was the owner of 8,000 acres of
land, but donated some 4,000 acres to his childi-en.
Mr. Brooks is widely known for his shrewdness in
commercial transactions, and many people, not thor-
oughly acquainted with him, would perhaps think
he was a man of very stern principles, but to see him
once in the family circle away from the cares and
perplexities of his busy life, that impression would
be quickly dispelled. He is generous, almost to a
fault; ready to give aid wherever it is really
needed, and is a man whose word will carry weight
whenever it comes from his mouth. He has never
practiced as a regular attorney, but his knowledge
of the law is considerable, and that fact alone has
given him a greater advantage than the average
man, especially in some of his extensive land deals.
Like almost all other successful and prominent
men, Mr. Brooks' accumulation of great wealth
has gained for him many enemies, people who
started with him in the race through life and were
outstripped long before the three -([uarter stretch
was reached; but his friends, and their name is
legion, knowing how to appreciate the true man,
are filled with admiration at his wonderful success.
Mr. Brooks was first married in ]8r)r), in the State
of Tennessee, to Miss Julia J. Richmond. The
result of this hap])y union was four children:
Ellen, wife of J. P. Rogers; William P. Brooks,
whose sketch immediately follows this one; Alice,
widow of Robert Surridge; and Maggie, wife
of David Feneter, This, his first wife, and the
companion of his earlier manhood, after having
proven herself a kindly and faithful wife ami
worthy mother, was calhnl to eternity and away
from her family in 1874. Some years after this
Mr. Brooks contracted a second marriage with JL-s.
Mcllrov, a cliarmin<j widow of Randolph C^ountv,
I*
1'
M
9 W.
380
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
by whom he has had one child, Fannie A. This
last maiTiago, unlike most second marriages, was a
happy one. Whether this was due to the qualities
of the lady or to the tact of Mr. Brooks in turning
all things to good account, is a matter of conjec-
ture, but judging from results, each one must be
entitled to an equal amount of credit. Mrs.
Brooks was almost the equal of her husband in
business transactions, and during her lifetime
was his only counselor. This faithful woman has
also been called away by the hand of death.
W. P. Brooks is a successful young farmer of
Randolph County, Ark. , and it is, perhaps, not to
be wondered at that he should devote himself to
agricultural pursuits, for, in looking back over the
careers of his ancestors, we find that the majority
of them were honest tillers of the soil. He is a
native-born resident of the county, his birth oc-
curring in 1858, and in his youth he succeeded in
acquiring a good, practical education, and from the
very first was taught the I'udiments of farm labor
by his father, a shrewd, practical agriculturist.
He has made that his chief calling throughout life,
and although a young man is well fixed financially,
being the owner of 546 acres of land, of which
264 are in Lawrence County. At the present time
he is residing on his father's extensive estate of
which he is general manager and overseer, and also
acts as bookkeeper for his father. His marriage,
which occuiTed when he was twenty-two years of
age, was with Miss Birdie Surridge, who was born
and reared in the State of Arkansas. They have
two bright and interesting children named James
A. and Essie P. In his political views Mr. Brooks
has always been a Democrat, and being a young
man of pluck and energy he is bound to succeed in
whatever calling he may undertake. [For parents'
history see -sketch of A. W. W. Brooks.]
Richard D. Brown is a member of the law firm
of Brown & Black, one of the leading and most
influential at the bar of Pocahontas and is a native
of Calloway County, Ky. , born in the year 1832.
He has that ease of manner and force of character
which make the sons of the Blue Grass State influ-
ential wherever they go. Reared to the mysteries
of farm life from earlv vouth. he began for himself
in this pursuit at the age of seventeen years, and
continued until twenty-seven years of age. when
he entered the ofiice of Lem Boyd, and there studied
law. He was admitted to the bar in October, 1859.
at Miu-ray, Ky., and in 1860 went to Metropolis
City, 111. , where he located and practiced law for
one year. At the breaking out of hostilities he
moved back to his native county, and during the
war was engaged in contraband trade. When
peace was declared he settled in Murray, Ky. , and
practiced his profession until 1876, when he moved
to Randolph County, Ark. Here he has been suc-
cessfully engaged in the practice of his profession
ever since. He was first married in 1850 to Miss
America Foster, a native of Kentucky (Christian
County), and one child was born to this union,
Almedia, who is the wife of C. C. Marshal, of
Murray, Ky. Mrs. Brown died in April, 1859, at
the age of twenty-one years. She was a devoted
member of the Baptist Church. Mr. Brown was
married the second time, in 1860, to Miss Anna E.
Trill, a native of Montgomery County, Tenn. , and
this union was blessed by the birth of three chil-
dren: Sallie S. , Mary E. and Ruth. Mrs. Brown
is a member of the. Baptist Church. He is a mem-
ber of the Masonic fi'aternity, and both are much
esteemed citizens. Mr. Brown owns about 4,500
acres of land, and is largely interested in the lum-
ber business. He employs from twenty to fifty
men, and is doing well at this. He is a Democrat,
a leading lawyer and a first-class business man.
His parents, Edward S. and Sallie (Card) Brown,
were natives of Culpeper County, Va. The
father was educated for a surveyor, but finding agri-
cultural pursuits more suited to his tastes, he fol-
lowed that occupation the principal part of his life.
He was reared in Hopkinsville, Ky. , and in 1831
emigrated to Western Kentucky, where he settled
in Calloway County. There he received his final
summons in 1850, at the age of fifty years. The
mother died in 1886, at the age of seventy-five
years. Both were esteemed members of the Bap-
ti.st Church. The father was a Whig in politics,
and was considered a leader of his party in West-
ern Kentucky. He was a very prominent man.
They were the parents of twelve children, six now
^''
KANDOLPH COUNTY.
881
living: Edmond, a farmer, now living iu Callo-
way County, Ky. ; Mary J., wife of Cyrus Oweu,
also in Calloway County; Fannie, wife of W. S.
Sled, of the same county ; Richard D. ; Jano, wife
of William H. Daily, of Calloway County, and
Sophronia, wife of ^^'. C. Clements, also of that
county. The paternal grandfather, Thomas Brown,
was a native of Culpeper County, Va. , and was a
successful tiller of the soil. He settled in Ken-
tucky later iu life, and founded the town of Hop-
kinsville, Ky., in 1812. The maternal grandfather
was Edmond Card, who was also a native of Cul-
peper County, Va. He was a wealthy farmer
and a soldier in the War of 1812; was quite active
in politics, and was receiver of the land office of
Western Kentucky for a number of years. He
was also a minister in the Baptist Church.
W. M. Burrow, merchant, Warm Springs, Ark.
This enterprising and thorough-going business-
man was born on the 21st of December, 1827, in
Tennessee, and his father, Philip Burrow, was a
native of the same State. The elder Burrow was
a farmer by occupation, and when a young man
was united in marriage to Miss Minta Lacy, also a
native of Tennessee. They moved to Arkansas in
1843. and settled in Randolph County, where the
father tilled the soil, on rented land, until his
death, which occurred in 1844. He was thrown
from a wagon and killed. After his death Mrs.
Burrow purchased land, and reared the nine chil-
dren hi)rn to her union with Mr. Burrow (seven
of whom are now living): Jeremiah (deceased);
William M. , G. W. (deceased), James W., living
in Fulton County; Villa, widow of (ireorge Ivoty,
in Fulton County, Ark. ; Jane, also in Fulton
County; Josiah, Robert and Tindrel. In 1879
Mrs. Burrow sold her farm and moved to Fulton
County, Ark. In 1846 she maiTied for her second
husliand Tindrel Burrow, a distant relative of her
first husband. Mi'. Burrow died in 1870, V)ut his
•widow still survives him, and resides in Fulton
County. She was Ijorn in 1814, is now in her sev-
enty-tifth year, does her own housework, and is
enjoying very good health. In his early youth W.
M. Burrow had a poor chance for an education,
but since, by close application and study, he has
acquired a good business education, antl is a man
well informed on the current topics of the day. At
the age of twenty-six he wedded Miss Luviria
Baily, of Missouri, and then began his career as a
farmer. He first purchased 160 acres of land, ini
proved the same and cultivated the .soil until 1877.
when he engaged iu merchandising at Warm
Springs, and has continued successfully ever since.
His annual business amounts to about §10,00(1 or
$12,000. In 1885 he erected a lino llouring-mill.
with cotton-gin combined, which cost him about
$5,000, and with which he does a good business.
He furnishes considerable flour to the surrounding
merchants and all the farmers of the northern part
of the county, also a portion of Oregon and Ripley
Counties, Mo. Aside from this he is the owner of
about fifty acres of land close to town. His mar-
riage occurred in 1853, and he and wife have reared
a family of seven children (five now living) ; Moses,
Jane (wife of P. Carter), Jerry, Nancy (wife of
James Jarrett), Martha (deceased), Mary T. (de-
ceased), and Alice (wife of Lee JaiTett). On com-
mencing for himself Mr. Burrow had no help, and
has made all by the sweat of his brow. In 1802
he joined the Confederate army, under Capt. B17-
ant, and served three years and eight months in
the Trans - Mississippi department. He partici-
pated in the battles of Cane Hill, Richmond,
Helena and Red River, was with Gen. Price on
his raid through Missouri, in 18G4, and ])articipated
in all the battles of importance during that raid.
He was slightly wounded at Ash Station, while un-
der Gen. Joe Shelby, and surrendered at Jackson-
port, Ark., on the 5th of June, 1805. He then
came home and engaged in tilling the soil. He
has never held an office iu his life; was elected at
one time school director, but paid a tine of $10 and
saved himself from filling that office. Mr. and
Mrs. Burrow are members of the Predestinariaii
Baptist Church, and he in politics affiliates with
the Democratic party. He is public spirited, is in
favor of all enterprises for the good of the county,
is an earnest advocate of schools, and a liberal
donor to all enterprises of a beneficial character.
The paternal grandfather was a captain in the
Revolutionary War, and served during the entire
J^l
382
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
time. He had only been married about four
months when he enlisted. His wife, the paternal
grandmother of our subject, lived to be one hun-
dred and fifteen years old, and had been a widow
sixty-two years. She was born about 1735, and
died about 1850. Her sister, Mrs. Patterson, died
at the age of one hundred and nine years, and was
buried with the honors of war. Her husband was
a soldier in the Revolutionary War.
J. J. Garner, another prominent stock raiser of
Warm Springs Township, has followed this occu-
pation, in connection with farming, the principal
part of his life, and has been very successful. To
the Blue Grass State he owes his nativity, having
been born there on the 25th of August, 1835. His
parents, Joel and Nancy (Sigler) Garner, were na-
tives, respectively, of North Garoliua and Tennes-
see. The father came to Kentucky at a very early
day. and the mother made her first appearance in
that State in 1819. They were married there in
1823, and there the father followed tilling the soil
for about fourteen years. He then removed to
Posey Gounty, Ind., and in 1837 entered eighty
acres of land, which he improved, and farmed un-
til his death, in 1839. To this marriage were born
the following children: Peggie A., wife of Miles
B. Frence; Elizabeth J., wife of W. H. Lane:
Malinda J., wife of John D. Morehead; P. W., who
lives in Ripley County, Mo., and is a farmer; J. J.,
and J. N., who lives in Fulton Gounty, Ark., and
is a minister and farmer. After the death of her
husband Mrs. Garner was united in marriage to
Mr. Joel Short, in 1843, in Union Gounty, Ky.,
whither she had moved in 1839. She was born in
1808, and died on the 9th of April. 1880. Mr.
Short died in September, 1853. J. J. Garner
commenced work for himself at the age of nine-
teen, and in 1877 moved to this State, settling in
this county on the 25th of November. He imme-
diately engaged in farming, which occupation he
has continued up to the present. In 1882 he en-
tered lOOj^Sj^ acres of land in Randolph Gounty,
and now has about seventy-live acres under fence,
and fifty or sixty acres under cultivation, with fair
houses and good outbuildings, etc. Mr. Garner
selected for his life companion Miss Nancy J.
Ramsey, and was wedded to her in 1855. They
had nine children (seven of whom are now living):
T. T., living in this county: Nancy E.. wife of
John Bloodworth, living in Rijiley Gounty, Mo. ;
J. J., Jr., in Randolph Gounty: J. N., Jr., in
j the same county: Sarah (deceased), Mary O. (de-
ceased). Malinda A., Laura B. and Barba. Mrs.
Garner was born on the 19th of September, 1836,
and is a daughter of James A. and Elizabeth (James)
Ramsey. Mr. and Mrs. Ramsey wei'e the parents
of the following children: T. (J., living in Webster
Gounty, Ky. ; Robert (deceased), John M., James
A., Jr., and N. J. Mr. Ramsey died about 1844,
and Mrs. Ramsey was married again, to Mr. James
Riggs, in 1848. Three children were born to this
union: George W., Sylvester and Stanford Y. Mr.
Riggs died in 1870, and Mrs. Riggs in 1875. The
latter was a member of the Baptist Ghurch. J. J.
Carnei-'s uncle on the mother's side was in the War
of 1812, under Gen. Jackson, and participated in
the battle of New Orleans. J. J. Garner was
school director in Kentucky for eight years, and
has filled the same office in this coiinty one term.
Politically his preference is with the Republican
.party. He is a member of the Wheel, and he
and wife are members of the Free Will Baptist
Ghurch, as are James J.. Jr., Malinda A. and
Laura B.
William Garrens, M. D. The profession of
the physician is one which operates effectively in
time of need in arresting and alleviating the most
acute pains and ailments to which the human body
I is heir, and therefore deserves the most apprecia-
tive consideration on the part of the pul)]ic. In
this profession the gratitude of hundreds are dtxe
i to the talent and skill of Dr. Garrens. who has
been an active practicing physician of the county
I since 1884. He was bom in the State of Illinois,
September 7, 1849, and received his early educa-
tion in the graded school at Glinton. -He attended
one course of lectures in the Eclectic Medical In-
stitute of Cincinnati, Ohio, his tuition being paid
with means obtained by teaching school after he had
reached the age of nineteen years. For fourteen
years he wielded the ferule successively in Illinois,
Missouri and Arkansas, and since 1884 has been
:>£
RANDOLPH COUNTY.
383
one of the active practicing physicians of Randolph
County. He was married Novoiuhpr 18, 1868, to
Miss Martlia E. Brothers, and by her he became
the father of three children: Harriett A., born
August 7. 18(19, the wife of Thomas Phillips; Ida
J., born February 25, 1872, and is the wife of
Frank Steward, and J. W., born July 2, 1874, re-
siding at home. The Doctor's wife died PVb-
ruary 14, 1876, an earnest member of the Baptist
Church; she was a daughter of John and Nancy
Brothers, whose family consisted of six children:
William, George, Harriett, Sarah, Robert and
Martha E. Miss Lucy Spinks became the second
wife of Dr. Carrens, Decem))er 14, 1876, and of
their seven children four died in infancy and
three are now living: James S., born May 30,
1879; Eva M., born July 20, 1881, and Bertha,
born August 25, 1888. Presley and Elizabeth
(Ozment) Spinks were native Tennesseeans, who
moved to Illinois at a very early day, and there
reared a family of seven children: James J.,
Sarah (Harris), Eliza (Biskins), Tennessee (Odam),
John A., Lucy (Carrens) and Martha. Mrs.
Spinks was a member of the Baptist Church and
died April 7, 1874, her husband afterward marry-
ing Harriet Doughty, of Illinois, in 1874. Dr.
Carrens was hrst a member of the Free Will Bap-
tist Church, but he and wife are now attendants
and members of the Methodist Episcopal Church,
which church they joined in 1877. The Doctor is
a member of the A. F. & A. M. and is a Repiibli-
can politically. His parents, Elisha and Mary E.
(Hester) Carrens, were Tennesseeans. and were
bom, reared and married there, the latter event
taking place in 1848. They died in their native
State in 1855, and both were members of the Bap-
tist Church. They were the parents of three
ciiildrcn: William, J. A., who is a farmer of
Claiborne County, Ark., and Elizabeth (deceased).
R. J. Carter, cotton grower and stock raiser,
Pocahontas, Ark. Mr. Carter is one of those wide-
awake, thorough -going gentlemen who are bound
to make their way in the world with very little
liclp from outsiders. He is the son of ^linatree
and Matilda (Mock) Carter, the former a native of
South Carolina, and one of the early pioneers of
Northeast Arkansas, where he died in 1857, at
the age of fifty-five or fifty-six years. The
mother was also a native of South Carolina, and
died when about fifty-three years of age. She was
partly of German descent. Of the nine children
born to their marriage, three are now living, and
R. J. Carter was the fifth in order of birth. He
was born in Randolph County, Ark., in 1833, and
grew to manhood in that and Greene Counties.
He made his start in life by following the occupa-
tion to which he had been trained in early life,
farming, and in 1861 was united in marriage to
Miss Mary D. Kuykendall. To this union were
born three children, only one, Min., who is twenty-
seven years of age, now li ving. Those deceased are
Florence and Norah. In 1862 Mr. Carter entered
the Confederate service, and was on duty for three
years. He was at the battles of Jenkins' Fen-y,
Pleasant Hill, Camden and Helena. He returned
to his family at the close of the war and continued
tilling the soil in Greene County, Ark., for fifteen
years. He then came to Randolph County, settled
on 500 acres and engaged in farming and stock
raising. He is also the owner of 240 acres in Clay
County . He is a Democrat in politics, a member
of the Masonic fraternity. Master Mason and
a Knight of Honor. He is also a member of the
Baptist Church. Min. Carter, son of R. J. Car-
ter, was born in Clay County, Ark., in 1862. was
reared on the farm until sixteen years of age,
when he entered the State University at Fayette-
ville, Ark., where he attended one year. He then
entered Batesville College, where he graduatetl
in 1884 with the degree of B. S. Retiu-ning to
Pocahontas, he engaged as a salesman in the store
of R. N. Hamil for two years. He then embarked
in tlie drug business for himself, and this continued
until April, 1889. He was married in November,
1888. to Miss Mazie Esselman. a daughter of Dr.
Esselman, of Pocahontas. Both are members of
the Roman Catholic Church.
Henry A. Clark, merchant and farmer. Elm
Store, Ark. This gentleman owes his nativity to
Boone County. Ark., where his birth occurred on
the 26th of December. 1.S52. and is the son of G.
W. and Fannie (Arnold) Clark, natives of Virginia
384
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
and Teniiessee, respectively. The elder Mr. Clark
came to Arkansas in 1850, settling in Carroll
County, but after a residence there of about four
years, moved to Marion County, where he bought
200 acres of land. He tilled the soil there until
1865, when he moved to Independence County,
Ark. , and settled close to Batesville. He remained
there only two years, and then moved to Ran-
dolph County, where he bought wild land on Janes
Creek. He moved from there in 1878 to Elm
Store, where he died on the 30th of October, 1886,
at the age of seventy-seven years. He was mar-
ried in 1834 to Miss Arnold, who bore him ten
children, seven now living: James, Annie, wife
of W. M. Campbell, of Oregon County, Mo. ;
Sarah, wife of T. M. Brown, of Marion County,
Ark.; E. B., H. A., R. B. and G. W. Mrs.
Clark died on the 27th of April, 1887, at the age
of sixty-nine years. Both were members of the
Methodist Episcopal Church, South. Mr. Clark
was a successful farmer, and in his political views
affiliated with the Democratic party. The pater-
nal grandfather of our subject came from England
with his brother when quite a young man. They
both accepted positions as overseers on plantations
in Virginia. The brother was killed by negroes
and thrown into a log heap to burn, but was found
in time and taken out. The grandfather moved
from Virginia to Tennessee, and thence to Alabama,
and was one of the earliest settlers of Jackson
County. The maternal grandfather was akso an
early settler of Jackson County, Ala. , and was one
of the wealthiest men there during his time. He
was originally from the State of Tennessee, but
died in Alabama about 1858. H. A. Clark's early
opportunities for an education were rather meager,
and he attended his lirst school in 1866. He then
attended the free schools of his section from 1868
to 1875, and obtained a good practical education at
Thomasville Academy, Oregon County, Mo. • After
leaving school, and on the 23d of August, 1875,
he came to his present place, and engaged in mer-
chandising, which he has continued ever since in a
very successful manner . In connection with this he
also operates a farm of 250 acres on Eleven Points
River. Mr. Clark's wife, to whom he was mar-
ried on the 28th of February, 1877, was formerly
Miss Ellendar A. Kirkpatrick, of this county, and
they are the parents of four children, three now
living: C. Newton, Adolphus G. and Elmer. The
one deceased was named Henry Perry. At the com-
mencement of his business career, Mr. Clark had
but very little to commence with, but by close
application to business, and by his honorable, up-
right course, he has attained an enviable position,
and is now one of the leading business men in the
county. At present he is the owner of 700 acres
of land and a fine residence where he now lives,
also owns his store, and his annual sales amount
to about $15,000. He is a member of the Masonic
fraternity, is a Democrat in politics, and he and
his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal
Church, South.
M. F. Collier, of the law firm of Lomax & Col-
lier, is one of the prominent men who make up the
strength of the Arkansas bar. He is a native of
Ohio County, Ky. , born in the year 1849, and is
the son of H. H. Collier and Susan F. (Allmon)
Collier, also natives of the Blue Grass State. The
father was a shoemaker in early life, but later fol-
lowed agricultural pursuits, and is now engaged
in merchandising at Prairie Grove, Ark. Heemi-'
grated to this county in i860, settling in the north-
ern part of the same, where he remained until
1881, and then moved to his present home. He
was appointed United States census taker of Ran-
dolph County, and is quite a prominent man. He
and his wife are worthy members of the Methodist
Episcopal Church. M. F. Collier was reared on
a farm in the county, and there remained until
nineteen years of age, when he came to Pocahon-
tas. He was there engaged in a packing house
as a laborer, and later was made hostler for the
firm. Some time after this he was employed as
salesman in the store of Mr. Hecht, where he con-
tinued three years. He was made book keeper for
the same man at Jacksonport, Ark. , remained with
him two years, and then returned to Pocahontas,
where he took charge of the books in the main
store. At the end of four years' service in that
capacity, he took an interest in the real e.state
business, and studied law. He was admitted to
tb<< bar in February, 1886, and formed a partner-
ship with Mr. Lomax, with whom he has remained
up to the present time. He commands the confi-
dence of the people and the respect of his law
brethren, and is an acquisition to Pocahontas. He
selected Miss Sophia E. Richter, a native of
Louisiana, for his wife, and was wedded to her in
187(5. They have an interesting family of live
childi'en: Eugene L., Alma, Beryl, Thomas and
Laurane. Mr. and Mrs. Collier are members of the
Methodist Episcopal Church, South, in which he is
Sunday-school superintendent, and takes an ac-
tive interest in church and Sunday-school work.
He is a member of the Masonic frateriiit)'. Chap-
ter and Council, also of the Eastern Star, and
the K. of H. He is also a member of the I. O.
O. F. He owns some town property, and consid-
erable land. The firm makes a specialty of real-
estate business, and their extensive practice is but
a natural result of their individual and confederate
action.
Captain Wibb Conner, Pocahontas, Ark. A
glance at the lives of many representative men
whose names appear in this volume will reveal
sketches of some honored and influential citizens,
who have resided many years in this county, but
among them none are more worthy or deserving of
mention than Capt. Wibb Conner. On his father's
side he is of Irish descent, while his mother was of
Scotch-Irish origin. Capt. Conner was originally
from Wayne County, Mo., where his birth occurred
on the ]3th of December, 1837, and is the son of
John B. and Jane H. (Robinson) Conner, the
father a native of Virginia, and the mother of
North Carolina. The grandfather Conner was a
native of Ireland, but came to America and settled
in Virginia, and afterward on Green River, Ky.,
in 180fi. He followed the occupation of a farmer,
also wielded the ferule for some time, and was a
brave and gallant soldier in the Revolutionary
War. The maternal grandfather, David Robinson,
was a native of North Carolina, and was an early
settler of the Duck River Country, now in Ten-
nessee. John B. Conner (father of the subject of
this sketch) was reared on a farm, but at an early
age went as an apprentice to the gun and black-
smith trade, which he learned of Col. Wooly, who.
in 1815, organized an exploring expedition to go
down the Mississippi River, and up the Red
I River. John B. Conner accompanied him, and
while on the Red River all sickened and died ex-
cept Mr. Conner and one companion. They
started on foot to come through to Kentucky across
I the country, but while on the way the companion
died and Mr. Conner was left alone. He got back
i as far as Greenville, Mo., but stopped there and
; started a shop in 1816, and passed the remainder
of his days in Wayne County, in that State. His
death occurred in September, 1850, at the age
of fifty-six years. The mother of Cajjt. Conner
j died in 1845, at the age of forty-seven years, and
was a worthy member of the Methodist Episco-
pal Church. The father was a man who took a
' great interest in politics, and was prominent in
public affairs. He held the office of sheriff of
Wayne County, Mo., for four years, and served in
the General Assembly two terms. They reared a
family of children: Benjamin F., died in AVayne
County, Mo., leaving two children; Frances M. .
wife of John O. Bettis, of Wayne County, Mo.;
Phili]) A. (deceased), left a family of three chil-
dren; Samuel W., died at the age of twenty-one
years; Wibb, and Rachel E. (deceased), wife of
Noel Estes, of Wayne County. Capt. Wibb Con-
ner, when nine years of age. was left motherless,
and when thirteen years of age his father died.
He remained on the home place with his brothers
until eighteen years of age, when he went to
Greenville, Mo. , and engaged as a clerk in a store.
At the age of twenty he embarked in business for
himself in general merchandising, and continued
this until the war broke out. In 1862 he enlisted
in Reeves' company, and was attached to the
Second Missouri Cavalry, serving in the Confeder-
ate army until the 25th of May, 1865. He en-
tered the ranks as a private, and came out as a cap-
tain of Company H, Fifteenth Missouri Cavalry.
After the war he came to Randolph County, Aik. ,
settled on a farm five miles north of Pocahontas,
and there carried on farming and milling until
1867. He then moved to Pocahontas and was
there engaged as clerk in a store for some time.
386
mSTOKY OF ARKANSAS.
In March. 1867, he moved to St. Louis, commencing
in the hotel business, but a few months later re-
turned to Pocahontas, and again engaged in the
mill business, whicli he ran until 1S75. The mill
was burned down, and Capt. Conner came to Poca-
hontas and acted as salesman in a store until 1 878.
He then was elected sheriff and collector, and
served in that capacity for four years, after which
he engaged in the real estate business for two years.
In 1886 he was appointed, under President Cleve-
land, special agent of a general land office, and
assigned to duty in Florida, where he remained
until the 1st of April, 1889. He then returned to
Pocahontas, where he now lives, retired. He was
first taarried in October, 1S61. to Miss Eliza Bol-
linger, a native of. Randolph County, and to them
was born one child living, Samuel A., who now re-
sides at Cressview, Fla. , and is a telegraph oper-
ator. Mrs. Conner died in February, 1868, and
Capt. Conner took for his second wife, on the loth
of Decemljer, 1868, Miss V. Ellen Martin, a native
of Randolph County, Ark., by whom be has six
children: Kate W., Carl, Philip A., EWeda, P.
Mabel and Jennie Ellen. He and wife are members
of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South. He is
a member of the Masonic fraternity and K. of H.
He is the owner of 500 acres of land, besides town
property here and in Florida. He is a temperance
man, and is active in church and educational
matters.
Eli Creason, farmer and stock raiser. Warm
Springs, Ark. On the 15th of August, 1840, there
was born to Henry and Elizabeth (Smith) Creason
a son, Eli Creason, whom we now take as the sub-
ject of this sketch. His birth occurred in Marshall
County. Ky. , and although his educational advan-
tages were not of the Ijest, still he had a fair
showing with the other coiiutry boys of his day. By
reading and observation in later years, he became
faij'ly well educated, and is well posted on the
leading topics of the day. His parents were na-
tives, respectively, of North Carolina and Illinois,
were married in 1839, and reared a family of nine
childi-en (seven now living): Eli, Nancy (wife of
R. H. Southerland). Elizabeth (deceased), Will-
iam, James (deceased), Milas, R. H. , John W.,
Adaline (wife of Hicks Mathews). One child died
very young. Heni-y Creason was born in 1820.
and has always followed agricultural j)ursuits, in
which he has been very successful. He and wife
reside in Kentucky, and are sixty-nine and seventy
years of age, respectively, and are in the enjoy-
ment of exceptionally good health. They are
members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and
Mr. Creason is a Democrat, although indeed he
takes very little interest in politics. Eli Creason
was employed on his father's farm up to the age
of twenty, after which be commenced farming for
himself, on rented land in Kentucky. He made
but one crop in that State, and then, in 1860,
moved to Arkansas, and settled in Izard County.
Five years later he returned to Kentucky, but dur-
ing that time he spent about three years in the
Confederate army, and was wounded in a skirmish
at Augusta, Ark. He participated in the lighting
in and around Little Rock before and after the
evacuation of the Confederates, and finally surren-
dered at Jacksonport, Ark., June 5, 1865. He
then returned home, and moved, in December, to
Kentucky, where he remained seven years. He
then came to Randolph County, Ark., entered
land, and remained on the same until 1881, when
he sold out and purchased his present property,
consisting of 172 acres, with about 100 acres under
cultivation. He has an excellent frame house on
the same, has good barns, out-buildings, etc. When
he returned from the war, Mr. Creason was out
of money, had no property, and was ' ' dead
broke" generally. Notwithstanding all this, he
went to work, and by industry and perseverance,
coupled with a determined spirit, has become one
of the leading farmers in this jiortion of the coun-
ty, all the result of his own labor. Previous to
the war, he was united in marriage in 1859, to
Miss Nancy Gibson, of Graves County, Ky., and
they are the parents of five children (three now
living): W. H. , born November 16, 18()(), and now
resides in Warm Springs Township; Eli M., born
September 27, 1862, and died July 19, 1881;
George W., born April 7, 1865, and now resides in
Warm Springs Township; James A., born October
15, 1868, and also a resident of Warm Springs
:\^
EANDOLVH COUNTY.
:!S7
Township, aiul Robert L. . bom October 6, 1881;
and died November 8, of the same year. The
mother of these children was born May 28, 1841 ;
she was a daiij^hter of Emanuel and Martha (Per-
kins) Gibson, both natives of Kentucky, of which
State they were early settlers. Thoy reared a
family of eleven children, ten now living: Marion,
Caroline (wife of John Prevet), Nancy (the wife of
the subject of this sketch), Martha (wife of Job
Thompson), G. W., Daniel. Harriet (wife of Simp-
son Hammons), Jackson, John and Louisa (wife of
Franklin Smith). Mrs. Gibson died in 1878 or
1879. Mr. Gibson had been married previously,
and was the father of two children: Elizabeth, wife
of Elijah Gibson, and Ehoda, deceased wife of
David Sullivan. Mr. Gibson died in 1877; his
wife was a member of the Baptist Church. Mr.
and Mrs. Creason are members of the Methodist
Episcopal Church, and he is a Democrat in his
political preference.
Hon. Patrick Henry Crenshaw, attorney, Po-
cahontas, Ark. Mr. Crens^haw by virttie of his
ability as a lawyer, and his victories at the bar, is
eminently worthy of a place in our record of suc-
cessful men, and the history of his life is an im-
portant part of that of his State and country.
He was born near Athens, in Limestone County,
Ala., on the 8th of May, 1S49, and is the son of
James W. and Elvira (Winston) Crenshaw. The
father was born in North Carolina, but when a
child moved with his parents to Alabama, and
settled near where the town of Athens is now situ-
ated. At the age of fourteen, he enlisted in the
army and served as a private, under Gen. Andrew
Jackson, in his campaign against the Creek Indi-
ans, taking part in the battles of Talladega,
Emuckfau and Tohopeka. or the Horse-shoe Bend,
on the Tallapoosa River. In the last named bat-
tle the company to which he belonged was the
front of the assaulting column, and his captain
the tirst man to mount the works. After the close
of the War of 1812. he went as a naval cadet to
Annapolis; and after the close of his term there
served some time in the United States navy, after
which he resigned, and after traveling over the
greater portion of North and South America, set-
tled in Missouri, but after his marriage with Elvira
Winston he returned to Alabama, moving thence
to Memphis, Tenn., about 18r)2. In aliout 1854.
while in Boonville, Mo., with her daughters, who
were going to school there, Elvira Crenshaw was
taken sick, and went for a time up in Coldrieck
County, but died in a short time. James W.
Crenshaw continued to live in Memphis until
185R, when he married Susan A. Harris, in North
Carolina; and the pioneer spirit again taking pos-
session of him, he in the last named year, wjth
his family, consisting of three daughters, and the
subject of this sketch, his eldest daughter, Vir-
ginia, having previously married James W .
Harper, of Boonville. Mo. , moved to Arkansas
and settled in Lawrence County, about six miles
east of Powhatan, bringing with him about forty
slaves; but the health of l)oth whites and blacks
being bad in the river bottoms, he moved into the
hills, on Eleven Points River, in Randolph County,
about nine miles southwest of Pocahontas. Then
the troubles of 1861 came, and James \\'. Cren-
shaw was elected as the delegate to the State
convention from Randolph County, and was a
member of that body when the State seceded; he
voting against secession, but being an earnest
believer in State's rights, when his State seceded
he then adhered to the Southern cause; thimgh he
was too old to bear arms in its behalf. In Feb-
ruary, 1803, he was arrested by the Federal
troops, on a charge of carrying mail for the Con-
federate forces, and was treated with great harsh-
ness, and cast into an old jail at Pocahontas,
where he was compelled to remain for several days
without either fire or blankets; after which some
of the soldiers, who had been detailed to guard
him, conceiving a friendshij) for the old man. pre
vailed on their oHieers to take him to their head
quarters, where he was treated with great kind
ness: and shortly after, finding that the accusa
tions were false, and had been made solely for the
pui-pose of making ca])ital for the accuser, he
was discharged, and allowed to return to his home.
The kind treatment, however, came too Inte. for
the first exposure brought on a violent cold, which
resulted in ])neumonia, and on the 4th of March
(hifi birth day), be died at his home in Randolph
County. Freeman Crenshaw, the paternal grand-
father of our subject, was born in Virginia, but
emigrated early to North Carolina, thence to Ala-
bama, where he was one of the pioneer settlers.
He also served in the army, under Jackson, in the
same company with his son, participating in the
same battles; and after the troops were mustered
out of service returned to his farm iti Alabama,
where he lived until his death, which occurred a
few years before the Civil War. Freeman Cren-
shaw, though a farmer by preference, was also a
skillful mechanic, and on one occasion, while in
the army, at the request of Lieut. Jackson, fixed
his favorite pistol so as to make it sure fire, the
repairs he did being to case-harden the fi'izen and
fix the hammer, so as to go back farther when
cocked, thereby to give the mainspring additional
strength. Gen. Jackson, after he had thoroughly
tested it, speaking of the last named change re-
marked, ' ' She goes to hell for fire, but she brings
back a blank full. " Mrs. Dorothea Winston, the
maternal grandmother of Patrick Henry Crenshaw,
was a daughter of Patrick Henry, making the
subject of our sketch the great-grandson of the
renowned patriot and orator. Mrs. Winston
named our subject after her father. During the
latter years of her life Mrs. Winston, being left a
widow, lived with her son-in-law, James W. Cren-
shaw, and died at his house in Memphis, Tenn. ,
and is buried in Elmwood Cemetery, of that city.
Our subject, Patrick Henry Crenshaw, received
the greater portion of his education at home, and
in private schools, going one year to the Cooper
Institute in Boonville, Mo. He had always at-
tended the Methodist Church, though a member
of none until he began to study earnestly the
foundation and origin of the various churches.
This investigation led him to join the Roman
Catholic Church, into which he was baptized by
Rev. Father James S. Okean, at Pocahontas, in
February, 1869, and confirmed by Bishop Edward
Fitzgerald, of Little Rock. Like all boys of the
South, who were large enough to shoulder a gun,
he served some time in the Confederate army.
After leaving school, he began life bs a clerk in a
store, but through the influence of his friends, he
was prevailed upon to read law, and studied with
the law firm of Baber & Henderson, of Pocahon-
tas, and in 1872 was admitted to the bar by Hon.
Elisha Baxter, who was then a circuit judge, and
afterward governor of Arkansas. In June, 1873,
he moved to Clay County, and practiced his pro-
fession there with good success until 1886, when
he returned to Pocahontas, the home of his boy-
hood. In 1879 he was man-ied to Miss Sula
Mack, eldest daughter of Hon. L. L. Mack, of
Greene County. Of this union there has been
born four daughters: Felicia Mary, Elvira Serena,
Inez Alphonsus and Nona Paula. In 1881 Mr.
Crenshaw represented Clay County in the house
of representatives, but since that time has not
been an aspirant for political office himself,
though he takes a lively interest in the welfare of
his country ; and when occasion demands it, is ever
ready to assist in canvassing his part of the State
in behalf of the Democratic party, to which lie
has been a life-long adherent. He is a man well
versed in English literature in general, of which
he is quite fond, is a shrewd practitioner, a for-
cible and eloquent speaker, and an irreproachable
man — "a man in whom there is no guile."
Among his many friends he is known as an ardent
lover of all kinds of field sports especially the
Southern amusement of fox hunting. He says
he came by these last named traits honestly, as all
the Crenshaws, Henrys and Winstons were given
to like weaknesses, as is shown by the number of
pioneers among them. In his native State, three
counties, Henry, Winston and Crenshaw, are
named for his ancestors.
G. W. Crosby, M. D. Pocahontas and vicinity
have a number of physicians among whom prom-
inently stands Dr. G. W. Crosby, a native of Will-
iamson County, Tenn. He was born in lS3f), and
received a liberal education in that State. He read
medicine under a regular physician, and later en-
tered the Memphis Medical School, where he at-
tended one course of lectures. About this time the
war broke out, and he then joined the medical de
partment of the Ninth Tennessee (Confederate) In-
fantry, where he remained during the whole war.
^ c
^■^ «)
-^ — "t^
RANDOLPH COUNTY.
3R'.t
He snrrenderod at Greensboro, N. C, in 1865, hav-
ing participatpd in tbe following battles: Shiloh
and Perry ville, Ky., where he was captured with
the wonnded of his regiment; being exchanged
after a sojourn in prison of six months was also in
the battle of Chickamauga, and in all the engage-
ments of the Northern Georgia campaign in which
his regiment participated. Returning to his home
in Memphis, Tenn. , to remain, however, only a
short time, he then moved to Greene County, Ark.,
where he continued in the active practice of medi-
cine until ISOy. In the fall and winter session of
1869-70 he attended his second course of medical
lectures at the Missouri Medical College, graduating
at the end of the term. He resumed practice in
Greene County, and there remained for two years
longer, subsequently moving to Cross County, Ark.,
where he lived three years. In 1874 he moved to
Pocahontas, Ark. , where be has been in the regular
practice of medicine ever since. By his marriage
with Miss Hattie Kibler, which occurred in 1808 in
Randolph County, Ai'k., he became the father of
seven children : Edward, William, May, Alice,
Camille, John and Ouida. The Doctor is of
Scotch Irish descent, and the son of Levi and
Martha (Barnes) Crosby. The father, a native of
South Carolina, was a pioneer of Tennessee, and
died in Williamson County, of that State. Grand-
father Barnes was born in North Carolina, and was
a farmer by occupation. He also died in William-
son County. He participated in the War of 1812,
and was in the battle of New Orleans. The mother
of our subject was born in North Carolina, and to
her marriage were born seven children, the Doctor
being next to the youngest. He is a Democrat in
his political views.
E. Dalton is a successful merchant of Warm
Springs, Ark., and was born in Ripley County,
Mo., October "28, 1829, being a son of David and
Priscilla (Demis) Dalton, who were born in Ken-
tucky and Missouri, respectively. The father re-
moved to Madison County. Mo., in 1812, and after
his marriage, which occurred there in 1826, he
located in Ripley County and settled on Govern-
ment land where he remained until his death in
18r)9, his wife's death preceding his by two years.
He was a Democrat, a member of the A. F. &
A. M., and he and wife were the parents of the
following children; Sarah, the deceased wife of G,
W. Matney, our subject, Susanna, wife of William
Cross, John (deceased), Nancy, wife of H. Davis,
Ruth, the deceased wife of James Parker, Pris-
cilla, the deceased wife of J. Bond, and David,
who resides in this county. The last two chil-
dren were twins. E. Dalton, our subject, only at
tended the common subscription schools for a short
time during his youth, but this deficiency he ira
proved in later years, and is now a well educated
business man. In 1864 he was forced into the
Confederate army, and was with Price on his raid
through Arkansas and Missouri. He surrendered
at Jacksonport, Ark., on the 5th of June, 1865.
He has be(<n established in business at his present
stand since 1879, but from 1872 up to that date
he had been engaged in that business in connec
tion with farming. He manages his establishment
in partnership with his sons, and they do an annual
business of about 110,000. He was married in
1857 to Miss Grace J. Head, a native of Missouri,
the following family being born to them: John C,
Nancy J., wife of W. T. Stubblelield, C. J.. Mary
P., wife of W. T. McElroy, Sarah M., wife of W.
A. Holt, E. A. and Rufus C. At the time of his
marriage Mr. Dalton was not the possessor of a
great deal of property, but he now owns 500 acres
of land in this State, and 800 acres in Ripley
County, Mo. Besides this he owns property in
Warm Springs. He is in every respect a self-
made man, and his property has been acquired
through unremitting toil. He is public spirited,
a Democrat politically, and is one of the substan-
tial men of the county. Mrs. Dalton is a daugh
ter of Alex, and Elizabeth (Club) Head, of Wayne
County, Mo. Of sixteen children born to them,
nine lived to be gi'own, and four are now living:
J. A., of Piedmont, Mo. : Emanuel, of Butler Coun
ty. Mo. : Grace J. (Mrs. Dalton). and Melvina.
wife of Isaac Pollice, of Kansas. The father and
mother died in 1859 and 1860 or 1861, respective-
Iv, their demise occurring in Wayne ('ouiity. Mo.
Lewis Dalton, merchant, miller and fanner,
Dalton, Ark. Some of the most energetic and
390
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
enterprising business men of the thrifty little town
of Dalton are identified with the growth and pros-
perity of the same, and none more so than Mr.
Dalton. He is an energetic and thorough man of
business, and has acquired a wide reputation for
general business ability and for honorable dealings.
Aside from this he is also one of the most exten-
sive land owners in the county. He was born in
Ripley County, Mo., in 1835, received his educa-
tion in the subscription schools of those days, and
only attended one school where grammar was
taught. At the age of twenty-five years he com-
menced farming, and this continued one year. In
1862 he joined the Confederate army, Company
I, under Col. Adams, but served only a short time
when he was discharged on account of disability.
He then returned home and resumed agricultural
pursuits which he has followed all his life, and in
1874, engaged in the milling business, erecting a
cotton-gin and mill on the Eleven Points River.
Previous to the war, January 4, 1860, he married
Miss Sarah A. Stubblefield, and two children were
born to this union: Acenith, who was born De-
cember 13, 1861, and Elijah who was born Novem-
ber 1, 1863, and is a merchant at Dalton. At the
time of his marriage Mr. Dalton had cultivated his
father's farm, and in 1868 be purchased 287 acres
of land. Since then he has added to the original
amount until he now owns 1,100 acres, all in one
tract, except forty acres. At the close of the war
he had very little property, and his father had noth-
ing left except his land. Now our subject is worth
at least $30,000, all of which he has made by his
own hard work and good business management,
besides placing a good income in the hands of his
two children. Mr. Dalton is a member of the
Masonic order, and is Democratic in politics. He
is the son of Elijah and Zillah (Gains) Dalton, na-
tives of Tennessee and Kentucky, respectively.
Elijah Dalton was born in 1807, and came with his
parents to Madison County, Mo., in 1809. He
was principally reared in that county, and early in
life learned the brick mason trade, but did not fol-
low this after his marriage in 1832. He com-
menced farming in Ripley County, Mo., and con-
tinued this occupation there until his death, which
occurred in 1884. In connection with tilling the
soil he also operated a water-mill. To him and
wife were born seven children (two now living);
James M. (deceased), William M. (deceased),
Lewis, Elijah (deceased), Zimriah (deceased), Zyl-
phia (deceased) and Levi, who is now residing
in Ripley County, Mo. Levi was assessor for that
county for six years, was also collector for four
years, and is one of the representative men. He
follows merchandising in connection with farming,
and resides west of Doniphan, Mo. When Elijah
Dalton commenced life for himself, he was not
possessed of a great amount of this world's goods,
but he entered a farm on a strip of land between
Missouri and Arkansas, that never belonged to
either of the States, untU about the breaking out
of the late war. Mr. Dalton improved this farm
and resided on it the remainer of his days. At
the time of his death he was worth about $5,000.
He lost his wife in 1852. She was a worthy and
consistent member of the Christian Church. Mr.
Dalton took ■ for his second wife Miss Elizabeth
Stubblefield, whom he married in 1862. By this
union one child was born, Joseph, who lives on
the old homestead in Ripley County, Mo. Mrs.
Dalton died in 1865, and Mr. Dalton was married,
the third time, to Mrs. Margaret Johnson, nee Mc-
Kinnie of Ripley County. She still survives him
and is now married to A. J. Ponder of Doniphan.
Mo. Mr. Dalton was a Democrat in his political
views, and was a member of the Masonic fraternity.
The paternal grandfather of Lewis Dalton was a
native of South Carolina, and came to Missouri in
1809. He was a minister in the Baptist Church.
The maternal grandfather, Nathaniel Gains, was
born in Culpeper County, Va. , in 1765, and died
in 1849. He was a cousin of Gen. Gains, of Revo
lutionary fame. His father was a great friend of
Gen. George Washington.
Jesse R. Davis enjoys the reputation of being
a substantial and progressive farmer and an intelli-
gent and thoroughly posted man in all public affairs.
He was born on the farm on which he is now re-
siding, December 9, 1846, and is one of three sur-
viving members of a family of seven children born
to Joseph H. and Mary (Foster) Davis, both of
RANDOLPH COUNTY.
:W1
\vlii>m were l)orii in liaudolph Uounty. Ark., his
birth occurring November '29, 1822, and hers on
the 22d of September, 1824. She died here on
the 18th of FebruiUT, 1854, and after her demise
Mr. Davis wedded Caadace R. (Lane) Chandler,
widow of John Chandler, an ex-sheriff of Ran-
dolph County. She was born in the State of Illi-
nois, on the 11th of November, 1855, and died
in this county on the 7th of March, 1857. Mr.
Davis followed husbandry through life, and became
t)uite wealthy in that calling. He died March 19,
1870. The children born to his first union are
Thomas M. , J. F. and Jesse R., all farmers by
occupation. Two childi-en were born to his second
union, Margenia being the only one now living.
His third wife was Miss Fanny Staggs, a Tennes-
seean by birth, born January 1, 1848, and died in
1884. This union resulted in the birth of seven
children, of whom only two are now living: James
M. and Louisa. Jesse R. Davis has always re-
sided in his native county, and here, of course, re-
ceived his early schooling. At the age of seven-
teen he began for himself, and by good manage-
ment and industrj' has become the owner of 360
acres of as good laud as there is in the county.
He is noted for his liberality, and owing to his
many admirable traits has won the respect and
esteem of all. October 12, 1871, his marriage with
Miss Frances Stump was consummated. She was
a daughter of George Stump, and was born in
Hardin County, Ky. , September 25, 1850, and
died in Randolph County, Ark., August 28, 1872.
Mrs. Melissa (Thomas) Rider became his second
wife March 12, 1874. She was born March 31,
1851, also in Hardin County, Ky. The following
are their children: Jacob T., Harry, Rufus A.,
Laura M. and an infant son. Mary E. was born
February 8, 1875,' and died March 19, 1880. The
family worship in the Methodist Episcopal Church,
and Mr. Davis is a Democrat.
William DeClerk is an example of the indus-
trious and progressive farmer, and like all his coun-
trymen he is ])rudeut and frugal. He was born in
Prussia, Germany, in 1850, and at the age of six
years he was put to school and was kept at his
books until he attained his sixteenth year. In his
youth he learned the intricacies of farm life from
his father, a shrewd, practical tiller of the soil,
but also gave a consideral)le portion of his attention
to the miller's trade, with which he becanip thor
oughly familiar. He was married in his native
laud to Miss Mary C. Frenken, whose birth oc
currod in 1852, and their union has been blessed in
the birth of two children: Joseph, and Mary, who
died at the age of seven mouths. In 1880, with
the intention of bettering his position, he emi-
grated to the United Stares, lauding at New York
City, and came directly to Pocahontas, and, as he
had a comfortable sum of money with which to
start in life in a new country, he jiurchased a farm
comprising 200 acres of land, which he is putting
iu good shape for farming. His parents, Joseph
and Agnes (Mechels) DeClerk, were bom in the
Kingdom of Prussia, and of their two children our
subject is the elder. Grandfather DeClerk is a
farmer of Germany. The father served in the
regular army, and he and his wife died in their
native land. The grandfather was a Frenchman,
and the maternal grandfather was a miller by trade
as were his ancestors as far back as they can l)e
traced.
J. P. Dunklin, Jr., is a young man who is rap-
idly making his way to the front in the business
circles of Randolph County, and in his general
mercantile establishment, which he has been con-
ducting since 1888, he is building up a large and
daily increasing patronage. He was born iu Wash-
ington County, Mo., and is a son of J. P. and H.
W. (Jones) Dunklin, who were also born in that
county and State. The father served as clerk of
that county several years, and is now residing in
Ste. Genevieve County, Mo. J. P. Dunklin moved
to Mississippi County, Ark., in 1809, and made his
home with an uncle, a Mr. Hunter, for some time,
after which he came to Raudol]ih County, and first
worked as a book-keeper iu the town of Pocahon-
tas. He next clerked in a drug store until 1885,
after which he came to Reyno. where he has lived
ever since. He took for his companion in life Miss
F. A. Allaire, of Pocahontas, and their union has
resulted in the birth of three chililreu: William M. ,
Onida and James E. He is a member of the K.
:r>:
392
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
of H., and for two y.<ars filleil tbe office of deputy
sheriff of the county, and was marshal of Pocahon-
tas foui' years. In 1864 he enlisted in the Third
Missouri Cavalry, and acted as orderly for Gen.
Greene, and during his service took an active part
in the battles of Pilot Knob, Pleasanton. Kas.,
and others. His f^reat-uncle was a member of
Congress from Iowa, and was the first man arrested
as a secessionist during the Civil War.
S. A. D. Eaton is a successsul attorney at law
of Randolph (,'ounty, Ark., and although quite
young in years he has already won an honorable
place among the legal fraternity of the county.
He was born in Pulaski County, Ind. , in 1860, and
there remained attending the public schools until
nineteen years of age, at which time he came to
Arkansas. Ho remained here until the spring of
1885, when he returned to Indiana and entered the
Northern Indiana Normal School and Business In-
stitute at Valparaiso, which institution he attended
during the summer of 1885-86. At the end of this
time he again returned to Arkansas, and has taught
nine terms of school in Randolph and Clay Coun-
ties, and during his career as an educator he dili-
gentlv pursued the study of law, and was admitted
to the bar on the 14th of February, 1889, under
Judge J. W. Butler. He began his practice in
Reyno on the 5th of March following his admis-
sion, has opened with a good practice, and starts
out with bright prospects for the future. He is
also notary piiblic, and is a member of the A. F.
& A. M. His father, J. W. C. Eaton, M. D., was
born in the ' ' Buckeye State. ' ' was a graduate
of the Cincinnati Eclectic Medical Institute, and
was a successful practitioner in Pulaski and How-
ard Counties, Ind. , for many years, and obtained
considerable reputation as a successful physician.
He came to Arkansas in 1879 and died in 1881, in
Randolph County. His father was born in Penn-
sylvania, and died in Ohio of wounds received in
the War of 1812, while commanding a privateer.
The gi'eat-grandfather, Anthony Eaton, was a
wealthy resident of Philadelphia and was, as far
as known, a son of Gen. Theophilus Eaton.
J. C. Esselman. M. D. , one of the oldest and
an eminently successful physician of Randolph
County, is a native of Nashville, Tenn., bom in
1841, and is the son of J. C. Esselman, a native
Tennesseean. The elder Esselman. after reaching
manhood, was united in marriage to Miss Mary
Kiukaid, a native of Missouri. He was a Whig in
politics, was a great admirer of Henry Clay and
was very active in political affairs. The paternal
grandfather, John N. Esselman, was a captain in
the British army during the Revolutionary War,
was a native of Scotland and a descendant of the
Campbell clan. He was an agriculturist. The
maternal grandfather, Samuel Kinkaid, was a na-
tive of Kentucky, and a painter by occn})ation.
Dr. J. C. Esselman was left motherless at the age
of four years, and when seven years of age his
father also died, so he was indeed left an orphan.
He was reared by an uncle. Dr. John N. Esselman,
of Nashville, Tenn. He studied medicine with his
uncle until the breaking out of the war, when he
flung aside his books and joined the Twelfth
Missouri Infantry, Confederate army, as lieuten-
ant of Company D. Later he was promoted to
the rank of captain, and served in that capacity un-
til the close of the war. He was in the batt'is of
Fredericktown, Prairie Grove, Little Rock, Helena,
Mansfield and the entire Banks' campaign. He
was at Jenkins' Ferry, and was with Gen. Price in
his raid as far as Union City, Ark. When the war
closed Dr. Esselman returned to Tennessee and
completed his medical studies, graduating at the
University of Nashville in 1866. and the same year
located at Pocahontas, where he has been actively
engaged in the practice ever since. Miss Eliza R.
Perkins, formerly from Virginia, became his wife
in 1864, and this union was blessed by the birth of
four children: Kate (a school-teacher and also
music instructor), Mazie R. (wife of M. M. Carter,
of Pocahontas). Emma R. (deceased) and Tarn. 0.
Dr. Esselman is u member of the Masonic fra-
ternity and Knights of Honor, and has held various
local offices. The family are members of the Catho-
lic Church. The Doctor has a large practice
through Randolph, Clay, Greene and Lawrence
Counties, and no obstacle which human exertion
could overcome has prevented him from visiting
the bedside of the sick and afflicted to administer
y:.
to them wliatevcr relief a skilled and faithful pliy
sician could afford. He keeps well posted in all
the medical literature of the day, and in his library
may be found the latest standard works relative to
the science of medicine.
Joseph H. Clamel has attained considojahle
prominence in the material affairs of Randolph
County, for he is a man of excellent parts, and has
shown good judgment and tact in the management
of his mercantile business, and nets a fair annual
income from his sales, his stock of goods being
valued at $2,500. He was born in Walker County,
Ga., March 26, 1852, and is one of four living mem-
bers of a family of six children, of whom he was the
second, born to Anthony C. and Caroline (Gellon)
Gamel, who were born in Tennessee and Georgia,
respectively. In 1856 the family came to Arkan-
sas, and the father has since been a resident of
Randolph County. His wife died in 1862, when
about forty years of age. He served for three
years in the Confederate army during the war. all
this time being west of the Mississippi River, and
was a faithful soldier to the Southern cause. At
the age of twenty one years Joseph H. Gamel
went to Cedarville and was engaged in mercantile
business as salesman for eight years. Since 1881
he has been engaged in business at his present
stand, and is also connected with a mercantile
establishment at Mayuard, the firm name being
Gamel & Mock. Mr. Gamel is a successful finan-
cier, and by his honesty and fair dealing with his
customers he commands a large and paying patron-
age. In connection with this he also owns a fer
tile farm, which he conducts, and for the success
which has attended his efforts he deserves the
respect and admiration of all, for he commenced
life for himself without means, and is now doing
exceptionally well. Miss Jane Mock, a daughter
of Isham Mock, of Randolph County, became his
wife February 3, 1876. She was born in the
county on the 15th of May, 1854, and is now the
mother of four children living: Hattie M., Nel-
lie G., Joseph O. and Thomas T. William P. and
Fred, died in infancy. Mr. Gamel is a Democrat
and he and his wife are members of the Chris-
tian Church. An elder Ijrother of Mr. Game],
^^ . A., served in the Confederate army during
the wai-.
Peter Goetz, a farmer and cotton gi'ower, of
Randolph County, Ark., was born in New Orleans,
October 17, 1829, and received his education in a
German Lutheran school of that city. He worked
in his father's wood yard in New Orleans while
young, and afterward operated a saw-mill in Ken-
tucky, and for seven years shipped lumber to his
native city. He then sold out and moved to the
"Hoosier State," and, after operating a mill on
Anderson Creek for about two years, he sold out
and returned to New Orleans, where for two sub-
sequent years he was engaged in managing a gro-
cery store. He next spent two years as foreman in
a still -house, then filled the same position in Mo-
i)ile, Ala., for a year and a half. He then resided
successively in New Orleans, Kentucky (where he
built a saw-mill, but sold it soon after), Kansas,
where he became the owner of consideralile land,
and remained seven years; then traded his property
there for a section and a half of land in Randolph
County, Ark. He afterward sold the whole sec-
tion and a half for $25, and then rented a saw mill,
which he operated two years, accumulating suffi-
cient money thereby to purchase his present land,
paying for it $12 per acre. It embraced 162 acres,
and he has 110 acres under fence, and is as rapidly
as possible improving it and putting it in a good
farming condition. AVhen the war broke out he
joined the Confederate forces, and served in the
Twenty-fourth K(>ntupky Cavalry, for three years,
under Morgan. He was in numerous battles and
skirmishes, and served until the close of the war,
when he returned home. He was married in
Louisville, Ky,, to Miss Agnes Rarick, and four
children blessed their union: Peter, Maggie (wife
of Oscar Garber), Lizzie F. and Charley. Mr.
Goetz is a Democrat and a member of the I. O. O.
F. He is a son of Nichols and Elizabeth (Scblos-
ser) Goetz, both natives of the Kingdom of Prus
sia, Germany. They were married in New Orleans,
and died there. The father kept a store and lum
ber yard. The great-grandfather was a native
German, and was foreman of some iron works.
He lived to be over one hundred and ten years old
A
394
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
Jesse G. Hanj. M. D. Among the widely
known and most successful physicians of this
county is Dr. Ham, who was born in Gibson Coun-
ty, Tenn., in 183-4, and was reared and educated
in Trenton, Tenn., being a faithful student in
Andi'ew College, of the latter place, for some time.
At the early age of sixteen years he began clerking
in a drug store, and there acquired a taste for the
science of medicine. He commenced his studies
under Drs. Tulafro and Leaster, and after making
a thorough preparation and devoting his energies
to this study for some time, he began attending
lectures in the Nashville Medical College, and
graduated from McDowell's Medical College, in
St. Louis, Mo. , in 1857. He decided to commence
his professional career in the ' ' Blue Grass State, ' '
and accordingly located at Birmingham, but moved
shortly afterward to Memphis. Tenn. , and entered
upon an active and jarosperous career there, in
partnership with his uncle. Dr. Tom Peyton, who
was one of the leading members of the medical
fraternity in West Tennessee. After dissolving
partnership with his uncle he went to the Indian
Territory, and after remaining for some time in
Maryville, he again made a change of residence,
this time taking up his abode in the "Lone Star
State." Fi'om this point he moved to Matamoras,
and after a short period spent in that place he re-
turned to Texas, tirst to Dallas, then to Johnston
Station, back again to Dallas, and then to Fort
Worth. In this place he remained until May,
1801. when he and Mr. De Eldrige, of Virginia,
raised a company of soldiers, and Dr. Ham was
made its captain. They went to Louisiana, but,
as, according to the law no organized body of men
could be received from Texas, the battalion was
disbanded at New Orleans. After this Dr. Ham
joined the Fifth Louisiana Regiment, Crescent
City Guards, commanded by Judge Hunt, which
was the third regiment of men that landed at
Yorktown, where Coruwallis surrendered. After
the first tight near the coast the command ffll
back to Williamsburg, where Washington's old
barracks were still standing, and Dr. Ham was in
the house in which Patrick Henry lived. Dr. Ham
was there requested to go before the medical
board, and was made assistant- surgeon of the Reg-
ular Confederate States armj% and was assigned to
duty at Chiborago Hospital, Ya. He remained in
the medical department until the tinal surrender,
then returned to the State of Tennessee, and moved
from there to Woodruff County, Ark., where he
recommenced the practice of medicine. From
that time until 1880 he practiced in Jackson and
Lawrence Counties, after which he came to Cher-
okee Bay, and here has since resided. He was
first married to Miss Lizzie A. McKee, of Missis-
sippi, and took for his second wife Miss Lizzie A.
Thorne, who was a native of New Jersey. Dr.
Ham is a Democrat, and a member of the A. F. &
A. M. He is a son of James and Martha (Peyton)
Ham, the former of whom was a Virginian. Mr.
Ham moved to Tennessee when about twenty-five
years old, and had acquired a large fortune in the
gold mines of Georgia. He held a number of
local offices, and was tirst constable, then deputy
sheriff, and finally sheriff of the covmty in which
he resided. He was also clerk of Gibson County,
Tenn. He is now deceased. His father was a
native of Virginia, and was a son of a native
Frenchman.
R. N. Hamil, merchant, Pocahontas, Ark. In
preparation of this brief outline of the history of
one of the representative men of Randolph County,
appear facts which are greatly to his credit. His
intelligence, enterprise, integritj', and many esti-
mable qualities have acquired for him a popularity
not derived from factitious circumstance, but a
j)ermauent and spontaneous tribute to his merit.
He established his business in Pocahontas in 1875,
and has about the large.st general store in the
county. His birth occurred in Jeffersonville, Ind.,
in 1847, and he is the sou of William A. Hamil, a
native of Tennessee. The maiden name of his
mother was Miss Sarah E. Cre|)[)s, a native of
Virginia, Ijut she had miirried a Mr. Waddell pre-
vious to her maiTiage to Mr. Hamil. R. N. Hamil
moved with his mother to Arkansas on the 18th of
February. 184VI. and was reared and educated in
Pocahontas. When but sixteen years of age he
enlisted in the Forty-Fifth Arkansas, and served
until the close of the war. He' then returned to
RANDOLPH COUNTY.
395
Pocahontas and enga^red in the grocery business,
which he followed a few years. He then com-
menced clerking for L. Hecht & Co., remaining
with them until 1875, when he established his
present business, which he has continued ever
since. He employs five men in the store, and car-
ries a large stock. He was married in Pocahontas
in 1873 to Miss Gertrude Kibler, a native of Ran-
dolph County, Ark., and one child has been the
result of this union: Lelia. Mrs. Hamil died in
1875, and Mr. Hamil took for his second wife
Miss Blanche Kibler, a sister of his first wife, and
and two childi'en were born to this union: Earle
and Nell. Mr. Hamil is a member of the Masonic
fraternity, and also of the Knights of Honor. He
has been a member of the board of aldermen of
the city for a number of years, and takes an active
])art in politics. He owns 2,0(10 acres of land, also
a farm near town, and aside from his mercantile
business he also runs a cotton-gin, and is a leading
business man.
A. H. Hatley is one of the representative busi-
ness men of the county and was born in North
Carolina on the 10th of July, 1832, being a son of
Redin and Delphia (Kelley) Hatley, who were of
English and Irish parentage and were born
in the State of North Carolina. The Hatley family
emigrated to the United States about 1770, as near
as can be ascertained, and settled in North Caro-
lina, from which State the paternal grandfather
and his brothers are supposed to have enlisted in
the Revolutionary War, being members of the
American army. Redin Hatley was born in 1800,
his wife two years later, and their deaths occurred
in 1863 and 1842, respectively. The former was
justice of the peace for many years in North Caro-
lina, and although not an active politician he voted
the Whig ticket. His wife was a member of the
Christian Chnrch, and of seven sous born to their
marriage two are now livinj': A. H. and Hender-
son, who is a resident of this county. A. H. Hat-
ley became the architect of his own fortune in
iS51 aiul although his father was quite a wealthy
man, being the owner of a number of slaves, he
failed to educate any of his children, and as a con-
sequence A. H. was obliged to earn his living as
be.sthe could. On the 22d of December, 1852, lie
landed in Randolph County, Ark., and four years
later he made his first purchase of land, which em-
braced KjQ acres, and on this farm he has since
made his home, it now amounting to 173 acres. In
addition to this he owns 120 acres of land on the
Current River bottom and a one-half interest in
eighty acres on the bay at Peru; also a one-half in-
terest in a general mercantile establishment, which
nets from $8,0J0 to §10,000 per annum, the stock
of goods amounting to about $3,000. In 1888 he
erected a fine cotton-gin at Maynard, and owns one-
half of a gin in the bottoms, which annually turns
out about 500 bales. In this enterprise he is one
of the leading men in this section of the State, being
also one of the largest property -holders. At the
time of his arrival here he owned nothing, and has
made his property by energy and shrewd manage-
ment. He has been married twice, the first time
to Miss Nancy Mitchell, by whom he became the
father of two children: Julia A., who was born
August 25, 1853, and James H., who was born
October 14, 1855. Mrs. Hatley died August 25,
1858, six years after her marriage, and after liv
ing a widower one year Mr. Hatley married,
September 18, Miss Mahulda Abbott. Elen L.
(wife of Gus Reynolds, of Reno), born January
3, 18(54: Mandy H., born October 15, 1800, died
November 7, 18()8; Naomi H., born November 29,
1869; Eli H., born October 2, 1872; August A. H..
born July 18, 1875; Atlas H., born July IS,
1878, and Ivy H., born October 28, 1886, and
three who died in infanc_v were their children.
Mrs. Hatley was born in 1841. Mi-. Hatley joineil
the Confederate army in September, 1802, enlist-
ing in Company A, and was captured in Jarmary,
1863, at Van Buren, Ark. , but was paroled after a
short time and returned home. After remaining at
home for about six mouths he was again forced
into the service, and was with Price on his raid
through Missouri and Arkansas. Since that time
he has been engaged in the occupations named
above, and is now one of the wealthy men of the
county. He is a Democrat, and a member of the
A. F. & A. M. ; his wife belongs to the Christian
Chnrch.
396
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
William E. Hibbard is a leading and enterpris-
intr merchant of Randolph County, Ark., and is a
member of the firm of Hibbai-d & Weatherford,
who do a general business at Gravesville. He was
born in the State of Mississippi, May 10, 1850,
and is a son of Joseph and Delilah (Walker) Hib-
bard, the former a native of Mississippi, and the
latter of Tennessee. They were married in Ten-
nessee, but made their home in Mississippi until
their son, William E., was a small lad, at which
time they moved to Independence County, Ark.,
from there to Fulton County, and in 1865, came to
Randolph County, where the widow and her chil-
dren have since lived, the father having died in St.
Louis, in 1862. He was a teacher and a farmer by
occupation, a Democrat in politics, and while a res-
ident of Fulton County, Ark. , served several years
as justice of the peace. The mother is a member
of the MissionaiT Baptist Church, and she and Mr.
Hibbard became the parents of nine children
(William E. being the fourth), and live of them are
now living: George W., a farmer of Randolph
County; Naocy, wife of Abijah McDaniel, also of
this county, Emily, wife of James McDaniel;
Sarah, wife of Robert Ballew, they also being
agriculturists of this county, and William E.,
who acquired a good education through his own
exertions, and when only a small boy began to as
sist his mother and brother to make a living for
the balance of the family, as they had been left
in destitute circumstances by the war. He worked
by the day and month until twenty- one years of
age, when he man-ied Miss Martha Collier, and
began for himself. His wife was a daughter of
Robert and Sarah Collier, and was born on the 29th
of January, 1851. Their family now consists of
eight children: Delilah, William H., Emma, Jo-
seph, Adar and Ida (twins), Martha and Thomas.
After his marriage Mr. Hibbard made one crop in
Woodruff County, but the following year went to
Fulton County, and rented land of Mrs. Sanders,
but after making one crop there he returned to
Randolph County, purchased a 120- acre farm
on credit, and has since increased his acreage to
250, all of it being tine land, the result of indus-
try and good business ability. In March, 1887,
he formed a partnership with Vincent Seagraves,
in the general mercantile business, and the follow-
ing year bought out Mr. Seagraves, and conducted
the business alone until within a few months,
when he and W. J. Weatherford became associated.
He is a Mason and a Democrat, and is one of the
most enterprising men of which the county can
boast.
Isaac Hirst keeps a general grocery at Poca
hontas. Ark. , and was born in Greece in 1 844. He
was brought to the United States by his uncle when
a child and grew to manhood in Cincinnati, Ohio,
and at Pocahontas, Ark., also receiving his educa-
tion in the public schools of these places. After
reaching a suitable age he worked as collector for
different firms for some time, and in 1868 embarked
in business for himself. Prior to this, however,
during the war he espoused the cause of the Con-
federacy and served until he was severely wounded
in 1864 on Saline River, in Arkansas. He was at
Greenville, Mo., Shreveport, Pleasant Hill, La.,
Prairie Grove, Jenkins' Ferry and Helena, Ark.,
and was a participant in many skirmishes. After
the close of the war he resided in Memphis, Tenn.,
for three years, then returned to Pocahontas and
as above stated entered business for himself, in
which he has siaccessfully continued ever since.
His efforts to acquire a competency have more
than realized his expectations and he now owns
some valuable town property. In bis political
views Mr. Hirst is a Democrat, and he is a
Master Mason, a member of the I. O. O. F. and
K. of H. His people are of Hebrew faith, but he
belongs to no church. He was married May 1,
1877, to Miss Nora Hubble, by whom he has two
little daughters: Lena and Edith. His parents,
Jacob and Theresa (Hanauer) Hirst, were native
Germans, but after their marriage removed to
Greece and still later to America, the former's
death occurring in Philadelphia, Penn., and the
latter' s in Cincinnati, Ohio. Our subject has an
uncle who resides in Memphis, Tenn., and is a
member of the mercantile firm of Schollfield.
Hanauer & Co.
Dr. Martin Hogan was born on Blue Grass soil
November 16, 1833, and inherits Virginia blood
W. K.Harrison.
Gdloen Lake^Mississippi County, Arkansas.
RANDOLPH COUNTY.
397
from his fatbor and mother, William and Mary
(Wallace) Hogau. The father removed to Ken-
tucky in 1808, and was married in Logan County,
of that State, in 1812, and there reared a family
of four sons and two daughters: Mary A., wife of
Dr. Joseph Stewart, died in Arkansas; James B.
(deceased), William, who died in Kentucky; John,
who died in Randolph County ; Maria L. (deceased)
and Martin. The father was drafted in the War
of 1812, but secured a substitute. He died in Lo-
gan County, Ky., in IS^tO, followed by his wife in
1870, in Livingston County, Ky. , both being con-
sistent members of the Christian Church at the
time of their death. The youthful days of our
subject, Martin Hogan, were spent in laboring on
his father's farm, and his early opportunities for
acquiring an education were of the most meager
description. After reaching the age of twenty-one
years, he entered a graded school with the deter-
mination to secure a good education, and after at-
tending for some time at Allensville, he entered
the Oakland Institute, and afterward the Franklin
Institute in Christian County, Ky., where he fin-
ished his literary education, his career in these
institutions of learning being marked by close ap-
plication to his books and able scholarship. Dur-
ing the winter of 1857-58, he attended lectures in
the Nashville Medical College, and in the winter
of 18o8-59, he was a diligent student in the
Eclectic Medical College of Cincinnati, from which
institution he was graduated as an M. D. in 1859.
He commenced immediately the practice of his
chosen profession in Logan County, Ky. , and after
practicing in Livingston and Marshall Conn-
ties of that State until 1871, he landed in this
county, where he has been engaged in farming in
connection with his practice, since about 1873.
The Doctor takes but little interest in politics, but
devotes all his time to his profession; when he
does vote, however, he sujjports the principles of
the Democratic party. He is a member of the
I. 0. O. F. , and he, wife and eldest daughter are
members of the C^hristian Church. November 13,
I860, he man-ied Miss Mary S. White, in Lyon
County, Ky. , her birth having occurred in that
State on the 17th of July, 1840. The following
were their children: Mary C, who was born March
10, 1862, and is now deceased; William M., Ixjrn
December 17, 1863; Mary R., born January 1.
1807; Lou, born March 15, 186U; John E. , born
March 21, 1871, and is now deceased; John, born
October 20, 1872; Birdie, born March IS. 1874;
Lizzie M. , born May 5, J 876 ; Lina W. , born April
21, 1879; and Madison B., born February 14,
1884. Mrs. Hogan is a daughter of George and
Catherine (Martin) White, to whom were born the
following family: Mary S. and Samuel, Eliza A.
and George M. (deceased), Elizabeth H. , John
E., Sarah (deceased), Sol. M. , and Edna M. , wife
of Charles Sexton, of Kentucky.
B. F. Hollowell, M. D. Few. if any, indus-
trial or professional pursuits have within the la.st
few years made such rapid strides as that of the
profession of medicine, and among the leading
physicians of Randolph County, Ark., who have
availed themselves of all new ideas and put them in
practice, may be mentioned Dr. Hollowell. He was
born in North Carolina in 1823 and was the eldest
of seven children, three now living, born to Silas
and Sarah (Farmer) Hollowell, who were North
Carolinians. They moved to the State of Tennes-
see in 1828, and in 1832 located in Mississippi,
where they died in 1867 and 1809, respectively,
both aged sixty-seven years. Silas Hollowell was
an active politician in his day, and was also deeply
interested in the cause of religion. Their children,
who are living, are Martha A., wife of John Porter,
of the State of Mississippi; Julia, wife of D. ).
Rogers, of Marshall County, Miss., and Dr. B.
F. The paternal grandfather, Edward Thomas
Hollowell, was born in the "Emerald Isle," and
was an enterprising tiller of the soil. Dr. Hollowell
was given the rearing and education which is ac
corded the majority of farmers' boys, but this work
was not suited to his tastes, and he early formed
a desire to study medicine. At the age of twenty
, years he left home and entered upon his medical
studies under a preceptor in Marshall County,
Miss., and after two years of faithful and diligent
study he entered Oxford Institute, fiom which
institution he graduated iu 1847. The following
year he moved to Izard County. Ark., where he
r
:^
<S ^L_
398
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
was actively engaged in tlie practice of his profes-
sion until the breaking out of the Rebellion, when
he enlisted as a Federal spy, and to the best of his
ability kept the Union forces posted as to the
doings of the enemy. During this time he con-
tinued the practice of his profession as a blind,
but in 1863 he openly joined the Federal forces as
a scout, serving in this capacity until the close of
the war. From that time until 1870 he was a
practicing physician of Greene County, Mo., after
which he returmul to Izard County, Ark., and was
actively engaged in the practice of his profession
for two years. The two succeeding years were
spent in Ash Flat, Sharp County, Ark., and the
following year he was appointed deputy collector
of this district, which position he held in a very
efficient manner until 1877, at which date he was
appointed United States commissioner for the
Eastern district of Arkansas, and still continues to
discharge the duties of this position to the satisfac-
tion of all concerned. Since the year 1878 he has
resided on his present farm. He was first married
in 1843 to Miss Frances C. Box, who was born in
Alabama and died in 1858, having borne two chil-
dren: Sarah P., wife of James Robinson, and
Stephen E. Margaret Heard, a native of Alabama,
became his second wife in 1859. Eugenia, wife
of John Wood; Ann Eliza, wife of John Mc-
Cracken, and Joseph are the extent of their family.
Dr. Hollowell was called upon to mourn the loss
of his second wife in 1874; she had been an ear-
nest member of the Christian Church for many
years. His first wife was a Methodist and an
earnest worker for the cause of Christianity. The
Doctor was married at Ash Flat, in June, 1875,
to Miss E. B. Goodwin, a native of Tennessee, an
estimable lady whose education and general infor-
mation well qualify her for a minister's wife. She
is a member of the Christian Church and an active,
zealous worker. Two childi-en are the result of
this union: Walter Ctillen, in his thirteenth year,
and Hubert Clayton, in his eleventh; both bright,
active lads, who promise much in the way of com-
fort to their parents. Dr. Hollowell was ordained
a minister of the Christian Church, October 28,
18()8, and much of his time and attention has
been devoted to expounding the Gospel, and his
efports in saving souls have met with good results.
He has always been a stanch Republican in his
political views, and he has shown his approval of
secret organizations by becoming a member of the
A. F. & A. M.
William L. Holt, justice of the peace. Warm
Springs, Ark. To the person who closely applies
himself to any occupation which he has chosen as
his calling through life there can be but one re-
sult— that of success. The above mi-ntioned
gentleman has been an agriculturist the princi-
pal part of his life, and success has marked his
efforts. He has a farm of 240 acres, 100 being
under cultivation, has a good house and barn, and
over his broad acres may be seen many horses
and cattle, for he is also a prominent stock farmer.
He has received assistance from no one, but is
simply the architect of his own fortune. His
birth occurred in Randolph County, Ark., Janu-
ary 1, 1842, and he is the son of John and Mary
(Barrett) Holt, natives of Missouri and Alabama,
respectively. The parents were married in 1839.
The elder Mr. Holt was born in May. 1814, and
died January 12, 1862. He came to Arkansas
with his father when only seven years of age, and
was reared in this county. He received but a
limited education, and tilling the soil was his prin-
cipal occupation during life. His wife was born
in May, 1818, and died March 4, 1884. She was
a member of the Christian Church. Mr. Holt was
quite active in politics, and cast his last vote for
Stephen A. Douglass. Although a Democrat he
opposed the Rebellion. The maternal grandfather
of our subject was in the War of 1812, served
under Gen. Jackson, and was at the battle of New
Orleans. The paternal grandfather was one of the
pioneers of Missouri, and during his early life in
Washington County, of that State, had many
fights with the Indians. He came to Randolph
County, Ark., as early as 1821, and many interest-
ing and exciting times did he have with the In-
dians in this section. Buffaloes and many wild
animals were also very plentiful. He was a hatter
by trade, a prominent Mason, and was one of the
leading men of the county. William L. Holt was
RANDOLPH COUNTY.
mm
reared in bis native county, and hud only limited
educational advantages, but these he improved,
and is now one of the best posted m(Hi to be found
in the county. He was married October 18, 18f)2,
to Miss Nancy G. Philips, a native of Tennessee,
and they liave two children, W. A., engaged in
merchandising at Warm Springs, married to Miss
Melissa Dalton, of Warm Springs, in November,
1886. and has one child, John R. . living at Doni-
phan, Mo. , and is clerking in a store. He has
been attending school for some time at that place.
Our subject, W. L. Holt, was in the Confederate
army, enlisting in 1862, and surrendering at
Jacksonport, Ark., June 5, 1865. He was on Gen.
Price's raid through Missouri, and took part in
numerous engagements. He returned to his home
at the close of the war, and engaged in farming
and stock raising, which he has carried on in a very
successful manner ever since. In 1878 he was
elected justice of the peace, and served two terms.
He was re elected in 1884, and has held the posi-
tion since, this making bis fifth term. In 1888
he was a member of the Democratic State Conven-
tion, has been school director several terms, and
has held many minor offices. At the time of his
marriage be was not possessed of a great amount of
this world's goods, but be has been successful in
all his undertakings, and is now prepared to enjoy
life. He is Democratic in bis politics. Mrs. Holt
is a member of the Baptist Church, and he also
holds to this faith.
Joseph Hufstedler, who represents the milling
interests of Randolph County, Ark. , is a Tennes-
seean by birth and bringing up, and inherits the
principles of the better class of citizens of that
State. He was born in 1843, and as soon as a
suitable age was reached be was placed in school,
but after attaining his eleventh year his education
was received in Randol[)h County, Ark. In 18(51
be entered the Confederate army, and served until
February 20, 1864, when be left the field and came
home. He was at Sbilob, Perryville, Murfrees-
boro, Chickamauga and in other engagements, and
was wounded twice diiring his service. After bis
return home he engaged in farming, and in I860
was a])pointed sheriff and collector of the county
for four years, and ;U. the iMid of that time was
elected treasurer on the Republican ticket, and ably
discharged the duties of that office for two years.
He has also tilled the office of deputy United States
marshal of Northern Arkansas for several years.
For some fifteen years he has \)cci\ engaged in the
milling business, and his establishment is fitted up
in good style, consequently the product which he
has turned out has proved to be eminently satis-
factory. Besides bis mill he owns four and one-
half acres of land on which is bis residence, and
also a farm of 200 acres. Ho was first married to
Miss Mary Hufstedler, and after her death he
wedded Miss Huldab Hufstedler, and by her has
had a family of nine children: Birdie, Ella,
Blanche, Lizzie D. and Kate, living, and Lydia,
who died at the age of nineteen months: Earl,
when one and one half years old. and two children
who died in infancy. Our subject and wife are
members of the Christian Church; he is a Royal
Arch Mason, and belongs to the K. of H. He is a
sou of Joseph and Lydia (Chandler) Hufstedler,
and is the youngest of their five children, three of
whom are living. The father died when our subject
was a small lad. He was a farmer. The paternal
grandfather, Jacob Hufstedler, was a soldier in
the War of 1812, and removed from his native
State to Arkansas in lSr)4, where he died live
years later. His father was a native German, and
came to the United States at an early day, and first
settled in North Carolina and afterward in Ten
nessee.
Simon Peter Hurn. Among those who deser-
vedly rank among the progressive and rising agri
culturists of Randolph County, Ark. , is the above
mentioned gentleman who has resided here since
1S50, and is now the owner of 400 acres of as good
land as there is in the county. He is one of ten
children, and was born in ilonroe County. Ga. ,
April 25. 1829, and is a son of Randall and Nancy
(Dunn) Hurn, natives of North Carolina and Geor-
gia, respectively. The father removed to Georgia
when a young man, was married there, and there
resided until 1850, when be moved to Arkansas,
and located in Randolph County, where be died
in Mav. \HoH, when sixty six years of age, followed
400
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
by his widow two years later when aged about
fifty six years. She was a member of the Methodist
Episcopal Church, and he was a Baptist until
a few years before his death, when he became
Methodist in belief . He was a life-long Democrat,
a farmer by occupation, and after a lifetime of hard
labor he became a wealthy citizen. His father,
Jame.>4 Hurn, who was of Irish birth, served in the
Colonial army during the Revolutionary War and
was a participant in many battles, beiug at York-
town when Cornwallis surrendered. He died in
North Carolina. The maternal grandfather, James
Dunn, was born in North Carolina, and also served
in the American army during the Revolution. The
children born to Randall and Nancy Hurn are as
follows: James and Simon Peter, farmers of Ran-
dolph County; Paul R., a farmer of Washington
County, Ark., Mark, a farmer of Clay County,
Ark. : Ezekiel, a minister of the Washington Coun-
ty Primitive Baptist Church; Permelia E., wife of
James Sammonds of Randolph County; Nancy J.,
wife of Ben F. Tyler, a farmer of this county, and
Leah S. , wife of William Kirk of this county.
Those deceased are John and Matthew, who was
a minister in the Methodist Episcopal Church,
South, in Randolph County. At the age of twenty-
one years, Simon Peter Hurn, our subject, began
life for himself as a farmer, but afterward learned
the butcher's and stone mason's trades, at which he
worked for many years. He started without any
means whatever, but by the help of his wife, who
was a strict economist and an excellent manager,
he has become one of the wealthy men of the
county. In 1861 he enlisted in Capt. Connor's
company, Adams' regiment of the Confederate
States army, and during his four years' service
he was in the battles of Saline, Pilot Knob,
Big Bhie and others. He was a heavy loser
by the war. but afterward managed to make
his losses good. Sarah Jane Alexander, a daugh-
ter of John W. and Mary T. (Mostice) Alexander,
became his wife November 21, 1850. She is a na-
tive of the county and was born August 31, 1830,
becoming by Mr. Hurn the mother of eight chil-
ren: Matilda E., Mary L., John W., Emily J.,
Luther D., Peter M., Eliza Ann, Leslie B. and
Thomas F. Peter M. died when six years of age.
Mr. Hurn and his wife have been members of the
Methodist Episcopal Chui-ch, South, for the past
! forty years, and he has served the most of this
I time as steward. Politically he is a Democrat.
J. W. Ingram is a substantial farmer and miller
of the county, and as such deserves honorable men-
tion in these pages. As he was born in this county,
May 8, 1839, the people have had every opportun-
ity to judge of his character, and he has won the
confidence and esteem of all. He is a son of James
! P. and Rebecca (Mansker) Ingram, the former hav-
ing been born in Virginia, February a, 1800, and
the latter in Tennessee, March 0, 1811. James P.
Ingram was removed by his father to Kentucky in
1805, and there remained until 1824, when he re-
moved to Randolph County, Ark., and settled on
what is now known as the Old Ingram Farm, on
the old military road, six miles southwest of Pit-
man's Ferry. Here he lived from 1834 until he
died, August 12, 1874, at the age of seventy four
years. His widow resided on this farm for fifty-
three years, and died on the 27th of June, 1888, at
the age of seventy-seven years, three months and
twenty-one days. She came with her parents to
this State in 1817, and lacked only a short time
of having lived here seventy years. Mr. Ingram
was an industrious agriculturist, and accumulated
property to the amount of 1,000 acres of land. He
served as constable eight years, justice of the peace
six years, and county judge four years. He was
married on the 12th of Aiuil, 1825, his wife being
only a little over fourteen years of age at that
t time. Their family consisted of eleven children,
the following being those who are now living: G.
H. , a farmer of this (iounty; Leddie B. , wife of H.
H. Hatley, and J. AV. Those deceased are Lurana.
wife of W. P. G. Johnston, and Hannah E., who
died at the age of twenty years; the rest died in
childhood or infancy. J. W. Ingram commenced
life for himself at the age of eighteen years, and
was married then to Miss Rebecca M. Mansker.
their union taking place on the 12th of A]>ril, and
to them the following children have been born: M.
E., wife of W. C. Smith, of this county; Martha
R., wife of William Jollv, of this countv; W. G.
RANDOLPH COUNTY.
401
C. ; Sarah L. , wife of Robert G. Jolmson, being
those living; and L. V. J., the deceased wife of
Benjamin Phipps, and Mary L., who is also de-
ceased, having been the wife of F. M. Ezell. Mrs.
Ingram was born October 18, 1839, and is now
no more, having passed to her long home April
25, 1870. Our subject's second union took
place October 9, 1870, his wife's maiden name
being Josie C. Mock, of this county. Five of
their children died when small, and three are
now living: R. G. C, who was born September 2,
1883; T. F., born May 17, 1875, and J. R., born
March 22, 1877. The mother of these children
died on the 28th of December, 1883, having been
a consistent member of the Methodist Episcopal
Church, South, and her husband espoused his third
wife, Mrs. Mary P. (Kerley) Tilley, on the 10th of
April, 1884, Laura Dean, who was born on the
10th of April, 1885, being the only one of their
three children who is now living. Mrs. Ingram's
first union took place on the 2d of July, 1871, and
she bore her husband three childi-en: Sarah L.,
born December 10, 1872, and Thomas J. , born
August 3, 1877, being the only ones living. Mr.
Tilley was born in Tennessee, and died on the
12th of February, 1882, having been a member of
the Missionary Baptist Church. While serving in
the Confederate army he lost all the fingers of one
of his hands, and was discharged from the service.
Mr. Ingram, the subject of this sketch, also served
in the Confederate army, joining Company I, Sha-
ver's regiment, on the 8th of August, 1863. He
surrendered at Jacksonport, Ark., June 5, 1865,
having been with Price on his raid in Missouri.
During this time he lost all his property except
his land; but this he returned to, and began to
improve, erecting in 1869 a cotton-gin, which
he continued to operate until 1878, when it was
burned to the ground. The loss is estimated at
83,500. On the 17th of January, 1873, he was
taken ill with erysipelas, and by the 21st of that
month he had lost his eye sight. He has hud ten
children he has never seen. He is a wealthy farm-
er, owning 1,460 acres of land, with some 248
acres under improvement. He has a steam cotton-
gin, seventy head of cattle, twelve head of horses
and mules, and numerous other domestic animals.
Although blind, this does not deter him fiom
work, and he can readily bind wheat and oats, feed
a threshing machine or steam cotton-gin. He is a
member of the A. F. & A. M. , and is a Democrat.
He and his wife are church members, he belong-
I ing to the Methodist and liis wife to the Baptist
Church.
A. ^^'. James is a man who has been exception-
ally successful in his career as a planter, and ow-
ing to his desire to keep out of the old ruts, and
to his ready adoption of new and improved meth
ods, together with energy and shrewd business tac-
: tics, he has acquired an extensive land area em-
bracing at least 1,400 acres. Many of his broad
acres are devoted to the culture of cotton, and his
plantation is one of the finest in the State. He
was born in Smith County, Term., Octol)er IS,
1826, but grew to maturity in the State of Arkan
j sas (Phillips County), whither his parents moved
in 1840. At the breaking out of the IMexican War
he joined the service, and was on active duty for
one year. He was not wounded while on duty,
but now receives a pension for his services. In
1848 his marriasre with Miss Elizaljeth Slaten was
I consummated. She was born in 1848, and bore
following children: Bartlett. Mary, Daniel, Laura,
Martha and Jehu. Mr. James did not side with
either faction during the late war, but after the
close of hostilities he settled in Randolph County,
where he has since made his home. He has al-
I ways cast his vote witli the Democratic party, and
for the past thirty years has been a minister in the
Baptist Chm-ch, but has not preached a great deal
during the last few years. He is a member of the
A. F. & A. M. His parents, Alexander and Eliza-
beth (Brookshire) .lames were born, reared and
married in North Carolina, and as stated above
moved to North Carolina in 1840. The father
served in the War of 1S12, and was a particii>ant
in the battle of New Orleans. He and wife both
died in Phillips County, Ark., the latter being
sixty years of age at the time of her death. Only
two of their ten children are now living. The pa-
ternal grandfather was a Nortli Carolinian, who
died in Smith County, Tenn.
A
® >^
402
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
W. P. G. Johnston is one of the leading farm-
ers of this section of the county, and the condition
of his farm shows the care and attention to details
which have ever characterized his efforts. He was
born in Tennessee in 1833, and is a son of Gregory
and Martha (Burton) Johnston, who were bom in
North Carolina and Virginia, respectively, were
married in Tennessee about 1820, and engaged in
farming in Randolph County, Ark. (whither they
moved in 1848), until their respective deaths in
1877 and 1875, when aged seventy-seven and
seventy-three years. Six of their nine children
lived to maturity, and five are now living: Rev. L.
F. ; L. B. ; Aurena, wife of Rev. Jesse Robertson;
James F. and W. P. G. , all of whom are residents
of Randolph County. The parents were members
of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South, and
the father was a Democrat in his political views. \
W. P. G. Johnston commenced farming for him-
self at an early day, was married to Miss Lurana
Ingram in 1852, and by her became the father of
live boys and one girl, three of whom are living at
the present time: James L. , George G. and John
F. Mrs. Johnston died in December, 1865, having
been a consistent member of the Methodist Episco-
pal Church, South, and Mr. Johnston wedded, in
1867, Miss Jane E. Ross, of this county, to whom
were born six children: Robert G., Rufus M. ,
Samuel P., Walter S. and Martha J., living, and
one deceased Mr. Johnston was called upon
to mourn the death of his second wife in 1876. she
having been a devoted member of the Methodist
Episcopal Church, South, and a good and faithful
wife and mother. Mr. Johnston's third nuptials
were celebrated on the 3d of March, 1878, the lady
being a Miss Pernecia J. Lewis. Charles A.,
Horace B., Mary A., Ida B. , Joab and Amanda E.
are their children. In 1862 he joined the Confed-
erate service under Col. JefP. Thompson, and oper-
ated east of the Mississippi River until he was dis-
charged after the battle of Fort E'illow, on account
of sickness, and returned home, where he remained
until he had thoroughly regained his health. In
1863 he again enlisted, becoming a member of Col.
Baber's regiment of infantry, and was with him
until the surrender of Little Rock, at which time he
was taken prisoner, and was kept in captivity for
some time. After taking the oath of allegiance he
was allowed to return home in 1864, and here he
remained unmolested until the close of the war.
He engaged in faiming and erected a cotton-gin,
which was the second gin put up in this section of
the county. These occupations have since received
his attention, and he has done well, being now the
owner of 216 acres of land, with about 100 acres
under cultivation. He is a Democrat, a Mason,
and he and his wife belong to the Methodist Epis-
copal Church, South.
Mrs. Nancy Green Jones was born in Nash-
ville, Tenn., in 1829, and is the relict of Green R.
Jones, and a daughter of Joseph W. and Charlotte
C. (Ellis) James, both of whom were born in the
State of Tennessee, the former's birth having oc-
curred, it is supposed, in Nashville; he died in
Pocahontas, Ark., when forty-three years old;
the latter died there at the age of seventy six years.
The paternal grandfather was born in Scotland,
and at a very tender age was taken to the United
States, where, after growing to manhood, he was
married to a Miss Duke, of Virginia, she being a
niece of Gen. Nathaniel Greene, of Revolutionary
fame. The maternal grandfather was a nej)hew
of that general. Mrs. Jones has been married
three times, her first husband being William Her-
bert Allaire, who was born and reared at Long
Branch, N. Y., and was a millwright by trade. He
died in 1856 at Pocahontas, Ark. His father was
Alexander B. Allaire, a Frenchman, who at one
time owned the present site of Ijong Branch, and
afterward moved to White Plains, becoming a
wealthy merchant of that place. His father was
Capt. Allaire, of France, who married the Baroness
of Breton, Denmark. The coat of arms belonging
to her family is still in possession of her descend-
ants in New York City. To our subject and her
husband, William Herbert Allaire, were born three
cbildi-en: Fannie C, Flora C. and William Her-
bert, who was a cadet at West Point, graduating
in the class of 1882. He is now a lieutenant at
Fort Wayne, Detroit, Mich. Our subject's second
husband was William Evans, who was born and
reared in New York City. During the war he was
^7
RANDOLPH COUNTY.
4(»:^
a Fedpial pnrolling oflScer, and was shot and killed
in his own house, this act being in retaliation of a
Confedeiat*' enrolling officer having been killed
in like uiiuiuor. To Mr. and Mrs. Evans a daugh-
ter was born named Lucy. His widow was mar-
ried after the war to Green R. Jones, who died in
Pocahontas, Ark. Mrs. Jones is an estimable lady
and for the past thirty-tive years has been an
earnest and consistent member of the Methodist
Epi.scopal Church.
John Jones, a well-known resident of the
county, was born on the farm where he now le-
sides, October 27, 1885, and is a son of John and
Mary (Black) Jones, the former being one of the
very first settlers of Randolph County, Ark., and
was the first man to locate on Jones' Creek, which
took its name from him. Here his death occurred
in 1842, when al)out sixty years of age. His wife
also died here in 18^8, about the age of her hus-
band. He was a professed Christian, and had been
a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church for
many years. They were well-to-do citizens, and
were the owners of a number of slaves besides
other property, also a large amount of real es
tate; at the time of his location here the nearest
postoffice was sixty miles away. Six sons and two
daughters blessed their union, of which children
three are now living: John, Andrew and Sarah,
the latter being the wife of William Sloan. John
Jones attended the early schools of Randolph
County, and after his parents' death, which oc-
curred when he was a small boy, he made his home
with an elder brother, James, until twenty years
of age. Although he started in life for himself
with no means, he has done well, and is now the
owner of a finely improved and well located farm
on Jones Creek. When the war cloud, which had
80 long hovered over our land, burst, Mr. Jones
showed his willingness to aid the Southern cause,
and in is:t)l enlisted in Company A, Col. Trum-
bull's regiment of infantry, and was in many
battles, among which were Corinth. Richmond,
Ky., and a number of skirmishes. He afterward
joined Capt. Mitchell's company. Col. Reeves'
regiment of Arkansas Cavalry, and was at Inde-
pendence and Fayotteville, seeing, during his term
of enlistment, some very hard service, hut was
neither wounded nor taken prisoner. Mary Wells,
a daughter of Hutchinson Wells, l)ecame his wife
February 23, 1859. She was born on the 1 4th of
January, 1843, and by Mr. Jones became the
mother of live children: William Irvin; Armitta,
wife of Charles Tisdell, a farmer of the county;
Rufus, Elizabeth, and another. After the death
of his first wife Mr. Jones, in 1884, wedde.l
Mrs. Mary (Galbraith) Wayland, who was born in
Anderson Coimty, Tenn., November 5, 1841, and
by her has one daughter, Ola Aim. When small.
Mrs. Jones came to Lawrence County, Ark., with
her parents, and was married there to Jonathan
Wayland, who is deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Jones
are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church,
and politically he is a Democrat.
Adolphus H. Kibler. This substantial and re]i
resentafive agriculturist was born in Lincoln
County, N. C, December 9, 1820, and was edn
cated in his native State, receiving excellent edu-
cational opportunities in Lincoln Academy, which
advantages he did not fail to improve. At the
early age of twelve years he entered the emj>loy
of a merchant, with whom he remained as a clerk
for sixteen years, and then, tiring of the work, he
turned his attention to farming, which has been
his chief occupation. He remained in his native
State until 1857. then emigrated west, and located
in Randolph County, .\rk. , where he has since
made his home, and by his own individual labor
has become the owner of a tine tract of land
embracing 320 acres. Ho has been honored with
variotis offices in thi' county, and was fir.st elected
in 1859 internal revenue commissioner, which
position he held four years. In 1878 he was
chosen county treasurer, was re-elected three
times, serving in all eight years, and discharged
the duties of this office in a highly creditable man-
ner, and to the satisfaction of all concerned. In
1845 he was married to Miss Mary A. McKeraff.
a daughter of John McKeraff. She was born in
Burke County. N. C. , in 1824, and her union with
Mr. Kibler resulted in the birth of six children,
four of whom are now living: .\ugiista. wife of H.
H. Woddell, a farmer of Rocahonfas; Mary .Mice.
104
HISTOKY OF ARKANSAS.
wife of Dr. Wise, of Paragould: Hairiet, wife of
Dr. G. W. Crosby, of Pocahontas, and George M.,
a farmer of the county. Those dead are Laura
and Willie. Mr. Kibler and his wife are members
of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South; he
is a Democrat, and has been a Mason for the past
twenty-live years. In the spring of 1862 he en-
listed in the Forty-fifth Arkansas Confederate
Infantry, and was forage master of the regiment
until the close of the war, when he surrendered at
Jacksonport, Ark. He is a sou of Michael and
Catherine (Lorance) Kibler, both of whom were
born in Lincoln County, N. C, and died in North
Carolina and Randolph County, Ark., in 1S4S and
1859, respectively, the latter being sixty-four years
of age at the time of her death. They were mar-
ried in their native State, and when a young man,
the father was engaged in blacksmithing; also
farmed the latter part of his life, and was very suc-
cessful in the accumulation of this world's goods.
He served in the War of 1812, acting as dnim-
major, and in his jiolitical views he was a Whig.
He and his wife were members of the Lutheran
Church, and were the parents of the following
family: Adolphus H., Mauernia. wife of Jacob
Dailey, of Benton County, Ala. ; Sophronia, also
living in that county, and Dr. M. H., who is a
prominent physician of Northeastern Arkansas,
and resides near Black's Ferry in Randolph
County. Miles M. was a captain in the Confeder-
ate army during the late war, and was killed at
the battle of Fredericksburg. William was sur-
geon of a regiment in the Confederate army, was
wounded at Murfreesboro, and was aid on Gen.
Claiborne's staff. He afterward resided in Cross
County, Ala., and there died. The paternal
grandfather, David Kibler, was a German, who
came to America about the close of the Revolu-
tionary War, located in Lincoln County, N. C,
and after a number of years removed to Iredell
County, of the same State, where he spent the
balance of his life. The maternal grandfather,
Isaac Lorance, was born in England and also
located in Lincoln County, N. C.
Marion H. Kibler, M. D. , is one of the leading
physicians of Randolph County, Ark., and has
been a practicing physician here since 1853. He
was born in Catawba County, N. C, January 19,
1831, and until eighteen years of age passed his
days in his native State: but at this time a strong
desire to learn medicine caused him to commence
its study with Dr. John Scurry, at Cross Plains,
Ala., and he made such sufficient progress under
his instruction as to justify him on entering the
active practice of the profession soon after, in
partnership with his instructor. While in Ala-
bama he was the first physician to use chloroform
in Benton (now Calhoun) County, as an ansesthetic,
and his experiment proving highly satisfactory, it
was largely adopted by other physicians. The
early training which he received in this science
was by no means sufficient to satisfy a person of
his inquiring mind, consequently he attended a
course of lectures at Augusta, Ga. Since 1853 he
has been a resident of Randolph County, Ark. , and
his career here as a physician has long been well
and favorably known to the many who have tested
his healing ability, and his success is shown by the
extended territory over which he goes to alleviati>
the sufferings of the sick. In 1863 and 1804 he-
was examining surgeon in the Confederate service.
He was married, in 1S56, to Miss Amanda J. Cain,
a daughter of Isaac and Elizabeth Cain. Mrs.
Kibler was born in Alabama December 27, 1839,
and died in Randolph County, Ark., May 30,
1876, leaving one daughter, Ella S., the wife of
Dr. G. A. Seals. The Doctor married his present
wife July 27, 1887, her maiden name being Nan-
nie M. Hulett, a daughter of A. J. and Anna M.
Hnlett. By her the Doctor became the father of
one child, Marion Hulett. Ho has always been a
Democrat in his political views, and is a member
of the Masonic fraternity. His parents, Michael
and Catherine (Lowrance) Kibler, were prominent
residents of North Carolina, in which State the
mother was born. The father was born on the
Atlantic Ocean, while his parents were en route
from Germany to the United States. They locat-
ed in Pennsylvania, and afterward in North Caro-
lina, where Michael grew to manhood and married.
He spent his life in that State, and died in 1848,
at the age of fifty-six years. He was a black-
s'•->.
RANDOLPH COUNTY.
4(1.")
siuith iiiid a farmer, a Wbig in politics, and in his
religions views was a Lutheran. Four of bis six
children are now living: A. H., ex-treasurer of
Randolph County, Ark. : Minerva, wife of Jacol)
F. Dailey, a prominent merchant of Piedmont,
Ala.; Sophronia, at Piedmont, Ala., and Dr.
Marion H. The two deceased are Miles Michael,
who was a lieutenant in the Confederate army, and
was killed at Richmond, Va., and W. R. , who was
a surgeon in an Arkansas regiment, was wounded
at Franklin, Tenn., and died from the effects of
the wound several years after the close of the war.
Rev. D. N. King, minister and farmer, Warm
Springs, Ark. Although young in years Mr. King
has already done much good in the world by ad-
ministering to the spiritual wants of his fellow-
men and by living a life of such consistency and
purity as can not fail to have its effect on the rising
generation. His birth occurred in Georgia on the
13th of January, 1852, and he is the son of Car-
ter and Louisa (Flanigan) King, natives of Geor-
gia, and of Irish parentage. Carter King was a
farmer and a tanner by occupation, which he fol-
lowed in Georgia until ISfiO, wh<>n he moved
to Tennessee and settled in Roan County. He
there farmed on rented land until 1869, when he
came to Randolph County, Ark. , and setth^d in
Warm Springs Township, where, in 1809, he pur-
chased eighty acres. This he proceeded to im-
prove, but one year later sold out and moved into
a different neighborhood, where he died shortly
afterward, in March, 1871. He was a member of
the Masonic fraternity, a member of the Baptist
Church, and was well respected by all who knew
liim. He served one year during the latter part
of the war in the Confederate service, and surren-
dered in 18(35. Mr. and Mrs. King were the par-
ents of eleven children, six now living: D. N.,
Rebecca F. (wife of F. M. Thornsberry). James
M., Sarah E. (wife of H. C. Crogerj, Joseph J.
and Mary L. (wife of James Hovis). Mrs. King
then married in 1873 Mr. G. A. Barrett, and by
him became the mother of two chikb'en, one liv-
ing. ]\[r. and Mrs. Barrett are still living in this
county. At the age of twenty years D. N. King
was married to Miss Mary S. Wooldridge, of Ar-
kansas, and immediately afterward engaged in
tilling the soil. He had very little property at the
time of his marriage (1872), but he is now the
owner of 100 acres, of which seventy Kve acres are
under a good state of cultivation and with good
buildings, etc. He is one of the enter[)rising citi
zens of this section, and lays a great deal ot his
success in life to the exertions of his chosen com-
panion. He was ordain(<d a minister in the gen-
eral Free Will Bai)tist Church, and began preach-
ing the Gospel on the 8th of October, 1882. Sine.'
then he has performed the marriage cenMuony for
about nine coujJes, and has l)aptized a large num-
ber of converts. Mr. and Mrs. King became the par-
ents of seven children: Louisa J., liorn on the
15th of April, 1873, and died on the 14th of Sep-
tember, 1874; W. L., born on the 22d of Septem-
ber, 1870, and died on the Oth of April. 1880:
John C, born on the 25th of January. 1879: E. E..
born on the 8th of November, 1881; Jasper N. ,
born on the 10th of February, 1884; Dora L.,
born on the 23d of August, 1S80, and one who
died young. Mr. King is a member of the Ma
sonic fraternity, and has been a school director in
his district. Mrs. King is a member of tli(> Bap-
tist Church.
Dr. J. N. Kirkpatrick, Elm Store, Ark. To
the people of Randolph, as well as surrounding
counties, the name that heads this sketch is by no
means an unfamiliar one, for the owner is ever to
be found by the bedside of the sick and afflicted,
and his career as a i)ractitioner and thorough stu
dent of medicine has won for him no less a reputa-
tion than have his personal characteristics as a citi-
zen and neighbor. His parents, E. S. and Annie
(Woodrome) Kirkpatrick, were both natives of
Tennessee. The father, who was born Fel)ruary
22, 1810, came to Arkansas in 1835, settled in
Big Bottom, on White River, Independence Coun-
ty, and there remained one year. In 1830, he
moved to Lawrence County, and settled on Reed" -
Creek, twenty miles northeast of Batesville. .\rk..
where he bought I'lO acres of land, and where he
reared his family. He was twice married, his first
wife being Miss Annie Woodrome, ilanghter of
John Woodrome, whom he wedih-d iti ISHO. To
406
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
them were born ten children, and seven of these
lived to be grown: J. N. ; James E., living in Wil-
mington, Cal. ; W. T., living in Franklin County,
111. ; A. E. , living in Oregon County, Mo. ; and
H. C. , in this county; the others are now de-
ceased. Mrs. Kirkpatrick was born on the 3d of
March, 1814, and died in 1860. For his second
wife. Mr. Kirkpatrick selected Mrs. Elizabeth
(Goacher) Smithee, and to this marriage were born
four children, only one now living~-Eva J., a
teacher in Conway County. E. S. Kirkpatrick
was a brick and stone mason by trade, and some
of the first houses in Batesville are monuments of
his handiwork. When he first came to this State,
he brought with him only a team, but later became
the owner of considerable property and about 500
acres of land. Mr. Kirkpatrick was in the Black
Hawk War, and was in the fight at Kellog's Grove,
under Maj. Dement, and had his horse killed from
under him in this tight. He was a member of the
Missionary Baptist Church, and politically he was
a Democrat. He died in September, 1876. Mrs.
Kirkpatrick was also a member of the same church.
The paternal grandfather, John Kirkpatrick, was
a soldier in the War of 1812, and was in the battle
of New Orleans. The maternal grandfather, John
Woodrome, was also in the War of 1812, and was
also a participant in the battle of New Orleans.
The paternal great-grandfather served under Gen.
Greene in the war for independence, and the mater-
nal great-grandfather was a native of South Caro-
lina, was in the Revolutionary War also, and
served under Gen. Gates during the entire term
of service. Dr. Kirkpatrick was born in Franklin
County, 111., October 30, 1831, and was educated
in the subscription schools of the county, attending
such schools as were available until 1856. Ho then
entered the St. Louis Medical College, and after-
ward came back to Arkansas, and settled in Ran-
dolph County, where he now resides. This was
in 1857, and he has since lived in the same place,
practicing over a large territory, often riding thir-
ty-five miles to relieve some suffering mortal. The
Doctor resided here at the time of the war, but
did not enter the service. He was married, in 1 856,
to Miss Sarah Catherine Wann, a native of Ala-
bama, and the fi'uits of this union were nine chil-
dren, these now living: Robert S., Eleanor A.
(wife of H. A. Clark), Albert N., Hiram T., Charles
M. and R. F. When the Doctor first commenced
his practice in this section, he had the modest sum
of 25 cents in his pocket, and borrowed a horse to
ride. By clo.se attention to his profession, he has
accumulated considerable property, and is the
owner of 366 acres. He has also his town prop-
erty, consisting of business house and stock of
drugs, and also a good deal of personal property.
He is \V. M. of the Masonic lodge, and in poli-
tics is a Democrat.
G. B. Kline. As far back as can be traced
the ancestors of Mr. KJine have been native Ger-
mans, and in Bavai'ia, Germany, our subject was
born in 1834. His parents, G. B. (Sr.) and Louisa
(Wayner) Kline, were well-to-do land holders in
their native land, and there lived and died. The
grandfather was also a Bavarian, and the family is
one of the oldest and wealthiest there. They are
Lutherans in religious faith. G. B. Kline was
educated in Germany, and when about eighteen
years of age he emigi'ated to the United States,
landing first in the city of New York. He went
from there to Virginia, where he had an uncle
living, and made his home with him for several
years, working at his trade, that of a shoemaker,
but afterward worked as a section hand on the
railroad. After some time he went to the " Buck-
eye State,'' working at his trade two years, then
lived successively in Virginia and Illinois. AVhile
in the latter State he heard the speeches of Lin-
coln and Douglass, who were then opposing can-
didates for the United States Senate, their speeches
being delivered in the city of Bloomington. He
was in Washington, Ohio, when Buchanan ran for
the presidency. After leaving Illinois he went to
Memphis, Tenn., and followed his trade for several
months in that city, then came directly to Pocahon-
tas from that place. Here he has since made his
home. During the Civil War he espoused the
Southern cause, and was in active service for eight
or ten months. He was taken prisoner at Yellville.
but was afterward paroled. After the close of
the war he embarked in the shoemaking business
RANDOLPH COUNTY.
U)-,
on <juite an extensive scale, and for some time em-
ployed several journeymen. In addition to this
work he kept a saloon for some years, and his house
was always orderly. He is now the owner of some
valuable town j)roperty, and has 200 acres of good
land three miles from Pocahontas. He is a Demo-
crat in his political views, and is a Master Mason, a
member of the I. O. O. F. and the K. of H. He
has been married three times, his first wife being
Miss Angeline Lillard, who died soon after the
birth of her first child, George. His second wife,
;(('(' Ann Hubble, also bore him one child, Laura
C. , and died after about six years of married life.
His present wife was a Miss Wilmoth B. Gainer,
and they have one child, Frederick.
James R. Knotts is a South Carolinian by birth
and bringing up, having been born in Chesterfield
District of that State on the 31st of August, 1S27.
James and Mary J. (Edding) Knotts, his parents,
were also born in South Carolina, and died in Ran-
dolph County, Ark., he in 1857, when about fifty-
seven years of age, and she when about fifty- five
years old. After the celebration of their nuptials
in their native State, they removed to Randolph
County, Ark. (in 1829), and located at Cherokee
Bay, and about six years later took up their abode
on a farm in the neighborhood, on which James
R. , their son, is now residing. From their youth
they had been members of the Baptist Church,
and they took a great interest in church work.
The paternal grandfather, James Knotts, was a
native of Wales, who came to the United States
prior to the Revolutionary War, and settled in
Virginia. He was a commissioned officer in the
Continental army during that war, being a partic-
ipant in many battles, and was at Yorktown. He
afterward moved to South Carolina, and there re-
sided until his death, in the eighty-sixth year of
his age. He was always noted for his great phy-
sical strength up to the time of his death, which
occun-ed quite suddenly. He was a farmer by oc-
cupation. James Knotts, father of our subject, was
a farmer and mechanic, though he never served a
regular apprenticeship at the trade, but picked it
up at odd times, having a natural taste for the
work. He was quite an extensive manufacturer
of all kinds of implements, such as wagons, axes,
guns and the like, in connection with which work
he also conducted his farm in an admirable manner,
being ably assisted by his wife, who was an ex-
cellent business manager. Of their largo family
of children our subject is the eldest, and three are
now living: Joseph T., a blacksmith and farmer of
the county; Burton, also a farmer of the county,
and James R. The latter always made his home
with his parents, and a few years prior to their
deaths he engaged in the timber business, making
several trips to New Orleans, rafting. During this
time he also made two trips to Texas, and there
spent one winter and also in the Indian Terri
tory. After his return home he turned his atten-
tion to farming and stock raising, and the property
of which he is now the owner has been acquired
through his own exertions. Although he was a
heavy loser during the late war he has retrieved
his losses, and is now counted among the prosper-
ous tax payers of the county. He saw some hard
service during the Rebellion; and although he en-
listed to join in the Mexican War, he was not
mustered into the service. He was married to El-
mira, the daughter of Jesse Walrond. She was
born in Virginia in 1840, and when a young girl
was brought to Arkansas by her parents. Eight
of a large family of children bom to their union
are living: James J., Harriet W. (wife of Wesley
Bennett, a farmer of the county^, Joseph L., Vir-
ginia, Rufus, Essie, Burley and Bm*tou D. Mr.
Knotts is a Democrat, politically.
J. T. Lomax, a member of the well-known law
firm of Lomax & Collier, is a gentleman well
versed in the usages and intricacies of law. He is
one of the ablest of jurists, and has few peers in
his comprehensive knowledge of State and inter-
national law. His birth occurred in Perry County.
Tenn., in 1851, and he is the son of James and
Elizabeth Lomax, and the grandson of Thomas
Lomax, a native of South C^arolina. The latt-t>r
was reared to farm life, but for forty-one years he
was county clerk and nn'order of Perry County,
Tenn. He is a prominent citizen, and is now re-
siding in Tyler, Tex., in the enjoyment of compar-
ative good health, at the age of eighty-six years.
James Lomax was also reared to the arduous
duties of the farm, and is still engaged in that
pursuit. He came to Randolph Connt}% Ark., in
1857. settled in Roanoke Township, improved a
good farm, and now resides in the same neighbor-
hood. J. T. Lomax came with his parents to
Randolph County, when a child, and remained on
his father's farm until seventeen years of age, re-
ceiving his education in the meantime in private
schools. At the al ove mentioned age he began
teaching school, and followed this occupation until
1882. studying law in the meantime. The two
years following he taught school in Pocahontas,
and was admitted to the bar in February, 1883,
after which he established himself in practice at
this point, and has been actively engaged ever
since. The lirm hold a large and growing clientage,
and their co-partnership is a happy and prosperous
one. They make a specialty of collecting and ab-
stracting, and have a complete set of abstracts of
Randolph and Clay Counties. Mr. Lomax was
married, in 1879, to Miss Josephine V. Mitchell, a
native of Randolph County. Mr. Lomax is closely
identified with school matters, and has been one
term county examiner. He was also mayor of the
town one term. Aside from his practice Mr. Lo-
max is also the owner of some town property. He
is of English descent on his father's side, and
German on his mother's.
Erasmus D. Looney, farmer, Dalton, Ark. All
his life Mr. Looney has followed, with substan-
tial success, the occupation to which he was reared,
and in which he is now engaged, farming. One
of the largest land owners in Davidson Township,
he is also one of its recognized leading agricultur-
ists, and as a man, no less than as a citizen, he is
highly esteemed. His birth occurred May 1,
1848, and he is the son of W. S. Looney, who was
also a native of Arkansas, born in 1820. The elder
Looney received very meager opportunities for
schooling, but his father, being an educated man.
taught his children at home, and thus they became
fairly educated. W. S. Looney was married in
1834 to Miss Pollie Wells, a native of Tennessee,
and the result was the birth of two children : one
who died when small, and Erasmus D., the subject
of this sketch. Mrs. Looney died in 1851, and
Mr. Looney was married, the second time, to Miss
Catherine Garrett, and ten children were born to
their union, all of whom died young. Mr. Looney
was forced into the army, but being very unhealthy
his son Erasmus D. took his place, and the father
remained at home. When first married the latter
possessed very little property, but at the time of
his death he was the owner of about 1,000 acres,
with about 300 acres improved. He had made
all this without assistance, and was a self made
man in every sense of the term. He was a mem-
ber of the Golden Circle during war times, and in
his political views affiliated with the Democratic
party. Previous to the war he owned a dozen
negroes, besides other personal property, to a
great extent, horses, cattle, etc. He was one of
the wealthiest men in the county, but lost all except
his land during those times. The paternal grand-
father of our subject was born in Knox County,
Tenn., and was the first white man that settled on
Eleven Points, as he came here as early as 1802,
and entered 1,500 acres of land. He brought three
negroes with him, and for a number of years was
obliged to go to Cape Girardeau, Mo., 135 miles
distant, and be gone for about two weeks, to buy
his groceries and other necessary articles. Their
meat was obtained from the forest which abounded
in l)ears. deer, turkeys, etc. He could not raise
hogs on account of the bears. Very little farming
was done in those days, as from six to ten acres
was considered a good crop, and the horses and
cattle lived on the cane. A number of years
elapsed before there were any settlers besides him-
self and two brothers named Stubblefield, on this
stream, and it was fifteen to twenty miles to the
nearest neighbor. He had a fine orchard, and
made brandy in great quantities, about 1,500 gal-
lons per year, Erasmus D. Looney early in youth
learned the mysteries of farm life, and obtained a
fair education by attending the subscription schools
of his day. In 1803, he joined the Confederate
army. Company E, Col. Reeves' regiment of cav-
alry, and served until June 5, 1805, when he sur-
rendered at Jacksoni)ort. Ark. He was engaged
in a nnmVier of battles, notably Prairie Grove,
KANDOTvPH COUNTY.
400
Fredericktowu, Pilot Knol), Jefferson City, Cali-
fornia, Brownville, Lexington, Glascrow, Inde-
pendence and quite a number of minor engage-
ments. After the war Mr. Looney returned home,
and went immediately to work to repair the losses
sustained by the war. He commenced farming,
and continued this occupation until 1867, when he
engaged in merchandising. Previous to this, in
March, 186(), he married Mrs. Frances E. Herron,
nee Overton, of Mississippi County. Mo., and seven
childi'en blessed this union, five now living: Laura
B. , wife of Frank Jackson, and born January
18, 1867: William S., born December 22, 1868:
Mary A., born November 7, 1872; Caroline, born
November 27, 1875; Richard (deceased), born
July 4, 1878; Delia (deceased), born September
3, 1881; Thomas Estell, born March 5, 1882.
The two who died were Delia, March 5, 1873, and
Richard, March 5, 1883. Mrs. Looney was
born July 8, 1844, and is the daughter of James
and Mary (Beacham) Overton, natives of Kentucky.
Mr. and Mrs. Overton came to Missouri at an
early day. and settled in Mississippi County.
They were the parents of six children, three ar
riving at maturity, llichard (deceased), whose
family resides in Mississippi County, Mo., Charles
(deceased), and Frances E., wife of our subject.
Mrs. Looney was first married to Mr. Thomas
Herren, and by him became the mother of one
child, James W.. who lives at Cherokee Bay,
Randolph County. Mr. Herren was in the Con-
federate army, and was murdered by Leeper's
men in the last j'ear of the war. Mrs. Looney' s
father died in 186"), and her mother in 1854.
Mrs. Looney and her daughter, Laura B. , are
members of the Methodi.st Episcopal Church. Mr.
Looney is a Democrat in politics, and is one of
the enterprising citizens of the county.
Stephen C. McCrary. The agricultui-al affairs
of Randolph County, Ark., and particularly of
Current River Township, are ably represented by
Mr. McCrary, who comes of an old established
family of this community. Hugh McCrary, his
father, a Kentuckian by birth, who was a black-
smith and a farmer by occu])ation, was one of the
early pioneers of Phillips County, Ark., and made
the second cotton scraper ever used in PhillipK
County. He was a soldier in the War of 1812,
and took an active part in the battle of New
Orleans. He died in 1870 at the age of seventy-
seven years, and his wife, whose maiden name -vas
Elizabeth Wilson, also died here. When twe ve
years of age Stephen C. McCrary liegan to tight
the battle of life for himself and made his home
with his relatives until August, 1864. when he en
listed in the Confederate army, and until the close
of the war was in several hotly contested engage-
ments. After his return to Phillips County he
engaged in farming, continuing until 1807, since
which time he has followed the same occu])ation
on Current River, in Randolph County. He ini
proved a small farm, l)ut in 1880 removed to
Reyno and built a cotton-gin, grist and saw mill
(the first in the place), which he is still conduct
ing. The capacity of his saw mill is 8,000 feet
per day, and gives employment to twelve hands,
and about one-half the town of Reyno is laid <>nt
on his land, of which he has 120 acres. In 1806
he was married to Miss Harriet* Susan Hite, of
Phillips County, and their family comprised seven
children, only three of whom are living; SallieC,
widow of J. S. Reynolds, of Reyno; Blanche, wife
of James E. Casey, and John, at home. The
family was called upon to mourn the death of the
mother in 1879. Two years later Mr. McCraiy
married Elizabeth Goodwin, whose maiden name
was Luttrell, and by her he has three children:
Maude, Helen and Vistor. Mr. McCrary is a
Mason, and his wife belongs to the Eastern Star
Lodge.
Dr. Jonathan M. McGuire is worthy of being
classed among the substantial residents of Ran
dolph County, Ark. He was born in Scott Conn
ty, Va., May 27, 1823, and is a son of John B. and
Nancy (King) McGuire, who were also Virginian;-,
the father a farmer and blacksmith by occupation,
who after coming to Randolph County, Ark., in
1858, continued to follow these occupations until
his death, which occurred in 1804, at the age of
sixty-two years. He was a Mason, a Democrat
politically, and the last forty years of his life was
an elder in the Jlethodist Ejiiscoiial Church, and he
■>[v
2^
2 k.
410
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
was an eloquent expounder of the Christian faith.
His wife, who was also an earnest member of
that church, died in 1867. The following are the
surviving members of their nine children : J. M. ,
whose name heads this sketch; J. F., a farmer,
residing in St. Clair County, Mo. ; T. B. , a practic-
ing physician, of Kansas, and David F., a farmer,
of Ripley County, Mo. Dr. Jonathan M. McGuire
received a limited education in youth, and at the
age of nineteen years began the battle of life for
himself, and from 1824 to 1859 was engaged in
husbandry in Middle Tennessee. At the latter
date he moved to Arkansas, and located on his
present farm of 160 acres, which is well improved,
with good buildings and orchard. In addition to
his farm work he is a practicing physician, and is
well and favorably known throughout Northeast
Arkansas, having followed this profession for the
past thirty years. He has held the office of dis-
trict commissioner for ten years, and is an active
supporter of all worthy movements in his commun-
ity. Politically he is a Republican, and cast his
first vote for William Henry Harrison, for Presi-
dent, and his last for his grandson, Benjamin F.
Harrison. He was married on the 13th of Octo-
ber, 1841. his wife being a native of Middle Ten-
nessee. She died in 1863, having borne the fol-
lowing children: James, who died in Arkansas, at
the age of forty years; Nancy A. (Miller) who also
died in Arkansas, at the age of twenty- six years;
Mary (Shoemaker), who died in this State, at the
age of twenty -two years; Nebraska Delaney, who
died in Arkansas, when twenty years of age, and
Thomas Cary, who is married, a farmer, and re-
sides in Clay County, Ark. Mr. McGuire was mar-
ried to his second wife April 22, 1865, she being a
Mrs. A. A. Friar, of Como County, Miss., who
died in January, 1882, having borne two children:
America Jane, who was born in 1865, and died
when six months old, and J . B. , who was born in
January, 1868, and is now married to Emeline
Odum, of Missouri.
Hon. Hammet Mcllroy, the oldest living set-
tler of Randolph County, Ark., was born in Madi-
son County, Mo., March 9, 1812, it being then
a portion of Louisiana Territory. He is a son
of Samuel and Elizabeth (McLain) Mcllroy, the
father's birth occurring in Culpeper County, Va.,
in 1781, and his death in Randolph County, Ark.,
April 8, 1853. The early youth and manhood of
the father were spent in his native State, and his
first removal fi'om there was to Hopkins County,
Ky. , where he met and married Miss McLain, whose
birth occurred in South Carolina, in 1793, their
union taking place in 1808. Shortly after their
nuptials they removed to Cape Girardeau County,
Mo., then to Madison County, and in 1813, came
to what is now Randolph County, Ark., where
they made their home until their respective deaths.
The mother died December 5, 1850. Samuel
Mcllroy was a soldier in the "War of 1812, and
fought the Seminole Indians. In his youth he
learned the hatter's trade, but the most of his
later years was spent at farming, in which occu-
pation he was quite successful. He was a Demo-
crat. His father, Daniel Mcllroy, was born in
Virginia, and was of Scotch descent. He was a
Revolutionary soldier, and was once captured at
the battle of Long Island. Alexander McLain,
the paternal grandfather, was also in that war, and
was at the battles of King's Mountain, Cowpens
and others. There were born to the marriage of
Samuel and Elizabeth Mcllroy, ten sons, seven of
whom lived to maturit}-. Hammet was the second
child, and is one of only two who are now living.
He and his brother, Andrew J., worked for their
father until sixteen years of age, learning in the
meantime the hatter's trade, and after that time
began working at their trade for themselves. In
1844 Hammet turned his attention to farming, and
his labors in this direction have been attended
witJi good results, he being now the owner of 650
acres of excellent land, a considerable portion of
which is rich bottom soil. He has been an exten-
sive trader in grain and stock, and has shipped
both down the river on flatboats. In politics he
has always been a Democrat, and in 1850 he was
elected to represent Randolph County in the
State legislature, and in 1852 was reelected to
the same position. July 11, 1833, he married
Miss Elizabeth Davis, a daughter of Lot and Mary
Davis, who came from Iron County, Mo., to this
^^
RANDOLPH COUNTY.
H
couuty iu 1818. She was boru May 14, 1815, and
died February 1, 1871, Laving been an earnest
member of the Baptist Church for many years.
Five of her ten children are now living: William,
Thomas J., Archibald Y., Elizabeth Jane and
Clorah T. Mr. Mcllroy married his second wife
on the 10th of September, 1871, her maiden name
being Maria L. Cooper, who was born in Greene
County, Ind., April "22, 1828, a daughter of M.
Cooper, and the widow of William J. luman. He
and wife are members of the Baptist Church, and
alth<jugh they are now quite aged, they are yet
halo and hearty, giving promise of spending many
more years of usefulness in Randolph County.
In the legislature of 1850 Mr. Mcllroy heartily
indorsed the compromise act as it was passed by
Congress that year, and warmly supported by
Clay, Webster, Douglas and others. This session
witnessed resolutions introduced, some approving
and others opposing the action of that honorable
body. In 1860 and 1861, when the subject of
secession was being warmly discussed, he opposed
secession to the utmost of his ability, first because
he did not think there was sufficient cause to justify
such a course, and next owing to a belief that
secession could not win. After the war had pro-
gr<>ssed about three years and President Lincoln
had offered his amnesty proclamation, he was in
favor of accepting that, and when the Confederate
armies had sunendered and peace was made and
the Southern States offered pardon and restoration
to their constitutional rights in the Union on cer-
tain conditions, he advocated reconstruction as
proposed by the Federal government, as they were
the victorious party, and as such had the right to
dictate the terms of peace to the vanquished.
Andrew Mcllroy is one of the oldest and most
prominent residents of the county, and during his
entire life, which has been spent in this county,
naught but good has been said of him, for he has
been honest, industrious, and has kept himself
thoroughly apace with the times. His l)irtli oc-
purred on the 10th of September, 1821, and he is
a son of Samuel and Elizabeth (McLain) Mcllroy,
a short sketch of whom is given in the biography
of Hon. Hammet Mcllroy. Andrew Mcllroy at
tended the common country schools in his youth,
where he acquired a fair knowledge of the English
branches, and up to mature years his knowledge
of the world was only such as could be learned on
the home farm. At the age of twenty he com
menced driving stock, and the following year he
took charge of the stage line from Fredericktown,
Mo., south to Reeves' Station, same State. Two
years later he bought forty acres of land and com
menced farming, and since that time has added
thereto, until he now has 970 acres, all of which
is the result of his own good business ability and
shrewd management. He has made it a point
through life never to go in debt, and he can now
look back over a useful and well-spent life. His
wife was formerly a Miss Sarah A. Davies, whom
he married in 1844. She was born in Virginia,
March 3, 1823, and has borne a family of ten
children, of whom Margaret E. (Williams), Mary
Susan (Lewis), James F., Dan W., Amanda C,
Martha Josephine and Sarah A. are living. John
A. died when thirteen years of age, and the others
in infancy. Mrs. Mcllroy is a member of the
Methodist Episcopal Church. Mr. Mcllroy is a
Mason, a member of the Missionary Baptist Church,
and a Democrat. Previous to the war he was post-
master at Lima seven years, and it was chiefly
through his efforts that the postoffice at that point
was established.
T. J. Mcllroy, farmer, Dalton, Ark. Mr. Me
Ilroy is a practical farmer — one who believes that
it is beneficial to have all his farming operations
conducted in a manner so thorough as to not slight
one department of labor in order to bestow more
work on some other portion. This idea is caiTied
out very completely. He is a native of the State
of Arkansas, where he was born iu 1840, and is
the son of Hammet and Elizabeth (Davis) Mcllroy,
natives of Arkansas and Missouri, respectively.
The father was one of the very earliest white chil
dren born in this section [see sketch of Andrew
Mcllroy for history of gi'andpareiitsj. and was
early reared to farm labor. He also learned the
hatter's trade, and worked in the shop until grown.
He made some hats after l)eing married, and let his
sons manage the farm. His marriage occurred in
A
'^^
1833 with Miss Davis, and their union was blessed
by the birth of tea children, seven of whom lived
to be grown: William, living in Texas; T. J. (sub-
ject), Martha (deceased wife of Newton Robinett);
Maria L. (deceased wife of Columbus Fry);
Elizabeth J., wife of William Baker; A. Y. , living
in Hood County, Tex. , and Clorah, wife of W.
C. Bird. Hammet Mcllroy received but a limited
education, though, after all, one superior to most
boys in those days, for he was fond of study and
was a good pupil. In 1850 he was elected to rep-
resent his county in the legislature, and two years
later was re-elected, thus serving two terms. He
never held any other office. He was opposed to
the secession of the States, though he is a strong
Democrat, and never served in any of the wars.
At present he is residing on the farm that he pur-
chased fifty- seven years ago. He is a member of
the Baptist Church. His wife, who died in 1871,
at the age of about fifty-six years, was also a mem-
ber of the same church. When it became neces-
sary for the subject of this sketch to start out in
life for himself, he very naturally and wisely chose
the occupation to which he had been reared, and
from that time until the present his success has
been such as only a thorough acquaintance with
his calling and years of experience could lead
him to achieve. He began tilling the soil on land
purchased from his father, and when in his twenty-
first year ( 1801) he was united in marriage with
Miss Mary White, of Randolph County. To them
were born seven children: W. T., a merchant at
Dalton, Ark.; Nora E., wife of James Dalton;
Robert L., James I. I. and Henry M. (twins), Sarah
A. and Mary F. Mrs. Mcllroy is the daughter of
Howell and Elizabeth (Stubblefield) White, natives
of this county. They were the parents of four
children, three of whom lived to be grown: Henry,
Mary, and Frances M. (deceased). Mr. Mcllroy
joined the Confederate army in 1861, and served
eighteen months in Gen. Price's command. He
was not in any battles that amounted to anything,
but was in a number of skirmishes, and although
serving only the above mentioned time, he was
■Still enrolled at the close of the war. He surren-
dered at Jacksonport, Ark.. June 5, 1865. He
then came home, engaged in farming and stock
raising, and has continued the same ever since. At
that time he was the owner of 130 acres, thirty being
under cultivation. He is now the owner of about
500 acres, with 220 improved. He also owns con-
siderable personal property, and makes a specialty
of raising mules. Instead of cotton he raises
corn, wheat and clover, and has one of the best
improved farms in the county, with good barns,
out buildings, etc. Mr. Mcllroy is a member of
the Masonic fraternity, and he and his wife are
members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. He
takes a great interest in school affairs, and is a lib-
eral supporter of all laudable enterprises.
Cicero D. Mcllroy is a man well known to the
people of Randolph County, Ark., for he was bom
here on the 24th of April, 1850, and is a son of
John and Mary A. (Jones) Mcllroy, who were na-
tives of Madison County, Mo., and Randolph
County, Ark., respectively. The father was born
in the former county in 1818, and died in the latter
in November, 1862. His widow survives him and
resides in Randolph County. Both were church
members, he being in commuoion with the Metho-
di.st Episcopal Chui'ch, South, and she with the
Baptist. His life was given to tilling the soil, and
the manner in which he acquired his possessions
showed him to be an energetic and excellent busi-
ness manager. His first money was obtained by
making rails, and he afterward traded in stock,
shipping south on flat boats. He was a stanch
Democrat in his political views. Cicero D. Mcll-
roy is the third in the family, the names of the
others being as follows: Callie (Brook), Mary E..
wife of John Amos, a farmer of the county; Al-
exander H., also a farmer, residing on the old
homestead; Robert J., residing in the county;
Penelope, wife of Jasper Vandergriff, of this
county; Samuel B., also residing here, and Eva-
line, the wife of Gilleon Thompson, who is now
assessor of this county. Cicero D. Mcllroy re-
ceived his education in the common schools, and
being the eldest of the family it fell to his lot to
take charge of the home farm after his father's
death, but he proved to be a successful manager.
In 1870, 1874 and 1S75 he acted as salesman in a
mercantile establisbmeut, being first employed by
James & Schoonover and then by W. E. Hunter.
His present property, which he [)urchasedin 1880,
amounts to 320 acres, and he has 100 acres under
cultivation. Like the majority of his family he is
a stanch advocate of the principles of the Demo-
cratic party, and he and wife are members of the
Methodist Episcopal Church, South. Mrs. Mcll-
roy's maiden name was Lavinia W. Ellis; she was
born in Kentucky on the 18th of January, 1852.
Her marriage with Mr. Mcllroy took place in 1876,
and to them has been born one child, Eunice D. -
D. W. Mcllroy. The gentleman whose name
heads this sketch is a member of the general mer-
cantile firm of Mcllroy & Hatley, located at Peru,
about twelve miles northeast of Pocahontas, be-
tween the Current and Black Rivers. They have
been established at that place since 1886, and be-
ing men of enterprise and excellent business quali-
fications, they are doing a prosperous business.
D. W. Mcllroy is a native-born resident of Ran-
dolph County, Ark., his birth occurring in 1853,
and he is a son of Andrew and Sarah Ann (Davies)
Mcllroy, who came from their native State, Vir-
ginia, to Arkansas in 1836, and settled in Randolph
County, where they are still living. Douljtless no
man in this county is more universally respected,
for to know him is to have a high admiration for
him. as he is possessed of those sterling character-
istics which go to make up a valuable citizen. D.
\V. Mcllroy received his early education in the
public and private schools of Randolph County,
and from his earliest recollections he has been fa-
miliar with farm work, for as soon as he was old
enough he was put to the plow. After his mar-
riage, which occurred in 1875. he removed to the
farm of 20-1: acres in Current River Township, which
was given him by his father, and on this he is still
making his home. He has increased his acreage
to 324 acres, and has his farm in good condition, as
he has ever lieen ready to adopt all methods which
may tend to benefit this property. In connection
with his store and farm he is engaged in operating
a saw and grist-mill, also a cotton-gin; and in these
various enterprises he is meeting with well de-
served success. He is a member of the A. F. &
A. M. , has be(Mi postmaster of Peru six years, and
held the same position at Lima. His wife was
a Miss Martha Gross, a native of Muhlenburgli
County, Ky., and by her he has a family of three
childi'en: Gertrude, Cora and Frank.
Malilon McNabb, one of the prominent agricujt
urists of Warm Springs Township, owes his nativ-
ity to Kentucky, having been Ijorn in Trigg Coun-
ty, of that State, on the 13th of May, 1825. His
parents, Elias and Margaret (Adair) McNabb, were
both natives of South Caiolina, but were married
in East Tennessee. They came to Arkansas in
1840, settled in the southeast portion of Ripley
County, and there passed the remainder of their
days, the father dying in 1858 and the mother
in 1859 or 1860. They reared a family of chil-
dren: Delila (deceased), wife of Jefferson Jenkins;
Acenath (deceased), wife of William Mulholland;
Sarah (deceased), wife of William Dunn; Rutli
(deceased), wife of Green Goff; Rhoda (deceased),
wife of Madison M. Robb; Nancy (Spencer), Mah-
lon, Mary (deceased), wife of John Bryant; F. A.
(deceased), whose family lives with subject; G. M. ,
Enoch (deceased). Elias McNabb was a man well
educated for the time and country in which he lived,
and took a great interest in politics, being Demo-
cratic in his views. He was a member of the Ma-
sonic fraternity, and Mrs. McNabb was a member
of the Baptist Church. When twenty-one years
of age Mahlon McNabb commenced work for him-
self by farming in Arkansas, to which State he had
emigrated in 1850. Five years later he entered
forty acres of land, and from time to time added
to this until he had 400 acres in one body. One
farm of eighty acres he cultivated, and in 1875 he
gave his two youngest sons forty acres each, includ
inc the old homestead. He then sold the remain
ing 320 acres, and purchased his present property
of sixty-three acres, with about thirty acres under
cultivation. He was married the first time, in 1840,
to Miss Harriet Lacy, and by her became the
father of seven children, five of whom lived to bf
grown, and two are now living: Andrew J., a
farmer living in this county : Charley (deceased),
Isabella (deceased) wife of John P. Bigger; Elias
(deceased), and Michael, who lives in \\ aahington
fk
414
HISTORY OF ARICANSAS.
County, Ark. Mr. McNal)l) was married, the sec-
ond time, to Miss Amelia James, in 1870. She was
born in De Soto County, Miss., in 1844, and came
with her parents to Randolph County, Ark., in
1859. In his boyhood days Mr. McNabbhad but a
poor chance for an education, but after his first
marriage he applied himself, read a great deal, and
is now a pretty well informed man. He is an A. P.
& A. M. . and in politics is a Democrat. He was
elected justice of the peace of his township in
1860, and served two years. In 18()2 he was
elected sheriff of the county, and served until 1865,
when at the close of the war he was disfranchised,
and could not hold his office. In 1861 he joined
the Confederate army, and was discharged at Mor-
risville. Miss., on the 16th of July. 1862, after
which he came home and resumed farming. Since
the war he has taken very little interest in politics.
Martin Brothers compose a general mercantile
tiriii at Reyno, Ark., and have been well and fa-
vorably known to the people of this community
since 1875. Thej' do an annual business of
124,000. besides which they own 10,000 acres of
land, and are engaged in successfully conducting
400 acres that are under cultivation, and which
they devote mainly to the raising of cotton. Their
father, James Martin, was born in Richmond, Va. ,
in 1808, and was one of the pioneer citizens of
Ste. Genevieve County, Mo., but in 1833 came to
Pocahontas, Randolph County. Ark., and estab-
lished a store on his farm just north of where the
town now is. He cleared and improved a large
area of land, and made this place his home
throughout the remainder of his days. He served
as judge of the county a number of terms, and
was a man noted for his interest in public affairs,
and for his liberal contributions to every charita-
ble purpose. In the positions of honor and trust
which he filled, the interests of those whom he
served were always considered, and he thus gained
the esteem and approbation of his constituents.
Although not a member of any church, he was al-
ways strictly moral, and his honor throiighout life
was unimpeachable. He died, in 1863, at the age
of fifty-four years. His widow is residing in Rey-
no. and is a member of the Methodist Episcopal
Church. South. He was twice married, but only
one of the childi'en borne him by his first wife is
now living: V. Ellen, the wife of Capt. Webb
Conner, a prominent resident of Pocahontas.
James T. was a major in the Confederate army
during the late war, and at the time of his death,
in 1876, was a successful lawyer of Pocahontas.
Joseph P., another son, was a captain in the Rebel
army, and was killed at Helena, Ark, To Mr.
Martin's last union the following children have lieen
born: Henry, whodiedinSt. Louis in 1864, whilea
student; Tina A., the deceased wife of A. M. Kerr,
of Virginia: Julia, who died in childhood, and
Andrew, Joseph, John F. and James, all mem-
bers of the firm of Martin Brothers, at Reyno.
Joseph was married. February U, 1888. to Anne
E. Reynolds, a daughter of D. W. Reynolds, of
Reyno, whose sketch appears in this work.
John Maynard. Among the many enterprises
which have made Randolph County, Ark., noted for
its commercial enterprise, may be mentioned the
mercantile establishment belonging to Mr. May-
nard, which he has been engaged in conducting in
the town of Maynard, since 1872. He was born
in the "Old Dominion" in 1823, and is a son of
Evan and Judith (Ragland) Maynard, both of
whom were born in Halifax County, of that State,
the former's 1)irth occurring March 3, 1793, and
the latter' s A])ril 5. 1803, and their deaths in
1881 and February 16, 1874, respectively. Their
marriage was celebrated July 13, 1820. and in
1847 they came to the State of Tennessee, where
the father entered upon the practice of medicine,
and he continued this occupation until his death,
although he had previously been a farmer. He
and his wife were of French-English origin, and
he was a soldier in the War of 1812. They were
members of the Missionary Baptist Chnrch, and
became the parents of eleven children, nine of
whom lived to be grown: Harriet (wife of Chris
Adams), John, Judith F. (wife of Robert Hart, of
Tennessee), Mary A. (wife of Blnford Alexander,
a resident of this State), Stith, Patience (wife of
Austin Simmons, a resident of Washington Coun-
ty, Ark.), Evan (a resident of Missouri), Rebecca
A. (wife of Jeff. Alexander, of Weakley County,
:£:
Tenn.) and Thomas (who is a resident of Randolph
County). John Maynard had ]mt very poor ad-
vantages for acquiring an education in his youth,
but by close application to his books, and by con-
tact with the world, he has become a well-informed
man. He commenced the battle of life for himself,
at the age of seventeen years, as clerk in a dry
goods establishment, and prior to the war opened
a dry goods house of his own; but his labors in this
direction being interrupted by the bursting of the
war-cloud, which had been for some time lowering
over the country, he sold out in order to offer
his services to the Confederacy, and was made
first lieutenant of Company I, Twenty seventh
Tennessee Infantry, being promoted to the rank of
captain for gallant service at the battle of Shiloh.
He also took part in a number of minor engage-
ments, and after his company had been reduced to
a few men by being killed in battle and captured,
he joined the cavalry forces, and was in a company
composed entirely of commissioned officers from
different infantry regiments. He served as a pri-
vate in a scouting company iintil his surrender, at
Columbus, Miss., May 10, 1865. He was captured
at one time by the Tennessee militia, but succeed-
ed in making his escape the same night. After
the war he settled in Jackson, Tenn., and was a
clerk in a store until March 20, 1866, when he
accepted a position in a dry goods house at Gon-
zales, Tex., remaining thus employed for three
years. Becoming impressed with the belief that
Arkansas afforded better inducements for a young
man to succeed in life, he came to this State, and
located at Dardanelle, Yell County, where he oc-
cupied the same position he had held in Texas.
During 1871 he traveled through Kansas and the
Iniliuu Territory, but since 1872 he has been locat-
ed at Maynard, where he conducts an excellent
general mercantile store, his stock of goods invoic-
ing at about $6,000. He also owns 000 acres of
valuable land in the county, all of which property
he has acquired by shrewd business management
and energy since the war. He is a Democrat in
politics, and is a member of the A. F. & A. M.
He was married, February 8, 1873, to Miss Rallie
\V. Adams, a native of Missouri, by whom he lias
three children : Lafayette, born November 18, 1878;
Eugenia, born January 25, 1876, and John, born
October 80, 1877. The family attend the Mission-
ary Baptist Church.
Luke L. Miller, justice of the peace of De
Muse Township, was born and reared in McMinn
County, Tenn. , his birth occurring in 1826. His
education was received in the common schools, and
in his youth in addition to learning the details of
farm work he commenced the plasterer's and brick
layer' s trades, serving his apprenticeship in Athens.
At the age of twenty years he was married in
Athens to Miss Jane Vincent; afterward moving to
Chattanooga, where he spent some three years in
working at his trade. At the end of that time he
went to Oregon Coiinty, Mo., where he remained
three years or until 1857, and then came to Ran-
dolph County, Ark. . and located on a farm which
he had previously purchased. Here he resided
until the threatenings of war became an assured
fact, when he joined Company A, Twenty fifth
Arkan.sas Infantry, Confederate States army, and
fought for the Southern cause faithfully for three
years. He was in the battles of Murfreesboro, Mis-
sionary Ridge, and numerous other engagements.
He has since given his attention to farming, and
now owns 100 acres of land, although he had pre-
viously owned many more acres, which he sold.
Mr. Miller'swife died in 1872. leaving two children:
Abner, who died at the age of twenty-seven years,
and Eliza, also married. Mr. Miller is a Democrat,
and was elected to his present office in 1881. He
is a member of the I. O. O. F. In all his busi-
ness relations he is noted for honorable upright
dealing. He is a son of William and Eliza (Corall)
Miller, who were born in Hawkins and Washing-
ton Counties, Tenn., respectively. The father was
also a brick-layer by trade, and he and his wife
became the parents of twelve children. The pater-
nal grandfather was a German by descent, and was
a native of Pennsylvania, his wife being of Irish
lineage.
Col. B. B. Morton, editor of The Pocahontas
Free Press, one of the leading newspapers in
point 'of circulation and inflnence in Randolph
County, is justly entitled to no inconsiderable
:f\7==^
\
410
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
measure of credit for the enviable position his
paper occupies among the better class of country
journals in Arkansas. He was born in Natchez,
Miss., in 1848, and is the son of Thomas Morton,
who was born in Liverpool. England. The latter
came to America when fifteen years of age, and
followed mercantile pursuits through life. His
wife, who was originally Miss Leonora Tooley,
is still living, and resides at New Orleans. She is
a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
Thomas Morton died in 1884, at the age of seventy-
one years. He was a member of the A. F. & A.
M., and also of the I. O. O. F. He and his
wife reared five children, B. B. Morton being the
eldest. The others are Elizabeth C, widow of
William Esmond (deceased), now residing in Jef-
ferson Parish, La.; James T. , now residing in
New Orleans, La , where he is a speculator and real
estate dealer; William H. , now of New Orleans,
and the captain of a steamboat, and Bettie J. , wife
of Stephen DeGruy, a planter, of Jefferson Parish,
La. B. B. Morton received a thorough education
in the public schools of Natchez, Miss., and com
pleted his education at Washington, D. C. After
this he served three years as an apprentice to learn
the printer's trade, on the Natchez ^Neekly Mir-
ror, and then went to New York City, where he
engaged in a large book pubHshing establishment.
At the end of two years he connected himself with
the New York Herald, where he remained a
number of years, filling all positions, from setting
type to a place on the editorial staff. At the first
outbreak of the war he returned to New Orleans,
and enlisted in Wheat's battalion, Confederate
army, as a private, but was promoted to first lieu-
tenant, then to captain of Company A, and served
in that cajiacity until the battalion was disbanded,
with only eighteen able-bodied men left. He then
enlisted in, and was promoted to the rank of ma-
jor of, an independent battalion, and served in that
capacity two months, when he was promoted to
the rank of colonel, and was given command of
the Tenth Virginia Cavalry. Thus he served until
the cessation of hostilities. He participated in the
battles of Mitchell's Ford, Manassas, Hagerstown,
the Shenandoah Valley campaign, second battle of
Manassas, seven days' fighting around Richmond;
was then at Malvern Hill, where he was wounded
by a gunshot in the thigh, and disabled from duty
five months. During his second service he was in
the following battles: Yorktown, Williamsburg,
Petersbiirg, and Appomattox Court House, where
Gen. Lee surrendered. As soon as the war was
over Col. Morton went to Farmville, Va. , and en-
gaged in a job office, where he remained one year.
He then returned to New Orleans, and held different
positions on the Morning Bulletin for two years,
when he went to New York City, and took his
old position on the Herald. Six years later he
went to the Far West as a reporter for the New
York Herald, and spent four years in Mexico and
in the Indian reservations and in Europe. He then
started a daily jsaper at Socorro, N. M., which he
ran for two years, and then went to Lordsburg,
N. M. , where he started a weekly paper, which he
continued one year. He then sold out, returned
to New Orleans, and was there instructor in the art
of colored job printing. This he continued until
the 1st of January, 1887, when he came to Portia,
in Lawrence County, Ark., connected himself with
the Free Press, which he afterward purchased, and
in April, 1888, moved his paper to Pocahontas.
There he has since remained. His marriage oc-
curred in 1807 with Miss Sallie V. Morrow, a native
of Cumberland, Va. , and six childern were born
to this union. Josie died of yellow fever when
fifteen years of age. The others were named
Seymour, Sanders, Thomas, James and Katie.
Mrs. Morton died of yellow fever in Memphis,
Tenn. , in 1878, and her four children then living
died within nine days' time, of the fatal scourge.
The Colonel had several times volunteered to attend
the yellow fever sufferers, and he and his wife
were living in Memphis when she took the fever
and died. Col. Morton is the owner of a stock
ranche in Colorado. His paper was established
in April, 1888, and is Democratic in its views. It
is an eight-column folio, both sides printed at
home, and is published every Saturday morning.
Hon. Perry Nettle enjoys the reputation
of being not only a substantial and progressive
farmer, but an intelligent and thoroughly posted
^
RANDOLPH COUNTY.
H7
man ia all public affairs. He has always been
noted for honorable, upright dealing, and has
kept the name he bears [Hire in the sight of all.
He is a native of the county, his birth occurring on
the 80th of September, 1839, and is a son of
Shaib-ach and Elizabeth (Graham) Nettle, who
were born in the States of North Carolina and
Tennessee, respectively. They moved to Arkan-
sas in 1824, and settled in what was then Law-
rence (now Randolph) County, and after the State
line between Arkansas and Missouri was surveyed
their house was found to be in Oregon County,
Mo. , and thus it has stood in three different
eoimties and two States without being moved.
Mr. Nettle lived here until 1858, and after a short
residence in Clay County. Ark., ho returned to
Oregon County, Mo., where he made his home
from 1863 to 1885, and on the 5th of November,
1887, his death occurred in Lawrence County,
Ark. He was one of the pioneers of the county,
and always followed the occupation of farming,
and in connection with hunting, in early days,
succeeded in making a good liviag and laying up a
competency for his old age. He had passed the al-
lotted age of man at the time of his death, and was
eighty four years, seven months, and twenty-four
days old. He lived on the line between Arkansas
and Missouri for sixty-two years. His marriage
with Miss Graham occurred in 1828, and to them
was born a family of eight children: William O.,
born January 1, 1824, and died February 7, 1875;
Levi, born May 25, 1827, and died September 6,
1850; Elijah was born November 4, 1831, and now
lives in California; Francis M. was born on the
10th of September, 1834, and resides in Oregon
County, Mo., on the farm on which he was born;
Carter T. , born October 23, 1837, died February
11, 1875; PeiTy; Sarah, born May 11, 1842, is the
wife of James Johnson, and Elizabeth, born No-
vember 15, 1844, and died October 4, 1801. The
mother of these children was born on the 10th of
September, 1803, and died on the 3d of April,
1857, she having been an earnest member of the
i5aptist Church. Perry Nettle's early scholastic
advantages were of the most meager description,
but in later years he ajiplied himself closely to bis
books, and is now one of the^most intelligent men
of the county. In 1862 he joined the Confederate
army, being in Capt. J. J. "VVyatt's company.
Shaver's regiment, and was an active participant
until the close of the war, when he surrendered at
Shreve[)ort, La. He was captured at the fall of
Little Rock, on the lOth day of September, 1863,
he at that time being under treatment in the hos-
pital, and was kejtt in captivity for nearly a year
and a half in St. Louis, Alton, Rock Island and
New Orleans; he was then brought back to the
mouth of the Big Red River, and was there ex-
changed on the 25th of February, 1865. He then
rejoined his command at Shreveport, and served
his cause faithfully until the final surrender, hold
iug the rank of first sergeant of his company.
Since that time he has been engaged in farming,
and now has a fine farm of 200 acres, but froiu
1874 to 1880 he was also engaged in merchandis-
ing at Warm Spring, and at the same time dealt in
stock. In 1884 he was elected to represent the
people of his county in the State legislature, and
filled the office during the session of 1885. He
made the race again in 1886. and was defeated by
the Hon. G. G. Johnson, but was re elected to the
position in 1888, and served the following year.
He now attends to his farm. July 27. 1865, he was
married to Miss Mary S. Mock, of this county, by
whom he has the following family : Jacob L. , born
January 11, 1867. and died July 19, 1886;
MasftrieE. , born June 3, 1868, was married No-
vember 16, 1885, to James F. Baker, and lives in
Oregon County, Mo.; ShadrachG. , born February
17, 1872; Rufus L., bom July IS, 1875: W. A.,
born March 2, 1879, and died September 10, of
the same year. Mr. Nettle is a Democrat, a public -
spirited man. and a member of the A. F. & A. M.
Mrs. Nettle is the daughter of Griffith C. and
Margaret J. (Forster) Mock, who were born in
Pennsylvania and North Carolina, respectively.
They were married on the 1 1th of March, 1838,
and reared a family of eight children: Mary S.
(Mrs. Nettle), born July 1, 1840; Felix G., born
June 3, 1843; Leah P., wife of Joseph W. Spikesj
born January 7, 1846; Marcus D. L. , born April
4, 1848; Matilda J., wife of L. H. Waldron, born
€ k^
418
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
March 27. 1851; Thomas D.. boru March S. 1853;
Rnfus M. , twrn Febrnary ITi. 18")(), and Isham J.,
born Jannaiy 22, 1859, ami ilied October 19,
1877. ^Ir. Mock was born on tho 2nth of April.
1815, and died September 20, 1874: his wife was
bom on the IGth of October, 1817, and died April
5, 1879. They were memliers of the Christian
Church, and politically he was a Democrat.
S. H. Parker is on extensive farmer and stock-
man of Randolph County, Ark., and was born in
Tennessee. April ll5, 1S45, beintj a son of C. G.
and Mary (Burrow) Parker, whose native State was
Tennessee. After farminjsjf in that State until 1849,
he came to Arkansas and settled on Current River,
where he remained two years, and in 1852 came to
the farm on which our subject is now residing.
Here he improved the same, and was engaged in
farming and stock raising and trading until hjs
death in 1874. being followed by his widow three
years later. Their marriage took place in 1822,
and they reared a family of ten children, the fol-
lowing being now alive: Harriett C. wife of W.
C. Thompson; Mary E., wife of Ben Holland;
Charles G. ; Josephine, wife of Wilbur Abbott,
and S. H. The latter received no advantages for
schooling in his youthful days, owing to the scar-
city of schools and his father's early immigration
to this State. He left the home farm to join the
Confederate army in ]8()4, and served with Price
on his raid through Missouri, taking an active part
in the l:)attles of Ironton and Pilot Knob, also In-
dependence, Little Blue and numejous skirmishes.
He surrendered at Jacksonport, Ark., in June,
18fi5, returned home and commenced farming for
himself on eighty acres of land given him by his
father. He now owns 260 acres and has 100 acres
under cultivation on which ar(> good buildings,
fences, etc. He does not depend alone on corn and
cotton for his income, but makes a specialty of
raising horses, mules, cattle, hogs and sheep. In
1868 he wedded Emily Wilson, of this county, and
by her is the father of three children living: Jo-
seph T., born November 19, 1872; John C, born
December 2H, 1874. and James A., born Sejitember
6, 1877. Two children died in infancy, and the
mother's demise occurred January 8, 1880. her
death being deeply mourned by her family and a
largt^ circle of friends. Mrs. Amanda Halbrook, of
Kentucky, became Mr. Parker's second wife, Janu-
ary Ifi, 1881, and to them were born three children,
Orlie, born January 8, 1882, and Celestia H., born
October 17, 1887, being the only ones living.
Mrs. Park(>r was the widow of Freeman Halbrook,
of Kentucky, by whom she bore a family of five
children: Prentice, living in Kansas; Nannie, wife
of Richard Abbott, of this county; Richard, of
Colorado, and Emma, at home; the other child
died. Mrs. Parker's parents, Edmund and Nancy
A. (Neely) Mitchener, wereKentuckians, and reared
a family of eleven children, of whom the following
are living: William, of Missouri; Martha, wife
of Robert Kidd; John, a resident of Missouri;
Amanda, and Georgia, wife of John Harper.
Mrs. Parker is a member of the Methodist Epis-
copal (jhurch; iSIr. Parker is a Democrat.
Charles W. Polk. Among the husbandmen of
Randolph County, Ark., who have made for them
selves an honoraljle name by a long term of years
of steady and successful farming and upright citi-
zenship is Mr. Polk, whose birth occurred in Ten-
nessee in 1842. His parents, Michael and IMary
(Duckworth) Polk, were born in North Carolina
and Tennessee, respectively, the former being re-
lated to ex-President Polk. They reared a fam-
ily of eight children, six of whom are living:
C. W., Ferraby (wife of James Wells), Rebecca
(wife of Harrison Matthews). Polk, Ella (wife of
Richard Polk, of Missouri) and Harvey (residing
in Searcy County). Mr. Polk died in 1873. at the
age of forty-one years, and his wife in 1865, aged
thirty-six. They were members of the United
Presbyterian Church; he was a member of the
A. F. & A. M. , and was a Republican in his polit
ical views. C. W. Polk received somewhat meager
educational advantages in his youth, and in 1S7'.I
came to Arkansas and located in Clay County,
where he at once commenced farming on 120 acres
of land which he had purchased some time before.
The farm is well improved with good buildings of all
kinds, and is supplied with the necessary stock for
successfully conducting its management. His first
marriage took place in 1860, it being with Miss
y\
RANDOLPH COUNTY.
Hit
Effie Higgins, of Tennesssee, but she ilied in 1863,
followed by her only eliild, whose death occnrred
in infancy. After living a widower for seven years
Mr. Polk was married in 1870 to Miss Martha Al-
exander, of Hardin County, Tenn., by whom he has
liad a family of six children, three of wliom are
now living: Emmer (wife of Joseph Cox), and
Joseph and E. D. (at home). Mr. Polk was so
unfortunate as to lose his second wife by death
in March, 1884, and three years since he es-
poused Mrs. Mary Eldridge, who only survived
until the following year. His next marriage was
with Mrs. Nancy Jane Lewis, who had borne her
first husband two children: John and Bertie. Mr.
Lewis died in 18S5. He was a communicant in the
Baptist Church, and was a leading member of the
A. F. & A. M. In 1863 Mr. Polk joined the Union
army, and was a faithful defender of the stars and
.stripes until the close of the war, being a member
of Companj' C, Second Tennessee Mounted Infan-
try. He was at Clifton, Johnsonville, Lexington,
Nashville and in numerous skirmishes. After re-
turning home he engaged in the dry goods business,
liut next year he began farming, which occupation
he has continued up to the present time. He and
wife are members of the United Brethren Church
and he is a warm Republican, politically, and in all
matters tending to lienefit his county he is one of
the leaders. He is in every respect a self made man,
and is a prosperous agriculturist.
Newton J. Proctor is a substantial resident of
the county, and is now living in the town of Okean.
He was born in Crittenden County, Ky., Septem-
ber 16, 1836, and is a son of Greenberry and Lu-
cinda (Reese) Proctor, both of whom were also
born in Crittenden County, Ky. , and there the
father died while still in the prime of life, in 1838.
He was a successful farmer, and in politics was a
Whig. His wife died in 1868, at the age of sixty-
four years, she having been an earnest member of
the Baptist Church for- many years. Newton J.
Proctor, the fifth of their six children, was edu-
cated in the common schools near his Kentucky
home. At the early age of fourteen years, he be-
gan life on the Ohio and ^Mississippi Rivers, and
after several years of faithful service was pro-
moted to the position of pilot, in whicli capacity
he served for many years. During the Civil War,
he rendered valuable aid, and was concerned in the
taking of Island No. 10. He was on the Cumber-
land and Ohio Rivers from Nashville to Tennessee,
as mate. After the war, he resided at different
times in Hickman, Ky., and Belmont, Mo., and
was engaged in farming until 1876, when he en-
gaged in railroading. After some time, he gave
up this work, and located at Corning, Ark., and
two years later went to Texas. After his return
to Arkansas, he located at Okean, where he has
since been occupied in the timber Ijusiness. From
1882 to 1887, he was a general merchant in the
town of Okean, and at the latter date engaged in
the di'ug business in connection with farming. He
is still conducting these enterprises, and as he is
thoroughly posted in the details of each, he is
meeting with excellent success. He is a Democrat
in politics, and has served eight years at different
times as postmaster of Okean.
Hon. James H. Purkins has for thirty-two years
been a resident of Randolph County, Ark. . and
during his long residence here has liecome well
known, and has won the respect of all with whom
he has come in contact. He possesses a fine educa-
tion and excellent natural abilities, and is deserv-
ing of a more extended sketch than the nature of
this work will permit; suffice it to say that his life
has been a success both in material affairs and in
the esteem which has been accorded hinj among
those with whom he has so long made his home.
He was born, reared and educated in Essex County.
Va., the former event taking place in the year
1814 From early boyhood he has been familiar
with farm life, and as his father was a prosperous
merchant he spent much of his time in the store.
He was married at the age of twenty-two years to
Miss Clementina Singleton, and to their marriage
twelve children have been born, three of whom are
now living: Eliza, wife of Dr. Esselman; Clement
W. and Rena S. After residing in his native State
and following the occupation of merchandising
until 1856, Mr. Purkins removed to Missouri,
and settled the following year in Randol])h County,
Ark. He entered a tract of land on Current River
e fc_
420
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
which be tilled until 1862. when he entered the
Confederate army, but was sent home after a few
months by Gens. Vandorn and Price as a recruit-
iui; officer, and held the position of captain. In
1800 he had been elected to the State legislature,
and in 1862 he was re-elected and served out his
time. In 1866 he was elected senator from Ran
dolph and Greene Counties, and was serving his
constituents while the senate was in session in the
State house at Little Rock in 1S67, when Gen. Ord '
with Federal troops was ordered by Congress to
disperse the General Assembly of Arkansas, .^e
refused afterward to lieconie a candidate for office,
but in 1877 he was elected to the office of county
judge. After the war he clerked ior various mer-
chants in Pocahontas, and now owns about thirty-
live acres near the town, which he rents out. The
most of his children died in childhood, and within
one week of eac-h other, of pneumonia. One son,
James \V. by name, was a Confederate soldier from
the time he was fifteen years of age, but was killed
at Glasgow, Mo., at the age of eighteen years. Mr.
Purkins is a son of W. H. and Ann (Howerton) Pur-
kins, who were Virginians, where they were reared
and married, and became the parents of six chil-
di-en, of whom Hon. James H. is the only one now
living. The father was a merchant and farmer by
occupation, and from the time he was twenty-one
years of age until bis death at the age of sixty-
seven years he held office under the State. He
.was a captain in the War of 1812, and while away
from home, serving his country, bis son, James H. ,
was born, and he did not see him until be was nearly
one year old. His wife died about the same age
as himself. The grandfather. Gideon Purkins, and
his father were both Virginians, former of whom
was a soldier in the War of 1812 and died at a very
old age. The groat-great-grandfatber I'urkins was
a native of England, and came to America in Co-
lonial times. The maternal grandfather was of
Scotch descent, and was born in Essex County, Va.
He was a cajitain in the Revolutionary War, being
on the side of the Colonists, and until the day of
his death at the age of ninety eight years kept his
uniform. Mr. Purkins, the subject of this sketch,
is a member of the Baptist Church, is a Democrat
in his political views, and belongs to the Chapter
and Blue Lodge in the A. F. & A. M. His first
wife died in 1868, and he afterward espoused Miss
Ava Payne, who died after having borne one child,
James E. His third wife, who was a widow, died
two years after her marriage with Mr. Purkins.
J. T. Redwine is a prosperous and successful
merchant at Supply postoffice. Little Black Town-
ship, this county, and has been in business here
since 1878. He first saw the light of day in the
"Old North State"' in 1840, bis parents, Travis
and Sally Ann (Harrison) Redwine, being also na
tives of that State, where they were reared and also
married, the latter event being in 1885. Ten
years later they concluded they could better their
fortunes by emigrating westward, and they accord-
ingly pitched their tent on Blue Grass soil, where
they reared a family of five childi'en to maturity,
and lost one child in infancy: W. P. was born
in 1836, lived to be seventeen years of age: Benja
min F., died September 9, 1862, his birth having
occurred May 7, 1838; J. T. ; Sallie M. (deceased);
James D. (also deceased, his family being resi
dents of this county), and L. A., who resides in
Randolph County. The mother of these children
died in the year 1850, .she having been a daughter
of Turner and Sally (Daniels) Harrison, the father
being related to President Harrison's family. He
was a farmer by occupation, and tilled the soil in the
Blue-Grass State, from 1845 until his death. In
1851, Mr. Redwine took for bis second wife Mar-
garet Harrison, a daughter of Jesse Harrison, l)ut
five years later be was called upon to mourn her
death, she having Vjorne bim three children, two
of whom are living; George M., a resident of this
county, and Jacob L. , who resides in Conway
County. Seven children were born. to his mar-
riage with Miss Elizabeth Ogdeu, of Kentucky,
six of whom are now living, their names being as
follows; Lucinda A., wife of D. H. Hawkins, Jr.,
of this county; Mary L. E., wife of D. C. Fowler;
Thomas J., Isaac D , Nancy A., wife of Samuel
Stout, and Frances. Mr. Redwine was so unfort-
unate as to lose his third wife in 1873, and he
then united his fortunes with Mrs. Martha (Pierce)
Spence, who bore one child, named Lucien R.
/'
'*»-^
^-»— '^^-MiJaii^
InDEPENOENCE C0UNTr,ARKAM3AS .
!.k
RANDOLPH COUNTY.
i'l\
J. T. Iledwino, the gentleman whose name heads
this sketch, began life for himself at the age of
twenty -one, and in 1861 espoused the cause of the
Confederacy by becoming a member of Company
G, Fifteenth Regiment, Arkansas Infantry, com-
manded by Col. Pat. Claiborne. He served until
the final surrender, and was an active participant
in the battles of Shiloh, Murfreesboro, Liberty
Gap. Richmond, Ky., Perry ville and Chickamauga.
He was wounded at Chickamauga, and was granted
a furlough until he was able to attend to hospital
duties, to which he had been detailed. He was
paroled at Macon, Ga. , in 1805, and reached home
in August of that year. He found employment in
Cape Girardeau County, Mo., which received his
attention until December of that year, when he
came home and wedded Miss Sarah A. Melton,
March 18, 1866. He was engaged in farming ex-
clusively until 1878, but since that time has given
much of his attention to merchandising. His stock
of goods amounts to about $4,000, and his annual
sales reach the sum of $10,000. He also has a
general store in Ripley County, Mo., which nets
him an annual income of about $800. His farm
embraces 133 acres, and he owns some good
dwelling houses, and a store-house in Doniphan.
He is a member of the A. F. & A. M. , and in his
political views is a Democrat. He and wife are
the parents of four children : Robert L. , born De-
cember 7, 1866; Satira A., born October 15, 1871,
the wife of John C. Phipps, of this county; James
T. , who was bom February 29, 1876, and Sally M. ,
born May 25. 1882. Mrs. Redwine is a daughter
of John and Martha (Swain) Melton, to whose
union the following family were born: Josephine
(Meek): Satira, the deceased wife of L. F. John-
son: Lafayette F. ; Sarah A. (Mrs. Redwine);
Rosetta, the widowed wife of Pharaoh Aton; El-
setta, the deceased wife of Jasper Swin. Mrs.
Redwine was born February 24, 1842. Neither
J. T. Redwine nor his wife (Sarah A.) inherited
any part of their present prop(>rty; they Isegau
a life partnership with limited means, having
neither liouse nor land, and what they now have
has been gained by industry, which is the found
ation of almost all of life's successful voyages.
J. M. Redwine, M. D. The short sketch that
here appears is that of one of the reliable and de-
servedly successful physicians of Randolph Coun-
ty, whose experience has proven him to be well
qualified for the position he has chosen. He was
born in Marshall County, Ky., March 30, 1852,
his parents, Jacob and Mary (Thoniasson) Red-
wine, having been bom in North Carolina and Ten-
nessee, respectively. They both removed to Ken-
tucky prior to their marriage, and there united
their fortunes in the year 1847, becoming the par-
ents of elevezi children, eight being now alive: \V.
C, who resides in Clay County, Ark.: Dr. H. C,
also a resident of Clay County, where he is a
practicing physician and merchant; Mattie E. , a
teacher of this county ; Jennie L. , wife of M. L.
Gilbert, of Dade City, Fla. ; Jacob, Jr., who lives
in Kentucky; Amanda J., wife of Charles Dish
man, of Kansas, and Hiram G., now in a law school
in the East. Jacob Redwine has always followed
the occupation of farming and merchandising, and
is now residing in Kentucky. He was in the
Union army during the late war, and served in
Company B, of the Fifteenth Kentucky Cavalry,
as a private, but was discharged at the end of
twelve months, his term of enlistment having ex-
pired. The principal engagement in which he
took part was at Spring Creek, near Lexington.
Tenn., being under Col. Henry. Since the war
he has resided on his farm in Kentucky, and is
now fairly well-to-do. He votes the Repulilican
ticket. Our subject. Dr. J. M. Redwine, received
fairly good advantages for acquiring an education,
being an attendant of the common schools of Ken-
tucky. He first engaged in teaching school and
clerking in a dry goods store, and during this time
his leisure moments were given to the study of
medicine, which profession had always had a fas-
cination for him. After attending medical lectures
he entered uj)on the practice of that jirofession in
Kentucky, in 1876, and followed it there and
in Tennessee two years. From 1878 to 1881, lie
practiced in Randolph County, Ark., and from
that time until 1884 he was a practitioner of Ben-
ton County. He has since resided in this county,
and has acquired a large and profitable practice.
A
® l_
422
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
and in his journeys to alleviate the sufiferings of
the sick, the sunshine of his disposition, as well as
his medical skill, is brought to bear upon his pa-
tients, and the result is very satisfactory. He has
a fertile little farm of forty acres, and in connec-
tion with his practice was engaged in farming and
merchandising until within the last few years. He
is a Republican politically, and is a member of the
A. F. & A. M. He was married, October 28, 1879.
to Miss Malena E. , a daughter of John and Per-
melia E. (Mosely) Mabry, who became the parents
of twelve children, six now living: Robert M.,
Mattie T. (Greer), Novella (Greer), William D.,
John, and Malena E. (Mrs. Redwine), the latter
born on Blue-Grass soil. Dr. and Mrs. Redwine
have become the parents of two children: Ethel,
born September 1, 1884, and Edith, born Septem-
ber 17, 1887.
Dennis W. Reynolds, merchant, Reyno. For
many years Mr. Reynolds has been a prominent
resident of Randolph County, and has enjoyed
the reputation of being an intelligent and honorable
business man. He possesses that shrewd busi-
ness tact and energy which are characteristic of
people of Illinois birth, for he was born in Jack-
son County, of that State, in 1840, being a son of
James M. and Elizabeth Reynolds, the former
of whom removed from the State of North Caro-
lina to Illinois, while it was a Territory. The father
was a native of North Carolina, and the mother of
Jackson County, 111. He was a farmer and hunter
by occupation; was a participant in the War of
1812, and two years after his wife's death, which
occurred in 1857, he married Minerva Foster.
He was sheriff of Jackson County for four years,
and also held a number of minor offices in Arkan-
sas. He was noted for his morality and charity
and his death which occurred in 1884, at the age of
seventy years, was a sevei-e loss to the community in
which he resided. Dennis W. Reynolds is self-
educated, and when only seventeen years of age
he entered mercantile life at Cherokee Bay, which
enterprise received his attention for three years, or
until the war broke out. On the 1 1th of March,
1862, he dropped all his work to enlist in the
Seventh Missoin-i Infantry, Capt. A. G. Kelsey's
comjiany, as a private, and was afterward pro-
moted to the rank of sergeant and then to captain,
which position he held until hostilities ceased.
He was at Greenville, Mo., Little Rock, and was
with Price on his raid through Missouri. After
being paroled he returned to his home in this
county, and was one of the successful husband-
men of the county until 1875, when he established
his present mercantile business at Corning, Clay
County, Ark., and since 1878 has been at Reyno.
Mr. Reynolds possesses a thorough knowledge of
the business in which he is engaged, and has the
necessary requisites for successfully conducting it.
He also manages his farm and gives considerable
attention to the propagation of stock ; and it may
be truly said that in every enterprise in which he
has been interested, and to which he has given his
attention, his labors have been followed with excel-
lent results. He has always taken a deep interest in
the politics of the county, and although not an
unreasonable partisan he has always been a Demo-
crat in his political views. He is a Master Mason,
and he and his wife, whose maiden name was Mattie
J. Wilkis, are earnest and consistent members of
the Baptist Church. He was lirst married in
1861, to Miss Nancy Luttrell, but her death oc
curred the following year at the age of eighteen
years. She left one son, James, who died in
1888, aged twenty-six years. His second wife was
the widow of A. G. Kelsey, and had formerlj' been
Miss Mary Ellis. She was born on Blue- Grass
soil, and died in 1868, having borne two children:
Madison A. and Elizabeth A. To him and his
present wife have been born the following family:
Leoa, Ervin and Pearl. Three children died in
infancy. Mrs. Reynolds conducts a millinery es-
tablishment in her own store, and her bonnets and
hats are always trimmed in excellent taste and the
latest style. Mr. Reynolds was the first to clear
the land and build where the town of Reyno now
stands, which place, by the way, was named in
his honor. He erected the first dwelling house
and hotel, and is now doing business in the first
business house in the town.
J. H. Richardson, ex-county judge and farmer
of Little Black Township, was born in the State
RANDOLPH COUNTY.
423
of Illinois on the lltb of April, 1840, and is one
of two surviving members of a family of four chil-
dren (the other survivor being Mary A. , wife of
Jackson Baker, of Pike County, 111. ) born to
Emanuel and Matilda A. (Gates) Richardson, who
were born in Alabama and South Carolina, respect-
ively. The father moved to Illinois in 1836, where
he purchased land and remained until 1841, at
which time he removed to Schuyler County, Mo.,
where he also improved a farm and remained until
1863. From that time until 1805, he resided in
Illinois, then came to Randolph County, where he
made his home until his death, which occurred
June 17, 1888. He was tirst married in 1838, to
Miss Gates, and after her death, which occurred
in 1850 or 1851, he espoused Miss Martha Lovett
of Missouri, in the latter year, and by her became
the father of one child that died in infancy. He
was called upon to mourn the death of his second
wife in 1854, and the same year he married Miss
Eliza A. Wadsworth, of Pike County, 111., she
bearing him eight children, live now living: Eliza
E. , wife of William Lewis, of this county; John
E. , in Sharp County, Ark. ; Jacob W. , of this
county; Fannie E., wife of James Hogan, of this
county, and Charles B. , also of this county. Mr. i
Richardson and his three wives were members of
the Baptist Church, and he was something of a
politician, taking an active interest in the politics
of the county. He accumulated a fine propertj'
prior to the war, but during that time he lost
heavily, and afterward had to commence anew, re- i
trieving his fortunes to some extent. J. H. Rich- [
ardson, the immediate subject of this memoir, en-
listed in the Confederate army at the age of twen-
ty-one years, being under Capt. Sam Shacklett,
and served until the (Jth of August, 1861, when he
was severely wounded, having his right leg broken,
and was sent home to recuperate. After remain-
ing inactive until 186'2, he rejoined his company,
but after serving a short time, the company was
disbanded, and he and W. H. Tipton went to Iowa,
thence to Illinois, remaining in the latter State
until 18()5, when he came to Randolph County,
locating within three miles of where he now lives,
the summer months being spent in farming, and
the winter months in teaching school. Like his
father, he has always been a Democrat politically,
and in 1874 was elected to the office of justice of
the peace, serving in this capacity two years, and
was then chosen county assessor, filling the office
three successive terms. In 188'2, he was elected
county and probate judge, holding the jwsition
four years, and to his excellent natural abilities,
were added the wisdom and experience of a useful
and well-spent life, and there was no rea.son to
view his official career with disappointment when
he retired from the bench. He is one of the heavi-
est tax payers of the county, and at the present
time owns 3, 000 acres of land, of which about 600 are
under cultivation and fence. When starting for
himself, it was with very little means, but he has
succeeded well in his undertakings, and deserves
much credit for the way in which he has sur-
mounted the difficulties which have strewn his path.
He possesses a large fund of information, is strictly
temperate, and is respected and esteemed by all
for his many sterling qualities. October 3, 1867,
he married Miss Martha J. Mansker, who was born
in this county November 25, 1849, and to them
were born the following children: H. L., born
September 19, 1870; W. J., born October 30,
1872; Martha A., born January 1, 1876; Manuel
G., born Octobers, 1877, and Eliza L. L. , born
August 24, 1880. Mrs. Richardson, who died
December 30, 1883, was a faithful wife and
mother, and was a member of the Methodist Epis-
copal Church. In 1884, our subject married Miss
Rebecca E. Downey, who was born on the 22d of
February, 1848. They are members of the Meth-
odist Episcopal Church.
David C. Roberts. Prominent among the lead-
ing men of Randolph County, Ark., and among
those deserving special notice for their public spirit
and energy, is the gentleman of whom this notice
is given. He was born in Cleveland County,
N. C, July 23, 1833, and is a son of Thomas and
Mary (Collins) Roberts, who were ))orn, reared and
married in North Carolina, and after residing a
few years in their native State after the latter
event, moved to Cherokee County, Ga. , where
the mother's death occurred in 1854 or 1855, when
424
HISTOEY OF ARKANSAS.
about thirty-five years of age. Here the father
afterward married Rebecca Wiekett, and made
his home until 1882, when they came to Ran-
dolph County, Ark., where Mr. Roberts quietly
breathed his last the following year. He had been
an active member of the Methodist Episcopal
Church for a great many years, and while a resi-
dent of North Carolina was engaged in farming;
ulbo acted as overseer at the King's Mountain
Gold Mines. When the Rebellion was in progress
he was a member of the Home Guards in Georgia.
His father, Stephen Roberts, was an Englishman
by birth, and died in Alabama. David C. Roberts
was the eighth of ten children, and at the age of
twenty-three years he left home and commenced
farming for himself, continuing until the mutter-
ings of war foretold the struggle that was to
follow, and in 1861 he enlisted in Company I,
Twenty-third Georgia Infantry, Confederate States
Army, and held the rank of orderly sergeant. He
was in the battle of Seven Pines, the seven days'
fight at Richmond, Second Manassas, South Mount-
ain, Sharpsburg, Fredericksburg, Mechanicsville,
Ocean Pond, Gettysburg, the Wilderness, and was
then around Richmond until the final surrender.
He was taken prisoner twice, first at the battle of
Mechanicsville, but was exchanged after twenty
days' imprisonment, and then at the close of the
war at Appomattox. He was never wounded. He
returned to his home in Georgia after hostilities
ceased, and remained there until 1808, at which
time he moved to McLean, Ky. , and three years
later to Arkansas, and has since resided on his
present farm, which is one of the best in the
county. It embraces a tract of 200 acres, and is
all bottom land with the exception of about ten
acres. In 1851 he was married to Miss Malinda
Finley, a daughter of Aaron Finley, of Cherokee
County, Ga. , and her death occurred in Randolph
County, Ark., in 1872, when about thirty-five
years of age. She left six children (four of whom
are now living): Stephen, John. Mary (wife of
Ezekiel Hum, of Washington County, Ark.),
Regina (wife of William McQuay, of Lawrence
County, Ark. ), and Martha and Leander who
are deceased. In 1874 Mr. Roberts married Mrs.
Susan Deaver, of this county, and by her has
five children: Rachel J., Thomas H. , Jacob H. ,
Richard T. and Lucy A. Mrs. Roberts' maiden
name was Weddle, and by her first husband, Isaac
Deaver, she became the mother of three children,
only one of whom is living, Matilda; those de-
ceased are Mary T. and William F. Mr. and Mrs.
Roberts are members of the Methodist and Chris-
tian Churches, respectively, and he is a Democrat
in his political views, and a member of the Masonic
fraternity.
R. R. RufF, M. D. During a professional ca-
reer of over twenty-three years, Dr. RufP has be
come a successful physician, and justly deserves
the eulogisms bestowed upon him by his profes-
sional brethren. He was born on the 25th of
April, 1831, and his youth was spent in assisting
in the duties of the farm, and in attending the
common subscription schools, where he acquired a
fair education, but which he has since greatly im-
proved by much study and contact with the world.
Upon reaching the age of twenty- one years he
commenced farming, which employment received his
attention until the breaking out of the Rebellion,
when he abandoned the plow and donned the
martial trappings of war, serving in the capacity
of recruiting officer for some time. He was never
identified with the regular army, but was in a
number of severe engagements and was captured
at Huntingdon, Tenn., being paroled immediately
thereafter. He returned home with the intention
of remaining, but owing to the i)er8ecutions to
which he was subjected he again began recruiting
men, and served until the final surrender. After
taking the oath of allegiance he returned home,
but came soon after to Pocahontas, Ark., and
while being employed here he energetically pur-
sued the study of medicine during leisure mo-
ments, and in ISHti. moved to Pittman. where he
entered on the practice of his profession, continu-
ing there with success until 1887. In connection
with this he commenced merchandising in 1880,
and also managed his three farms, of which 225
acres were under cultivation. His annual sales
amount to some 110,000, and he sells on time,
giving a credit of from six to eight months, but
y\:
RANDOLPH COUNTY.
425
Ijuys for cash. lu 1851, Laura Eason, of Ten-
nessee, became his wife, and their marriage re-
sulted ia the birth of five children, Leota G.,
the wife of J. P. Shemwell, being the only one
living; three died in infancy, and one at the
age of fifteen years. Mrs Ruff departed this
life in 1872, having been a consistent member of
the Methodist Episcopal Church for a number of
years. Dr. Ruff took for his second wife Miss
Amanda W. Legate, and by her has one child,
born Jul}^ 15, 1873. named Horace E. The
Doctor and this wife are members of the Meth-
odist Episcopal Church, and he is a Democrat and
a member of the A. F. & A. M. His parents,
John and Chloe (Eason) Ruff, were born in North
Carolina, and in 1828 emigrated to Carroll County,
Tenn.. where he was engaged in farming, and be-
came the owner of a number of negroes. He was
an old line Whig and died in October, 1855, at
the advanced age of eighty-four years, respected
and esteemed by all who knew him. He was mar-
ried three times, his first wife being a Miss Hodge,
by whom he had six or seven children, four sons
living to be grown. His second union was with ■
Miss Eason, which took place about 1821, in
North Carolina. The following are the names of
their children: James G., a physician of this
county; S. D., who is deceased, his family being
residents of Southeast Missouri; W. H. , who is
also dead, his family being residents of Fore.st
City, Ark. ; Dr. R. R. , and Jackey E. , the deceased
wife of George M. Drew. The mother of these
children passed to her long home in 1852, at the
age of fifty-five years, and Mr. Ruff wedded his
third wife, Martha Eason, in August, 1855, her
death occurring in January, 1850.
W. R. Russell, merchant, Pocahontas, Ark.
The mercantile interests of Ihis portion of the
county have been ably represented for a number
of years by Mr. Russell. General merchandising,
of course, necessitates the carrying of a varied as-
sortment of goods, and in his stock Mr. Russell
has a variety which cannot fail to satisfy every
want of his patrons. He is a native of Randolph
County, Ark., born in 1857, and the son of Marion
Russell, also a native of Randolph County. Ark.
The elder Russell was a successful tiller of the soil,
and whim a young man was united in marriage to
Miss Sarah Leonard, a native of Tennessee. At
the breaking out of the Rebellion Mr. Russell
joined the Confederate States army as lieutenant
of Company H, Fifteenth Mist-ouri Regiment, and
was killed at the battle of Big Blue, during Price's
raid, in November, 18R4. The jiaterual grand
father, James Russell, was one of the first settlers
of Randolph County, and located about eight miles
north of Pocahontas, where he improved a good
farm, and there remained the balance of his days.
W. R. Russell was one of four children l)orn to
his parents. Two brothers are deceased, and a
sister, Alice M., the wife of R. M. Bigger, is now
residing in Little Black Township, Randolph
County. The subject of this sketch was educated
in the private schools of his native county, and at
the age of twenty- one commenced working for him-
self. He first came to Pocahontas, and engaged
as salesman for Levi Hecht, for whom he clerked
eighteen months. After this he fanned for three
years, and then again came to Pocahontas, where
he engaged as a clerk for R. Nicholas, remaining
with him three years, when he established his
present business, and now has a good substan
tial trade on a cash basis. He was married, in
1880, to Miss Mary E. Ulmer, a native of Indiana.
They have two children: Ina and Pearly. Mr.
and Mrs. Russell are members of the Methodist
Episcopal Church, and each takes an active part in
church work. He owns a farm of 210 acres,
seventy-five under cultivation, and is a man who
manifests a deep interest in all j)ublic enterprises.
J. C. Sanders. Among the native residents of
the State of Georgia, and closely identified with its
progress and development for many years were the
Sanders family, a respected representative of whom
is found in the subject of this sketch, who was
born in that State in 1843. His parents, James
and Eliza (Covington) Sanders, were born in
Georgia (in 1804) and Virginia, respectively; the
father was reared in his native State, and there fol
lowed the occupation of a planter until 1880. when
his death occurred. The motiier died in Texas in
1884, aged seventy-five years. The paternal grand
father was liorn in South Carolina, and lived in
Georgia. He was of Irish lineage. Like so many
of the substantial citizens of this county at the
present time, J. C. Sanders was initiated into the
mysteries of farm life from the very first, and this
has continued to be the calling to which he has di-
rected his attention. While a resident of his na-
tive State he joined the Confederate army in 1861,
and was in active service four years. He was at
Gaines' Mill, Gettysburg, Petersburg, the Wil-
derness and numerous other engagements of less
note, and was wounded thirteen times. He was a
private in the Twenty-seventh Georgia Regiment.
After the war he left the State of Georgia and emi-
grated to Missouri, thence to Arkansas and after-
ward to Texas. After remaining in that State for
some time he returned to Arkansas, and has here
made his hopae up to the present time. His lands
in this county amount to 400 acres, and he has
225 acres under cultivation. He was married in
1862 to Miss Jane Williams, and to their union
have been born five children : Henry, Callie (who
is dead). Morris (who died at the age of twenty
years, in 1888), Jimmy and Tommy. His second
wife was Miss Sarah Dean, who bore him four
children: Bob, Charley, Alfred and Annie. Mr.
Sanders has always been a Democrat in his political
views.
A. Z. Schnabaum, merchant, Pocahontas, Ark.
Among the many enterprises necessary to com-
plete the commercial resources of a town or city,
no one is of more importance to the community
than that of the general merchant. Prominent
in this trade is Mr. Schnabaum, who deals in
dry goods, hardware, implements and groceries.
Mr. Schnabaum is of foreign birth, Austria being
his native country. He first saw the light of day
in the year 1864, and after reaching a suitable ago
was educated in 'a mercantile college in his na-
tive land. He left school at the age of nearly
seventeen, and in 1881 emigrated to America. He
stopped in New York Cily for six months as a
clerk; then went to Pennsylvania, where he re-
mained but a short time, and then came to Poca-
hontas, Ark. Here he engaged as a clerk for R,
Nicholas, remaining with him three years, and then
continued in the same capacity for Imboden. with
whom he remained a few months. At the expira-
tion of that time he engaged in business fcSr him-
self, having judiciously saved his money, and now
carries all the way from $6,000 to $16,000 worth
of goods, the annual sales amounting to over
$35,000. He has from two to four clerks, and car-
ries on a thriving business. He is also the owner
of a cotton-gin, and buys and sells cotton at this
place. He has never been married. He is the son
of H. and G. Schnabaum. natives of Austria, who
have died since A. Z. came to America. The father
was a man of considerable means, and was a dis-
tiller of liquor and a drover by occupation. Mr.
Schnabaum is a stirring business man and an en-
terprising citizen. He is pleasant and agreeable
in his manners, and the large trade which he now
has is fully merited.
Jacob Schoonover, retired farmer, Pocahontas,
Ark. The subject of this sketch is one of the hon-
ored pioneers of Randolph County. He has been
located here for a period of over twenty-nine years,
and has not only become well known, but the re-
. spect and esteem shown him are as wide as his ac-
quaintance. His tine farm of 200 acres is adorned
with an attractive and commodious house, and
the large mill and cotton-gin which he operates
deserve special attention. He is a native of Hones-
dale. Penn. . and is a son of Daniel and Eliza
(Jacks) Schoonover, both of whom are also natives
of the Keystone State. Jacob Schoonover went to
California when twenty- one years of age, or in
1852, by way of the Isthmus, and remained there
until September, 1856, engaged in mining and
teaming. He then returned to his native State,
remained there about a year, and then in 1857
went to Minnesota, where he spent another year.
In 1858 he came to Arkansas, settled in Marion
County, and engaged in photographing, which he
continued for three years, traveling in the mean-
time over Northeast Arkansas and Southeast Mis
souri. He happened to be in Randolph County
when the war broke out, and in 1862 he enlisted in
Shaver's regiment, Tappin's brigade, and served
until June, 1865. in the Confederate army. He was
regimental quartermaster. After the close of the
^« spV
L^
EANDOLPH COUNTY.
42";
conflict be returned to Randolph County, re-
mained a few months, and then proceeded to the
State of his nativity, where be sojourned six months,
visiting his parents. Subsequently he returned to
this county, and engaged as salesman in the store
of Green R. Jones, remaining thus employed for
two years. He then bought a partnership, and
this continued until 1873. Three years later he
was elected circuit clerk of Randolph County, and
tilled this position in a very acceptable manner for
six years. After this he was engaged in farming
and trading. He was first married in 1870 to Miss
Martha J. Wear, a native of Pennsylvania, who
bore him the following named children: Eugene G.,
now in Pennsylvania; Herbert, Addie C. and Parke
T. The mother of these childi'en died on the 22d
of December, 1878, and Mr. Schoonover was mar-
ried the second time, on the 5th of January, 1882,
to Miss Ella Bolen, a native of the Blue Grass
State Two children are the fruit of this union:
Robert and Jacob. Mr. Schoonover is a Royal
Arch Mason, and a member of the K. of H. He
has ever taken an active part in politics and pub-
lic affairs, and has done much to build up every
enterprise for the common good.
Vincent Segi-aves is a successful merchant of
the county, and was born here on the 2(3th of Feb-
ruary, 1839, being a son of Vincent and Lavina
(Lacy) Segraves, who were born in South Caro
lina and Knox County, Tenn., in 1789. and 1814,
and died in Randolph County, Ark., in 1870 and
1S71, respectivel}'. The father left his native
State when he was a young man, and went to Ten-
nessee, and afterward removed to Illinois, and
from there to Arkansas, in 1833, being one of the
very first settlers of Randolph County. He was a
farmer, and as such was one of the most success-
ful men in this part of the State; in connection
with this work he kept a distillery. During the
War of 1812 he was a soldier, belonging to Jackson's
Guard, and with him participated in the battles
I if New Orleans and Pensacola. He was a well-
known and prominent citizen of Arkansas, and
hail been a life-long Democrat. He and wife were
memliers of the Baptist Church, and were the par-
ents of eight children, five of whom are living.
Vincent was the seventh of the family, and received
his early education in Randolph County. He re-
mained on his father's farm until twenty-five years
of age, then commenced to farm for himself; but
his labors in this direction were interru])ted by the
war. In 1801 he enlisted in the Confederate serv-
ice, and the following year joined Company A, of
the Twenty fifth Arkansas Infantry, and was an
active worker for the Southern cause until the
close of the war, holding the rank of lieutenant,
and taking part in the engagements at Murfrees-
boro, Richmond, Ky. , and was with Price on his
raid through Missouri and Kansas, but was never
wounded or taken prisoner. He has since been
engaged in farming, and in connection has followed
merchandising since 1886, at which time he formed
a partnership with W. E. Hibbard, but at the end
of nine months became associated with J. W.
Witherford. He owns fertile lands to the amount
of 120 acres, and has sixty-five acres under cul-
tivation. In 1866 he married Caroline Waddle,
who was born in Randolph County, Ark , in 1842,
and is a daughter of Henry Waddle. She and
Mr. Segraves are the parents of nine children:
Frances B., wife of Lewis A. Manning; Rufus H. ,
William J., Emanuel W. , John H. , Detty Ann,
Mary Emma, Sula W. and Agnes. Mrs. Se-
graves is a member of the United Baptist Church.
Mr. Segraves is a stanch Democrat in his political
views.
G. A. Seel, M. D. , of Warm Springs, Ark. , and
proprietor of the springs of that name, was born in
Georgetown, Ohio, in 1855, and is a eon of V. F.
and C. A. (Houck) Seel, who were married in the
State of Ohio in 1854, and moved to Kentucky
about a year later. The father followed merchan-
dising and farming in Bracken County, Ky., and
was moderately successful in business. He was a
man of superior education, and was able to speak
three or foui' different languages. He served under
Gen. Taylor in the Mexican War, and was with him
in all the battles in which he took part. He was
born in 1819, and his wife in 1816, and both their
deaths occurred in 1888. He was a Democrat in
his political views. He and his wife reared a family
of seven children: Catherine, Peter, F. W. , G. A.,
\
4i
428
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
V. F., Henry, and Mary C. While growing
up, G. A. Seel had excellent advantages for ac-
quiring a good education, and to say that he fully
improved his opportunities woiild be only speaking
the truth. After attending the free school of his
section until sixteen years of age he entered Hig-
giusport high school, but left that institution at the
age of seventeen, and began traveling, so continuing
until he was about twenty years of age, at which
time he returned to Kentucky, and remained there
for nearly one year, assisting his father on the
farm. He then began traveling again, continuing
two years, and became familiar with some of the
finest points of interest in the United States. He
located in New Madrid, Mo., where he became
conductor on the Little River Valley & Arkansas
Railroad, and as such continued for four years.
He then tilled the same pcsition on the Cotton
Belt road for about one year, and daring this time
his leisure moments were spent in studying chem-
istry. In the latter part of 1880 he engaged in
the di'ug business at Doniphan, Mo., and after
continuing there one year he devoted his time and
attention the two following years to the study of
chemistry under Profs. Detmer and Stille,of the St.
Louis Dairy Company's Laboratory. From there
he went to Chanute, Kas. , where he established a
private laboratory, remaining in that place until
the fall of 1885. During the two years he spent
in this place he was studying medicine under Drs.
Webb & Brown of the Eclectic school, and after-
ward underwent an examination before the Kansas
medical board, consisting of eight men, and secured
a certificate to practice. He became a member of
the Eclectic Medical Association of that State, and
after leaving there in the fall of 1885, he came to
Randolph County, and located at Warm Springs,
where he passed an examination before the board
in 1885, and immediately entered upon the prac-
tice of his profession. Since coming here he has
graduated from the St. Louis College of Physicians
and Surgeons, and has made a special study of
operative and opthalmic surgery under the able
instructions of Profs. Louis Bower, A. C. Bernays
and John Glancis, being now a successful surgeon
and physician. He was married, October 14,
1885, to Miss Ella S. Kibler, of Water Valley, this
county, and by her became the father of two chil-
dren: Leona C. (deceased), and G. A., Jr. ili-s. ,
Seel is a native of Arkansas. The Doctor belongs
to the K. of P. , and in his political views is a
Democrat. In 1888 he and Capt. J. J. Hand
werker, of Memphis, Tenn. , purchased the famous
warm springs of this place, which in days gone
by were used by the Indians as a health resort,
this being as early as 1818, when the first settlers
began to come into the region. The first hotel put
up near the place was in 1840, by a man named
Rice, and after his death the property fell to his
heirs. In 1874, it was purchased from them by
Dalton, Kibler & Waddle, who erected a substan-
tial hotel there the same year and put up bath
houses, bowling alley, etc. They also inclosed two
and one-half acres with a nice fence, and in this
inclosure are sixty springs, with three different
kinds of water, chalybeate, sulphur and carbonate.
The largest spring is carbonate water, containing
160 cubic inches of carbonic acid gas to the gallon,
making it the equal of the famous chalybeate
Vichy waters of Europe. In addition to this it
also contains iodine and lithia. The springs are
accessible by the following stage routes: Doniphan,
Pocahontas, the St. Louis, Iron Mountain & South-
ern Railroad and the Kansas City & Memphis
Railroad. The climate in the locality of the
springs is fine, and the Doctor's manner of treat-
ing diseases in the way of baths can not be excelled,
for hot, cold and electric baths can be secured at
any time. The citizens in the locality contemplate
erecting a high-school, and the place can then be
utilized as a point for securing both a good educa-
tion and the benefit of the health restoring waters
of the springs. The country is very beautiful
hereabouts, and the streams abound with fish and
the woods with deer, turkeys, squirrels, quail, etc. .
making it a sportsman's paradise.
James F. Shaver, who is one of the successful
farmers of Warm Springs Township, was born in
Randolph County, Ark., in September. 1833, and
is a son of John and Nancy (Cook) Shaver, who
were boi'n in Georgia. They were married in
Alabama, about 18'23, and in 1S28 came to Arkan-
EANDOLPH COUNTY.
429
sas, settling iu this count}-, where they purchased
and also entered some Government land. Wild
animals of all kinds roamed the woods at will at
this time, and in some places the forests were
almost impenetrable, but it can be said of John
Shaver that, with the courage and perseverance
which marked the lives of so many of our pioneers.
He chopped, lie logged, he cleared his lot,
And into many a dismal spot
He let the light of da_y.
His neighbors were from ten to fifteen miles
distant, and at that time wagons were a rare
sight, but small trucks were made by sawing large
logs in two, the wheels being of solid wood —even
these rude conveyances being few and far between.
The nearest flouring-mill, which was twenty-five
miles away, could only be reached by crossing two
rivers, and owing to the ditSculty of doing this,
the settlers had to resort to the old-fashioned pes-
tle. The first flouring-mill put up in this part of
the county was on the old Rtissell place, and was
run by horse power. This was about the year
183S. He and his wife were born in 1800 and
179S, and died in 1850 and 1858, respectively.
They were members of the Christian Church, and
became the parents of eleven children, eight liv-
ing to ho grown: M"illiaui, who resides in Webster
County, Mo., is a minister in the Christian Chnrch;
Robert, who died leaving a family in this county;
Alexander, also deceased, his family being residents
of the county ; Peter, Martha, widow of C. Johnson ;
Caroline, the deceased wife of John Johnson;
Nancy, wife of Jesse Johnson, and John, who
was killed at the battle of Shiloh in 1862, while
serving in the Confederate army. The other chil-
dren died in infancy. James F. Shaver had very
poor educational advantages in his youth, and al-
though he attended the old fashioned subscription
schools long enough to learn to read, he did not
attend suflficiently long to learn to write. In 1852
he married Miss Elizabeth Waddle, a native of
the county, born in ISSfj, and to them were born
the following family: Alexander, born December
23, 1853; J. H., born August 2, 1855; Louis M.,
born December 22, 1857; Sarah E., wife of Eli
Morris, born January 2, 1859; Jacob S., born Oc-
tober (>, 1861; James F., Jr., born November 2,
1863; Matilda A., born January 14, 1866, wife of
Jeff Morris ; R. L. , bom A pril 4, 1 868, Peter M. , born
December 20, 1869; William M., born August 27,
1871; PermeliaE., born January 14, 1874, and Jo-
seph A., born February 28, 1876. In 1862 Mr.
Shaver joined the Confederate army; he was with
Price on his last raid through Missouri in 1864, and
was a participant in a number of battles and skir-
mishes. Pilot Knob and Blue Lick being among the
number. After his surrender, which occurred at
Jacksonport, Ark., in June, 1865, became home and
engaged immediately in farming, entering at first
160 acres of land, and now has eighty under cul-
tivation. He is also engaged in raising horses and
cattle of a good grade. Mr. Shaver is a public -
spirited citizen, is a Democrat in his political views,
and he and his wife are members of the Christian
Church, as are nearly all their children. Mrs.
Shaver is a daughter of Henry and Sarah (Big
gers) Waddle, Tennesseeans by birth, who came
to Arkansas about 1832, and here married the fol-
lowing year. Their children were Lucinda. wife
of Peter Shaver; Matilda (deceased), vSarah (John-
son), Susan (Roberts), Jefferson (deceased), Jake,
Caroline (Graves), Marietta L. (Hawk), George and
James (twins), and Elizabeth, wife of our subject.
The parents died in 1849 and 1862, aged fifty and
sixty years, respectively.
Col. Thomas S. Simington. The name that
heads this sketch is that of one of the oldest set-
tlers of this vicinity, whose entire life in this
county has been such as to win him the respect and
esteem of all who are favored with his acquaint-
ance. His father, Robert Simington, was a Scotch-
man who emigrated to the United States when
twenty-two years of age, and being of an adven-
turous turn of mind, and nothing daunted by the
talk of Indian troubles, determined to seek his
fortune in the " far West," and accordingly pushed
on westward. From the city of Pittsburgh, Penn. .
he floated down the Ohio River on a flatboat, and
made a landing at Cincinnati, Ohio, which place
then consisted of two cabins, and from there went
overland to Fayette County, Ky., becoming one of
the verv first settlers of that State. While making
430
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
the toilsome journey to this State he was fre-
quently surrounded by Indians, having trouble
with them at various times, and bad frequently to
depend on the block-houses for protection. After
making his home in Fayette County for some time,
he removed to Hem-y County, of the same State,
where he made his home until 1827, when he re-
moved to Jefferson County, Ind. , for the pmpose
of educating his children and giving them the ad-
vantages of Hanover College. He came to the
United States without means, but possessing the
sterling characteristics of his ancestors he was very
successful in his farming enterprises, and at the
time of his death in 1849, at the age of seventy-six
years, he was quite a wealthy citizen. He lavished
his wealth freely in educating his children, was al-
ways a kind and considerate father, and his mem-
ory is still respected and revered by them to a
wonderful degree. He was a stanch Whig in
politics, and was in favor of colonizing the colored
race. His wife, Nancy McWilliams by name, was
born in Virginia, and removed with her parents to
Kentucky when she was a young girl, and in that
State she was married to Mr. Simington. She died
in Jefferson County, Ind., about two years after
the death of her husband, when about sixty-foixr
years of age. Both she and her husband were
members of the Presbyterian Church, ai)d for many
years he was an elder in that church, and was hold-
ing that position at the time of his death. Of the
seven daughters and live sons born to their union
nine lived to maturity, and four are living at the
present time: Robert S. , who has been a Presby-
terian minister since a young man, and is now lo-
cated at San Diego, Cal. ; Martha R. , widow of
William Finley, and is now residing in Independ-
ence, Mo. ; Myra, widow of Gen. Lucas, also located
at Independence, and Col. Thomas S. The latter,
owing to his father's liberality, received an ex-
cellent education in Hanover College, and when
nineteen years of age he went to Boonville, Mo.,
where he was engaged in teaching school and clerk-
ing for several years. After residing in Palestine,
111., for about three years, he moved to Randolph
County, Ark. , and has since been actively engaged
in farming, the first few years being also spent in
wielding the ferule. He is now the owner of some
of the best farming lands in the county, and is one
of the prosperous citizens. He served as county
surveyor prior to the Rebellion, and in 1861 was
elected sheriff and collector of the county. The
following year he organized a company to serve
thirty days in the Confederate army, then enlisted
in Company A, and was made first lieutenant. He
was soon after elected lieutenant-colonel of the
Twenty-fifth Infantry, but after serving two years
was discharged on account of disability. He was
at the battles of Tupelo and Perry ville, and al-
though his loss in money matters was very heavy
during the war, he has been very successful in ac-
cumulating worldly goods. January 1, 1852, he
was united in marriage with Miss Emily B. Russell,
a daughter of one of the oldest settlers of Ran-
dolph County, Ark., Col. James G. Russell. She
was born in the county July 20, 183;i Her
union with Mr. Simington was blessed in the birth
of eight childien, of whom two died in infancy and
six are now living: Williamson T. and Francis L.,
farmers of the county; Ida J., wife of Benjamin
F. Bigger of Pocahontas; Thomas F., a merchant
of Eastern Texas; Minnie and Mattie, at home.
The family attend the Methodist Episcopal Church,
South, of which Mr. Simington is a trustee and
steward. He is one of the oldest Masons in the
county, and although a Whig in politics until 1856,
he has since been a Democrat. He has always
been a public spirited citizen, and is a patron of
education and all worthy enterprises.
James Henry Skaggs was born on the 2d of
August, 1840, near Danby. Jefferson County, Mo. ,
and is the son of Henry Skaggs, the grandson of
Stephen Skaggs, and the great-grandson of James
Skaggs, who was a native of Virginia, a man of
great physical strength and activity, and of whom
it is said that he settled in Kentucky before
Daniel Boone. Stephen Skaggs was also a native
of Virginia, his birth occurring about 1764. He
died in Kentucky in 1814. His wife's maiden
name was Miss Nancy Andrews, who was bom in
the year 1766, and died in Kentucky in 1862.
Henry Skaggs (father of the subject of this sketch)
was born in Green Countv, K v. , on the 6th of June,
&
RANDOLPH COUNTY.
431
1807, aad came to Jeffersou County, Mo., in 1833,
bought a tract of laad of several hundred acres,
and this he improved and cultivated. He devoted
the remainder of his life to farming and the raising
of tine horses. He died on the 9th of September,
1866. His wife, Mrs. Mary (Eagelbarger) Skaggs,
vpas born on the 7th of October, 1814, and was a
woman of sujierior intelligence and firmness of
character. She received her final summons in
Jefferson County, Mo., in September, 1866. The
maternal grandfather of our subject, John M.
Eagelbarger, was a native of Germany, born in
1784, and came to the United States in 1800,
landing at Savannah, Ga. He came to Missoiu'i at
an early day, and here followed his trade, that of
a gunsmith. He died in Jeffersou County, Mo.,
on the 3d of July, 1829. His wife's maiden
name was Unity Carlin, a sister of ex- Governor
Carlin of Illinois, and a woman of great courage
and determination. James Henry Skaggs (the
subject of this sketch), was taught the principles
of farming in early life, and in 1861 he joined the
Confederate army under the command of Gen.
Jeff. Thompson, served about eight months, and
was discharged on account of sickness. He then
followed school teaching for about six years, two of
which were spent in Monroe County, 111., and the
remainder in Jefferson and St. Francois Counties,
Mo. During the period of teaching he gave his
spare time to the study of medicine. Later he en-
gaged in dealing in live stock and in merchandis-
ing, which he continued two years. In 1870 he
came to Clay County, Ark. , and followed farming
and buying stock. He selected for his companion
in life Miss Eliza James, and was united in mar-
riage to her in 1873. They had two children,
both of whom died in youth. Mrs. Skaggs died on
the 19th of March, 1875. After that Mr. Skaggs
accepted a position as collecting agent for Levi
Hecht & Bros., at Pocahontas, which he held for
over a year. In 1876, on the 17th of December,
he was married to Mrs. Serena J. Russell, a native
of Louisiana, and whose maiden name was Kil-
crease. Mr. Skaggs then turned his attention
once more to farming. In 1882 he was elected
county surveyor, which office he filled with ability
and credit. For the past few years he has been
extensively engaged in agricultural pursuits, and
also in the timber business, in which he has been
very successful. He now owns over 4,000 acres
of land and has 800 acres under cultivation. Mr.
Skaggs is five feet eleven inches in height, and
weighs 250 pounds. In middle life he was very
strong and active, and was well trained in Olympic
games, as was also his father. Mr. Skaggs after
receiving a common-school education was for sev-
eral terms under the tutorage of Mr. Robert A.
Booth, a graduate of Trinity College, Dublin, Ire-
land, with whom our subject, among other things,
completed mathematics as far as calculus. He has
taken an active part in public affairs, and is alive
to the interests of his country, is willing to do his
part in forwarding all enterprises for public good,
and is an important commercial factor of Ran-
dolph County.
Will H. Skinner, druggist, Pocahontas, Ark.
Holding the leading place among the druggists of
the town of Pocahontas is the above-mentioned
gentleman. The business he now conducts was
established by him in 1886, and he has built it up
to its present enviable position by upright and
honorable dealing, by understanding the wants of
the public and anticipating them; also by keeping
nothing but the best and most reliable goods, so
that whatever is purchased at "Skinner's" can
be implicitly relied upon. This gentleman was
born in Guernsey County, Ohio, and is the son of
Alfred and Mary (Virtue) Skinner, the father a
native of the "Buckeye State," and the mother
of Maryland. Alfred Skinner was a manufacturer
of and dealer in saddles. He was a gentleman of
education, was well versed in law matters, and lie
ing a leader in politics was called upon by the peo-
ple to fill many offices of trust in the county and
township. He and his wife were faithful members
of the Presbyterian Church. They reared to ma-
turity a family of eight children, all living: Mary
C. , a stenographer at Baltimore, Md. : Helen M. ,
a teacher in Baltimore; Nola, in Washington,
Ohio; Fannie, also in Washington, Ohio; Anice
P., wife of C. L. Ferguson, of Columbus, Ohio;
Will H. , Laura, a teacher in Baltimore, Md. ;
Alfred, a harness and saddlery merchant and
manufacturer, of Washington, Ohio. The father
of these children died May 22, 1889, at the age of
sixty-eight years, and the mother died in May,
1871, at the age of forty-eight years. Will H.
Skinner was educated in the public schools of
AVashington, Ohio, and graduated at the age of
eighteen. Immediately afterward he commenced
the study of pharmacy, which he continued in his
native town until 1885, when he came to Pocahon-
tas, Ark., and established himself in the same
business. He now has the largest trade of that
kind in the county, and in connection with drugs
he keeps books, stationery, paints, oils, tobacco,
cigars, and in fact everything necessary for a first-
class store. Mr. Skinner is a member of the pres-
ent city council, and is one of the representative
citizens of the county. His paternal grandfather.
Judge William Skinner, was a soldier in the Rev-
olutionarv War, and was one of the oldest business
men of Washington, Ohio, where he established
the harness and saddlery business, and was suc-
ceeded by his son, Alfred Skinner, who in turn
was succeeded by his son, Alfred Skinner, now a
prominent manufacturer and trader in that line.
The firm of which the younger Alfred Skinner is
a member is widely known in that part of the
State of Ohio.
H. A. Slaughter, M. D., is one of the very
foremost among the professional men of the county,
and has won an enviable repalation as a practi-
tioner of the " healing art. " He possesses ad-
vanced ideas and progressive principles regarding
his profession, and is gifted with a full share of the
sterling characteristics of the native Kentuckian.
His birth occurred on the 14th of August, 1839,
and he is the tenth of twelvo children, five of
whom are living, born to the marriage of French
G. and Mary W. (Anthony) Slaughter, who were
born in the Blue Grass State and the "Old Do-
minion," respectively. The father followed hus-
bandry throughout life, and although he had an
excellent knowledge of the law, having studied it
in his early manhood, he never practiced. He
held many different offices in Nelson County, Ky.,
such as justice of the peace and sheriff, and died
in that State in 1871 at the age of seventy-seven
years. His wife also died there, she having been
an earnest and consistent member of the Presby-
terian Church for many years. The paternal
grandfather, James Slaughter, was a Virginian,
who died in Kentucky. Dr. H. A. Slaughter re-
ceived the rudiments of his education in Winslow,
Graves County, Ky., and from the time he was
eighteen years of age iintil the breaking out of the
war he was engaged in farming. He then enlisted
in Company L, of the Eighth Kentucky Cavalry.
but after serving faithfully for two years he was
discharged on account of disability, and after re-
turning home located in Kenton's Station, where
he spent about three years. He also studied med-
icine during this time under Dr. David Yandall,
and afterward pursued his studies in the Louisville
Medical College. From 1868 to 1870 he resided
in Ballard County, Ky., and then took up his
abode in Randolph County, Ark., where he has
since been actively engaged in the practice of his
profession, the large extent of territory over which
he travels speaking louder than mere words can
do of the estimation in which he is held by the
public as a member of the medical fraternity.
Politically he supports Democratic principles; he
is a Royal Arch Mason, and belongs to the Chris-
tian Chiu'ch.
John F. Spikes, who is one of the substantial
and progressive agriculturists of the county, was
born here on the 20th of February. 1836, and is
one of a family of seven children who were born to
the marriage of Joseph Spikes and Permelia Wad-
dell, who were born in Hawkins County, Tenn.. in
1806 and 1805, and died in 1853 and 1864, respect-
ively. They were married in their native State,
and moved to Arkansas, being among the very first
families to settle in what is now Randolph Countj'.
Mr. Spikes was engaged in farming and trading,
and in every enterprise to which he turned his at-
tention he met with good returns. He was sheriff
of Randolph County for many years, and was
filling the duties of this position at the time of his
death. He was a Democrat, and he and his wife
were members of the Methodist Episcopal Cliurfh.
John F. Spikes received fair educational advan-
RANDOLPH COUNTY.
433
tages in his youth, and made his home with his
mother until a short time before her death, when i
he started out in life for himself. After the war he
was left without means, but as he inherited some
of his father' s excellent business qualities, coupled
with his energy and enterprise, he has succeeded
far beyond his expectations, and is now the owner
of 840 acres of some of the best land in the
county. When barelj' twenty-one years of age he
was elected constable, and served in this capacity
for eighteen years, then positively declined to serve
farther. In 1874 he was elected county sheriff,
and at the end of the term, although solicited by
many to again become a candidate, he declined to
put up his name. Although he is a non-partisan,
he has always supported the men and measures of
the Democratic party. He is a Mason, and he and
his wife, whom he married February 7, 1863, and 1
whose maiden name was Martha E. Mock, are both
members of the Methodist Episcopal Church,
South. Mrs. Spikes was born in Randolph Coimty
in 1840, and is a daughter of Matthias Mock.
To their union eight children have been born:
Amanda P. (wife of Franklin Tiner, a farmer and
teacher of the county), Mary J., James C, Will-
iam A., John W., Sulah M. , Thomas F. and Jo-
seph A. , all at home.
Samuel E. Spikes. Among the families who
were early settlers of the State of Arkansas, was
that of which the subject of this sketch is a worthy
member, although the exact date of their settle-
ment is unknown. He himself was born on the
farm where he now lives, May 15, 1840, and is
one of three surviving members of a family of four
children born to William and Mary L. (Masters)
Spikes, who were born in Hawkins County. Tenn. ,
and near Charleston, S. C, in 1784 and 1802, and
died in 1855 and 1881, respectively. At the time
they located in Randolph County^ Ark., the set-
tlers were very scarce, and the nearest neighbor
was eight miles away. He cleared a farm on
which he resided until his death, and in addition
to managing this farm he carried on the cooper's
and wheelwright's trades which he had learned in
his youth. He was a successful financier, but was
rather improvident and spent his money freely,
laying up but very little for a rainy day. He was
an active worker in the Methodist Episcopal
Church, of which he had been a member for many
years, and in his political views was a Democrat.
His wife, whose maiden name was Mary L. Mas-
ters, was first married to a Mr. Alexander, and
with him moved to Arkansas, where he was after-
ward drowned. She then wedded Mr. Spikes,
being his third wife, and by him became the
mother of the following children; Samuel E., Eliz-
abeth C. (widow of George Kerzey), Mary P.
(widow of Madison Gallich), and two others de-
ceased, one of whom was L. F., who died while
serving in the Confederate army. Mr. Spikes'
first union resulted in the birth of six children:
Joseph W. , who was the third sheriff of Randolph
County, and died in New Orleans; Jesse, John
William, Martha and Nancy, all of whom died in
the same county, except Nancy who died in Texas.
Samuel E. Spikes enlisted, in 18(12, in Capt. B.
Shores' company. Col. Adams' regiment, and served
until the close of the war, being a participant in the
battles of Cane Hill and Delhi. After his return
home he was married to Miss Mary Frances Stone,
a daughter of Rufus Stone. She was born in
Tennessee, May (3, 1847, and died in Randolph
CoiTnty, Ark., December 24, 1882, having borne a
family of eight children, seven now living: Will-
iam R. , Samuel E. , Mary C, Martha J., Fannie
E., Robert A. and Francis M. A daughter named
Eliza A., was born April 9, 1S70, and died No-
vember 24, 1887. Our subject started in life
without means, but by his own energy and good
management he is now one of the wealthy resi-
dents of the county. He is a Mason in good stand-
ing, and is a Democrat in his political views.
After his marriage, his mother made her home
with him until her death.
Mrs. Alice L. Surridge, widow of Robert Sur-
ridge, and a lady of culture and refinement, was
born in Jackson County, Tenn., and is the daugh-
ter of A. W. W. Brooks, one of the prominent
and wealthy farmers of Randolph County, whose
sketch appears elsewhere in this volume. Mrs.
Surridge came to Arkansas with her parents when
a child, was reared on a farm and received her
« k^
484
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
education at Warm' Springs high school. Wlien
twenty-one years of age she was united in marriage
to Mr. Robert Surridge, a native of Missouri, born
May S, 1862. Heaven bles.sed this union with
tliree children : Sudie, Lena and Robert Caldwell.
Mr. Surridge was engaged in the gi'ocery business
at Pocahontas, and was an excellent business man
and, above all, thoroughly honest. He continued
in this business until his death, which occurred
February 28, 1889. It is sad to think of death in
connection with the young, and especially so with
regard to Mr. Surridge, who, with his wife and lit-
tle children around him, was full of business and
enterprise until the grim destroyer entered and
laid him low. Mrs. Surridge is the owner of 880
acres of land, and also considerable town property.
James F. Sutton is a farmer residing near Po-
cahontas, Ark., and was born in Tennessee Feb-
ruary 18, 1828. He is one of six sons and six
daughters born to the marriage of Forester and
Mary (McNiece) Sutton, who spent the greater
portion of their lives in Marshall County, Tenn. ,
and there resided until their respective deaths.
James F. was the eldest of their children, and re-
mained in his native State until 1852, at which
time he settled in Southwest Missouri; three
years later he came to Randolph County, Ark. , and
here has made his home up to the present date,
with the excejstion of the time spent in the army.
He joined the Confederate forces in 1861, becom-
ing a member of Company H, Col. Shaver's regi-
ment of infantry, and was a private until the sur-
render of Little Rock, Ark. , and was on the In-
firmary corps until the battle at Cane Hill He
returned to the duties of farm life after the battle
of Little Rock, and has pursued the occupation of |
husbandry on his 160 acre farm ever since. This
land he purchased prior to the war, paying 12J
cents per acre, and he now has seventy five acres
in an excellent state of cultivation. While he has
never held any oflice of public trust, yet he is a
man who does all in his power to assist in the im- I
provement of his county; is a liberal supporter
of worthy movements, and is a strong advocate of
flee schools. Politically he is a Republican. His
marriage with Miss Anna Noblin occurred in 1849,
and by her he became the father of eleven children,
five of whom are now living: G. W. , who resides
in the county; F. M. ; Mary E., wife of John Kiu-
caid; Samuel T. and Benjamin F. His wife and
eldest three children are members of the Baptist
Church. Prior to the Rebellion he served in the
State militia as first lieutenant, and has held the
same position since.
Richard Sweeza. In giving a history of Ran-
dolph County. Ark., the name of Mr. Sweeza
deserves honorable mention, for he has always
been industrious and enterprising, and has ever
aided enterprises which tend to the interests of the
county. He was born near where he novp lives, on
the Ist of February, 1837, and is one of two sur-
viving members (the other survivor being Nancy
Jane, the wife of Joseph Thomas, a farmer of the
county) of a family of nine children born to Rich-
ard and Matilda (Bigger) Sweeza, both of whom
were born in Missouri, former's birth occurring
in Carter County. They were reared to maturity
and married in that State, and after the celebration
of their nuptials they resided in Carter County
several years, then came to Randolph County,
Ark., being among the very first settlers of the
county. The country was full of Indians and
wild animals at that time, but Mr. Sweeza began
to clear a farm, and followed this occupation in con-
nection with blacksmithing throughout life, accu-
mulating thereby a large amount of property. He
died in 1841, when a comparatively young man,
his widow afterward becoming the worthy com-
panion of Randolph Cook, of Illinois, and her
death occurred in that State, in 1855. Both Mr.
and Mrs. Sweeza were members of the Methodist
Episcopal Church, South, and he was of French
descent. Richard Sweeza, the immediate subject
of this sketch, received his early education at
home, and made his home with his stepfather, Mr.
Cook, until the opening of the Rebellion, when he
enlisted in Company C, of the Eighth Arkansas
Infantry, Confederate States Army, and was on
active duty east of the Mississippi River until the
close of the war. He was in twenty-three regular
engagements, among which were the battles of
Shiloh, Murfreesboro, Chickamauga, Perryville,
iL£:
RANDOLPH COUNTY.
435
Atlanta, Nashville, Missionary Ridge and many
others. He was wounded by a musket ball in the
upper lip, at Atlanta, and also at Ringgold Gap by
a shell .striking the lock of his gun and bursting.
At Atlanta he was taken prisoner, but was re-taken
by his friends ten minutes later, and in this en-
gagement his whole command was captured with
the exception of twenty men. He saw some very
hard service, and after the war he returned home
with the consciousness of having been a brave and
faithful soldier. Like his father before him he
has always been engaged in farming and black-
smithina;: and although he commenced life for him-
self with little or no means, he has succeeded
well, and now owns 200 acres of excellent land.
In 1867 he was united in marriage to Mrs. Louisa
Jane (Russell) Bigger, a daughter of Col. James
G. Russell, and the widow of Ransom Bigger, who
was killed during the war. 8he died in 1870, an
earnest member of the Methodist Episcopal
Church, South, and three years later Mr. Sweeza
wedded Mrs. Sarah A., the widow of Marion Rus-
sell. She was born in Lincoln County, Tenn. , De-
cember 14, 1834, and both are now members of the
iSIethodist Episcopal Church, he being a steward
in the same. He is a Democrat politically, and is
one of the enterprising men of the county.
John S. Tanner, merchant of Kingsville, Ark. ,
needs no introduction to the people of Randolph
County, for his connection with its affairs dates
back to 1875. and although his name has never
been thrust before the public for purposes of
notoriety, he is one of the county's most successful
young business men. He was born in Fulton
County, Ark., March 1, 1864, and is a son of Will-
iam W. and Sarah Ann (Reeves) Tanner, both of
whom were born in Obion County, Tenn., the
former's birth occurring in 1832, and the latter' s
in 1834. They were married in that county, and
moved from there to Fulton County, Ark., being
among its earliest settlers, but in 1875 came to
Randolph County. The father had been familiar
with merchandising from earliest boyhood, but a
short time prior to his death, which occurred on
the 16th of October, 1888. he had retired from
the active duties of business life, and left af-
fairs to the management of his son. He was also
engaged in farming, was a Mason, a Democrat, and
while in Tennessee held the office of constable, and
after coming to Arkansas was justice of the peace
for several years. He served in the Confederate
army throughout the war, and was a participant in
a number of important engagements. His widow
now resides in Kingsville, Ark. , and both were
members of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church.
Of their nine children our subject is the third,
and eight of the family are now living: Mary F.
(Blackwell), Nancy W. (Baker), John S. , William
S. (who is deputy clerk of Randolph County), Sarali
A., Emma J., Ida B. , Arthur A. (who died when
in his third year) and Lula. John S. Tanner's
early scholastic advantages were received in his na-
tive county, and were such as the common schools
afforded, but these advantages he improved to the
utmost, and he is now acknowledged by all to be
one of the bright, energetic and enterprising young
men of the county. In later years he tinished his
education in the Cumberland University at Leban-
on, Tenn., and was one of its most substantial stu-
dents. February 3, 1884. he was united in mar-
riage to Miss Nora Ann Fuller, a daughter of
Albert Fuller. She was born in Grayson County,
Ky., and is the mother of two childi-en: Nellie G.
and Guy W. Mr. Tanner and wife are in commu-
nion with the Cumberland Presbyterian Church,
and as far as his political views are concerned Mr.
Tanner has followed in the footsteps of his father,
being a stanch Democrat.
Samuel W. Thompson, although just in the
prime of life, has made his way to the front ranks
among the energetic farmers of this county, and
owing to the attention he has always paid to each
minor detail, he has accumulated a fair share of
this world's goods. He is a native-born resident
of the county, his birth occun-ing on the 9th of
Lecember, 1845, and he is a son of \\'illiam and
Mary (McLean) Thompson, who were also well
known here. The father was born in Virginia,
March 3, 1815, and when a child only seven years
of age, he was taken to Knox County, Tenn. . by an
uncle, whence, after remaining there a short time,he
came to Arkansas, and became interested in farm-
V
436
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
ing and wagon making, which occupations he fol-
lowed for many years. After the war, he farmed
exclusively, and was school commissioner for years,
also county and probate judge, and was tilling the
latter position at the opening of the Rebellion, being
appointed to the same position after the cessation
of hostilities. He was a well-known and respected
citizen, and he and his wife, whose native State Avas
Missouri, having been born there in 1816, were
members of the Methodist Episcopal Church,
South. Her death occurred in this county in 1856.
He died November 28, 1883. During early times,
meetings were held in their house in lieu of a pub-
lic bviilding, and for years he was superintendent
of the Methodist Sunday-school. He was a life-
long Democrat and Mason, and was an active
worker for all causes tending to the good of the
county. His father, who was born in Ireland,
at an early day came to the United States and
settled in Virginia, but afterward returned to Ire-
land, and was never afterward heard from. The
maternal grandfather, William McLean, was a Vir-
ginian, who removed to Kentucky, thence to Cape
Girardeau County, Mo. , and afterward to Ran-
dolph County, Ark. , and in the latter county took
up his abode on the farm on which our subject is
now residing. To William and Mary Thompson
eleven children were born, of whom the following
are living: JohnB. , aresidentof Washington Terri-
tory; David D., a farmer of Randolph County, Ark.,
and Samuel W. The latter acquired a fair knowl-
edge of the English branches in the common schools
of his native county, and remained at home assist-
ing his father until 1868, when he enlisted in Capt.
Connor's company. Confederate States army. Cav-
alry service, and was on active duty until June 5,
1865, when he was discharged at Jacksonport, Ark.
He started for himself with no means, but now has
320 acres of some of the best land in the county,
and is considered one of its best farmers. He is a
Democrat in polititics, and in 1874 was elected
county assessor, also to the office of justice of
the peace, and filled both positions with much
credit to himself for four years. December 20,
1866, he was married to Maria E. Adams, a daugh-
ter of William H. Adams. She was born in Bed-
ford County, Tenn., April 20, 1849, and is the
mother of six children: Beatrice, Hettie E., Will-
iam A., Edward, Eugene and Marion E. Willie,
Augustus and Luther are deceased. Mr. Thomp-
son is a Royal Arch Mason, and belongs to the K.
of H.
J. P. Throgmorton, M. D., who is numbered
among the successful members of the medical fra-
ternity in Randolph County, Ark., came originally
from Henry County, Tenn. , where he was born
January 4, 1836. Richard and Elsie (Barnwell)
Throgmorton, his parents, were born in the " Old
North State," but were married and resided in
Henry County, Tenn., where the father was killed
during the Rebellion by guerrillas. He was a
farmer and carpenter, and in his political views
was an old-line Whig. He served several years as
justice of the peace, and he and wife were mem-
bers of the Methodist Church. Four of their chil-
dren grew to maturity, of whom our subject is
the eldest. His early youth was passed in the
State of his birth, and there he was favored with a
good education, being a student for some time in
Bethel College, in Carroll County, Tenn., where
he was a faithful and conscientious student. He
remained with his parents on the farm until 1859,
but that work not being at all stiited to his tastes
he began taking medical lectures in the University
of Pennsylvania, at Philadelphia, and there dis-
tinguished himself by his faithful application, as
well as at school. After leaving that collegre he
spent a short time in Illinois; then returned to
Tennessee, and after residing there until the spring
of 1865 he moved to Williamson County, 111., and
there located and p'lrsued the practice of his pro-
fession until 1871, when he came to Arkansas and lo-
cated on the farm on which he is now residing. The
. following year he retiu'ned to the State of Illinois
on account of the ill health of his wife, but after
her death, which occurred in 1873, in Williamson
County, he determined to improve his medical edu-
cation, and again entered the University of Penn-
sylvania, from which institution he was graduated
in 1874. Soon after this he returned to Randolph
County, where he has since been engaged in a gen-
eral practice, and the success which has attended
^'
\
liL
RANDOLPH COUNTY.
43-;
his efforts in healing the sick is shown by the ex-
tended territory over which he practices. He also
successfully conducts his home farm, which com-
prises a tract of 300 acres, and he also owns an-
other farm, in which are 1 20 acres. His farm is
finely located and improved, and he has one of the
handsomest residences in the county and a fine
barn for his stock and grain, all the result of his
own work. In lS6-t he was married to Miss Caro-
line Davidson, a native of Henry County, Tenn.,
who died in Illinois as above stated. Two of the
three children born to their union are living:
Richard, and Rosa Lee, the wife of John Earley,
a farmer of the county. Laura died in infancy.
March 17, 1870, the Doctor's nuptials with Miss
Pollie E. Barnett were consummated. She was
born in Williamson County, 111., and died July
1-1, 1873, having borne two children; Hiram L.
(at home) and Ann E. (deceased). September 10,
1874, Isabel Lentz, a daughter of Eli Lentz, of
Williamson County, 111., became his wife. She
was born in that county on the 22d of January,
ISoU, and she and the Doctor are the parents of
the following family: Frederick E., Clara A.,
Helen, Viola N. , James G. , Edna, and Clara A.
who is deceased. Mrs. Throgmorton is a member
of the Missionary Baptist Church; the Doctor is a
Mason in good standing, and in his political views
is a stanch Republican. He is one of the public-
spirited men of the county, and at all times sup-
ports worthy enterprises, being especially the friend
of education.
W. H. Tipton, blacksmith and farmer of Little
Black Township, Randolph County, Ark., was
born in Boone County, Mo., June 26, 1832, and is
one of nine surviving members of a family of ten
children born to Samuel and Sarah (Lynch) Tipton,
whose native States were Kentucky and Virginia,
respectively. The father removed to Missouri
about 1828, and was a successful farmer of Boone
County for six or seven years, but the most of his
attention was given to the trade of blacksmithing.
In 1837 he moved to Macon County, and settled in
Bloomington, where he worked at l)lacksinithiiig
for several years, and then bought a farm on which
he settled. From 184(5 until the breaking out of
the war he resided in Schuyler County, Mo., but
in the first year of the Rebellion he was taken
prisoner by the Union army, and since that time
no knowledge of him has ever come to the family.
He was a member of the Baptist Church, and his
marriage occurred in 1827. His widow resides in
Iowa, and their children are as follows: W. H. ,
John T. (in Virginia), Samuel (in Iowa), James (in
Nebraska), Harrison (deceased, whose family re-
side in Montana), Elizabeth (the deceased wife of
Ezariah Padgett, of Texas), Mary F. (wife of H.
C. Grimes, a traveling salesman, who resides in
Plattsmouth, Mo.) and Sarah (wife of James Van
Cleve, a farmer). W. H. Tipton started out to
struggle with the world at the age of eighteen
years, and although his early education was neg-
lected he is accounted one of the intelligent and
well-posted men of the county. He first went to
California, where he was engaged in mining three
years, but returned in 1854 via the Gulf of Mexico,
and lauded in New York City. From there he
proceeded to Schuyler County, Mo., and began as-
sisting his father in the blacksmith shop, continu-
ing this until the breaking out of the Rebellion,
when he joined the Confederate army under Capt.
McCullough, but was on detail the most of the
time, being engaged in shoeing horses. After
the close of hostilities he went to Illinois with
Judge J. H. Richardson of this county, and re
mained there until 1866, when he moved to Ran
dolph County and settled in Little Black Town-
ship, where he went to farming and blacksmithing,
and has continued these occupations up to the
present time. He owns 240 acres of land, and has
given two of his sons eighty acres each, besides
much personal property. May 31, 1855. he was
married to Miss Harriet E. Wadsworth, of Illinois,
and their nine childi'en were as follows: three
died in infancy; Mary E., deceased wife of B. J.
Norris, of Texas; Claiborne W., who was acci-
dentally killed, being fatally crushed by a log
while he was working in a saw-mill, his death oc
curring January 30, 1888, in his twenty-fourth
year; S. C, residing in Pocahontas; Robert E. S.,
at home; B. S. and Antoinette. Mr. and Mrs.
Tipton are members of the Baptist Church, and
438
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
be is a member of tbe A. F. & A. M., bis chil-
dren, S. C, B. S. and Antoinette, also being mem-
bers of the Baptist Church. He is a Democrat.
Robert E. S. Tipton was born in Randolph Coun-
ty, Ark., September 26, 1867, and married, No-
vember 8, 1888, Miss Amelia A. Smith, whose
birth occurred in Marshall County, Ky.. December
11. 1867.
John W. Tweedy, farmer, Lima, Ark. To the
the person who closely applies himself to any oc-
cujiation which he has chosen as his calling in life,
there can only come one result — that of success,
and a high place in the esteem of those among
whom he has made his home. And Mr. Tweedy
is no exception to the rule, for it has only been l>y
industry and strict attention to agricultural pur-
suits that he has attained to the position which
he now enjoys. He was born in Virginia Febru-
ary 6. 1 838, and passed his youthful days on the
farm in Randolph County, whither his parents had
moved in 1839. He received a limited education
in the pulilic schools of this county, also in the sub-
scription schools, and at the age of twenty- one
commenced life for himself by engaging in agri-
cultural pursuits on his own land in this county.
He has since continued in the same business, which
has been his life occupation. On the 1st of Au-
gust, 1858, his marriage with Miss Cynthia H.
Stubblefield, of this county, was consummated.
She is the daughter of Coleman Stubblefield, one
of the oldest settlers of Randolph County, who
came here as early as 1802, and was the third
man to settle on Eleven Points; the other two be-
ing Phelau Stubblefield (a brother) and William
Looney (a cousin), who were there but a short
time before him, as all came in the same year from
Tennessee. Mr. and Mrs. Stubblefield reared a
family of children, one of whom died young:
Abraham, deceased, whose family lives in this
county: Nettie, deceased wife OT' Thomas John-
son, who is a farmer, and lives in Lawrence Coun-
tj'. Ark. ; Absalom, deceased, was a farmer, and
resided in this county; Nancy, deceased wife
of Thomas Rioe, a farmer, who lives in this coun-
ty; Elizabeth, widow of W. Spikes, another resi-
dent of this county; Lettie, deceased wife of
William White, who is also a resident of this
county; Robin, deceased at the age of twenty-
seven years; Martha, deceased at the age of twen-
ty-two years, and Redmond, deceased at the age
of twelve years. Before the war Mr. Stubblefield
was a colonel in the State militia: he was a member
of the Masonic fraternity, and he and his wife were
members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Mr.
Stubblefield died in 1849, at about the age of fif-
ty-six years, and Mrs. Stubblefield died in 1862,
at the age of sixty-one years. Mr. and Mrs. John
W. Tweedy were the parents of three children, all
deceased: Martha, died at the age of three months;
Nettie L., wife of Thomas H. Wells, died at the
age of twenty-five years, leaving two children
(John D. and Maud G.), and Laura D., who died
at the age of three years and three months. Mr.
Tweedy served three years in the Confederate
army under Gen. Price, and participated in several
raids made by that general. He was slightly
wounded once by a spent ball, but was only dis
abled for a few days. In 1865, June 5th, he sur-
rendered at Jacksonport, Ark., and then came
home and went immediately to farming. He
owned, at the close of the war, 240 acres of land,
with about forty acres under cultivation. He is
now the owner of 235 acres, with eighty acres
under cultivation, but he gave his daughter (Mrs.
Wells, now deceased), 600 acres at the time of her
marriage. Mr. and Mrs. Tweedy are members of
the Methodist Episcopal Church, and have been so
for a number of years. She was born in 1828.
Mr. Tweedy is a member of the A. F. & A. M. .
and in politics affiliates with the Democratic party.
His parents, Watson D. and Martha E. (Spikes)
Tweedy, were natives, respectively, of Virginia and
Tennessee. The father was reared to farm life in
his native State, and remained there until about
twenty-two years old, when he moved to Tennessee.
Here he was married, and afterward he returned to
Virginia, where he remained until 1839, when he
moved to Randolph County, Ark. There he died
in 1873. He had been twice married, first to Miss
Martha E. Spikes, and by her became the father
of three children, viz. : John W., Joseph (deceased)
and R. A., who lives in this county. Mrs. Tweedy
4
RANDOLPH COUNTY.
489
was born in 1817, and died in 1843. She was a
member of the Methodist Episcopal Chnrch. For
his second wife Mr. Tweedy took Miss Nauey Ras-
berry, of Mississippi, in 1847, and she boi'e him
following children: James (deceased) whoso widow
lives in Jackson County, Ark. ; Watson died at the
age of twenty-one; Jane died at the age of twenty
years; Marion died at the age of nineteen years;
Lee died at the age of eighteen years; Amanda is
the wife of John Coffman, and Mary is the wife of
G. W. Morgan, and has one child. Mrs. Tweedy
died in 1877. She was a member of the Methodist
Episcopal Church. Watson D. Tweedy had but
a limited education, and followed agricultural
jiursuits all his life. He became comfortably
tixed, and his honesty and liberality in all things
won him a host of friends. He was never very
active in politics; he was a consistent member of
the Methodist Episcopal Church.
James M. Vandergriff. who is a prosperous
agricnlturi.st of Eleven Points Township, was born
near where he now lives on the Ist of October,
1848, and is a son of RufSn and Jane (Garrett)
Vandergriff, who were born in North Carolina, in
1N12 and 1814, respectively. They were both
taken by their parents to McCracken County, Ky. ,
in their vouth. and were there reared and married,
coming, in 1844, to Randolph County, Ark., where
the father died January 16, 1879. He (the father)
learned the blacksmith's trade in his youth, and
followed it. in connection with farming, up to the
time of his death. His principles were sound, and
the people showed their appreciation of his efforts
by electing him to the position of justice of the
peace for twelve years. He was a life long Demo-
crat, and served a short time in the Confederate
army. His widow survives him. Jacob Vander-
griff. the paternal grandfather, was of German
descent, was born in Pennsylvania, and died iu
Kentucky. The Garrett family are of Scotch
descent. Nine of their ten children are now liv-
ing; James M. ; Mary E., wife of A. Y. Mcllroy, of
Texas; Jasper P. and Joseph N. , farmers, of Ran-
dolph County; Jacob R., a farmer, of Independence
County, Ark.; Martha J., wife of Mose Lane, a
farmer, of Shannon County, Mo.; Sarah C wife
of R. J. Mcllroy, of this county; Je.sse A., of Erath
County, Tex., and Emma E., wife of Boyd Ellis,
of this county; John W. is deceased. James M.
Vandergriff received his education in Randolph
County, and since twenty years of age has ))een in
business for himself, his attention being given to
the blacksmith's trade as well as farming, carpen-
tering and cabinet making. His enterprises have
met with the desired result, and he now owns a
tract of fertile land amounting to 200 acres. He
is a Democrat, and during 1884 and 1885 he served
as justice of the peace. His marriage was cele-
brated on the 9th of February, 1808, his wife being
a Miss Elizabeth Bryan, a daughter of F. M.
Bryan. She was born in Lincoln County, Tenn. ,
March 14, 1852, and to their union the following
children have been born: Ellar Jacob Milton,
Myrtie, James Burley and Ada E. Mr. and Mrs.
Vandergriff are members of the Missionary Baptist
Church, and he is one of the wideawake and pro-
gressive farmers of the county.
Daniel Wyatt was born in Stewart County,
Tenn., July 29, 1830, and is a son of David and
Jansey Wyatt (maiden name Nickols), who were
natives of the State of Tennessee, the former's
birth occurring in 1804, and the latter, in 1806.
They both died in Randolph County, Ark., the
father November 10, 1857, and the mother July 29,
1858. They were married in Tennessee in 1823,
and in 1833 moved to Cape Girardeau County,
Mo., and in 1837 to Lawrence County, Ark., com-
ing in 1841 to Randolph County. Ark. Both were
members of the Bajrtist Chnrch. and he was a
member of Randolph Lodge No. 71, A. F. & A.
M. , and a Democrat. He worked at the black-
smith trade in connection with farming, and was
successful iu both enterprises. His father, Daniel
Wyatt, was a very early settler of Tennessee, and
was a soldier in the IJevolutionary War, and the
War of 1812, being a participant in the battle of
New Orleans, at which place he died of small-
pox on the 11th day of Fel)ruary, 1815. There
were born to the marriage of David and Jansey
Wyatt ten children, of whom Daniel was the
fourth child; three of the family are now living:
Evaline, wife of Redding Vandergriff, a physician
^f
440
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
and surgeon, and a farmer of Old Round Rock,
Tex. : Daniel, who resides in Randolph County,
Ark., and Albert P., who went to California in
1859, and has been mining in the west since
then. Daniel received his education in Randolph
County, Ark., and worked on his father's farm
until twenty-three years of age, when he located
on the farm where he now lives, then consisting of
eighty acres, to which he has since added 700 acres.
November 10, 1852, he was married to Nancy C
Burrow, a daughter of Jesse Burrow. She was
born in Jackson County, Ala., March 27, 1832,
and died in Randoljih County, Ark., on the 30th
of September, 1868. She bore five children, three
of whom are now living: Leetha C, wife of J.
T. Bennett, a farmer of Cooke County, Tex. ; Ella,
wife of J. W. Knoy, a farmer of Kaufman County,
Tex. , and Marion, a farmer of Randolph County,
Ark." November 10, 1868, was the date of Mr.
Wyatt's second marriage, it being with Bethany J.
rianery, a daughter of John Flanery. She was
born in Arkansas on the 30th of September,
1832, was a member of the Methodist Episcopal
Church, and died on the 25th of July, 1880,
having become the mother of three children:
Marvin, John, and Nancy J., who is now the
wife of Charles H. Tyler, a farmer of Randolph
County, Ark. Mr. Wyatt's third marriage took
place September 23, 1880, his wife being a Mrs.
Ellen A. Chesser (her maiden name was Ellis),
whose birth occurred on December 13, 1842, in
Davidson County, Tenn. They have one child:
Jethro, born May 5, 1881. Mrs. Wyatt is a mem-
ber of the Christian Church, and Mr. Wyatt be-
longs to the Methodist Episcopal Church, South.
In the month of September, 1862, he enlisted in
Capt. Wyatt's company (C), in Col. Shaver's
regiment of infantry. Confederate States army,
and served eighteen months, participating in
many skirmishes. In 1876 he was elected to the
office of justice of the peace, which position he
held for several years, and in 1880 he was elected
county and probate judge of Randolph County.
Ark. . but did not wish to serve longer than one
term. He is a member of Randolph Lodge No.
71, A. F. & A. M., and of the Knights of Honor,
belonging also to the Masonic Mutual Relief Asso-
ciation of Arkansas. He is a Democrat politically.
David R. Weakley, M. D., of Kingsville. has
for the past four years been prominently associated
with the professional interests of Randolph County,
and -is deserving of more than a passing mention
in any history of the same. He was born in Dick-
son County, Tenn., on the 4th of March, 1847, and
was the sixth of eight children, two now living,
born to the marriage of David C. Weakley and Isa-
bella Gleaves, who were born in Robertson and
Dickson Counties, Tenn. , respectively. After their
marriage they moved to Dyer County, Tenn. , in
1858, where the father became a successful agri-
culturist, and although a heavy loser by the war,
he was a well-to-do man at the time of his death,
which occurred in 1873, at the age of .sixty four
years. His wife's death occurred about 1853,
when still a young woman, and he afterward wed-
ded Miss Elizabeth Brigham, who is now residing
in Dyer County, Tenn. He was a Mason and a
Democrat, and he and both his wives were members
of the Cumberland Prestiyterian Church. David R.
Weakley, after attending the common schools in
youth, entered Newbern College, where he received
an excellent education, but left his books in 1863
to enlist in the army, becoming a member of Com-
pany B, Tenth Tennessee Cavalry, in which he
served until the Rebellion was quelled, participat
ing in the battles at Guntown, Miss., and Cold-
water. Desiring to enter professional life, he en-
tered upon the study of medicine under Dr. R. N.
Fryer, of Newbern, and applied himself with ener-
gy and perseverance to his books, and in 1871-72
attended lectures in the Nashville University, grad-
uating in the latter year. He commenced active
practice in Dyer County, Tenn., but a short time
thereafter came to Arkansas, locating in Greene
County, and still later in Clay County, on Blue
Cane Island. His next move was to Oak Bluff, and
after a residence of four years at this {>oint he set-
tled at Knobel Station, on the Iron Mountain Rail-
road, remaining until 1885, since which time he has
been a resident of Kingsville, where he has estab-
lished himself substantially as a prominent member
of the medical profession, and it is conceded that
RANDOLPH COUNTY.
441
he has proven himself one of the skillful practition-
ers of the county. He is a Royal Arcli Mason,
and has served as Master of his lodge. Politically
his views are in accord with the Democratic party,
and in religion lie is a member of the Cumberland
Presbyterian Church. On the 8th of March, l.S7'2,
the Doctor's union with Miss Drusilla Curtis was
celebrated. She was a daughter of Clement and
Sally Curtis, of Crockett County, Tenu., and is also
H member of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church.
Marshall Weaver is a representative of a well-
known family in this county, his parents, Joseph
and Hai'riet E. (Abbott) Weaver, having come here
from the State of Kentucky in ISofi. Their native
States were Tennessee aiyl North Carolina, re-
spectively, in the former of which they were mar-
ried about 1835; they made their home there un-
til about 1842, and from that time until the year
1856 Mr. Weaver resided in Kentucky. After com-
ing to Arkansas, he purchased 3'2() acres of land
at 12f cents per acre, and was engaged in im-
proving this farm until 1862 or 1863, when he sold
out and returned to Kentucky. From there he re-
moved to Butler County, Mo., and at the end of
two years went back to Kentucky, and there died
in 1876, his wife's death having occurred in 1852;
both lie buried at Spring Creek Church, in Graves
County, Ky. They were the parents of nine
children, of whom the following lived to he grown:
John N. , who lives in Missouri; Samuel, who re-
sides in Alabama: Asher, a resident of Missouri;
Marshall, of this county ; Jasper and Joseph, who
died after reaching maturity. After the death of his
first wife, Mr. Weaver wedded Sarah A. Proffit, of
North Carolina, their union taking place in Ken-
tucky, and four of their five children lived to be
grown: A. J., of Kentucky, Thomas J., Louis G.,
also of that State, and George W., who died after
reaching maturity. This wife died in Kentucky,
in 1878, an earnest member of the Christian
Church. Marshall Weaver was born February 25,
1845, and began working for himself at the age of
fourteen years as a farm hand in the State of Ken-
tucky, but removed, in 1862, to Gallatin County,
111. , where he joined the United States Army, two
years later, being a memljer of Company C. Six-
teenth Kentucky Battalion, which was consolidated
with the Twelfth Regiment of Kentucky Cavalry.
He served until the final surrender, and took part
in a number of battles and skirmishes, being one of
the men that followed up Morgan. At Nicholas-
ville, Ky. , he was accidentally shot by a comrade,
the wound being in the left leg, and spent some
time in Camp Nelson hospital; he still suffers
severely from his wound at times. After being
discharged in August, 1865, he returned to Illi-
nois, but only remained a short time, then returned
to Kentucky, and commenced farming and black-
smithing. He was married in Cairo, 111., in 1866,
his wife having been born in Mississippi, December
4, 1850, and to them were born nine children, five
of whom are now living: Eddie A., bora August
21, 1870; Asher, born September 15, 1878; James
L., born May 15, 1881; Robert, born November 4,
1884, and Clara B., born August 21, 1886.
Those deceased are Joseph, Bettie, born April 4,
1874; Samuel and Adir (twins), born December,
25, 1873. Mr. and Mrs. Weaver are members of
the Christian Church, and he is a Republican po-
litically. He is the owner of a fine farm compris-
ing 280 acres, and has about 100 acres under culti-
vation, well improved with good buildings. Mrs.
Weaver is a daughter of William and Diana
(Dobbs) Head, who were the parents of nine chil-
dren, six of whom lived to be grown, and four of
whom are now living: Talitha, wife of Benjamin
Hancock; Bettie, widow of Thomas Hall: Eva, wife
R. King, and Mrs. Weaver. Mr. Head served in
the Confederate army a short time, and died in
1862, in Mississippi. His widow moved to Illinois,
and was married a second time in Cairo. She and
Ml'. Head were members of the Missionary Baptist
Church.
John Wells was born in Washington County,
Mo.. January 4, 1821, but has been a resident of
Randolph County, Ark., since 1821. His parents,
Thomas H. and Barbara (Maybary) Wells, were
born in South Carolina and Virginia in 1796 and
17'J8, and died in Randolph County, Ark., in
1869 and 1866, respectively. They were both
taken to Davidson County, Tenn., by their parents
when young, and there they grew to maturity and
^s r-
^^
442
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
married, shortly after tho latter event moving to
Randolph County, Ark., where they resided until
1820. at that time taking up their abode in Wash-
ington County, Mo. After a short residence here
they became dissatisfied and returned to Arkansas,
where they spent the rest of their days. He
served in the War of 1812, under Jackson and
Coffee, and was at the battle of Coosa. His
youth was spent in learning the tanner's and black-
smith's trades, but he afterward gave up these oc-
cupations to engage in farming, and in this he was
very successful. Politically he was a life-long
Democrat. He and wife became the parents of
fourteen sons and one daughter. Seven sons were
in the Confederate army, serving all through tho
war, and retiu'ned home alive and well. John
Wells spent his youth in learning the tanner's
trade .and attending school, and in connection with
farming he was engaged in tanning up to the
breaking out of the war. He was in the commis-
sary department in 1S63, but afterward joined Capt.
Mitchell's regiment, and was in the battles of Iron-
ton and Lexington, and in numerous skirmishes.
By his I'eadiness to adopt new inventions, and by
industry, he has been remarkably successful, and
now owns 1,100 acres of fertile land, with about
30(l acres under cultivation. July 13, 1848, he
married Harriet Alcorn, who was born on the farm
where Mr. Wells now lives, February 5, 1828, a
daughter of Isham Alcorn. To them were born
nine children: Margaret E. , wife of Shelton White,
a farmer of the county; Susan, wife of James
McLain, of Floyd County, Tex.; Thomas H., a
farmer of this county; Lola M. , wife of Robert
Stubbletield, of this county; Mollie J., wife of
Rufus C. Dalton, of Oregon County, Mo. ; Maud
G. , wife of Frank Ricknian, residing on her
father's farm, and James P. Those deceased are
Maria J. and ^\ illiam M. Mr. and Mrs. Wells
are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church,
South, and he is a Mason and a Democrat.
Thomas H. Wells, though now only thirty-three
years of age, has won an excellent reputation as a
farmer and stock raiser of Randolph County. He
is a native-born resident of this county, his birth
occurring in 1856, and here his boyhood days were
spent in attending the common schools, and in do-
ing farm work. At the age of twenty five years
he was married to Miss Nettie Tweedy, also a na
five of Randolph County, born in 1S63, and their
union was blessed with two children: John D.
and Maude G. Mrs. Wells died May 31, 1888.
After their marriage they located on the farm on
which Mr. Wells is now residing, his land em-
bracing over 541 acres; but the most of his atten
tion has been devoted to raising a good grade of
stock, such as cattle, mules and hogs. He now has
on hand 140 head of cattle, some of which are
well graded, and his annual profits on his stock,
which he fattens and ships, are large. Although
a non-partisan iu his political views, he has always
voted the Democratic ticket, and supports the men
and measures of his party. He is a man posses
sing admirable traits of character, and has taken
a position of more than ordinary prominence in
the material affairs of the county, and the rejjuta
tion which Randolph County is securing as one of
the richest farming and stock counties of the
State is due to such men as our subject. Although
his early educational advantages were somewhat
limited, he has become one of the most intelligent
men of the county, this being in a great measure
acquired by reading and contact with the business
affairs of life. He is a warm friend of education,
and takes an active part in all movements tending
to benefit or encourage school facilities hereabouts.
Henry White, farmer, Davidson Township,
Randolph County, Ark. The subject of this sketch
needs no introduction to the people of Randolph
County, Ark. , for he is one of the most esteemed
and successful agriculturists of the same, and is
one whose honesty and uprightness have never been
questioned. He is a native of this county, his
birth occurring in the year 1841, and is a son of
Howell White, a native of North Carolina. The
elder White came to Arkansas when a young man,
and was here married in 1840 to Miss Elizabeth
Stubblofield, a native of this State. He then
settled on Dry Creek, Davidson Township, entered
land and made himself a home. He remained
there until 1846, when he sold his farm with the
intention of moving to the Lone Star State, but
-71-.
was taken sick and died at the home of his broth-
er-in law, Joseph Stubhlefield. To his marriage
were horn three children, two now living, Henry
and Mary, wife of T. J. Mcllroy. Mrs. White
died within an hour of her husband, and both are
buried in one grave. They were members of the
Presbyterian Church, and he was a Democrat in
politics. Henry White was reared by his uncle,
and received but a meager education in the sub-
scription schools of that section. In 1861 he
joined the Confederate army. Company K, Eighth
Arkansas Infantry, under Capt. Wright, and served
four years, ))articipating in the following battles:
Hhiloh, Perry ville, Murfreesboro, Siege of Corinth,
besides a number of minor engagements. At
Murfreesboro, Tenn., he was wounded above the
knee in both legs, and also received a severe wound
in the shoulder. He was left on the lield two
days and nights before being sent to the hospital,
and after being placed there he was taken pris-
oner. He was sent thence to Nashville, Tenn.,
and was only kept there one month, when he was
removed to Louisville, Ky. Two months later he
was sent to Cedar Point, Va., and exchanged. He
was not able to do service, so he returned home
and remained there until cessation of hostilities, en-
gaged in tilling the soil on rented land. In 1867 he
took a trip through Kansas, Indian Territory and
Texas, and spent a year thus employed. In 1868
he purchased his present property, consisting of
160 acres, at Eleven Points, and has improved
eighty-live acres of this. He raises corn, wheat
and oats, but no cotton. He makes a business of
breeding all kinds of stock, more especially mules.
In 1869 Mr. White married Miss Sarah Barnett,
who died the year of her marriage, and in 1882
he wedded Miss Mary L. Reynolds, of Randolph
County. The result of this union was the birth
of three children: Nora B. , born April 13, 1884;
Eeler, born December 27, 1886, and William G. ,
born October 22, 1887. The second Mrs. White
was bom November 25, 1864, and is the daugh-
ter of J. M. and Minerva (Foster) Reynolds [see
sketch of Dennis M. Reynolds]. Mr. White is a
self-made man, and is counted among the best
farmers of the township. He is a Democrat.
John C. Wisner, dealer in real estate, at Reyno,
Ark. , has been actively engaged in the business of
real estate since 1885. His early education was
acquired in the public schools of Cumberland
County, 111. At the age of seventeen he left his
home to seek his fortune, and came to Randolph
County, Ark. ; was engaged in tilling the soil in
Cherokee, being on Current and Black Rivers until
1885, at which time he commenced the real estate
business and the study of law. He owns 700
acres of land, besides a large amount of live prop-
erty, and has acquired his possessions by good
business ability and energy. In 1870 he was mar-
ried to Miss Sarah Womack, a native of Randolph
County, Ark., and their union has been blessed in
the birth of five children: Nannie, who is a suc-
cessful teacher in the county; James M., John H. ,
Alcie L. and Sula. Mrs. Wisner is a member of
the Christian Church, and he has shown his ap-
proval of secret organizations by becoming a mem
ber of the Masonic order, having been master of
Reyno Lodge No. 417, for the past seven years.
The success he has met with has more than real-
ized his expectations; he has an extensive acquaint-
ance, and enjoys a liberal patronage in his business.
His parents, David T. and Rhoda (Dosier) Wis-
ner, were born in the District of Columbia and
Middle Tennessee, respectively. The father was a
prosperous merchant, and while Illinois was still a
territory he moved there and settled in what was
afterward Cumberland County; in the year 1872 he
located in Madison County, Mo., where he en-
gaged in merchandising and milling until his death,
which occurred the following year, at the age of
seventy-two years. He was a man of sterling
princijsles, and was a citizen who would be wel-
comed in any locality, for he possessed sound judg-
ment, was honest to a fault, and was always
interested in public affairs; his death was a loss to
the community in which he resided, but his good
works will always be remembered. His wife died in
1884, and of the five children born to them, three are
living: Mathias, who died in Illinois; Mary A.,
wife of W. H. Welles, who resides in Illinois;
James \V., now second comptroller of the United
States treasury; O. B. F., who died in his na-
^^
444
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
tive county, at the age of twenty-four years, and
John C.
•Judge A. J. Witt, county judge, Pocahontas,
Ark. Few men have attained the prominence in
Randolph County, in a social as well as a business |
point of view, that has Judge Witt, who is courte-
ous and pleasant in all his relations to the public.
His birth occurred in Weakley, Tenn. , on the 31st
of December. 1855, and he remained in his native
State until twelve years of age, when he came with
his parents to Randolph County, Ark. ^^'hen of a
suitable age, he had been placed in private schools,
where the opportunities afforded were enjoyed to
the best advantage. After finishing his scholastic
training, he engaged in the teacher's profession,
and this continued for twelve months, when he was
appointed deputy sheriff of Randolph County.
At the end of eighteen months, he again returned
to teaching school, so continuing for nine months,
after which he clerked in a store until the fall of
1882, He was then elected sheriff of the county,
and served four years. After this he retired from
public life, and was engaged in tilling the soil for
two years. In ISSS, he was elected county judge,
which office he still tills. Previous to this, on the
14th of November, 1887, he was appointed to the
office of postmaster at Pocahontas, which position
he still holds. For his companion in life, he se-
lected Miss Ida M. Kibler, a native of Cross Coun-
ty, Ark. , and was married to her on the 3d of May,
1883. She is the daughter of William Kibler, a
native of North Carolina. To this union were born
two children. Mary Ethel, at home, and Edith
Gertrude (deceased). Judge Witt is the owner of
420 acres of land and considerable town property.
He has always taken an active part in school work,
and in everything pertaining to the good of the
county. He is a Royal Arch Mason, and a membe?-
of the K. of H. He is the son of Isaac H. and Mary
C. (Shelton) Witt, and grandson of Charles Homer
Witt, a native of East Tennessee, and a farmer by
occupation. Isaac H. Witt was a native of East
Tennessee, and his wife of Weakley County, Tenn.
The maternal grandfather, Jeremiah Shelton, was
a native of the same State, was a tiller of the soil,
and was also a minister in the Baptist Church, be-
ing one of the pioneer preachers. The Witt fam-
ily were among the first settlers of Gibson County,
Tenn. The father of Judge Witt is a minister in
the Missionary Baptist Church, but he has always
carried on farming in connection with his minis-
terial duties. He emigrated to Randolph County
in 1868, and settled in Warm Springs Township,
where he is residing at the present time. He was
one of the first Baptist ministers of this county,
and is still preaching at the present time. The
mother died on the 30th of August, 1888, at the
age of fifty -six years. They reared a family of
eight children. Judge Witt being the eldest. The
remainder are named as follows: Christiana E.,
wife of P. W. Kidd, of Warm Springs Township;
Cora E. , wife of James W. Shaver, of the same
township; Caleb E., now living at Portia, Ark.,
and is a successful M. D. ; Marion J., who died at
the age of seventeen years; I. R. , wife of James
Williams, of Clay County, Ark, ; Lulu S. , a teacher,
residing at home, and William J., at home.
C. W. Woolley is quite an extensive cotton grow-
er of Current River Township, Ark., and was born
in St. Francis County, of the same State, in 1849.
He remained in his native county until 1801, then
came to Randolph County, and soon after moved to
Jackson County where he remained until 1809,
after which he again came to Randolph County,
making his home here three years, taking up his
abode for the following seven years in Boone
Coimty. His next change of residence was to the
Lone Star State, and from there he returned to
St. Francis County, Ark. , a year later. The next
year he again moved to Boone County, and the fol -
lowing year located permanently in Randolph
County, this being in the year 1885. He has an
excellent farm, and his land will average one bale
of cotton to the acre, this being his principal prod-
uct. His views of Arkansas as a stock country are
quite enthusiastic, and he is giving that branch of
farming a great deal of attention at the present
time. Mr. Woolley is not an unreasonable parti-
san, but has always been a Democrat in his politi-
cal views, and he belongs to the A. F. & A. M.
He is a son of J. L. and Serena (Walls) Woolley,
the former of whom was born in Alabama, was a
-7C.
B "V
>'-'sviit--?^?'.^Si" C-'^f^,^'"
S^Y y^yC^t^^y
Osceola,
Mississippi County, Arkansas
MISSISSIPPI COUNTY.
445
farmer by occupation, and died in Boone County.
He was a minister of the Primitive Baptist Church,
and was a soldier in the Confederate army during
the Rebellion. C. W. Woolley, our subject, was
married in Boone County, Ark. , to Miss Arkansas
Barbeo, who was born in Carroll County, Ark., in
1860. They are rearing an adopted child named
Mamie Russell.
>-i~* ■">- * t<-
4-+-
MississiPPi County— Location, Boundary, Topography, Etc.— The Expedition of De Soto Into
Mississippi County — Towns— Settlements by Local Names— Secret Societies— Military
Affairs of the County— The Uprising ok the Colored People— Officers of
the County— Public Buildings- Population — Local Statistics —
County Organization— J. bvies— Schools and Churches
— Selected Biographical Sketches.
" Culture's hand
Has scatter'd verdure o'er the land;
And smiles and fragiance rule serene,
Where barren wild usurp'd the scene."
*HE county of Mississippi,
in Northeast Ai'kansas, is
bounded north by Dunklin
and Pemiscot Counties in
Missouri, east by the Mis-
sissippi River, which sep-
arates it from Dyer, Lau-
derdale and Tipton Counties in
Tennessee, south by Crittenden,
and west by Poin.sett and Craig-
head Counties in Arkansas. It has
an area of about 865 square miles,
including its lake and river beds.
It is watered on the east by the
Mississippi and tributaries empty-
ing therein, on the north central
by Pemiscot Bayou, and on the
west by Big Lake at the northern
extremity of the county; Little River, the out-
let of this lake, and by Tyronza Lake and Bayou.
Besides these there are many other and smaller
lakes. As the county has been subject to over-
flow, its soil is composed of alluvial deposits, has
great depth and is therefore exceedingly fertile.
What is now Mississippi County once formed a
part of Arkansas County, then of Phillips and next
of Crittenden, and was finally erected into a sepa-
rate county by the Territorial legislature Novem
ber 1, 1833.
Its original boundaries extended as far west as
the St. Francis River, and embraced 1,000 square
miles. The first county seat, which was located
Note. — The above early history of Mississippi County
has been furnished b}' the Hon. H. M. McVeigh, of
Osceola, from his manuscript history of the early set-
tlements of Arkansas, a work on wliicli he has been
employing his leisure hours for the last three or four
years. During this lime he hase.\ainined and studied the
original sources of Arkansas history, and personally in-
terviewed all the surviving old settlers with whom he
could get an audience, wriiing down their recollections.
His work was undertaken solely for the purpose of pre-
serving that valuable mat ter which was about to perish
through the death of old settlers and loss of records.
'^
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\
44fi
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
opposite the Chickasaw Bluffs, was called Corn-
wall. This place was on the site of an old Spanish
encampment and has long since disappeared, and
Osceola, the present county seat, was adopted soon
after. The latter was first incorporated January
12, 1843, and again October 4, 1875.
Although this county, from its isolated situa-
tion, and from being cut off from direct communi-
cation with the rest of the State (the sunk lands of
the St. Francis preventing communication with
counties immediately adjoining it), may not be as
well known as others, it nevertheless has a history,
dating as far back as the year 1541. At that
time its present territory was inhabited by races
of people almost civilized, living in walled towns
and cultivating immense fields of Indian corn. Of
course the walls of their towns were made of wood,
and both have long since disappeared; but there re-
main even at this day evidences of the fact that the
countiy was once densely inhabited. The enormous
mounds, the great amount of Indian relics of all
kinds scattered over the surface of the country, such
as arrow and spear heads, pottery, etc., and human
skeletons, which are continually being plowed up,
amply confirm the statements of the historians of
De Soto's ill-starred expedition of the density of
the population of this country. The advent of
De Soto is the real beginning of the history of what
is now the State of Arkansas. The march of this
leader to the Mississippi River was marked by deeds
of unmitigated cruelty and oppression, which can
not be read even at this day without a feeling of
horror and indignation. After seven days' travel
through an uninhabited desert from Alabama, the
expedition came in sight of an immense river, which
is thus described by the " Gentleman of Elvas,"
an eye witness and the historian of the expedition.
"The river," says he, " was almost half a league
broad. If a man stood still on the other side, it
could not be discerned whether he was a man or
not. The river was of great depth and of strong
current; the water was always muddy; there came
floating down continually many trees and timber
which the force of the water swept rapidly toward
its motith."
If the reader is acquainted with the lower Mis-
sissippi, he will have conclusive proof that these
statements are not exaggerated. It stands to the
credit of De Soto that he discovered the Missis-
sippi, but such was a mere undesigned incident of
the main object of his search, namely, wealth, and
to this he could not possibly lay any claim. Per-
haps no idea was more remote from his thoughts
than the credit of having made this discovery.
Seeking for gold, he would perhaps have been bet-
ter pleased had the stream been a thousand miles
out of his line of march, but finding it in his way
he halted his command and went into camp where
the city of Memphis now stands, and at once began
preparations for crossing the river, which was ap-
propriately given the name of Rio Grande. The
work of building flat-boats was commenced, and
for nearly a month his men labored industriously,
plying the axe, saw and hammer with as little fear
as at the same place in our own day, though around
them were the warlike Chickasaws, and on the
Arkansas side, in plain view, thousands of men-
acing Indians.
At last eight scows were finished, furnished with
sails and oars, and bearing crosses. Then loading
their boats, the adventurers fearlessly launched out
into the stream, and bending strongly on their
oars, soon approached the shores of Arkansas, the
people of which curiously noted the advancing fleet,
but contrary to expectation, permitted the flotilla
to land and disembark without a tight.
Ferdinand de Soto, the first governor of Arkan-
sas, and his escort, landed about the latter part of
May, 1541. An overwhelming weight of author-
ity is to the effect that he immediately ascended
the Mississippi. The expedition passed through
the province of Aquixo, which embraced a large
part of what is now Crittenden County.
The Indians had as a rule fled at the approach of
De Soto, though a few were killed and some taken
prisoners. Three days' journey from Aquixo was
the province of Casqui, included within the limits
of what is now Mississippi County. Tyronza Bayou
was crossed on a bridge hastily constructed. Upon
reaching the first town of Casqui many men and
women were captured, and the place plundered.
There was another town a mile and a half away.
The country round about w;is described as high
and dry, though bordering near the river. The
historian speaks of the walnut trees, mulberry and
plum trees, some red, and others of a grayish
color, and that the fruit trees seemed to be planted
iu orchards. The venturesome tourists traveled
two days through this province of Casqui, which
was filled with towns.
At last they came to a large Indian village,
containing more than four hundred dwellings, the
name of which is unknown. Here the Spaniards
were kindly received by the inhabitants.
The Casqui Indians of that day are generally
conceded to be the Kaskaskias. afterward known as i
Illinois Indians. Mr. Bancroft has placed the
village as high as Little Prairie, a short distance
above the Arkansas State line. Mr. Milburn, in
his lecture on De Soto, locates it in the northeastern
corner of Arkansas.
The county seat of Pemiscot County, Mo.,
Caruthersville, is in Little Prairie. Guided by
distances on a map it is about eighty miles on
an air line from Memphis to Little Prairie; it
is really over 100 miles by any traversable land
route on the west side of the river. A command of
foot soldiers encumbered as that of De Soto's evi-
dently was might have a.scended as high as Bar-
field's Point, iu Mississippi County, in five days'
marching, a distance of about eighty-five miles from
Memphis. It is true the country is level, and for-
tunately for De Soto unusually dry at the time of
his expedition, but the surface is in many places
wet and swampy, and everywhere, even to this
day, covered with cane and undergrowth except
where under cultivation. To avoid the dense cane
as much as possible De Soto would have been
obliged to do what is still done by the people of
this country when traveling up and down the
river by land — kee]) as near the banks as possible;
and in following this course Barfield might have
lieen reached in five days; otherwise numerous nat-
ural hindrances might have occurred.
It must 1)(> borne in mind that in identifying
the places visited by De Soto, in the limits of what
is now Mississippi County, it is not possible to pre-
tend to mathematical exactness. That the province
of Casqui was partly, if not wholly, in Mississippi
County, is fixed beyond doubt, and it seems clear
that the first large town reached, in May, 1541.
was at, or near what is now known as Barfield
Point. Here, and in the surrounding country,
the relics of bygone ages speak distinctly of a
large and prosperous community. Here archaeol-
ogy throws its light upon the narrative of the
Portuguese eye-witness of De Soto's expedition.
Here, within the memory of living men of to-
day, once stood immense mounds, encircled by
trenches, but which have within the last forty
/years caved into the Mississippi River. On the
A largest of one of these an old settler by the
name of Buford had erected his house, with a
garden.
For many years hundreds of human skeletons
have been lost in the Mississippi at this point,
and a short distance south, in building the State
levees, human skeletons were constantly being
disinterred by the workmen.
Within the memory of living inhabitants, this
country was high, dry and less alluvial than it is
now. The clearing up of the country lying on the
tributaries of the Mississippi above, the caving of
the banks, and the New Madrid earthquake of 1812
have changed it into an overflowed country. Tra-
dition handed down by the early settlers tells that
formerly this country was little subject to inun-
dation. This is confirmed by the large mounds
still existing intact, in the overflowed and unin
habited parts of the county.
After recruiting themselves two days at this
village of Casqui, De Soto's Spaniards proceeded
to the chief town of this people and residence of
the Cacique, or chief of the province, which ap-
pears to have been situated in the same neighbor
hood, or, as is believed, near Blythesville in the
comitry known as Chickasawba, about fifteen miles
west of Barfield, on Pemiscot Bayou. The latter
is an arm of the Mississippi — a broad, beautiful
sheet of water.
This is still a high, dry body of land, now in-
habited by about 2, 500 industrious, thrifty people.
Near the bayou, and a short distance from Blythes-
ville, is an enormous artificial mound.
^
I
^
9 w.
448
HISTORY OF AEKA^AS.
There are uo hills iu the river bottom below
Cape Girardeau, and if, as is highly probable, Chick-
asawba was the locality where the town of Casqui,
chief of the Casquins was situated, it was on the
mound just mentioned where De Soto erected his
great cross fifty feet in hight. As a circumstance
tending to confirm this view, Mr. Joseph Fassit,
an old citizen of the county, states that a large
wooden beam was taken from that mound a few
years before the late war. Remembering that the
region now being described was undoubtedly vis-
ited by Do Soto; that Bancroft, the most painstak-
ing of American historians, locates the site of these
towns in about the same region; and that William
Henry Milburn fixes them in the northeast corner
of Arkansas, one will be better able to judge the
facts here stated.
The Spaniards were received at this town in a
very handsome manner. The Cacique, attended
by a large retinue personally, gave them a formal
welcome, and then conducted them into the town,
where they were provided with good quarters and
a supply of food.
It was now about the beginning of June, and
besides excessive heat the inhabitants had been
afflicted by a long drought which threatened to
cut off the crops. They were an agricultural peo-
ple, just as their successors of to-day, and those
living there at this time have annual frights on
the subject of droughts at about the same per-
iod of the year. The church at Blythesville has
often been vocal with prayers and supplications for
rain, about the 1st of June. The chief, seeing the
kind of men the Spaniards were, concluded that
their God must be greater than his, and asked
De Soto to petition for rain, that the crops might
be saved. The Indians had been continually en-
gaged in prayers and incantations, but heaven
seemed deaf to their entreaties. De Soto agreeing
to their request, the great cross was erected upon
a high mound, and the Indians assembled around
it in vast numbers, silently and reverently gazinor
on the sacred symbol. Spaniards and Indians, to
the number of two thousand, gathered and knelt
around the cross, and amid the forest the sublime
strains of te deum laudamus broke the stillness
of that hot, dry day in June, 1541. Though not
the kind of services to which the good people of
this section are now accustomed, it was Christian
worship, and is s-trongly suggestive of Sunday, and
the religious exercises peculiar to that day.
A knowledge of the locality, the highlands of
Chickasawba, and the great mound and the broad
sheet of water to the north, brings this scene of
Spanish soldiers and hospitable Indians, congregat
ed together 348 years ago, like a picture to the
mind. Soon they were breaking up and dispersing
; from their religious assembly, Spaniards and In-
dians mingling together conversing by signs, Indian
maidens and children shyly looking at the splendid
specimens of Spanish manhood, in their helmets,
breast plates and arms glittering in the sun, as
they sauntered in groups through the town. No
doubt there could be seen the thoughtful, uneasy
looks of the old men and women of the tribe, feel-
ing instinctively the far reaching effects that must
follow this armed invasion by a superior race from
beyond the sea. The Cacique presented two blind
men to De Soto, and asked him, nothing doubting,
to restore them to sight, from which circumstance
can accurately be inferred what the natives actually
I thoiight of the bold cavalier, mistaking him doubt-
less for something little, if any thing, below a god.
De Soto caused another cross to be made and set
up in the highest part of the town, and then pro-
j ceeded to explain to the savages, the mysteries of
the Christian religion. It is stated that a plentiful
shower of rain soon blessed the parched fields of
: these Indians.
From the town of Casqui the Spaniards advanc
ed to Paeaha, but a day's march, and the limit of
I the journey northward. Here, on June 19, 1541,
De Soto and his men found the chief town situated
on a lake, with a stream of water flowing through
it, and into the Mississippi. "He lodged." says
the Portuguese narrator, ' ' in the town where the
Cacique used to reside, which was one great, walled,
and beset with towers, many loop-holes being in
the towers and walls. In the town was a great
store of old maize, and quantities of new in the
fields, while within a league and a half were great
towns all walled. Where the governor was lodged
^A
MISSISSIPPI COUNTY.
449
was iin extensive lake, that came nearly to the walls,
entering into a ditch which went round about the
town, and wanting but little to completely environ
it. From the lake to the great river was made a
weir, by which the fish came into it, and these the
Cacique kept for his recreation and sport. With
nets that were found in the town all took as they
would, and no matter what was taken, no want was
perceived. There was also a large supply of fish
in many other lakes thereabout. ' '
Let it be remembered that this region of
country abounds in lakes, and that, on the map
attached to Part II, of the Historical Collections
of Louisiana, drawn and printed at an early period
during the last century, Big Lake, on the borders
of Mississippi County, Ark. , and Dunklin County,
Mo., are marked as the extreme northern limit of
De Soto's expedition; thus the reader will have
some solid reasons to believe that the movements
of De Soto in 1541, in this county, have been
properly traced. The coimtry in and around Big
Lake, or Mich-i-gam-ias, its Indian name, in the
seventeenth and eighteenth centuries, still bears
upon its surface traces of a wide but now extinct
population; and precisely such a ditch as described
by the Portuguese narrator can now be traced near
the home of Mr. Sam Hector, of Big Lake.
There is no doubt that the lake spoken of in the
extract just quoted, is other than Big Lake, the
ancient Mich- i gam- ias of the early French explor-
ers. It would be tedious to give a detailed de-
scription of this locality and of the conduct of the
Spanish brigands under De Soto during their forty
days' stay at this place.
After robbing and plundering the unhappy peo-
ple of Pacaha, or Big Lake, they proceeded in a
southwesterly' course, in search of a land called
Colgoa, where gold was reported to be plenty.
After the remnants of the ill-starred expe-
dition had effected their escape from the limits
of the present State of Arkansas, the aborigines
were left to their own devices, without making even
a passing acquaintance with a single European of
whom there is in any account, until in June, 1073,
130 years after the Spanish rule, they were visited
))y a small party of French, led by one of the
noblest and most self-sacrificing men that ever
blessed by his presence, example and teachings any
people — Father James Marcjuette, the first ex-
plorer of the Mississippi.
The first village visited by Marquette in the
limits of the State, was that of the Mich-i-gam ias.
This was, it is thought, located at or near Barfield
Point.
On the autograph map of Father Marquette,
on which he delineates the Mississippi as far as he
explored it (extending no farther than the village
of Arkansa), this village is placed at about the
same distance below the mouth of the Ohio, that
the Ohio is placed below the mouth of the Mis-
souri. In his narrative ho says ho found the Ohio
about forty leagues below the mouth of the Mis
souri. If the distance by the river was measured
he was much mistaken, for it is 194 miles. If by
an air line he was about correct, it being some 120
miles, or forty leagues. On an air line from the
mouth of the Ohio to Osceola is about 100 miles;
by the river, 160. Marquette, it must be recol-
lected, did not know but judged the distance from
his knowledge and experience in such matters, and
of course could not be very exact. The village of
Michigamias was about ten leagues above Arkan-
sa, which latter was on the east side of the river.
In a foot note to Marquette's account of the for-
mer place, the writer on the authority of Charle-
voix states that the Michigamia dwelt on a lake,
not far from the St. Francis River. Big Lake
is within fifteen miles of the St. Francis River,
and on the ancient French map, already referred
to, it is called Lac Michagamias. The same lake
is mentioned by Smyth in his tour down the Mis-
sissippi, in 1774, as Michagamias lake or river.
Marquette on his map marks this village on the
west bank of the Mississippi, but shows another
settlement immediately back from the river, with
the same name, and about eighteen miles west from
the village on the river. It is therefore concluded
that Big Lake was the main settlement, and that
the village on the river was a settlement of the
same people.
In 1082, when La Salle came down, Arkansa
was on the west bank. Marquette does not speak of
/
» "V
<5 Ji^
450
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
a single river below the Ohio, though if he had
passed the St. Francis or White Rivers, or seen or
heard of the Arkansas, or had passed the Chicka-
saw Bluffs, he would have been almost certain to
have mentioned or marked them on his maps.
Marquette learned from the Indians that the Mis-
sissippi emptied into the Gulf of Mexico; such
however was his strict veracity, that he would not
extend on his map the line marking the river a
mile beyond what he had seen with his own eyes.
As with his intelligence and learning he would not
have passed a mighty stream like the Arkansas
without seeing it, especially if the village of Ar-
kansa, as has been assumed, was located at or near
its mouth, he could not have traveled the distance
between the mouth of the Ohio and that of the Ar-
kansas and then made the mistake of putting the
Arkansa village the same distance below the Ohio,
that he put the Ohio below the Missouri.
. Marquette, after preaching the gospel to the
Indians in this county, on the 17th of July of the
same year, tCZS, bade them an affectionate farewell,
and returned to the French settlement in Illinois.
The report that he carried off his discoveries
resulted in the expedition of La Salle and his faith-
ful lieutenant, Henry De Tonti.
La Salle, under the orders of Gov. Frontenac,
fitted out an expedition consisting of some fifty odd
French and Indians, proceeded to explore the Mis-
sissippi to its mouth, and to take possession of the
entire country in the name of the French king.
On the 24th of February, 1682, he with his
command threw up a fort and built a cabin, on the
first Chickasaw Bluff, the present Fort Pillow, to
which he gave the name of Prudhomme, after Peter
Prudhomme, one of his men. who, after being lost
eleven days while hunting, at length came up in a
half starved condition and rejoined his comrades
at this fort, where La Salle was awaiting him.
Here La Salle erected on the bluff a great cross,
and the arms of France, and took possession of the
country in the name of his king. This fort was
known to the French inhabitants of Louisiana as
late as 1825 as Fort Prudhomme. These men must
have hunted all over the present area of Mississippi
County.
During the eighteenth centurj- there is little or
no information to give of occurrences in this local
ity. In the spring of 1722 the French historian,
Charlevoix, passed down the Mississippi, stopped
for a while in this country, and visited the Indians.
Catholic missionaries and French trappers and
traders constantly visited the country from the post
on Arkansas River and carried on a lively trade
with the Indians. And here and there, there may
have been a cabin home in the wilderness, but no
permanent settlements of any kind were made.
In 1785 the Spanish governor at New Orleans
sent an officer and a company of men to New Mad-
rid to take command of this section of country,
which was included in his military district. The
main business of this officer was to rigorously en-
force the Spanish revenue laws, in exacting trib-
ute from all American boats descending the Missis
sippi. *
In the country called Canadian Reach, of which
Barfield Point is the center, a few French and
Spanish traders carried on a lively trade with the
Indians from the back country. There is no
knowledge of a single clearing for farming pur-
poses owned by a white man in this country dur
ing the last century.
At the time of the cession of Louisiana l)y
France to the United States, in 1803, the country
between the mouth of the St. Francis and the town
of Cape Girardeau was occupied by remnants
of the Delawares, Shawnees, Miamis, Cherokees
and Chickasaws, in all about 500 families. These
Indians often attacked boats descending the river,
plundering them and even committing murders f
The Indian population of Mississippi County was
located about Barfield, ChickasawVia, Big Lake,
Little River and Shawnee Village, generally the
same places where the white settlements were first
made.
* Mississippi County was included in the New Mad-
rid district until 1709. In that jear New Madrid was at-
tached to U]iper Loviisiaiia. now the Slate of Missouri,
and Mississippi County fell to the jurisdiction of the
Spanish commaudant. Don Carlos de Villemont. at Arlian-
sas Post, then a town of about l-")0 inhabitants, and pro-
tected by a garrison of Spanish soldiers. The inhahi-
tants were French-C'anadians. — II. M. McVeigh.
f Martin's History of Louisiana.
~5i> ')»
T
MISSISSIPPI COUNTY.
+51
The first two white settlors in this county, of
whom there is any knowledge, were a man named
Carsons and William Kelhims; they were hunters,
and lived and hunted peaceably with the Indians.
Carsons' Lake Township and Kellums' Ridge took
their names from these men, who were here as
early as 1812, at which time the country was vis-
ited by the great earthquakes, generally known as
the Now Madrid earthquakes.
An Arkansas journal published soon after this
event gives the following account of how the In-
dians sought to avert the danger of the shocks by
reviving an almost obsolete religious rite among
the aborigines, in imploring the Great Spirit to
avert his wrath. These Indians lived in the coun-
try now known as Mi8sissij)pi County.
"After a general hunt had taken place to kill
deer enough for the undertaking, a small hut was
built to represent a temple or place for offering
sacrifice. The ceremony was introduced by a pre-
paratory cleansing of the body and face. After
neatly skinning their deer, thej' suspended them
by the fore feet so that the head might be directed
toward the heavens before the temple, as an offer-
ing to the Great Spirit. In this attitude they re-
mained for three days, which interval was devoted
to such penance as consisted in absolute fasting,
at night lying on the back on fresh deer skins,
turning their thoughts exclusively upon the happy
prospect of immediate protection that they might
conceive dreams to that effect — the only medium
of intercourse between them and the Great Spirit
— and lastly, gravely and with much apparent
piety, imploring the attention of the Great Spirit
to their helpless and distressed condition, acknowl-
edging their absolute dependence on him, entreat-
ing his regard for their wives aad children, declar-
ing the fatal consequences that must ensue by
withholding his notice, namely, the loss of their
wives and children, and their total disability to
master their game, arising from their constant
dread of his anger: concluded in the full assurance
of asserting that their prayers were heard. Their
object was accomplished by a cessation of terrors,
and game becoming again ])lentiful and easily
overcome. On the lapse of three days thus dedi-
cated, believing themselves forgiven for every un-
! warrantable act of which they were sensible, and
that the offering was accepted, they finally began
with a mutual relation of their respective dreams,
and the scene is changed to joy and congratulation.
by proceeding ravenously to devour a sacrificed
deer to allay their fast."
Chickasawba, Shawnee Village and Tyronza
Bayou are localities bearing Indian names. As
early as 1828 the principal white men living in
I in this county were the three Brackens, father and
! two sons; John Troy, county judge from 1836 to
1838, and for whom Troy Township is named;
Thomas J. Mills, the first representative after the
county was formed in 1833; Edwin Jones, the
first county judge; J. W. Whitworth, its first clerk;
E. F. Loyd, first sheriff; S. McLung, coroner, and
G. C. Barfield, its first county surveyor, after
whom Barfield Point takes its name (Mr. Bar-
field was a member of the Territorial council from
j Crittenden, when Mississippi formed a part of
Crittenden County, in 1827); John C. Bowen, who
was sheriff from 1836 to 1848; James Williams,
or "Cedar Jim," as he was called, on account of
his physical endurance; Elijah Buford, from whom
Buford's Lake takes its name, and Peter G. Reeves,
a once noted hunter These were here before 1828,
and with the exception of Carsons and Kellums
were the earliest white people in this county of
whom there is now any account. Judge Charles
Bowen, who resided in that locality at that time,
still survives, a hale, hearty, vigorous old man. full
of years and of honors, having been sheriff of
the county for sixteen years, a brave officer in the
late war, a member of the constitutional conven
tion of 1874, and county judge in 1877-78.
After hunting and trapping, the principal oc-
cupation of the early pioneers was chopping and
selling cord-wood to the steamboats. The advent
of the little stern- wheel steamboat, "Orleans," in
the winter of 1812, sailing from Pittsburg to New
Orleans, was the herald of the Anglo Saxon popu
lation to Arkansas. The boat created a demand
for cord-wood, which was supplied by the first
settlers. They were hardy, industrious, honest
men. and soon had their cabins on the river, sur-
L^
452
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
rounded by little clearings that gradually ex-
panded into plantations. Joseph Hearn, who
came to this county in 1834, says that from the
lower end of this county to Mill Bayou there were
not more than half a dozen clearings, all on the
river. He knew of no one living in what are now
the back settlements. A man named Hudgens
lived where Osceola now stands, and a little above
him on the river was Thomas J. Mills, the first
representative. A Mr. Penny settled on what was
afterward Col. Elliot H. Fletcher's plantation, now
Fletcher's Landing, on Mill Bayou.
Col. William L. Ward, representative in 1844-
45, was living in Canadian Reach, and had been
there for many years. Mr. Riley Hearn, brother
of Joseph, speaks of the Indians who lived on Big
Lake; he remembers Big Knife, Keshottee and
Corn Meal. There were some fifteen or twenty
livincr on Big Lake in his recollection.
The Indians in later years remained on Big
Lake, Chickasawba and Little River. These set-
tlements are still the frontiers of the wild hunting
grounds of the sunk lands of the St. Francis.
As late as 1861 Indians of different tribes con-
tinued to linger in and around Chickasawba settle-
ment, which takes its name from Chickasawba, an
old Indian chief, well lemembered by the pioneers
of this county, and especially by the venerable
Judge Charles Bowen, who has seen him carry-
ing wild honey in a skin flung across his back,
tramping to Barfield to sell it. Judge Bowen says
there were about forty Indian families living in
the neighborhood of Chickasawba as late as 1830.
The.se Indians would occasionally cultivate a little
corn and a few vegetables, but depended mainly
on fishing, hunting and trapping for a living. The
Judge is authority for the statement that the great
mound at Barfield has caved into the river in the
past forty-five years. Here he has seen the un-
mistakable remains of an ancient fort. The land
in this vicinity and below for four or five miles
was open, free from cane, and known as prairie.
On a tree about si.x miles from Barfield he remem-
bers seeing a hand carved in the wood, well exe-
cuted, and pointing directly the way to Barfield;
it was supposed to be an Indian device indicating
the way to the Indian village at the mound and
fort. In 1815 the famous Lorenzo Dow passed by
this country on a government boat. He claimed
that this country was inhabited by Indians, and
white people degenerated to their level.
Mr. Sam Hector, a truthful, upright citizen of
Big Lake, who is proud of his Indian blood, lived
in 1833 at an Indian village called Chil-i-ta-caw.
the site of Kennett, Dunklin County, Mo., not far
from Big Lake.
When he settled on this lake in 1837 the
Indians occupied the country, chief among whom
were Corn Meal, John East, Moonshine, John Big
Knife and Chuck-alee. The latter killed an
Indian named Keshottee on an island in Little
River, still known as Keshottee' s Island. He
thinks the Indians gave the name to the Bayou
now called Tyronza. Corn Meal told Mr. Hector
there had been an Indian town on his (Mr.
Hector's) place, and several along the banks of
Little River. Where these villages were said to
have been located he has often seen apple and
peach trees growing in the woods. About the
year 1830, an Indian named Little George killed
a Mrs. Burns near Jackson, Mo. The Indian was
supposed to have been hired by some one inter-
ested in an estate, of which the lady was an heir.
He came to her house and asked for provisions, re-
ceiving the best she had, and when she turned from
him, he thrust a large knife to her heart, causing
instant death. The assailant immediately fled.
The whites proclaimed that they would extermi-
nate the entire Indian population if, within a cer-
tain number of days. Little George was not pro-
duced, dead or alive. The Indians knew the whites
were in earnest; they made diligent search, and at
last came up with him near the foot of Buffalo Is-
land in Mississippi County. As he was attempt-
ing to escape, Corn Meal and Keshottee. fired upon
him, and he fell; and then before he was dead,
they cut off his head, and one of them, on a fleet
horse, boro it night and day to the whites at Jack-
son, and flung it down in their midst. Thus, the
threatened extermination was prevented. *
In and around Mr. Hector's place on Big Lake
*Mr. McVei{?h's narrative ends here.
'C s
ih^
MISSISSIPPI COUNTY.
453
pieces of pottery and brick ware are often plowed
up. The same material is found all along the
banks of Little River, and there are everywhere
through this part of Mississippi County relics of a
once dense population, which no doubt was that
now known as Mound Builders.
There are no towns in Mississippi County that
can properly be so-called except O.sceola, the coun-
ty seat, and this pleasantly situated village, with
a population at the present time of nearly 1,()0(),
is located on the Mississippi River, al)out midway
between the northern and southern limits of the
county. It was one of the earliest settlements in
this territory, but e.\isted for many years as a small
collection of huts on the river bank. About 1840
J. W. DeWitt was postmaster, when he kept the
affairs of his office and the mails in a cracker box,
each patron helping himself. Mr. DeWitt was
also the first school teacher in this county, hav-
ing his school at a point near the northern limits
of Osceola.
The first municipal election in the jjlace was
held November 20, 1875, and resulted in the choice
of the following officers: Leon Roussan, mayor;
John O. Blackwood, recorder; Alex. Goodrich,
Berry Henwood, B. F. Jones, Daniel Matthews,
F. M. Petty, aldermen.
On November 24 the council appointed W. M.
Speed, marshal: J. W. Clapp, treasurer.
At the date of incorporation of Osceola it con-
tained a population of aliout 250 people and some
half dozen business houses. The business inter-
ests at present are represented by the following
firms and business men: Physicians — H. C. Dun-
avant, R. C. Prewitt, W. D. Jones, J. E. Felts;
lawyers -H. M. McVeigh, Hugh McVeigh, G.
\V. Thomason, S. S. Semmes; general stores —
James Liston, N. L. Avery & Co.. J. K. P. Hale,
L. A. Morris. A. Goodrich. G. R. Brickey &
Bro. , Simon & Co.; druggists —Charles H. Gay-
lord, Ben H. Bacchus; saddlery and harness — N.
G. Cartwright; liverj'men — Borum & Bro., T. N.
Tucker; blacksmith and wagon-maker — Mack Mur-
ry; saloons -C. O. Faber, B. F. Butler, Buck
Hall, James Perry; jeweler — Charles Jewell; pub-
lisher—Leon Roussan, proprietor of the Osceola
Times; shoemaker — Ilobei't Geotz; hotel — Plant-
ers' House, Mrs. Summers, proprietress.
Osceola is in the midst of one of the finest
farming regions in the State; broad and fertile
acres stretching north, south and west, with over
10,000 acres under a high state of cultivation.
The productiveness of these lands is noted, and
the farms are well supplied with improvements.
Society is of a higher order than is usually found
in a town of this size, and many of its citizens are
college graduates. Under these favorable condi-
tions the county seat of Mississippi may well be
pointed to with pride, as here are centered refine-
ment, culture, education and taste.
Its thrifty Inisiness men, taking advantage of
its commercial opportunities, have built up a large
and constantly growing trade, so that it now ranks
second in commercial importance among the towns
on the Mississippi River between Cairo and Mem-
phis.
New stores and dwellings are constantly being
erected, and with good or even fair crops the pres-
ent promised prosperity will more than be secured.
Osceola has a good school, four church organ-
izations, and several secret societies.
Blythesville, a village of about 200 population,
is situated in Chickasawba Township, and in the
center of what is known as Chickasawba settle
ment. The first postoffice was established in 1870
with H. T. Blythe as po.stmaster. The business
interests are represented at the present time by the
following firms and business men: General stores —
L. W. Gosnell & Co., N. L. Avery & Co., H. C.
Davis & Bro. ; groceries and provisions — J. M. E.
Si.sk; Z. T. Williams & Co., W. P. Adkins; di-ug
stores— Dr. J. T. Jones, W. H. Oglesby: physi-
cians—J. T. Jones, W. H. Oglesby, E. D. Rhea,
J. N. Mize; blacksmiths — A. J. Bishop, B. V.
Flemens; carpenters — R. N. Ornaby & Co., Eison
& Co. ; cotton gin, saw and grist mill — H. T.
Blythe; postmaster — H. T. Blythe; justices J. H.
Scruggs, A. J. Moody.
Since the organization of Blythesville, in 1878,
it has been rapidly advancing and is now the sec-
ond largest village in Mississippi County. It is
surrounded by a beautiful country, fertile and pro-
*$J
la v_
454
HISTOKY OF ARKANSAS.
ductive, with about 4,500 acres under cultivation;
some 1,800 acres in this community are never
overflowed in any ordinary flood. The woods are
tilled with valuable timber, and only await mills
and transportation to become the source of great
wealth. The open land in this section is under a
high state of cultivation, while thousands of acres
still in the timber, now available to settlers, are
unsurpassed in the State.
The people of the township are intelligent and
enterprising, and will extend a cordial welcome to
settlers from any part of the United States, pos-
sessing similar traits of character.
In the settlement known as Cooktown is one
of the largest Indian mounds in this county ; it has
long been known that in this vicinity was an im-
mense Indian population in former times, and in-
deed, Indians have been located here within the
memory of living men. Many curiosities and relics
have been unearthed, and as the mound stands in
the center of cultivated fields, it is easily accessible
to visitors, to whom it is always an object of inter-
est and wonder.
Hickman Bend, a section of river front extend-
ing from about three miles above Barfield to the
northern border of Mississippi County, is one of
the most desirable sections hereabouts. There
are about 1,300 acres of land under cultivation,
and the bend is being rapidly opened and im-
proved. The shipping point at Brolaski has a
store and postoiiice, which give the people a con-
venient outlet. Too much can hardly be said in
praise of this magnificent country, as its product-
iveness is proverbial, a bale of cotton to the acre
being a small average yield. Settlement is great-
ly desired, one planter stating that he would gladly
welcome fifty families, and provide good accommo-
dations for them all. This bend and the townshij)
in which it is located take their names fi'om Dr.
Hickman, an old pioneer who settled at an early
day, and who is still remembered for his ster-
ling qualities, his tender-hearted kindness and gen-
erosity.
Barfield, the most extensive business point in
the northern part of Mississippi County, is located
in Canadian Township, on the river front. It is
' surrounded by a fertile country, with some 1,200
acres under cultivation. It has two stores, and
landings, and in the vicinity there are three saw-
mills. The lumber business of this county is in
its infancy, but the success and prosperity of these
mills assure the development of great wealth from
surrounding valuable timber in the near future.
The mail for these river points is carried by
boats, and Barfield has a mail daily.
Elmot is a postoffice five miles above Osceola,
in Fletcher Township. It is the outlet for an ex-
cellent country, which is being rapidly improved
and settled. The Government has been making
extensive improvement along the river fi'om and
in the channel below, and this has given Elmot a
rapid rise. The open land in this section is a con-
tinuation of the Osceola settlement, extending along
the river in unbroken fields of the choicest land for
nearly ten miles. Within a short distance on the
river front are three stores and several landinsfs,
which have local names. Ed. Williams, proprietor
of a general store, is also postmaster of Elmot.
Nodena, a postoffice kept by Maj. Ferguson, is
situated twelve miles below Osceola, on the river
front. It consists of the plantations of Maj. Fer-
guson and Col. Craighead, which places rank
among the finest in the county, having about
2,0U0 acres under a high state of cultivation.
Golden Lake, which also includes Idaho Land-
ing, is located eight miles above the county line.
Here the postoffice is kept by J. W. Rhodes. Mr.
Rhodes established this landing in 1883, the orig-
inal landing, Crowell, on which he had resided
since the year 1878, having been washed away.
This place is the outlet of the Frenchman's Bayou
settlement; fi'om that source it derives a large
trade.
At both landings there are about 500 acres
under cultivation, the places containing three
general stores, three cotton gins and one saw-mill.
From this point there is a tramway to a saw mill,
five miles inland, owned by R. E. Lee Wilson,
which ships large quantities of lumber annually.
Pecan Point, situated in the extreme south-
eastern part of Mississippi County, on the river
front, embraces a rich and fertile tract of land,
MISSISSIPPI COUNTY.
455
vvitli iibnut 2,000 acres uuder cultivation. It oc-
cupies a commanding position on a point, and is
one of the most beautiful places on the river
front.
It WHS originally settled and brought under a
state of cultivation by Felix Grundy, Jacob Mc-
Gavock and J. M. Bass, all of Nashville, Tenn.
The business and postotfice are conducted at the
present time by K. W. Friend, who has been
located here a long time. He enjoys a lucrative
trade, and owns a large proportion of the culti-
vated land.
Frenchman's Bayou, in the southern part of
the county, about twenty-tive miles southwest of
Osceola, is a most attractive stretch of country, ex-
tending for about six miles, and embracing an area
of 3,500 acres, under a high state of cultivation.
This locality is noted for its general condition of
improvement, many of its buildings being in ad-
vance of other sections of the county. The laud
has long been noted for its fertility, and the
annual crops here show in an indisputable manner
the wonderful growing qualities of the soil. The
people are courteous, cultivated and enterprising,
welcoming all industries that promise to contribute
to the general good. The neighboring wood-lands
are tilled with valuable timber, only awaiting trans-
portation and the saw-mill to become sources of
wealth.
Along the bayou there are live general stores,
conducted by T. B. Jones, W. H. Pullen (also
postmaster). Ward & Jones, F. Musick, Adams &
Co., and one drug store, by Dr. J. C. Joyner. A
school, church, a Masonic lodge (Frenchman's
Bayou No. 157), and McGavock Lodge No. 2,754,
Knights of Honor, are also here.
Secret societies seem to occupy public attention
quite as well in Mississippi County as elsewhere in
the State. The following lodges are among the
representatives of numcu-ous fraternities and orders :
Kallorama Lodge No. 990, Knights and Ladies
of Honor, of Osceola, was organized January 29,
1885, with the following charter members; S. S.
Semmes, Mrs. F. M. Semmos, Mrs. O. J. Hale,
H. L. Kline, Mrs. I. H. Kline, A. J. Nolty, Mrs.
Amelia Nolty, D. A. Richardson. Mrs. M. E.
Richardson, Mrs. L. A. Wynne, Mrs. J. A. Wood,
P. B. Sexton, G. F. Stowell, Mrs. M. A. Stowell,
Robert Dona, W. B. Haskins, G. A. Bolick, J. O.
Blackwood, T. N. Tucker, Mrs. T. F. Tucker, C.
H. Gaylord, B. O. Harrison, Mrs. Eloize Harrison,
Mis. S. B. Blackwood, G. L. Gould, E. M. Ayers,
Mrs. S. F. McVeigh, W. D. Jones, Mrs. Lizzie
Conley. This association is a mutual beneficial in-
surance company, and its object is to promote social
intercourse among its members. The present mem-
bership is thirty-two, with the following officers:
S. S. Semmes, P. P. ; Mrs. F. M Semmes, P. ; Mrs.
M. G. Morris, V. P. ; Mrs Lizzie Clure, C. ; C. H.
Gaylord, S. and F. S. ; N. L. Avery, Treas. ; Mrs.
L. A. Wynne, guard.; Mrs. M. F. Avery, guide;
Mrs. S. B. Price, sentinel; Mrs. O. J. Hale, S.
S. Semmes, N. L. Avery, trustees; H. C. Duna-
vant, medical examiner.
Monroe Lodge No. 2,167, Knights of Honor,
of Osceola, was organized April 6, ISSO, with the
following charter members : J. O. Blackwood, John
Mathews, John B. Driver, D. H. Lawrence, T. C.
Edrington, W. M. Dunkin, J. W. Pennell, W. J.
Bowen, H. C. Dunavaut, C. H. Gaylord, G. R.
Brickey, John Waller, T. A. Blackwood, J. L.
Edrington, W. S. Hayes, F. B. Hale, A. Good-
rich, W. F. Williams, G. F. Stowell, F. M.Tucker,
Ed. H. Mathes.
The object of this association is the same as that
of the Knights and Ladies of Honor. It has a pres-
ent membership of twenty-seven, and is presided
over by the following officers: A. Goodrich, D. ; S.
S. Semmes, V. D. ; W. P. Hale, A. D. ; R. Gootz,
C. ; C. H. Gaylord, R. and F. R. ; G. R. Brickey,
treasurer; D. Lawrence, guide; B. F. Buller, guar-
dian; H. C. Duuavant, medical examiner; A. Good-
rich, S. S. Semmes, G. R. Brickey, trustees.
Samaritan Lodge No. 18, A. O. U. \V., Grand
Lodge of Texas, was organized in December, 1884,
with a charter membership of twenty-live. It is
still in working order, with a membership of ten,
C. O. Faber being M. W. ; S. S. Semmes, R. and F.
Osceola Lodge No. 27, A. F. & A. M.. was
organized November 6, 1867, with the following
charter members: William A. Ferring, \V. M. ;
R. G. Hardin, S. W. ; B. F. Bennett. J. W. ;
V
456
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
B. Harris. Treas. ; E. \V. Rowlett, Sec; J. ¥.
Davies. S. D. ; T. C. Morris, J. D. : J. R. Acree,
tyler. Members; J. G. Lay ton, W. S. Sugg, J.
B. Kelley, J. W. Ozell, J. C. Clark, W. J. Kent,
M. F. Warren, J. M. Able. James Stewart.
This lodge, which has always been one of the
most flourishing in the State, has a large mem
l)ership, now numbering eighty, presided over at
the present time by the following officers; Ben-
jamin H. Bacchus, W. M. ; \V. F. Williams, S.
W. ; F. B. Hale, J. AV. ; R. M. Fletcher, Sec. ;
J. K. P. Hale, Treas.; Elliot Williams, S. D. ;
S. C. Edriugton, J. D. ; John Barney, tyler.
The lodge is noted for its acts of charity, and
the V)rillianc}- of its members in Masonic knowl-
edge. From this two other lodges have originated.
No. 134 at Chickasawba. and at Frenchman's
Bayou.
Osceola Royal Arch Chapter No. 57 was or-
ganized March 1, 1871, with the following charter
members; George A. Dannel}', B. A. Williamson.
F. C. Morris. A. K. Nash, W. A. Ferring, J. F.
Davies, J. S. Mahau, C. C. Morris, George Faf-
ford.
The Chapter enjoys a membership of nineteen
at the present time, is in good working order, and
is presided over by the following officers; J. K. P.
Hale. H. P.; J. E. Felts, P.; C. Bowen, S. : C.
H. Gaylord, Sec. ; W. P. Hale, Treas.
The Ladies' Aid Society of Osceola was organ
ized for benevolent jjurposes, February 20, 1882.
with twenty-six active members, and a large hon-
orary membership. The first year of its existence
its labors were directed wholly to church work,
proving quite successful. This society, in Janu-
ary, 1883, was incorporated by the circuit court of
Mississippi County, and immediately purchased a
lot and entered into contract witli Capt. E. M.
Ayers, to erect a building 40x60, to cost $1,200,
In October, 1883, the hall was formally opened,
and from that time on. the entertainments given
under the auspices of the society have been promi-
nent features of the social life of the community.
It is claimed that this was the first corporate body
of women in the State of Arkansas.
The Ladies" Aid Society is not denominational,
the following churches being represented in its
membership; Episcopal, Methodist, Catholic and
Christian; neither is it a "charity" organization,
though ever eager to spend and be spent in the
service of suffering humanity, whenever occasion
lequires.
The society has passed successfully into its
eighth year, with Miss F. H. Fletcher, president:
Mrs. Clara A. Ronssan. vice-president: Mrs. R. C.
Prewitt. treasurer, and Mrs. Leon Roussan, sec-
retary: and with unabated zeal, will, no doubt,
continue to do much to dispel the social and
mental stagnation consequent upon a long res-
idence in a small and isolated community.
Chickasawba Lodge No. 134. A. F. & A. M.,
of Blythesville, was organized October 12, 1875,
with the following charter members; Samuel
Thompson, A. J. Bishop, T. H. Robinson, Noah
Sawyer, John Long, R. D. Almond, Martin Nor-
man, J. F. Ruddle, T. P. Davis, W. W. Mann,
R. D. Carr, R. G. Hardin, H. T. Blythe.
This lodge is in good working order, has been
constantly growing in strength, and now has a
membership of over forty. It is presided over at
the present time by the following officers: J. A.
Scrnggs, W. M. : l.eginald Archillion, S. W. ; W.
R. Simpson. J. W. : B. J. Rook, S. D. ; T. E.
Hendricks. J . D. : A. Harris, Treas. ; Rollo Arch-
illion, Sec; J. D. Rutledge, Chaplain; J. W.
Conley and George W. Miller, stewards; W. W.
Morris, tyler.
At the commencement of the Civil War the
people of Mississippi County, though loyal and
patriotic, finally decided to go with the State, and
were a unit in favor of the cause of secession.
The war spirit ran high, affecting rich and poor
alike. If there was any Union sentiment in the
county (and there was at first), it soon succumbed
to the influences in favor of a separate Coufod
eracy.
Three companies of nearly 100 men each were
immediati'ly organized, being commanded by Col.
Charles Bowen. Capt. Elliott H. Fletcher, and
Capt. Robert Hardin, and were at once placed
in active service. Only a few of the men form
ing those companies were alive at the end of the
-re
>?-,
MISSISSIPPI COUNTY.
4.")?
war. Of Capt. Fletchei's compauy, some twelve
or fourteen are now living, mostly around Chicka-
sawba, and all are men of character and well to-do
citizens. One of these, Hon. James F. Ruddle, was
representative of the county in the legislature of
1875. Capt. Elliot H. Fletcher and his brother,
Thomas, a youth of sixteen years, were killed iu
the battle of Shiloh. The first lieutenant of this
company, William H. Ferring, was badly wounded
in the same Viattle. He survived the war, and was
elected county clerk iu 1S()(5-6S.
After the battle of Shiloh, Capt. Boweu re-
turned to Mississippi County to recruit a new com-
pany, but as the Federals had taken possession of
the river he found it impossible to cross his men,
and from that time on, wrought good service at
home clearing the county of lawless bands of rob-
bers.
There were no regular battles fought iu this
county, though it suffered greatly from predatory
raids by Federal cavalry from Missouri and Kan-
sas. Business of every interest was suspended,
and people lived in constant apprehension of being
raided, captured and killed.
In 1864 Col. Burris, in command of a regi-
ment of Kansas cavalry (Federal), made a dash
through this country, taking several prisoners,
among whom were Capt. Charles Bowen and Col.
Elliot Fletcher. This company was pursued Ijy
Capt. McVeigh, in command of some seventy men,
but they escaped to Missouri and no engagement
was fought.
This and similar marauding expeditions formed
the principal war history of Mississippi County.
The Federal troops stationed at Fort Pillow
often came into Mississi])pi County, and, on one
occasion, supplied themselves with material for
building V)arracks at the fort, l>y taking away tlie
houses of Osceola.
With the general surrender of the Confederate
troops, the soldiers returned from the war, and in
a short while had resumed the habits of peaceable
citizens; but it was a long time l)efore they could
shake off the habits of soldiers. It was not un-
usual for tlu>m to go with pistols Ijuckled on, often
to cliurch. and it was not until the law against
carrying pistols began to be rigorously enforced,
that the old soldiers found out the true moaning of
the terms of the surrender.
In 1808 Mississippi (bounty was under martial
law, and a regiment of State militia was quartered
upon the people. Upon the withdrawal of the
militia, the people again returned to their indus-
tries— though large numbers of the best citizens had
fled from the county— and again the prospects of
the county began to brighten, only to be again
disturbed and disorganized by an insurrection of
the blacks in 1872.
A rising of the negroes in that year was called
the Blackhawk War, and was an event of consid-
erable importance in the history of Mississippi
County.
The colored people formed into secret societies
throughout the county and often marched in
armed bands to Osceola and other points, making
speeches and causing a great deal of excitement,
but there was no collision between them and the
whites until fall, when, during a term of court in
the county, the negroes, forming quite a formid-
able band, were attacked by the whites, under
Capt. Charles Bowen, and immediately dispersed.
Prior to this Judge Charles Fitzpatrick, who had
been appointed l)y Gov. Clayton as president of the
board of registration of Mississippi County, in an
altercation with Sheriff Murray, killed the latter
in the streets of Osceola.
This caused public sentiment to ran high, but
Judge Fitzjiatrick immediately gave himself up,
was bound over to appear at the next term of
court, and then released. After the engagement
between the whites and blacks Judge Fitzpatrick
escaped. There were a good many negroes killed,
how many was never known, and a number escaped
to adjoining counties.
The first representative of Mississippi County
after the admission of Arkansas into the Union, in
1830, was P. H. Swain, from whom Swain Town
ship received its nan)e.
Crittenden and Mississippi Counties were rep
resented in the State senate by W. D. Ferguson
in 188fj-37-;58, and in the session of 1840 he was
still in the senate, P. H. Swain being representa-
@ t^
458
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
tive of this county. In 1842-43 A. G. Greer was
the senator and W. M. Finley the representative.
In 1844-45 Peter G. Reeves, previously mentioned
as a noted hunter, rejaresented Mississippi and
Crittenden in the State senate, and Col. Willi&m
L. Ward was representative. In 1840-48-50-51
G. W. Underhill was senator and Col. Elliot H.
Fletcher representative. In 1850-53, Underbill,
senator; Thomas J. Blackmore, representative;
1854-55, Thomas B. Craighead, senator; Joseph
C. Harding, repre.sentative; 1856-57, T. B. Craig-
head, senator, Thomas M. Harding, representative;
1858-59, T. B. Craighead, senator and T. B. Craig
head, representative; 1860-62, Craighead, senator.
John R. Acree, representative; in the legislature
of 1868, the county was not represented. In
1864-65, T. Lambei-ton, senator, no representa-
tive, nor in the special session of that year. In
1866-67, O. R. Lyles, senator, William W. Saw
yers, representative; 1868-69, D. H. Goodman,
senator, A. M. Johnson, representative; 1871-72,
J. G. Frierson of Cross, senator, L. D. Rozzell,
representative.
In the famous legislature of 1873. which revo-
lutionized the State government, relieving the peo-
ple from disfranchisement, J. G. Frierson was
senator; and the First district, composed of Craig-
head, Cross. Jackson and Mississippi Counties, was
represented by Roderick Joyner of Poinsett, W.
H. Cate. of Craighead, H. M. McVeigh, of Missis-
sippi, and F. W. Lynn, of Jackson. In the ex-
traordinary session of 1874, Frierson was senator,
and J. F. Davies was elected to fill the unexpired
term of H. M. McVeigh, who had been appointed
by the govei'nor prosecuting attornej' of the Elev-
enth judicial district. In 1874-75, J. T. Hender-
son, senator, and J. J. Ruddell of Chickasawba,
representative; in 1878. Benjamin Harris, senator,
J. H. Williams, representative; iu the session of
1879, B. Harris, senator, and J. O. Blackwood,
representative; 1881, J. B. Driver of Mississippi,
senator, and H. M. McVeigh, representative;
1883, Driver, senator, and F. G. McGavock, rep-
resentative; 1885, John W. Stayton, senator, and
Joseph Bradford, repn>sentative; 1887, Stayton,
senator, and H. T. Blytho. representative; 1889,
Ben Harris. Jr.. senator, J. K. Hale, of Osceola,
representative.
I The men who served the county as representa-
tives from the organization in 1833 to 1889 were,
in the main, persons of excellent abilitj', and did
much toward shaping the destiny of their State.
They were not all men of education; some of them
may have been very illiterate; but they were pos-
, sessed of honest hearts and strong, natural sense.
Those who were members before the late Civil Wai'
experienced none of the difficulties which confronted
their successors after that conflict.
Thos. B. Craighead and Col. Elliot H. Fletcher
were, perhaps, the two most brilliant of those
whom this county sent to the legislative assembly
before the war — men qualilied by natural ability
I and scholarly attainments to fill with credit any
position in the gift of the people. Craighead was
an able lawyer, and a fine orator. Fletcher was
a born ruler of men, and the magnetism of his
manner, the clearness and elegance of his conver-
sation, and his varied knowledge on all subjects,
made him a welcome companion in every circle.
The public buildings of Mississippi Count}'
consist of a large two-story frame court-house,
with the county offices in the lower and the court-
room in the upper story, and a frame jail with iron
cells, both of which are located on Broadwaj-
street, at Osceola, the county seat. The court-
house was erected in 1882-84, under the adminis-
tration of S. S. Semmes, county judge, and cost
all told about 18, 500.
The population of the county in 1840 num-
bered 900 whites and 510 slaves; total, 1,410. It
then contained 3,042 neat cattle, 76 sheep, 5,022
hogs, and produced 107,615 bushels of corn, 3,908
bushels of potatoes, and 22, 500 pounds of cotton.
': It had one store, and one school with 25 scholars.
This was taught by J. W. DeWitt, who was county
clerk from 1830 to 1840.
From 1840 to 1861 the county growth was slow
and gradual. Its population in 1854 was only
2,260, of whom 541 were slaves. In that year
were produced 192,200 bushels of corn, and in
1850, 200,250 bushels of corn, 455 bales of cot-
ton, and 21,273 pounds of butter.
'-^
MISSISSIPPI COUNTY.
459
The population at the oiitbrpnk of the war had
not materially increased, being in ISdOonly 3,895,
and the effects of the Civil War upon the county
may be judged from the fact that in the ensuing
ten years the population had decreased, being in
1870, 8,();!:i
But little progress in population and wealth
was made until the adoption of the constitution of
1874. From that time all restrictions upon the
right of suffrage were removed, and an economic
State government, with A. H. Garland as gov-
ernor, soon restored public conlidence. Then the
county began to grow, especially from 1877 to
1881. The census of 1880 showed that the county
had doubled its population since 1870. In the
year 1877 the temperance wave struck this locality
and swept it like a whirlwind, and from Osceola
the agitation spread throughout the State. Great
and permanent good was effected by the worthy
movement in Mississippi County. But very little
drunkenness will be observed among the people at
this time.
The only serious drawbacks to the county's
prosperity in late years were the disastrous floods
of 1882-83-84. These floods checked for a while
all growth and development hereabouts. Many
farms were temporarily abandoned, and new clear-
ings were left by those who had settled on the pub-
lic lands. The effects of this disaster have passed
away, and the people seem to have forgotten them.
The county is now in a more prosperous condition
than at any previous period in its history. There
are almost as many Northern people in the county
as those of Southern origin, and they live together
upon terms of perfect peace and mutual respect.
Ex-Federal and ex-Confederate soldiers may be
seen together at almost any time, apparently with-
out a thought of the days when they met each
other on opposite sides in deadly conflict.
Mississippi County was organized in accordance
with an act of the legislature of Arkansas, ap-
proved November 1, 1833; and the following is a
list of the names of the county and legislative of-
ficers, with the dates of their terms of service an-
nexed, from the organization to the present:
Judges: Edwin Jones, 1833-35; Nathan Ross,
1835-36; John Troy, 1836-38; Fred Miller,
1838-40; Nathan Ross, 1840-42; H. A. Phillips,
1842-44; W. L. Ward, 1844-40; H. A. Phillips,
1846-48; E. M. Daniel, 1848-56; J. H. Williams,
1856-58; J. H. McKinney, 1858-60; J. W. Alris,
1864-66; J. H. McKinney, 1866-68; C. L. Moore,
1868-72; L. M. Carrigan, 1874-76: Charles Bowen,
187()-78; J. E. Felts, 1878-80; E. A. Garlick,
1880-82; S. S. Semmes, 1882-84; E. Bevel, 1884-
86; L. D. Rozzell, present incumbent, first elected
in 1886.
Clerks: J. W. Whitworth, 1833-36; J. W.
DeWitt, 1836-40; J. P. Edrington, 1840-44; A.
G. Blackmore, 1844-50; H. A. Phillips, 1850-54:
D. D. Dickson, 1854-58; M. W. Nanney, 1858-62;
M. W. Nanney, 1864-66; W. A. Ferring, 1866-
68; J. B. Best, 1868-74; J. K. P. Hale, 1874-80:
B. H. Bacchus, 1880-84; Hugh R. McVeigh,
1884-88; J. B. Driver, present incumbent, elected
in 1888.
Sheriffs: E. F. Lloyd, 1833-36; J. C. Bowen,
1836-48; Charles Bowen, 1848-62; Charles Bowen,
1864-66; John Long, 1866-68; J. B. Murray,
1868-72; J. B. Driver, 1872-78; W. B. Haskins,
1878-86; W. S. Hayes, present incumbent, first
elected in 1886.
Treasurers: Uriah Russell, 1836-38: T. L.
Daniel, 1838-42; John Gibson, 1842-50; W. C.
Dillehay, 1850-54; C. W. Bush, 1854-56; D.
Matthews, 1856-58; C. W. Burk, 1858-60; D.
Matthews, 1860-62; H. C. Edrington, 1864-66:
D. Matthews, 1866-68; J. H. Edrington, 1868
72; J. H. Sheddon, 1872 to August, 1874; J. L.
Driver, Atigust, 1874-78; J. W. Uzzell, 1878 to
January. 1884; G. F. Stowell, from January, 1884;
James Listen, 1884-88; C. H. Gaylord, present
incumbent, elected in 1888.
Coroners: S. McLung. 1833-36; T. L. Daniel.
1836-38; J. Williams, 1838-40; Thomas Sears,
1840-42; Richard Pearson, 1846-48; J. Cunning-
ham, 1848-50; T. Williamson, 1850-52; E. O.
Cromwell, 1852-54; J. V. Lynch, 1854-56; W.
D. W. Bond, 1858-60; L. W. D. Bond, 1860-62:
D. Matthews, 1864-66; John Pedigo, 1866-68; H.
C. Rosa, 1872-74; A. W. Lucas, 1874-78; G. E.
Pettey, 1878-80; J. M. Lawrence, present incum-
4f iO
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
bent, first elected in 1880, and has served^ontin
uoiisly since.
Surveyors: G. C. Barlield. 1838-36; J. G.
Davis, 1830-38; A. G. Blackmore, 1840-44; J. D.
B. Sherman, 1846-48; G. Pendleton, 1848-50;
William Dillingham, 1850-52; E. G. Sugg, 1852-
54; W. B. Wood, 1854-56; A. H. Fisher, 1856-
58; A. Faucette, 1858-60; William Femsite,
1860-62; J. W. Uzzell, 1864-66; W. H. Craig-
head, 1866-68; J. W. Uzzell, 1868-72; F. L.
James, 1872-74; J. H. Rainey, 1874-76; James
Anthony, 1876-77; J. T. Burns. 1877-78; B. H.
Bacchus, 1878-80; George Benton, 1880-82; J. H.
Caruthers, 1882-84; T. H. Musgrave, 1884-86;
R. H. Clay, 1886-88; Reginald Archillion, present
incumbent, elected in 1888.
Assessors: H. C. Edrington, 1868-72; P.
Mitchell, 1872-73; John Rainey, 1873-74; L.
Ward, 1874-76; D. D. Dickson, 1876-78; W. M.
Speed, 1878-80; J. A. Lovewell, 1880-82; J. R.
Riggins, 1882-86; B. L. Hill, 1886-88; T. W.
Davis, present incumbent, elected in 1888.
In 1887 the National government constructed
a strong and massive levee, from Bear Bayou to
Craighead Point, covering a distance of about
twenty miles, and protecting the finest section of
farming country in the county. The county has
now in contemplation the continuation of this
levee to its northern limit, which will immediately
make available for cultivation hundreds of thous-
ands of acres of rich and fertile lands; it will in-
crease the taxable property of the county, and
open up large areas for settlement. Thus, with
the completion of this levee system to the southern
limit of the county (which will probably be done
during the next few years), Mississippi will be
thoroughly protected from the river floods, and
may then expect to see the opening of an era of
prosperity to which it is justly entitled.
The enumeration of school children of Missis-
sippi County in 1886, showed the presence of 2,582
children of school age; in 1887, 2,809. There are
twenty-nine school districts in the county, and the
present enumeration would probably exceed 3,000
children of school age.
The county school.s are generally in good con-
dition, and the directors have ample money to
secure good teachers. Mr. Leon Roussan, the
present county examiner, is exerting himself to raise
the grade of both teachers and schools.
There is a high school in Osceola which ranks
among the substantial institutions of the State.
At Blythesville the directors are about to build a
new school building, and then hope to raise the
grade to a point that the people of Chickasawba
need.
School service, however, throughout the county
can only be spoken of in terms of praise, as there
seems to be a feeling among the directors that
the people will only be satisfied with the best, and
as they have recently voted high taxation for school
purposes, this county may be expected to take a
leading place in educational matters.
The first Baptist Church of Mississippi County
was organized in Osceola, about 1870, by Elder
H. H. Richardson, of Clear Creek Association,
Illinois, acting as missionary, and was composed
of the following constituted members: J. K. P.
Hale and wife, Melissa A. Hale, Charles G. Evans
and wife, Martha Evans, Mrs. Rhoda Housman.
John E. Felts and wife, Eliza Felts, all of whom
exhibited their church letters from regular Baptist
churches, and in regular form. In 1S80 they built
a substantial and ornamental building, and now
have a membership of about sixty.
There are Baptist churches at Chickasawba and
other places in Mississippi County.
The Methodists have an organization at Osce-
ola, several churches in the southern part of the
county, and four in Chickasawba Township.
Blythe's Chapel, Shady Grove, New Hope and
Clear Lake.
There are four organizations of the Presbyter-
ian denomination in Mississippi County, all grow-
ing in strength, meml)ership and importance.
These are located at Osceola, Nodena, Pecan Point
and Frenchman's Bayou. The present pastors are
Revs. Boggs and Lloyd.
The colored people have numerous organiza-
tions of various denominations throughout the
county.
The Catholic (Church of Osceola, the only
^ — ^t
^,
MISSISSIPPI COUNTY.
4fil
church of this denomination in Mississippi County,
was built in 1879. It is a frame building, 44x24
feet, weatherboarded outside and sealed inside;
it is sixteen feet to the tof) of ceiling and sixty-
four feet to the top of the cross; and cost, seated,
$2,000. It was built with the proceeds of a fair
and by private subscription, raised through the
exertion of a committee of ladies. The congrega-
tion numbers about thirty-five communicants, who
depend upon the transient visits of a priest to ad-
minister to their wants.
From the distress and poverty entailed by the
most disastrous war in modern times, Mississippi
County is rapidly passing to the period when it
will become one of the most prosperous counties
in the State. No one who studies the facts in the
case can question this. Here is a county "rich
beyond compare;" a county with timber resources
almost without limit; with agricultural possibili-
ties not surpassed, probably not equaled, by any
other county in the State, in the production of that
wonderful product — cotton, and nowhere else can
there be added to this such facilities for fruit rais-
ing, for early and late vegetables, for the cereals
and grasses, as in this favored section.
What most impresses a chance visitor to this
locality is the large number of self-made men — men
who came here a short time ago with absolutely
no resources, who are now, after a few years' cul-
tivation of this productive soil, living in compara-
tive affluence. This is undisputed evidence that
it is one of the most promising counties for emi-
gration that the South can show.
Mississippi County has an immense wealth of
timber awaiting the advent of capital and labor to
put it in the markets of the world. All these ad-
vantages are so apparent, that settling here has
long passed the range of speculation, and success
and prosperity are positive rewards of moderately
directed energy and industry.
Reginald Archilliou, has been employed as
farmer, school-teacher and surveyor during his
residence in the county, and resides upon his
wife's lands on Clear Lake. He ii^ a native of
Indiana, bis birth having occurred in Madison
County, in 1855. He is the eldest of two children
born to Anthony and Maria Archilliou, and in the
county of his birth he continued to make his home
until nine years of age, afterward entering school
at Evansville, Ind. , where he remained until fifteen
years of age, his father having passed to his long
home two years previously. At the early age of
thirteen years Reginald began depending on his
own resources to obtain a livelihood, and although
quite young he perceived that if he wished to make
a success of his life a good education was very es-
sential; accordingly he continued to attend school
until seventeen years of age, the last few years
being spent in Richmond. He also attended the
schools of Huntington, Ind., one year, and was
also engaged in studying law in that place until he
was twenty years of age, at which time he went to
Louisiana, and two years later to Texas. On the
7th of February, 1880, he came to Osceola, Ai-k. ,
soon after engaging as a farm hand for A. B
Young, at Osceola, but spent the winter months up
to a few years ago in teaching school. He is a
member of Chickasawba Lodge No. 134, F. & A.
M. : is now filling his second term as county sur-
veyor, having been elected first in 1887 to fill a
vacancy. In 1881 Mrs. Rebecca (Cutwright)
Hetherington, a native of Indiana, became his
wife.
Rollo Archilliou, like his brother, Reginald
Archillion, is an energetic and enterprising young
agriculturist of Mississippi County, and now owns
an excellent little farm of eighty acres, situated
about one mile south of Blythesville, which property
has been in his possession since 1887. At that
time but twenty-five acres were under cultivation,
but he has since made many improvements in the
way of repairing the house, building fences, and
clearing up the land; he has opened up five addi-
tional acres, and expects soon to have his entire farm
under the plow, which can be readily done. His
father died when he was an infant. l)ut, through
his own determination and the assistance of a kind
and willing mother, he succeeded in attending
school until about sixteen years of age; then, in
company with his brother Reginald, he started for
^
4fi2
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
the South with the expectation of bettering his con-
dition, and after working in Louisiana for some
time he went to Texas, in which State he remained
for very nearly two years. After another short
period spent in Louisiana he came to the State of
Arkansas, and settled in Mississippi County at Clear
Lake, where he spent some time in tilling the soil,
and was there united in marriage to Miss Elma
A. Conley, a native of the county and a daughter
of one of the old and worthy settlers of this region.
Mrs. Archillion owned an interest in a farm on
Clear Lake, on which they located after their mar-
riage, and during their two years' residence at this
place Mr. Archillion taught school. At the end of
this' period (in 1883) they concluded to go to the
Lone Star State, where they both engaged in ped-
agoguing for three years; then returned to Mis-
sissippi County, Ark. , where they have since made
their home. Mr. and Mrs. Archillion are the
parents of two childj-en, Maud and Mabel. The
mother has been for a number of years a consistent
and worthy member of the Methodist Episcojial
Church. Mr. Archillion is a member of CLicka-
sawba Lodge No. 134, F. & A. M. He is a young
man whose activity and energy will one day place
him among the foremost agriculturists of the
county, for everything about his place indicates
thrift, which is one of the prominent characteristics
of its owner.
Jesse Ashburn is recognized as a careful, ener- ,
getic agriculturist of this community, and by his
advanced ideas and progressive habits has done no
little good for the farming interest hereabout.
Originally from Huntsville, Ala., he was born in
the year 1823, and is the son of Byrd Ashburn who,
shortly after the birth of his son Jesse, loaded his
family and effects on a flatboat at Huntsville and
floated down the Tennessee River to the Ohio, on
that river down to the Mississippi, and thereon to j
the mouth of the Hatchie River. He then sailed
up that river to the mouth of Indian Creek, where
he disembarked and took up land in Tennessee.
Here he opened up a fine farm, but later sold out
and moved to near Randolph, where he remained
one year. He then moved with his family, con-
sisting of his wife and four children, direct to
Frenchman's Bayou, settled about a fourth of a
mile from where his son Jesse now resides, and
there remained until his death, which occurred in
1847. His wife survived him eleven years. Jesse
Ashburn has lived in this settlement ever since,
with the exception of aboat five years spent in
Missouri, whither he had moved in 1863. During
the war he took part with neither side except to
suppress a few guerrillas who were plundering
indiscriminately in Missouri. For many years
after his residence in Arkansas, there was no
market, and but two settlements on the Bayou —
one family by the name of McClung and another
by the name of Owens — but they left no descend-
ants here. The first school taught was at Owens'
house, and McClung' s son taught the first term.
Mr. Ashburn attended, and the only book used
was the spelling book. This was about the year
1836. The few settlers lived on corn bread and
bear meat, this being the regular diet. The woods
were full of animals, and privation and hardship
were the order of each day. Once in a wliile a
little coffee was secured from the boats on the
river, but it was scarce and high. Most of their
clothing was homespun, although they sometimes
secured a little shirting from the boats, and their
shoes were made of leather tanned by themselves.
Caps were made of otter hides. The first cotton
was raised about 1849 or 1850, but was not culti-
vated as a crop until a few years before the war,
after which it was raised with great profit along
the river front. It has been noticed that as the
land is improved and cleared up the whole surface
becomes diyer. Even in the last ten years there
has been a very noticeable improvement. Mr.
Ashburn has in his field now, under a fine state of
cultivation, land that the water used to stand on as
high as his waist. His marriage with Miss Emily
j Adkinson, occmTed in 1846. She is the daughter
of John B. and C. A. (Watts) Adkinson, the father
a native of Georgia, but who passed his last days in
Missouri, and the mother a native of Tennessee.
To the union of Mr. and Mrs. Ashburn were born
six children : Andrew J. , John David, who marritwl
Miss Higgins, of Mississippi County, Ark., and is
the father of six children: Savannah, who married
MISSISSIPPI COUNTY.
463
Joe N. Hays, and dow lives ou the Chickasawba,
they have two children; Lavina J., married to J. 11.
Mnsic, of Mississippi County, Ark. ; Thomas J.
and A. Forrest, at home. Mr. Ashburn is a mem-
l)er of Masonic Lodge No. 251, of Frenchman's
Bayou, and has been a meml)er and a main pillar
in the Missionary Baptist Church for the past nine
years.
N. L. Avery, who is one of the important fac-
tors in the business growth and ])rosperity of Os-
ceola and Mississippi County, is justly entitled to
more than a passing notice in this volume. Since
his identification with this city as a business man,
no one has been more active and enterprising, or
has done more in the mercantile line to increase
and extend the trade and influence of the place.
His stock is large and complete, and the patronage
drawn to him results largely from liberal and po-
lite treatment. His native State is Tennessee, and
he was born in Memphis, January 1, 1S53. His
parents, Hamilton and Henrietta (Polk) Avery,
were natives of New York and South Carolina, re-
spectively. His father came to Memphis about
1S45, was engaged in the book business for a few
years, and then became editor of the Memphis Bul-
letin, remaining thus occupied for several years.
He was then appointed wharf-master, but on ac-
count of ill-health he resigned that position, and
spent two years in traveling. He returned to
Memphis in 1859, and soon afterward died there.
His mother is still living, and makes her home in
Memphis. The paternal grandfather died at Syra-
cuse, N. Y., in 1889, at the age of eighty-nine
years. The paternal grandmother is still living
in that city, and is seventy-eight years of age.
The maternal grandparents died when N. L.
Avery 8 (the .subject of this sketch) mother was a
child, and her grandfather was a brother to Pres-
ident James K. Polk. N. L. Avery passed his
boyhood days in attending the public and private
schools of Memphis. At the youthful age of thir-
teen he engaged as messenger in a steamboat office,
but subsequently entered a drug store with Mans-
field & Higbee of that city. In 1868 he engaged
in a wholesale dry goods establishment (Joyner,
Lemmou & Gale), remaining thus employed until
1882. He began as an errand boy, and was suc-
cessively promoted to the highest position, being at
his retirement manager of and buyer for the no-
tion department. In 1882 he came to Osceola and
established his present business in that city, with
a capital of 1750. In 1888 ho erected the large,
fine store-house which he now occcupies. In the
same year Mr. Rajihael Semmes [see sketch of S.
S. Semmes] was admitted as partner in the firm,
which probably does the largest business on the
Mississippi River between Memphis and Cairo.
IVlr. Avery owns a large tract of land, 1,000 acres,
six miles west of Osceola, and is farming about 400
acres. The firm are the owners of a large tract
of land in Phillips County. They have a Viranch
store at Blythesville, which has a large and exten-
sive trade. Mr. Avery is the owner of a block in
town, and also other property in the same place.
By his marriage with Miss M. F. Pullen, daughter
of B. K. Pullen, of Memphis, on November 3, 1875,
he became the father of seven children: Hamilton
King, Norman L., Jr., Walter Graham (died in
infancy), Charles L. , Bennie Pullen (died in in-
fancy), Eugene R. and Percy P. Mr. Avery's
family are members of the Episcopal Church. He
is a fair type of the self-made man, having risen
from the lowest to the highest offices of a large
store: and at last, after years of earnest, honest
work, we find him starting for himself, with a
capital of but $750. In six years he had built
that business up from $5,000 in 1882 to §100,000
in 1889, at the same time managing a branch store,
doing an annual business of $30,000. This is a#
creditable showing for a young man, even in this
community of almost universally self-made men.
E. M. Ayres. It is a fact recorded in history
that the first English immigrants to Virginia were
a superior race, with most progressive views of
government, lilierty and laws, and who sought
out homes in the New World in obedience to im-
pulse prompted by lofty ambition and an earnest
desire to benefit the race. From these ancestors
sprang men who subsequently became eminent in
different localities. A worthy native of that State is
Mr. Ayres, who is one of the prominent j)]anters of
Mississippi County, Ark., and resides two miles
4G4
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
west of Osceola. He was born in Buckingham
Gounty, Va. , ia 1840, and is the seventh in a fam-
ily of nine children born to John W. and Mary
(Maseyj Ayres. The parents were also natives of
Virginia, where they spent their entire lives, the
mother dying about 1848 and the father in 1857.
The latter was a well known planter in his native
State, and the family was widely known and univer-
sally respected. He was a soldier in the Warof 1812.
The paternal grandfather was a farmer and miller,
and was also a very prominent Methodist Episco-
pal preacher, having married every couple in his
county for a period of twenty years. E. M. Ayres
learned the rudiments of farming in his native
State, and attended the common schools until six-
teen years of age. He remained at home until the
age of twenty-one years, and in 1859 went to West
Tennessee, where he engaged as overseer for his
brother-in-law. John M'. Chambers. At the break-
ing out of the late war he threw down the imple-
ments of peace to take up the weapons of war-
fare, and enlisted in Capt. Dean's command, after-
ward joined to the Fourth Tennessee Regiment of
Infantry under Col. Nely. He was assigned to the
Mississippi division, and soon secured permission to
organize a company, which he at once did, namely
Company A, united with the Forty-seventh Tennes-
see Infantry. He was in the battle of Shiloh, and
during that most destructive engagement his com-
pany was almost totally annihilated, only eighteen
out of the 108 returning. Mr. Ayi'es then joined
the Henderson Scouts, under Capt. Tom Hender-
son, and operated in the Mississippi Valley. He
was in the battles of Corinth, Parker' s Cross Roads,
Franklin, Tenn., and Murfreesboro, where he re-
ceived a severe wound in the hand. The company
then made a campaign into Mississippi, and sur-
rendered at Gainesville, Ala. , in 1S65. During his
time of service Mr. Ayres had three horses shot from
under him, was captured several times, but always
succeeded in making his escape. He was in many
close engagements, was a fearless and daring sol-
dier, and saw a great deal of the war. In 18(35
he came to Mississippi County, and engaged in
the saw-mill business with Dr. Hardin, of Nash-
ville. Here he sawed the timber to put up the first
store-house built in Osceola after the war. Mr.
Ayres continued this business in a successful man
ner for over twenty years, and supplied the lum-
ber to build most of the frame houses in this
county. He has made a great deal of money by
strict application to business, and the energetic
and thorough manner in which he has taken ad
vantage of all methods, tending to enhance the
value of his property, has had a gi'eat deal to do
with his obtaining the competence which he now
enjoys. His wife was originally Miss Sallie Bowen.
whom he married in 1867. Her father, Arthur
Bowen, is one of the well-known settlers in this
county. From time to time Mr. Ayers has bought
large tracts of land, and is now the owner of about
6, 000 acres, 200 of which are under cultivation. He
has made all the improvements on his place, and
has assisted in opening 2,000 acres for cultivation.
During his residence in Mississippi Count}' he has
seen many changes, and he speaks veiy highly of
this section. The result of his marriage with Miss
Bowen has been nine children, three of whom are
deceased: Lizzie died at the age of two years;
Charley died at the age of two years, and Lelah
died at the age of fourteen years. Those living
are Willis, who lives at home and is fourteen
years of age; Arthur, twelve years of age; Clay,
ten years; Louis, eight; Sallie B., six, and Eddy,
two years in 1889.
Benjamin H. Bacchus, a prominent druggist
and farmer of 0.sceola, Ark., is a native of Kent
County, Md. , born at Chestertown on October 15,
1848, and of the six children born to his parents,
William and Harriet (Greenwood) Bacchus, Benja
min H was the fifth in order of birth. The par
ents were natives of Maryland, and the father for
a long time was a miller and farmer of that place.
The mother died in 1856, and in 1859 the fa-
ther married Miss Susan Arthur. He died in 1872,
having during the latter years of his life lived
in retirement. Benjamin H. Bacchus passed his
youth in Chestertown, and received an exception-
ally good education in public and private schools,
supplementing the same by a two years' attend-
ance at the college at Chestertown. He then took a
course of instruction at Bryant, Stratton & Sadler's
jj®__v.
MISSISSIPPI COUNTY.
my,
Business College, at Baltimore, and left that in-
stitution fully equipped to enter upon any pursuit.
He followed the teacher's profession for one term,
and in 1867 went to Memphis, where he engaged
in the cotton and oil business. At the end of one
and one-half years he came to Mississippi County,
Ark., and commenced farming at Elmot, where he
continued until 1880. In 1878 Mr. Bacchus was
elected county surveyor, and in 1880 he was elected
clerk of the supreme court, ex-officio clerk of the
county and probate courts, and recorder. So well
did he fill this position that he was re-elected in
1882. In 1887 he was elected mayor of the city
of Osceola. At this time the city was heavily in
debt, and its warrants were worthless; but at the
expiration of Mr. Bacchus' term of office the debt
of the city was wiped out, and the warrants were
worth their face value. In July, 1885, Mr. Bacchus
engaged in the di'ug business in Osceola, and in
1888 he erected a fine store-house, into which he
moved in February, 1889. The new quarters are
neat, tasty and ornamental, and contain a complete
line of fresh drugs. Mr. Bacchus selected Miss
Katie M. Williams as his companion in life, and
was wedded to her in 1871. She was born in
Mississippi County, and is the daughter of James
H. Williams, who was formerly from Tennessee,
and one of the old settlers of Mississippi County.
To the union of Mr. and Mrs. Bacchus were born
seven children: Alice W., Lallie C, Lena S.. Ben-
jamin H. , Jr., J. Greenwood. Minnie Avery and
Mary Kate. Mr. Bacchus is a member of the
Episcopal Church, and Mrs. Bacchus of the Meth-
odist Episcopal. Mr. Bacchus is a member of
Masonic Lodge No. 27, Osceola, occupying an
official position. He was school commissioner of
the county from 1872 to 1880, and takes a decided
interest in all school matters.
G. C. Baldock, a popular and enterprising
farmer at Frenchman's Bayou, is the eldest of
three children born to Derastus and Mary Jane
(Hill) Baldock, and was born in Tennessee in 1855.
The elder Baldock was a farmer, and followed that
occupation until the outbreak of war, when he en-
listed in the army and gave up his life in 1862.
After the father's death the familv went to reside
with Mr. Addison M. Hill, Mrs. Baldock' s father,
who was one of the best known citizens of Ti])
ton County, Tenn. , and a pioneer of that coun-
ty, upon whom the citizens of that section still
look with veneration and respect. G. C. Baldock
began life for himself when nineteen years of age,
and rented the land upon which he made his first
crop. He continued farming until the year 1880,
when he sold out his place and moved to Mississippi
County, Ark., where he settled on Frenchman's
Bayou. In 1887 he bought 200 acres of fine land
in that section, and at the present time has eighty-
five acres under cultivation, besides making esten
sive improvements which will make the land aver-
age about one bale to the acre. He also owns a
herd of fine stock cattle and horses, and over 100
hogs. January 17, 1882, Mr. Baldock was married
to Miss Rosie P. Notgrass, a charming lady of
Tennessee, and by this marriage has had three
children: Mary Peete. Ella Maud and Derastus
Norton. He is active in school matters, and has
served as school director, believing that education
should be within the reach of every child. Mr.
Baldock is a pleasant and hospitable gentleman,
whose genial manner has won for him a large cir-
cle of stanch and influential friends. He is a suc-
cessful farmer, a valued citizen, and stands high
in the estimation of the surrounding community.
Barton Bros. & Co., an enterprising firm at
Golden Lake, Ark., consisting of T. A., W. P.
and Ida M. Barton, began business here as the
successors of T. A. Barton, in 1836. In 1873 Mr.
T. A. Barton came from the State of Mississippi,
and entered into commercial life at Golden Lake.
At that time (1881) the business at this point was
slight, and many business men would have given
up the venture as a failure, but with that foresight
that has always marked his success. Mi'. Barton
saw that the prospects in the future were very
flattering, and he continued his business. He kept
adding to his stock from year to year, as the busi-
ness increased under his good management, and in
1886 he was joined in partnershii> by his l)rotlier.
who had previously worked for him as clerk. Their
business consists of one of the finest cotton-gins
on the Mississippi River, with a capacity of fifty
400
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
bales per day, a saw-mill with a capacity of 20,-
000 feet of lumber per day, and a general merchan-
dise store that enjoys a lar^e patronage. Altogether
they did a business last year of 130,000, which
will be largely increased this year. The firm also
have large land interests in Mississippi County,
owning in various tracts about 500 acres, from
which they are cutting the timber to supply their
saw-mill, and in addition to this they have 500
acres of land under cultivation, in Frenchman's
Bayou, besides a branch store and fine saloon at
that place, and a tiamway from the river to French-
man's Bayou, a distance of six miles, which pene-
trates the timber region. The Barton family are
natives of North Carolina, where T. A., the eldeist
of a family of seven children, was born in 1851.
The parents were J. T. and Mary M. (Adams) Bar-
ton, of South Carolina and Georgia, respectively.
Thomas A. remained with his parents on the farm,
and attended school until his twentieth year. In
1873 he was married, in Tennessee, to Miss Ida
Parker, of Mississippi, and after his marriage
moved to Arkansas, where they settled in Poinsett
County. He remained in that county one year,
and met with a great many losses during that time,
afterward moving to Mississippi County, where he
farmed for six yearsi;prior to entering business at
Golden Lake. Mr. and Mrs. Barton are the par-
ents of six children: William Arthur, Ida Ellen,
Veta May, Joseph T., James and Quincy G., and
Mr. Barton is a member of the K. of H. , in which
association he carries a $2,000 policy. William
P., junior partner of the firm, was born in North
Carolina in 1857, and was the fourth child of the
family. He moved first to Poinsett County, and
later on came to his present home, in company with
his brother, Thomas, with whom he has been asso-
ciated in business since the firm commenced oper-
tions. He was married, in December, 1887, to
Miss Mary Musick, of this county, and they are
the parents of one child, a girl, named Tennessee
Block. Among the many enterprising and pros-
perous citizens of this county, certainly none are
more worthy or deserving of success than the mem-
bers of the firm of Barton Bros. & Co. Upon
entering Arkansas their arriA'al was heralded by
misfortune and financial ruin, but out of the chaos
of their deplorable condition they rose equal to the
occasion, and paved the way to their present for-
tune. Shortly after commencing their business, a
fire consumed the store, and the fruit of their
patient industry was engulfed in flames; but again
they put their shoulders to the wheel, and to-day
they stand living examples of those two virtues,
pluck and perseverance. Through all the vicissi-
tudes of their earlier life in Arkansas, they still
preserve and enjoy good health.
William Biship. A lifetime of hard, earnest
endeavor in pursuing the occupation to which he
now gives his attention, coupled with strict integ-
rity, honesty of purpose, and liberality in the right
directions, have had the result to place Mr. Biship
among the truly respected and honored agricult-
urists of the county. He was born in Missouri.
in 1818, and as his father was a successful tiller
of the soil, Mr. Biship was reared to farm labor
until about the age of seventeen years. In 1830,
he made a visit to Arkansas, having relatives living
at Osceola, which was then a small collection of
log huts: but soon moved back to Missouri, where he
continued to reside until 18-14, when he returned
to Arkansas. In this State he has since resided,
and has lived in Mississippi County the principal
part of that time. He first visited the county on
a hunting trip, but being favorably impressed with
it he located here, and has since made it his home.
In 1850 he entered land, but soon sold it, and
afterward settled several tracts, which he sold
after making a few improvements. In 1844 there
were but four families in what is now Chickasawba
Township, and the township had also an Indian
population of about 100. After a few years Mr.
Biship made a permanent settlement on forty
acres, where he has since made his home. His
marriage with Miss Bryant occurred at an early
date, and to them were born two children : Andrew
Jackson, a blacksmith at Blythesville, and Vir-
ginia, wife of Mr. Carney, and residing in Little
River County, Ark. Mrs. Biship died, and Mr.
Biship took for his second wife the Widow Golden,
by whom he has one living child: William Oliver,
who is married and lives at home. When first
settling in the county, Mr. Biship experienced
many hardships and trials. He was compelled to
go to Hornersville, Mo., a distance of about forty
miles by water, for their meal, and the people de-
pended but little on tame meat, and subsisted
chiefly on game. About the end of 1850, there
was a store started in the settlement that is now
called Cooktown. Mr. Biship still resides on the
original forty acres that he settled years ago, and
has this wholly under cultivation. Though now
quite advanced in years, Mr. Biship is remarkably
well preserved, as the "ravages of time" have
had but little effect on him. He has been a wit-
ness to the complete development of this section.
He was never very active in politics, but has held
the ofi&ce of constable of this section, and was
deputy sheriff under Sheriff Bowen.
A. J. Biship has been a resident of Mississippi
County, Ark., all his life, his birth having oc-
curred here in 1846, he being the eldest of two
children born to William and Diadema (Bryant)
Biship, who were natives of Scott County, Mo. ,
and came to Mississippi County, Ark., at an early
day. [For further history of their lives see sketch
of AVilliam Biship.] A. J. Biship received a fair
knowledge of the English branches in the schools
of his native county, and was reared to a knowledge
of agricultural life on his father's farm in Chieka-
sawba Township. After his mother's death, which
occurred when he was about eight years of age,
his father married again, and he remained with him
until he attained his seventeenth year, when he
began leaining the art of photograjihy, at which
he worked for eight years, traveling through the
country and on the river. At the age of twenty-
tive years he engaged in teaching school, and
wielded the ferule for four terms in Mississippi
County, after which he commenced rafting lum
ber from Big Lake down the St. Francis River to
Helena, continuing this occupation two years. He
was married about this time to Miss Maggie Brown,
a native of the county, and a daughter of Jack
Brown, an old pioneer of this region. In 1809 he
began keeping a store on Big Lake, but returned
to Chickasawba Township and opened a wagon and
blacksmith shop at Cooktown, locating at the end
of one year in Jouesboro, where he was engaged
in blacksmithing. Sickness in his family made
this a disastrous move, and at the end of one year
he returned to Chickasawba Township with only
$1 with which to start anew. In 1884 he opened
a shop in Blythesville, which he is still successfully
conducting, and is doing a constantly increasing
trade In 1888 he purchased 120 acres of land
one mile from Blythesville, ou which projjerty he
has erected some good buildings, and has five acres
under cultivation. He expects to rapidly continue
his improvements until he has reduced it all to a
state of cultivation, which day will not be far dis-
tant if Mr. Biship evinces his usual energy and
perseverance. He, like many of his neighbors, is
a member of Chickasawba Lodge No. 134, of the
F. & A. M. He is an intelligent and enter-
prising man, and in all his operations is meeting
with substantial evidence of success, results which
all concede he fully merits. His union with Miss
Brew has resulted in the birth of four children:
William Andrew, Major Green, Aurora Lurena
and Robert Thaddeus. Mrs. Biship is a consistent
member of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
Hon. Henry T. BIythe, a prominent citizen
of Blythesville, was born in Virginia in 1816, being
the fourth in the family of ten children of John
and Elizabeth (Cobb) BIythe, natives of South-
ampton County. Va. , where the father followed
farming. In 1826 the family moved to Henry
County, Tenn. , bought a farm and were among
the pioneers to that county. The father put many
improvements on his place, and made it his home
mostly till his death in 1831*. The mother siir-
yived him several years and died about 1845.
Henry T. 's paternal grandfather, also John BIythe,
was a native of Scotland, and emigrated to Vir-
ginia from that country before the independence of
the United States. He served a portion of the
time in the Revolutionary War. The maternal
erandmother was a native of Virginia. This man
was one of four brothers, one of whom, David,
was the grandfather of Thomas H. BIythe, who
died in California in 1883. Our subject was reared
on the farm in Virginia till ten years of age, when
the family moved to Tennessee, and there he at-
- — ^K
468
HISTOEY OF ARKANSAS.
tended the common schools till eighteen years of
age, when he went to Mississippi, spending about
six years in the early settlement of the northern
part of that State, a part of the time being among
the Indians. In 1841 he returned to Tennessee
and settled in Lauderd.ile County, where he fol-
lowed farm labor. About twelve years later he
came to Arkansas and located on Crooked Lake, ^
Mississippi County, settling on a farm in the \
woods, and cleared about sixty acres, erected
buildings and made many improvements. This was
his home till 1873, when he moved on a tract of
land previously purchased in partnership -with Mr.
Moseley in 1864. This is the tract upon which he
now lives, and where the town of Blythesville has
since been built. Upon the small clearing then
made he at once built a steam saw -mill and gin —
the first steam mill in this section. He has since
added about 300 acres to this place, and now has
a fine tract of 500 acres of some of the best farm-
ing land in the county. Of this 185 acres are
under a high state of cultivation. In 1880 he
laid ofF a tract for a village, which was named in
his honor, Blythesville. He was soon appointed
the first postmaster, and served in that capacity
till the summer of 1889, a term of nearly nine
years. Mr. Blythe's saw- mill and cotton-gin were
the first business enterprises here, where now are
several stores, and the pleasant homes of many
families. In 1886 Mr. Blythe was elected by the
people of Mississippi County to represent them in
the State legislature, serving one term. During
this time he introduced several bills of importance
to the State at large. This family from remote
times have been earnest workers in the Methodist
Episcopal Church, and our subject was reared under
Methodist influence. In 1841 he was given a
license as an exhorter, and was a constant worker
in the church till 1802, when he was granted a
preacher" s license ; in due time after this he was
made deacon and elder, which offices he still fills.
In 1875 he was instriimental in building a church
at Blythesville, which still retains the name of
Blythe's Chapel, so christened in honor of the rec-
ognized patronage of our subject. He has been
married five times, and has had nine childjren,
seven of whom are yet living. His first marriage
occurred in 1842, to Miss Mary Jane Fisher, a na-
tive of Tennessee. She died in 1844, leaving one
child, a boy named William W., who died soon
after. His second marriage was, in 1851, to Miss
Elizabeth Willis. She lived only about one year,
and died without issue. In 1854 Mrs. Julia A.
Young, a native of Tennessee, became his wife.
She died in Arkansas in 186? ,'ithout children.
In 1868 Mr. Blythe married Mrs. Amanda Drew,
a native of Georgia, who only lived about one year
and left one child, Margaret Ann; the latter also
died in her fourteenth year. In 1871 Mrs. Millie
E. Murry became Mr. Blythe's wife. This lady
was a native of Alabama. To their union seven
children were born, all of whom are living: Alice
F. , Henrietta J., Emma F., Eva Harris, Henry
Thomas, Nola Ada and John Wesley. This inter-
esting family is the pride of our subject's heart.
Coming to him when the weight of years bore
with a heavy hand upon his head, these children
renewed his youth, for in their merriment he threw
a bridge across the gulf of time, and lived again
in fancy the freedom of a child. As years have
come and gone these little ones have all passed
through infancy and youth to maturer years, and
are now developing in character and mind, with a
purity in which a parent's heart can rejoice, proving
sources of the greatest comfort. They are justly
esteemed by all who know them for their j leasing
manners and their winning ways. In the summer
of 1889 Mr. Blythe spent three months in the State
of California, but in his journey through other lo
calities he saw no j)lace that pleased him so well
as his home in Arkansas. He is a member of the
Masonic fraternity, was one of the charter mem
bers of Chickasawba Lodge No. 134, and was a
member of the committee sent to secure the
charter from the Grand Lodge of the State.
David Boney is a man who has risen to consid-
erable prominence in the affairs of Mississipj)!
County, not less in agricultural matters than in
other circles of active l)usiness life. His birth oc-
curred in the " Old North State," he being the
third of five children born to James and Martha
(Henderson) Boney, who were also North Caroliu-
Craighead Countt^Arkambas ,
MISSISSIPPI COUNTY.
4(11)
iaiis, where the father died when his kou David
was six years old. His widow removed with her
children to the State of Tennessee, where she after-
ward married again, and in 1851, came to Arkansas.
David Boney was principally reared in Lauderdale
County, Tenn. , his youth and early manhood be-
ing spent in following the plow, but at the age of
twenty one years he began to trade on the river,
coming at the end of two years to Mississippi
County, Ark. , and settling in the Clear Lake coun-
try, his occupation being that of farming and raft-
ing. In 1858, he was united in marriage with
Miss Malinda Stuckey, who lived but a f<^w months.
Growing tired of tilling land belonging to other
men, Mr. Boney, in 1S5S, purchased a tract of
eighty acres on Clear Lake, and two years later he
settled on this farm with his wife, whose maiden
name was Miss Sallie Boone, her birth place being
Tennessee. They resided here until 1866, then
sold out, and the following year moved to
Tennessee, where Mr. Boney purchased a "iOO-acre
tract of woodland. He entered actively upon the
work of improving, and the result of his industry
is eighty live acres of land cleared and under culti
vation, the property fenced, two good houses and
other buildings, and an excellent orchard. He
returned to Mississippi County, Ark., in 1874, and
purchased 160 acres of land, where he resided and
made improvements for one year, then rented his
place and returned to his farm in Tennessee.
Here he continued to live until the winter of
1888, since which time he has resided in Arkan-
sas. He has just purchased 160 acres of land
in this vicinity, on which he expects to make
inime<liate improvements, there being thirty acres
already under the plow, and twenty acres ready
for improvement. Good timber, abundance of
water, convenient and necessary buildings and
other desirable conveniences render this a model
farm. In 1882 his second wife passed to her
l(ing home. His third marriage occurred in the
fall of 188'2, his wife being a Miss Susan Halfacre.
The family worship in the Methodist Episco])al
Church. Mr. Boney's children, ten of whom were
by his second wife and six by his third, were as fol-
lows: John J. (deceased), Noah (deceased), David
D. (deceased), Martha J. (deceased), Mary F. (de-
ceased), Mandy C, George R., "William W., Em-
ma J., Lou E. , an infant son (deceased), Mary A.
(deceased), twin sons (deceased), Susan L. and
Lena L.
P. S. Borum. liveryman, of the tirm of J. H.
Borum & Bro. , Osceola. This stable, from the
large business it does, not only exemi)lities the
importance of this part of the town, but reflects
credit on its management. Mr. Boi-uni was orig-
inally from Tennessee, where he was born in 1847,
and was the eldest of nine children born to Rev.
J. H. and Ann C. (Brooks) Borum [see sketch of
J. H. Borum]. P. S. Borum was reared in the
town of Durhamville, and at the age of seventeen
years he began clerking in the store of J. H.
Borum, where he continued for two years. He
then, in partnership with his brother, James W. ,
opened a general store in the same place, and
there remained two years, during which time his
brother died. Mr. Borum then sold out the store
and engaged in tilling the soil, which industry he
carried on for four years, with comparatively good
success. He subsequently went to Brownsville
and reengaged in clerking, but after one year re-
turned to farming. He followed this occupation
until 1878, when he went to Dyersburg, engaged
in clerking, and after remaining there for four
years, in the fall of 1883, came to Osceola, where
he joined his brother, J. H. Borum, in the livery
business, and this business has since grown into a
tlouiishing trade. Mr. Borum liegan [iractically
with nothing, but now has one of the best equipped
livery stables in the State. They have forty '
horses, twenty hacks, carriages, buggies, etc.. and
can turn out, day or night, as tine rigs as are to
be found. At the age of fifteen years, Mr. Borum
enlisted in Company M, Seventh Tennessee Cav
airy, under Col. William Jackson (afterward Gen.
Jackson), and was in the battles of Cross Roads.
Miss., Pulaski and Nashville. Tenn., Fort Pillow
in 1862, Florence, Ala., and also in the compaign
through Alabama, Tennessee and Mississippi.
He surrendered at Gainesville. .Via., in 1865. He
was in many close quarters, and in manj- minor
engagements, but escaped without a wound, or
470
HISTOKY OF ARKANSAS.
ever being taken prisoner. He has since lived in
Osceola, and has taken an active interest in all
local affairs that pertain to the good of the com-
munity at large.
Joseph H. Borum, Jr. , a member of the w^ell-
known firm of J. H. Borum & Bro. , liverymen at
Osceola, is a native of West Tennessee, born in
1858, and is the seventh in a family of nine chil-
dren born to Rev. Joseph H. and Ann C. (Brooks)
Borum, natives of Virginia and Tennessee, respect-
ively. The elder Borum was a merchant in Ten-
nessee prior to the war; in later years he was a
Baptist preacher, and was the author of "Baptist
Ministers of West Tennessee. ' ' He died July 13,
1888. This remarkable man baptized about 4,000
people; organized more churches than any other
minister in West Tennessee; married about 3,000
couples, and has received five generations of one
family into his church. He was well and widely
known throughout the State. The mother is still
living in Tennessee, and is now (1889) seventy-two
years of age. She is the only one living of a
family of nine children. Joseph H. Borum, Jr.,
entered the school at Covington, Tenn. , at the age
of ten years, remained there three years, after
which he entered the Southwestern Baptist Uni-
versity of Jackson, Tenn. He remained there two
years, and then started out thoroughly fitted to
enter upon any position in life. In 1877, he came
to Osceola, Ark., and was principal of the Osceola
High School for six years. In 1883 he engaged
in the livery business with -J. L. Driver, but in
1884 he continued the business under the firm
name of J. H. Borum & Bro. In 1888 he was
elected mayor of Osceola without opposition, and
was complimented by being re-elected in 1889
without opposition. Under his administration and
his predecessor's, Mr. Bacchus, the city has been
relieved from debt, and its affairs are now con-
ducted on able business principles. Quiet and or-
der reign upon its streets, and it is said by all that
Mr. Borum fills the office of Osceola's mayor with
credit and respect.
Capt. Charles Bowen. There are many men in
this county at the present day in whose lives there
are l)ut few thrilling incidents or remarkable events,
yet whose success has been a steady and constant
growth, and who, possessed of excellent judgment,
strong common sense and indomitable energy,
have evinced in their lives and characters great
symmetry, completeness and moral standing of a
high order. Such traits may be found in the char
acter of Mr. Bowen, a native of Jackson County,
Tenn.. born on the 28th of Febraary, 1814, and
one of the most prominent planters of the county.
His parents, John and Jennie (Crawford) Bowen,
were originally from Virginia, but came to Tennes-
see at an early day. Shortly after the birth of
their son, Charles, they removed to the western
district of Tennessee, and there built the first cabin
in what is now Dyer County. They subsisted for
the first year exclusively on wild meat, and did not
taste bread during that time. After living in
Western Tennessee for seven years, where Charles
Bowen clerked in a store in Trenton, the family
moved (1828) to Mississippi County, Ark., and set-
tled for a short time on the river, near what is now
Barfield Point. After two years Charles, with his
father, fitted out a store and produce boat, and
traded on the river for about three years. They
then returned to Mississippi County, and there
made a permanent settlement. After a few years
the elder Bowen went back to Tennessee, and there
passed his last days. The mother had died when
Charles was about eight years of age. As a resi-
dent of Mississippi County the latter sold wood to
the steamboats, and was also engaged in farming
on a small scale. His brother, John C. Bowen,
was the second sheriff of Mississippi County, elect
ed in 1838, and Charles served as his deputy for
about six years, after which the latter was himself
elected sheriff of the county. He served in this
capacity for sixteen years, to the entire satisfaction
of all. When the war broke out Mr. Bowen raised
a company in Mississippi County, and was elected
captain of the same, which was called the " Osceola
Hornets;" it operated on the east bank of the Mis-
sissippi River during the principal part of the
time. He was in the battle of Belmont, and also
at Shiloh, where his company was badly cut up,
leaving the battle field with only seven men. The
Captain then returned to Mississippi County, and
w —
® k^
iHl
raised another company. This operated mostly on
the west bank of the Mississippi River. In 181)4
C'apt. Bowen, while in charge of his command, was
captured at Osceola, by Col. Burris, a Kansas jay-
hawker, and was kept a prisoner at St. Louis for
about two months. He then retui'ned, gathered
up his company, and continued to operate in this
section. He had a fight on Ten-Mile Bayou, in
Crittenden County. He surrendered at Osceola, in
1865, to the captain of a gunboat. He was then ap-
pointed sheriff by the governor, serving for two
years, but refused to run again. In 1872, during
the negro troubles in Mississippi County, known as
the ' ' Black Hawk' ' war, Capt. Bowen led a charge
against the mob. which was at once dispersed.
In 1874 the Captain was a member of the State
constitutional convention, and was also elected
county judge for one term. He purchased a fine
plantation of 320 acres, half of which is under a
high state of cultivation. On this place he has
made all improvements, erected all buildings, etc.
At present he is the owner of about 1,000 acres.
He was married in 1843 to Mrs. Mills, nee Bishop,
and three children were the result of this mar-
riage: Charles Reese (deceased), William J., mar-
ried and living near Osceola, and Margaret Ann,
wife of J. B. Driver, and residing about one mile
below Osceola. Mrs. Bowen was called to her final
home in 1865. The Captain took for his second
wife Mrs. Segars. ti.ee Howe, and four children
were the fruits of this union: Clem Clay, Samuel,
Mamie and Katie.
Louis C. Bowen. If. as is self-evident, this
work would be incomplete without sketches of the
more public spirited of the successful agricultur-
ists and stock men and substantial, well to do cit-
izens of Mississippi County, then the biography of
the subject of this sketch justly finds a conspicuous
place in the present volume. Mr. Bowen owes
his nativity to Tennessee, where his birth occurred
March 81, 1818. His parents, Charles G. and
Susan (Shell) Bowen, wore natives of Virginia, but
they were married at Knoxville, Tenn. , where the
father worked as a saddler. In 1823 the family
moved to Vigo County, Ind., but two years later
settled in Putnam County, of the same State, where
they resided twelve years. In that county the
father followed his trade, and was also engaged in
agricultural i)ursuits. On May 2, 1835, they land-
ed at Barfield Point, Ark., but only remained there
four years, when they returned to Indiana. Still
not satisfied, they came back to Arkansas, and set-
tled on a tract of land near Osceola. Here the
father died, in 1873, at the age of eighty-four
years, but the mother died a number of years pre-
vious. The character of Mr. Bowen, the subject
of this sketch, was modeled in such a manner that it
was natural for him to look, perhaps unconsciously,
upon farming and stock raising as the only call-
ing with which he should identify himself. He
received limited educational advantages, and re-
mained at home until thirty years of age. He
then chose Miss Catherine Martin as his future
wife, but she lived only about eleven months after
marriage. In 1839 Mr. Bowen entered 160 acres
of land, on which he is living at the present time.
He has all of this tract under cultivation, and his
improvements are all of the best — good buildings,
extensive orchards, etc. In 1853 Mr. Bowen mar-
ried Miss Amelia O. Driver, a daughter of Abner
Driver, one of the first settlers in this section. She
lived about ten years, and became the mother of
five children, all now deceased. They were named
as follows: Martha, Nellie, James Lawson, Viola
C. and Katie. In 1868 Mr. Bowen was united in
marriage to Mrs. Sallie M. Driver, nee Baley, a
native of Ohio. Six children were the result of
this union: Robert L., William E. (deceased), Wal
ter, Sallie, Charley and Joseph. The family are
members of the Methodist Episcopal Church,
South, at Osceola, of which Mr. Bowen has been
steward for twenty years. He has been quite ac-
tive in political affairs; was deputy sheriff from
1843 to 1849, under his cousin. Sheriff John
Bowen. In addition to his home plantation, he is
the owner of 800 acres in another tract.
W. J. Bowen, farmer, Osceola, Ark. By rea-
son of his being a native-born citizen of the coun-
ty, no less than because of his excellent reputation
as a progressive and enterprising agriculturist,
Mr. Bowen enjoys an extensive acquaintance in
the community. His birth occurred near where
/-<
472
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
the town of Osceola now stands, May Ki, 1848,
and there he remained until thirteen years of age,
when he moved with his parents to the farm where
his father, Capt. Charles Bowen, is now living,
three miles west of the village. Here W. J.
Bowen remained until of age, and received such
education as could be obtained in the slab school -
house erected by his father near the place. The
slabs were obtained from the saw mill that stood
where Capt. Ayres' place now is, two miles west of
Osceola. This was the first saw- mill in the coun
ty. The first grist- mill was a horse mill kept by
Felix R. Lanier. The first teacher in the county
was John W. DeWitt, who taught school in the
old lay court-house, about 1854, spelling and
reading being about the only branches taught.
The teacher lived in a little shanty built from old
steamboat lumber, and he was also the postmaster,
and kept the postoffice in an old cracker box, into
which the letters would be thrown promiscuously.
Those wishing their mail might go and hel))
themselves from the box, taking out all the mail,
looking it over and returning what they did not
want. DeWitt, the teacher and postmaster, was
quite a man for his bottle, and at times would go
on a regular spree. Sometimes he would take a
child on his shoulder and run through the town,
yelling like an Indian. In those good old days a
negro with a good gourd fiddle would be i)ropped
up in one corner of a 15x15 log cabin, and for the
pleasure of dancing to his music, the young man
would get a horse or mule, go sometimes as far as
twenty-five miles, get some pretty country lass be
hind him and —
Dance all night 'till broad dayligUl
And go home with the girl in the morning.
Others would take a yoke of oxen, hitch to a cart
and take the whole family, making a two days'
trip of it. An incident Mr. Bowen relates of his
father, when a young man, is as follows: He
started from where Osceola stands with a young
lady, in a dug out, to go to Bartield, twenty-five
miles up the river, to a dance. By some misman-
agement the canoe was capsized and they were
spilled out: but Mr. Bowen was equal to the emer-
gency, and after swimming to shore with the lady,
returned to the dug-out, saved his saddle bags, and
again returned to the canoe, which he brought to
shore in a passably good condition. This they
again entered, and went on their way to the dance.
This was no unusual occurrence, as they fi-equently
went to dances and camp meetings in dug-outs, and
as frequently were upset. One time at a camp
meeting "Old Stormy.'' a preacher from Big
Lake, rode a mule into camp, and while he was
expounding the gospel, the boys got his mule,
tied a bee-hive to its tail, and sent it flying
through the camp grounds. It is hardly neces-
sary to add that ' ' Old Stormy ' ' was filled with
righteous wrath, and that the camp meeting was
broken up. W. J. Bowen is the owner of 160
acres in one tract, 100 acres being under cultiva-
tion, and he is also the owner of forty acres near
Osceola. He is now living on the Dan. Matthews'
place, one mile from the town, where he has about
iiOO acres under cotton and corn, and has on his
place about forty people. He was married to Miss
Mollie J. Wilks, a daughter of John Wilks, of
Pemiscot County, Mo., and five children were born
to this marriage, two of whom died in childhood:
Ollie P. , who died at the age of seven years, and
Charles E. , who died at the age six years. Those
now living are named as follows: Sallie E., at
home; Ella L. , and an infant unnamed. Mr.
Bowen' s father. Capt. Charles Bowen, is one of
the oldest known citizens of the county.
H. E. Bowen, farmer of Swan Township, is
now successfully following the occupation to which
he was reared, and which has been his life-work,
a calling that has for ages received undivided ef-
forts from many worthy individuals, and one that
always furnishes sustenance to the ready worker.
Mr. Bowen first saw the light of day in a log cabin
near the present site of the village of Osceola, Mis-
sissippi County, Ark., in the year 1853. His
father, Reece Bowen, came to Mississippi County
at a very early date, and there died in 1850, leaving
his widow and six children to the tender mercies
of the world. She kept her children together un-
til her death, which occurred in 1800, and then the
home place was divided and sold. H. E. Bowen
was so unfortunate as to receive very limited
'*~7\s
MISSISSIPPI COUNTY.
473
mlucatioaal advantages in youtli, and when eight-
ecu years of age he began renting land, engaged in
agficultural pursuits, and this occvipatiou he hits
followed ever since. His marriage with Miss Minnie
Fassett, daughter of J. J. Fassett, occurred in
1878, and three interesting children are the result
of this union: William Douglass, Hovpard E. and
Joseph Reece, At the age of thirty Mr. Bowen
bought 480 acres of land, and has opened up 125
acres of as rich bottom land as can be found, and
which averages from three fourths of a bale to a
l)ale per acre each year, with a cost of from $5
to 16 per acre for the work. He is classed among
the live, energetic farmers of the county, and is a
man universally respected.
Howard H. Bowen. To show what industry,
perseverance and good management can do in con-
(jnering difficulties, it is only necessary to record
some of the facts of Mr. Bowen' s career from ear-
liest childhood up to the present day. Left an or-
phan in infancy, he has carved ovit his own fortune
and has attained an enviable footing among the
leading agriculturists of the county. He was horn
in Osceola on the 21st of January, 1856, being the
only child born to his parents, and the day follow-
ing his birth his father died and was followed to
the grave by the mother eight days later. At the
time of his death the father was engaged in farm-
ing, and was also in commercial business in Os-
ceola. He belonged to one of the prominent pio-
neer families of the county, a short history of
whom is given in the sketch of Cajit. Bowen
Howard H. Bowen was cared for l:>y his grandpar-
ents, but they, too, died when he was about two
years of age, after which he was cared for by an
aunt, Mrs. Ruth Bnrk, and then resided with
James H. Edrington, an uncle by marriage. Later
he made his home with an uncle, John C. Bowen.
and then again with his aunt, Mrs. Burk. When
he was about eight years of age he was taken into
the family of his uncle. Arthur C. Boweu, with
whom he remained until he attained his majority.
During this time his advantages for acquiring an
education were of a rather inferior description, but
this fault he has remedied iu a great measure by
reading, contact with business life and intercourse
30
with hi.s fellowincu. After starting out in life for
himself he began working ou a farm at 122 per
month, less hoard, washing and mending, for John
Matthews, and at the end of six months had saved
•1107, only sfjouding during this time the. sum of
12.60 for his personal needs, an instance of fru-
gality rarely seen in the young men of the present
day. He was employed as a farm laborer, woi'k-
iug by the mouth, until the 27th of December,
1879, and up to that date had saved $500. With
this money he made a payment of $450 on an un-
improved farm of 120 acres, near Elmont. On
this place he at once began clearing land, selling
his wood at 50 and 65 cents per cord, and lived in
a little log cabin, 8 x 10 feet, which wa.s scarcely
high enough for him to stand erect in. Here he
worked until the fall when he went to Osceola, and
during the winter was employed in a cotton-gin.
In the spring of 1881 he put in the first crop that
was ever raised on the place, which amounted to
some eight acres of cotton and corn, and the next
year had in about twenty-five acres, which he cul-
tivated by hiring men with teams, not yet having
been able to purchase a span of horses. About
this time he met with some reverses, the floods of
1882-83 injuring his fences by washing them
away and piling up logs and drift of all descrip-
tions; but with the energy, push and pluck which
are among his leading characteristics, he continued
at his work and now has the entire tract cleared
and under cultivation, it being also highly ini
proved, with a fine dwelling-house, a good barn,
warehouse and a large steam cotton gin. The lat-
ter has a capacity of twenty-five bales per day
and was erected at a cost of 14,000. In addition
to this admirable farm he owns a tract of 120
acres, two miles west of the river, forty acres of
the land being under cultivation, and from this he
derives a very fair rent. Four years ago it was a
tract of wild land, but is now being put under cul-
tivation and is improved with a good house. In
the year 1887 he was united iu marriage to Miss
Fannie S. Boyles, a native of the county and a
daughter of Chailes Boyles, who was one of the old
settlors of this region. Their only child, Charley
Bard, died on the 15th of May, 1889. at the age
jjl
474
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
of fourteen mouths aud fourteeu days, deeply
mourned by his sorrowing parents. Mr. Bowen is
a member of Lodge No. 27, of the A. F. & A. M. ,
at Osceola. He has always been very temperate,
and up to the age of twenty-six years had never
taken a drink of liquor in a saloon.
Charles Boyles. A lifetime spent in pursuing
one calling will usually result in substantial suc-
cess, especially if energy and perseverance are ap-
plied, and such is found to be the case with Mr.
Boyles, who, from boyhood, has given the occu-
pation of agricultui'e the principal part of his time
and attention. He was born on Tennessee soil in
1831, and was brought to Arkansas by his father,
William J. Boyles. in 1849, settling on a tract of
extremely wild land in Mississippi County. Like
the majority of native Tennesseeans, the father
was energetic and thrifty, and the first year
cleared four acres, cutting down the canebrake
with a hatchet, and by perseverance and industry
soon had a comfortabh? home. Here he resided
until his death, which occurred the first year of
the Rebellion. His wife was a Miss Marjory
Blackmore, of Tennessee, who bore him a family
of ten children, of whom Charles is the eldest.
The latter was an attendant of the schools of Os-
ceola, being compelled to walk a distance of four
miles to receive his instruction. His first en-
trance upon life's duties for himself was in the
capacity of a farmer when in his twenty-first year.
The first two years he worked out by the month,
then cut cord-wood for the same time, after which
he gave his attention to raising crops of cotton and
corn on rented land. After the death of his par-
ents, the old homestead was divided, and sixty
acres fell to his share, of which forty are under
cultivation. His marriage with Miss Emeline Pace
was celebrated May 20, 1852. She is a native of
Chicot County, Ark., coming to this county in
1840. Their union has been blessed in the birth
of ten children, four of whom are living: John P. ;
Thomas, who is married to a Miss Blackwood aud
lives on his father's farm; Fannie, wife of H. H.
Bowen, and Naufiett D. Mr. Boyles is a member
of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
T. P. Bragg, though still a young man, is
rapidly and surely making his way to the front in
agricultural pursuits and is considered by all a
careful, painstaking farmer. He was born in
South Carolina in 1854, and was the second of
four children born to Wiley and Sarah (Otts)
Bragg, who were also born in the " Palmettp
State," the former being an energetic farmer of
that region. The earliest recollections of T. P.
Bragg are of sjiending his time upon the home farm,
but at the early age of fourteen years he left the
parental roof and emigrated westward to Tennes-
see, in which State he was engaged in farm labor
for four years. He was married there in 1873, to
Miss Margaret Denton, and immediately after came
to Mississippi County where, after working as a farm
laborer for five years, he rented land and put in
a crop for himself. He has farmed in this manner
ever since, but conducts business on a very exten-
sive scale, and his success has been exceptionally
good. He has 250 acres in crops, and besides this
has a farm of eighty acres (which he purchased in
1887) under the plow, it being located about two and
one-half miles north of Osceola, aud is very advan-
tageously situated. On coming to this county the
greater portion of the land in this section was in a
wild condition, but has been opened up since his
arrival. He has been quite an active politician,
and his votes are cast for Democratic candidates.
The names of the children born to himself and
wife are Ada Elizabeth, Maud M. , Thomas W.,
William Walker, Maggie L. and Charles.
Dr. Thomas G. Brewer, whose celebrity in the
healing art is widespread, was born in Aberdeen,
', Miss., in 1851. His parents were Samuel C. and
Mary A. (Pritchett) Brewer, of Virginia, who
moved to the State of Mississippi at an early
period, where the father became a very prominent
contractor for the erection of buildings. Thomas
was the youngest of fourteen children, of whom
four boys entered the Confederate army, one of
them being killed at Gettysburg, one dying in
prison at Rock Island, having been captured at the
battle of Chickamauga, and the other two serving
through the entire period of the war, of whom one
is residing at Water Valley, Miss., and the other is
a popular physician at Lamar, Miss. The father of
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e t^
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MISSISSIPPI COUNTY.
475
these boys died iu 187U, and the mother nine years
previous. Thomas remained at home durino; the
war, beinif then too young to bear arms, and
studied mathematics under his father, pre2><iratory
to entering the university. His first intention was
to adopt the law, but his father's financial ruin
soon after the war changed his plans, and he
joined his brother, W. W. Brewer, at Lamar, to
study medicine. He remained with his brother
one year, and then attended the Jefferson Medical
College at Philadelphia, where he remained one
year. On his return he won a scholarship at a
comjietitive examination held in the Louisville
Medical College at Water Valley, Miss., and re-
mained at that college during the years 1873-74,
graduating in February of the latter year. On
his return to Lamar he began practicing his pro-
fession, and continued at that place until 1879.
It was during the yellow fever epidemic of 1878,
that the Doctor displayed his heroism, and the
courage to face death, where thousands were panic-
stricken and fleeing in all directions to escape the
scourge. He remained at his post, and with his
Ijrother's assistance attended case after case with
a nerve that was magnificent, and won the ad-
miration of thousands. During his residence in
Lamar he was elected mayor and quarantine com-
missioner, and held the office of mayor for several
years. In 1879 he removed to Monroe, Phillips
County, Ark. . where he remained for two years,
but losing his health to some extent, he thought
it Ijetter policy to return to Lamar. After one
year's residence there he improved, and then came
to Mississippi County, Ark., settling at Pecan
Point, to practice his profession. He remained
here until 1887, and then moved to Fort Smith,
l)ut the ill health of his family again compelled
liim to change, and he returned to Mississippi
County, where he has since been permanently lo-
cated, and has built a comfortable home. His skill
is too well known to comment upon, and his practice
embraces a stretch of some twenty miles upon the
river front, and several of the islands; besides this
it is rapidly increasing. The Doctor is a member-
of the County Medical Society and of the Tri State
Medical Association of Mississippi. Arkansas and
Tennessee, and at one time was vice-president of
the latter society. He also belongs to the Masonic
fraternity and the Knights of Honor, Lodge No.
8315, of Pecan Point, and was instrumental in the
organization of these lodges. In 1876 he was
married to Miss Mollie C. Hudson, of Lamar,
Miss., and they are the parents of one child, a boy
named Norman W. Dr. and Mrs. Brewer are mem-
bers of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South,
and are both active in all church work. Some idea
of the Doctor's skill may be gathered from the
fact that last year he attended 130 families, and
but two deaths occurred out of that number, which
is one of the most creditable records of any physi-
cian in that section.
Gideon R. Brickey, of the firm of G. K.
Brickey & Bros. , general merchants and planters
of Osceola, Mississippi County, Ark. . first saw the
light of day in Ste. Genevieve County, Mo., in 1850.
The paternal ancestors of Mr. Brickey came orig-
inally from France in 1080, and settled in South
Carolina, but later moved to Georgia. They left
their native land on account of religious oppres-
sion, and were among the Huguenots who came to
America at that time for freedom of belief. Since
then this family has been among the pioneers in
the settlement of several States. In 1814, John
Brickey, grandfather of the subject of this sketch,
settled in Washington, Mo. Of the nine living
children born to John C. and Emma (Carpenter)
Brickey, Gideon R. is the fourth. His parents
were natives of Missouri, and the father was for a
long time a miller in that section, but is now in
business in Festus, Mo. Gideon R. Brickey at-
tended the public schools of Missouri, and had a
more thorough course of private instruction at
home, until the age of eighteen; then, in 1872, with
his brother Peter, made a trip on a flatboat, taking
photographs on the Mis.sissippi River. They were
engaged in this novel life for three years, and in
1875 Mr. Brickey came to Osceola and started a
general store. He is the oldest business man in
this place. In 1878, his brother Peter, who was
also interested in the business, made his home iu
Osceola, and in 1885, another brother, John,
joined them also, so that the individual members
i) ""V '
^-
410
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
of the above mentioned firm are Gideon R., Peter
and John Brickey. They now have one of the
lavjrost and finest stores in Osceola. This firm also
have large farming interests, and buy and sell cotton
as well as gin it. In 1885, they started a produce
and commission business in Memphis, Tenn. , con-
tinued there one year, and then opened a branch
store at Marianna, Lee County, Ark. , where they
have a rapidly increasing business. In 1882, they
erected a fine storehouse, the finest perhaps, in
Osceola. They have also bought town property,
on which they have erected fine residences. In
1878, Mr. Brickey selected Miss Emily Price, a
native of Tennessee, for his life companion. She
died in 1 883, and left one child, Maggie H. . who
died when four years old. In 1886. Mr. Brickey
married, for a second time, Miss Lula Roussan,
a native of Missouri, who bore him one child, Arthur
Gideon. Peter Brickey was married about 1881, to
Miss Laura E. Miller, a native of South Carolina.
One child, a son. Garland Smith, is the result
of this union. Mr. Brickey is at present living in
Lee County, where he is managing the branch store
at Marianna. He purchased the Hewitt estate at
that place, and is becoming prominently identified
with that section. John C. , the youngest member
of the firm, was born in 1856, and was educated
mostly at home. He has been engaged in mercan-
tile pursuits most of his life, and is a wide-awake,
business young man. He was married in 1879,
to Miss Emma C. Bastwick, a native of Illinois, and
their union has been blessed by the birth of one
child, a daughter named Mabel, whose birth oc-
curred in 1880.
J. B. Brisendine. The entire life of Mr.
Brisendine has been passed in ceaseless activity,
and has not been without substantial evidences of
success, as will be seen from a glance at his pres-
ent possessions. He is numbered among those of
Georgia nativity now in this county, in which
State he was born in 1839, being the third of
five children born to James R. and Elizabeth
(McDowell) Brisendine, both of whom were na-
tives of the ' ' Old North State, ' ' where they
were also reared and married. After the latter
event they moved to Georgia, where the father fol-
lowed the mechanic's trade until 1860, at which
date they removed to Jackson County, Ark. , where
they both died in January, 1861, within four days
of each other. J. B. Brisendine spent his youth in
Atlanta, Ga. , where he also received his education
and learned the liricklayer's trade; but in 1860 he
removed with his parents to Arkansas, and at the
opening of the war enlisted in Company I, Mat-
lock's regiment of the Confederate States Army,
and was assigned to the Trans-Mississippi depart-
ment, afterward taking an active part in the battles
of Prairie Grove and Helena, also a ruimber of other
engagements of less note. At the cessation of hos-
tilities he went to Memphis, Tenn., and became an
employe of Brown. Jones & Co., coal dealers of
that place, with whom he remained until the fall
of 1866, when he came to Mississippi County.
Ark., locating near Frenchman's Bayou, where he
was engaged in making brick for about two years,
his being the fii'st establishment of the kind on the
Bayou. He then followed the bricklayer's trade
in Tennessee until 1878, after which he returned to
Mississippi County, and settled in Chickasawba
Township, where he purchased a small farm con-
taining forty acres, on which he resided and made
many improvements for two years; then was com-
pelled to vacate owing to defective title. He soon
after purchased the farm of 151 acres on which he
is now living, it being situated two miles south of
Blythesville. The place was a complete wilder-
ness, but during the eight years of Mr. Brisen-
dine's occupancy he has reduced sixty acres to a
high state of cultivation, has erected a substantial
dwelling house and barn, and has the trees on fifty
acres deadened and ready to be removed. His land
is quite productive, and will readily yield a bale of
cotton to the acre and forty bushels of corn. Jan-
uary 20, 1869, he was united in the bonds of matri-
mony to Miss Linda Blackwell, of Tennessee, and
the following are the children born to their union :
Birdie, who was accidentally burned to death at
the age of seven years; Ralph E. , Louis A.. Cham-
berlin, Eva and Julius B. . Jr. The family are
members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and
he has been school director.
George \V. Buckner, agriculturist. One of the
^*
9 W.
^ 9
^
MISSISSIPPI COUNTY.
477
best and neatest farms in Mississippi County, Ark. ,
is owned by Mr. Buckuer, and his prosperity can
be traced directly to his energy, earnest and sincere
endeavor and good judgment. He was born in
Osceola, Mississippi County, Ark., in 1840, and
was married in 1861, bis union resulting in the
birth of five childi'en. His farm comprises a tract
of 500 acres, of which 155 are under cultivation,
and of this he has cleared about twenty-five acres
himself, erected several dwelling hoiises, and has
made other valuable improvements on his property.
On his various farms he has eight families of ten-
ants living. In 1S66 he b(jught the machinery for
a steam cotton-gin, which is now being operated
in connection with Rncker Bros., who are leading
merchants and agriculturists of Bartield, Ark. The
life of Mr. Buckner has been one unmarked by any
unusual occurrence outside of the chosen channels
to which he has .so diligently af)plied himself, but
he deserves much credit for the admirable manner
in which he has overcome the many difficulties
which have strewn his pathway during his life of
nearly half a century, and in the acquisition of his
present fine property he has shown himself to be
a man of sound judgment.
Dr. Benjamin A. Bugg. For a period now of
about twenty -nine years, he whose name heads this
sketch has been a resident of Mississippi County,
Ark., and during this time he has enjoyed a repu-
tation as an honorable upright man, and a solid,
substantial and thoroughly reliable citizen. The
history of his life is not unlike that of other pro-
fessional men, and yet there has been that individ-
uality about him that has gained for him many
friends. Dr. Bugg was bom in Davidson County,
Tenn., in 1835, and was the fourth in a family of
eight children born to Benjamin and Nancy Green
(Towns) Bugg, whose birthplaces were Virginia
and North Carolina, respectively. They were mar-
I'ied in the State of Tennessee, and there the
father pursued the calling of agriculture until bis
death, in 1847, his wife also dying in that State
in 1881. She was a member of the Methodist Epis-
copal Church, South. Benjamin A. learned the
details of farm work in his youth, and acquired
sufficient education in the schools of his native
county to permit him at the age of twenty-one
years to engage in teaching the "young idea,"
which occupation he successfully carried on in
Tennessee, Kentucky and Arkansas. He was mar-
ried while in Tennessee to Miss Martha A. John-
son, a native of that State, and the next year per-
manently located in Arkansas; after a few days"
stay at Osceola, he went to Clear Lake, where he
remained for three years, being engaged in wield-
ing the ferule and farming. He then followed the
same occupations in Chickasawba Township until
1872, and at this date, having given much of his
attention to the study of medicine, he began prac-
ticing the healing art, being also engaged in stock
raising on a farm of forty acres, which he pur-
chased in the township. After improving this
place, he sold it, also several other tracts, and in
1875 purchased a fine tract of eighty acres in
North Chickasawba Township, on which he made
his home for one year, after which he moved to a
farm south of Blythesville, and the year succeed-
ing he purchased an interest in Judge Daniel's
estate, in Cooktown, where he made his home dur-
ing 1877-78. In 1877, his estimable wife, who was
a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church,
South, departed this life, leaving him with four-
children to care for: Lillie G. , wife of J. J. Thomp-
son, who resides on her father" s farm ; Mattie A. , the
deceased wife of J. C. Clemens, she belonged to the
Methodist Episcopal Church, South; Nancy Ann.
who died in infancy ; Benoni Harris, who died when
seven years of age, and Jesse Neely, whose death
occurred at the age of four years. He owns in all
about 600 acres of land, with fully 400 acres in a
high state of cultivation. All his land is very pro-
ductive, and his farm in North Chickasawba Town-
ship is considered among the best in this section
of the country. His residence is a tasty cottage,
very neat in design and finish; and as he is a man
of refined tastes he surrounds his home with many
comforts and luxuries, and on the beautiful lawn,
in front of his house, flowers of every hue bloom
luxuriantly. His buildings are all in excellent
condition, and his place is thoroughly improved in
every respect, thus showing the care and thrift
which have ever characterized the Doctor's career
V
^
478
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
through life. He has from time to time been more
or less interested in commercial pursuits, and up
to the year 1889 has a mercantile establishment
in Gooktown. He has always been interested in
political affairs, and in 1884 was chairman of
the Democratic executive committee of Missis-
sippi County. In all matters of public interest
he is usually found among the first supporters, and
in school matters he has been particularly interest-
ed, having held the office of school director for
many years. The Doctor took no part in the late
Rebellion until the fall of 1804, when he joined
Price on his raid through Missouri and Kansas,
and was an active participant in all the battles of
that campaign. He was a member of Kitchens'
regiment, crossed the Missouri River at Arrow
Rock and proceeded to Glasgow, where they
had a victory. His was the only regiment that
crossed the river. After their return they joined
the main body of troops, and soon participated in
severe engagements at Independence and Big Blue,
after which they proceeded to Kansas and then south
to Arkansas, reaching the latter State at about the
close of the war. The Doctor allowed his beard
to grow for twenty years and it had then attained
a length of six and one half feet, after which he
had it removed. A portrait of him appears in this
work, which was taken when his beard was long-
est. He is a member of Osceola Lodge No. 27,
A. F. & A. M. , and he and his wife, whom he mar-
ried in 1886, and whose name was Mrs. Rosa A.
Felts, nee Carney, of Tennessee, were members of
the Methodist Episcopal Church, South. She died
June 25, 1888, leaving one child, Benjamin Alex-
ander.
C. F. Bush. In mentioning those of foreign
birth who have become closely associated with the
farming interests of Mississippi County, Ark., we
should not fail to present an outline of the career
of Mr. Bush, for he is one who has fully borne
out the reputation of that class of industrious, en-
ergetic and prudent men of German nativity, who
have risen to prominence in different portions of
this country. He was born in 1832, and was the
second in a family of eight children born to George
H. Bush, who came with his family to the United
States in 1838, and settled in the State of Tennes-
see, where he remained until the opening of the
war, at which time he removed to Mississippi
County, Ai-k. , and began farming on a tract of 160
acres in Chickasawba Township, and there died
three years later. C. F. Bush grew to manhood
on his father's farm, but in 1867 found a worthy
companion in the person of Sarah Ann Garrison,
of Mississippi County, she being the daughter of
one of the old residents of the county. Mr. Bush
soon after purchased a tract of 160 acres, all wild
land, but some time after sold eighty acres of this,
and purchased eighty acres in another tract, of
which twelve acres were under cultivation. At the
present time he has forty acres under the plow,
and will soon have twenty-five acres more which are
almost ready for cultivation. In 1887 he built a
good hoiise, and as far as buildings, fences and or-
chards are concerned, has his farm well improved.
He is making a specialty of raising a good grade
of stock, and has twenty-five head of horses, and
a fine male animal which has won a good record.
His land is fertile, and yields a bale of cotton to
the acre. The following are the children born to
himself and wife: Martha E., wife of J. T. Battles;
John Henry, Stenie E., who died at the age of
seven years ; Mary A. , Minnie and Kittie. Mr.
Bush has been a member of the school board, and
is active in school work.
Benjamin F. Butler, another prominent busi-
ness man of Osceola, was born on Frenchman's
Bayou, on the banks of Butler's Lake, in the year
1839, and is the elder of two children born to
Jesse and Urena (Clark) Butler, natives of New
York and Kentucky, respectively. The father
was a gentleman of education, and in 1826 came to
Arkansas in company with his mother, sister and
brother- in-law. They settled on a small lake
about eight miles southwest of Pecan Point, and
this lake was afterward, and is still, known as
Butler's Lake, so called in honor of its first set-
tlor, Mr. Jesse Butler. Mr. Butler and his brother-
in-law each selected 160 acres, and proceeded
to make a home in the wilderness. After mak-
ing such improvements as were necessary, they
turned their attention to stock raising, which was
^i=
''^ — 4
^
MISSISSIPPI COUNTY.
479
very profitable from the fine rfinge. These early
settlers dependecl on their own labor for most of
their supplies, spinning yarn and m.'iking their
own garments, and were compelled to go to Ran-
dolph for groceries, etc. When Osceola was se-
lected as the county seat, Jesse Butler helped to
survey the road for their section to that place.
This old settler assisted in the county organization,
was elected constable of his section, and held that
office almost continuously until his death, which
occurred in 1844. During the time of the early
history of this region, Mr. Butler was a very useful
citizen, and being a man of education and good
practical ideas, many sought advice and counsel
from him. This family, like all others at that
time, ground their meal by hand, and secured their
meat from the forest. They endured many priva-
tions, and paved the way for fnture generations.
Mr. Butler died in the house where he located at
first, never having sought a change from his first
choice of location. Benjamin F. Butler was born
on the above described place, where he resided
until eleven years of age, when he moved with his
mother to the vicinity of Osceola, where she died
in 1852. Benjamin was then a lad of thirteen,
and began fighting the world's battles for himself.
He had but slight educational advantages, but by
his own earnest endeavors secured a fair education.
When the war opened Mr. Butler enlisted in Capt.
Bowen's company; was in the battles of Shiloh,
Corinth, Dug-gap, Atlanta, Jonesboro and Frank-
lin, where he was wounded, biit he remained with
his command until he reached Tupelo, Miss. ,
where he secured a furlough and returned home.
He then worked for several months in the field as
a farm laborer, and in 1866 started in the saloon
Inisiness, which he has carried on ever since. He
has met with good success in his calling, and al-
though his trade is large, he prides himself on his
quiet and orderly house. His standing in society
illustrates forcibly the truth that
Honor and shame from no condition rise —
Act well your part; there all the honor lies.
During 1882 and 1883 he ran on a steamboat in
the Osceola and Memphis trade, but has always
kept up his business in Osceola. On the 9th of
May, 1867, his marriage with Miss Evaline Hale
occurred. She was the eighth child in this fami-
ly [see sketch of ))rother J. To Mr. and Mrs. But-
ler were born eight children, only one now living :
Clarence E., who resides at home. Those de-
ceased are Willie, Martha Lurena, Jesse Bird, Eva
Aurena, Benjamin F., Carrie and Claud. In
1870 Mr. Butler bought a lot in Osceola, and has
since erected a fine residence, which, surrounded
with plants and flowers, and supplied with all the
conveniences, makes a very attractive home.
B. S. Carleton. As an example of the useful-
ness and prominence to which men of character
and determination will attain, we have but to
chronicle the life of Mr. Carleton, one of the most
extensive cotton growers within the limits of Missis-
sippi Coimty. He was born in Lafayette County,
Miss., in 1851, and moved with his father. Dr. A.
Carleton, of Virginia, to Memphis, Tenn., when but
eight years of age. He received his education in
the Memphis schools, with the exception of three
years which he spent in the schools in Mississippi,
and afterward studied medicine for two years in
Memphis. He then went to his mother, who was
living on a plantation in Coahoma County, Miss. ,
and was engaged in agricultural pursuits for sev-
eral years. Going from there to Commerce,
Miss., he followed merchandising for three years,
and then came to Nodena about twelve years ago.
Since that time he has been speculating in cotton,
and runs a plantation. His average yield of cotton
is from 300 to 650 bales per year, and he has now
about 300 people on his place. He is proprietor
of the landing known as the Idaho & Tonages,
and is also proprietor of the places known as
Idaho, Clark, Carleton Lake, Pitman and Lower
Tonages, which contain about 1 , 200 acres of land.
Mr. Carleton is the owner of a cotton-gin and saw-
mill. In 1880 his marriage to Miss Ida V. Bell
was consummated, she being of Memphis birth, the
daughter of W. J. Bell, of North Carolina, and
Josephine (Moore) Bell, of Shelby County, Tenn.
Three children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Carle
ton: Cleave, Byron and Carrie, all at home. Mr.
Carleton is a member of the Masonic fraternity.
Lodge No. 27, Osceola, Ark. Mr. and Mrs. Carle-
^
« w_
480
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
ton ai'e people of retinement and taste, and are con-
nected with some of the best families of the county ;
they are also well known and much esteemed in
Memphis, Tenu. Mr. Garleton takes great pride
in the fact that he is a descendant of the State
that was ' ' the mother of Presidents, ' ' and of the
Scotch-Irish Carletou family.
Edgar A. Carleton. The history of every com-
munity is made up of the events and transactions
which have occurred in the lives of its prominent
representative citizens, and in giving a worthy
history of Mississippi County, a sketch of the life
of Mr. Carleton would be most appropriate, for he
has been unusually successful, and in his farming
operations has always combined the practical with
the theoretical, his long experience in that calling
rendering him fully capable of doing so. He was
born in Lafayette Count}', Miss., in 1855, and
remained in his native county until eleven years
of age, when his father, Alex. Carleton, with
his family, which consisted of his wife and seven
children, of whom Edgar A. is the fourth, removed
to Memphis, Tenn. , where the children received
sufficient educational advantages to fit them for
the ordinary duties of life. At the age of nine-
teen years Edgar A. went to Tunica County, Miss.,
where he engaged in farming and merchandising,
continuing successfully until the fall of 1877, when
he moved to Lee County, Ark., remaining one
year, being also occupied in farming and merchan-
dising at this point, following the latter occupa-
tion for the mercantile firm of Ferguson & Ham-
son. In 1879 he came to Mississippi County,
where his mother, brothers and sisters had pre-
ceded him, and took charge of a store for the
above named firm, which he conducted in a highly
successful manner until 1882, doing a business
amounting to $50,000 per annum. In addition to
this he and a brother attended to over 2,000 acres
of land, employing in different capacities from
300 to 500 hands, and shipped in one year 1,100
bales of cotton. In the latter part of 1882 he and
A. B. Carouthers formed a partnership and em-
barked in the mercantile business at Richardson
Landing, just across the river from where he is
now located, but in the spring of the following year,
owing to poor health, he sold out his share to his
partner and took a trip through Texas, Mexico and
New Mexico, returning home much improved in
health, at the end of five months. He again began
working for his fonner employers, Messrs. Fer-
guson & Hamson, and about four months later, in
the month of December, while sitting in the store
I after dark, he was fired upon through a window
by a man. who shot him in the left breast with
a double-barreled shot gun, the wound being so
serious that he was obliged to give up work until
the 22d of April. The would-be murderer was
caught and sentenced to the penitentiary for nine
years. After recovering, Mr. Carletou went to
Frenchman's Bayou, where he purchased the mer-
( cantile stock of R. E. L. Wilson, where he re-
mained in business until January, 1885, returning
the following year to Nodena. He is now engaged
in farming (his land being rented of Mr. Ferguson),
and has about 425 acres in cotton and corn, which
requires the care of from fifty to 150 men. His
wife, who was Miss Nina Uzzell, was born in this
county in 1860, her parents, J. W. Uzzell and wife,
having settled at Frenchman's Bayou in 1858.
To Mr. and Mrs. Carleton have been born two
[ children: Edith Orr and Nina Gray. Mr. Carle-
ton is a Mason, and a member of the Knights and
Ladies of Honor.
W. F. Carloss' name has become a familiar
one to the people of Mississipjai as well as the sur-
rounding counties, and his genial, sincere nature,
no less than the business in which he is engaged, has
tended to bring about this result. His birth oc-
curred in Phillips County, Ark., in 1859, he being
the second of four children born to A. C. and Eliz-
abeth (Harkleroads) Carloss, the former of whom
was a prominent farmer and miller of that county,
whither he moved in 1848, beginning his ca-
reer as a farmer on a very limited scale indeed.
He now owns 2,000 acres in one body, 600 being
under cultivation, and as he has held the office of
justice of the peace there for many years, he is very
well known, and has been given the cognomen of
"Squire Carloss." Upon growing up, W. F. Car-
loss was instructed in all the details of farm life,
and received his elementary education in the com-
'.±.
MISSISSIPPI COUNTY.
481
mon schools of Phillips County, which was after-
ward supplemented by one and a half year's attend-
ance at the Christian Brothers' College of Memphis,
Tenn. , acquiring in that well known institution an
education of more than ordinary thoroughness.
Upon reaching the age of twenty-one, he began
as fireman, but was soon afterward promoted to the
•position of conductor on the Arkansas Midland
Railroad, serving in the latter capacity for two years.
He then filled the position of station agent and
postmaster at Marvel, Ark., from 1880 to 1883,
and at the latter date was married to Miss Mittie
Hudson of Phillips County. He soon after became
interested in well-boring, purchased a set of tools,
and began drilling wells in Arkansas, Mississippi,
Missouri, Tennessee and California, and did so
well at the business that he is now operating six
sets, two of which are run by steam. He has had
extensive experience in this business, and agrees
that if, after the well is sunk, the water-supply
is exhausted, he will charge nothing for his work.
He sinks his well to a great depth in order to ob-
tain water from coarse white sand and gravel, and
not one has ever been known to fail; a well at
Osceola supplies two forty-horse power engines.
They are becoming very popular in this part of the
country, as they are lasting and cheap, and are
spoken of in a highly flattering manner by every
one. In 1887 this business was organized as the
Carloss Well Company, their main office being at 254
Second street, Memphis, Tenn. Mr. and Mrs.
Carloss have a son named Leslie.
J. J. Carr, a prominent planter at Barfield, was
born in Robertson County, Tenn., in 1853, and was
the fifth child of Robert D. and Elizabeth (Lowe)
Carr, of Viigiuia and Tennessee, respectively. The
father was an extensive farmer and stock raiser in
Tennessee, until 1858, when he moved to Missis-
sippi County, Ark. , and settled at Barfield, on the
farm upon which his son now resides. At his
removal Mr. Carr sold his property in Tennessee for
f no. 00(1, and invested the greater portion of that
sum in lands of this county, buying some 10,000
acres of land, and erecting a handsome residence
one mile from the river. Since that time the river
banks have caved in to such an extent that the
residence has been removed one mile farther back,
and now the river flows directly past it. The elder
Carr, soon after his arrival, began improving his
land on quite an extensive scale, and in a short
time had over 200 acres of land under cultivation.
His death occurred in 1861, at the age of fifty-five
years, just three years after his settlement in Ar-
kansas. After his decease the estate was managed
by his widow and her oldest son. At the age of
sixteen years J. J. Carr attended school at High
Plains, Tenn. , and afterward entered the seminary
at Walnut Grove, where he remained for three
years, returning to Mississippi County on the oc-
casion of his mother' s death. He then entered the
business house of Edi'ington & Co., at Osceola,
and occupied a clerical position for three years,
after which he went to Memphis, Tenn., and trav-
eled for a firm of cotton factors. At the first out-
break of yellow fever, in 1877, he gave up his
employment, and returned to Mississippi County,
where he took possession of his farm, then con
sisting of 125 acres under cultivation, but num-
bering in all about 1,100 acres. He has added 350
acres more since then, and has some 1 50 acres
under cultivation, well stocked and fenced. Mr.
Carr was married in 1882 to Miss Susie Phillips, of
Missouri, a daughter of Richard R. Phillips, one of
the oldest settlers of New Madrid County, Mo.
This union has given them three children: John
Haiden, Rosa Louise and an infant daughter.
Mrs. Carr is a devout Christian, and belongs to the
Methodist Episcopal Church, and Mr. Carr is a
member of Osceola Lodge No. 1153. Knights of
Pythias. His land will average one bale of cot-
ton to the acre, and about fifty bushels of corn,
and in connection with his farming interests he
operates a cotton-gin on his place, and owns
the steamljoat landing, known as the Chickasawba
Landing, where most of the cotton from the town-
ship of that name is shipped, and the goods for
that locality are received. Mr. Carr is a gentle-
man of pleasing manners and address, and is well
and popularly known throughout that section,
where he is highly esteemed.
N. G. Cartwright, sad<ller and harness-maker
of Osceola, and one of the public-spirited citizens
:x:
■482
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
of that city, is a native of Nortli Carolina, his
liirth occurring in 1841. His scholastic advantages
were rather limited, as he only attended the com-
mon schools until twelve years of age, after which
he was apprenticed to learn the harness-maker's
trade, and served three years. He then began
working at his trade, which occupation he continued
for about four years, and during that time be-
came convinced that a better education was neces-
sary, and attended school one year. In 1861,
when the late Civil War broke out, Mr. Cartwright
enlisted in Company F, First North Carolina In-
fantry, and was in Lee's army from its organization
to the surrender. He was in the battles of Roanoke
Island, where he was captured, biit soon paroled ;
was at the battle of Chancellorsville, also the
battle of the Wilderness, and was in a great many
minor engagements. He surrendered at Appo-
mattox with Gen. Lee's army, April 9, 1865. Mr.
Cartwright was then in North Carolina for about
a year, and in the spring of 1866 moved to
Memphis, but in August of the same year he came
to Osceola, where he taught the public school for
two years. He married Miss Sallie E. Williams,
daughter of James H. Williams, of that place, and
one of the old and much respected citizens of the
county. After his marriage Mr. Cartwright rented
land and engaged in agricultural pursuits. Soon
after he purchased 160 acres about twelve miles uji
the river, and on this he made many improvements.
This very pleasant home he sold at the end of
three years, but continued farming for a number of
years after that. In 1879 he started the first
saddlery and harness-making shop in Osceola. He
purchased a lot in that city, erected a store, and
in 1882 built the line residence in which he
now resides. In 1888 he put up his present store-
room on Main Street, and now has a good and
rajjidly increasing business. In 1883 he was
elected mayor of Osceola, and in 1888 he was
elected justice. By his union with Miss Williams
Mr. Cartwright became the father of these chil-
dren: Charley W., who died at the age of two
years; Mary Frances, died in infancy; Foster, also
died in infancy; Katie, James W., Vance, Leland
and Henry (twins, and both deceased), and Finley.
Mr. Cartwright is a representative business man, is
careful and painstaking in all matters relating to
the saddlery business, and carries a full and com
plete stock of goods. His parents, Noah G. and
Cassandra (Bailey) Cartwright, were both natives
of North Carolina, where the father carried on
agricultural pursuits.
A. L. Cissell. Among the representative men •
of this county none are more favorably known or
more highly respected than the above-mentioned
gentleman. His prominence arises from personal
worth, which the public is not slow in recognizing,
as well as from distinguished family connections,
he being a direct descendant of Sir Robert Cecil,
who was an exile fi-om England on account of relig-
ion, and who first settled Cecil Coimty, Md. Mr.
Cissell was born in Bar Township, Daviess County,
Ind. , in 184-t, and is the son of J. A. Cissell, who
came with his father, James S. Cecil, from Nelson
County, Ky. , when a boy, and settled in Indiana.
Here James A. Cissell changed his name fi'om
Cecil to Cissell, and so it has since been continued
by the Kentuck}' branch of the descendants. A.
L. Cissell was reared at Loogootee, Ind., until
eighteen years of age, and upon the bursting of the
war cloud which had hovered above the country for
so long a time, he enlisted in the Fifty-second In-
diana Volunteer Infantry, and served four years,
taking part in the campaign from Fort Donelson
to Mississippi, or Harrisburg, where in 186-t he
was severely wounded. He was then sent to the
Overton Hospital in Memphis, and from there
home on a furloiigh. In August. 1864. he re-
turned to the regiment at Jefferson Barracks, Mo ,
and was afterward in a fight at Franklin, Mo.,
with Gen. Price. After this he was put in charge
of the wounded and sent to the marine hospital at
St. Louis, where he remained for some time,
later going home to vote. Subsequently he rejoined
his regiment at St. Louis, just from the raid after
Gen. Price in Missouri, and from there accompanied
it to Nashville. Tenn., although classed as non-
combatant, owing to the wound in his right
shoulder. He was sent to the hospital, and re-
joined his regiment at Montgomery, Ala., just
prior to being mustered out at Indianapolis, Ind.,
17;
i^
MISSISSIPPI COUNTY.
483
in September, 1865. Mr. Cissell then returned to
Loogootee, Ind. , where he rented hind of his fa-
ther, and was there united in man'iage to Miss
Sarah C. Brown, daughter of Felix Brown, of
Loogootee. In 1869, in company witli his father
and brother, Mr. Cissell made a prospecting tour
to Mississippi County, Ark., and there bouglit 213
acres of land, while his father bought 100 acres,
mostly timber land. The next year they brought
their families and settled on land situated on Car-
son's Lake, about six miles southwest of Osceola,
where he cleared some 200 acres. There A. L. Cis-
sell remained until 1879, when he engaged in mer-
cantile business at Osceola, and continued in this
for two years, when he sold out at a loss of
$13,000. After paying every cent he was left in
debt to the amoimt of 1928 which, in 1884, he
managed to place in the hands of one man. He
then resumed agricultural pursuits, and is now the
owner of 505 acres, with 165 under cultivation.
In 1888 he was a candidate for sheriff of Missis-
sippi County, but was defeated, owing to the fact
that he left the field in the heat of the contest to
undergo the most trying ordeal which can befall a
man, the loss of a true and loving wife. She died
July 9, 1888, leaving three children: Maggie is
Mrs. O. W. Stacey, and now lives on a farm near her
father's; Nora is the wife of J. H. Meyers, whose
sketch appears elsewhere in this volume, and Til-
den is at home. Mr. Cissell is a member of
the A. O. U. W., located at Osceola, and is a
member of the Catholic Church, as was also his
wife, who died in that faith, holding membership
in the Church of St. Matthew, at Osceola.
John W. Conley. This young agriculturist is
the son of a man who during a residence of four-
teen years in this county became well known and
prominently identified with the county's interests.
James Conley was born in the "Old Dominion,"
being a member of one of the first families there,
and was married in the State of Arkansas to Miss
Rebecca Cutright, who was born in Indiana. They
took up their abode in Mississippi County, Ark.,
in 1854, settling at Daniel's Point, and began farm-
ing along the river, Mr. Conley having been pre-
viously engaged in flat-boating. He made this his
home until his farm was carried away into the
river, then moved back to Clear Lake and bought
160 acres of land, on which there was a slight
clearing and a few improvements made. He
erected him a house, made other improvements in
the way of buildings and fences, and there resided
until his death in 1868, having lived a life of use-
fulness and honor. His widow still survives him.
From earliest boyhood John W. Conley has been
familiar with life on a farm, and at the age of nine-
teen years entered upon active life as a farmer,
which occupation has received his attention up to
the present time, the jjerseverance and industry he
has displayed being rewarded by substantial re-
sults. He first tilled the soil in Chickasawba
Township for seven years and in 1883 settled at
Clear Lake on a tract of 106 acres, which had
previously belonged to his father, where he has
made some improvements in the way of repairing.
His marriage with Miss Elma Patterson was cele-
brated in 1874, she being a native of Indiana, and
a daiighter of an old pioneer of this section. To
them have been born a family of five children: Re-
becca, Andrew J., Rosetta C, Eldord and Naomi.
Mr. Conley is serving as school director, and has
always been interested in the advancement of edu-
cation, as well as all other good works. He was
born in 1856, and was the second of seven children.
Thomas B. Craighead was born near Nashville,
Tenn., about 1800. He was a younger brother of
David Craighead, also a lawyer. He came to Ar
kansas about the year 1838, purchasing a large
tract of land opposite Fort Pillow, where he opened
quite an extensive plantation. Mr. C. was a bach-
elor, and of the simplest of tastes. He was un-
ambitious as a farmer, and continued after his re-
moval to Arkansas to practice law, as he would say,
to support the negroes on his farm. He rarely
left his home except to attend court at Osceola or
at the neighboring county seats in Tennessee. Mr.
Craighead was a man of extraordinary character.
At home he was simple in his habits, living in a
plain log cabin, with no as.sociates except his
negroes, yet he was a man who would have shone
consj)icuously in any company in the United States.
His mind was clear and active, well stored with in-
484
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
formation of every kind, his manners most fascin-
ating; modest, generous, eloquent, hospitable,
charitable, he is to this day remembered by and
lovingly spoken of by the older inhabitants as the
noblest man they ever knew . He was never known
to collect a bill for legal services, although he was
engaged on one side or the other in almost every
case of importance in the county or neighborhood.
If his client paid his fee, well and good; if not
well also. Before the war Mr. Craighead, much
against his will and inclination, was elected a sen-
ator to represent his county in the Arkansas legis-
lature. Such was his popularity among his legis-
lative brethren that against his vain protests they
named a new county, then just formed, after him.
The bombardment of Fort Pillow drove Mr. Craig-
head from his home, and being much exposed and
in advanced years he was seized with pneumonia,
and died on a neighboring farm belonging to one
of his nephews, where his remains now lie.
James B. Craighead, a man of marked charac-
ter and more than ordinary prominence in the ma-
terial affairs of Mississippi County, Ark., is the
eldest son of David Craighead, one of the pioneers
of Arkansas, who was born near Nashville, Tenn. ,
in Davidson County, in 1790, and for some years,
after reaching maturity, was a resident of that city,
where he practiced law, and at one time represent-
ed his county in the State legislature as a senator.
About the year 1834 he purchased a large body of
land in Mississippi County, Ark., on a point oppo-
site the town of Randolph, in Tipton County,
Tenn. , and with the help of slave labor opened a
large plantation, but continued to make his home
in Nashville. As was the custom of planters before
the war, he passed a part of each year with his
family on his plantation, and became so charmed
with life on the banks of the Mississippi river,
among his humble retainers, that he would gladly
have remained there all the time except for the
necessity of educating his children, of whom there
were then five. He died at Memphis, Tenn., in
1849, while on his way home from Little Rock, Ark. ,
where he had been on a matter of business. He
was a man of fine personal appearance, cultivated
and refined, and his views on all subjects were
broad and liberal, betokening a studious mind and
deep thought. He was an intimate friend of An-
drew Jackson and James K. Polk, always a Demo-
crat in his political views, and an advocate of
free trade. At this point it will not be inappro-
priate to give a short history of Mississippi Coun-
ty as it was at the time of Mr. Craighead's set-
tlement. While but a Territory, the lands of Ar-
kansas comprised within the present boundaries of
Mississippi County were surveyed by the United
States Government during the years 1824, 1825
and 1826, and were placed for entry in the land
office at Helena, Ark., at 61.25 per acre. The land
was covered with forests of cottonwood, gum, elm,
hickory, walnut, ash and other timber, while the
undergrowth consisted of almost impenetrable cane
brake, which grew to the height of twenty feet,
the stalks being over an inch in diameter. Tlie
remainder of the land was covered with water dur-
ing the overflows, to a depth of from one to ten
feet, and is yet to a great degree occujjied by fine
cypress brakes. Hardy jjioneers visited this section
soon after it was surveyed, and with infinite trou-
ble and pains examined and located the sections
and quarter sections of land best suited for culti-
vation, which as a general rule lay near the Mis-
sissippi River. The knowledge which they had
gained they sold for a consideration to capitalists
from other States, who entered and purchased the
land. Among those who availed themselves of
this opportunity may be mentioned Nathan Ross,
David Craighead, Thomas B. Craighead, John
Harding, Jacob McGavock, William Baird, Charles
Bowen, Isaac Lanier, Edwin Jones and many
others. These parties were true pioneers, coming
to the country when it was a wilderness, inhabited
by bears, wolves, wild cats and other wild animals.
The reputation which Arkansas had at that date,
and has since had, of being a resort for murderers
and criminals of every description, was not de-
served, for the actual residents of Mississippi Coun-
ty were then, and are now, at least were until the
close of the war, a quiet, peaceful and law-abiding
people. The region was no place for the conceal-
ment of criminals, for the reason that the settle-
ments were on a narrow strip of land running
;ilong the Mississippi River, elosod in on the west by
impenetrable cane-brakes and impassable swamps,
and the places for crossing the river were few and
far between. The original settlers above men-
tioned came to Mississippi County and opened
farms between the years 1833 and 1840. Osceola,
the county seat, was a small village of about fifty
inhabitants, and for many years the most impor-
tant cases on the docket of the court were neigh-
borhood troubles over a hog or a cow, with an oc-
casional indictment of country boys who were
caught playing "old sledge" in some out-of-the-
way rendezvous. There was not then, and has never
been, a stillhouse in the county, to our informant's
knowledge, and whisky drinking was a rare vice,
the people being perfectly sober, if not remark-
ably industrious. Wealthy farmers lived quietly
at home, raising crops of cotton and corn, and the
poorer classes made a comfortable living cutting
and selling cord-wood to steamers, until the cord-
wood contiguous to the river gave out, when coal
began to be used, owing to its cheapness. The
plantations along the river were at first far apart,
but have been gradually extended until they touch
each other, and most of the available high land is
now occupied and cleared. As soon as levees are
constructed (and they are now partially built),
millions of acres of fine alluvial land will be ready
for use. James B. Craighead, the gentleman
whose name heads this sketch, was born in Nash-
ville, Tenn., in 1825, and generally accompanied
his father to his plantation in Mississippi County,
Ark. In 1843 he graduated from the University
of Nashville, and two years later entered Har-
vard University, being graduated from the law
department of that institution in 1847. The same
year he settled in New Orleans, where he entered
the law office of the late Isaac T. Preston, with
the purpose of studying the code of Louisiana,
but in January, 1849, his father died leaving a
widow and several minor children, and James was
compelled to return to Arkansas to wind up the
estate, which occupied several years, during which
time the family resided in Nashville. In October,
1849, he was married to Miss Erwin, of Nashville,
bv whom he ha<l two children, both living, a
daughter being married to W. Hooper Harris, of
Nashville. The other child, Erwin Craigliead,
received such education as was possible in the dis-
organized condition of affairs in Nasliville during
the war, and at the close of hostilities he sjjcut one
year at Racine College, Wis., going from there to
London, England, whore lie resided for a short
time. He then spent one year in the University
of Leipsic, Germany, and aft.er returning home,
was married to Miss Harris, of Nashville. Having
selected journalism as a profession, he moved to
New Orleans, where, in conjunction with another
gentleman, he establislied a daily paper, which
still exists, called " The States. " A year or two
later he sold his interest in that paper and re-
moved to Mobile, Ala., where he was employed as
a reporter on the staff of the Mobile Register, from
which position he was promoted to the city editor-
ship, and then to managing editor, which position
he now holds. James B. Craighead, after his
marriage, while continuing his interests in Arkan-
sas, opened a hardware store in Nashville, which
he managed successfully until it was closed by the
Federals in 1862, who required an iron-bound
oath, which Mr. Craighead could not take. In
1873, Mr. Craighead's wife died, and in 1876, he
took for his second wife. Miss Alethea Allison, also
of Nashville, and soon after moved to his planta-
tion, "Stonewall," in Mississippi County, Ark.,
where he has resided ever since, being the only
member of his family who makes that State his
home. He does not farm his lauds in the usual
sense of farming, but rents out his place in small
farms of twenty and thirty acres, to tenants, of whom
he has about forty families, among whom he lives in
a quiet and patriarchal manner. His views on the
labor question are as follows: "One great draw
back to the prosperity of this section of the coun-
try is the greed for land which possesses many
men who hold hundreds and thousands of acres
more than they can possibly use. and still hunger
for more. There is, however, a wiser feeling on
j the subject, and many are dividing, or contemplate
' dividing, up their surplus lands and selling them
1 out on long time to permanent settlers. As a large
portion of the residents and workers of Mississippi
"rv"
486
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
County are negroes, who are nomadic, restless and
irresponsible, it has been found that the best way
to make this people staid and respectable is to
make them laud owners. As soon as one of this
people settles as the owner of a hit of land, he
gives up his nomadic habits and becomes a law-
respecting citizen. The wi'iter thinks (after more
than sixty years of association with colored jjeople,
as the owner of slaves and the employer of freed-
men) that the safety of the South depends upon
civilizing these people, not simply by educating
the children, but mainly by giving the people in-
terest in the country as land owners — as an exper-
iment, it is perfectly safe. If a man owns 10,000
acres of uncultivated land, and sells out one-half of
it to small buj^ers, say in forty or eighty-acre tracts,
giving long time for payment, he can not possibly
lose anything. If the land is paid for, well and
good; if it is not paid for, it reverts to him or his
heirs, in an improved condition, partly cleared,
with houses, fences, etc. , upon it, and in condition
to yield revenue, which it had never done before
under the creation. As a mere hireling or laborer,
African or white, a man is the enemy of, or at least
antagonistic to, the landlord, and hostile to law,
which he presumes is made for the benefit of the
latter, but the moment he buys land, he becomes
a landlord himself, and ranges himself on the side
of law and order. It would be well, not only for
Mississippi County, but for the State at large, if
two- thirds at least, if not all the men living therein,
owned lands of their own and cultivated them."
Mr. Craighead is quite literary in his tastes,
and subscribes for a large number of papers, mag-
azines and journals, of literary, religious and scien-
tific character, and is passing his old age in con-
tentment and peace, esteemed and respected by all
who know him.
T. Y. Crawford. It was fifty six years ago
when the subject of this sketch was born, his
birth l)oing in St. Francis County, in this State,
and he now occupies a position among the agri-
culturists of this county which is by no means an
inferior one. He is the eldest of nine children
born to Moses and Evaline (Wright) Crawford,
both of whom were natives of South Carolina, the
former coming to the State of Arkansas in his
youth, and was married near Helena. He first
busied himself in rafting and hunting, and also
did a little farming, but other occupations at that
time were more profitable. They resided here
during our subject's youth, then went to the
State of Mississippi, but returned to Osceola,
Ark., in 1844, and made one crop, after which
they settled on land in Chickasawba Township,
which is now known as the Cook farm. Here
they cleared thirty-five acres and lived ten years;
then selling the farm and moving to Pemiscot
Bayou, which farm is now occupied by our subject,
and on which the father died October 23, 1888, at
the age of eighty- three years, and the mother at
the same place, August 24, 1876, aged fifty-two.
He was among the men who early cast their for-
tunes with the then new county of Mississippi,
and he is remembered with esteem and respect by
the few remaining pioneers, who are one by one
passing to their long home At the age of seven-
teen years, T. Y. Crawford began working for
himself, being engaged in hunting and working
in wood yards on the river, and previous to his
marriage, at the age of twenty-three years, to
Miss Myra Potter, he had purchased a farm in
Missouri; this farm he traded to his father for
the home place, and here he has since resided.
His farm comprises 274 acres, sixty of which are
under cultivation, and is improved with fair build
ings, fences and orchards. In 1888 he began
running a trading boat down the bayou, but the
next winter he brought the stock of goods to
his home and started to keep a store, which has
proved fairly successful. The children born to
himself and wife are as follows; John T., George
W., Wesley, Margaret P., W. Richard S., Isaac
Y., Mary Bell, Edward M. and Henry L. Mrs.
Crawford is a true Christian lady, and always
tries to do as she would be done by.
H. C. Davis. This respected citizen of Missis-
sippi County, Ark., has been a resident of this
locality since 1874, and has been associated with
its mercantile and farming interests, and not with-
out substantial results. His birth occurred in Mad-
ison County, Tenn. , in 1847, but his parents, Henry
^ 9
MISSISSIPPI COUNTY.
487
W. and Martha M. (Holmes) Davis, wore born in
NortL Carolina, but were taken to the State of
Tennessee when young, and were there reared and
married. The father was quite an extensive plant-
er of that State, which occupation he continued
to pursue until his death, in 1803. H. C. Davis
passed the most important years of his life (the
days of his youth) on the old homestead in Madi-
son County, in the meantime acquiring a fair
knowledge of the common liranches; and after his
father's death he continued to remain at home and
assist in supporting his widowed mother and the
remainder of the family, which consisted of four
children, until 187-1, when, as stated above, he
came to Mississippi County, Ark. He rented a
farm on Crooked Lake and made a crop that year,
continuing thus until 1877. Prior to this, in
1878. in partnership with his brother and brother-
iu law, he had started a mercantile establish-
ment in Blythesville, but, in the fall of 1882, the
tirm was dissolved, and three years later Mr. Davis
lesumed in the same business alone at that point,
selling out a year later. Since 1888 he and his
brother have conducted a general store in Blythes-
ville, and being a man of keen business foresight,
he has been able to meet the wants of his customers
in every instance, and has built up a large patron-
age by his thoroughly honest and reliable dealing.
In 1880 he purchased eighty-five acres of land in
Chickasawba Township, on which he built two
houses, and cleared forty acres from timber and
brush, and put it under cultivation. Two years
later he purchased property in town, and on one
lot built a commodious and substantial store-house,
aud on another his residence. In 1885 he pur-
chased several tracts of land in the vicinity, on all
of which he made improvements, and now has
very nearly 100 acres under cultivation. Since
locating in Mississippi County Mr. Davis has seen
many changes for the better take place, and has
helped in the organization of the school districts,
the education of the rising generation being one
in which he takes an active interest. He has
served as school director, and although not an act-
ive politician, he has always voted with the Dem-
I leratic party, aud was elected on that ticket to the
office of deputy sheriff for a number of years.
He is a member of Chickasawba Lodge No. 134,
of the A. F. & A. M. During the overflow of
August, 1875, Mr. Davis lost over 115 acres of
growing crops, which crippled him considerably,
but with his usual energy and j)er8everance he be-
gan again the next year, and has retrieved his
losses in a great measure. He is constantly en-
gaged in speculating and trading, his enterprises
in this direction being attended with excellent re-
sults. Mrs. Sarah A. Eskridge, nee Rose, a native
of the ''Hawkeye State," became his wife June
24, 1880, and to their marriage has been given the
following family of children: Martha Ann, Thom-
as W., Mildred Frances and Hillary C. The fam-
ily worship in the Methodist Episcopal Church,
South.
T. W. Davis is a prominent and honored resi-
dent of the county and is ranked among its success-
ful agricultui-ists. He was born in Madison County,
Tenn. , in 1849, being the third of five children
born to Henry and Martha M. (Holmes) Davis.
[For parents' history see sketch of H. C. Davis.]
T. W. Davis was reared to a knowledge of farm
life in his native State, attending the district
schools, where he received a practical education,
sufficient for the necessary purposes of everyday
life. He remained with his father engaged in cul-
tivating the old homestead until twenty years of
age, and two years later was united in marriage to
Miss Annie Scallions, also a native Tennesseean.
He continued to till the soil in that State for three
years after his marriage. In 1873 he became occu-
pied with the farming interests of Lonoke County,
Ark. , and also attended school there for one year.
Here his wife died, leaving him with two little
children to care for, but they, too, died soon after.
He first located in Mississippi County in the year
1875, and after farming for three years in Chicka-
sawba Township removed to Blythesville, and
opened a store, which he successfully conducted
for several years, but also continued his farming
operations. He made his first land purchase about
the year 1877 and now owns 100 acres, twenty-tive
being in a state of cultivation. This is a fine
tract of land and is nearly all capable of a high
<5 W-
488
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
state of cultivation. Mrs. M. E. Pollard, a native
of East Tennessee, became his second wife in
1880, and by her he is the father of two children :
Moms E. (deceased) and Mildred Elsie. He and
wife attend the Methodist Episcopal Church, and
ever since twenty-one years of age he has taken an
active interest in politics, serving as deputy un-
der Sheriff Haskins. In 1885 he was elected jus-
tice of the peace, serving two years, and in 188U
was chosen county assessor, which office he still
holds, discharging his duties in a manner aV)Ove
criticism, and with a thoroughness highly credita-
ble to all concerned.
William V. Dean, an extensive farmer of Dean's
Island, was born at that place in 1855, and was the
youngest in a family of eleven children. His par-
ents were James C. and Mariah (Wright) Dean, of
Georgia and Tennessee, respectively. The elder
Dean moved to Arkansas with his father in 1828,
and settled on Crowley's Ridge in Craighead Coun-
ty. In 1829 the father came to Mississippi Coun-
ty and located on what is now the McGavock farm,
tielow Pecan Point. He acquired several hundred
acres of land at that point, which he afterward
sold to Jacob McGavock, and then moved to an
island in the Mississippi River, which has since
been named Dean's Island in his memory. He
bought (500 acres of land upon his arrival at the
latter place, and soon afterward purchased 500
acres more, and had succeeded in totally clear-
ing 400 acres up to the time of his death in
1874, at the age of sixty -three years, the mother
dying in April, 1889, at the age of seventy-seven
years. William Dean remained with his parents
during their lifetime, and after his father's death
continued on the farm, while the other sons left
home and traveled in various directions. In 1880
he was married to Miss Tennessee Wigley, of Ala-
bama, and this estimable wife has given him live
children; William R., James C, Nellie, Eliza-
beth M. and Lillie Maud. Mr. Dean, Sr. , in his
life was noted for his great strength as well as for
his prowess in hunting. He was one of the pio-
neers of this section, and made a business of sel-
ling wood to the steamboats. He was strong in
his denunciation of slavery, but did not sanction
the war, and would neither enter into the army nor
allow his sous to do so. He cleared most of his
farm of 300 acres himself, and was a man of great
popularity on account of his integrity and truth.
His youngest son, William, lives quietly on the
old estate, cultivating the land, and has a pleasant
home at the upper end of the island.
J. D. Driver, like so many of the repi'esentative
citizens of Mississippi County, Ark., is a Tennes-
seean by birth, having been born in that State in
1830. At the age of four years he was brought to
Arkansas by his parents, Abram and Sallie (De
Moss) Driver, who removed from their old home
in Tennessee by fiatboat down the Ciuuberland
River, and during a storm were blown up against
the lauding at Council Bend, in Crittenden County.
After a little investigation Mr. Driver discovered a
tine body of land at this point, and here decided to
make his home, purchasing from the government a
tract of land consisting of 1,000 acres, at $1.25 per
acre. Here he .settled with his family, consisting
of his wife and seven childi-en (four being after
ward born to them), and they set bravely to work
to improve their land, the result of their united
efforts becoming plainly perceptible. On this farm,
where he had labored so earnestly and faithfully
to provide a competency for his family, he died in
1845, leaving his wife to carry on the work he had
left uncompleted. This she did for four years,
when she, too, died. J. D. Driver, whose name
heads this sketch, was the sixth child born to his
parents, and as there were no public schools in
those days, his early opportunities for acquiring an
education were of the most meager description.
His two elder brothers and his sisters were, how-
ever, sent awav to school bv the father durin<j his
lifetime. After the death of the mother the fam-
ily became scattered in all directions, and for about
two years J. D. Driver diifted aimlessly from
one point to another without settled occupation.
Being brought up to a farm life he chose that as
his calling, and after remaining some time in
Phillips County he moved to Lauderdale County,
Tenn., where he purchased a farm and made his
home from 1858 to 1872. giving mnch of his at-
tention to the raising of cotton subsequent to the
MISSISSIPPI COUNTY.
mi
year i860. In 1800 he was married to Miss Sarah
Gilespie, a daughter of James Gilespie, of Lau-
derdale County, Teun. , and granddaughter of
John Gilespie, a North Caroliuian, whose wife
was a Miss Minerva Nelson, a daughter of Edward
Nelson, of South Carolina. Mr. Driver purchased
the farm where he now lives, th^ place Ijeing then
known as the Hardin farm. It is situated about
two miles below Osceola, Ark., and by proper
management and strict attention to his calling, he
has vastly improved his property and is now ac-
counted one of the leading agriculturists of his sec-
tion. Up to 1880 he was largely interested in the
culture of cotton, to which he devoted from 1,000
to 2,000 acres annually, l)ut since that time he has
Vjeen renting his land, which amounts to 14,000
acres, 11,000 being iu Mississippi County, of
which 3,500 are under cultivation. He is in eveiy
respect a self-made man, for the money he realized
from his father's estate, amounting to $3,500, he
invested in slaves a short time prior to the Rebel-
lion and consequently lost all. Just before the
fall of Fort Sumter he had bought live negroes,
paying for one $1,000, for another $1,300, for
another $1, 100, and for a negress and child $1,300,
she afterward becoming; the mother of two more
children. These he lost in addition to twenty
head of horses and mules, which crippled him
financially, but with the energy and deteimination
to succeed, which have ever characterized his efforts,
he set bravely to work to retrieve his fortunes, and
is now one of the wealthiest planters in Mississippi
County, being the heaviest taxpayer. His resi
dence is beautifully situated, facing the river, and
his lawn and buildings show unmistakable evi-
dence of taste and refinement. Around his home
is ornamental shrubbery of many varieties; and
immense forest trees of sycamore, box elder and
elm assist largely in making his home one of the
loveliest in the county. During the war. before
the Federal troops reached Osceola, Mr. Driver
sent his slaves to Alabama for safe keeping where
they, iu time, became free, but to his credit be it
said that the colored people, with one exception,
made their way back to him and are now working
on his plantation. A short time ago he received a 1
letter from the one who remained in Alabama, in
which he expressed a wish that he too could come
back to his old home. The names of the children
born to Mr. and Mrs. Driver are as follows: John
Lee, who died at the age of sixteen years; May,
who lived to be twelve months old; Abnor, who
resides on his own farm of 300 acres near his
father, is married and has two children, Harry and
Ida May; Minerva Tennessee, who is the wife of
B. F. Hale, aud is residing on one of her father's
farms across the river in Tennessee; James Skel-
ton, who resides on his father's place about three
miles from home, is married and has two children,
Cecil and Savilla May; William Walter, at home
attending school; Eli Edward, Jettie, and Lillie,
an infant. Mr. and Mrs. Driver are worthy and
respected members of the Baptist Church at Osce-
ola, and he is a member in good standing of the
Masonic fraternity.
John B. Driver, farmer, and clerk of the pro-
bate court, Osceola. The ])ublic services of Mr.
Driver, since 1872, have been characterized by a
noticeable devotion to the welfare of this county,
and his ability and fidelity in all po.sitions of ])ub
lie trust have made a lasting impression upon the
sphere of public duty. For many years his name
has been closely connected with the history of Mis-
sissippi County, not only otlicially but as an hon-
ored and esteemed citizen. Mr. Driver was born
in Americus, Ga., in the year 1846, and is the el
dest in a family of eight children born to Samuel
and Mary Ann (Barlow) Driver, both natives of
Georgia. The father followed farming and car
pentering until 1853, when he emigrated to Inde
pendence County, Ark., and bought a quarter sec-
tion of land, where he made his home and many
improvements. Not Ijeing satisfied, he sold out in
1857, and moved to Jackson County, where he
bought land, and there resided until his death, in
1802. The mother is still living, and makes her
home at Sikeston. Mo. John B. Driver learned
the rudiments of farm life in his adojited State.
and his scholastic advantages were enjoyed in the
State of Arkansas. In 1870 he wedded Miss Mar
garet A. Bowen, a daughter of Captain Charles
Bowen [see sketch of Capt. Bowen], and two yeais
J^
a fc».
later he bought a farm of 160 acres, three miles
west of Osceola. There was a slight clearing on the
place at that time, and this he greath' increased.
Since that time he has been buying land in all
parts of the county. In 1887 he bought the place
on which he now resides, a tract of 140 acres, all
under cultivation and fenced, and one mile below
town. He is the owner of 2, 500 acres all together,
with about 430 under cultivation. In 1872 he was
elected sheriff of the county, and such was his
popularity that he was re elected three successive
terms, serving in all six years. In 1880 he was
elected State senator from his district, and served
in this capacity one term of four years. In 1888
he was elected circuit and county court clerk,
which position he still holds, to the satisfaction
of his constituents and the public in general. Be-
ing a self made man it may safely be recorded that
Mr. Driver owes his success and advancement to his
own energy and exertion. His extensive farming
gives employment to sixteen families, all of whom he
furnishes with provisions, etc. The cultivation of
his large plantation of 400 acres results in prosper-
ity and plenty to all around him. and gives em-
ployment to many people. To the union of Mr.
and Mrs. Driver have been born eight children, all
of whom are living; they form ample evidences of
the sanitary condition of this section. Their names
are Charles S.. Willie J., Maggie E., Sue M.,
John B.. Jr., James Garland, Grover Cleveland
and Frances F. Mr. Driver is a Royal Arch Ma-
son, a member of Osceola Chapter No. 57, and for
a number of years was H. P. of the Chapter. He
is also a member of Hugh DePayens Commandery,
K. T.. at Little Rock, Ark.
James Skelton Driver, though still comparative-
ly a young man, has already had an active career
in agricultural pursuits and is recognized as a care-
ful, energetic farmer of Mississippi County, who,
by his advanced ideas and progressive habits, has
done not a little for farming interests hereabouts.
He is a son of James D. Driver, whose sketch
appears in this work, and in his youth received
good educational advantages, which he improved
to the utmost, being an attendant at Alton, 111. ,
and Frankfort, Ky. After his marriage, which oc-
curred in Memphis, Tenn. , in 1SS5, to Miss Carrie
Kenney, a daughter of the late M. W. Kenney. of
Memphis. Tenn. , he moved upon one of his
father's plantations and set energetically to work
to clear it of timber, and put it in good condition
for farming. Fifty acres had already been cleared,
and he has since put 150 acres more under the
plow and has erected several buildings, including
his residence, which is a substantial frame build
ing. He employs about twenty-tivepeojjle to keep
his plantation in good condition, and has always
taken great interest in everything that bids fair to
be of benefit to the community in which he resides.
He and his wife are the parents of two little chil
dren, son and daughter: Cecil and Savilla May.
Mrs. Driver's father, M. W. Kenney, was the
tarpaulin manufacturer of Memphis, Tenn., and
died there on the 13th of August, 1878, of yellow
fever, being the first victim of that dreaded scourge
in that city. He was fifty-one years of age and
was born in Philadelphia. Penn.. in which city he
remained until eight years of age. When a young
man he married a young lady of Wilmington, Del.,
and afterward went by steamship to Florida, thence
to Memphis about 1850, and was married there to
his second wife, whose maiden name was Miss
Caroline Klinck, her father being John G. Klinck.
whose ancestors came to America in that famous old
ship, the ' ' Mayflower. ' ' He was the first man to
start a newspaper in Memphis, which took the name
of the Evening Bulletin, and was one of the com
mittee to receive the Marquis de La Fayette when
on his toiir through the United States. He was
also connected with the Memphis Appeal, now one
of the most popular journals of the day in that city.
Abner Driver. As one of the enterprising
younger members of the agricultural circle of Mon-
roe Township we can not fail to mention Abner
Driver, who, having Vjeen identified with the inter-
ests of Mississippi County from his birth, is now
one of its foremost agriculturists, although young
in years. In 1882 he began life for himself, and a
tract of 1,600 acres of land was placed at his dis-
posal by his father, who is one of the wealthiest
men of the county, and. with the exception of 100
acres, all of it was heavilv covered with timber.
MISSISSIPPI COUNTY.
491
Being a "cliip of the old block" he entered
heart and soul into clearing this laud and getting
it into good shape for farming, and up to the pres-
ent time has put about 300 acres under the plow,
and has erected twenty dwelling-houses on the
place, among which is hia own handsome residence,
a well-finished two-story house in T shape, the
main part of the building being 35x48 feet
and the annex being 25x48 feet. In addition
to this he has a tine barn and a cotton-gin
and sawmill, the latter two enterprises giving em-
ployment to about twelve men. The different
branches of work on his plantation call for the la-
bor of at least seventy people, and Mr. Driver is
compelled to work early and late to attend to his
big farm and keep the wheels of fortune moving.
In early life his means and opportunities for ac-
quiring an education were excellent, and after at-
tending the schools of Cape Girardeau, Mo., he
entered the East Tennessee University, located at
Knoxville, where he pursued his studies assidu-
ously. His wife, a lady of much culture and re-
finement, was a Miss Matie Williamson and a na-
tive of Mississippi County, her parents being Miss
Letha Hale and Mr. B. Williamson. Mrs. Dri-
ver is a member of the Baptist Church at Winches-
ter, Tenn. , where she received her education, and
he is a Mason, both being members of the Kallo-
rama Lodge of the Knights and Ladies of Honor,
of Osceola. They have two very interesting little
children, Harry Lee and Ida May, who add much
happiness to their pleasant home.
Dr. H. C. Dunavant. The professional minds
of physicians may be divided into two separate and
di.stinct classes, aptly designated the perceptive and
the memorative. To one class belong those whose
medicinal knowledge and perception depends upon
memory; to the other, those who rely chiefly
upon their conscious resources and mingle them
with their own judgment. To those acquainted
with Dr. Dunavant it is unnecessary to mention to
which class he belongs. He was born in Tennessee
in 1844, and was next to the youngest in a family
of fourteen children born to Leonard and Mary
Beaufort (Reid) Dunavant. The parents were
natives of Virginia and Tennessee, rt^spectively.
The father left his native State at the age of six-
teen and went to Tennessee, where he was engaged
in contracting and building for many years. He
held the position of major in the War of 1812, and
during the battle of Now Orleans, when one of the
soldiers was sick, Maj. Dunavant took his gun ami
used it with telling effect during the remainder of
the engagement. He was also in a number of
Indian fights. Later he went to West Tennessee,
where he engaged in agricultural pursuits, and this
occupation continued until his death, which oc-
curred in 1869. The mother had died previous to
this, in 1850. The maternal grandfather came to
Tennessee, and was the first school-teacher in
Nashville, where he made his home during life.
Young Dunavant attended the common schools of
Tennessee until sixteen years of age, and when the
war broke out entered the Confederate army, en-
listing in Company E, First Confederate Cavalry.
He participated in the battles of Paris (Tenn.),
Guntown (Miss.), Perry ville (Ky.), Murfreesboro,
Chiekamauga. and was with the army on the re-
treat through Georgia. He was with Gen. Wheeler
in his celebrated campaigns, and also with Gen.
Forrest at Gainesville, Ala. , at the time of the suv-
render. After the close of the conflict he attended
school two years, then earned some money, and en-
tered that well-known and far-famed institution,
the University of Nashville, and graduated from
the medical department in 1873, thoroughly pre-
pared to enter actively npon the discharge of his
professional duties. He practiced one year with
his brother in law, Dr. Mitchell, and January 25.
1874, selected Mississippi County, Ark., as the
scene of his future labor. He located at Osceola,
and there he has since remained. The Doctor
travels all over the county, and claims that the
sanitary condition of this section has improved very
much since his residence here. His career as a
physician has long been well and favorably known
to the many who have teste4 his healing ability,
and abundant proof of his practice at this time is
seen in the extended territory over which he goes
to alleviate the suffering of the sick. The Doctor
was married in 1874 to Mrs. Hattio Lanier, nee
Binford, a native of Kentucky. She died in 1878
r
W2
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
of yellow fever, having borne two children, Harry
Binfort, who died just before his mother, aged three
years, and Julia. Dr. Dunavant was married the
second time, in December, 1879, to Mrs. Bettie
Wheeler, nee Pulliam, a native of Tennessee,
and the daughter of Elijah Pulliam, one of the
oldest settlers in the State of Tennessee, and who
died a -short time since at the age of eighty-five
years. To the second union were born two ehil-
di'en, Harry Pulliam and Buford Nelson. The
Doctor is a member of the American Public Health
Association, also a member of the Medico- Legal
Society of New York, and a member of the Tri-
State Medical Society, composed of the States of
Tennessee. Mississippi and Arkansas. He is quite
active politically, but is not an office-seeker. Aside
from his professional duties he is actively engaged
iu agricultural pursuits, and in this, as in all
other enterprises, makes a complete success. Mrs.
Dunavant is a member of the Methodist Episcopal
Church.
George H. Evans (deceased). For nearly a
quarter of a century the name that heads this
sketch was borne by a man who was identified with
the interests of Mississippi County, Ark., in more
ways than one. Honest and worthy in every par-
ticular, his life was one of great industry, and
was spent in an earnest endeavor to do good to
all. His father, Jesse Evans, was a successful
cotton planter near Shelbyville, Tenn. , where he
married Miss Levina Tipton, a sister of Gen.
Jacob Tipton, of Tennessee. George H. Evans's
birth occurred in Shelbyville, Tenn., where he re-
mained until seventeen years of age, and then fin-
ished his education at Covington, in the same
State. Afterward he became deputy countj' clerk
of Tipton County, and was then elected to the of-
fice of circuit clerk, which [wsition he held for
a number of years before leaving that county. In
1836 he was married to Miss Edith White, daugh-
ter of William White, of Tipton County, Tenn.,
but formerly of North Carolina, and the fruits of
this union were three children: Levina Tipton,
now the widow of J. W. Uzzell [see sketch and
portrait]; J. Tipton Evans, the only son, who en-
listed in the late war, but died before reaching the
field, and Edith E. , married to Dr. St. Clair, by
whom she had one son. In 184-1, after the death
of his father, who had entered a large tract of
land in Mississippi County, but had not proven it
up, George H Evans, then a married man with a
wife and three children, moved upon the place un-
til he could prove up, after which he returned
with them to Tipton County. Tenn., and there re
sided until 1850. He then returned to the farm
with his family, and there continued until his death,
which occurred in 1867. He left each of his
daughters 1,090 acres of land and his widow
5,000 or 6,000 acres, only a few hundred acres,
however, under cultivation. Mrs. Evans now oc-
cupies one of the most desirable places to be found
in the State. She has ten acres of fine orchard,
besides some seven acres surrounding the house,
where she has 1,000 different varieties of fruits and
flowers. She takes great pride in her flowers and
spends much of her time among them. She may
well be proud of them, for she has virtually made
the "wilderness blossom as the rose," as when she
came there, in 1850, all was a deep forest and the
cane-brake was twenty feet high. Mrs. Evans was
born in Pennsylvania, but left that State with her
parents when six years old and moved to Tipton
County, Tenn.
Newton J. Evans is the fifth of eleven children
born to his father and mother, his birth occurring
iu Osceola, Mississippi County, Ark. , in 1849. The
occupation he is now following was learned on his
father's farm, and during this time, while directing
the plow, he received some educational advantages.
In 1871, he rented land, began farming on his own
responsibility, and four years later commenced
following that occupation in Chickasawba Town-
ship, his labors being on rented land until 1888.
In 1880, he wedded Miss Joe Lee, a daughter of
an old pioneer resident of this county, by the name
of James Sawyer, and from that time up to 1888
he was engaged in raising crops on land belonging
to his father-in-law. At the latter date he became
the owner of eighty acres of some of the finest land
in this section, forty-seven acres being in a tine
state of cultivation, and will usually average a
bale of cotton to the acre. To Mr. Evans and his
tS' f'
(deceased)
Mississippi Cdunty, Arkansas .
MISSISSIPPI COUNTY.
493
wife, who is an earnest member of the Methodist
Episcopal Church, have been born the following
named children: Alice Dean and Minnie, living;
and Maggie, Charles N. and James, who died in
infancy. His parents, Newton and Amelia (Bowon)
Evans, were born in Putnam County, Ind., and
were reared and married in their native State.
They removed to the State of Arkansas about 1836,
and settled on land near what is now Osceola,
where the father cleared about eighty acres of land,
and made many other valuable improvements. Af-
ter selling this land they purchased other property
near Elmot, which they also improved, but meet-
ing with heavy losses by fire, they soon moved back
to near Osceola, where Mr. Evans passed from life
in 1870. His wife's death had occurred in 1854.
J. E. Felts, a physician of Osceola, was born in
East Tennessee, in 1817, being the third in a
family of four children born to Tilman and Rebecca
( Ellis) Felts. The father was a carpenter by trade,
and also followed farming. The paternal grand-
father was a native of Germany, and came to this
country before its independence, serving seven
years during the Revolutionary War. He died at
an old age in Sussex County, Va. Tilman Felts
was a pioneer settler of Kentucky, locating in War-
I'en County, near Bowling Green, where he re-
mained till 1836, and then removed to Jackson's
purchase, Hickman County, making it his home
till 1856. Then he came to Ai'kansas to live with
our subject. He died in Mississippi County, in
1857, at the age of eighty-four. Young Felts
spent his youth in Kentucky', remaining at home
till eighteen years of age, when he moved to Hick-
man County, and began farming. In 1839 he
married Miss Eliza Pickett, a native of Tennessee,
after which he entered upon the study of medicine,
under Dr. J. A. Wording, at Columbus. He stud-
ied and practiced with this doctor for three years,
and then began practicing for himself in the same
place, where he remained till 1855, when he came
to Arkansas, and located at Mill Bayou, in this
count3^ Resuming farming on rented land, he
also followed the practice of his i)rofession till
1868, when he moved to Osceola, where he has
since made his home, enjoying an extensive prac-
tice till 1875, when failing health caused him to
practically retire. Dr. Felts has always been active
in the political affairs of Mississippi County. In
1878 he was elected county judge, and served for
two years; also acting as deputy clerk in 1881 and
deputy sheriff from 1883 to 1886. He has seen
many changes in these years, and has taken part
in most of those that promised to promote the wel-
fare of this section. He had two sons who served
in the Confederate army: David C, who was a
member of Capt. E. H. Fletcher's company, and
William T. , who was a member of Capt. Grider's
company. David was taken prisoner, and died at
Nashville in 1862. William served till the close.
To the union of Dr. and Mrs. Felts, who have been
married now nearly fifty-one years, were born the
following children : David C, Sarah Jane and
William T., all deceased; Martha C, wife of H. M.
Pope, residing at Nodena; Mary E., wife of John
Pierce, living at Caruthersville; John E. , deceased,
and Daniel H., married, and residing in Dunklin
County, Mo. Dr. and Mrs. Felts are members of the
Baptist Church of Osceola. Dr. Felts belongs to
Osceola Lodge No. 27, A. F. & A. M., and Osce-
ola Chapter No. 57. He has held nearly all the
offices in both lodge and chapter. He is enjoying
the autumn days in the declining years of an active
and well-spent life among the friends whom he has
served so long, esteemed and respected by all.
Daniel Lee Ferguson was born near Pulaski,
Giles Coimty, Tenn., September 30, 1832. His
family was an old North Carolina family of Scotch
origin. His father, Edmond Ferguson, moved
from Wilkes County, N. C, to Giles County, Tenn., '
in 1824, where he soon afterward married Mary
Sheron, who was also of a North Carolina family,
and of English descent. They both died in 1840,
leaving a family of seven children. Daniel Lee
was the fourth child, and only eight years of age
when his parents died, and from that early age he
has fought his way unaided through the world.
He is a fine representative of the self-made men
of our times. In September, 1852, he married
Mary T. Combs, of Pulaski, Tenn. She was the
daughter of James Combs, attorney at law, and
, granddaughter of Capt. Charles Buford, a noted
man of his day and time. A month after their
marriage the young couple moved to Tunica Coun-
ty, Miss. , which at that time was an almost un-
broken wilderness. Mi-. Ferguson there began his
career as a cotton planter, which business he has
successfully followed ever since. In 1869, on ac-
count of his wife's failing health, he moved to
Memphis, Tenn. , where he went into business as a
cotton factor and commission merchant, in the firm
of Ferguson & Hampson. At the same time he
kept up his business as a cotton planter. In De-
cember, 1875, his wife died of consumption. Two
children were born of this marriage, both of whom
died in their early infancy. In January, 1877,
he married again, his second wife being Mary
Alcy (Carleton), widow of Benjamin R. Norris.
Her ancesti-y on the Carleton side belonged to an
old Virginia family of English descent. Her fa-
ther was a prominent physician of North Missis-
sippi before the war. On her mother's side she
is connected with the Orrs, Grays and Alexan-
ders, tine old Scotch-Irish families of Meck-
lenburg County, N. C. , and Mississippi. She had
one child by her first marriage. Pearl Eglantine
Norris, who died soon after her father, in 1874.
One child has blessed this second marriage, a
daughter, Alcyone Carleton Ferguson, who is now
H bright little girl, eleven years of age. In 1877
Mr. Ferguson became interested in the Nodena
plantation, in Mississippi County, Ark., which was
then in litigation, and when it was sold by the
supreme court of the State, in 1879, he bought it
for himself and his partner, Mr. Hampson. Imme-
diately thereafter he was plunged into a long and
expensive lawsuit, which lasted nearly ten years,
and seriously crippled him financially. But in the
end he gained the lawsuit, after carrying it through
all the courts of both Tennessee and Arkansas.
His family have made Nodena their home since
1879. He found he could not give his business in
Memphis the attention it required, and in 1884
closed up his afFairs there entirely, and concentrat-
ed all his energies at Nodena. He is one of the
largest cotton planters on the Mississippi River
above Memphis. A view of his l)road fields, white
with the open cotton, in the autumn, is a sight
worthy of admiration. For thirty-seven years the
steamers that float on the bosom of the mighty
Mississippi have cari'ied his cotton bales to the
markets of the world. His plantation, with the rich
alluvial lands surrounding it, is interesting from
another point of view than its cotton fields. That
prehistoric and once mighty race, " The Mound
Builders," had an abiding place here, in the cen-
turies long gone by, as is evidenced by the mounds
they have left behind them. Mighty oaks crown
the summits of these mounds, and speak in silent
whispers of the watch they have for centuries kept
over them. Races come and go, and these mounds
still stand, the monuments of a forgotten people.
Mrs. B'erguson is an enthusiastic moiind explorer,
and has quite a collection of the vessels and imple-
ments of those prehistoric people. She hopes to
be able, through her explorations, to throw some
light upon the habits and customs of that early
race. It is with regret that we leave Mr. Fergu-
son and his interesting plantation, with the mounds
and their buried histories, the cotton fields that
will help to clothe the people of the world, and the
majestic river as it sweeps onward in its resistless
course to the sea. Mr. Ferguson seems to belong
to such surroundings. A man of magnificent stat-
ure and noble bearing, in his broad bosom there
beats a heart that is large enough to sympathize
with the sufferings of all humanity. Not one
of the human family ever turned from his door
hungry, or cold from nakedness. He is always
ready to lend a listening ear to the woes of the
afflicted and needy, and his purse is always open to
the wants of the poor. It can truly be said of him,
" He is one of Nature's noblemen."
Elliot H. Fletcher (deceased) was a native of
Charlottesville, Va., born in the year 1805, and
was the fifth child born to the second marriage of
Thomas Clark and Susan (Jouette) Fletchei'. These
families trace their genealogy back to colonial
times, and took an active and important part in
the early history of Virginia. One of the ances-
tors on the mothers side, John Jouette, is remem-
bered for his timely warning to the Virginia legis-
lature and to Gov. Jefferson, of Gen. Tarleton's
purpose to surprise and capture them. They
*¥
A^
MISSISSIPPI COUNTY.
4ur)
made their escape, and Mr. Jouette was presented
with a handsome sword. At the present time there
are a number of prominent artists descended from
this family. Until fourteen years of age Elliot H.
Fletcher spent his time in his native State, attend-
ed a ])rivate school, and clerked in his brother's
store. At that age he went to Tennessee to live
with an elder brother, Thomas H. Fletcher, one of
the most celebrated lawyers in the annals of that
State, and whose literary and legal attainments
and achievements have often been mentioned in
the literature of the Southwest. There he began
a thorough course of study under his brother' s ad-
vice, and his intimate association with this most
eminent man of Tennessee, who then resided in
Nashville, gave him means of improvement which
supplied the lack of a regiilar collegiate education.
When he arrived at man's estate, he was appointed
aid-de-camp to Gen. William H. Carroll. At about
the age of twenty he engaged in mercantile pur-
suits in Fayetteville, under the lirm title of Fletch-
er & Carr. This firm did an extensive business,
and bought and sold cotton in large quantities. At :
the age of twenty-six he was united in marriage i
with Miss Frances Hickman, of Fayetteville. This i
laily was a great- granddaughter of Gen. Thomas ;
Eaton, of North Carolina, a distinguished officer
of the Revolutionary War, who married Miss Anna
Bland, the sister of Frances Bland, who was the
mother of the celebrated John Randolph, of Roan-
oke. Miss Hickman's grandfather was Col. Guil-
ford Dudley, who commanded a regiment of Con-
tinental troops under Washington, and who dis-
tinguished himself as a brave and gallant officer.
About 188f) Mr. and Mrs. Fletcher came to Crit-
tenden County, Ai'k. , and he held some office in the
Real Estate Bank of Arkansas. In 1840 he moved
to Mississippi Count}', Ark., where he bought
a small farm on Mill Bayou, afterward known as
Fletcher's Landing. At that time the immense
tract of country embraced within the limits of Mis-
sissippi County e.xtendod as far west as the St.
Francis River, and had a population of about 900
souls. All were living in plain huts, very little
superior to those of the Indians among whom these
white people resided. Such were the surround-
ings of Col. Elliot H. Fletcher and his fine and
accomplished wife. They took up their residence
in their log cabin on the banks of the Mississippi
River, and there began a hand-to-hand .struggle
for existence, against obstacles before which a less
brave and determined man would have failed. For
many years the encroachments of the " Father of
Waters," by overflows and caving l>anks, brought
him to the verge of ruin. But as time passed he
gradually leveed- in his own river front, and thus
having overcome his greatest enemy, the high
water, he extended and developed his farm until
he found himself in easy and independent circum-
stances. Col. Fletcher's noble bearing and pleasing
manners, together with his evident talent for bus-
iness, soon attracted the attention of the people of
the county, and in 1846 he was induced to become
a candidate to represent the county in the legisla-
ture. He was elected, and served his county and
State with distinguished ability, taking rank at
once with the foremost men of the State. He was
re- elected in 1848, and again in 1850, at which
session he was the chief member in organizing the
public levee system of the State. In the mean-
time his judicious management of his private af-
fairs, and his investment in lands, had made him
independent, financially, and although his talents
for political employment were known and recog-
nized throughout the State, the fact of his being a
devoted Whig amounted to political disfranchise-
ment, for the Democratic party then, as now,
reigned supreme in the State. Being a lawyer,
though never having engaged in the practice, he
was urged to accept the office of circuit judge, but
declined, although he would have been promptly
elected had he been willing to serve. His three
terms in the legislatui-e ended his political career,
though to this day, among those who still survive
and who knew him, the mention of his name will
start many an old man to speaking of his grandeur
of manner and ajipearance, his nobility of soul,
and the marvelous magnetism about him. Col.
Fletcher was an ardent sympathizer with the
South, and when the war began he equipped a
company known as " The Fletcher Hifles," at his
own expense. This company was commanded by
—rf 2)
bis eldest son, Elliot H. Fletcher, a youth scarcely
twenty one years of age, and his only other son,
Thomas, a mere boy of fifteen, became sergeant
in the company. This company Avas attached to
the Third Confederate regiment, commanded by
Col. Marmaduke, in Hiudman's legion, and after
the hardships of a campaign, it was present at the
battle of Shiloh, in which great battle Capt.
Fletcher and his brother Thomas were killed.
Capt. Fletcher was in the act of waving his sword
and leading his men, when he was informed that
his brother had just been killed. In another
moment he fell dead, pierced with a bullet, and
both were buried in the trenches opened for the
reception of the dead heroes who wore the blue
and the gray.
Under the sod and the dew.
Waiting the judgment day.
Tears and prayers for the Blue,
Prayers and tears for the Gn-jy.
After learning of the death of his boys. Col.
Fletcher was seized with a settled melancholy, and
was rarely known to smile or take interest in pass-
ing events. He was afterward visited by both
Federal and Confederate oflScers, and it is but
simple justice to say that the Federal officers,
even in the midst of the war, treated him with
the greatest respect and kindness, especially those
on the gun- boats. On one occasion a Federal
cavalry command pa.ssed by his house, and a young
officer, the surgeon of the regiment, stopped and
asked if he was Col. Fletcher; on being answered
in the affirmative, the officer replied that his name
was Fletcher also. A little investigation proved
that he was a nephew, a son of his brother. After
a touching interview they bade each other adieu,
never to meet again. Such was the respect in-
spired by Col. Fletcher that it often happened that,
while Confederate officers would l)e in the house,
Federal gunboats would land, officers come ashore
and be entertained under the Colonel's roof, with
the full knowledge that there were Confederate of-
ficers in another room. The close of the war found
him prostrated in mind and body, and his fortune
swept away, but retaining the devoted friendship
of every one who knew him. His last days were
passed in comparative peace and comfort. It quite
often happened that boats would land and passen-
gers come ashore to visit him. He died July 2,
1867. A very beautiful and touching sketch of his
life and character was written and published by
Albert Pike. His estimable wife survived him
many years and died February 29, ISS-t. They left
three daughters: Anna, wife of John W. Williams,
now residing near Elmot: Frances (or Fannie),
unmarried, and Susan, wife of H. M. McVeigh, a
lawyer of Osceola (whose sketch may be seen in
another part of this volume). Col. Fletcher pos-
sessed talents and accomplishments that would
have given him a national and enduring reputation,
had he lived in, or near, any of the great centers
of population. But his isolated situation and the
fact of his being a Whig in politics, precluded him
from high official positions or achieving a reputa-
tion much extended beyond the limits of his own
State. He was in person tall and commanding,
very dark hair, dark complexion and his eyes, deep
set behind heavy eyebrows, were keen and pierc-
ing. His manners were gracious, deferential and
easy, and he had the happ)' facult}' of making the
poorest and humblest feel the dignity of being
men, and they consequently revered and respected
him. He was the counselor and legal adviser of
all in trouble in regard to the title of their lands,
and in early times his house would be thronged
with pioneers and backwoodsmen, seeking legal ad-
vice in this matter, and not a cent of compensation
would he receive. Fletcher township, in Missis-
sippi Cotinty, is the only public memorial now re-
maining of this truly great and good man.
John W. Fonville, whose name is a synonym
of activity and enterprise, was born in Marshall
County, Tenn., in 1848, and is the youngest of a
family of three children born to Jury and Frances
(Smith) Fonville, of that State. The father died
the year after John W. was born, and the widowed
mother again married five years afterward, her
husband being John J. Hazlewood, a well-known
resident of that section. Mr. Fonville" s edu
cational facilities were somewhat limited in his
youth; he succeeded, however, in obtaining a fair
amount of learning at the schools of Tennessee,
-< 9
MISSISSIPPI COUNTY.
497
and was in a position to cope with tlie world when
starting in life for himself. In 1802 the family
moved to Mississippi County. Ark., where the step-
father was engaged by Mr. John McGavock as
overseer for his extensive plantation. In this ca-
pacity he remained two years, and then moved
about live miles west of the river to Shawnee Vil-
lage, where he purchased KiO acres of timber land
and immediately began to improve it. He cleared
about thirty acres and made a good farm, living
here until his death in 1873; he was followed by his
wife in 1877. John W. remained with them until
he had attained his majority, and then commenced
farming for himself on rented land. After three
years of labor, he purchased 100 acres of wild land
on the river near Shawnee Village, and on this
he made a great many improvements, and cleared
about forty acres. He then sold out to good ad-
vantage and bought 160 acres where he now re-
sides, the land being some of the finest in that
section. He has cleared some 1 00 acres, and prom-
ises to soon have the entire lot under cultivation,
which, with five good dwellings, an excellent barn
and all the necessary adjuncts, will made one of
the finest farms in Mississippi County. Mr. Fon-
ville was married in 1871, to Miss Barbara Simp-
son of Georgia, who moved to this State with her
parents. This lady died in 188B, leaving two
childi-en: Drew and Minnie O. In 1883, he was
again married, his second wife being Miss Frances
Smith, and this union gave them one child, Lad-
dus, who died at the age of four years. Mr. Fon-
ville is a member of the Masonic fraternity, and
belongs to Pecan Point Lodge, in which he holds
the office of S. D. He owns a large number of
horses, cattle and hogs, and is said to be one of
the best judges of cattle in that section.
R. W. Friend. The life-record of him whose
name here appears has been one of more than
usual interest, and his career has been of such
benefit and influence to the people, not only of
Mississippi County, but throughout the State, that
a sketch of his life will be of more than passing
interest; which, though l)rief, will convey some-
thing of an idea of liis usefulness in different
walks of life. He is the proprietor of Pecan
Point, one of the largest, richest and also best-kept
plantations along the river from Memphis, Tenn. ,
to Cairo, 111., and although he has been the owner
of the property only a few years he has by his
tact, skill and energy converted it from almost a
wilderness into well tilled fields of cotton and
corn. Shortly after the close of the war he settled
a few miles below his present place in the State of
Tennessee, where by close economy and industry
he became in a few years the owner of 160 acres
of land. This land he sold in 1872, and purchased
in one body 2,000 acres of his present estate, whicli
now amounts to nearly 4,000 acres, a large portion
of which is under cultivation, extending about a
mile along the river and several miles inland. All
the land is well fenced and laid off in well ciilti
vated fields of cotton, of which material Mr.
Friend ships 1,000 bales annually. The village of
Pecan Point, which he founded and owns, consists
of one store, one blacksmith shop, one saw-mill, a
grist-mill, a cotton-gin, four churches (two of
which, the Methodist and Presbyterian, are attend
ed by the white residents, and the other two by the
colored population) and two schools, the white
school having an attendance of twenty pupils and
the colored school an attendance of 100 pupils.
There are also about forty dwelling houses, all the
property of Mr. Friend, with the exception of one
dwelling-house, which belongs to his son-in-law,
A. M. King, who is the able assistant and business
manager of the mercantile establishment at Pecan
Point. He is a gentleman well (jualitied by edu-
cation and experience for the responsible position
he is now filling. Mr. Friend's assistants, serv-
ants and tenantry comprise a population of nearly
1,000 people, and he also owns a large estate of
rich bottom-land, comprising 3,000 acres in Phil-
lips County, near Helena, which is under the su-
pervision of his brother, E. B. Friend. Mr. Friend
is one of the few men in this section who realizes
the importance of using the best tools and the la-
test improved machinery on his plantation, and. as
one of his men tersely puts it, ' ' He uses nothing
but the best, either in tools, mules or niggers,"
and the results have shown his judgment to be
sound. In personal appearance he is prepossess-
408
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
iiig anil in disposition is genial and liberal, distrib-
uting his wealth with an unstinted hand wherever
it is essential to the pleasure or welfare of himself
and family or those around him, and as a result he
commands the respect and liking of all with whom
he conies in contact. He is a native of Missouri,
having been born near Jefferson City in 1S;:5'J, but
was taken shortly after his birth by his father,
F. C. Friend, to Bolivar, Mo. .where be gi-ew to man-
hood: and here his early scholastic advantages
were enjoyed, though only such as the common
schools of that day afforded. By his own individ-
ual efforts, and at the expense of diligent study
and hard practical experience, he has attained his
present enviable position. When the war broke
out his sympathies were naturally with the South,
and in 1861, in company with his two brothers,
Edward and Daniel, and his father, he entered
the Confederate service under Sterling Price, and
was on active duty until 1864, when he was cap-
, tured at La Mine River, his Inother Daniel being
killed a short time afterward on Price's last raid
into Missouri. Mi-. Friend was taken to Alton,
111. , where he was held a prisoner, being afterward
released on taking the oath of allegiance. He re-
sided for some time in Edwardsville, 111., and af-
terward went as far north as Ottumwa, Iowa, at
which place he made his home for about six
months, then returned to Missouri. In 1868 he
settled in Tennessee, nearly opposite where he
now lives, but in 1872 came to his present planta-
tion, as above stated. His residence is by far the
finest and most substantial in the county, and is
built in the shape of a T, having a frontage of fifty
feet. It is painted white, is two stories in height,
with porches above and below, and covers an area
of 5,000 square feet. It commands a beautiful
view of the river, situated as it is on a bold point
of land and only 100 yards distant, and can be
plainly seen from steamers as they round the bend
from the north, ten or twelve miles distant, or
from Island No. iiC), many miles below. The lawn
surrounding this ideal home is several acres in ex-
tent, and is dotted over with lovely forest trees of
elm, oak. cottonwuod. sycamore, pecan, magnolia,
etc.; while back of the house is a tine apple or-
chard, and near by is the residence of his son-in-
law, Mr. King, which is the second best house in
the county, covering an area of 4,000 square feet.
All the buildings in the town are painted white,
and present a lovely picture from the river. In
1860 Mr. Friend was married near Bolivar, Mo.,
to Miss Nanc}' Payne, who died in 1806, leaving
two children: Miss Virginia, who is a graduate
of St. Vincent Academy, at Cape Girardeau, Mo.,
and is now at home, and Emma, who was educated
in the same school and is now the wife of A. M.
King, and the mother of three children. Mr. Friend
married his present wife in Tennessee, her maiden
name being Miss Melissa Carr, of Shelby County,
Tenn. , and a daughter of G. L. Carr. Their
union has been blessed in the birth of three chil-
dren: Miss Nettie, just returned from McMinn-
ville, Tenn. , where she had been attending school :
Charley, a ladin his teens, whom Mr. Friend ex-
pects to give a thorough collegiate education, and
Roberta, a little girl at home. The family attend
the Methodi.st Church, and Mr. Friend is a mem-
ber of the Masonic and I. O. O. F. fraternities,
having joined the latter organization in 1866.
Edwin R. Freeman, whose success as a farmer
is proverbial, was born in the State of Tennessee,
in 1831, and is a son of James A. Freeman, of
North Carolina, who was one of the pioneers of
Tennessee, and was known as having built the
first chimney in what is now Dyersville. After
submitting to the dangers and hardships of an
early settler's life, the elder Freeman moved to
Arkansas in 1849, but the following year returned
to Tennessee, where he died in 1850. On Sep-
tember 15, 1851, Edwin R. , in company with his
brother James and sister Annie, moved to Missis-
sippi Coimty, Ai-k. , and settled in Chickasawba
Township, where they bought and entered some
247 acres of unimproved land. They immediately
began to cultivate the soil, and make a great many
improvements, and also started in, the business of
raising hogs. In 1854, they had a drove of 850
hogs, and from that period began to farm and raise
stock on an extensive scale: they also helijed to
erect the first corn-mill put uj) in this township.
In 1857, Edwin R. was married to Miss Matilda
MISSISSIPPI COUNTY.
VM
Hutcbins, a daughter of one of the old settlers of
Mississi])pi County, but lost his wife in 1800. Two
children were born to this marriage: Susan Ann
(deceased), and Thomas, who is married and re-
siding in this county. Mr. Freeman contracted a
second marriage, in 1801, with Miss Alliua Hutch-
ins, a sister of his first wife, and to this union were
born five children: Nixon, married and living in
Missouri; Edwin E., Jr.; Martha Jane, wife of
Harry Springer, living in Missouri; Charlie and
Alice. In 1862, Mr. Freeman enlisted in the Con-
federate army, and was assigned to duty on the
Arkansas River. He was engaged in many sharp
skirmishes, biit no regular battles, as his duty was
principally scouting, in which he was an adept.
He returned home about the time of the surrender,
and as the war had stripped him of everything he
possessed, he was compelled to begin life anew.
He commenced farming, and with the aid of a de-
termined will soon placed himself in an independ-
ent position again, and now owns about seventy -
one acres of fine laud, all under cultivation, having
given his children about as much more. Mr. Free-
man l)roaght the first cotton seed that was ever
planted in this county, and after raising that plant
upon a small tract of land in 1852, it became a
nine days' wonder to the neighboring farmers. In
1859 he brought 100 bushels of cotton seed from
Tennessee, and distributed it among the farmers
of that vicinity, and the cotton now grown upon
the land averages a bale to the acre. Judge
Daniels, a brother-in-law of Mr. Freeman, erected
the first cotton-gin in Mississippi County, and his
brother James was one of the projectors of the Bar-
field road in 1853.
Mrs. A. A. Gabel. There are in every com-
munity some persons who, on account of their in-
dustry, and practical management of the affairs
which fall to their lot. deserve special credit; and
such is Mrs. Gabel. She is the relict of C. C.
Gabel. and the daughter of David and Lucinda
(Myers) Metzger. the parents being natives of the
" Buckeye State. " About 1888, they removed to
Mississippi County. Ark. . settling about four miles
below Barfield. and in 1858. when the State
Imilt the levee through this county. Mr. Metzger
had a contract on the work, which he held until
the work was finished. He then purchased 480
acres of laud in Hickman Township, the property
being in a wild state, and after taking possession
he erected a building, cleared 160 acres of land,
and put the propi^rty iu e.\celleut shape. To the
superior natural abilities possessed by Mr. Metz-
ger were added the wisdom and experience of a
useful and well spent life; and there was a geni-
ality, honesty of purpose, and broad hospitality
about him that attracted and fascinated. His
death, which occurred in 1881, was deeply la-
mented by his friends and neighbors, whose hospi-
tality they had partaken of times without number.
His wife died in 1868. Mrs. Gabel was married
in 1870, and has always made her home on the
farm where she is now residing, which place was
settled and cleared by her father. She has two
children : Alexander C. and Fannie E. Her broth •
er, William Metzger. the only living son of David
Metzger, also occupies a part of the old home-
stead, his home adjoining his sister's. He was
married, in 1870, to Miss Elvira Branch, a native
of the county, and to them have been born an in-
teresting little family of three children: David,
Eleanor Jane and John Noah.
Charles H. Gaylord, druggist, owes his nativity
to Michigan, having been born iu Detroit in 1838,
and of the family of seven children born to his
parents, Henry C. and Harriet (Parshall) Gaylord,
he was the eldest. The father was originally em-
ployed on the lake steamboats. He died in 1854.
The mother is still living, and is a resident of
Detroit. Mr. Gaylord has in his possession a com-
mission given to his great great-grandfathei from
the British Government, appointing him lieutenant
in the French and Indian AVars, dated 1753. His
ancestors, on the paternal side, were originally
from Connecticut, and those on the mother's side
were originally from New York, and trace their
descent back to Koger Williams. Charles H. Gay
lord attended the ])ublic schools of Detroit until
sixteen years of age, and was two years in the tel-
egraph business, first as messenger -boy, and then
as copyist. Later he learned the trade of pattern-
maker, which he continued until he commenced
500
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
bis coinmeicial career, in 1865. He then came to
Osceola, Ark. , where he engaged in general mer-
chandising until 1883, after which he embarked in
the drug business, and is at present one of the most
reliable and well-established druggists and pharma-
cists in Osceola. He was married in 1879 to Miss
Clara L. Miller, a native of Georgia, and daughter
of Dr. B. F. Miller, who moved to Missouri, and
there passed his last days. Mrs. Gaylord died in
January, 1884, and left one child, Charles H. , Jr.
Mr. Gaylord is quite active, politically, and in
1888 was elected county treasurer, being the pres-
ent incumbent of that office. He is also very
active in educational matters. Mr. Gaylord is a
Royal Arch Mason, and at present is secretary of
Chapter No. 57. He has held all the offices in the
Blue Lodge except Master. He is also a member of
Hugh De Payen Commandery No. 1, K. T. , of Lit-
tle Rock; is secretary of the Knights and Ladies
of Honor, and reporter of the K. of H. of Osceola,
Ark. Aside from his practical education in the
public schools of Detroit, Mr. Gaylord took a two-
years' course in the literary department of Greg-
ory's Commercial College of that place.
John B. Gilles. From the biography of every
man there may be gleaned some lessons of geniiine
worth; for here we discover the secret of success
or failure. In the history of John B. Gilles, one
of Mississippi County's active and progressive
planters, is found much to commend. He was
born in Dyer County, Tenn., in 1854, being the
youngest of twelve children born to William Allen
and Sallie (Boone) Gilles, who were also Tennes-
seeans, the former a farmer and blacksmith by oc-
cupation, and a mail route agent. He died in
1855, followed by his wife in 1860. John B.
Gilles spent his youth on a farm, and at the time
of his mother's death removed to Woodruff County,
Ark., where he remained five years, then went back
to Tennessee, In 1873 he returned to Arkansas
and located in Mississippi County, in Chickasawba
Township, where he engaged in farming on the
old Cook plantation. In 1879 his marriage with
Miss Josephine Thompson was consummated, and
he soon after purchased 160 acres of wild land
four miles southeast of Blythesville, which he be-
gan immediately to improve, and now has twenty-
three acres under cultivation; has erected good
buildings, and has a good orchard of choice varie-
ties of fi'uits. Mrs. Gilles is a native of Missis-
sippi County, and is a daughter of James Olliver
Thompson, a very early resident of that county.
She and Mr. Gilles are the parents of three
children: Carrie R., Samuel Jones and one un-
named.
T. F, Glasgow. There is in the development of
every successful life a principle which is a lesson to
to every man following in its footsteps — a lesson
leading to higher and more honorable position than
the ordinary. Let a man be industriously ambi-
tious, and honorable in his ambitions, and he will
rise whether having the prestige of family or the
obscurity of poverty. We are led to these reflec-
tions by a study of the life of the subject of this
sketch, Mr. T. F. Glasgow, who was born in At-
] lanta, Ga. , in 1856. His father, A. J. Glasgow,
left the State of Georgia, just prior to Gen. Sher-
man's invasion in 1863, and went to the eastern
part of Texas, near Mt. Vernon, where he died
shortly afterward, leaving his wife with a family of
three children. T. F. Glasgow was the eldest of
i these children, and was about eight years of age
at the time of his father's death. His mother
, was married again, and moved to Lake County,
\ West Tenn., where she died in 1869. The
little brother then died, and T. F. and his sister
Mina, were the only ones left. At the age of
twelve years the former hired out, worked a year,
and when in his thirteenth year took a farm on
• shares, hired three boys and raised about 4,000
bushels of corn. The next year he rented land,
raising a crop, and this he continued the following
year, making enough money to send his sister to
school at Memphis, She was married at the age of
fifteen to Mr. G. W. Marr, Jr., and is now living in
the northern part of the Lone Star State, In 1873
Mr. Glasgow accepted a position with Capt, Nail,
who was then running a steam ferry at Point
Pleasant, and acted as pilot and collector until
in June, 1874, He then came to Mississippi
I County, Ark,, and engaged with Mr. J. W. Will-
iams, with whom he remained about eighteen
--r->-
MISSISSIPPI COUNTY.
501
months, after which he took a trip to Texas to
visit his sister. He remained with her about
eighteen months, and then received a letter from
Mr. Williams requesting him to return, which he
did in about 1876, and remained with that gentle-
man as overseer until 1882. One year later he
rented about 100 acres of land from the above
mentioned gentleman, and worked at agricultural
pursuits for one year, after which he went to Pecan
Point, where he worked for R. \\'. Friend until
July 1, 1884. In 1886 he rented a farm of W. P. ,
Hale, just west of Osceola, where he has con- j
tinned since, and is now in partnership with Mr.
N. L. Avery, under the firm name of Glasgow
& Avery. They have over 500 acres of cotton,
and Mr. Glasgow has some of the best crops in the
county, having picked ten acres of cotton that
averaged one and a fourth bales to the acre. They
employ fi-om forty to 150 hands, and have about
100 people on the place the principal part of the
time. The firm has recently bought 825 acres of
land on Sandy Bayou, of which they expect to open
uj) KM) acres this fall. Mr. Glasgow has onions
as large as breakfast plates, and has shipped 400
barrels of potatoes from six acres of land, leaving
fully one-third of them for the hands. He was
married on the 20th of May, 1888, to Miss Ger-
trude Ashburn, a native of Mississippi County,
and the daughter of George Ashburn who came to
Mississippi County, Ark., with his father when a
boy (1829). Mr. Glasgow is a member of the
Masonic fraternity. Lodge No. 27, Osceola.
J. P. Goodin, a well-known and popular young
citizen of Golden Lake, was born in Fulton County,
Ky., in 1866, and is the elde.st of two children
born to Ephraim and Elizabeth Goodin. The father
was a native of Kentucky, and was for a long time
owner of the celebrated Nowlin farm in that State,
and also a breeder of tine stock, his reputation for
thoroughbred horses becoming known to turf-goers
from Maine to California. He died in 1868; his
widow still survives him. and is a resident of
Dallas, Texas. J. P. Goodin was reared on the
parental farm in Kentucky, and upon reaching his
eighteenth year removed to Tennessee, where he
remained two years. He then went to Texas, but
not finding the advantages and prospects as bright
as he anticipated, lie remained only a few months
and retraced his steps northward. On reaching
the State of Arkansas he stopped in Mississippi
County, and finding the climate and people suit-
able to his tastes he determined to locate at that
place, where he immediately engaged in overseeing.
In 1887 he bovight a trsict of 160 acres of land on
Tyronza Bayou, which was all wild, l)ut he has
now cleared and put four acres under cultivation,
all the result of his own industry, besides acting
as foreman of the tramway for Mr. Lee Wilson.
His brother, J. E. Goodin, is also employed by
Mr. Wilson, and Mississippi County certainly has
no more energetic and industrious young men than
these two. They are slowly but surely paving the
way to future wealth, and before the hand of time
has passed over many years, these two brothers
will be among the leading men of Mississipj)!
County.
Alexander Goodrich, merchant and postmaster,
Osceola. The public services of Mr. Goodrich,
during his residence in the county, have been char
acterized by a noticeable devotion to the welfare
of this county, and his ability and fidelity in all
positions of trust have made a lasting impression
upon the sjshere of jniblic duty. For many years
his name has not only been connected with the
official affairs of the county, but he has also be-
come prominent as a much esteemed citizen and
a successful business man. His birth occurred in
White County, 111., November 2. 1888, and he
pursued the arduous duties of the farm and at
tended the public schools of Illinois until twenty
years of age. Afterward he worked in a sawmill
owned by his father, for two years, and then, in
1862, abandoned all work to enlist in Company K.
Eighty-seventh Illinois Infantry, United States
Army. He went to Memphis, Tenn., in May, 1863,
was ordered to report to Gen. Grant at Vicksburg,
and was there through the siege of that city. On
July 5, the day after the surrender of that city,
Mr. Goodrich went on the campaign to Jackson,
Miss., and on the fall of that city, he returned to
Vicksburg, but immediately left for Natchez and
New Orleans. Late in September, 1863, he went
502
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
on a campaign to Southwest Lonisiaua, and in
December of the same year was ordered to report
to the adjutant-general of Illinois, being then
assigned to recruiting duty. In April, 1864, Mr.
Goodrich joined his regiment in Louisiana, and in
November of the same year, marched to White
River, Ark. In January of the following year, he
was ordered to Helena, Ark. , where the regiment
remained until ordered home. He was mustered
out in July, 1865. In 1866 he returned to Helena,
Ark., where he remained two years engaged in the
planting business, and then came to Osceola, where
he commenced mercantile pursuits. He served the
city seven years as its mayor, four years as post-
master, and represented Missouri County in the State
Republican conventions of 1884 and 1888. He was
married on the 8th of May, 1872, to Miss Marjory
McDonald Conway, of Scotland, and six children
were born to this union : Margaret L. , who died at
the age of two years; Leon A., born September
15, 1875; Mary E., born May 10, 1878; Abaishai
D., born December 29, 1879; Charles C, born
August 23, 1882, and James M., born June 13,
1884. Mr. Goodrich, aside from his stock of gen-
eral merchandise, carries a stock of furniture, also
undertaking supplies, and is engaged in planting,
also in buying and shipping cotton. He received
his commission as postmaster at Osceola about
May 1, and is now filling that position for the second
time. He is a member of the K. of H., Monroe
Lodge No. 2167, at Osceola, and represented this
lodge at the meeting of the Grand Lodge at Hot
Springs, in September. 1888. He is at present
presiding officer of the lodge. He takes a decided
interest in educational matters, and has held the
position of director for a number of terms. He
was the seventh of ten children born to A.baishai
and Margaret (Smith) Goodrich, the father a na-
tive of Pennsylvania, and the mother a native of
Scotland. The former was a successful tiller of
the soil in Illinois, and died in that State in 1865.
He was a descendant of William Goodrich, who came
to America in about 1840, and the subject of this
sketch is of the seventh generation. The great-
grandfather was a soldier in the Revolutionary War.
The mother died in 1871.
Charles Goodrich, jeweler, of Osceola, Ark.,
was born in Carroll County, 111., in 1848, and was
the eldest in a family of eight children born to
Joseph and Louisa (Derouse) Goodrich, natives of
Missouri and Illinois, respectively. The father
follows the occupation of farming, and is at pres-
ent residing in Iowa. Charles spent his youth in
Iowa, till about fifteen years of age, when he at-
tended the public schools, later going to Carroll
County, 111., when he soon engaged with a
jeweler and watch-maker to learn that trade in
Galena. He remained at Galena four years, and
during that time completed his trade; subsequent-
ly removed to Iowa, where he worked at this call-
ing in various localities till 1863. Returning to
Illinois he enlisted in Company C, Forty-eighth
Illinois Infantry, and was assigned to duty with
Sherman, being wounded at the battle of Fort
McAlister. He was in the hospital at Savannah, and
at Beaufort, S. C, till June, 1865; then went to
Washington City, and participated in the grand
review, June 15, 1865, receiving his discharge at
Louisville, Ky. , in October, same year. Soon after
he again visited Iowa, working at his trade, and
shortly after went to Canada, where he worked in
Montreal for a time. He later became located at
Chester, 111., remaining there till the fall of 1868,
when he returned to Iowa, and was married at
Red Oak Junction, in the fall of 1868. Then he
went to Missouri, settling at Bethany, Hari'ison
County, for two years; thence to Savanna, 111.,
remaining till the fall of 1871, and then to Sedalia,
j Mo., for one year. Going back to Chester, 111.,
' he stopped about one year, and then lived at Cairo
for three years, moving finally to Gayoso, Mo.
! Here he engaged in business for himself. One
year after he became a citizen of New Madrid, con-
tinuing there till 1879. At this time his wife
died. There had been six children born to this
union, of whom three had preceded their mother
to their heavenly rest : Maud died while at school at
Bardstowu, Ky. , at the age of sixteen years; Lester
died in Illinois; Frederick died in Osceola, in 1888,
at the age of ten years; Birtell died in 1872 at about
three years of age; Eugene died at the age of four-
teen months, in 1872 ; Mabel died in 0.sceola at four
MISSISSIPPI COUNTY.
503
years of age, in 1882. After his wife's death in
1879, Mr. Goodrich engaged in the sewing ma-
chine business in Pemiscot and New Madrid
Counties, Mo., and Mississippi County, Ark., fol-
hjwiiig this business for three yeaVs. In 1881 he
married Cornelia Dowd, a native of Illinois, soon
after which he settled in Csceola, where \n' has
continued in business ever since. He commenced
his career here in the sewing machine business,
I nit after a year started a jewelry store, princi-
pally repairing. From year to year he has been
increasing his stock which is now very complete,
and he enjoys a good trade. He carries a stock of
about $3,000, comprising jewelry, watches, clocks
and sewiutr machines. To his second marriage
three children were born: Lena, Lillian and Char-
ley. Mr. Goodrich is a member of Samaritan
Lodge. A. O. U. W., of Osceola. His first wife
was Mattie E. Conquest, a native of Indiana,
and a daughter of Richard Conquest, who was an
officer in the Mexican War, and quite a traveler.
In the Civil War he was a lieutenant in the Second
Colorado Cavalry. He died at Hastings, Neb., in
18S7.
Laurence W. Goshorn, a successful and popu-
lar farmer of Canadian Township, is the second
child of a family of seven children born to Russell
B. and Kittie (Ward) Goshorn, of Ohio and Ten-
nessee, respectively, and was born in Mississippi
County, Ark., June 17, 1857. His grandfather
was an eminent physician and druggist of Cincin-
nati in the earlier days, and died in 1872, at the
mature age of ninety-two years; and his father,
Russell B., was one of the first physicians who
settled in Mississippi County, having commenced
to i>ractice medicine in Osceola in 1840, where he
was very successful. The elder Goshorn bought
considerable land in Chiekasawba. where he lived
for .some time and then movr-d to the river at Bar-
tield. From there he went to Hale's Point, Tenn.,
and .Taimary 1, 1869. transferred his home to Dy.
ersburg in the same State. In 1875 he returned
to Mississippi County, Ark., settling at Hickman's
Bend, anil from there moved to Missouri, where he
remained one year. He made a short visit to Ar-
kansas again, and in November. 1878. went to
Florida, where he died at Live Oak, December 31.
1881. Laurence remained at home with his par-
ents until the year 1874, and then moved with his
uncle. William W. Ward, to Mississippi County,
where he has since resided. In 1881 he bought
eighty acres of land, and commenced cultivating a
farm. On January 8, 1882, he was married to
Miss Mary Ann Wetsel, a granddaughter of
"Cedar"' James Williams, a celebrated character
and pioneer of that county, but in the same year
Mr. Goshorn lost his wife. He is principally en-
gaged on his farm, but is interested to some ex-
tent in land and timber speculation, in which
direction he is well known for his shrewdness and
good business ability. Mr. Goshorn does not take
an active part in politics, and is independent in his
belief, preferring to see the man who is be.st fitted
to look after the interests of the country occupy the
presidential chair than to side with any particular
party.
L. W. Gosnell. The life and character of this
public-spirited citizen of Mississippi County will
bear a much more detailed history and analysis
than are presented on this page. Though a young
man, he has wielded a remarkal^le influence, and
to-day a review of his career since locating here,
without a dollar, rising to a position of worth and
affluence, demonstrates him to be an individual
above the ordinary. Young Gosnell attended
school at Jonesboro, Tenn., until eighteen years
of age. always applying himself diligently to his
studies. After clerking two years for an uncle he
went to Middle Tennessee, and was occupied in work
on railroad construction for about two years. In
March. 1870, he concluded to seek his fortune
farther west, and came to Arkansas, engaging as
clerk in the store of Mr. Williams, at Barfield, for
one year, after which he settled in Chiekasawba,
where he was interested in wielding the ferule for
about one year. This occupation not being entirely
suited to his tastes, he I'esumed clerking, being in
the employ of J. B. Tisserand. who had estab-
lished the first permanent store in what is now
Blythesville: and after one year spent in discharg
ing the duties of that position, he was admitted as
a partner, the firm taking the name of J. B. Tis-
504
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
serand & Co. Subsequently it was changed to L.
W. Gosnell & Co., under which title it still con-
tinues. This house carries a stock of goods valued
at SO, 000, and (>very transaction being thoroughly
honest and reliable, the members draw to their
establishment a large and lucrative custom. The
builiiing in which they are now located was erect-
ed in 1870. They also own extensive tracts of
land in the county, 900 acres comprising what is
known as the Cook farm, one and one-half miles
west of Blythesville, 400 of which are under culti-
vation. This place was the home of the old Ind-
ian Chief Chickasawba, who had a hut on one
of the mounds there, and where he died many
years ago. Besides this tract, they have 400 acres
under cultivation in various sections, and last year
they shipped 970 bales of cotton. The entire
amount of their superior land aggregates about
3,000 acres, Mr. Gosnell owning j_a half interest
and also an interest in another general store. He
was married in 1879 to Miss Bettie Hill, an esti-
mable lady, a native of Tennessee, and a daughter
of J. W. Hill. They have three children: Mervin,
Kate and Laura. The pleasant residence of Mr.
and Mrs. Gosnell which was erected in 1882, in
the village of Blythesville. is a home indeed, and
at once a monument and a reward of patient con-
tinuance in welldoing, hard toil and sober living.
Mrs. Gosnell is a member of the Methodist Church.
Mr. Gosnell ranks as a noticeable illustration of
that indomitable push and energy which charac-
terize men of determination and will. His success
is unusual, but due largely to his excellent judg-
ment, and strict honesty and upright dealings,
and the proud position he now occupies as a rep-
resentative citizen is a just tril)ute to his worth.
W. P. Greene, a prominent farmer of Missis-
sippi County, is the lifth in a family of eleven chil-
dren born to Abraham and Elizabeth (Lathrage)
Greene, natives of South Carolina and (ieorgia,
respectively. The father was a well-known and
extensive farmer, who died January 15, 1872, the
mother surviving him until the year 1882. Mr.
Greene was bom in Georgia, in the year 1839, and
remained in that State luitil he reached the age of
seven years, when he moved to the. Sta^e of Mis-
sissippi, which he made his home until 1882. At
the outbreak of the Civil War. he enlisted in Com-
pany D. Fourth Mississipi)i Infantry, and took part
in the battles of Fort Donelson and Port Gibson,
was through the siege of Vicksburg, at Chickasaw,
and in all the battles thiough the celebrated catu-
paign in Georgia, with Johnston and later on with
Hood. He also took part in the battle at Franklin,
Tenn., and finally surrendered in South Carolina,
on May 0. 1805, returning to his home in Mis-
sissippi, after the war was over. On December 4.
1804, he was married to Miss Anna Uay, of Ala-
bama, and resided with his Ijride in Mississippi
until 1882. He was engaged in government work
for three years at Plum Point, and during this
time lost his wife and three of their tive children.
The names of the children are Charles Henry (de-
ceased). John Wesley (deceased), Harvey Calhoun
(deceased), Mary Ella, wife of Mr. Andrews, a
resident of Mississippi, and Kate Elizabeth, who
makes her home with the married sister. On Sep-
tember 5, 1884, Mr. Greene was married a second
time, his next wife being Mrs. Bettie Biales, a
widow lady of Alabama, and this union has given
them one child, a boy named Walter. His present
home is a few miles south of Osceola, in Mississippi
County, and during his five years' residence in
Arkansas, he has never failed to make a good crop.
During the summer of 1889, he bought and entered
320 acres of land in the northern part of this coun-
ty, intending to take possession of it in the fall,
and to imjirove it on an extensive scale. Mr.
Greene has been in the best of health during his
five years' stay in Mississippi County, and speaks
in the highest terms of this section and its produc-
tions. In addition to his farms, he owns a small
herd of very fine cattle, and a magnificent team,
and his present prosperity has sprung from almost
nothing, his first start in life finding him compara-
tively poor. Mrs. Greene has one child l)y her
previous marriage, Lee B. , and the entire family
ai'e members of the Methodist Ej)isco[)al Chui-ch,
South.
W. H. Grider, the subject of this sketch, was
born in Jackson County, Ark., in the year 1855,
and, with the exception of an occasional trip to
-("I ®
MISSISSIPPI COUNTY.
505
Momphis, TeLUi., and othor rivtn' towns, he has
spent his life within its borders. His paternal an-
cestry can be traced back to the landing of the
^[ayflower on the American coast. The lirst
maternal ancestor of which he has record enrolled
his name on the Declaration of Independence.
His grand uncle, Henry Grider.of Kentucky, repre-
sented the Bowling Green district in Congress for
several terms, and while serving in this capacity
won great distinction for his able statesmanship;
he was contemporary with Clay, Calhouu, and other
eminent men. An uncle, Jesse Grider, served in
the Confederate army, and for gallant service on
the battle lield was promoted to the rank of colonel.
Frank Grider, the grandfather, came to Arkansas,
about the time it was made a State, with his family,
from Bowling Green, Ky. , lirst to Tennessee near
Moscow, and thence to Jackson County, Ark. At
this time his son. John H. Grider, was but eight-
een years of age. The latter married Miss Maria
L. Morris, a native of that county, about the year
1846. He settled down to tilling the soil in Jack-
son County, but afterward moved to Phillips
County, where he spent the remainder of his days,
dying in 1871, having lived a useful and honor-
able life. At this time W. H. Grider was attend-
ing school in Lebanon, Tenn. , and graduated
about a year later; and after the death of his
mother, who lived until 1875, he made his home
with his uncle, Col. Jesse Grider, of Crittenden
County, with whom he remained until the latter" s
death some live years later. DiU'ing this time
he was engaged in studying law with the firm
of Adams & Dixon, of Memphis, Tenn., and in
ISSO was married to Miss Sue J. McGavock, one
of the wealthiest and most refined and cultivated
young ladies of Mississijjpi County, Ark., she
being a daughter of John Harding and Georgia
(Moore) McGavock. The former (now deceased)
was a mem!)er of a family of that name who be-
came illustrious in the annals of Virginia, having
come from Scotland to this country in the early
part of the last century. After his marriage Mr.
Grider took charge of the estate and at once identi-
fied himself with the more advanced farming and
stock raising interests of the county, a position
which he has continued to occupy since that time,
and to what extent may be inferred when the fact
is mentioned that he now has 1,300 acres of land
under cultivation, the most of which was cleared
under his supervision. He rents out a large portion.
He also owns several thousand acres of land heav-
ily covered with timber, a portion of which he
manages each year to bring under the plow, and
when reduced yielding at least a bale of cotton to
the acre. In addition to conducting his plantation
he is also interested in merchandising, having a well
stocked store, and operates a cotton gin and saw-
mill, and in his different occupations employs from
fifty to 100 men. His residence faces and is about
one-half mile from the river. It wasl)uilt in 1855
and is a building 54x74 feet, two stories in height,
with a porch twelve feet wide running the whole
length and breadth of the house, and at the time
of its erection was considered a marvel of beauty
and convenience, as all the timber was hand-sawed
and the work well done. It was erected by Mr.
McGavock' s slaves, of whom he had a great many,
and each room was finished in a certain, distinct
kind of wood, one being in black walnut, one in
sassafras, another in red gum, and one in ash, each
room being designated by these names. The house
is approached by a handsome undulating lawn,
200 yards in extent, over which are scattered soiue
magnificent forest oaks, elms, walnut, maple and
box elder trees, that are thoroughly appreciated
by the family. They have also a handsome fiower
garden near the house, and ornamental shrrtbbery
assists in making their home all that the heart of
man could desire, or that a refined and educated
taste could wish. With a wife whose womanly
graces and virtues are well known, and his two
bright little daughters, Georgie and Josephine, Mr.
Grider is happy and contented. He is assisted on
his plantation by C. L. Mooj'e, who is the maternal
uncle of Mrs. Grider. He is a gentleman of fine
attainments, being a gi-aduate of the University of
Mississippi, and ever since the war has lieen
identified with the interests of Mississippi County,
in which he has filled many offices of public trust,
such as county and probate judge. He is at
present postmaster of Sans Souci, the name of
^.
^ s
r>(i()
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
Mr. (iiiders ])lantRtion. During the war he did
flood service for the Confederacy.
William P. Hale. It cannot V)e expected, iu a
WDvk of this kind, where but brief biographical
sketches of prominent citizens of the county are
pres(>nted. that a lengthy laudatory article should
be written of each one, and yet at times there are
met with some who have been so intimately and
closely identified with the county, and whose
names are so familiar to all, that it is only just to
dwell upon what they have done, and the influence
of their career on others, not as empty words of
praise, but the plain statement of a still plainer
truth. Mr. Hale was born in Maury County,
Tenn., on the ;^(Hliof July. 183!l, and is the fourth
in a family of elev»>ii children born to Bird S. and
Martha Ann (Dyer) Hale. The father died in his
fortieth year, and left this large family of small
children. In ISrio. throe years after his death,
Mrs. Hale, being desirous of keeping the family
together, came to Mississippi County, and settled in
Osceola, on the 2(Hh of November. Directly upon
their arrival William P. Halo began gathering corn,
and the next year rented fifty-four acres, on which
he ]-aised a large crop. From this time on, until
reaching his nuijority, he continued to farm on
routed land, and succeeded in keeping the family to-
gether. When tweuty-one years of age (IS(')O) he
selected Miss Orlean J. MoKinney as his wife. Her
father. Judge L. H. McKinney, is an old settler of
this county, and one of its most prominent citizens.
After his marriage Mr. Hale bought KU) acres of
land, but the war breaking out about this time,
agricultural pursuits were almost wholly suspend-
ed, although they farmed enough to supply the
wants of the family. In 1S(>(') Mr. Hale bought
100 acres for §o.lHU\ with twenty-five acres under
cultivation, and here he lived for nine years. He
had built a number of cabins, an ice-house, and
soon a cotton-gin. which brought him iu a large
income, in addition to his own crops. He also
cleared up all his farm, which is now wholly under
cultivation. In 1870 he erected a store building
in Osceola, engaged in mercantile pursuits, and
thus continued in that place until 187i). when he
sold the I'oods and has since rented the store.
In 1875 he erected a tine residence in Osceola,
at a cost of $4,000, and it is still one of the
best residences in the town. One year later Mr.
Hale, in partnership with his brother, F. B..
bought a large tract of land of 1 , 200 acres, 250 of
which were cleared. The brother moved upon this
place, and in four years time he had cleared up a
large tract, all of which was yielding extensive and
profitable crops. During eight years of this farm
ing they made enough to jiay for the entire plan
tation, and, in 1884, Mr. Hale bought his brother' s
interest for §13,000, all of which was made on the
place. He has since added f')t)0 acres, making his
plantation now about 1,700 acres, and he has in
this tract nearly 1,000 acres under cultivation.
This extensive place is located two and a half
miles above Osceola, and it is one of the finest
in Mississippi County. He is also the owner of
other tracts, iu all of which he has about 1,150
acres under cultivation. He manages all the laud
himself, and estimates that it brings him in an in-
come of at least $12 [)er acre net. In 1872 he
leased a building in Osceola, which he converted
into a steam gin, and at the expiration of the lease
bought the property, and soon built a large and
good gin. This was destroyed by fire two years
later, and, as Mr. Hale had bought a large tract
in the upper part of the town, on which there was
a large gin, he did not rebuild. From this tract
he has sold most of the lots on which the upper
part of Osceola is built. He has erected at least
I ten buildings in the town, and has been active in
contributing to its prosperity. Since living in
town Mr. Hale has always been an active man in
I the affairs that promised to promote the interests of
I the locality. He has held the office of alderman,
and served several times as school director. To
his maiTiage were born fifteen children (six of
whom are living): Bland William, married Miss
Tee Driver, and lives in Tennessee ; Martha E. , died
in infancy; Edward J., married Miss Carrie Bost-
wick. and resides on his father's farm; Ida Maud,
wife of S. M. -Jackson, of Dyersburg, Tenn. : James
H., at present attending school; Maggie Lee. died
at the age of three years; Franklin Bird, died ir.
infancy; Harry Joplin. aged seven yeais; Beulah
9
>
MISSISSIPPI COUNTY.
5(17
OrlouH, live years; Walter P., died at the age of
three months, and four died aiiiianK>d. The fam-
ily are members of the Baptist Churc;h. Mr. Hale
is a member of the Masonic Lodge, Chapter and
Commaiidcry. He is also a member of the K. of
H. of Osceola.
Hon. J. P. K. Hale, a prominent merchant of
Osceola, owes his nativity to Maury County, Tenn.,
where he was born in 1842, being the sixth
of eleven children of Bird S. and Martha Ann
(Dyer) Hale. The parents were also natives of
Tennessee, but were of Virginia stock. The father
was a farmer and trader, and was well known in
that section. He died April 17, 1852, leaving a
family of eleven children, eight girls and three
boys. Three years after his death, on November
5, 1855, the widow of Mr. Hale started for Missis-
sippi County, Ark., and arrived at Osceola Novem-
ber 21, of that year. Since that time Mrs. Hale
has died, and, also, one of the children. The fam-
ily have made this county their home ever since,
and the sons have worked very hard to keep the
family together. Hon. J K. P. Hale was reared
to comprehensive knowledge of the agricultural in-
terests of the day, and in 1863 began farming on
his own responsibility. In 1874 he was elected
clerk of the circuit court, and ex officio clerk of the
county, probate and common pleas courts, and re-
corder of Mississippi County. On January 31,
1 889, he was elected to the State legislature to fill
the unexpired term of J. O. Blackwood (deceased),
and has served one session. He also served as jus-
tice of the peace for many years. In 1870 Mr.
Hale, in partnership with his brother, W. P. Hale,
opened a general store in Osceola, but the former
sold out to his partner after a short time, and re-
turned to the duties of the farm. In 1882 he
opened a grocery store, and in 1S89 a drygoods
store, and is conducting both establishments at this
time. He chose for his life's companion Miss Ma-
lissa A. Tucker, who became his wife in 1862.
She died August 14. 1880. On March 21, 1881,
he married his present wife, who was originally
Miss Mary E. Pollard, of Posey County, Ind.
Three children were born to this union; Lillian
Bird, born May 12, 1882; Mary Pollard, born May
27, 1884, and Helen, who was born February 29,
1888, and died March 21 of the same year. Mr.
Hale is a member of Osceola Lodge No. 27, A. F.
& A. M. , and Osceola Chapter No. 57, now being
treasurer of the Lodge, and H. P. of the Chapter.
He has occupied every station in lodge, chapter
and commandery, and has served as district deputy
grand master for the Second district of Arkansas,
and for the Western district of Tennessee. He
has the name of being one of the brightest Masons
in the State. He is also the moderator of the Os
ceola Baptist Association, and clerk of the church
at Osceola. Mr. Hale and most of the family are
members of the Baptist Church. He was instru-
mental in securing and assisting in the incorpora-
tion of the town of Osceola.
Franklin Bird Hale, another prominent farmer
of Osceola, whose time thus far has been sf)ent in
furthering the agricultural interests of the county,
is a native of Maury County, Tenn., born January
1, 1851, and is the tenth in a family of eleven
children born to Bird S. and Martha Ann (Dyer)
Hale [see sketch of J. K. P. Hale]. Franklin
Bird Hale's experiences have been in the direction
of agricultural pursuits, and in this calling he
has met with the results due a lifetime of active
energy. He began for himself at the age of nine
teen, by renting land, and after one crop moved
to Pope County, where he remained nearly a year.
There he met and married Miss Mary M. Wells, a
native of this State. Her father came to Arkansas
about 1855, where he accumulated considerable
property, but lo.st most of it during the war. He
died about June, 1874. Mr. Hale then returned
to Osceola, where he clerked for his brother, W.
P. Hale, in a general store, for three years, aftei-
which he engaged in a general store for himself,
continuing this about one year. In connection
with his bn)ther, W. P., he bought a tract of land
known as the Witherspoon farm, consisting of ■
1,200 acres, 190 acres of which were cleared. They
have since opened 400 acres of this. In the year
1884 Mr. Hale sold his interest to his brother for
$10,000. and then bought a tract of eighty acres
adjoining the town, and .some town lots. This
tract is under cultivation. Mr. Hale has purchased
:rv-
^-
r)08
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
a fine residence iu town, and has now one of the
most pleasant places in Osceola. He has also bought
a tract of forty acres, one-half of which is under
cultivation, and in 1S80 he bought another forty-
acres tract, all under cultivation. He has also one-
fourth interest in eighty acres of wild land. He is
a member of the Osceola Blue Lodge No. '27; is a
member of Osceola Chapter No. 57, and also
of the Hugh De Payen Commandery No. 1,
K. T., at Little Rock. He is Past Master of the
Blue Lodge, and is Principal Sojourner in the
Chapter. He has served as school director for a
number of years. To the marriage of Mr. and Mrs.
Hale were born eight children (four now living):
James L. (attending school at Altus, Ark. ). Charles
Franklin (deceased), Elizabeth Pearl (deceased),
Emma Wells (died in May, 1888), Grace (died in
March, 1882), Willie P., Pearl and Charles. The
family are members of the Baptist Church. Mr.
Hale is active in all matters that promise to con-
tribute to the good of this section. He is improv-
ing the grade of his stock; has some tine breed-
ing animals, horses and cattle, and has quite a
niiiiiber of thoroughbred Chester hogs. The
beautiful residence and lawn of Mr. Hale are
ornaments to the town, and the fine farm, under
a high state of cultivation, is only another exam-
ple of the enterprise of this prominent family.
A. L. Harden. There is in the development
of every successful life a principle which is a lesson
to each man following in its footsteps; for let one
be industriously ambitious, and honorable in his am-
bitions, and he will rise, whether having the prestige
of family and wealth or the obscurity of poverty.
We are led to these reflections in looking over the
life of Mr. Harden, who has attained his present
enviable position as a leading agriculturist "of Mis-
sissippi County, Ark., by indomitable energy and
pluck. He was born in Florida in 1838, being the
second of three children bom to William and Mar-
tha Harden, and is of German descent, as both his
father and grandfather, John Harden, were born
in Germany, the latter of whom l)ecame an exten-
sive farmer of Georgia. A. L. Harden was reared
on a farm in Tennessee, and received no educa-
tional advantages in his youth, but iu 18(56 began
farming for himself, and at once identified himself
with the more advanced agricultural and stock
raising interests of this community, a position he
has continued to occupy since that time. Although
his first efforts for himself were on rented land,
since coming to Mississippi County, in 1859,
he has prospered. In 1874 he purchased a small
farm of forty acres on the river at Daniel's Point,
but at the end of one year came to Chickasawba
Township, and bought a timber tract of 160 acres,
and while clearing his land farmed on rented ground.
At the present time he has '200 acres in all — seventy
acres under cultivation, with forty more soon to be
put under the plow, and his land will readily
yield a bale of cotton to the acre. He also runs a
dry-goods store on his farm. He has built three
dwelling houses on his place, and has set out a
large orchard of choice varieties of fruit; also
owning a house and lot in Blythesville. His mar-
riage to Miss Rebecca Wilson, a native of Alabama,
was consummated November 5. 1866, and they are
the parents of the following children: Martha,
who died at the age of nineteen years: MilHdge
F., Arthur A., Malinda A. and Robert.
R. G. Hardin. For a period now closely ap-
proaching a quarter of a century, this highly hon-
ored resident of Chickasawba Township has been
identified with the interests of Mississippi County,
his settlement here dating fi'om about 1865. He
came to Osceola, Ark., by boat, in 1861, and in July
of the same year he espoused the cause of tlie
Confederacy, and proved a gallant soldier during
the Rebellion. He became first lieutenant in Cupt.
Charles Bowen's company, and with him partici-
pated in the battles of Port Hud.son, Champion's
Hill and others. After the battle of Shiloh, Capt.
Bowen resigned his position, and Mr. Hardin was
chosen captain, and in this capacity served in and
around Vicksburg and was also at Jackson. About
this time' he was promoted to the command of
Company E, Ninth Arkansas Infantry, and was
in all the battles of the Georgia campaign, but
at Gadsden, Ala., on account of ill health, he
was compelled to resign his position and return to
Mississippi County, Ark. His youthful days, up
to the age of about sixteen years, were spent at
-C «
9 W^
l±.
]\riSSISSIPPI COUNTY.
509
Rome, io which place he acquired a fair knowledge
of the common branches, and he then engaged in
riatboatiug, continuing this occuijatiou for a num-
ber of years, after which he acted as pilot for
some time. After his return to Arkansas in Sep-
tember, 1864, he opened a boot and shoe store in
Osceola, which he conducted with fair success
nearly ten years, then purchasing a farm on Pemis-
cot Bayou, but three years later removed to his
present farm, which is situated one mile northwest
of Blythesville and embraces a tract of eighty
acres, thirty -five being then under cultivation. He
has made all the improvements, such as building
fences, setting out orchards, etc. , and his land is
capable of yielding one bale of cotton to the acre.
He also raises some stock. On the 28th of Febru-
ary, 1864, he was married to Miss P. A. Trout, a
native of Indiana, and by her has had the following
children: Nora, who died September 5, 1888; Ida,
who died in infanc)'; Ara, Nina, Lou, who died at
the age of four years; Samuel T., Emma (deceased),
Robert G., John, who died at the age of two years;
Herman, and Ojga. Mr. Hardin is a member of
Chickasawba Lodge No. 134, F. & A. M., and
was a charter member of Osceola Lodge, and in
company with Dr. Fearing and Capt. Bennett
went to Jonesboro for examination to secure the
dispensation. He was afterward Master of the
latter lodge for a number of years, which position
he has also filled in the Chickasawba Lodge for a
long period. He has always been interested in edu-
cational matters, and is now serving as school di-
rector. He was the fourth of five children born
to Mark and Lavina (Lamb) Hardin, who were na-
tives of Kentucky and Indiana, respectively; the
former was a trader by occupation, and ran a pro-
duce boat on the river. He died in 1837, and his
wife in 1851.
G. W. Harrington. Ever since locating in
Mississippi County, Ai'k., Mr. Harrington has en-
joyed the reputation of being a substantial and
progressive farmer, and has also been considered
an intelligent and thoroughly po.sted man on all
the euiTent topics of the day. His father, L. R.
Harrington, is a Tennesseean, and is now living in
that State in retirement, although he had pre-
viously followed the occupation of farming. He
was married there to Miss Brunetta Binkley, also
a native of the State, who gave birth to our subject
in, 1836, he being the eldest of their four children.
She died in 1873. G. W. Harrington was reared
to a farm life in his native State, and it was here
that he received his early scholastic training, it
being only such as the common schools of his day
afforded. At the age of twenty-two years he be-
gan farming for himself, and as it was an occupa-
tion with which he had always been familiar, his
success was au assured fact. In 1857 he emigrated
to Arkansas, and for ten years farmed on rented
land near where he now lives, but purchased, in
1865, a farm in North Chickasawba Township,
amounting to eighty acres, partially improved,
and on this fertile farm he has made many more
improvements, and has it nearly all under cultiva-
tion. At the breaking out of the war, he enlisted
in the Confederate army. Company H, Fifteenth
Tennessee Regiment, and was in the battles of
Belmont, Shiloh, Perry ville and Murfreesboro;
and after the last named battle, he returned to
Arkansas, and was married at the close of the war
to Miss Mary Crawford, of Mississippi County, by
whom he became the father of the following chil-
di'en: Lydia, Ida, Lizzie, Nannie, Larkin, Charles,
Samuel, George and JefFerson. Mr. Harrington
is quite an active politician, and a public-spirited
citizen. His wife is a member of the Methodist
Episcopal Church.
Alexander Harris, a native-born son of Mis-
sissippi County, Ark., has become one of its most
enterprising and reliable citizens, and, although
young in years, he is yet old in experience, and has
done much in a quiet, unassuming way to promote
the advancement of its interests. His birth oc-
curred on Crooked Lake in 1855, he being the
second in a family of four children, and the son
of John C. and Martha (Ford) Harris, who were
Pennsylvanians by birth, and were there reared
and married. After moving to Cincinnati, Ohio,
Mr. Han-is engaged in pattern making, and shortly
after began running a trading boat on the Ohio
and Mississippi Rivers; and while on one of his
trips down the latter river, ho learned of the ex-
Ml
510
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
ceeding fertility of the soil of Arkansas, and here
determined to "pitch his tent." which he accord-
ingly did in the year 1850, settling on a tract
of wild land on the shores of Crooked Lake in
Mississippi County. After living on this property
long enough to clear 100 acres of land and make a
pleasant home, he sold out and made a new settle-
ment in the vicinity, on which he made valuable
and extensive improvements, and resided until his
death in 1S70; he is still survived by his widow,
who resides in the Blue Grass State. Like most
of the youth of that vicinity, Alexander, as he grew
uj>, devoted his time and attention to farming, but
received very meager advantages for acquiring an
education. After the death of his father, he went
to Kentucky with his mother, but at the end of
one year returned to Mississippi County, and in
1877 made his first crop on rented land, after
which he began clerking in a store for Mr. Robin-
son. In 1885 he purchased a tract of land, forty
acres in extent, partially improved, and now has
seventeen acres under cultivation; and, besides
this, only a short time ago he purchased eighty
acres more. Since 1885 he has been clerking in
Blythesville, in the mercantile establishment of L.
W. Grassell & Co., but still looks after his farm to
some extent, devoting the most of it to stock rais-
ing, which enterprise has received the best part of
his attention for some time. In 1886, he erected
a pleasant and siibstantial dwelling-house in the
village of Blythesville, in which he and his wife,
whose maiden name was lona Lynch, and whom
he married in 1885, are now living. Mrs. Harris
is a daughter of Josiah Lynch, an old settler of
this section, and is a consistent member of the
Baptist Church. Mr. Harris is a member of Chick-
asawba Lodge No. 134, of the F. & A. M., and
is a representative young man of his township.
He is energetic and enterprising, frugal in his
tastes, and is expecting to reduce many acres of
his farm to cultivation in the near future, and we
can safely predict for him a bright and prosperous
future.
Dr. William K. Harrison. It is an historical
fact that the first English immigrants to Virginia
were a superior race, with enlarged views of gov-
ernment, liberty and law, who sought out homes
in obedience to impulse prompted l)y lofty ambi-
tion, and sincere desire to benefit their race. From
these ancestors sprang men in great numbers, who
subsequently became prominent in different locali-
ties. The Harrisons are from one of the oldest
families of Virginia. Dr. William K. Harrison is
a native of Crockett County, Tenn., born in 1849,
and is the son of William Harrison and the grand-
son of William Harrison, who was a native of Vir
ginia, and who was left fatherless when a small
boy. William, the father of the subject of this
sketch, married Miss Ann Catties, daughter of
Robert Catties, who, when a boy and while cross-
ing the ocean, was shipwrecked. His father and
mother were lost, but his sister and himself were
saved, and bound out when very young. The peo-
ple with whom he lived spelled his name Cattle,
but he thought the name was originally Catlet.
Dr. Harrison was reared to agricultural piu-suits
in West Tennessee, and received such educational
advantages as the subscription schools of that State
afforded. Later he studied medicine and gradu-
ated at the University of Medicine at Louisville,
Ky., in the class of 1874. The same year he came
to Mississippi County, Ark., and settled on French-
man's Bayou, where he built up a good practice,
and his reputation is surpassed by none in the
county. The Doctor adds his evidence that Ar-
kansas is as healthy as any State in the Union, and
that if the people lived as they do anywhere else,
instead of subsisting, for the most part, on bacon
and cornbread, with black coffee and whisky, and
paying no attention to cleanliness, they would en-
joy as good health as in any other State. The
Doctor is a man of ample business experience, full
of enterprise and of safe judgment. He is now
the owner of about 1,800 acres of land in this coun-
ty, of which he has about 1,000 acres under culti-
vation, 700 of which he has placed under the j)low
himself. In addition to this he owns about 2,000
acres in Greene County near Paragould. On his
Mississippi County farm he keeps about 130 peo-
ple. Dr. Harrison was married, in 1876, to Miss
Ella Davies, a lady possessed of many estimable
qualities of mind and heart, and the daughter of
^c
MISSISSIPPI COUNTY.
511
Dr. J. F. Davies. When a boy the latter came
with his father, J. F. Davies, who was also a doc-
tor, and a native of Virginia, to Mississippi Coun-
ty, Ark. Prior to this and while living in Greene
County, Ark., Dr. Davies, Jr., was elected to rep-
resent his district in the State senate. After com-
ing to Mississippi County, which was just after
the war, he took part in all public enterjirisos,
practiced medicine and establisli(<d a store which
he conducted for years. He died in 188 1. Dr.
and Mrs. Harrison are the parents of three bright
children, viz. : William F., who is the fourth Will-
iam Harrison in direct line; Cora and Ed. Davies.
Dr. Harrison is a gentleman of very agreeable man-
ners, of fine personal appearance; and being a man
of wealth and good family he partakes of that easy
refinement and culture which are to the manor Ijorn.
Mrs. Harrison is also a stem of the same Virginia
stock, and has a very commendable pride in her
family. As may be expected they are people of
superior tastes and habits, using their surplus
wealth in the material improvement of the com-
munity in which they live. The Doctor is a mem-
ber of the I. O. O. F. , having joined a lodge in
Tennessee, from which he took his Card. Mrs.
Harrison is a worthy member of the Presbyterian
Chnrch.
•J. A. Hayes was a stripling of about sixteen
years when the Rebellion l)roke out, yet he en-
listed for active service in the war, and his strug-
gles and the severity of his service are not to be
overlooked. He was born in the " Palmetto State,"
in the village of Cheraw, on the Peedee River, in
1846, and in 1861 enlisted in Coits' battery of
light artillery, and for some time afterward was on
duty in and around New Berne. From 1803 until
September 27, 1864, he was at Petersburg; but in
the latt(>r year he was taken prisoner at the iron
l)ridgo near that city, this being the first time he
was ever absent from roll-call except on one occa-
sion when he was relieved from duty by his su-
perior oflicer on account of a wound received while
in the seven-days' tight at that place. After being
captured ho was taken to City Point, then to Point
Lookout, Va., and was kept in imprisonment at the
latter place until the close of the war. In the
summer of 1865 he made his way back to his home
in South Carolina, the most of the journey being
made on foot, and in the fall of the same year was
engaged in contracting for ties for the Cheraw &
Darlington Railroad. In October, 1865, he emigrated
westward to Memphis, Tenn., where he engaged in
agriciiltural pursuits, being an employe of Rev. A.
H. Kerr, on Big Creek. Here he continued to
reside until 1875, when he came to Mississippi
County, and opened up a tract of wild land on
Little River; but owing to the high water of 1882
he sent his family to Virginia, and returned to
Memphis, Tenn., where he engaged with Oggell
Bros, in the hardware business. The following
year he returned to Mississippi County, Ark. , and
settled on a plantation belonging to J. W. Jeffer-
son, where he has opened up about '2.C0 acres of
land, and has now under the plow 1,0()0 acres, em-
ploying about 125 hands to assist him in keeping
the farm in good condition. The yield of his land
is about three -fourths to one bale of cotton to the
acre. Since coming to the county he has pur-
chased 320 acres of land, and owns a good residence
in the town of Osceola. He was married in 1872
to Miss Lula Scott, a native of Prince Edward
County, Va. , and a daughter of Samuel B. Scott,
who was a descendant of the same family as Gen.
Winfield Scott. Mr. and Mrs. Hayes are the
parents of the following children: James M. , who
died in infancy; Nannie L. and Algie, also died in
infancy; Annie Gertie, Eddie, Pearl and liuby
(twins, two years old), and Ernest, an infant. M*.
Hayes belongs to Lodge No. 27, A. F. & A. M., at
Osceola, and is also a member of the A. O. U. W.
Will H. Hayes, sheriff of Mississippi County,
and a prominent farmer, residing near Elmot, was
born in Tennessee, in 1852, and while growing up
was instructed in all the details of farm life. At
the age of twenty he engaged in commercial pur-
suits, which he continued for two years. In 1874,
he came to Mississippi County, Ark., and was en
gaged in a general store, at Osceola, where he con-
tinued for a period of two years, but failing health
caused him to abandon this, and he afterward
engaged in agricultural pursuits on rented land.
At the end of two years he purchased his present
^1
512
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
farm near Elmot, autl there he has since remained,
engaged in the arduous duties of the farm. The
success which seems to attend his efforts in this
industry is well merited, for no one is more thor-
oughly interested in this calling or gives it greater
attention. There were 900 acres in the tract,
with about ninety acres cleared, when he first pur-
chased it. Now he has 300 acres under cultiva-
tion, and this large tract is all capable of being
cleared and cultivated, and is de-stined to become
a fine plantation. Mr. Hayes has always been act-
ive in politics, and in 1886 he was elected sherifF
of Mississippi County, and so successful was his
career in this office, and so well did he conduct
the afPairs of the same, that he was re-elected in
1888. He has always taken a deep interest in
educational matters, and has served as director
almost all the time that he has been a resident of
this county. Mr. Hayes is a married man, his
union with Miss Sallie McKinney having trans
pired in March, 1876. She is a native of Arkan-
sas, and the daughter of one of the early settlers
of this county. They became the parents of these
children: Lulu Maud. Harrie D. , Bessie G. and
Lemon. Mr. Hayes' parents, S. D. and Martha
(Smith) Hayes, were natives of North Carolina
and Tennessee, respectively. The father was a
successful agriculturist.
J. R. Hearn. In endeavoring to trace the
genealogy of Mr. Hearn, we find that his paternal
ancestors came originally from the land of thistles
and oatmeal. He was born on Blue Grass soil in
1832, and was the fifth of sis children that grew
to maturity, born to Joseph and Rebecca (Austin)
Hearn, the latter being a Kentuckiau, in which
State the father was occupied in tilling the soil.
In the fall of 1834 they came to Arkansas, settling
on the Mississippi River below Osceola, which
country was then almost a complete wilderness in-
habited by Indians and wild animals, and here
Mr. Hearn opeued a woodyard, and began farming
in a small way. Later he sold this property and
bought some wild land near where Elmot now is, on
which place he died in 1850, before having made
any improvements. The opening of the farm then
devolved upon oui- subject, who was then about
eighteen years of age, and for five years he strug-
gled manfully to get the property in good shape
for farming, his labors being reasonably successful.
He was married when about twenty three years of
age, at which time Miss Eliza Boyles, a daughter
of W. J. Boyles, became his wife. After the cele
bration of this event he rented land and continued
farming in this manner until the death of his
wife's parents in 1871. when he moved on their
old homestead, which embraced a tract of 160
acres, only fifteen of which were under the plow.
He has since cleared and put under cultivation
forty acres, and owing to the fertility of the soil
finds no trouble in raising a bale of cotton to the
acre. In his conduct of this estate he gives each
detailed portion of the work his personal close
supervision, and this care and method ever exer-
cised have contributed to place him among the
foremost farmers of this vicinity, as he is one of
the most intelligent citizens. He is not active in
politics, but uses his own judgment in support-
ing the various candidates for office. He is at
present holding the office of justice of the peace.
In 1868 he had the misfortune to lose his estima-
ble wife, she having borne him three children:
Howard Hazzard, William Akin Percy (who mar-
ried a Miss Fleming, and resides on his father's
place), and Thomas Elliot. His union with his
present wife took place in the year 1872, her maid-
en name having been Susan E. Morrow. The six
children which have been given them are Editha
Lee, Joseph Guilford, Luther May, James Hale,
John Franklin and Lillie Bruce.
Jerry L. Hearn is one of the native-born resi-
dents of Mississippi County, Ark., and on account
of long acquaintance and a thorongh knowledge
of his many sterling qualities, he is held in high
esteem by the residents thereof. He was born in
the year 1851, and was one of the sons of Jerry
Lynch, but at the age of eleven years was adojjted
by G. A. Hearn, an old settler of the county, and
spent one year in Osceola, attending school, then
moved with his adopted father to Clear Lake,
where G. A. Hearn died in 1881. Here Jerry
L. Hearn spent the most of his youth, and after
attaining manhood was married to Miss Sarah
:±-jy
MISSISSIPPI COUNTY.
)]3
Mobley, also a native of the comity. When twen-
ty-two years of age he purchased a farm of 108
acres near Clear Lake, and ever since then has
devoted much of his time and energies to putting
his farm in good condition, all necessary buildings
forming a 2:)rominent feature of the improvements.
By his perseverance and industry his lands now
aggregate 300 acres, with forty acres one mile
west of Blythesville, and the amount of land on
these two farms comprises 120 acres. Ho has
been the owner of the property where he now
makes his home since 1875, his surroundings being
exceptionally pleasant, and has everything conven-
ient and comfortable about his home. He has
always been active in politics, and in ISB-l secured
the contract to carry the mail from Blythesville to
Osceola; does also a good trade in carrying pas-
sengers and doing business for the people of those
places. He and his family are members of the
Meth(3dist Episcopal Church, and he is a member
of Chickasawba Lodge No. 13-4, of the F. & A.
M. The following are the children born to his
marriage: Lizzie, Mattie, Minnie and Harry.
Dr. Elliott Hickman (deceased). On the 10th
of December, 1858, there died at his home in Mis-
sissippi County, Ark., a man who was thoroughly
conscientious in the discharge of every duty, and
who had given to his county the best energies of
his life. In the community in which he lived, and
among the people who knew him best, the influence
of his pure and noble life is still felt to a remarka-
ble degree. His birth occurred in North Carolina
in 1782, and, at the age of seven years, he was
taken to the State of Tennessee by his father, who
settled in the iminediate vicinity of Nashville. His
father, William Hickman, was an old veteran of
the .Revolution, and for services rendered during
that war he received an extensive land grant in
the State of Tennessee. Our subject attended
school in Nashville, and in- early youth entered the
drug store of his brother-in-law, Roger B. Sap-
pingtou, who at that time was a leading physician,
a prominent citizen, and the only druggist in the
place. Ho remained with Dr. Sapi)ington, study-
ing under his directions, and after the completion
of his medical studies settled in Franklin. Will
iamson County, where he entered upon the prac-
tice of his chosen calling. After a residence of a
few years in this place he was married to Miss
Julia Ann Dudley, a Virginian by birth, and a
daughter of Col. Guilford Dudley, of Revolution-
ary fame. Col. Dudley wrote a history of that
war, which was published in the Southern Literary
Messenger, and it was pronounced one of the best
of that period. During that war his property in
North Carolina was entirely destroyed by the
British, but he removed to Tennessee, retrieved
his fortunes to some extent, and became one of the
noted men of Middle Tennessee. In 1812-15, Dr.
Hickman was appointed by Gov. William Carroll
superintendent and surgeon of the war hospi-
tal at Fayetteville, Lincoln County, Tenn., and
here he resided until 1835, when he moved his
family to Memphis, where he was engaged in fol-
lowing his profession up to the year 1840, when
he bought a tract of land of about 1,000 acres, 120
miles above Memphis, in Mississippi County, Ark. ,
the place being now known as Hickman's Bend.
Here he instituted many improvements, and soon
had his home surrounded by many comforts and
luxuries. From the gallery of his old home could
be had a most magnificent view of the river as it
sweeps around the bend many miles above, and
disappears in the south behind wooded points
and fertile fields of cotton. In this lovely home
among magnificent giant forest trees he dispensed
his hospitality in an exceedingly liberal manner, and
became noted throughout all the region for his
polished manners. Although a slave-owner, he
would never employ an overseer, and among his
humble retainers, he was happy in making them
happy. His advice was given freely to all, and in
him they ever found a kind and liberal friend in-
stead of a hard taskmaster. His memory is still
loved and reverenced among his old servants who
are still living. Hickman Township and Hickman's
Bend were named in his honor. His estimable wife
sui-vived him until November 11, 1862, when she
too died. Their children's names are as follows:
Frances, who married Col. Elliot H. Fletcher [see
sketch]: Elizabeth, wife of Mr. Muri)hy, a mer-
chant of New Orleans; William, Julia Ann, who
^^
r.i4
HISTOEY OF AEKANSAS.
ilied when just entering womanhood; Sarah, and
Thomas, who died in 1863; seven children died in
infancy.
D. W. Hicks. It was in 1873 that Mr. Hicks
first became a resident of Mississippi Connty. Ark. .
and since then he has become one of the truly hon-
ored and respected residents of this section. His
birth occurred on Blue Grass soil in 1845, and he
was the fourth of a family of eight children born
to Armstrong and Mary (Duerson) Hicks, who are
both residing in Kentucky, and are each eighty-
two years of age. The father was a miller. Like
the majority of youths, D. W. Hicks learned his
father's occupation, and attended the common pub-
lic schools near his home until sixteen years of age,
at which time he enlisted in the Confederate army
under Jolin H. Morgan, and was an active partici-
pant in the battles of Hartsville. Tenn. , Snow
Hill, Tenn. , Lebanon, Ky. , and in numerous minor
engagements. He was with Morgan on his Ohio
raid in 1863, and was at the battles of Corydon and
Buffington Island, but was captured at Richmond,
Ind , and sent to Camp Chase, where he was held
a prisoner for twenty-three months. After being
released at the end of May, 1865, he returned to
his home in Kentiicky, with the consciousness of
having been one of the tried and true soldiers of
the "lost cause.'" His career as a soldier was
marked by fearlessness and courage. He worked in
a roller factory for six months, then went to New
Orleans, where he remained a short time, after
which he returned to Kentucky, and made his
home at Hickman for five years. Since that time
he has resided in Mississippi County, Ark., the
first five years of his residence here being spent in
farming in the vicinity of Osceola. In 1878 he
came to Chickasawba Township, where he farmed
on rented land for some time, being also engaged
in teaching school. His first purchase of land was
in 1880, amounting to 113 acres, at Shady Grove,
but he has since bought fifty at Hickman's Bend,
a fine place, all of which is under cultivation.
This year (1889) he is farming eighty acres of corn
and cotton. He is always interested in enterprises
that will reflect credit upon this section, and al-
though not an active politician he has served as
justice of the peace and school director for two
years. He is a member of Chickasawba Lodge
No. 134, of the F. & A. M. In 1882 his mar-
riage with Miss Mary Lillard was celebrated. She
was born in Tennessee., is a member of the Metli
odist ChurcL, and has borne Mr. Hicks a son
named James. Mr. Hicks is expecting soon to
make a visit to his parents at Hickman, Ky. , whom
he has not seen for sixteen years.
J. N. Hill (deceased). In the year 1878 there
died at his home in this county, J. N. Hill, who had
been a prominent resident of the county since
1867, and who, during his residence here, was
closely identified with the agricultural interests of
the community in which he resided. He had first
come to the county in 1858, when a boy, with his
father, John Hill, but in 1865 returned to his
State of Tennessee, and was married there the
same year, to Miss Julia Helmes, a daughter of
William Helmes, of Mount Zion, Tenn., hci-
birthplace being in Lebanon, Tenn. Upon per-
manently locating in Mississippi County, Ark., at
the above mentioned date, he settled on the Ellis
place, which was owned by Maj. Ferguson, of
Nodena, and in 1871 bought the place on which
his widow is now residing, which continued to be
his home up to the time of his death. He was an
industrious, frugal farmer, and, with the assistance
of his worthy wife, succeeded in accumulating con-
siderable {jroperty. Endowed with good common
sense, and of a sympathetic nature, he was among
the foremost in every commendable enterprise, and
his death was keenly felt by all who knew him.
His first purchase was eighty acres of land, and
his estate at the time of his death amounted to
about 700 acres, of which 220 were under the
plow, the principal crop being cotton. At the
time of his death he left a widow and four chil-
dren to mourn his loss, the eldest child being but
nine years of age: Ella-E., a young lady; C. F. ,
who resides with his mother, and is an assistant
on the plantation; G. W., a lad at home, ami
Agnes, the youngest of the family.
Joseph M. Hill, a prosperous farmer and en-
terprising citizen of Frenchman's Bayou, was born
at Nashville, Tenn., in 1857. He was the young-
y\:
est child liorii to John H. and Lina Ann (Cottlos)
Hill, who moved to Mississippi County, Ark. ,
from Nashville, in 1858, and settled on French-
man's Bayou, where he purchased 600 acres of
land. The father cleared up about 100 acres of this
land, and was engaged extensively' in stock rais-
ing until his death, in ISOfl, his wife dying tlu^
same year. Joseph M. Hill attended the schools
at home for some time, and then entered an acad-
emy at Covington, Tenn., and later one at Canton,
receiving in his youth as go6d an education as
could be obtained. Upon reaching the age of
eighteen he began farming for himself on rented
land, and being a young man of perseverance and
a determination to succeed in whatever he under-
took, he soon placed himself in an independent
position. In Feltruary, 1884, he was married to
Mi.ss Mollie Woodward, of Tennessee, a daughter
of Lewis Woodward, a well-known and prominent
citizen of Tipton County, in both political and
church matters, who died in 1880. This union
gave Mr. and Mrs. Hill three children: Nellie,
Mary and Joseph Nelson, comprising one of the
happiest families in Mississippi County. Mr. Hill
is a member of the K. of O. at Louise, Ark. , and is
spoken of by his friends as certain to be one of the
leading men in this county at some future day.
His brother, Bethel L. , attended the same schools,
and afterward farmed for a while. He was mar-
ried to Miss Ralph, of Tennessee, and as he grew
to mature age became a very prominent man in
local circles. He served two years as justice of
the peace, and in 1886 was elected assessor of Mis-
sissippi County, remaining in that capacity until
his death, in 1889. at the age of thirty four years.
The father of these boys entered the pulpit after
moving to this county, and attained a wide-spread
celebrity for his foi-cible sermons and versatility
as an expounder of the Gospel.
R. D. Holt. Island No. 10, formerly in the
Mississippi River, and the scene of a heavy artilh^y
duel during the War of the Rebellion, was the
birthplace of the subject of this sketch. There
he was l)orn in 1848. and some years later he
came with his father, R. J. Holt, to Mississippi
County. Ark., and settled on his present property.
Here the elder Holt died in 1863, leaving a wife
and five children. The mother, whose maiden
name was Miss Mary Bone, was a native of New
Madrid, Mo., and there she grew to womanhood.
R. D. Holt and his brother John, who now lives
near, took hold of the home plac(< after the death
of the father, and although there were but fifteen
acres cleared at that time, they went to work and
soon cleared about 10(1 acres, each Ijrother owning
a half interest, in addition to which they each have
a farm of from eighty to 160 acres. The farm
lies on Lake Como, in the southwest part of the
county, in what is called the Nauvoo settlement,
named thus on account of the Mormons having
settled there early in the 50' s. R. J. Holt, the
father of R. D., was one of them at that time, he
having previously been a Methodist, and after a
few years of Mormonism he returned to his old
faith, in which he died. Those who adhered to
the faith went to Salt Lake, and among the last to
go was one Sol. Spain, who got away just before
the blockade in 1861. On the property of Mr.
Holt there are eleven well-defined Indian mounds,
which have never been explored. The largest is
about fifteen feet high, and over 100 feet in cir-
cumference at the base. This is now used as a
burying place by Mr. Holt, whose father, mother,
brother and sister, an uncle, a brother in- law and
his wife and two children are buried there. His
brother has one child buried there, and a sister
has two children. Mr. Holt was married in 1871
to Miss Sophrona Barney, of Mississippi County,
and the daughter of John Barney, one of the
pioneers of Mississippi County, Ark. Three chil-
dren are the fruits of this union: I\Iary, Leroy and
Mattie, all at home. Mr. Holt is a member of the
Wheel.
John C. Holt. In the sketch that precedes
this has been given an outline of the life of Mr. R.
D. Holt, brother of the subject of this sketch.
John C. Holt was born at Nauvoo, Mississippi
County, Ark., in 1858, his parents. R. J. and
Mary (Bone) Holt, coming from Island No. 10, in
the !Mississip[)i River, the year before. John C.
Holt improved every opportunity for an education,
but school facilities were not what thev are at the
present day. After reaching mauhood Mr. Holt
was absent for about fourteen months, but returned,
firm in the settled lielief that Mississippi County
was the place for him. In connection with his
brother, R. D. Holt, Mr. Holt has opened up 160
acres of land, and is now the owner of '226 acres,
with about 112 acres under cultivation. His prin-
cipal occupation is cotton raising, and he averages
about three-fourths of a bale to the acre, at a cost
of $6 per acre. He has progressive, modern ideas
of farming, and is a man who will sivcceed in any
undertaking. He was married, in 187S, to Miss
Virginia Ashburn, daughter of Jason Ashburn, who
came to Mississippi County in 1835, and who was
one of the pioneer settlers of the county. To Mr.
and Mrs. Holt have been born four children:
Cordy, now a young man; Harry, Phinney and
Ivey. Mr. Holt is a member of the Masonic lodge
at Fi-enchman's Bayou, and also of the Methodist
Church.
Rev. James F. Jernigan, pastor of the Meth-
odist Episcopal Church, South, of the Osceola Cir-
cuit, was born in Henry County, Tenn., May 18,
1851, being sixth in a family of seven children
born to Rev. ^^'. H. and Dicy (Moore) Jernigan,
natives of Middle Tennessee. There the father
followed farming for a long time, but being con-
verted, he began preaching nearly fifty years ago.
James' paternal grandfather, Jesse, and his wife,
Rebecca, were pioneers of Western Tennessee, go-
ing there from Middle Tennessee in 1823, where
the old gentleman lived, following farming and
carpentering, till his death, which occurred in Jan-
uary, 1857, at the age of eighty-three years. Rev.
W. H. Jernigan later removed from Tennessee to
Independence County, Ark., and settled near Sul-
phur Rock, where he brought a tract of 200 acres.
On this land he has made many improvements, pro-
viding a comfortable home for the family till about
1883. The mother died August 10, 1878, at the
age of sixty-four years. The estate still belongs to
the family, but Mr. Jernigan, Sr. , makes his home
with his youngest son, L. C. Jernigan, a merchant
at Sulphur Rock. In 1865 this estimable man
(our subject's father) taught the first free school
in Independence County. He was a teacher for a
long time in Tennessee, and has always been active
in school and church work. He has continued
preaching up to the present, and during the sum-
mer of 1888 assisted his son in a series of pro-
tracted meetings, covering a period of nearly three
months. On the 23d of July, 1889, at the house
of his youngest son, he made the remark, that for-
ty-nine years previous a chain of two links had
been formed; subsequently seven links more had
been added, and to this increasing chain thirty -
eight more links, representing his grandchildren,
were added, making in all a chain of fifty- four
links. During this long period there have been
but eight breaks in this family chain, the death of
five children and three adults. This respected
pioneer has lived in Northeast Arkansas thirty
years, and during that time has never had a chill;
in fact, as will be seen from the above, the health
of the entire family has been remarkable. Our
subject remained at home, working on the farm,
till about the age of twenty three years, during
which time he attended school in the vicinity of
his home, and in 1872 was a student at a five-
months' session at Spring Hill Academy, Henry
County, Tenn. From his sixteenth year, when- he
was converted, he has been a diligent student of
the bible, and works on theology, feeling from that
early age that there were fields for labor in the
coming years, in which a knowledge of those books
would be his greatest if not his only help; and so
with these years of preparation, by private study
and his father's help, he became well qualified for
active usefulness. He entered the ministry of the
Methodist Episcopal Church, South, White River
Conference, which was held in 1874 in Searcy,
White County, Ark., his first charge being Salem
Circuit, Fulton County, where he remained one
year. He was then changed to West Point Cir-
cuit, White County, and thence, after one year, to
Pleasant Valley Circuit, Jackson County. In 1878
he was changed to Newport Station for one year;
thence to Lee County, for one year; in 1880 to Clay
County, Boydsville and Oak Bluff Stations; in 1881
to Corning Station, same county; in 1882-83,
Jamestown Circuit, Independence County; in 1884
-85, at Vanndale Circuit; in 1886-87, in Marion
"TT
^j{.nc
-AWRE NCE
Lauf
\NSAS
MISSISSIPPI COUNTY.
oil
Circuit, Crittenden County, and in 1888 back to
Sulphur Rock Circuit, his old, boyhood home.
In ISS'.I he was appointed to Osceola Circuit, in ,
Mississippi County, which charge he is filling at
the present time. Brother Jernigan can justly be
called a revivalist, for in all these years his min-
istry has been marked with wonderful success.
In 1882, 175 conversions resulted from his efforts,
and two-thirds of this number united with the
church; in other years nearly as many, and this
year (1889) during about eight months' labor he
had 1 1 S accessions to the church. He has held pro-
tracted meetings at Carson's Lake, Golden Lake,
Pecan Point, Mill Bayou, Dunavant's C^hapel,
Louise Chapel, Elmot and Osceola, and at all these
meetings great interest has been manifested, and
many conversions made. Indeed, the degree of
interest manifested among the people who have
been attending his various meetings is sufficient to
impress a thoughtful person as being wonderful.
Religious matters have here been the chief topic of
conversation, and the thoughts of almost all seem
to dwell on the "big meetings." Brother Jerni-
gan has been married twice; the first time Novem-
ber 14, 1877, to Miss Kate D. Shoup, a native of
Marshall County, Miss., who came to this State
with her parents in her youth. She died Septem-
ber 9, 1878. He married the second time, October
11, 1881, Miss Lizzie I. Camp, a native of Tennes-
see, born in Memphis, and the daughter of Dr. M.
V. anil Sallie C. (Shed) Camp. Her mother died
in 1888, but her father is at the present time a
prominent physician of Walnut Ridge. He was
on the editorial staff of the first secession paper
published in Alabama, and later served as captain
in the Confederate army. Brother Jernigan at
present resides at Walnut Ridge, where he has a
pleasant home, presided over by his estimable wife.
In personal appearance, as will be seen by a glance
at the accompanying portrait, he is a man of
striking personal appearance, with an intellectual
expression superior to the average. Slightly above
the ordinary height, also incrlining somewhat tu
stoutness, with an erect carriage, it is apparent
that physically he has been generously endowed by
nature, and as a result makes a commanding pres-
ence in the pulpit. Such endowments, when com-
bined with the earnest and entreating expression
of the eye, and the ringing tones of eloquence as
he expovmds the truths of the Divine Story, contrib-
ute materially to the success which follows every
meeting. He also strives to have the congregation
see that what he says is not the labored production,
studied for oratorical clfoct, Init that each word
springs from the sincere heart, and that he feels
with all an enthusiast's power, the truth and passion
of the Holy Law. His preaching, at proper inter-
vals, is often enlivened by an appropriate anec-
dote, containing a moral, clothed in a few pleas-
ing and often humorous sentences, which relaxes
the tension of the hearer's mind, as it also points
more directly to the open door of truth. In con-
versation with various members of th(> different
churches in Mr. Jernigan' s charge, it is found that
his efforts are jiistly appreciated, for, from no one
are heard words of censure or unkind criticism, but
from all, terms of the highest praise.
R. L. Joiner. It can not be denied that a man
who lives according to the highest principles of
what he conceives to be right, helping others and
in a word, keeping as his aim the Golden Rule,
will receive the most sincere esteem of his fellow
creatures. Such a one is the subject of this
sketch. Born in Shelby County, Tenn. , he is the
son of R. S. Joiner, and the grandson of Jack
Joiner, who emigrated from North Carolina when
R. S. Joiner was a small boy. The latter was
also a native of Shelby County, Tenn. R. L.
Joiner was born on the corner of Poplar ami
Second Streets, Memphis, Tenn.. and there re
mained until eighteen years of age, receiving a
good practical education in the schools of that
city. At the above mentioned age he left the
State of his nativity and journeyed to Crittenden
County, Ark., where he remained for about five
years. In 1868 he came to Mississippi County,
Ark., and in the year 1880 .settled on what is
known as the Parker place, west of Frenchman's
Bayou, where he has cleared by contract about forty
acres since coming to the county. Mr. Joiner is
a wide-awake, stirring farmer, and his improve-
ments about the place are all of a superior order.
■v«
nis
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
In 1880 he was united in marriage with Miss M.
L. Price, daughter of Mrs. Mary E. Price, of
Lee County, Miss., and the fi-uits of this union
have been three chiklren: Ada Mary, Anna Ruth
and Emma Blanche, all at home. Aside from his
own farm, Mr. Joiner rents about sixty-two acres,
and is engaged in cotton planting on the same,
averaging about three-fourths of a bale of cotton
to the acre. He is a member of the Agricultural
Wheel.
Dr. Walter D. Jones, Osceola. There are few
men of the present day whom the world acknowl-
edges as successful more worthy of honorable men-
tion, or whose history affords a better illustration
of what may be accomplished by a determined
will and perseverance, than Dr. W. D. Jones. He
was born in Newburg, N. Y., in 1842, and was the
fifth of eight children born to Dr. William and
Charlotte M. (Wheeler) Jones, the father a native
of Shoreham, Vt. , and the mother of New York.
The paternal ancestors were of Welsh descent, and
the maternal of German. Dr. William Jones be-
gan the study of medicine at Poughkeepsie, N. Y.,
in his youth, secured his diploma, and has been a
practicing physician for over fifty years. During
that time he has risen to the position of one of the
leading practitioners among the Eclectic school of
physicians, and is well known in the profession
throughout the length and breadth of the United
States. He has held the office of president, treas-
urer, and has been one of the board of censors of
the Eclectic Medical Society of the State of New
York. He is now living in retirement at his fine
home in Newburg, N. Y. Dr. Walter D. Jones
passed his youth as a student in the public schools
of Newburg, and naturally, perhaps, he evinced at
quite an early age, a strong desire for the study of
medicine, and a precocious ability for the practice
of that profession. His greatest desire seemed to
be to reach a proud position in the ranks of emi-
nent medical men, with whom he has always been
associated. He was solicited, in 1872, by the late
Prof. R. S. Newton, Sr. , professor of surgery in
the Eclectic Medical College of New York City, to
accept the chair of professor of anatomy. In 1878
he was proffered and .solicited by Prof. Frank-
lin, professor of surgery in the Homoeopathic Col-
lege of St. Louis, Mo., to occupy the chair of
surgery in that institution, but having a few days
previous closed his contract with the A. L. Clum
Medicine Company, declined. At the age of seven-
teen he entered the medical department of the Uni-
versity of Pennsylvania, remaining there one
year, after which he entered the Jefferson Medical
College, where he spent but one j'ear, and then re-
turned to the University. In 1861, after one year
in the last mentioned institution, he enlisted as a
private in the Third New York Infantry, and was de-
tailed to the Hy geia Hotel Hospital, at Fortress Mon-
roe. He was in the battle of Little Bethel, was then
detailed to the Adams House Hospital, at Balti-
more, Md. , and later mustered out at Albany,
N. Y. At the end of one month he enlisted in the
Fifteenth New York Cavalry, and was soon sent to
Virginia, where he was in all the fighting of the
Shenandoah Valley; was in the battle of Port Royal,
Lynchburg, Winchester, Sheridan's raid from
Winchester, Va. , to the White House, Waynesboro,
Dinwiddle Courthouse, Five Forks, Appomattox
Courthouse, Clover Hill, and was present at Gen.
Lee's surrender, on April 9, 1865. He took part
in the grand review at "\\'ashington, on the 23d of
May, of that year, and was mustered out at Cloud's
Mills, Va., in July. That year he returned to
Philadelphia, entered the University, resumed his
studies and graduated in 1860. He subsequently
returned to Newburg and engaged in the practice
of his chosen profession with his father, continu-
ing there two years. After this he was in Brook-
lyn two years, then in St. Louis four years, and
then, in 1879, he came to Osceola, Ark. He discon-
tinued the practice of his profession while in St.
Louis, to accept a position with the A. L. Clum
Medicine Company, of Red Wing, Minn., and came
to Osceola in the interest of that company. Seeing
a favorable opening, he located, and has remained
here since, devoting his time entirely to the relief
of suffering humanity. He has built up an exten-
sive practice, and is one of the leading physicians
of the county. He is of pleasing address and most
agreeable manners, possessed of a mind clear, pen-
etrating and comprehensive, thoroughly posted in
'-^
MISSISSIPPI COUNTY.
519
his profession, and a practitioner of decided talent.
He has bought a farm of '210 acres, fifty of whicli
are under cultivation, and he is clearing up the
remainder. The Doctor was married in 1868, to
Mrs. Mary E. Wines, a native of Brooklyn, L. I.
(at that time), and of English descent. She died
in 1870, leaving one child, Edith Helen, who died
in infancy. Dr. Jones took for his second wife
Mrs. Frances Carrie Goff, a native of Georgia, and
the daughter of William A.. (Toff, who followed the
occupation of an architect. Mrs. Jones was a
widow with one child, Jessie, when married to the
Doctor. Dr. Jones is the only Eclectic practitioner
in Mississippi County. He was chairman of the
Republican executive committee for eight years,
was president of the board of health for four
years, was alderman four years, and has been
United States deputy marshal. He affiliates with
the Republicans in his political preferences, and is
the leading member of his party in Mississippi
County.
Benjamin F. Jones, one of the most influential
men in Mississippi County, and a man who, dming
his residence here has not only become one of the
largest and wealthiest landholders, but is also con
nected with the well-known and prosperous mer-
cantile tirm of Ward & Jones, is a native of Illi-
nois. His parents, James and Elvira (Henderson)
Jones, were natives of Kentucky, and some time
before the war the father, with his family, consist-
ing of his wife and small children, moved to Illi-
nois. There both parents died, the father in 1860
and the mother in 1868. In 1866 Benjamin F.
Jones came to Mississippi County, Ark., and at the
age of seventeen years commenced working on a
farm, where he continued for several years. In
1869 he embarked in mercantile pursuits in O.sce-
ola, which he continued for about seven years,
when, owing to financial difficulties, he sold out to
his partner, the latter agreeing to pay all indebt-
edness, which he did in full. After this, for a
number of years, he was engaged in planting cot-
ton, at which be was very successful. About 1885
he bought the interest of L. Ward, of the firm of
L. Ward & Son, located on Frenchman's Bayou,
and formed a partnership under the firm name of
Ward & Jones. Since that time the firm has been
very prosperous, their annual sales running from
$40,000 to $50,000, and in connection they also
carry on cotton planting quite extensively, the firm
being the owners of over 2,000 acres of the rich
land about Frenchman's Bayou, which ranks among
the most fertile tracts on the continent. They have
about 300 acres under the plow, the r(<mainder yet
in timber, but each year they adil greatly to their
cleared land. Mr. Jones is the owner of over 1,000
acres in his own right, and stands among the fore-
most young business men in the county. He is al-
ways ready with open hand to encourage any legit-
imate enterprise, and is a benefit and an honor to
any community in which his lot is cast. He is a
member of McGavock Lodge No. '2754, Knights
of Honor, located at Frenchman's Bayou. He
wedded Miss Nannie Ashburn, daughter of Jack
Ashburn, one of the pioneers of the county, who
came with his father from Kentucky when a boy,
or in the year 18'29. He died when his daughter
Nannie was but a child. His wife was Mary Ball.
Mr. and Mrs. Jones' union was blessed by the birth
of six children, all living, and the eldest about
fourteen years of age. They are named as follows:
Harry, Cora, Maud, Pearl, Annie, and Francis , an
infant four months old. In all his ideas and tend-
encies Mr. Jones is progressive and enterprising, a
useful member of society, personally and in busi-
ness circles.
T. B. Jones, a successful planter and a promi-
nent merchant of Frenchman's Bayou, is a native
of Illinois, and the son of James Jones, who died
in Illinois. T. B. Jones obtained a good practical
education in the schools of his native State, and
afterward went to the Lone Star State, where he
remained for two years. At the age of twenty-
three years he came to Mississip[)i County, Ark. ,
located there, and although his means were very
limited, he went to work with the determination to
succeed, and is now the owner of 113 acres, of
which he has sixty under cultivation. On this he
averages about one bale of cotton to the acre, and
in addition he has a general store in which he
keeps a full line of goods necessary in a country
neighborhood. He has placed about thirty acres
■^^^=^Fr
Si
a w_
r)20
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
under cultivation, made all the other improve-
ments, building a fine frame residence with about
2, 000 feet of flooring and two stories high. He
also has a fi'ame storehouse '20x50 feet, four tene-
ment houses and a barn. His marriage occurred
in 1881 with Miss Lizzie Hightower, of Mississippi
County, where she was born and reared. Her
father, William Hightower, settled in Mississippi
County, Ark. , at an early day. He was origiuall}'
from East Tennessee, his wife being a native of
this county. They died in Mississippi County,
Ark., when Mrs. Jones was small. To Mr. and
Mrs. Jones has been born one child, a daugh-
ter named Claudia. Mr. Jones is a member of the
Masonic Lodge No. 157, Frenchman's Bayou.
His wife is a member of the Methodist Episcopal
Church.
Dr. D. C. Joyner. The people of Mississippi,
as well as surrounding counties, are familiar with
the name that heads this sketch, and for many
years Dr. Joyner has been successfully occupied
in the prosecution of his chosen piofession. Dur-
ing that time his career as a practitioner and
thorough student of medicine has won for him no
less a reputation than have his personal character-
istics as a citizen and neighbor. He was liorn in
Stewart County, Tenn. (Dover), in 1838, and was
reared in Smithland, Livingston County, Ky. He
was educated at Bethlehem, and in the Presbyterian
Academy, located at Salem, Crittenden County.
In 1857 he commenced the study of medicine in
the office of Prof. F. L. Sim. of Golconda, 111. .
where he .studied for two years, and then entered
the Louisville University, from which institution
he graduated in 1861. Later he came to Missis-
sippi County, commenced practicing on French-
jnaa's Bayou, when there were but few planters,
and soon built up a very lucrative practice. Not
satisfied merely with his profession, the Doctor has
engaged in other pursuits, and having built a large
store room, sold goods for about fifteen years.
He sold out his stock of goods in 1888 to W.
H. PuUen & Co. , to whom he rents the building,
and the Doctor now has a complete stock of drugs
in a building which he has erected just across the
way, and where he now keeps a full line of all the
requisites necessary for a first-class store. He has
also been interested in planting cotton, having
owned a plantation of 240 acres, of which he put a
considerable share under cultivation, but this he
has recently sold. The Doctor agrees with other
prominent medical men, that .\rkansas is as healthy
as any other Southern State, and the people are
as exempt from disease, if they use the same care,
as in other States. Especially does this apply to
those who keep all mud holes and stagnant pools
filled up or drained off. Dr. Joyner was a Whig
in his political preference before the war, and says
he is the same now, but since coming south he
has allied himself with the Democratic party. Dur-
ing the war he enlisted in the Twenty-third Ar
kansas, and served most of the tiine in the State.
acting at one time as courier to some of Price's com-
manders. His marriage with Miss Medora Ward,
daughter of Capt. L. Ward, occurred in Memphis,
and soon afterward they moved to Frenchman's
Bayou, where they have lived ever since, with the
exception of about six months, when they resided
iu Arkansas County, near Dewitt. This union
has been blessed by six children: Leon, at home
and a cripple from birth; DeWitt C, at home;
Effie L., Clide V., Constance (Birdie), and Ruth
Kerr, an infant. The Doctor is a member of the
K. of P., of Progress Lodge, Memphis, Tenn.,
and is also a member of McGavock Lodge No.
275-1, K. of H. Mrs. Joyner is a member of the
Methodist Church.
W. C. King, a physician whose skill has won
him a large practice, and a man who stands high in
the estimation of his fellow citizens, was born Jan-
uary 13, 1838, at Raleigh, Shelby County, Term.,
and was the fifth in a family of nine children.
His parents were John R. and Dosha (Hector)
King, of North Carolina and Missouri, respective-
ly. The father was engaged in mechanical pur-
suits, and had made Tennessee his home for fifty
year.s, dying there in 1882, four years after the de-
mise of his wife. In his youth young King re-
ceived the best education obtainal)le, and attended
school at home until his seventeenth year. He
then took ten months" study at Bethel College, Mc-
Lemoresville, Tenn.. and afterward attended school
^-*
MISSISSIPPI COUNTY.
521
iit Biirtlett for several years. In 1858 he began
the study of medicine with Drs. Duncan and Pryor
as his preceptors, both well-known physicians of
that period, and in the fall of that year entered
the Jefferson Medical College at Philadelphia,
where he remained until his graduation, in March,
1S61. He then returned to Tennessee, and, the
war having just about commenced, enlisted in Com
pany D, Fourth Regiment of Tennessee Volunteers,
remaining with them one year, and at the re-or-
gauization was transferred to Company A. The
Doctor took part in the battles of Shiloh, Murfrees-
boro, Chickamauga and Missionary Pidge, being
captured at the last named place and taken to
Rock Island, 111., where he was held a prisoner
until October 30, of the following year, and then
escaped. He immediately returned home, and in
the summer of 1805 began to practice his profes-
sion in Raleigh, Tenn., where he remained until
1867. He then moved to Coahoma County, Miss.,
and in 1868, was married to Miss Alice Burrow, of
Georgia, a daughter of Rev. Reuben Burrow, a
noted Cumberland Presbyterian preacher, whose
ability as an orator and revivalist was often com-
mented upon by the press. At the beginning of
the war Mr. Burrow raised a company of men, and
was placed at the head as captain. After a year's
service he was promoted to the rank of major of
his regiment, and from that to colonel, in which
capacity he served in Gen. Forrest's command
through all his battles. At the close of the war
he again entered the pulpit, and continued preach-
ing until his death, in 1888. This gifted man was
early imbued with the spirit of oratory and began
preaching when only nineteen years of age. Dr.
King continued to make Coahoma his home until
1879, practicing medicine all the while with great
success, in the meantime engaging in planting
and also merchandising. He lost his wife in that
year, who died leaving him four children to cher-
ish in her stead. Their names are Kate, wife of
J. M. Rol)inson, of thiscounty ; Mal)el. Dosha, who
died in infancy, as also did John R. Soon after
the death of his wife, the Doctor returned to Ten-
nessee, where he resided in the neighborhood of
his old home until 1887. On June i>, of that year.
he came to Mississippi County, Ark., and settled
at Pecan Point, where he remained for six month.s,
and then moved to Frenchman's Bayou, where he
has located permanently, and purchased a residence
in the most thickly settled portion of the place.
He was an entire stranger on his arrival, but soon
built up a tine practice and won many friends by
his agreeable manners and genial disposition. The
Doctor has been a Mason since 1865, formerl)' be-
longing to Woodlawn Lodge at Bartlett, Tenn.,
and now a member of Frenchman's Bayou Lodge
No 251, in which he is J. D. His wife was a
woman of considerable literary attainments, and
when only fifteen years of age she wrote the fare-
well address to Company D, of the Raleigh Vol-
unteers. It might be well to <juote a few of the
Doctor's opinions upon a sul)ject that has agitated
the Southern people to some extent. He takes
great interest in the comparative difference between
the white and colored labor of the South, and con-'
tends that the result of white labor is much more
satisfactory and pi'ofitable; that the climatic in-
fluences are not particularly injurious to people of
the North and East, and that they will tind the
condition of health in this county equal to that of
the western district of Tennessee, or any other
point in the Mississippi Valley. He has practiced
medicine .in both Tennessee and Mississippi, as
well as in Arkansas, and states facts that have come
under his immediate observation. He has noticed
that the citizens of this county who take proper
care of themselves enjoy as good health as the in
habitants of almost any other locality, but such
occupations as hunting, trapping, etc., are trying
to the strongest constitutions, and people who in-
dulge in such pursuits are subject to frequent at-
tacks of illness.
Louis A. Lafont, a prominent farmer near Os-
ceola, was born in New Madi'id County, Mo., in
1826, and was the third child in a family of nine
children born to Anthony and Frances Lafont. of
Missouri and Indiana, respectively. The father
moved to New Madrid County in 1810, and was re-
siding there at the time of the great earthquake in
the latter part of that year, and during which he
lost his first wife, who. like many others, died from
fright on tliat occasion. Mr. Louis A. Lafont
gives a vivid description and recalls many interest-
ing experiences and incidents of that wonderful
yet disastrous phenomenon, which he remembers
having heard his father tell about. The elder La-
font died there in 1848, his second wife following
him in 1857. Louis remained in that section dur-
ing his youth, and attended some of the best
schools in that district, and also at New Albany,
Ind., his education occupying about eleven years
of his life altogether. He received his first com-
mercial experience at Point Pleasant, Mo., in
1848, where he engaged in general merchandise
business, and 'remained at same for three years.
In 1853 he moved to Metropolis, 111., and entered
into mercantile life at that point, also manufactur
ing brick and contracting for erecting buildings.
His reputation was rapidly pushed to the front in
that line, and soon afterward he built a large flour-
mill for himself, which he put up at an expense of
$30,000, besides many fine and expensive private
residences. He continued in various business en-
terprises at Metropolis for eighteen years, and dur-
ing that time was one of the foremost men in ad-
vancing and improving the town. In 1872 Mr.
Lafont moved to Mississippi County, Ark. . and
settled on Frenchman's Bayou, where he com-
menced farming and dealing in merchandise. He
remained there fifteen years, and then moved to
Sans Souci, where he has resided ever since. In
1853 Mr. Lafont was married to Miss Malinda
Chote. of Massac County, 111., and nine children
have been born to this union, of whom six have
died. The names of all are Augustus (deceased),
Eugene, Lina, Fannie, Mary (deceased), Willie
(deceased), Charles (deceased), Walter (deceased),
and Dickey (deceased). Mr. Lafont met with a
sad misfortune in disagreeing with his wife, and
was legally divorced; after a suificient period of time
he was married to Miss lola Hanna, of Illinois,
daughter of Dr. John Hanna, of Massac County,
111. , from which union they have had three chil-
dren: Clarence (deceased). Edgar (deceased) and
Grover Cleveland. Sans Souci has a valuable citi-
zen in Mr. Lafont and one to whom she can point
with pride. No man has displayed more enter-
prise and desire to see his county and his town
(Osceola) take rank among the most important
places of Arkansas than this gentleman, and cer-
tainly no citizen enjoys a greater popularity than
he does, both in business and social circles.
Clarence Lafont. Nowhere in all Mississippi
County is to be found any young man of more
energy or force of character than Clarence Lafont
possesses, and no young agriculturist is deserving
of greater success in the conduct and management
of a farm than he. His birth occurred near where
Osceola now stands, on what is called Hill Place,
and he is the son of N. B. and Viola V. (Willson)
Lafont. The father was born in the State of Mis-
souri, and moved to Osceola. Ark., in about 1867.
Being a man alive to all business enterprises, he
not only engaged in agricultural pui-suits, but in
connection also carried on merchandising for two
years. After this he continued farming, and in
1870 purchased about 300 acres of land on French-
man's Bayou, located there and cultivated about
200 acres of land. He was a man well known and
much respected for his many good qualities, and
his death, which occurred in 1885, was universally
regretted. He left two children: Miss Ella, now
residing in Osceola, and Clarence. The latter re-
ceived his education at Covington, Tenn., and in
the public schools of Osceola. After the death of
his father he cleared 100 acres of land, and now all
together has 300 acres of cleared land and several
hundred acres of timber. This year, besides his
own land, he has rented 100 acres, and runs from
thirty to seventy-five hands, whom he supplies
from his store. This year he will raise on the
home place some 200 bales of cotton, at a cost of
about .$10 per bale. Mr. Lafont is only twenty-
three years of age, but for good management and
other business qualifications his equal is not to be
foiind in the county. He carries on a farm of from
100 to 300 acres, and, while cotton is the principal
crop, he also raises enough corn to last through the
year.
F. R. Lanier. A lifetime of hard, earnest en-
deavor, in pursuing the various occupations in
which he has been engaged, especially in his
farming enterprises, coupled with strict integrity.
f
MISSISSIPPI COUNTY.
523
honesty of purpose and liberality, has tended to
place Mr. Lanier among the highly honored and
.successful men of Mississippi County. H<! was
born in the city of Nashville, Tenn., in 1829, and
is a son of Isaac H. and grandson of Isaac Lanior,
the latter being one of a large family that were
born in the State of North Carolina. The mater-
nal grandfather, Bernard Vanleer, was an iron
manufacturer of Pennsylvania, but afterward re-
moved to Tennessee, where he followed the same
occupation, and made a large fortune, his son-in-
law, Isaac H. Lanier, being associated with him
in this business. When the latter had acquired
sutKcient means he came to Mississippi County,
Ark., in 1832, and purchased a tract of land, con-
sisting of 1,500 acres, on which he moved his fam-
ily four years later, his children being Samuel B.
and F. R. His landed possessions increased until
they finally reached an extent of 3,000 acres, all of
which was acquired by strict perseverance, and at-
tention to business. His death, which was lament-
ed by all who knew him, occurred in 1847, but,
unlike many men, he left his wife and two sons
well j)rovided for. His eldest son, S. B. , died in
1872, and his widow survived him until 1884,
when she, too, died, having made her home with
her son, F. R., up to the time of her death. The
latter was favored with exceptionally fine educa-
tional advantages, which he improved to the ut-
most extent, and after attending the common
schools of Nashville he went to school at Ran-
dolph, and also to the Mountain Academy at Cov-
ington, Toun. , becoming thereby well equipped to
fight his own way in the world. At the age of
twenty years he went to Brownsport. Tenn., and
built what was known as Brownsport Furnace, it
being the first hot-blast furnace built in the State,
and was for many years one of the largest ftirnaees
in the State. After managing this successfully
for about four years he sold out, and moved back
to the plantation, on which he remained until the
breaking out of the war between the States. In
1861 he was elected to represent the people of Mis-
sissippi County in the convention that passed the
ordinance of secession, which convened the 4th of
March, 1861, and in which the State was withdrawn
from the Union, and Mr. Lanier signed his name
to this ordinance. Only two copies are in exist
euce, one of which he has in his possession, and
keeps in a safe in Memphis. In company with the
late Dr. Luke P. Blackburn, who was afterward
governor of Kentucky, ho volunteered as aid on
the staff of Gen. Sterling Price, and it was but a
short time until be was appointed inspector of
mines and furnaces for the Confederate States,
which position he held until he was captured at
Selma, Ala., in April, 1865, by Gen. Wilson, from
whom he succeeded in making his escape. He
then, after the surrender of the Southern army,
made his way home, which he reached without any
means whatsoever with which to improve his farm
and clear it of debt, it having become badly in-
volved for security debts. He settled in Memphis,
and engaged in the real estate business, in partner-
ship with Mr. Monsarratt and Maj. R. C. Winter
smith, the firm taking the name of Monsarratt.
Lanier & Co. They did exceptionally well in this
business for a few years, then Mr. Lanier em-
barked in the oil industry, establishing the Bluff
City Oil Company, the oil being manufactured from
the cotton seed. He remained in this business
until he acquired sufficient means with which to
clear his farm from debt — it being involved to the
extent of $75,000— and in 1885 settled on the old
homestead, which he commenced to put in tillable
shape once more, it having grown up to brush and
wood during his absence. Since returning he has
cleared about 300 acres in the home place and 130
acres in a farm adjacent. He employs about lOd
people on his plantations. In 1882 he made a trip
to Europe, in the interest of the cotton-seed oil busi
ness, and visited all the principal cities of Great
Britain — Glasgow, Liverpool, London, Manches
ter, Leeds, Hull, on the North Sea, and took a
pleasure trip to Paris. He investigated many of
the cotton-seed oil-mills of the old world, and says
that they make much more oil in Europe than thev
do in the United States, although they get the
most of their seed from this country, Egypt and
India. In 1855 he was married to Miss Martha
Norvell, a daughter of Moses Norvell, a merchant
of Nashville, Tenn. . who died there the year be-
A
r)24
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
fore his daughter's marriage, followed by his wife
a few years later. Mrs. Lanier died in Memphis,
Tenn. , in 1885, never having borne any children.
Mrs. Lanier, the mother of our subject, died in
1884, at her son's home in Memphis. Mr. Lanier
has always been active in politics, and is a Democrat
in his views. He also belongs to the I. O. O. F.,
and for many years has been a member of the Epis-
copal Church.
Felix R. Lanier, Jr., is a member of the well-
knovm and .substantial mercantile tirm of L. A.
Morris & Co., of Osceola, and although quite a
young man he has attained a place among the
mercantile interests of the county, which is by no
means an inferior one, and one which many older
in years and experience might well feel proud to
occupy. His birth occurred in Mississippi County,
Ark., in 1857, and he is the youngest child born
to Samuel B. and Fannie (Falls) Lanier. [See
sketch of Felix R. Lanier, Sr. ] His paternal
grandfather, Isaac H. Lanier, was greatly inter-
ested in iron manufacturing in Tennessee, and
came to this county at an early day, being one of
the pioneers of the county. Soon after coming
here, he was joined by his sons, Felix and Samuel,
and they purchased a large tract of laud on the
river eight miles below where Osceola now stands.
There they made many extensive improvements,
but the old farm has since been entirely swept away.
Upon the death of the grandfather, the estate be-
came the property of the boys, and after the death
of Samuel, his brother Felix became the owner of
the property. Felix R. Lanier, Jr. , assisted on the
farm and attended the school at Memphis until the
age of eighteen years. He then returned to the
arduous duties of the farm, and this occupation
continued until a short time since. On February
20, 1888, he was united in marriage to Miss Lloyd
Taylor, a native of Osceola, and the result of this
union has been one child, a son named Felix. In
February of 1888, the year of his marriage, Mr.
Lanier entered the business of L. A. Morris as
partner, under the firm name of L. A. Morris &
Co. They do a general commission business, buy-
ing country produce, cotton, etc. Having been a
resident of Mississippi County all his life, Mr.
Lanier has seen many changes in the country, and
always takes an active intei'est in all things per-
taining to the welfare of the county. He is a
member of the Presbyterian Church.
J. A. Leatherwood is a man whom nature seems
to have especially designed to be a planter, for,
owing to his desire to keep out of the beaten
path, and to his adoption of new and improved
methods, together with industry and good judg-
ment, he has met with more than the average
degree of success in pursuing his calling. He
was born in Tishomingo County, Miss., in 1858,
and there received his education in the dis-
trict schools, which, in his day, were not of the
best. At the age of nineteen years he began clerk-
ing in a store belonging to S. N. De Woody, who
was afterward succeeded by J. J. Comon & Co. , of
whom Gov. Stone, of Mississippi, was the ' ' Co. ' '
and the leading member of the firm. He remained
with them for about three years, acquiring a
thorough knowledge of the business in all its de-
tails. In 1885 he came to Mississippi County,
Ark., where he settled on a plantation with his
brother, J. D. Leatherwood, thej- renting a tract
of land consisting of 200 acres, which they devoted
to the raising of cotton, and employed from twenty
to thirty hands. Two years later they rented the
Idaho Landing plantation, which place they have
leased for seven years. They have a steam cotton-
gin, and aside from this and farming they are quite
extensively engaged in conducting a mercantile
establishment, and are in possession of the landing
at the river, where they conduct a large woodyard.
J. A. Leatherwood is a member of Lodge No. 180,
of the K. of H. J. D. Leatherwood is a native of
Tishomingo County, Miss., where he was born in
1861, his educational advantages being about the
same as his brother's. On reaching manhood he
engaged in the livery business in luka, Miss., but
at the end of three years came with his brother to
Mississippi County, Ark., where he has since been
following the occupation of a jalanter and mer-
chant. In 1887 he was married to Miss Dixie Dean
of luka. Miss., by whom he had one child. Lloyd,
who died in infancy.
James Liston. There are many citizens of for-
^ <i
'.^
MISSISSIPPI COUNTY.
525
eign birth represented within the pages of this
volume, but none are more deserving of mention
than Mr. Liston, who was born in Irehmd in 1838,
and was the youngest in a family of four children,
the result of the union of Patrick and Julia (Ahern)
Liston. The parents emigrated to the United
States in 1847, settled in Kentucky and there the
father followed agricultural pursuits. Thoy passed
the balance of their days in that State, the mother
dying in 1853 and the father in 18(57. James Lis-
ton attended St. Peter's school in Louisville, un-
til fifteen years of age, when he went to Iowa and
was engaged in working on a farm for two years.
He then came back to Louisville and clerked in a
wholesale grain house until 18()'2, when he went to
Nashville, Tenn., and was employed as wagon
master until 186f). After this he returned to
Louisville, where he commenced the grocery and
general hauling business until 1870, when he discon-
tinued this and commenced railroad contract work
on the Louisville & Paducah Railroad, also the
Brownville & Durham Railroad. He then resumed
his former business in Louisville, which he carried
on tor one year, and then, in 1873, came to Osceola,
where he worked for W. P. Hale as general work-
man for about six j^ears. During this time he started
a small store, which was conducted by his family.
In 1S7U he started his present extensive business,
which has been growing larger every year. Mr.
Liston purchased quite extensive town property,
which is yearly advancing in value. He also owns
a half interest in a tract of 100 acres in the south-
ern part of the county. He is quite active, polit-
ically, and has held the offices of justice of the peace
and treasurer of the county, also the position of al-
derman, with the exception of four years, ever since
the incorporation of the town in 187-1. Mr. Lis-
ton buys all country produce, cotton, etc., and has
a well selected stock of goods. He met Miss
Honora O'Donell, also a native of Ireland, and
was united in marriage to her in 1857. This happy
union has been blessed by the birth of three chil-
dren, only one now living, Anna. The two de-
ceased are Patrick and Michael. Mr. Liston is an
active worker in school matters, and all things prom-
ising to contribute to the good of this section.
William Long is deserving the success which
has attended his efforts throughout life, for it has
been his aim to be upright and honest, and he has
wronged no one but has aided many. He has
always been frugal and industrious, those sterling
qualities being inherited from his sturdy Scotch
and German ancestors, and he is an acknowledged
representative agriculturist of the county. He was
born in White County, 111., in 1830, and was the
fourth of a family of seven children born to the
marriage of Harbart Long and Mrs. Elizabeth
(Rutledge) Peak, the former being born in North
Carolina and the latter in South Carolina. The
father was a sturdy tiller of the soil, and met his
death by drowning in 1835, followed by his wife's
death five years later. Like so many of the sub-
stantial citizens of this county at the present time,
our .subject was initiated into farm "life from the
very first, and this has continued to be the call-
ing to which his attention has been directed. He
settled in the northeast part of Mississippi County
in 1853, and first worked as a farm hand, and later
rented ground for a few years. In 1860 he bought
eighty acres in Chickasawba Township, near the
present town of Blythesville, on which he began im-
mediately to make improvements, and soon had a
house built and a number of acres under cultiva-
tion, but the war interfered with his labors, for he
was taken prisoner in 1864. After obtaining his
release he entered the Confederate service, being
a member of Capt. Sawyer's company. Twenty-
third Arkansas Cavalry, and was on scout and
skirmish duty. Since the cessation of hostilities
he has given his time to developing and improving
his property, and has fifty of his 160 acres of land
under tillage. His farm is very advantageously
situated, about one mile from Blythesville, and can
nearly all be cultivated. On it, at the present
time, is a splendid orchard with many varieties of
choice fruits. In 1877 he and T. P. Davis built a
horse-gin which they operated one year, then an
engine was put in, and the next year Mr. Long
became proprietor of the property, which he has
since improved and enlarged considerably. In the
fall of 1888 he ginned 464 bales of cotton. He
was united in marriage in May, 1857, to Miss M.
\
526
HISTOKY OF ARKANSAS.
A. Turpin, and their union was blessed in the
birth of the following family : Mary E. , wife of A.
J. Nippin, of this county; Alice, who died at the
age of three years; Hettie, who died in infancy;
Martha Ann, Emma D.. John H. , and one that
died in infancy unnamed. Mrs. Long is a member
of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Mr. Long
has inherited many of the sterling qualities of his
father, and is in every way a conservative, public-
spirited citizen.
John A. Lovewell, a prominent farmer, and at
present deputy sheriff of Mississippi County, Ark.,
is a native of Warrick County, Ind. , born in 1848,
and the younger of two sons born to William A.
and Charlotte (Bohall) Lovewell, natives of New
York and Indiana, respectively. The father was
a building contractor, and while following this
business in Natchez, Miss., in 1850, he was taken
sick and died. The mother followed him to the
grave nine years later. She was married again
after the death of her fir.st husband, and in 1856
the family emigrated to Arkansas. John A. Love-
well was taught the rudiments of farming in the
State of Arkansas, and commenced for himself at
an early age. He came to Osceola in 1863, and
in 1870 rented land and made his first crop. Two
years later he met and married Mrs. Margaret
Murray, nee Edington, a native of Mississippi
County, and the daughter of William B. Edington,
who came to Arkansas at an early period, and
bought from the Indians the land where Osceola
now stands. He was extensively engaged in till-
ing the soil there until his death. Since his mar-
riage Mr. Lovewell has been engaged in farming
on a .small scale, and the energetic and wide-a-
wake manner in which he has taken advantage of
all methods and ideas tending to enhance the
value of his property has had a great deal to do
with his obtaining the competence which ho now
enjoys. In 1881-82, he was the county assessor,
and prior to this he was constable for two years.
At present he is serving as deputy under Sheriff
Hayes. To the marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Love-
well have been born seven children, four now liv-
ing: James H. , John Freeman, Poindexter Dunn
and Hugh McVeigh. Those deceased are Lena
who died August 28, 1874, at the age of three
years; Margaret Lula, who died in infancy, and
Harry G., who died July 16, 1886, at the age of
three years.
Dudley Lynch, another prominent tiller of the
soil in Mississippi County, Ark., is a native of the
Blue Grass State, where he was born on the 28th
of March, 1815, and is one of sixteen children born
to Jerry and Mary Ann Lynch, natives of South
Carolina and Kentucky, respectively. The father
was a prominent farmer in his native State, and
died in Hickman. Dudley Lynch assisted his
father in the necessary duties upon the farm until
fifteen years of age, and then began working on a
Government snag boat, which occupation he fol-
lowed during the winter season for a number of
years. On April 13, 1837, he came to Arkansas,
settled in Mississippi County, where he was engaged
in getting out cypress stave shingles, and was also
engaged in the general lumber business. At the
same time he entered a tract of land, 160 acres, on
which he still resides. Mr. Lynch was married to
Miss Wallace in 1846, and two children were the
result of this union, both now deceased; Robert
Dennis and Mary. His second marriage was with
Elizabeth Hearn, a native of Kentucky, and the
daughter of Joseph Hearn, an early settler of this
county. Three living children are the result of
this marriage: Beckey, wife of Mr. McKinney;
Martha, wife of Mr. Martin, residing on our sub-
ject's farm, and Dudley, who married Miss Jennie
Lock, and resides at Lynch Landing. Mrs. Lynch
died January 2, 1861. For his third wife Mr.
Lynch chose, in 1865, Mrs. Martha Ann Bertt
(widow of Joseph Bertt, a native of Wisconsin).
Mrs. Bertt was a native of Missouri, and was the
mother of one child by her first marriage, V. V.
Bertt, who is at present mail agent on the Anchor
Line steamboats. Mr. Bertt enlisted in the Con-
federate army soon after his marriage, and served
with Gen. Price. He was wounded at Springfield,
and died there soon after. His son, V. V. Bertt,
attended the public schools of Osceola for a num-
ber of years, and spent his youth on his step-
father's farm. In 1887 he was employed on the
Government works at Memphis, and on February
^31 -
MISSISSIPPI COUNTY.
527
28, 1889, he secured his appointment as mail agent
on the above named steamboats, which position he
holds at the present time. Van. , as he is familiarly
called, is a young man of pleasing manners, cour-
teous and agreeable, and one of the rising young
men of this section. To the marriage of Mr. and
Mrs. Lynch these children have been born:
Minerva Emma, wife of F. L. McGee, residing
near Elmot; John D. , who died at the age of seven-
teen years; Peter Calvin, who was accidentally shot
on the 21st of November, 1884; Julia Ann, James
L. and Lena Lillian. On the tract of land that
Mr. Lynch originally entered he now has the en-
tire tract under cultivation, all well fenced, with a
good orchard. He has other farms which he has
improved, and his children are residing on these.
Lynch' s Landing, which was opened on Mr.
Lynch's jilace in ISSl, was named in honor of him.
Margaret L. McFadden, the widow of Kobert
McFadden, and a daughter of John Hill, was born
in Tennessee in 18-iO. Her father moved to Mis-
sissippi County, Ark., in 1858, and settled on
Frenchman's Bayou, being one of the pioneers of
of that section. Here he bought a tract of land
which had very few improvements on it, but he
soon put it in such good condition that he sold it
at a handsome profit. He next bought IfiO acres
of land, with about half of it cleared, on Carson's
Lake, and after an active and busy life died, in
1872, at this place, two years previous to his wife's
decease. His daughter, Margaret, was married, in
ISfifi, to Mr. McFadden. of Tennessee, in which
State the young couple made their home until Mrs.
McFadden' 8 father died, when they removed to
Arkatisas, and settled in Mississippi County. One
•hundred and sixty acres of partly improved land
were purchased on Frenchman's Bayou, which Mr.
^IcFadden added to during his life until he had
all together 500 acres of the best land in that sec-
tion, and 100 acres of it cleared. He was an ac-
tive worker in educational matters, and served
several terms as school director. His natural
leaning toward oratory led him to adopt the pulpit,
and shortly afterward he was ordained a ]\rission-
ary Baptist preacher. It was in this capacity that
he became widely known, and he was one of the
most highly esteemed citizens of that section. His
death occurred in 1884, and since his demise Mrs.
McFadden has continued the farming interests;
up to date she has cleared sixty additional acres,
besides buying 200 acres more. She is a woman
of tine business aliility, and understands thorough-
ly how to conduct her various affairs. She also
owns a herd of fine stock, and her natural shrewd-
ness and good judgment in all matters of business
are well known. Mrs. McFadden is a member of
the Frenchman's Bayou Baptist Church, and lis-
tens to sermons from the same pulpit in which her
worthy husband preached in his life-time. Their
union sfave them five children: Paulina, who died
at the age of twelve years: Katie Lee. who died
in her third year; James R., who died when
three years of age; Laura and John R. , the latter
attending school at Crardner, Tenn. In John
H. Hill's family there were eleven children, of
whom two died in infancy, and nine lived to ma-
turity: Parthenia, married to Joseph Holmes, and
died in 1877; Martha Ann, married in 1855, her
husband being James Grant, and died August 25,
1862; the next child was Mrs. McFadden; then John
M. , who died in 1879; George Washington, who
died from yellow fever in 1873; Andrew J., who
died in 1877 ; Kate V. , wife of John Sissel, a resident
of Frenchman's Bayou; Bethel, who died in 1889,
and Joseph N. Mrs. McFadden is a charming
lady, and very popular with her neighbors, and
though often urged to change her widowhood and
become once more a bride, she still remains true to
the memory of her departed husband.
Edward J. McGavock (deceased) was a man well
known to the early settlers of Mississippi County.
Ark., and was respected for his manly, straight-
forward course through life, and beloved by all for
his noble Christian qualities of mind and heart. He
was a son of Jacob McGavock of Nashville, Tenn..
and was liorn in that city December 17, 1828, be-
ing favored in his youth with exceptionally fine
educational opportunities, which ho did not fail to
improve. He entered the Nashville University, of
which institution his grandfather, Felix Grundy,
and his uncle, J. M. Bass, were trustees at the same
time that Gen. Andrew Jackson was a member of
:r
A
528
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
the board, aud to his excellent natural abilities he
added a line education. About the year 1832, Fe-
lix Grundy, with his two sons-in-law, John M.
Bass and Jacob McGavock, came to Mississippi
County, Ark. , and purchased large tracts of land
at and about Pecan Point, which included the
Shawnee Village and Dickinson's Mill, the whole
13urchase consisting of about 20,000 acres, besides
about 3,000 acres on the lower end of Island No.
35, lying opposite Pecan Point. All this property
is still retained in the family, with the exception of
1 , 500 acres, now owned by E. W. Friend of Pecan
Point. Edward J. McGavock was the third child in
a family of seven children born to Jacob and Louisa
C. (Grundy) McGavock [a history of whom is given
in the sketch of Dr. McGavock]. After leaving
college, he was married to Miss Ella Young of
Mississippi, aud soon after began taking charge of
the Pecan Point plantation, which he successfully
managed until the opening up of the war, when he
enlisted in the Fifty-seventh Tennessee Regiment,
Confederate States Army, and was an active par-
ticipant in many fierce engagements. He was at
Franklin, Tenn., where the Confederate troops
made one of their finest charges, and during his
military career was appointed to the position of
assistant quartermaster-general, which position he
held until the close of the war. He then returned
to the Pecan Point plantation, in Mississippi Coun-
ty, where he continued to make his home until his
death, which occurred April 7, 1880, in New Or
leans, La., having been, during life, among the
foremost planters of Mississippi County, and a
man of irreproachable moials. His first wife died
in 1861, after giving birth to three children, all of
whom grew to maturity : Frank Young McGavock,
a sketch of whom appears farther on; Louise,
the wife of Dr. Tyner, of Texas, where she died
withoiit issue, and Ella, who was married to Shel-
don Wilson, of New Orleans, and now resides in
Florida, the mother of one child. While at Col-
umbus, Miss., in 1866, Mr. McGavock was married
to Miss Elizabeth Scott Eskridge, by whom he be-
came the father of two children: Mary Eskridge,
who is an accomplished young lady, and has been
attending school at Baltimore, Md., and Ed. J.,
who is receiving his education at Hanover, Va. ,
and is now at Hot Springs, Ark., for his health.
Mrs. McGavock' s father. Judge T. P. Eskridge,
was a resident of Crittenden County, Ark., but
originally came from Virginia, where he belonged
to one of the first families of that State. He re-
ceived a collegiate education, and shortly after (in
1821) came to Mississippi County, Ark., the coun-
try at that time being almost wholly a wilderness,
inhabited by Indians and wild animals. He be-
came a member of the superior court of the Terri-
tory, and took an active part in all the affairs of
the State until his death, which occurred in Crit-
tenden County in 1835. He left two children: B.
Byrum E. and Elizabeth Scott E. His death was
deeply lamented by his widow and children, and
by his many friends throughout the Territory. His
wife was Miss Mary Byrum, a daughter of Benja-
min S. Byrum, of Concordia Parish, La. They
are of old French Huguenot stock, their ancestors
having taken refuge in America in the last century.
Mrs. McGavock and her family are pleasantly sit-
uated on the bank of the Mississippi River at
Pecan Point. The house is a large, old-fashioned
biiilding, and is siuTounded by a large peach and
apple orchard, back of which is one of the finest
plantations in the county, consisting of 1,000 acres
of land, of which 300 or 400 acres are in a fine state
of cultivation. The sisters and brothers of E. J.
McGavock are Mrs. J. B. Lindsley, Nashville: Mrs.
James Todd, Louisville, Ky. ; Dr. F. G. McGavock,
Ark. ; John J. McGavock, Fayetteville, Ark.
Dr. F. G. McGavock, proprietor of the McGa-
vock plantation, and whose postoflice is in the
southern part of Mississippi County, is one of
those rare characters now so seldom met. A real
Southern gentleman, in his veins flows the best
blood of America, and of this the Doctor is justly
proud. His mother was the daughter of Felix
Grundy, of Nashville, Tenn., who was contempo-
rary with Andrew Jackson. Mr. Grundy, in com-
pany with his two sons-in-law, Jacob McGavock
(father of the subject of this sketch) aud John M.
Bass, all of Nashville, made large purchases of
land in the southern part of Mississippi County,
Ark., about the year 1833, on which they opened
^.
MISSISSIPPI COUNTY.
7^2U
up large plantHtions with slave labor. At the same
time they held their residence in Nashville, where
Dr. F. G. McGavock was born in the year 1882.
James McGavock, the great-great-grandfather of
the Doctor, came from County Antrim, Ireland, in
1728, and settled in Rockbridge County, Va.,
where he became acquainted with Miss Mary Cloyd,
daughter of David Cloyd, to whom he was mar-
ried in 1700. They then moved to Wythe County,
Va. , where they raised a large family, and became
very wealthy in the course of time. His son,
Hugh McGavock, was proprietor of the Max Mead-
ows estate, which is still in the family. Here was
Ijorn Jacob McGavock, the father of the Doctor,
in 171(0. At the age of twenty-two he went to
Nashville, Tenn., acting as deputy in the circuit
clerk's office for a few years, when he was ap-
pointed United States circuit clei'k, which position
he held until the breaking out of the Rebellion,
when he acted in, the same capacity for the Confed-
eracy. When the Federal troops took Nashville,
Mr. McGavock was arrested for high treason, but
was released on the evidence of Judge Catron,
then of the Suisrerae Court of the United States,
who testified that Mr. McGavock had turned his
l)Ooks over to the United States intact, having hid-
den them in his cellar, while other clerks allowed
their books and records to be destroyed. Mr.
McGavock was married to Miss Louisa C. Grundj',
who was about ten years his junior, and both
lived to a ripe old age, dying in Nashville, Tenn. ,
within one year of each other, he at the age of
ninety -one years, and she at the age of eighty-one.
They reared seven children, all of whom have had
large interests in Mississippi County. Armie, wife
of Judge Henry Dickenson, inherited the planta-
tion known as the Dickenson Mills; it is now
owned by Jacob McGavock Dickenson, her son, a
rising young lawyer of Nashville, Tenn. Col.
Randall W. McGavock was killed at the head of
his regiment at Raymond, iEiss. , in the Confeder-
ate cause; he was a graduate of the University
of Nashville. Sallie, wife of Prof. J. B. Linds-
ley,of Nashville, was given a large estate near Pecan
Point, which is now owned by her son, J. McGa-
vock Lindsley, who resides in Nashville, but spends
part of his time on the estate. Ed. J. McGavock
[see portrait and sketch]. F. G. , the subject of
this sketch [see portrait]. John J., of Fayetto-
ville, Ark., who recently disposed of a large es-
tate in the county. Mary, wife of James Todd,
of Louisville, Ky., owns 3,000 acres of the McGa-
vock estate at the foot of Island 35, opposite Pe-
can Point. Dr. F. G. McGavock graduated fi-om
the University at Chapel Hill, N. C. , and also from
the University of Nashville. Shortly after gradu-
ating Dr. McGavock married Miss Mary M. Bos
tick, daughter of John Bostick, of Triune, Tenn.
On her marriage she came in possession of a large
number of slaves, whom the Doctor used in open
ing up the Shawnee Village estate, consisting of
1,800 acres of woodland, on the ground that the
noted outlaw, John A. Merrill, made famous by
making it his stronghold. Previous to that it had
been the camp of the Shawnee Indians, and there
now stands on this estate one of the largest
mounds in the county, which contains bones and
pottery of a race apparently superior to and ante-
dating the Indians. In plowing and digging on
this place the remains of what appears to have
been a brick pavement are found. In some in-
stances large pieces of well-preserved brick, which
had been buried for ages, have been brought to the
surface. This is all within a square of about
twelve acres, around which, on three sides, is a
well-defined ridge. There were about three acres
cleared at the time the Doctor took hold, and in
1880 he made his only living daughter a present
of the estate, with over 700 acres under a tine state
of cultivation. The Doctor made his home in Tri
une, Tenn., in summer, until after the death of
his wife, which occurred at the Gayosa House, in
Memphis, the day the Federal gun-boats were fight-
ing in front of that city. He was at her bedside
when he was made prisoner, but was given permis-
sion to attend his dead. He took his two little
daughters to Nashville, after which he returned to
his plantation. About this time the people of the
vicinity organized what was known as the Shawnee
Legal Association, to protect themselves against
outlaws and guerrillas. The Doctor was made
leader and judge, and received the endorsement of
\
Gen. Stephen A. Hurlbut, in command of the
Sixteenth Army Corps, at Memphis, and also of
the Confederate general, Sterling Price. Vested
with this authority the Doctor compelled every
man to either join the conclave or get out of the
neighborhood. Where a capital offense was com-
mitted the culprit was secured and turned over to
either the Confederate or Federal authorities, ac-
cording to circumstances. For theft or other petty
offenses, horsewhipping and an order to leave the
county were deemed sufficient. If the culprit
failed to leave, however, it generally went hard
with him when caught again. During the war
Dr. McGavock demonstrated the fact that cotton
could be successfully cultivated with white labor,
and that even delicate women could be brought
from an entirely different climate to successfully
work in the cotton-tield without injury to their
health. The negroes were freed and scattered;
white men would be conscripted by the Confeder-
ate troojas; cotton was in demand and l)rought from
70 to 90 cents per pound. The Doctor went to
New York, where he engaged sixty-five Irish girls
at Castle Garden, from fourteen to forty-five years
of age, and with these made a contract for one
year at $20 per month each, and board. Without
experience, but with a little showing, these girls
made a crop for the Doctor on which he cleared
$45,000, after paying all expenses, and allowing
rent for the land. He was watchful in regard to
their health and comfort, and the large dining room
was presided over by a corps of waiters who
served meals prepared by the best skilled cooks
and bakers to be found. A barrel of whisky, in
which a few ounces of quinine were dissolved, was •
issued to them at the rate of three drinks of two
drams each, at intervals during the day. The
Doctor always had a hospital with a skilled nurse,
liut it was very seldom used, as very little sickness
prevailed during the two years of their stay, and
but one death occurred. These girls worked on
the Pecan Point plantation, and during this time
the Doctor paid the expenses of a Catholic priest
to come and attend to their spiritual welfare, all
being members of that church. A few years later he
secured fifty- five German men from Castle Garden,
and employed them successfully for one year on his
Nodena plantation; but the best hands he ever
worked were eighteen Chinamen, just from China,
whom he secured in Chicago. These he employed
on the Shawnee Village place, but they, like the
others he imported, were enticed away by ill advis-
ers or fiiends. In 1879 Dr. McGavock moved to his
present place, known as ' ' McGavock ' ' (the gover-
nor having so named the postoifice), which at that
time was but a wilderness. It is now one of the
finest plantations in the county, with about 640
acres under cultivation. Here the Doctor used
both white and colored labor, and thinks the white
can stand the climate and work as well as the negro.
Since moving to McGavock the Doctor has aban-
doned the practice of medicine, which at one time
was very extensive. He goes now only when called
by another physician in consultation. When first
coming to Mississippi County he established a
nursery for the culture of fruits and flowers, experi
menting with almost all the varieties from the
leading nurseries of the East and North. He has
successfully raised apples, peaches, plums, pears,
api'icots, nectarines, cherries, figs, almonds, Eng-
lish walnuts, filberts, and small fruits, and grapes of
every known variety. For bees he thinks this is a
perfect paradise, as all the flora of the woods are
honey-bearing. He has raised within the county
the following crops: Grass and vegetables, oats,
rye, wheat, millet, buckwheat, tobacco, peanuts,
white and sweet potatoes, clover, timothy, and all
garden produce, with perfect success. The Doctor
is now interesting himself in the improvement of
the cattle of his district, having recently imported
a fine Jersey bull from England, and now has
about 100 head of the finest Jersey cows in the
State. His daughter, Monoah, is the wife of
William S. Bransford, of Nashville, Tenn., where
they now reside. Mrs. Bransford is the owner of
the Shawnee Village plantation. They have two
bright little girls — Bessie and Louise. In 1881
Dr. McGavock was elected to re]iresent the county
in the State legislature, which he did to the satis
faction of his constituents and the State, but, owing
to his home interests, he refused to accept the
second term. He is a member of the Odd Fellows
-\^
MISSISSIPPI COUNTY.
531
and of the Masons; also of the Knights of Honor,
of FriMiohman's Bayou, where McGavock Lodge
was named in his honor. He is a man who has made
fortunes, at one time being worth as much as
$1,000,000, But wealth to him is but a means,
and not an end, so he lavishes it as freely as he
makes it. His hospitality is unbounded; all are
welcome. To his equals he is courteous, to his in-
feriors kind, and all receive that consideration due
their station. Being a man of decided views and
of an active temperament, he often shows his
roughest side out, while those who know him best
are his best friends. As he is probably better
known than any man in the county, he has a host of
friends, and can be classed as the most remarkable
man in Mississippi County.
John Harding McGavock (deceased). A glance
at the genealogy of Mr. McGavock' s family will
show that both his paternal and maternal ancestors
have been extensive real estate owners, and great
men of prominence. The McGavocks are of
Scotch-Irish descent, and came to America before
the Revolutionary War, settling in Virginia.
About 1796. one of them, David, having married
a Miss McDowel, moved with his family to
Davidson County, Tenn., and purchased a large
tract of land, upon a part of which the city of
Nashville now stands. One of his sons, Frank
Preston McGavock, married a Miss Amanda Hard-
ing, a daughter of John Harding, and a sister of
Gen. William G. Harding, the owner of " Belle
Meade,"' a noted stock farm near Nashville. This
couple became the parents of John Harding, the
suljject of this sketch. He was reared in Nash-
ville and educated in the State College in that city,
receiving a diploma signed by Gen. Andrew Jack-
son and other notables of the State. After grad-
uating in Nashville he went to Harvard, where he
again received a diploma signed by Edward Ever-
ett, Greenleaf, Kent, and others. Upon his return
to his home, his grandfather Harding, who some
years before had come down the (Cumberland,
Ohio and Mississippi Rivers in a skiff, and had
made large purchases in Mississippi County, in-
duced him to leave Nashville, and try the wilds of
Arkansas. After this, although still claiming
Nashville as his home, he spent a part of each year
in Mississippi County, adding by purchase and
entry to the already valuable tract given him by his
grandfather, dividing his time between business
and bear-hunting, in both of which he was emi
nently successful. In 1853 ho married Mi^^
Georgia Moore, a daughter of Joseph I. Moore, of
Columbus. Miss., she being a young lady of cult-
ure and refinement, and of one of the first fami-
lies of the State. He died in 1861, just at the
outbreak of the Civil War, at his father's house,
near Nashville. Of the four children born to
him, only one remains, Mi's. Sue McGavock Grider,
wife of Henry Grider. After the death of J. H.
McGavock, his widow- married, in 1868, William A.
Erwin, of Jackson, Miss., he belonging to a prom-
inent family of that State, and who died in 1882,
leaving one daughter, Georgia, now at school.
Mrs. Erwin makes her home with her daughter,
Mrs. Grider, at the old homestead "Sans-Souci,"
near Osceola, Ark. During the Civil War the
hou.se was used by Gen. Pope as a hosjiital, the
yard as a cemetery; though, since, the bodies have
been removed and placed in a National cemetery.
The fleet when it first came down the river to at-
tack Fort Pillow, which is a few miles below Sans-
Souci, was anchored in the river opposite the
house. This house, which was built by John H.
McGavock, has a broad piazza, 12x74 feet in front,
the pillars of which are of swamp cypress, in
their natural state, except having the bark stripped
off, and being painted. They are fluted in the
most beautiful and artistic manner, having the
appearance of the work of a skillful artist, and are
the admiration of every l)eholder. Mrs. Grider
preserves as an heirloom the cradle in which all of
her mother's children and her own have been rocked.
This is a turtle shell, measuring four feet two and
one-half inches by three feet seven inches, pol
ished and varnished on the outside, and mounted
upon rockers of mahogany, and wadded and lined
on the inside with (juilted blue satin. The turtle
was caught by Mr. McGavock, out of the Missis-
sippi River at his own landing.
Frank Young JIcGavock. For many years, or
since locating in this county, Mr. McGavock has
532
HISTOKY OF ARKANSAS.
enjoyed the reputation of being not only a sub-
stantial and progressive farmer, but an intelligent
and thoroughly -posted man in all public affairs.
He has always been noted for honorable, upright
dealing, and has kept the name he bears, which
has descended to him from a long line of illustrious
and honored ancestry, pure in the sight of God
and man. The first of the family of whom we have
any knowledge was the father (name imknown) of
James McGavock, who belonged to a wealthy
family of Ireland, and who came to America in
1728, settling in the State of Virginia, where he
took a prominent part in the Revolutionary War,
being a soldier in the Colonial army. James Mc-
Gavock was born in County Antrim, Ireland, in
1720, and accompanied his father to Virginia, be-
ing married in that State about 1760 to Miss
Mary Cloyd, of Rockbridge County, that State.
Their son Hugh was the original owner of ' ' Max
Meadows," one of the finest estates of the "Old
Dominion, ' ' which is still in possession of the Mc-
Gavock family. His son, Jacob, the grandfather
of our immediate subject, was born on that farm in
1790, and in 1812 went to Nashville, Tenn., being
appointed a short time afterward to the position of
United States circuit clerk, which position he held
until after the Rebellion. He was a very success-
ful financier, and in company with his father-in-
law, Felix Grundy, and his brother-in-law, J. M.
Bass, all wealthy residents of Nashville, he came to
Missi.ssippi County, Ark., about the year 1832,
where he purchased tracts of land many thousands
of acres in extent. He afterward bought out the
others' interest, and subsequently a large portion
of his fine estate fell to the late Edward J. Mc-
Gavock, a sketch of whom appears in this work.
The latter died in 1881, and his wife in 1861.
Frank Young McGavock was but two years old at
the time of his mother's death, and from that period
until the close of the war he made his home with
his maternal aunt, Mrs. Laura Whitfield, whose
husband was the eldest son of ex-Gov. Whitfield, of
Mississippi, and here he continued to make his
home until the close of the war, when he was put
in charge of his grandfather, Jacob McGavock, of
Nashville, Tenn. , with whom he remained until
eighteen years of age. His maternal grandfather
was Frank Young, of Columbus, Miss., who was a
leading man of his day. Mr. McGavock, our
subject, was given every advantage for acquiring a
good education, and was graduated from the Nash-
ville University, at which institution his father had
been educated, and of which his grandfather and
great-grandfather were among the founders; and
after leaving college he entered the wholesale gro-
cery business at Memphis, Tenn. , continuing until
he was twenty-five years of age. At that time he
was married to Miss Theresa E. Perkins, a daugh-
ter of Samuel and Theresa (Ewin) Perkins, of
Franklin, Tenn., and after their marriage they re-
sided in that place one year, then coming to their
present tine estate, the McGavock plantation, which
adjoins Pecan Point. Here they have a very pleas-
ant home, and are the parents of one child, a bright
little daughter, named Theresa P. , in whom all
their affections and hopes are centered. Mr. Mc-
Gavock belongs to the only family of his name and
generation living in Mississippi County.
Hon. H. M. McVeigh, attorney, Osceola. Mr.
McVeigh is one of those men, too few in number,
who fully recognize the truth so often urged by the
sages of the law, that of all men, the reading and
thought of a lawyer should be the most extended.
Systematic reading gives a more comprehensive
grasp to the mind, variety and richness to thought,
and a clearer perception of the motives of men
and the principles of things; indeed, of the very
spirit of laws. This he has found most essential
in the prosecution of his professional practice. Mr.
McVeigh was born in Fauquier County, Va., in
1839, and was the second in a family of ten chil-
dren born to Hiram and Mary E. (White) Mc-
Veigh, both natives of Virginia. The father was
engaged in commercial pursuits until his death, in
1865. The mother is still living and resides in her
native State. Mr. McVeigh is a self-educated man,
having had no advantages other than the common
schools. His father, having failed in business, was
not able to give him a collegiate education, and,
when fourteen years of age, young McVeigh
entered a printing office and learned that art.
When about eighteen years of age, he began the
*77
MISSISSIPPI COUNTY.
58:^
study of law and partly supported himself by act-
ing as local editor of a daily paper. In 1800 and
1801 lie studied law at Hanuibal, Mo., and was ad
mitted to the l)ar at that place the summer before
ho was tweuty-one years of age. While pursuing
his legal studies he also edited, for a short time, the
Hannibal (Mo.) Daily Messenger, and during his
experience as a printer he worked at the cas(> in the
office of the Hannibal Courier, Quincy (111.) Daily
Herald, Keokuk (Iowa) Gate City, Palmyra (Mo.)
Sentinel, Huntsville (Mo.) Citizen, and the Mexico
(Mo. ) Ledger; also other papers. During this
time he carefully studied the style in which the ed-
itors expressed their thoughts, and paid particular
attention to the style of the selected matter. When
sixteen years of age he began to write paragraphs,
which were accepted and printed by the editors.
At the outbreak of the late Civil War, being a na-
tive Virginian, and trained to believe that his
State, like the king, "could do no wrong," he re-
sponded to the call of Gov. Jackson, of Missouri,
for troops, and went into camp under Gen. T. Har-
ris, of Northeast Missouri. He was present and
participated in several conflicts between the Federal
and Confederate troops in Missouri, and after the
siege and battle of Lexington, in which he took
part, he was appointed assistant ordnance officer,
with the rank of lieutenant. Upon the disbanding
of the Missouri State Guards, he received author-
ity to recruit a company for the Confederate ser-
vice, but was captured in Northeast Missouri by a
Federal cavalry regiment, and, after remaining a
prisoner on parole for nearly a year, was finally
exchanged. He again entered the Confederate
service, and remained in active duty in the Trans-
Mississippi department from the winter of 1802 until
the surrender, at which time he was the enrolling
officer of Missis'iippi County. After the close of
the conflict, and immediately upon the organization
of the courts of Arkansas, Mr. McVeigh began the
practice of law iu that State. He also began a
regular systematic cours(> of study, supplied him-
self with books, and soon had in his possession
translations of all the ancient classics, and the best
English standard works on history! poetry and
essays. A taste for reading thus acquired he con-
tinues to this day, and has thus given himself an
education particularly adapted to his situation and
circumstances in life. It will be seen from this
account, that though without a thorough early ed-
ucation, he has so improved the later years of his
life that he is now known throughout the State as
a gentleman of literary ability and learning. He
was married on November 1, 18R4, to Miss Susan
Fletcher, a native of Mississippi County, Ark. ,
and the daughter of Col. Elliot H. Fletcher, a
distinguished citizen of Arkansas [see sketch].
Mr. McVeigh continued to devote himself exclu-
sively to the practice of law until 1872, when he
was nominated by acclamation as the Democratic
candidate to represent Mississippi County in the
State legislature. He had been nominated by the
Democrats in 1870, but. on account of a severe at-
tack of malarial fever, which confined him to his
bed, he declined to be a candidate at that time.
However, he accepted the nomination in 1872 and
at once entered upon his canvass, meeting in debate
Judge Charles Fitzpatrick, then the leader of the
opposite party iu Mississippi County. It was dur-
ing the fall of this year that the race trouble broke
out in this county, resulting in the death of the
sheriff and the invasion of the town of Osceola by
from 400 to 500 armed negroes, who threatened
to burn and destroy the place. Mr. McVeigh was
in the town when the negroes entered, and, moimt-
ing a platform in fiont of a store (the same upon
which the sheriff had been killed the day before),
he called the insurgents around him and addressed
them in the interest of peace and order. They
listened attentively, although very menacing at first,
and at the conclusion of a fifteen minutes' speech
he put it to a vote as to whether they should
peaceably disperse and go to their homes. They
voted in the affirmative, and at the end of a half
hour, the town was cleared of their ))resence, and
the threatened damage averted, for at least the
time being. It will l)e seen in the historical por
tion of the volume the fiiuil result of this insur
rection. In the fall Mr. McVeigh was elected to
the legislature. During the session, which com-
menced in January, 1N73, he introduced the bill to
found the Arkansas a.sylum for the insane, a
measure which originated with him, and which he
had declared his inteation to bring about before he
went to the capital. The bill was referred to the
committee on ways and means, and, after many de-
lays, that committee reported against the passage
of the bill. Mr. McVeigh, through a friend,
asked for a consideration of the bill in committee
of the whole House, and on February 4, 1873, he
made a speech in favor of the same that caused his
name to be known throughout the State of Arkansas.
The committee rose, and unanimously reported in
favor of the bill. The next day it passed the
House, almost unanimously, passed the Senate by a
similar vote, was signed by the governor and be-
came a law. The appropriation, owing to the de-
preciation of State scrip, in consequence of the
Brooks-Baxter war, which immediately followed,
was insufficient to carry on the work, and the build-
ing was not erected until Mr. McVeigh was re-
turned to the legislature, in 1881. He brought the
subject up again, and the legislature made a suffi-
cient appropriation to complete the work. This
magnificent structure was opened for the reception
of patients in 1882, and the very first article
to be placed in the parlor of the asylum was a
life-size oil painting of Mr. McVeigh, placed there
by the board of trustees in acknowledgment of
his earnest and successful efforts in behalf of the
insane of the State. Mr. McVeigh took a very
active interest in the legislature of 1873, always
aiming to advance the real interests of the State.
He made an effective speech against Brooks' peti-
tion to contest the right of Gov. Baxter to hold
the office of governor. His speech against the
metropolitan police bill, against the so-called
civil rights bill and other extreme and revolu-
tionary measures, introduced at this session, were
highly commended by all parties at that time.
Upon the adjournment of the legislature Mr. Mc-
Veigh was appointed prosecuting attorney for the
Eleventh judicial circuit, composed of Poinsett,
Cross, St. Francis, Crittenden and Mississippi
Counties. He held this position for nearly two
years, or until the adoption of the present State
constitution, and to the entire satisfaction of the
good people of the circuit. He continued to prac-
tice law with increasing success until the year 1880,
when he was again urged to become a candidate
for representative. He was elected by a large
plurality, and served through the session of 1881.
He was an active member of the House, and during
the session induced the legislature to adopt the
law limiting the right to donate the public lands to
actual settlers. The measure was advocated while
making his canvass before the electors of Mississippi
County. On the 4th of July, 1881, by invitation,
he addressed an audience of over 6,000 people at
Ozark, Ark. , on the subject of Local Option. In
1883 he was appointed by the governor as one of
the board of visitors to the State University and
there, by invitation of the students of the institu-
tion, he delivered the commencement oration. His
subject was "The Responsibility of Freemen."
The governor of the State, the president. Gen. D.
H. Hill, the faculty of the university, senators and
representatives in Congress, judges and distin-
guished men from different parts of the State were
present, besides the students and citizens living in
the vicinity. The address was highly commended
both by the press and by all present. On Septem-
ber 24, 1883, Mr. McVeigh was proposed and
elected a member of the Pennsylvania Historical
Society, an honor unsought and unexpected by him.
He is also a member of the Arkansas Historical
Society. He has written the "Primitive History
of Arkansas'" during the French and Spanish oc-
cupation; giving an account of the settlement in
the State for the last century, beginning with
Henry De Tonti's settlement at Arkansas Post, in
1685. The work is in manuscript and was under-
taken merely to preserve the early history of the
State, and not from a desire for literary distinction.
He has given a full account of the invasion of the
country by De Soto, his line of march, and has
taken great pains to identify the localities men-
tioned by the historians who accompanied that
expedition. Except the time Mr. McVeigh served
in the legislature, he has been engaged exclusively
in the practice of law, and no man in Eastern Ar-
kansas has been more assiduous in his devotion to
the duties of his profession. His business has al-
ways been very good, and he has made it the aim
,u
of his life to deserve the implicit confidence of
his clients. Had Mr. McVeigh's lot been cast in a
more central or thickly .settled county, his 'ora-
torical powers and literary attainments must have
placed him in the prominent ranks of noted men;
as it is, he is earnestly working in the practice of
his profession and only ambitious for the good-will
of his fellow-men. To the marriage of Mr. and
Mrs. McVeigh were born nine children : Frances, the
eldest daughter, married, June 25, 1889, the Rev.
G. H. Smith, of Independence Coiinty, Ark., a
talented young minister of the Methodist denom-
ination; Elliot, Jesse, Anna Bland, Agnes, Rose,
and Susan, are the ones now living; and those de-
ceased are Sallie. at the age of four years, and
Mary, who died at the age of fourteen. The fam-
ily are members of the Episcopal Church. y
Hugh R. McVeigh, of the firm of H. R. & E.
F. McVeigh, real estate agents of Osceola, Missis-
sippi County, Ark., was born in Hannibal, Mo.,
in 1854, and is one of the responsible men of Os-
ceola, who has enlisted his service in the incessant
activity of tht> real estate market and the magni-
tude of that enterprise in this city. He is the
ninth in a family of ten children born to Hiram
and Mary E. (White) McVeigh, both of whom
were natives of Virginia. The father followed
commercial pursuits in Virginia until about 1850,
when he moved to Hannibal, and was there en-
gaged in business until his death, which occurred
in 1865. Mrs. McVeigh is still living and resides
in her native State. Hugh R. McVeigh attended
the private schools in Missouri until thirteen years
of age. and then moved with his mother to Balti-
more, Md. , where he was employed as errand boy
in a store for three years. In 1809 Mr. McVeigh
went to Philadelphia, where he was engaged as
stock keeper for Morgan Bush & Co., and there
remained until in May, 1874, when he came to
Osceola, Ark. He there studied law with his
brother, Hon. H. M. McVeigh, and was admit-
ted to the bar in 1879. On June 21, 1876, he
was appointed deputy clerk, of the Mississippi
County circuit court, which position be held un-
til October 30, 1884. On September 6, of the
same year, he was elected circuit court clerk, and
was comj)liniented by being re-elected to the same
position in 1886. At the expiration of this term
he declined to be re-nominated, and has since
been engaged in the real estate business. The
firm does a general business, buying and sidling
land, and investing capital in landed property.
These gentlemen are using every inducement, and
are doing all they can to advertise the advantages
of investment in thi.s section. Mr. McVeigh takes
an active interest in all things that will contribute
to the advancement of the county, and is a liberal
supporter of all worthy enterprises. He is a mem-
ber of the Masonic fraternity, Osceola Lodge No.
27, Osceola Chapter No. 57, and Memphis (Term).
Commandery No. 4.
Elliot Fletcher McVeigh, a member of the real
estate firm of H. R. & E. F. McVeigh, is a young
man whose energy and sense mark him as an effi-
cient factor in the consummation of the firm's many
enterprises. He was born in Mississippi County.
Ark., in 1867, and is the second in a family of
nine children born to H. M. and Susan (Fletcher)
McVeigh [see sketch of Hon. H. M. McVeigh |.
Elliot McVeigh .secured a good practical education
in the public schools of Osceola, and when sixteen
years of age he engaged as clerk with N. L. Avery
& Co. , with whom he continued for three years.
He then went to St. Louis, but only remained
there a short time. On January 1, 1886, he was
appointed by County Clerk McVeigh as deputy,
and upon the accession of Mr. Driver to the office
of county clerk, Elliot McVeigh was retained, and
he is now engaged in that office. Nowhere in the
county is there to be found a young man of more
energy or determined will or force of character
than Mr. McVeigh; and in no locality is there
any one who is more worthy the esteem and con-
fidence of the community than he. He possesses
marked artistic ability, inherited from a long line
of ancestors, many of whose descendants are noted
artists, and in Mississippi County, which is noted
for its self-made men, Mr. McVeigh gives every
promise of rising to distinction.
Daniel Mann is a native-born resident of Mis-
sissippi County, Ark., and as such is looked upon
with respect and esteem by those who know who
V
536
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
and what he is. His birth occuned in 1853, he
being one of a large family of children born to
William W. and Nancy Mann, the former a native
of Kentucky and the latter of Arkansas. "William
Mann spent his youth and early manhood on his
old home farm in his native State, coming in 1848
to Arkansas, and settling on Clear Lake, in Mis-
sissippi County, where he entered and purchased a
tract of land embracing 600 acres. He improved
this farm in a great measure, but, in addition to
following the plow, was engaged in blacksmithing
and tanning, giving these occupations his whole
attention after Daniel was large enough to attend
to the farm, which enterprises proved a decided
success. He died in February, 1882. Daniel
Mann was married, at the age of twenty-one years,
to Miss Sarah Carter, a Tenuesseean by birth, and
afterward began residing on a portion of his
father's farm, becoming the possessor of 16(1 acres
in 1879, thirty of which he has cleared. Upon
the death of his father the old homestead was di
vided, and sixty-four acres of wild land fell to Dan-
iel. On this property he has built a good house,
and has about ten acres under the plow. In the
fall of 1887 he took a trip to Illinois, and Iwught
a pair of fall-blooded Poland-China hogs, the only
ones in the township, and intends soon to purchase
a thorough-bred Durham animal, Iteing interested
in improving the stock of the county. His leisure
moments are devoted to hunting and fishing, and
he has won quite a reputation as a bear-lumter,
having killed large numbers of them. During the
hunting season his house is the resort of hunting
parties from Illinois, Kentucky and Tennessee,
who always have good sport, and bag plenty of
game when Mr. Mann is the leader. He is a pa-
tron of education, believes in elevating the stand-
ard of the schools in Mississippi County, and is
now serving as school director. He and wife have
become the parents of seven children, those living
being Martha Agnes, William W. , Lula F. and J.
Hugh. Those deceased are William I., and two
who died unnamed.
S. M. Marks. Nowhere within the limits of
Mississippi County, Ark. , can there be found a man
who takes greater interest in its agricultural and
stock affairs than Mr. Marks, or who strives more
continually to promote and advance these interests.
Like so many native-born Kentuckians, he has
been energetic and enterprising, and since 1879
has been the owner of a good farm of 160 acres in
Chickasawba Townshi]). which was at the time of
his purchase heavily covered with timber. He has
opened up about thirty acres, has erected substan-
tial buildings on his place, and for some time has
been interested in the propagation of stock, having
in his possession a fine young horse of Highland
and Cleveland Bay stock. His land yields a bale
of cotton to the acre, and sixty bushels of corn. He
was born in 1846, being the third in a family of
seven children burn to Samuel and Sarah (Keesee)
Marks, who were also Kentuckians. During his
infancy his parents moved to Missouri, where the
father died a few years later: and from the time
he was able to work until 1861 he assisted in the
support of his mother and a sister. In the fall of
that year he enlisted in Company G, Sixth Illinois
Cavalry, and was in the Second Brigade, Fifth
Division of the Fourth Army Corps of the Depart-
ment of the Cumberland, and took an active part
in the engagements at Port Hudson, Nashville and
Franklin, and in a number of campaigns and minor
engagements. He was mustered out of service at
Selma, Ala., November 5, 1865, and received his
discharge at Springtield, 111. The three following
years he was engaged in farming in tbe vicinity
of the latter city, and up to 1874 was employed in
tilling rented land. At that date he came to Ar-
kansas and made a crop on Carson' s Lake, but then
returned to Illinois, and for two years was engaged
in following various occupations. Since that time
he has resided in Mississippi County, Ark. , where
he was married, in 1879. to Mrs. Amelia Ellen
Lawrence, nee Bowen, a daughter of John M. C.
Bowen. His wife is a member of the Methodist
Episcopal Church, and Mr. Marks is a member of
Chickasawba Lodge No. 134, of the F. & A. M.
Capt. Daniel Matthews (deceased). From
among the many estimable citizens of Mississippi
County who have passed to their long home, but
who, from an early day. were intimately and prom-
inently associated with the county's development,
MISSISSIPPI COUNTY.
53-;
the name of Capt. Matthews cau not be omitted.
Of Pennsylvania nativity. h(^ was horn in Hunting
don County in the year 1814, and about 1835 came
to Arkansas, and lived fur some time at what is
now known as Milliken's. Subsequently he ran a
boat from Cincinnati to New Orleans, which call-
ing he continued to pursiie until 1850, engaging
at that time in the mercantile trade in Osceola,
Ark., at which place he conducted a store until his
death, in 1884. He was one of the best-known
men that ever ran on the Ohio and Mississippi
Rivers, and throughout Mississippi County, Ark. .
his name was synonymous with integrity, industry,
and perseverance. For two years he was engaged
in business in New Madrid. Mo., investing money
in that place to the amount of $25,000. but met
with heavy losses, and became involved to the ex-
tent of $7,000. He left that town with only $15
in his pocket, and went to New Orleans, where,
through the kindness of friends, he was again
started in business, and had paid all his debts and
also had his goods paid for at the end of a few
years. In 184'.l he was married to Miss Mary
Young, a daughter of Andy and Elizabeth Young,
and located at Osceola, in Mississippi County,
where they became the parents of three children:
T. A. . MoUie C. and Beulah, Mollie C. being the
wife of H. D. Tomlinson, of Osceola, and the
mother of two children. Beulah is married to O.
B. Ferguson, of Ripley, Tenn. , and is the mother
of one child. Mr. Matthews was in business at
Osceola for thirty four years, and during this time
accumulated a property valued at $75,000. No
one unacquainted with him can realize what a ben-
etit his life was to this county, or what an influence
he exerted upon all those around him. His etforts
in behalf of the poor and oppressed, without re-
gard to race or color, will long be remembered,
and his methodical business, coupled with strict
integrity, may well be emulated by the rising gen-
eration. After his death, which occurred on the
2d of May, 1884, his body was taken in charge bj'
the Masons, of which he had long been a member,
and was buried by that order in Elmwood Ceme-
tery, at Memphis, Tenn. His son. T. A. Matthews,
was educated in the Christian Brothers' Institiite,
34
at St. Louis. Mo., from which institution he was
graduated in 18(58. Capt. Daniel Matthews, dur-
ing his life, had but one serious accident, and that
back in the 30' h, in an eastern railroad collision,
near Harrisljurg. his native State, where he lost a
leg, afterward making his way through life with a
cork leg. Mostly through his exertions the St.
ISIatthew's Catholic Church at Osceola was built.
This is a very fair frame structure for a town of
such proportions as this. One of his relatives was
living at Johnstown, which was lately destroyed by
the great Pennsylvania Hood.
M. B. Maxwell. Although this gentleman has
been a resident of Mississippi County, Ark. , only
for a short period, he has been an important factor
in the growth and prosperity of the same since
1878, and has been identified with all worthy en
terprises. He was born in the State of Tennessee,
in 1855, and was engaged in raising cotton in Tip-
ton County of that State until the above mentioned
date, at which time he came to Mississippi County,
Ark., and first rented a plantation, putting in a
crop of cotton, amounting to about forty acres in
all. He now has 260 acres of land which he rents,
200 acres being in cotton and the rest in corn, and
the most of the land he has opened up himself.
He employs about twenty-five hands to attend to
the crop, and by economy and close adherence to
his occupation he has become possessed of consid-
erable means. Miss Mollie Freezer became his
wife in 1877, she being a daughter of Peter and
Rebecca Freezer, who were born in Tipton County.
She died in 1885, leaving two children, Lurenda
and Lena. His present wife was Miss Emily
Bringle, of Mississippi County, a native of Teniies
see, her parents, John and Sarah Bringle. l)eing
also natives of that State.
L. A. Morris, the subject of the portrait ap-
pearing on another page of this volume, and the
head of the mercantile firm of L. A. Morris & Co.,
general merchants at Osceola, Ark. , can justly be
recorded among the self-made men of Mississippi
County. No one is more justly entitled to an
enviable place in the history of Mississippi County
than he, for, though young in years, he has been
usefully and honorably identified with the interests
» v^
538
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
of this county, and with its advancement in every
worthy particular. Mr. Morris owes his nativity
to Alabama, where he was born in 1855, and is the
second in a family of six children born to the Rev.
F. C. and Sallie A. (McFeat) Morris. The par-
ents were respectively from Alabama and South
Carolina, were married in South Carolina, but
soon afterward moved to Alabama, where they
remained a short time, thence came to Osceola,
in 1857. The father preached throughout Mis-
sissippi County and West Tennessee for many
years, and was a man remarkable for his Christian
purity and benevolence and high sense of honor.
He died in 1876. The mother had died of cholera in
1866. L. A. Morris spent his youtli in Osceola,
attending private schools mostly, and in 1872 he
began clerking in the store of Capt. D. Matthews,
where he continued for seven years. He then
went to Pecan Point and clerked for R. W. Friend
for eighteen months, at which time he became a
partner in the business under the firm title of
Friend & Morris. In December, 1883, he bought
a tract of 1,000 acres, well improved, with 200
acres under cultivation, and a store that had been
establii^hed several years at Plum Point, Tenn.
He soon withdrew from the firm of Friend & Mor-
ris to conduct his large interests at the above men-
tioned place, where he continued in business until
January. 18SU, when he leased his farm, and sold
stock, etc., in the store to Johnson Bros., who are
conducting it now. Mr. Morris was postmaster at
Plum Point for a number of years, and filled that
position creditably and well. On the subject's
large farm there are 300 acres under cultivation,
1 00 of which were opened by himself. He erected
a tine residence at a cost of $2,000, also put up a
cotton-gin, outbuildings, and a number of cabins,
etc. Since buying the estate the Government has
built a levee, and is at present engaged in revet-
ing the bank along the river front, which improves
his place to a great extent. On October 1, 1887,
Mr. Morris opened a branch store at Osceola, and
since closing at Plum Point, he has centered his
whole attention at the Osceola store, which is con-
ducted in partnership with F. R. Lanier, Jr.
He has an extensive stock of general merchandise.
and does a commission business, also, of buying
cotton and all farm produce. To Mi'. Morris'
marriage have been "born three children: Carrie
E. : Maggie May, who died at the age of three
years, and Plumie E. Mr. Morris is a member of
the A. O. V. W. Lodge, Osceola. Though still a
young man, Mr. Morris' business capacities, and
extensive experience with the resources of this
county, have enabled him to take a foremost place
in its affairs, while his pleasing, social qualities
and gentlemanly manners make him a jileasant
companion and friend.
F. M. Mosley. It was in 1849 that Mr. Mos
ley first became a resident of Arkansas, having
come from his native State of Tennessee, where he
was born in 1832, with his parents, of whom he was
the fourth of their nine children. Harrison Mos-
ley and Mary Davis Evans, the parents, both Vir-
ginians, were married in their native State, and
soon after moved to Tennessee, where the father
followed the life of a farmer until his death, in 1849.
In the fall of that year the remainder of the family
came to St. Francis County, Ark., where F. M.
Mosley resided until 1859, when he came to Mis-
sissippi County, where he farmed on rented land
until the close of the war; then, in partnership with
H. T. Blythe, purchased a tract of land in Chicka-
sawba Township, on which they erected a horse
cotton-gin. A few years later they put in steam
machinery, but in 1873, Mr. Mosley sold his in-
terest in the gin, as well as his farm of 160 acres,
and purchased his present property, one mile west
of Blythesville, which comprises a tract of eightj'
acres, of which fifty are under cultivation. He took
possession of this place in 1879, all of which was
covered with woods at that time, and since then he
has cleared fifty acres and built an excellent dwell-
ing house; he also has a tine collection of fruit
trees. It is one of the most pleasant places in all
the neighborhood, and is the result of thrift and
energy, which are among the leading characteristics
of Mr. Mosley. His land is exceptionally produc-
tive, and readily yields a bale of cotton to the acre.
He has been married twice, first in 1854, to Mary
Thompson, of Arkansas, who died in 1872, leaving
one child, Tabitha Ellen, the wife of Dr. Jones.
"a*
,u
MISSISSIPPI COUNTY.
W.)
His second union took place in the fall of 1872,
and was with Miss Alice Williams, a daughter of
James H. Williams, whose sketch apjiears in this
work. They have three children : Francis M. , who
died in infancy in 1875; James H. and Willie
Bacchus. He i.s a patron of education, is a prac-
tical and successful farmer, and by reading and
observation has become well posted in business af-
fairs.
Thomas H. Musgrave. The following is a brief
sketch of the career of Mr. Musgrave, a man whose
present substantial position in life has been reached
entirely through his own perseverance; and the
facts connected with his agricultural operations,
and their results, only show what a person with
courage and enlightened views can accomplish.
He first saw the light of day in the Old North
State, in 1847, and eleven years of his youth and
early manhood were spent in attending .school. His
primary training was received in the schools of
Branch ville, Charleston and Columbia, S. C, and
in 1855, he came with his father to Somerville,
Teun. , where he attended the academy three years;
in 1859 he went to Peoria, 111. , and attended the
High School one year; in 1863 he entered the St.
Louis University, where he remained till he com-
pleted his collegiate career, graduating in 1868.
He came immediately to his home in Arkansas,
where he rested for a short time, and then obtained
employment at Hale's Point, Tenn., as a book-
keeper, which position he held until 1873, when he
returned to his farm in Mississippi County. His
property then consisted of 560 acres of land, with
about twenty acres in cultivation, but with an
incumbrance of $1,700, part of the purchase money
due the vendor. He set earnestly and persistently
to work to clear his land of debt, which he soon
did, and then began to clear it of the timber and
pre[)are it for cultivation. He not only succeeded
in paying for his land and clearing 150 acres more
on the same farm, but also added to his lands from
time to time, until he has owned over 4,000 acres,
and now owns about 2,500 acres of superior laud,
with 150 acres this year in cultivation, and two
small farms "lying out" for want of tenants. He
has sold considerable property, some of which was
well improved, and a part of which he cleared. On
his extensive domains is some of the choicest land
to be found in the State. A bale of cotton can
easily be raised to the acre, some of his tenants
occasionally making more. Nine families now live
on and cultivate his lands, but Mr. Musgrave says
he has room for and would gladly furnish fifty more
with homes. A large area, which, twenty five years
ago, was the bed of the Mississippi River, has been
added to this tract of land by the river shifting its
channel, and now, where a few years since steam
boats plowed the turbid waters of this mighty
stream, can be seen some of the finest fields of cot-
ton and corn in the State. Mr. Musgrave possesses
decided literary tastes, and has been quite an ex
tensive student of both law and medicine. He has
never taken a very active part in the political affairs
of his county, though he served three terms as
justice of the peace, but refused to qualify after
having been elected the fourth time. He was nomi-
nated by the Democratic convention for county sur-
veyor, and fully indorsed by the Republican con-
vention for the same position, all without his knowl-
edge; but, when elected, declined to discharge the
duties, preferring the quiet and easy life on his
farm. Although not an active politician, he is a
close and diligent student, keeping well posted and
fully abreast with the times; possessing a bold and
vigorous mind, he does not swerve one iota from
what he deems to be just and right. His reputa-
tion for honesty and integrity has been often tried
and found pure, and his financial ability has been
more than once put to the test, but never without
credit to himself; his social (jualities are well known
and appreciated, and he has hosts of friends whose
confidence and esteem are his highest eulogium.
An excellent portrait of him appears in this work.
He was the second of three children born to Will-
iam R. and Mary E. Musgrave, both of whom were
born in North Carolina, and were there reared and
married, moving shortly after to South Carolina,
where the father engaged in the steamboat busi
ness, and later worked in the machine shops at
Charleston. He afterward became connected with
the railroad business, which he discontinued in 1857.
prior to coming to Arkansas, following this occu
540
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
pation in Somerville, Tenn., to which State he
removed in 1855. Upon coming to Arkansas he
located in Mississippi County, and there engaged
in the saw mill business, which was continued until
I860. At that date he bought 556 acres of land
in Hickman Township, a portion of which land
was cleared and under cultivation. He continued
to improve his pro{)erty, and soon had over 100
acres in cultivation, the rest being devoted to rais-
ing stock. In 1862 the war put an end to these
operations, and he engaged in commercial life,
operating mainly in Lauderdale County, Tenn.,
though he bought large quantities of cotton in the
adjoining counties of that State, and some in the
northeastern counties of Arkansas. He died at Co-
lumbus, Ky.. June 14, 1864, ending an active and
well spent life. William R. Musgrave was a very
affable and well-known man, greatly esteemed by
numerous friends. His widow died in the spring
of 1884, at Rocky Mount, N. C.
F. Musick. It is a well known fact that cir-
cumstances in life may make or mar the prospects
of man to a certain extent, but a determined spirit
will bend even the force of circumstances to its
will. The career of Mr. Musick since his arrival
ujwn the stage of human action is abundant proof
of this trite saying. He was born in Virginia, and
his parents, Russell and Elizabeth (Dowell) Mu-
sick, who came from Virginia to Mississippi Coun-
ty, Ark., in 1855. located on Frenchman's Bayou,
where they purchased 160 acres of land, with
about five acres cleared. Here, with the help of
his sons, six in number, Mr. Musick cleared about
eighty acres, but sold out previous to the war,
and, in 1864, moved to Alexander County, 111.
There the father and mother passed their last
days, dying within four days of each other, and
only a short time after reaching Illinois. The
children, four sons and one daughter, came back to
Mississippi County, in 1865, and here F. Musick,
the subject of this sketch, commenced planting
cotton. In 1870 he purchased 180 acres of land,
with about sixteen acres cleared, to which he after-
ward added about eighty acres more. This place
he sold to Henry Criegher, and then purchased
his present property, consisting of 160 acres on
the Bayou, with about sixty acres cleared. To
this he has since added about eighty acres more,
which he has under a fine state of cultivation, and
raises about one bale of cotton to the acre. He
has built five houses on the place, one barn, and
two store buildings, one 16x70, and the other
20x24, in which he carries a well-selected stock of
general merchandise, valued at from .f3,000 to
$7,000. This business he established about seven
years ago in company with his brother. In 1885
the firm dissolved partnership, and F. Musick con-
tinued the business. His sales run from 18,000
to $10,000 per annum. Mr. Musick's first mar-
riage was to Miss Martha Barham, daughter of
James Barham, a native of Tennessee. ' Mrs.
Musick died in 1874, leaving two children: J. A.
F. , a young man at home assisting his father in
the store, and C. C. , who died when seventeen
years of age. Mr. Musick's second marriage was
to Mrs. E. M. Young, whom he wedded in Octo-
ber, 1884. She is a daughter of Mrs. Lierley, of
Lawrence County, Ark. Two children were the
result of this union: Callie (a son) and Clara.
Mr. Musick is a member of the Masonic fraternity,
also of the K. of H. , and he is a memlier of the
Methodist Episcopal Church.
Silas F. Myers has been a resident of Missis-
sippi County, for the past thirty-six years, and
has spent a lifetime in pursuing the noble voca
tion of agriculture, having learned this occupation
of his father who was an extensive tobacco planter
in Kentucky. His life has not been without ad
venture or self-denying experiences, yet success
has attended him both in material affairs and in
the esteem which has been accorded him by those
among whom he has so long made his home. He
was born in Macon County, 111. , but at the age of
eighteen months was taken by his father to Davis
County, Ky. , and remained on the latter' s tobacco
plantation until 1852, or until he was twenty -two
years of age. His father, who bore the name of
Levi Myers, died about 1837, and the mother,
whose maiden name was Elizabeth Campbell,
was a daughter of Henry Campbell, of Virginia.
Abraham Myei's, the paternal grandfather, was a
German. To Levi Myers and wife a family of
^?1«-
l/irla^, kt', J/£4^yy7e0^
%.ml
Mississippi CouNTr,ARKAMSAS.
<5 !^
.4 3>
MISSISSIPPI COUNTY.
541
nine children were born, of whom Silas F. Myers
is the only surviving member. The latter came to
Missi.ssippi County, Ark., and raised a crop of cot-
ton the same year on rented land, and has since
raised a crop of from 50 to 125 acres of cotton
each year. He has nearly always worked on new
ground, and has cleared sixty-three acres in one
place, fifteen in another, and ten, twenty five, eighty,
twenty and sixteen acres, respectively. In 1876 he
purchased land to the amount of 118 acres, all of
which he has under the plow. He is very pleasantly
situated, and his residence is substantial and roomy,
being 72x34 feet, with a hallway running through
the center, and a large porch extending around
the house. It was built by his individual labor
with the exception of about one week's work, when
a carpenter was employed, and is excellently fin-
ished inside and out. Four families and three
single men are employed to keep the farm in order,
and on the place are five good workmen's cabins.
He has a large orchard, well stocked with different
varieties of peaches, apples, pears, plums, etc.
Two years after coming to Mississippi County,
he was married to Miss Sarah T. Williamson,
a daughter of Richard and Harriet (Willing-
ham) Williamson, who were formerly from Ala-
bama, but removed to Tennessee when Mrs. Myers
was a small child, and when she was fourteen
years of age came to Mississippi County. Mr.
and Mrs. Myers' children are as follows: Joseph
B. , a commercial traveler for a Memphis, Tenn.,
house; James H. , a planter residing at Nodena, is
married, his wife's maiden name being Nora Cis-
sell, a daughter of Levi Cissell; and Minnie O. ,
Nancy Ardella, and Cora Elizabeth, at home.
Three children died in infancy, and one son died
when eleven years of age. Mr. and Mrs. Myers,
their daughter, Nancy Ardella, and son, James H. ,
are members of the Presbyterian Church at No-
dena, while Miss Minnie O. belongs to the same
church at Osceola. Mr. Myers is a member of
Lodge No. 27, A. F. & A. M., of Osceola.
George W. Neel, a prominent farmer near
Blythesville, Ark., was born in Obion County,
Tenn., in 1858. He was the eleventh in a family
of fifteen children born to John T. and Martha A.
(Simmons) Neel. Both parents were natives of
Tennessee, where the father's occupation was
farming, and where he died on December 12,
1864. The mother still resides in that State.
George W. Neel attended the public schools of
that period, but his educational advantages were
very limited, and he did not receive the schooling
his ambition desired. He remained at home until
his majority, and in November, 1882, was married
to Mrs. Nancy J. Ray, a young widow lady of that
vicinity. After his marriage Mr. Neel purchased
a farm, and settled upon it with his bride, where
he resided until the year 1886, when he exchanged
his Tennessee farm for one in Arkansas, a fine tract
of forty acres, all under a high state of cultivation,
and bearing grass, clover, corn and cotton ; has also
a splendid orchard, with which he has taken great
pains to bring to as near perfection as possible.
He is a member of the Masonic order and the Ag-
ricultural Wheel, and is one of the most enterpris-
ing and energetic of the younger farmers in this
section. Mr. Neel is held in the highest regard
by his neighbors, and deserves the success that has
come upon his efforts. To the union of Mr. and
Mrs. Neel were born four children: Elizabeth La-
vina, Georgie Elnora Belle, Flora Dora Lee and
James Edwards.
William H. Oglesby, M. D. Since Dr. Ogles-
by's location in Mississippi County, Ark., he has
shown himself eminently worthy of the confidence
and trust reposed in him by all classes, and has
proved himself to be a physician of decided merit.
He was born on Blue Grass soil in 1854, and up
to 1860 resided on a farm in the country, but at
that date his father, W. A. Oglesby, departed this
life, and the family then took up their abode in
Owensboro, whore William H. attended school un
til about fifteen years of age, making good use of
his time while opportunity offered. Imbued with
a determination to secure a good education, he en-
tered the Kentucky Wesleyan University at Mil-
lersburg, which institution he attended two years,
and then clerked for two j'ears in a store, his leis-
ure moments being given to the study of medicine,
for which science he had a predilection. The
years of 1875-76 were spent in Slaughtersville,
9 li^
542
HISTOET OF ARKANSAS.
where he pursued his medical researches, and he
then entered the medical department of the Uni-
versity of Louisville, taking lectures during the
winter of 1876-77. In the latter year he came to
Mississippi County, Ark. , and began clerking for
J. B. Tisserand; but some live months later he en-
tered upon the practice of his profession, which he
has continued with a rapidly increasing practice,
up to the present time. In the winter of 1884-85
he attended lectures at the Memphis Hospital Med-
ical College, graduating from that institution in
March, 1885. Dr. Ogle.sby is a hard student, and
keeps thoroughly apace with the strides which are
being constantly made in his profession, and takes
a number of leading medical journals. He has a
very pleasant and comfortable home in the village
of Blythesville, his residence being erected in 1881 ;
and in addition to this has eighty acres of arable
laud, of which sixty are under cultivation. The
Doctor is a man-ied man. Miss Cullie Waggoner
becoming his wife in 1879. She is a daughter of
James Waggoner, an old settler of the county.
She is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church,
and she and the Doctor are the parents of two chil-
dren, Gipsy and Mary Lorine. Dr. Oglesby has
always been a patron of education, and is at pres-
ent a member of the school board of Blythesville.
His parents, W. A. and Katie (Harding) Oglesby,
were the parents of five children, of whom he was
the fourth. Both parents were Kentuckians, the
father being a planter of that State, which occupa-
tion he followed throughout life.
J. B. Perkins, a gentleman of wonderful ability,
was born in Tennessee in 1849, and is the oldest
living child of George W. and Elizabeth (Herron)
Perkins, of Tennessee. The father was a farmer,
and emigrated to Arkansas in 1859, where he set-
tled in Randolph County, and entered a tract of
land upon which he made a home for his family
until the first alarm of war brought a distressing
separation. He enlisted in the Confederate army,
and, after a brave struggle for the cause he under-
took, met death like a soldier should at Memphis,
in 1862. The family continued to reside in Ran-
dolph County until 1864, when they moved to Mis-
sissippi County and settled at Beaver Point. There
they farmed and rented land for several years, and
in 1875 came to Cross Bayou, where they settled
on fifty acres of wild land, which has since then
become greatly improved through the efforts of J.
B. Perkins. He has erected several substantial
buildings, and put about forty acres under a high
state of cultivation. His land will yield three-
quarters of a bale of cotton to the acre; and, besides
this, he has raised a fine orchard. In 1874, Mr.
Perkins was married to Miss Sarah Starling, a na-
tive of Columbia County, Ark. , and a daughter of
John Washington Starling, an old settler of that
county. Four children were born to the parents:
Sallie, George Washington, Eddie and Minnie, the
two latter deceased. John Perkins, a brother of
Mr. Perkins, moved to this county at the same
time with the latter, and both brothers bought
land adjoining. John bought sixty-six acres, on
which he made a great many improvements and
erected buildings, and cleared about thirty-five
acres, which he put under a good state of cultiva-
tion. He was married in 1873 to Miss Mary Ben-
nett, a daughter of John Bennett, one of the pio-
neers of Mississippi County. Eight children were
born to this union, of whom two have died. The
names of their children are John F. , Mary E.,
William, Rosa Lee, James Troy (deceased), Cor-
delia (deceased) and Nancy. Mr. Perkins was a
representative citizen of Mississippi County, and
took an active part in educational matters, serving
as school director for several terms. He was also
a member of the Agricultural Wheel, as was also
his brother, J. B. Perkins. His death occurred
on December 16, 1887, leaving a large circle of
friends and his family to mourn their loss. The
mother of these two brothers is still living in this
vicinity, and enjoying the best of health, at the
age of sixty years.
C. H. Powell, farmer and merchant, Osceola.
The father of Mr. Powell, Joseph Powell, was a
native of Virginia, who, after reaching manhood,
was united in marriage to Miss Eliza Ann Walton,
a native of Kentucky. The father followed agri-
cultural pursuits for many years, and in about
1859, moved to Mississippi Coimty, Ark., where
for a year or two he made his home with Mr.
Lynch. He then rented land and continued tilling ,
the soil, and, in connection, also handled cord-wood
for the steamboats. He was killed during the war
by a neighbor. He was the father of seven chil-
dren, of whom C. H. Powell was the third. The '
latter was born in Hindman, Ky., in the year
1847, and was but seventeen years of age when
his father was killed. He then sent his mother
back to Kentucky, while he engaged as clerk at
Hindman for a time, and later returned to Arkan-
sas, where he was united in marriage to Miss
Sarah Harrington, a native of Mississippi County,
and the daughter of Whiting Harrington, one of
the leading settlers of this section. After marriage.
Mr. Powell opened a tract of land belonging to his
wife, and began tilling the soil. He has made
many improvements, cleared about thirty acres,
wliich are in a high state of cultivation, has a fine
orchard, and in 1888 he erected a good residence.
In 1887, he purchased two acres near the town,
and on this has erected four tenant hoiLses. He
began a general grocery business at Lynch's Land-
ing in 1884, and remained there four years, with
a constantly increasing trade. In 1887, he leased
a lot a short distance up the river, erected a build-
ing, and still continues his former trade with un-
usually good success. The fi'uits of his union with
Miss Harrington were fourteen children (six now
living): William Joseph; Sallie, wife of Joseph
Violet, and resides with her parents; Eula, wife
of William Mitchell, and lives in the vicinity; Fan-
nie, at home; Lucy, died at the age of five years;
John (deceased), Elisha, at home, and Cornelius
Prewitt. The remainder died in infancy. Mr.
Powell is not active in politics, biit votes with the
Democratic party. He is deeply interested in local
improvements, and also in school matters, having
served as director for six years.
G. W. Pratt is a name familiar to residents of
Mississippi County. Its owner is a prominent
saw- mill operator at Pecan Point, who was born in
Decatur County, Tenn., in 1843, and was the old-
est child in a family of nine children born to Rich-
ard T. and Mildred (Walker) Pratt. The father
was one of the leading farmers, and a pioneer of
West Tennessee, where he resided up to the time
of his death, in 1 874, ten days after the demise of
his wife. This was an incident that ke])t firmly
imbedded in the minds of their children, and did
not remove its melancholy impression for many
years afterward. Upon ret\irning home from the
funeral of his faithful wif<( the father seemed to
have a presentiment of his coming fate, and, weighed
down by the grief and sadness of his Ixuvavemont,
told his children that death would claim himl)efore
many days. Exactly ten days afterward he passed
away, and his words were verified. G. W. Partt
remained at home until sixleen years of age, when
he commenced flat- boating on the Mississippi Kiver,
and continued at that employment until 1860.
He then went to clerking on one of the large river
steamboats until 1861, when the rumors of war
came penetrating through hills and valleys, and
calling the men to arms. Like many other chival-
rous young men of the South, he cast his fortunes
with the Confederacy, and enlisted in Company
K, Fifth Tennessee Regiment, commanded by Col.
Travis, and was elected to the rank of corporal.
At the liattle of Shiloh he received a terrible wound,
and was granted a furlough of sixty days. At the
end of that time, having recovered, he organized a
cavalry company with Capt. D commanding,
and served as first lieutenant for three months,
when the company was divided into two, and he
received the rank of captain. He then joined Col.
Cox's regiment, and campaigned through East
Tennessee, and was in almost innumerable skir-
mishes and minor engagements during the entire
time. In the spring of 1865 the company dis-
banded after almost continual fighting throughout
its entire service, and he returned home. After
the death of his wife he went to Bartlett, Tenn.,
and engaged in carpenter work to some extent, but
afterward moved to Brunswick, where he remained
seven years. In 1873 he was married to Miss
Ella Johnston, of Fayette County, Tenn., who
lived but two years after marriage, and died, leav-
ing one son, John, who is now attending school at
Princeton, Ky. In 1876 Mr. Pratt was married,
at Oakland, Tenn., his second wife being Miss
Nannie, a sister of his former wife. This lady
lived but eighteen months, and after her death he
^1
spent several moDths seeking a location in which
to settle. He finally decided on Pecan Point, and
moved to this point in 1882, entering at once
into his trade of carpentering and building with so
much success that now almost every building in
that place can truthfully be said to have been
erected by him. In February, 1888, he purchased
a saw-mill, which he erected on the river bank,
that has a capacity of 10,000 feet of lumber per
day, and the demand largely exceeds the supply.
Mr. Pratt has also built a tramway two miles in
length, extending to the timber region, and as soon
as the woods become exhausted he will build it
farther out. He has several tramcars running,
and a force of fourteen men at work constantly.
Mr. Pratt is a member of the Masonic fi-aternity,
Pecan Point Lodge, under dispensation at the
present time. He is also a member of the K. of
O. , Pecan Point, and Eastern Star, and attends the
Methodist Episcopal Church at this point, taking
an active interest in all afiFairs of the Sunday-school.
He has been one of the leading spirits in all things
that promise to be to the advantage of this section,
and is one of Mississippi County's most enterpris-
ing and valued citizens. Mr. Pratt is a good busi-
ness man, and an admirable mechanic and archi-
tect. He is a great friend of the children for miles
around, and it is a pleasure to see the little tots
leave everyone else and flock around him whenever
he puts in an appearance. His own pluck and
determination have placed him in an independent
position, and his courteous manner has won him
many friends.
Dr. Robert C. Prewitt, a prominent physician,
of Osceola, Ark., was born in Missouri in 1844,
and from an early age displa^'ed an eagerness for
study and a desire for a professional life. He was
the eldest of six children born to Joseph E. and
Naoma (Nash) Prewitt, natives of the ' ' Blue Grass
State." The father was a successful tiller of the
soil, and followed this occupation in his native
State until his removal to Missouri, which took
place in 1838. He located in Pike County, and
was one of its earliest settlers. The paternal
grandfather, Robert C. Prewitt, was a native of
Virginia, and came to Kentucky at an early day,
where he followed farming. He participated in
the War of 1812, was taken prisoner at the battle
of Raisin River, and was held by the Indians all
winter. He afterward returned to Kentucky, but
subsequently emigrated to Missouri, where he died
in 1850. The maternal grandfather, William N.
Nash, was a native of Virginia, but emigrated to
Kentucky, where he died and is buried. Dr.
Robert C. Prewitt improved the educational ad-
vantages offered him in the common schools, and
in 1861 began the study of medicine with his uncle,
Dr. Robert C. Prewitt, in Pike County, Mo. Dur
ing 18(52-08 he attended lectures at St. Louis
Medical College, but the year previous to this he
enlisted in the Confederate army, was sent to
Southwest Missouri, where he participated in the
battles of Fulton, Mount Zion Wilson Creek and
Lexington. He was taken prisoner at the last-
named place, but became ill, and soon returned
home. In January, 1864, the Doctor went to
Kentucky, and located at Athens, Fayette County,
where he began the practice of his profession. In
October, of the same year, he married Miss Lottie
C. Stephens, a native of Kentucky, and the daugh-
ter of Edwin Stephens, also a native of the " Blue
Grass State," and a merchant of Lexington, who
died of chol(<ra in 1849. Dr. Prewitt remained in
Athens until 1873, when he went to Helena, Ark.,
and bought a farm on Old Town Ridge. He re-
mained there for four years, and then came to
Osceola, Ark., where he has been practicing ever
since, and has acquired no inferior reputation for
his ability as a physician and surgeon. In 1877
he opened a line drug store in the place, which
was practically the first in Osceola, and ran this
for eight years. In 1879 he took a course of lec-
tures at Louisville, Ky., and graduated from the
Kentucky School of Medicine the same year. Tbe
Doctor is a member of the county examining board,
is ex-president of the Mississippi County Medical
Society, is a member of the State Medical Society,
and is ex-president of the Tri- State Medical Asso-
ciation, of Mississippi, Arkansas and Tennessee.
To Dr. and Mrs. Prewitt were born six childi'en ;
Joseph E., Laura (attending school at Richmond.
Ky.), Robert C. and Sarah. Two were born dead.
^'
<5 k^
.k
MISSISSIPPI COUNTY.
545
W. H. Pullen. It was in the capacity of a mer-
chant that Mr. Pullen tirst became acquainted
with the people of Mississippi County, aud they
with him, and such has been his record as a
business man, that his success is assured. He
came to Frenchman's Bayou from Memphis in
July, 1888, and bought out Dr. Joyner's store,
since which time he has enlarged the build-
ing and added to the stock, so that now he has
the largest and best selected stock of goods in
the county outside of Osceola. Mr. Pullen has
been recently appointed postmaster at Bardstown.
He was born in Sardis, Panola County, Miss. , but
moved with his parents to Memphis, where he was
reared and educated. When but sixteen years of
age young Pullen embarked in business for him-
self by working for the Hernando Insurance Com-
pany for a number of years. He was also engaged
with Lemon & Gale, of Memphis, in the dry goods
business. At the age of twenty seven he came to
Mississippi County, and, as above .stated, bought out
the store of Dr. Joyner. He carries a stock of gen-
eral merchandise valued at about $6,000, and is one
of the promising young business men of the county.
He chose his life companion in the person of Miss
Lou Haynes, daughter of Samuel H. Haynes, a
Kentuckiaii by birth, who was colonel in the Union
army during the war, and who had two brothers in
the Confederate army. To Mr. and Mrs. Pullen
has been bom one child. King Haynes Pullen, a
bright baby boy, the delight of the family. Ben-
jamin K. Pullen, father of W. H. Pullen, was a
native of North Carolina, who came to Memj^his,
Tenn. , before the war, and during the war was in
the Confederate service. He occupied a position
as captain of the commissary department in a Mis-
sissippi regiment. When Memphis fell into the
hands of the Union army, he brought his family to
Panola County, Miss. After the war the family
moved back to Memphis. A lirother of our sub-
ject, Charles Lesslie Pullen, now one of the editors
of the Sunday Times of jNIemphis, has been elected
an honorary member of the Folk- Lore Society, of
London, England, a very exclusive club, he being
among the few members receiving that honor in
the United States.
J. L. Quarles, who is numbered among the
prominent agriculturists of Mississippi County,
Ark., is a native of Tallahatchee County, Miss.,
where he remained until the breaking out of the
late war, when he enlisted in Company D, Twen
ty-seventh Mississippi Volunteer lufantrj^ and
served in Alabama and Tennessee, also taking
part in the Perry ville. Ky., battle. He was in the
battles of Murfreesl)oro, Chickamauga, and in the
latter battle was wounded, by having a minie ball
enter his neck aud come out near the spinal col-
umn. He next took part in the battle of Lookout
Mountain, where the company went in thirty-seven
strong, and only six returned unscathed. He was
at Missionary Ridge, Resaca (Ga. ), New Hope
Church, Atlanta, Jonesboro, and Franklin (Tenn.),
and was mustered out and paroled at Grenada.
Miss., after which he returned to Tallahatchee
County, and there followed agricultural pursuits
for two years. From there he went to Carroll
County, of the same State, and after tilling the
soil until December, 1887, he and family took pos-
session of Shawnee Village, for Mrs. W. S. Brans-
ford, of Nashville, Tenn. Mr. Quarles superin
tends the whole place, which consists of 1,400
acres, with 700 under cultivation. He thinks Ar-
kansas one of the best countries in the world in
which to raise live stock, especially mules, and
says he has twenty head on the place for which he
would not take $140 per head. These muJes have
lived entirely on the range, winter and summer,
with no expense except a little attention in the way
salting, etc. Mr. Quarles says you may take a
mule out of the plow in July, when it is almost
worked to a shadow, and in a few weeks it will be
fat and in good condition. The above mentioned
gentleman is a member of the firm of Quarles
Bros., who are now renting 300 acres of the War-
ner farm, in this county, near McGavock. Mr.
Quarles chose for his life companion Miss L. F.
Merrill, of Carroll County, Miss., where their chil-
dren were all born. These are named as follows:
B. W. , now at home; Anna Merrill, J. L., Jr..
Merrill, Oliver P. and Lucy F. They lost one
child, the eldest, at the age of three years. Mrs.
Quarles is the daughter of J. W. S. Merrill, of Car-
-7-
54fi
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
roll County, Miss., where he is a civil engineer of
considerable note He has been elected assessor
and collector of Le Flurf County, and has been
surveyor of the United States laud office for many
years. Mr. Qiiarles has been a member of the
Masonic Lodge of Greenwood, IMiss. , for the past
eighteen years, and he and wife and three eldest
children are members of the Christian Church.
J. W. Quinn. Since locating in Mississippi
County, Ark., Mr. Quinn has enjoyed the reputa-
tion of being, not only a substantial and progres-
sive planter, but an intelligent and thoroughly-
posted man in all public affairs; and a short sketch
of his life will be of more than passing interest to
the people of this locality. He was born in the
"Palmetto State,'' in the year 1854, and was the
eldest of four children born to the marriage of
Lawson Quinn and Sarah Hampton. The father
was an energetic tiller of the soil until the break-
ing out of the Rebellion, but at that date he laid
down the implements of peace, to don the weapons
of warfare, and was a faithful soldier in the Con-
federate army until he was killed at the battle of
Petersburg, in 1864. His widow afterward became
the worthy companion of W. P. Miller, and re-
moved to East Tennessee, coming in 1874 to Mis-
sissippi County, Ark. J. W. Quinn, the subject
of this sketch, remained with his mother until
1877, when he was taken sick, and went to East
Tennesspe for medical treatment, and after recov-
ering his health, to some little extent, he attended
school for a short time. In 1878 he made a trip
to the home of his liirth, where he remained for a
.while, then after a brief visit in Tennessee, he
returned to Mississippi Coimty, Ark. The follow-
ing spring (1879) he rented thirty acres of land
hei'e, and made his first crop, and so well did he
succeed that he has since continued to follow that
occupation. As rent he gave every fifth bale of
cotton, and realized on the crop exactly $1,000.
He was very successful the next year also, so that
in 18S3 he was able to purchase a tract of eighty
acres, three miles north of Osceola, for which he
paid the sum of 11,750. Thirty acres were under
cultivation, and since then he has put the entire
tract under the plow, erecting good buildings, and
making other valuable improvements. Finding
this farm insufficient to keep him employed
throughout the year, he rented land of his neigh-
bors, and, notwithstanding the Hoods and other
discouraging features, he succeeded in raising
good crops and did well. In January, 1886, he
made a trip to Texas, thinking to improve his
health by a change of scene and climate, but not
liking it in the " Lone Star State," he returned to
Arkansas in September of the same year, and lie-
gan working for William P. Hale, with whom he
entered into partnership about Christmas, being
engaged in managing the latter' s large planta-
tion, five miles above Osceola. They have (1889)
700 acres in cotton and corn, and realized on
their last year's crop $6,000, their farm giving
employment to twenty-seven families, numbering
over 100 people. They are also quite extensively
engaged in raising a good grade of stock, and
have some of the finest Durham cattle in this
vicinity, as w(>ll as blooded Berkshire hogs. In
November, 1883, Miss Mattie Spred, of this coun-
ty, became his wife, she being a daughter of one
of the pioneer settlers of this section. Their union
resulted in the birth of three children: Eddie
Lawson, and Earl and Eleanor (twins), the latter
dying in infancy. Mr. Quinn is a member of
Lodge No. 27 of the A. F. & A. M., of Osceola.
John H. Rainey. There are few men, if any,
who have occupied a more prominent jjosition or
contributed more toward the development of the
resources of Mississippi County, than Mr. Rainey,
a man whose history has been so intimately con
nected with the affairs of Chickasawba Townshi]).
that to mention one necessitates a sketch of the
other. He was born in Jackson County, Ala., in
1833, the son of Samuel H. Rainey. a prominent
farmer of that State. The latter removed to the
State of Arkansas, in 1844, with his wife, whose
maiden name was Sarah Kelso, and his family of
six children, and settled in Mississippi County, near
where our subject now resides. He remained one
year on this place, then moved to Osceola, and en-
tered a farm of 160 acres two miles north of the
town, on which he made many necessary improve-
ments, and soon had a pleasant and comfortable
^;
'^
MISSISSIPPI COUNTY.
Ml
home ill the woods. On this farm ho resided un-
til bi.s death in ]8r>4, his wife havinjr departed
this life two years earlier. John H. Rainey was
reared ou his father's woodland farm, and hia
character was so molded in yonth that it was
perhaps natural for him to look upon farming as
the only calling with which he should identify
himself in after life. At the age of twenty one
years he left homo to carve out his own fortnius
and for a number of years worked as a farmhand,
but in 18fiO he was appointed by Sheriff Charles
Bowen, to the oflice of deputy sheriff of the
county, and was given entire charge of affairs
when the war broke out. as Mr. Bowen was anxious
to join the army. He continued to discharge his
duties very satisfactorily until 1862, when the
Federal troops took possession of the county, and
he was then compelled to turn his attention to
other matters. He took no part in the war. but
during hostilities met with several stirring adven-
tures. He continued to farm on rented land until
1S66, then purchased a tract of land embracing
160 acres near Osceola, nearlj' all of which place
he succeeded in clearing, and soon after Ijought
320 acres adjoining, on which he cleared another
1 60 acres, thus making 320 acres under plow. In
1881 he sold the latter farm and moved to Chicka-
sawba Township, purchasing wild land to the ex-
tent of 660 acres, on which he moved, and began
immediately to improve with good buildings and
by clearing his place from brush and timber. He
has continued from time to time to purchase laud
until he is now the owner of about 4,200 acres,
with some 300 acres under cultivation, and has
the timber of 700 acres deadened for removal. In
1885 he removed to a farm he had piirchased in
Cooktown, and two years later bought one and one-
half acres in North Chickasavvba, on which are
a cotton gin. a store house and a small residence.
Mr. Rainey has cleared over 600 acres alone,
which is a tine record for one man. His life has
been one of unremitting toil, and though he com-
menced for himself without much means be is now
in possession of fine property, the result of honest
industiy and perseverance, and thoroughly deserves
the respect which is accorded him. He has now
attained the age of tifty-six years, and for the re-
mainder of his days can take the world easier, and
enjoy the fruits of his early toil. On his lands
are extensive tracts heavily covered with valuable
timber, which will prove a source of wealth as
soon as it can be put on the market. Mr. Rainey
contemplates the immediate erection of a saw-
mill, as he will require large (juanties of lumljer
in erecting numerous houses on his own farm. He
was married in 1879 to Miss Sarah H. Brown, a
native of the State and a daughter of one of the
old pioneers of this section, and to their union
have been born the following interesting little
family: Sarah J., Samuel H. and John H. He
always voted the Democratic ticket, and is an act-
ive advocate of public schools, having served in
the capacity of director for a number of years.
He commands the respect and esteem of all for
his sterling integrity, sober and sound judgment,
broad intelligence and liberal and progressive
ideas. His wife is a consistent member of the
Methodist Episcopal Church. Mr. Rainey has
also held the following offices: In 1873-74 he
was county assessor, in 1875-76 county surveyor,
and is now a member of the Board of Equaliza-
tion, to equalize the assessment of county property.
To this office he was appointed by Gov. Eagle.
Pamic Reed is one of the leading agriculturists
of Mississippi County, Ark., and since locating
here, many years ago (in 1845), has seen. many
changes in the growth and development of this
community. He was born in the " Hoosier State "
in 1820, and was reared to the occupation of black-
smithing, but after leaving home, on the 8th of
June, 1843, he spent two years in flat-\)oating cm
the river, and after a short time spent in Illinois,
came to Mississippi County, Ark., locating at
Hickman's Bend, where he was engaged in l)oating
and rafting, and kept a wood yard. At that time
all the white settlers lived contiguous to the river,
the interior lieing still occupied by the Indians,
and wild animals of all kinds roamed the woods at
will. After residing in this locality until the 20th
of May, 1854, he moved to Kansas, where he fol-
lo\yed teaming for some time, and during the Kan
sas War was in the battle of Ijawrence, and a
^'.
uumber of other engagements in the spring of
1856. The following year he loaded all his effects
on a flat-boat and floated down the Missouri and
Mississippi rivers to Hickman" s Bend, in Mississippi
County, Ark., at which place he landed on the
22dof December, 1857, then buying land on Buford
Lake, where he soon had a good home. The
most of his attention was given to stock farming,
in which enterprise he was verj' extensively en-
gaged during the Rebellion. He continued to
make this his residence for about twenty years,
opening up some sixty acres in the meantime, but
sold out in 1875 and came to Clear Lake, where
he purchased the farm on which he is now residing,
which comprises a tract of about 100 aci'es under
cultivation of some of the best laud in this sec-
tion, the most of which he devotes to the raising
of corn and cotton. He has been so unfortunate
as to lose four wives, but is at present living hap-
pily with his fifth wife. His lirst union was to
Miss Nancy J. Cotton, whom he married Novem-
ber 9, 1847. She was a native of Missouri and
died in Hlinois, February 12, 1849, and was buried
with her child. His second marriage was to Miss
Ellen Pints, of Mississippi County, whose death
occurred on the 11th of April, 1851, she leaving a
daughter named Elner, who died in the State of
Kansas at the age of six years, on the 30th of
June, 1857. Susan Sawyer, a native of Tennessee,
and a member of a well-known family of that
State, became his third wife February 12, 1852,
but she left him again a widower on the 12th of
April, 1874. Mr. Reed next espoused Miss Caro-
line A. Mannen, a native of Mississippi County,
who died a short time after her marriage, in 1875,
also being buried with her child. His fifth and
present wife, was Mrs. M. J. Rackley, a Kentuckian
by bii-th, who was the mother of four children by
a previous marriage. She and Mr. Reed have one
child, a daughter, named Rebecca Susan. Mr.
Reed's various occupations through life have been
somewhat diversified, but unlike the old saying,
"jack of all trades and master of none," he has
been reasonably prosperous in every enterprise to
which he has given his attention, and now, during
his declining years, can look back over a useful
and well-spent life. He has always been quite an
active politician, and has affiliated with the Demo-
cratic party.
E. D. Rhea, M. D.. a physician and surgeon
of more than ordinary ability, was born in the
State of Tennessee in 1835, and like the majority
of the farmers' boys of his day acquired only a
common school education. At an early age, how-
ever, he evinced an eageme.ss for study and a desire
for professional life, and acquired the taste for
scientific learning, medicine having a particular
fascination for him. When twenty five years of
age he went to Missouri, having previously studied
medicine, and was engaged in practicing his profes-
sion there until 1862, when he enlisted as a surgeon
in the Fourth Missouri Regiment, Confederate cav-
alry, and served in the Trans-Mississippi Depart-
ment, in Marmaduke" s division, until the close of the
war, after which he came to Arkansas and located
in Fulton County, near Salem, remaining there in
the active practice of his profession until 1876.
During 1874-75 he represented Fulton County in
the first Democratic legislature convened after the
Reconstruction Act, and was an active member of
that body during the stormy times of the Brooks-
Baxter war. Since 1876 he has practiced his pro
fession in Mississippi County, and has acquired no
inferior reputation as a physician and surgeon.
When the village of Blythesville was laid out
he purchased property and built one of the
first bouses in that place, and has since been
quite extensively engaged in fruit raising (in con-
nection with his practice), in which he has had
remarkable success. Since 1881 he has owned
an eighty-acre farm near Blythesville, thirty of
which he has opened, and on which he has
built a house and made other improvements. In
1879 he was married to Miss Sarah Walker, a
daughter of John Walker, one of the early pioneers
of the county, but in March, 1885, was called upon
to mourn her untimely death. She left two chil-
dren, Maggie, and Lizzie, the latter dying at the
age of nine months, six months after the mother.
Miss Fannie Blackwell, of Lauderdale County,
Tenn., became his wife September 17, 1886. The
Doctor was the youngest of a family of twelve chil-
^ 0
".i:.
MISSISSIPPI COUNTY.
o49
dren l)oiu to Joseph M. and Kittie (Myers) Rhea,
who were horn in Tennessee and Maryland, respect-
ively. The father was a school teacher for many
years, and also followed the occupation of farming.
They both died in 1860. he in August and she in
February.
J. W. Rhodes is one of the more recent acquisi-
tions to the agricultural and mercantile interests
of Mississippi County, Ark., but he has already
been found to be one whose leading characteristics
are progr(>ssive and enterprising in their nature,
and thus of much worth to the people of this com-
munity. A native of Hines County, Miss. , liorn
near Vicksburg. he was only four years old when
his father (in 1857) removed with him to the "Lone
Star State." Here the latter died in 1866, his
wife and children, consisting of seven boys and
three daughters, removing to the State of Tennes-
see the following year. J. W. Rhodes resided at
home with his mother until sixteen years of age,
spending his boyhood days as other youths of the
community, and received a fair education in the
common schools. He then obtained a position with
Cunningham, Wicks & Malone, commission mer-
chants of Memphis, Tenn., with whom he remained
two years, then went to Bay Springs, Miss., and
worked as a book-keeper for J. M. Nelson & Co.,
for one year. He again returned to Memphis,
Tenn., and secured employment with the Charles-
ton & Memphis Railroad Company, where he kept
books, and afterward clerked on the river for the
Memphis & Osceola Packet Company, and was em-
ployed in this capacity on different steamboats of
that line for about four years. In 1876, he leased
the Crowell Landing for a term of five years, but
bought the landing in 1878. This was washed
away in the freshet of 1883, biit Mr. Rhodes soon
jiurchased thirty-seven acres of land, on which he
is now living, and established a landing called
Golden Lake, which took its name from the post-
office, which he had established, and of which he
has been postmaster since 1885. He first estaVi-
lished a store in 1883, at Crowell Landing, but
when the land began to be washed away at that
point, he moved his goods t)ack farther inland, to
his present location, where he and I''. .\. Norton
formed a partnership under the linn name of
Rhodes & Norton, which continued until tiieir es-
tablishment caught fire, and was consumed, Janu-
ary 22, 1888. Their loss was estimated, over and
above their insurance, which amounted to $2,000,
at $5,000. Directly after the fire. Mr. Rhodes
erected a substantial fi'ame building, 36x()0 feet,
on the site of the burnt building, and is now carry
ing one of the largest and most complete stocks of
goods in the county, valued at $5,000. He also
owns a fine cotton-gin, and is now replacing the
old machinery with the latest improved in the
market, its capacity being twenty-five bales per
day. He has iu bis plantation aliout 120 acres,
eighty five of which are under the i)low, and is
improved with good buildings, his residence being
an exceptionally tine one. His peach orchard is
also one of the l)est along the river. In the year
1877, he was united in marriage to Miss Clara M.
Pulliam, a daughter of E. Pnlliam, of Bartlett.
Tenn. Mrs. Rhodes is a lady of culture and re-
finement, and she and Mr. Rhodes are the parents
of the following children, two girls and two boys:
Ella Nelson, Lucy Pulliam, Joseph Wicks, Jr.,
and Charles Robert. A great deal of liusiness is
done at Golden Lake, Mr. Rhodes acting as agent
for the steamboats at that point. He is a mem-
ber of the K. of H. , and his wife is a njember of
the Methodist Church.
Leon Roussan. editor and publisher of the
Osceola Times (which he purchased in 1870). is a
gentleman of ciolture, of large general information,
and has proven himself to be a man of good judg-
ment in directing the editorial policy of his paper.
He was born in Ste. Genevieve, Mo., in 1838, and
was the second in a family of seven children l)orn
to Michael and Sophia (Janis) Roussan. Tlie
parents were natives of Missouri, but were descend-
ants of early French pioneers iu tliat section.
Leon Roussan attended the public and private
schools of his native town until sixteen years of
age, when he entered the newspaper office of the
Ste. Genevieve Plain Dealer, and there remained
one year. He then clerked in a store until 18(51,
when he enlisted in Company C, First Confederate
Battalion, and was assigned to Mississippi River
> ^>
^1
550
HISTOEY OF ABKANSAS.
division. He was in the siege of Island No. 10,
was there captured and taken to Johnson's Island,
Lake Erie, where he remained some six months,
and was then exchanged at Vicksburg. Later he
joined the Forty-second Tennessee Regiment, and
was elected lieutenant of Company C. He was in
the Georgia campaign, and was wounded at At-
lanta. After the close of the conflict Mr. Roussan
went to St. Louis, where he clerked for a year,
and then moved to Randolph, Tenn. , where he en-
gaged in commercial pursuits. In 1870 he came
to Osceola, and bought the paper which he now
conducts. The Times is one of the old and well-
established papers of this portion of the State, and
has ever exerted a potent influence in public af-
fairs and the general interests of Mississippi Coun-
ty— never more so than in late years, whilst under
the supervision of its present editor. It has a
good patronage, and commands the respect and
confidence of the entire reading public among
whom it circulates. At the incorporation of Osce-
ola, in 1872, Mr. Roussan was active in promoting
a harmonious organization, and was elected its
first mayor. Since then he has been justice of the
peace, and is at present county examiner. In 1879
his marriage was consummated with Miss Adah
L. Pettey, a native of the " Lone Star State." and
the daughter of Dr. F. M. Pettey. Mr. Roussan
is a member of the Masonic fraternity, Lodge No.
27, of Osceola, and is also a member of the Arkan-
sas Press Association.
Hon. L. D. Eozell. Every life has a history of
its own, and although in appearance it may seem to
possess little to distinguish it from others, yet the
political career and experience of Mr. Rozell, as
well as his connection with the agricultural and
stock raising affairs of this community, have con-
tributed to give him a wide and popular acquaint-
ance with nearly every citizen of Mississippi Coun-
ty, if not personally, then by name. He was born
in Davidson County, Tenn. , in 1836, and was the
second in a family of seven children born to Rev.
A. B. and Henrietta (Burnett) Rozell. The father
was an extensive farmer, and was also a well-known
and popular Methodist preacher in Middle Tennes-
see, where he died in 1886. The mother died in
I 1845. The paternal grandfather, Solomon Rozell,
I was a native of North Carolina, and was one of the
pioneers of West Tennessee, settling near Mem-
phis, which at that time was composed of less than
half a dozen huts. The maternal grandfather was
! a very early settler in Middle Tennessee, and both
families became well known in the localities where
they cast their lot. As L. D. Rozell was reared as
an agriculturist, it is but natural that he should
permanently adopt that calling as his life occupa-
tion, and he has always followed it. He attended
the common schools when a boy, and at his major-
ity engaged in tilling the soil for himself. In
1862 he enlisted in Company C, First Tennessee
Confederate Cavalry, and participated in the bat-
tles of Holly Springs, Spring Hill, Chickamauga,
Atlanta, Jonesboro, Franklin, Nashville and others.
In 1865 Mr. Rozell came to Mississippi County,
Ark., and settled on the river about ten miles
! above Osceola, on a tract of land purchased by his
father in 1855. In 1867 Miss Margaret Bowen
became his wife. She was born in Mississippi
County, and was the daughter of Reese Bowen,
who died in 1856, and was one of the earliest set-
tlers in this county. The year previous to his
j marriage Mr. Rozell purchased a tract of 100 acres
of partially improved land, to which be has since
added, until he now owns 1,200 acres of excel-
lent bottom soil, with 350 acres under cultivation.
He has erected good buildings, fences, etc., and is
now enjoying the result of his labor. He has a
good grade of stock mixed with Darham, and has
a fine bull for breeding purposes. He has taken
an active interest, politically, in the affairs of the
county, and has held many positions of public
trust. He was elected justice of the peace in 1868,
I and in 1871 represented his county in the Legis-
lature, to the satisfaction of his constituents and
the public in general. In 1886 he was elected
county judge, was re elected in 1888, and is hold-
ing that position at the present. He is active in
school matters, and has served as director for many
years. In all things that promise to contribute to
the good of this section the Judge may be counted
upon to take a leading part. By his marriage to
Miss Bowen, he became the father of eight chil-
drtMi. two of whom are deceased. Those living
(ire Ashley. William, Martha, Bascom, Lockey
and Shoemaker. Margaret aud Emma died in in-
fancy. The Judge is a member of Lodge No. 27,
A. F. & A. M.
A. A. Rounsaville. The occupation which this
gentleman now follows has received his attention
the greater part of his life, and it is Ijut the truth
to say that in it he is thoroughly posted and well-
informed, and his labors in this direction have con-
tributed very materially to the reputation Missis-
si [>pi County enjoys as a rich farming region.
Like many of the residents of the county he is a
Tennesseean by birth, having been born in 1839,
and was the eighth of eleven children born to
Clayborn and Elizabeth Rounsaville, who were
horn, reared and married in the State of Alabama,
and shortly after removed to Tennessee. In 1851
they resolved to move still farther to the west, and
accordingly settled in Mississippi County, Ark. ,
where they opened up a large section of land, on
which they spent the remaining years of their
lives, the father dying in ISHT, and the mother in
1854. From earliest youth A. A. Rounsaville has
been familiar with the duties of farm labor, and
up to the breaking out of the late war he was en-
gaged in following this occupation, aud in attend-
ing the old time subscription schools. He espoused
the cause of the Confederacy and joined Capt.
Fletcher's company, aud was a participant in the
battles of Shiloh and Farmington, but after the
latter battle was discharged from service on ac-
count of sickness, and returned home. In 1864 he
re-enlisted in Price's command, and accompanied
that general on his raid through Missouri, taking
an active part in all the battles of that campaign.
After his surrender at Shreveport, La., in 1865,
he returned to Mississippi County, Ark., where, un-
til liS()8, he was engaged in rafting and wood-
chopping. The three following years he farmed
the old family homestead, and in 1871 bought a
tract of forty acres, one mile east of Blythesville,
on which farm he has since built a commodious
and substantial dwelling house, and has reduced
twenty-five acres to cultivation and otherwise
added greatly to its improvement. He has pur-
chased forty more acres of land, and also is the
owner of some valuable town property. His lands
are fertile, and will produce one bale of cotton to
the acre, and forty bushels of corn. He also
gives considerable attention to the propagation of
a good grade of stock. He was married in 1868
to Mrs. Nancy Hudgins, formerly Miss Synclear.
H. T. Rounsaville is a brother of A. A. Roun-
saville, whose sketch appears above, and like his
brother, is careful and painstaking in the cultiva-
tion of his land, and thorough in everything con-
nected with its management. It is, perhaps, not
to be wondered at that he is meeting with success
in his chosen calling, for he has always attended
strictly to the details of farm work, and is one of
the intelligent and enterprising class of citizens
who would give life to any community in which
thej' might settle. His birth also occurred in Ten-
nessee, in the year 1842, he being the youngest
child living born to his parents, and up to the age
of twenty-one years his time was divided between
working on the farm and in attending school, where
he received a good practical education, and from
that time until he arrived at the age of thirty-one
years, he traveled about through thirteen different
States. After his return to th(< State of Arkansas,
in 1871, he purchased a small but exceedingly fer-
tile farm of forty acres, one mile east of Blythes-
ville. which was then heavily covered with timber,
and now has twenty-six acr(>s in a high state of
cultivation; has built good fences and made other
improvements, securing a pleasant and comforta-
ble home, which he is enjoying with his wife
(whose maiden name was Amanda Sawyer, and
whom he married in 1873) and his three children,
Margaret Ann, Franklin Monroe and Joel Alvin.
Mrs. Rounsaville is a daughter of William Sawyer,
a pioneer settler of this section.
Rucker Brothers. Nowhere in Mississippi
County, Ark. , are there to be found individuals of
more energy, determined will, or force of charac-
ter than these young men possess, aud no merchant
or agriculturist is deserving of greater success in
the conduct of his store or the management of
his farms than they. The firm comprises Albert
Ct. and Egbert E. Rucker, both of whom were born
— rf i'
552
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
in Lauderdale County, Term., the former's birth
occurring November 19, 1855, and the latter' s
December 1, 1856. Like most of tlie youths of
their county, as they grew up they devoted their
time and attention to farm life, receiving in the
meantime good common school educations. After
attaining his majority Albert engaged in farming
for himself, following this occupation until tv\renty-
eiglit years of age, when he engaged in commercial
business at Bartield, in connection with Egbert E. ,
who had been following that business ever since
attaining his majority, and succeeded Carr & Co.
On the 20th of November, 1888, they purchased a
tract of land, comprising eighty acres, of Z. T.
Williams, the most of which was under cultivation,
and about the same time they purchased forty
acres of J. \V. Buckner. In May, 1889, they
bought Kifl acres two miles west of Bartield, which
they intend improving and clearing at once. Their
stock of general merchandise is valued at about
$4,(100, and in connection with this work, which is
proving quite remunerative, they buy and ship cotton
and all farm products, and own a half interest in a
cotton-gin at Hickman's Bend. While engaged in
farming, Albert raised 4,500 bushels of corn on
seventy-two acres of land, at Hickman's Bend,
this crop only requiring his time and attention for
about sixty days, and shows the productiveness of
the soil at this point. In the vicinity of Bartield,
the cotton crop has averaged one bale to the acre
for the past five years. There are three saw-
mills within a radius of three miles from their
home, each having a capacity of 50,000 feet of
lumber per day, and this lumber is moslly shipped
from Rucker Brothers' landing. Bartield is the
best business point between the northern limits of
the county and Osceola, being the main shipping
station for Chickasawba, and last year 2, 500 bales
of cotton were shipped from that point. The
Rucker Brothers have acquired an enviable repu-
tation for safe, thorough, and reliable transactions
in the affairs of every day life, and have done
much to increase and extend the trade and intiu-
ence of Bartield. They are members of the Bap-
tist Church, and are men who have always endeav-
ored to follow the teachings of the golden rule,
and have gained the esteem and approbation of
their fellow men. Egbert was married, February
15, 1884, to Miss Florence Chambers, a native of
Tennessee, and is now tilling the duties of post-
master of Barfield, and prior to the year 1888,
held the office six years. Their parents. James
M. and Julia A. (Chadwickj Rucker, were born in
Virginia and Ohio, respectively, and while a yoving
man, the former moved to Tennessee, and after-
ward to Arkansas, his marriage taking place in
Mississippi County in 1847. They subsequently
made their home in Tennessee, where the father's
death occurred in 1879. His widow is still resid-
ing on the old homestead in that State.
Hon. J. F. Ruddell. Among the citizens of
Mississippi County, Ark., long and favorably iden-
tified with its social and business interests, is Mr.
Kuddell. whose biography will no doulit lie read
by old and young, for there is always an instinct-
ive curiosity to know the true and inner history of
men who have had such a close association with
the affairs of this county from primitive date. Ho
was born in Miami County, Ohio, in 1826, being
the fourth in a family of five children born to
Archibald and Ann (Neal) Ruddell, who were en-
gaged in following agricultural pursuits in the
" Buckeye State. " Later they removed to Boone
County, Ky. , where the father remained until his
death, in 1838. His widow afterward became the
worthy companion of Jordan Bass, and in 1836
emigrated to Arkansas, and died at the home of
our subject in 1873. J. F. Ruddell, brought up
to a knowledge of farm duties, very naturally chose
that occupation as his calling in life when it be
came necessary for him to select some permanent
industry, and the experience he has since had has
proven the wisdom of his judgment. He attended
the common schools until 1836, then made his
home in Kentucky with an uncle until 1840. after
which he worked as a farm hand for several years.
In 1843 he made a trip to Arkansas, Imt in 1847
located permanently at Osceola, Mississippi Conn
ty. where he ran a trading post on the river
for one year. In the fall of 1849 he came to
Chickasawba Township, entered eighty acres of
Government land, and after making many improve-
^1
'A^
MISSISSIPPI COUNTY.
55:5
nionts and living on this Iract for many ycM's. hi>
sold out and bought \W acres at Clear Lake.
Three years later he came to Blythesville, where
he now has 120 acres near the village, all under
cultivation, with fair building.s and a good small
orchard. The laud is very productive, and will
readily yield one bale of cotton to the acre. He
also owns eighty acres on Dogwood Ridge, twenty
being under the plow. When the Keliellion broke
out he joined Capt. Fletcher's company, which
was known as the Fletcher Rifles, and was in the
battle of Shiloh, where he was wouuded; was
captured at Murfreesboro, being afterward ex-
changed; Chickamauga and Decatur, Ala., where he
was again taken prisoner, and was kept in captivity
until the close of the war. After leaving the bat
tie field he returned home, and again took up the
implements of farm life. From 1854 to 1801 he
liUed the office of justice of the peace, and after
returning from the war was again tendered that
position, which he accepted. In IST-l he was
chosen to represent his county in the State legis-
lature, and served to the entire satisfaction of his
constituents for one term. At the present time he
is a member of the Tax Equalization Board, and
as he has always been an active advocate of schools,
he has served many years as school director. In
1850 he married Miss Nancy Mobely, a daugh-
ter of John Mobely, one of the old pioneers
of Mississippi County, who came here in 182(5
fi'om Missouri. Mrs. Ruddell died in 1862, leav-
ing five children, who are now also dead: John
T. , Louisa A. , Charles A. , Emily E. and Sarah E.
In 1867 he man-ied Amanda Mobely, a sister of
his first wife, but she. too, died leaving him again
a widower with two children to care for: Thomas
O. (deceased), and Martha A., who is attending
school at Lexington, Ky. Mr. Ruddell married
his present wife, who was Mrs. Margaret Walker,
in 1889. In 1888 he made a visit to relatives in
Kentucky, Indiana and Illinois, but saw no coun-
try that, in his estimation, was so desirable as
Mississippi County, Ark. , and here he is contented
to pass his declining years among his many tried
and true friends.
Elisha Sawyer. The father of <iur subject.
3S
Noah Sawyer, is well remembered by th(* early
citizens of this county as a man worthy the re-
spect and e.steem of all, and a short sketch of his
life will be interesting to his relatives and numer-
ous friends. He was born in North Carolina, and
went to Tennessee at an early day, being married
there to Miss Martha Henderson, also a native of
th(» ' ' Old North State. " They resided in the State
of their adoption until 1852, at that time coming
to Arkansas, and settling at Daniels' Point, on the
river, where they entered KiO acres of land, fifty
of which he cleared and ])ut under cultivation, and
made a comfortabl(> home until 1857. Ho then
sold out, but later bought a farm of 200 acres
on Long Lake, which at the time of his purchase
was a wilderness, and on this farm Elisha Sawver
cut the first cane for clearing. They soon had a
house erected, and here Mr. Sawyer lived until
1873, respected and esteemed by all who knew
him. In 1871 he bought 100 acres near what is
now Blythesville, and on this made his home un-
til 1878, when he quietly breathed his last. His
entire course through life had been one marked
with singular honesty and fidelity of purpose, and
to every charitable object he was a liberal contribu
tor, and was a man held in high esteem by all who
knew him. He held the office of justice of the
peace for a number of years, and when a mere boy
united with the Methodist Episcopal Church, and
lived up to its rules throughout his whole life.
He was a member of the Masonic fraternity. His
wife departed this life in 1865. Elisha Sawyer
attended the common schools for a short time,
learned the details of farm work on his father's
farm, and after the close of the Rebellion began
farming for himself. When the mutterings of
war began to be heard throughout the land, he
espoused the cause of the Confederacy, and joined
Capt. Fletcher's company, participating in the
battle of Shiloh, in which engagement he was
wounded three times. He was sent to the hospi-
tal, l)eing shortly after discharged, and returned
home. After farming with bis father for two
years, he bought a piece of land which he began
to improve, and in 1881 purchased a farm of 160
acres on Clear Lake, which he cleared, and made
his home until tlu" winter of 1889, when he moved
to his present pl.ice of abode. At the death of his
father he inherited one half of the old homestead,
amounting to 140 acres, and with what he has
purchased his lands comprise 500 acres, with 180
under the plow. He has a good orchard on his
old Clear Lake farm, and says his fruit is of choice
varieties. Miss Missouri A. Chisum, a native of
Tennessee, became his wife in 1804, and to them
were given two children, of whom one is dead —
Rebecca. Mi's. Sawyer and daughter are mem-
bers of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
William H. Scarboro. It is an undeniable
truth that the life of any man is of great benefit
to the community in which he resides, when all his
efforts are directed toward advancing its interests,
and who lives according to the highest principles
of what he conceives to be right, helping others,
and caring for those who are unable to do for them-
selves. Mr. Scarboro is one of these men. He
was born in Tennessee in 1856, being the third of I
eight children of Calvin R. and Mary J. (Hodges)
Scarboro, who were also Tennesseeans, where the
father carried on the business of a saddler and
farmer. He is still residing in that State, his home
being at Mifflin. William H. Scarboro received
the advantages of the common schools in his youth,
and was an intelligent and studious pupil. Al-
though he was reared a farmer's boy, he has never
given that occupation his attention until within the
last year, since which time he has entered upon
that calling with a perseverance that can not fail
of favorable results. At the age of twenty-one he
secured the United States mail contracts in Hen-
derson County, of which he was deputy sheriff and
constable for five years, and was married there Sep-
tember 30, 1879, to Miss Ada A. Clay, a native of
that State. In 1882, under the impression that he
could better his fortunes, he came to Arkansas,
settling at Blythesville, where he engaged as a clerk
for Richardson & Triplett, with whom he remained
until 1884, when he embarked in business on his
own responsibility, and successfully conducted a
general mercantile establishment for two years.
The two following years were spent at carpenter- ;
ino-. in the "Lone Star State," but in the winter
of 1888 he returned to Mississippi County, Ark.,
where he purchased a farm i-mbracing 280 acres of
land, and since that time has attended to his adopted
profession with care and perseverance, and is now
in possession of a competence which has more than
realized his most sanguine expectations. He is
one of thi> representative young men of the county,
and will, without doubt, be among the foremost
men of his times. He and wife became the parents
of four children: Nellie Lorance, Ellie Lee (de-
ceased), Willie Harris and Mary Ethel.
Samuel Spencer Semmes, eldest son of Adminil
Raphael and Ann E. (Spencer) Semmes, was liorn
in Cincinnati, Ohio, March 4, 1838. While a youth
he received his education at the Jesuit College
(Spring Hill), near Moliile, Ala., fi-om which in-
stitution he graduated in 1855. He was reared in
South Alabama, and was admitted to the bar in
Washington County, of that State, in 1859, sub-
sequently graduating at the law school in New Or-
leans, La., in 1860, in which city he was residing
and practicing his profession when the war broke
out. True to his convictions, he enlisted in the
Confederate service, as second lieutenant in the
First Regiment of Louisiana Infantry (regulars),
commanded by the late Gen. A. H. Gladden, and
was promoted to the rank of captain. He went
through the war under Gen. Bragg, in the Army
of the Tennessee, and was a participant in the bat-
tles of Shiloh, Murfreesboro, Chickamauga, Mis-
sionary Ridge, Atlanta, etc. At the close of the
war he engaged in agricultural pursuits in South
Alabama, and in the practice of law, which he con-
tinued imtil 1874; then he removed to Mississijipi
County, Ark., where he has since resided, occupied
in the practice of his profession. He was elected
county judge in 1882, and held the office one term.
Mr. Semmes was married to Miss Pauline Semmes,
a daughter of the late Gen, Paul J. Semmes. of
Columbus, Ga. (who was killed at the battle of
Gettysburg), in 1863, and the fruits of this union
are five children, three sons, Paul J. , Raphael and
Oliver, and two daughters, Mary and Anna. The
first two named are living in Osceola, Ark., and
Oliver is at Macon. Ga. , where he is studying for
the priesthood as a Jesuit. Mr. Semmes lost his
^
MISSISSIPPI COUNTY.
000
wifi' in 1S77, and his second marriage took place
inliSSI, to his present wife, who was originally
Miss Frances H. Morris, diuighl cr of the late Rev.
F. C. Morris, a Presbyterian minister of Osceola,
Ark. To this union were born three children:
Spencer, Frank Morris, and Catherine. Mr.
Semmes' homo, just outside the town of O.sceola,
is one of the most comfortable and attractive in
Northeast Arkansas, and is a tine example of what
can i)e accomplished in the way of ornament and
usefulness by a little taste and indu.stry. His
father was the late Admiral Raphael Semmes, of
Confederate fame, whose ancestors came to Ameri-
ca with Lord Baltimoi'e, and settled in Maryland.
Admiral Semmes entered the United States Navy
as a lad of fourteen, where he remained until he
resigned his commission, to take part in the late
war, in behalf of the Confederates. At that time
he was commander, and on duty at Washington
as a member of the lighthouse board. His career
as commander of the Confederate States steamers
' ■ Sumter ' ' and ' 'Alabama ' ' have already become
a matter of history. The mother of the subject of
this sketch is a daughter of the late Rev. Oliver
M. Sjiencer, of Cincinnati, Ohio, whose father re-
moved to that place as one of the pioneer settlers
from Elizabeth. N. J., in the latter part of the last
century. Mrs. Semmes (the mother) resides in
Mobile, Ala. Cai)t. Semmes is the eldest of six
children born to his parents. His eldest brother,
Oliver J. Semmes, and eldest sister, Mrs. Colston,
reside in Mobile, Ala. His next two sisters, Mrs.
Luke E. Wright and Mrs. Charles B. Bryan, and
youngest brother, Raphael Semmes, live in Mem-
phis, Tenn. It is not strange that during the years
of ('a]>t. Semmes' residence in Mississippi County,
he should have become one of its best known and
most valued citizens. Gifted by nature with an
indomitable spirit of perseverance, and a refined
taste, a thorough and complete collegiate education
expanded these, teaching him to see a beauty and
harmony in nature, while the study of law and the
practice of that profession illustrated by many
valuable examples the study of mankind. It was
with an education thus completed, and a fortune
shattered in the Civil War, as qualifications for
future usefulness, that ho turned his steps toward
Mississippi County. Here, amid an impoverished
pojmlation, and where strife and turmoil reigned
for many years, fortune was hard to win, and many
trials lay beside his path; yet, from the first, his
ability, moral courage, purity and truth of charac-
ter were recognized by all. His indomitable will
soon won him a leading place at the Osceola bar,
while his election to the office of county judge was
an unsought expression of the people's confidence
aad esteem. The economy in the administration
of the county affairs during his term of office, in
which time the court-house was erected under his
supervision, was the redeemed pledge of his faithful-
ness and care. Now, as the years are rolling by, a
glance at the home life of Capt. , or Judge, Semmes,
as he is familiarly called, would reveal a pleasant
cottage, which his horticultural tastes have literally
surrounded with ornamental plants and Howers, an
interesting family, presided over by Mrs. Semmes,
a lady of education, with many refined and pleasing
graces, happy children, whose merriment dashes
across the path of troubled life like sunshine through
the rift of drifting clouds. And so, amid an atmos-
phere of peace, respected and esteemed by all,
diligently pursuing his professional duties, while
perhaps finding greater pleasure during his leisure
hours in the cultivation of his garden, and the
adornment of his home, the subject of this sketch
(and of the accompanying ]>ortrait) passes his days,
receiving the well earned praises of his fellow
men.
Ra])hael Semmes, second son of S. S. Semmes
[see sketch], was born in Mobile, Ala. , in the year
1867, and is one of the promising young business
men of the county. Ho attended the public schools
of O ceola but a short time, and while still a small
boy secured employment in a baker's shop, at very
small pay, and there remained for six months. At
aliout sixteen years of age he went to Pecan Point,
where he engaged as clerk for L. A. Morris, and
continued in that capacity for one year. He then
came to Osceola, and worked with N. L. Avery as
clerk in a subordinate capacity, and at a small sal-
ary. His capabilities were recognized, and he was
advanced year by year, and in 1888 was admitted
556
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
in the business as a partner under the firm title of
N. L. Avery & Co. Mr. Semmes chose Miss Lulu
Sullivan for his companion during the chiingiug
scenes of life, and was united in marriage to her
on June 6, 1888. She was born in Mississippi
County, and is the daughter of one of the old set-
tlers of this county. This union has been blessed
by the birth of one child, Norman L. The fam-
ily are members of the Catholic Church. Mr.
Semmes' life, as may be seen, is an example of per-
severance, indiistry and energy; rising under unfa-
vorable circumstances as far as education and home
assistance are concerned, he has shown by his grad-
ual advancement, step by step, that he possesses
business capacity of an unusually high ordei-.
Now, as a partner in a large store, the future has
rich promises for him.
J. M. E. Sisk is a man well known to the early
settlers of Mississippi County, Ark., and is re-
spected for his straightforward course through life,
and beloved by all for his noble, Christian qualities
of mind and heart. His birth occurred in Jackson
County, Ala., in 1833, he being the third of eight
children born to Willis Sisk and Frances (Money)
Sisk, who were originally from North Carolina.
The father was a farmer and mechanic, and died
in Alabama in 1873, followed by his wife in 1886.
The knowledge that J. M. E. Sisk acquired was
only such as could be learned on the home farm,
for his school days only amounted to about thirteen
months. At the age of nineteen years he com-
menced a mercantile career in Tennessee, but one
year later abandoned this occupation to take up
farming in his native State, which received his
attention until 1856: Two years later he came to
Mississippi County, Ark., and settled in Chicka-
sawba Township, where he purchased eighty acres
of land, on which he erected a house, added other
improvements, and made his home until 1869, be-
ing one of the well-known and respected residents
of the community. At the latter date he purchased
another farm, which embraced 160 acres, which
bv industry and good management he soon made
into a pleasant home, but in 1882 he sold this farm
also. Since that time he has resided on a 140-
acre farm on North Chickasawba, where he has
erected good fences and a residence, and has one of
the best orchards in the county. In the spring of
188U he started a grocery store in Blythesville,
and by his agreeable and pleasant manners, and
fair dealing, he is securing a good patronage. He
entered the Confederate service in 1863, Capt.
Barton's company, and served in the Trans-Missis-
sippi Department, participating in the battle of
Helena. He was sent home in July, 1884, and did
not again enter the service. In 1875 he was ap
pointed constable of Chickasawba Township by the
Governor, and was afterward elected lo the office,
serving in all about nine years. He has also been
school director six years, and assisted in organizing
the school districts and churches. He was married
in 1858, while a resident of Alabama, to Miss
Nancy L. Temple, of that State, and to them have
been given the following children: James P., who
is married and lives in the county; Hiram W.,
also married and residing in St. Francis County;
John W., married and residing in Chickasitwba:
Jesse D., married and making his home in Osceola;
Evan W. , Benoni, Frances (widow of Thomas
Perry), Sarah (deceased), Susa (wife of B. J. Rook).
Charlotte, Roberta (deceased) and Alice. Seven
of the family are members of the Methodist Epis-
copal Church.
Carroll L. Smith. In the early settlemeut of
Arkansas, and among the families who were closely
identified with its material affairs and associated
with its progress and development, were the
Smiths. A respected representative of this family
is found in the subject of this sketch, who was born
in Tennessee in 1839, and in 1841 was brought to
Mississippi County, Ark., by his parents, James
M. and Edna (Jones) Smith, who were born, reared
and married in North Carolina, removing shortly
after the latter event to East Tennessee, and still
later to West Tennessee, and thence to Arkansas.
After coming to the latter State they resided for
nearly two years on Mill Bayou, where they landed
in 1845, and in 1847 removed to Clear Lake, set-
tling on a tract of 157 acres. At that time there
were only three families on the Lake, and there were
not more than twenty acres under cultivation. Mr.
Smith began at once to make imjirovements in the
way of clearing land and l)ailding, and made his
lioiun on this property until liis death, in 18(54, at
the age of fifty-three years; the mother expiring
the following year, aged about fifty-five years.
Like so many of the substantial citizens of this
county at the present time, he was initiated into
the mysteries of farming fi'om his earliest youth,
and to this calling he has since given his attention.
As there were no schools near his home until he
was twelve years of age, his early educational
advantages were very limited. When the mutter-
ings of war began to be heard throughout the land
he joined Capt. Fletcher's company, and was at
the battle of Shiloh when that captain was killed.
He also took part in the engagements at Mur-
freesboro, Chickamauga, Chattanooga, Missionary
Ridge, and in the Georgia campaign. He was cap-
tured at Franklin, Tenn. , and was kept a prisoner
until the close of the war, when he returned home
and resumed the peaceful pursuit of farming. In
1868 he sold the old homestead and bought his
present home farm of 160 acres, now owning in all
400 acres with 160 under the plow. On this place
he has a good residence and outbuildings, and near
the house is an extensive orchard of choice varieties
of frnit. He votes with the Democratic party, and
in the various affairs of the county he exerts an
influence which is felt by all, being particularly
active in supporting the cause of education. He
has been married three times, the first time in
October, 1860, to Miss Mary Ann Renfro. who
died in 1862, leaving one child, which also soon
died. He then remained a widower until 1870, at
which date he wedded Miss Mary E. Murry, a
native of Mississippi County, her death occurring
in 1883. Three children blessed this union: Will-
iam, Norah and Rebecca. In 1884 his marriage
to Miss Amanda Langley was consummated, and
by her he has also had three children: lona,
Albert Sidney Johnson and Grover Cleveland.
Mr. Smith has one of the finest places in the
county, and has surrounded his home with many
conveniences and comforts. His farm is rapidly
increasing in value under his able management,
and he is looked upon as one of the leading agri-
culturists of this section.
Thomas H. Starling, a gentleman who has won
the confidence and respect of his neighl)ors since
his arrival at Cross Bayou, was born in Columbia
County, Ark., in 1851, and is a farmer by occupa-
tion. He is the elde.st child of John W. and Sallie
Ann (Hood) Starling, natives of North Carolina and
Tennessee, respectively, who came to Arkansas at an
early period. The father was a prosperous farmtu-
until the outbreak of war, when he gave up his
home and family to take up the cause of the Con-
federacy. He fought gallantly in some of the
noted battles now portrayed in the pages of his
tory, until he received his discharge on account of
ill health. In 1863, he removed with his family to
the northern part of Missoiu'i, and remained there
until 1866; but thinking the outlook along the
Mississippi River more promising in which to re-
build his shattered fortune, he placed his family
and possessions on a flat-boat, and spent one year
on the river looking for a suitable location. He
finally settled in Mississippi County, where the
father and son togrether bought 100 acres of land
on Cross Bayou, in which place there were but
few settlers at that time, and immediately began
improving and cultivating his purchase. The
land was then in a wild state, but since then they
have added to it, and now have about 350 acres
cleared and fenced. Thomas owned fifty acres
himself, and in 1886, he bought his father's tract,
upon which there were about twenty acres under
cultivation. The land will easily average three-
quarters of a bale of cotton to the acre, and, in ad-
dition to this, he has forty head of tine cattle, and
pronounces this section to be a splendid cattle
range — a piece of information which may be of in-
terest to farmers in other portions of the State.
His first marriage was with Miss Sarah Ratton, of
this county, who lived but two years after their
union, and died without leaving any children.
His second wife, Mrs. Sarah Robinson, he married
in 1876. an amiable widow lady, who bore four
children: Jacob Wishy, Thomas Jefferson Will-
iam Cornelius and Jesse Brooks. Mrs. Star-
ling had three children liy her former marriage:
James Alfred, Mary L. and an infant, the two lat-
ter deceased. The family are members of the
Baptist Church, and Mr. Starling is a member
of the Agricultui'al Wheel. He has also served
two terms on the school board, and is a prominent
man in his section.
George W. Stewart. Of Hickman County, Ky. ,
nativity, Mr. Stewart, from the date of his birth,
in 1830, has resided either in Kentucky or in Ar-
kansas. Up to the age of fourteen, his days were
spent in his native State, but he was not favored
with much of an education. His father, Thomas
Stewart, was married, after growing up, to Miss
Nancy Jane Johnson, both of whom were Ken-
tuckians, and followed the occupation of farming
in their native State until their death, which oc-
curred when George W. was a small lad. In 1845,
the latter moved to Arkansas, and spent the first
year and a half on Island No. 30, after which he
came to Mississippi County, Ark. , and lived above
Osceola for a few years, engaged in the cord-wood
business. He was married in 1855, to Miss Mary
E. Boole, a native of Tennessee, and a daughter of
one of the old settlers of this county. After his
marriage, he came to Clear Lake, where he farmed
on rented land for a few years. At that time the
country was a wilderness, and Mr. Stewart had but
few neighbors. In 1871 he bought a farm of eighty
acres on Clear Lake, of which eighteen were under
cultivation, and shortly after bought nearly 180
acres more, and now has a tract of 100 acres under
cultivation. His land is favorably situated in a
good community, and under favorable circum-
stances, he can easily make a bale of cotton to the
acre, and from fifty to sixty bushels of corn. On
this farm are to be seen largo numbers of cattle, of
which he makes a specialty. His union with Miss
Boole has been blessed in the birth of seven chil-
dren: James, who died at the age of twenty-five
years; Virginia, who died in 1888; George, who
died in 1874; Sallie, wife of Jesse Deason; and
Robert, Lucy and Ollie, who reside with their
parents.
A. L. Tansil, a tri^e type of the progressive
farmer and enterprising merchant, was born in
Dyer County, Tenn., in 1845. He is the eldest
in a family of seven children born to John B. and
Nancy (Finly) Tansil, of Tennessee, where the
father was a well-known farmer who died in 1868,
the mother soon following him! In early youth
Mr. Tansil had few educational advantages, but
attended school for several years after the war.
On reaching maturity he began life as a farmer,
and though still following that occupation, he es-
tablished a store which was the first place of busi-
ness in what is now the thriving town of Finley,
Tenn. His business grew to considerable propor-
tions under his judicious management, and in ad-
dition to it he built a cotton-gin which gave an impe-
tus to the place, and soon the town of Finley grew
and became an active, busy trading center. In
1874, thinking to better his then prosperous con-
dition, and always on the lookout for more promis-
ing fields, he moved to the State of Missouri, and
from there to Texas, remaining, however, only one
year in the latter place, and then returned to Fin-
ley. Here he formed a partnership with an
uncle, A. Finley, under the firm name of A. Fin-
ley & Co., and continued in commercial life
under these conditions for two years, when his
spirit of independence prompted him to seek other
fields, and he again turned his attention to Texas.
In that State he did not find as favorable an open-
ing as he had hoped for, and believing that he had
passed over a better country on his way, he turned
backward and settled in Mississippi County, Ark.
Here he located on Mill Bayou, and commenced
farming with great success, and two years after
started the first Imsiness house at this point. He
started a small store, which, from the first, was
a pronounced success and grew rapidly from year
to year until the spring of 1885, when his in-
creased trade demanded larger quarters, and he
built an extensive store, filling it with a com-
plete and judiciously assorted stock of general
merchandise. The star of Mr. Tansil" s success
seemed to be shining the brightest at this period,
when, without any warning, the results of his
many years' patient toil and industry were swept
away by fire on the night of December 5, 1885.
His new store with its recently accumulated stock,
several bales of cotton, and a large crib containing
over 1,000 bushels of corn, were burned to the
ground. This misfortune rendered him almost
w ^
¥
-U ©
MISSISSIPPI COUNTY.
559
peiiiiiloss, iiad instead of starting in business again
at tills ]K)iiit, he removed with his family up the
White Kiver; but seeing no advantages to be de-
rived there that would equal his former home in
Mississippi County, he soon returned and settled
one mile south of Barfield, where he leased a cot-
ton gin and forty acres from the Williams estate;
and the same industry that characterized his early
days is now starting him on the road to foitune
again. In 1889 he bought 100 acres of good land
with about thirty acres under cultivation, and soon
after purchased forty acres of wild land, which he
will immediately put under cultivation also. He has
again commenced in business at Barlield, of which
he intends to allow his son Guy to take the manage-
ment, while he devotes the greater part of his time
to his cotton-gin and crops. On June 18, 1868,
Mr. Tansil was married to Miss Sarah H. Spence,
of Finley, Tenn., a daughter of George E. Spence,
whose father, ilai'k, was one of the pioneers of
Dyer County, that State, where he amassed a
large fortune. To this union were born eight chil-
dren: Belle, wife of J. H. Daniels; Annie; Min-
nie, who died in 1885; Guy, Dixon, Nannie, who
died in 1888; Frankie and Susie. Mr. Tansil is
certainly one of the self-made men of Mississippi
County. He is held in high esteem by his neigh-
bors, has served four terms as magistrate, takes an
active interest in all matters that promise to be
for the county's good, and in school affairs, and
is the possessor of a happy and interesting family.
G. W. Thomason is not only one of the most
successful and enterprising planters of Mississippi
County, but be is also a lawyer of thorough pre-
paratory training, both literary and professional.
His boyhood was passed in assisting on the farm
and attending school. He was studying at college
at the Ineakine out of the war, but he flung aside
his books to enter the Confederate Army, enlisting
when nineteen years of age in Company H, Fifth
Tennessee Volunteers, and was assigned to the
Western army. After participating in the de-
structive battle of Shiloh, he was transferred to the
Fifty second Tennessee Kegiment, and promoted
to the rank of third lieutenant. After this he par-
ticipated in the battles of Perryville, Murfreesboro,
and then in that most disastrous battle at Franklin,
Tenn. Just jH'evious to this battle he was pro-
moted to captain, his command being fragments of
five regiments, and was the only officer left of that
company. He was captured during that engage
ment, and was sent to Johnson's Island, where he
remained for about seven months. After his re-
lease, the war being over, he returned to his
brother' s law office at Paris, Tenn. , and began the
.study of law. He remained in that city until 1808,
when he was admitted to the bar in that place,
but soon afterward left for Dyersl)urg, where he
remained one year, engaged in the practice of his
profession. On the 5th of April, 1869, he came
to Osceola, Mississippi County, Ark., and here re-
sumed his practice. As a lawyer Mr. Thomason
possesses solid, substantial talent, and is a man
who will succeed under any and all circumstances.
His practice is steadily and substantially increas-
ing, and covers a wide extent of territory. In
1871 he was united in marriage to Mrs. C. J. Josey,
wee Borum, a native of Kentucky. She died on
the 31st of May, 1887, leaving one child, a daugh-
ter, Lola Maud. He is active, politically, and
votes with the Democratic party. He was the
fifth of nine children born to Richard Lee and
Elizabeth (Smith) Thomason, natives of North
Carolina. The father's people were pioneers in
Tennessee, and there the father cultivated the soil
and passed his last days.
H. D. Tomlinson owes his nativity to Fort Don-
elson, Tenn. , where he was born in 1859, his parents
being Uriah Douglas and Mattie (Outlaw) Tom-
linson, who were also Tennesseeans. The latter is
dead, but the father is still living, and resides near
Clarksville. After his mother's death, which oc-
curred when he was about fifteen years of age, H.
D. Tomlinson began making his home with an
uncle, J. J. Tomlinson, at Canton, Ky., where he
remained until nineteen years of age; then went to
Memphis, Tenn. (in 1879), and engaged as clerk
with the Lee line of steamers, remaining in this
capacity on these boats until 1SS3, at which date
he became accjuainted with Miss Mary Matthews,
a daughter of Capt. Daniel Matthews, and their
marriage was consummated on the 31st of May,
560
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
1883. The following November tJiey settled ia
Osceola, since whicL time Mr. Tomlinson has con-
ducted hi.s father-in law's plantation in so satisfac-
tory a manner that he is realizing a handsome profit
thereby. He and wife are the parents of two chil-
dren: Beulah Patience and Daniel Douglas. Mr.
Tomlinson is a member of Lodge No. 27, of the
A. F. & A. M., at Osceola. As stated elsewhere,
Mrs. Tomlinson' s father, Capt. Daniel Matthews,
was one of the bi^st and most favorably known in-
dividuals in Mississippi County, prominently con-
nected with the farming interests of this region
over a long period of years. A personal acquaint-
ance with nearly every citizen of the difPerent
townships in this county tended to make him
very popular, for he lived an honest, upright life
in the sight of his fellow men. After reachino-
manhood he was united in the bonds of matrimony
to Miss Mary Young, whose mother was Elizabeth
Young, of Hickman's Bend, Mississippi County.
Ark. , which town was washeii away in the flood of
1883, and, for a number of subsequent years, her
father ran a merchant's boat on the river. Upon
selling out, he embarked in business in Osceola,
having previously anchored his boat at the landing
known as the Stone Boat Landing, and purchased a
fine farm of 162 acres, nearly all of which was
under cultivation at that time. The purchase was
made about the year 1856, and the farm was just
west of the town, and now comprises a tract 550
acres of which are under the plow. It is managed
by his son-in-law, Mr. Tomlinson, who rents out
a portion of the land. Seventy-five people, black
and white, are employed to keep the place in good
farming condition, and the average yield of cotton
to the acre is about three-fourths of a bale. Ten
acres are also devoted to raising timothy hay and clo-
ver, which will average about three tons of cured hay
per acre. Off of one acre of ground has recently
been gathered 150 bushels of potatoes. Capt.
Matthews died May 2, 1884; his death left a void
in the hearts of all impossible to fill, for he was a
man above most men, and one esteemed for his
sincere worth.
Samuel S. Triplett, whose life has been an act-
ive one, and who has by his own industry and intelli-
gent management secured a substantial footing
among the citizens of this community, was born
in Frankfort, Ky., in 1856, being the fifth in a
family of seven children. His parents, George
W. and Mary E. (Spotts) Triplett, were born in
Kentucky and Alabama, respectively, and were
married in Frankfort, in the former State. The
father was a noted river man, and was a well-
known steamboat captain for many years on the
Kentucky and Ohio Rivers. His death occurred
at Atlanta, Ga., in 1867, his widow dying in Ar-
kansas, in 1883, while on a visit to her son, Sam-
uel S. During the latter' s youth he attended
school in the neighborhood of his home, but at the
age of fourteen years, he began making his home
with an uncle, who was a tiller of the soil, and
when the latter removed with his family to St.
Joseph, Mo., he accompanied him. In this State
he was engaged in clerking with vari9us firms for
a period of three years, and in 1877 he came to
Arkansas, and settled in Chickasawba Township,
where he worked as a farm hand for H. T. Blvthe,
for about one year, then embarked in the business
for himself on rented land. After continuing thus
employed for some time, he entered the mercan-
tile store of J. L. Edrington, as clerk, securing at
the end of one year an interest in the business,
the firm taking the name of Edrington, Triplett &
Co., which partnership continued for two years.
He then became associated in business with Z. W.
Richardson for a short time, but during these
years had been engaged in the occupation of farm-
ing, to which he began devoting his entire atten-
tion in the year 1884, continuing until 1887, when
he resumed his mercantile career again, only to
abandon it in the fall of the following year, selling
out to N. L. Avery & Co. However, he has since
been associated with the above firm in the capa-
city of clerk. In 1885 he purchased a tract of
wild land amounting to 120 acres, and of this he
cleared forty acres, which is now under cultivation.
the soil being very fertile, and the whole tract till
able. The place is improved with a good house
and other buildings, and in addition to this, he has
since purchased 500 acres of laud. His wife,
whom he married in 1885, and whose maiden nam."
UriSSISSIPPI COUNTY.
r)f)i
was Kittie Snow, inherited 800 acres of land from
her father's estate, of which 130 are being tilled.
Mr. and Mrs. Triplett are the parents of a son
named Blythe. Mr. Triplett is not an active poli-
tician, but in 1S88 was elected one of the levee
commissioners. Mrs. Triplett' s father, John M. .
Snow, was a pioneer of Mississippi County, and
had a landing on the river known as Snow' s Land
ing, which was situated a short distance above
Barfield. Iii 1882 he came to BIythesville and re- j
sumed merchandising, which calling he pursued '
until his death, in December, 1884, ho being the
oldest merchant in the county at that time, and
was one of its best known and most highly respect-
ed citizens.
T. E. Turner. Within the limits of Missis-
sippi County, there is no more successful planter
to be found than Mr. Turner, who is thoroughly
identified with the farming interests of the same.
His birth occurred six miles east of Brownsville,
Haywood County, Tenn., and he is the son of Ed-
ward N. Turner, who came with his father, Gerry
Turner, a native of North Carolina, to Haywood
County, Tenn., at an early date. Here Edward
N. Turner chose, for his life companion. Miss Caro-
line Cpckrum, the mother of T. E. Turner. The
latter remained with his parents until nineteen
years of age, and received a common- school edu-
cation. His father, being one of the wealtliy plant-
ers, wished to give his son an excellent education,
but the latter was of a different mind, and was
married instead to Miss Almeda Barham, of Mc-
Nairy County, Tenn. Gf the seven interesting
children born to this marriage five died in infan-
cy, and two are now living: James Lee and John
Edward, both of whom are living on Buffalo Island,
with their grandmother, Mrs. Barham. In 1885
Mrs. Turner was riding in a wagon with her
mother and brother, the latter driving; the brother
was accidentall}' thrown from a spring seat, which
so frightened the spirited team, that they ran
away, throwing Mrs. Turner and her mother to
the gi'ound. Jlrs. Turner received injuiies from
which she died, after having suffered fourteen days.
The boy had his arm broken, and Mrs. Barham
received injuries from which she will never re-
cover. Mr. Turner, whose standing as a success-
ful planter and a much esteemed and respected
citizen, is well established in the county, is now
principally engaged in the raising of cotton.
He has rented 150 acres of the Cissell place, about
six miles southwest of Gsceola, and employs from
ten to twenty hands. In a good year he raises
over a bale of cotton to the acre, and at an expense
of about 10 to the acre. He is a member of the
K. of H., located at Osceola, and is also a mem-
ber of the A. G. TJ. W. of the same place.
John W. tlzzell. Among the many estimable
citizens of Mississippi County, Ark., who have
passed to their long home, but who, from an early
day, were intimately and prominently associated
with the county's development, the name of John
W. Uzzell can not be omitted. He was born in
Columbia, Tenn., and is the son of Elisha and
grandson of Thomas TJzzell, who commanded
a vessel in Gen. Lafayette's fleet when coming to
the succor of Gen. Washington during the Revolu-
tionary War. After that war Thomas Uzzell set-
tled in Isle of Wight County, Va., where he se-
cured a large tract of land, married, and became
the father of two childi-en, a son and a daughter.
The family all died with the exception of Elisha,
the son, who inherited the property. The father
had emancij)ated all his slaves before he died, and
after Elisha came into possession of the property
he sold it, and moved to Columbia, Tenn., where
he remained until 1859. He then went to live with
his son, John W. Uzzell. in Mississippi County,
Ark., and died there in 1864 at the age of eighty
four years. John W. Uzzell was married in 1859
to Miss L. T. Evans, daughter of George H.
Evans, who was the nephew of Gen. Tipton, for
whom Tipton County, Tenn., was named. Jesse
Evans, father of George H. Evans, came in the
canebrakes from Tipton County, Tenn., to Missis-
sippi County. Ark., about the year 1841, and
brought only his servants with him at that time.
He opened a small tract of land where the widow
of George H. Evans now lives, and there died in
1844. At that time his son, George H. Evans, who
was living in Tipton County, Tenn., in order to
hold his place, moved his family on it, while
^
5G2
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
be went to Helena to prove up, which he did
the same winter. Mrs. Uzzell, whose memory is
very good, remembers the first meeting she ever
attended in the ueighliorhood, her fatlier and the
preacher being the only men in the congregation
who wore coats, all the rest, and there was a house
full, wearing hunting jackets, and all carried guns.
Upon entering the chm-ch they would dejjosit
their guns in a corner behind the preacher. The
men also carried side-arms, generally knives, and
were prepared for all emergencies. On coming to
Arkansas in 1844, the family came in a barouche,
and on the trip from the river over to her grand-
father's Mrs. Uzzell r(fmembers that th(>re was but
one opening from the river ferry to the farm, a
distance of twelve miles. The cane on each side
of the road was so high that it would form an arch
over the top of the barouche. In 1859 they selected
the spot where Mrs. Uzzell' s house now stands to
erect a bailding, and in choosing a spot to dig the
well, which they wanted a certain distance from
the road, they were oljliged to stand Mrs. Uzzell in
the saddle on the back of a gentle horse to make
an object for her father to go by, on account of the
cane. The place is now one of the pleasantest and
most desirable to be found in the county, and the
velvety lawn and brilliant beds of flowers attract
the eyes of all beholders. In the rear of this
stands the large double log-house. Back of the
house is a large cistern which will hold 500 barrels,
and there is also a good well. Mrs. Uzzell owns
now, with her family, about 2,000 acres of land,
with about 300 acres under cultivation, and keeps
about ten families on the place. They raise nearly
three-fourths of a bale of cotton to the acre, al-
though they sometimes run more than a bale to the
acre. To the marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Uzzell were
born ten children, nine of whom are living at the
present. The father of these children died in 1884.
He was a member of Lodge No. 27, A. F. & A. M. ,
of Osceola, Ark.
George Walker. As might naturally be ex-
pected, mention is made in the jiresent work of
many citizens of Missii-sippi County, Ark., now
prominent in their different callings, who were
born in the county, and whose homes have always
been here. Mr. Walker is one of these, and his
experience refers to the agricultural interests of
the county. He was born in 1850, and was the
fourth in a family of seven children born to John
and Sarah AValker, nee Chadwick, both of whom,
with their parents, were early pioneers of this por-
tion of Arkansas. The father was engaged in fur-
trading with the Indians during the primitive
period of the county's history, but later embarked
in cutting and selling cord-wood, which enterprise
he continued to make his chief calling until the
breaking out of the Rebellion. From that period
until 1862 he settled on a farm in Chickasawba
Township, which place continued to be his home
until his death, in 1875. George Walker has
given farming his time and attention from <>arly
boyhood, and in this work has met with substan-
tial results. His first purchase of land was made
when twenty one years of age, and comj)rised a
tract of thirty-foiir acres, one mile west of Blythes-
villc; but in 1881 he made a piu'chase of forty
acres, about the same distance ea.st of th(> town.
His home property is well improved with excellent
buildings (his residence being erected in 1885), or-
chards, etc., and during all these years, in addi-
tion to managing his land, he has been in the tim-
ber business, rafting this product down the river,
which business he is now engaored in. Helen, a
daughter of William Buckner, an old pioneer of
the county, became the wife of Mr. Walker when
he was about twenty-one years of age, but only
lived about one year after marriage, giving liirth
to a son, James B. , now aged sixteen. His second
marriage took place in 1876, and was to Miss
Emma Thompson, of Mississippi County, Ark., a
daughter of William Thompson, also a pioneer of
the coiuity, who was killed during the lat(» war, in
the battle of Shiloh. Mr. Walker is a member of
Chickasawba Lodge No. 134, of the F. & A. M.,
and he and his wife are the parents of an inter-
esting little family of three children, whose names
are as follows: Cora, Charles and Sarab.
Luther Walker is recognized as one of the pros-
perous agriculturists of this region, where he was
born in 1855. His grandfather, Hardiman Walk
er, was one of the earl}' pioneers of Missouri, and
MISSISSIPPI COUNTY.
r.fi:}
was residing near Cotton Plant, in that Stat(\ dur-
ing the earthquakes of ISll. His son, John
Walker, was born in the State of Virginia, and at
the age of about fifteen years began to hunt and
trap in the woods of Missouri, and until about twen-
ty-five years of age, followed this occupation for
his father, having under his management several
Indians, who were expert trappers and hunters.
At the above mentioned age, he was married to
Miss Sarah Chadwick, who was born in Ohio, and
moved to Hickman Bend, where he settled on some
land and began farming in a limited way, being
also engaged in operating a wood-yard until 1861,
at which date he removed to Chickasawba Town-
ship, and bought 160 acres near where Blythes-
ville is now situated. On this tract he made some
valuable improvements, in the way of buildings, and
here resided until his death, in 1876, his wife hav-
ing died in ISOO. They were the parents of eight
children, of whom Luther is the fifth, and after his
father's removal to Chickasawba Township, he
went to Illinois, and made his home with an uncle
for ten years. During this period his time was
employed in assisting at farm labor, and in attend-
ing school; he also traveled some through Iowa
and Minnesota, with his relatives, but upon the
settlement of his uncle in Northwest Missouri, he
returned to his father's home in Arkansas, and the
same year made a crop on his father's plantation.
The next year he came down the river and rented
laud above Barfi^ld, on which he lived until 1882,
then went to Blythesville and purchased a lot, and
built a house in the village. In 1888 he purchased
a tract of land comprising sixty-six acres, on which
he cleared fifteen acres and resided until three
years ago, since which time he has resided in Bar-
field. He now has 320 acres, with 100 under cul-
tivation, which will yield a bale of cotton to the
acie. The dwelling house is in excellent condi-
tion, and near it is a fine apple and peach orchard.
His marriage lo Mi.ss Bell Buckner was celebrated
in 1874, but she died the following year, and in
1878, he wedded Kittie Buckner, a sister of his first
wife, and a daughter of Bill Buckner, an old pio-
neer of this section. The last union has resulted
in the birth of four children: Billie, Maud, Lizzie.
and Berde Jesamine. Mr. Walker has always
been a patron of education, and is now serving as
school director.
AVilliam \V. AN'ard, an extensive stock raiser
and farmer, was born in Tennessee in 1836. He
was the fourth in a family of five children, and is
the son of William L. Ward, of Kentucky, who
first settled in Tennessee, and in 1831 moved to
Mississippi County, Ark., where he started a large
wood-yard and cultivated a farm. The father,
meeting with good success and making a great
many improvements on his farm, after a few years'
residence sent for his family, and proceeded to
make their future home in this county. His farm
in Canadian Township was, at that time, one of
the finest on the river, and he resided on this
place until hi.s death, in 1851, his estimable wife
following him in the year 1881, at the age of
eighty-two years. William W. Ward attended
Parker's Academy at Richmond, Ohio, in his
youthful days, which was then one of the best in-
stitutions of learning in Ohio, accessible to both
sexes, and where Mr. Ward' s two sisters were also
educated. After the father's death he took charge
of the farm, which he has operated ever since, and
may be called a general farmer, as ho aims to pro-
duce a variety of crops, and has been very success-
ful in that desire. In addition to his farm, which
consists of sixty acres under a tine state of cultiva-
tion, he also deals in stock, and owns a herd of
fine cattle and hogs. At one time the river
threatened to absorb a good portion of his farm,
but at present it has changed, and is tilling and
adding a number of acres to the place instead.
The elder Ward during his life was an active man
in politics and a brilliant speaker. He was several
times elected and held various offices in this
county, being at different periods justice of the
peace, county judge and representative, but his
son William does not seem to follow his father's
footsteps in that direction, and takes little interest
in politics, although at one time he served iis mag
istrate in his county. He is alive to the interests
of Mississippi County, and is active in promoting
its welfare by enterprise and good citizenship.
W. P. West. This name carries with it an
564
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
essence of fortitude and courage, aud the owuer
of it is a man who has gone through the dangers
of war and the vexations of after-life, and come
out triumphant at the end. He is a planter near
Pecan Point, and was born in 1839 at Selma, Ala.
He was the oldest child born to John and Louisa
(McLean) West, the father being a well known
planter and merchant in Alabama, and the grand-
father one of the pioneers of Dallas County,
Ala. Mr. West remained at home and attended
school until his twentieth year. At the outbreak
of the war he entered the Confederate army and
enlisted in Company A, Fourth Infantry, and was
assigned to duty in Virginia. At Manassas his
regiment had the honor of supporting Gen. Jack-
son, when the remark was made that gave that gen-
eral the soubriquet of ' ' Stonewall, ' ' and made him
famous in history, namely; "There stands Jack-
sou and the Virginians like a stone wall." Mr.
West was badly wounded at this battle, and
unable to fight any longer. Conseqiiently he was
discharged and returned home to recover. In
October of the same year he re-enlisted, becoming
a member of Compan}^ E, Seventeenth Alabama
Regiment, and was assigned to the Western army
under Gen. Albert Sidney Johnston. He took part
in the battle of Shiloh, and was again severely
wounded and sent home to recuj)erate, but though
on the brink of death in two instances, it did not
damjjen his ardor for battle in the least, and he
joined the army a third time, entering into the
ranks of the Twenty-fourth Alabama Battalion as a
lieutenant of cavalry, and taking part in the battles
of Resaca, Ga. , Kenesaw Mountain, New Hope
Church, Peach Tree Creek, Jonesboro, and in
an almost innumerable number of minor engage-
ments. His bravery won for him the rank of
adjutant-general of his brigade, and at the cessa-
tion of war he was surrendered by Gen. Lee at
Columbia, S. C. After peace had been estab-
lished he returned to his home in Autauga County,
Ala., where he was engaged in planting and farm-
ing for five years. On the 14th of April, 1861, he
was married to Miss Bettie Zeigler, who died in
1865, and left one son, William McLean, now a
contractor on the Georgia Pacific Railroad. His
second wife was Miss Laura Hoffman, of Alabama,
whom he married on the 11th of October, 1868,
but after a short and happy married life of nine
months this lady died. In 1869 Mr. W'est moved
to the State of Mississippi, and settled on the
Yazoo River, where he met and was married to Miss
Matilda Booth, of Mississippi, a daughter of Will-
iam Booth, who built the first frame house on the
Yazoo River above Yazoo City. Mr. Booth was
also one of the projectors of the Mi.ssissippi Central
Railroad, and after its completion was for several
years a director of that road, and one of the most pop
ular railroad men in the South. He held the office
of sheriff of Carroll County a number of terms, and
was also representative from that county, and later
on State senator. Mr. Booth came originally from
New York State to Mississippi, in 1818, and was
one of its most influential and valued citizens for
many years. Capt. West left the Yazoo River in
1880, aud moved to Coahoma County, where he
bought a plantation of 1,800 acres, and placed 1150
acres under cultivation, besides making a great many
improvements. In 1886 he sold out his place and
came to Mississippi County, Ark. , settling at Pecan
Point, where he farmed on rented land for one
year, and then moved to Phillips County. After a
short residence in the latter place, he returned to
this county and bought 600 acres of land, which
he is now clearing, and expects to have 500 acres
under cultivation next year. The Captain is very
striking in appearance, and would not fail to be
noticed in any company. He is six feet tall, hearty
and robust, and carries with him that courteous,
pleasing addi'ess, that is always evident iu the true
Southern gentleman. He has not escaped his full
share of misfortune, and on one occasion he was
almost ruined by the Yazoo River floods, being
compelled to sell a fine plantation in Le Flore
County, Miss., in order to obtain a fresh start.
But he possesses that spirit of enterprise and an
indomitable will that are steadily overcoming all
obstacles, and carving a fortune out of the green
woods of Mississippi County. Capt. West has but
recently purchased his land, but on every side
men are at work clearing away the timber, and
erecting buildings for the crop of 1890. He will
^
^^
. 7C, /^ eyi>^yCrzi/
Lawrence County, Arkansas
MISSISSIPPI COUNTY.
'my
erect a iiue dwelling for bimself on an elevated
site near the river bank, with a grove of noble trees
to make a natural park, and expects to have one of
the most comfortable homes on the Mississippi
River. His present crop of 300 acres of cotton
has been well cultivated, and shows the watchful
eye of a man who has made cotton -planting the
business of his life. Mr. and Mrs. West are the
parents of seven children, three of them having
died in infancy: Henry, Minnie and Robert; and
those still living are Ludie, Ida, Robert and Mary.
He has an interesting family, in which he takes
great pride, and wants nothing to complete his hap
piness, unless it is to have his two daughters, who
are attending school in Kentucky, by his side at
home. Capt. West is a member of the K. of O.,
and Mrs. West, a devout Christian lady, attends
the Presbyterian Church.
O. S. Wigley, who stands in the front rank of
Mississippi County's prominent farmers, was born
at Atlanta, CJa., in 1847. His parents were George
W. and Mahala (Kyle) Wigley, of that State, where
the mother died in 1854. The father married
again, in 1856, and in 1859 moved to the State of
Arkansas, settling in what is now Cross County.
He began farming in this locality until 1865, when
he moved to Mississippi County, and remained
there until his death, in 1872. George W. Wigley
attained a high degree of popularity wherever he
made his home, and at the time of his death, was
one of the most substantial citizens of Mississippi
County. O. S. Wigley remained at home until
the first outbreak of war, and as the tales of battle
came to his home, his bosom was fired with the
ambitions and longings indulged in by every triie
soldier. He enlisted in Dobbin's regiment, and
took part in many a hot skirmish and gallant
charge, and also accompanied Gen. Price in his
noted raids through Missoiui. He can relate many
an incident of these dark and bloody times, which
thrills the ears of his listeners, and would fill a vol
ume. Mr. Wigley returned to Arkansas with Gen.
Fagin, and surrendered in April, 1865. He then
went home, and joined his father in moving to
Mississippi County, Ark., and for awhile was en-
gaged with him in farming. In 1869 he was mar
ried to Miss Savauah Bennett, of Tennessee, a
daughter of Capt. B. F. Bennett, a prominent
planter and merchant, who met his death from
being kicked by a savage horse. After his marriage
Mr. Wigley was retained by his f.ither-in-law as
ovi>rseer, and remained with him in that capacity
for (>ight years. He then rented land and farmed
for five years, aft(»r which he bought a farm neai'
Pecan Point, and after improving it, sold the land
to R. W. Friend. In 1886 he moved to his pres-
ent residence, where he farms some 170 acres,
and this year has had about 185 acres in crops.
Mr. Wigley farms on purely scientific principles;
he makes a study of it, and the crops he produces
are among the finest in Mississippi County. He
is also engaged, quite extensively, in stock raising,
and has made a success of that business by jjrop-
erly feeding his stock, and taking good care of them.
To the union of Mr. and Mrs. Wigley were born
seven children: Florida Ann (wife of Charles
Bell), Mamie Frances (wife of Johnson St. Clair),
Georgie Franklin, Walter (who died in infancy),
as did Oliver and two others, unnamed before their
deaths. Mr. Wigley has lately joined the Melli
odist Episcopal Church, and has always held the
esteem of his fellow-citizens.
John W. Williams, the son of William Will-
iams and Sallie Philips, was born in the county
of David.son and State of Tennessee, in the year
1821. He immigrated to, and settled in. the good
County of Mississippi, State of Arkansas, in 1841),
subsequently being married to Anna Fletcher, eld-
est daughter of Elliott H. Fletcher and Frances
Hickman, in the year 1858. By this marriage,
and at this time of writing, there are three living
children: Susan F. , Elliot and Sallie P. He now
resides on his farm, one mile above Elmot, h'ont-
ing on the Mississippi River.
James H. Williams. The entire life of Mr.
Williams has been one unmarked by any unusual
occurrence outside of the chosen channels to which
he has so diligently and attentiveh- given his time
and attention. A native of the State of Tennessee
(born near Nashville in 1826), he has given his at-
tention to tilling the soil, and the manner in which
he has acquired his present estate denotes him to
1
:^(>(\
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
bp an energetic, successful agriculturist. His early
scholastic advantages were received in bis native
State, and, after attending the common schools, he
entered a college in that State, which he attended
niitil twenty years of age, after which he engaged
in the lumber business in the city of Nashville.
His wife was formerly Miss Mary E. Finley, of
Lebanon, Teun., whom he married in LS-IT, she
being a sister of Jesse J. Fink'y, a United States
senator from Florida. After making several an-
nual trips to Mississippi County, Ark., he settled
here in 1849, and on the first of January of the
following year he took possession of a tine tract of
land, comprising 480 acres, situated about four
and a half miles north of Osceola. It was at that
time covered b}' a dense cauebrake, with the ex-
ception of twenty acres which were cleared, and
here Mr. Williams entered actively upon his work,
and his career since that time has been marked by
industry and strict attention to his calling. He
has 100 acres under cultivation, and in'addition to
this property has KiO acres of cleared land on Big
Lake. In ISSO he erected a tine residence on his
estate, which is now one of the pleasantest homes
in this section of the country; and everything
about his home indicates the enterprise and thrift
which have ever characterized his efforts. He has
always taken an active interest in the develojiment
and improvement of Mississippi County, and has
also been quite an active politician. In 1856 he
was chosen justice of his township, and in 1876
was elected to represent his county in the State
legislature, having filled, since completing his
term of service, the offices of school director and
justice of the peace. Mr. Williams' wife departed
this life in 1858, leaving a family of four children:
William F. , married to Miss Kizer; Sallie, wife of
N. G. Cartwright, of Osceola; Alice, wife of F. M.
Moseley, of Blythesville, and Katie, wife of Ben.
H. Bacchus, a druggist of Osceola. In 1861 Mr.
Williams married his second wife, Miss Nellie
Heath, of Illinois, who died in 1872, leaving four
children: Edward H., who is married to a Miss
Dunn, of Florida, and is a merchant of Elmot;
Henry E. , who is superintendent of Goodrich Iron
Works, belonging to James C. Warner; Zerlena
W. and Maggie. Miss Mary Dunkle, of Missouri,
became Mr. Williams' third wife, but died the
third year of her marriage. He wedded his pres-
ent wife in 1882, she being a Mrs. Sarah A. Dun-
navant, wee Alexander, of Crockett County, Tenn.,
widow of Leonard Dunnavant. Mrs. Williams was
the mother of three children by her first marriage,
who are as follows: Robert, a pilot on the Missis-
sippi River; Reid and Lillie, all of whom make
their home with Mr. Williams. His wif^ belongs
to the Cumberland Presbyterian (Jhuroh, and he
to the Presbyterian. He is also a member of
Lodge No. 27, A. F. & A. M., of Osceola. He
was the seventh of a family of cbildi'en born to
Josiah F. and Margaret (Phillips) AVilliams, the
former a planter of Tennessee, who purchased, in
1837, a large tract of land in the southern part of
Mississippi County, Ark. , which he conducted for
abovrt eight years, then selling out to Mr. Lanier
in 1843. Mr. and Mrs. Josiah F. Williams were
very fortunate in the growing-up of their children,
twelve of whom grew to manhood and womanhood.
The three eldest daughters married Ewings (three
brothers), jirominent men. The fourth daughter
married Dr. Henry Whitaker; the fifth married
Mr. I. C. Warner, the great "Iron King of the
South;'' the sixth married Mr. John A. Dunkin,
a wholesale merchant, of Nashville, Tenn, ; the
seventh married Dr. Kennedy, of Chattanooga.
One granddaughter married Mr. Henry Watterson,
editor of the Courier Journal, of Louisville. The
sons were all good men, and married well. Mrs.
Williams died near Nashville, in the year 1845.
Mr. J. F. Williams died at the same place, in the
year 1852, having been a great sufferer for five
years with cancer in his eye. He left a noble
record for his family.
Edward H. Williams. He whose name heads
this brief sketch is one of Mississipjii County's
most active and enterprising business men, alive
to all current topics, and public-spirited and pro-
gressive in all matters tending to benefit the com-
munity. He was born near Elmot, in 1859, his
parents being James H. and Nellie (Heath) Will-
iams [for whose history see sketch of James H.
Williams], As Edward grew toward youth and
-Jl 9
i^
MISSISSIPPI COUNTY.
507
I'iirly iiKUihood lie attended school in tlie iieigb-
horhood of his home, siiid worked on tlie farm
for his father until lie was twenty-one years
old, at which time he enyajjed as a clerk for
A. Goodrich of Osceola, with whom he remained
one year. After icntini^ and tillinif his father's
farm for two years, he started from home with the
int-ention of going to Florida, tint stojiped in Ala-
l);ima, and attended school at Florence for some six
niiinths, after which he concluded that his native
.State was good enough to suit him, so he returned
and went into business with D. T. Waller, which
partnerslii]) was dissolved at the end of twenty
months. Mr. Waller purchasing his inti-rest. He
then liDUgllt out N. W. Goodrich, and for two years
was associated with A. Goodrich, purchasing his
partner's interest at the end of that time; he has
conducted affairs in a very satisfactory manner,
|>roving himself toi)e a man of rare business aliility
and etliciency. He keeps an excellent assortment of
general merchandise, his stock being valued at about
$4,000. and has w'on the re|)ntation of being one
of the first business men in Mississii)pi County.
He is enterprising and energetic, studying largely
the interests of the people, and fully justifies the
confidence and esteem which are bestowed upon him.
In connection with his mercantile interests he is
managing his father's farm, growing cotton, and
has been [Kjstmaster at Fjlmot since INlay, 1885.
His estimable wife was formerly Mi.ss Maude Dunn,
of Pensacola. Fla., to whom he was married on the
17th of March, 1885, and by her he has one child,
Edward James. Mrs. Williams is connected with
the Catholic Church.
William F. Williams is one of the best known
and most highly respected i-esidents of Mississippi
County. Ark., and is a man whose life has been an
active one. and not without the substantial rewards
of success. His grandfather, Josiah Williams, was
a resident of Nashville, and a man of enterprise
and discretion. He liecame an extensive landholder
in Mississippi County, purchasing his y)roperty at
what was then known as Social Bend, about the
year 1835, which property was managed by his
sons, James H. and his brothers, who were then
young men. the place b(>ing well stocked with
slaves. About IS51), .James H. Williams puichased
a farm near Elmot, above Ost^eola, and with the
help of his slaves, h(( opened up about 200 acres,
and on this farm he is still residing. William F.
Williams was the eldest of eight chililren born to
his parents, and received some educational ad-
vantages in the schools of Osceola. After reaching
manhood, he was united in tl)(^ bonds of matri-
mony to Miss Christina Kieser, a daughter of 1''.
W., and granddaughter of John Kieser, who came
from Germany to the United States in 1881, bring-
ing with him his wife and two children, F. W.
Kieser being the only one of the latter that is liv-
ing. The grandfather is still living, at the ad-
vanced age of eighty-nine years, and divides his
time about equally between Kentucky and Osceola,
Ark. F. W. Kieser is also living, in Kentucky.
William F. Williams, after his marriage, which oc
curred in 1875, moved onto his father-in-law's
place, which adjoins Osceola, and is now manag-
ing BOO acres of land. He pays an annual rental
of $3,000 for his land, and his principal crops are
1 cotton and corn, the yield of the former l)eing
about three-quarters to one bale, or forty bushels
of corn, to the acre. There is nothing that he has
ever tried to make grow on his land that has not
thrived, whether grain or fruit. He is also en-
giiged in stock dealing, and thinks the farmers of
this region have thoroughly awakened to the fact
that it -pays to raise a good grade of stock. The
mules of Mississippi County are becoming espe
cially noted; Mr. Williams has also some Holstein
cattle, which he considers a better breed for
this region than any other. He has a fine male
animal, which was imported from Holland, and al
though but two years old, weighs 1,218 pounds.
His hogs are of the Berkshire breed, brought from
Kentucky, and are very fine. He keeps a few
sheep, which he finds fairly profitable, but thinks
the country here too level for them to thrive well.
Mr. Williams has acted as school director for a
number of years, anil from his own observations
has seen a decided improvement in the standard
of schools since the year 1S70. and (consequently a
decided improvement in the people of this section.
The education of his three children. May, Fred
:^i
568
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
and James, is being attended to by their mother,
who is a lady of culture and refinement, and was
educated at Cape Girardeau, Mo., and Memphis,
Tena. Mrs, Williams is a member of the Meth-
odist Episcopal Church, South, at Osceola: Mr.
Williams has passed the Blue Lodge and Chapter
of the A. F. & A. M. , of Osceola, and is a charter
member of Apollo Commandery at Forest City,
Ark. He is also a member of the K. of H.
William R. Williams, although still a young
man, has risen to a position in the agricultiiral af-
fairs of the county which many men older in years
and experience might envy. His life has been
without any material change from the ordinary
pursuits of farm toil, but yet has not been devoid
of substantial results. He was born in Memphis,
Tenn. , in the year ISS-t, and in 1861 came, with
his father, to Mississippi County, Ark., where the
latter resided until his death, in 1880. William
E. Williams received educational advantages far
beyond the average, and these advantages he did
not fail to improve, but applied himself diligently
to his books, and acquired an excellent education
which proved of great benelit to him in later years.
His plantation, which is situated in the southern
part of Mississippi County, comprises 300 acres,
of which eighty are cleared and under cultivation,
and in good seasons average about one bale of cot-
ton to the acre. He has several good log houses
on his property, and is doing a fairly prosperous
business. In Mississippi County, Ark., he was
married to Miss Sallie Baskin, of Phillips County,
Ark. , and by her became the father of two inter-
esting children — Anna, who died at the age of
three years, and Ella, a little girl of seven years,
at home. Mr. Williams is an agreeable and intelli-
gent gentleman, and one who is ever ready to
reach out a helping hand to the needy, or to engage
in any legitimate enter) irise which might tend to
benefit the county.
B. A. Williamson (deceased) was a prominent
farmer of Mississippi County, Ark. , and was born
in the Blue Grass State, in 1820. He passed his
youth on his father's farm, and subsequently
learned the brickmason's trade. Later in life he
went to Louisville, Ky. , worked at his trade for
about eight years, and then in 18ri.") he came to
Arkansas, where he settled on the Mississippi River,
about three miles al)ove Osceola. He located on a
tract of wild land, which he soon submitted to a
course of improvement, and which was transformed
into a remarkal)ly pleasant home. After making
many improvements he sold out in 1861, at a large
advance, and then bought a choice location in the
vicinity, which Mrs. Williamson still owns. Mr.
Williamson was married in November, 1861, to
Miss Lithe Jane Hale [see sketch of Hale Bros,],
and immediately afterward the war broke out.
Farming was almost suspended, but Mr, Williamson
found employment at his trade, and nearly all the
brick chimneys of that time were of his construc-
tion. He made many improvements on his farm,
erecting buildings and clearing about seventy acres.
In 1871, after an unusually active and prosperous
life, Mr. Williamson received his final summons.
Since then Mrs. Williamson has opened up about
twenty acres, has conducted the home place, and
now has no trouble in renting the farm for $600 or
$700 annually. This land is very productive, and
has often yielded one and a half bales of cotton to
the acre. In 1884 Mrs. Williamson bought a
pleasant residence in Osceola, which she has im-
proved and made into a pleasant home. To the
marriage of Mr. ^nd Mrs. Williamson were born
six children, only one now living: Eliza Ann died
at the age of ten years; Alary Elizabeth is the wife
of Ahner Driver, and resides in this county; James
Edward died at the age of seven years; Levina
died at the age of fifteen years, and two died in
infancy. Mrs. Williamson has since married her
deceased hu.sband's brother. Bland W. Williamson.
The family are now living in a very pleasant cot-
tage in Osceola.
Robert E. L. Wilson is numbered among the
younger of the successful and rising agriculturists
of this county, and none will have a brighter fu-
ture, or will make better use of their advantages
than he. The citizens of Mississippi County are
proud to claim him as one of its sons, for he was
born here in the year 1863. His father, Josejjh L.
Wilson, came from Tipton County, Tenn.. in 1847,
and purchased a tract of land in Mississippi County
comprising several thousand acres, the most of
wliieh has descended to his son, Robert E. L. . who
owns 2,700 acres. The latter has cleared and pnt
under the plow over 200 acres, l)ut has 260 under
cultivation, on whic^h he has erected thirty houses,
which are used by his tenants. His r(>sidence is a
handsome structure, covering an area of over 3,00t)
square feet, is beautifully and comfortably fur
nished inside, and is in the center of a large and
well kept lawn. Among the other buildings which
Mr. Wilson has erected is a saw mill, which is sit
uated about four miles from the river, at Idaho
Landing, and has a capacity of 14.000 feet per
day. From this mill he has a tramway of about
six miles in length, extending from the river back
into his timber lands, and here he has some thirty
men engaged in lnml)ering. He ships large (pian
titles of lumber from his mill to Chicago annually,
the principal demand being for ash lumber, of
which he has a large sujiply still in the tree. The
gi'eater part of his cultivated lands he devotes to
the raising of cotton, which enterprise gives em-
ployment to about 100 people; and one year he
gathered eighty bales of cotton from eighty acres
of land, and at another time nineteen bales from
eighteen acres of land, each bale weighing over
500 pounds. The expense of cultivating an acre
of cotton and laying it by is about $7. In the
year 1885 Miss Lizzie Beall became his wife, she
being a daughter of S. A. Beall, of Mississippi,
formerly of Pennsylvania, who came to Mississippi
County, Ark., in 1805, and settled on Frenchman's
Bayou. He is now engaged in managing his son-in
law's mill and mercantile e.stablishment, the latter
comprising a large and well-selected stock of gen-
eral merchandise. Two children were born to the
marriage of Mr. Wilson, only one of whom is
living, Mabel Victoria. Tiny died at the age of
eighteen months. Mr. Wilson is one whose in-
tegrity and honor have never been ijuestioned, and,
although a young man, his views relating to matters
of Inisiness, as well as on general and po|inlar
topics of the day, are considered unusually sound.
He is a member of McGavock Lodge, K. of H. , at
Frenchman's Bayou, and his wife is a consistent
member of the Presbyterian ("iiurch. She is a re-
36
fined and well-educated lady, and shows unusually
good taste in the arrangement of her home. This
young couple bid fair to become not only one of
the wealthiest, but, what is of far more importance,
one of the most highly honored, families in the
county.
Andrew B. Young, who is now successfully
following the occupation to which he was reared,
and which has been his life-work, a calling that
has for ages received undivided efforts from many
worthy individuals, and one that always furnishes
sustenance to the ready worker, now resides on his
large plantation near Osceola. He was born in the
northern part of Mississijipi County, in 1844. and
was the tenth in a family of eleven children born
to James and Elizabeth (Gallaway) Young. The
parents were natives of Indiana and Kentucky, and
were married in the last named State. They emi-
grated to Mississippi County at a very early day,
and at the time of their settlement here their near-
e.st neighbor was eight miles distant. Mr. Young
conducted a ferry, sold a few goods to the Indians,
and supplied the wants of the few people who
passed that way. He entered 160 acres, made all
the improvements, and had it all under cultivation
at the time of his death. His wife survived him
several years, and died in 1867. Andrew B Young
aided in clearing the farm, and received a good
practical education in the common schools. He
enlisted in the Confederate service in 1S64, and
participated in the battles of White River, Austin,
and several skirmishes. He started on the Missouri
raid with Gen. Price, but was taken sick and returned
home. His three brothers, James, Erasmus and
George, were also in the service; the former served
the entire time, but the latter died in Kentucky.
In 1865, Andrew rented land, and began farming
on his own responsibility, continuing until 1872.
Previous to this, in 1871, he liought 160 acres, two
miles north of Osceola, with only twenty acres
cleared, and the following year he built a gooil
residence, moved on his own farm and began im
provements on an extensive scale. He has good
barns, etc. , and has the entire tract under a high
state of cultivation at the present. In 1884 he
purchased 300 acres adjoining, on which there wei-e
9 'y
J^^
570
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
about twenty acres cleared, aud siuce then Mr.
Young has opened up nearly 160 acres more. He
is also (juite exteasively engaged in stock raising,
both cattle and mules. Mr. Young's farm is one
of the best in the county, and all of the land, with
proper cultivation, will yield a bale of cotton to
the aero. He was married, in 1867, to Miss Cath-
erine Bowen, a daughter of Reece Boweu. one of
the earliest settlers in this section [see sketch of
Capt. Bowen]. Six children were bom to them
(two of whom are deceased) : Nena died in infancy :
Austin also died in infancy; Logan A., attending
school at Brigham, N. G. ; Fannie Lee, attending
school at Anchorage, Ky. : James Reece and Joseph.
Mr. Young is a member of the Methodist Church,
and Mrs. Young of the Presbyterian.
» <<-
m(M
I
>♦< •
Poinsett County— The Records of the Courts— Formation or the County and Selection or the
Seat of Law— List of Local Officers— Election Statistics— Centers of Population—
SociETiiis, Etc. — Local Instruction — Moral Organization.s— The Southern
Confederacy— TnK County Bounded— Its Tofogkaphy and Geology-
Its Wonderful Soil and Its Products— Population —
Railroads— Names of Early* Settlers-
Private and Family Records.
Lo! I declare I deem him blest
Whose foot, here puu.«ing. findeth rest. — Anaii.
S a consequence of the de-
struction of the eai'ly rec-
ords of Poinsett County,
by fire, but little can be
said pertaining to its early
courts. Inasmuch as the
kerson, by Robert Thomas, followed by the killing
of James Hamilton, at the hand of James Staats.
Two murders of a more recent date have occurred
here. With the exception of these and some minor
crimes, a peaceful progress has been enjoyed.
Poinsett was organized in accordance with the
^1^^ creative act was approved j provisions of an act of the General Assembly of the
February 28, 1838, it is ' State, approved February 28, 1838. Its territory
originally belonged to Lawrence County, and sub-
sequently, and up to its formation as a separate
county, to Greene.
Bolivar, a point about three miles north of the
present site of Harrisburg, was chosen for the seat
of justice, and here, in 1838, the first court-house
and clerk's oflice, consisting of a log cabin, was
erected. The county seat thus remained until
September, 1856, when it was moved to Harris-
burg, where it has since continued. The first
evident that the county court was or-
ganized soon thereafter, or in the
spring of that year, and that the cir-
cuit court was held also in the same
year. The county belongs to the Sec-
ond judicial circuit, of which J. E.
Riddick is the present judge.
The first murder committed in Poinsett Coun-
ty was the killing, in 1848, of Parker Furnish, by
John Edwards. The next was that of John Wil-
^
commissioners of the uew coiiuty seat were A. B.
Scott and A. B. Puckett. Here, also, a log-cabin
court-Lonse was erected in 1857, and in 1859-60
a fine brick court-house was constructed, costing
18, 800, by A. Hamilton, contractor. In the spring
of 1872 this building, together with the public
county records, was destroyed by fire. Then, for
a year or more, the building now known as Sloan's
boarding house was used as a court-house, after
which the Methodist Episcopal Church edifice and
one other structure served a similar purpose. In
1875 the court-house was rebuilt, by Contractor
A. Hamilton, and is still standing. The Poinsett
County jail was erected in 1886, at a cost of
$1,600. It is a one story frame, containing two
rooms, and a hallway six feet wide running length-
wise of the building. Prior to its construction
the prisoners were kept in a cage, constructed for
the purpose, in the court-house.
The following is a list of the names of the
county officers, with dates of their terms of ser-
vice, from organization to the present:
Judges: William Harris, 1838-40; Richard
Hall, 1840-44; Rollis Perry, 1844-46; W. H.
Harris, 1846-48; G. W. M."stacy, 1848-50; W.
H. Harris, 1850-54; S. H. Henton, 1854-56; W.
H. Harris, 1856-63; W. C. Malone, 1863-64; A.
B. Scott, 1864-66; B. Harris, 1866-68; G. W.
Sloan, 1868-72; H. A. Hays, 1874-76; D. .W.
Beecker, from April, 1876 to end of Hays' term;
J. T. Haley, 1876-78; N. J. Willis, 1878-80; J.
T. Roy, 1880-82; T. H. Jones, 1882-84; A. A.
Cojjpage, from March 4, 1884, vice Jones, left the
county; E. A. Owens, 1884-86; Jasper Wright,
1886-88; J. T. Roy, present incumbent, elected
in 1S8S.
(Jlerks: Thomas Jones, 1838-40; William
Thrower, 1840-42; L. H. Suftin, 1842-48; R. H.
Stone, 1848-60; M. W. Lewis, 1860-62; O. Y.
Neely. 1862-64; W. C. Malone, 1861-68; G. W.
Mott^. 1868-70; J. T. H. Mayors. 1870-73: T. H.
Sparks, 1873-78; T. H. Jones, 1878-80; W. G.
Godby, 1880-86; T. A. Stone, 1886-88; A. A.
Coppage, present incumbent, elected in 1888.
Sheriffs: W. G. Arledge, 1838-40; James
Staats, 1840-44; R. H. Stone. 1844-48: J. David-
son, 1848-56; T. S. Stanley, 1856-60; J. David-
son, 1860-62; J. Shen-od, 1862-64; W. B. Staf-
ford, 1864-68; A. Thorn, 1868-72; A. S. Thorn,
1872-74; J. S. Smith, 1874-78; J. H. Hall.
1878-80; T. B. Sparks, 1880-86; Add Han-is,
present incumbent, first elected in 1886.
Treasurers: Richard Hall, 1838-40; Charles
Shaver, 1840-42; William Smith, 1842-46; Sam-
uel Read, 1846-48; J. P. Mardis, 1848-52; J. M.
Hale, 1852-56; B. Brown, 1856-62; A. J. Good-
loe, 1862-65; J. Z. H. Mayors, 1865-66; William
Ainsworth, 1866-68; James P. Jones, 1868-72;
H. J. Thorn, 1872-74; E. Mitchell, 1874-80; J.
J. Smith, 1880-82; W. C. Landers, 1882-86;
William Ainsworth, present incumbent, first elect-
ed in 1886.
Coroners: J. C. Shaver, 1838-40; B. McCaven,
1840-42: B. P. Marcum, 1842-44; T. F. Arledge,
1844-46; Daniel McMiUin, 1846-48; J. M. Broad-
way, 1848-50; G. J. Ward, 1850-52; E. Robinson,
1852-54; J. E. Dukes, 1854-56; J. M, Cross,
1856-58; W. H. Smith, 1858-62; B. Brown, 1862-
64; J. H. Hall, 1864-65; W. S. Griffin, 1865-68;
John Jones, 1868-74; F. Walbrink, 1874-78; J.
P. Jones, 1878-80; W. J. Sligh, 1880-82; S. G.
Stone, 1882-84; Lewis Minton, 1884-86; James
Houston, 1886-88; James Aston, present incum-
bent, elected in 1888.
Surveyors: A. T. Robertson, 1840-42; J. D.
Carnes, 1842-44; H. Scott, 1846-50; M. Halk.
1850-60; J. E. Sparks, 1860-62; M. Halk,
1862-66; J. E. Sparks, 1866-68; T. B. Smith,
1868-72; E. A. Owens, 1872-74: J. M. Steel,
1874-76; B. Harris, 1876-78; J.M. Steel, 1878-80;
H. Scott, 1880-84; A. W. Scott, 1884-86; W.
Scott, 1886-88; Winfield Scott, present incum-
bent, elected in 1888.
Assessors: E. Hindman, 1862-66; J. S. Smith,
1866-68; M. S. Godly, 1868-70; W. H. Cook,
1870-72; V. J. Bradsher, 1872-74; W. Ainsworth,
1874-76; A. W. Thornton, 1876-78: W. H. Wade,
1878-80; Shelby Bottis, 1880-82; D. C. Powell.
1882-84; H. H. Houghton, 1884-86; Eli Bickley,
1886-88; Paul McLean, present incumbent,
elected in 1888.
The Democratic party is the mo.st popular ia
:rz
r
i
±==lL:
]
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
Poinsett County, judging from the results of the
recent election. At the September election, 1888,
for the office of governor, James P. Eagle, Demo-
crat, received fi40 votes; C. M. Norwood, com-
bined opposition, 161. At the November election,
1888, for president of the United States, Cleve-
land. Democrat, was given 402 votes: Harrison,
Republican, 119; Streeter, United Labor, 21. Lo-
cal politics, of course, occupy considerable atten-
tion at different times, surpassed only by the promi-
nence of more important questions than party loy-
alty.
Harrisburg, the county seat, is situated on the
Helena Branch of the St. Louis, Iron Mountain &
Southern Railroad, near the geographical center
of the county, on lands formerly owned by Benja-
min Harris, one of the pioneer settlers, and after
whom it was named. A postoffice was estalilished
here in 1857, the first postmaster V)eing William
Thrower, who erected a log- cabin, which he used
as a hotel and postoffice. The same year James
Davidson and Joab Hale opened the first store in
the place. The town had a slow but substantial
growth until 1882, when the road referred to
reached it, and since that time its advance has
been more rapid. It now comprises five general
stores, three drug stores, one restauiant, a meat
market, two hotels, three blacksmith and wood-
shops, and the Kennedy-Moreloek' s Stave Com-
pany' s factory, said to be the largest stave factory
in the State; also the hardwood lumber factory
of D. C. & I. R. Cole, two grist-mills and cotton-
gins, two church edifices, a public school-house
and a full complement of doctors, lawyers and
ministers: also a real estate firm. It is pleasantly
located, and does a large amount of business. Its
population is about 700.
Bay Village, a little town ten miles southeast
of Harrisburg, lies in both Poinsett and Cross
Counties, with the postoffice in the latter. Its
site was settled by Charles Shaver, in 1826, but the
village was not estalilished until 1874, when Eli
Rooks opened the first store. The second store
began an existence under the management of J. G.
Hamilton, and the postoffice was located there in
1876. The town was named by Col. Wheat on on
account of its nearness to the bay. It now con-
tains seventeen families, two general stores, a
blacksmith and wood-work shop, a cotton-gin and
grist-mill and a Methodist Episcopal Church edi-
fice, the church organization having been estab-
lished over fifty years ago; this has now a mem-
bership of 180, with Rev. J. I. Maynard, pastor.
Greenfield and White Hall are stations on the
same railroad with Harrisburg. the former being
north and the latter south of that place.
Weiner, in the northwest part of the county,
is a station on the St. Louis. Arkansas & Texas
Railroad, and contains a depot, postoffice, general
store and hardwood factory.
Fisher, in the southwest part of the county,
on the last-mentioned railroad, is made up of a
depot, postoffice, general store and a stave factory.
Marked Tree and Tyronza are stations on the
Kansas City, Fort Scott & Memphis Railroad, in
the eastern part of the county. The former in-
cludes a depot, postoffice and a general store, and
the latter a depot, postoffice, two general stores,
and a stave factory.
Secret societies apparently thrive here. Poin-
sett Lodge No. 184, A. F. & A. M. , was organized
under a dispensation granted by the Grand Lodge
of the State in 1865. The first principal officers
were Eli Hindman, W. M. ; James E. Sparks, S.
W. ; Jefferson Wright, J. W., and J. S. Brook-
field, Sec. The membership at this time is forty-
five. H. H. Houghton is the present W. M.
Harrisburg Chapter No. 76, has a membership
of twenty- two. The present officers are T. B.
Sparks, H. P. : E. L. Jacobs, K. ; James Aius-
worth, S.
Harrisburg Council has a membership of fif
teen.
Eastern Star Chapter has thirty- five members.
It is named Evergreen Chapter No. 76.
Harrisburg Lodge No. 55, I. O. O. F., was
organized March 18, 1873, with five charter mem-
bers. The first officers were J. H. Hull, N. G. ; T.
W. Eskridge, V. G. ; W. M. Elsberry, Treas., and
L. E. Stancell, Sec. This lodge has been discon-
tinued, and another. White Hall Lodge No. 77,
was organized at White Hall, and since moved to
^
IS w_
^ s>
iL
POINSETT COUNTY.
573
Harrisburg. It- has thirty members, and is now in j
a prosperous condition.
Bolivar Lodge, Knights of Honor, was organ-
ized in January, 1889, with sixteen charter mem-
bers. Its membership is now twenty-one, and it
is in a flourishing condition.
The report of the State superintendent of pub-
lic instruction for the year ending June 30, 1888,
indicates beyond question the progress the county
is making in reference to popular education. At
the time mentioned the scholastic population was:
White, male 62'2, female 511, total 1,133; colored,
male 111, female 89, total 200. Number of pupils
taught in the public schools — white, males 304,
females 270, total 57-i; colored, males 40, females
31, total 71. Number of school districts, 16.
Number of teachers employed — males 15, females
5, total 20. Average monthly salaries paid teach-
ers— first grade, males $45.00, females $35.00;
second grade, males $30.00, females $28.50.
Amount expended for the support of the schools —
for teachers' salaries $3,868.50, building and re-
pairing $1,265.44, purchasing apparatus, etc.,
$233.90. treasurer's commissions $247.80, total
$5,615.64.
Accoi'ding to this showing, only 50 per cent of
the white, and 351 per cent of the colored scho-
lastic population were taught in the public schools.
However, only six out of the sixteen school dis-
tricts, failed to report the enrollment in the schools.
Eight of the school districts have built new houses
since 1886. All are well fmnished with patent
seats, blackboards, and other necessary apparatus.
The average length of term taught per year is five
months. In a majority of districts a tax of five
mills is voted. The public school system is re-
garded much more favorably than formerly, and,
;dl things considered, very good results are being
obtained.
The first Baptist Church in Poinsett County
was organized in 1840, at Bolivar, then the county
seat. The first Missionary Baptist minister was
Rev. John A. Nutt, whose circuit extended from
Wittsburg to Chalk Bin IT. The result of his la-
bors was the organization of all the pioneer
churches in Greene, Poinsett, and St. Francis
Counties. In 1858, a small uunil)er organized'
themselves into a Baptist Church under the leader-
ship of Elder Pierce. These continued intact,
worshiping in the court-house until the summer of
1809, when they erected a frame edifice, called
Bethel, two miles south of Harrisburg. It still
continues a strong and prosperous church, with
about 100 members. The j)re.seut pastor is Rev.
J. W. Bell. In October, 1887, a number of mvm
bers withdrew from this church, and organized a
church in Harrisburg, the next year building their
present frame church edifice. The church has
grown to a membership of twenty- five. Rev. J. S.
Edmonds is pastor in charge. There are three Bap-
tist Churches in the county, one in Bolivar, one in
Harrisburg, and another two miles south of Har-
risburg.
The Methodist Episcopal Church, South, at
Harrisburg, had its origin in 1840. It grew out
of the work of Parson Shook and wife, who traveled
throughout this section from 1840 to 1844. In
1845 he was joined by Rev. John M. Steele, an
old pioneer preacher, whose labors ended here in
1880. He was the leading spirit in founding
Methodism in this section of country. At first
services were held in groves and settler's homes,
later in the court-house, and the first house of
worship was built in 1859, at old Bolivar, and the
first at Harrisburg in 1868. The old edifice at
the former was a two-story fi'ame, with Masonic
hall above. It was consumed by tire in 1882.
Another two-story frame structure was built at
Harrisburg in 1884, in connection with the Ma
sonic fraternity. Rev. R. G. Brittaiu is now the
pastor in charge. The membership is 153, and
the Sunday-school membership is about 100.
There are eleven organizations of the Methodist
Episcopal Church, South, here.
A Christian Church organization is in existence
at Greenfield — making fifteen church organizations
within the county. Many of these have Sunday-
schools connected with them, and all are doing good
service in the cause of Christianity. A majority
of the heads of families are connected with one
or another of the denominations. A few church
organizations exist among the colored people.
•»
^
574
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
The approach of the War of 1861-65 found
the people of Poinsett County generally in sym-
pathy with the proposed Southern Confederacy,
and in favor of its establishment. The first com-
pany of soldiers raised here for the Confederate
army was organized early in 1861, by Capt. Smith,
and was mustered for three years. The next com-
pany was raised soon after by Capt. Ben. Harris,
for the twelve months' service. The former was
assigned to Col. Adams' regiment, the Fifth Ar-
kansas Infantry, and the latter to Col. Tappan's
regiment, the Thirteenth Arkansas Infantry. At
the expiration of twelve months, Capt. Harris re-
signed and the company re-enlisted for three years,
or during the war, electing J. M. LeVesque cap-
tain and A. J. Willis first lieutenant. After the
battle of Shiloh, these companies were consolidated
and assigned to the Fifth Arkansas Mounted In-
fantry. Subsequently Capt. LeVesque returned
to the county and recruited another company,
which was assigned to the Twenty-ninth Trans-
Mississippi Mounted Infantry. Prior to the battle
of Helena, this company had lost forty-one men,
and it entered into that engagement with fifty nine
men, and came out with only twenty-seven, having
lost twenty-eight killed and four captured. Three
of the regimental officers were killed in this en-
gagement: Col. Hart, Maj. Joseph Martin and
Adj. W^illiam Rector. The remaining members re-
ceived an additional force, recruited by Capt. W.
G. Godbey, making their number eighty, and it
served to the close of the war. Cajit. William
Trator organized a company in 1861. in what is
now Cross County, then in Poinsett, which was
also assigned to the Fifth Arkansas Infantry. It
lost during the war 80 per cent of its enlistment.
No company was raised here for the Union army.
The position of Poinsett County, in Northeast
Arkansas, is a favorable one. It is bounded north
by Craighead, east by Mississippi, south by Crit-
tenden and Cross Counties, and west by Jackson,
comprising all the territory emliraced in Townships
10, 11 and 12 north, in Ranges 1 to 7 inclusive,
east of the fifth principal meridian of the United
States surveys; tbus making its length from east
to west fortv-two miles, and its width from north
' to south eighteen miles. Its area, therefore, in-
cluding the beds of its lakes and streams, is 756
square miles, or 483,840 acres. The State owns
about 10,000 acres in the county, and the St.
Louis, Iron Mountain & Southern Railway Com-
pany about 3,000, the balance being owned by in-
dividuals.
About one-fourth of the county's surface is
hilly and broken, and the balance comparatively
level, much of it being prairie. Crowley's Ridge
runs north and south through the center, varying
in width from three to five miles. The St. Fran-
cis River runs from north to south through the
eastern part of the county, the Bay River from
north to south on the east side of Crowley's Ridge,
the L'Anguille from north to south west of Crow-
ley's Ridge, and Bayou De View from north to
I south through the extreme western portion. These
streams and their various tributaries furnish the
drainage of the entire county. The St. Francis
River widens out, especially in the northern part,
and covers a large tract of territory known as the
' ' Sunk Lands, ' ' which were sunk beneath the level
surface in the earthquakes of 1811-12. The
L'Anguille bottom is mostly a bluish clay, and on
the "crab-apple barrens" a white clay. The
prevalent timber in L'Anguille bottom is red and
white oak, small scattering sweet gum and post
oak on the ' ' post oak land. ' ' The growth on the
adjacent ridges is white and black oak, poplar and
occasionally some pine; on the branches, poplar,
gum, ash, elm and dogwood.
In Townships 10 and 11 north. Ranges 5 and 6
east, there is a peculiar soil of extraordinary fer-
tility, occupying a portion of the St. Francis bot-
tom, known as the "black wax land," which was
formerly overflowed by the backwater of the Mis-
sissippi. This soil will produce from fifty to sev-
enty-five bushels of corn to the acre. The soil of
Morell prairie is sandy, biit is also good C(3rn land,
yielding forty to fifty bushels of corn to the acre,
while the adjacent uplands of the Crowley Ridge
produce from thirty to forty bushels. From the
Narrows of the Crowley Ridge to Bolivar and
Harrisburg, the quarternary gravel is quite con-
spicuous on the higher grounds, and of a coarse
character; some pieces woi;ld weijrh several pounds.
On Spencer Creek, some little sandstone is seen
underlying the gravel and resting on sandy clay.
At Hurricane Creek, near Harrisburg, the Crowley
Ridge is about three miles wide. The material
passed through, in sinking wells in the L'Anguille
bottom, is usually twenty feet of yellow clay, under-
laid by thirty to forty feet of light-colored sand, a
moderately soft water being generally obtained at
sixty feet. Immediately at the foot of the ridge,
water is often obtained at twelve feet, the water
getting gi-adually deeper for one mile into the bot-
tom, where it is generally the deepest seated.*
The low, level surface in the eastern part of
the county is covered with a heavy growth of cy-
press, oak, gum and ash. Its western part was
re-surveyed for the United States in the winter
of 1856-57, by William Ainsworth and Granville
McPherson. From the streams, wells, springs
and cisterns, good water sufficient for all purposes
is liberally furnished by nature.
A rich vein of coal extends north and south
through Poinsett, ranging along Crowley's Ridge.
The strata, which has a thickness of seven feet,
can be reached at a depth of forty feet. Deposits
of ferruginous earth and iron ore are found in
various localities. A mineral spring called Entoba
Spring, is situated four miles east of Harrisbiirg.
The waters of this spring have been subjected to
a chemical analysis and found to contain valuable
medicinal properties.
At present, and for many years, the lumbering
industry of Poinsett County is and will be a great
source of income, especially to those engaged in
the business, and to those owning the timber.
There are a number of saw-mills here engaged in
cutting the timber into lumber, for which the
shipping facilities are excellent. The permanent
industry and source of income to the people in
general is agriculture, coupled with the raising of
live stock, for which the county, on account of the
great fertility of its soil, the mildness of the
climate, and its abundant supply of water, is so
well adapted. In 1X80, according to the United
States census, there were but 297 farms, with
•Quotations from State Geological Report.
only 7,979 acres of improved lands within this ter-
ritory, and from the number of acres cultivated in
1879, the loading cereal and vegetable productions
were as follows: Indian corn, 87,133 bushels;
oats, 3,490; wheat, 1,529; Irish potatoes, 1,869;
sweet potatoes, 2,634; cotton, 1,514 bales. The
same census report shows the number of head
of live stock then in the county to be as fol-
lows: Horses, 500; mules and asses, 206; neat
cattle, 3,676; sheep, 288: hogs, 6,361. These
figures show that in 1880 Poinsett County was
but slightly improved and developed.
At this writing the prices 'of land hereabouts
are from $5 to $15 for improved, and from $3 to
15 for unimproved lands. With proper cultivation
the uplands will yield 900 pounds of seed cotton,
thirty-five bushels of corn, fifteen bushels of wheat,
and forty bushels of oats to the acre; while from
the bottom lands 1,500 pounds of seed cotton, fifty
to sixty bushels of corn, twenty bushels of wheat,
and fifty bushels of oats, to the acre, may be ob-
tained. Tobacco will yield 1.600 pounds, and
Irish and sweet potatoes from 200 to 300 bushels
per acre. These amounts, however, are only ac-
quired by thorough cultivation. Clover, millet,
and the tame grasses succeed well, but as yet
have not been cultivated to any considerable extent.
Fruits of all kinds, common to the latitude, es-
pecially small fruits, succeed admirably.
The population of Poinsett County, at the end
of each census decade, as given in the reports of
the United States census, has been as follows:
1840, 1,320; 1850, 2.308; 1860, 3,621; 1870.
1,721; 1880, 2,192. Originally the county con-
tained much more territory than at present, which
accounts for the larger population in 1860. The
immigration since 1880 has been large, so that the
next census will show a great increase. It is now
estimated at 5.000.
Three railroads cross the entire territory of the
county. The Kansas City, Fort Scott &, Memphis
traverses its eastern portion in a southeasterly di-
rection; the Helena liranch of the St. Louis, Iron
Mountain & Southern Railroad passes north and
south a few miles west of its center, by way of Green-
field, Harrisburg and White Hall, and the St.
^
« w.
576
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
Louis, Arkansas & Texas Railroad passes through
the western portion of the county by way of
Weiner and Fisher, ia a direction a little west of
south. The combined length of the main lines of
these railroads within these boundaries is at least
sixty-two miles. The railroad property forms a
large proportion of the taxable wealth of the
county.
The territory of Poinsett, lying as it does in
the flat country between the Mississippi River and
the hilly and mountainous country to the westward,
was not settled so early as the latter. The early
immigrants, being mostly from the hilly and roll-
ing countries of the East, sought a country of like
contour west of the Mississippi, and consequently
passed over the rich lands of the valley proper to
the more elevated lands found to the west-
ward. The settlement of the territory now em-
braced within the county began during the decade
of the 20' s, and progressed very slowly until
recently. Prominent among the early settlers was
Richard Hall (subsequently county judge), who
came from Mississippi in 1828. The next year
came William and Benjamin Harris, from Alabama.
William afterward served as first county judge.
Dr. Theophilus Griffin was a prominent pioneer
settler, as was also Dr. John P. Hardis. Harrison
Ainsworth and family came from Mississippi in
1836, and Robert H. Stone from Tennessee in
183'J. Ainsworth settled near Bolivar. Owing to
the slow settlement of the country the few pioneer
settlers for many years had to live with their fami-
lies isolated from society, without near neighbors,
and comparatively like hermits. Too much praise
can not be given to the brave and noble men and
women who penetrated the "western wilds," for-
saking the old home and all its dear associations,
and endured the hardships and privations of fron-
tier life, in order to provide pleasant homes and a
competency for their posterity.
James Ainsworth, a farmer by occupation, is a
Mississippian by birth, and has inculcated in him
the sterling qualities of the better class of citizens
of that State. He was born in Monroe County in
1831, and is the eldest of ten children born to Har-
rison and Susan (Spencer) Ainsworth, a brief his-
tory of whom is given in the sketch of William
Ainsworth, treasurer of Poinsett County. James
became familiar with farm life through his father,
who was a successful agriculturist, and his early
scholastic advantages were only such as could be
obtained in the common schools. After remaining
under the parents' roof until thirty years of age, as-
sisting in clearing the old home farm, he concluded
it was time for him to start out in life for himself,
and after purchasing and selling several farms, he
bought his present place, consisting of 138 acres,
of which fifty are under cultivation. In addition
to what he raises he is engaged in buying and sell-
ing stock, and finds this a profitable way in which
to invest his money. He has taken quite an inter-
est in local politics, and in his views is a Democrat.
Socially he is a member of Lodge No. 184, A. F. &
A. M. , of which he has been treasurer for the past
fifteen years, and he also belongs to Chapter No.
74, R. A. M., in which he holds the position of
scribe. He was married in Poinsett County, in
1868, to Emily Hale, but her death occurred ten
years later, and he was mamed, in 1879, to Sarah
Stevens, by whom he has three children: James
Thomas, Katie Bell and Ollie Lou. Mrs. Ainsworth
is an intelligent lady, a member of the Methodist
Episcopal Church, South, and is a daughter of
Moses and Marion Stevens, who were born in Geor-
gia and emigrated to Arkansas at an early day,
and both died in Craighead Coiinty, Ark.
William Ainsworth. The name borne by this
substantial citizen is not an unfamiliar one.
My footsteps press where, centuries ago,
The red men fought and conquered, lost and won.
The Ainsworth family was first represented in Ar
kansas, in 1836, by Harrison Ainsworth, who was
born in the State of South Carolina, and was there
married to Susan Spencer, whose birth also occurred
in East Tennessee. On coming to Arkansas, they
settled on a farm north of where Harrisburg is
now situated, the county at that time being a vast
wilderness of woods and canebrake, and was filler!
with roaming tribes of hostile red men and wild
POINSETT COUNTY.
-14*
animals. Here the father, by the aid of his faith-
ful wife, succeeded in clearing his farm, and this
place was his home until his death, in 1S45, his
wife surviving him, and making her home on the
old farm until her demise in 1866. William Ains-
worth aided his parents materially in clearing the
farm, but his youthful days were also spent in ac-
quiring a thorough knowledge of the "three R's"
in the public schools near his home. His birth
occurred in Pontotoc County, Miss., on March 23,
1835, a short time prior to his parents' removal to
this State, and at the age of twenty-three years,
on the 6th of March, 1859, he was married in
Craighead County, Ark., to Miss Martha White,
and soon after purchased a timber tract, embracing
160 acres, which he immediately commenced to
clear, and now has eighty-five acres under the
plow. He has added to his original purchase, his
acreage at the present time amounting to 600.
His property is well improved, with good buildings
and orchard, and for some time he has been acting
as agent for a number of companies in the pur-
chase of real estate, and is doing well in this busi-
ness. He has always taken an active interest in
politics, and has almost invariably voted the Dem-
ocratic ticket, as the principles of this party thor-
oughly coincide with his views. He was elected
on this ticket to the office of county treasurer, in
1868, and served one term, being elected again in
1886 and 1888. He was county assessor in 1872
and 1873. He has always been interested in edu-
cational matters, and as a member of the school
board Mr. Ainsworth has done a great deal to
raise the standard of education in his community.
He has filled nearly all the chairs in the Masonic
order, and is now a member of Poinsett Lodge
No. 184. In 1878 he was called upon to mourn the
death of his excellent wife, she having borne him a
family of five children: Sarah E. (Mrs. Rice);
Charles Thomas, married, and residing near his
father: Margaret Jane (Mrs. Graj'), also residing
near her father; John Calvin and Lee Garland.
Mrs. Ainsworth was a daughter of Rev. Thomas S.
and Sarah White, who were natives, respectively,
of Tennessee and Alabama. They came to Greene
County, Ark., in 1S3S, and settled near Jonesboro,
where they spent their declining years, his death
occurring in 1868, and hers in 1878. In 187'.t,
Mr. Ainsworth was married, in Poinsett County,
to Miss Martha Ellen Gray, a native of Alabama,
and their union has boon blessed by the birth of
three children: Richard Baxter, Poindexter D,
and Logan Cleveland. Mr. Ainsworth can well
remember the time when it took eight days to go
to Memphis, Tenn., for supplies, and can see great
changes in the country since that time, he having
been one of the leading men to institute these
changes. He has been a member of the Methodist
Church for many years, and his wife also belongs
to the same church.
J. H. Allen, farmer and teacher, Harrisburg,
Ark. It has long since been acknowledged that
no matter what a man' s occupation in life may be,
a very necessary element to his success is a good
education, and doubtless this is one cause of Mr.
Allen's success in life. He was born in Mecklen-
burg County, N. C, on the 30th of September,
1839, and is the sou of Col. William Allen, one of
the early settlers of North Carolina, and a native
of that State. When a young man, the latter was
united in marriage to Miss Sarah Hunter (subject's
mother), also a native of North Carolina. After
his marriage the Colonel settled a large plantation
in Mecklenburg County, N. C, and entered land
in the Catawba purchase. The grandparents of
J. H. Allen, on both sides, were natives of Dublin,
Ireland, and the grandfathers were Revolutionary
soldiers, and fought for American liberty. The
ancestors on both sides were among the Irish
peasantry. Grandfather Hunter was in the battle
of King's Mountain. J. H. Allen's time in early
life was divided between assisting on the farm and
in attending the common schools. Subsequently
he entered Davidson College, and graduated from
that institution in the freshman class of 1856.
Mr. Allen is one of three survivors of that class of
twenty-two, who left the college on that memor-
able June day. One, James Steward, a farmer
in Brazil, South America; anoth<>r, George Mor-
row, tilling the soil in South Carolina, and the
subject of this sketch, are the ones living; the rest
are with the honored dead of the late struggle.
^f>
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
Mr. Allen took the course of 1858-59 in Cokesbury
Theological Institute, in South Carolina, and left
that institute to marry Miss H. R. Thrower, a
beautiful lady, to whom he had been betrothed for
seven years, but only reached her bedside in time
to see her die. In 1861 he enlisted in the cause
of the South, was in the battle of the Wilderness,
and was severely wounded at Malvern Hill; was a
brave and gallant soldier. He was paroled at
Richmond, at the general surrender in 18(35, and
returned home, only to find all his property de-
stroyed. He then engaged in his chosen profes-
sion, teaching, and followed this in Mississippi
and Arkansas for many years. He has been three
times married, and is the father of fourteen chil-
di'en. He came to Arkansas in 1870, and has
taught in the schools of this State for eighteen
years. He has 160 acres of land, forty acres
under cultivation: is a member of the Methodist
Episcopal Church, and of the I. O. O. F., Lodge
No. 77, White Hall. He takes much interest in
public enterprises. His word is his bond, always
careful to perform his promise, and "owes no man
anything," thereby fulfilling the Divine injunc-
tion.
W. T. Beatty is a general merchant, post-
master and magistrate at Perkins, Ark., and has
been engaged in the first mentioned business since
February, 1888. He keeps a full line of groceries,
dry goods, boots and shoes, and shelf hardware,
and, in addition to this manages a steam cotton-
gin, of which he is the owner. His store building
and residence are in one, and, although he is now
living quietly, his life has been rather an eventful
one. He was born in Madison County, Tenn., in
1844, and is the seventh of ten children born to
John and Martha A. Beatty, who were born in the
' ' Old North State. ' ' They removed to Madison
County, Tenn., at an early day. and here the
father ojaened up a good farm, on which he resided
until his death, in 1854, his excellent wife passing
from life in 1865. John Beatty was of English
descent, was a Democrat in politics, and a Mason,
and held office in this order. The maternal grand-
father, Joseph Tarburton, was a German, and was
a soldier in the Mexican War. W. T. Beatty re-
ceived his early schooling in Tennessee, and when
war was declared, although only sixteen years of
age, he enlisted from Madison County. Tenn. , in
Company E, Sixth Tennessee Infantry, for three
years, or during the war, and went into service at
Spring Creek, in that State. He was in the battle
of Shiloh, but was afterward discharged at Tupelo,
Miss., being under age. He remained inactive
for about four months, a portion of the tin;e being
sick with typhoid fever; but after 7'ecovering he
enlisted in the State Militia of Mississippi, and was
then transferred to the Fifteenth Tennessee Cav-
alry, under Gen. Forrest, and remained with him
until the close of the war. He returned to Ten-
nessee in 1866, and for some time was engaged in
farming and saw-milling, and also followed rail-
roading, being on the Belmont branch of the Iron
Mountain road from 1874 to 1880, with headquarters
at Columbus, Ky. From that time until 1882 he
was in the Government employ, working on the Mis-
sissippi River, and made his headquarters at Plum
Point, Tenn. In the spring of 1883 he came to
Marked Tree, Ark., and after following the occupa-
tion of saw-milling for one year he went to Harris-
burg, and embarked in the hotel and livery busi-
ness. This enterprise he abandoned in 1885, and
removi^d to Cross County, where he followed mill-
ing, but returned in 1886 to Marked Tree. Here
he has since been engaged in general merchandis-
ing. He is a Democrat, and since September,
1888, he has held the office of magistrate, and
since May of the same year has been postmaster at
the office called Perkins. He belongs to the school
board in District No. 14, and has always taken an
interest in matters pertaining to education, being
now the president of the Union Debating Society.
He was married in Madison County, Tenn. , in
1869, to Miss Nancy Ann Williford, of that State,
and her death occurred in Columbus, Ky. , October
1,1880. She left two children: Wyatt Jefferson
and Martha Ada (Mrs. Lucas), both of Paragould.
In November, 1883. Mr. Beatty wedded, in Harris-
burg, Miss Cynthia Ann Maynard, a native of Ten-
nessee. She is a member of the Baptist Church.
Since the construction of the railroad through Lit-
tle River Township land has greatly increased in
^
viiliKN and it is only a question of a few years when
this township will be one of the best farming regions
in the county.
Elijah Bennett, farmer and stock raiser, Buf-
falo Lick, Ark. All his life Mr. Bennett has fol-
lowed, with substantial success, the occupation to
which he was reared and in which be is now en-
gaged— fanning — and is recognized as one of the
prominent tillers of the soil in Greenfield Town
ship. He is the fourth in a family of ten children
born to Thomas and Martha (Rollins) Bennett, na-
tives of Alabama. Thomas Bennett was a farmer,
and in this occupation continued all his life. He
came to Craighead County in 1867, settled near
Jonesboro, and bought a tract of partly improved
land, where he remained until his death, in 1882.
His excellent wife stills survives him, and resides
in Craighead County. Elijah Bennett was born in
Russell County, Ala., in 1839, and, naturally per-
haps, early exhibited taste for farm life, which was
cultivated on a tract of land in Alabama. He re-
ceived his education in the district schools of Cal-
houn Count}', and in 1801 was married, in Chambers
County of that State, to Miss Celia Smith, a na-
tive of Alabama. Her death occurred in 1873,
and she loft four children: J. F., W. W., Lutie
(now Mrs. Smith) and Robert. In 18(31, the same
year of his marriage, Mr. Bennett enlisted in Capt.
Earl's Company Second Alabama Cavalry, and en-
tered the service at Montgomery, Ala., in Fergu-
son's Brigade. He was on skirmish duty most of
the time, but was in the battle of Atlanta, Ga.
He was paroled at Augusta, Ga. , in 1865, after
which he returned to AlaV)ama, and in 1869 emi-
grated to Poinsett County, where he purchased a
timber tract of 160 acres. He at once commenced
to improve forty acres, and is now one of the rep-
resentative farmers of the county. He raises con-
siderable stock, horses, cattle, hogs, etc., and
makes a success of this. He was married again in
1874. to Delia Goodlow, a native of Harrisburg,
Ark., and her death occurred in 1870. Mr. Ben-
nett's third marriage took place in Craighead
County, in 1879, to Mi.ss Martha Wimpey, a native
of Floyd County, Ga. Her father moved to Craig-
head County, Ark. . when she was quite yoimg.
Eight children were born to this union: Lydia,
Thomas, John, Isabella, Jennie. Ella, Elsie and
R. Zella. Mr. Bennett, though not an office-seeker,
takes an active part in politics, and votes with the
Democratic party. He al.so takes great interest in
school matters, and has been a member of the
school board. He is a member of the Agricultural
Wheel, and is a substantial supporter of all pul)lic
enterprises. Mrs. Bennett is a member of the
Missionary Baptist Church.
Bledsoe & Tillery, dealers in general merchan-
dise, also millers and ginners. Bay Village. Ark.
The field of enterprise opened up in the mercantile
t line is a large one, and many prominent citizens of
I Bay Village are engaged therein. Among the
representative houses that of Bledsoe & Tillery is
entitled to due recognition. The above firm was
established in Bay Village in 188-4, by the present
proprietors, who bought out Stone, Shaver & Co. ,
and since then they have refitted the machinery,
and made everything new except the corn buhrs.
The individual members of the firm are W. L. Bled-
soe and F. F. Tillery, the former being the senior
member. He was born on the 18th of July, 1849,
and is the son of Stephen and Mary Nichols (Jen-
nings) Bledsoe, natives of Middle Tennessee, and
both members of the Baptist Church. The father
was an enterprising agriculturist, and in his polit-
ical views affiliated with the Whig party. He was
the fat'ner of three children: Sarah A., who died in
1883, was the wife of D. H. Pitman; Susan F., is
the wife of G. H. Grubbs, a farmer, and lives in
Lincoln County, Tenn., and William L. , one of
the subjects of this sketch. He was left fatherless
at the age of nine years, and during the ten years
of his mother's widowhood he remained with her,
and secured but a limited education in the com-
mon schools. After her second marriage, in 1808,
he started out on the broad highway of life for
himself, and became a sturd}' son of toil, continu-
ing at this in Tennessee for ten years. In Febru-
ary, 1870, occurred his mam age to Miss Calister
Moore, daughter of James and Martha Moore, na-
tives of Marshall County, Tenn. This happy
union resulted in the birth of three children: AVil-
lie, James and Orah. Their mother died in 1886,
lil!
580
HISTOBY OF ARKANSAS.
and Mr. Bledsoe took for his second wife Miss
Fannie Roy, daughter of Judge Roy, and a native
of Tennessee. Two childi-en were the fruits of this
marriage: Maud and Elmer. In 1878 Mr. Bled-
soe left the farm and embarked in the grocery busi-
ness, which he carried on in Middle Tennessee for
two years. In 1880 he moved to Harrisburg,
Poinsett County, Ark., tilled the soil here for a
year, and then moved to Bay Village, where he
still continued farming. Three years later he en-
gaged in his present business, and is making a
success of the same, having erected new buildings
etc., and secured a lucrative [)atronage. The firm
own a tract of land of sixty -three acres, and are
engaged extensively in the raising and selling of
stock. They also farm extensively, and have this
year over 150 acres of cotton, seventy-five acres
in connection in Poinsett County. Aside from
this they own live acres in Bay Village, and 210
acres, 180 under cultivation. In their mercantile
business they carry a stock of goods valued at
$2,000, and their annual sales equal $20,000.
F. F. Tillery, junior member of the above men-
tioned firm, was born October 16, 1856. in Ala-
bama, but was reared in Middle Tennessee, where
he received but a limited education. His parents,
William and Jane (Cunningham) Tillery, were also
natives of Alabama. AVilliam Tillery followed till-
ing the soil in early life, and at the age of thirty
years, being fairly well educated, he entered the
ministry of the Methodist Episcopal Church, in
which work he continued with successful results
for thirty five years, or until his death, which oc-
curred in 1863. He was an honored member of
both the Masonic and Odd Fellows fraternities,
and was a much revered gentleman. Although he
never enlisted in the service, he went with those
of the soldiers with whom he was acquainted to
wait upon and attend to their wants, and died
while thus striving to do good. Mrs. Tillery sur-
vived her husband twenty-five years, reared her
children to maturity, and during the last five years
of her life lived happily with them. She united
with the Methodist Episcopal Church at the age
of sixteen, and lived a consistent member of the
same until her death, in 1888, having been a mem-
ber of the same for fifty-foiu' years. She reared her
family at a time when educational opportunities
were vei"y limited, and the training and instruc-
tion she gave them were all they ever received. F.
F. Tillery was the twelfth of thirteen children,
seven of whom are now living — six daughters
and one son — all married, viz. : Mrs. Francis Van
Martindale, Mrs. Sarah A. McKenney, Mrs. Mar-
garet Roper, Mrs. Mary Bledsoe, Mrs. Harriet
Smith and Mrs. Julia Goodloe, the subject of this
sketch being the only son living. He started out
in life at the age of eighteen, and entered the em
ploy of a saw-mill man, with whom he remained
for some time. After this he embarked in agri-
cultural pursuits, and continued at this until No-
vember 30, 1880, when he made a visit to Harris-
burg, and although he had no intention of a per-
manent stay, his practical eye soon saw that right
there was a chance for a man with progressive
ideas to make a start in life. He first began by
teaming, and in connection with this carried on
farming and trading, which he continued until
1884. He then embarked in merchandising with
Mr. W. L. Bledsoe, at Bay Village. On Febru-
ary 14, 1879, he was first married to Miss Lebecea
Merrill, who was a daughter of Garrett and Amy
(Walker) Merrill, natives of Alabama and Middle
Tennessee, respectively. Mrs. Tillery lived about
twenty -three days after marriage, and in Febru-
ary, 1880, Mr. Tillery married Miss Mellie A.
Merrill, sister to his first wife. They have the
following, family: Mary F., Robert Lee, Minnie
O., Arthur B., Tillie M., died in infancy; Willy
D. and Pearl. Mr. Tillery casts his vote with the
Democratic party, and is a member of the Metho-
dist Episcopal Church, as is also Mrs. Tillery.
Theo Brownfield is one of the progressive, in-
telligent and enterprising agriculturists of Poinsett
County, and was born in Warren County, Middle
Tennessee, in 1846, and of his parents' nine chil-
dren he was the eldest. His youthful days were
spent in the State of Illinois, and he received a
good j)ractical education in the schools of Jackson
County. He started out in life for himself, by
driving stock through Illinois, Iowa and Minne-
sota, but after his marriage, which occurred in
-I — ^s\^
POINSETT COUNTY.
581
Jaekaoii County, 111., in 1865. to Miss Ellon Dale,
he settled down to farming. Growiriw dissatisfied
with that location, and thinking he could better his
financial condition, he came to Harrisburg, Ark.,
in November, 1809, and, after residing in the town
for one month, he purchased a timber tract of 160
acres, in Greenfield Township, and in a compara-
tively short time had forty acres fenced and partly
cleared. He sold this property in 1872, however,
and bought another farm, adding, in 1881, eighty
acres more — this being the farm on which he is
now residing. He has been an active member of
the Democratic party, and belongs to the school
board of his district, the Agricultural Wheel, and
is a member of Lodge No. 184, of the A. F. & A.
M. He and wife are the parents of the following
family: Fayette. William and Oscar (twins), Mary
Edna and Anna — living; those deceased are Free-
man A., whose death occurred in 1882; Zella S.,
who died in 1875, and Estella, whose death oc-
curred in 1879. Mr. Brownfield is a son of Robert
and Edna (Kerby) Brownfield, the former a native
of .Mabama. and the latter of Warren County,
Tenti. They were married in the latter State, and
in 1849 emigrated to Marion County, 111. After a
short residence in St. Francis County, Mo., they
returned to Illinois, in 1852, and resided there and
in Jackson County until 1865, and from that time
until the father's death, in 1875, they resided in
Clay County. The mother died in February, 1862.
Mrs. Isabella F. Burt, is the relict of John M.
Burt, who was born in South Carolina in 1807.
Her father, John, and her mother, formerly Letta
Meltage, were born in Rutherford County, N. C. ,
and moved to Northern Alabama about 1825, in
which State the father's death occurred in 1840,
his death being preceded by his wife's about one
year. He was a hatter by trade, but also followed
the occupation of farming, and he and his wife
were active and worthy workers in the Methodist
Episcopal Church, South. Their children were as
follows: William, who was born about ISIO, was a
farmer by occupation, and about 1856 came to Cross
County. .\rk. H(> was a Master Mason, a member of
the Methodist Episcopal Church, and liecame the
father of a large family of children, seven of whom
live in Cross Coimty at the present time. He died
in 1859; Isabella F. (Mrs. Burt), was their second
child, and llacjjel, their last, she lioing the widow
of Allen Burt, a farmer who died in Lonisana in
1851. His wife and six children survive him, and
in the year 1856, came to Poinsett County. Ark.,
and here the mother is still living at the age of
seventy-seven years. Mrs. Isabella F. Burt spent
her girlhood days in her native State, and there
received a good education in the common schools.
In December, 1829, she was married to John M.
Burt, a son of William and Mehathalona (Mosely)
Burt, whose native State was South Carolina.
They were farmers there, and in 1856 moved to
Arkansas, where they became the owners of 640
acres of land, and at the time of the father's death,
in 1861, they had about 130 acres under cultiva
tion. To them were born four children: Martha
A., -wife of J. H. Hall, a sketch of their son, John
W. Hall, being given in this work: Mary J., wife
of Eli A. Bradner (she died in 1870, and her
husband and four children survive her): Lucy I.,
who first married Green Hall, and afterward
Thomas W. Eskridge, and died in October, 1874,
and John W. , who died in Alabama at the age of
four years. Mrs. Isabella Burt can distinctly re
member many interesting anecdotes connected with
the early history of Poinsett County, and can re-
member when Memphis, Tenn. . was their nearest
market of any importance, and when "Old Farm
Hill " was the nearest church, and Old Bolivar the
county seat. The houses of the settlers were
mostly of logs, hand-sawed by the men, and Mrs.
Burt's old home contains a floor of split logs, and
another of whipsawed logs. Tiieir clothing was
all home-made, and a suit of jeans was considered
a very stylish attire in those days. Mrs. Burt was
left a widow with four children, just on the eve of
the late war, and during that time, her slaves,
numbering abotit twenty -five, left her. Owing to
the respect and liking, which her intelligence and
kindly manners always inspired, she was left tin
molested by the Union soldiers, and devoted her-
self to rearing her children, and the manner in
which this noble woman fulfilled her trust is evi
dent in looking upon her children who have grown
sfv"
Ai
582
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
to mature years. She is remarkably well preserved
in years, the ' ' ravages of time ' ' having had but
little effect upon her vigorous intellect. Since
1874, she has been spending her time under the
loving care of her children and grandchildren,
and is at present making her home with her grand-
sou, John W. Hall.
D. C. & I. R. Cole are prominent lumber
mauufacturers of Poinsett County, Ark., and have
been established in business since May, 1^86, their
mill having a capacity of 1,500,000 feet per year.
They are situated two and one half miles north of
Harrisburg, and have their own tramway of three
and one-half miles, and employ from fifteen to
twenty men, to whom they aim to give employment
the year round. Isaac R. Cole, the senior mem-
ber of the firm, was born in Darke County, Ohio,
in 1833, and inherits a fair share of the energy and
push which are so characteristic of the inhabitants
of that State. He was the sixth of eight children
born to James and Sarah (Rupple) Cole, who were
born in New Jersey and Pennsylvania, respect-
ively, at an early day they settled in Darke County,
Ohio, and in February, 1836, emigrated overland
to St. Joseph County, Ind., where they settled on
a farm and made their home the remainder of their
clays, the former's death occurring iu July, 1856,
and the latter' s in October, 1860. In this county
and State Isaac R. Cole received his education and
was initiated into the mysteries of farm work.
After having farmed for himself for a number of
years he, in 1871, engaged in the milling business
in North Liberty, Liberty Township, St. Joseph
County, and in 1886 moved his mill to Poinsett
County, Ark. , where he has his present plant. Be-
ing a man of excellent business qualifications and
experience, he has built up an extensive business
and readily disposes of immense quantities of lum-
ber annually, as his shipping facilities are good.
In 1850 he was married, in the " Hoosier State,"'
to Miss Eliza J. Rush, but she was called to her
long home three years later, leaving a son, James
Arthur. Miss Mary Ellen Reamer became Mr.
Cole's second wife, their union taking place in
1860. She was born in the State of Indiana, and
she and Mr. Cole have an interesting little family
of three children: Alma Alice (Mrs. Nelson, a
resident of St. Joseph County, Ind.), Benjamin
F. and Mabel B. at home. Mr. and Mrs. Cole are
members of the Methodist Episcopal Chiuch, at
North Liberty, Ind. , and he was Worshipful Mas
ter of Lodge No. 266, of the A. F. & A. M., at
North Liberty, Ind. During his residence in this
county (since 1886) he has noticed a gradual im-
provement each year, and has taken an active in-
terest in promoting the growth and improvement
of the same. Churches and schools always receive
his patronage, and on his and his brother's land,
which amounts to 2,600 acres, many homes are
being erected and clearings made, and a school-
house will soon be erected thereon.
L. J. Collins, M. D., is one of Poinsett County's
most trustworthy physicians and surgeons, and as
he has obtained a liberal share of public favor, it is
one of the best of proofs of his skill and care. He
was born in Fulton County, Ky. , in 1857, and is
the third in a family of three children, born to
Leroy and Evaline (Murphy) Collins, who wore
Tennesseeans, and emigrated to Fulton, Fulton
County, Ky., at an early day, where the father
followed the trade of a mechanic. He still resides
in Fulton, but his wife died many years ago, when
our subject was Imt a small lad. L. J. Collins
was taken to Carroll County, Tenn. , after his
mother's death, and there remained until he at-
tained his eighth year, when he returned to Ful
ton County, Ky., and was educated in the schools
of that county. From earliest manhood the study
of medicine always had a fascination for him. and
he determined to make that his calling through
life; and in order to fit himself for active work he
entered the Hospital Medical College of Louisville,
Ky. , and was graduated from that institution in
1877. His first experience as a practitioner was
gained in Hardeman County, Tenn., but he only
remained there a short time when he entered upon
the practice of his profession in Wittsburg, Cross
County, Arl^ After a short stay of three months
in this place he located in Bay Village of the same
county, remaining here until the first of January,
1881, when he came to his present location, and
has a paying practice in the town and surrounding
rFl^
' >£.
POINSETT COUNTY.
583
country. He has been an active politician for years,
and always vote.s the Democratic ticket, and in
I81S8, was elected by that party to the State legis-
latui'e from Poinsett County, and is now ably dis
charging the duties incumbent upon this office.
Socially he is a member of the A. F. & A. M. In
1876 he was married, in Hardeman County, Tenn. ,
to Miss Amanda Hurst, a native of Hardeman
County, Tenn. To their union were born the fol-
lowing children: Henry, Dixie and LaFayette.
Although the Doctor has resided here only a few
years, he has noticed a decided change for the bet-
ter in the public-school system, and in the growth
and prosperity of the county.
A. A. Coppage, clerk of the county and pro-
l)ate court, and also county recorder, was born in
Marion County, Ky. , on the I'ith of January,
1847, l)eing the seventh of twelve children born
to the union of Hardin Coppage and Sally C.
Robertson, both natives of Marion County, Ky. ,
the former a farmer and stock dealer by occupa-
tion. He died in Davis County, Ky. , in 1886, at
the age of seventy-five years, his excellent wife's
death occurring two years earlier. A. A Coppage
received the education and rearing which usually
fall to the lot of the farmer's boy, and in April,
1877, he left home and came to Greene County,
Ark., where he engaged in general merchan-
dising at Bethel, and after successfully con-
tinuing there for three years he moved to Harris-
hxvcg. He had also been engaged in teaching
.school while in Greene County, and after his locat-
ing in Poinsett County, he was elected to the of-
fice of deputy county clerk, serving from 1883 to
November, 1S88, and discharged his duties in so
efficient a manner that in the fall of the latter year
he was elected to his present office. By appoint-
ment he was made county judge in 1884. and filled
the position with ability for six mouths. He has
shown his approval of secret o.rganizations by be-
coming a member of the A. F. & A. M. , and
the I. O. O. F. , holding the position of secretary in
the latter. He was married at Bethel, Greene
County, Ark., in 1880, to Mrs. Bettie Going, form-
erly Betty Sloan, a native of East Tennessee, roared
in Poinsett County, Ark. Three children have
been born to their union: Effie and Abl)ie, being
the only ones living. He has two step- children:
Clyde and May Going.
Prof. Robert L. Cowan, educator, Harrisburg,
Ark. Originally from Warrick County, Ind.,
where his birth occurred on the 14th of March,
1852, Prof. Cowan is possessed of those advanced
ideas and progressive prinei[>les regarding educa-
tional matters which make his name familiar
throughout this part of the State. His parents,
Rev. John D. and Elizabeth (Knight) Cowan, were
natives of Tennessee and Indiana, respectively.
The father was a graduate of Princeton College,
New Jersey, and about 1849 or 1850 ho was ordained
to the Pre.sbyterian ministry. He at once re-
ceived the appointment of principal of Newburg
Academy, at Newburg, Ind., which position he
filled with honor until 1858, when he was made
financial agent of Union College, at Virginia, Cass
\ County, 111. He remained in this position until
near the close of his life, in 1865. At the age of
sixteen, in company with two others of about the
same age, he rode from Holly Springs, Miss., to
Texas, and was forty days making the journey.
They lost themselves in the wild and unbroken for-
ests of Eastern Arkansas, wandered around for sev-
eral days, and at last found Crowley's Ridge,
which they followed north for some distance; then
crossed over White River Valley, thence south to
the Arkansas River, and after crossing this stream
were near the present site of the city of Little
Rock. From there they went to Shreveport, and
then to Texas. Mr. Cowan remained in that State
for four years, and during that time served as a
soldier in the Texan army. He was wounded by
arrows, and carried the scars to his grave. As pay
for his services in the army he received a quarter
of a league of Texas land (about 320 acres). In
the meantime he had united with tiie Presbyterian
Church, and was sent by the presbytery to attend
Princeton College, as before stated. Prof. Cow-
an's paternal grandfather, David Cowan, was a
native of Tennessee, and a farmer by occupation;
was one of Gen. Jackson's soldiers in the battle of
New Orleans, and met his death by being accident-
ally shot during a bear-hunt in 1832. His father,
:fv~
^J.
584
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
John Cowan, was a native of Edinburgh, Scotland,
and an early settler of Virginia, although later in
life he drifted westward to Tennessee. His Inother,
David Cowan, came to America with him, and
made his home in Pennsylvania. His son, Edgar
Cowan, was United States senator from Pennsyl-
vania during the war. Prof. Cowan's maternal
grandfather, Isaac Knight, was a native of Penn-
sylvania, and emigrated with his father, Abraham
Knight, to Henderson, Ky., in the year 1790. Two
years later he was captured by the Indians, by
whom he was kept a prisoner for two and a half
years. He then escaped in the Straits of Macki
naw, by being hidden on a English trading vessel
by a colored cook. He lauded on terra firma in
Detroit, and made his way home, after a perilous
trip of six months. He followed agricultural pur-
suits, and opened up several large farms in South
ern Indiana. His death occurred in 1858. Rev.
John D. Cowan and Elizabeth Knight were mar-
ried on the 20th of May, 1851, and Prof. Robert
L. Cowan is their only child. His mother died on
the lyth of August, 1854, and the father was
married the second time on the 28th of December.
1859, to Miss Mary A. Bell, daughter of A. W.
Bell, a prominent farmer of Central Illinois. To
this union was born one child, Alex. B., whose
birth occuiTed on the 2d of March, 1861, and who
is married and has two children. He is the pres-
ent manager of the Western Union Telegraph
Company, at Quincy, 111., and he, with his son,
four years of age, and the subject of this sketch,
are the only survivors bearing the family name.
Prof. Cowan passed his boyhood days in poring
over his books at home, and later attended the
Presbyterian Academy in Macon County, 111. Af-
ter completing his studies in that college, in 1875,
he went to Evansville, Ind., and tilled the position
of professor in the scientific department of the
public high school of that city for five years. In
1880 he was elected county examiner of Vander-
burgh County, which position he held until 1SS8,
and then accepted the position of assistant engi-
neer of the Danville, Olney & Ohio Railroad,
while making the survey fi'om Olney to Paducah,
Ky. After this he was an engineer in the sub-ma-
1 rine work in the building of the bridge across the
Ohio River, at Henderson, Ky. Following this
Prof. Cowan was assistant engineer in the Ijuilding
of the Toledo, Cincinnati & St. Louis Railroad,
1 between Toledo, Cincinnati and St. Louis. He
then returned to Decatur in poor health, and re-
mained in that city one year, when, in November,
' 1886, he came to Poinsett County, Ark. After lo-
cating here he followed the timber business, and
then engaged in teaching, having charge of the
I Harrisburg schools in 1887 and 1889. His mar-
riage occurred on the 20th of December, 1889, to
Miss Maud Sloan, daughter of Judge G. AV.
Sloan, who keeps a hotel and is undertaker at Har-
risburg. Prof. Cowan is a member of the Presby-
terian Church, and Mrs. Cowan belongs to the
I Methodist Episcopal Church. He is a member of
the A. F. & A. M., Lodge No. 64, Evansville, and
holds the position of reporter of Lodge No. 3380,
1 Knights of Honor (Bolivar Lodge). He takes an
! active part in jiolitics, votes with the Republican
party, is chairman of his county committee, and is
a member of both the State Central and Congres-
sional committees. He takes an active interest in
and gives his support to all public enterprises.
L. H. Davis, M. D., physician and surgeon,
Harrisburg, Ark. The above mentioned gentleman
is one of the most successful and prominent phy-
sicians in Poinsett County, and is ever to be found
by the bedside of sick and suffering humanity. He
was born in Ozark County, Mo., on the 22d of
December, 1858, and is the son of Dr. Newland A.
and Eliza N. (Drake) Davis, natives of Tennessee.
[For further particulars of parents see sketch of
John C. Davis. ] Dr. L. H. Davis was the fifth of
six living childi'en born to his parents and their
names appear in the following order: Mrs. E.
Frierson, wife of J. C. Frierson, and now residing
in JonesVjoro, Ark. ; Mrs. Alice Legg, wife of D.
H. Legg, who is a descendant of one of the oldest
families of Cross County, and is magistrate of that
county; Mrs. M. A. Gilliland, wife of the present
school commissioner of Poinsett County; Thomas
L., married and living in Harrisburg, is a medical
student; L. H. , and John C. , a druggist at Harris-
burg. Dr. L. H. Davis always had delicate health,
"?;
la.
POINSETT COUNTY.
585
and spent much of his time during l)oyhood in
attending school. At the age of seveuteiui years
he entered as clerk the drugstore of Dr. D. A.
Graves at Forest City, and lemained in that posi-
tion for three years. During his twenty- tirst year
the Doctor taught school in Woodruff County at
Pum[)kin Bend, and at the same time liegan the
study of medicine. The following year he read
medicine under the tutelage of I'r. Whitsett, at
Marion, Ark . and during 18S2 and 1883 he at
tended the Memphis Medical College He then
practiced one year in the Little River Country, in
Eastern Poinsett County, after which he returned
to the same college and graduated in the class of
1885. In the same year he came to Bay Village,
Cross County, and began the practice of his pro-
fession, which he continued for eighteen months.
He then came to Harrisburg, where he has remained
ever since, and where he enjoys a large and paying
practice. In February, 1887, he wedded Miss
Lillian Florence Watkias, daughter of Prof. Wat-
kins, president of Marshall Institute. They were
married at Memphis, where Mrs. Davis' family
still reside. Mrs. Davis' sister, Mrs. Fanny Ander-
son, of Millington, Tenn. , is the possessor of one
of the most noted madstones in that State. It is
an heirloom of the Watkins family. To the Doc-
tor and wife has been born one child, Willie
Mary W. , a sweet little girl of about twelve
months. Dr. Davis is medical examiner and a
member of the K. of H. . at Harrisburg, and is a
conservative Democrat.
John C. Davis, druggist and apothecary, Har-
risburg, Ark. One of the most popular and effi
cient druggists in the town of Harrisburg is Mr.
John C. Davis, whose flourishing establishment is
located in one of the busiest portions of that town.
He established his present business in 1888, and
carried a general stock of drugs, patent medicines
and fancy groceries. His birth occurred on the
2'2d of September, 1867, in Crittenden County,
Ark., and he is the youngest in a family of five
children born to Dr. N. A. and Eliza M. (Drake)
Davis, natives of Tennessee. Dr. N. A. Davis was
reared in the country, and received his education in
the common schools of Tennessee. He learned the
37
printer's trade, and followed that for some years,
when he began the study of medicine, and gradu-
ated from the St. Louis Medical College in the
class of 1850. He first began the j)ractice of his
profession at Ozark, Christian County, Mo., and
was married at Bolivar, Mo., on the 1st of Decem-
ber, 1843, to Miss Eliza :\[. Drake, daughter of
Jacob and Anna (Williams) Drake, natives of East
Tennessee. Mrs. Davis is a distant relative of J.
Q. Adams, and a second cousin of Oovernor Taylor,
of Tennessee. After his marriage. Dr. Davis re-
moved to Christian County, Mo. , where he remained
iintil the spring of 1S61. He was outspoken in
all his political views, and when the war broke out
he joined Gen. Price's army as surgeon, and held
that position during the entire struggle. In 1866
his family joined him in Louisiana, and from there
they moved to Crittenden County, Ark. , where they
made their home until 1870. In that year they
moved to Cross County, and from there, in 1873,
he moved to Forest City, where his death occurred
in 1876. The mother remained on the home place
until 1878, and then made her home with her son,
John C. Davis, until her death, in 1888. The latter
was reared in town, and spent his schoolboy days
in Forest City and the schools of Marion and Crit-
tenden Counties. In 1882 he entered the drug
store of his uncle. Dr. T. C. Whitsett, of Marion,
as a clerk, and continued with him two years. He
then went to Jonesboro', and worked as a clerk
until 1886, after which he was on the railroad until
Februarj', 1887. He then came to Harrisburg,
and purchased a half- interest in the drug business
of M. D. Simmons & Co. , with whom he continued
until March, 1888, and then withdrew, and estab-
lished himself in his present business, which he is
now prosperously conducting. He is a conserva-
tive Democrat, and gives his support to all enter-
prises for the good of the county.
W. R. Dedman, postmaster, Greenfield, Ark.
This much respected citizen has been postmaster
at the above mentioned place ever since the oflSce
was established, which was in 1886, a flag station
on the Helena branch of the Iron Mountain Rail-
road. In connection with his official duties he
is also engaged in agricultural pursuits, an occupa-
=^
A:
586
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
tion to which he was reared. His birth occurred in
Madison County, Ala., in 1851, and he was the
only child born to the union of F. D. and S. A.
(Thacker) Dedman, the father a native of Alabama,
and the mother of Virginia. F. D. Dedman was
reared to manhood in his native State, and here
tilled the soil. In 1869, he emigrated to Poinsett
County, Ark. , settled in Bolivar Township, entered
land, and there made a permanent home. At pres-
ent he is residing in Craighead County, Ark. . W.
R. Dedman became familiar with the duties of the
farm, and received the rudiments of an education
in the district schools of Tennessee. He com
menced farming for himself in Poinsett County,
in 1869, and later bought a timber tract of land of
200 acres, which he immediately commenced im-
proving, building a good frame house, setting out
an orchard, etc. , and he now has about twenty-
eight acres under cultivation. The Iron Mountain
Railroad runs through his land. Mr. Dedman
was married in Poinsett County, Ark., in 1871, to
Miss A. H. Schockley, a native of Cherokee County,
Ala., and the daughter of A. J. and Frances
Schockley, natives of Alabama. Her parents came
to Poinsett County, Ark., in 1869, settled in
Bolivar Township, and there purchased land. Her
father died in 1870, but the mother survives him,
and is residing on the old homestead. Mr. Ded-
man, after marriage, settled in Bolivar Township,
and in 1880 purchased his present property. He
was engaged in the grocery Ijusiness here in 1886
and 1887, but closed out in the latter part of the
last mentioned year. He has taken quite an active
part in politics, votes with the Republican party,
and is a prominent man. He has been a member
of the school board for about seven years or more,
and has held other offices of public trust. Socially,
he is a member of White Hall Lodge, No. 77,
I. O. O. F., at Harrisburg. To his happy mar-
riage have been born six children : Eudora, Miuuie
Bell, William Oliver, Ida Lou, Nellie M. and
Sarah Frances. Mr. Dedman has always taken an
interest in all that pertains to the good of the com-
munity, and is a liberal supporter of all laudable
enterprises,
J. A. W. Ellzey is salesman and book keeper
for the general mercantile firm of A. S. Thorn
& Co., of Marked Tree, Ark. He was born in
Pontotoc County, Miss., in 1851, being a son of
Dr. James Ellzey, of Georgia. The latter, in con-
nection with his practice, was an extensive planter:
he was married in his native State to Miss Martha
A. Stevens, whose birthplace was the "Old North
State." The father, 'vho was a Democrat in pol-
itics, died in 1869 in Pontotoc County, Miss..
whither he had moved at an early day. His widow
passed from life in 1882. To them were born
eleven children. Our subject, J. A. W. Ellzey
(one of the seven sons), was engaged in school -
teaching in the State of Mississippi, and in the
spring of 1879 he went to Milam County, Tex.,
where he followed the same occupation for nearly
one year. In November. 1879, he came to Poin-
sett County, Ark., and was engaged in teaching
and farming up to 1884, when he accepted his
present position with the above mentioned firm.
He is not a very active politician, but usually votes
the Democratic ticket, and socially is a member of
the Masonic order. He was maiTied in Poinsett
County, in January, 1881, to Miss Mollie C. Will-
iams, who was born in Poinsett County, and is a
daughter of B. D. and A. J. (Mardis) Williams,
who were born in Alabama and Tennessee, respect-
ively. The father's death occurred in 1862, and
his widow, now Mrs. Thorn, still survives and
makes her home at Marked Tree, Ark. Mr. and
Mrs. Ellzey became the parents of five children
(three of whom are now living) : Birdie ; Beatrice,
who died in May, 1886: Thaddeus and Willie
(twins), the latter dying in July, 1885, and Willie.
Foster Freeman is the efficient postmaster at
Harrisburg, and is now serving his second consec-
utive term, having previously served in this capac-
ity under Garfield's administration. For about
twelve years he was editor and proprietor of Free-
man's Express, the last paper being issued on the
15th of October, 1888. He was born in Griffin,
Ga. , in 1842, and is the eldest of a family of six
children born to Robert K. and Mary E. (Sessions)
Freeman, who were also natives of the State of
Georgia, but moved to Northern Alabama in 1850,
where the father became a well-known medical
!.£:
POINSETT COUNTY.
587
practitioner. In IcSHG he came to Jonesboro, Ark. ,
but bis death occurred in Poinsett County, two
year.s later, his excellent wife surviving him until
1888. Their children are L. C. (Mrs. G. W.
Baxter, residing in Stanton, Tenn.), Robert K.
(deceased). Mary N. (Mrs. Griffin). L. D. (who re-
sides at Wynne, and is editor of the Wynne Rip-
saw), and Foster. From his earliest recollections
up to 186], the latter's time was occupied with
the monotonous duties of farm life, and in the
meantime he acquired a fair education in the pub-
lic .schools in the vicinity of his home. Upon the
bursting of the war cloud which had threatened
the country for some time, he laid down the im-
plements of farm life to don the rebel uniform,
and enlisted from St. Clair County, Ala., in Com-
pany A, Tenth Alabama Volunteer Infantry, Con-
federate States Army, and went directly to Vir-
ginia, becoming a member of Wilcox's Brigade.
He was in the entire Virginia campaign, and sur-
rendered on the "Jth of April, 1865, at Appomat-
tox Court- House. Mr. Freeman then returned to
St. Clair County, Ala. , and was married there, in
1867, to Miss Elizabeth J. Gibson, a native of that
State. He was engaged in farming there until
1868, when he removed to Tennessee, and the fol-
lowing year settled in Poinsett County, Ark., where
he purchased and improved a farm of 160 acres.
He also gave considerable of his attention to grist-
and saw-milling, but recently exchanged his mills
for the old homestead in Alabama. He is rather
conservative in politics, but usually casts his vote
with the Democratic party, and is now a memljer
of the county central committee; he has been
county school examiner two terms, and in this ca
pacity did much to raise the standard of schools.
He has always been interested in every worthy
movement, and has aided materially in the general
development of the county. He is a member of
Lodge No. 184 of the A. F. & A. M., and is now
holding the position of s(<cretary of that lodge.
He and wife were members of the Methodist Epis-
copal Church, South, and to their union were born
the following children: R. L. . Elizabeth D., S. C,
Sally B. and Foster. Elizabeth D. is the wife of
Mr. Beards, and is residing in the county.
W. F. Furnish is a farmer, and is also en
gaged in the saw-milling business, his mill being
located in Bolivar Township, and is in operation
the most of the year, giving employment to about
nine men. Mr. Furnish was born at Old Bolivar,
in 1846, and was the elder of two children born to
Parker W. and Annice (Smith) Furnish, who were
born, respectively, in Missouri and Teimessee.
Parker W. Furnish removed to Arkansas, in 1844,
while still a single man, but was married soon
after, and in addition to opening up a farm was en-
gaged in carpentering until his death, which oc-
cun-ed in August. 1848, he being killed. His
widow survived him until 1885, wh(>n she, too,
passed to her long home. The early youth of our
subject was spent in following the plow and in
attending the district schools, where he acquired
sufficient education to lit him for the duties of
everyday life, and from the age of fifteen up to
twenty-two years of age, he assisted in the support
of his mother. He was man-ied in 1868 to Miss
Barthena Ainsworth, a daughter of Harrison Ains-
worth, one of the pioneers of Poinsett County.
The year following her death, which occvu-red in
1872, Mr. Furnish wedded Miss Mary E. Hall, of
Louisiana, a daughter of Philip and Martha (Hicks)
Hall, who were Tennesseeans, and came to Ar-
kansas, in 1856, engaging in farming. Mr. Fur-
nish farmed in Bolivar Township until 1879. then
went to Dunklin County, Mo. , remaining there,
engaged in the occupation of farming until 1880,
when he returned to Poinsett County, .\rk. , and
has since matle the farm where he now lives his
home. He owns 160 acres, with fifty under
cultivation, raising corn, and also stock. He
is a Democrat, and belongs to Lodge No. 77 of
the I. O. O. F. He served in the Rebellion from
1863 until the close, being a member of W. G.
Godfrey's company, was a participant in a
number of skirmishes, and after the cessation of
hostilities he returned home. He and his wife are
the parents of four children: Walter Lee, James
Logan, Willie Gertrude and Thomas Richmond.
He has also taken to raise three childn>n belonging
to his wife's brother: Martha Elizabeth, Thomas
Joiner and Philip Addison.
A
-^ V
■)88
HISTOKY OF ARKANSAS.
Gant Bros., general merchants, Harrisburg.
Ark. One of the leading characteristics of our
commercial fabric is the size and extent of the
mercantile business in the various cities of Poinsett
County. A vast capital is invested in this import-
ant industry, and many persons, are furnished re-
mimerative employment. Among the leading es-
tablishments of this kind, none are more desoiving
of more favorable mention and consideration than
that of Gant Bros., the individual members of
the firm being J. G. , J. B. and J. W. Gant.
They are the sons of James W. and Sarah (Keller)
Gant, natives of Tennessee and North Carolina,
respectively. The parents were married in Ten-
nessee in 1852, and the father opened a drug
store in Memphis, which he conducted successfully
until 1856, when he removed with his family to
what is now Craighead County, Ark., where he
bought land, and opened up a large plantation.
In 1857 he was elected school commissioner, served
one term, and after this he acted as surveyor and
sheriff until 1801. Ho was then appointed as
Government purchasing agent, serving in that
capacity until his death, in 1868. He was a prom-
inent member of the Masonic fraternity, and a
devout Methodist. Ho was noted for liberal and
progi'essive ideas, and was a strong Democrat. He
was one of eighteen children, and his brothers are
as follows: John, farmer, of Texas; Benjamin,
presiding elder of the Methodist Episcopal Church,
and who died in his pulpit, at Nashville, about
1860; Howard, blacksmith, in Missouri; William,
merchant, at Spring Hill, Tenn. There are a
number of others supposed to be living, but their
exact location is not known. His only sister, Mrs.
Polly Hall, is the wife of a farmer, and lives in
Izard County. Ark. Mrs. Sarah (Keller) Gant is
the daughter of Uriah and Julia Keller, natives
of South Carolina. Her father was a tiller of the '
soil. Mrs. Gant is one of a family of eleven chil-
dren, eight of whom lived to be grown, and these
are now living: John, farmer; Julia, wife of Mr.
Gayor, and is living at luka. Miss.; Mattie I.,
wife of Mr. Hughes, a hotel-keeper at Jonesboro,
Ark., and Henrietta M., wife of Mr. Whisenhunt,
a farmer of Craighead County, Ark. To the mar-
riage of James W. Gant and Miss Sarah Keller
were born the three sons, J. G. , J. B. and J. \V.,
and one daughter, Julia E., wife of J. W. Rooks,
a hotel-keeper at Harrisburg, Ark. Mrs. Gant
was left a widow just on the eve of the groat Civil
War, with four small children to support. How-
ever, she bravely undertook the task, and first
engaged in farming, and then kept a boarding
house. The children were able to assist her after
a little, and later relieved her of their support alto
gether. She now makes her home with them, and
no mother is thought more of than she is by her
children, who vie in making her declining years
happy and comfortable. She is the owner of
several good homes in Craighead and Poinsett
Counties, and is living for her children, bestowing
all the wealth of a mother's love on them. .1. G.
Gant, the senior member of the firm of Gant
Bros., was born in 1853, reared to farm life,
educated at Jonesboro, and at the age of eighteen
embarked in the grocery business. He sold out, and
then returned to farm work, which he continued
for three years. He then entered the saloon busi
ness, which he followed with success until 1883,
when the above firm was organized. They carry
a large stock of general merchandise, and buy
and sell grain and cotton. J. G. Gant was mar-
ried, in October, 1888, to Miss Lena Lewis, of
Woodruff County. J. B. and J. W. were educated
at Jonesboro and Harrisburg, and also took a
commercial course at Ledding's Commercial Col-
lege, at Memphis. In 1884 J. B. was married to
Miss Jennie Mitchell, of Harrisburg. They have
one child, Nellie, who is now four years of ago.
J. W. is unmarried. All are members of the
Masonic fraternity, and all Democratic in their
political views. J. B. is a member of both the I.
O. O. F. and K. of H. orders. The brothers are
all members of the Methodist Episcopal Church,
and give their unqualified support to all move
ments conducive to the good of the community.
In addition to their mercantile pursuits they are
the owners of 1,200 acres of land, 300 acres under
cultivation, and are extensively engaged in stock
raising. They are experimenting in several lines
of stock, have Holstein cattle (graded), Short-
:7i
r
/s.
^X.. ^-/^-^.^^
Osceola .
MissiSBiPPi County, Arkansas .
7'
.^ 5)
^
POINSETT COUNTY.
589
horn, Durham (large red), and handle Berkshire
and Poland-China hogs. They also raise horses,
common cattle, sheep and Angora goats.
G. T. Garvey. Among the best-known houses
engaged in the grocery business in Harrisburg, is
that of G. T. Garvey, who, in connection with his
store, conducts a restaurant, his business having
l)een established in 1888. Although he is a young
man, and has only been in business in the town but
a few years, yet his name has already become .syn-
onymous with upright, honorable dealing, and his
establishment is a favorite resort for those who
wish to procure the best brands of the articles he
keeps in stock. He was born in the "Old North
State" in 1861, was the younger of two children
born to W. F. and Sarah (Burgess) Garvey, who
were also born in that State. The father was a
salesman in a store, but gave up this work in 1861
to enlist from Edgecombe County in the Thirtieth
North Carolina Infantry, but died in 1865 from ex-
posure during his service. His widow still survives
him, and resides in Poinsett County, with her son,
G. T. Garvey. The latter' s early days were divided
between farming and learning the painter's trade,
his education in the meantime being received in the
district schools of Halifax County, N. C. After
reaching manhood he went to Baltimore, Md. , but
removed from there to Poinsett County, Ark., in
1886, and was first engaged in the milling business
for D. C. Cole; he was married here, in December,
1888, to Miss Annice Usery, a native of the county,
having in February prior to his marriage em-
barked in his present enterprise. He is a member
of Lodge No. 3380 of the K. of H. . of Bolivar,
and is a Democrat: his wife is a member of the
Methodist Episcopal Church, South. He belongs
to the Methodist Protestant Church, having his
membership still in North Carolina.
James M. Gilliland. county examiner and
teacher, Harrisburg, Ark. Since his residence in
this county, Mr. Gilliland has l)een very promi-
nently identified with the material affairs of this
community, indeed, far more so than the average
of men. Particularly in educational matters is
this true. He was originally a native of Tennes-
see, where his birth occun-ed in Tipton County, on
the 14th of December, 1844, but he was reared
in Shelby County of the same State. He is the
son of Samuel and Eliza (McFerrin) Gilliland.
the father a native of Virginia, and the mother
of Alabama. Samuel Gilliland was one of the
very early settlers of Shelby County, and, at the
time of his first residence, remembers seeing
Memphis when it was a very small village. He
was a farmer, and opened a large tract of land ; he
was also a minister in the Methodist Episcopal
Church, and labored in that field until forty-five
years of age, when he was forced to abandon his
chosen profession on account of ill health. He
was a Democrat, though conservative in his views.
His death occurred in Tennessee in 1856. His
excellent wife survived him, and in 1860 removed
with her family to Poinsett (now Cross) County,
Ark. , where she bought a large tract of land, 200
acres of which she cleared and put under culti-
vation. She erected good houses and barns, set
out orchards and otherwise improved the plantation.
Mrs. Gilliland was the sister of the late lamented
Rev. John B. McFerrin, general manager and field
agent of the Methodist Book Concern, of Nash-
ville, and possessed his sterling qualities. Her
death occurred at Wittsburg, Cross County, Ark. ,
in 1871. She was an esteemed member of the
Methodist Episcopal Church. James M. Gilliland
was the third of seven children born to his parents.
Mrs. Anna Wilson, who died in 1867, at the age of
twenty- four, leaving her husband and four chil-
di'en; Mi-s. Sallie Elvers, widow of R. E. Rivers;
James M. ; John W. , a farmer, who died and left
a wife and one child in 1881 ; Mrs. Alice Thomas,
Mrs. Ella Durham, and Samuel, who was accident-
ally drowned in St. Francis River. The shock of
this event caused the mother's death on the day
following. James M. Gilliland became familiar
with the details of farm life in his youth, and re-
ceived the rudiments of an education in the com-
mon schools of Tennessee. Later he attended
Marshall Male Academy, at Marshall, Miss., but
his studies were interrupted by the breaking out
of the late war, which caused him to leave school
in order to assist his mother during that struggle.
As the excitement increased, however, he deemed
Aj
590
HISTOEY OF ARKANSAS.
it best to join the army, and accordingly in the
year 1862, at the age of seventeen, enlisted for
one year in Company B. Twelfth Tennessee In-
fantry, under Col. Preston Smith, and was with
his regiment at the battle of Corinth. After the
retreat from that city Mr. Gilliland was discharged
on account of age, under the provision of the
Confederate Congress, and returned to Arkansas
for a short time. He then enlisted in McGee's
Battalion (cavalry), under Gen. Marmaduke, and
participated in the battles of Helena, White River
and numerous skirmishes in White County. Here
during an encounter with the Third Iowa Cavalry
Mr. Gilliland had his horse killed, and he was
taken prisoner. He was conveyed to Camp Doug-
las, Chicago, where he was kept a prisoner for
about two years. On the 12th of April, 1865,
they were started to the mouth of Red River, and
arrived at Cairo on the night that President Lin-
coln was assassinated. From there they were sent
to New Orleans, thence returned to Shreveport,
where they were placed on board a Confederate
transport, and were ordered to report to their
command. There being no command to which to
report, on arriving at the mouth of Red River,
about 200 of the soldiers, including Mr. Gilliland,
started on foot to their homes in Northern Ai'kan-
sas. This tiresome and perilous journey was ac-
complished, with great labor but without serious
loss, in about one month. On his arrival at home
Mr. Gilliland engaged in farming, and March 14,
1872, was the occasion of his marriage to Miss
Anna Davis, daughter of Dr. N. A. and Mrs.
Eliza M. (Drake) Davis, natives of Tennessee.
The fruits of this union were the following chil-
dren: Eliza Alice, Mary E., John D., who died in
infancy; Anna V., J. Landon, Florence C. and
Lillian M. Mr. and Mrs. Gilliland are members
of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South, and he
is a member of the following orders; Masonic,
Odd Fellows and K. & L. of H. He, like his father,
is a Democrat, but is conservative. He has served
in different official capacities in the county, iirst
as mayor of Wittsburg, from 1871 to 1872, then
as justice of the peace in Cross County, two years,
was a member of the board of registrars for two
\ years, andisone^of Poinsett County's representa-
tive citizens. He moved to Harrisburg, in Novem-
I ber, 1886, and has followed the profession of
teaching a portion of the time since. He was ap-
pointed county examiner in January, 1888. and is
the present incumbent. He has taught in the
schools of Cross, Woodruff, Craighead and Poin-
sett Counties, and is one of the progressive edu-
cators of this county. He is an earnest advocate
of improved methods in education, and under his
direction the schools of Poinsett County, are in
a very prosperous condition. He is the owner of
127 acres of land in Cross County, fifty acres of
which are under cultivation, and he also owns a
house and lot in Harrisburg.
James M. Griffin, planter and proprietor of a
grist and saw-mill and cotton-gin, resides in Bolivar,
near the county seat of Poinsett County, and has
been a resident of this county from his birth, which
occiarred in 1850, being the fifth of seven children
born to Theophilus and Eliza Ann (Thrower)
Griffin, who were born in the " Old North State "
and the "Blue Grass State," respectively. They
both removed from Poinsett County, Ark., at a
very early day, and after their marriage settled
near where our subject is now residing, where they
cleared and improved a farm. The father was also
a practicing physician and surgeon, and in early
times he was called upon to attend the sick in all
parts of the county, and well as in the counties ad-
joining. He was successful in alleviating the suf-
ferings of his fellow-mortals, and was a man who
was esteemed for his many worthy qualities of
mind and heart. His wife was called to her long
home in 1877. James M. Griffin received such
education as Poinsett County afforded in his youth-
ful days, and from his earliest recollections he has
been familiar witli the details of farm labor. At
the age of twenty years he began doing for him-
self, and after his marriage, in Poinsett County, in
November, 187-1, to Miss Mary Elizabeth Freeman,
of Alabama, he settled down to tilling the soil, and
now owns an exceedingly fertile tract, embracing
200 acres, with eighty acres under cultivation. He
devotes the greater part of this to the raising of
cotton and corn, and has 100 acres under fence.
i^
POINSETT COUNTY.
591
He is a Democrat, and socially is a member of the
K. of H. He and wife belong to the Methodist
Episcopal Church, at Pleasant Valloy, of which
he has been steward, trustee and superintendent.
He has been an active worker for churches, schools
and, in fact, all worthy enterprises, and is in every
respect a public-spirited citizen. He and wife be-
came the parents of the following children: Eva
Engeuia, Louis Christopher, Mattie Lon, Jim and
Hubbard Hugh, living, and Nora Bettie, who died
September 2, 1888, at the age of four years.
Wilson Hall is a farmer and blacksmith, and also
the proprietor of a cotton-gin and gristmill in
Bolivar Township. He was born in this county on
the 6th day of January, 1836, and is the youngest
of eight children born to Richmond and Mary
(Cook ) Hall, the former a native of North Carolina,
and the latter of Mississippi. They were married
in the latter State, and came to what is now Poin-
sett County, Ark., in 1828, when it was a wilder-
ness of woods and canebrake, and entered a large
tract of land, on which they settled and began
clearing. Mr. Hall took a great interest in the
improvement of the county, and was also quite
active in politics, and the able manner in which he
discharged the onerous duties of the offices to
which he was elected won for him the respect and
confidence of his fellow-men. He tilled the office
of county and probate judge for many years, was
sheriff of the county for some time also, and in the
fall of 1844 was elected to represent his county in
the State legislature. His death occurred in 1863,
his wife having passed away in 184(); they had
been members of the Methodist Episcopal Church
for many years. Wilson Hall, our subject, has
followed in the footsteps of his father, and has
been a farmer all his life. His early education
was received in the district schools of Poinsett
County, but he afterward supplemented this by
attending school at Batesville, Ark., where he
acquired a good practical education. At the age
of twent3'-two years he began tilling the soil on his
own responsibility, having at that time married
Miss Rebecca G. Bradsher, a native of Tennessee,
and a daughter of John and Cynthia (Stafford)
Bradsher, of North Carolina, who were early emi-
grants to this county, the father dying many years
ago; the mother is a resident of this county. Mr.
Hall's first purchase of laud was a timber tract con
sisting of 320 acres, and hero he settled in the tim-
ber, where he cleared some fifty acres. He now has
nearly 100 acres under the plow, and devotes a por-
tion of the remainder to his stock, the raising of
which receives much attention. Socially, he is
a member of Lodge No. 154, A. F. & A. M., at
Harrisburg, and his political views are in accord with
the Democratic party, but he is not a strict partisan.
He served a short time during the Rebellion, and
from 1862 to 1863 he was a member of W. G.
Gobey's company. He was called upon to mourn
the death of his estimable wife in 1877, she having
borne him a family of ten children, eight of whom
are living: John Wesley, who is married and
resides near his father; Joseph Franklin, also
a married man, living near by; Thomas Jefferson,
who makes his home with his father; William
Price, married and residing in Craighead County ;
Richmond, who died in 1886, at the age of twenty-
one years; Lama Ann, died in 1862, at the age of
four years; James Henry, Wilson, Mary Cynthia
and Nancy Clementine. During Mr. Hall's resi-
dence of half a century in this county, he has wit-
nessed almost incredible changes for improvement,
and where once was a vast wilderness of woods now
can be seen finely cultivated farms and comforta-
ble homes.
John W. Hall, though still comparatively a
young man, has become well known in agricultural
circles, and is recognized as a careful, energetic
farmer, who by his advanced views and progres-
sive hal)its has done much to improve the farming
interests of his section. He was born in Limestone
County, Ala., in 1852, and was the only child ijorn
to J. H. and Martha A. (Burt) Hall, who were also
from that county, the father being one of its
progressive agriculturists. In 1856 they emi-
grated to Poinsett County, Ark., and the father's
career has been a somewhat checkered one, as he
has been engaged in a number of different occupa-
tions, and has resided in several different States.
After being engaged in land speculations in this
countv until 1864, he went to Memphis. Tenn.,
r
A
592
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
and, although he conducted a farm near there, he
made his home in the city. Leaving there in 1808,
he removed to Omaha, Neb. , where he worked at the
carpenter's trade, but shortly after returned to
Poinsett County, and opened a farm of 100 acres,
on which his son, John W., is now residing. In
1878 he gave up active farm work and removed to
the town of Harrisburg, where, two years later, he
was elected to the ofl&ce of county sheriff. In
1889, when the much-talked of Oklahoma lands
were thrown open to the settlers, Mr. Hall removed
there, and is now keeping a hotel. His wife died
March 12, 1888, John W. Hall received a good
education in the city of Memphis, but did not en-
gage in farming until the age of eighteen years.
He then settled on a woodland farm, which he com-
menced immediately to improve, and now has 363
acres, with 225 under cultivation, and also oper-
ates a horse cotton gin. He always votes the
Democratic ticket, but is not an active politician.
He is a member of Lodge No. 184, of the A. F.
& A. M. , at Harrisburg, and in this order also
belongs to the Chapter, No. 70. He was made
a Maaon on his twenty-first birthday. He also be-
longs to Lodge No. 77 of the I. O. O. F. He
was married in Cross County, November 24, 1887,
to Miss Mamie S. Meacham, a native of Mississippi,
and a daughter of John and Minta (Pennell) Mea-
cham, who were also born in that State, but re-
moved to Poinsett County, in 1878, where the
father died in 1885. The mother is now residing
near Bay Village. Mr. Hall and his father have
opened up several farms, which they have sold at
a good profit, and he (as well as his father) owns
a claim in Oklahoma. The latter enlisted in Capt.
Benjamin Harris' company of infantry, of the
Thirteenth Arkansas Regiment, in 1801, becoming
first lieutenant of this company. He participated in
the battles of Belmont and Shiloh, but returned
home after his term of enlistment had expired, at
the end of one year. Our subject and his wife are
members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South.
Rev. J. T. Haly, farmer and stock-raiser.
White Hall, Ark. This njuch esteemed and re-
spected citizen is the sou of Charles and Mary
(Walker) Haly, natives of North Carolina and Vir-
ginia, respectively. Charles Haly is of the old
English stock of Halys, who were early settlers of
North Carolina. He followed farming, and he
and wife were members of the Methodist Episcopal
Chiu'ch. In his political views he affiliated with
the Democratic party. Rev. J. T. Haly is the
ninth of eleven children born to his parents.
Thomas, a mechanic, was one of the first settlers
of Houston, Tex., where many monuments of his
handiwork, in the shape of buildings, etc. , may
still be seen; he died there about thirty years ago,
and a large number of descendants . still reside
there. Mrs. Susan Rily was the wife of Martin
Rily, a farmer of Dunklin County, Mo., where she
died about 1860. Charles died in North Carolina
at the age of twenty-one years. Stephen D. went
from North Carolina to Tennessee, thence to Mis
souri, where he dealt in fine stock; he moved with
Thomas Benton to Oregon at an early day and has
never been heard from since. The third child,
Mary, wife of a farmer of Middle Tennessee, died
there about forty years ago. William, a farmer,
mechanic and a Methodist minister, died in Ten-
nessee, in 1881. Julia was the wife of Hugh
Austin, a farmer of Lincoln County, Tenn. ; she
died at Harrisburg, Ark., about 1879. Benjamin,
a farmer with a large family, died about thirty-
four years ago in (now) Conway County, Ark. , and
part of his family still reside there, and the others
in Oregon. Patsey married Reuben Willbanks, a
farmer and mechanic, who died in Saline County,
Ark. Rev. J. T. Haly was born in Rockingham,
eleven miles east of Danville, N. C. , on the 5th of
October, 1812, and was reared and educated in
Middle Tennessee. He began life for himself at
about the age of twenty-two years, and in 1S34
was united in marriage to Miss Mary Austin, a
native of North Carolina and of Irish descent. By
this union he became the father of these children:
Matilda, wife of Joseph Hall, died in Poinsett
County, Ark., in 1879; Betty, wife of Thomas
Hawkins, both of whom died in this county; Mollie,
wife of Alex. Steward, a farmer, and lives in Poin
sett County, Ark. ; Rachel, wife of Stephen Haly,
lives in Oregon; Julia, wife of John Howard, also
lives in Oregon; Pinckney, died at the age of three
^.
POINSETT COUNTY.
593
years, and McHaly, who joined the army at the
age of eighteen years and was killed at the battle
of Atlanta, Ga. , in 1864. The mother of these
children died in Poinsett County, Ark., in 1876,
and was a worthy and consistent member of the
Methodist Episcopal Church. Mr. Haly took for
his second wife, in 1879, Mi-s. Martha Wiley,
widow of William Wiley, by whom she had four
children: Mary, wife of John Rily, a farmer, and
lives in Cross County, Ark. ; Greene died in 1870,
at the age of eleven years; Anna, wife of Abijah
Williams, a farmer, lives in Poinsett County, and
Martha Jane, wife of John Sears, a miner, and
lives near Santa F6, N. M. Mr. Haly moved to
Arkansas in 1856, and found this part of the State
wild and unbroken. He bought 100 acres, and
began to open new land, there being but twenty
acres cleared, and has added to and sold land until
he now owns 140 acres, with about fifty acres
cleared and under a high state of cultivation. He
has a good orchard, and is in every way fixed to
pass his declining years in comfort. He can tell
many interesting stories of early life in Arkansas,
and says that at the time of his first residence
here it was a common thing to see fifty or 100
deer in a day, and occasionally one might find a
bear. Turkeys, raccoons and wolves were very
plentiful, but, as be was a man of industrious
habits, Mr. Haly did not follow hunting to any
great extent. When he first came here there were
but five small farms between his place and Harris-
burg, and, with the exception of Joseph Reeves,
there are none living here now who were residents
at that time. About the year 1859 Mr. Haly was
elected school commissioner, and held that position
until 1862. In 1877 he was elected county judge,
and served one term in that ofiice. He votes with
the Democratic part}'. He and family are mem-
bers of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and for
fifty years he has been a class-leader in the same,
and for five years has been an elder.
A. Hamilton, blacksmith and wagon-maker, and
proprietor of an undertaking establishment, is one
of the leading business men of the county, and was
born in West Tennessee in 1830, being the eldest
of three children born to James and Elizabeth
Hamilton, who were natives, respectively, of South
Carolina and Kentucky. When a young man the
father went to Tennessee, where he followed the
occupation of farming, and where his wife died, a
number of years after their location. He afterward
removed to Arkansas, and died in Harrisl)urg in
1876. A. Hamilton acquired a good practical edu-
cation in the schools near his home in Tetmessee,
and like the majority of boys, followed in the foot-
steps of his father and learned the blacksmith and
wagon-maker's trade. He was married in that
State, in 1853, to Miss Annie E. Huddleston, and
there continued to make his home for three years,
at which date he moved to Arkansas. While en
route, on the 7th of September, he passed through
a dense timber land, where the corner stone for
the present town of Harrisburg was being placed,
and, liking the locality, he determined to make
his home in the vicinity. He erected a log house
that year, and in March, 1865, put up a good
frame dwelling-house and store-house, in which he
is doing his business at the present time. He has
been engaged in merchandising for the past thirty-
two years, and during bis long career here has estab-
lished himself firmly as a substantial citizen and an
honest and reliable business man. Ho has always
voted the Democratic ticket, but is not a strict
partisan. He assisted in incorporating the town,
and was a member of the town council for some
time. He is a member of the A. F. & A. M., and
the I. O. O. F. , and has been a member of the
former lodge since 1859. In addition to conduct
ing his store he is interested in the milling busi
ness, and has built up a paying trade. Upon the
opening of the war Mr. Hamilton remained at home
the first year, but in 186'2 enlisted in a company
under Col. Dobbins, and was an active participant
for about eighteen months. He is the father
of two children: Pleasant M. , and N. E. (Mrs.
Clounch).
William C. Harris, farmer and miller, Harris-
burg, Ark. ^\'orthy reference to the agricultural
affairs of Poinsett County would be incomplete
without due mention of Mr. Harris, among others
engaged in tilling the soil, for he is not only
prominent in that respect, but, as a citizen and
594
HISTORY OF AEKANSAS.
neighbor, is held in the highest esteem. His
birth occurred in Poinsett County, Ark., on the
21st of July, 1848, and he is the eldest of eleven
children, eight now living, born to Benjamin and
Martha (Thomas) Han-is, natives, respectively, of
Alabama and Kentucky. Benjamin Harris figured
prominently in the afPairs of both State and coun-
ty, first being elected to the office of magistrate,
then representative, and afterward filled the posi-
tion of senator. He came to Arkansas with his
parents at an early date, and it was for this family
that Harrisburg received its name. He was a
memlier of the Masonic fraternity, a Democrat in
his political princijales, and, with his family, was a
member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. The
eight childi-en now living of the eleven born to his
marriage are as follows: Schuyler, died at the age
of thirty-three years; Addison, sheriff of Poinsett
County; Mrs. Elvira Merchant, at Harrisburg;
Mrs. Mary Wrice; Benjamin, present senator of
the Twenty-ninth district; Sophia, Fanny, Irvin,
farmer and merchant; Lee, died in 1888. at the
age of twenty-five years, and Mrs. Melvina Perry,
at Paragould, Ark. Early in life William C.
Harris was taught the principles of farming, and
when it became necessary for him to start out in
life for himself, he very natVirally and wisely chose
the occupation to which he had been reared. From
that time to the present his success has been such
as only a thorough acquaintance with his calling
and years of experience might lead him to achieve.
His education was received in the common schools
of Poinsett County, and in 1862 he enlisted in the
army, Company K, Twenty-third Arkansas Cav-
alry, Adams' command, and jwrticipated in these
battles: luka, Corinth, Port Hudson, and others of
minor note. At the last mentioned place his com-
mand was jsaroled and came home. After this Mr.
Harris performed scout duty until the close of the
war, when he was mustered out of service, under
Col. Lisle, at Wittsburg, in 1865. After the sur-
render Mr. Harris returned to his farm, and in
September of the same year his marriage with
Miss Virginia Hays took place. She is the daugh-
ter of Henry and Mary (Stencell) Hays, natives of
North Carolina, who came here in 1855. To the
marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Harris were born the
following family: Walter, who died in 1885, at
the age of twenty years; Mittie, died in infancy;
Melvira, Grace, Willie, died at the age of five
years, and Maggie. In 1870 Mr. Harris began
opening a tract of land, and now has 140 acres,
with forty under cultivation. In addition to this
he is senior member of the firm of W. C. Harris
& Co. , owners of 440 acres of timber land, and the
owners also of a saw-mill, cotton gin and grist-
mill, with which they do a good business. The
mill was established in 1888.
J. M. Harris is a native-born resident of the
county, his birth occurring in 1843, and ever since
starting in life for himself he has enjoyed the
reputation of being not only a substantial and pro-
gressive planter, but an intelligent and thoroughly
posted man in all public matters. His brothers and
sisters are as follows: Mary F. (Mrs. Johnson),
Calvin H. , who was killed at the battle of Cbicka-
mauga; W. S. , a resident of the county; J. M.,
B. F., who is married and resides near by: C. H.,
S. A. (Mrs. Settle, residing in Cross County, Ark. );
Susan (Mrs. Magee, of Scott Township), and Alice
(deceased). The parents of these children, W. H.
and J. P. (Copeland) Harris, were born in Ala-
bama, and in 1829 the father removed to Arkansas,
and squatted on a tract of land near where our
subject now lives. He took an active part in the
early history of Poinsett County, and always voted
the Democratic ticket. He was elected by that
party to the office of county judge, serving a num-
ber of years. His death occurred here, in March,
1879, but his widow is still living, and resides on
! the old homestead. J. M. Harris was educated in
the schools of the county, and in 18(32 dropped
both farm work and schools to engage in the Ee-
bellion, serving in Company K, Adams' regiment,
and was a participant in the battles of Corinth,
Port Hudson and numerous skirmishes. After the
final surrender, he returned to Poinsett County,
with the consciousness of having served his cause
faithfully and well, and was married here the same
year, to Miss C. A. Staucell, a native of North
• Carolina, but her death occurred in 1870, she hav-
ing borne one child, C. H. , who is at home. Mr.
Is li^
POINSETT COUNTY.
595
Harris took for his second wife (in 1873) Miss R.
D. Reeves, a daughter of J. F. Reeves, one of the
early pioneers of the county, but he mourned her
death the follovs^ing year. He took for his third
wife Miss N. E. Conn, by whom he has live chil
dren: Sally A., Etta, Dove, Grover G. and Fran-
cis. After his first marriage, Mr. Harris purchased
!i farm of forty acres, and, by additional purchases,
is now the owner of 320 acres, with 100 acres under
cultivation. He is also engaged in stock dealing,
and raises to some extent, his cattle being of the
Durham breed. He is an active agriculturist, and,
in addition to his farm, operates a saw and grist-
mill and a pottougin in Scott Township, his vari-
ous enterprises netting him a lucrative annual in-
come. Socially, he is a member of the K. of H.
He is a member of the school board, and he and
his wife belong to the Baptist Church.
Add Harris, county sheriff, was chosen to oc-
cupy his present position by the Democratic party
in 1880, and is now filling the duties of his second
term, in a manner highly creditable to himself and
to the satisfaction of the community at large. He
is a native-born resident of the county, his birth
having occurred in 1847, and from earliest boy-
hood he has been familiar with the duties of farm
life, and his youth was also spent in attending the
public schools, where he acquired a good practical
education. He started out in life for himself at
the age of eighteen years, and his labors to acquire
a competency have met with fair results. Having
grown to manhood in this county, he has seen a
great change take place, and has noted a gradual
improvement yearly in its growth and prosperity.
He is a member of the school board in District No.
8, and has always been a patron of education and a
believer in free schools. He is a son of Benjamin
and Martha (Thrower) Han'is, who wore born in
Alabama and Kentucky, respectively, but in 1829
Benjamin came with his father, William Han'is,
to what is now Poinsett County. Ark., and squatted
on the land near where our subject now resides,
the country at that time being almost a wilderness,
inhabited l)y Indians and wild animals. Here the
grandfather died, a few years ago. Benjamin
Harris was married in this county, and settled on
the farm which is now occupied liy our subject.
They reared a family of eleven children, the names
of those living being as follows: \\'illiam, who is
married and is a resident of the county ; Add, the
subject of this memoir: Elvira (Mrs. Sparks), of
Harrisburg; Mary Ann (Mrs. liice). residing near
Paragould ; Sophia, residing with her brother Add :
Frances (Mrs. Ervin), a resident of Bolivar Town-
ship; Benjamin, a lawyer of Harrisburg, and Mai
vina (Mrs. Perry), of Paragould. The father of
our subject took an active part in the early history
I of the coiinty, and was quite a prominent poli-
tician, being the first man elected to the State
Legislature from this district, and was also a State
senator in 1877. During the Rebellion he was
captain of a company in the Thirteenth Arkansas
Regiment of infantry, and was a participant in the
battle of Belmont, but was taken sick and con-
fined in the hospital at Memphis, Tenn. , for some
time. His death occurred in this county, in 1881.
His widow resides with her son Add.
Hon. Benjamin Harris, of the Twenty-ninth
Senatorial District, was born in Poinsett County,
Ark., in 1854, and is the sixth of eleven children
born to Benjamin and Martha (Thrower) Harris, a
short history of whom is given in the sketch of
Add Harris, sheriff of Poinsett County. The
family are of Scotch descent, and first came to the
United States from their native land in 1680,
taking up their abode in Nelson County, Va., in
which State the paternal grandfather served as a
captain in the Revolutionary War. The youthful
days of our subject were divided between working
on the farm and attending school, and as he grew
up he learned the lessons of industry, persever-
ance and economy, which have .stood him in good
stead in later years. Becoming familiar with the
intricacies of surveying, he was elected to the office
of county surveyor, at the age of twenty-two years,
and afterward entered upon the study of law: and
after being admitted to the bar, in 1879, he com
menced practicing the profession at his old home,
and the enviable reputation he has acquired has
been gained largely through his own individual
efforts, and at the expense of diligent study and
hard practical experience. He has been known liy
\
596
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
the people of the community from infancy, and
they have had every opportunity to judge of his
character and qualifications, and their confidence
in him has been intelligently placed. In 1885 he
was elected to the house of representatives, and
in 1888 was chosen a State senator. Socially, he
is a Mason. In 1881 he was united in marriage to
Miss Mary A. Reeves, a native of Missouri, but he
was called upon to mourn her loss in 1887; she
was the mother of two children: Frederica and
Jachchot Fay. Frederica died in September, 1884.
Hazlewood Bros. & Co. , druggists, Harrisburg,
Ark. The profession of the druggist is one which
operates effectively, in time of need, in arresting
and alleviating the most acute pains and ailments
to which the human Iwdy is heir, and therefore de-
serves the most thankful and appreciative considera-
tion on the part of the public. This firm was organ-
ized under the above name in January, 1889, at
Harrisburg, but previous to that time the business
had been carried on at Wynne, under the title of
Hazlewood Bros. A change was then effected,
and Mr. J. S. Minton bought an interest, and be-
came a member of the house. Soon after this the
Harrisburg house was organized, and the present
name adopted. The firm is progressive, having a
handsomely appointed store, fully stocked with a
choice selection of drugs, chemicals, and the most
popular patent medicines. A .stock of goods val-
ued at about $4, 000 is carried, and a good business
is enjoyed. Although young men, they have the
proper amount of energy and business ability to
make a success of whatever they undertake. They
are, with the exception of Mr. Minton, natives of
Arkansas, but he is a native of Tennessee. The
latter is a son of J. A. and M. C. Minton, and was
born February 18, 1864. His parents are natives
of Mississippi and Tennessee, respectively. They
came to Arkansas in 1 869, and the father has since
been engaged in different lines of business, prin-
cipally merchandising, but for the last five years
he has been holding the office of justice of the
peace and mayor. To his marriage were born
four children: William T., farmer; Louis G.,
salesman and insurance agent in Harrisburg; J. S.
and Annie E. Mr. Minton, Sr. , is a member of the
Methodist Episcopal Church; he has been a member
of the Masonic _ fraternity since 1858, and in his
political views affiliates with the Democratic party.
The senior members of this firm, J. A. and J. W.
Hazlewood, are the sons of John A. and Sallie
(Crook) Hazlewood, natives of Mississippi and
Tennessee, respectively. The parents came to
Arkansas at an early date, were married here, and
here the father carried on agricultural pursuits for
many yeai's. He and wife were members of the
Methodist Church. They reared a family of five
children: J. A., Alice, the wife of W. W. Nelms,
who is a bookkeejier at Bay Village; J. W., Leon-
idas (deceased), and H. W., a young man resid-
ing with his mother, and who conducts her farm.
Mrs. Hazlewood was the daughter of J. A. Crook,
an old and highly respected farmer and superin-
tendent of plantations. He belongs to the family
of that name who are prominently connected with
the early hi.story of West Tennessee, also a rela-
tive of the famous Gen. Crook. The members of
the firm of Hazlewood Bros. & Co. each received a
common school education by their own efforts, and
at their own expense. They are public-spirited
and enterprising, contributing to school and church,
and to all public enterprises as far as their means
will permit.
Benjamin F. Hogan, Sr. , farmer. Bay Village,
Ark. Mr. Benjamin F. Hogan, a respected resi-
dent of this county for many years, and a man of
extensive and popular acquaintance, was originally
fi-om Randolph County, Ark., where his birth oc-
curred December 2, 1833. His parents, Martin and
Zilphia (Myers) Hogan, were among the earliest
settlers of that State, and the father opened up new
land in that county, cultivating the same all his
life. Benjamin F. Hogan is the fourth in a family
of eleven children, all deceased with the exception
of Henry, a farmer of Randolph County; Joseph, of
that county, and John, also a farmer of that county.
Benjamin F. 's time in his youthful days was divided
between working upon the home farm and in attend-
ing the common schools of the period, where he re
ceived a fairly good education. At the age of twenty-
three years he married Miss Sarah Hogan, a native
of Poinsett County, and the fruits of this union
-^
POINSETT COUNTY.
597
were nine children, seven of whom sire living at
the present time: William, Walter, Mary, Lucinda,
Joannah, Benjamin and Thomas. The first five of
these children are all married, and are residing in
Poinsett County. Mrs. Hogan died about 1877,
and in 1878 Mr. Hogan married his present wife,
who was formerly Mrs. Mary Young, a native of
Tennessee, and to this union were born two chil-
dren, Samuel and James, seven and live years of
age, respectively. Mr. Hogan has followed agri-
cultural pursuits during life, and in 1888 bought
his present farm, which consists of forty acres, all
under fence, and all but live acres under cultiva-
tion. He found his present land a wilderness, but
this he has improved, and now has one of the most
pleasant homes in the county. He and wife are
members of the Missionary Baptist Church, and
Methodist Episcoiaal Church, respectively. He is
a Democrat in politics, and in 1863 joined the
army under Col. Dobbins, and was with Gen.
Price on his famous raid through Missouri. He
received his discharge at Wittsburg, in 1865. He
has these step-children: Leona, wife of B. S.
Eakins a farmer, living in Poinsett County ; Jane,
wife of William Hogan, a farmer, living near Bay
Village; W. S. James, Charley James and George.
His own children, William and Walter, are farm-
ers, the former in this county and the latter in
Cross County: Mary is the wife of Asa Byrum, and
is Jiving near Bay Village; Lucinda J. is the wife
of James Jordan, and is living in this county;
Josephine is the wife of James Herod, and lives in
this county; B. F. and Thomas are both single,
and reside with their father.
E. L. Jacobs, M. D. Twenty-nine years de-
voted to the service of humanity sums up in a line
the career, thus far, of Dr. E. L. Jacobs. He was
born in Hardeman County, Tenn., in 183'2, being
the youngest in a family of three children born to
Henry and Jane C. (Dillard) Jacobs, the former a
native of Middle Tennessee, and the hitter of North
Carolina. After their marriage, in Tennessee, they
settled in Pontotoc County, Miss., where they
opened up an extensive plantation, on which they
resided until their respective deaths, in 1854 and
1866. On this plantation Dr. Jacobs spent his
youthful days, and there received his eai'ly educa-
tion, which was of a somewhat meager description.
In 1857 he settled at Bolivar, Poinsett County,
Ark., but three years later made a location at Har-
risburg, whore he entered upon the practice of his
profession, and has followed it ever since. So
cially, he is a member of Poinsett Lodge No. 184,
A. F. & A. M. , of which li(> has been Worshipful
Master several years. He has never been an active
politician, but has voted the Democratic ticket.
He is a member of the town council, and he and
wife, whose maiden name was Sarah A. Conn, and
whom he married in 1855, are members of the
Baptist Church. Two children blessed their
union, E. J., wife of A. C. Thrower, being the only
one living. Mrs. Jacobs is a daughter of Levi and
Elizabeth (Duke) Conn, who were born in Ken-
tucky and Tennessee, respectively. They were
early immigrants to Poinsett County, Ark., and
here spent their declining years.
Dr. H. L. Jacobs. The name of Dr. Jacoljs
is one of the most respected in this community,
and during his residence in this county he has en-
joyed a practice among the be.st families, and is
kept very busy; while with the medical fraternity
his reputation is by no means local, and ho is known
for his remarkable cures throughout this section of
country. He was born in Pontotoc County, Miss. , in
1852, and is the eldest in a family of ton children
born to Clinton W. and liebocca Jane (Conn) J acobs,
who were Tennesseeans and removed to Pontotoc
County, Miss., in 1840. The fatlior afterward re-
moved to Poinsett Co. , Ai'k. , and hero purchased a
woodland farm, and made his home until his death,
in 1887, his wife having passed from life in 1877.
Mr. Jacobs was an active member of the Demo
cratic party, a Chapter Mason, and, during the
Civil War, served for some time under Capt. Brisco.
Dr. Jacobs, our subject, spent his early youth and
manhood on his father's farm, and acquired
a good practical education in the district schools of
Poinsett County. After studying medicine for
some time under the well-known physicians, Jacobs
and Gilks, ho went before the board of examiners,
and was licensed to practice, in January, 1884,
and bj- the ability with which he has managed his
^:^
598
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
cases, be has become one of the well known physi-
cians of the county, and stands well with the med-
ical brotherhood. He has a good plantation of
eighty acres, but only has seven acres under culti-
vation. He supports the principles of the Demo-
cratic party, and he and wife, whom he married in
Poinsett County, Ai'k. , in December, 1S84, and
whose maiden name was Mary E. Sparks, are con-
sistent members of the Missionary Baptist Church.
Mrs. Jacobs was born in Crittenden County, Ark. ,
and she and the Doctor are the parents of two
children: Harry Clinton and Mary Bertha.
J. A. Jelks, M. D. , was born in Halifax County,
N. C, in January, 1807, and, although he was
reared on his father's extensive plantation in that
State, he was never compelled to farm labor,
owing to the numerous slaves his father always
kept, they numbering about sixty the year round.
His education up to the age of nineteen years was
received in his native county, and he then entered
upon the study of medicine, under the tutelage of
that well-known physician, James B. Yellowly, re-
ceiving his first course of lectures at the University
of Pennsylvania, after which he entered Rutger's
Medical College of New York City, from which he
graduated in February, 1829. Subsequently re-
turning to his native heath, to enter upon his prac-
tice, he was married there, in 1830, to Miss Ma-
tilda Ann Crowell, and the following year they re-
moved westward. After spending one year in
Lawrence County, Miss., they went to Hinds Coun-
ty, in the vicinity of Raymond, that State, making
that place their home until December, 1833. Their
next move was to Fayette County, Tenn., but after
a residence there of three years, they returned to
Mississippi, to Chidahoma, and here his wife was
called to her long home, in 1837, she having borne
him a daughter, Cynthia Louise, now Mrs. Latta,
residing in Cross County, near Cherry Valley.
After the death of his estimable wife, the Doctor
returned to Fayette County, Tenn., and resided
there until coming to Poinsett County, Ark., in
1850. He was again married, in Tennessee, to
Miss Bettie J. , a daughter of William Guerrant,
her birth having occurred in the State of Virginia.
The Doctor was so unfortunate as to lose this wife
in Poinsett County, in 1869, she having borne him
a family of seven children, whose names are as fol^
lows: William Robert, a widower, residing in Crit-
tenden County; Charles E., who was in Capt. Le-
Vesque's company, and died in the army in 1865:
Caspar W., a farmer, married and living in Cross
County ; James H. , also in Cross County ; Thomas
D. (deceased) ; Mary T. , and Ada G. (Mrs. Jordan),
who also lives in Cross County. For his third wife
he took, in 1871, Euna A. Allen, a daughter of
Lyman S. and Angeline (Whitford) Allen, who
were born at Ticonderoga, N. Y. The father was
a teacher by profession, and followed that occupa-
tion with success for over thirty years. He removed
to Iowa at a very early daj', and was one of the
first settlers of Buchanan County. He was county
supervisor for years, and held the office of magis-
trate. The ])aternal grandfather, Joel Allen, was
a soldier in the War of 1812, and was a first cousin
of Gen. Ethan Allen, of Revolutionary fame. The
Allen family are of English descent, and can trace
their ancestry back to the year 1635. Oliver
Whitford, the maternal grandfather, was also a
soldier in the War of 1812, was born in York State,
but emigrated to Pennsylvania, where he died.
He was also of English origin. Lyman S. Allen
died in 1870 at the age of seventy six years, and
was followed to the grave by his wife in 1884.
From the time of his settlement until 1885 Dr.
Jelks resided in Scott Township, but at that date
he removed to Harrisburg, and, since starting on
his professional career, he has practiced continu-
ously until within the past eighteen months. Dur-
ing his long years of practice here he has proved
himself to be a physician of ability, his prac-
tice being very large, and among the best class
of citizens. Socially, he is a member of Lodge
No. 184, of the A. F. & A. M. , and in this order
has advanced to the Chapter. He was the eld
est of five sons and two daughters born to Rob-
ert and Mary (Nicholson) Jelks, who lived for a
long time in Halifax County, though the mother
was born and reared in Edgecombe County. The
father afterward moved to Alabama, and became a
wealthy planter of that State. He was married
three times, but had no issue by his first wife.
[71
±=dt^
His last union resulted in the birth of three sons,
two of whom survive. His death occurred in
1846, in Russell County of that State, his wife
having died in North Carolina in 1829. He was a
stanch Democrat, and a member of the Baptist
Church.
John Jones, postmaster. White Hall, Ark. Mr.
Jones was born in Abbeville District, S. C. , and is
the son of Robert and Mary (Conn) Jones, natives
of South Carolina, and of Irish descent. Mr. and
Mrs. Jones were among the first settlers of South
Carolina, and there the mother died when her son
John was but an infant. He was taken and reared
l)y his grandfatlier, John Conn, and his father went
to Alabama, where he was married the second
time. After the death of his grandparents our
subject was taken to Alabama by his father, and
received his education in the common schools of
that State. His father was a miller, and was very
successful in this occupation. He was a member of
the Christian Church, and his death occurred in
Alabama in 1862. John Jones was reared to farm
labor, and began his own career at the age of fif-
teen years. When eighteen years of age he left
Alabama for West Tennessee and worked for
money to enable him to attend school. This was
in 1837, and he returned to Alabama, where he
went to school for about two years, after which he
was elected to the office of constable, although he
continued to farm until 1842. He took for his life
companion Miss Martha Thurmau, a native of Ala-
bama, and after marriage began farming on rented
land, where he remained for fourteen years. In
185(5 he moved to Poinsett County, Ark., and pur-
chased the farm on which he now resides. At first
he purchased 100 acres of wild land, and began to
improve it, living in a tent until he could erect a
cabin. He cleared about eight acres the first year,
and since then has continued to clear and other-
wise improve his farm, until now he has 200 acres
of land, with 120 acres cleared. About 1869 he
erected a gin and grist-mill, and has since con-
ducted that business in connection with tilling the
soil. In 1887 that mill was destroyed by fire, but
was rebuilt in 1888. The year 1887 was an unfort-
unate one for Mr. Jones, as he had his residence
and all the contents destroyed by fire in that yeai-.
To his marriage were born these children: J. P.,
a farmer, living in Scott Township, and is magis
trate for his township; Isaac L., now twenty-one
years of age, lives with his father; AVilliamC,
born in 1844 and died in 1868, and Josepliine E.,
born in 1846. Mr. Jones had two sons in the Con
federate army; one, William C, sickened and
died in Columbus, Miss., his father being present
and attending to his wants until his death; the other
son, J. P., came out without injury. Mr. Jones
votes with the Republican party, and takes an act-
ive interest in politics. He held the office of jus-
tice of the peace before the war, and has filled
many local positions of trust and responsibility,
such as coroner and school trustee, and has been
postmaster for the last twelve years. During the
year 1851 Mr. Jones held the office of tax-collector
in Limestone County, Ala., under a bond of
$75,000. He is a member of Harrisl)nrg Lodge
No. 184, A. F. & A. M., and his family arc
members of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
J. P. Jones is another successful farmer of the
county, of which he has been a resident since No-
vember, 1856, having come here from his native
State of Alabama at that date. He was born in
1842, and is the eldest of four children of John
and Martha A. (Thurman) Jones, the former born
in South Carolina and the latter in Alal)ama.
They were married in the latter State, and there
the father followed the occupation of a ])lanter
until his removal to this State. He located on a
woodland farm, where he has made his home up to
the present date, and during his residence here he
has been quite an active politician; he has filled
the office of postmaster at White Hall for some ten
years, and was also justice of the peace in 1858.
He and his wife now reside near their son, J. P.,
who from his earliest youth has been familiar with
farm life. He received his early schooling in Ala-
bama, but in 1861 he dropped his books and aban-
doned the plow to enlist in the Confederate army,
becoming a member of Capt. Harris' Company of
the Thirteenth Arkansas Infantry, and served east
of the Mississippi River. He was at Belmont.
Shiloh, and also in many skirmishes. At the ex-
r|^
600
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
piration of his term of service he left the army
aud returned home, and was married the following
year in Poinsett County, to Miss L. D. Eskridge,
who was l)orn in West Tennessee. Her death oc
ciirred in January, 1884, and in November of the
same year he espoused Miss J. A. Stafford, a na-
tive of West Tennessee, and a daughter of J. D.
and Hester Ann (Han-ison) Stafford, who removed
from North Carolina to Arkansas in 1880. Here
the father died in 1880. and the mother four years
later. Mr. Jones has a farm of 200 acres, with
fifty acres under cultivation, on which he raises
cotton principally. He devotes considerable at-
tention to stock, and in connection with his father
operates a cotton-gin. He is a Republican in his
political views, and for the past ten years has acted
as justice of the peace of his township. He filled
the office of county treasurer for nearly five years,
and has been a member of the school board for
many years. He is a member of Lodge No. 77 of
the I. O. O. F. , at Havrislnirg. and he and his wife
are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
South.
J. W. Kaisner, planter, of Bay Village, Ark.
This enterprising citizen owes his nativity to Ran
dolph County, Ark., where his birth occurred in ]
1845. He was the youngest of a family of three
children, and the only one now living, born to James
and Polly (Winnehan) Kaisner, natives of Tennes-
see and Arkansas, respectively. James Kaisner,
when a young man, came with his father to Ran-
dolph County, and there died in the year 1845.
The mother died in Februaiy, 1855. Grandfather
Winnehan was a Methodist minister. J. W. Kais-
ner was reared by his grandfather Kaisner to farm
life, and received a practical education in the
district schools of Marion County, Ark. During
the late unpleasantness between the North and
South he enlisted in the Fourth Missouri Infantry.
Confederate army, in February, 1862, and served
three years, or during the war. He participated in
the following battles— luka, Corinth, Vicksburg,
Champion's Hill and others of less note. He was
paroled at Jacksonport, in June. 1865, after which
he came to Crittenden County, Aik. , and there re-
mained until January, 1866, when he entered Poin-
sett County. He there followed farming in a suc-
cessful manner, and in 1867 purchased 160 acres
of land, with twenty-five acres under cultivation.
He commenced at once to improve, and now has
220 acres with sixty-five under cultivation. He
raises considerable stock, and over his meadows
roam horses and cattle, principally the latter. He
is not active in politics, but votes with the Demo-
cratic party, and though often solicited to run for
office has never done so. Socially, he is a member
of the I. O. O. F., and also of the Agricultural
Wheel. Mr. Kaisner selected for his companion
in life Miss Jane Morrison, a native of the Blue
Grass State, and was man-ied to her in Poinsett
County, in 1868. After his marriage Mr. Kais-
ner settled on his present property, and there he
has since resided. He and wife are both church
meml)ers, he of the Methodist and she of the
Baptist denomination. To Mr. and Mrs. Kaisner
has been born one child, James Todd. Mr. Kais-
ner has seen many changes in the country since his
residence here. At first they were obliged to go
twenty miles to market, and a trip to Memphis
was made in eight or ten days. He is, in every
sense of the word, a self-made man, and to his own
industry and enterprise is due his success.
J. B. Lynch, the junior member of the firm
of Grant & Lynch, general merchants of Weiner,
Ai-k., was born in Giles County. Tenn. . in 1860,
and since February, 1889, he has been engaged in
his present business. The firm caiTy a complete
and select stock of groceries, canned goods, dry
goods, boots and shoes, shelf hardware, furniture,
etc., and will soon put in a stock of clothing for
their fall trade. They are wide-awake, plucky and
reliable, and fully deserve the paying trade which
they have secured. Mr. Lynch is the third in a
family of nine children born to W. F. and Susan
E. (Gibles) Lynch, who were Tennesseeans, the I
father an undertaker by trade. He remained at
Lynchville, Tenn., until his death, which occurred
in 1882, his wife having passed from life in 1876. ;
The father was an Odd Fellow, and was a man
whom everybody respected aud admired. In 1882
J. B. Lynch came to Jackson County, Ark. , and
began farming; in the fall of that year he went to
,[>
POINSETT COUNTY.
601
Johnson Connly, eind aftor residini; in the town of
Clarksville for some time, he leturned to Jackson
County, and came to Poinsett Connty in 1884, whore
his attention was for some time given to railroad-
tie contracting, continuing this till up to the time
of embarking in his present business. His efforts
in this direction are meeting with good results, and
he can, with every assurance of success, look for-
ward to a prospero>is future. Socially, he is a
member of Lodge No. 184, of the A. F. & A. M.,
of Harrisburg, and in politics, although not very
active, he usually votes the Democratic ticket.
J. J. Mardis, attorney at law. The name of
Mardis is identified with the professional standing,
the welfare and material and social happiness of
Poinsett County, of which he is a native-born
resident, his birth occurring November 18. 1850.
He is the youngest of a family of six children of
John P. and Delilah (Hamrick) Mardis, the former
a native of Virginia and the latter of Alabama.
They were early settlers of Poinsett County, and
entered Government laud, on which they resided
until his death, which occurred in 185t); in addition
to managing his farm, he was actively engaged
in the practice of medicine, his services being re-
quired over a very lai'ge area. His widow still
survives him, and resides on the old homestead.
Their childi'en are as follows: Amanda J. (Mrs.
Thorn), B. R. J. (married, and residing on the old
homestead), N. B. (a widower, residing in Scott
Township), and J. J. (our subject.) The latter
was educated in the schools of Han-isburg and
vicinity, and, after reading law in that town for
some time, he was admitted to the bar in 1880,
since which time he has been actively engaged in
practicing his profession, and is considered by all
to be a practical thinker and an earnest and forci
ble speaker. His property has been acquired
through his own exertions, and 100 acres of his
farm are under cultivation. He was married here in
April, 1872. to Miss Sue Han-is, and of seven chil-
dren born to their union six are living: John A.,
Agnew. Henry, Maggie Lee, Simmie and Freddie.
Dovie died in August. 1880, at the age of eleven
years. Mrs. Mardis is a daughter of John and
Sarah (Copeland) Harris, who were Tennesseeans,
aod came to Poinsett County, Ark., in 1829, taking
up their aVjode on a farm near Harrisl)urg. where
the father died in 1885, the mother in 1884. Mr.
Mardis has taken quite an active interest in pol-
itics, and always votes with the Democratic party:
he served on that ticket in the capacity of magis
trate for six years. He is a member of the A. F.
& A. M. , Harrisburg Lodge, No. 184, and al.so be-
longs to the K of H. He and wife are members
of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and since Do
cember, 1887, have been residents of Harrisburg.
where Mr. Mardis has built up a large and con
stantly increasing clientage. He is well versed in
the intricacies of the law, and is thoroughly com
petent and reliable.
Michael Mayer, fanner and stock raiser, Weiner.
Ark. The reader is herewith handed a plain state
inent of a useful life; for certainly, if what is of
the most use is of the most value, then, indeed, it is
in recording the lives of representative men that
biography is to be useful to posterity. Mr. Mayer
was born in Bavaria, Germany, in 1844, and was
the seventh in a family of eight children born to
the marriage of Michael and Mary (Mark worth)
Mayer, the father a native of Bavaria, and the
mother of Canton Worms, France. Michael Mayer.
Sr. , was reared in his native country, and V)ecame a
successful agriculturist. He owned a very large
vineyard, but sold out in 1853 and came direct
from Germany to Illinois, where he later purchased
land in Vermilion County, and made his home
for some time. Later he moved to Danville. 111.,
where his death occurred in October, 1870. and
one year later his excellent wife also closed her
eyes to the scenes of this earth. The early life
of Michael Mayer, Jr. , was passed between assist-
ing on the farm and in attending the public
schools of Danville, 111. When the late war broke
out he enlisted in Company B, Tenth Illinois Cav-
alry, Independent Regiment, at Camp Butler.
Springfield, 111., and was assigned to the Western
Department. He was in the battles of Wilson's
Creek, Pea Ridge. Prairie Grove. Arkansas Post.
Little Rock. Saline River. Pleasant Hill, Helena.
Vicksburg, Nashville, was at Stone River, siege
of Atlanta, and was in the memorable march to
irr.
jil±r=±:
A 9
602
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
the sea. He was at Mobile, New Orleans, and
was also in the Red River campaign ; was also in
the battles of Corinth and Pittsburg Landing.
He received his discharge at San Antonio, Tex.,
in 1865, but was on the border during that winter,
guarding the railroads. He then returned to Dan-
ville, 111., and engaged in merchandising, which
he continued for about five years. In 1866 he
was married, in Danville, 111. , to Miss Mary Klaege,
a native of Germany, and the daughter of John
and Mary (Geise) Klaege, also natives of Germany.
Mr. and Mrs. Klaege came to the United States in
1856, settling in the city of Brooklyn, where the
father was employed for some time, and then
moved to Danville, 111., in 1865. He died there
in the fall of 1868. The mother moved to Poin-
sett County, Ark., in 1882, and made her home
with the subject of this sketch until her death,
which occurred one year later. Michael Mayer
continued his mercantile pursuits, as before stated,
for five years in Danville, 111. ; then embarked in
contracting, and worked on the I. B. & W. R. R.
He remained iu Danville until 1881, when he
moved to Poinsett County, and in September pur-
chased a timber tract of 280 acres. He now has
good buildings, and has 100 acres under fence. He
also owns 160 acres partly under cultivation, with
a good two story house, etc. He raises consider-
able cattle of the Ayrshire grade, and is one of the
wide-awake farmers of the county. He votes with
the Democratic party, but is not very active in
politics. While living at Danville, Mr. Mayer
was a member of the board of alderman, and since
livino' here he has been a member of the school
board, he being deeply interested in educational
affairs, having been instrumental in organizing the
school district. Mr. and Mrs. Mayer are members
of the Catholic Church. To their united lives
has been born one child, Emma Elizabeth, who
is now Mrs. J. M. Steele [see sketch], and re
sides in Poinsett County. They have an adopted
son, Thomas Leonard, whom they took when four
years of age. He now bears the name of Thomas
Mayer.
P. J. Murray is possessed of those advanced ideas
and progressive principles regarding agricultural
life which seem to be the chief prerogative of the
average native of Illinois. He was born in Kane
County in 1852, and is the eldest of four children
born to Patrick and Ann (Kane) Murray, botli of
whom were born in the ' ' Emerald Isle. " At an
early day they emigrated to the United States, and
after residing some time iu Pennsylvania, they
removed to Illinois, and here they both died iu
Kane County, some years ago. P. J. Murray
received such education as the district schools of
Kane County afforded, and his youth and early
manhood were spent in aiding in the development
of the home farm. • After working in the pineries
of Northern Michigan for some time, he went to
Louisiana, and in January, 1882, came to Poinsett
County, where he engaged in mercantile business,
and also had the contract for grading five miles of
the Kansas City & Memphis Railroad. After
completing one mile the company raised the grade,
and Mr. Murray threw up the job, then returning to
his store, to which he gave his undivided attention
for some eighteen months. He then commenced
farming, and purchased a timber tract of eighty
acres, which he began immediately to improve.
He now has forty acres cleared and under cultiva-
tion, and is making a good living. He is an active
Democrat in his political views, and is at present
serving his third term as magistrate. He was
instrumental in organizing a good school in his
district. Socially, he is a member of the A. F. &
A. M. , and belongs to Jouesboro Chapter. He
was married in Little River Township, in 1883, to
Miss Lydia A. Davidson, a native of Dunklin
County, Mo., and a daughter of Zachariah and
Sarah Davidson, who were natives of that State.
They removed to this county in 1877, and the
father is now living with Mr. Murray, his wife
having died some years ago. Two childi'en have
been born to Mr. and Mrs. Murray: Zachariah
and Feli.K. Since locating here Mr. Murray has
seen many changes take place, and the country
rapidly fill up with a good class of settlers. The
soil here is fertile, and will readily yield fifty
I bushels of corn to the acre.
1 T. H. Peck, through good management and
energy, has become the owner of 180 acres of ex-
«7
-<! 9
a.
cellent laud, of which about forty acres are under
cultivation, and eighty are in timber land. He
was born in Jefferson County, Term., in 18;i4, and
is the eldest of a family of six children born to the
marriai^e of William R. Peck and J. C. Arledge,
the former a Tennesseean, and the latter a native
of South Carolina. The latter attended school in
Columbia, in her native State, lieing a schoolmate
of Gen. Wade Hampton. The parents were mar-
ried in the latter State, and in 1846 removed to
Poinsett County, where they resided on a farm in
Bolivar Township until their respective deaths, in
1846 and 1872. The early educational advantages
of T. H. Peck were somewhat limited, as he re-
mained faithfully by his mother, assisting her on
the farm until he was twenty- five years of age. In
1869, he was married in Crittenden County, Ark.,
to Miss Mary M. Dean, a native of Mississippi,
whose death occurred in 1870, she having borne
Mr. Peck two children; William L., who is mar-
ried and resides in the county, and George W.
In the latter part of 1870 Mr. Peck was married,
in Poinsett County, to Miss Mary S. Ware, of
Middle Tennessee, but after bearing one child,
Mary O. , she died in 1873. He espoused his third
wife. Miss Mary E. Allen, a native of South Caro
Una, in 1875. In 1861, Mr. Peck enlisted from
Poinsett County in Company C, Capt. Benjamin
Harris' Company, and was in the battles of Shiloh
and Belmont, being wounded in the former engage-
ment by a gun-shot. After serving one year, he
returned to Poinsett County, and for some time
was engaged in buying and selling land, but for a
number of years has given his attention to farm-
ing. He is an active politician, voting the Repub-
lican ticket, and has served as magistrate of his
township for seven years. He has always been
deeply interested in schools, and for a number of
years has been a member of the school board. He
belongs to the Agricultural Wheel.
George C. Peters is the senior meml)er of the
tirm of Peters & Oats, who are the proprietors of
a saw-mill at Weitier, Ark., which has an extensive
capacity and a forty-hoise-power engine. They
manufacture hardwood lumber, of all kinds, and
make a specialty of wagon materials, shipping their
product to Hawley, Paddock & Co., and the Mis-
souri Car & Foundry Works, at St. Louis, Mo.
Th(*y have been established in business here some
little time, and, judging from the patronage they
already command, they can look forward to a pros-
perous and successful future. Mr. Peters was born
in Dutchess County, N. Y., in 1853, and possesses
the many admiral)le (jualities which are so charac^
teristic of natives of the "Empire State." He
was the third of five children born to Henry W.
and Caroline E. (Flint) Peters, also natives of
New York, and inherits English blood from his
father. The latter was for many years one of the
honest "sons of the soil," but is now living in
Poughkeepsie, N. Y. , retired from the active duties
of life. His children are Alfred H. , who resides
in Poughkeepsie, and devotes his time to literature,
being a contributor to the Century and Harpers'
magazines, also other noted periodicals; Jacob O.,
who is married and resides on the old homestead
of 400 acres, near Amenia, N. Y. ; G. C. ; K. E.,
wife of S. F. Davidson, residing in Topeka, Kas.,
and is chief clerk in the treasurer's office of the
Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe Railroad, and Car-
rie, a twin sister of Jacob O. . who resides in Pough-
keepsie. George C. Peters was reared principally
in the City of New York, but received the greater
part of his education at Poughkeepsie, in Bisbee's
Military Academy, and after eom])leting his course
there he went to New York City, and engaged in
business on Wall Street, but removed from there
some time after to Topeka, Kas. (in 1874), and had
charge of the Wells-Fargo Express Company, and
later the Adams Express Company. In 1879 he
went to San Juan County, Colo., on a prospecting
tour, but soon after returned to New York, and, in
1880, went to Chicago, and until 1885 was em-
ployed in the Union Stock Yards. In the latter
year he came to Harrisburg, Poinsett County, Ark. ,
and from there moved to Weiner, where he dealt
in stock until embarking in his present enterprise.
He was married in 18S9 to Miss Belle F. Duke, a
native of \\'ayne County, Iowa, their marriage
taking place in Poinsett Count}'. She is a daugh-
ter of James M. and Ann E. (Scudder) Duke, and
from them inherits Scotch blood. Her mother was
r^
a member of the same family as Dr. Seudder, of
C!hicago. Mr. Peters has seen many improve-
ments in the county since locating, and considers
this an exceptionally healthy locality. It is an ex
cellent grazing region, and in any ordinary season
will pasture stock the year round. He has SOO
acres of land, which he expects soon to open to
settlers; and he and his business partner have a
timber tract of 240 acres. He has always been
interested in schools, and, owing to his influence
in District No. 2, the building is equipped with
all modern improvements, and they have adopted
the Harpers' and Standard systems of books.
B. F. Powell is a well-to-do planter of the coun-
ty, this occupation having received his attention
from early boyhood, and after his marriage, which
occurred in Poinsett County, Ark., in 1872, he
purchased a timber tract embracing 160 acres of
laud, and now has 100 acres cleared and under
cultivation, which he devotes to raising cotton and
corn. He is independent in his political views,
but is an active advocate of schools, and has been
a member of the school board in his district for
twelve years, in every respect being a public-
spirited citizen. On the 26th of February, 1862
he enlisted in Company A, Twenty third Arkansas
Infantry, and was a participant in the battles of
Corinth, luka, Port Hudson and others, remaining
on active duty until the close of the war. The
maiden name of his wife was Miss S. L. J. Clam-
jtet, a native of Tennessee, and a daughter of
Henry and Mary (Riley) Clampet, also of that
State, who came to Arkansas at an early day.
The mother died a few years ago, but the father is
still living, a resident of this county. The union
of Mr. and Mrs. Powell was blessed in the birth
of eight children, five now living: Mary H., Sue E.,
Arthur Lee, David C. and Daisy, Those deceased
are Laura M., who died in 1882, at the age of
eight years; Anna Jane, whose death occurred
in 1885, at the age of five years, and Henry
E. , who died in 1889, at the age of eleven years.
Mr. Powell was born in Greene County, Ala., in
1845, and is the fifth in a family of eight chil-
dren born to James E. and Harriet H. (Burton)
Powell, who were born in the ' ' Palmetto State, ' '
but settled in Alabama, and in 1849 removed to
Poinsett County, Ark., making this State their
permanent abode until their respective deaths,
March 4, 1861, and June 27, 1861. The father was
a farmer throughout life.
John W. Rooks, real estate agent and hotel-
keeper, Harrisburg, Ark. This prominent and
successful citizen is a native of Tennessee, whose
birth occuiTed in Shelby County, December 5,
1848, and is the son of Joseph Rooks, a native of
Middle Tennessee, who was married in his native
State to Miss Melinda Montgomery, also a native
of Middle Tennessee. They moved to Arkansas
about 1856, settled on the Bay Road, five miles
east of Harrisburg, in Bolivar Township, and there
the father opened up 160 acres of wild land, clear-
ing about fifty acres, and erecting buildings, etc.
Later he moved to the west side of Crowley's
Ridge, in Scott Township, and there purchased
240 acres of land, of which he cleared 100 acres.
He was a farmer and brick mason, and a very in-
dustrious, enterprising man. He was a member
of the Masonic fraternity, and he and his family
were consistent members of the Methodist Epis-
copal Church. South. He died in 1860. The
mother Mrs. Melinda (Montgomery) Rooks, was
born in Bedford (now Crawford) County. Tenn.,
in the year 1807, and is still living. She is
the daughter of William and Mary (Lyons) Mont-
gomery, natives of North Carolina, and early set-
tlers of the State of Arkansas. Her father was
a farmer, and removed to Middle Tennessee about
1800. When a very old man, he returned to his
native State to settle up a legacy, and was never
afterward heard from. Her mother died in Mid
die Tennessee, when about fifty years of age.
Mrs. Rooks was one of five children born to her
parents, and is the only one living. She was mar-
ried at the age of seventeen years to Mr. Rooks, a
son of one of the oldest families of North Carolina,
and in 1856 removed to Arkansas. To their union
were born twelve children, ten of whom lived to
be grown, became married and had families. The
children were as follows: Mrs. N. E. Flowers, died
in 1870 and left two children; Eli, who was en-
gaged in merchandising at Bay Village, and who
^-
-K^
POINSETT COUNTY.
605
died December 15, 1878; James W., died in 1864
at the age of forty years; Martha A., widow of
Henry Gilbert; Sarah J., wife of T. C. Broadater;
Eliza, wife of J. W. Killongh; James K. , died
about 1867; Michael K. died in his tenth year;
Mary E., died in infancy; Evalyn, wife of Kev.
A. C. Griffith, an elder in the Methodist Episcopal
Church, at Harrisbiirg; John W. (subject of this
sketch), and one who died unnamed. Mrs. Hooks
furnished three sons for the late war, and one son-
in-law. William, one of the sons, died during
that struggle, but the others served the entire time
without harm. As before stated, Mrs. Kooks was
left a widow in 1860, just at the outbreak of the
late war, and she bravely struggled to support her
family, but lost all her property during the con-
flict. She was left in debt to the amount of
$2, 500, but this, by skillful management, she con-
trived to pay off. She has long been a Christian,
and a consistent member of the Methodist Episco-
pal Church, of which her children are also mem-
bers. In 1868 she gave up housekeeping, and
has since made the homes of her children happy
by her presence. Her son, John W. Rooks, was
taught the principles of farm life when young,
and received his education in the common country
schools, and supplementing the same by a course
in the high school, at Harrisburg, under the tutor-
ship of Prof. C. O. Turbeville. In 1871, when
twenty-one years of age, he began clerking in the
store of Kellough, Mitchell & Co., at a place
called Lick Skillet, live miles south of Harrisburg,
and worked one year. In 1871 he began clerking
in Wittsburg, and continued in that work until
1875, when he opened a general store under the
tirm name of J. W. Rooks & Co. This business
he continued with success until 1882, when he
sold out and built a store at Cherry Valley, in
Cross County, Ark. In 1885 he sold out and re-
turned to Harrisburg, where he built the Rooks
House and opened that hotel to the public. This
he built in 1S78, and it was destroyed by fire, with
all its contents, in 1882. The same year the pres-
ent hotel was built, and this he still conducts.
In the year 1887 Mr. Rooks originated the real
estate firm of Rooks <& Ainsworth, it being the
only recognized real estate firm in Poinsett County,
and they do a very successful business. Mr.
Rooks has always taken a decided interest in poli-
tics, and has twice been defeated for county treas-
urer by a small majority. He served one term as
deputy clerk for T. B. Sparks. He votes with the
Democratic party, and is an earnest temperance
worker. On the 18th of April, 1877, he was united
in marriage to Miss Julia E. Gant, daughter of
J. W. and S. S. (Keller) Gant, natives of North
Carolina, who settled in Craighead County, Ark. ,
in 1860. To Mr. and Mrs. Rooks were born the
following children: Mary B. , Joseph W. , and
Harry G. Mr. Rooks is a member of the Masonic
fraternity, also the K. of H. , and he and wife are
active members of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
Judge John T. Roy, Poinsett, Ark. Judge Roy
is a man who needs no introduction to the readers
of this volume. His birth occurred in Shelby
County, Tenn., April 15, 1834, and he is the
son of Merida and Susan (Gentry) Roy, natives
of South Carolina and Tennessee, respectively. To
the parents were born ten children, eight of whom
lived to be grown. They are named as follows:
John Thomas ; W. A. , farmer and stock raiser, lives
in Jackson County, Ark., and is justice of the
peace; Eliza, wife of Lemuel Crane, a farmer re-
siding in Shelby County, Tenn. ; Frances, wife of
William Crarage, a book keeper; Jesse; Merida, a
farmer, and resides in the house where he was
born; Alfred, a farmer, who lives in Scott Town-
ship; Daniel, farmer, living in Scott Township;
Nathaniel G. , died at the age of seven years, and
Elmira, died in childhood. The father of these
children, Merida Roy, was born September 19,
1805, and died May 1, 1885. He was well edu-
cated, was a farmer, and followed tilling the soil
all his life. He was also a minister in the Prim
itive Baptist Church, a member of the Masonic
order, and in politics a Democrat. His wife,
Susan (Gently) Roy, was the daughter of Thomas
Gentry, a native of Virginia, and a near relative
of Merideth Gentry, the famous senator from
Tennessee. Judge John T. Roy assisted his
father on the farm until grown, and December 3,
1853, he was united in marriage to Miss Frances
^
^
606
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
Goswick, a native of Tennessee, and the daughter
of George W. Goswick, a native of South Carolina.
To the Judge and wife were born eight children,
five of whom are now living: Susan, wife of W. D.
Gray, a farmer, living in Poinsett County; Theo-
dosia A., married to Joseph Cooper; Martha M.,
wife of Joshua Curtis, farmer; Frances, wife of
William Bledsoe, merchant, of the firm of Bledsoe
& Tillery, at Bay Village, Cross County, Ark. , and
William Edward, at home. The childi-en deceased
were named: Annie D., Luella and Ophelia P.
The mother of these children died in June, 1876.
She was a member of the Primitive Baptist
Church. Mr. Roy has remained single since that
time. He came with his family to Poinsett County
in 1872, and bought 160 acres of land, which he
cleared and improved. He has forty-five acres
under cultivation, has a good orchard, and is one
of the representative farmers of the county. He
has served as a school director for nine years, and
in 1880 was elected presiding judge of the county
court, serving two years. lu 1888 he was again
elected to the same office, which position he still
holds. He is a man whose decisions are not made
carelessly and without study, but are the result of
much care and painstaking, so that all feel that he
can be relied upon. In 1862 he enlisted in Com-
pany D, Capt. J. Hazlewood Twelfth Tennessee
Cavalry, but in July, 1864, left the army on account
of sickness, and was in the hospital until in Novem-
ber of the same year. He then returned home, and
served as a courier and recruiter until the close
of the war, and consequently participated in very
few engagements. Judge Roy is a man honored
and respected by all acquainted with him, and is a
liberal supporter of all schools and churches and
all laudable public enterprises. In his political
views he is Democratic.
A. W. Scott, surveyor of Poinsett 'Coimty,
Ark. , is now serving his third term. He was born
in Adams County, Ind., in 1852, and is the eldest
of the family of five children of Hamilton and
Jane (French) Scott, who were born, respectively,
in Ohio and Indiana. The father removed to the
latter State at an early day, and was married there
in 1851. After opening up a good farm and resid-
ing on it until 1879, he came to Poinsett County
and settled on land in West Prairie Township.
This land he improved and resided on until his
death, in 1888, his wife having passed from life in
1859. He married again in 1861, this wife dying
in 18R6. The children of the first union are as
follows : Thaddeus W. died in Poinsett County
in 1886 at the age of thirty-three years; L. W. died
in 1886, aged thirty years; H. W. died in 1888,
aged thirty-one years; James B. died in 1887, aged
eighteen years; and A. W. , our subject. The
latter received his education in the schools of An-
derson, Ind., and after leaving school he was en-
gaged in teaching for some years. After coming
to Poinsett County, in 1879, he began farming, pur-
chasing an unimproved farm in West Prairie Town-
ship, and is now the owner of some 800 acres of
land. He has always been an active politician, and
votes the Democratic ticket, and was elected by
that party to his present position, the duties of
which he has filled to the satisfaction of all con-
cerned. Besides this, he has filled the otfice of
constable of his township, and has been school
director in his district. In his present official ca-
pacity he has noticed a decided improvement in the
agricultural districts, and the country is being set-
tled up and land rapidly improved. He was mar-
ried in Madison County, lud. , in 1876, to Miss
Margaret Boxley, a native of Hamilton County,
her death occurring in Madison County, in 1877,
after having borne a daughter. Grace L.
A. C. Shaver, justice of the peace, postmaster
and farmer, Bay Village, Ark. Born in Poinsett
County (now Cross County) on the eighth of Oc-
tober, 1844, Mr. Shaver has ever since resided
here, and is accounted one of the representative
men of the county. He is the son of W. A. and
Matilda (Stone) Shaver, natives, respectively, of
Missouri and Tennessee. The parents were early
settlers of this section, coming here about 1826,
and the father held the office of justice of the
peace for a number of years. He was Democratic
in his political principles, and he and his wife
were members of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
They reared to maturity seven children: A. C. ; C.
R., a farmer living in Cross County, Ark. ; Fanny
" A,
^ .
POINSETT COUNTY.
cm
died in 1880, and was the wife of J. B. Henshaw,
a mechanic; Josephine died in 1SS;1, and was the
wife of Henry MoAden, a farmer of Poinsett
County; Jerliue. wife of James Copelaud, a farmer
of Cross County, Ark. ; T. J. engaged in general
mechanics in Bay Village, and Rebecca, wife of
Rev. J. I. Maynord. The father of these chil-
dren died on the 19th of April, 1875, and the
mother in September, 18(59. A. C. Shaver, like
most of the youths of the vicinity, passed his boy-
hood days in assisting on the farm and in attending
the common schools, although he received the prin-
cijial part of his education by his own individual
efforts, and in 1862 enlisted in Col. McGee's regi-
ment, Arkansas Cavalry. He was wounded at
Helena on the 4th of July, 1864, and was never able
to enter service after that. He left with the rank of
orderly sergeant. At the age of twenty-five he
startedout for himself by marrying, in 1869, a Miss
Georgia Brooks, and by her became the father of
five interesting children: Willie W., Sallie A.,
M. G. , Myrtie, and Olive W., all living. Since
bis marriage Mr. Shaver has followed agricultural
pursuits, cotton -ginning, merchandising, etc., and
in all has been successful. He has three times
been elected to the office of justice of the peace,
twice in Cross County and once in Poinsett County,
and is now holding that position and discharging
the duties of the same in a very able and efficient
manner. He was appointed postmaster in 1883,
and is still holding that position. He is the owner
of 17f) acres of land, 120 in Poinsett County and
fifty-five acres in Cross County, with fifty acres
under cultivation. He lives on the old homestead,
just over the line in Cross County, and is one of
the stirring, industrious farmers of the County.
He and his wife and two oldest children are
members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, to
which he contribntes liberally, as he does to all
public enterprises. In politics he votes with the
Democratic party.
M. D. Simmons & Co. , druggists of Harrisburg,
Ark. Among the more recent acquisitions to the
business interests of the town is the establishment
of which Mr. Simmons is a member, which has
secured a reputation such as one might think be-
longed to an older established house. Their store
was opened in February, 1882, and, after renting
a building for some years, they, in 1888, put up
their present substantial frame business house,
into which thc>y moved in the spring of that year.
The senior member of the firm, Mr. Simmons, was
born in Marshall County, Miss., in 1859, and is
the eldest in a family of three children born to
John and Victoria E. (Douglas) Simmons, the for-
mer a native of Tennessee, and the latter of Mis-
sissippi. John Simmons removed to Cross County,
Ark., in 1860, and located near Vanndale, and in
1871 located in Wittsburg, Ark., where the mother
died, in 1872. The father was a Mason and a
memlier of the K. of H. He now makes his home
in Vanndale. M. D. Simmons received his early
education in the public and high schools of Witts-
burg, and after attaining a suitable age he began
the study of pharmacy under a physician of that
place, and was prescription clerk in his store for
some years. Mr. Simmons is not a very active
politician, but has served as a member of the town
council. He has belonged to the Methodist Epis-
copal Church, South, for a number of years, is
an active worker for the cause of Christianity,
and has been superintendent of the Sunday-school
for a number of years. He was married in Clarks-
ville, Tenn., on the 18th of June, 1884. to Miss
Hardin Duncan, a native of that State, and by her
is the father of two children: Bessie May and
Louise Kendrick. Mrs. Simmons is a daughter of
John and Mary Elizabeth (Johnson) Duncan, the
former a native of Scotland, and the latter of Ten-
nessee. John Duncan removed to Tennessee at an
early day, and settled in Nashville in 1844, where
he followed the occupation of painting. He is
still living, and resides with Mrs. Simmons, but
the mother died in Little Rock, Ark., in 1884,
where they wer(( residing at the time.
J. Logtan Smith, junior member of the firm of
Sparks & Co., Harrisbnrg, Ark. Born on the 5th
of February, 1837. at Old Bolivar, Poinsett Coun-
ty, Ark. , Mr. Smith is one of the old settlers of
the county and a much respected citizen of the
same. He is the son of William and Sarah (Clark)
Smith, natives of Tennessee and North Carolina.
\\^ — ^
608
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
xespectively. William Smith and wife came to '
Arkansas iu 1831, wheu the country was very un-
settled, and began improving wild land. He held
the position of county treasurer in 1 844. and was a i
prominent and enterprising citizen. He and wife
were members of the Missionary Baptist Church.
Their family consisted of thirteen children, all of
whom are now deceased except J. Logan and J.
W. , who is a minister in the Christian Church, and
resides in Craighead County, Ark. Mrs. Sarah
Smith's father was one of the early settlers of
Greene County, Ark., and built the first water-
mill in that county. J. Logan Smith's facilities
for an education in youth were not of the best,
and what schooling he did receive was in the old
court-house at Old Bolivar, a log structure about
20x28 feet in dimension, with fire-place, punch-
eon benches with pin legs, and the writing desks
were puncheons supported by pins driven in the
wall. Mr. Smith can distinctly remember the
original chimney was stick and clay, which wore
afterward supplanted by brick. The school was of
course a subscription school. Early settlers fre-
quently built their houses without nails, and the first
sawecl lumber was manufactured l)y hand and with
a whip-saw. Mr. Smith was reared on a farm,
and spent some time as a brick- maker. At the
age of twenty two he enlisted in Company F,
Sixth Arkansas Infantry, and was in the battles of
Shiloh and Perry ville, Ky. , where he was wounded
and taken prisoner. At the end of thirty days he
was exchanged, and took i>a,ri in the battle of Stone
River, where he was again wounded, and after
lying in the hospital at Ringgold, Ga. . until Feb-
ruary, 1863, joined the army again. He was in
the battle of Chickamauga, and at that engage-
ment received two wounds. He was also at Mis-
sionary Ridge, Tenn., then at Ringgold Gap, and
after this at Resaca, Kenesaw (Ga. ), Smithfield
(N. C), and surrendered at Greensboro (N. C.) He
then came to Poinsett County, Ark., tilled the soil,
and, in February, 1866, was united in marriage to
Miss Lucinda Stanford, daughter of William and
Matilda (Hall) Stanford, natives of Tennessee and
early settlers of Arkansas. To Mr. and Mrs.
Smith were born the following children : Lockie L. ,
wife of Thomas C. Ainsworth, a farmer of Poinsett
County; Rutha V., keeps house for her father;
Roger Williams, Joseph T. and Logan S. (twins),
who live at home. Mrs. Smith died on the 18th of
October, 1881, and was a worthy and much-esteemed
member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, an
active Sunday-school and church worker, a loving
wife and mother, whose memory will remain green
in the hearts of her many relatives and friends
long after her body has moldered to dust.
For none return from that quiet shore.
Who cro.ssed with the boatman cold and pale.
We hear the dip of the golden oar,
We watch for a gleam of the snowy sail;
But, lo! they have passed from our yearning hearts.
They have crossed the stream, they are gone for aye.
We may not sunder the vale apart
That hides from our vision the gates of day;
We only know that their bark no more
Will sail with ours o'er life's stormy sea:
Yet somewhere, I know, on that unseen shore.
They watch, and wait, and beckon to me.
In June, 1865, Mr. Smith, at the request of the
people, was appointed by Gov. Murphy, then mil-
itary governor, to fill the position of assessor and
collector for his cotmty, and in the following year
was elected to till the same office, which he did until
the reconstruction, in 1868. He then followed
farming until 1874, when he was elected sheriff,
and re-elected in 1876. He again returned to the
farm, and there remained until 1881, when he em-
l)arked in the mercantile business, continuing at
the same until 1884, when he again became a tiller
of the soil. In 1888 he became a member of the
above mentioned firm, but during his entire life
he has followed farming. He is the owner of five
farms of over 1,000 acres of land, 200 acres under
cultivation. He takes much interest in stock raising
and has Jersey and Short-horn cattle, and Berk-
shire hogs. Mr. Smith became a member of Poin
sett Lodge No. 184, A. F. & A. M., and is a mem
ber of the Chapter and Council, Harri.sburg; is
also a member of Lodge No. 74, K. and L. of H.
Council No. 29 was organized in 1887. He is a
Democrat in his political views.
J. J. Smith is a successful farmer of the couii
ty, and was born in Henderson County, Tenn., in
^
1847, being the third of eleven children born to
J. C. and Susan (Johnson) Smith, who were also
Tennesseeans, the former being a gunsmith by trade.
In 1850 he settled in Poinsett County, Ark., and
made the town of Bolivar his home until the county
seat was changed to Harrisburg, when he moved
to the latter place, this being in the year 1857.
In 18G3 he settled on an excellent farm in Craig-
head County, near Jonesboro, and here worked at
his trade until his death, in 1885, at the age of
sixty-six years. He was a Democrat, and held the
office of deputy sheriff of the county for many
years, and in 1860 was elected county treasurer,
winning, during his official career, the respect and
esteem of all who knew him. His worthy wife
died in 1883. J. J. Smith was educated in the
subscription schools of Bolivar and Harrisl)urg,
and at the age of twenty years started out in life
for himself, and is now one of the well-to-do agri-
culturists of the county. His first purchase of
land was a timber tract embracing 100 acres, and
this he commenced clearing, and added to until he
now owns 560 acres, with over 200 acres under
cultivation, his being one of the largest farms in
the county. He is extensively engaged in stock
dealing, and his farm is devoted principally to
raising cotton and corn. He is a Democrat, and
as such was elected, in 1880, to the office of treas-
urer of Poinsett County. He has always been a
patron of education, and socially is a member of
the K. of H. Having been a resident of this
county fi'om earliest youth, he has witnessed the
gradual growth and improvement, and has aided
largely in bringing about this desirable result. He
is a thoroughly self-made and self reliant man,
and his opinions on all subjects are acknowledged
to be sound and unbiased. He and wife, whose
maiden name was Mary Davidson, a native of
Harrisl)urg, and whom he married in 1867, are
members of the Methodist Episcopal Church,
South, at Pleasant Valley, and are the parents of
the following family: Hattie, Lucy, Dovie, Emis-
ley, Johnny, Jennie, Dexter, Augustus, Grover C.
and Elizabeth, who died in infancy. Mrs. Smith
is a daughter of James and Harriet (Lokey) David-
son, who were Tennesseeans, the father a farmer
by occupation, and an early settler of Poinsett
County, Ark. He was a sheritT of this county for
i many years, and was one of the most energetic and
j enterprising men of the county. He engaged in
I merchandising in Harrisburg, in 1861, and later
became a soldier in the Confederate army, dying
in 1862, in Cross County. His wife siu-vived him
some years, her death taking place in 1872.
W. A. Smith has been a resident of Poinsett
County, Ark., all his life, and his example of in-
dustry, and earnest and sincere endeavors to sue
ceed in life, especially in the occupation of farm-
ing, are well worth imitation. He was born in
1860, and of his parents' five children he is the
second. In boyhood, he attended the district
schools near his home, and finished his education
in Harrisburg, under the tutelage of Prof. J. P.
Leake. He was taught the rudiments of farm work
by his father, who was a successful agriculturist,
and after leaving school, he engaged in this busi-
ness, and was married in Poinsett County, in 1884.
to Miss Mary Etta Wright, a native of Greenfield
Township, and a daughter of J. L. and Jane (Ish
mael) Wright, who were early pioneers of Poinsett
County. Mr. Smith first bought a forty acre tim-
ber tract, but now has some thirty-two acres under
cultivation, on which are good buildings, fences
and orchards. He is a Democrat in politics, and a
member of the Methodist Episcopal Chiirch, South,
while his wife belonged to the Christian Church.
She died quite recently, having borne two children :
Charles O. and an infant. Being a native of the
county, Mr. Smith has naturally taken a deep inter-
est in its welfare, and is an active and public-spir-
ited citizen. His parents, William C. and Margaret
(Ainsworth) Smith, were born in Poinsett County,
and in 1853, the father began opening up a farm
in Bolivar Township, and here his widow is resid-
ing at the present time. His death occurred on
the 16th of November, 1876, having been an enter-
prising resident and an active member of the Dem
ocratic party all his. life. William Smith, the pa
ternal grandfather, was an early pioneer of this
section in 1832, and was one of the prominent ag-
riculturists of Bolivar Township. He was county
treasurer for a number of years.
filO
HISTORY OP ARKANSAS.
L. E. Stancell, deputy sheriff of Poinsett
County, Ark., was born in Northampton County.
N. C. , in 1847, being the fourth of seven children
born to William E. and Caroline E. (Long) Stan-
cell, their births having occurred in North Caro-
lina and Virginia, respectively. The father was a
planter and merchant, and in 1854 came to Arkan-
sas, and settled near the present town of Harris-
burg, where he entered a timber tract, which he
commenced improving, but only lived to conduct
the work for two years, his death occurring in the
month of October, 1856. His wife survived him
until 1809, when she, too, was called to her long
home. After the death of his father, L. E. Stan
cell took the management of the home farm on his
own shoulders, and although he was compelled to
work hard, he managed to acquire a fair English
education, in the district schools of the county. In
January, 1861), he was married to Miss Lura A.
Malone, who was born in Tennessee, and died in
1870, and, after remaining a widower until 1881,
Mr. Stancell wedded Miss Mittie O. Mitchell, also
of Tennessee, and a daughter of M. A. Mitchell
and wife, nee Hindman, natives of Tennessee, who
came to Poinsett County. Ark., in 1856. The
mother died in 1879, but the father is still living,
and resides with Mr. Stancell. From 1872 to
1880 Mr. Stancell was engaged in the grocery
business, but at the latter date sold out, and has
since given his attention to farming, bnt from 18S8
to January, 1889, also conducted a grocery. This
business he then gave up to assume the duties of
sheriff. Socially, he is a member of Poinsett
Lodge No. 184, of the A. F. & A. M., and of
White Hall Lodge No. 77, of the I. O. O. F. He
and wife are members of the Baptist Church, and
are the parents of two children: Lola Elizabeth
and Lela G. Mr. Stancell is a supporter of Dem-
ocratic principles, and has held the office of justice
of the peace for six years. In 1864 Mr. Stancell
enlisted in Capt. W. G. Godfrey's company, and
was afterward with Price on his raid through Mis-
souri, but surrendered in May, 1865, and returned
to Poinsett County, where, as stated above, he has
since made his home.
Thomas B. Steele, attorney, Harrisburg, Ark.
Of the many prominent names that make up the
strength of the Arkansas bar is that of Thomas
B. Steele, who is a true type of the progressive,
yet conservative, and cultured Arkansas man. He
was born at Batesville, Independence County, Ark. ,
i on the 18th of April, 1855, and is one of seven
children born to Rev. John M. and Narcissa
(Brookfield) Steele, and grandson of Rev. Isaac
Brookfield, who was originally from New Jersey,
and was one of the pioneer preachers of the
Methodist Episcopal Church. He, with Rev.
John M. Steele, was the founder of a great many
churches of that denomination on Crowley's
Ridge, their territory extending from Chalk Blnff
to Helena. Rev. John M. Steele was born in
Hardeman County, N. C, on the 2d of March,
1810, and remained in his native State until 1836,
when he moved to Arkansas, where, for a number
of years, he spent his time as an itinerant preacher.
He was without a permanent home until about
1843, when he took for his second wife Miss Nar
cissa Brookfield, a history of whose parents ap-
pears in the church history of the counties trav-
ersed by Crowley's Ridge. The seven children
born to Rev. John M. Steele and wife are as fol
lows: Mrs. Nancy J. Harris, residing in Bolivar
Township; Rev. J. R., an elder in the Methodist
Episcopal Church, Texas; Mrs. Mary E. Dudley,
who died in 1874. leaving three children; Mrs. S.
Ann Keck, in Bolivar Township; Mrs. Martha C.
Bettis; Thomas B. and James M., Jr., physician
and surgeon at Weiner, Ark. Thomas B. Steele
began in early life to assist on the farm and to at-
tend the schools of Poinsett County. He attended
the high school at Harrisburg, and finished in
Arkansas College, at Batesville, in 1875. After
this he began the study of Blackstone, under the
tutelage of J. C. Brookfield, was admitted to the
bar in 1878, and licensed to practice in the circuit
and all inferior courts of the State. He at once
located at Harrisburg, and has since been success-
fully devoting himself to the practice of his pro-
fession. On the 18th of September, 1887, he
abandoned his single state, and was united in mar-
riage to Miss Dora E. Guyer, a daughter of B. Y.
and Mary A. (Bomar) Guyer, natives of New York
-< 9
^
POINSETT COUNTY.
611
and Tennessee, and of English and French descent,
respectively. The marriage of Mr. and Mrs.
Steele occurred in the Lone Star State, where her
parents were living at that time. One child has
been born to thi.s union —Archie W., whose birth
occurred on the Mist of August, 1888. Mr. Steele
is the owner of about four acres in the oldest part
of Harrisbnrg, and one business block on Main
Str(>et. In addition to this, he is the owner of
400 acres of timber land in Poinsett and Craighead
Counties, with about fifteen acre.s undei' cultiva-
tion. He votes with the Democratic party, and is
quite active in politics, having made the canvass
for representative in 1888, but was defeated by
L. J. Collins. He takes a prominent part in all
matters relating to education or for the public good.
Dr. James M. Steele, physician and surgeon,
Weiner. Ark. Dr. Steele is a son of the well-
known pioneer. Rev. John M. Steele, and is the
youngest in a family of seven children. He was
born in Batesville, Independence County, Ark. , on
the 25th of February, 1861, and his brothers and
sisters are named as follows: Mrs. Jane Harris,
wife of W. C. Harris, a farmer near Harrisburg;
John E., a minister of the Methodist Episcopal
Church at Meridian, Tex. ; Mrs. Mary Dudley,
wife of N. P. Dudley, and who died in June,
1876; Mrs. Ann Keck, wife of T. W. Keck, a
farmer, living in Poinsett County; Mrs. Kate
Battis. wife of J. W. Battis, a farmer near Harris-
burg, and Thomas B. Steele, an attorney and
counselor at law, at Harrisburg. Dr. James M.
Steele's parents. Rev. J. M. and Narcissa (Brook-
field) Steele, were among the earliest settlers of
Crowley's Ridge. The father was born near
Raleigh, N. C, in 1810, and received his educa-
tion in that State and in Tennessee, having re-
moved with his father to that State in 1824. He
began life as a millwright, and in 1829 he was
united in marriage to Miss Mary Seit, a native of
Tennessee. Two children were the fruits of this
union: A. C a farmer, who died from injuries re-
ceived in the war, in 1865, leaving a wife and two
children, and AVilliam M.. who died in 1881, leav-
ing a family of five children. Rev. Steele lost
his wife in Saline County, Ark., in 1832. He had
moved there in 1830, and a short time after his
wife's death was conv(>rtod and united with the
Methodist Episcopal ('hurch. He immediately
entered the ministry of the Arkansas Methodist
Episcopal Conference, and began his notable life-
work. His labors for the first four or five years
were in Northwest and Southwest Arkansas, and
after that time on Crowley's Ridge, in St. Fran
cis County. He was there married, in 1848, to
Miss Narcissa Brookfield, daughter of Rev. Isaac
and Nancy Brookfield, and the same year he was
sent by the conference to the Indian Territory,
where he remained four years. He then returned
to Batesville, Ark., and after this time his field was
Crowley's Ridge, from Chalk Bluff to Helena and
the Black River country. After startmg over fifty
churches, this devout and truly Christian man
closed his eyes to the scenes of this world in 1S81.
Dr. James M. Steele attended the schools of
Harrisburg, then Washington high school, in
Independence County, and also attended one term
at Vanderbilt University, at Nashville, Tenn. He
began the study of medicine in 1876. under Dr.
Beecher, and then spent several seasons as a drug
clerk. In 1884 and 1885 he took a medical course
in Memphis Hospital College, and in the last men
tioned year began practicing at Weiner. Poinsett
County, Ark., where he has l)uilt up a large and
paying practice. He was married, on the 14th of
March, 1886, to Miss Emma E. Mayer, daughter
of Michael and Mary (Klaege) Mayer, natives of
Germany. To the Doctor and wife was born one
child, Austin G. , now a bright boy of six months.
They lost one child, Edgar M. , at the age of three
months. Dr. Steele owns eighty acres of land,
twenty acres under cultivation, and in connection
with his practice is engaged in farming and stock
raising. He votes with the DiMuocratic party, hut
is conservative. H(* is a member of the school
board, and one of the leading men of the county.
Mrs. Steele is a member of the Catholic Church.
T. A. Stone, a gen(>ral merchant of Harris
burg. Ark., carries a full line of hats, caps, cloth
ing, boots and shoes, groceries, etc. , and although
he has only been established in business here since
November, 1883, he has built up a paying patron-
M
612
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
age. He is a native born resident of the county,
his birth occurring in ]840, and he is the second
of a family of seven children born to Robert H.
and Emily (Shavei-j Stoue, the former a native of
Sumner County, Tenn. , and the latter of Phillips
(now Poinsett) County, Ark. Robert H. Stone came
to the State of Arkansas when a young man of eight-
een years (in 1839), and was the fourth county clerk,
elected in 1846, holding the position nearly four-
teen years. He was also sheriff of the county in
1845-46, and at the time of his death, in 1859, he
was tilling the position of county clerk. His es-
timable wife survived him until 1870, when she,
too, passed to her long home. T. A. Stone was
reared to farm life, and received a fair education
in the schools of his native county. He was mar-
ried here in 1868, to Miss Mary Frances Goodwin,
a native of Alabama, and a daughter of Peterson
and Mary (Burt) Goodwin, also of that State,
who came to Arkansas in the year 1856, both being
now residents of the county. After his marriage
Mr. Stone purchased a farm of 120 acres in Scott
Township, it being partly improved at the time,
and now has about fifty acres under cultivation.
He has taken quite an active part in the political
affairs of the county, and always votes with the
Democratic party, and was elected on that ticket
in 1886, to the office of county clerk, his term ex-
piring in 1888. He is a member of the A. F. &
A. M. , and he and wife belong to the Methodist
Episcopal Church, South. Of an interesting
family of four children born to them, two are now
living: Albert Sidney and Minnie Lura.
Samuel G. Stone, general merchant. Bay Vil-
lage, Ark. In including, in this work, the sketches
of prominent business men of Poinsett County,
none are more deserving of recognition than
that of Samuel G. Stone, who for a number of
years has carried on an extensive mercantile
establishment at Bay Village. He was born near
Harrisburg, Ark. , December 23, 1859, and is the
son of S. D. Stone, a native of Middle Tennessee,
and a successful agriculturist. He was married
in his native State, to Mrs. Matilda (Hall) Wilson,
also a native of Middle Tennessee, and they soon
afterward moved to Arkansas, and settled in Poin-
sett County, where they passed the remainder of
their lives. Both were members of the Methodist
Episcopal Church. Mrs. Stone had been married
twice before; first, to William Stanford, by whom
she had two children, Thomas and Lucinda, and
then wedded Berry Fentrel, by whom she had one
child, Richmond Fentrel. To her marriage with
Samuel D. Stone were born two children: Robert
A., a farmer, married, and residing near Harris-
burg, and Samuel G., the subject of this sketch.
The latter, like the ordinary country boy, received
his education in the common schools, and started
out in the world for himself at the age of eighteen.
He began first by hauling logs and lumbering,
which he continued for some time, and then was
for a short time engaged in tilling the soil. In
1882, he met and married Miss Ida L. Goodwin,
daughter of Peterson and Mary A. (Bert) Good-
win, natives of Virginia and North Carolina, re-
spectively. Mr. Goodwin is one of the sturdy sons
of toil, and is now residing in Poinsett County,
Ark. To Mr. and Mrs. Stone were born the fol-
lowing children: William (died at the age of three
months); Lulu M., Mary Belle and Ollie P. In
1884, Mr. Stone was elected constable, which posi-
tion he held until 1886, when he was re-elected, and
was also made marshal and deputy sheriff at the
same time. In November, 1887, he engaged in mer-
chandising at Bay Village, which he continued
alone until February 1, 1888, when J. H. Van-
diver bought an interest in the business, and they
continued together until January 1, 1889. Mr.
Stone then bought Mr. Vandiver out, and is now
engaged alone in the business. He carries a gen-
eral stock of goods, does a good business, and is
in a prosperous condition. Aside from his store,
he is the owner of 320 acres of land, and has one
farm of 1 20 acres, well improved, and fifty-five acres
under cultivation. This farm lies three miles east
of Harrisbvirg, and another farm of eighty acres
lies four miles east of Harrisburg, the latter all
woodland. Another tract of timber land, 160 acres
in all, lies si.K miles east of Harrisburg, and another
eighty-acre tract lies on the Bijttom Belt road. In
addition to this, Mr. Stone is the owner of six lots
and one dwelling-house in Harrisburg. He has
-7f
Jacksqm County, Arkansas.
-^
POINSETT COUNTY.
ni3
acquired all his property by his own industry, and
deserves much credit for it. He and Mrs. Stone
are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church,
to which he is a liberal contributor, as well as to
all other worthy and laudable enterprises.
Thomas B. Sparks, general merchant, Harris-
burg, Ark. Thomas B. Sparks, the senior member
of the well-known and thoroughly established firm
of T. B. Sparks & Co., is a native of Middle Ten-
nessee, where his birth occurred February 27, 1 840.
His father, Thomas Sparks, was a farmer and
trader by occupation, and was married in Virginia,
to Miss Mary Booth. He moved to Arkansas in
18r)U, and died near Jonesboro about 1878. Both
he and wife were members of the church, he of
the Methodist Episcopal, and she of the Baptist
Church. Their childi'eu, ten in number, are as
follows: Mrs. Sarah A. Stroud (residing near
Jonesboro), Mary E. (widow of H. Parr, residing
at Jonesboro), T. B., A. W. (a farmer, residing at
Harrisburg, Ark.), W. M. (a traveling salesman
for a wholesale clothing house, at Cincinnati), G.
N. (merchant at Wynne, Ark.); the rest of the chil
dren are deceased. Thomas B. Sparks began life
for himself by entering the army, enlisting Febru-
ary 17, 1S62. in Company A, Twenty third Arkansas,
with J. D. HilHs, as captain. He took part in the
disastrous battles of luka and Corinth, and was
captured at Port Hudson, paroled and returned
home. In the autumn of the same year he was
exchanged, after which he entered the service in
the same company and regiment, but cavalry. On
the reorganization, his elder brothers, James E.
and T. B. , were elected captain and lieutenant, re-
spectively, of Company A, which position they
each held until the close of the war. After enter-
inc the cavalry, the subject of this sketch was in
the White River campaign, but surrendered at
Wittsburg, in July, 1865. After the termination
of hostilities, he returned home, and engaged in
tilling the soil for one year, after which he entered
the employ of his l>rother. James E. Sparks, as
clerk. In the year 1868 his marriage to Miss El-
vira Harris was consummated. She is the daugh-
ter of Capt. Benjamin and Martha (Thrower)
Harris, who were among the earliest settlers of
this county, and were the founders of the town of
Harrisburg, which was named in their honor. Mr.
Harris was a successful agricidturist, and figured
prominently in the affairs of his county and State,
holding the offices of representative, judge, and
was also senator of the Twenty- ninth District of
Poinsett, Jackson and Mississippi Counties. He
was a Democrat in politics, and was a prominent
Mason. Mr. Sparks continued to work as a sales-
man until 1873, when he was elected clerk of the
circuit court of Poinsett County, and was twice re-
elected. He was defeated in 1S78, and subse-
quently returned to mercantile work, which he
continued until 1880, when he was elected sheriff
and collector. He was twice reelected, thus plainly
showing his efficiency as a puVilic man. and served
in that office until 1886, since which time he has
given his undivided attention to merchandising.
He and Mrs. Sparks are members of the Methodist
Episcopal Church, and are much respected by all
who know them. He is a member of the A. F. &
A. M. (being High Priest of the Chapter) and of
the K. of H. He is a Democrat, and is active in his
support of all schools, churches and public enter-
prises generally. In January, 1887, the present
firm of Sparks & Co. was formed, the individual
members being T. B. Sparks and J. L. Smith.
They carry a stock of goods valued at from $6,0(»()
to $8,000, handle cotton and grain, and are doing
the largest business of any firm in town.
A. S. Thorn & Co. .general merchants. of Marked
Tree, Ark. A. S. Thorn is an example of the suc-
cess attending hard work and honest dealing, and
his trade is solidly established and reaches over
the surrounding country. They carry an excellent
and select stock of general goods, and the l)uilding
in which they do business is their own, and they
also own a good fi-ame hotel. Their store was es
tablished in 1886, and, as stated above, they art-
doing a prosperous business. A. S. Thorn was
born in York District, of South Carolina, in 18;-!-l.
and is the third of a family of ten children born to
Jesse and Frances (Miller) Thorn, who were born
in South Carolina and North Carolina, respectively.
The father was a planter, and in 1838 removed to
the "Blue Grass State." and from there to Poin-
A'
614
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
sett County, in 1848, but entered land in Craij;-
head County, and in 1874 moved to Jonesboro.
where he lived a retired life until his death, in
1875. He took considerable interest in local poli-
tics, and, although originally a Whig, he afterward
became a Republican. His wife's death preceded
his by one year, she having borne him the follow-
ing children: William Jasper, who in 1861 enlisted
from Crittenden County, in Capt. Barton's regi-
ment of cavalry, and while trying to capture a
vessel, in 1862, was shot, dying a short time af-
terward, in the month of April ; John Newton, an-
other son, resides in Craighead County, and is en-
gaged in farming; A. S., our subject; Mary, who
died young; D. H. , who is married and resides in
Jonesboro; Harvey J., who was killed in 1871 by
a falling tree; Zilla, who died in 1864; Martha
(Mrs. Hubbs) residing in Craighead County; Sarah
(Mrs. Abraham Brown), also of that county, and
Caledonia (Mrs. Gwinn), also residing there. A.
S. Thorn received no educational advantages in
his youth, but educated himself after reaching
manhood. He began farming in Craighead Coun-
ty, and was married there, in 1856, to Miss Ollie
Owen, of Tennessee, but her death occurred the
same year. He next wedded, in Poinsett County,
Miss Nannie Bradsher, of Tennessee, their union
taking place in 1859. She bore Mr. Thorn one
child, Ida, and died in 1866. This daughter mar-
ried a Mr. Hydrick, in 1882, and is living in Scott
TownsLiip. In 1867 Mr. Thorn's third imion was
consummated, his wife being Miss Amanda J. Mar-
dis, of Alabama, and their marriage has resulted
in the birth of three children: Willie N. , Ruth
and Bessie Beatrice. In 1866 Mr. Thorn removed
to Scott Township, and purchased a partially-im-
proved farm of l,o50 acres, and put 250 acres
under cultivation. He has since divided with his
children, but still owns 150 acres there, all under
cultivation. He remained on this farm until No-
vember, 1884, when he moved to Little River
Township, and the following year embarked in his
present business, at which he is doing well. He
had previously been engaged in the same enter-
prise at Harrisburg, in 1872, the firm name being
D. H. Thorn & Co., but at the end of eighteen
months he sold his interest. He has a good farm
of 320 acres, with about 120 acres under cultiva-
tion, and gives considerable attention to raising
stock. He read law while living in Scott Town-
ship, and in 1872 was admitted to the bar, and
since that time has practiced more or less. He is
independent in his political views, and on the 13th
of March, 1868, he was elected sheriff of Poinsett
County, and served until the latter part of 1874.
He is a member of Lodge No. 184 of the A. F. &
A. M. , at Harrisburg, and in this order is a mem-
ber of Poinsett Chapter, No. 77. He and wife be-
long to the Methodist Episcopal Church, South.
A. W. Thornton has passed the uneventful life
of the farmer, and has continued steadily to
pursue ' ' the even tenor of his way, ' ' and is now
classed among the prosperous farmers of Poinsett
County. His birth occurred in Giles County,
Tenn., in 1846, and he was the fifth of eight chil-
dren born to Leecel and Sarah Jane (Austin)
Thornton, the former born in South Carolina and
the latter in Tennessee. The father was taken to
Tennessee when a youth, and was there reared and
educated, and made that his permanent home until
his death, which occurred in 1888, his worthy wife
still surviving him, and making her home in Ten-
nessee. In early life he was a Whig in his politi-
cal views, but later he became a Democrat. A. W.
Thornton was initiated into the mysteries of farm
life by his father, who was a successful agricul-
turist, and received his early scholastic training in
the district schools of Giles County. In 1862 he
abandoned farm life for the time being to join
the Confederate army, and was a member of Com-
pany E, Thirty-second Tennessee Infantry, and
was mustered into service at Murfreesboro, and
afterward participated in the battles of Chicka-
mauga, Missionary Ridge, Lookout Mountain,
and in 1864 received a gun-shot wound at Resaca,
and was confined in the hospital at Forsyth, Ga.,
until fully recovered. He rejoined his company in
August, 1864, and was again wounded by a gun-
shot at Atlanta, Ga. , and was sent to the hospital
where he had j)reviously been cared for, and was
later taken to Cuthbert, Ga. In 1864, he again
rejoined his command, and was with Hood on his
>^ <j
^k
POINSETT COUNTY.
filE
campaign in Tennessee. After his return to his
home in Giles County, he remained there until
1871, when he came to Poinsett County, where he
has since been engaged in farming and school-teach-
ing, and in both these occupations has become well
known. His farm comprises 160 acres, and since
1883, he has cleared thirty acres and jiut them
under cultivation. His property is well improved
with good buildings and fences, and in addition to
his f aim- work, his attention is given, to a considera-
ble degree, to stock raising. He votes the Dem-
ocratic ticket, but is not an active partisan. In
1877 and 1878 he tilled the office of county assess-
or, and is the present justice of his township, and
is serving his fourth term. He is a patron of
schools, and is a member of Harrisburg Lodge No.
184, of the A. F. & A. M., and was secretary of his
lodge for about two years. He has also filled that
position for the I. O. O. F. , he being a member of
White Hall Lodge No. 77. He is a member of
the Agricultural Wheel. He was married in this
county, in 1877, to Miss Harriet Frances Wright,
and by her has four children: James Arthur,
Thomas Jefferson, Leecel La Fayette and William
Harvey.
William Usery, blacksmith and farmer, Harris-
burg, Ark. Tennessee has furnished to this county
a number of representative men, and among them
might be mentioned William Usery, who was born
in Bedford County, of that State, in 1832. He is
the son of Allen and F. Elizabeth (Johnson) Usery,
both natives of North Carolina, and early settlers
of Tennessee, to which State they emigrated in pio-
neer times. They were members of the Methodist
Episcopal Church. William Usery was brought
up as an agriculturist, and it was but natural
that he should permanently adopt that calling, as
his life occupation; and this he has always fol-
lowed. He received his education in the common
schools of Tennessee, and at the age of eighteen
years learned the blacksmith's trade, which he fol-
lowed in connection with farming. In 1849 he
came to St. Francis County, Ark. , and worked at
his trade for two years. He was first married in
1851, to Mrs. G. (Stephens) Fisher, and one child
was born to this union, Frances, who is now the
wife of William A. Garvey, and resides in Poinsett
County, Ark. Mrs. Usery died in 1850, and in
1859 Mr. Usery selected his second wife in the
person of Mrs. lloxy (Franks) Casbeer, widow of
Joseph Casbeer, who was a native of Tennessee,
and a farmer by occupation. By her first marriage
Mrs. Usery became th(i mother of three children:
Jerusha A., widow of Frank Thiville, a farmer of
St. Francis County, who died in 1880, leaving
his widow and two children; Thomas and Chossley.
Mrs. Usery is the daughter of Chessley and Jerusha
(May) Franks, the former a local Methodist Epis-
copal preacher of Tenne.sseo. Elder Franks came
to Arkansas at a very early date, and here married
Miss May, a member of one of the oldest families
of Northeast Arkansas. Mrs. Usery is the fourth
of eight children born to her parents, her birth oc-
curring in St. Francis County, Ark., in 1829.
She spent her school days in that county, and after
her marriage to Mr. Usery, in 1859, they resided
in St. Francis County for thirteen years. Mr.
Usery engaged in blacksmithing and farming. In
1872 he moved to Harrisburg and bought 4(50 acres
of land, but has since sold some of this, and is now
the owner of 300 acres adjoining the city, with
about fifty acres under cultivation. He lives in the
center of this, just across the corporation line. He
has the best buildings, the largest orchard, l)ear-
ing all kinds of fruit, and is considered one of the
substantial men of the county. By his marriage
were born two children: Florence, wife of a min-
ister of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and re
siding in Texas, and Annis, wife of George Garvey,
a merchant at Harrisburg. Mr. Usery and family
are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church,
and he is a Royal Arch Mason. He is also a
member of the I. O. O. F. He and his excellent
wife can relate some very interesting reminiscences
of early times, how lumber was made with a whip-
saw, how the clothing and boots and shoes were
made by the old .settlers, and how Bolivar was at
one time the county-seat.
Jasj)er M. Vanhoozer, farmer and stock raiser,
Harrisburg, Ark. Located in the midst of one of
the finest agricultural centers of Poinsett County,
the farm which Mr. Vanhoozer owns and occupies
^=A
616
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
is concodecl to be iimoiiy tlic lu'st ia the vicinity;
and this is saying not a little, for on every hand
may be seen superior farms, whose ownership de-
notes thrift and prosperity, ilr. Vanhoozer lirst
saw the light of day in Lincoln County, Tenn.,
where his birth occurred on the 7th of September,
IS 45. His parents, Jacob and Mary (Ketchum)
Yanhoozer, were natives of Tennessee, and the
father was one of the pioneers of Middle Tennes-
see. He was a participant of one of the Indian
Wars, and died in the year 1846, on the 26th of
September. They were members of the Cumberland
Presbyterian Church, and much respected citizens..
The mother, after surviving the death of her hus-
band for about twenty-seven years, died in 1873.
They were the parents of four children, two sisters
and Jasper N. now living. One sister, Gestin,
married Joseph Birdwell, and now resides in the
Lone Star State. The other sister, Fenton, is the
wife of Jesse Hardgrove, and resides near the old
homestead, in Tennessee. Jasper M. Vanhoozer
received a fair education in the common schools of
Tennessee, and at the age of seventeen years, he
left the farm of his father and enlisted in the Con-
federate army, in Comi)any A, Forrest's Cavalry,
and participated in the skirmish at Athens and
Corinth. After the last named battle, Mr. Van-
hoozer re-enlisted in Company E, Thirty-second
Tennessee Infantry, under Gen. Hood, and was in
the battles of Franklin, Nashville and Murfrees-
boro. He was wounded at Port Hindman, in 1863,
and at Murfreesboro, in 1864. Here his services
ended, as he never regained his health sufficiently
to return. After cessation of hostilities, he re-
turned to Tennessee, and engaged in tilling the
soil, which industry he has since carried on. By
his marriage, which occurred in June, 1867, to
Miss Susan Darnell, he became the father of four
children, two now living: Nancy Ann, wife of
Charles Presley, a farmer now living in Tennessee,
and Benjamin Lewis, a farmer, unmarried, and
residing in Poinsett ('ounty. Mrs. Vanhoozer was
the daughter of James and Susan (Merrill) Darnell,
natives of Tennessee. In 1869, Mr. Vanhoozer
and family moved to Poinsett County, Ark. , and
here purchased forty acres of partially improved
hind. He has added to this tract from time to time,
until he now has 270 acres on Crowley's Ridge,
with about sixty-five acres under cultivation. He
also has 20Q acres in St. Anguille Bottom, and is
improving the same; has twenty-seven acres under
cultivation. He rents land for cotton. Mr. Van-
hoozer votes with the Democratic party, but is con-
servative in politics. Mrs. Vanhoozer died in 1883,
and in the same year Mr. Vanhoozer was married
to Miss Sarah Hall, daughter of Newton G. and
Sarah J. E. (Robertson) Hall, natives of Missis-
sippi. By this anion Mr. Vanhoozer became the
father of the following children: Leana C. , James
L. and Sarah A. Mr. Vanhoozer is an honored
member of the Masonic fraternity, and holds mem-
bership in Harrisbui-g Lodge No. 184, and was
treasurer of that lodge for a number of years. He
is a member of White Hall Lodge No. 77, I. O.
O. F. , and is at present treasurer of that society.
He has served as school director a number of years,
and has always taken an active interest in and
given his support to all enterprises for the good of
the community, and is one who believes in pro-
gressive farming.
B. F. Webber is one of the successful agricul-
turists of this region, and as such deserves honor-
alile mention among these pages. He was born on
Blue Grass soil in 1839, and was the fifth of nine
children born to F. X. Webber, who was a native
German. The father came to the United States
when young, and was married in Kentucky' to Arti-
missa Ellen Hays, who was a native of that State.
In 1851 they removed to St. Francis County, Ark.,
and from here Mr. Webber enlisted in the Rebel
army service, in 1862, and died the following year.
B. F. Webber was initiated into the mysteries of
farming in early youth, and received a fair English
education in the schools of St. Francis County.
In 1863 he came to Poinsett County. Ark., and
was married here, in 1869, to L. C. Calvert, a
native of Phillips County, Ark., who came here
with her parents at a very early day. Both her
father and mother are now deceased. After his
marriage Mr. Webber settled on a farm iieai- where
Tyronza is now situated, and here made his home
until 1880, when he purchased 160 acn^s of unim-
'.iL
POINSETT COUNTY.
017
proved land, and now has about fifty acres under
cultivation, and has his farm nicely improved, with
good residence and out buildings. He has in-
creased bis acreage to 200, and this he devotes
principally to raising cotton, also giving consider
able attention to stock. Mr. Webber is a Demo-
crat, a member of the Agricultural Wheel, and he
and wife and children (L. C, Nettie Ann and
Laura Rozella) are in communion with the Mis-
sionary Baptist Church. The following are their
children: Laura Kozella, William Bedford, Nettie
Ann, Edna, Charles, Franklin, Katie Nora, Ed-
ward Lee, James A., Lonnie, Toney and Thomas.
Mr. Webber and his family have enjoyed excep-
tionally good health since locating here, and they
consider it an extremely healthy locality, as well I
as a fine farming region, never having had to call i
in a doctor.
Hon. N. J. Willis, farmer, Harrisburg, Ark.
The name that heads this sketch is borne by one of
the most highly respected and esteemed residents
of Poinsett County. Let a man be industriously
ambitious, and honorable in his ambitions, and he
will ri.se. whether having the prestige of family or
the obscurity of poverty. Mr. Willis was born in
Caswell County, N. C, on the 31st of January,
1835, but attained his growth in Tennessee. His
parents, John T. and Elizabeth (Ward) Willis,
were also natives of North Carolina. The father
was a thorough going, industrious farmer, and
an active member of the Masonic fraternity, and
held the office of junior warden in that organiza
tion sevei'al years. He was a Democrat in politics,
and he and wife were members of the Methodist
Episcopal Church. Their family consisted of six
children: George W., died in the army in 18(58,
was a farmer of White County, Ark. ; Mary, wife
of a farmer living in Cross County, Ark. ; Flora
A., wife of James Maloney, a farmer of Illinois;
Nancy, wife of Capt. J. M. LeVesque, county
clerk, and the largest farmer in Cross County, Ark. ;
Sarah, died in 1804, and was the wife of Samuel
Allen. N. J. Willis, the fourth child in order of
birth, spent his boyhood days in Tennessee, when
school op|)ortunities were very limited. DiU'ing
that time his vocation was farming, and at odd
39
times he was busy over his books, of which lie was
very fond. At the age of twenty he began work-
ing for himself, and then spent a year in school
to Prof. Phillips, near Somerville, Tenn. The
next year, 1850, he came with ('apt. LeVesque, to
Poinsett (now Cross) County, Ark., and followed
agricultural pursuits for two years. In 1857 he
married Miss Nancy Shannon, daughter of Archi-
bald and Nancy (Allen) Shannon, the former a
native of Tennessee. To Mr. and Mrs. Willis
were born five children (two of whom are living):
John T. died in infancy; Thomas J. died at the
age of seventeen; James M. died at the age of
four years; Samuel H. , a farmer and miller,
now resides with his father, and Ollie A., who is
now thirteen years of age, is at home. Judge
Willis lived in Poinsett County (now Cross), until
1875, and then moved to Poinsett County proper.
In 1874 he was elected justice of the peace, and
in 1879 was elected county judge, serving one
term. In 1881 he was elected representative, and
re-elected to the same position in 1883, thus
showing his popularity with the ))ub!ic. In 1886
he engaged in ginning and milling, and the same
year moved to Harrisburg, but continued to super-
intend his farm. He is the owner of 828 acres of
land in Poinsett County, besides two lots with
good houses on them, and the gin and mill at Har-
risburg. In March, 1802, he enlisted in the Con-
federate army, Capt. Joe Martin's Thirteenth Ar-
kansas Infantry (mounted), and in 1863 was pro-
moted to the rank of lieutenant of Company C,
which position he held until the war closed. He
was in the battles of Greeneville, Helena, and went
with Gen. Price in his raid through Missouri and
Arkansas. He left the main army at Fort Smith,
and operated on White River until 1864, when he
joined the main army at Camden, and continued
with the same until the surrender at Wittsburg,
Ark., in 1865. He served his county and State in
the most acceptable manner during the war, but
has rendered it even more valuable service, not
only as a reliable public official, but as an indus-
trious farmer and lawaliiding citizen. He is now
living in comparative retirement. He is a member
of the Masonic order, also the K. of H. , and in
M'.
his views affiliates with the Democratic party.
He and Mrs. Willis are members of the Methodist
Episcopal Church, in which he has held the office
of class-leader, has also been superintendent of
the Sunday-school, and he is a liberal contributor
to all laudable enterprises.
John R. Willis, postmaster of Buffalo Lick, Ark. ,
has held the position he now occupies for the ])ast
six years, and has ably discharged the duties in-
cumbent upon the office. He was born in Oldham
County, Ky. , in 1837, but received his education in
Saline County, Mo., and up to the age of eighteen
years was an attendant at the district schools, and
was engaged in farm labor on the old homestead.
After attaining the above mentioned age he entered
the employ of Majs. Russell & Wardell, being
master of a wagon train leaving Leavenworth for
any given point in the far West. After remaining
in the Government employ for about seven years
he, in 1862, joined the Eighteenth Mississippi Cav-
alry, commanded by Col. Jenkins, and was in the
battles of Franklin, Nashville and Fort Pillow, and
in other minor engagements, serving until hostili-
ties ceased, when he was paroled at Memphis, Tenn.
He was captured three times, one time being
taken prisoner at Holly Springs, Miss., by the
Seventh Kansas Regiment, of which W. F. Cody,
better known as Buffalo Bill, was a member, the
latter having been in his employ while he was a
teamster in the West. Mr. ^\'illis was engaged
in farming in Cross County, Ark., until 1879,
when he crossed to Poinsett County, Ark., and
here has since made his home, his farm of 200
acres being finely improved, with good buildings,
fences, etc. , and 100 acres are under cultivation.
He also operates a steam cotton-gin, and raises some
stock. He is independent in his political views,
but usually votes the Democratic ticket. He has
held the office of magistrate, and for many years
has been an active worker for the cause of temper-
ance. He is a patron of education, is a member
of the school board, and also belongs to the board
of equalization. He is a Mason, being a member
of Arcadian Lodge, at Vanndale, Cross CoiTnty, and
also belongs to the Agricultural Wheel. He was
married, in Cross County, Ark., in 1872, to Miss
Mary Harvey, a native of Shelby County, Tenn. .
and to their union six children have been born:
Lillian, Lewis, Henry X., Mary, Ethel and Edna.
Mr. Willis is the youngest of eleven children born to
Lewis and Polly (Ryle) Willis, the former a native
of Virginia, and the latter of North Carolina. They
settled on a farm in Boone County, Ky. , at an
early day, and in 1835 moved to Oldham County,
where the mother died in 1845. In 1848 Mr.
Willis settled in Saline County, Mo. , where he
farmed and made his home until his death, in 1850.
J. B. Wilson is possessed of those advanced
ideas and progressive principles regarding agricult-
ural life which seem to be among the chief char-
acteristics of native Tennesseeans. He was born
in Shelby County, of that State, in 1829, and is
the elder of two children Ijorn to John B. and Mary
Ann (Cowan) AVilson, who were also Tennesseeans.
The father followed the trade of cabinet-making
until his death, which occurred in Middle Tennes-
see, in 1833, but his widow survived him until
1874, dying in Poinsett County. Ark. The early
advantages received by our suliject were such as
usually fall to the farmer's laoy, and at the early
age of fourteen years, owing to the death of his
father, he was compelled toput his shoulder to the
plow, in order to assist in the support of his wid-
owed mother. He was married in Tennessee, in
1857, to Miss Mary Houston, a native of Tennes-
see, and a niece of Gen. Sam Houston. Her par-
ents, John and Martha (Gillespie) Houston, were
Tennesseeans, her grandfathers having been among
the earliest settlers of that State from Virginia.
J. B. Wilson removed to Poinsett County, Ark., in
1857, and located in Greenfield Township, where
he purchased a partially improved farm, consisting
of 179 acres, and now has eighty acres under culti-
vation, which he devotes to cotton and corn. By
his wife, who died in 1873. he became the father
of seven children, three now living: Mary L. (Mrs.
Bennett, residing in Craighead County), David B.
and Ida. In 1874 Mr. Wilson married Mrs. Mary
Jane (Wilkison) Kelsoe, she having been born in
the State of Alabama, but was reared in Poinsett
County. Six of their seven children are living:
Ellen, Eland, Thomas Payne, Robert Ingersoll,
n-
1^
Joe Voltaire and Andy Bradlaw. In December,
1861, Mr. WilsoQ went to Decatur, Macon County,
111., anil was there engaged in gathering supplies,
for the Union Army. The following year he went
to Memphis, Term., and from that time until 1865
he was on the city police force. In the latter year
he returned to Poinsett County, where he has
since made his home. Although not a politician,
he votes with the Republican party, and has advo-
cated its principles alone and single-handed at all
times, and was one of two men of Arkansas who
voted for Abraham Lincoln for the Presidency, in
1865. He has always advocated the building and
sustaining of good schools, and has for many years
been a member of the school board in his district.
He has been a Mason since 1850. He is also a
member of the Agricultural A\'heel. He has ever
contributed liberally for the support of every en-
terprise for the building up of the county, and is
considered one of its good citizens.
J. L. Wright, one of Poinsett County's repre-
sentative farmers and stockmen, was born on Blue
Grass soil in 1836, being the second of four
children of Joseph and Sarah (Ford) Wright, who
were also natives of that State, to which the
paternal grandfather had moved at a very early
day. Joseph Wright removed to Arkansas in
1842, and settled in Greenfield Township, where,
in 1848, he entered the land on which he had first
squatted, comprising 160 acres, and commenced
making improvements, and here made his home
until his death, which occurred August 19, 1876.
He was a member of the Masonic Lodge of
Harrisburg, and was a man whom all esteemed
and respected. His excellent wife passed from
this life in 1852. J. L. Wright in assistintj his
father in clearing the home farm, became familiar
with the duties of agricultural life, and after ac
quiring a fair education in the old sulsseription
schools of Poinsett County, he, at the age of twenty
years, started out to fight the battle of life for
himself. He was married in 1S57 to Miss Jane
Ishmet, a native of St. Frauds County, and a
daughter of Thomas and Elizabeth (Lane) Ishmet,
who were born in Illinois and Tennessee, respect-
ively. They removed from the former State to
Poinsett County, Ark., during the early history of
this region, and also made their home in Greene
County. The father's death occurred many years
ago, but the mother is .still living and makes 1km-
home with her daughter, Mrs. Wright. After
his marriage, Mr. Wright settled on the farm
where he now lives, and in 1861 enlisted from here
for three years in Capt. Hillis' company, and was
assigned to the Fifteenth Arkansas regiment, but
was honorably discharged a short time after. He
then volunteered in Capt. Kitchens' regiment, and
was a participant in the battle of Little Rock. At
the close of the war he returned to Poinsett Coun-
ty, and has since devoted his energies to putting
his farm in good tillable condition. His first pur-
chase of laud was in 1858, and consisted of forty
acres, but by his own good management and energy
he now owns 660 acres, with over 200 acres under
cultivation, which constitutes one of the finest
farms in the county. He makes a specialty of
raising a good grade of Durham cattle and Berk-
shire and Poland-China hogs, and in all his views
he is progressive and enterprising. He is not an
active politician, but usually votes the Democrat
ticket, and socially is a member of Harrisburg
Lodge No. 184, of the A. F. & A. M. He is one
of the oldest members of the Christian Church,
his wife also belonging to that church; and not in
church matters alone has ho been active, for he
has always been interested in the progress and ad-
vancement of schools, and was instrumental in
organizing the district in which he resides. His
children are as follows: James J., who died in
1858; Harriet Frances (Mrs. Thornton), Eliza
Jane, Mary Etta Gertrude (Mrs. Smith), Sarah
Ellen, Jennie Kate, Joseph William, Julia, James
Charley and Lou Oilie (twins), the latter of whom
died in 1879 at the age of fen months; and Ida
Lou. Mr. Wright's brothers and sisters are: John
J., who was married, served in the late war, and
died in 1872; J. L. , Jasper, who married, and is a
resident of the county; Elizabeth, who was the
wife of James Wilson, and died in 1869; Malvina,
now Mrs. McBroom, a resident of Harrisburg;
and Joseph H. , who is married and resides in Boli
var Township.
A
<S w_
-^ 9 J
620
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
Jasper Wright. The life of this gentleman
has been rather an uneventful one, but clearly dem-
onstrates how much can be accomplished and ac-
quired under the most unfavorable circumstances.
He was born in Barren County, Ky., in 1840, and,
after assisting his father on the home farm until
twenty-seven years of age, he began doing for
himself, but dropped his farming implements in
1861 to enlist in the Crittenden Rangers, a cavalry
company organized in Crittenden County, Ark. ;
and was in the battles of Chickamauga, Corinth
and Knoxville. He was paroled at Chester, S. O. ,
in 1805, and returned to Poinsett County, which
place has since been his home. He was married
here, in 1867, to Miss Martha Jane Huston, a Ten-
nesseean by birth, but her death occurred in 1875,
she having borne a family of four children; Har-
riet Jane (Mrs. Albright) and John William are
the only ones now living. The following year Mr.
Wright wedded Miss Laura Stevens, a Georgian,
by whom he became the father of two children
— Elizabeth and Bessie —but he was called upon to
mourn her death in 1884. His next matrimonial
venture was in 1885, his wife's maiden name be-
ing Josephine McClellan; she was born in Tennes-
see, and to them has been given one child, Lloyd
D. In 1868 Mr. Wright purchased a timber
tract of eighty acres, but sold it in 1879, and pur-
chased another tract consisting of the same num
ber of acres. He has added eighty acres to this,
and has lifty acres under cultivation. He has
always voted the Democratic ticket, and has served
as justice of the peace for some years, and in 1886
was elected county and probate judge, serving two
years. Socially, he is a member of the Agricultu-
ral Wheel, and also belongs to Harrisburg Lodge
of the A. F. & A. M. He and wife are worthy
members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. He
is one of five children born to Joseph and Sarah
(Ford) Wright, natives of Tennessee and Ken-
tucky, respectively. In 1844 they removed to
Poinsett County, Ark. , and here spent the rest of
their lives, the father's death occurring in 1876,
and the mother's in 1854.
W. L. Wright. Not without justice, Mr. Wright
is conceded to hold a representative position among
the prominent and successful agriculturists of Poin-
sett County, for he started out in life for himself
at the age of twenty-one years with no means, and
is now the owner of 240 acres, with about thirty-
live acres under the plow. He was born near
Helena, Ark. , in 1848, and his youth was spent in
assisting on the home farm and in attending the
public schools of St. Francis County. He removed
to Illinois with his parents, but returned to Crit-
tenden County, and was married here November
15, 186y, his wife being Miss Arena Johnson, a na-
tive of that county. After raising four crops in
Crittenden County, he, in 1872, went to Macoupin
County, 111., and after taking charge of his father's
farm for three years he settled in Mississippi
County, and engaged in farming. In the month of
March, 1880, he came to Poinsett County, Ark.,
and first purchased a farm of forty acres. This
he sold at a later period, and bought eighty acres,
and has added to it until he now has 240 acres, as
stated above. He is a Democrat in his political
views, and for the past eight years has given his
attention to pastoral work, he being a member of
the Missionary Baptist Church. He has three
charges in Mississippi County, one at Frenchman's
Bayou, one at Cross Bayou, and the other at New
Hope. Last year he was pastor of a church at
Philadelphia, Crittenden County. He is a public-
spirited citizen, and is deeply interested in the
cause of education, having given his children such
advantages as he could afford. Their names are:
Clara Idella, Mattison McMullen, Maud Jane, Bed-
ford Whitfield and Milton Edward. Mr. Wright
has noticed many changes for the better since
locating in this vicinity, and, judging from a moral
and Christian standpoint, the county is rapidly im-
proving. Mr. Wright numbers the fifth of his
parents' nine children. Both his father and mother,
W. I. and Jane (Gazell) Wright, were born in
Kentucky, were married there, and in 1845 re-
moved to Arkansas, and up to the year 1853 the
father was a Baptist minister of Phillips County.
At the latter date he removed to St. Francis Coun-
ty, but returned to the former county in 1861,
remaining two years. From that time until 1867
he resided on a farm in Poinsett County, and his
!<£
INDEPENDENCE COUNTY.
621
next move was to Macoupin County, 111., and after
living in the town of Girard for three years he
purchased a farm, on which he resided until his
death, in February, 1875. His wife still survives
him, and is now a Mrs. Sims, whose residence is
in Raymond, 111.
"»-*—♦ — »*« — » !<■
;ifiifSc^ XXII.
■ >♦<■
Independence County— Formation and Organization— Public Structures— Catalogue of Offi-
cials— The Franchise— Administration of Law— The Coming of the Pioneers— Location of
the County— Its Water Courses— Numerous Personal and Business Sketches— Timber
AND Mines— Lands and Crops— Census Returns— Railroads— Religious Growth
—Towns— Popular Instruction— War Record— Facts and Statistics.
In ancient times the sacred plow employ'd
The kings and awful fathers of mankind,
And some * * have held the scale of empire
Then, * * with unwearied hand, * * *
Seized the plow, and greatly independent lived. — Thomson.
*HE county of Independence
was organized in accord-
ance with the provisions of
an act of the legislature
of Arkansas Territory, ap-
proved October, 20, 1820.
As then organized it em-
braced much territory which has
since, from time to time, been cut
off and included in other counties
as they were formed. Originally
it composed a part of Lawrence
.SV) County.
i \-f^ 1'^^ town of Batesville having
^r^ been established prior to the organ-
">«r_. ization of the county, and being
centrally located, as well as enjoy-
ing the advantages of a navigable river, was chosen
as the seat of justice, and as such still continues.
The first coui-t-house, a brick structure, was erected
in 1821 , close to the bank of White River, and above
the mouth of the bayou, on the public square, as
shown by the town plat. The present court-house,
which stands on block 15, at the comer of Broad
and Main Streets, was erected in 1857 by Messrs.
J. H. Peel and J. E. Wamac, at a cost of $10,000.
It is a plain two-story brick building, with six
rooms on the first floor, and court-room, jury and
witness-rooms on the second. It has a wooden
tower containing a town clock. The Paul Jail
Company, of St. Louis, Mo., is now repairing the
two-story stone residence of the jailer, and complet
ing a new jail attached, for the contract price of
$7,500. It stands on the opposite side of the same
block on which the court-house is located, the jail
proper having seven cells for prisoners.
The county has a poor farm and asylum for
the use of the paupers. It is six miles northeast
of Batesville, and has good buildings, and about
fifty acres under cultivation. The county furnishes
food and clothing for the indigent, the superintend-
ent caring for them for the use of the farm.
f
\
Aj
f)22
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
1832-36
1838-44
1848-54
1856-58
1862-64
1866-68
1872-74
1836-42
1847-52
18r6-60
1862-64
1866-68
1872-74
1876-82
The following is a list of names of county
officers of Independence County from its organiza-
tion, with date of their terms of service:
County judges: James Boswell, 1829-32;
Richard Peel, 1832-40; D. W. Lowe, 1840-44;
John Kyler, 1844-46; John Mannikin, 1846-48;
D. W. Lowe, 1848-54; J. C. Brickey, 1854-56;
N. Peed, 1856-64; H. Hogan, 1864-66; G. W.
Shaw, 1866-68; H. Hogan, 1868-72; commission-
ers, 1872-74; Henry Neill, 1874-76; W. M. Steel,
1876-78; S. A. Hail, 1878-80; W. M. Steel,
1880-82; R. H. Griffin, 1882-80; A. J. Craig, pres-
ent incumbent, first elected in 1886.
Clerks: R. Searcy, 1820-21: T. Curran,
1821-27; J. Redmond, 1827-32; C. H. Pelham,
William Moore, 1836-38; C. H. Pelham,
D. W. Lowe, 1844-48; W. R. Miller,
R. R. Kellogg, 1854-56; Henry Powell,
J. A. Price, 1858-62; M. A. Wycough,
R. Harpham, 1864-06; Robert Neill,
R. Harpham, 1868-72; W. H. Berry,
E. M. Dickinson, 1874-86; M. A. Wy-
cough, present incumbent, first elected in 1886.
Sheriffs: Charles Kelly, 1820-32; J. Egner,
1832-35; J. H. Egner, 1835-36; H. A. Engles,
W. L. McGuire, 1842-47; A. Alexander,
U. E. Foot, 1852-56; G. W. Daugherty,
John Bailey, 1800-62; Dan James,
John Palmer, 1864-06; F. D. Denton,
J. J. Palmer, 1868-72; J. W. Kennedy,
John Bailey, 1874-76; R. R. Case,
R. M. Desha, 1882-86; McCurdy Hail,
present incumbent, first elected in 1886.
Treasurers: J. H. Egner, 1836-40; S. B. Wy-
cough, 1840-50; B. Lee, 1850-54; G. W. Dough-
erty, 1854-56; Thomas Womack, 1856-58; R.
Harpham, 1858-60; T. Chaplain, 1860-64; Frank-
lin Perrin, 1866-68; J. Van Emberg, 1868-72; J.
H. Foster, 1872-74; B. F. Howard, 1874-80; R.
H. Lee, 1880-86; J. A. Hinkle, 1886-88; L. C.
Lindsay, present incumbent, elected in 1888.
Coroners: John Reed, 1820-21; John Bean,
1821-23; J. L. Daniels, 1823-27; John Ruddell,
1827-29; A. Cresswell, 1829-30; Robert Bruce,
1830-32; J. Carroll, 1832-35; J. Merri weather,
1835-36; C. McArthul, 1836-38; H. W. Bandy,
1838-40; W. W. Baltimore. 1840-42; George
Case, 1842-48; William O" Conner, 1848-52: Mar-
tin Cason, 1852-54; G. M. Miniken (or Minni-
kin), 1854-56; William O'Conner, 1856-58; H.
Blevins, 1858-60; J. Thomas, 1860-62; J. Bethel,
1862-64; S. J. McGuffin, 1866-68; Charles Caw,
1868-72; W. R. Joplin, 1872-78; C. B. Grig.sby,
1878-80; C. D. McCormack, 1880-S2; K. E. Law-
rence, 1882-84; Kent Lawrence, 1884-86; W. S.
McGuire, 1886-88; J. L. Ellis, present incumbent,
elected in 1888.
Surveyors: C. H. Pelham, 1827-30; J. Trim-
ble, 1830-35; E. Frazier, 1835-40; Samuel Wel-
din, 1840^2; A. Bowman, 1842-44; A. Manning,
1844-46; George Gill, 1846-48; T. S. Carter,
1848-52; J. Ireland, 1852-56; E. D. Rushing,
1856-58; C. P. Head, 1858-60; Robert Neill,
1860-62; Z. D. Bozart, 1862-64; James Grisham,
1864-66; J. S. Carter, 1866-68; J. S. Smith,
1868-72; J. M. C. Southard, 1872-76; W. A.
Hill, 1876-78; J. M. C. Southard, 1878-82; John
Hindman, 1882-88; G. M. Thompson, present in-
cumbent, elected in 1888.
Assessors: W. H. Grigsby, 1862-64; E. D.
Rushing, 1864-66; R. H. Lee, 1866-68; T. A.
Baxter, 1868-72; E. C. Patchell, 1872-74; D. R.
Ford, 1874-76: William Taylor, 1876-82; T. B.
Padgett, 1882-84; Thomas Owens, 1884-86; C.
H. Webb, 1886-88; Josiah Martin, present incum-
bent, elected in 1888.
Delegates in constitutional conventions: 1836,
John Ringgold and Townseud Dickinson: 1861,
M. S. Kennard, U. E. Fort and F. W. Desha;
1864, C. C. Bliss; 1868, Peter G. Misner and
George W. Dale; 1874, J. W. Butler and J.
Rutherford. Peyton Tucker represented Inde-
pendence County in the council of the Second
Territorial legislature, in 1821, and J. Ringgold
represented Independence and Jackson Counties
in the senate of the First State legislature; at the
same time T. Dickinson representing Independence
County in the house.
The political aspect of the county may be in-
ferred from the votes cast for the several candi-
dates at the last State and Presidental elections,
which were as follows: September election, 1888,
A
INDEPENDENCE COUNTY.
623
for governor, James P. Eagle (Dom.), 2,012; C.
M. Norwood (Com. Opp.), 2,051; for secretary of
State, B. B. Chism (Dem.), 2,002; George W.
Terry (Com. Opp.), 2,050; Presidential election,
1888, Cleveland (Dem.), 1,789; Harrison (Rep.),
324; Streeter(U. L.), 1,220; Fisk (Prohibition), 36.
As the county was created October 20, 1820,
it is most likely that the lirst session of court was
held in the latter part of that year or early in the
year following; but no record of any court appears
on tile until the " ' Common Pleas ' ' court convened
at Batesville on Monday, November lU, 1821,
with Judges Richard Pee] and William Moore,
presiding. This court assumed jurisdiction over
all business, including county, probate and crim-
inal affairs. So far as the record shows, this
was the last term of the common pleas court. The
same volume of records immediately following the
last proceeding of the above shows that in Janu-
ary, 1822, the Hon. Richard Searcy, judge of the
First judicial district, appeared and produced his
commission as such, and opened the first term of
the circuit court at Batesville. A grand jury was
then chosen, and sworn to perform their duties,
and Thomas Dickinson was appointed prosecuting
attorney for the term. This court had jurisdiction
now over all kinds of business, and was the only
court held until 1829, when the county court was
created by the legislature.
Judge Searcy presided over the circuit court
until November, 1825, when he was succeeded by
Judge James Woodson Bates. The first term of
the county court began April 5, 1830. with James
Boswell, judge presiding.
The circuit court now belongs to the Third
judicial district, composed of the counties of
Jackson, Lawrence. Stone, Randolph, Independ-
ence and Sharp, with Judge J. W. Butler, of Bates-
ville, presiding, and J. L. Abernethy, of Evening
Shatle. as prosecuting attorney. The sessions of this
coui't are held in Independence County, commenc-
ing on the first Monday of January and July of
each year. The sessions of the county court begin
on the first Mondays of January, April, July and
October, and the probate court the first Mondays of
Februarv. Mav. .\ugust and November.
The legal bar of Independence County is com-
posed of the following named attorneys: H. S.
Coleman, J. C. Yancey, Robert Neill, W. A. Bev-
ens, J. J. Barnwell, Ex. -Gov. Elisha Baxter, Sam-
uel Peete, W. B. Padgett, Charles Bourne, J. C.
Bone and W. B. Ruddell.
Independence County has been comparatively
free from the perpetration of the grosser crimes.
Since the Civil War there has been only one exe-
cution for the crime of murder committed here —
the hanging of Jesse Kemp for the mui'der of Mar-
ion Hulsey. He was tried on a change of venue
and executed in Sharp County. Another person
suffered capital punishment in the county for a
murder committed elsewhere.
French traders and trappers ascended White
River long before the permanent settlement of the
country traversed by it began. A party of these
people encamped and hunted bear in the region
now known as Oil Trough Bottom, in Independ-
ence County. Here they slew many bear, from
which they rendered the oil, filled their barrels
and had a surplus left. This letter was put into
wooden troughs and left in the camp, the intention
probably being to return for it. However, no one
called, and the oil spoiled in the troughs. Hence
the name Oil Trough Bottom. These traders and
hunters left many marks of their travels at various
places up and down the river, which were plainly
visible to the pioneer settlers. Not a few of the
streams and other natural objects were named by
the French and Spaniards. .
The permanent settlement of this territory is
believed to have commenced about the year 1810,
or perhaps a little earlier. John Reed located at
the site of Batesville in 1812. Samuel Miller, of
Tennessee, came in 1813, and subsequently settled
on the creek that bears his name in this county.
Col. Robert Bean ran the first keel-boat up White
River and established himself at the mouth of Polk
Bayou (Batesville) in 1814. James Micham settled
near the same place in the same year. In 1817,
James Trimble and his family, including Jackson
S. Trimble, who now lives at Sulphur Rock, and
who was then a small child, came from Kentucky
and chose a location five miles southwest of Bates-
6 "V
A
624
HISTOKY OF ARKANSAS.
ville. Col. Hartwell Boswell, John H. Einggold,
John Redmond and Henry Engles all came from
the same State to Batesville some time prior to
1820.
The following named persons composed the
first grand jury empaneled for the county in the
circuit court, in January, 1822: George Teil, Byrd
Candrey, James Akin, John Morgan, Henry Mor-
ris, David Magness, John Cochran, William Sneed,
George Trimble, Peter Taylor, William Matney,
Benedict White, Joshua Minyard, Amos Friend,
William Friend, Robert Bruce and Morgan Mag-
ness. These, of course, were all prominent pioneer
settlers. John Magness, father of Morgan Mag-
ness, was also a pioneer of note. Space only per-
mits the mention here of a few of the most
prominent early residents, but two of whom, so
far as known, are now living: James Mieham
and Jackson S. Trimble. For other pioneers the
reader is referred to the list of early county offi-
cers and biographical sketches.
Independence County, located in the north-
eastern part of the State, is bounded north by
Izard, Sharp and Lawrence Counties, east by Jack-
son, south by Jackson and White, and west by
Cleburne and Stone. It has an area of 700 square
miles, a considerable portion of which remains un-
improved.
Its boundary lines are as follows: Beginning on
the line dividing Townships 14 and 15 north, where
Black River lastly crosses it in its downward course;
thence west on the township line to the range line
between Ranges 4 and 5 west; thence north to the
corner between Sections 13 and 24, Township 15
north, Range 5 west; thence west on section lines
to the southwest corner of Section 18, Township 15
north, Range 7 west; thence south 45° west seven
and a half miles to White River; thence down White
River to the mouth of Wolf Bayou; thence up
Wolf Bayou to the line dividing Townships 12 and
13; thence east to the northeast corner of Town-
ship 12 north, Range 8 west; thence south on the
range line to the line dividing Townships 10 and
11 north; thence east on the township line to the
line dividing Ranges 3 and 4 west; thence north
on the range line to White River; thence down
White River to the mouth of Black River; thence
up Black River to the place of beginning.
The surface of the county, in general, is quite
broken and hilly, and in some places it might be
considered mountainous. Along the streams there
are beautiful valleys, and on the summits of the
ridges between the streams many tracts of fair
table lands are seen. A large proportion of the
hilly lands are so completely covered with stone
and bed rock as to render their cultivation impos-
sible. The famous Oil Trough Bottom is a tract
of very rich alluvial land, fifteen miles in length
and about three miles in width, lying on the south-
west side of White River, in the southeast part of
the county. It is level, but not subject to over-
flow, and is especially well adapted to the pro-
duction of wheat and com. At its head is the Oil
Trough Ridge, with a height of 152 feet. In this
ridge is a black limestone capable of a superior
polish. About five miles above Batesville a bold
headland on the south side of White River, known
as "Shields' Bluff," or White River Mountain, is
a conspicuous object. This mountain is some 570
feet above the river, and is a noted land-mark in
Arkansas as having been the point where the old
Cherokee line commenced at White River, and ran
southwest along the dividing ridge, of which it
forms the terminating bluff on the river.
From Miller's Creek to Batesville the hills are
from 130 to 240 feet in height. Red shales, run-
ning downward into brown and black shales, with
calcareous septaria, occupy the base of the hills
around Batesville; these shales are surmounted
by 150 to 180 feet of sandstone. Between Bates-
ville and the " Big Spring," there are high ridges
elevated about 450 feet above White River, com-
posed in their upper part of both compact and
cellular chert; the latter partaking of the character
of buhr-stone. The descent from these chert ridges
to the "Big Spring" is some 260 feet. (State
Geological Report). Building stone of excellent
quality exists in unlimited quantity in Independ-
ence County, and in the cavernous limestone re-
gions, hundreds of caves, from small to great
dimensions, are numerous.
White River, the largest stream in the countv.
INDEPENDENCE COUNTY.
625
passes through it in a direction a little south of
east, leaving the larger portion of the area to the
north. The creeks that flow into this river from
the south are Wolf Bayou, which forms a portion
of the western boundary of the county. Green -
briar, Salido and Goodie; and those flowing
into it fi'om the north are Lafferty, Spring
Creek, Polk Bayou and Big Creek. South Big,
Elbow, Fourteen Mile, Ten Mile and Departeo
Creeks drain the extreme southern part, flowing
southward. Cura and Dota Creeks, in the north-
eastern portion of the county, flow into Black
River, where the latter forms a portion of the east-
ern boundary line. With the streams here named,
and their various tributaries, the locality is well
drained. Many springs abound, the most noted of
which is Big Spring, about six miles northwest of
Batesville. Here a volume of the clearest water
rises from a cavernous passage at the foot of an
amphitheatre of hills of cherty, siliceous lime-
stone, sufiicient in quantity to turn a small grist-
mill, which stands a short distance below. This
spring is quite a noted locality in Independence
County. Good well water can be obtained at vari-
ous places at a moderate depth, while cisterns are
generally in use. From the several sources named
an abundant supply of water is obtained for all
purposes. White and Black Rivers are both nav-
igable to points above this vicinity. The former
may be traversed by the large steamers that ply the
lower waters, as far up as Batesville, and by small
vessels, to Leadville in Missouri. The latter is
navigable for boats of medium size as far as Poca-
hontas, in Randolph County, and for smaller ves-
sels to points at a greater distance above.
Independence is in the mineral belt of this part
of the State. The ores found are oxides of iron
and manganese, galena and occasionally copper
pyrites. The richest beds of manganese are located
in the vicinity of Lafferty Creek and the town of
Cushman, to which latter place the railroad has
been extended from Batesville, on Jiccount of the
rich mineral deposits thereabouts. Lead has been
mined to some extent on Cura Creek, in the
northeast part of the county. Throughout this
mineral belt mangfanese ore is found in different de-
grees of purity, from that which is worthless, up
to the best, which is very rich and remarkably free
from phosphoms and silica. It is usually detected
between a top covering of burnt flint and limestone
at various depths beneath. The principal mines
now worked are the Southern Mine and the Turner
Mines, both in Stubbs Township. The Keystone
Iron & Manganese Company, of Johnstown, Pa.,
one of William Carnegie's companies, own the for
mer and control the latter. They have a very exten-
sive plant of machinery at the Southern Mine, and
generally keep about fifty men employed. The ore
from this and the Turner Mines is of the finest de-
scription. Considerable work is being done in other
mines in the way of developing them.
There are millions of tons of the better class
of ore in this belt awaiting only the investment of
the intelligent capitalist to reap a rich reward for
his investment; but capital is necessary.*
The timber growth of Oil Trough Bottom is
pin oak, red oak, water oak, elm, pecan, black wal-
nut, sweet gum, hackberry and buckeye, with an un-
dergrowth of large pawpaw, grape vines, spice-
wood, etc. The bottom lands, though of limited
extent, in the northwest part of the county sup-
port a growth of black walnut, Spanish oak, ash,
and over-cup oak, with an undergrowth of spice
and large grape-vines, A similar growth of tim-
ber is found in the valleys throughout the county.
Much of the upland is covered with black and
white oak, hickory and dogwood, and the princi-
pal growth on the cherty limestone land consists of
black-jack, sassafras and persimmon.
A large proportion of the more broken lands
still belong to the United States, and are sulijoct
to homestead entry. The State also owns consid-
erable, which can be procured very cheap. The St.
Louis, Iron Mountain & Southern Railroad Com-
pany have a large amount of laud within the coun-
ty, and the balance belongs to individuals. The
soil of the Oil Trough Bottom is unsurpassed in fer-
tility. It is dark colored and of a clayey coasis
tency, having a depth of from five to six feet. It
yields from a bale to a bale and a half of cotton,
fifty to one hundred bushels of corn, and from
•From the Batesville Guard of October 26, 1888.
s \
A
® k^
026
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
twenty to forty bushels of wheat per acre. The
soil of the other bottom lands are generally com-
posed of alluvial deposits, and are very rich and
productive, while that of the uplands is, as a rule,
light and sandy. Much of the upland will not pro-
duce more than from five to ten bushels of wheat,
and from ten to twenty bushels of corn, and from
one-half to three-fourths of a bale of cotton per
acre. All kinds of fi-uit trees flourish and do
well when cultivated, even where scarcely any
thiug else can be grown. A State Geological
Report pulilished before the late Civil War, speaks
of the soil in general as follows: "A considerable
diversity of soil is to be found in Independence
County, corresponding to changes in the underlying
geological formations. Though the surface is
considerably broken, still there are extensive areas
of table land underlaid by cherty subcarbonifer-
ous limestones. These soils are rich, and being
based on red clay, are retentive and durable; they
are similar in composition to the land in the bar-
rens of Kentucky. There are, also, extensive
tracts of bottom land, bordering on the numerous
small streams which water this county, that are
well adapted for cultivation."
Much of the timber of the county has been
cut into logs and rafted down White River to dis-
tant market points, while some has been sawed into
lumber and shipped away by rail; an abundant
supply, however, remains for domestic purposes,
and wood for fuel seems almost inexhaustible.
Thus far the county's chief sources of income have
been the growing of cotton and corn and the rais-
ing of live stock. It is believed, however, that
ere long the mineral products will become equally
profitable. When thousands of men are employed
to dig the ores from the earth, and other thousands
are engaged in manufacturing the products at or
near home, and home markets are established for
the surplus farm yield, greater prosperity must
reign !
In 1880 the United States census showed that
Independence had 2,405 farms and 84, 766 acres of
improved land. From these the vegetable pro-
ductions for the year 1879 were asfollo<vs: Indian
corn, 691,188 bushels; oats, 61,209 bushels; wheat,
57,104 bushels; hay, 396 tons; cotton, 11,156
bales; Irish potatoes, 11,251 bushels; sweet pota-
toes, 16,583 bushels; tobacco, 21,726 pounds. In
the production of tobacco, the county then ranked
seventh in the State. It will be interesting to com-
pare with these figures the productions of the pres-
ent year (18S9), when the census of 1890 shall be
published. The number of head of live stock here
in 1880, was: Horses, 8,742; mules and asses,
2,297; neat cattle, 15,553; sheep, 11,351; hogs,
32,911. The livestock as shown by the abstract
of taxable property for the year 1888 was: Horses,
4,199; mules and asses, 2,707; neat cattle, 20,570;
sheep, 5,642; hogs, 26,675. By comparison it
will be seen that since 1880 there has been a
large increase in horses, mules and asses, and neat
cattle, but a decrease of nearly 50 per cent in the
number of sheep and a large apparent decrease in
the number of hogs. In 1880, and for years prior
thereto, the Arkansas Woolen Mills, located on
Sullivan Creek, some seven miles north of Bates-
ville, were in operation, manufacturing all kinds
of woolen goods. These mills furnished a home
market for wool, in consequence of which the rais-
ing of sheep in the county had become a leading
industry. On the 9th of May, 1882, these valuable
mills were washed away and destroyed in a flood.
Thus the home market for wool was to some ex-
tent overthrown. This, together with the reduced
price of wool in general, probably accounts for the
I falling off in the number of sheep. There was no
real decrease in the number of hogs raised, though
the figures might indicate such to be the case.
In 1880 the county real estate was assessed for
taxation at $1,465,271, and the personal property
at $865,869, making a total of $2,331,140, the
taxes upon which amounted in the aggregate to
$34,719. In 1888 real estate was assessed for tax-
ation at $2,464,413, and the })ersonal jiroperty at
11,759,488, making a total of $4,223,901 ; the total
amount of taxes charged thereon was $55,445.90.
These figures show that since 1880 the taxable
wealth of the county has almost doubled.
The population of Independence County at the
end of each census decade since its organization
has been as follows: 1830, 2,031; 1840, 3,669:
-f
tt-
1850, 7,7G7; 1860, 14.307; 1870, 14,506; 1880,
18,086. The colored populatiou in 1860 was
1,337; in 1870, 90S, and in 1880, 1,382.
The Batesville branch of the St. Louis, Iron
Mountain & Southorn Kailroad was completed to
Batesville in 188'2 and extended on to Cushman
in 1880. It leaves the main line at a point near
Newport. This is the only railway outlet with
which this locality is favored.
The Methodists were the pioneer religious
workers in Independence County, the Bapti.sts
coming next. Of the Methodist Episcopal Church,
South, there are now Batesville station, Eev. J. C.
Brown, pastor — membership 220; Sulphur Rock
circuit, embracing live appointments. Rev. D. W.
Reid, pastor, with an aggregate membership of 590;
Bethesda circuit, having about five appointments.
Rev. A. P. SafiFold, pastor, with an aggregate mem-
bership of 510; and Jamestown circuit, including
.seven appointments, Rev. T. A. Craig, pastor, with
an aggregate membership of 460. Some of the
circuits perhaps embrace a few appointments be-
yond the county limits. All these organizations
belong to the Batesville district of the White River
conference, of which Rev. H. T. Gregory, of Bates-
ville, is the presiding elder.
There are within the county the following Bap-
tist Church organizations, pastors and member-
ships: Batesville, Elder A. J. Barton, 00; Bell-
view, Mt. Olivet, Maple Spring and Union Grove,
James Purcelley, respective memberships 60, 76,
87 and 55; Center Grove, R. B. Belomy, 172; Eu-
topia, M. M. Burge, 41; Martin's Chapel, G. \V.
James, 23; New Prospect, 25; Olive Branch, O.
M. Wood, 46; Providence, J. D. Faulkner, 21;
Pleasant Plains, C. W. Betts, 44; Rehobeth, J. W.
Goodwin, 95; Sulphur Rock, J. W. Bell, 7; and
Cave Spring, J. L. McCord, 83. All of these be-
long to the Independence Association of Mission-
ary Baptists.
St. Paul's Episcopal Church, at Batesville, with
a membership of al)out 90, is the only organiza-
tion of that denomination within the county.
The Batesville Presbyterian, is the only "Old
School" church organization within the county.
A. R. Kennedy, D. U. , is the pastor, and the
membership is 128. The Cumberland Presbyter-
ians have the following organizations and pastors:
Jamestown, Philip Jeffrey; New Hope, James
Bone; Sulphur Rock and Mount Zion, Henry Gib-
son. These will average about forty members
each. In addition is a mission at Batesville, with
Rev. A. N. Nunn as pastor.
Other denominations of less numerical strength
within the county, having few organizations, are
the Christian, Methodist Episcopal, and perhaps
some others. The colored peojjle have two Method-
ist and one Baptist Church organizations in Bates-
ville. Sunday-schools are generally taught in con-
n(>ction with the stronger churches. I'pon the
whole the community is well supplied with church-
es and schools.
Batesville, the county seat, is situated on the
north side of White River, at the mouth of Polk
Bayou. In 1812, one John Reed, from Missouri,
cut down the first tree on the site where it now
stands, and erected a small store house, and with
a supply of notions and whisky traded with the
Indians, trappers and hunters. His example was
followed during the next five years by C. Kelly.
Robert Bean, Boswell, Ringgold and Hedmoud.
The town was named after Judge James Woodson
Bates, the first delegate to Congress from Arkan-
sas Territory. The principal trade of the place
during its early existence was that of supplying
the settlers with groceries and provisions, for
which hides and furs from the then numerous wild
animals were taken in exchange. At that period
the only means of intercourse with the older States
was by keel-boats, and the trade was principally
with New Orleans. But as time passed on and the
country improved, Batesville became, as it now is,
a beautiful and substantial city of nearly, if not
quite, 3,000 inhabitants. It is attractively located
on a jjlane inclining from the north toward White
River, and on both sides of Polk Bayou— the busi-
ness portion being mostly east of the latter stream.
The business part of the town begins at Chest
nut Street and extends up Main Street on both
sides for about five blocks. In this vicinity, ex-
tending out also on the cross streets, are nineteen
substantial buildings of sandstone, this stone hav-
A
628
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
ing been procured near by. These nineteen build-
ings embrace the Arlington Hotel, the cotton ware-
house and twenty stores. There are seven brick
buildings (all two stories except one), containing
fourteen stores. Two buildings are covered with
corrugated iron, and many others are made of
wood. Many fine brick, stone and frame resi-
dences are also found. The Methodist Episcopal
Church, South, and the Baptists have each a large
and commodious stone church edifice; the Presby-
terians have a fine brick, and the Episcopalians a
neat frame building. The colored people have
three church houses. The public school-house is
a large two-story brick, with a onestory stone
building attached. The Arkansas College, a sub-
stantial brick structure of two stories, occupies a
commanding position in the eastern part of town.
There are also numerous other fine buildings and
manufacturing establishments here, indicating
thrift and energy above most places.
Batesville contains two banks, fourteen general
stores, eleven groceries, two book and notion stores,
three hardware stores, three drug stores, one dry
goods and clothing store, two millinery, one fur-
niture and two jewelry stores, two auction houses,
one music and sewing machine store, a merchant
tailor, two harness stores, three meat markets and
a bakery; also a full complement of mechanics and
their shops; the town is also supplied with two
public halls, two large and commodious hotels —
the Arlington and the McDowell House — and sev-
eral smaller ones, a numl)er of restaurants, two
livery stables, a telephone exchange, connecting
the town with Jamestown, Melbourne, Barren
Fork, Cushman, Sulphur Rock, the Oil Trough
district and Newport, a Pacific Express office, the
Batesville Iron Works, a steam plaiiing-mill and
sash and door factory, two steam saw mills, two
flouring-mills, a wool carding-mill, a cotton-gin, a
large canning and evaporating factory, a neat rail-
road depot, a well arranged post office, an abstract
office, etc. The professions are also supplied.
The various prominent secret societies are well
represented.
The trade of the place is extensive. Several of
the leading stores do a large wholesale business,
supplying the country merchants and merchants
of many smaller towns with goods.
During the cotton season of 1887-88 over
20,000 bales of cotton were shipped from this
point, 12,000 of which belonged to the trade proper
of Batesville, and the number of car loads of
other commodities shipped away were as follows:
Cedar, 824; railroad ties, 89; manganese ore,
152; zinc ore, 2; stone (dressed), 127; lime,
16; general merchandise, 171; cotton, 1,013; cot-
ton seed, 32; total, 2,426. About a mile from
the court-house is the fair gi-ound of the Inde-
pendence County Agricultural and Mechanical
Fair Association, being an enclosure of twenty
acres, containing a good race track, a grand stand
and an agricultui'al hall. Very near the fair
ground is Oaklawn Cemetery, owned by the cor-
poration of Batesville. The town is incorporated,
and has a full set of corporate officers and five
aldermen. The present mayor is the Hon. J. C.
Yancy. As a prosperous, growing and beautiful
little city, and one whose cleanliness is proverbial,
Batesville certainly compares most favorably with
any in Northeast Arkansas.
This is a terminal point in the navigation of
White River. It is the head of navigation for the
large steamers that ply the lower waters, and the
foot for the smaller up-river crafts. A powerful
steam elevator belonging to the railroad company
transfers the freight between the railway and the
boats. *
The place also contains two weekly news-
papers, the Batesville Guard, a Democratic paper
of general news, now in its thirteenth volume,
edited and published by M. Y. Todisman, and the
Wheel, in its third volume, edited and published
by Messrs. Martin and Bradley, deaf-mutes. The
latter advocates the cause of the order known as
the ' ' Wheel, ' ' an organization professedly opposed
to tyranny and monopoly. Both of these papers
are ably conducted, and have proven a prominent
factor in the influence exerted toward the advance-
ment of the community.
Cushman, situated at the present terminus of
* For the history of Batesville acknowledgments
are made to the Batesville Guard.
^
liL^
INDEPENDENCE COUNTY.
r)29
the railroad, nine miles northwest of Batesville,
contains three general stores, three groceries, a
blacksmith and wood shop, a postoffice, several
dwellings, etc. Though only three years old, its
growth has been steady.
Jamestown, on the Batesville and Clinton road,
seven miles south of Batesville, contains four gen-
eral stores, a postoffice, a blacksmith and wood
shop, three school-houses, a public school building,
a grist-mill and cotton-gin, and about 200 inhabi-
tants.
Newark is on the railroad, in the ea.stern part of
the county, and has a depot, post-office, four gen-
eral stores, a drug store, two saloons, a still house,
a saw and grist-mill and cotton-gin, a church edi-
fice, a school house, and about 300 people.
Pleasant Plains, on the Batesville and Little
Eock road, about twenty miles south of the former
place, is comprised of three general stores, a
blacksmith and wood shop, postoffice, academy, a
church bouse, and about 200 inhabitants.
Sulphur Kock, on the railroad, eight miles east
of Batesville, is a substantial old village, contain-
ing a postoffice, eight general stores, three drug
stores, two groceries, pottery works, several me-
chanics' shops, a hotel, livery stable, two churches,
two school-houses — academy and free school,
lodges of several secret societies, and a complement
of professional men. The town is incorporated
and does a large amount of business. Its popula-
tion is about 500.
The educational facilities of Independence
County are best shown by the following statistics,
from the report of the State superintendent of
public instruction, for the year ending Jime 30,
18S8: Scholastic population, white, males, 3,599;
females, 3,2(58; total, 0,867; colored, males, 289;
females, 276; total, 564; total white and colored,
7,432. Number of pupils taught in the public
schools, white, 3,682; colored, 337; total, 4,019;
number of school districts, 81; number of teachers
employed, males, 76; females, 12, or a total of 88.
Average monthly salaries paid teachers of first
grade, males, .|45.00; females, $40.00; in second
grade, males. $37.50; females, $30.00; third
grade, males, $32.50, females, $25.00. There was
expended for the support of the i)ublie schools
during the year, $21,202.15 for teacher:,' salaries;
$521.84 for treasurer's commissions, and $1,504.89
for other purposes; total $23,228.88. The num-
ber of districts voting tax was 32. According to
these official statistics, about 72 per cent of the
white and about 60 per cent of the colored
scholastic population were taught in the public
schools during the year. It is believed, however,
that the statistics do not give the* whole number
of pupils who received instruction in the schools.
The free school system is gaining popular favor
and becoming more and more efficient.
The Arkansas College, located at Batesville,
is a noted institution of learning, under the man-
agement of the Presbyterian denomination. It
was founded in 1872, and has long been an
established success. Then, as now. Rev. I. J.
Long was president of the faculty. There are
four courses of study: Primary, common school,
bachelor of science, and the classical, mathematical
and scientific. The college buildings consist of
a large two- story brick and a large one-story stone
house. They are pleasantly located in the eastern
part of the city. The school is well patronized
both at home and from abroad.
There has always been in Independence County
a strong sentiment of loyalty to the general gov-
ernment. Out of about 1,800 votes cast in the
county for delegates to the State convention before
the first guns were fired in the Civil War, only
about 300 were given to the candidates favoring
secession. As soon, however, as the ' ' dogs of
war" were let loose, the loyal sentiment was sup-
pressed and the secession element became pi'edomi-
nant. Many Union men refugeed to the North,
and many others were pressed into the Confederate
service. Companies for the Confederate army
began to be organized in the spring of 1861, and
before the struggle was over the county had fur
nished about fifteen companies for that army.
These were commanded respectively by Capts. \V.
E. Gibbs, John H. Dye, George W. Rutherford,
J. AV. Cullins, S. C. Jones, S. Carson, J. S. Tracy,
W. S. Smalley, T. J. Morgan, N. Floyd, E. Bride-
well, S. J. McGuffin, James McCauley and others.
\
630
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
Tlie most of these companies served in the Seventh
and Eighth Arkansas Confederate regiments. On
the 3rd of May. 1862, Gen. Curtis, of the Federal
army, arrived at and established his headquarters
at Batesville, and sent portions of his army to
occup}' other points in this part of the State.
Immediately afterward a battalion of six com-
panies, commanded respectively by Capts. Turney,
H. V. Gray, Davis and others, was organized at
Batesville under the charge of Col. Eli.sha Baxter,
for the Federal army. After marching this bat-
talion to Helena. Col. Baxter, who declined fur-
ther to command it, turned it over to Lieut. -Col.
Bundy, of Chicago, who assumed command. This
battalion was raised principally in Independence
County. In the fall of 1803, Col. Baxter recruited
and organized another battalion of six companies
at Batesville, known as. the Fourth Arkansas
Mounted Infantry, or " Steele Guards," the latter
name being in honor of Gen. Steele. The nucleus
of this battalion was the company of Capt. Will-
iam P. Berry. This command was also raised
mostly in Independence County. It served about
a year for the Union cause, and was disbanded
without having been mustered into the United
States service. A number of loyal men joined Col.
Phelps' Missouri and other Federal regiments.
By the best authority it is estimated that from first
to last about 1,000 men of the county served in
the Union army.
Gen. Curtis remained with his army at Bates-
ville until nearly July 1, 1862. This place was re-
occupied about the 1st of January, 1804, by a
Federal force i;nder Col. Livingston, who held it
for several months, and at the close of the war,
and for some time after, it was garrisoned by
Federal troops. In January or February, 1864,
while Col. Livingston commanded the post of
Batesville, he sent a forage train into the country
under an escort of about ISO soldiers. This force
was attacked, a few miles out, by a Confederate
force under Capt. George Rutherford. The escort
was defeated, with some loss in killed and wounded,
the forage train was captured and some forty-odd
wagons were burned, and the mules taken away by
the Confederates. This was known as the ' ' Waugh
Fight,'" and was the only engagement in the coun
ty between the contending parties worthy of men-
tion. The county was over run by both armies, the
results of which were somewhat felt b)' private cit-
izens.
Independence County is undoubtedly in the
center of a community rich in everything that
tends to contribute to the happiness and welfare of
man. Liberally supplied by nature with unsur-
passed advantages of soil, climate and location, it
needs no argument to convince the most skeptical
of its desirability as a place of residence. Time
will demonstrate the wonderful resources here
awaiting development.
William R. Albright was born in North Caro-
lina on the 16th of November, 1841), and is a son of
Alvis and Mary (Stockard) Albright, both of whom
were born in North Carolina, also, and were there
reared, educated and married. Five sons and five
daughters blessed their union: Samuel, George
A., Alson G., Peggie, Nancy A., Julia E. , William
R. , Franklin P., Mary Jane and Harriet E. Alvis
Albright was a Mason, and he and wife were mem-
bers of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, in
which faith he died, on March 3, 1881. Hi.s
widow still survives him, and finds a pleasant home
among her children, but the most of her time is
sjient in Izard County, with one of her childi-en.
William R. Albright acquired a good practical
education in Independence County, and was mar-
ried on the 22d of February, 1877, to Miss Mary
Ann Meacham, who was also born, March 2, 1855,
in this State and county. Their family numbers
four children, three sons and one daughter; Alvis
E. and William F. (twin sons, born June 22,
1880), Oscar A. and Cora L. Mr. Albright owns
a farm of 300 acres, and is careful and painstaking
in the cultivation of his land, and is very thorough
in everything connected with its managememt.
One hundred acres he devotes to the raising of the
different cereals. He has been secretary and con-
ductor, holding also other offices in the order of
the I. O. O. F., of which organization he is a
member, and he and Mrs. Albright have been
^'
members of the Methodist Episcopal Church,
South, for some time?.
William Allen, farmer and stock i-aiser, Cord,
Ark. The sulijoct of this sketch is so well known that
an introduction to the public seems unnecessary.
Mr. Allen is a native Tennesseean, born in Wilson
County, on the 24th of November, 1815. and is
the son of George and Sallie (Johnson) Allen, na-
tives, respectively, of South Carolina and North
Carolina, the former born on the 2d of August,
1781, and died in Juno, 1807, and the latter born
on the 23d of June, 1780, and died in 1851. They
wore married in Wilson County, Tenn., in 1805,
and in ISIS he, with his family and nine other
families, took a keel-boat and sailed, on the Cum-
l)erland River, for the Red River country. On
their arrival at Chickasaw Bluffs (now Memj)his),
they were informed that the commissioners were
negotiating for the Northwest Territory; and as the
treaty was successfully completed, and the Terri-
tory included the portion of countiy they were then
in, they settled there, two miles east of the present
site of the town of Memphis. They remained in
the western part of Tennessee for six years, en-
gaged in farming and hunting, and bought a herd
of wild cattle, which they had great difficulty in
managing. Some stories connected with their wild
woods experiences were very exciting and interest-
ing. Seeing that the rapid settlement of the coun-
try was dispersing the game, Mr. Allen removed
with his family to Independence County, Ark.,
settled in Oil Trough Bottom, which was then a
dense and pathless canebrake, abounding in wild
animals, and after remaining there a few months,
came to Bayou Curie Creek, and bought a small
farm, where he passed his last days. He was an
old line Whig, and was under Gen. Jackson in
the War of 1812. His father was a Revolutionary
soldier. He was a great lover of hunting, and
followed this ])ursuit as long as he lived, killing a
deer only a few months before his death. He died
at the age of seventy-seven, and his wife at the
age of seventy-live, both members of the society
of the Latter Day Saints. William Allen was
reared to farm life, and received a limited educa-
tion in the common schools of Arkansas. He was
but fourteen or fifteen years of ago when he came
with his parents to this State, and was well schooled
in the woodcraft of those pioneer days. He was
reared principally on liear and deer meat. H(> as-
sisted his father in clearing land, and in other farm-
work, until seventeen years of age, when he hired
to a man at Batcwville, to assist a gang of men in
clearing 300 acres of the heavy bottom land opposite
Memphis. Here he worked for three months at $ 1 2
per month (his first earned money), and then re-
turned to his home in Arkansas. He then engaged
in farming, raised a crop, and hired out the same
year to William Strong for $20 per month. Strong
was a Government contractor, and young Allen
worked on the Memphis & Little Rock Railroad,
known then as the St. Louis & Little Rock road.
In 1837 Mr. Allen secured emj)loyment as fire-
man on a steamboat, and later assisted in the build-
ing of a house in Batesville. During the winter
of 1838 he worked in Oil Trough Bottom, gather-
ing com, and in 1839 he made a crop on the same
farm. On the 26th of Jaiuiary. 1840, li» wedded
Miss Sarah Speers, a native of Lauderdale Coun-
ty, Ala. , and the same year made a crop in Law -
rence County. Also, the same year, he moved to In-
dependence County, andon the 23dof March, 1841,
settled on the place where he now lives. W'hen
he first came there, there were a small log cabiti on
it, and 800 rails split. He at once began clearing
land, and erected suitable buildings, erecting the
house in which he now lives in 1843. During that
year and the two following he ran rafts of cypress
logs to New Orleans, and on his retui-n from that
city, in 1849, he bought a land warrant for $125
from a Mexican soldier (James Bullard), and laid
the same on the 160 acres of land where he lived,
thus securing title to the same. Since that time
he has added to his farm, until he has now 480
acres, with 200 acres cleared. He has on this
farm three tenant houses. To his fir.st marriage
were born seven children, only one now living,
William T., who was bora December 30, 1863, is
married, and is one of the prosperous farmers of
Independence County. Of the deceased, all of
whom were daughters: Two died in infancy; Mrs.
Nancy J. Lawrence was born on the lOth of Febru-
A^
632
HISTOEY OF ARKANSAS.
ary, 1841, and died in September, 1866; Mrs. Polly
A. Young, was born October 20, 1846, and died in
September, I860; Mr.s. Julia Y'oung, was born on
the 8th of April, 18-49, and died on the 6tb of
March, 1881, and Mrs. Sarah E. Lambert, born
March 23, 1851, and died on the 11th of Novem-
ber, 1874. The mother of these ehildi-en, Mrs.
Sarah (Speers) Allen, died on the 13th of Novem-
ber, 1875, and was a woman loved and esteemed by
all who knew her. On the 25th of December,
1876, Mr. Allen mat-ried Mrs. Abbie Ann (Mc-
Dougall) Smart, relict of William P. Smart, a
farmer of Tennessee. She is the daughter of Rob-
ert and Amanda (May) McDougall, the latter still
living and making her home with her daughter
(Mrs. Allen). She is now eighty-seven years of
age. Mrs. (Smart) Allen has four children : Rufus,
living in Oregon; Abbie A. is the wife of Andrew
Parr, farmer of Black River Township; Amanda
is the widow of Nelson N. Winkles, and Latie is
the wife of William Winkles, and lives in Black
River Township. Mr. Allen has given his attention
to agricultural pursuits all his life, and has been
successful. He votes with the Republican party,
but does not take an active part in politics. His
first presidential vote was cast for William H.
Harrison, and his last for Benjamin Harrison. He
gives an amusing accoimt of the former campaign,
of the log-cabin, cider di'inking, cheering, etc.
During the late war he remained at home, never
entering the service, but was in sympathy with the
Union. He has never aspired to office, though
frequently solicited by his fi'iends to do so; has
never submitted, but has served his full share on i
the grand jury. He is a member of Bayou Dota
Lodge No. 126, A. F. & A. M. Mrs. Allen is a
member of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church.
Dr. Sterling W. Allen. The name of Allen
is one of the most influential in Floral, and one
of the most respected in this community. Dr. Al-
len is a native of Wilson County, Tenu. , born Feb- |
ruary 13, 1822, and received his education in pri-
vate schools. He then began the study of medicine,
graduated from Memphis (Tenn. ) Medical College,
in 1848, and began practicing the same year. He
married Miss Melissa Carter, of South Carolina,
born in the year 1825. and the fruits of this union
were three living childi-en — Sarah Jane, Mary W.
and Martha L. Dr. Allen was in the late war as
a surgeon under Gen. McRhea, and participated
in the battles of Ironton, Pilot Knob and West
Port. Aside from his profession, he is also engaged
in agricultural pursuits, and is the owner of 1,260
acres of land. In politics his principles coincide
with those of the Democratic party. He and Mrs.
Allen are members of the Methodist Church, and
are held in high esteem by all acquainted with
them. The Doctor is a genial, generous gentle-
man, and is liberal and progressive in his ideas.
His parents, John and Sarah (Craig) Allen, were
both natives of South Carolina, but later in life
they moved to Fayette County, Tenn. , where they
passed the remainder of their days. To their mar-
riage were boru twelve children, the Doctor being
the only survivor. The grandparents were from
the Emerald Isle.
Dr. John Farrell Allen, a retired physician of
great prominence, now residing in Batesville, was
born in New Madrid County, Mo., March 29, 1824.
He is a son of Samuel W. and Cecelia (LeSieur)
Allen, his father a native of Alexandria, Va. , and
his mother a native of Missouri. The maternal
grandfather was a French Canadian, whose ances-
tors came originally from France to Canada, and
from there he moved to the State of Missouri, about
the beginning of the eighteenth century, residing
in that State until the time of his death. The
paternal grandfather, Salathiel, was a Virginian bj-
birth, and a sea captain who was lost at sea from his
own vessel, together with a cousin, John Farrell, for
whom our subject was named. Samuel W. Allen,
the father of Dr. John F., died in 1863, followed by
the mother in 1868. They were among the early
settlers of Southeast Missouri, and were married
in 1823, having but one child, a son. An inci-
dent worth noting is that for four generations only
one son has been born to each family. The Doctor
was reared in New Madrid County, and received
his degree of A. B. in Perry County, at a Roman
Catholic college. At the age of twenty years he
began the study of medicine, spending two years
under a private instructor, Dr. John Kirkwood.
.u
INDEPENDENCE COUNTY.
638
I
He then entered the University of Pennsylvania, at
Philadelphia, Penn. , and graduated in the spring
of 1S47. From there he came to Batosville, where
he remained but a short time, when he moved to
New Orleans. He stopped here only a few months,
however, and iu 1848 returned to Batesville and
began to practice his profession, making this place
his j)ermanent home. The Doctor's skill soon re-
ceived a widespread reputation, as he was (>arnest
in his profession, and made it his study and l)usi-
ness. His practice was at one time proliably the
largest in Northern Arkansas, but within the last
few years he has retired from the practice of his
pi'ofession. He has accumulated considerable real
estate, and owns several good farms, which are
cared for by tenants. The Doctor has the credit
of having given the Arkansas College, located at
Batesville, its name, and is a trustee of that excel
lent institution of learning. He is one of the
pioneer physicians who could append M. D. to his
name, and became one of the most po|)nlar in
Independence County, and the number of his
friends are many. Dr. Allen was married. April
25, 1849, to Miss Mary E. Agnew, of Pennsylva-
nia, a daughter of Dr. James Agnew, of Pitts-
burg, who graduated from the University of
Pennsylvania in 1800, twenty-four years before the
subject of this sketch was born. She is a sister of
Chief Justice Agnew, of Pennsylvania. The Ag-
new family are lineal descendants of the Howells,
Mrs. Allen's grandfather, Richard Howell, being
governor of New Jersey for many consecutive
years, and she is also a tirst cousin of the wife of
the Confederate leader, JefF. Davis. Mrs. Davis is
a Howell. Dr. and Mrs. Allen are the parents of
four daughters and one son, only two of whom now
survive the mother. Those yet living are Sarah
(Mrs. Theodora Maxtield), Samuel W. and Mary.
The latter and the Doctor are members of the
Presbyterian Church, and he takes great interest
in religious matters, as in educational affairs also,
at Arkansas College, and has done a great deal for
the advancement of school interests in Independ-
ence County. He has been identified with Bates-
ville for forty-three years, as one of its leading
spirits, and has the reputation of a skillful physi-
cian, and, as far as he himself is concerned, has
never been upon a bed of sickness, though now in
his sixty-sixth year. Active and earnest in all he
undertakes, he says, jociilarly, he could never find
time to be sick. At heart, however, he attributes
to God all his blessings, good health being one of
the many.
Andrew Allen, one of the most extensive jilant-
ers and land-owners of Independence County,
resides in Greenbriar Township. He was born at
Arkansas Post January 4, 1827, and when but six
weeks old was taken l)y his parents to Independ-
ence County, which county has ever since been his
home. Abraham and Sebella Allen, parents of
Andrew, settled six miles east of Batesville, after-
ward removing to a point south of the river, where
the father died, May 22. 1873: he was a farmer
and blacksmith, and at the time of his death was
one of the most wealthj' men in the county. Abra-
ham Allen was born in Orange County, N. C,
where he was reared and married; he afterward
lived some time in Tennessee before his removal
to Arkansas, in 1827. He was of Irish-English
descent, served in one of the Indian wars, and was
'well known and respected. His father, Samuel
Allen, was one of the pioneers of Independence
County, where he lived a number of years, but
spent the latter part of his life in Texas. The
maternal grandfather of our subject was Andrew
Allen, brother of Samuel, and he was also an early
settler of Independence County, where he and wife
died, leaving several sons and daughters. The
mother of our subject died when he was young,
and the father married again. Andrew received
a limited common-school education, and at the age
of twenty-one years engaged in farming for him-
self. In 1861 he enlisted in Company D, Eighth
Arkansas Infantry, and did service in Kentucky
and Tennessee until after the battle of Shiloh,
when the army was re-organized at Corinth, Miss. ,
and he was discharged. He later joined Gen.
Price's army, and was with him on the raid in
Missouri and Arkansas. In 1867 Mr. Allen mar
ried Emily P., daughter of Madison C. and I^Iary.
E. Snapp, natives, respectively, of Virginia and
East Tennessee. Mr. and Mrs. Snapp were mar-
4- — ^
-^u
Tied in Tennessee, and soon after moved to Arkan-
sas, thence to Polk County, Mo. , where Mrs. Allen
was born. Mrs. Snapp died in 1871, and Mr.
Snapp, in Missouri, in February, 1889; he was
a farmer. Mr. and Mrs. Allen have one son,
Robert Lee. Mr. Allen has resided on his pres-
ent farm since the war. He owns about 1,800
acres of land, 1,500 of which are fine bottom land;
he inherited a large amount from his father, but
has enlarged his property by his own efforts, and
is one of the most successful and enterprising
farmers in the cbunty. He devotes some attention
to good cattle-breeding, and takes great interest in
stock raising. Mr. Allen's residence is four miles
southeast of Batesville. Politically, he is a Dem-
ocrat.
William A. Allen, an extensive and highly-re-
spected farmer of Batesville, was born in 1842,
within eight miles of that place. His parents
were Abraham and Isabella Allen, of North Caro-
lina, who, on their journey to the West, first settled
in Tennessee, and then in the State of Arkansas.
They moved to Independence County in 1827, and
located within six miles of Batesville, and after-
ward to a point south of the river, where the father
ilied, in 1873, over eighty years of age. He left a
fortune of 120,000, and considerable landed estate
at the time of his death, and had been oue of the
most successful farmers of that period. He was
upright and honest in all his dealings with man-
kind, and his name was one that commanded re-
spect in every grade of society. William A.
Allen was the youngest of the family, and re-
mained with his parents until the latter days of the
war between the North and South, when he en-
listed in Company C, of Col. Dobbins' regiment,
and fought for the Confederate cause. His ca-
reer through the war was short, but brilliant, and
though not on the victorious side, after the sur-
render at Jacksonport, he still bore the honors of
a brave soldier. In 1866 he was married to Miss
Nancy A., daughter of Joel and Matilda McClen-
don, of Mississippi. Mrs. MoClendon, the mother,
died three years after her arrival in Independence
County, and the father survived her for four years,
leaviugf four sous and six daughters at the time of
his death, of whom five are yet living. Mr. Allen
and his wife have had their union blessed with sis
children, although one of them has since died.
The names of those living are Abraham, Andrew,
George William, Ida and Emily. The family re-
sided on the old farm south of the river until Feb-
ruary, 1889, and then moved to Batesville, where
Mr. Allen has a fine residence. He owns thi'ee
tracts of laud comprising about 840 acres, and has
some 300 acres under cultivation. Part of his
land he inherited from his father, and his own
good judgment and natural ability have added the
rest. He is a Democrat in politics, and a strong
upholder of the principles of that party, and is a
member of Neill Lodge No. 285, A. F. & A. M. , of
Jamestown. Mr. Allen also belongs to the I. O. Q.
F., being a member of the Batesville Lodge. He
is one of the leading farmers of Independence
County, and a man whose opinion and advice are
always received with the fullest confidence. Mrs.
Allen is a member of the Methodist Episcopal
Church, South, and is well known for her generosity
and the interest she takes in all matters pertaining
to that church.
John D. Aydelott. a successful farmer of Oil
Trough, is the son of A. P. Aydelott and Martha
J. Aydelott, who were the parents of twelve chil-
dren, John D. being the fourth child. Five lived
to be grown: M. J., J. D., A. W., S. E. and A.
' P. Aydelott, Jr. , who is also a successful farmer in
i Oil Trough. A. P. Aydelott, Sr., was one of the
oldest settlers of Oil Trough Bottom, comiuK to
I Oil Trough in 1844, bringing the first stock of
goods that was sold in Oil Trough. He bought
240 acres of land from Joe Egner, and cleared 200,
and farmed and made stock raising a success. At
the beginning of the Civil War Mr. A. P. Aydelott
was opposed to the States seceding, but after they
did he cast his lot with the Confederacy. In poli-
tics before the war he was a Whig, but afterward
a Democrat. A. P. Aydelott came to Arkansas
from Tennessee in 1836, first settling in Little
Rock, afterward Elizabeth, thence to Oil Trough,
where he and his wife (whom he married in 1844),
Martha J. Birdsong, also of Tennessee, lived hap-
pily together until death claimed the father and
^'*
'-^
INDEPENDENCE COUNTY.
035
husband, October 16, 1880. His widow and the
mother of our subject, followed August 26, 1884.
They were buried in the family graveyard on the
farm. They were both members of the Methodist
Episcopal Church, South. The five children living
are all doing well. One girl, S. E., is an invalid,
and lives with the youngest brother.
■John Bailey, farmer, Floral, Independence
County, Ark. Tennessee has given to Independ-
ence County many prominent citizens, but she has
contributed none more universally respected or
more worthy of esteem than the subject of this
sketch. He was born in Smith County on the
12th of September, 1822, and is the son of Wiatt
W. Bailey and Dolly (Tinsley) Bailey, both natives
of Virginia, the father born in .Campbell County,
and the mother in Amherst County. They moved
to Smith County, Tenn. , in 1818, and here the
father was elected sheriff of the county, in the
spring of 1838, which office he held for six years.
He died in that county in 1804, and the mother in
1871. The paternal grandparents, William and
Sarah Bailey, were natives of Campbell County,
Va. , and died at a good old age in Smith County,
Tenn. John Bailey is now successfully following
the occupation to which he was reared, and which
has been his life work, a calling that has for ages
received undivided efforts from many worthy indi-
viduals, and one that always fiu-nishes sustenance
to the ready worker. He came to Izard County,
Ark., in 1853, resided there three years, and in
1856 came to Independence County, where he was
elected sheriff in 1860. This position he held two
years, during which time he was a resident of
Batesville, removing to his present home in 1863.
He is the owner of 2,000 acres of land, a part in
Independence County, and some in different coun-
ties of the State. He has about 150 acre* of this
land under cultivation, with most of it in cotton
and corn. Mr. Bailey was married to Charlotte
B. Nail, of Tennessee, in 1844. She died four
years later, leaving two children, Dorothea Ann
and Charlotte Olive, the latter dying two months
after its mother. For his second wife Mr. Bailey
chose Miss Sarah E. Harper, a native of Smith
County, Tenn., born December 1, 1834. To them
were born ten children : William H. , Harriet E. ,
John B., Edward Everett, James Madison, Archi-
bald D., Thomas Franklin, Mary Frances, Emily
J. and Martha Ann. Mr. Bailey served during
the late unpleasantness between the North and
South, from July 17, 1864, until the surrender.
He was at the battles of Big Creek, Pilot Knob,
and in many minor engagements. He served under
Col. Dobbins. In November, 18()4, he returned
to his duties on the farm, which he continued until
his election to the office of sheriff of Independence
County, in 1874, which position he held for one
term. He then returned to his farm. He and
wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal
Church, South, his first wife also being a mem-
ber. He is a member of the Masonic lodge at
Cedar Grove, also an Odd Fellow in good standing
in Batesville Lodge. In politics he is a Democrat,
and is also an enthusiastic supporter of all public
enterprises. He is at present school director of
District No. 40, Independence County.
Peter K. Baker, farmer and stock raiser, Dota,
Ark. The subject of this sketch needs no intro-
duction to the people of Independence County,
Ark., for he is one of the oldest and most esteemed
citizens of the same, and one whose integrity and
honesty of purpose are unquestioned. He was born
in Middle Tennessee, on the 23d of February,
1819, and is the tenth of a family of eleven chil-
dren born to John and Nancy (Carter) Baker, na-
tives of North Carolina. The father was born
about 1776, and could remember some incidents of
the Revolution. He was a farmer, and followed
this calling all his life. He was married, in his
native State, to Miss Carter, who was born in 1789.
and afterward they moved to Tennessee on a
pack-horse, carrying two children. This was in
1807. They resided there about sixteen years,
and then, in about 1823, moved to VVe.st Tenne.s-
see, where they spent the remainder of their
days, the father dying in 1842, and the mother in
1844. Both were Christians, the father a member
of the Methodist Church, and the mother of the
Baptist. Of the eleven children born to their
marriage only two are now living — James G., a
successful farmer, married, and living in Calloway
i) X>
J^':
mci
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
County, Ky. , and Peter K., who represents this
sketch. The latter passed his youthful days in
assisting on the farm, and in attending the com-
noon schools of Henry County, Tenn. At the age
of eighteen years he began learning the cabinet-
maker' s trade, and spent the succeeding five years
engaged in this vocation. After this he worked at
the carpenter and millwright trades, but conducted
his farm all the time. In November, 1856, he
sold his land in Tennessee, and came to Arkansas,
where he purchased his present farm, then 1(50
acres, with thirty acres cleared, and with some
very poor buildings on it. After this he bought
and improved land until he had 530 acres. Since
that time he has settled his two sons on farms of
his own, but reserved for himself 240 acres as the
home place. He has cleared over 200 acres of
land, and has now on his home place 140 acres in
a high state of cultivation. He has one of the
best farms in Black River Township, if not in In-
dependence County. Good buildings, fences and
orchards adorn his property, and beautiful flowers
make his home very attractive. Mr. Baker has
been twice married; first, in November, 1842,
while in West Tennessee, he led to the altar Miss
Elizabeth Browning, a native of South Carolina.
Five children were born to this union: Alonzo S. ,
born July 10, 1843, and died in the war, in 1863;
Melissa L. was born on the 10th of March, 1844,
and died on the 14th of September, 1869; Eras-
mus F. was born on the 13th of December, 1846,
is married and lives in the Lone Star State; Will-
iam L. was born on the 13th of December, 1849,
and died on the '10th of June, 1855; Angus C.
was born on the 26th of January, 1853, is mar-
ried, and lives on his own farm, adjoining his
father's place; he is a prosperous farmer, and is
also engaged in the profession of teaching. Mrs.
Baker departed this life in September, 1878. She
was a good wife, a fond and loving mother, and a
consistent member of the Methodist Episcopal
Church. In November, 1879, Mr. Baker was
again married, taking for his second wife Mrs.
Nancy L. (Cleveland) Parks, widow of Ambrose
Parks, a farmer of Indiana. No children were
born to this union. Since his residence in Arkan-
sas Mr. Baker has been principally engagbd in
tilling the soil, although for five years after the
late war he ran a steam gin and grist-mill on his
farm. In 1871 he was severely injured by a fall
from a wagon, and this prevented him from doing
much work. After this he sold his milling interest,
bought a stock of goods, and, in connection with
his farm, carried on merchandising until 1877.
He was also appointed postmaster. At the above-
mentioned date he sold his store, but retained the
postoffice until 1888. Since then he has given his
attention exclusively to agricultural pursuits. In
1856 Mr. Baker was elected justice of the peace,
and transacted the business incumbent upon that
office in a creditable and satisfactory manner until
1862, when military authority usurped the reins of
government, thus throwing civil officers out. In
1874 he was elected to the same office, and served
two years. In 1880 he was re-elected for two
years. Mr. Baker came to this settlement at a
time when there were very few people in Black
River Township, only 100 voters in the township,
and only two stores in Batesville, but recently
started, and one in Sulphur Rock. Jacksonport
was the nearest market of any importance, and
wild game was plentiful. Abundance of good
water is on his farm, and mineral of some kind
(likely iron) underlies a part of the timber portion.
During the late war Mr. Baker remained at home
unharmed, on account of his mechanical skill as a
millwi-ight, and owing to his peaceable disposition;
and in compliance with a petition signed by a
large number of both parties, asking that he might
remain at home. When the State considered the
question of secession Mr. Baker voted that it
remain in the Union, but, being defeated in this
particular, and being left in the South, his sym
pathies svere with the Confederacy. He main-
tained his opinions, slept with unlocked doors and
answered all calls from both armies in person.
Notwithstanding, the devastating hand of war
grasped all his personal property, and he was left
at the terminus of the war as though just starting
in life. He holds no prejudice against either
party, but votes with the Democrats. He does
not take an active part in politics. His first presi-
^1
'\
iyd^^cc4^
Mississippi Coumty, Arkansas
i
liL
INDEPENDENCE COUNTY.
637
dential vote was for James K. Polk. He was
never a slave-owner. Mr. and Mrs. Baker are
church members, he a Methodist, and she a Bap-
tist, and the former a trustee of his church, also
having filled the position of steward in the same
for years. He is a Royal Arch Mason, and a
member of Dota Lodge.
Francis M. Baker, merchant, Desha, Inde-
pendence County, Ark. Among the prosperous
enterprises in Desha is that of Francis M. Baker,
general merchant, of that beautiful and prosperous
town. He owes his nativity to Independence
County, Ark., where he was born on the 14th of
October, 1842, and is the son of John Baker [see
sketch elsewhere]. Francis M. Baker passed his
youth in his native county, and received his edu-
cation in the neighborhood schools. During the
late conflict he was in several prominent battles,
that of Perryville and Chickamauga, and in the
latter serious battle was severely wounded. He
selected for his life companion Miss D. A. Steward,
of Independence County, and was united in mar-
riage to her on the 18th day of January, 1871.
They have an interesting family of nine children,
Annie C, Augusta, John R. , Jennie, Marion,
Delia, Ernest, Lulu and George. Mr. Baker is
the owner of ninety acres of valuable land, but his
principal occupation is merchandising. He is a
Mason in good standing, being a member of
Neill Lodge, Independence County, Ark., and
has been a member of this organization for twen-
ty-three years. He is a stanch Democrat, and has
voted that ticket for the past twenty-tive years.
He also takes a great interest in public affairs.
David L. Baker, farmer and stock raiser,
Jamestown, Ark. Still a young man, INIr. Baker
has risen to a position in agricultural affairs in this
county which many older in years and opportuni-
ties might envy. He is a citizen whom Independ-
ence County is proud to claim as one of her sons,
having been born here November 0, 1851. He is
of good old Tennessee stock, the son of John and
Annie (Beeler) Baker, both of whom were born
in that State. The parents came to Arkansas in
18^50, were among the very earliest settlers, and
are still residing on their farm, in Independence
County, respected and esteemed by all. There
has been but one death, and that Ijy accident,
on the father's place during the forty-nine years
he has lived there. David L. Baker received a
thorough education in the private schools of In-
dependence County, and remained under the pa-
rental roof until his marriage, which occurred in
Independence County, on the 22d of September,
1874, to Miss Annie J. Pate. Three children are
the fruits of this union: John Henry, Margie Lee
and Robert Franklin. Mr. Baker is the owner of
203 acres of valuable land in Ind(*pendence County,
and other valuable property. He is a Mason, be-
longing to Neill Lodge, Jamestown, and also a
member of the Methodist Church, as is his wife.
In his political views he aiSliates with the Demo-
cratic party.
Angus C. Baker, farmer and stock raiser. This
gentleman, one of the progressive young farmers
of the county, was originally from Henry County,
Tenn., where his birth occurred on the 26th of
January, 1853. His father, Peter K. Baker, is
well known throughout the county as one of its
representative citizens. [See sketch on previous
page. ] Brought up as an agriculturist it was but
natural that Angus C. Baker should permanently
adopt that calling as his life occupation. He re-
ceived a good practical education in the common
schools of Independence County. Ark., and later
attended Washington high school, near Batesville,
where he remained until 1876, and then entered
Gardner's Academy, in Weakley County, Tenn.,
there taking a year's course. During the winter of
1876-77 he taught his first school, in Bayou Dota
Academy, and since that time has taught both
select and public schools in his own county. He
has been twice married; first, September 15, 1878,
to Miss Mary E. Best, daughter of William Best,
a prominent farmer of Black River Township.
Four children were born to this imion, who are
named as follows: Percy K. , born September 15,
1879; Orville M. L. was born on the VMh of No-
vember, 1881; Ernest E. was bom on the 15th of
October, 1884, and Roy C. was born on the I'Jth
of November, 1888, and died on the 7th of Janu-
ary, 1889. Mrs. Baker died on the 24th of No-
^
638
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
vember, 1888. She was a loving wife and mother,
and a devoted member of the Methodist Episcopal
Church. Mr. Baker's second marriage took place
in December, 1888, to Miss Burrilla.A. Best, sister
of his first wife. His principal occupation has been
that of farming, but, in connection with this,
he has been engaged in mercantile pursuits. From
1880 to 1887 he carried on a general mercantile
business on his farm, and at the same time acted
as assistant postmaster. In the winter .of 1887 he
sold his store, and worked as a salesman for J. R.
Bullington, of Sulphur Rock, until December 1st,
when he entered the clerk's office at Batesville,
and there remained until the spring of 1889. He
then returned to his farm of 160 acres, with sixty
acres under cultivation, a good orchard, and lately
he has erected a nice residence. He votes with the
Democratic party, but is not a political enthusiast.
He and Mrs. Baker are members of the Methodist
Episcopal Church.
C. M. Ball has long been associated with the
agricultural interests of Independence County,
Ark., the residents of which have had every op-
portunity to judge of his character, for he was
born here June 13, 1834, and naught can be said
of him but to his credit. Eighty acres of his 219-
acre farm are in an excellent state of cultivation,
and his buildings and fences ai'e in good repair,
and his farm is well stocked. His father, B. F.
Ball, was born in Loudoun County, Va., in 1807,
and in that county he was reared to manhood and
educated. In 1826 he moved to Arkansas, where
he was married to Elizabeth Dillard, who was also
born in North Carolina. They were married in
1832, and to this union were born fourteen children,
seven being still living. Mr. Ball was called upon
to mourn the loss of his wife by death, August 9,
18-49, and he was afterwards wedded to Miss Mi-
nerva Baker, of Virginia, and their marriage resulted
in the birth of four children, only one being now
alive. At the time of his death, June 24, 1889,
he was the owner of 205 acres of land. He and
wife were connected with the Methodist Church,
and he was a member of the Masonic lodge. C. M.
Ball, our subject, was educated in Independence
County, near Batesville, and was there married
to Miss Nancy A. Anderson, a North Carolinian,
their uaion taking place July 9, 1858. Two sons
and four daughters were given them, the four
daughters, only, being alive: Mary E.. wife of J.
B. Gray; Caledonia, wife of J. W. Meacham;
Flora B. , wife of W. T. Home, and Emma, who
is still at home. Like his father, Mr. Ball is a
Mason, and he also belongs to the Agricultural
Wheel, but has neglected to attend the latter or-
ganization for some time. He is universally re-
spected by his fellowmen, and is a man on whose
word one can rely. He and family worship in the
Methodist Chiirch.
Warren G. Ball may be classed among the
many successful agriculturists of Independence
County, Ai-S. He was born in this county October
26, 1837, and there his early scholastic advantages
were enjoyed, but only such as the common schools
afforded. These opportunities he improved to the
iitmost, however, and his subsequent contact with
business life, coupled with much reading, has tended
to place him among the intelligent men of the
county. After reaching mature years he united
his fortunes with those of Miss Sarah A. Jackson,
a Tennesseean by birth, and of a family of three
sons and five daughters born to their marriage six
are living and all reside with their parents: Tabitha,
William L., Laura C, Julia, Agnes and Gracie.
Mr. Ball's land, which amounts to 185 acres, is ex-
ceedingly fertile and well located, and ninety acres
are under the plow. All the buildings are in good
condition, and the farm is well supplied with all
necessary stock. In addition to this property, Mr.
Ball also owns a grist-mill, which turns out an ex-
cellent product. He is a Mason, and has been sec-
retary of his lodge one year, and senior warden
two years. He has always taken a deep interest in
educational matters, and has held the office of
school director five years, and is still filling the
position. He has also been constable, and dis-
charged the duties of this office to the satisfaction
of those concerned. He and wife are uiembersof
the Methodist Church.
John F. Barnes, M. D., though only thirty-
two years of age, is however, conceded to be one
of the leading dentists of Independence County.
vis r-
1^
INDEPENDENCE COUNTY.
630
He is a native of the county in which he now re-
sides. When a child, he was taken by his parents
to the State of Iowa, where his youthful days were
spent in assisting on the home farm and in attend-
ing the public schools, where he acquired a good
practical education. In 1873, he returned with
his people to Independence County, Ark., and in
1883 began the study of medicine under Dr. Moore,
a traveling dentist, and remained with him until
1888, traveling over the State of Arkansas. In
1888 here turned to Sulphur Bock, where he has
since made his home, and has acquired an excel-
lent patronage. He is a married man, Miss L.
Cora Hurt, of Independence County, becoming his
wife on the 7th of April, 1886, she being the
daughter of Thomas Hurt (deceased), one of the
pioneers of the county. Dr. Barnes is a Bepubli-
can in his political views, and is now filling the
office of city marshal. His parents, Archibald and
Lucinda (Mateby) Barnes, were born in Wilkes
County, N. C, and were there reared, educated
and married. Soon after the latter event, they came
to Independence County, Ark. , but subsequently
moved to Iowa, where they remained until 1873,
then returning to Arkansas. The father is still
living, but the mother died February 6, 1883, at
the age of fifty-nine years, eight months and twen-
ty-five days. Mr. Barnes is a Mason, a Bepubli-
caii, and a successful farmer. He is probably of
English ancestry. He and wife became the par-
ents of the following family: Nancy (Reeves);
William P., who died at Helena, Ark., while a
.soldier in the Union Army; Martha L. (Smith);
Sarah H. (Harmon); G. W., who died in 1888,
at the age of thirty-two years; Mary L. (Martin);
Lucinda J., who died when a child, and John F.
J. M. Bartlett, ex-mayor of Batesville, is of
Indiana nativity, born in Owen County, on the
4th of November, 1844, and since his location in
this county, in 1883, he has been closely indenti-
fied with its material affairs, and associated with
its progress and development. His parents,
James C. and Surah (Alexander) Bartlett, were
natives of Kentucky and North Carolina, respect-
ively. The father settled in Owen County, Ind. ,
in 1831, locating at Gosport, and was a tanner by
trade, which occupation he followed for years.
He subsequently engaged in tilling the soil, and
has lived on the same farm for fifty years, residing
within fo\ir miles of Gosport. In their family were
twelve childi-en, four only, now living: Louisa,
wife of James Alverson; Richard P., Jesse M. and
Jackson A. The father was married the second
time, in February, 1859, and one child was born
to this union, Lawrence, who is now at home.
The maternal grandfather of J. M. Bartlett emi-
grated to Indiana and located in what is now
Owen County, then a territory adjoining the Indian
Nation. He erected a house within half a mile of
the Indian Nation line. He was a farmer by oc-
cupation, and died in that county in his eighty-
fourth year. The paternal grandfather died in
Kentucky. J. M. Bartlett's youth and early man-
hood were passed in his native county, and there
he attended the schools which favored him with a
good education. Reared to the arduous duties of
the farm, he continued this pursuit until in Octo-
ber, 1875, when he removed to Paris, 111., and
there remained about one year. From there he
went to St. Louis, where he was engaged in the
livery business for six years, and after that was
with the Christian Manufacturing Company, for
one year. In 1883 became to Batesville, ' Ark. ,
and in 1884 he embarked in the livery business,
which he still carries on. He owns a fine sand-
stone quarry near Batesville, and is president of
the Zinc-Blende Mining Company, who are operat-
ing over 250 acres of mining land, with a capital
stock of §1,500,000. He was elected mayor of
Bate.sville, in 1886, and reelected in 1887. which
position he held until 1889. He owns a stone
building on Main Street, two stories high, 38 feet
front and 120 feet long, the lot 150 feet deep.
Mr. Bartlett is also a stockholder and director in
the Batesville Telephone. On the 2d of Septem-
ber, 1869, at Charleston. 111., Miss Mary A. Duni-
vin, a native of Coles County, became his wife.
One child was born to this union, Edwin C. Mr.
Bartlett is a member of the I. O. O. F.. K. of H..
and he and wife are members of the K. & L. of H.
Elisha Baxter, ex-governor of the State of Ar-
kansas and whose name has been famous before the
^^ r-
.re
^
040
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
nation for many years, was born in Rutherford
County, N. C, September 1, 1827. HLs father
waa William Baxter, bom in Ireland about the
year 1759, and a weaver by trade, who emigrated
to America in the year 1789, settling for a time in
Mecklenberg Count3^ N. C. , where he soon after-
ward married Miss Sarah Berryhill. This happy
union gave them four daughters and five sons
whose names are Margaret, James, Joseph, Wil-
liam, Andrew, Thomas, Sarah, Carolina and Mary.
After his marriage he removed to Rutherford
County. N. C. , where he resided until his death,
in 1852, leaving a very large estate behind him,
the result of his energy and good business ability.
About the year 1810 he married his second wife,
Catherine, daughter of James Lee, of Virginia,
and from this marriage were born three daughters
and five sons: Jane, Elizabeth, Esther, John,
David, George, Elisha and Taylor. John became
a very prominent attorney^ and for several terms
was elected a member of the North Carolina legis-
lature and speaker of the house in 1852. He
moved to Knoxville, Tenn. , in 185-t, and was a
member of the constitutional convention that adopt-
ed the present constitution of that State. He was
appointed United States circuit judge by Presi-
dent Hayes in 1878 for the States of Tennessee,
Kentucky, Ohio and Michigan, and was one of the
most brilliant men of his time. John died at Hot
Springs, Ark., March 2, 1887; David perished at
sea on an ocean voyage to Australia in 1851, and
George died in 1854. Taylor became a prosperous
farmer in Kansas, while Eliaha was one of Ar-
kansas" most noted governors. Elisha Baxter re-
ceived a good moral training in his youth, bat,
much to his regret in after life, he did not have
the facilities for attending the higher schools and
academies that are now within the reach of every
young man in America. In 1848 he commenced
his mercantile career at Rutherfordton, in company
with his brother-in-law, Spenser Eaves, and in
1849 he was united in marriage to Miss Harriet,
daughter of Col. Elijah Patton, of Kutherford
County. He shortly afterward withdrew from
commercial life and farmed for two 3'ears, and in the
fall of 1852 moved to Arkansas. In the early part
of 1853 he again entered into business, this time
at BatesvUle, in company with his brother Taylor,
under the firm name of E. Baxter & Bro. He had not
been a merchant at Batesville very long befoi-e he
found that the nature of trade and the habits of
the people were essentially different from those of
North Carolina, and this, in connection with his
love of politics and activity in that direction, soon
led to disastrous results. In 1855 they suspended,
giving up all of their property, and paying their
debts in full, and ended their business career as
honorably as the_v had conducted it. This unfor-
tunate occurrence did not break the spirit of these
determined men, however, and the brother, who had
never been compelled to do a day's labor before,
at once mounted a building, just before the store
they had vacated, and began learning the car-
penter's trade. In this he succeeded, and soon
regained part of his fallen fortune. Elisha repaired
; to the ofiice of the Independent Balance, a news-
paper published at Batesville, by U. E. Fort,
and edited by M. Shelby Kennard. Here ho found
employment for twelve months, and devoted his
leisure hours to the study of law under the super-
vision of the Hon. H. F. Fairchild. He soon after-
ward was admitted to the bar, and since then has
practiced his profession, except when filling office.
He was a Whig in politics, and a strong adherent
of that party until it disbanded, in 1855. Mr. Bax-
ter then attempted to co-operate with the Demo-
cratic party, but could not agree with them on the
1 question of secession. As a Whig, he was elected
and served as mayor of Batesville, in 1853, and in
1854 was elected a member of the legislature from
Independence County, which had not elected a
Whig to any position for twenty years. In 1858
he was atrain elected to the legislature as a non-
partisan, and in 1860 was defeated for prosecuting
attorney of the Third judicial di.strict by F. W.
Desha. When the war came on he tried to be
neutral and loyal to the government of the United
States, so that when Curtis came into Batesville
with 20,000 Federal troops, in the spring of 1862,
his position enabled him to do a great deal of good
for the citizens of Batesville; and during the two
, months that the place was occupied by the Federal
T"
-k^
INDEPENDENCE COUNTY.
041
army he was incessantly engaged in reclaiming
property, collecting vouchers, and procuring the
release of prisoners, without the hope or prospects
of reward. At that time he believed his course
would he appreciated, but Curtis had scarcely left
when he was notified by some friendly Confeder-
ates that he could not safely remain in the country.
Accordingly, he left on short notice, with but very
little provision made for himself and family. Over-
taking Curtis at Jacksonport, he was tendered the
command of the First Arkansas Federal regiment,
then just ready to be organized, but declined, and
as he said to General Curtis:
Not because I think you ought not to whip the rebel-
lious but because I feel that I, who am Southern born
and raised, ought not to take arms against my neighbors
and friends.
He did not get to see or hear fi'om his family for
almost a year, and in the spring of 1863 he was
captured by a squad of Southern cavalry com-
manded by Col. Newton. On arriving at head-
quarters he received such courtesy from Col. New-
ton, and discovered in him such military genius,
that afterward, when he became governor, and felt
it his duty to appoint a major-general for active
operations in the field, he did not hesitate to be-
stow the commission on Col. Newton, who had
paroled him at Fredericktown, Mo. , with an escort
of two men, and required him to report to Gen.
Holmes at Little Rock. He had scarcely left New-
ton's camp when he came in full view of the Fed-
eral army, in which one of his friends urged him
to join them, but he replied that he had given his
pledge of honor to report at Little Rock, which he
did, and Gen. Holmes unceremoniously turned him
over to the civil authorities, who assigned him to
the Pulaski County jail to await an indictment for
treason against the Confederate States. In due
time the indictment was found, and he was ar-
raigned before Judge Ringold, William M. Ran-
dolph acting as district attorney. The case was
continued until the next term of court, and through
the agency of some friends he managed to escape
from jail, and after concealing himself for eigliteen
days near Little Rock, without any shelter and
barely enough foo<l to live, he succeeded in making
his way into the Federal army, then at Little Rock,
Gen. Steele having captured and occu])ied that
place on September 10, 1803. In all this time he
was abused, verbally and through the press, being
branded as a coward by the True Democrat, of Lit-
tle Rock, citing his refusal to take command of the
First Arkansas Federal Regiment, when tendered
him by Gen. Curtis, as a proof. Stung by these
retieetions, he made haste to apply to Gen. Steele
for authority to recruit a regiment for the Federal
service. Armed with such authority, he proceeded
to Jacksonport and recruited the Fourth Arkansas
Mounted Infantry, and reported to Gen. R. R.
Livingston, at Batesville, where he commanded
the post until the spring of 1804, when, under the
organization of the Murphy or war government, he
was elected a member of the supreme court. Under
the constitution of 1804 he could not hold two
offices at one time, so, after much hesitation, he
resigned his command of the regiment, which de-
volved uj)on his brother as senior captain, as well
as by order of Gen. Steele. Fourteen days after
becoming a member of the supreme court of the
State, he was elected, over his protest, to the sen-
ate of the United States for the long term. He
repaired to Washington, taking his family with
him for safety as far as Illinois, and presented his
credentials, under the State government then ex-
isting in Arkansas, but was not permitted to qual
ify as senator. After the war was over he returned
with his family to Batesville, and resumed the
practice of law. In 1808, upon the suggestion of
the Hon. H. C. Caldwell, he was appointed reg-
ister in bankruptcy for the First Congressional dis-
trict of Arkansas, by the Hon. Salmon P. Chase,
then chief justice of the United States. During
the same year he was appointed judge of the Third
judicial circuit for four years, by Gov. Clayton.
In 1872 he was nominated by the Republican party
for governor, upon a platform pledging him to do
what he could to enfi-anchise all such persons as
had been disfranchised on account of their partici-
pation in the rebellion. He accepted the nomina-
tion, and, after the most laborious and extensive
canvass ever made in the State, he was elected by
a majority of 3,242 votes over his competitor,
A:
642
HISTOBY OF AEKANSAS.
Joseph Brooks, perhaps the most able debater ever
known in Arkansas. His election was duly de-
clared by the senate of the State, the only tribunal
that had any authority to count, or in any manner
control the returns. He was qualified as governor
early in 1873, and undertook to redeem his pledges
to the people and give them an honest government.
His administration was certainly the most eventful
and fruitful of any State government in the United
States. This remarkable epoch in the .history of
Arkansas, known as the Brooks-Baxter war, is too
long for narration in this sketch, and indeed per-
tains more to the history of the State than to these
two individuals. In 1878 at the earnest solicita-
tion of people from all parts of the State, he be-
came a candidate for United States senator, but
was defeated by the Hon. J. D. Walker, a Demo-
crat. He was called to till the office of governor
of Arkansas, at the most trying period in the his-
tory of that State. The conflict that culminated
during his administration, was not the question as
to which of two contestants should be governor of
the State for a single term; but in reality it was a
representative struggle between principles of the
utmost importance to the welfare of the State, and
Gov. Baxter held firm to his pledges and principles
throughout the entire struggle. During the trouble,
when President Grant suggested that both he and
Brooks act as governor jointly, Mr. Baxter replied:
I am either governor or I am not governor, and I will
consent to nothing that will, in whole or in part, recog-
nize Mr. Brooks as governor.
In his profession of the law. Gov. Baxter has
achieved a splendid rejjutation, although not en-
tering it until his maturer years, and being subject
to many interruptions. He is a man possessing a
strong natural moral disposition, and has a dread
of violence and bloodshed, as was manifest
throughout his administration. Gov. Baxter and
wife are the parents of six children: Millard P.,
Edward A.. Catherine M., wife of N. M. Alexan-
der; George E. and Hattie O., and Fannie E. , who
died in childhood. The Governor has been a
member of the Methodist Church since 1844, and,
by act of their separation, has become a member of
the Southern branch.
Dr. William J. Bell is a prominent medical
practitioner of Independence County, and was born
in the State of Alabama, February 17, 1835. He
was the second born in the family of six children
of Wesley and Elizabeth (Bell) Bell. Wesley Bell,
who was a native of South Carolina, was born in
1808; he was of English descent, and was a
mechanic and farmer. When a young man he re-
moved from Soiith Carolina to Alabama, where he
married and resided until about 1840, when he
located in the western part of Tennessee, subse-
quently, on accoimt of ill health, removing to
Arkansas, where he died in 1857. His wife, who
was also a native of South Carolina, was born in
1812, and died about 1847. The paternal grand-
father of our subject was John Bell, who served
during the Revolutionary War, and died at the
advanced age of ninety-seven years, his wife living
to l)e eighty- five years of age. William J. received
the advantages of a common school education in
Lawrence County, Ark., and in 1857 began the
study of medicine; in 1858 he attended a course of
medical lectures in Memphis, Tenn., and the fol-
lowing year entered upon the active practice of his
chosen profession in the neighborhood where he
now resides. He is now one of the leading physi-
cians of Independence County, and has built up
an extensive practice, answering calls at a distance
of thirty or forty miles. Dr. Bell owns 305 acres
of land, all of which is under cultivation; sixty-
five acres lie on the White River bottom, and the
balance, where he resides, about eleven miles west
of the county seat. June 16, 1868, he married
Miss Christina McFarland, who was born in Inde-
pendence County, in 1846, being a daughter of
Alexander G. and Sarah J. McFarland, early set-
tlers of the county. Dr. and Mrs. Bell have six
children, viz.: Clete A., James E., Ida V., Ver-
tula A. , William E. and Ross A. The parents are
both members of the Methodist Episcopal Church,
South. Dr. Bell has been a member of the Masonic
fraternity since 1859. and is also a member of the
I. O. O. F. , both of which orders he has at various
times represented in the Grand Lodge. In poli-
tics he is in sympathy with the Democratic parly.
William C. Best, Dota, Ark. There are many
-d. 9
^
INDEPENDENCE COUNTY.
643
incidents of peculiar interest presented in the life
of Mr. Best which cannot be given in the brief
space allotted to this sketch. He is known over a
large region of the country tributary to Dota, his
reputation being that of a man honorable and re-
liable in every walk of life, and it may be said,
without the least arrogance, that he is a self-made
man. His birth occurred in Georgia, on the 9th of
April, 1826, his pareut.s, Thomas and Nancy Best,
also being natives of the same State. The father
was born in Lincoln County, and the mother in
Wilkes County, in 17V)7 ; he was a tiller of the soil
for many years, of quiet demeanor, and universally
respected by all who knew him. The mother died
in Alabama, in 1S62, and the father survived her
until 1880, when his death occurred at the home of
his son, William C. Best, in Arkansas. Both par-
ents were members of the Methodist Episcopal
Church, the mother having belonged for forty
years, and the father for sixty years. The paternal
grandparents were natives of North Carolina. Will-
iam C. Best grew up on the farm with his father
and mother, and received his education in the
schools of Alabama, having moved to this State in
the year 1840, at the age of fourteen. When
twenty-one years old he began his own career, and
for three years worked on the farm. On the 5th of
December, . 1850, he was married to Miss Mary J.
Pope, in Macon County, Ala., and the fruits of
their marriage are ten children, five sons and five
daughters. James S. Best, the oldest son, was
born on the 17th of December, 1851, in Macon
County, Ala. , and is now a minister of the Metho-
dist Episcopal Church, South. He was married to
Miss flattie J. McDonald on the 6th day of Octo-
ber, 1873. Sarah J. Best was born in Macon
County, Ala., on the 19th of March. 1854; was
married to Joseph G. McDonald on the 2Sth day of
March, 1871, and died September 18, 1875, leav-
ing two cliildren, a boy and girl. Mary E. Best
was born in Macon County, Ala., Aj)ril 27, 1856;
was married to .Angus C. Baker September 6, 1878,
and died on the 19th of November, 1887, leaving
four boys. Emma J. Best was born in Macon
County, Ala., April 16. 1858, and departed this life
September 1:5, 1885. Andiew Thomas Best was
born in Macon County, Ala., July 27, 1861; was
married to Miss Etter Sorrolls. January 22, 1885,
and is now living on a farm adjoining his father.
William C. Best, Jr., was born in Macon County,
Ala., on the 21st of November, 1862, and is well
educated, having attended some of the best normal
institutions of learning in the State of Mississipjji.
He is now engaged in teaching in the public schools of
his own county. Lovda Best was born in Tallapoosa
County, Ala., August 18, 1866, and died March
25, 1882. John W. Best was born in Lee County,
Miss., on the 30th of August, 1869, and is now liv
ing with his parents. He is a bright and studious
young man. Burrilla A. Best was born in Inde-
pendence County, Ark., on the 22d of March, 1872 ;
was married to Angus C. Baker December 20, 1888,
and is \xo\s residing at Sulphur Rock, Ark. Alonzo
Best, born in Independence County, Ark., Febru-
ary 23, 1875, is the youngest of the family, and
consequently is a great pet. When the war broke
out Mr. Best was engaged in farming in Macon
County, Ala. In 1862 he was occupied in making
salt at the Central Salt Works, in Clark County,
Ala. , and about the middle of December returned
home. Immediately following this he was em-
ployed by the government to go to Mobile, Ala.,
with a company of hands to help to fortify the
town. Remaining there something over three
months, he reached home about the Ist of April.
1863, and at once joined the Sixty first Alabama
regiment, Company A, under Col. W. G. Swan-
son; Clanton's brigade. They were then ordered
to Montgomery, and later to Pollard, being sta
tioned there until 1864, when they were sent to
Virginia and attached to Gen. Battle's brigade,
Rhodes' division and Early's corps. The following
engagements were participated in: Battle of the
Wilderness, May 5. 18(i4 ; Spottsylvania, on the
12th of same month, and Winchester, September 19,
1864 — made famous by Gen. Sheridan' s ride. Here
he was severely wounded by a gun-shot, and was
captured, made prisoner of war, and held at Win
Chester until the 10th of December, when he was
sent to Baltimore, remaining there until January 8,
1865. Upon being sent to Point Lookout he was
held there until June 5. 1865, when he was dis
^:
644
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
charged, and again joined his family, whom he
found living in Tallapoosa County, Ala. He re-
mained there until the fall of 1867, when he moved
to Lee County, Miss., but not being satisfied here,
moved to Independence County, Ark. He found
himself in possession of $180, a team of horses and
wagon, a few household goods, and eight children.
He rented for two years the same farm which he
purchased in 1871, giving his note for the amount.
By the closest economy and industry he "succeeded
in paying for it. To the original 160 acres he
added from time to time, until he is now owner of
360 acres, nearly 200 of which are under cultivation,
and about seventy of it he has cleared himself.
When he first settled on the farm the only build-
ings on the same were two unfinished log rooms.
Now he has a well -completed house of six rooms,
good barns and out-lmildings, a fine orchard; raises
his own stock, and has some of the best of work
horses and mules. His principal crops are cotton>
corn, oats, wheat, etc., and he is known as a tine
melon raiser, having this fruit early and late. In
1878 he erected a large gin house, which he has
conducted ever since, with unusual success. He
spends the autumn months engaged in ginning, and
has averaged 250 bales each year for eight years.
He votes with the Democratic party, and finds
much of interest in local politics. He takes a great
interest in conventions, and has once been a dele-
gate to the Democratic State Convention. He has
been a member of the Temperance Council Grange
and Agricultural Wheel. Mr. Best and family are
members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and
he is a steward and trustee of the same.
Judge William C. Bevens (deceased). From
an early period in the county's history Judge
Bevens gave to Independence the very best en-
ergies of his life, as one of its most worthy and
respected citizens; and to the community and all
among whom he lived the example of a life well
and usefully spent, and the influence of a charac-
ter without stain. His birth occurred in Charles-
ton, S. C. , on the 2l8t of December, 1806, where
he studied law and afterward practiced his pro-
fession in Greenville, in the northern part of his
native State. He removed to the Lone Star State
in 1840, settling at Austin, and there j)racticed his
profession until 1846. He then moved to Bates-
ville, Ark., where he joined a number of his rela-
tives who had moved there from North Carolina.
Here he was elected to the legislature of Arkan-
sas, and served with great acceptability in the
sessions of 1852-53. So great was his popularity
and prominence, that he was elected judge of the
circuit court of the Third judicial circuit in 1856,
and was much esteemed for his sterling integrity,
sober, sound judgment, broad intelligence and lib-
eral, progressive ideas. His decisions were not
made without careful and painstaking study of the
evidence adduced, and all felt that his judgment
could be relied upon. During the late war he took
his family south, where he remained a quiet citizen
until the cessation of hostilities. He died at
Little Rock, in September, 1865, while on his way
home to Batesville. Judge Bevens had three
beautiful daughters, the belles of the country in
their youth. One of them married ex-Gov. Will-
iam R. Miller, another became the wife of Maj.
William E. Gibbs, and a third is the wife of Hon.
James W. Butler, the present judge of the Third
judicial circuit of Arkansas.
John C. Bone, dealer in furniture, sash and
doors, coffins and undertakers' supplies, Batesville.
The business men of Batesville are a pushing, ac-
tive, persevering and enterprising set, . and "the
weakest must go to the wall." Certainly Mr.
Bone is not one of the latter class, for, to all in-
tents and purposes, he is an ideal business man.
He is a native of Izard County, Ark., born Octo-
ber 20, 1849, and after remaining on the farm un-
til twenty years of age engaged in the mercantile
business as clerk, following it for a number of
years. He then studied law, and was admitted to
the bar in 1877, at Batesville, but never practiced.
He again returned to mercantile pursuits, which he
followed two years, and then took charge of his
present business, which was run by his father in-
law, Charles L. Gorsuch, who was killed by hav-
ing a house fall on him during a fire. Mr. Bone
has since continued the business, has erected a
planing-mill, and now carries it on in connection
with his other interests, employing several hands.
Ho is self-educated and self-made in every respect.
He was married on the ]2tb of December, 1877,
to Miss Nettie M.' Gorsiich, and they have two
children living: Charles E. and Harry C. Mr.
Bone is a member of the Masonic fraternity, Chap-
tor and Council. He and wife are members of the
Cumberland Presbyterian Church, and are esteemed
and respected citizens. His parents, Elihu C. and
Charlotte J. (Jeffrey) Bone, are natives of Wilson
County, Tenn., and Izard County, Ark., respect-
ively. The father immigrated to Izard County, in
1841. locating near Barren Fork one year, entered
land at Mount Olive, Izard County, and there fol-
lowed agricultural pursuits. He was also a Cum-
berland Presbyterian minister. By his marriage,
which occurred in 1844, be became the father of
seven children, four living; Miles N.. John C,
Levisa J. and Henry F. Th<> remainder of the
children died when young. The parents died
when the children were quite young, and they were
obliged to look out for themselves. The maternal
grandfather, Jehoiada Jeffery, and his wife Mary,
settled at what is now Mount Olive, in Izard Coun-
ty, in 1816. They were originally from North
Carolina and Tennessee, and after living in Jones-
boro, 111. , for some time, they moved to Arkansas,
coming through by land on pack-horses. They
were the first settlers of Izard County, their near-
est neighbors being about thirty-five miles distant.
He was a member of the Territorial legislature of
Arkansas, about 1824, from Independence County,
and afterward from Izard County, when he intro-
duced the bill creating Fulton County.
Gabriel J. Bradley is one of the industrious
farmers of Greenbriar Township, Independence
County. He is a native of Randolph County, 111.,
and was bom July 13, 1831. His parents were
Isaac A. and Jlary T. (Jones) Bradley, of whom
the former was born in Sumner County, Tenn. , in
1806, and the latter was a native of Adair County,
Ky. , born about 1813. They were married in
Randolph County, 111., but removed to Perry Coun-
ty in 1834, where Mrs. Bradley died about 1854
and her husband about 1883, both having been
members of the Baptist Church. Isaac A. Brad-
ley was one of the commissioners of Pen'y County
seven years; he was a son of Joshua Bradley, a na-
tive of North Carolina, who lived some years
in Sumner County, Tenn., and then moved to
Jackson County, 111., where he died; he was of
Irish descent. Col. Gabriel Jones, the maternal
grandfather of Gabriel J. Bradley, was born in
Virginia, from which State he went to Kentucky,
and when Mrs. Bradley was about seven years old
removed to Randolph County, 111. Mr. Jones was
killed at Chester, 111., in a storm daring the war;
he represented Randolph County in the legisla-
ture in an early day, and was a colonel in the Black
Hawk War. Gabriel J. Bradley was the eldest of
the family of five sons and one daughter. He re-
mained at home, and most of the time until nine-
teen years of age attended the common schools. In
1857 he married Mrs. Malinda Wilson, daughter
of William Osburn. She died in 1883, leaving five
children, viz. : James, Ada, Ann. Emma and Zee
In August, 1885, Mr. Bradley married Edie E.
James, of Independence County. She is a daugh-
ter of Henry B. and Eveline James, of Coffey Coun-
ty, Tenn. , who removed to Independence County,
Ark., before the war, where Mr. James died; his
widow is still living. One child has lieen born to the
last marriage of Mr. Bradley— Ethel. Mr. Brad-
ley removed from Perry County, 111., to Independ-
ence County, Ark., in 1806, and has since lived in
Greenbriar township. He has a good farm of 168
acres, about 100 of which are under cultivation.
He is an enterprising farmer, and devotes his entire
attention to his occupation. His political sympa-
thies are with the Democratic party. Mrs. Bra<llcy
is a member of the Methodist Church.
William L. Brewer has been familial' with tlie
duties of farm life from early boyhood, and has now
an excellent farm of 160 acres in Independence
County, Ark., of which about fifty acres are under
cultivation. Having been born in this county, on
the 30th of March, 1831, he is well known by many
here, and the utmost confidence is placed in his
honor and integrity. His parents, Willis anil
Isabella (West) Brewer, were born in North Caro-
lina and Tennessee, the former's birth occurring in
17i)6, and their union resulted in the birth of ten
children, seven of whom are living at the present
A'.
646
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
time. Willis Brewer was a farmer, but gave much
of his attention to stock raising, iu which enterprise
he was quite successful. His views on the subject
of religion coincided with the Baptist faith, but he
was not a member of any church, although his wife
had for many years been a member of the Metho-
dist Church. She died in full communion with
this denomination March 9, 1S61, and was fol-
lowed to her long home by her husband in 1864.
Their son, William L. Brewer, was educated in
Independence County, near Batesville, and after
reaching manhood was married to Mrs. Meacham,
whose birth occurred in North Carolina on the 24th
of February, 182V). One child has been born to
them. He is a Mason and was junior warden
of his lodge for one year, and he and Mrs. Brewer
have been worthy members of the Methodist
Church for some time.
J. R. Bullington, merchant and druggist, Sul-
phur Rock, Ark. Among the important mercan-
tile establishments which contribute not a little to
the growth and prosperity of the town of Sulphur
Rock, that of Mr. Bullington takes a prominent
place. He was born in Spartanburg County,
S. C, December 24. 1847, and was the son of
John J. and Julia (Tinsley) Bullington, and
grandson of Samuel Bullington, who was a farm-
er by occupation and an early settler of South
Carolina. John J. Bullington was born in 1812,
and died in 1877. He was also a tiller of the soil
and came to Independence County, in 1857. He
settled on new land in the forest, and improved a
large tract. He was not active in politics, and
until the war was a Democrat. After that he affil-
iated with the Republican party. He was a zeal-
ous member of and an active worker in the Centre
Grove Baptist Church. His wife was born in
South Carolina, in 1818, and was married to Mr.
Bullington in that State about 1837. Her death
occurred in Independence County, Ark., in 1868.
She was also a member of the Baptist Church. J.
R. Bullington was the fifth of eight children — only
two now living — born to his parents. The chil-
dren are named as follows: Ona E., born in South
Carolina, in 1848, and is the widow of William
Bishop — she now lives in Charlotte; J. R.
(subject); William W. was born in 1855, was a
farmer and salesman, and died September 21,
1888. J. R. Bullington passed his school days
in picking cotton, gathering corn and clearing
new ground, and at the age of twenty-one years
found himself possessed of the rudest elements of
an education. When twelve years of age he was
a ready reader of music, and, being a lover of the
"art divine," began at an early age to perfect
himself in this delightful pursuit. His father was
a music teacher. When twenty years of age our
subject formed the acquaintance of Prof. J. D.
Walker (son of William Walker the well-known
author), in whose company and with whom he
taught singing school for five years. After his
twenty-first year he spent twenty-one days in
school, after which he began farming, biit poor
health caused him to abandon hard labor. After
this he spent six weeks in school, and the next
year (1870) he began teaching school and did noth-
ing until 1876 except teach. He then attended
school, but again had to abandon this work on
account of his health. At that time he entered the
employ of Dr. Vaughn, at Sulphur Rock, at 110
per month, and remained with him until 1886.
He was deputy postmaster from 1877 to 1886.
During the last mentioned year he conducted the
drug department and acted as book-keeper for A.
M. James. Then, in February, 1887, he opened a
drug and grocery business for himself, adding to
the same until he had a large general store, and
does a general furnishing business, with the pros-
pect of enjoying a full share of the future business
at Sulphur Rock. He is a stockholder, director and
treasurer of the Sulphur Rock Railroad. Mr.
Bullington met Miss Jessie Robinson, daughter
of Dr. F. M. Robinson, of Indian Bay, Monroe
County, Ark. , and was united in marriage to her
on the 22d of December, 1886. They have one
child. Jack, who was born on the 22d of June,
1888. Mrs. Bullington is a member of the Cum-
berland Presbyterian Church, and while Mr. Bul-
lington does not hold membership in any society,
he is a strong believer in the Bible, and is a man
well and favorably known.
Judge William Byers (deceased). Pennsylvania
el
•^
INDEPENDENCE COUNTY.
647
has given to Independence County many estimable
citizens, but she has contributed none more hirrhly
respected, or, for conscientious discharge of duty
in every relation of life, more worthy of respect
and esteem than was the subject of this sketch.
He was born on the 4th of March, 1810, being
a son of Dr. John and Sarah (Bonner) Byers, also
natives of Pennsylvania. Dr. John Byers was of
Irish descent, and had seven brothers, all of
whom were soldiers in the Revolutionary War.
Judge William Byers remained in his native State
until about eight years of age, after which he
moved with his parents to near Mount Vernon,
Ohio. There he grew to manhood, receiving a
limited education, so far as the fiicilities of school-
ing were concerned, and might be called a self-
made man in every sense of the word. Early in
life he commenced the study of law under Mr.
Delno, a very famous lawyer, and was admitted to
the bar, at Mount Vernon, Ohio, where he prac-
ticed a short time. He was married the first time
at Fredericksburg, Ohio, and came with his family
to Batesville, Ark., in about 1838, where he prac-
ticed his profession. He soon became very prom-
inent, and was sent to the legislature, where he
served one term. He was next elected circuit
judge, and served on the bench for a number of
years. After this he was elected to Congress, but,
owing to some fi'audulent circumstances, never took
his seat. He never sought office, but was pushed
and urged by his friends to accept, and was ever
after a public man. He always filled every office
with honor and to the satisfaction of his constitu-
ents. Although commencing life with limited
means, he became very wealthy, until the late war,
when he lost all his property; but it was charac-
teristic of the man that he took everything with
the utmost calmness and composure. His first
wife was Miss Lucy Manning, of Ohio, by whom
he had three children, only one living, Mrs. Hugh
Stewart, of Memphis. He was married the second
time, in 1850, to Mrs. Emily (Burton) Wilson, a
daughter of Dr. P. P. Burton, a very prominent
physician. Six children were born to this union,
four now living: John, in Texas; Clayton, a civil
engineer, in Old Mexico; Wren; and Nellie, wife
of Dr. McMurtle. Mrs. Byers is a cousin of old
Judge Clayton, of Mississippi, who is one of the
prominent ifien of that State. By her marriage to
Mr. Wilson, Mrs. Byers became the mother of two
children, George, and Nannie, wife of Carroll H.
Wood. George Wilson went through the late war.
Mr. Byers was a prominent Mason, and was the
father of that secret organization in Batesville.
He was for a number of years editor of the Bates-
ville News. He died of paralysis at the home of
his daughter in Memphis. Mrs. Byers owns the
block where she lives, and is a very wide-awake,
energetic lady. She is a meml)er of the Episcopal
Church, and is much respected by all who know
her. She is of Scotch descent. Her maternal
grandmother was born, reared and educated in
Edinburgh, Scotland, and spoke very fluently some
seven languages. When nineteen years of age
she came to America, and located at Lynchburg,
Va. She died near Sandusky, at the age of one
hundred and five years. The grandfathers on both
.sides came from England, and also settled in Vir-
ginia. They were all Revolutionary officers during
the war. The father of Mrs. Byers first moved to
Mississippi, and, being a graduate of the old Jef-
ferson Medical College, of Philadelphia, practiced
his profession for a number of years. He then
came to Batesville, practiced a short time, and
then moved to Little Rock, Ark. , where he passed
his last days. He is said to have been the hand-
somest man in that city. He had been married
three times, and was the father of twenty-six
childi'en — three now living by the first marriage,
three by the second, and three by the third.
Rev. William Canon, who has ministered to
the spiritual wants of his fellowmen in Independ-
ence County for many years, is a native of Ruther-
ford County, Tenn., born on the I'Jth of February,
1832. His father, John Canon, was born in North
Carolina in 1790, and served faithfully and well
in the War of 1812. He participated in the battle
of Horseshoe Bend, and in several minor engage-
ments. He died in Carroll County, Tenn., in
1865. His wife, who had been originally Miss
Elizabeth Dickson, was born in North Carolina in
171)2, and died in the year 1875. Rev. William
648
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
Canon received a good English education in Bethel
College, McLemoresville, Tenn. He remained
with his father in Carroll County, Tenn., until
1857, when he moved to Searcy, White County.
Ark., and fi'om there to Independence County, in
the same year. There he has since remained. He
was a delegate to the Cumberland Presbyterian
Conference, which convened at Evansville, Ind. ,
in 185U, and was sent as a delegate to the Memphis
Conference, in 1878. By his union to Miss Kate
McFarland, of Independence County, Ark., he
became the father of two children, only one now
living, Albert D., who is engaged in commercial
pursuits at Batesville. The youngest, Willie H.,
is no more. Mr. Canon is the owner of 140 acres
of land in Independence County, and has a com-
fortable home. During the war he was in the
Confederate service, joining McCauley's volun-
teers in 1863. He was then transferred to Col.
Newton's regiment, and was made chaplain, which
position he held until his health failed, and he was
honorably discharged. He is a man of great public
spirit, and one who takes decided interest in public
affairs. He is a Mason, in good standing. He
and his estimable lady are members of the Cum-
berland Presbyterian Church. In politics, he is a
Prohibitionist, from the Democratic party.
Thomas B. Carpenter. A lifetime devoted
with perseverance and energy to the pursuits of
agriculture have contributed materially to the suc-
cess which has attended Mr. Car]>enter's efforts.
He was the fourth of six children born to Jesse
and Polly A. (Sidwell) Carpenter, and was born on
the 2d of October, 1828, in Alabama. His father,
who was a native of Virginia, came to Arkansas
while it was still a territory (about 1833 or 1834),
and located in St. Francis County, where he fol-
lowed carpentering, and was a general worker in
wood, and at the same time conducted farming.
Thomas B. Carpenter was brought to Arkansas in
his early youth, and was educated in the subscrip-
tion schools of his adopted State. In 1853 he was
united in marriage to Miss Tabitha A. Tuggle. a
native of the Blue Grass State, and their family
now consists of five children: Margaret L. , born
in 1855; James T. , who died at the age of six
months; Dicie, who was born in ]8fil; Jesse Lee,
whose birth occurred December 7, 1864, and Polly
Alice, born February 26, 1868. In 1854 Mr. Car-
penter made his first purchase of land, which
consisted of 197 acres, and by hard work, managed
in a few years to put forty acres under the plow,
and to erect a good double log house, barns, etc.,
also a cotton-gin. In 1877 he sold this farm and
purchased a tract of 211 acres in Christian Town-
ship, and has made some valuable improvements
on this farm, also, improving seventy- five acres.
After making this his home for twelve years, he
sold it in July, 1889, for a consideration of 13,000,
and now thinks of giving up farm life, and engag-
ing in mercantile pursuits. He is a Democrat in
politics, and he and wife are members of the Mis-
sionary Baptist Church. He has given his chil-
dren good educational advantages, and they are
now well qualified for any commercial position or
pursuit. The youngest son, Jesse, has for some
years been engaged as clerk in the mercantile house
of a Mr. Van Ronlde, of Newport, Ark. , and is
now the trusted manager of his employer's busi-
ness. With this son, Mr. Carpenter contemplates
embarking in business. Richard, the eldest son, is
a successful farmer of Jackson County; Margaret
is the wife of M'. P. Young, and resides in the
county; Polly A. is still at home.
Thomas E. Carter, an extensive property owner
of Sulphur Rock, was born in Prince William
County, Va. , at the mouth of Bull Run, on the
3d of October, 1824, and is a son of James P. and
Elizabeth (Davis) Carter, both of whom were also
born in Prince William County, Va. , the former's
birth occurring on the 23d of May, 1785, and the
latter' s on the 23d of October, 1786. The father
died in 1860, and his wife at the age of eighty-five
years. They were married in their native county,
and there resided until 1838, when they came to
Arkansas and located in Independence County,
where both spent the remainder of their days. Mr.
Carter was a carpenter and house-joiner, at which
he worked, in connection with farming, all his life.
The farm on which he located on coming to Inde-
pendence County is situated three miles northeast
of Batesville, and is known, far and near, as the old
INDEPENDENCE COUNTY.
640
'k.
Carter place, and is noted for chalybeate springs
located thereon. The paternal grandfather was
born in England, and came to the United States
before the Revolution, in which war he served on
the side of the colonists. The maternal grand-
parents were William and Elizabeth Davis, and
were extensive planters of Virginia. Mrs. Davis
was a native of Scotland, and lived to be one hun-
dred years old. When the Carter family first came
to Arkansas, Independence County was very thinly
populated, and the farm on which they settled was
an immense canebrake. Schools and churches
were very few and far between, but our subject,
Thomas E., acquired a fair education," his teachers
lieing U. E. Fort 'and Burr Lee. At the age of
twenty one years he commenced to clear a farm
near Batesville, but sold out in 1856, and moved to
Big Bottom, where he opened a mercantile estab-
lishment on the plantation owned by Col. Morgan
Magness, where he continued his enterprise until
the breaking out of the war. In 1862 he enlisted
in the Confederate service, and after the close of
hostilities returned home and resumed his mercan
tile enterprises at Akron, as a member of the firm
of Owen, Moore & Co., but in three years sunk
1150,000. He then retired to his farm and took
up agriculture and stock raising as an occupation,
in which he has amassed another large fortune.
His first business transaction in life was to pur-
chase a farm for .|600, on credit, and he now owns
800 acres of some of the finest bottom land in the
State, besides other valuable property. Mrs. Eliza
(Adams) Hulsey, a native of Fayette County, Tenn. ,
born in IS'io, became his wife in 1856, but her
death occurred three years later, she having borne
a family of two children: Susan, wife of Allen Brad-
ford, and Elizabeth, who died when quite young.
On the 15th of August, 1860, Mr. Carter wedded
Mis.s Mary Adams, a sister of his first wife. She
too was born in Fayette County, Tenn., and died
the year after her marriage. In 1863 Nancy Ann
Magness became his third wife. She is a daughter
of Josiah Magness, and was born in Fayette Coun-
ty. Tenn., October 23, 1834, and, by Mr. Carter,
is the mother of four children: Mary, wife of
Thomas Nisbett; Noah, Alice and Eddie. Mr.
41
Carter has been a member of the Methodist Epis-
copal Church for forty-nine years, and in his
political views is a Democrat. He belongs to the
I. O. O. F , and has become a prominent citizen
of the county, owing to his sound judgment, pro
gressive ideas and unimpeachable honesty.
Christopher Case, farmer, Batesville. No name
is justly entitled to a more enviable place in the
history of Independence County than the one which
heads this sketch, for it is borne by a man who.
though young in years, has yet been honorably
identified not only with the agricultural interests
of this county, but with its advancement in every
worthy particular. He was born in the city of
Batesville, Ark., on the 4th of December, 1851,
received his education, and j)assed his youth in tliat
city. He learned the harness- maker's trade, and
followed this in Batesville until his marriage, after
which he engaged in agricultural pursuits. In
1883 he moved to where he now resides, and has
since been engaged in tilling the soil and stock
dealing quite extensively. He owns over 208 acres
of good land, with 200 under cultivation. He deals
principally in cattle, is at present engaged in the
dairy business, and has forty head of good milch
cows. He makes two trips a day into Batesville,
and is doing a good business. He was manned, in
1880, to Miss Cora Knowles. a native of Missouri,
and they are the parents of three children : Eva,
Henry K. and Robert R. Mrs. Case is a meml^er
of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Mr. Case's
parents, George and Sarah (Ridgeway) Case, are
both natives of Pennsylvania. The father emi-
grated to Mansfield, Ohio, thence to Illinois, and
to Independence County, Ark., in about 1837.
While in Illinois he met and married Miss Ridge-
way, who had moved with her parents to that State.
After coming to Arkansas, Mr. Case located in
Batesville, where he carried on the mercantile busi-
ness for some time. He died at Hopefield, Ark ,
in 1864. The mother is yet living, and resides in
Batesville. They were the parents of seven chil-
dren, now living: Mrs. Eliza Jolilin. JIrs, Mary
Maxfield, Mrs, M. A. Joblin. Robert R., Chris
topher, Dr. J. W. and George R.
Simeon Cason is an enterprising farmer of In-
f
jvJ:
650
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
dependence County, Ark., and the energetic man-
ner in which he has ever taken advantage of all
methods and ideas tending to enhance the value of
his property has been the means of obtaining the
competence he now enjoys. His farm consists of
117 acres of excellent land, of which sixty-five
acres are in a high state of cultivation. He was
born in Georgia, August 25, 1823, and is a son of
Hillary and Mary (Smith) Cason, natives of the
" Old North State," the former's birth occurring
April 3, 1779. Their marriage took place about
1803, and of thirteen children born to them (seven
sons and six daughters) only two are living: Simeon,
and a daughter, who is the wife of Jesse Ward,
and now a resident of Washington. Hillary
Cason was a member of the Baptist Church, and
his wife was a Methodist. Simeon Cason was edu-
cated in the common schools of Madison County,
111., and, after attaining manhood, was married to
Miss Sarah J. Leggett, a native of Arkansas, who
died on the 6th of November, 1887, leaving him
with a family of six children: George, John B. ,
who died November 9, 1867; Zachariah, Henry
Clay, James Y. and Mary V. Mr. Cason after-
ward married Mary A. Swan, and to them were
given seven children, three of whom subsequently
died. Those who survive are: Mary A.. Drucilla,
William T. and Benjamin F. Mr. Cason has held
the office of justice of the peace and constable for
the past fourteen years, and has been junior warden
in the Masonic lodge. He and Mrs. Cason have
long been members of the Methodist Church, and
have always liberally contributed to churches and
schools. In 1861 he joined the army, and was in
a number of hotly-contested engagements. He was
also a soldier in the war with Mexico, being first
sergeant in Capt. A. R. Porter's company. First
Regiment, Arkansas Cavalry, commanded by Col.
Archibald Yell. He was captured with Maj.
Bourland, Maj. J. P. Gaines and Capt. Cassius
M. Clay, at Incarnation. Mexico, and taken from
there to the City of Mexico, remaining until the
city was captured by Gen. Wintield Scott.
W. E. Chambers, merchant, Batesville. That
the city of Batesville has a bright future before
it is beyond all question. Situated as it is, with
excellent railroad facilities, it could not be other-
wise; noting this fact many wide-awake merchants
are locating in this town, which affords the best
inducements to energy and enterprise. Among
those recently established may be mentioned Mr.
Chambers, who. although a young man, is old in
his mercantile experience. He was born in Harde-
man County, Tenn., July 24, 1866, and his parents.
William C. and Fannie M. (Moore) Chambers, are
natives of Mississippi and Tennessee, respectively.
The father carried on the mercantile business the
most of his life at Saulsbury, Tenn. In 1886 he
came to Batesville, Ark., and died there January 17,
1887. The mother is still living. Their family
consisted of two living children — Mrs. Ella Beane,
of Newark, Ark. , and W. E. The latter was fav-
ored with good educational advantages in Tennes-
see, and in 1886 came with his parents to Bates-
ville, Ark., and engaged in the insurance and real
estate business with T. B. Padgett for some time.
He subsequently clerked a short time for O. P.
Moore & Bro. In December, 1887, he engaged
in merchandising, and has since carried it on. He
has a select line of merchandise, and is doing well.
He was married, December 1-1, 1887, to Mi.ss Mattie
M. Colton, of Ripley, Miss. Mr. and Mrs. Cham-
bers are members of the church. Mr. Chamliers
is the owner of considerable property in the State
of Tennessee.
Robert A. Childress, a prosperous farmer of
Independence County, was born in Franldin Coun-
ty, Va., in 1813. He is a son of John W. and
Sarah (Ferguson) (Jhildress, both native of Vir-
ginia. The Childress family are of English origin,
but the family has lived in the State of Virginia
for several generations. The grandparents, Robert
and Rachel Childress, both lived and died in that
State. John W. remained in his birth place until
the year 1817, when he moved to Missouri, and in
1819 again changed his location, settling in Ran-
dolph County, Ark. In 1829 he came to Inde-
pendence County, and was one of the earliest set-
tlers of that section, where he made his residence
until old age began to creep upon his shoulders,
when he went to live with a son in Galveston,
Tex., where he died. His wife resided in Inde-
:£:
INDEPENDENCE COUNTY.
651
pendence County up to the time of her death, in
1840. Robert A. was the oldest child of this
couple, and iu his youth received a somewhat lim-
ited education in Independence County, on account
of the very meager facilities for learning offered in
that State. But after reaching his majority he
returned to Virginia, where the educational advan-
tages were greater, and attended some of the higher
schools of that State until he had procured a satis-
factory education. In 1841 he was married to Miss
Martha A. Waugh, who was born in Virginia in
1823, and died in ISfiO. This marriage gave them
nine children, of whom four are yet living: Thomas
B. , Julia C. (wife of Joseph B. Pritchett), Lewis
W. and John \V. In 1802 Mr. Childress married
again, his second wife being Mrs. Josephine Sulli-
van, an amiable and pleasant widow lady, raised in
Mississippi, and a daughter of Dr. Samuel Halli-
burton, who has also passed away. This union
gave them four children, of whom two lived to ma-
turity, and those yet living are Samuel K. and
Sarah J., wife of J. E. Moore. His third wife was
Mrs. Lucilla J. Cross, a widow, youngest daugh-
ter of Col. John Miller, an influential and prom-
inent citizen of Independence County. Mr. Chil-
dress has resided at his present home since 1840,
excepting five years spent at Batesville, where he
was engaged in business. He owns 642 acres of
land, and has about 325 acres under cultivation, all
of it comprising some of the richest land in the
State. He has held the office of justice of the
peace for a number of years, and has proven him-
self to be an efficient officer, and a valuable man
for the position. He is held in high esteem by the
entire community, and enjoys that distinction which
an old settler is entitled to. He was a member of
the Masonic fraternity until the war, but since then
has not been identified with any secret society.
He has been a memljor of the Presbyterian Church
since 1833, and an elder for over forty years. His
wife is a memljer of the Baptist Church, and the
children, ("xcepting two. l)elong to the Cumb(*rland
Presbyterian Churcli. In politics Mr. Ciiildress
is a stanch Democrat.
J. N. Cliurchill, farmer and merchant, of Black
River Township, and postmaster at Charlotte, .\rk. ,
is one of the representative citizens of Independ-
ence County, and is a recognized leader in the
public affairs of his locality. He was originally
from North Carolina, born in Iredell County, in
January, 1835, and the son of Charles C. and Ma
tilda (Johnson) Churchill, natives, respectively, of
Connecticut and North Carolina. The former was
a relative of the three Churchill brothers, who came
to one of the early colonies of Connecticut. Charles
C. Churchill was born in 1791, and emigrated to
North Carolina in 1829, where he met and mar-
ried Miss Johnson. His principal vocation was
tilling the soil, but he was well educated, and his
true worth was soon appreciated. He was elected
sheriff of his county, and served with credit in that
capacity for some time. In 1842, be removed to
Tennessee, bought a plantation, and successfully
tilled the soil until his death, which occurred in
1845. He was an old-line Whig, and exerted
quite an influence in the politics of his county.
He was a Mason, and a man universally respected.
His excellent wife survived him until in April,
1887, and then died at the ripe old age of seventy-
four years. She was for sixty years a devoted
Christian, a member of the Methodist Episcopal
Church. J. N. Churchill is the third of a family
of seven children (five of whom are living): Samuel
B., died at the age of fifty-four years (1885), and
was a farmer and stock raiser of Texas; Harriet
J., consort of one Grady Pickens, who was killed
in Hood's retreat from Nashville; J. N. (subject of
our sketch); W. P.. a farmer, married, and is liv-
ing in Independence County; Curtis .T. , died on
the 7th of April, 1877, at the age of forty-five
years, a farmer and justice of the peace; Mary A.,
widow of William Hammond, who was a farmer of
Black River Township; Marcia M. V.. wife of W.
H. Walden, a merchant and farmer of Black River
Township and postmaster of Hazel Grove. J. N.
Churchill was reared from early boyhood to the
arduous duties of the farm, and secured his edu-
cation in the common schools of North Carolina
and Tennessee. At the age of nineteen, or in 1852.
he came to Independence County and joined his
brother, who had made his appearance in that
county the year previous. In 1854 J. N. returned
A^
652
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
to Tennessee, and spent one year in Oak Grove
Academy (Fayette County), having earned the
money in Arkansas which enabled him to obtain
that part of his education. Having completed the
year at school, he returned to Arkansas in 1855,
and spent the ensuing four years in wielding the
ferrule, conducting private schools in that State.
On May 12, 1858, he wedded Miss Charlotta
T. Hogan, daughter of Elijah Hogan, one of the
first settlei's of Arkansas. Heaven blessed this
union with four childr-en, all of whom are living:
Charles D. , born August 1, 1851), is a merchant of
Charlotte, but contemplates merchandising in con-
junction with his brother, Curtia J. (who was born
in 1860), under the firm name of Churchill Bros.,
in Sulphur Rock; Mary M. was born on the 11th
of March, 1861, and is the wife of W. H. Ward, a
school teacher and farmer of Black River Township;
and Lucy, wife of Dr. Robert C. Door, a successful
physician of Black River Township. Mrs. Churchill
departed this life on the 23d of March, 1889. She
was a model mother and wife, and had long been a
devoted member of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
Since his marriage. Mr. Churchill has followed
the different avocations of teaching, cotton gin-
ning, threshing grain, and has also been engaged
in merchandising. He built the first steam gin in
Independence County, reduced the toll of ginning,
and brought the second separating thresher into
the county. In 1872, he embarked in the mercan-
tile business on his farm, the present site of Char-
lotte postoffice, and established a branch store at
Sulphur Rock, which he conducted for five years.
At present he is erecting a large store building in
Sulphur Rock, in which to do a general mercantile
business. The first land Mr. Churchill ever se-
cured was from land bought with wages received in
compensation for teaching his first school in Arkan-
sas (180 in gold), with which he purchased eighty
acres of land. This policy he followed for several
years, or until 1859, when he bought 320 acres,
and lived on the same for fifteen years, clearing
about seventy-five aci'es. He then bought 160
acres, cleared forty acres of the same, and in 1873
moved to that place (Charlotte), where he has ever
since lived. He now owns about 3,000 acres of
land, and has cleared over 200 acres. He served
in the late war about six months, but having been
elected justice of the peace, and being a teacher,
he was allowed to remain at home unmolested.
However, he lost most of his personal property,
and so, like a number of the old citizens of this
county, had to begin anew when the war was
over. In addition to his own family, Mr. Churchill
has reared, and given the same opportunities in the
common schools as his own children, ten orphan
children. He votes with the Democratic party,
and has a great deal of influence, politically. He
holds a membership in the Methodist Episcopal
Church, and also belongs to the Masonic frater-
nity. He was W. M. of Bayou Dota Lodge No.
126 for twenty years, and is the only charter
member left of that lodge. He is a member of the
Chapter and Council at Sulphur Rock. Mr.
Churchill has always taken an active interest in and
given his support to all public enterprises for the
good of the county, and is now chairman of the
executive committee on removal of county site from
Batesville to Suljihur Rock.
Churchill Bros., general merchants, Sulphur
Rock, Ark. The above mercantile firm, successors
of J. N. Churchill & Sous, consists of these
brothers, C. D. and J. C. Churchill, who succeeded
their father in the business at Charlotte, Black
River Township, Independence County, on the
15th of February, 1889. C. D., the senior mem-
ber of the firm, is a native of Independence Coun-
ty, Ark., and was born on the 1st of August, 1859.
He is the eldest child born to J. N. Churchill,
whose sketch may be seen preceding this, and
was reared to the duties on a farm. He was edu-
cated in Bayou Dota Academy, and later spent
one year at Mountain Home Male and Female
Academy, at Mountain Home, Baxter County, Ark.
During the winter seasons, when not attending
school, he spent his time in his father's store as
salesman, there learning the principles of the busi-
ness which have since made him a successful
merchant. He was married, on the 16th of
December, 1880, to Miss Callie Linn, daughter of
J. H. Linn (deceased), who was a farmer, and also
filled the position of county judge of Baxter
^ i
INDEPENDENCE COUNTY.
653
County, Ark. By this union two children were
born: Daisy P., eight years of age, and is now
living with her grandmother Linn, and attonding
school at Mountain Home, and Oscar Linn, who is
six years of age, lives with his father, and attends
school at home. Mrs. Chm-chill's death occurred
on the 31st of October, 1887. The early training
of Mr. Churchill fitted him for a commercial life,
and his future prospects are indeed bright. J.
C. Churchill, the junior member of the same firm,
was born in this county on the 1 1th of September,
1863, and he, like his brother, was reared to farm
life, and was educated in Bayou Dota Academy,
where he spent ten months in the study of den-
tistry, under the tutelage of Dr. W. G. Rosebor-
ough, of Batesville. He was obliged to abandon
the study of dentistry from the fact that one of his
eyes was injured from the accidental discharge of
a gun. Since then his entire time has been
directed to commercial pursuits. On the 22d of
January, 1885, his marriage to Miss Amanda Sor-
rells was consummated. She was the daughter of
R. L. Sorrells, a native of Illinois, and a farmer
of Black River Township. C. D. Churchill first
engaged in business at Sulphur Rock, in the spring
of 1879, under the name of Churchill & Son, and
in the spring of 1880 the title was changed to
C. D. Churchill. In September of the last men-
tioned year he removed to Hazel Grove, where he
continued until the summer of 1887, when he
removed to Charlotte; then, in January, 1888, he
became a member of the firm of Churchill & Sons,
composed of J. N. Churchill and the subjects of
this sketch. Under this name they continued busi-
ness until the 15th of February, 1889, when the
present firm was formed. They recently erected
a large store-building at Sulphur Rock, 82x60
feet, consisting of three large commodious rooms,
in which they became located about the 1st of
September, and now carry on a general mercan-
tile business. Both are members of Bayou Dota
Lodge No. 126. A. F. & A. M., and also hold
membership in Council U. D. and Danley R. A.
Chapter No. 59, at Sulphur Rock. C. D. Church-
ill is a member of Walnut Grove Church, Meth-
odist Episcopal, South. They vote with the
Democratic party, and exert quite an influence in
local politics. J. .C. Churchill is notary public
for Independence County. They take an intere.st
in all improvements for the public good, and con
tribute liberally to their support.
J. C. Cobb, an honored ex-Federal soldier of
the Eighth Tennessee Cavalry, was born in Fulton
County, Ky. , in 1838, and grew to manhood on
Blue Grass soil, but his educational advantages in
his youth were of the luost meager description.
He was left an orphan when a small lad, and was
reared by strangers, but left- the family with whom
he made his homo, before he attained his majority,
on account of ill treatment, and started oiit to seek
his own fortune. Ho first went to Mississippi
County, Mo. , where he found a home with Dr.
Snuzer, near Charleston, and remained with him
until the war became an assured fact, when he
joined the Federal forces at Indianapolis, Ind.,
being a member of the Eighth Tennessee Cavalry,
and served honorably and well throughout the
war, and was mustered out of service at Bull's
Gap, in East Tennessee. He participated in the
engagements at Elizabeth (Ky.), Franklin, Harts-
ville. Galena, Clarksville, Knoxville, Jonesboro,
and Bull's Gap, Tenn. At the latter engagement
he was quite severely wounded, being shot from
his horse and having his jaw l)roken. He served
in Tennessee, Virginia, North Carolina, Georgia,
Alabama and Florida. In 1883 his application for
a pension was recognized, and he received back
pay to the amount of $1,233. He returned to
Kentucky at the close of the war, and was man-ied
four months afterward, to Miss Nancy Whitlock,
who was born in Kentucky, in 1841, and by her
has a family of three living children: Martha A..
wife of Walker Duunagan; Mary L., and Myrtle
May. Those deceased are John J. . who died when
eight years of age; Elizabeth, at the age of six
months, and Emma J., when ten months old.
About one year after the war Mr. Cobb removed
with his wife to Arkansas, but only remained a
short time; then they returned to Kentucky, and
remained six years. Since that time they have
been residents of Arkansas, and up to January 1.
1889, resided five miles from Sulphur Rock, but at
\
A^
654
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
that date moved to the town, where they have since
made their home. They are quite well-to-do, and
each of their children owns forty acres of land,
which was deeded to them by their parents. Mr.
Cobb is a son of Amsy and Lettie (Ryan) Cobb,
the former of whom was a native of North Carolina,
and at an early day became a citizen of Kentucky,
and lived and died in that State. The mother was
born in Newcastle, Ky. , and of their five children,
four are still living: J. C, Anna, wife of A. Mc-
Nutt; Elizabeth, wife of Bert Watton, and .
The maternal grandparents were John and Alsie
(Smith) "Whitlock. John was born in North Caro-
lina, but was left an orphan in his youth, and ran
away to Kentucky. He lived in Monroe and Phil-
lips Counties, but died in Crittenden County, at
the age of seventy-six years, followed by his wife,
who was of Kentucky stock, at the age of sixty -six
years.
William L. Coble, a highly-respected and well-
known farmer and stock raiser of Independence
County, is a son of Anthony and Nancy (Burris)
Coble, of North Carolina and Virginia, respectively,
whose marriage occurred in the latter State. The
parents emigrated to Indiana about the year 1820,
where their children were born, and in 1849 moved
to the State of Ai-kansas, locating near the town of
Sulphur Rock, in Independence County, where the
father purchased a small tract of land and com-
menced farming in connection with his trade as a
carpenter. He remained here until 1860, con-
tracting for and building a great many houses in
that time, and then sold his farm and moved to
Jackson County, where he rented some land. He
resided in Jackson County for three years, but
finding the desire to return to Independence County
too strong to resist, he moved back to that place
and j)urchased 160 acres of land, upon which he
erected a dwelling, barns and all necessary ad-
juncts to a well-regulated farm, and resided there
until his death, January 8, INSl, at the age of
ninety-one years. Mrs. Coble died in 1866, and
was buried in what was then McGuire's cemetery,
while her husband lies in Surrounded Hill ceme-
tery. His son, William L. Coble, was educated
at private schools in Sulphur Rock, and in connec-
tion with his brother, F. A. J. Coble, cleared, im-
proved and put the farm on a paying basis long
before the father's death. In 1864 he enlisted in
the Forty-sixth Arkansas Volunteer Cavalry, Col.
Baber's regiment, and served as a courier for al-
most the entire time. After peace had been es-
tablished, in 1865, he returned to his home, and
was shortly afterward married to Miss Mary J.
Hinkel, a daughter of Selsor and Sarah E. (Hop-
kins) Hinkel, of Missouri. Nine children were
born to this union, which was a very happy one in
every way, and four are still living: Laura, born
March 2, 1875: Cordelelia. born September 4, 1879;
Edna Asia, born July 13, 1883; W'illiam L., born
November 7, 1888 ; all of whom are bright children,
and Mr. Coble intends to give them the best edu-
cation obtainable. At the time Mr. Coble came in
possession of his farm, it consisted of 320 acres,
with 160 acres under cultivation. He now owns
480 acres, with 200 acres cleared, and under good
cultivation. He is a Democrat in politics, and a
strong supporter of that party and its men, and
in religious and educational matters he is one of
the county's most liberal contributors, as also one
of its most progressive. Mr. and Mrs. Coble are
both members of the Christian Church.
George Cook, farmer, Independence County,
Ark. Mr. Cook's birth occurred in Tennessee, on
the 28th of August, 1826, and he was reared and
educated in his native State. He was also married
there, on the 26th of November, 1846, to Miss
Elizabeth Haskins, who was also born, reared and
educated in Tennessee. His parents, John D. and
Mary (Montgomery) Cook, were both natives of
Tennessee, in which State they were married.
George Cook came to Arkansas in 1849, locating
near Sulphur Rock, Independence County, where
he farmed for one season. He then moved to a farm
west of Batesville, where he entered forty acres of
land, and cleared about five acres, erected a single
log house, etc., but in 1854 sold this. He then
moved to a farm on White River, Washington
Township, where he has resided for the past twelve
years. His children were all born in Arkansas,
except John D. Cook, his eldest son, who was born
in Tennessee. The latter was married ia Arkan-
& -
INDEPENDENCE COUNTY.
655
sas, and is now living on a farm in Oil Trough
Bottom, wberti he rents a farm and carries on the
business of general merchandising in connection
with farming. Another son, William Thomas
Cook, is deceased; Mary Ann Cook married Mr.
John Morgan, and now resides in Oil Trough
Bottom; J. H. Cook married Miss Mattie Glover,
who is now deceased (J. H. resides on the farm
with his father); B. A. Cook married Miss Rebecca
Holloway, and now resides in Oil Trough Bottom;
Jane M. Cook married Mr. G. F. Mannz, and now
resides in Christian Township, Independence Coun-
ty ; Martha Price Cook married Mr. Thomas Glover
(deceased), and is now residing with her father;
George M. Cook resides at home with his parents.
Our subject's education was obtained in the sub-
scription and public schools of this county. When
he tirst came to Arkansas all was wild and unset-
tled, wild animals abounded, and all the hardships
necessary in a new country were experienced by
this pioneer. He is a Wheeler in politics. Mr.
and Mrs. Cook are members of the Methodist Epis-
copal Church, as are also their daughters, Martha
and Jane, and their son, J. D. Mr. Cook takes an
active interest in religious and social progress, and
has always been a liberal contributor to all such
causes.
Virgil Y. Cook, one of Independence County's
most enterprising merchants and farmers, and also
one of its wealthiest men, is a son of William D.
and Pernecia (Dodds) Cook, the father a Kentuckian,
and a son of John Cook, one of the pioneer mer-
chants of that State. Mr. Cook was born in Boyds-
ville. Graves County, Ky., on the 14th day of No-
vember, 1848, and received his education in the ad-
joining county, at what was then known as Spring
Hill Academy, but previous to that he had attended
the subscription schools of Boydsville. His life
was uneventful until the outbreak of the war be-
tween the States, when he joined the command of
Gen. N. B. Forrest. He enlisted in the Twelfth
Kentucky Cavalry, and served twelve months, and
at the end of that time was transferred to the
Seventh Kentucky Cavalry, formerly Seventh Ken-
tucky Infantry, where he was in the capacity of a
]}rivate soldier. Mr. Cook took part in the battles
at Okolona (Miss.), Paducah (Ky. ), Tishimingo
Creek, Han'isburg (Miss.) and a great many other
engagements, and was in Gen. Forrest's Pulaski
campaign, in the fall of 1864, after which that
general was transferred to Gen. Hood's command,
for the purpose of making the raid on Nashville,
in the winter of 1864, He also took part in the
battles at Spring Hill, Franklin and Nashville,
and later, in the spring of 1805, was with Gen.
Forrest on his Alabama campaign, which termi-
nated at Selma, on the 2d of April, 1865, and then
surrendered at Gainesville, Ala., on May 10, 1865.
Though serving as a private, Mr. Cook's record
through the war would put to blush the actions of
many men who held superior rank. He has in his
possession yet the parole record received at Gaines-
ville, on the occasion of his surrender, and values
it highly, simply as a relic of those days. The
brigade to which he belonged was the famous
Kentucky brigade organized and commanded by
Gen. Abe Buford, who afterward commanded the
second division of Gen. Forrest's cavalry corps.
After the surrender Mr. Cook returned to his home
in Kentucky, where he remained until the year
1806, and then moved to Grand Glaize, Ark.,
where his father, previous to the war, had carried
on business in partnershij) with Mr. M. F. Thoma-
son, under the iirm name of Cook & Thomason.
Upon his arrival Mr. Cook, in comi)any with Mr.
Thomason, re-organized the tirm and did business
until the year 1874. when the partnership was
dissolved, and Mr. Cook went to the town of
Olyphant, on the St. Louis &Iron Mountain Rail-
road, where he conducted a large business, with fair
success, until 1884. He then came to Oil Trough
Bottom, and located on his Midland farm, about
one mile and a half west of Elmo, where he estab-
lished himself in business, and still remains. He
is one of the most successful merchants and plant-
ers in that section, and his actions have always
l)oen characterized by an energy and enterprise
that could not end otherwise. He owns 2,300
acres of land in Oil Trough Bottom, of which 1,600
acres are under cultivation, which he leases annu-
ally for a stipulated sum. Altogether Mr. Cook
owns about 8,000 acres in Independence, Jackson,
> "V
^-
650
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
Clay and Greene Counties, and the total amount
that he has under cultivation is 2,000 acres. He
was united in marriage to Miss Ophelia Lamb, a
daughter of Enos and Frances (Parish) Lamb, of
Tennessee, his wedding taking place at Jacksou-
port, Ark., on June 29, 1871. Six children have
been born to Mr. and Mrs. Cook: Neva, M'hitfield,
May, Jennie, a baby who died in infancy, and
Varina. In business Mr. Cook carrieg a large line
of general merchandise, in fact everything that is
to be found in a first-class establishment, besides
dealing in lands and having an interest in one of
the finest ranches in Texas. He has erected a
splendid dwelling and several buildings on his
Midland farm, and owns a cotton-gin on the same
farm that has no equal in Arkansas. His brother,
Barnett M. Cook, is associated with him, but gives
his attention, specially, to dealing in stock, cattle
and horses, of which he has quite a herd. Barnett
M. was also in the Confederate army, serving as
a private soldier in the Twelfth Kentucky Cavalry,
and took an active part in all the engagements and
campaigns in which his regiment participated.
He is a bachelor of forty three years of age, having
been born on the ISth of September, 1846, at
Boydsville, Graves County, Ky. The maternal
grandfather, Capt. John C. Dodds, commanded
a company of soldiers in a Kentucky regiment un-
der Gen. Jackson, in 1814-15, and participated
in the battle of New Orleans, on the 8th of Janu-
ary, 1815. His father took an active part in the
Revolutionary War, serving with the South Caro-
lina troops, of which State he was a native, and
died after that war on his way with his family
from South Carolina to Kentucky, whither his
widow with his children proceeded, settling in
Caldwell County, near Princeton.
A. J. Craig, probate and county court judge
of Independence County, was born on the farm
upon which he now lives, one mile east of James-
town, in 1844. He is a son of John L. and Mar-
garet A. (Hardin) Craig, the former of whom was
born in Alabama, in 1801, and the latter in Law-
rence County, Ark., about 1817. When a young man
Mr. Craig removed to Independence County, Ark. ,
where he married, and spent the remainder of his
life, his death occurring in 1864; he was one of the
earliest settlers of the county, locating in the dense
woods, where he cleared a farm and reared his
family. Mr. Craig was a member of the Metho-
dist Church, of which church his widow, who is
still living, is also a member. The latter is a
daughter of Joseph Hardin, who was one of the
pioneers of what is now Lawrence County. A. J.
Craig was the fourth child in a family of live sons
and three daughters. He received a common-
school education, and during the last two years of
the late war, served in the Confederate army, in
Company C, Morgan's regiment. Price's cavalry
troops; he was at the battles of Cape Girardeau,
Helena, Pilot Knob, and many skirmishes, oper-
ating in Missouri, Kansas and Indian Territory,
until the sui'render at Jacksonport, in June, 18G5,
when he returned home. In 1867 Mr. Craig mar-
ried Louisa, daughter of Cary and Margaret Simms,
who came to Independence County, when she was a
little girl. Mrs. Craig, who was a native of South
Carolina, died in 1878, leaving one son and two
daughters. In 1879 Mr. Craig married Dorcas
Engles, of Independence County. She is a daugh-
ter of "William D. and Margaret Engles, natives,
respectively, of Kentucky and Missouri, who re-
moved to Independence County, Ark. , when young.
Mr. Engles died in 1845; he was a member of the
Methodist Church. Mrs. Engles is still living,
aged seventy-one years; she is a daughter of Job
and Elizabeth Stark, who both died in Independ-
ence County, as did the parents of Mr. Engles.
One son and one daughter have blessed the second
marriage of our subject. Judge Craig has spent
his entire life on the farm of his birth, which con-
tains 127 acres, about eighty acres of which are
under cultivation; forty acres he inherited from
his father, and the balance he has earned. From
1878 to 1886 he served as justice of the peace,
being elected to the office of county and probate
judge in 1886, serving in that capacity with much
ability, and was re-elected to the same office in
18S8. He is a Democrat politically, and he and
wife are members of the Methodist Ej>iscopal
Church, South.
M. R. Craig, proprietor of meat market. Bates-
>>
ville. Dealing in articles necessary for our daily
sustenance, it is not surprising that the number of
those engaged in the butchering business should be
large, but this field of enterprise is also a large
one. Among those engaged in this pursuit is Mr.
Craig, a native of Greenbriar Township, Independ-
ence County, Ark., born on the KJth of March,
1851, and the sou of John L. Craig, who was a
native of Tennessee. The father came to Bates-
ville when a young man, taught school for several
years, and was married in Independence County,
to Miss Margaret Harding, a native of Arkansas.
They then located in Oil Trough Bottom, and af-
terward moved to Greenbriar Township, where he
purchased a farm, and there died in 18(54. The
mother is still living, and resides on the old home-
stead, in Greenbriar Township. They were the par-
ents of eight childi-en, seven now living: John,
was killed in Tennessee, while serving in the army;
Lizzie, wife of P. Tucker; Joseph, Andrew, James,
Mark R., Laura, wife of AV. L. Dunaway, and
Jane, wife of William Cullens. M. R. Craig at-
tained his growth in Greenbriar Township, and as-
sisted on the farm until twenty-one years of age.
At about 1875 he engaged in the butcher's busi-
ness in Batesville, and has since carried it on. He
owns a timber tract of land of forty acres, and is
also the owner of town property in Batesville. He
has been a member of the council of Batesville.
In the year 1871 he selected Miss Sarah Elms as
his companion in life, and the fruits of this mar-
riage are four living children: Baswoll W. , Mag-
gie, Andrew J. and Abernathy. One, deceased, was
named Robert Henry. Mr. Craig is a member of
the I. O. O. F. and the K. of H.
Georse Washiugrtou Crow, a minister of the
Missionary Baptist Ciiurch, of Independence Coun-
ty, is a son of Robert and Margaret (Killinger)
Crow, and was the fourth in a family of eight
children bora to the parents, his birth occurring
April 8, 1819, in what is now Smyth County, Va.
The grandfather, George W. Killinger, was a pri-
vate soldier in Gen. George Washington's army,
and fought in many of the battles under that
famous hero. The family on lioth sides are de-
scendants of old Virginians. lu 1823 Robert
Crow emigrated to Boane County, Tenn., and lo-
cated near Kingston, the county seat, where his
son, George W., gi-ew to manhood and received
his education. In 1837 the father moved to the
State of Alabama, which place he made his resi-
dence until his decease, and is now buried at
Gravel Hill, De Kalb County, in that State. Two
years later his son, George W. Crow, was married
to Miss Sidney Hines, of Tennessee, by whom he
has had four children: William Harrison, who was
killed in the battle of Seven Pines, in 1802; Eliza
A., who was married to Mr. H. Fike, of Alabama,
at the residence of the bride's father, in 1859, but
lost her husband in 1871 ; Palestine, who was mar-
ried to Mr. Joseph Wilburn, of Alabama, but now
residing in Stone County, Ark. , and the last child
dying in infancy. In 1847 Mr. Crow lost his first
wife, who was buried in Garrett Cemetery, De-
Kalb County, Ala., and in 1849, he was married
to Miss Avadney J. Dutton, of Alabama. l)y whom
he had eight children, all living until they had
reached their maturity excepting one; Mary, wife
of William Tate; Nancy E., married to Mr. New
ton Cooper, and now residing near Mr. Crow; Ed-
mond Thomas, who was married to Miss Amahda
Cooper; Bankston W., who was married to Miss
Fannie Ellis, and residing near the father' s home ;
Margaret Spurgeon, wife of Rev. James L. Brown,
this daughter dying in 1879: Jane, who was mar-
ried to John Tate, and John D. , at home. Mr.
Crow was ordained by the Missionary Baptist
Church, in 1869, at Gravel Hill, DeKalb County.
Ala. That year he moved to Arkansas and located
near Sulphur Rock, where he purchased the farm
upon which he still resides. He owns 35(') acres
of land, with about ninety-tive acres under culti
vation, and in partnership with his son, Bankston
W., owns 160 acres, with twenty five acres under
cultivation, and good buildings and improvements.
Mr. Crow has worked faithfully in the interests of
the church, and many times has contril)uted to its
sui)port from his own private means. In 1887 the
congregation at Maple Springs attemjited to erect
a church to be paid for by sul).scrii)tion, and Mr.
Crow came nobly forward with $112.00 for that
purpose. He is at present the pastor at Ma])le
A
058
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
Springs, but formerly was occupied a great part of
the time in filling such vacancies as occurred in
that section. Four of his children also attend the
father's church. In politics Mr. Crow is a Demo-
crat, and previous to coming to Arkansas, had held
the office of treasurer of De Kalb County, Ala. , for
two years. He has always been to the fi-ont in any
enterprise for the advancement of religious and
educational matters, and is a citizen of whom the
county may and does feel proud.
Capt. John W. Cullins, a prominent farmer
and stock raiser of Greenbriar Township, Inde-
pendence County, purchased his present farm of
320 acres, which is situated near Jamestown, in
1855; there was at that time little improvement on
the land, which is now one of the best farms in the
county. xMr. Cullins was born in Abbeville Coun-
ty, S. C, in 1S28, and, receiving a limited educa-
tion, he hired out on a farm at the age of fifteen,
in which capacity he was employed until 1846. In
the latter year he enlisted in Company C, Col.
Coffee's regiment of Alabama Infantry, and served
twelve months in the Mexican War, participating in
the battle of Vera Cruz; he was honorably dis-
charged at New Orleans in June, 1847, and after
spending some time in Alabama, went to Missis-
sippi, two years later returning to South Carolina,
where he married and lived until his emigration to
Independence County, Ark., in 1855, where he
has since made his home. He devoted his entire
attention to farming until 1867, when he built a
store on the present site of Jamestown, and for
twelve years engaged in merchandising in part-
nership with Jacob Pate. Mr. Cullins has accumu-
lated considerable property, owning in all 540 acres,
about 220 acres of which are under cultivation,
beside real estate in Jamestown. During the Civil
War Mr. Cullins served about four years in the Con-
federate army; the first year as captain of Com-
pany C, Desha's battalion, operating in Alabama
and Mississippi, and subsequently assisted in or-
ganizing Company C, Arkansas Cavalry, of which
he was appointed captain, in which capacity he
served until the close of the struggle. He was in
the battles of Marks' Mill, Big Blue, with Gen. Price
on his raid through Missouri and Kansas, surrend-
ering at Jacksonport in June, 1865, after four
years of the hardships of war. Mr. Cullins first
married in 1851, Mary Ann, daughter of Johnson
and Margaret Simms, of South Carolina, who
moved to Tennessee, in 1852, and three years
later to Independence County, Ark., where Mr.
Simms died before the war. Mrs. Cullins, who
was also a native of South Carolina, died in 1856,
leaving two sons, John S. and William S. In 1857
Mr. Cullins married Mary, daughter of Jolj Starks.
Mrs. Mary Cullins was born in Independence
County, where she died in 1867, the mother of
three children, Henry N., Francis M., and Estella,
wife of William D. Hatton. Mr. Cullins next
married, in 1868, Martha M. Davis, daughter of
Jesse and Margaret Flinn. She is a native of
Guilford County, N. C. One daughter, Ida.
has blessed this union. Mr. Cullins was the only
child of Elijah and Mary fSwain) Cullins, l)oth
natives of Abbeville Coimty, S. C, who removed
to Georgia when he was only a year old. There
the mother died soon after, and the father was
subsequently twice married, having three children
by his second wife and three by the third. He was
a farmer by occupation, and spent the latter part
of his life in Alabama, where he died soon after the
war, a member of the Baptist Church. Capt. Cul-
lins belongs to the Neill Lodge, of Jamestown,
of the A. F. & A. M., and he and wife are mem
bers in good standing of the Cumberland Presby-
terian Church.
Hon. F. D. Denton, of Batesville, is a native
of that town, born there on the 28d of November,
1841, and is one of the representative citizens of
the county. His father, William F. Denton, was
a native of Tennessee, and when a young man was
united in marriage to Miss Margaret F. Desha, a
native of Washington City, D. C. William F.
Denton emigrated with his father, John Denton, to
Washington County, Ark., in early territorial days,
and there the latter died. He was a soldier in th(>
War of 1812, under Gen. Jackson, and had followed
agricultural pursuits all his life. The maternal
grandfather, liobert M. Desha, was captain in the
United States marine service, at Washington. He
emigrated to Arkansas, and located at Helena, and
U® w_
- < >
INDEPENDENCE COUNTY.
659
subsequently, leaving his wife and two children
there, while on his return to Washington, was
stricken down with yellow fever, and died at New
Orleans, in 1822. The great-grandfather, Gen.
Jo. Desha, was governor of Kentucky from 1824
to 1828, and was the first Democratic governor of
the State. He commanded a division of Kentucky
troops under Gen. Harrison. He died in Ken
tucky. William F. Denton came to Independence
County, Ark. , in about 1835, and one year later
was made prosecuting attorney of this county. He
was a lawyer by profession, and died in August,
1845. The mother is still living. Of the four
children born to their marriage, two only are now
living, Frank D. and Elvira F. , wife of J. P.
Boyd. One son, William F., was killed during the
war, when only eighteen years of age. The other
child, was Frances J. Mrs. Denton's brother,
Capt. F. W. Desha, for whom our subject is named,
was a captain in Yell's Arkansas regiment, in the
Mexican War, and lieutenant- colonel commanding
the Seventh Arkansas Battalion, C. S. A., in the
Civil War. F. D. Denton attained his growth, and
received a fair education in Batesville, but subse-
quently pursued his studies at Fayetteville (Ark. ),
College and Center College, at Danville, Ky. He
was attending the last named institution, and was
deeply immersed in his studies, when the breaking
out of the war caused him to abandon his liooks
and seek his home. Soon after he enli.sted in
Company C, Desha's battalion, and served until
the close of the war. He was in Gen. Johnston's
army, and participated in the battles of Perryville,
Chickamauga, and was in Johnston's campaign
through Georgia. He was wounded at Murfrees-
boro, by a gun-shot in the neck, cutting his wind-
pipe, and lay on the battlefield two days. He
was also wounded at the battle of New Hop?
Church, Ga. , by a gun-shot in the side. He was
then captured, and left in a hospital. He was
carried to Nashville, where some ladies took care
of him. He was exchanged in 1863, and again
joined his regiment in Tennessee. After the sur-
render he returned to his home, arriving there in
August, 1805, and engaged in tilling the soil. In
18()0, he was elected sheriff, which position he
held until the reconstruction. In 1.S70, he en-
gaged in merchandising, l)ut carried this on for
only about two or three years, as he was quite un
fortunate in this business venture. In January,
1877, he established the Batesville Guard, and
ran this paper in an able and capable manner until
in July, 1885. In October of the same year he
was ap[)ointed postmaster, and conlirmod in Jan-
uary, 1886. Mr. Denton was married, in 1868, to
Miss Mattie A. Lewis, a native of Holly Springs,
Miss., and to them were born seven children, four
now living: William F., Desha, Estella, and Kosa.
Mr. Denton is a member of the I. O. O. F. , K. of
P., K. of H., and K. and L. of H. He was elect-
ed to represent his county in the legislature, in
1881, and re-elected in 1883, serving two terms.
Col. Eobert M. Desha, a prominent farmer of
Independence County, was born in that county in
the year 1847, and is a son of Col. Franklin W.
and Elizabeth (Seavey) Desha, of Washington, D.
C. , and Independence County, Ark., respectively.
The parents were married in Independence County,
and settled upon the land now occupied by the
Desha family, and where the father died April 80,
1869. He was a graduate from the law and lit-
erary department of the Transylvania University,
at Lexington, Ky., and became a successful lawyer
as well as one of the most influential men in this
county. He was prosecutor of his district at the
outbreak of war, and was also a member of the
convention that declared the State of Arkansas
out of the Union. Upon reaching his sixteenth
year he entered a business house at Clarendon,
where he occupied a position of trust for some
time, and then went to Kentucky, to attend col
lege. He commenced to practice his profession at
Batesville, and continued in the law at that point for
twenty-tiTe years. At the outbreak of war be
tween this country and Mexico, he enli.sted in
Company D, First Arkansas Mounted Infantry, in
which he held the rank of lieutenant, and on the
occasion of the captain's death, at the battle of
Buena Vista, Lieut. Desha was promoted to fill
his place. During the Civil War he again enlisted
and organized what was known as Desha's bat-
talion, which he commanded until after the battle
■nr
of Shiloh. when he resigned on account of ill
health, and returned to his home. Mr. Desha was
at one time a member of Capt. Rutherford's com-
pany in Price's raids through Missouri, and was
afterward severely wounded at the Fitzhugh tight,
in Arkansas. After his return home he again re-
sumed his practice and became one of the most
promising men of Arkansas, as also one of the
wealthiest. His father was Robert Desha, a son
of one of Kentucky's most famous governors in
the early days. Robert Desha entered the United
States marine service, and was for a good many
years a captain in that body. Col. Desha's mother
was a descendant of the famous Bledsoe family,
whose name figured so prominently in the early
history of Tennessee; while the Desha family are
of French descent, the name being formerly De
Shaze. The mother was a daughter of James and
Martha Seavey, of Virginia, who were married in
Alabama, and moved to Batesville, Ark., in 1829,
being then among the first settlers of that country.
Mr. Seavey was of Scotch descent, and served
under Gen. Jackson in the War of 1812. He af-
terward became a prominent farmer in Independ-
ence County, where he resided until his death, in
1835, his wife following him the same year.
Their daughter, Mrs. Desha, is still living, and has
been a member of the Presbyterian Church for
over forty years. She was the mother of eleven
children, of whom two sons and two daughters are
yet living: Robert M. , Benjamin, Mary and Liz-
zie. Col. Robert M. Desha, the oldest, now owns
about 700 acres of land, and has some 250 acres un-
der cultivation in valuable bottom land. In politics
he is a strong Democrat, and from 1882 to 1886
he was one of the best sheriffs Independence
County could ever boast of. He is very largely
interested in stock dealing, ginning, milling and
farming, and is a model and influential citizen. He
belongs to Mill Lodge No. 285, A. F. & A. M.,
and has held all the offices except master. As far
as popularity is concerned. Col. Desha has a host
of friends in Independence County. He is an act-
ive politician and of value to his party, his services
being well appreciated. He also belongs to the
Royal Arch Chapter and Eastern Star.
Dr. Lycurgus A. Dickson, a prominent physi-
cian and surgeon, of Desha, Independence County,
is a native of Murfreesboro, Tenn. , and was born
in 1827. His parents were Enos H. and Cynthia
(Howell) Dickson, both of Tennessee. Enos H.
Dickson was a cabinet-maker by trade, and was a
son of William Dickson, a native of North Caro-
lina, who died in Tennessee; the latter was a sol-
dier in the Revolutionary War, participating in the
battle of King's Mountain. Lycurgus A. was next
to the youngest of a family of seven sons, and is
the only one now living; he was left an orphan at
the age of fourteen years, and lived with an uncle.
G. B. Lanham, till nearly grown. His education
was that which he could obtain in the common
schools, and at the age of nineteen he engaged in
teaching, which profession he followed several
years. In 1851 he began the study of medicine, in
Gibson County, Tenn., and in 1853-54 attended
the medical department of the University of Nash-
ville, Tenn., graduating from Jefferson Medical
College, Philadelphia, in 1855. He began the
practice of his chosen profession in Gibson County,
Tenn., where he remained until 1856; in the latter
year he removed to Independence County, Ark. ,
where he has ever since been actively engaged in
practice, with remarkable success. During the war
he served two years as surgeon of the Eighth Ar-
kansas Infantry, operating in Arkansas, Kentucky
and Tennessee. In January, 1863, Dr. Dickson
married Elizabeth G. , daughter of Judge Henry
Neill. Mrs. Dickson was born not far from where
she now lives. Their children are: Maude M. ,
wife of Dr. F. E. Jeffery; Dr. Henry N. , a grad-
uate of the medical department of Vanderbilt Uni-
versity, of Nashville, Tenn. ; Robert L. , Florence
(deceased), Paul Lanham, Elizabeth Adair, and
Enos H. The Doctor owns 280 acres of land, with
150 acres under cultivation. He is one of the old-
est physicians in the county, and is a leader in his
profession. His practice is large and remunera-
tive, and he has the respect and confidence of a
large number of friends and patrons. Politically,
he is a Democrat. He is a member of the A. F.
& A. M. Mi-s. Dickson is a member of the Meth-
odist Church.
V
^
^
Mississippi CouNTr,ARKAN3AS .
INDEPENDENCE COUNTY.
661
John H. Dickinson, clerk of the circuit court,
Batesville. The public services of Mr. Dickinson,
since 1880, have been characterized by a noticeable
devotion to the vyelfare of Independence County,
and his fidelity in his position of public trust has
made a lasting impression upon the sphere of pub-
lic duty. He was born in the city of Batesville,
Independence County, on the 1 1th day of February,
1849, and is one of three children now livinfj, born
to the union of Benjamin and Maria L. (Slater)
Dickinson, early settlers of Batesville. The father
was a general business man, and kept hotel for
several years. The three children now living are
named as follows: Edward M., Elizabeth C. and
John H. The latter was reared principally in San
Joaquin County, Cal., and there he received a
good practical education. At the age of twelve
years he began learning the printer's trade at
Stockton, Cal., in the office of the Stockton Inde-
pendent, and there continued until twenty-one
years of age. He then went to Delaware to visit
his father, and subsequently came to Independ-
ence County, where he engaged as clerk in a
country store. He continued in this business for
some time, and in 1888 was elected to his present
position. On the 31st of December, 1879, his mar-
riage with Miss Virginia Byers, was consummated.
Mr. Dickinson is a member of the Masonic frater-
nity ; a member of the K. of H. , and he also be-
longs to the K. of P.
William P. Dotson, a practicing physician and
surgeon, of Union Township. Independence Coun-
ty, resides on a farm four miles north of Cushman
postoffice. He was born in Surrey County, N. C,
in 184fj, and is one of two children born to John
H. and Elizabeth Dobson, both natives of North
Carolina. John H. was born in 1807 and died in
his native State in 18(56; he was of English-Irish
descent. Mrs. Dobson, whose maiden name was
Martin, was born in Wilkes County in 1817, and
died in 1867; her ancestors were Dutch. William
P. was reared in North Carolina, where he was
given the advantages of a common -school educa-
tion. He obtained his medical knowledge at the
University of Louisville, Ky., and. since the year
1868, has been actively engaged in the practice of
medicine. He located in Independence County,
Ark., in 1870, where he has ever since resided and
devoted the greater part of his attention to his
practice, which is extensive and lucrative. In
1875 Dr. Dobson married Miss Kittie Williamson,
a native of Arkansas, who was born in 18r)6. Their
six children are: John K., William T., David E.,
Burrus C. , Archibald H. and Mary E. The mother
is an active member of the Methodist Episcopal
Church, South, and the family is one well-known
and respected. The Doctor owns 480 acres of land,
of which he cultivates 125 acres. His politics have
been Democratic ever since he cast his first presi-
dential vote for Seymour and Blair.
John S. Dodd, a well-known resident and farmer
of Independence County, was born in that county
on the 17th of May, 1841, and is a son of Abner
H. and Mary Jane (Martin) Dodd, natives of Ten-
nessee and Kentucky, respectively, the latter com-
ing to Arkansas, with her parents, when only three
years of age. The father moved to that State with
his father, in 1812, when the country was very
sparsely settled. At that time, as well as John
S. Dodd can recollect from his father's account,
there were but one or two families in Greenbriar
Township, and a few in Oil Trough. There was
also a settler livinij at what is now known as Ma<j-
ness Ferry, from whom that place received its
name. John S. Dodd received his education in
Independence County, and grew to manhood in
that place. It was here he met and won his wife,
and also where he enlisted in the army, when the
Confederacy's call to arms was heard. Ho l)ecame
a member of Company D, Eighth Regiment, Arkan-
sas Volunteer Infantry, in 1861, and served until
December of the same year, when he was dis-
charged at Nashville, Tenn. , and returned home.
In 1862 he re- enlisted, becoming a member of Col.
Ganse's regiment of infantry, and remained with
that regiment until 1864, but having only one op-
portunity to engage in battle, and that at Helena.
Ark. He was afterward detached from his regi
ment and served in the engineer corps until the
army disbanded, in 1865, when he returned home.
Mr. Dodd was united to Miss Mary Ann Wood
at the home of the bride's parents, in Independ-
662
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
ence County, on September 26, 1867, and this
happy marriage has given them seven children, of
whom six are still living: Mary Ann, born Novem-
ber 3, 1869; Joseph Abner, born March 21, 1871;
William M., born February 21, 1873, (deceased);
Melville J., born April 10, 1876; Benjamin Hardin,
born November 17, 1878; John H. , born June 20,
1880; Edna E., born May 22, 1880. Mrs. Dodd
was a daughter of William M. and Lydia A. Rob-
ertson, who moved to Arkansas in 1851, where the
father carried on his trade of wagon-making in
connection with his farming interests. From his
father's estate Mr. Dodd inherited eighty acres of
land in Christian Township, with about twelve acres
under cultivation. He now has 150 acres under
cultivation, besides owning considerable more, and
has erected some good buildings, barns and cribs
upon the latid. He also ovfus a grist-mill and
cotton-gin, and is looked upon as one of the most
progressive men in that section. He is certainly
deserving of success for the enterprise displayed to
make his community the foremost in that county.
His children are being educated at the public
schools, although the oldest children have attended
the subscription schools principally. Mrs. Dodd
and her eldest daughter are members of the Mis-
sionary Baptist Church and devout Christians,
while Mr. Dodd, although not a regular attendant,
is one of the most liberal and open-hearted men in
the community toward religious and educational
matters.
John G. Dodd is one of the successful small
farmers of the county, and although his property
only comprises eighty- seven acres of land, it is ex-
ceedingly fertile and well tilled, and consequently
yields a larger annual income than many larger
farms. He, like his father, John Dodd, was born
and reared in Greene County, Tenn. , the latter' s
birth occurring on the 15th of April, 1801, and his
on the 16th of June, 1841. John Dodd was reared
and educated in his native State, and was there
married to Miss Catharine Girdner, who was also
a Tennesseean, and to them a family of four sons
and four daughters was given. The living mem-
bers are: Martha M., William W., John G., Mary
L. , Catharine L. and Samuel R. Mr. Dodd was a
successful farmer, and continued to follow that
occupation until he was called to his long home, on
the 12th of March. 1860, followed by his wife on
the 18th of January, 1878. The elementary school-
ing of John G. Dodd, our subject, was received in
Greene County, Tenu., and he was there also ini-
tiated into the mysteries of farming on his father's
plantation. Concluding that he could do better at
that occupation in some other locality, he moved
to Independence County, Ark., in 1870, and here
he has continued to make his home, his land, which
is not under cultivation, being devoted to propagat-
ing the usual farm stock. He was married in Bax-
ter County, Ark., August 16, 1875, to Miss Juli-
ette S. Horton, also a native of Greene County,
Tenn., and the two children which have been given
them are William E. and Orpha C, both of whom
reside with and assist their parents. Mr. Dodd
has manifested his social spirit by joining the
Masons, and has served as secretary of his lodge
for about six years. He was president of the Agri-
cultural Wheel one year, and has held the office of
justice of the peace six years. He and wife are
connected with the Baptist Church, and he has
been a liberal contributor to all worthy enterprises,
and is especially interested in the cause of educa-
tion. In 1862 he joined the Confederate army,
and served under Gens. Wheeler, Fegram, Vaughn,
Morgan, Breckinridge and Early until he was hon-
orably discharged, on the 27th of April, 1865.
James P. Dorr, M. D. , one of the progressive
citizens of Black River Township, and an eminent
physician and surgeon of the same, is the son of
Dr. Francis A. and Mary J. (Powell) Dorr, natives
of Selsea, Germany, and Ohio, respectively. Dr.
Dorr, Sr. , came to Ohio at the age of tw^elve years,
and spent his boyhood days in musical and literary
studies. In his early manhood he entered a med-
ical school in Cincinnati, and later graduated at
Keokuk Medical College, Iowa. He was then
married, and after living several years in Indiana,
Illinois and Iowa, in 1870 moved to Jacksonjiort,
Jackson County, Ark., and there practiced his
profession. He remained there until the spring
of 1889, when he went to Hot Springs, opened an
office, where he is at present practicing. Dr.
-?-
k^
Jamps P. Dorr was born in Iowa on the 'Uh of
December, 1856, and .spent his school days in that
State and in Arkansas. He began the study of
medicine in 1877, his father and Dr. Strauss (a
doctor of natural sciences) being bis instructors.
During the year.? of 1879, 1880 and 1881, he
attended the llissonri Medical College, at St.
Louis, and graduated from that institution in the
class of 1881, l)ut bad [)racticed, however, several
months prior to his graduation. In the spring of
the last mentioned year, he located where he now
lives, and has since been practicing in this section.
He has built up one of the largest practices in the
county, and has been very successful, as his many
patients, yet living, can testify. He is the owner
of eighty acres of land on Dota Creek, but gives
his entire time to his practice. He is the fourth
of a family of eleven children, nine of whom are
living; J. F. Dorr (merchant, whose present loca-
tion is not known), Hattie (deceased, wife of Marion
F. Israel, a merchant of Richland and Keokuk,
Iowa), T. B. R. (a farmer of Black River Town-
ship), Samuel Asbton (a saddler, lives at Hot
Springs), James P., R. C. (an M. D., of Black
River Township, and enjoys a lucrative practice).
A. P. (is a successful practicing physician, at Sul-
phur Rock), B. J. (is also an M. D., and is prac-
ticing his profession at Tupelo, Jackson County,
Ark.), Grace G. (lives with her mother at Sulphur
Rock). Mary and J. P. (the eldest of the family)
died in childhood. James P. came from a long-
lived people, his parents both surviving, his father
aearly seventy, and the mother sixty five years of
age. The latter' s parents both lived to the extreme
age of one hundred years. Dr. Dorr, Sr. , was an
active Democrat, and his son, Dr. James P. Dorr,
is also a Democrat, and is quite an influential citizen
in his county, politically. On the 15th of Novem-
ber, 1888, the latter married Miss Mary E. Had-
dock, daughter of Jordan Haddock, of Independ-
ence County, Ark. The Doctor takes a great
interest in the building of schools, and, in fact, in
all put)lic enterjirises.
Richard Madison Duck, farmer and stock
raiser, Oil Trough, Ark. Prominent among the
many enterprising and industrious farmers of In-
dei)endence County appears the name of Mr. Duck,
whose Isirtb occurred in Rutlierford County, N. C,
on the 2d of November, 1816. He is the son of
Robert and Margaret (McClure) Duck, both na-
tives, also, of North Carolina. The paternal
grandfather was a soldier in the Revolutionary
War, and the maternal grandfather was a captain
in the Continental army, and participated in the
battle of King's Mountain. Richard Madison
Duck received his education in his njitive State,
and, after remaining upon a farm until about sev-
enteen years of age, sought employment at the
carpenter's trade. At the end of a year he found
work with a carpenter and cabinet-maker by the
name of Smith, a New Englander, with whom he
worked about one year, receiving all his instruc-
tion from this man. The thorough drilling he ob-
tained enabled him to become very proficient in his
trade as a carpenter, and this business he followed
until he came to Arkansas, which was in the year
1850. Mr. Duck selected as his wife Miss Martha
Jane Redwine, of Chattooga County, Ga., and
was united in marriage to her on the 22d of De-
cember, 1842. They became the parents of nine
children, five daughters and four sons: Olivia D.,
born on the 15th of January, 18-14, and the wife
of John Bratton, of Searcy County, Ark. ; George
A., born August 19, 1845. and died May 13, 1886:
Melvin Lafayette, born August 17, 1847, married,
and now resides in the Lone Star State; James B.,
born August 23, 1849; Robert D., born on the
29th of December, 1851, and now resides with his
parents; Nancy A. maiTied Jesse McCroskey, who
died in February. 1885; Mary S. married Elijah
Nichols, and now resides at Oil Trough; Martha
Jane resides at home, and IMargaret O. married
Alfred P. Aydelott, of Independence County, Ark.,
and now resides on a farm in Chri.stian Township.
After coming to Arkansas Mr. Duck purchased a
tract of land in Searcy County, in partnership with
Samuel P. Williamson. This tract consists of
about 300 acres, some fifty-tive acres under culti-
vation, and Mr. Duck soon became the owner of
260 acres. Later he sold this tract, and in 18(i()
moved to Independence County, bought land in
Liberty Township, and there lived until after the
- v"
M
mi
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
war. He was in the Confederate service, enlisting
in the latter part of 1861, in Col. Crabtree's regi-
ment of Arkansas Volunteers, and served princi-
pally on detached service, as tanner and shoemaker
for the army of the Confed(>racy. In 1865 he was
mustered out, and in 186',) he bought the farm
upon vjrhich he is now living. There were at that
time 113 acres in the lot, but at present he has 233
acres, with about 100 acres under cultivation. He
has a tine orchard, with fruit of all kinds in abund-
ance. Mr. and Mrs. Duck have been members of
the Methodist Episcopal Church since 1845, and
he has contributed liberally to the support of the
church. Mr. Duck is also a member of McGuire
Lodge No. 20S, Oil Trough, Independence County,
Ark. , of which he was one of the charter members,
and the only one now living. He is Democratic in
his political views, and is a friend to progress.
N. E. Duffey, deputy circuit court clerk, and
one of the representative men of the county, was
born in Bristol, Conn., on the 12th day of Au-
gust, 1849, and is the son of Nicholas and Mary
(Hogan) Duffey, natives of County Westmeath, Ire-
land. The parents emigrated to America at an
early day, and located in Connecticut. From
there thej^ removed to Illinois, in 1859, and settled
in Madison County, near Edwardsville, where the
father followed agricultural pursuits, and where he
remained for several years. The mother died in
1851. Of their family there are three childi-en
now living: James, Owen, and Nicholas E., who
is the youngest of the family. He was principally
reared in Illinois, and there received his education.
At once, with the energy and industry of his fore-
fathers, he devoted himself to tilling the soil, and
this continued until in April, 1872, when he came
to Arkansas, and located at Batesville. He first en-
gaged in the livery business, which he continued
for a number of years, and then embarked in mer-
chandising. This he carried on in Oil Trough
Bottom for about five years, and three years in
Batesville. The last few years he has been practi-
cally retired, with the exception of settling up his
business. Since January, 1889, he has been acting
as deputy circuit clerk. He is the owner of
about 600 acres of land, with 240 under cultiva-
tion. By his maiTiage. which occurred in 1878,
to Miss Eglantine Gainer, a native of Arkansas,
he became the father of three children: Mollie,
Gainer and Nora. Mrs. Duffy is a member of the
Episcopal Church. He is a very public- spirited
citizen, and is always ready to assist any public
enterprise. He is a member of the A. F. & A. M. ,
and is also a member of the K. of P.
Thaddeus W. Dumas, business manager of the
Co-operative Wheel Store, Pleasant Plains, Ark.
The mercantile interests of this portion of Independ-
ence County, have been ably represented for sev-
eral years by Mr. Dumas, who is a pleasant, genial
gentleman, and a good business man. His birth
occurred in Lowndes County, Miss. , on the 20th of
November, 1837. and he was one of six interesting
children born to Winchester and Louisa (Jenkins)
Dumas, both of whom were natives of South Caro-
lina. They removed to Tipton County,. Tenn.. in
1864, and there the closing scenes of their lives were
passed. Thaddeus W. Dumas came to Arkansas
in 1873, and settled in Independence County, where
he has since remained. He received his education
in the Manual Labor School of Franklin College,
Tenn. , under the management of Toll)ert Fanning.
During the late conflict he served in the Third
Kentucky Regiment, and participated in the battles
of Belmont, Shiloh, Port Hudson, Jackson, and
several less important engagements. He chose for
his companion in life. Miss Phcebe James, whom
he married in 1878. They have no children. Mr.
Dumas possesses 160 acres of mountain land, and
on the same are several fine mineral springs. He
is a Jacksonian Democrat in politics, is a member
of the Wheel, and in religion a Baptist.
Robert W. Earnheart is one of the leading farm-
ers and business men of Washington Township,
Independence County. He owns over 1,000 acres
of land, of which only about 225 acres are culti-
vated, but comprise one of the finest farms in the
vicinity. Mr. Earnheart is also the proprietor of
a distillery, which has a capacity of ten gallons of
whisky per day, and is situated on his farm, seven
miles west of Batesville. Mr. Earnheart is a na-
tive of North Carolina, and was born January 25,
1849. His parents were Edward and Sarah i Mull)
^
INDEPENDENCE COUNTY.
665
[
Earnheart, the former of whom was bora in North
Carolina, May 10, 1811, and died iu 1850; the
latter was boru March 2, 1819, and died in Arkan-
sas, June 28, 1859. In 1853, after the father's
death, the family removed to Arkansas. There were
six children, only three of whom are now living.
Robert W., who was the youngest child, was reared
in Independence County, Ark., and his (nliioation
consisted of but four months' attendance at the
common schools. At the age of twelve years he
began providing for himself, and has principally
devoted his attention to farming, at which lii^ has
been very successful. December 29, 1869, Mr.
Earnheart married Miss Martha E. Harmon, also a
native of Independence County, who was born Oc-
tober 23, 1850. Mrs. Earnheart died January 15,
1886, the mother of six children, viz. : Lee Edward,
Joseph W., Robert S. , Emma I., Jefferson B.
(deceased) and Martha P. February 9, 1887, Mr.
Earnheart married Miss Mattie Winston, and their
union has been blessed with one child. Mrs. Earn-
heart was born in Independence County, May 12,
1867. Our subject and wife are members of the
Methodist Episcopal Church, South, and the for-
mer is also a member of the Masonic order. He
is politically a Democrat, and is one of the most
extensive farmers in Washington Township.
William J. Erwin, an enterprising and prosper- ;
ous farmer of Independence County, was born in
Maury County, Tenn. , on October 22, 1833. He is
a son of Alexander K. and Elizabeth (Wilson) Er-
win, of the same State. The paternal grandfather
was an early settler of Tennessee, and a soldier
in the War of 1812. His son, Alexander K. , was
reared in that State, and followed the occupation
of a farmer until the spring of 1840, when he emi-
grated to Independence County, Ark., making the
entire journey with his family in wagons. He lo-
cated in Washington Township, where he entered
a tract of land in the woods, upon which he lived
until 1870, when he moved to Batesville, where he
lived up to the time of his death, in 1S72, his wife
following him six years later. They were the par-
ents of seven children, of whom three are still liv-
ing: William J., Laura, wife of Dr. D. C. Ewing,
and Martha, wife of Clinton McGuire. William
J. Erwin was only seven years of age when his
parents arrived in Independence County, and he
remained on the farm until he had reached his
maturity, receiving in that time a fair education.
In 1862 he enlisted in McCaulcy's cavalry com-
pany. Seventh Regiment, and served in that body
until the surrender. Mr. Erwin took part in all
the principal engagements west of the Mississippi
River, and, although disjilaying a recklessness in
battle sometimes that was marvelous, he was
never wounded or cajitured. After the surrender
he came home and resumed his work on the farm,
starting in with a determination to make that his
business and to be successful at it. He has never
aspired to be a politician, and rather shuns the
notoriety that public office would bring— the only
position he would ever consent to filling l)eing that
of judge of election. In 1871 he moved to where
he now resides, within one mile of Batesville, and
in 1873 built a fine residence. He owns altogether
about 1,000 acres, and has some 650 acres under
cultivation, of which 550 acres are situated in Oil
Trough Bottom, being some of the most valuable
land in that section, and adapted to any growth.
Mr. Erwin raises corn, cotton and hay, also cattle,
sheep and hogs. In 1866 he was married to Miss
Cornelia Glenn, by whom he had six children,
three of them yet living: William A., M. E. and
Nellie. His wife died after a happy married lif(^
of fourteen years, and he was united to Miss Ida
Lipscomb, of Maury County, Tenn. , on June 26,
1883. Mr. and Mrs. Erwin are members of the
Presl)yterian Church, and the former belongs to
the Royal Arch Masons, and in politics is a Dem
ocrat.
D. C. Ewing, M. D., a well known physician
of Batesville, was bom in Madison County, Tenn. ,
on November 7, 1846, and is a son of David C. and
Sophia (Dixson) Ewing, of North Carolina and
Tennessee, respectively. The elder Ewing immi-
grated to Tennessee about the year 1819, and
settled in Madison County, where he died iu 1858,
his wife following him in 1888. They were the
parents of ten children, of whom six are yet liv
iug: Elizabeth C, wife of W. S. Carson, a grand-
nephew of the celebrated scout and Indian fighter,
_jj^
666
HISTOKY OF ARKANSAS.
Kit Carson; Jane W., who was married to James
Steed, and died in 1871; Adeline E., wife of James
F. Bray: Newton A. ; the Doctor: Joseph D. .who
died in Los Angeles. Cal. ; Fannie, wife of Gran-
ville Ingram, and Margaret, wife of Robert Davis,
deceased. The Doctor was reared on his father's
farm, in Madison County, Tenn. , and received his
education at the Madison Academy. On September
13, ISni, he enlisted in Company A. Thirty-iirst
Tennessee Infantry, and served sixteen months,
afterward joining Company B, Twenty-first Ten-
nessee (Forrest's) Cavalry, in which he continued
until his surrender at Gainesville Junction, Ala.,
to E. R. S. B. Canby, who was killed by Capt.
Jack, a celebrated Indian chief. The Doctor
served in a number of the most important battles,
and, though one of the foremost in the ranks and
in the thickest of battle, he was never once
womided nor captiu-ed. After the war was over
he remained in Madison County, Tenn., where he
read medicine under Dr. D. M. Spencer, at the
same time obtaining a knowledge of the drug busi-
ness in a store at that place. In 1869 he entered
the medical department of the University of Louis-
ville, and upon graduating, in 1871, came to Arkan-
sas and located at Batesville, where he has been a
resident and practiced medicine ever since. He
has built up a large and lucrative practice, and is
well known throughout this section, not only for
the skill displayed in his profession, but also for
his personal qualities. The Doctor is a member of
the Arkansas State Medical Society and the Amer-
ican Medical Association. He also belongs to the
Masonic fraternity and the Knights of Honor, and
was an alderman of Batesville for four years. On
July 2, 1874, he was married to Mrs. Laura A.
Cox, of Mississippi, but reared in Arkansas. He
has made his home one of the most attractive in
Batesville. The Doctor owns considerable town
property, and bis residence is unsurpassed.
Elisha M. Flinn is a native of Guilford County,
N. C, and was born in 1828. He is a son of Dr.
Jesse W. and Margaret (Bowen) Flinn, both of
North Carolina. Dr. Jesse W. Flinn was born
September 4, 1801, and lived in North Carolina
until our siibject was three or four years of age,
when he removed to Madison County, Ky. , and
thence, in 1839, to McMinn County, Tenn. , where
Mrs. Flinn died in 1844. Mr. Flinn married again,
and in 1857 located in Independence County, Ark.,
where he spent the remainder of his life as a farmer
and stock raiser, also practicing medicine to some
extent; when young he was for several years en-
gaged as a circus performer ; his death occurred
in Greenbriar Township in 1873. John Flinn, pa-
ternal grandfather of Elisha M. , was of Irish de-
scent, and served as a soldier in the Revolution;
he died in North Carolina at the advanced age of
one hundred and four years, still retaining his eye-
sight. The maternal grandparents of oui- subject
died when Mrs. Flinn was ipiite small. To Jesse
W. and Margaret Flinn were born three children.
Elisha M. received his early education in the com-
mon schools, and afterward attended for eighteen
months Eastmalla Academy, Eastern Tennessee,
which qualified him to teach, which profession he
followed only one term as assistant. In 1852 Mr.
Flinn married Elizabeth, daughter of William and
Tempie Moore, natives of North Carolina, who
spent the latter part of their lives in Independence
County, Ark. Mrs. Flinn was born in McMinn
County, Tenn., and died in 1864, leaving one
daughter, Mary, now the wife of Jefferson Porter.
In 1866 Mr. Flinn married Anna Todd, a native of
Randolph County, who died in 1872. Three chil-
dren were born to the latter union, viz. : James R. ,
Emma Vernettie, and Jesse Lee (deceased). I\Ir.
Flinn located on his present farm in Independence
County in 1856, and for the past thirty-three years
has made his home there. He has 200 acres of
fine farm land, of which 140 acres are under cultiva-
tion. He traded extensively at one time, driving
stock to Georgia and Florida. In the latter part of
1861 he enlisted in Company C, Col. Newton's
regiment of Arkansas cavalry, and served as or-
derly sergeant, and quartermaster three and a
half years; he was in the battles of Little Rock,
Cape Girardeau, Jefferson City, and others, and
was with Gen. Price on his raid through Missouri
and Kansas. During service he was twice slightly
wounded. After the war he returned to his farm,
to which he has since devoted his entire attention.
^'*
^« — ^
,u
INDEPENDENCE COUNTY.
667
He is politically a Democrat, and for fifteen years
has been a member of the A. F. & A. M. , Neill
Lodge, of Jamestown.
Kobert Gardner. Indej)endence County, Ark.,
has won an enviable reputation as a prosperous
farming country, and this reputation has boon
acquired through the enterprise and energy of such
agriculturists as Mr. Gardner. He is now residing
one mile southeast of Elmo. He was born in Gib-
son County, Ind. , on the 3d of October, 1843.
He received an excellent common school education
in his native county, but in 1878 emigrated to Ar-
kansas and located in Independence County, where
he continued farming, having learned the details
of this work in his youth of his father, who was a
successful agriculturist. Off and on, for the tirst
ten years of his residence here, he rented land of
\V. D. Hodges. Mrs. Mary L. Bennard became
his wife in February, 1874. She was born in Ar
kansas, and died on the ISth of January, 1882,
being buried in the Kirk family cemetery. She
left four children: John and Sallie (twins), who
were born on the 4th of July, 1873; Mary, born
August 22, 1879, and Edna, born October 29, 1881.
Mr. Gardner's second union was to Mrs. Minerva
Scanlan, a native of Arkansas, their union being
consummated January 6, 1882. He has always
been a warm friend of education, and has kept his
two eldest children in school for the past eight
years, their attendance being ten months out of the
year. He is one of the trixstees of the school, and
prides himself upon the fact that their school is one
of the best in the county, and that none but the
best teachers are employed, the salaries they offer
being suflSciently large to command only the
best educators. While in Indiana he was a mem-
ber of the Masonic order, and belonged to Gib.son
Lodge No. 420, of Hazleton. His parents, John
and Mary (Nixon) Gardner, were born in Indiana.
W. A. Glass. The manufacturing industries of
Independence County, Ark., are ably represented
by the pottery ostaljlishment belonging to Mr.
Glass, which is located at Sulphur Rock. Mr.
Glass was born in Texas, in 1858, and came with
his parents to Saline County, Ark. , where he grew
to manhood and was educated. At the early age
of fourteen years he commenced learning the pot-
ter's trade, serving an apprenticeship under his
father, and at the age of about twenty years be^an
working on his own account, and operated a pot
tery establishment in Benton for some time, and
then followed the same occupation in Bradley
County for about one year. Since that time he has
been in Sulphur Kock, with the exception of three
years, when he returned to Benton, and since June
19, 18S8, he has had a permanent [jottory establish-
ment at this place, which he considers a fine loca-
tion, as the clay is of a superior quality, and the
advantages for shipping are good. He has a very
large trade, and although his establishment turns
out 3,000 gallons per week, he can hardly supply
the demand. He was married in Saline County,
Ark., to Miss Mary Glidewell, who was born in
Tennessee, but was reared in Arkansas. To them
have been born four children : John C, William
A., and Lula. Frederick died at the age of two
years. Mr. Glass is a son of Lafayette and Eliza
H. (King) Glass, the former of whom was born in
Tennessee, on the 5th of July, 1830, and the latter
on the 5th of December, also of that year. The
father lived for many years in Saline County, but
died in Mississippi. He and wife were the parents
of seven children. W. A. being the third of the
family. Grandfather Glass was born in Tennessee,
emigrated to Texas at an early day, then came to
Arkansas, and made his home in Sebastian County
until his death. He was a hatter by tratle, and was
a Master Mason, as was his son Lafayette.
John W. Glenn, a retired merchant, and one of
Batesville's leading citizens, was born in Inde
pendence County, on April 29, 1850. His parents
were William W. and Martha E. (Hassell) Glenn,
of North Carolina and Tennessee, respectively.
The father emigrated to Tennessee at an early
period, and met and won his wife in that State. In
1828 or thereabouts he moved to what is now In-
dependence County, Ark., and located on the old
homestead, where he now resides. The Indians
were still here when he arrived, and all the dangers
of a pioneer's life were fully experienced. Wild
game of every description abounded in plenty, and
in retui'n for the warfare made upon his stock by
^1
668
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
the savage animals in that country the elder Glenn
hunted considerably. His first residence was a lit-
tle log cabin covered with clapboards, and this
section was chosen on account of his wagon break-
ing down at that point. After stopping awhile and
looking over the country, he concluded that it would
be about the right place to locate, and immediately
commenced building a home. Jeanette Hassell,
Mr. Glenn's father-in-law, came with them, and
built a home near by. He had but two cliildien
with him, Martha E. and Mary, the latter shortly
after being married to James Wilson, a Presby-
terian minister, who emigrated to Arkansas with
them, and after the war removed with his wife to
Arkadelphia, where he resided until his death.
Mr. Wilson was an officer in the late war, and served
with distinction throughout the entire fight. Mr.
Hassell died from a stroke of paralysis, at the
home of his son-in-law, W. W. Glenn, in this
county. He was a large slave-owner, and had accu-
mulated a fortune in real estate. W. W. Glenn
was born in 1808, and came to Independence
County when in his thirty- second year. He passed
through all the trials and obstacles of a new country
with a determination of purpose that eventually
made him a successful man, and he is now very
wealthy. He is in his eighty -first year, but is still
as active as a man with twenty years' less weight on
his shoulders, and has been a resident of Inde-
pendence County for over sixty years, watching it
grow from infancy to a thriving and populous cen-
ter of civilization. Five children were born to the
elder Glenn and his wife, four of whom grew to
maturity, and three still living: John W. , Mrs. A.
M. Hickerson, and Mrs. T. R. Taylor (whose hus-
band is the owner of the Arlington Hotel). Those
deceased were the first child, who died in in-
fancy, and Mrs. Nellie Irwin, the latter, a noble
woman and loving sister. The father, W. W.
Glenn, was sheriff of Independence County for a
number of years, whose name was a terror to evil-
doers, and it was through his efforts that a great
many of the desperate characters of earlier j'ears
were run to earth. He also held the office of coun-
ty judge, besides a number of minor positions, all
of which he filled honorablv. John AV. Glenn
was educated in Batesville, and at various other
places, and upon finishing his college life com-
menced merchandising at the former city in 1872.
He carried on this business until 1886, when he
was burned out, causing a loss of $15,000. Since
then he has been winding up the affairs of his old
business and dealing in real estate. He owns be-
tween 2,000 and 3,000 acres of land, some of it
lying in the river bottom, and very valuable, and
has a large amount of it under cultivation, one
farm of 400 acres producing some of the best
crops in that section. He also deals extensively
in horses and mules, and owns some of the best an-
imals in Arkansas. In 1875 Mr. Glenn was mar-
ried to Miss Sarah E. Maxfield, a daughter of
Uriah Maxfield, and sister of Maxfield Bros.,
prominent merchants of this locality. This mar-
riage has given them five children: Edgar H. ,
Nora A. , Elfie M. , Nellie L. and June. Mr. and
Mrs. Glenn are both members of the Methodist
Episcopal Church, and Mr. Glenn belongs to the
K. of H. and K. & L. of H. Both parents
have attended the Methodist Church for a great
many years, and are held in high esteem by the
entire community.
H. H. Goodwin. Among the representative
farmers of Independence County, Ark., there are
none more favorably known, or more highly re-
spected, than Mr. Goodwin, for, like the majority
of farmers, he has been sober, honest and indus-
trious, and has won the property he now owns by
the sweat of his brow. He is a native of the
county, born in 1844, and is a son of O. P. Good-
win, a Virginian by birth, born in Hanover County,
in 1810. When about twenty-five years of age he
moved to the State of Arkansas, and has since been
a resident of Independence County, where he is
well and favorably known. His wife, whose maid-
en name was Elizabeth Hotchkiss, was born in
Roane County, Tenn. , in 1817, and bore him fif-
teen children, the following of whom survive: O.
P. , who married Miss Carrie Bryant, a native of
Mississippi; J. W., who wedded Miss Bettie Searcy,
a native of Arkansas; P, J., who married Miss
Emma Gibson, an Alabamian by birth; Martha G.,
who wedded William Hurt, a native of Arkansas;
^ 6
INDEPENDENCE COUNTY.
669
^
(
Emma G., the wife of Richard Lee, of Arkansas;
O. P. autl H. H. The latter, like the majority of
farmers' sons, devoted his time and attention to
farming as he was growing up, and in the mean-
time acquired a good, common-school education.
After reaching mature years he was married to
Miss Mary Pope, a Georgian by birth, their nup-
tials taking place March 6, 1870, and to their
union have been born six children: Albert S., Rob-
ert E., Elizabeth M., Kirby A., Hattie, and an
infant unnamed. Mr. Goodwin is a Mason, and has
held the office of treasurer of his lodge for three
years. During the Rebellion he joined McBride's
forces in August, 1862, and his first hard tight was
at Prairie Grove. After receiving his discharge
on the 16th of May, 1865, he returned home, and
resumed the peaceful pursuit of farming, which
occupation he has since industriously followed.
He is an enthusiastic patron of education, and for
five years has served in the capacity of school di-
rector. Mrs. Goodwin is a daughter of M. L. and
Melvina Pope, who were native Georgians. The
father was killed at the battle of Baker's Creek,
Miss., May 16, 1863, and was followed to his long
home by his wife in 1867. Mr. Goodwin owns a
good farm of 1 20 acres, of which about fifty are
under cultivation, and since his marriage has cleared
fifty acres of woodland.
E. R. Goodwin, druggist, Batesville, Ark.
There is no branch of business more important in
the whole list of occupations than that of a chem-
ist and druggist. A prominent and representative
establishment devoted to this branch of industry,
is that of Mr. Goodwin, who, for a number of
years, has been before the public in this line, and
whose house is one of the best in the city. He
was born in Panola County, Miss., on the 19th of
December, 1845, and is the son of Albert G. and
Maria A. (Moore) Goodwin, both natives of Suf-
folk, Nansemond County, Va. They were mar-
ried in Virginia, and emigrated to Mississippi
about 1838, locating in Panola County, where
they remained until 1849. They then removed to
Perry County, Ark., and in December, of the same
year, moved to Batesville, of the same State.
While living in Perry County the mother died, in
1859, and ten years later the father died in Bates-
ville. He was a merchant by occupation, but the
war almost ruined him financially. They were
the parents of eight children, only three living:
Albert F., Charles E., and Eugene R., who is the
youngest of the three living. He was but four
years of age when he went to Memphis with his
parents, and was but fourteen when ho came to
Batesville. He received the principal part of his
education in Memphis, Tenn., for after coming to
Batesville ho remained in the store with his father
until the opening of the conflict between the North
and South. In 1862 he enlisted in Capt. McGuf-
fin's company, and served until the surrender, in
June, 1865. He was with Price's raid through
Missoiui, and was in almost a continuous fight.
At the close of the war he returned to Batesville,
and began clerking in a dry-goods store. In Octo-
ber, 1868, he started clerking in a drug store, and
in 1872 he entered in partnership vnth A. W.
Lyon, continuing until March, 1875, when Mr.
Goodwin engaged in the business for himself, and
this has since continued, a period of seventeen
years. He carries a general line of drugs, sta-
tionery, etc. He was married in 1871 to Miss
Louisa F. Davies, a native* of South Carolina, who
bore him foui- children: Lillio F., Cora D., Mabel
T., and Lula H. Mr. and Mi's. Goodwin and
family are members of the Presbyterian Church.
He is a member of the K. of H., and also the Le-
gion of Honor.
Abraham Gossett is the proprietor of Distillery
No. 154, at Newark, Independence County, Ark.,
which was established in November, 1888, and has
a capacity of fifty gallons per day, which, it is ex-
pected, will soon be increased to seventy-five gal-
lons per day, consuming all the sui'plus com raised
in that portion of the county. Mr. Gossett is a
native of Independence County, and was born
February 2, 1862. His parents are Allen and
Charlotte (Brannan) Gossett, both natives of Ten-
nessee, who, in early life, removed with their par-
ents to Arkansas, where they married. They are
active members of the Missionary Baptist Church,
and are among the most prominent residents of
Independence County, where they now reside.
.^
670
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
Allen Gossett was in tbe Confederate service four
years dm-ing the late Civil War, serving a greater
portion of the time as orderly sergeant; he has
been a farmer all his life, and has been most suc-
cessful in his chosen occupation. He is a member
of the Masonic fraternity, and his political sym-
pathies are with the Democratic party. Nine chil-
dren have been born to the parents of our subject,
viz.: Abraham, Robert M., Cassandra, Florence
(wife of William Kenman, a farmer of Independ-
ence County), Williamson and John (twins), Mad-
ison, Lena and Sarah (deceased); the latter was
married to William Bruce, and died at the age of
twenty-two years. Abraham Gossett received a
common-school education, and at the age of twenty-
one years began farming for himself, but after one
year, abandoned the farm, and engaged in trading,
in which he was successful for a time. In 1881 he
turned his attention to the mercantile business in
Johnson ville, Humphreys County, Tenn., and two
years later removed to Newark, Ark., where he
engaged in the same business, and built the second
business house in that place. He continued mer-
chandising until January 1, 1889, when he deter-
mined to devote his entire time and attention to
distilling, of which he is making a great success.
April 22, 1885, Mr. Gossett married Miss Black-
head Tomblinson, a daughter of John N. Tomblin-
son. Mrs. Gossett is a native of Independence
County. They have two children: Owen and
Newel. Mr. Gossett is a member of the Baptist
Church, the I. O. O. F. , and Masonic fraternity.
Capt. Hiram Vardeman Gray (deceased). The
above name is familiar to all the old citizens of In-
dependence County, for it was borne by a man who
was honest and upright, and whose life was without
reproach in his intercourse with his fellowmen.
Capt. Gray was born on the 22d of April, 1822, in
Graves County, Ky. , and was the son of Capt. Gil-
son and Rachel (Hodge) Gray, natives of North
Carolina, who were among the early settlers of
Graves County, Ky. The father was a captain in
the War of 1812. In their family were five chil-
dren. George M., a school teacher by profession,
who went to Illinois in 1849, was elected and
served two years as sheriff of Massac County.
Later he represented a senatorial district in the
Illinois legislature. In 1857 he contracted con-
sumption and died at the age of thirty- nine years.
Gilson, farmer and youngest son, on hearing that
his brother Hiram had enlisted in the war, came
to the home of his brother, ind then, learnin£r that
the latter was at Helena, joined him there. He
was his brother's nurse, remaining as such till his
death, which occurred in Memphis in 1876, at the
age of forty-eight years. Celia was the wife of
Luke Ogden, a farmer of Kentucky, and her
death occurred in 1852, at about thirty years of
age. Malenia was the wife of Tillman H. Steele,
a soldier of the Mexican War, and a farmer. She
and her husband came to Arkansas in 1854, and
here her death occurred in 1867, at the age of
forty years. Capt. Hiram V. Gray was reared as
all other farmers' boys, but was left an orphan
when but a lad, and he and his brothers and sisters
were left to look out for themselves. As might be
supposed, his educational advantages were not of
the best, but being naturally of a studious turn of
mind he improved spare moments and became an
average scholar. His early life on the farm gave
him a strong constitution physically, and made him a
practical, sensible man, and fitted him in an admira-
ble manner for the public life he was destined to
live. During his early manhood he followed agri-
cultural 2)ursuits, and in 1840 was married to Miss
Mahala Sweeny, a daughter of David Sweeny, who
was a school teacher and a native of Tennessee.
After his marriage Capt. Gray lived in Kentucky
and tilled the soil until 1852, when he came to
Arkansas, and at first stopped in White County.
Not being pleased with the country, he started to
return to his native State, but when he reached
Black River Township, and became acquainted
with some of the people, he concluded to settle
there. He at first entered eighty acres of land,
which he improved, and later bought 400 acres of
J. N. Tunstill, which he added to this tract. He
erected good buildings on the same and cleared
forty acres of the land. Subsequently he bought
160 acres about four miles from the first, which
was woodland. In 1854 he was elected to the
office of constable, which office included the duties
^S
of deptity sheriff, in which capacity he served,
having been re-elected twice, until the breaking
out of the war, in 1861. Being a strong Union
man and his politics well known, he found plenty
of opportunities to argue his opinions. In the
spring of 1862, while in Batesville, he was asked
under what flag he would fight, and made this
answer: "I will be found iiuder the stars and
stripes, battling for God and liberty," upon
which he was struck by a citizen and surrounded
by 100 others, one of whom had a rope to hang
him. Being a highly respected Mason, some of
the members of that order interfered in his behalf,
and this saved his life. Later, in May, 1862,
Mr. Gray organized a company of 100 men, and,
on the 24th of June, he joined Curtis' army at
Batesville, and was mustered in at Jacksonport.
From there he went to Helena, where he remained
stationed to await orders. While lying there one-
half of his command, unused to malarial atmos-
phere, sickened and died. Capt. Gray, himself,
took sick with measles, and after sixty of his men
had died, he and the remnant of his command
were sent to Benton Barracks, St. Louis, for their
health. Capt. Gray was sent to the Fifth Military
Hospital, and, notwithstanding that he was at-
tended by the best medical skill that could be pro-
cured, and the most careful nursing, he continued
to decline tintil December 2, 1862, when death
came to his release. At present there are but
eleven of his company of 100 men living, seven in
Independence County. In this brief memoir it is
impossible to do justice to the person whose mem
ory it is designed to commemorate. His memory
is perpetuated in Independence County by having
his name given to the G. A. R. Post at Sulphur
Itock, No. 33. His premature death left Mrs.
(iray a widow with six children in the country of
the enemy, and in the ibidst of the greatest fratri-
cidal contest the world has ever known. Her oldest
child was twenty years of age and the youngest
six. ^Irs. Gray soon lost all her property, and
was so harassed bj' the soldiers that she had to
take refuge in another State, going to St. Louis in
the spring of 1S63. In 1864 she moved to Illi-
nois, and. afti'r a .short residence in that State,
moved to Potosi, Washington County, Mo., where
she met Gen. Price's army, and was robbed of her
all. Thus she was left entirely without funds, and,
to add to her trouble, her eldest son was taken pris-
oner. However, on account of physical disability,
and at the instance of some of his friends in the
Confederate ranks, young Gray was released after
a short time and allowed to return to his home.
The subsequent trials of Mrs. Gray would fill vol-
umes, and this continued until the close of the
war, or in the fall of 1865. They then returned
to their home in Arkansas, to find that the ruthless
hand of war had taken everything movable away,
the house alone remaining. Here she passed the
remainder of her days, her death occurring on the
14th of October, 1884, at the age of sixty years.
She was the widow of Capt. Gray, at her death,
never having married again, and devoted her life
to her children. Capt. Gray and wife were both
Christians, he having received the ordinance of
baptism on his death-bed. Mrs. Gray had been
for forty years a member of the Baptist Church.
They were the parents of seven children: Henry
C, born in August, 1841, was reared to farm life,
was unmarried, and when the war broke out joined
his father's company. He was one of the unfor-
tunates who died at Helena, his death occurring
in August, 1862; Sally A. was born August 2,
1851, and died at Potosi, Mo., on the 30th of De-
cember, 1864; AVilliam C. was born on the 2d of
December, 1842, in Marshall County, Ky., and
was reared to farm life. His education was lim-
ited, but through his own efforts he is a good
practical scholar. He came with his father to this
State in 1852, and his career up to 1865 has been
given. On the 31st of January, 1867, he married
Mrs. Martha (Edward.s) Burt, a native of Tennes-
see, and by her he has one child, Lydia A., who
was born on the 5th of February, 1868, and is at
present her father's housekeeper. Mrs, Gray
died of consumption on the 30th of June, 1870;
and. May 2, 1875, Mr. Gray mamed Miss Amelia
A. Anderson, a native of Arkansas. Three chil-
dren were born to this union: William C, born
on the 9th of February, 1876; Thomas B., born
on the 15th of September, 1877, and John H..
V
Jd
« k_
672
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
born on the 20th of September, 1879, and died in
November. 1880. Mrs. Gray died on the 4th of
October, 1879. She was an excellent woman, and
a devoted member of the Cumberland Presby-
terian Church. Mr. Gray continued farming un-
til his thirty- fourth year, when, on account of bad
health, he picked up the basket and chair-making
trade, which occupies his attention at the present
time. He votes with the Republican party, and
is a member of the Wheel. Capt. Gray's next
child was Mary A. , wife of W. H. Gires, a farmer
of Black River Town.ship; Benjamin J., was born
on the 14th of January, 1847, and was married on
the 6th of November, 1869, to Mrs. Margaret
(Alexander) Hall, and has the following family:
Hiram V., born January 3, 1871; James W., born
December 24, 1872; Sarah A., born October 15,
1875, and Robert B., December 30, 1878. Mr.
B. J. Gray and his three sons are all natural
musicians, all playing the violin. His principal
occupation is that of a farmer. He votes with the
Republican party, and like his brother, W. C,
is a member of the A. O. U. W. The next child
of Capt. Gray is James G., who was born on the
7th of February, 1853, and on May 7, 1874, he
married Miss Susan Kennedy, a native of Arkan-
sas, and seven children were born to this union,
five of whom are now living: Ida, born on the
2l8t of February, 1875; Joseph I., born on the
19th of March, 1881; Nellie Zora, born on the
19th of February, 1884; Elam, born on the 10th
of February, 1886, and James G., born on the
16th of February, 1888. Those deceased are:
Martha J., died on the 15th of May, 187S, at the
age of one year, and the others were unnamed.
James G. Gray has followed agricultural pursuits
all his life, and also votes with the Republican
party. He is a member of the Wheel. He and
his wife are members of the Missionary Baptist
Church, and are highly- esteemed citizens.
Hon. E. C. Gray, born in Guilford County, N.
C, on the 9th of October, 1830, is a son of John
Gray, a native of Randolph County, of that State,
who was there reared to manhood, educated,
and married, the latter event being to Miss Ver-
linda Robbins, by whom he became the father of
two sons and four daughters. After following the
life of a husbandman in his native State until 1850,
he removed to Arkansas and settled in Independ-
ence County, where he became the owner of 500
acres of land, and died in 1878. His wife had pre-
viously expired in her native State, in 1844. They
had been worthy members of the Methodist Protest-
ant Church. E. C. Gray received an excellent ed-
ucation in Trinity College, North Carolina, but it
was then known by the name of the Union Insti-
tute. After his removal to Arkansas with his par-
ents, in 1850, he was married to Miss Ann S.
Meacham, a native of Independence County, Ark.,
and their union resulted in the birth of eleven sons
and six daughters. Of this large family fourteen
are still living: Julius B., Aurelius G., Mary M.,
Sarah A. , Dr. Christopher C. , Dr. Elisa J. , James
E., William A., Queen E., Thornsberry A., John
W. , Virgil O. , Aurora, and Lillie. Mr. Gray is a
wealthy planter of Arkansas, being the owner of
1,300 acres of land, of which there are about 400
acres under cultivation. In 1877 he was elected
to represent his county in the State legislature, and
discharged the duties of this office in a manner
very satisfactory to his constituents. He has also
served as justice of the peace, and during the late
war (in 1862) enlisted under Col. Dobbins, in a
company of Arkansas cavalry. He was discharged
at Jacksonport in 1865, and after his return home
resumed tilling the soil. His wife is a member of
the Methodist Episcopal Church, South, and, al-
though not a member of any church, he is a liberal
contributor to churches and schools.
A. G. Gray. The subject of this sketch is a
native-born resident of the county, and as such is
looked upon with respect and esteem by his many
acquaintances. His birth occurred on the 18th of
December, 1854, and he is one of fourteen surviving
members of a family of seventeen children, born
to E. C. Gray and Ann S. (Meacham) Gray, his
wife, the former of whom was born in North Car-
olina, in 1830, and was educated in Trinity Col-
lege, of that State. He was a member of the Agri ■
cultural Wheel for about four years, but withdrew
on account, as he thought, of the political senti-
ments which had crept in. He is one of the leading
^
^
INDEPENDENCE COUNTY.
673
farmers of this locality; was elected to represent
Independence County in the State hjgislature in
1875 to fill the term of 1876, and received the
largest vote of any man who ever ran for office in
this county. He served faithfully and efficiently
for one year, discharging his duties in a manner
which needs no additional words of compliment.
He has been justice of the peace for about eight
years, and in this capacity also has been a faith-
ful servant of the jiublic. In 1801 he enlisted in
the Confederate army as a sergeant and served as
such until the final surrender, when he returned
home and again engaged in farming, and has be-
come one of the most substantial husbandmen of
the county. His wife has long been a member of
the Methodist Church. From this sterling pioneer
sprang the subject of this sketch, and, like his
father, he has become an honored and respected
resident of the county. His education was re-
ceived in Independence and Sharj) Counties, and
his attention, while growing, was given to farming
his father's land. He was married in Independ-
ence County to Miss Ella Albright, a native of the
State, and a daughter of Alvis and Mary Albright,
who are well-remembered pioneers of the county.
To Mr. and Mrs. Gray have been born five chil-
dren: Bertha F., G., Stella, Justin and Albert.
A. G. Gray, like his father, was a member of the
Agricultural Wheel, withdrawing for a like reason.
He is also a member of the Masonic lodge, in
which he has held the office of senior warden for
about three years. He is a Methodist in faith and
his wife a Presbyterian, and both are deeply con-
cerned in all good works, being especially inter-
ested in churches and schools.
Hon. Robert H. Griffin resides in White River
Township, Indejiendence County, Ark. He was
born in Meigs County, Tenn. , May 2"), 1836, and
is a son of William and Mary (King) Griffin, natives
of Greene Connty, Tenn. W'illiam Griffin was a
farmer by occupation, and was also a shoemaker by
trade. He removed with his family to Roane Coun-
ty, Tenn., when our subject was young, where
they remained until 1860, in the latter year lo-
cating in Independence County, Ark., which was
his home until his death, that occurring Novem-
ber 25, 1863, at the age of sixty- four years. His
first wife, the mother of Robert H. , was a daughter
of Robert King, a native of North Carolina, who was
a soldier in the Revolutionary War. Mrs. Griflin
died in Roane County, Tenn., amember of the M(>th-
odist Episcopal Church, of which church Mr. Griffin
was also a member. He afterward married Hnnnali
Cliauncy, who died in Texas; she was a member of
the Baptist Church. Politically, Mr. Griffin was a
life- long Democrat. To the jiarents of the subject
of this sketch, five sons were born, viz.: John S.,
who is a farmer in Iowa; Robert H. ; Joseph W.,
engaged in the livery business at Whiting, Iowa;
Thomas M., and William; the last two died in
childhood. Robert H. received his early educa-
tion in his native State, and at the age of twenty
one began for himself. He married, August 5,
1856, Margaret Chauncy, daughter of John and
Hannah Chauncy, of Roane Country, Tenn. She
was born January 13, 183-1. Mrs. Griffin died in
Independence County, Ark., July 21, 1877, the
mother of seven children, viz. : Mary E. , who died
when quite young; James A., a farmer of Inde-
pendence County; Lettie J., wife of T. J. Davis,
of Texas; Sarah J., wife of Odell DeVauglum. also
of Texas; John R., of Texas; William H. , at home,
and Joseph S., at home. In 1878 Mr. Griffin
married Elizalieth Rice, of Independence County.
She is a daughter of William Rice, and was born
August 15, 1855. Four childi-en have been born
to this union: Eva, who died at the age of two
years: Robert A., Ethel and Alda. Mr. Griflin
has always been engaged in farming. In the fall
of 1S60 h(> located in White River Township, In-
dependence County, where in a few years he pnr-
1 chased land, which has ever since been his home.
I He owns 415 acres, of which 100 acres are under
cultivation. In 1872 he was elected justice of the
peace, in which capacity he served eight years; he
was then elected county and probate judge, .serving
three terms. Ho afterward represented the count}
I in the General Assembly. In August, 1862, he
was mustered into Company A. Col. Shaver's regi
ment, and served until the surrender at Jackson
port. Ark., June 5, 1865, as second lieutenant,
i participating in many battles, among them Prairie
A
674
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
Grove, Pilot Knob, Trading Post and Big Blue.
Mr. and Mrs. Griffin are members of the Cumber-
land Presbyterian Church, in which he is an elder.
Judge Griffin is a Democrat, and is one of the most
enterprising and influential citizens of the county.
McCurdy Hail, sheriff and collector of Inde-
pendence County, was bom in Greene County, Ark. ,
on the 15th of September, 1851, and is the son of
Dr. William P. A. Hail, a native of Tennessee,
who, after growing to manhood, was united in
marriage to Miss Sarah Underwood, also a native
of Tennessee. In 1851 the parents immigrated to
Arkansas, locating in Greene County, at Greens-
borough, and here the father practiced his profes-
sion until 1852. He was a graduate of the Ten-
nessee Medical College, and was a physician and
surgeon of considerable note, having followed this
business all his life. He was a surgeon in the
Mexican War. At the above mentioned date he
moved to Smithville, Lawrence County, where he
received his final summons in 1857. The mother
died in the spring of 1863, at Powhatan, the coun-
ty seat of that county. They were the parents
of seven children, only two now living: Stevadson
A. and McCurdy. The latter passed his youth
and early manhood in Lawrence County, but the
only education he obtained was by self -application;
and although reared in town, when old enough he
engaged in agricultural pursuits, thus continuing
for four years. He then embarked as clerk in a
store, at Evening Shade, and remained there until
1871, when he moved to Hickory Valley, subse-
quently working on the construction of the Kansas
City Railroad as a carpenter. In 1873 he engaged
in merchandising at Hickory Vallej', Independ-
ence County, but lost nearly everything by being
burned out in 1879. In 1886 he was elected sher-
iff and collector of this county, and was compli-
mented by being reelected in 1888. It is but a
statement of the truth when it is said that no man
could be found more capable to fill that position
than Mr. Hail. He was postmaster at Hickory
Valley from 1873 to 1884. By his marriage to
Miss Mary A. Meacham, in 1873, he became the
father of five children: Willie A., McCurdy, Jr.,
Lizzie W. , Nettie and Lena. Mrs. Hail is a mem-
ber of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South.
He is a member of the A. F. & A. M. , and K. &
L. of H. He is the owner of 300 acres of land,
with eighty acres under cultivation, and he also has
a house and lot in Batesville.
Mrs. Lou C. Hathcock (whose maiden name
was W^atts), the relict of Seaborn A. Hathcock,
was born in Independence County, Ark., March
16, 1860, and is a daughter of Mrs. Manerva O.
and William T. Watts, who were born February
24, 1812, and January 22, 1831, respectively.
They moved from Perry County, Mo. , to Independ-
ence County, Ark., in 1849, where the father is
now making his home with his daughter, Mrs.
Hathcock. Mrs. Watts died October 2, 1883,
leaving one single daughter, also residing with
her sister. Mrs. Hathcock was reared and educated
in Independence County, Ark., and was hero mar-
ried, March 4, 1874, to Seaborn A. Hathcock, who
was born in the State of Mississippi, November 20,
1847. He there acquired his scholastic training,
and came to Arkansas May 24, 1873, here engag-
ing in the mercantile business in Sulphur Rock.
After a career which marked him as one of the
successful and representative business men of the
count}', his death occurred on the 7th of January,
1888. He was always noted for his intelligence,
energy and honesty, and won the confidence and
esteem of all with whom he had business or social re-
lations. He left a wife and four interesting children
to mourn his loss, the names of the latter being
Minnie L., Henry C, Eddis W., Virgie O. Mr.
Hathcock was a Democrat in his political views.
Mrs. Hathcock is residing at her home at Sulphur
Rock, where her family and the duties attendant
upon domestic life engage her time and attention.
She is not a member of any church, but is a be-
liever in the Christian faith, and supports the cause
by precept and example.
C. R. Handford & Co. , manufacturers of
mountain red cedar, telegraph poles, railway piling,
sawed and split fence po.sts, cedar shingles and
pickets, oak, yellow pine, sycamore, walnut, ash and
Cottonwood lumber, have the largest enterprise of
the kind in this part of the State, and do an im-
mense business in the manufacturincr line. This
*^;
-d 9
K^
INDEPENDENCE COUNTY.
f)75
business was established in 1884, and has been in
successful operation since its organization. The
firm employs a great many hands, and carries on
business the year round. The senior member of
this firm, Charles R. Haudford, was born in Mor-
gan County, Ohio, in 1842, and was partly reared
in that State, and in Philadelphia, Penn. He sub-
sequently moved to Cincinnati, Ohio, and thence
to Kansas, leaving Philadelphia in 1854. In 1856
he arrived in Wyandotte County, Kas., just as
the border trouble was beginning, and there he
worked at the lumber business, and at farming, se-
cui'ing such education as the time afforded. He
came to Arkansas in 1872, in August, before the
Iron Mountain Railroad was built, and located in
Pulaski County, going then to Saline County. He
was married in Iowa, to Miss Sarah Brown, who
bore him six children: Myrtle, Stanley, Charles,
Jack, Willie and Frances. In 1884 Mr. Hand-
ford came to Batesville with his family, and in
that year the present business was established. He
owns a nice residence in that town, and is also in-
terested as a stockholder in the Bank of Bates-
ville. His parents, Joseph and Narcissa (Robert-
son) Handford, were natives of Philadelphia, Penn.,
and Ohio, and descendants of English and Scotch
ancestors, respectively. Charles R. Handford en-
listed in the Federal army while living in Wyan-
dotte, Kas., in 1862, Company A, Sixth Kansas
Cavalry, and served until August, 1865. He par-
ticipated in all the principal engagements, and was
never sick a day, nor was he ever wounded or cap-
tured. The jimior member of the above-mentioned
firm, J. S. Handford, was liorn in the city of Phila-
delphia, in 1854, and went to Kansas with his
parents. He engaged first as a clerk in a dry
goods store, and was thus occupied for a uuml)er
of years. In 1870 he engaged in the saw- mill
business in Arkansas, and carried this on for about
twelve years, being interested in it at the present.
He became a member of the firm at Batesville in
1884. He was elected president of the Batesville
Bank on the 1st of July, 1889, at its organization,
and now holds that position. He was married in
December, 1879, to Miss Abbie J. Boyer, a na-
tive of Illinois, and to them were born five chil-
dren. Mr. Handford is a member of the A. F.
& A. M. , and is also a member of the K. of P.
Anthony B. Harrelson, farmer and stock raiser,
Dota, Ark. Mr. Harrelson is a native of Lawrence
County, Tenn., born on the 30th of March, 1837,
and when sixteen years of age, emigrated with his
parents to Independence County, Ark., landing in
Black River Township on Christmas day, 1853.
His father, Vincent Harrelson, was a native of the
Blue Grass State, born in 1800, and when a young
man was wedded to Miss Mary Anthony, also a
native of Kentuclcj', and born in 1802. After mar-
riage they came to Arkansas, and there the father
died in 1875, and the mother — previous to this —
in 1861. The father tilled the soil successfully all
his life. During his youthful days lie was a play-
mate of David Crockett, of pioneer fame, and they
were great friends. Both the parents were church
members — the father a Baptist and the mother a
Methodist. The maternal and paternal grandpar-
ents were natives of Kentucky, in which State they
passed their last days. Anthony B. Harrelson
passed his boyhood days on the farm, and not being
favored with many opportunities for attending
school, his educational advantages, in consequence,
were quite limited. He began life for himself at
the age of twenty-three, by following agricultural
pursuits on his father's farm, and this continued
until 1862, when he enlisted in the Union army.
Company A, First Arkansas Infantry, for si.\
months' service, and was discharged at St. Louis.
He then moved to Illinois. Previous to this, in
1860, he led to the matrimonial altar Miss Phoebe
A. McDonald, daughter of John and Jane (Brown)
McDonald, natives of Mississippi. The McDonald
family emigrated to Arkansas in the 50' s, and
after a few years' residence in this State, returned
to their native State, where the parents passed the
remainder of their days. To Mr. and Mrs. Har
relson were born nine children, seven of whom are
living: William F. , born in IS'il, is now married,
and engaged in tilling the soil near his father:
Mary E., wife of W. D. Bowlby, a farmer of Black
River Township; Labau V. , married and engaged
in farming on the farm of his father; John A.
Logan (deceased); Burrilla (deceased); James El-
J^l
G76
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
don, at home with his father, and eighteen years
of age; Thomas Monroe, age sixteen, at home;
Charles L., at home, and fourteen years of age;
and Mattie Nora, eleven years of age. For several
years after the war Mr. Harrelson rented land in
Illinois, and returned to his home in Arkansas in
1807, where he has resided continuously ever since.
He also rented land in Arkansas until about twelve
years ago, when he traded for 136 acres of land,
and on this he is now located. He has 100 acres
under cultivation; has good buildings, orchards,
and fences, and is doing well. In the year 1885
he erected a cotton gin, and has been very success-
ful in this enterprise. Mr. and Mrs. Harrelson
have taken great interest in school and church mat-
ters, and have given their children each a fair
education. Mrs. Harrelson is a member of the
Baptist Church. Mr. Harrelson takes an active
part in politics, and he votes with the Union Labor
party. He holds membership in the following so-
cieties: The G. A. R., H. V. Gray Post No. 33,
Sulphur Rock; A. F. & A. M. , and Ladies' Chap-
ter, and also the Agricultural Wheel. He came to
Independence County when there were verj' few
settlers in the County, and when wild game was
plentiful. Where fine farms and growing towns
are at present situated once flourished heavy tim-
ber. Mr. Harrelson is one of the progressive citi-
zens of the community, and has aided materially
in developing this part of the county.
James W. Headstream is well known in Wash-
ington Township, Independence County, as an en-
terprising and successful farmer. He first located
there in 1845, at which time he entered a consid-
erable tract of land, and devoted his entire atten-
tion to the pursuit of agriculture. He now owns
340 acres in Independence Couaty, 150 acres of
which are under cultivation, and about 200 acres in
Stone County, Ark. His early experiences in the
county (which has for so many years been his home)
were those of the pioneer, and his present pros-
perity is the result of many hardships endured and
the practice of economy as well as good manage-
ment and enterprise. Mr. Headstream was born in
Hickman County, Tenn., about the j^ear 1827. His
parents were John P. and Harriet (Hassel) Head-
stream. John P. Headstream was a native of
Sweden, and was bom in 1810. When a young
man he left his native country and came to Nash-
ville, Tenn., afterward locating in Hickman Coun-
ty, where he married. About 1835 he removed
to Helena, Ai-k. , his death occurring in 1844 in
Monroe Count}% Ark. His wife was born in
North Carolina, in 1812, and lived imtil 1880.
Of their nine children but three are now living.
In 1849 James W. married Rachel M. Ford, whose
birth occurred in Tennessee in 1831. She was the
daughter of James G. and Martha A. (Roland)
Ford. She lived to be the mother of twelve chil
dren, of whom six survive, viz. : Harriet O. , who
married Claiborn Pierce; Sarah P., wife of John
Olvey ; James P. ; Margaret, who married Robert
Baird; Felix J. and Virginia L. In 1869 Mr.
Headstream married Mahulda Pierce, who was also
a native of Tennessee, and was born in 1837.
Seven children have been born to this union, all
living, viz. : David R. , Anna J. , Dora H. , Laura A. ,
Samuel B., Maude and William T. B. Mrs. Head-
stream is a daughter of Zadock and Nancy Pierce.
Mr. Headstream is a Democrat in politics, and he
and wife are membei's of the Presbyterian Church.
They reside near Victor postoffice, six miles west
of Batesville, and are among the earliest settlers
of the township.
John A. Hinkle, of the firm of Hinkle & Co.,
Batesville, owes his nativity to Izard County, Ark.,
where his birth occurred the 20th of December,
1852. His father, Jolin D. Hinkle, was a native
of Tennessee, and after reaching manhood was
united in marriage to Miss Arena Beckham, also a
native of Tennessee. They emigrated to Arkansas
in the 40' s, locating in Izard County, and there he
followed the profession of teaching, but in connec-
tion carried on farming also. The father died in
1852, but the mother is still living. She was mar-
ried the second time to Stephen Taylor, by whom
she had five children, three living: Mrs. Elizabeth
Williams, Mrs. Amanda Bone and Mrs. Emeline
Haley. Mr. Taylor died in 1876. The mother re-
sides on the old homestead in Izard County, and
enjoys fairly good health. John A. Hiukle secured
a fair education in the common schools, and re-
"■% i>\
mained on the farm until seventeen years of age.
He then engaged as a clerk for Hinkle & Son (his
uncle and cousin), at Lunenburg, where he re-
mained until 1876, after which, in May of that
year, he embarked in merchandising for himself at
Melbourne. He carried on business at that place
until 1883, when he sold out and removed to Bates-
ville, where he carried on the business alone. The
firm was changed in 1885 to J. A. Hinkle & Co.,
by adding Jeff P. Hinkle, a cousin, and thiis con-
tinued until H. H. Hinkle, another cousin, and
brother of Jeff P. , became a member of the firm,
and the title was changed to Hinkle & Co. This
firm carry a full line of general merchandise, valued
at from $12,000 to $15,000. They are doing a
good business. Jeff' P. died in April, 18S9.
H. H. Hinkle retired from the business in 18S8,
and engaged in the banking business, which bank
was consolidated into a stock company in July,
1889, with H. H. Hinkle as ca.shier. Thus John
A. was left alone to run the mercantile department.
Mr. Hinkle has a wide experience in merchandis-
ing, having followed the business from seventeen
years of age. He was married, in 1879, to Miss
Talitha Kilpatrick, of Hazlehurst, Miss., and the
daughter of William A. Kilpatrick. Mrs. Hinkle
is a member of the Baptist Church. Mr. Hinkle
is a member of the Masonic fraternity and of the
Batesville Telejihone Company; is also vice-pres-
ident of the board of directors of Batesville Tele-
phone Company; is a member of the board of
directors of Batesville Printing Company, and of
the board of directors of the Bank of Batesville.
"William D. Hodges, who is classed among the
most independent and progi'essive farmei-s of
Northeast Arkansas, was born August 18, 1833,
and is a son of Fleming and Sarah (Kimzey)
Hodges, both natives of North Carolina. The
father died in the State of Alabama about the year
1843, and the mother was again married some
time afterward, her second husband being David
C. Whitehead of that State. They emigrated to
Arkansas in 1855, where the mother died in 1878.
The birthplace of William D. Hodges was in Flat
Rock, N. C, and he received the greater portion of
his education at Burrett College, in Spencer, Tenn.
In 1879 he was married to Mrs. Mary Hinkle, a
charming widow, by whom he had one child,
William D., Jr. Mr. Hodges commenced in busi-
ness for himself in 1855. and continued up to 1862,
accumulating in that time considerable property,
and being quite a large slave-owner. In 1862 he
enlisted in the Confederate army, and served about
three years in the commissary department, and at
the close of hostitilities he returned to Independ-
ence County, and again commenced farming and
milling. In connection with those two I)ranehe8
he operates a cotton-gin, which has been one of the
most successful in that section. Mr. Hodges is a
]>ublic spirited and enterprising citizen, and is
always foremost in aiding and encouraging any-
thing, which, in his judgment, will advance the
interests of his county and State. He is a Demo-
crat in politics and has held several offices, but has
declined time and again to fill any political office
for the last year or two. He attends the Methodist
Episcopal Church with his wife, and is always
interested in educational and religious matters,
and in secret orders he is a member of Jackson-
port Lodge No. 91, A. F. & A.M., as well as of
Danlis Chapter of the R. A. M., at Oil Trough.
Mr. Hodges is one of the largest land owners in
this section, his land comprising 8,000 acres, with
some 850 acres under cultivation. The balance,
which is almost all bottom land, and situated in
Jackson and Independence Counties, is rented by
tenants, and some of it used for grazing purposes.
He owns 200 head of cattle, horses and mules, and
at one time kept a great many sheep, but finds the
latter are not an advantage financially.
H. M. Hodge, examiner of puljlic instruction
and loan agent, Batesville. The history of every
community is made up, so far as its more inter-
esting features are concerned, of the events and
transactions of the lives of its prominent, repre-
sentative citizens. In any worthy history of
Independence County, an otitline of the career
of the subject of the present sketch should not
fail to be given, together with a sketch of
his family. His parents, Louis and Willie (Cav-
enar) Hodge, are natives, respectively, of North
Carolina and Tennessee. They are still living in
078
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
the latter State, and are happy and comfortable in
their declining years. H. M. Hodge owes his
nativity to Marshall County, Tenn. , where his birth
occurred March 13, 1849. He received his educa-
tion at the Morrisville Male and Female College,
at Marshall, graduating from the same in 1869,
and subsequently became a teacher in that institu-
tion. One year later he went to Western Tennes-
see, and here wielded the ferrule' for four years.
In 1875 he came to Independence County, Ark.,
and here continued his former occupation for sev-
eral years. In 1885 he turned his attention to the
manganese mines, and was very successful in this.
He had charge of the Keystone mines for one year,
and was one of the first men employed. He was
also acting collector. He now owns a mining in-
terest in Izard County, and property in Batesville.
He was married, in 1871, to Miss Fannie Benton,
and both he and wife are members of the Cumber-
land Presbyterian Church. In April, 1889, he re-
ceived his appointment as public instructor. Mr.
Hodge is a member of the Masonic fraternity, and
is also a member of the K. of H.
Robert H. Hodges, M. D. Among the people
of Independence County, the name of Dr. Hodges
is a familiar one, for during his twelve years' prac-
tice here he has won an enviable reputation, not
only as a practitioner, but as a citizen and neigh-
bor. He was born in Tennessee, May 1, 1850,
but reared and educated in the State of Kentucky,
and at the age of twenty -three years began the
study of medicine under W. A. Lively, M. D.
He is a graduate of the medical department of the
University of Louisville, and has been a citizen of
Independence County since September 1, 1877.
He is a member of the Independence County
Medical Society, also the Stale Medical Society of
the State of Arkansas. He owns some valuable
property at difFerent places in the county, and a
comfortable and pleasant home in the town of Sul-
phur Rock. He was married to Mrs. D. J. Mag-
ness, nee Bone, December 10, 1879, and the hapj^y
results of their union are two boys, Eugene and
Armstrong, and three girls, Ethelind, Jessamine
and Nettie Roberta. Dr. Hodges is a modest, con-
servative and unassuming gentleman, and he and
his wife are both consistent members of the Metho-
distrEpiscopal Church, South.
Hon. William P. Huddleston is the name of a
prominent farmer and a fitting representative of
Independence County, who moved to that locality
when the surrounding country was a wilderness,
and has remained to see its present fortieth year
of civilization under the leadership of sturdy
spirits like himself. He was born in McNairy
County, West Tenn., on March 24, 1836, and is a
son of William P. and Sarah (Hodges) Huddleston,
of Claiborne County, East Tenn. The father was
a man of more than ordinary ability, and for a
number of years was a teacher in the public schools
of his native State, and a noted scholar. In 1849
he emigrated with his family to Independence
County, Ark., and located in what is now Gains-
boro Township, where he purchased a tract of land
and began a home. He filled many civil offices
with distinguished ability. None but the pioneers'
of Arkansas can fully understand the dangers and
hardships that surrounded the early settlers of this
State, when, for days and weeks, they had to con-
tend with the terrors of a new country without the
support and companionship of any civilized beings
besides themselves. On May 1, 1877, the elder
Huddleston died, and was followed by his wife on
April 3, 1886. William P. Huddleston grew to
manhood with his parents, assisting them with the
duties of the farm, and in the early struggles of
his life displayed the same strong character and
firmness of will that characterized his father. He
commenced in life on a farm of eighty acres, but his
industry and tine judgment have increased it to 500
acres, of which '200 acres are under cultivation.
During the struggle between the Union and the
rebellious States he was an ultra-Union man. In
the spring of 1861 he became a member of the
Arkansas State militia, and from the 28th of May,
1862, until the close of the war, served in the
Federal army as dispatch-bearer and scout. It
was in the stirring times of battle that the finer
metal of the man was discovered; when the modesty
and unassuming appearance of the individual gave
way to the brave and gallant soldier in many a
charge through shot and shell. On July 28, 1861,
_J| 9
^
INDEPENDENCE COUNTY.
079
Mr. Huddleston was married to Miss Martha J.
^\'!U•d, of Lincoln County, N. C, who emigrated
to Arkansas with her parents in 1859. This union
was a happy one, and six children were given to
the parents, of whom four are yot living. After
the death of this wife Mr. Huddleston was married
on September 9, 1877, to Miss Orpha E. Blair,
and by this marriage has had four sons and one
daughter. Mrs. Huddleston is a native of East
Tennessee, and came to Arkansas with her mother
ill 1809. Her father, Napoleon Blair, was a sol-
tlier in the Confederate army, and met his death
from a wound received at the battle of Atlanta,
(la. Politically Mr. Huddleston was formerly a
supporter of the Democratic party, and still ad-
heres to the true principles of Democracy as laid
down by Jefferson. In 1885 he identified him-
self with the labor organization, known as the Ag-
ricultural Wheel, and was elected to the lower
house of the XXVIIth General Assembly of Arkan-
sas as the candidate of that body, which position
he tilled with distinguished ability and to the
satisfaction of his constituents. He is a member
of the Knights of Honor and a Royal Arch Mason.
He has filled all the stations in the Blue Lodge with
distinction to himself and satisfaction to the craft.
He is a past High Priest of Dannerly Chapter No.
57, of Sulphur Rock, Ark. He is an active mem-
ber of the Missionary Baptist Church, and a liberal
contributor to the cause of Christianity and suf-
fering humanity wherever dispersed about the in-
habitable globe.
Wiley B- Huddleston has become closely ident-
ified with the progress and development of Inde-
pendence County, Ark. He was born in McNairy
County, West Tenn., March 2, 1843, and is one of
six surviving members of a family of eleven chil-
dren born to W. P. and Sarah Huddleston. who
were also Tennesseeans, the former's birth occur-
ring in Claiborne County. He was a farmer and
teacher by occupation, and in both callings l>ecame
well and favorably known. He emigrated to Ar-
kansas iu the year 1849, and settled in Independ-
ence County, eight miles northeast of Batesville,
where he endured the privations incident to pioneer
life. He was an active member of the Baptist
Church for a period of forty- five years, filling many
important stations, among which were the positions
of deacon, clerk of the association, church clerk,
and licensed minister. He filled several civil of-
fices with dignity to himself and satisfaction to his
constituents. He died May 1, 1877, in his sixty-
seventh year. Sarah, his wife, survived him nine
years, and died April 2, 1880. in her seventy-
third year. She was a consistent member of the
Baptist Church for more than thirty-five years,
and died in the full triumph of a living faith.
Wiley B. Huddleston was reared in Independence
County, Ark., receiving the greater part of his
education near Rolla, Mo. After returning home
he was married to Miss Martha H. Wainwright, a
native of Arkansas. Soon after this event he set-
tled on a farm consisting of 134 acres, which
yields annually a golden harvest of the diversified
products of this climate. This result has enabled
him to become an independent and prosperous
citizen. To him and his worthy companion eight
children were born, of whom six were boys and
two girls. Six are now living. He is a m(>mber
of the institution of F. & A. M. , and has filled a
number of stations in the order with credit to
himself and satisfaction to his lodge. He is a
member of organized labor. He was formerly
identified, politically, with the Republican party,
but is now a nonpartisan, and votes for men and
measures, and not for party. He and his wife,
Martha H. , are members of the Baptist Church.
Kelley Monroe Hulsey, farmer and stock-raiser.
Among those who have become intimately associ-
ated with the farming and stock-raising intere.sts
of this county we cannot fail to mention Mr. Hul-
sey, who, from a very early period in life, has
given his attention to this channel of business-life,
gaining for himself a reputation which may be a
.source of pardonable pride. He is the son of Kel-
ley and Sarah (Smalley) Hulsey, the former prob-
ably a native of Georgia, and the latter of South
Carolina. The elder Hulsey was married in Ar-
kansas, about 1820, and was a successful agricult-
urist all his life. He served five years in the War
of 1812, and participated in one of the principal
battles. His father, Charles Hulsey, probably
IZ
680
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
moved to Arkansas abont 1811 or 1812, and was
one of the earliest settlers of the northeast part of
the State. Joseph Smalley, the maternal grand-
father of the subject of this sketch, moved to Ar-
kansas abont 1812. Kelley Monroe Hulsey was
born on the 12th of December, 1827, in Independ-
ence (Jounty, Ark., within one mile of his present
home. Like other farmer boys, he early learned
the principles of farm life, and received his educa-
tion in the schools of the county. He was one of
live children born to his parents: Allen (deceased),
Rachel A. (deceased), Charles (deceased), Warren
and Kelley M. After the death of his first wife
the brother married Miss Eliza Adams; Rachel A.
Hulsey married Mr. John W. Fowler, by whom she
had one child (she and her husband are now both
deceased) ; Kelley M. Hulsey chose for his compan-
ion in life Mrs. Mary Jane (Wiley) Gibbons, and
was married to her on the 20th of October, 1850.
In 1863 he enlisted in Col. Dobbins' cavalry, and
served until cessation of hostilities. He partici-
pated in the battles of Helena, Little Rock, Grand
Prairie, and numerous skirmishes. In 1870 he
purchased 148 acres of land, in its virgin state,
and eighty acres of this he has cultivated, and is
now living on the same. It is considered one of
the finest small farms in Independence County,
beautifully situated, on the banks of White River.
While Mr. Hulsey has not attempted to raise fancy
stock, he has upon his farm good grades of horses,
cattle, sheep and hogs. He is a member of Mc-
Guire Lodge No. 208, A. F. & A. M., Oil Trough,
Independence County, Ark. , and he and wife are
members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. He
has filled the offices of justice of the peace and con-
stable in a very satisfactory and creditable manner.
John M. Hurley, farmer and stockman, was
born in Franklin County, Tennessee, in 1850, and,
at the age of ten months, he was removed by his
parents to Independence County, Ark., and here
has received his education and rearing. At the age
of fourteen years he moved with his parents to the
State of Illinois, and dui-ing his four years' resi-
dence in that State his time was employed in
attending school, his educational advantages being
excellent. They next settled in Jasper County,
Mo., near Carthage, where John M. made his
home for eight years, then removing to Benton
County, Ark. Prior to this, he had spent about
eighteen months in Colorado, and had worked in the
mines in Leadville, accumulating thereby quite a
sum of money. He was married in Benton County,
to Miss Anna Hale, a native of the county, and two
children blessed their union: William M. and Fan-
nie C, who died at the age of four months. In
March, 1876, his wife died in Dallas County, Tex.,
and he was afterwards married to Miss Sarah J.
Haddock, who was bom in Independence Coimty,
Ark. Three of their four children are living:
Charles A. , James A. , who died at the age of three
years; W. W. and Thomas W. Since 1878 Mr.
Hurley has resided in Independence County, and
has turned his attention to agricultural pursuits,
being engaged in tilling forty acres of his eighty-
acre farm. He is a Republican in politics, and is a
member of the Agricultural Wheel. His father,
John Hurley, was born and reared in Tennessee,
and was married there to Miss Sarah A. Har-
rington. He is yet living, and resides in Webb
City, of Jasper County, Mo. The mother died in
1875, on her birthday (the 14th of October), at
the age of fifty-five years. The paternal grand-
father was born in the State of Maryland, was an
early resident of Tennessee, and a hatter by occu-
pation. He was of Scotch descent and lived to be
107 years old. His wife was a Denton. John
Hurley, the father of our subject, reared a family
of fifteen children, eleven sons and four daughters.
The first ten childi-en were sons, then came a
daughter, then another son, and afterwards three
more daughters. Of the ten sons who grew to
manhood none of them ever drank liquor or used
tobacco until after they were grown. All are mar-
ried and have families of their own. They held a
family reunion in January, 1889, and the father
was there, aged seventy- seven years.
J. B. James, of the general mercantile firm of
A. M. James, of Sulphur Rock, Ark. . was born in
the State of Texas, in 1855, but was reared mainly
in Randolph County, Ark., whither his parents
moved when he was quite young. His rudimentary
education was acquired in the common schools, and
er -
in 1878 he was united in marriage to Mrs. Anna
M. (Robison) Bonner. Possessing keen business
foresight, ho conehided to embark in tlie general
mercantile business, which he did at O'Kean, in
ISSl, and remained there some three years, when
lie closed out his business at that place, and came
to Sulphur Kock and opened up his present gen-
eral mercantile establishment. In 1887 he again
engaged in busiue.ss at O" Kean, and gave it in charge
of his stepson, W. F. Bonner, the latter receiving
a one-half interest in payment for his services.
The style of the firm is James & Bonner. Mr.
James has resided at Sulphur Rock for five years,
and is doing an exceptionally good business. His
stock is valued at about $4,(XiO, and his annual
sales amount to $20,000. Besides this possession
he owns a business house and lot and a line resi-
dence property. His wife assists him in the store,
and deals in general millinery goods, and shows
remarkable taste in arranging her stock and in the
goods she sends out. She is a highly-educated
lady, and received her education in the schools of
Alton, 111. Mrs. James was born and reai'ed in
Wheeling. ^\'. Va. , and during the Civil War at-
tended school at St. Louis. Her father was a Ger-
man by descent, and was a tobacco merchant in
Wheeling. Mr. James has been jsostmaster of
Stilphur Rock for the past eighteen months, and
his step-daughter. Miss Bertie Bonner, is his prin-
cipal deputy. He is a Democrat, and belongs to
the K. & L. of H.
Dr. Finis E. Jeffery, senior member of the tirm
of Jeffery & Dickson, physicians and surgeons of
Jamestown, Independence County, was born in
Izard County, Ark., in 1855. He is a son of Hon.
Miles and Sarah (Williams) Jeffery, the former
born in Missouri, in 1816, and the latter in Izard
County, Ark. , about 1820. The parents were mar-
ried in Izard County, which county was always
their home, the father dying in 1868, and the
mother in 1875, both members of the Cumberland
Presbyterian Church. Hon. Miles Jeffery was
reared in the wilds of Arkansas with no educational
advantages, but liecame one of the most intluential
men of the county, and held many positions of
trust and honoi-. taking an active interest in every-
thing pertaining to tlie upbuilding of the com
munity. He sc^rved as justice of the peace for
many years, was sheriff of Izard County from 1844
to 1846, and from 1856 to I860 represented that
county in the legislature with credit and di.stinc-
tion. In his death the county was deprived of one
of its most valuable men. Hon. Miles Jeffery was
a son of Judge Jehoiada Jeft'ery, who was of a Vir-
ginian family of English descent, and in 1816 re-
moved to the White River country. Ark., settling
in what is now Izard County, where h(< sjtent the
rest of his life. In 1824 he represented Independ-
ence County in the Territorial legislature, and
brought forward a bill to make a new county, call-
ing it Izard, for the then governor of Arkansas; he
subsequently represented Izard County in the legis-
lature, and brought forward anothc^r bill to divide
the county, naming the new county thus formed,
Fulton, for the man then governor of the State.
For perhaps a dozen years he served as judge of
the county and probate courts of Izard County, and
was one of its most prominent men. He was a
soldier in the War of 1812, and had a personal en-
counter with an Indian, whom he killed and whose
scalp he brought into camp; he died at his White
River residence in 1846, esteemed by many. The
maternal grandfather of our subject was also a pio-
neer of Izard County, but in an early day went to
California and was never afterward heard of. Dr.
Finis E. was one of the younger members of a
family of nine sons and six daughters. He was
reared on a farm, receiving a good education at
the common schools and the La Crosse Collegiate
Institute. He began the study of medicine in 1 876,
with Dr. O. T. Hunt (deceased), of Izard County,
and graduated in 1879 from the University of
Louisville, Ky., after a two years' course; he was
in a class of 105, and was one of ten who stood
the best examination, being awarded the degree
of honor. He immediately returned to Arkansas
and began practice in partuershiji with Dr. L. A.
Dickson, of Jamestown. Dr. Jeffery is now one of
the leading medical practitioners of the county,
and has an extensive and remunerative practice.
June 10, 1886, he married Maud Dickson, daughter
of his former partner, Dr. L. A. Dickson. Mr.s.
682
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
Jeffery is a native of Greenbriar Township, Inde-
pendence County. Dr. JefiFery is a prominent
member of the Independence County Medical So-
ciety, the Arkansas State Medical Society, and the
American Medical Association. He is the present
mayor of Jamestown, and takes an active interest
in all public enterj)rises, being one of the influen-
tial men of his town. He is a member of the A. F.
& A. M. , and belongs to the Cumberland Presby-
terian Church. Mrs. JefiPerj^ is a member of the
Methodist Episcopal Church, South.
L. C. Jernigan, of the general mercantile firm
of L. C. Hathcock & Co. . wa.s born in Henry Coun-
ty, Tenn., in 1854, but has been a resident of In-
dependence County, Ark., since 1859, and was
prominently identified with its agricultural inter-
ests up to 1883. Although he never attended
school for more than three months at a time, he re-
ceived the fovirth first-grade certificate ever issued
in Independence County, and taught school with
marked success from 1875 to 1883. In the latter
year he became associated with Mr. Hathcock as
salesman, in his general mercantile store, but upon
the death of the senior member of the firm of S.
A. Hathcock & Co., Mr. Jernigan became con-
nected with the business, and has remained thus
interested up to the present time. He is the owner
of some valuable real estate in the county, and had
done much to build up the commercial standing of
the city of Sulphur Rock, and was one of the first
members of the city council. -January 16, 1883,
he was married to Miss Victoria, a daughter of
Rev. J. W. Bell, of Cotton Grove, Tenn., and two
children, Bonnie P. and Kate C, have blessed
their union. The paternal grandfather moved from
his native State of North Carolina to Tennessee,
and there spent the rest of his days. His son, our
subject's father, was born in North Carolina, and
now resides in Sulphur Rock, and makes his home
with his son, L. C. The family have been mem-
bers of the Methodist Church for generations, and
Mr. Jernigan, the father, has always been known
for his uprightness and purity of character. L.
C. Jernigan' s older brother, T. M. , joined the
Confederate army before he was eighteen years
of age, and during his four years' service, was a
participant in nearly all the regular engagements,
and was neither wounded nor taken prisoner. His
brother, James F., is a noted Methodist divine, and
although he received a limited early education, dur-
ing his early manhood he formed the resolution of
devoting his life to the ministry, and was very suc-
cessful from the first. After several years' preach-
ing in different counties in Arkansas, he was given
charge of the Sulphur Rock circuit, and in one
year's work, over 150 souls were converted to
Christianity. He is now located at Osceola, White
River conference. He was first married to a Mrs.
Shoup, at Jacksonport, Ark., and after her death
he wedded Miss Lizzie Kamp. The mother of our
subject was born in 1814 and died in 1878. In
1889 the brothers and sisters held a family re-union,
the first time all had been together in ten years.
It was a joyful and happy occasion, and when the
time for parting came, the old father read a chapter
in the sacred family Testament, and led in prayer.
Instead of feeling sorrowful, all were shouting at
the parting. Many will see this who knew and
loved the good old father and grandfather, now
eighty-two years old, recalling the name of Will-
iam H. Jernigan with tender memories.
John Kimmer is the youngest but one of the
family of eight children, five sons and three daugh-
ters, born to Henry and Sarah Kimuier, both of
whom were natives of North Carolina, where they
spent their lives. Henry Kimmer was a farmer by
occupation. John Kimmer was born February 2,
1815, and was reared in his native State of North
Carolina,- where he received a common-school edu-
cation. In the year 183(5 he married Miss Esther
Eford. Mrs. Kimmer was born in North Carolina
in 1817, and died in Arkansas, March 3, 1888,
leaving nine children, four sons and five daughters,
viz. : Henry, Margaret, wife of John York; Sarah
A., who married William McBride; Mary, now
Mrs. William Fulbright; George AW, Robert, Lou-
isa, wife of J. B. Fulbright; Martha, now Mrs. A.
D. York, and Jacob. About the year 1867 Mr.
Kimmer removed with his family to Independence
County, Ark. , where they have since resided. He
owns a fine farm of 267 acres, about sixty acres of
which he has under cultivation. In polities he is a
*F|« — *"
« k.
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INDEPENDENCE COUNTY.
683
Democrat, and, as an enterprising farmer and well-
to-do citizen of tbe township, he is most hif^hly re-
spected. He resides about two miles southeast of
Cusbman postoffice.
C. C. Kirkland, a well-known planter and cot-
ton-raiser of Independence County, Ark., was born
in Alabama, in 1826, and is a son of Richard and
Elizabeth (Anderson) Kirkland. who were born in
South Carolina and East Tennessee, and were mar-
ried in Alabama, whither the mother was taken when
a child, but where the father moved after reaching
manhood. Mrs. Kirkland died in 1882, at the age
of seventy-five years. Mi". Kirkland died in 1845,
aged fifty three years. Five of their eight children
are now living: Two brothers, besides our subject,
reside in Arkansas; Lucinda is the widow of Will-
iam Tate, and resides in Tate County, Miss. ; W.
R., died in Alabama, at the age of thirty-five years;
J. W., died in Mississippi, aged about thirty-five
years, also; Martha, who married Mr. Garrison,
died in Mississippi, and Ellen, wife of Ed John-
son, now resides in Memphis, Tenn. C. C. Kirk-
land grew to manhood in Northern Alabama, and
in 1860 came to Independence County, Ark. Dur-
ing the Rebellion he served in the Confederate
army three years; was at the battle of Helena, was
a participant in a great many skirmishes, and was
assistant ordnance master on Price's raid through
Missouri. Since the war he has been engaged in
farming, and for eight years past he has been col-
lecting agent for the Singer Sewing Machine Com-
pany during four or five months of each year. He
was first married, in 1851, to Miss Charlotte Parks,
who was born in Alabama, in 1829, and the result
of their union has been six children: W. T., who is
now employed with The Goodspeed Publishing
Company; Mary E. , wife of W. P. Sneed; Frances
C. ,wifp of Tom Hardin; James W., Calvin A., and
Joan, wife of John A. Thomas. In 1872 Mr. Kirk-
land was called upon to mourn ' the death of his
wife, and after remaining a widower for some time
he was united in the bonds of matrimony with Miss
Jane Whaley, by whom he has one child, Cora.
Mr. Kirkland has always supported the men and
measures of the Democrat party, and has shown
his approval of secret organizations by becoming a
member of the Masonic fraternity, in which order
he has ascended to the Royal Arch degi-ee. He
has a good and fertile farm of ninety acres, im-
proved with buildings, fences and orchard, and
supplied with all necessary stock.
Martin Lacy is one of the prosperous general
merchants of Independence County, Ark., and by
his superior management and rare business ability
and efficiency, he has done not a little to advance
the reputation the county enjoys as a commercial
center. He was l)orn in the " Emerald Isle " in
1846, and two years later was brought by his
mother, Mrs. Elizabeth Lacy, to America, but the
latter' s death occurred soon after her arrival in
New Orleans. He was then taken in charge by
his father, James Lacy, who had previously come
to the United States, and was removed by him to
Missouri, where he was reared and educated.
Martin Lacy is the only surviving member of two
children born to this couple, and after first acquir-
ing a fair knowledge of the English branches, in
the common and subscription schools of Clark
County, he entered on a cours(> of study in the
Christian Brothers' College, of St. Louis, and was
graduated from this institution in 1869, at the age
of twenty-two years, his course there lieing marked
by hard study and rapid progress. After leaving
school he engaged as a clerk and book-keeper with
M. L. C. Bevans, of Canton. M(3. . and after remain-
ing thus employed for about four years, he went
to Shreveport, La. , where he was occupied as book-
keeper with John "W. Bowers & Co.. wholesale
grocers. At the end of two years he removed from
there to Winchester, Mo., and again resumed his
old occupations of clerking and book-keeping, but
this time was an employi? of John Hennessy. In
the year 1877 he came to Arkansas, and filled the
latter position for N. E. Duffy, at Oil Trough,
Ark. , where he remained three years, purchasing,
in April, 1880, a stock of general merchandise,
and embarking in business at Oil Trough, in a
store-house which had previously been erected for
the purpose. His stock consists of dry goods,
boots, shoes, clothing, hats, caps, hardware, tin-
ware, drugs, etc., and Mr. Lacy is also engaged in
dealing in cotton. Upon his shelves will at all
ii "*y '
V
Af
684
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
times be found an excellent assortment of the various
articles in which he deals, and in all his relations
with the public, he is strictly honest and fair. He
is assisted by James M. Nichols. He is a commu-
nicant of the Catholic Church, and his wife is a
Baptist. On the 24th of March, 1880, he was
married to Miss Sallie E. Toler, a native of Mis-
souri, the wedding taking place at the home of the
Ijride's parents, in Oil Trough. They have had four
chOdi'en: Martin, who was born December 31, 1880,
and died March 81, 1882; Jesse, born May 18,
1883: Dollie May, born December 5, 1884, and
James Edwin, whose birth occurred March 26,
1888. Mr. Lacy has always supported the prin-
ciples of the Democratic party.
Byron Lacy is a prominent merchant, and the
postmaster of Elmo, Ark. The olde.st of two chil-
dren, he was born January 16, 1860, in Dublin, Ire-
land. His parents were Frank and Fanny I. (Byron)
Lacy, natives of Ireland, and both fiom among
the oldest families in that country. The father
received his education in France, and was one of
the most polished and gallant men of his day, while
the mother was educated at the home of her par-
ents by private tuition. Mrs. Lacy' s father, Thom as
Byron, occupied a high position on the Queen's
Bench, Dublin, and at the time of his decease, was
succeeded by Mr. Frank Lacy, who held the of-
fice until its abolishment, when he was retired on
full pay until his death, in 1885, at the advanced
age of eighty-iive years, his wife having gone be-
fore him ten years. The second child was a
daughter, Ada Lacy, who was born June 8th,
1862, and was married, in 1887, to Mr. Edgar Lit-
tle, who occupies a position of trust in the Bank
of Ireland, Dublin. Byron Lacy came to America
in the spring of 1880, and located at Elmo, where
he was employed by M. & W. D. Hodges on their
farm. He remained in this position for a short
time, and then applied for and obtained the post of
watchman on the A\'hite River bridge near the St.
Louis & Iron Mountain Railroad, two miles below
Newport, Ark. He remained in this capacity un-
til the autumn of 1881, when, in company with a
friend, he went into the business of hunting, trap-
ping and trading in furs up to the spring of 1882.
His tirst experience in commercial life, was with
Mr. Oliver Bro^vu, who kept a grocery and bakery,
and with whom he remained until the beginnine
of 1884, and then bought Mr. Brown out, and con-
tinued the business for two years longer at Newport.
In the summer of 1886, he retired fi'om business
at Newport, and returned to Elmo, and in January,
1887, purchased the .stock of merchandise of G. A.
Duck & Bro. , at that place. The stock consists of
general merchandise and plantation supplies, and
Mr. Lacy's shelves will at all times contain a fine
assortment of every line in which he deals. In 1887
Mr. Lacy was united in matrimony to Miss Laura
Hodges.a daughter of W. D. Hodges, and this happy
marriage has given them two children: Fannie and
Mable. Mr. Lacy is a member of the Episcopal
Church, while his wife attends the Methodist Epis-
copal Church, and is much admired for her active
work in that faith. Upon locating in America, Mr.
Lacy declared his intention of becoming a citizen
of the United States, and at the proper time re-
ceived his naturalization papers, voting the Demo-
cratic ticket since then. He is a charter member
of Newport Lodge No. 26, Knights of Pythias; and
postmaster of Elmo, Ark. He has become one of
the leading citizens of Independence County, and
has set an example worthy of emulation not only
by his former countrymen, but by the rising gen-
eration of America. His thrift, enterprise and
ability have procured for him the success that al-
ways attends those virtues.
Wbitmill Leggett, a pioneer of Independence
County, Ark., was born on the lOth of January,
1829, in the old log cabin on the place where he
now lives. He is the son of Whitmill, Sr. , and
Elizabeth (Masters) Leggett, the father a native
of North Carolina, and the mother of Pennsyl-
vania. The elder Leggett came to Tennessee and
served about two years in the War of 1812, under
Gen. Jackson. He got his brother to take his
place while he came on and settled in what is now
Ruddell Township, Independence County. The
county was then a territory, and called Lawrence
County. He was among the very first settlei's of
this locality, and erected a little log cabin of rough
character. Everything was wild and unbroken.
^1
^' Sharps + Roads,
Independence County.Arkansas.
3n
^
INDEPENDENCE COUNTY.
685
a few Indians were here, and the woods abounded
in wild animals. The clothes and shoes were all
home-made, and one pair of shoes was to last
through the year. Although they experienced
many hardships, they at the same time enjoyed
themselves most thoroughly. He moved to the farm
where Whitmill Leggett, Jr., now lives, in about
1825, and bought the land of the government.
There were no improvements whatever at that
time, but he set to work, and after several years of
hard work had made considerable changes. He
died on this place in 1855. The mother died
in 1864. They were the parents of a large family
of children, two now living: Jeremiah, and Whit-
mill, who was reared and educated in the district
where he now lives. He has followed the duties
on the farm from early childhood, and this he con-
tinues at the present time. He owns 240 acres of
land, with 150 under cultivation, over half of which
he has cultivated himself. In the conduct of his
estate, Mr. Leggett gives each detailed portion of
work his personal and close observance, and the
care and methods ever exercised have contributed
to place him among the foremost farmers of the
vicinity, as he is one of the most intelligent citi-
zens. He had one brother, Zechariah, who was
killed at Chickamauga during the war. Mr. Leg-
gett was married, in 1855, to Miss Virginia Lean-
eave, by whom he has two children living: Ee-
becca and Lou May. He was married the second
time, in 1873, to Miss Victoria Ann Mack, who bore
him three children: Emma A., Rachel C. and
Whitmill, Jr. Mr. Leggett is a Royal Arch Mason,
and has been a member of that fraternity for over
thirty years. Mrs. Leggett is a member of the
Methodist Episcopal Church, South, as is her
daughter, Emma A.
L. C. Lindsey, treasurer of Independence Coun-
ty, is still less than thirty-eight years of age, but is
holding, nevertheless, one of the most important
and responsible offices in the county and discharg-
ing the duties of this position with an energy, effi-
ciency and ability surpassed by few, if any, pub-
lic officials. He was born in Lawrence County,
Tenn., September 30, 1851, and is the son of
Daniel and Sallie (Dalton) Lindsey, the father a
native of Tennessee and the mother of North Car-
olina. They were married in the former State, and
in 1853 emigrated to Independence County, Ark.,
located first in Liberty Township, then in Inde-
pendence, where ho purchased a tract of land. He
owned the first mill in the county, which was run
by water power. He was also the first mechanic
in that section and there resided until his death,
which occurred in December, 1862. The mother
is still living. Ten children were born to this
union, three now living — Mary, wife of Jacob
Elms; Lewis C. , and Tennessee, wife of Robert
Simmons. The father was justice of the peace for
a number of years and deputy sheriff in Tennes-
see. L. C. Lindsey was but two years of age when
he came with his parents to Arkansas, and here he
was reared and received his education. He assist-
ed on the home place until the death of his father,
and in 1871 removed to Greenbriar Township, In-
dependence County, where he still resides. He
owns 120 acres of land, with about 90 acres under
cultivation. He was elected to his present office in
September, 1888, but previous to this had served
as deputy sheriff from 1886 to 1888 under Mc-
Curdy Hail. For his companion in life he chose
Miss Elizabeth C. Pritchard, who became his wife
in 1876. They have five children -Sallie, Lenora,
Daniel, OUie and Ii-a. Mr. and Mrs. Lindsey are
members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and
the former is a Democrat in his political views.
Dr. Henry G. Logan, of Independence Coun-
ty, was born in Cleveland County, N. C. . January
30, 1847, and is a son of John R. and Saiah P.
(Jackson) Logan, natives of York District, S. C.
The family is of Scotch-Irish descent, and the i)a-
ternal grandfather of our subject was John B.
Logan, a native of Virginia, who spent the greater
part of his life in York District, S. C, where he
died. John R. Logan was an extensive farmer,
and acquired considerable means, though he was a
heavy loser by the war. He was one of the most
prominent men of his county, and held many posi-
tions of trust and honor. He was a representative
in the State legislature four years, and was a life
lone Democrat. Both he and his wife were mem-
bers of the Missionary Baptist Church, though
f
686
HISTOEY OF ARKANSAS.
Mrs. Logan was formerly a Presbyterian. They
had ten children, viz.: Benjamin F., Leonardas
M., Henry G. , Elizabeth Bomer, Emily Herndon,
Amanda McBrayer and Ida Hogue, living; and
David J., who was captain of Company F, Eigh-
teenth South Carolina Confederates, and was killed
by pickets in the trenches of Petersbiu'g, June 18,
1864; John Pinkney was killed at Hatch's Kun,
February 6, 1865, while serving in the Twelfth
North Carolina Infantry; Hugh G. died at the
age of three years. The mother died in 1865, at
about the age of fifty-one years, and Mr. Logan
afterward married a Miss Allison, of York District,
S. C, who now resides at the old homestead, in
Cleveland County, N. C. John R. Logan died in
Cleveland County, N. C, April U, 1884, aged
seventy- three years. Henry G. received his early
education at Shelby, N. C. In May, 1864, he en-
listed in Company D, Second North Carolina Re-
serves, and served as first lieutenant until the close
of the war, surrendering at Greensboro, N. C
After the close of the war he attended school one
year, and the following two years engaged in
teaching. He also learned photography, at which
profession he worked at Shelby. While traveling
through North and South Carolina and Mississippi
he studied medicine, and, in 1874, attended a
course of medical lectures at Louisville Medical
College. In 1879-80 he attended the Atlanta
Medical College, where he graduated, returning to
Arkansas, where he entered upon the practice of
his chosen profession. He has been very success-
ful as a physician, and now has an extensive prac-
tice. In 1874 he married Sarah Howell, daughter
of Henry Howell, of Independence County. She
was born in 1855, and reared in Mississippi. They
have two children living, viz. : Emma E. , aged
eight, and Jefferson D. , aged five. Marion P. died
at the age of three years.
Isaac J. Long, D. D. , president of the Arkan-
sas College, located at Batesville, one of the most
noted institutions of learning in that State, is of
Scotch-Irish ancestry. His paternal grandfather,
Joseph Long, was born in Virginia, but in early
life removed to East Tennessee and settled on the
Holston River, in Hawkins County, where the
father of the Rev. Isaac Long, was born and grew
to manhood. Dr. Long's maternal grandfather
was Luke Hamilton, of Scotch parentage, but born
in the North of Ireland. In early life he emi-
grated to America and settled on Rocky River, in
what was then Pendleton District, now Ander-
son County, S. C. Isaac Long, Sr. , was a lieu-
tenant in Gen. Jackson's command during a part
of the War of 1812, and at the close of that con-
test he went with his kinsman. Col. Joseph Cal-
houn, to South Carolina, and settled among his
relatives in Abbeville District, then known as
"Calhoun Settlement;" but the climate being un-
favorable to his health, he soon removed to Ander-
son, where he was married in 1816, and on May
23, 1844, died from the sting of a poisonous spider
before completing his fifty-seventh year, his widow
following him in 1848. Rev. Isaac J. Long was
the fifth son and youngest child of his parents, and
was born near the Savannah River, in Anderson
District, S. C, on the 23d of February, 1834.
His early life was spent at the home of his parents,
and at the time of his father's death he had only
reached the age of ten years. After his mother's
death, four years later, he was left to act upon his
own judgment, and immediately began his battle
with the world. The only schooling he obtained
during his parents' lifetime was nine months at-
tendance, when in his eighth j'ear, and this was
reached after a walk of nearly three miles along a
lonely country path. The start obtained in this
manner, however, developed a strong desire for an
education, and many difficult points were mastered
and problems solved by studies pursued at night
by the light of pine knots, gathered at the close of
the day's labor. On reaching the age of sixteen
years, and squaring up accounts with his fellow-
men, he found his worldly possessions amounted
to only two suits of clothes and a single barrel
shot-gun, worth about |6. Thus equipped he
started out to seek fame and fortune. His first
engagement was to labor as a common farm hand
on a cotton plantation at a compensation of $5 per
month and his board, rising at 4 o'clock in the
morning and working though the day with the
foremost laborer on the place. In this way he saved
^.
INDEPENDENCE COUNTY.
687
lip enough money to complete bis English educa-
tion. His classical and mathematical course was
obtained chietly at Tbaliau Academy, in South Car-
olina, where, in addition to keeping up with his
classes, be tilled the laborious position of tutor
for three hours each day, as a means of defraying
expenses. Receiving encouragement and assistance
from a fiiend and pastor, the llev. David Hum-
phreys, he entered Center College, at Danville, Ky. ,
in 1855, and graduated from that institution with
the second honor in a class of twenty seven
gathered from thirteen States. Having chosen
the ministry (Presbyterian) as a profession, he en-
tered the Theological Seminary at Danville, four
days after graduating from college, and remained
here for some for some time enjoying the instruc-
tion received from men of national reputation.
In 185U he was selected as one of the principals of
the preparatory department of his alma mater, and
here began his work as an instructor in ancient
languages, in which he has been identified during
a large portion of his subsequent life. He was
licensed to preach after the usual examinations by
the Presbytery of Transylvania, at Lebanon, Ky. ,
on the 12th of April, 1860, and after preaching
the gospel for several months, he resigned his
position as instructor, and repaired to the Theo-
logical Seminary at Columbia, S. C, for the pur-
pose of attending the lectures given by the cele-
brated Dr. Thornwell, professor of theology at
that institution. He entered in October, 1860, and
remained a portion of that winter and spring, e.x-
pecting at the close of the session to return to Ken-
tucky, but the Civil War beginning in the spring
of 1S()1, thwarted all his plans. He then accepted
a call to the jiastorate of Concord Presbyterian
Church, in Sumter County, S. C, and was or-
dained and installed by the Presbyter}' of Harmony,
October 31, 1M61. At the outbreak of war, al-
though strongly opposed to secession, yet believing
that bis allegiance as a citizen was due primarily
to the State, his fortunes were cast with the South-
ern Confederacy. He served for a time as an inde-
pendent volunteer chaj)lain, accepting neither com-
mission nor comf)ensation from the government.
Dr. Long founded an academy at Batesville, by
employing teachers and boarding them partly with-
out compensation, and giving a part of his own
time to the work. This formed the nucleus from
which the Arkansas College was organized, in the
fall of 1872, and of which he was elected the first
president, with the professorship of ancient lan-
guages and moral science, holding this position at
the present time, besides preaching regularly to
his pastoral charge. This institution has been
pressed forward by Dr. Long's perseverance in
the face of many discouragements and difficulties
incident to such an undertaking, until it has
achieved a success almost unprecedented. He
was married at Itonia, S. C, on August 30. 185'.l,
to Miss Callie Penelope, second daughter of the
Rev. J. L. Kennedy, A. M., a widely-known and
eloquent Presbyterian clergyman, who was also an
eminent classical teacher in the northwestern part
of South Carolina, and at one time professor of
mathematics in Oglethorpe University, Georgia.
Mrs. Long is of Scotch Irish descent, and a rela-
tion and namesake of Mrs. William Preston, of
South Carolina. Dr. Long and his wife are the
parents of seven children, sis sons and one daugh-
ter, of whom three sons died in infancy. Eugene
R. was born in Sumter County, S. C, December
10, 1862; the only daughter, Irene, was born Octo-
ber 3, 1864; Ross K., bom June 12, 1871, and
Mack H., born July 24. 1873. Dr. Long is a
thoughtful, deliberate speaker, and a profound
theologian and logician. In addition to his labors
here as a minister, he has founded and conducted
the Arkansas College, at Batesville, of which he
has been president since its commencement. He
is a thorough educator, and many young men and
women of Batesville and elsewhere have ahundant
reason to feel grateful that they were placed under
his care. He is one of the most useful men in
the community, and one whom the people greatly
appreciate.
M. C. Long, an enterprising business man of
Jamestown, Independence County, is a dealer in
general merchandise, farm implements, etc., and
is also postmaster. He was born in McMinu
County, Tenu.. in 1851, and is a son of William R.
and Susan C. (Scoggin) Long, natives, respective-
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088
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
ly. of Tennessee and North Carolina. They were
married in the latter State in 1850, and subse-
quently in 1857 removed to Independence County,
Ark., where Mr. Long died in March, 1889. Mrs.
Long is still living, and is about fifty-eight years
of age; the former was a tanner by trade in early
life, Vj)ut afterwards turned his attention to farm-
ing. He served a shoi't time in the Civil War. He
is a son of Moses Long, a native of Tennessee, who
died in that State in 1880. The parents of our
subject were both members of the Baptist Church.
They had ten children (six living), of whom M. C.
was the eldest. The latter attended the common
schools and one year at high school in Houston,
Mo. , after which he taught one year in Texas, with
which exception he has lived in Independence
County since six years of age. In 1875 he married
Ruth A., daughter of William and Emeline Jessup,
the former a native of Indiana, and the latter of
North Carolina. They lived several years in Greene
County, Mo., and soon after the war removed to
Lawrence County, thence to Independence County,
where Mr. Jessup died in June, 1889. He was a
blacksmith, and served as justice of the peace sev-
oral years in Missouri. Mrs. Jessup is still living.
Mrs. Long is a native of Missouri. Mr. Long
engaged in farming a short time after marriage,
and, then in 1878, established a grocery in James-
town, in connection with which he taught school.
In 1882 he enlarged his stock, and now keeps a
general stock of merchandise, valuing the same at
about $4,000. In 1878 he was appointed post-
master, which position he still holds. He served
two terms as mayor of Jamestown, and is one of
the most influential citizens of the place. Mrs.
Long is a member of the Baptist Church. They
have five children, and the family is most highly
respected by all who know them. The great-grand-
father of Mr. Long, George Long, was a native of
Virginia, where he prol)ably spent his life; he was
a prominent Baptist minister.
Andrew G. McCauley, merchant, and notary
jjublic, Pleasant Plains, Ark. As might naturally
be expected, mention is made in the present work
of many citizens of Independence County, Ark. ,
now prominent in their different callings, but none
more so than Mr. McCauley, who represents the
mercantile interest of this vicinity. Born in Cov-
ington, Tipton County, Tenn., on January 29,
1851, he is the son of John A. and Emaline,
(Cheek) McCauley, both natives of North Carolina.
The parents were married in 1844, and five years
later moved to Arkansas, where the father received
his final summons. His excellent wife still sur-
vives. They became the parents of six childi'en,
all now living with the exception of one. Andrew
G. McCauley secured a good practical education in
the private schools, and subsequently engaged in
merchandising at Pleasant Plains (then Fairview),
Independence County, Ark., in 1875, and has con-
tinued there since. He carries a first-class stock
of goods, such as dry-goods, boots, shoes, hats,
caps and general supplies. He has assisting him
Mr. Blackburn, an accomplished salesman, who
gains many customers by his pleasant, social man-
ners. Mr. McCauley is also notary public, has been
postmaster for thirteen years, and also filled the
office of justice of the peace in a satisfactory man-
ner for four years. His marriage was consummated
in 1878 to Miss Gertrude Gan-etson, of New Jer-
sey, and they have two children, Beulah B. , aged
nine years, and Garrie G. , who died at the age of
seventeen months. Mr. McCauley is the owner of
120 acres of fine land, and also valuable property
in the town of Pleasant Plains. He is a stanch
Democrat and a firm l)eliever in Democracy. He
also takes a great interest in the progress of the
State and county.
Eli McClain, M. D., a young physician of ac-
knowledged merit in Independence County, Ark.,
was l)orn in Randolph County, this State, April 24,
1859, and is one of four surviving members of a
family of eight children born to the marriage of
Matthew McClain and Alcy HufPstedler, that mar-
riage occun-ing August 7, 1851, in the State of
Tennessee, where they were born, the former May
20, 1822, and the latter November 27, 1882. They
moved to this State in the year of their marriage,
procuring a place in Randolph County, where the
father continued to till the soil up to his death.
April 29, 1864. His widow married John S. Camp-
bell, August 7, 1867. They, with all the children
^
that have an-ived at the years of accountability,
are members of the Christian Church. The Mc-
Clain children still surviving are: Margaret, born
October 23, 1856; Martin, bom January 14, 1801;
Julia, born December 23, 1862, and Dr. Eli. At
first, the latter attended school in his native coun-
ty, but a strong desire to study medicine led him
to enter the Medical College of St. Louis, Mo. , in
which institution he made progress sufficient to
justif)' him in entering into active professional life,
which he did in his native State, and has continued
successfully in this calling up to the present date,
and many can testify to his ability. He is an
active member of the Christian Church, and is un-
married.
William B. McClendon, farmer, Jamestown,
Ark. For many years, or since his location in this
county, the reputation which Mr. McClendon en-
joys has been not only that of a substantial and
progressive farmer, but of an intelligent and thor-
oughly-posted man in all public affairs. He is the
son of Joel and Matilda (Mauldin) McClendon,
the former a native of North Carolina. The father
moved to Alabama while young, from there to Mis-
sissippi in 1840, and in 1853 to Independence
County, Ark., where he departed this life in 1858.
Mrs. McClendon came to Arkansas with her hus-
band, and died at their home in 1857. William
B. McClendon was born in Springville, St. Clair
County, Ala. , on the 28th of December, 1838, and
began business for himself at the age of twenty
years. He married his present wife, Mrs. Martha
J. (Morgan) McClendon, the same year. Her
parents, John and Mary Morgan, were natives of
South Carolina, and both are deceased. Mr. Mc-
Clendon, by his marriage, became the father of ten
children, seven living: David E., aged twenty -nine
years; Laura E., aged twenty -seven years; Cynthia
E., aged twenty one years; Henry C, aged eight-
een years; George D., aged sixteen years; Bertha
A., aged thirteen years, and Claude O., aged seven
years. The three deceased are: Thomas J., aged
twenty-four years; Neaty E., aged eleven months,
and Effie. aged four weeks. Mr. McClendon owns
260 acres of excellent land in Independence Coun-
ty, on which he has a pleasant home with all mod-
ern improvements. He was with the Eighth Ar-
kansas Regiment, Govan's Brigade, Cleburne's
Division, Hardee's Corps, Army of Tennessee, for
over three years during the late war; was wounded
and captured at the battle of Murfreesboro, but
made his escape, and came back to his home in In-
dependence County, in 1864, where he l)egan lifi-
anew by renting land for four years. In 1868 he
bought land in the woods, his present farm. He
has held the office of justice of the peace for two
years; is a member of the Masonic lodge at James-
town, and is a Democrat in politics. He has also
been a member of the Missionary Baptist Church
for thirty years.
Dr. M. McClure is the owner and manager of
"The Batesville Steam Patent Roller Flour Mills,"
supposed to have cost over $20,000, including
steam cotton-gin, with steam compress for baling;
also wood-working machinery, planing-mills, re-
saws, and woolen mills; also the owner of very
valuable city property and thousands of acres of
land in this and adjoining counties. He left home
when but seven years old, and has paddled his own
canoe ever since. From what we can learn from
his fi-iends, he educated himself and made all his
property by his untiring industry, notwithstanding
his father's estate (who died when the Doctor was
but two years old) left a competency to have edu-
cated all the heirs, if it had been properly man-
aged by the administrator. The above shows what
a boy can do if he has the will and determination.
Dr. McClm'e was born twenty miles north of Mays-
ville, Ky., and obtained the most of his education
in Ohio. He graduated in the dental profession in
Cincinnati. Practicing his profession in Decatur,
111., for six years, he went South in 1858, and settled
in Batesville, Ark., where he has remained since.
He married a Miss H. A. Sigler, in Ross County,
Ohio, in 1861. He joined the Confederate army
in 1864, and surrendered as assistant surgeon, at
Jacksonport, in I860. He put several thousand
dollars in a newspaper. The North Arkansas Times,
a Democratic sheet, now owned by Batesville Print-
ing Company, and slill Democratic. We under-
stand Dr. McClure has about (juit his profession,
but still keeps things moving.
^
A
690
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
William L. McGuire, farmer, Batesville. The
name that heads this sketch is one long and worth-
ily identified with Independence County, and,
indeed, no history of this immediate vicinity would
be complete which failed to make proper men-
tion of Mr. McGuire. Originally from St. Louis
County, Mo., his birth occurred near the city
proper now, on the 5th of September, 1840. His
father. Elam S. McGuire, was a native of North
Carolina, but emigrated to Missouri while single,
and was married in St. Charles County, of that
State, to Miss Catherine E. Lewis, who was a
native of Virginia, but who had emigrated to Mis-
souri with her jaarents. They moved to St. Louis
County a short time afterwards, and located near
St. Louis, where he followed tilling the soil for
one year. He lived in a little cabin, cut wood
and haiUed it to St. Louis. In 1841 he moved to
Independence County, Ark., and stopped in Bates-
ville, where subsequently he and his brother, Wil-
liam L., engaged in farming in what is now
Greenbriar Township. They farmed in partner-
ship for a number of years. He then moved to
Batesville and carried on the drug business until
about 1856, when he bought and moved upon the
Lee farm, adjoining his flouring-mill property,
a mile and a half northeast of the town, which he
had purchased three or four years before, and
which farm, with a part of the mill property (210
acres, 100 under cultivation), is owned and culti-
vated by his heirs. He there remained until his
demise, in December, 1858. The mother died in
December, 1888. He and his wife, being faithful
Christians, members of the Presbyterian Church,
were among the few to organize a Presbyterian
Church in Batesville, in 1849. He was elected
and ordained a ruling elder. They gave a hearty,
cheerful, helping hand to all religious, educa-
tional and benevolent efPorts and enterprises in the
community. They were the parents of seven chil-
dren — all living: William L., Charles E., Thomas
W., Walter S., John AV., Elam A., and Laura B.
The father was postmaster at Batesville through one
administration (Taylor and Filmore' s) and was also
school commissioner. He was a Whig in politics,
and was also a Know Knowing. He was a promi-
nent Mason. William L. McGuire was but one
year old when he came to this county, and here he
received a good, thorough education. He attended
the Literary and Military Institute in St. Louis
County, Mo. , for some time, and was there at the
time of the death of his father. He then came
home and there remained. His father was a man
who believed in making his boys useful, and re-
quired their assistance in his business. There the
son tirst learned in some degree the ways and forms
of business — drug store and postofiice, and fur-
ther on, milling, running of machinery, etc. When
his father sold out his drugs and moved on the
farm, he being the oldest, naturally became the
leader in carrying out the directions of his father '
until his death, when he became more the mana- |
ger on the farm, on which he has continued, with (
the exception of two years in the employ of his |
uncle, E. R. McGuire, and cousin, J. C. McGuire,
in Oil Trough Bottom, this county, in charge
of a gin and mill; and one year in the employ
of his aunt, Mrs. S. S. Watson, St. Charles
County, Mo. He is a member of the Presbyterian
Church, and in his politics he affiliates with the
Democratic jjarty. In 1862 he enlisted in Com-
pany C, Dobbins' Regiment and served through
the war. He was wounded twice at LaGrange,
Ark., by a pistol shot, once in the right leg and
once in the shoulder. He was in a great many
hard skirmishes and witnessed many hardships.
James Clinton McGuire, a prominent and suc-
cessful farmer of Independence County, is a son of
Edwin R. and Emeline (Craig) McGuire, of North
Carolina and Missouri, respectively, and is the old-
est of four children born to the parents, the next
in order being Mary E. , Cordelia and William E.
The father was one of the earlier settlers of this
county, having come here in 1837, and locating at
Oil Trough Bottom. He was one of the largest
land-owners in Independence County at that period,
owning about 1,700 acres, with some 600 acres
under cultivation, and resided there in content-
ment and prosperity from 1837 to 1864, when he
was burned out of house and home by a band
of marauding jayhawkers, who were roaming
over the country plundering honest settlers. He
^
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INDEPENDENCE COUNTY.
fU»l
was well known and active in political circles, as
well as all [lublic enterprises, and was a man who
commanded considerable influence in his day. He
attended service at the Methodist Episcopal Church,
and was an honorable man in every action. Mr.
McGuire was also a member of the Masonic fra-
ternity, and took an active part in developing and
organizing lodges. He belonged to Mount Zion
Lodge No. 10, and was also a member of Bates-
ville Chapter No. 9, besides being at one time a
member of De Molay Commandery, at Louisville,
Ky. His son, Jamos Clinton McGuire, was born
at Oil Trough on the 17th of October, 1839, and
received his education at that place. In early life
he showed some of his father's characteristics, and
the course he pursued in after life fully entitles
him to be "a chip o' the old block." He is a
member of the same Lodge and Chapter as his
father was before him, and the same iron will and
determined character mark his career as they did the
older man. He now owns about 700 acres of land,
and has placed some 500 acres under cultivation,
and is a true representative of the progressive
farmer. In 1871 he was married to Miss Mattie
E. Erwin, who has been a devoted wife. She is a
member of the Presbyterian Church, while her
husband attends the Methodist Episcopal Church.
Richard A. McHenry is an extensive farmer of
Big Bottom Township, Independence County. He
was born in Batesville, Ark., January 12, 1840,
and is a son of James and Mary (Parker) McHenry,
natives, respectively, of Tennessee and Kentucky.
James McHenry went to Kentucky when quite
young, where he married, subsequently settling at
Batesville, Ark., when there were but few people
living in that part of the State; he was a mechanic
by trade, but devoted the greater part of his atten-
tion to farming. He died in Batesville, in 1844.
Of his five children, our subject is now the only one
living. Mrs. McHenry afterward married Will-
iam May, to which marriage one daughter was
born, now deceased. The mother died in Inde-
pendence County, in 1862, aged about forty-eight
years. When but thirteen years of age, Kichard
A. left home to work for himself, engaging at any-
thing that he could, farming and working on a
steamboat. In July, 1861, he enlisted in Company
K, Eighth Arkansas Confederate Infantry, and
sei-ved nine months, being discharged at Nashville,
Tenn., on account of disability. In 1803 he re-
enlisled, and was under command of Capt. Knight,
Col. Sweet's regiment, during the Missouri raid,
participating in several skirmishes — among them
Pilot Knob, Independence and Kansas City. After
the war Mr. McHenry returned to Independence
County, Ark., and turned his attention to farming,
his first purchase being eighty acres of land in the
bottoms of the White River. He now owns 880
acres of as fine farming land as there is in the
county, which he has acquired through enterprise
and good management. January 21, 1863, he
married Rose Tunstall, a daughter of Thomas Tun-
stall. She was born in Independence County,
April 4, 1847. They have three children living —
Richard K. , Katie N., wife of James Brooks, a
farmer of Independence County, and Rosa L.
Those deceased are: Mary E., James L. , James
I. and an infant. Mr. McHenry is a Royal Arch
Mason, and in politics is a Democrat. He is an in-
dustrious farmer, and has been very successful in
his chosen occupation.
John Lemviel McKee. From this brief and in-
complete review of the life record of Mr. MeKee
it will be seen that his life from earliest youth up
to the present time has not been uselessly or idly
spent. He is a progressive planter, residing in
Christian Township, but was born in Tennessee, in
February. 1S39. and is a son of John and Bar-
bara Ann (Smith) McKee, who were born, reared,
and married in North Carolina. The parents emi-
grated to Arkansas in 1848, and located one mile
west of where our subject now resides, on what is
known as the Newport and Batesville road. His
land was heavily covered with timber, and con-
sisted of 160 acres, and during a fourteen years"
residence on this place he cleared and improved
the entire tract. This property he sold in 1862,
and bought the farm on which his .son, Jolui
Lemuel, is now residing, and here lived until his
death, which occurred during the war. He was
followed to his long home by his good wife in
1870. The subject of this sketch received the
v4' — ^
692
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
greater part of bis education in Arkansas, and re-
mained with his parents on the farm until the
breaking out of the late Rebellion, when he volun-
teered as a private in Company G, First Arkansas
Infantry, and served until wounded at the battle
of Chiekamauga, having taken an active part in
the battles of Bull Run, Manassas Gap, Mur-
freesboro, Shiloh, and in various skirmishes. He
was honoralily discharged in 1864, by reason of
disability caused by the wound received at Chieka-
mauga, the ball having penetrated the left eye, and
lodging just above the left ear. He remained in
the hospital at Marietta, Ga. , for about seven
months after the battle, and after recovering suf-
ficiently to travel he was discharged, and returned
home, which place he reached about the middle of
May, 1864. October 28, 1866, he wedded Miss
Lucy McCravy, a daughter of John and Permelia
(Newton) McCravy, the former a native of North
Carolina, and the latter of Alabama, in which
State Mrs. McKee was also born. In 1860 Mrs.
McKee came to Arkansas with her married sisters,
Mrs. Eliza Kennemur and Mrs. Mary Haney, but
her early education was received in her native
State. Mr. and Mrs McKee have two children,
Jesse H. , who was born on the 'ilst of Sep-
tember, 1867, and died October "28, 1867, and
George F. , whose birth occurred on the 13th
of December, 1868, he being now the mana-
ger of the home farm. Mr. McKee has always
lived the life of a farmer, and, although he has
been a life-long Democrat, he has never held an
office, or aspired to do so. Mrs. McKee and their
son, George, are members of the Methodist Epis
copal Church, and, although Mr. McKee has never
united with a religious denomination, he has
always contributed liberally to the support of
churches. His uncle, George McKee, held the
position of major in the volunteer army through-
out the Mexican War.
Y. M. Mack, farmer, Batesville. The subject
of this sketch, well and favorably known to a host of
acquaintances in this community, is a fair example
of what can be accomplished by industry and per-
severance. He was born November 13, 1838, his
birth occurring in Wayne County, Tenn., and is
the son of A. W. and Serene (Hutson) Mack, the
father a native of Rockingham County, N. C, and
the mother of Maitry County, Tenn. The father
emigrated to Maury County at an early day, and
there met and married Miss Hutson. After resid-
ing here for twenty-two years they removed to
Wayne County, of the same State, and there re-
mained for another twenty- two years. In the fall
of 1854 he came to Independence Count}', and
located four miles northeast of Batesville on what
is known as Blue Creek. He bought a tract of
land, with about fifty acres under cultivation, 280
acres in all, and there resided until his death,
which occurred on the 7th of May, 1876. W^hile
living in Tennessee he held a number of minor
offices. He was a carpenter by trade, having
learned the same in Maury County, Tenn. , and
followed this for many years. He was born in
1793, and was eighty-three years of age at the time
of his death. His great-grandfather was a native
of Scotland, and was an early emigrant to North
Carolina. Some of the family were soldiers in the
Revolutionary War. The mother died August 9,
1844. There were eight childi-en in their family,
six daughters and two sons, three now living:
Aseneth R. , wife of John W. Ingalls ; Young M. ,
and Victoria A. D. L. J., wife of Whitmill Leg-
gett. Y'oung M. came to Independence County,
with his parents, when about sixteen years of age,
and here he received the principal part of his edu-
cation. In 1861 he enlisted in Company H, De-
sha's battalion, and this was consolidated into the
Eighth Arkansas at Shiloh, in 1862. He enlisted
as a private and was promoted to corporal, ser-
geant, second, third and first lieutenant, and final-
ly to the rank of a captain. He was at the bat-
tle of Perryville, was in all the engagements of the
Army of Middle Tennessee, and was in the 120
days' fight during the fall of Atlanta. He was
wounded, by a gun- shot, in the right arm, at New
Hope Church, was taken to the hospital at Macon,
Ga. , and there remained four weeks. He was
again disabled at Franklin, Tenn., but not seri-
ously. He was within twenty feet of Clayborne
when that officer was shot. Capt. Mack was cap-
tain of Company H, Eighth Arkansas, and served
A
:?;
INDEPENDENCE COUNTY.
<-m
with great bravery in every oBice. He went home
on an eighty days' furlough, but the war was over
when the time expired, and he surroiidorod at
Jacksouport in 1865. They were mustered in with
eighty three men, and at the close there were but
twenty-three left. After cessation of hostilities
Capt. Mack engaged in agricultural pursuits, and
has carried on this calling ever since. When he
left the army he did not have a decent suit of
clothes. He is now the owner of 300 acres of ex-
cellent land, with 160 acres under cultivation. He
has a good residence and all out-buildings are in
good condition. By his marriage, which occurred
in 1874, to Miss Lou Gilbreath, a native of Arkan-
sas, he became the father of six children : Maud
M. , Minnie P., Leonidas L. , Sidney C. , Louie D.
and Jeff D. Mrs. Mack and two daughters are
members of the Methodist Church. He is a mem-
ber of the Masonic Blue Lodge and Chapter, the
K. of H, and the K. & L. of H.
Col. Morgan Magness (deceased) was one of
the earliest settlers and most prominent residents
of the State of Arkansas. He was a son of Jona-
than Magness. and was born in Davidson County,
Tenn., December 18, 1796, his death occurring in
Independence County, Ark., September 1, 1871.
When sixteen years of age he removed with his
parents from Tennessee to Independence County,
Ark., locating on Miller's Creek, northwest of
Batesville; one year later the family removed to a
point sis miles southeast of Batesville, and subse-
quently settled in Big Bottom Township, where
they entered land, and from that time were most
prosperous. Col. Magness won very distinguished
success as a farmer, and at the time of his death
was one of the most substantial men in the State;
he was also extensively interested in stock rais-
ing and planting. He represented Independence
County in the lower house of the State legislature
several years, and his honorable service in that
capacity will long be remembered by his constitu-
ents. His first wife was Keziah Elliott, a native of
North Carolina, who died in Independence County,
Ark., leaving no children. In 1845 Col. Magness
married Susan Dunnigan. who was born in Dick-
son County, Teuu., in 1815. To this union were
bom five children, four of whom gr<«w to maturity,
viz.: William D., D. P. W. (a jilanter and stock
raiser, died in November, 1875, at about the age
of twenty-five years), Elizabeth F. (now the wife
of Joseph J. Waldrop, a prominent farmer of Inde-
pendence County, Ark.), and Morgan J. (who was
born in 1855, and died December 2, 1882). Mrs.
Magness died March 16, 1877. William D. Mag-
ness was born in Big Bottom Township, Independ-
ence County. August 1, 1846. He received the
advantages of a common school education, and re-
mained at home the greater part of the time until
his father's death, having spent some time with
him in Texas during the latter part of the war.
He then began farming for himself, and is now
the owner of about 1,000 acres of fine land. Feb-
ruary 5, 1879, he married Mary E. Edgar, a native
of Jefferson County, East Tenn., who was born
March 15, 1852. They have one son, Morgan E.
Politically, Mr. Magness is a Democrat; his father
was formerly a Whig, and during the latter |)art
of his life sympathized with the Democratic party.
Benjamin Magness is one of the influential men
and enterprising farmers of White River Town-
ship, Independence County. His birth occurred
in Rutherford County, N. C, January 27. 1821.
and he is a son of Jacob and Eda(Webb) Magness,
who were also natives of Rutherford County, N.
C. Of their family of eleven children, five grew
to maturity, and but two are now living, our sub-
ject and a sister, Mrs. Sallie Chetwood, of North
Carolina. Benjamin Magness was an extensive
and successful farmer in his native State, where he
spent the whole of his life, his death occurring at
the age of seventy-seven years; his wife died when
sixty-three years old. Both were consistent mem-
bers of the Missionary Baptist Church, in which
church he served as deacon for over forty years.
The paternal grandfather of our subject was also
named Benjamin Magness: he was a native of North
Carolina, and served in the Revolutionary War.
Mrs. Magness was a daughter of Robin Webb, also
of North Carolina. Benjamin Magness, subject of
this sketch, received his education in his native
county, and remained on his father's farm until
1840. In the latter vear he married Charlotte Me-
f
s r,-
A
9 k^
694
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
Brayer, daughter of Samuel INIcBrayer, of Cleve-
land County, N. C. Mrs. Magness only lived a
short year after her marriage. Mr. Magness next
married Adaline Sweega, who was a native of Ruth-
erford County, N. C. Her father was Elijah Sweega.
To this union were born seven children, five sons
and two daughters, viz. : Robert L. , a farmer of
Independence County, Ark. ; Alonzo, also a farmer;
Almina, wife of John McFarland, of North Caro-
lina; George O., merchant at Newark, Ark. ; Elijah,
engaged in farming in Independence County;
Susan, who died in North Carolina, and Jacob, en-
gaged in merchandising in Independence County.
Mrs. Magness died in 1865, at the age of thirty-
two years. Mr. Magness subsequently married
Barbara Ann Rice, who was born November 24,
1843. The following children have blessed this
union: Martha A., wife of Frank Martin, of Newark;
John M. , a farmer; William W., also a farmer;
Ella (deceased), Amanda W., Julia, Benjamin A.,
Hugh T. E. D.. Gertie A. P., Bonnie B. and
Leona. After his first marriage, Mr. Magness
worked a farm of 365 acres, which his father gave
him in Rutherford County. In 1858 he removed
to Arkansas, locating in Independence Coxmty,
where his first purchase consisted of 330 acres; he
now owns 1,000 acres of good farm land, and is
one of the most extensive farmers in the county.
For forty-eight years he has been a member of the
Missionary Baptist Church. He is also a member
of the Masonic fraternity, and though taking no
active part in politics, his sympathies are with the
Democratic party. He supports liberally the cause
of education, and is ever ready to assist in the ad-
vancement of its interests. Mr. Magness is one of
the most substantial men of Independence County,
and is highly respected by all who know him.
Isaac Magness is a properous farmer and stock-
man, residing on Section 14, Christian Township,
Independence County, Ark. , his postoffice address
being Oil Trough. He is a son of Josiah and Pari-
lee (Williams) Magness, his maternal grandfather
being Isaac Williams; the paternal grandfather was
a soldier in the W'ar of 1812, and a participant in
the battle of New Orleans. Isaac Magness was
born in Fayette County, Tenn., May 24, 1836, and
was there reared to manhood and educated, but
came with his parents to Arkansas in 1857. They
resided in Cross County until 1867, then moved to
Independence County, and purchased 130 acres of
land, a portion of which was under cultivation, and
here resided until the father's death, in 1870, he
being the owner of 1 50 acres at that time. His wife
died in 1880. Isaac Magness enlisted in the Con-
federate army in 1862, and was a member of Col.
Bob Shaver's regiment, serving until June, 1885,
and was a participant in the battle of Little Rock,
and numerous skirmishes. After bis return from
the war he again took up the implements of farm
life, and has continued in this calling up to the
present time. His first purchase of land was in
1870, and consisted of eighty acres, but he sold
this two years later and purchased land in Christian
Township, which he also sold in 1879. His present
farm consists of 243 acres, and at the time he pur-
chased it there were but fifteen acres under culti-
vation, and it was only improved by a small log
cabin. He now has 130 acres cleared and 110
acres under cultivation, and on this is an excellent
frame dwelling-house and other good buildings.
He i.s a member of McGuire Lodge No. 208, of the
A. F. & A. M., at Oil Trough, and has always been
known as a liberal and public spirited citizen. He
was married on the 1st of September, 1868, to
Miss Missouri Hungatte, a native of Arkansas,
whose father was born in Illinois and her mother
in Indiana. To them the following family have
been given: Willie Lee, who was born on the 22d
of August, 1869; Elisha T., whose birth occurred
September 9, 1871; John M. , who was born Feb-
ruary 22, 1 875, and Hardy Marquis, born January
4, 1880. The eldest child. Miss Willie Lee, was
married to James Monroe Nichols on the 26th of
May, 1889, her husband being a son of John G.
and Nancy (McGuire) Nichols.
Jacob F. Martin, one of the well-to-do and
most highly respected farmers of Washington
Township, Independence County, resides five miles
southwest of Victor postoifice. He was born in
Independence County, August 18, 1839, and is a
son of John and Sarah (Fulbright) Martin, natives,
respectively, of Tennessee and North Carolina.
INDEPENDENCE COUNTY.
695
The parents of John Martin were early settlers of
Lawrence Connty, Ark., where they died. John
Martin was married in Independence County, where
he died about 1858. He was a farmer by occupa-
tion. The mother of our siibject died in 1887,
and of her eleven children ten lived to be grown.
Jacob F. was the sixth child. He was reared in
his native county, but was deprived of the advant-
ages of an education, his help being required at
home. In 1859 he married Miss Elizabeth F. Net-
tles, who was born in the State of Tennessee, April
15, 1841. Of the nine children who have blessed
their union but four survive, viz. : Henry, Frances
(now the wife of William F. Shaw), Laura and Min-
nie. In 1861 Mr. Martin enlisted in the Civil War
on the Confederate side, serving faithfully until
the surrender, in 1865. He is a stanch Democrat
in politics, and east his first presidential vote for
John Bell, of Tennessee. He owns 353 acres of land,
about 115 acres of which he has under cultivation.
Mr. and Mrs. Martin are members of the Metho-
dist Episcopal Church, South, in which they take
an active interest. The family is most highly es-
teemed by their many friends, and their long resi-
dence in the county has made their name a famil-
iar one here.
Adam Martin, of the firm of Martin & Bradley,
publishers of The Wheel, at Batesville, Ark., is
a native of Sulphur Rock. Independence County,
Ark., and the son of Hon. John G. Martin, a
native of North Carolina. The elder Martin was a
successful agriculturist by vocation, and became
a very prominent man later in life. He was
elected to the house of representatives in 1878,
and served one term. He was also justice of the
peace before the war, and discharged such duties
as were incumbent upon that office in a capable
and efficient manner. He died at Sulphur Rock
in 1881. He was married in Indiana, and in about
1849 located at Sulphur Rock, where his widow
still lives. Twelve children were born to their
union, three of whom are mutes, two sons and one
daughter, all of whom were educated at the same
school and were graduates. Six children are now
living: Mrs. Sallie J. Bradley, George D.. Mrs.
Lee TuUev, Urban, Pike and Adam, all of whom
reside at Sulphur Rock, except Pike, who is in
Little Elm. Tex. Adam Martin graduated at
Little Rock, Ark., in 1869. and was in school for
seven years, in the first school which was organ-
ized for the deaf and dumb. He was appointed
teacher in 1878, following this profession for four
years, and resigned in 18S2. He learned a part of
the printer' 8 trade at the Deaf and Dumb Institute,
and he and his partner established the Sulphur
Rock Wheel in 1887. One year later they moved
their paper to Batesville. where they have since
continued its publication. They have a large cir-
culation, and issue a good, spicy sheet. Mr.
Martin was married in 1882 to Miss Eunice N.
Walls, at Holly Grove, Monroe County, A.rk., and
she is also a mute. They have two sons, Ralph
H. and Adolphus W. W. Mr. Martin is a mem-
ber of the old Presbyterian Church of Little Rock,
and is also a member of the Wheel and Alliance.
He and his partner are both mutes and get along as
well as most business men. During the year 1880
Mr. Martin traveled extensively through Texas,
New Foundland, Canada, and all the New Eng-
land States. Most of the time was spent on the
ocean. During this trip Mr. Martin met with
about 1 , 500 mutes.
George L. Massey is a man of more than ordi-
nary energy and force of character, and no agricul-
turist of this region is deserving of greater success
in the conduct and management of his farm than
he. He, as well as his father, Jason Massey, was
born in Orange County, N. C the latter's birth
occurring in 1802, and the former's. May 6, 1830.
The latter was married, in his native State, to
Rachel Peirson, also a native of the ' ' Old North
State," and to their union wore born two sons, of
whom our subject is the only one now living. The
father was of Irish descent, and both he and wife
were earnest members of the Methodist Church at
the time of their death, the father's demise occur-
ring in 1882, and the mother's in 1871. George
L. Massey received a good practical education in
the common schools of Tennessee, and at the age
of sixteen years removed to Arkansas, and was
afterward married in that State to Miss Margaret
E. Lowe, who was a native of Arkansas, and died
#
\.
<5 W.
696
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
in March, 1874, having become the mother of four
sons and one daughter, three of the family surviv-
ing: Edwin L., who married Miss Missouri Gunn,
a native of Mississippi, who died in March, 1874
(he afterward married Miss Vida E. Morgan, a na-
tive of Alabama); Ida, wife of Frank J. Leggett, a
native of Arkansas, and Henry M., who wedded
Mattie McClendon, of Alabama. After the death
of his first wife Mr. Massey married Miss Sarah
Jane Bryant, who was a native of Mississippi.
Her parents, Richard and Elizabeth Bryant, were
Virginians, and became the parents of twelve chil-
dren, six of whom are now alive. Mr. Bryant
died in April, 1876, and his wife in December,
1873. Mr. Massey owns land to the amount of
1,000 acres, and has about 300 acres under cultiva-
tion. In 1862 he joined the army, and after par-
ticipating in the battle of Helena and other engage-
ments, he was discharged in 1865, and returned
home to again take up the implements of the farm.
Mr. Massey is a Mason, and a member of the
Agricultural Wheel. He is a liberal contributor
to schools and churches, and he and wife are mem-
bers of the Methodist Church.
David B. Maytiekl, farmer, Desha, Ark. No
worthy reference to the agricultural affairs of this
county would be complete without mention of
Mr. Maytield, among others engaged in tilling
the soil. Besides this, he enjoys to an unlimited
extent the confidence and esteem of all who
know hi7ii, and is one of the influential men of
the county. His birth occurred in Cobb County,
Ga., February 26, 1840, and he is the son of
Elisha and Elizabeth (Blackwell) Mayfield, both
natives of Georgia. The mother died in 1841, and
the father then married Miss Catherine Blackwell,
a sister of his first wife. The elder Maytield re-
moved to Izard County, Ark. , in 1858, and there
he received his final summons in 1869. His second
wife followed him to the grave in 1888. David B.
Mayfield received his education in the private
schools of Georgia. He entered the Civil War at
its commencement, and was with his regiment, the
Eighth Arkansas, until the surrender. He was in
active service, and participated in the battles of
Chiekamauga and Shiloh, being woimded in the
last named battle. He was captured at Lookout
Mountain, and, after a long confinement at Rock
Island, made his escape and went to Canada, where
he remained until after the surrender. He then
came to Batesville, Ark., where he met and mar-
ried his present wife, Mrs. Elizabeth (Massey)
Mayfield, in 1867. They have two children living
and two deceased. Those living are Jesse and
William, who are now at home. Mr. Maytield is
the owner of 380 acres of land. He is a member
of the I. O. O. F. , and is a prominent member
of the Wheel. He and Mrs. Maytield are members
of the Methodist Church, and are much esteemed
citizens.
B. F. Mayhue possesses those qualities of in-
dustry and energy which are characteristic of
people of Ohio nativity. He was bom in Scioto
County, August 28, 1843, and was one of nine
sons and three daughters born to the marriage of
Amos Mayhue and Margaret Stumbaugh, who were
also of Ohio birth. They were reared, educated
and married in that State, and there the father be-
came possessed of about eighty acres of land, which
he gave to his youngest son. He subsequently
removed to Illinois, and afterward came to Arkan-
sas, and in these two States served the public in the
capacity of justice of the peace. He and wife are
members of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church.
B. F. Mayhue received his schooling near Shaw-
neetown. 111., and while a resident of that State
was married to Miss Sarah A. Fowler, on the 10th
of October, 1861, and their marriage has been
blessed in the birth of seven children; Benjamin
W., William A., Marion M., Mary M., Sarah A.
and Dora C. On the 22d of July, 1883, he was
called upon to mourn the death of his wife, she
having been a native of Illinois, and a daughter of
William and Amy Fowler. Mr. Mayhue afterward
married Miss Matronia Steed, a Kentuckian, their
marriage taking place on the Tith of November,
1883. Their family consists of three sons and one
daughter. Mr. Mayhue has eighty acres of his
160-acre farm under cultivation, well siipplied with
all necessary stock and buildings. He is a Mason,
and was a member of the Agricultural Wheel, but
resigned his membership in that organization, not
INDEPENDENCE COUNTY.
(•>U7
because ho objected to its principles, but to the
way it was conducted. lu 1862 he enlisted in the
army, under Capt. McCaleb, and the first hard
combat in which he took part was Mobile Bay, Ala.
After receiving his discharge, in November, LSGS,
he returned home and resumed his farming opera-
tions, to which he has since given his attention.
Mrs. Mayhue is a member of the Methodist Church.
James A. Meacham, an energetic tiller of the
soil, in Independence County, Ark. , was born on
the west fork of the Cumberland River, in Mont-
gomery County, Tenn. , October 29, 1810, and is
one of three living members of a family of eight
children born to John W. Meacham and Mary
Allen, both of whom were born in the State of
Tennessee, the former a native of Montgomery
County, where he was also reared and educated.
He was an industrious and fairly successful agri-
culturist, and showed his approval of secret socie-
ties by joining the Masonic order, of which he was
an active member. In 1814 he moved to the State
of Arkansas, which at that time was a Territory,
and the nearest market where he could sell the
products of his farm, and the results of his hunt-
ing and trapping expeditions, and purchase neces-
sary articles, was St. Louis, Mo. His wife was
a member of the Methodist Church. James A.
Meacham was educated in the common schools of
Independence County, attending a school taught
by John Daniels, in Batesville, which was the tirst
house of the kind erected in the town. He was
married to Miss Mary N. Eenley, a Georgian, who
was bom on the 23d of January, 1812, their nup-
tials taking place on the 30th of April, 1835. Of
six daughters and two sons born to them, five of
the family are still living. Mr. Meacham owns
220 acres of fertile land, and. by industry and
judicious management, has put about 120 acres
under the plow. He has been a member of the
Masonic order for about thirty years, and is an
active member of the Methodist Church. He was
a border ranger for one year during the 30' s,
but his services were not afterward needed. James
A. Meacham, who is still a hale and hearty old
man, has sixty-six grandchildren, and twenty-one
gi-eat-gi-andehildren.
T. A. Meacham is a prosperous farmer of In-
dependence County, Ark., and was l)orn in this
county Septemlier 14, 1831, being a sou of John
W. Meacham, who was born in Orange County,
N. C, May 8, 1786, and was reared and educated
in Virginia, and afterward married in Montgomery
County, Tenn., on the 24tli of December, 1809, to
Miss Mary Allen, who wjis also a native of the
"Old North State." James and T. A. Meacham,
and Margaret Carter are the only ones of th(Mr
family of eight eliildren who are now living. The
father was a farmer. T. A. Meacham was reared
and educated in Independence County, and was
married on the 13th of March, 1856, at which date
Miss Elizabeth Allen, also a native of the county,
became his wife. The following children havi-
been born to this union: MoUie A., Sarah A.,
James A., Eliza E., Leona. JefF, Cora L., William
A. and Robert R. Mr. Meacliam's acreage amounts
to 500, of which there are about 150 acres under
cultivation, which he has cleared and put under
the plow himself, and in tilling his broad acres he
has met with more than average success. He has
shown his approval of secret organizations by join-
ing the Masonic Lodge, and in this order held the
position of junior warden for some time. He
served in the late war under Gen. Hindman, and
in 1862 participated in his first hard battle at
Prairie Grove, Ark., which combat lasted for about
twenty-nine hours. He and family attend the
Methodist Church, and. owing to their long resi
dence in the county and their many admirable
qualities, they enjoy an extensive acquaintance and
are highly resjjected.
F. B. Meriwether is a native-born resident of
the county, his birth occurring in 1861, and he re-
ceived his early scholastic training in the common
and graded schools of his native county. From his
earliest youth he clerked in his father's store, and,
after attaining a suitable age, became a partner
with his father in a store in Batesville, and was
married, in 1880, to Miss Queen Berry, whose birth
occurred in Mitchell, Tenn., in 1862. To them have
been born two children, but only one is living,
Nettie. The wife died on the 3d of September.
1887. After his father's death, Mr. Meriwether
<s »^
698
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
engaged in business with G. W. Browning, and
came to Sulphur Rock, where he was engaged in
merchandising until 1880, and has since been in
the lumber business. He is quite well fixed finan-
cially, and the father, at the time of his death,
owned nearly 2,000 acres, his estate being one of
the largest and richest in the county. F. B. Meri-
wether is one of the leading young business men
in Independence County, and, as a young man, is
very popular with his associates. Unlike most
persons to whom a competence is left, he has not
foolishly squandered it, but has continued to add
to it, and is now ranked among the wealthy resi-
dents of the county. His parents, W. D. and
Eleanor Meriwether, were Kentuckians, the former
being a native of Shelby County, where he was
born September 5, 1822. He was taken by his
parents to Mississippi, thence to Independence
County, Ark., where both his father and mother
died. At the time of his marriage, he had
very little property with which to commence life,
but he opened a country store on his forty -acre
farm, and at the breaking out of the war, owned
an extensive tract of land, a lucrative mercantile
business, and thirty-five negroes. He was a very
heavy loser during the war, and during this period
the most of his time was spent in St. Louis and
Little Rock. After the war he again opened busi-
ness on his farm, and did exceptionally well until
1871, when he and family moved to Sulphur Rock,
and for the next eight years were engaged in busi-
ness at this point. From that time until 1883, when
the father died, they were occupied in merchandis-
ing at Batesville. He was one of the shrewdest
and most successful merchants of the State, and
was justly called the " Cotton King of Northeast
Arkansas." In his family were twelve children:
Mary, who died when six years of age; Julia, the
wife of G. Brown; Buck, George, Martha, Jo-
hanna, wife of Dr. J. W. Hodges; William, Frank
B. (our subject), Clinton, David, who died at the
age of three years; Eliza, who died at the age of
three and one-half years, and Thomas, who died
when an infant. The maternal grandfather died
at the age of one hundred and three years.
Killis J. Mills, an enterprising farmer and
stock raiser of Greenbriar Township, Independence
County, was born in White County, Tenn. , in
1835. His parents were James and Rachel (Pen-
nington) Mills, natives, respectively, of South Caro-
lina and Tennessee. At the age of five years James
Mills went with his mother to White County,
Tenn., his father, Lewis Mills, having been killed
in the War of 1812. He was a farmer by occupa-
tion, and spent the greater part of his life in White
County, Tenn., where he died in 1883. His wife
is still living in White County, aged about seventy-
four years; she is a member of the Cumberland
Presbyterian Church, and is a daughter of John
Pennington, also of White County, where he died,
having made his home there for many years. To
James and Rachel Mills were born three sons and
six daughters, of whom our subject was the third.
In February. 1858, Killis J. married Lean, daugh-
ter of Thomas and Deidamia Elms, who located in
Independence County in 1859. Mrs. Elms is still
living. Mr. Elms was a teacher by profession,
and for several years served as sheriff in Putnam
County, Tenn. ; he died in 1 860. Mrs. Mills is a
native of White County, Tenn. The year after his
marriage Mr. Mills located in Van Buren County,
but throe years later removed to his present farm
in Independence County, which was then' unim-
proved; he has two farms, 136 acres in all, which
he now has well improved and under cultivation.
During the late war he served nearly four years in
the Confederate army ; he first enlisted in Company
D, First Arkansas Infantry, in which he served
nearly three years, subsequently joining Capt.
McGuftin's company of cavalry, remaining until
their surrender, at Jacksonport, in June, 1865; he
participated in the battles of Prairie Grove, Hel(>na
and Little Rock, and while serving in the cavalry
was with Gen. Price on his raid through Missouri.
At the close of the war Mr. Mills returned to his
home, and again turned his attention to farming,
at which he has been very successful. He is a
member of Neill Lodge No. 82, A. F. & A. M. , at
Jamestown. Politically, he was reared a Whig,
but is now a Prohibitionist. Mrs. Mills is a mem-
ber of the Methodist Church. They have two
children — James T. and Elizabeth.
u
.L
INDEPENDENCE COUNTY.
699
H. L. Miniken, a prosperous business man of
Batesville, and one of its leadinir citizens, was
born in that city on August 9, 1850, and is a son
of John and Jane (Middleton) Miniken, of Washing-
ton County, Penn. The Miniken family were early
settlers of Pennsylvania, whose ancestors origin-
ally came from England. The great-grandfather's
brother was a noted Tory, who, at the outl)reak of
the Revolution, returned to England, where all trace
of him was lost. John Miniken emigrated to Zanes-
ville, Ohio, and remained at that place for a few
years, when he traveled further west, making the
trip by water. The boat in which he took passage
contained a great number of emigrants, and
one day an explosion occurred, which completely
wrecked the vessel and killed a number of people.
Fortunately, however, the greater portion of them
were picked up out of the water, and among the sur-
vivors was Mr. Miniken, who returned home, and
again started west with his family, but traveling this
time by wagon, and coming all the way overland.
He arrived at Batesville, with his family all in good
health, and immediately entered into the drug
business at that place, afterwards carrying a large
stock of general merchandise. Mr. Miniken rose
rapidly in the estimation of the people in his
new home, and after residing here some time, rep-
resented Independence County in the legislature
for one term, and also served as county judge.
He was was a very prominent man and influential
citizen up to the time of his death, in 1852. The
mother is still living and enjoying fair health.
They were the parents of fifteen children, of whom
only four are living: Julia, wife of Charles Bag-
ley, a resident of California; Jane A., wife of the
Rev. P. Hickerson; Helen, and Harvey L. , the lat-
ter being the youngest of the family. He was
reared and educated in Batesville, were ho was
engaged for some years in the livery business. In
1879 he commenced dealing in general merchan-
dise, a business he has continued ever since, meet-
ing with great success, owing to his method of
transacting business. Mr. Miniken has adoj)ted
certain rules for his establishment from which he
never deviates. His practice is to sell the best
goods at the lowest price, to be fair and square in
all of his actions, and these methods have given
him a reputation and enlarged his business to such
an extent that he is now looked upon as an author-
ity in commercial circles. He was married, in 1882,
to Miss Sarah J. Lawton, of Washington Coun-
ty, Penn. . by whom he has had one child — Dona
hue L. Mr. Miniken is a member of the Masonic
fraternity, and a stockholder in the Building and
Loan Association of Batesville and St. Louis. He
also has an interest in the Batesville Canning and
Evaporating Company.
D. C. Montgomery is a man well remembered
in Batesville, and one with whom many of the old
landmarks of that city are associated. He was
born in Guilford County, N. C, in 1810. and was
reared and educated at that place. Upon reaching
his maturity he learned the carpenter's trade, and
after becoming proficient in that, moved to the
State of Illinois, where he followed his avocation
of carpentering for some years. He next moved
to Missouri, and there formed the acquaintance of
Urban E. Fort, at one time a well known and pop-
ular citizen of Independence County, and from
him learned of the opportunities offered in Bates-
ville. He came to that place in 18-10, and. after a
few years' residence, was one of its most prosper-
ous and enterprising young mechanics. It was
here that he met his first wife, Miss Pheamster, by
whom he had one child, who died in infancy, and
was shortly afterwards followed l)y the mother. In
1859 he was married to Miss Mary A. Rutherford,
a sister of ex- State Senator Rutherford, but had
no children by this wife. In time, Mr. Montgom-
ery became the leading carpenter and contractor in
Batesville. and many of the old buildings were
erected by him and his then young associates,
George Case, Samuel B. Wycough and Thomas
Wamac. At the close of the war, or about 1867.
he moved to his late residence, some six miles from
Batesville, where he led a quiet and easy exist-
ence up to the time of his death. He was one of
the thirteen persons who formed the organization
of the Presbvterian Church in Batesville. many
years ago, all of whom have since died, and he was
one of the leading spirits in all public enterprises.
Mr. Montgomery was one of the few men who were
» r
JiJ-
700
HISTOKY OF ARKANSAS.
not afraid to express their candid opinion on polit-
ical or religious subjects, and in every case his
views were correct and judgment good. He hold
a high place in the hearts of his fellow- citizens,
and out of the entire community it would have
been impossible to pick his enemy. During the
war he was appointed postmaster at Batesville, and
previous thereto was elected, through his own
merits, to the legislature for five successive terms,
and tilled the position honorably. Mr. Montgom-
ery helped to build the first house in Hughes' ad-
dition to Batesville, and had no superiors in his
trade. He left no children at his death, but his
widow still survives him, and resides on the home
farm, where she owns some 300 acres of land, with
about 100 acres under cultivation, and which is
creditably managed by her brother, James Ruth
erford. Many of the citizens of Batesville have
passed away to their eternal sleep, but none have
ever left a void in the hearts of their fellowmen
as did Mr. Montgomery, who, although his form
has departed forever from the gaze of loving friends,
his name still lingers, and will last in their memory
as long as life remains in the community.
Jesse A. Moore, a well-known and respected
citizen of Independence County, is a native of Jef-
ferson County, Tenn. , where he was born Febru-
ary 7, 1840. His father, I. W. R. Moore, was also
born in the same county and State in the year
1808. It was there he met and married Miss Julia
Moore, of Hawkins County, Tenn. , whose parents,
Hugh and Sarah Moore, of Virginia, had first set-
tled in that place shortly after marriage, and some
years later moved to Jefferson County. This hap-
py marriage was productive of seven children,
three sons and four daughters: George L., a resi-
dent of New Orleans ; Hugh L. , who married Miss
Eliza Dickson, of Hawkins County, Tenn. ; Mary,
wife of John Coke, of Tennessee; Martha R., wife
of Matterson Love, a native of North Carolina;
Julia Ann, who married Lucian Welch, of North
Carolina; Sarah, not married — now residing in
Chattanooga, Tenn., and Jesse A., who, like his
father, married a Moore, the lady being Miss Eli-
zabeth Moore, of Arkansas. This union gave Mr.
Moore and his wife three boys and two girls, of
whom three children are still living: Jessamie, Mal-
colm and Ernest. By industry, economy and good
management Mr. Moore has accumulated quite a
snug competence. He owns about 400 acres of
land, and has 200 acres under cultivation, besides
possessing ten town lots in a valuable portion of
Moorefield. He is a member of the Masonic fra-
ternity, and has held the ofBee of Worshipful Mas-
ter for four years, and was also elected a member
of the legislature in 1873, but through some polit-
ical chicanery Mr. Moore was not allowed to take
his seat in that body that year. In 1885, how-
ever, he was elected and served in the legislature,
and also has charge of the postoffice at Moorefield.
His wife is a regular attendant of the Methodist
Church, and a devout Christian lady.
M. M. Moore, grocer at Sulphur Rock, is a son
of James F. and Anna G. (Dillingham) Moore,
both of whom were born in North Carolina, the
former' s birth occurring in Iredell County, and the
latter's in the year 1813. They were married in
Independence County, Ark. , whither the father
came in 1819, and the mother with her parents
when a child. They reared their family in this
county and here the father was engaged in black-
smithing, carriage-making, farming and stock rais-
ing. In these enterprises he accumulated a large
fortune, and died in 187'2, at the age of sixty-tive
years, and his wife when thirty five years old. He
was a Whig in politics, and two of the four chil
dren born to himself and wife are now living. The
paternal grandfather, John Moore, was born in
Scotland and came to the United States, locating
in North Carolina, where he married and spent
his life, dying at the age of one hundred years.
M. M. Moore grew to manhood in Indejiendence
County, but owing to the scarcity of schools in his
youth, he received a limited early education.
Brought up to a knowledge of farm life, he very
naturally chose that as his calling at first, but when
the war broke out laid down his farm work to en-
list in the Confederate army. He participated in
the battle of Shiloh, where he was wounded, and,
accepting Lincoln's proclamation, he did not return
to service, but came home and resumed farm work,
continuing until 1875, when, with keen business
^
INDEPENDENCE COUNTY.
701
foresight and realizing the advantages to be gained
in conducting a grocery, he embarked in the busi-
ness at Sulphur Rock. In connection with this he
looks after the interests of his farm, which com-
prises ",240 acres. He is a member of the Metho-
dist Church, and in his political views is a Repub-
lican. He was first married when twenty-seven
years of age to Miss Fannie Rushing, who died in
1876, having borne the following children: John,
who died when six years of age; Mary, wife of
Everett Murphy; Daniel, Susie, who died at the
age of ten years; Rosa and Enoch. His second
wife was Miss Mary Moore, and their two children
are named John N. and Fannie. In his younger
days Mr. Moore taught school for about ten years
in Northern Alabama and some in Independence
County, Ark.
Col. T. J. Morgan, farmer and stock raiser,
and one of the best known men in Independence
County, was born near Hamburg, S. C, in the
year 1827. He is a son of John and Mary Ann
(Vaughn) Morgan, of Edgefield District, South
Carolina, and Augusta. Ga. . respectively, who
were married in Abbeville District, South Caro-
lina, where they resided until 1882, and then
emigrated to Independence County, Ark. The
parents were among the earlier settlers, and came
here when Independence County was a wilderness.
They bought some land and began improving it,
and in time, as the country began to settle up, the
father became one of its leading men. He was a
successful farmer and a highly res]iected citizen,
and for some years held the office of justice of the
peace, being also associate judge of the Imlepend-
ence County court. His father, William Morgan,
was also a native of South Carolina, of Irish and
Welsh descent, and fought in the War of 1812.
In 1832 he moved to Texas, where he resided until
his decease, his occupation during that time being
that of farmer, trader and saw-mill operator. His
father, Elias Morgan, was a native of Ireland, who
emigrated to America when a young man and re-
sided in South Carolina for the remainder of his life.
The maternal grandfather. Thomas J. Vaughn,
was a prominent contractor and builder, of Eng-
lish and Welsh oritrin, who died when Mrs. John
Morgan was a girl. Col. Thomas J. Morgan was
the oldest of four sons and seven daughters, of
whom four are yet living, and all residing in Inde-
pendence County. He is strictly a self-made man.
having attended school but very little in his young-
er days, but is possessed of a wonderful amount of
knowledge and information on almost every con-
ceivable subject, which his natural ability and fine
intellect have enabled him to understand thorough-
ly. At eighteen years of age he enlisted in Com-
pany D, of Yell's Arkansas regiment, and at the
battle of Buena Vista was a member of Wood's
division of Gen. Taylor's army. He gave four
year's service to the Confederacy, and distinguished
himself in every action, winning promotion from a
private up to his present title. He left the army at
Corinth, Miss., and shortly afterward assisted in
the organization of Company C, of Col. Robert
Newton's regiment of Arkansas Cavalry, and com-
manded that company until the fall of 180:5, when
he was promoted to colonel, his regiment being
known as Morgan's regiment. He never lost a day
by sickness or any other cause, and was in almost
every battle of note, as weU as Price's raids through
Missouri. After the surrender at Jacksonport he
returned to his home and family to enjoy the peace
he was so well entitled to. Col. Morgan was mar-
ried in 1855 to Miss Sarah Elizabeth, daughter of
Abram and Sebilla Allen, of Alabama, who were
among the early settlers of this State, first locating
in the river country, and a few years afterwards
moving to Independence County, where Mr. Allen
became a successful and wealthy farmer. Nine
children were born to Col. Morgan and his wife, of
whom five sons and two daughters are still living
Eliza Jane, wife of H. F. Dwight; Andrew David,
Jefferson D., Mar}' Ann, wife of John T. Powell;
William A., Thomas E. and John A., all of them
having been well educated. Col. Morgan and his
family lived in different portions of Arkansas and
bought land in various sections. He owns 340
acres in one tract, 640 acres in another and 150
acres in still another, besides giving each of his
children a generous portion, and has about 300
acres under cultivation. In 1874-75 he represented
his county in the legislature, after repeated solicitn-
jy:
702
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
tion, but since then he has had no further political
aspirations. He is a Democrat in politics, and a
member of the A. F. & A. M., belonging to Neill
Lodge No. 285. His grandfather, Elias Morgan,
was a cousin of the famous Gen. Daniel Morgan,
of Revolutionary fame, and it is believed that they
were the only two of the Morgan family who ever
came to America.
Judge Henry Neill, retired tanner of Green-
briar Township, owes his nativity to Mason County,
Ky. , where his birth occui'red in 1808, and he is
a prominent citizen of this county, respected and
esteemed for his sterling integrity, sober, soimd
judgment, broad intelligence and liberal, progress-
ive ideas. He is a man whose career has been
above reproach. His parents, Robert and Mag-
daleua (Black) Neill, were natives of Wilmington,
Del., and the father's birth occurred in 1767, the
same year in which Gen. Jackson was born. The
mother was born some years later, in the latter
part of the eighteenth century. They removed to
Mason County, Ky., at an early day, and later
crossed the Ohio River and settled in the Buckeye
State. There the father died at the age of eighty-
three, and the mother at the age of eighty one
years. She was a member of the Presbyterian
Church. The paternal grandfather of Judge
Neill, Robert Neill, was a native of the Emerald
Isle. Judge Neill, the sixth of nine children, live
sons and four daughters, born to his parents,
received a limited common school education, and
began for himself at the age of seventeen by learn-
ing the tanner' s trade. Before reaching his twenty-
first year he went to Northeast Missouri, and found
a position in a tan- yard, remaining there about
three years. In 1832 he came to Independence
County, where he followed his trade in a tan-yard
until 1834, and then established one of his own on
his present farm. This he continued until his age
would not permit of further work. In 1830 he
married Miss Dorcas Stark, daughter of Job and
Elizabeth Stark, natives of Kentucky and North
Carolina, respectively. Mr. and Mrs. Stark went
to Missouri when single, were married there, and
there remained until 1832, when they came to
Independence County, and there passed their last
days, the mother dying in 1844 and the father in
1845. Both were members of the Methodist Epis-
copal Church for many years. Mr. Stark followed
the occupation of a farmer all his life, and served
faithfully and well in the War of 1812. Judge
and Mrs. Neill reared six children: Job S., who
was killed at the battle of Oak Hill, on the 10th of
August, 1861, while serving in the Confederate
army; Robert, Elizabeth, wife of Dr. L. A. Dick-
sou; Florence, wife of Captain George Rutherford;
Delia, widow of M. D. Hulsey, who was murdered
in 1869; Henry L., who died with consumption,
aged twenty-eight years. Mr. and Mrs. Neill cel-
ebrated their golden wedding in 1886, and were
the recipients of many tokens of affection and
esteem by their numerous relatives and friends.
In 1846 the Judge was elected to the legislature
and served one term. He was register of the
United States laud office at Batesville one year,
was county supervisor a few years, and, after the
war, was county judge. He was a man whom all
relied upon, for his decisions were not made with-
out careful and painstaking study of the evidence
adduced. He also discharged si;ch duties as are in-
cumbent upon the office of justice of the peace for
several years. He is a member of the Masonic fra-
ternity, Neill Lodge being named for him; was a
charter meml)er, and Master for a number of years.
He is an honorary member of Mt. Zion Lodge,
Batesville, aud was Master over iour years. He
also belongs to the Chapter at Batesville. He is
Democratic in his political preferences, and cast his
first presidential vote for Martin Van Buren, in
1836, and has voted for every Democratic candi-
date since. Mrs. Neill has been a member of the
Methodist Church for forty years.
Gen. Robert Neill, one of the best known law-
yers of Northeast Arkansas, was born in Inde-
pendence County, November 12, 1838. His par-
ents were Henry and Dorcas (Stark) Neill, natives
of Kentucky and Missouri, respectively. The
father was principally reared in Southern Ohio,
and from the town of Aberdeen in that State, he,
about the time of his majority, went to New Or-
leans, the trip being made on a fiatboat. He next
came to St. Louis, Mo., by steamboat. After re-
siding in Missoiu-i a year or two he redo on horse-
back from St. Louis to the then Territory of Arkan-
sas, arriving at Batesville on ]\[ay 1, 1832, and
soon afterward settled in Greenbriar Township, on
the place where he still resides. Job Stark, the ma-
ternal grandfather, a native of Kentucky, arrived in
Independence County, Ark., with his family, in the '
month of December, 1832, and purchased a farm
three miles east of Batesville, whore he resided
until his death. He was a noted Itidian tighter in
his earlier days, and took part in the War of 1815.
Robert Neill, the paternal grandfather, was born
and reared in the State of Delaware, and emi-
grated to ' Kentucky, near Maysville, about the
year 1800, where he resided for some time, and
then moved to Southern Ohio, where he remained
until his death, when he was over eighty years old.
Henry Neill was a tanner by trade, and soon after
his arrival in Arkansas established a tannery, where
he now resides, and did business in that line for
forty-eight years. In 1846 he was elected a mem-
ber of the legislature and served one term, and, in
the years 1847-48, he held the office of register
of the United States land office at Batesville.
Later on he was elected judge of the county and
probate coui-t, serving from 1874 to 1876. and was,
before that, a justice of the peace for several years.
He was one of the most prominent citizens of In-
dependence County, and a man of gi'eat influence,
and though now in his eighty-second year, still en-
joys much activity for his age. The mother is yet
living in good health, in her seventy-third year.
They were the parents of eight children, of whom
four are yet living: Gen. Kobert Neill, Elizabeth,
wife of Dr. L. A. Dickson; Florence, wife of Maj.
George AV. Ilutberford, and Delia, widow of Mar-
ion Hulsey. Gen. Kobert Neill received a fair
English education in his youth, in the schools of
the county, and in 1859 went to Ohio and took a
course in land surveying. He followed that pro-
fession until the outbreak of the war, in 1861, and
then enlisted at Batesville, in Company K, First
Regiment of Arkansas Mounted Riflemen, Con-
federate Army. He entered service as a private,
but was soon promoted to the grade of first ser
geant, and at Corinth, Miss., in 1862, received the
rank of first lieutenant, and later that of captain
of the company, on the death of his captain. His
bravery was rewarded, and his gallant actions
through the war won for him promotion up to his
present title. Gen. Neill took part in the battles
at Oak Hills, Mo., Richmond, Ky., and the skir-
mishing around Corinth, Miss., in 1862, and in
the spring of 1864 was captured in Louisiana,
while attempting to make his way back to his reg-
iment. Ho was taken as a prisoner to Camp Chase,
and from there to Fort Delaware, where he was
confined for seventeen months. After the surren-
der, in 1865, he returned to his home and taught
school for three months, and then entered into the
tanning business with his father until 1866. when
he was elected clerk of the circuit clerk, an office
he held until the reconstruction of the State, in
1868. During this time he read law and in No-
vember. 1868, was admitted to the bar, but entered
into commercial life until 1872, when he commenced
to practice his profession, which he has continued
ever since. Ho has the reputation of being one of
the ablest lawyers in Arkansas, and as a speaker
has but few superiors. In 1874 he was appointed
lieutenant-colonel in the State Guards, b}- Gov.
Baxter, and gave efficient aid to the State during
the Brooks-Baxter embroglio. Gen. Neill was
severely wounded and disabled for many months
at the battle of Oak Hills in 1861, while fighting
on "Bloody Hill," by a musket ball passing
through his left thigh; in the same battle his
brother. Job S. Neill, a youth of twenty years,
who belonged to the same company, was killed on
the field, after displaying great courage and cool-
ness. In 1877 he was appointed a brigadier-gen-
eral in the State militia, by (tov. Jliller. his for-
mer law partner, and assigned to the command of
the fifth military district of the State, a position
which his large army experience rendered him en-
tirely capable of filling with credit. In April,
1869, Gen. Neill was married to Miss Mary Adelia
Byers, one of Batesville's fairest daughters and
almost a native of the town. Ten children have
resulted from this union, of whom seven are living:
Arthur. Ernest. Hugh, Clare. Ella Byeis, Es-ther
Annie and Robert, Jr. Geu. and Mrs. Neill are
704
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
members of the Mt>tb()dist Episcopal Church,
South; the former is a member of the order of
Free and Accepted Masons, and a companion of
the Royal Arch degree; has been a member of the
Masonic fi-ateruity since 1861, and has served for
two years as a district deputy grand master of
Masons of Ai-kausas. He is a stockholder in the
Batesvillo Telephone Company, the Batesville
Water and Electric Light Company, the Batesville
Printing Company and the Batesville Building and
Loan Association, for which last named corpora-
tion he is attorney. He is also the Arkansas attor-
ney for the St. Louis Manganese Company, a for-
eign corporation, engaged in mining and shipping
manganese ore from Independence County, and is
the attorney for the Adler Bank, located and doing
business at Batesville. In June, 1888, he attended
the National Democratic Convention at St. Louis,
as one of the delegates from the First Congres-
sional district of Arkansas, and was the vice-presi-
dent of the convention from his State.
W. T. Nesbit is a young man who is rapidly
and surely making his way to the front among the
energetic business men of Independence County,
and, although only twenty nine years of age, he has
built up a large patronage by strict attention to
each minor detail of his chosen calling, and can not
fail to succeed. He is a native resident of Independ-
ence County, and was born May 28, 1860, being
there brought up and educated; and in addition to
attending the common schools, he entered the
Arkansas College, at Batesville, in which institu-
tion he finished his education. His attention dur-
ing his early youth was given to assisting his father
on the farm, but in 1884 he gave this up to engage
in the mercantile business in Sulphur Rock, where
he does an annual business of about 130,000. He
has recently built a business house, 60x24 feet,
which is the only two-story business house in the
town. His average stock amounts to nearly $4. 500,
and his credit l)usiness amounts to $12,000. He
employs two clerks. On commencing business for
himself, in 1883, his capital amounted to about
$2.50, but as mentioned in the beginning of this
sketch, his success is owing to his energy, excel-
lent business qualifications and attention to details.
Mr. Nesbit' s wife, whom he married in 1885, was
formerly Miss Mollie Carter, also a native of Inde-
pendence County, Ark. They have one child.
William E. Mr. Nesbit is a son of W. H. and
Catherine (Herrington) Nesl)it, both Tenne.sseeans,
who emigrated to Arkansas about 1850, whei-e the
father died ten years later. The mother is still
living and is the worthy companion of William
Wilson. To her first marriage five children were
born, of whom our subject is the youngest. The
great-grandfather was a native of Ireland, who emi-
grated to the United States and settled in North
Carolina, where the grandfather was born. He
afterwards moved to Mississippi. The father was
a soldier in the Mexican War. He is a member of
the Methodist Episcopal Church, a Democrat, and
belongs to the Blue Lodge and Chapter in the A.
F. and A. M. , also holding membership in several
benevolent associations.
William B. Norvell is a prosperous agricultur-
ist of this region, and successfully manages his
farm of 240 acres, which lies in section 84, Gains-
boro Township, and is an exceedingly fertile tract
of land. In addition to this, he has devoted his
attention to the profession of school-teaching, in
which occupation he has met the universal ap-
proval of those whom he has served. He was
born in Bedford County, Tenn. , on the 23d of
July, 1846, and is a son of E. M. B. and Jerusha
(Arnold) Norvell, who were born in Bedford
County, Tenn., and North Carolina, respectively,
and were married in the former State in 1837;
nine of their ten children being yet living. The
father was a farmer by occupation, a member of
the I. O. O. F. , and he and wife were consistent
members of the Baptist Church. William B. Nor-
vell first attended the common schools of Bedford
County, Tenn. , and then entered as a student the
Cedar Grove Academy, in which well-known insti-
tution he remained for some time and received an
education of more than ordinary thoroughness.
Miss Sarah A. Rogers became his wife, she having
been born in Independence County, Ark. , and
their marriage has resulted in the birth of three
sons and five daughters, one daughter being a deaf
mute. Mr. Norvell has held the ofiice of justice of
w
the peace for about two years, and for about six
years has been a school director. While iu Ten-
nessee he joined the Masonic and I. O. O. F.
lodges, and still holds his membership in that
State. He belongs to the Agricultural Wheel, and
he and wife are members of the Baptist Church,
in which he is an ordained deacon. Mr. Norvell
is an exceptionally intelligent man, and is thor-
oughly posted on all the current topics of the
day, and takes an active interest in all enterprises
tending to benefit the county.
Robert G. Osborne, one of the leading citizens
of the county of Independence, was born in Hay-
wood County, North Carolina, November 27, 1853,
and is a son of Enoch M., and N. E. (Howell)
Osborne, also natives of Haj'wood County, North
Carolina. Enoch M. Osboiiie died in Independ-
ence County, Ark., in 1876, at the age of sixty-
one years; his widow is now residing in Ashe-
ville, N. C. , having returned to her native State
after her husband's death, for the purpose of
educating her children. They removed in 1855
from North Carolina and bought 550 acres of land
in Independence County, Ark., which they cleared
and cultivated. Enoch M. Osborne was a man of
great enterprise and ability, and was a very suc-
cessful farmer. He and wife were members of
the Missionary Baptist Church, and of their family
of eight children, seven are now livinsr, viz. :
Robert G. ; William H. , a minister of the Missionary
Baptist Church, now located at Jonosboro, Tenn. ;
Thomas S., a lawyer of Ft. Smith, Ark. ; James
H., a merchant of Asheville, N. C. ; Fannie, wife
of Thomas Drummond, land agent at Greenville,
Tenn.; Joseph C. died October 21, 1888, at the
age of twenty years, while attending college at
Asheville, N. C. ; Mary A. with her mother, and
John M. also at college. Robert G. , the eldest
child, received his education in Independence
County, Ark., and after the death of his father
continued farming on the old homestead, which he
now owns. He also owns 193 acres in White
River Township. 160 in Black River Township, as
well as town property in Sulphur Rock, all of which
has become his through close application and en-
terprise, that have won for him so much success
in his chosen occupation of farming. In 1880
Mr. Osborne married Aiuaiida E. McPhearsou. a
daughter of Joseph McPhearson, now deceased.
She was born in Alabama in 1860. Of the live
children born to their marriage three are living,
viz. : Fannie, Morgan and Maudie, the last two
twins. Adolphus and Willie are deceased. Polit-
ically, Mr. Osborne is a Democrat, as was also his
father. The family is of English descent, and is
widely known and highly respected in Independ-
ence County.
Joseph Ottinger. Within the limits of Inde-
pendence Co\inty, Ark., there is no man of more
progressive spirit or of greater recognized worth
than Mr. Ottinger. Born in Cocke County, Tenn.,
June 15, 1838, he is a son of Michael and Eliz-
abeth (Winter) Ottinger, also Tennesseeans, the
former's birth occurring in Greene County, in 1802.
He was also educated in this county, and, as he
grew up, learned the lessons of industry, frugal
habits and economy — lessons which he ever re-
membered and which stood him in good stead in
after life. He became a wealthy planter of that
State, and at one time owned 1,020 acres of land.
He was married in 1823, and eleven children were
born to himself and wife, six of whom are yet liv-
ing. He held the office of constable for some time.
He and wife were members, iu good standing, in
the Lutheran Church. He died iu 1877. followed
by his wife a few years later, in 1881. Josejih
Ottinger was educated near Newport, Tenn., and
for a number of years has been a resident of Inde-
pendence County, Ark. He owns 239 acres of
average land, and, from his earliest recollections,
has been familiar with farm work (a secret, doul)t-
less, of his success). He was married near Now-
port, Tenn. , to Miss Sarah A. Davis, who was born
and reared in that State. To them a family of
nine children have been given, eight sons and one
daughter, and eight of the family are still living.
Mr. Ottinger is a member of the Masonic order,
and has held the office of secretary and treasurer
of his lodge. He is also a member of the Agri-
cultural Wheel, and he and wife are connected
with the Baptist Church, and are always interested
in enterprises tending to benefit their adopted
r
700
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
county. The maternal grandparents were Penn-
sylvanians, who were among the pioneer settlers '
of Tennessee.
Margaret F. Owen, widow of John M. Owen,
of White River Township, Independence County,
was born in Alabama in 1850. She is a daughter
of Michael K. and Matilda (Dutton) Crow, both
natives of Virginia. Michael K. Crow was born in
1825; he grew to manhood in Virginia and Tennes-
see, and was married in Alal)ama, to which State
his parents had removed. In 1860 he emigrated
to Arkansas, locating on a farm in Independence
County, where he spent the remainder of his life.
He was a Confederate soldier, and was wounded by
the fall of a horse at the battle of Helena. He
died in 1883, and his wife, who was also born in
1825, died in 1881. A double monument marks |
their graves in the neighborhood in which the lat-
ter part of their lives was spent. They were the
parents of seven children, viz.: Margaret F.,
Mary M. , Reuben M. , George ( who died in infancy),
William C, Riddie A. and Thomas J. Though
not a member of any church, Michael Owen was a [
great Bible student, and was exceedingly charitable.
He was of German descent, while his wife was of
Irish origin. Margaret F. attended the common ,
schools of Independence County, and at the age of ;
eighteen years married John M. Owen, who was
born in Big Bottom Township, Independence Coun-
ty, in 1836, being nearly fifteen years her senior.
They were blessed with live children, viz. : Alfred
C. , Edward, Thomas, Eunice and Mabel. Mr.
Owen served the Confederacy four years during the
late war, and lost his health while in the army.
He died March 22, 1884, leaving a good farm, upon
which his widow now resides. He was a member
of the Christian Church, and in politics was a
Democrat.
T. B. Padgett, real estate and insurance agent,
Batesville. In all business communities the matter
of insurance holds a jiromincnt place. It is a
means of stability to all business transactions, and
a mainstay against disaster, should devastation by
fire sweep property or merchandise away. Among
those engaged in the insurance business in Bates-
ville is Mi\ T. B. Padgett, who is a native Vir-
ginian, born in Fairfax County, in September,
1839. The Padgett family comes of Virginia
stock, settling there at an early day. William B.
and Harriet T. (Ossmonj Padgett, parents of T. B.
Padgett, were also natives of Virginia, and the
father was a farmer by occupation, which pursuit
he carried on for years. He died in Virginia, and
the mother in Missouri. T. B. Padgett passed
his youth and early manhood in the grand old
State of Virginia, and there received a good com-
mon education. Early in life he was apprenticed
to the drag business in Washington City, D. C,
and there remained until 1860, when he came to
Batesville, Ark., and engaged as clerk in the drug
trade. In 1861 he enlisted in Company E, Seventh
Arkansas Infantry, and served until the close of
the war. He was in the battles of Chickamauga,
Murfreesboro, Shiloh, and all the principal engage-
ments of the Western army. He was wounded
both at Murfi-eesboro and Chickamauga, and quite
severely at the last named place, being disal)led
from duty for some time. He ranked as second
lieutenant. After the surrender he went to Alex-
andria, Va., and after remaining there a little over
a year, he returned to Batesville. He again en-
gaged in the drug business, and carried it on until
1875, when he commenced in his present business.
He represents fifteen of the leading insurance
companies, is a thorough-going, persevering and
enterprising business man, and is deserving of all
business success. He has been a member of the
town council, and has also tilled the position of
town treasurer, recorder, covmty assessor, and
deputy collector for ten years. He was married
in 1868 to Miss Elvena Maxfield, by whom he has
four children living. He was married the second
time, in 1882, to Miss Martha E. Moore, and two
children were born to this union.
Robert A. Patterson is a native farmer and
stock raiser of Independence County, where he has
lived all his life. He was born in 1824, and is a
son of Thomas and Martha (Bruce) Patterson.
Thomas Patterson was born in Tennessee, where
he grew to manhood and married, and soon after
the War of IS 12 moved to Missouri, settling on the
James Fork of White River, from which location
^
1^
he was driven away by the Indians. He then re-
moved to Indei^endence County, Ark., and settled
on a small improvement on Polk Bayou, where he
improved a good farm, to which he devoted his at-
tention the remainder of his life; he was among
the pioneer settlers of White River Township, and
his death occnrred in 1S57. Mrs. Patterson was a
native of North Carolina, and survived hor hus-
band until 1875. Of their large family three sons
and seven daughters lived to be gi'ovvn, of whom
oui" subject was the third born. The mother was
a member of the Methodist Church. Mr. Patter-
son served as a soldier in the War of 1812. Robert
A. was deprived almost entirely of anj' school ad-
vantages, as the country was so sparsely settled, and
schools were not organized. He lived at home
until twenty-one years of age, when he worked one
year as a mill hand, and afterward engaged in '
farming. In March, 1848, he married Mary Ann,
daughter of Johnston and Elizabeth Clark. Mr.
Clark was reared in Illinois, but was married in
Missouri, in which State the parents lived until
Mrs. Patterson was nine years old. They then re- j
moved to Independence County, Ark. , where Mrs. |
Clark died, in November. 1802. Mr. Clark died
the same month in St. Louis while servinij as lieu-
tenant of an Ai'kansas regiment, Federal army; he
was a millwright by trade, and also a farmer. Of
the nine chikh'en born to Mr. and Mrs. Patterson
seven are living, viz. : Mary J., wife of William I.
Marshall; Sarah I., wife of J. M. Patterson;
Thomas S. . Robert A. R., John H. , George W.
W. and Lauretta. After his marriage Mr. Patter-
son settled on his present farm, which was then
entirely unimproved; of his 288 acres he now has
about sixty under cultivation. He also carries on
wagon-making in connection with his farming. He
is one of the oldest residents of Independence
County, whose birth occurred here, and is one of
the best known and most respected citizens. Mr.
Patterson was formerly a Democrat, but since the
war he has been a Republican. He is a member ;
of the A. F. & A. M. . and he and wife are con-
sistent members of the Methodist Church. Mrs.
Patterson's maternal grandfather, Lewis Roan,
was a native of England, and when but twelve
years of age came to America, where he fought all
through the Revolution for the freedom of the
colonies. He reared a large family in this country,
where he spent the remainder of his life. James
Clark, paternal grandfather of Mrs. Patterson, was
an early settler of Illinois. He afterward liveil
some j'ears in Missouri and snbse«piently located
in Independence County, Ark. , where he died. It
is supposed that all of the family, except himself
and one sister, were killed by the Indians when he
was a boy.
William C. Pearce, postmaster, justice of the
peace and notary public. Oil Trough, Ark. A
representative citizen of Independence County,
and a man recognized and respected as such wher-
ever known is Mr. Pearce. He never engaged very
largely in agricultural pursuits, but is generally in
business, and is also occupied in his official duties.
He owes his nativity to Henderson County, Tenn.,
where he was born on the 18th of March, 183(),
and is the son of John and Lucy (Collins) Pearce.
John Pearce came to Arkansas, with bis family,
in bSoO, located on land near Fairview, Independ-
ence County, where he remained for about eight
years. He cleared about twenty-five acres, erected
log houses, stables, etc., but exchanged this for
land nearer B'airview, and made this his home for
fifteen years. The mother died in 1875, and he
one year later. William C. Pearce received his
education principally in the schools of Independ
ence County. In 1858 ho left the parental roof to
engage as clerk with Col. James H. Patterson, who ^
carried a general line of merchandise in Jackson
County, and remained there until ISfil, when he
enlisted in Company A. Eighth Regiment, Arkansas
Volunteer Infantry, in the capacity of private, hos-
pital steward and druggist. He participated in all
the battles in which his command engaged, but
space will allow the mention only of some of the
most prominent: Shiloh. Mnrfreesboro, Chicka-
manga. Missionary Ridge. Buzzard Roost, Resaca,
and, in fact, all the engagements of the Atlanta cam
paiga. Jonesboro Vieing the la.st. He was with
Gen. Hood in his campaigns, during his command
of the Confederate army, but left his company on
a sixty days' furlough in the latter part of the war.
708
HISTOEY OF ARKANSAS.
The conflict closed before the expiration of the fur-
lough, so he remained at home. In 1865 he put
in a crop on a farm near Pleasant Plains, Inde-
pendence Conoty, and in October of the same year,
engaged in business with Mr. A. J. Cheek, the
latter furnishing the means, and Mr. Pearee man-
aging the business and receiving a salary for his
services. He continued in business with Mr.
Cheek until in March, 1868, after which he passed
his time in collecting for other business men until
1869. He was then united in marriage to Miss
Sarah Calhoun, of Arkansas, but originally fi-om
South Carolina. Her father was a cousin of John
C. Calhoun of historical fame. To Mr. and Mrs.
Pearee were born five childi'en : Zachary H. , born
in 1870 and died in 1885; his body is interred in
the cemetery at Maple Springs, Independence
County. Mollie, Lama, Cornelia and Culbert L.
Mr. Pearee moved to Oil Trough in 1875, and was
engaged in various occupations until appointed
postmaster under President Garfield's administra-
tion, in 1882. The same year he was elected jus-
tice of the peace, and notary public in 1887. He
has taken a great deal of interest in politics, ident-
ifying himself with the Democratic party, to which
he has always strongly adhered. While Mr. Pearee
is not a member of any Church, he has always been
a strong friend to religious and social advancement,
and contributes liberally to all. He is a great
friend to education, and his children have had good
ojjportunities for schooling. He was made a Mas-
ter Mason in 1866, was exalted to the first sublime
degree of Royal Arch Mason in 1868, and at this
time is a member of MeOuire Lodge No. 208, Oil
Trough, Independence County, Ark. He is also
a member of Oil Trough Chapter No. 84, Oil
Trough, Ark.
John L. Pierce is worthy in every way of being
classed among the successful agriculturists of this
region, for by his own industry he has become the
owner of 320 acres of land, about seventy of which
are in a high state of cultivation, and 100 acres of
land he lias cleared himself. His birth occurred
in McMinn County, Tenn., January 11, 1838, and
he was educated near Athens, and, after attaining
manhood, was married there to Miss Lucie Herod,
who was a native of the State. Of eight sons and
three daughters born to them, eight of the family
are still living, and one is at home with his parents,
helping to till the farm. Mr. Pierce is a Mason,
a member of the Agricultural Wheel, in which
organization he has held the office of vice-president,
and he and wife, for a number of years, have been
earnest and consistent members of the Baptist
Church. The manner in which Mr. Pierce has
acquired his present estate denotes him to be an
energetic, successful agriculturist, and the secret
of his success, perhaps, lies in the fact that he was
reared from earliest boyhood on a farm and inher-
ited some of the sterling qualities of his Scotch
ancestors. His parents, Thomas and Elizabeth
(Wyatt) Pierce, were born in Tennessee and Vir-
ginia, respectively, and became the parents of two
sons and nine daughters, five of the family sur-
viving: Sarah, Ursulia, LinaM., David and John.
The father died in 1868, followed by his wife in
1872, she having been a member of the Lutheran
Church for many years. The paternal grand-
father was a Scotchman, who came to America
many years ago.
William Ramsey, farmer, Batesville. Nowhere
within the limits of Independence County can
there be found a man who takes greater interest in
its agricultural and stock affairs than Mr. Ramsey,
or who strives continually to promote and advance
these interests to a higher plane. He has a native
pride in this county, for he was born here, and it is
but natural that he should strive to see all its mat-
ters placed on a footing equal, if not superior, to
the affairs of other counties in the State. He is
the son of Allen D. and Helen F. (Slater) Ramsey,
and the grandson of William Ramsey, who settled
in what is now Independence County, Ark., in
about 1819, when there were but few settlers in
tliis country. He was a farmer by occupation, and
died in Independence County. During his early
residence in this county he underwent many hard-
ships, and had many stirring adventures. He was
sheriflF of Independence County at one time. Allen
D. Ramsey was born on the place where the fami-
ly now resides, and there passed almost his entire
life. Perhaps few men in North Arkansas, aside
' f
£
Mississippi CouNnAflHANSAa .
INDEPENDENCE COUNTY.
701)
from those in professional or politioiil life, were
better known. He was edueateii near Alexandria,
Va., and was possessed of a high order of intelli-
gence. He was an honored, influential and exem-
plary citizen. He died December 31, 1878. The
mother is still living, and is a native of North
Carolina. Her parents were natives of Scotland,
and came to the United States at an early day.
Her mother came to Ai-kansas, and located at
Batesville. To Mr. and Mrs. Allen Ramsey were
born five children, three now living: Margaret,
William and Maria. The two deceased were
Mary, married George Weaver, who is also de
ceased, and left one child, Allen R. Weaver, who
makes his home with the subject of this sketch,
and David. William Ramsey (subject) was born
and reared on the farm where he now lives.
Being reared to the arduous duties of the farm, he
has always followed this calling, and has made a
complete success of the same. The family now
own 1,050 acres of land, with about 325 acres un-
der cultivation, and the principal productions are
corn, cotton and hay. Mr. Ramsey also raises
some stock. He is an enterprising young man
and a first-class farmer. He is a member of the
Episcopal Church, and his mother and family are
members of the same. When the Ramsey family
first settled in Independence County, Indians were
here, and all kinds of wild gam^ abounded. The
now fine and productive river bottoms where then a
dense canebrake. One incident that the father
used to relate to his children was that, when the
first steamboat came up the river, that had a whis-
tle, it roused every one from their slumbers, and
the people were very much frightened. The great
grandfather of the subject of this sketch, at a very
early date, lived in Kentucky, where he met with
experiences worthy of record. On one occasion,
while in the hay field, in comjiany with a hired
man, a party of Indians came upon them unaware.
The hired man started to run, but was killed by
the savages. Mr. Ramsey's great-gi"andfather was
taken prisoner, and kept as such for a long time,
finally being sold to some French traders for a
pair of lilaukets. He was then so far from home,
that the only way to return in safety, and avoid
being recaptured, was to cross the ocean to France
and back again, which he did. He at last made
his way to his family, who had mourned him as
dead, after an absence of three years.
C. T. Rosenthal, dealer in hardware, stoves,
tin-ware, etc. , Batesville. Among the resources of
the town of Batesville, which go to make up its
commercial fabric, the trade carried on in hard
ware, stoves, tin-ware, etc., forms a most import-
ant feature. Prominent among those engaged in
it is Mr. C. T. Rosenthal, who has been in this
line of business for twenty five years. In 1865 he
engaged as clerk in the wholesale hardware house
of Pratt & Fox, then the largest hardware firm in
St. Louis. He remained with them over three
years, after which he went to Helena, M. T., and
there worked for Clark, Conrad & Miller for a short
time. He then returned to St. Louis and entered
the firm of Adolphus Meier & Co., remaining with
them about three years, or until they sold out
to McCombs, Keller & Byrnes, with whom he
remained until 1878, although the firm again
changed, this time to McCombs, Caruth & Byrnes.
At the above mentioned date, Mr. Rosenthal came
to Batesville, Ark., engaging in business for him-
self. The first two years the firm was Rosenthal
& Stritter, and since that time 'he has carried on
the business alone. He has one of the neatest and
best stocked hardware stores in Arkansas. Mr.
Rosenthal has been an alderman three terms, and
was school director for one term of two years. He
owns the building that he occupies, which is a large
two- story stone building, and which he has had
erected since coming to Batesville. He does a
good business, carries a large stock of goods, and
employs five men.
Joseph M. Runyan, who has a reputation of
owning some of the best stock in Independence
County, and is also an experienced farmer, is a son
of and Elizabeth (Burke) Runyan. of
Tennessee, in which State Jose[)h was l)om and
educated. His early life was spent on the home
farm, but in 1842, when he was united in marriage
to Miss Sarah Baker, also of Tennessee, he com-
menced to make a home for his bride. Three
children were born to them in that State, and seven
3?:
liL
no
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
in Arkansas, of whom eight children are still living.
Their names are Jerome, born in Tennessee in
1S66; John Richmond, born in Tennessee in 1867;
Russell M., born in 1869; Cora B., born in Ten-
nessee in 1871; William D., born in 1873; Katie,
born in 1877; Josie, born in 1880; Bertha, born in
1882; Thomas J., born in 1884, and dying at the
age of three years, and James C, born in 1887,
dying in 1888. Mr. Kunyan moved to Arkansas
in 1870, and located in Christian Township, where
he rented land and farmed up to 1876, when he
purchased 160 acres of heavily-timbered land, com-
prising sycamore, which was 6 feet in diameter;
oak trees, 5 feet in diameter; walnut, d^ feet; Cot-
tonwood, 8 feet : box elder. 2 J feet; pecan 5 feet: hack
berrj', 4 feet, and corn that was 20 feet tall. This
was the condition Mr. Runyan found the land in
upon his arrival, and out of the 160 acres he has
now placed eighty acres in cotton and 30 in corn,
besides gathering 2,800 pounds of cotton seed,
that being the average of the field. He has raised
386 bushels of corn from three acres of ground,
and 41 bushels of wheat to the acre. Also from
seventy- five to 100 bushels of oats per acre. Mr.
Runyan is also cultivating 500 acres of new land,
and has placed sixty acres in clover, from which
he expects to get three and one-half tons at the
first cutting; one and one-half tons at the second,
and the signs are very favorable toward getting
one and one-half tons per acre at the third cutting.
He also raises a tine stock of cattle and Berkshire
hogs, as well as high-grade poultry. His land has
upon it a fine orchard of apple, pecan and pear
trees, and several good dwellings, barns, cribs, etc.
He is a member of the Missionary Church, while
his wife and the three oldest children attend serv-
ice at the Methodist Episcopal Church. Mr. Run-
yan is a member of McGuire's Lodge, A. F. & A.
M. , Oil Trough, and also belongs to the Knights of
Honor and Royal Arcanum. In politics he is a
stanch Democrat, and has served one term as justice
of the peace, but only held the office from a sense
of duty, as he can not well spare the time.
Hon. James Rutherford, ex-State senator, a
highly- esteemed citizen of Independence County,
was born in Rutherfordton, Rutherford County,
N. C, on July 7, 1825. This county was named
after Gen. Rutherford, of Revolutionary fame, and
a distant relative of the senator's. AV alter B.
Rutherford, the father, was a Scotchman, who emi-
grated to America when twenty years of age, and
resided for twenty-five years in Rutherford County,
afterward moving to Batesville, Ai-k., in 1850,
where he died October 17, 1865. The elder Ruth-
erford was a man firm in his convictions, and sen-
sitive of his honor, and up to the time of his
death was a citizen of considerable influence in the
community. His father, Alexander Rutherford,
was one of the leading lawyers of Edinburgh,
Scotland, and his wife, Sarah (McTyre*) Ruther-
ford, was a native of Georgia, who died in Inde-
l^endence County, Ark., in 1870, at the age of
seventy-five years. They were the parents of nine
children: Catherine, Isabelle, Alexander, Walter,
James, William, Mary A., Amelia and George.
James Rutherford remained in North Carolina un-
til the age of twenty-three years, when he moved
to Batesville, in 1849, two years in advance of his
parents, and has resided at that place ever since.
His education was limited to a common school and
academic course, but his natural abilities and liter-
ary tastes soon placed him on a level with some of
the smartest men of that section. It has been a
common belief that for one to be successful in
after life he must, as a rule, sow his wild oats in
boyhood, but in Mr. Rutherford's case this theory
has been exploded. He has never sowed his wild
oats, has never gambled, drank, nor sworn an oath,
and in his later life he has remained always the
same practical, moral man, and becoming more
successful year after year. He owns several valua-
ble farms, having nearly 1,000 acres under culti-
vation, and raises almost everything that the soil
will produce, commencing his life with only 160
acres of land. Public offices have been bestowed
upon him, on account of his intelligence, tact and
integrity, and these talents have commanded for
him the respect of every citizen interested in pub-
lic affairs. In 1861 he went into the State service
as fii'st lieutenant of Dye's company, in Colonel
*This name is spelled Tyrie, by Capt. George W.
Rutherford.
v
INDEPENDENCE COUNTY.
711
Shaver's regiment, afterward known as Seventh
Arkansas Regiment, and then transferred to the
Confederate service. He commanded a company
at the battle of Shiloh. in which the lieutenant-
colonel was killed, and Mr, Rutherford was imme-
diately promoted to fill his place, serving until the
reorganization, in August, 1862, when he resigned
and came home. AtBatesville he accepted the po-
sition of provost marshal, remaining in that ca-
pacity for four or five months, and for the balance
of the war he was enrolling officer at that town.
At Grand Glaize he was taken prisoner, on Febru-
ary 4th, 1863, and detained at Little Rock for
three months. Senator Rutherford became an Odd
Fellow at Lincolnton, N. C, and is the oldest liv-
ing member of the Batesville Lodge. He is a
member of no other secret order. In politics he
was a Whig from boyhood until the death of that
party, when he became a Democrat. He was a
Secessionist in theory, but contended that it was
bad policy to secede, although he stood firmly with
the Confederacy to the bitter end. For the last
six years he has attended as a delegate to the State
conventions of the Democratic party, but has never
taken an active part in politics, except when can-
vassing for himself. In 1850 he was elected jus-
tice of the peace, just one year after moving to the
county, and served four years. In the trouble-
some times of 1874 he was elected a delegate fi'om
Independence County to the constitutional con-
vention that framed the present constitution of the
State, and in 1879 he was elected for four years
as State senator for the counties of Independence
and Stone. During the session of 1880 he was
chairman of the finance committee, and also of the
special senate committee on revenue, and re-
ported the famous revenue law which Gov.
Churchill vetoed. Senator Rutherford was mar-
ried in Batesville, on November 112th, 1802. to
Miss Maria Louisa Hynson, of Independence
County, a daughter of Henry Hynson, one of that
county's well known merchants. Mrs. Rutherford
is a charming lady, and is almost her husband's
equal in tact and good judgment. In fact, it is
partly due to her advice and good management
that the senator has built up his fortune. Their
marriage has been blessed with four sons and two
daughters; George L.. James B., "William A.,
Medford M., May B. and Sophia A. The senator
is a man who never allows politics to interfere with
his friendships, as is shown by the fact that some
of his political opponents are his personal friends.
He is regarded as the best financier in Independ
ence County, and, as an eminent citizen of Arkan-
sas says of him, " He has an undisputed charac-
ter for honesty and integrity, and is strictly moral "
Capt. George W. Rutherford, a prominent cit-
zen and leading farmer of Independence County,
was born in Rutherfordton, Rutherford County,
N. C, on July 10, 1883. and is a son of Walter
B. and Sarah (McTyre) Rutherford, the former a
native of Scotland, and the latter, who was also of
Scottish origin, from Fairfield County, S. C. The
elder Rutherford landed at Charleston. S. C, in
December, 1815, some six months after the battle
of Waterloo was fought, and while the world was
still ringing with the news of Napoleon's defeat.
His voyage across the ocean occupied four weeks,
and the vessel encountered many heavy storms in
that time, causing consternation on board. Alex-
ander Rutherford, the father of Walter B., was at
one time a captain in the British Reserves, and an
old friend of Robert Burns. He resided in Scot-
land and practiced law up to the time of his death.
Walter B. Rutherford was a tanner by trade, hav-
ing served seven years' apprenticeship at Edin-
burgh, Scotland, and still pursued that occupation
in South and North Carolina. In 1830 he made a
trip to Arkansas, coming the entire distance on
horseback, and after returning to North Carolina,
where he resided until 1850, he moved with his fam-
ily to Independence County, traveling all the way
by wagons. Following his arrival here he bought
a section of land in 1S3'.I, comprising 640 acres, with
about seventy-five acres under cultivation, and which
is the farm upon which Capt. George W. now resides.
The land was purchased from a man named Dilling
ham, who settled here in 181 t, and the old house,
which was built in 1816, is still standing on the place.
The elder Rutherford died in 1865, and the wife fol-
lowed him five years later. They were the parents
of nine children, of whom five are still living.
712
HISTORY OP ARKANSAS.
Caj)t. Rutherford was the youngest of this family,
and received his education in the schools of North
Carolina. He came to Arkansas with his parents
when seventeen years of age. and has always been
a farmer. In 1862 he enlisted in the Second Ar-
kansas Cavalry, and served until the close of the
war, taking part in the battle of Helena, and a
great many cavalry skirmishes, and on one occa-
sion captured a train of Federal soldiers. He raised
a company of partisans under ui'ders of Gen. Hind-
man, in 1862, being joined to Chrisman's battal-
ion of Arkansas Cavalry, and subsequently to
Dobbins' regiment of Arkansas Cavalry. In May,
1 864, he was captured at Sugar Loaf Springs, and
taken to the Little Rock penitentiary, where he
was confined in a cell, though only at night, for
eleven months, and after obtaining his liberty, re-
turned home, to once more lead a peaceful life
and cultivate the land. Capt. Rutherford owns
about 1,000 acres, and has some 350 acres under
cultivation. His farm is well improved, and
adapted to the stock business, in which he is an
extensive dealer. In 1868 he was married to Miss
Florence Neill, a daughter of Judge Henry Neill,
and has had ten children by this marriage, of whom
nine are living: Anna and Lizzie, Mary and Amelia
are twins; Delia, George and Neill. twins; Nina
and Genevieve. Mrs. Rutherford is a member of
the Methodist Episcopal Church, and a devout
Christian. She has made her home one of the
most pleasant in Northeast Arkansas, and is a de-
voted wife and fond mother.
Calvin Rutherford, farmer and stock raiser,
Elmo, Ark. Mr. Rutherford owes his nativity to
Cocke County, Tenn., where he was born in 1848.
He left his native county in 1871, journeyed to Ar-
kansas, and located in Oil Trough Bottom, Chris-
tian Township, Independence County. The same
year he was united in marriage to Miss Catherine
Baker, a native of Tennessee, and after coming to
Arkansas he rented land, thus continuing until in
1887, when he bought forty acres. Heaven has'
blessed his married life with four children — Lounz,
Oscar, Mary and John. The forty acres purchased
by Mr. Rutherford was at tliat time very heavily
timbered, but of this he has cleared twenty acres,
and has built on the same a good log house. He
is a member of the Masonic Fraternity, McGuire
Lodge No. 208, Oil Trough, Independence County,
and takes a prominent part in all public enterprises,
whether of a religious, social, or educational nature,
in his county and State. He has two children in
school, and contemplates educating them as far as
his means will permit. He is the son of Calvin
and Nancy (Lane) Rutherford, natives of Ten-
nessee, and the grandson of Lane, who was
a soldier in the Mexican War, and drew a pension
until his death. Mr. Rutherford is not only a
public spirited, enterprising citizen, but is a man
universally respected by all acquainted with him.
In the history of Independence County, in its de-
velopment and growth, Mr. Rutherford has borne
a prominent part for the last eighteen or twenty
years.
James F. Saffold, a popular and enterprising
farmer and stock raiser, of Independence County,
is a son of James F. and Elizabeth (Hulsoy) .Saf-
fold, both natives of that county, where James, Jr.,
was born on the 2d of July, 1854. The elder
SafFold was a noted and brilliant politician during
his life, as also a leading spirit in all public enter-
prises for the advancement of his county. He was
elected to represent Independence County in the
State legislature, and filled the office with credit
to himself and to the satisfaction of his constitu-
ents, besides filling several minor positions. On
the occasion of his death, at the age of forty -five
years, the county lost one of her most valued citi-
zens and one whom she well appreciated. He be-
longed to McGuire Lodge No. 208, A. F. & A. M. ,
and was also a member of Oil Trough Chapter No.
84. His loss was deeply mourned by the public,
as well as his wife and six children, to whom he
was a kind husband and an indulgent father. He
was strictly a self-made man, having received but
a limited education in his youth; but the brain and
power of the man were equal to any emergencj', and
in after life he had educated and qualified himself
for any position he might have been called uj)oii to
fill within the gift of the people, or in the ordinaiy
demands of business. His son, James F. Satl'old,
Jr., follows closely in the light of his father's
INDEPENDENCE COUNTY.
71 H
ll>£
uiauy f^ood ([ualities, and is a roijresentative citi-
zen of the conuty. Added to what he inherited
fiom his father's estate, he now owns 250 acres of
land, with 175 acres under cultivation, and has
(irected one good dwelling, several tenant houses
and barns upon the place. Mr. Saffold is not a
member of any particular religious faith, but he
has contributed to a great many causes, both re-
ligious and educational; and outside of his large
circle of friends in Christian Township, is well
known throughout Independence County.
Allen H. Saviors, farmer and stock raiser, Dota,
Ark. One of the foremost men among the agri-
culturists of Independence County, is he whose
name appears above, and who has borne an influ-
ential part in promoting the various interests of the
county. His birth occurred in what is now Jack-
son County, Ark., on the 81st of December, 184-1:,
and he has always made this State his home. He-
was reared between the handles of a plow, figura-
tively speaking, and received his education in the
common schools of Jackson County. Although
his educational attainments were rather limited, ho
improved his time in later years, and is now con-
sidered one of the well-posted and intelligent cit-
izens of the county. He is the second in a family
of six children, born to John C. and Martha (Oli-
ver) Saylors, natives of Missouri, who came to
Arkansas about 1820 or 1824, and first settled at
Litchfield, in Jackson County. A few years later
they sold out and moved a few miles further south,
where they opened up a large tract of land, 160
acres. He then moved three miles east of Jack-
sonport, and there died, in 1855. At that time
he was the owner of 480 acres. He was the first
clerk of Jackson, and also held the office of mag-
istrate for a number of years. The mother died in
1859. at the age of forty-four years. She was a
member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. The
six childi'en born to their union are named as fol-
lows: Eliza J. (wife of Oliediah Wilkinson, died
in 1871). Allen H., Annette S. (died in 1863, at
the age of sixteen years), John R. (died in 1869,
at the age of twenty years), Mary M. (wife of
Craig Simmons, lives in Craighead County, and
was born June 10. 1852), Charles A. (died at the
45
age of four years. 1858). In 1859, after the
death of his mother, Allen H. Saylors began life
for himself, and at the age of fifteen engaged in
the calling to which he was reared, and this con-
tinued until 1862, when he joined the Southern
army, and was on duty several months. He then
came home, and, to escape the strife, went to thi'
"Lone Star State;" but he found that it was '"war
times" of a certainty, and the following year joined
the army again, entering Col. Morgan's regiment,
Campbell's brigade cavalry. He was in the battles
of Pleasant Grove, Marks' Mill, the Saline River
tight, and besides was in a number of sharp skirm-
ishes. In an engagement at Pilot Knob, in the
fall of 1864, he was wounded by a piece of bomb-
shell. He was with Gen. Price on his rai<l through
Missouri, and his army was disbanded in Texas, in
May, 1865. At the close of the war Mr. Saylors
return to Arkansas, and in July, 1868, united his
fortune with that of Miss Nannie Timstall, also a
native of Arkansas. To their maiTiage were bom
two children; Mary Lavenia, born on the 8th of
September, 1869, and Nannie E., born on the 4th
of September, 1873, and died on August 30, of
the following year. Mrs. Saylors died on the 13th
of September. 1873, in full communion with the
Methodist Ejjiscopal Church. She was an excel-
lent mother and wife. Mr. Saylors was married a
second time on the 15th of October, 1874, to a
cousin of his first wife. Miss Martha Tunstall.
Seven children have been the result of this union:
Gertie, born on the 20th of April, 1876; Martha
A., born on the 15th of October, 1877; James H. .
born on the 25th of February, 1879; Claude, born
October 5. 1880, and died March 24, 1881; Logan,
born on the (ith of October, 1883; John Guynii.
bom October 7, 1885, and Sylvia, born November
3, 1887. Mr. Saylors' principal occupation has
been farming, and he first bought eighty acres,
the most of which he has improved. Since his
first purchase he has added to this at different
times, and now is the owner of 240 acres, eighty
of which are in a high state of cultivation. He
has good orchards, good buildings, and his prin-
cipal crops are corn and cotton. At different times
be has followed the vocation of merchandising, and
r
^f
714
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
has also been ene;aged in the livery business, but
at the same time carried on agricultural pursuits.
Mr. Saylors votes with the Labor party, but does not
take an active part in politics. He served as con-
stable, and also acted as deputy sheriff in Jack
son County until deposed by the war. In Septem-
ber, 1888, he was elected magistrate of his town-
ship, which office he now holds to the satisfaction
of all. He is a member of the I. O. O. F. Newark
Lodge, No. 52, and is also a member of the
Agricultural Wheel. He takes an active part in
all public enterprises, and contributes liberally to
their support. Mrs. Saylors is a member of the
Methodist Episcopal Church.
A. N. Simmons, farmer and miller, Batesville.
Ark. The milling industry' is well represented in
Batesville by the above named gentleman, who is
a progressive business man. and who is also closely
associated with the farming interest of Indepen-
dence County, Ark. He was born in Weakley
County, Tenn., on the 28th of August, 1833, and
is the son of Anthony N. Simmons, a native of
North Carolina, who, after growing up, married
Miss Penelope O'Neil, also a native of North Car-
olina. In 1882 they emigrated to Tennesse, located
in Weakley County, and after remaining there a
short time, emigrated to Gibson County. At one
time be and a man by the name of Nolen, bought
160 acres of land apiece where Memphis now
stands, but owing to the sickness of Mr. Simmons,
he gave up his part, thus depriving himself of an
independent fortune. He died in Gibson County,
Tenn.. in 1834, and the mother in 1854. The
father was a farmer, a mechanic, and was said to
be the finest cabinet-workman in the State. Of
their six children, three are living at the present
time: Joseph, Fordice and Anthony N. The latter
was reared in Tennessee until fourteen years of age,
and secured but a limited education. In the spring
of 1848 he removed with his mother to St. Francis
County, Ark. , and while living there the county was,
respectively, St. Francis, Jackson and Woodruff
Counties. In 1861 Mr. Simmons enlisted in Com-
pany C, McCrea's regiment, and served thirty-six
days, when he was taken sick and sent home. He
was detailed to take charge of some negroes. While
living in St. Francis County he was engaged in
farming, and also carried on the milling business.
In 181)5 he came to Independence County and
located where he now lives. He bought a mill,
ran it for some time, and then bought another.
Since living here he has erected several mills, and
has carried on the milling business for thirty-three
years. He erected the first stone mill on the
bayou. He owns 210 acres of land, with about
sixty acres under cultivation, but turns his atten-
tion principally to his milling business. He now
owns two mills, both running most of the time.
By his marriage to Miss J. A. O'Neil, in 1S54, he
became the father of five living children: Samuel,
John. JefFerson, Fannie (second wife of G. I.
Dwinal) and Delbert. Mr. Simmons is a member
of the Masonic fraternity, and he and his wife are
members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. He
also filled the office of the justice of the peace in a
very successful and satisfactory manner while liv
ing in Woodruff County.
Drury D. Smart. Among the many eminent
and enterprising agriculturists of Independence
County, Ark. , worthy of mention in these pages, is
Mr. Smart, who has been identified with the farm-
ing interests of the community since 1856. He is
a son of Reuben and Margaret (Melton) Smart, na-
tives of Rutherford County, N. C. , and he was born
in the same place. He partly completed his edu-
cation in his native county, and after the death of
his father, in June. 1S45, he and his mother, in
the fall of that year, emigrated to East Tennessee,
and here finished his schooling and e:rew to mature
years. From 1856 to 1859 he worked as a farm
hand in Independence County, Ark., but at the
latter date removed to Little Rock, and engaged
in stage driving, being employed by Messrs. Hanger
& Gaines, who were extensive mail contractors, and
remained with them about two years. In 1861 he
again returned to Oil Trough Bottom, where he
gave his attention to tilling the soil until 1862, at
which date he enlisted in Col. Dobbins" Cavalry
regiment of Arkansas Volunteers, and remained
in the army until 1865, participating in the battles
of Helena and Marks' Mills, where 1.300 of Gen.
Steele's command were captured, together with
V
0
INDEPENDENCE COUNTY.
nn
ninetj'-six wagons and teams and four pieces of
artillery, this blow effectually putting an end to
the Ked River expedition. In 1864 he was in the
saddle forty-two days, in pursuit of Gen Steele's
command, who was attempting to form a jupction
with Gen. Bunks in his Ked River expedition, hut,
us stated above, the attempt only met with failure.
June 5, 1865, he was mustered out of service and
returned to civil life, locating in Cache Township,
Jackson County, Ark. He was married in the
summer of the same year to Miss Sarah Obarr, of
Jackson County, a native of Georgia, from which
State her parents emigrated to Arkansas, in 1848
or 1849. After making three crops in Jackson
County, he returned to Oil Trough Bottom, and was
an extensive farmer of that region until 1871, when
he moved to Faiilkner County, this State, and
homesteaded eighty acres of heavily-timbered land,
and at once set energetically to work to clear and
improve his land. He cleared and put forty acres
under cultivation, built a good double log house
and other buildings, and made many other valuable
improvements during his twelve years' residence in
the county. In 1885 he returned to Independence
County, the hul) around which he had so long re-
volved, and has since been farming on land belong-
ing to E. L. Watson, of Newport, Ark. Mj-. Smart
and his wife are the parents of six children, two
of whom have attained their majority : James D. ,
Jesse Y., Reuben T., JohnM. . Alice L. A., and
William Asher. Mr. Smart is a patron of educa-
tion, and is giving his children good advantages.
He is a Democrat in politics, and while in Jackson
County, held the office of justice of the peace of
Cache Township. He was a member of the Wheel
during its existence, and he and wife are in com-
munion with the Missionary Baptist Church.
Capt. John T. Smith, farmer and stock raiser,
Oil Trough, Ark. Like so many of the representa-
tive citizens of this county and township. Mr.
Smith is a native Tennesseean, born in Williamson
County of that State, June 14, 1841, and is the son
of Daniel Smith, who was also a native of that
State. When a young man the latter was united
in marriage to Miss Martha Ragsdale, a native of
Tennessee, and whose father was a colonel in the
AVar of 1812, and participated in the battle of New
Orleans, and died in 1862 at the age of eighty-
seven years. The paternal grandfather was also a
soldier in the War of 1812, and died in Tennessee,
in 1849, of Asiatic cholera. Capt. John T. Smith was
but eight years old when he moved with his parents
to Humphreys County, Tenn., and there attended the
private schools of the coilnty. He was reared to
agricultural pursuits, and assisted his father on the
farm until the breaking out of the late war, when
he enlisted in the Forty-second Tennessee Volun-
teer Infantry, Confeilerate Army, as a private.
Upon the organization of the company he was
elected to the position of orderly sergeant, sei-ving
in that capacity until 1862. He was captured, witli
his regiment, at Fort Donelson, and afterward, when
the regiment was reorganized at Port Hudson, La..
Mr. Smith was promoted to the rank of .second
lieutenant, in which capacity he served until May,
1863, when he received his commission as captain
and commissary, serving as regimental commissary
until the battle of Franklin, Tenn. He then re-
ceived a furlough to go home, which was the close
of his military career. In 1886, in partnership
with Mr. M. Reeves, he bought a stock of general
merchandise, and carried on the business of a mer
chant at Buffalo postoffice, on Buffalo River, Tenn.
Mr. Reeves died that year, and Mr. Smith there-
upon closed out and engaged in farming, purchas
ing a tract of land on Buffalo River, Humphrey
County, Tenn,, the tract comprising 2(10 acres. In
1866, he was married to Miss Margaret Owens, a
native of Tennessee. One child. Mollie A., was
born to this union. Mrs. Smith died, in 1867, of
cholera, and was buried in the cemetery at Buffalo.
In 1868 Mr. Smith took for his second wife Miss
Lou Gray, of Perry County, Tenn.. and to this
union were born live children, all living: Cordelia
C, born December 15, 1869: Dorsey Thomas, born
November 9, 1870; Margaret L, , born March 21.
1872; William Martin, born March 10, 1874, and
Lou .Jennie, born November 20. 1875, The mother
of these children died July 8, 1876, and is interred
in Perry County, Tenn. May 20. 1877, Capt. Smith
married Miss Eliza S, Teas, a native of Humphreys
Conntv, Tenn. , and the fruits of this union were four
^^
(16
HISTOEY OF AEKANSAS.
children: Florence Agnes, born in February, 1879;
Amanda R. , born April 1, 1880; Robert Ernest,
born October 3, 1883, and Lillian, born August 2,
1885. Capt. Smith moved to Arkansas January
30, 1879, purchased 160 acres of land in Section
11, Christian Township, the principal part of it
being timber land, with about thirty acres cleared,
and on this were several log-cabius. The Captain
has cleared sixty- five acres since he became the
owner, and now has ninety-five acres itnder cultiva-
tion. He has added by purchase 120 acres, but,
selling eighty acres of this, has now 200 acres left.
He has good buildings on his farm, and has an
excellent orchard. Capt. and Mrs. Smith are mem-
bers of the Christian Church, and Cordelia is also
a member of that church. Capt. Smith is a mem-
ber of McGuire Lodge No. 208, A. F. & A. M., is
also a member of Oil Trough Chapter No. 84, R.
A. M. In politics he affiliates with the Republican
party, and is an ardent supporter of all enterprises
for the good of the county.
John W. Starues, farmer and stock raiser,
Jamestown, Ark. Mr. Starnes is a man whom na-
ture seems to have especially designed to be a tiller
of the soil. The pursuit of agriculture has af-
forded him high gratification, and in the conduct
of a farm the principles which he has held have
been peculiarly adapted to the successful develop-
ment and improvement of the varied elements of
farm life. He was born in Haywood County, N.
C, on the 27th of September, 1823, and the son
of Benjamin Starnes, a native of North Carolina,
who, after reaching manhood, was united in mar-
riage to Miss Sophia Snyder, who was also a native
of North Carolina. Later in life they moved to
Tennessee, and there passed the remainder of their
days. Their family consisted of ten children.
John W. Starnes began for himself at an early
age, and when twenty -one years of age, was united
in marriage to Miss Elizabeth Chapman. Six in-
teresting children were the result of this union.
His second marriage was in 1864, to Miss Susan
McDougal. They have no children. Mr. Starnes
has some very valuable land, 500 acres in all, and
on this has several fine mineral springs that have
quite a local reputation. He thinks that he has
valuable mineral also on his place. In politics, he
is identified with the Democratic party. He is a
member of the Agricultural Wheel, and he and
wife are members of the Christian Church.
L. D. Stone, dealer in musical instruments,
stationery, etc. , is a native of Arkansas, and the
son of Rufus and Fannie A. (Flournor) Stone, who
were both natives of Independence County, Ark.
The grandparents were early settlers of this coun-
ty. Rufus Stone and his brother were killed in
the late war, the brother at the battle of Chicka-
mauga. The former was taken prisoner, and while
in prison at Little Rock, in trying to escape, jumped
o£F into the Mississippi River just below Memphis,
and was drowned. The mother died in Memphis
of the small-pox. L. D. Stone was the only child
born to this union, and was left an orphan when
but a lad. He was educated principally at Bates-
ville, and took a commercial course at Lexington,
Ky. In February, 1886, he engaged in his present
business, and has since carried it on. He has an
extensive trade, which he has built up entirely him-
self, and his career affords an excellent example
of what pluck and energy can accomplish under
adverse circumstances and against keen competi-
tion. He carries a full line of musical instru-
ments, stationery, etc. Aside from this, he is the
owner of about 380 acres of White River bottom
land, which is under cultivation, and carried on by
tenants. He deals extensively in stock.
Hon. John Christopher Stroud, present repre-
sentative of Independence County in the State
legislature, resides on a farm about one mile west
of Graham postoffice. He was born in Independ-
ence County, October 3, 1854, and is the eldest
child and only son of 'the five children born to
Andrew J. and Mary Ann (Winkle) Stroud. An-
drew J. Stroud was born near Knoxville, Tenn.,
March 3, 1826, his parents having settled in Ten-
nessee at an early day. When a young man he
went to Kentucky and for four years was a resi-
dent of Paducah, MeCracken County, where he
was married. In 1854 he removed to Independ-
ence County, Ark., where he died in 1881, having
always been a farmer by occupation. His wife
was born in North Carolina, in 1829, and is still
& —
living. Andi'ew J. was a son of Christopher
Stroud, a native of North Carolina, whose father
was born in Iroland. John C. received his early
education in the free schools of his native county
and completed his studies in the Washington High
School of his home township. At the age of nine-
teen he began teaching school, which profession i
he successfully followed until 1886. In the latter
year he was elected to represent the county in the
State legislature, and two years later was again
chosen to fill the same position, serving his con-
stituents honorably. He takes an active interest
in politics and was formerly a Democrat, but now
is an Independent. He also takes an active part
as a member of the I. O. O. F. , and has several
times represented his lodge in the Grand Lodge.
Mr. Stroud owns 290 acres of fine creek bottom
land, about seventy- five acres of which he has un-
der cultivation. December 3, 1879, he married
Miss Adelia Barnes, who was born in Independence
County, January 19, 1860, and is a daughter of
George W. and Martha J. Barnes. Mr. and Mrs.
Stroud have four children, Emma A., Estella,
William A. and Martha J. Our subject is one of
the most popular young men of the community,
and is deserving of the public favor bestowed on
him. He is well-to-do and is highly esteemed by
all who know him.
N. J. Suit, a successful horticultm-ist of
Batesville was born on the 17th of February,
1831, in the town of Sardis, Mason County, Ky.,
and is the son of John and Angeletta (Grover)
Suit, who were also natives of Kentucky. The
grandparents on both sides were natives of Penn-
sylvania, and resided in Maryland, and then in
Kentucky at an early day, in fact in the days of
Daniel Boone. John Grover, the maternal grand-
father, once lived in a fodder house and baked his
corn cakes on a hoe, liut by hard labor and honesty
he accumulated a comfortable fortune. He was a
member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. His
death occurred at the age of eighty-four. He
served for some time in the War of 1812, and both
he and his wife died in Kentucky. They were among
the first settlers of that State. John Suit was also
a farmer and died in Kentucky. He was also a
successful tiller of the soil and belonged to the
Methodist Episcopal Church, and was one of the
most moral men who ever lived. The mother mar-
ried the second time to James Engles, and in 1843
emigrated to Arkansas, coming there by water, and
settled near batesville. They located near Sul-
phur Rock, and there lived for several years. He
was a carpenter by trade and died near Moonfiold.
There were but two children born to the first mar-
riage, of whom N. J. is the only one now living,
William H. having died. By the second mairiage
Mrs. Suit became the mother of nine children.
She died in 1884. At her death she had about
seventy-three childi'en, grandchildren and great-
grandchildren. N. J. Suit was about twelve years
of age when he came with his parents to Arkansas.
He received a limited education, there being no
good schools. At the age of about sixteen years
he served an apprenticeship at the tanners' trade,
and followed the business until about 1880, or
for over thirty years. In 1865 he moved to Bates-
ville, and ran a tannery for some two years. In
1868 he built the tannery he now owns and ran
this until 1880. Since that time he has been en-
gaged in the nursery business. He has a good
fruit orchard of pears, peaches, apples and small
fruits. He has planted all the trees and carried
on the business quite successfully ever since. He
owns forty acres of land on which his orchard is
located, and is one of the prominent fruit growers
of the county. He was married in 1854 to Miss
Susan F. Wright, and to them was born one child,
deceased. Mr. Suit's second marriage was to
Miss Melissa J. Quails, in 1861, and three chil-
dren were born to this union : Etta, wife of Henry
Richards, of Spencer County, Ind. ; Walter, and
Florence, wife of George Wade, and the mother
of one child. Mr. Suit's third marriage was
with Mrs. Margaret Herrin, a native of Tennes-
see, whose parents came to Arkansas, in 1849.
Mrs. Suit is a member of the Methodist Episcopal
Church.
Ephraim Drake Swain owns a fine farm of N40
acres, in Washington Township. Independence
County, situated about one and a quarter miles
east of Victor po--tiil1ic(>. He wa> Ihum (Vtulier 2.
At
718
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
]
1828, in what is now Yadkin Coiinty, N. C. , and
his parents were Michael and Elizabeth (McGiiire)
Swain. Michael Swain was also a native of North
Carolina, and was born in 1809; he died in the
house in which he was born, and which was always
his home, January 8, 1886. He was a farmer, of
English descent, and for about forty years prevr-
oiis to his death was afflicted with blindness. The
mother of our subject was born in North Carolina
in 1811, and died in her native State in May, 1882.
Ephraim D. was the third in a family of twelve
children, five of whom are living. He lived with his
parents until about twenty-four years of age, re-
ceiving his education in the subscription and free
schools of the State in which he was born. In
1854 he married Miss Lucinda Chappel, a native
of North Carolina, who was born in 1830. Of the
nine children who have been born to them five sur-
vive, viz. : Sarah, Pleasant M. , James M. , Rosa
and Buck. Mr. Swain emigrated from North Car-
olina in 1871, and settled in Independence County,
Ark., where he has since resided and been success-
fully engaged in the pursuit of farming. He has
300 acres of his large farm under cultivation, and
is one of the well-to-do and most enterprising farm-
ers of the township. His first presidential vote
he cast for Pierce, and he still votes the Demo-
cratic ticket, thoiigh not an active politician. Mrs.
Swain is a member of the Missionary Baptist
Church. The paternal grandfather of our subject
was also Michael Swain, whose life was spent in
his native State of North Carolina.
John Thomas Tarpley, merchant and farmer,
Elmo, Ark. This name is not unfamiliar to those
in the vicinity of Elmo, as well as to those in the
county, for he who bears it is numbered among the
highly-respected citizens of this community. Born
on the 16th of October, 1857, he is the son of John
Wesley and Sarah Elizabeth (Phillips) Tarpley,
who were originally from Alabama. The parents
came to Arkansas in March, 1S70, located in Inde-
pendence County on what is known as the Baily
farm, where the father died on the June following,
after an illness of three years. In their familj^
were eight children: Edward Everett, born on the
5th of February, 1855, residing in Independence
County; John Thomas, Dora Ann, married M. J.
Harris; Eugene, lives in Texas; Lucella, married
F. M. Copps; Belle P., lives in Boone County;
Murillah, married Mr. William L. McMullen, and
lives in Christian Township, and Finis Wesley,
now attending school. John Thomas Tarpley com-
menced business for himself at the age of twenty-
one years, first as a farm hand, and in 1881 he
rented land. In 1885 he made his first purchase
of land, twenty acres, all under cultivation, and in
1888 he bought twenty acres more adjoining his
first purchase, this being also under cultivation.
In 1885 he also purchased 120 acres in Jackson
County, all of which was covered with heavy tim-
ber, which Mr. Tarpley has cleared and has about
thirty acres under fence. On the 20th of January,
1889, he purchased a stock of drugs and groceries,
which he opened up in Elmo, and is now carrying
on in a ver}' successful manner. He contemjilates
putting in a good line of dry goods in the near
future, and will have one of the best stores in the
township. In his political principles he is closely
associated with the Republican party, as was his
father before him. His grandparents on both sides
were old-line Whigs in their political views. Mr.
Tarpley is a member of the Methodist Episcopal
Church, South, is a member of the Masonic fra-
ternity, McGuire Lodge No. 208, and Oil Trough
Chapter No. 84. He is active in all enterprises,
whether religious, social or educational, and con-
tributes liberally of his means to each and all.
Hon. J. S. Trimble. A worthy history of In-
dependence County, Ark., could not be given with-
out mentioning the name of Mr. Trimble, who for
over three-score-years and ten, has been a promi-
nent resident of the county. During his long term
of years here, his good name has remained un-
tarnished, and he has well and faithfully per-
formed every duty, both public and private, that
has fallen to his lot. He is a native of the Blue
Grass State (Kentucky), his birth having occurred
at Smithland, in Livingston County, March 28,
1815. His father's name was James Trimble; he
was born in Augusta County, Va., in 1774. His
mother's maiden name was Elizabeth Stewart;
she was born in Culpeper County, Va. . in 1 782.
INDEPENDENCE COUNTY.
il'J
^ — V — ;
After their marriage his father moved to Ken-
tucky, in quite an early day, wliere Mr. Trimble
was born, as above stated. In 1817, his parents
moved to what was then a portion of Missouri Terri-
tory, but which is now the State of Arkansas, and
here J. S. Trimble grew up to manhood, his early
education being received in the common schools of
the country and at Batesville. Immediately af-
ter completing his school dajs, he commenced to
apply himself closely to agricultural pursuits, and !
in 1850, he was elected from Independence Coun-
ty, Ark., as a member of the lower house of the
State legislature. He was always a Jeffersonian,
and a Jackson Democrat of the strictest sect; he
believed in the strict construction of organic law,
both State and National ; he also believed that it was
by strict construction, alone, that the rights of the
minority were to be protected in the government;
and, if the declaratory and restrictive clauses of
the constitution be removed, the rights of the few
could not be maintained or protected. His great
speech in the house of representatives, December
24, 1850, and the introduction of the joint reso-
lutions on Federal relations, which were published
in the Arkansas Banner at the time, places
him at once in the front rank as a sound and al)le
debater. In 1856 he was elected to the senate
of the same body, and served by re-election until
1804. At this date, he was again chosen to the
same position, by the soldiers in the service of the
Confederate States, by virtue of a bill passed for
that purpose, but, owing to the unsettled condi-
tion of affairs at that time, this legislature was
disorganized after the first year of its existence.
Thus, Hon. J. S. Trimble has served his county
nine years in the State senate, and four years in
the house of representatives, making thirteen
years' service, as a faithful legislator, and in both
of these capacities he has discharged his duties
with ability, and to the entire satisfaction of his
constituents. This was during the most turbulent
times of our American history. He has always
believed in the State rights doctrine, and when
South Carolina withdrew from the Union, he was
a warm advocate of secession, and was a strong
friend of the South during its entire struggle;
and, although exempt from military duty
(by virtue of his being a member of the senate
of Arkansas during the entire war), yet he was
too strong a Southern sympathizer not to partic-
ipate in the great war Ijotween the States, which
he considered just, and for some time served in the
Confederate mail service, in the State of Texas.
After the war, he was elected Treasurer of Inde-
pendence County, on only a few days' notice, to
fill out an unexpired term of R. Lee, deceased, and,
althougli there were three worthy candidates in
the field, who had for some time been canvassing
the county, he was elected by a very large major-
ity. He gave bond for S40,nOO, served the peo-
ple faithfully, quit the office with clean hands,
but declined re-election. Mr. Trimble has al
ways kept up with the times in reading, has shown
himself to be a man of strong native intellect,
sound judgment, sterling principles, well posted
in governmental affairs, and is perhaps as highly
esteemed and respected as any man in the county.
In 1850, he was married to Miss Catherine P. Ham-
ilton, of Conway County, Ark. , and l\v her he be-
came the father of one child, a daughter bamed
Elvira, who is now the wife of Joseph Wright, of
Sulphur Rock, Ark. Mr. Trimble lived in Green
briar Township, Independence County, for about
seventy two years, and on New Year's eve, 1886,
moved into his new buildings in Sulphur Rock,
to be near his only child and grandchiklren dur
ing his declining years. He is of old Virginia
stock, his father, James Trimble, having been born
in that State, in 1774. His mother was also a
Virginian, bom in Culpeper County, and after their
marriage moved to Kentucky, in quite an early
day, where they reared the must of their family,
ten children in all. three only of whom survive
The father was a surveyor by occupation. Immi
grating to Arkansas in 181 7. he used to get contracts
of surveying, and return his work to St. Louis,
Mo., before there was any land office established
in the State. Shortly after his removal to Sulphur
I Rock, Mr. T. assisted in having the town incorpo-
1 rated, and became first mayor, but declined a re-
election. In his younger days, he was active in
the cause of education and temi)erance, and has
9 k_
720
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
never lost interest in either cause. He is a rapid
and impressive speaker, and as a legislator has
few equals, being always in his seat when the
senate was in session, and his place was never va-
cant at the meetings of the committees with which
he was connected. Mr. Trimble was always
prompt, industrious, efficient and conscientious.
With his superior business qualifications, clear
head, and excellent practical common sense, he
was much respected by his associates, and soon be-
came one of the most honored and influential mem-
bers of the senate. His social and domestic at-
tachments are very strong. His friendship is sin-
cere and true; his grasp of the hand warm and cor-
dial. Of him it might be said:
"His life is gentle, and the elements
So mixed in him, that Nature might stand up
And say to all the world, this is a man."
H. W. Vaughan, M. D., deserves honorable men-
tion, as one of the successful practicing physicians
and surgeons of Sulphur Rock, Ark. He was born
in North Carolina, July 16, 1828, and was reared
in Fayette County, Tenn. , where he also received
his literary education, and, in 1849, began his
study of medical lore under an instructor, entering
in 1850 the Louisville Medical College, where he
took a regular course of lectures. He came to Ar-
kansas soon after, and, in 1856, located in Inde-
pendence County, where he was for years the only
college practitioner, and enjoyed a lucrative and
extensive practice, his patients being among the
best class of citizens in the county and in North-
east Arkansas. Sulpjiur Rock was a very small
place, indeed, at the time of his location, and con-
sisted of one store and a postoffice. The Doctor
has been married twice — the first time to Miss
Maria L. Tumey, a native of Independence Coun-
ty, and of this union four children were born; Ella
v., Solon. Phoebe M. and Clarence P. Mrs.
Vaughan, after having performed well and faithful-
ly the duties of a wife and mother, was called to
her final home on the 14th of August, 1873. The
Doctor is a son of S. F. and Phoebe Vaughan, the
former of whom was a Virginian, who subsequent-
ly became a citizen of North Carolina, and after-
ward of Tennessee. He died in the State of Mis-
sissippi, in 1856, at the age of fifty -eight years.
Dr. Vaughan is a Master Mason, and in his political
views is a Democrat. His wife belongs to the
Methodist Episcopal Church.
Joseph J. Waldrip of Big Bottom Township,
Independence County, was born in Lauderdale
County, Ala., November 4, 1839. He is a son of
Thomas W. and Serena Waldrip, natives, respect-
ively, of Maury and Giles Counties, Tenn. The
father of Thomas W. Waldrip was James Waldrip,
a native of South Carolina, of Irish descent, his
ancestors having emigrated to this country about
1690. Several of them served in the War for Inde-
pendence, and James Waldrip took part in the
War of 1812, participating in the battle of New
Orleans. He died in Lafayette County, Miss. , at an
advanced age, having been a life-long farmer.
Thomas W. was born August 14, 1805, and died
in the fall of 1875, in Panola County, Miss.
When young, he moved, with his parents, to Lau-
derdale County, Ala., where he was reared on a
farm; he educated himself after he was grown, and
engaged in teaching, but abandoned that profes-
sion for farming, in which he was most successf nl.
February 8, 1831, he married Serena German,
who was born May 13, 1814, and was a daughter
of Joseph German, an early settler of Tennessee,
who was born January 18, 1784, and died in Mon-
roe County, Miss. , at the age of eighty-four years.
He was an en tensive farmer, who moved from Ten-
nessee to Lauderdale County, Ala. , and thence to
Monroe County, Miss. Ten children were born to
Thomas W. and Serena Waldrip, but four of whom
arenow living, viz. : Joseph J., Thomas ^\'., afarmer
of Independence County; Amanda Louisa Aldridge,
wife of John W. Aldridge, also a farmer of Inde-
pendence County, and Romelia Catherine, wife of
W. M. Keating of Independence County. Those
deceased are Eliza J. Rieder, William P. Waldrip,
Fannie E. Aldridge, Rachel E. Carpenter, James
M. Waldrip, and Mary A. Bivens. The parents
were members of the Missionary Baptist Church,
and took an active part in church work. They
settled in Panola County, Miss., in 1856, where
they made their home the remainder of their lives.
Thomas W. was a stanch Democrat in politics and
4^
INDEPENDENCE COUNTY.
?1\
served several years as justice of "the peace; his
wife died in PanoUt County, Miss., in 1885.
Joseph J. Waldrip received a common school edu-
cation, and at the age of eighteen left his home
for Northern Alabama, where for a short time ho
worked and went to school; he tlien returned to his
home and assumed control of his father's farm
until 1861. March 28, of the latter year, he was
mustered in Pettis" artillery, which was afterward
known as the Hudson Battery, and was the first
battery organized to leave the State. Although
n>peatedly tendered an office, Mr. Waldrip refused
to accept a more responsible one than that of
sergeant. He served faithfully until the sur-
render of his company, June 13, 18(35, and took
part in many of the principal battles of the war,
among them Shiloh, Corinth, Port Gibson, Siege
of Vicksburg and others. At Shiloh he was
severely wounded in the left side by a bursting
shell, at Port Gibson received a flesh wound, and
at Vicksburg was wounded in the right side. At
the close of the war he returned to Mississippi
and worked on a farm until 1868, when he went
to Arkansas and engaged in the mercantile busi-
ness until 1870. He then turned his attention
exclusively to farming and stock-raising, and now is
one of the most enterprising and successful agricul-
turists of Independence County. December 28,
1869, he married Elizabeth Magness, daughter of
Col. Morgan Magness. She was born in Inde-
pendence County, September 22, 1852. They are
the parents of four children, viz.: Thomas M. ,
William J., Joseph R. and Mirtle (deceased).
Mr. Waldrip has been a member of the Masonic
fraternity since 1866; he is a member of the
Council, and has frequently represented his lodge
in the Grand Lodge, both in Mississippi and Ar-
kansas. He is a Democrat politically, and in 1874
was elected justice of the peace, in which capacity
he served two years.
Dr. M. C. Weaver, of Independence County,
now engaged in merchandising, is the youngest of
seven sons and one daughter born to Abram and
Mary ( Burton ) Weaver, and was born in Phila-
delphia, in the year 1855. The parents were
natives of Pennsylvania and Virginia, respectively,
who settled in Chester Valley, Pa., after their
marriage, and in 1859 moved to Batesville, Ark.,
where Mrs. Weaver died in 1867, and the father
at Pocahontas, in 1882. The elder Weaver was a
lawyer and real estate dealer in Memphis, Tenn. ,
at one time, who afterwards practiced his profes-
sion in Pocahontas. He was a member of the
'I. O. O. F., and a leading man of Northeast Ar-
kansas. His wife was a member of t\w Episcopal
Church and a daughter of Dr. P. P. Burton, a
prominent physician of Virginia, who moved to
Batesville in 18-11, and contributed largely to the
building up of that town. In 1847 or 1848 he
removed to Little Rock, where he practiced his
profession for twenty -five years, and died in that
city in 1875. Dr. M. C. Weaver was educated at
Batesville and St. John's College at Little Rock.
His choice for a profession was medicine, and in
1877 he graduated from the Louisville Medical
College, and began practicing in Greenbrier Town-
ship. The following year he went to Kentucky,
where he remained a short period, but soon
returned to Independence County, and engaged in
practicing at Jamestown until 1888. The Doctor
about this time had built up a large practice, but
his mercantile interests became so pressing that
he was forced to abandon his chosen profession,
although now he is one of the leading merchants
in that section. In 187S he was married to Miss
Theodora, a daughter of the Rev. C. H. Albert of
Pennsylvania, in which State Mrs. Weaver was
born. The Rev. Albert, during his life, was an
eloquent minister, whose fame as a speaker had
rapidly spread to the surrounding country soon
after his arrival. He was the first Episcopal min-
ister to settle in Independence County after the
war, and was killed after a long life of usefulness
by a runaway horse. Doctor Weaver and his wife
have two daughters, and are members of the Epis-
copal Church at Batesville. In politics he is a
Democrat, but owing to his large commercial inter
ests. has always declined to accept office of any
kind. The Doctor has a splendid residence and
magnificent home in Jamestown, situated on the
spot noted as being the birthplace of Congiessman
Samuel Peele.
4
722
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
Calvin Houston ^Vebb, farmer, stock raiser and
ex-assessor of Independence County, Ai'k. Al-
though a young man, Mr. Webb has, by his native
energy and progressive ideas put into execution,
won for himself an enviable reputation that entitles
him to a place among the representative citizens of
the county. He owes his nativity to this county,
where he was born on the 18th of April, 1855.
His parents, Holland Revere and Luciuda E.
(Hogan) AVebb, were natives, respectively, of Ten-
nessee and Arkansas, the former born on the 27th
of Jivne, 1825, and died on the 21st of February,
1876. The father was reared to agricultural pur-
suits, received his education in Weakley County,
Tenn. , and came to Arkansas at an early day,
settling on a farm in the foothills of Black River
Swamp. Here he was surrounded by wild game,
from liear down to quail, and there lived a bachelor
life until he met and formed the acquaintance of
Miss Hogan (daughter of Hamblin Hogan, one of
the very early pioneers of this country, who is
spoken of in another part of this history), and a
love match was the result. They were married on
the 8th day of June, 1854, Squire Thomas Lloyd
officiating. At the time of his marriage, Mr.
Webb was the possessor of 160 acres of land,
twenty under cultivation, and a rude log hut.
Many were the interesting stories of pioneer life
that they were able to tell their children in after
years. Once, when the father was absent at court,
a bear came and robbed the bean patch. Mrs.
Webb was alone in the house, which was without
doors, and the nearest neighbor quite a distance
away. Mr. Webb continued farming until his
children were large enough to need some school
advantages, and in order to give them the best, in
1866 he built a school-house on his farm, for the
benefit of his own and the neighbors' children, and
this was attended by young and old for about two
years, doing a great amount of good. Mr. Webb
was itn active and influential Democrat, and was a
member of Bayou Dota Lodge, A. F. & A. M.
At the time of his death he owned 600 acres of
land, with 100 under cultivation, and all the im-
provements good. Though he never held member-
ship in any church, he was a man of perfect morals
and strict integrity, and contributed liberally to all
public enterprises for the public good. His excel-
lent wife survives him, and makes her home with
her sou, the subject of this sketch. She owns and
controls 160 acres of the old homestead, which
makes her a bountiful living. She is a member of
the Methodist Episcopal Church, South. Since
the death of her husband she has never mari'ied.
To Holland and Lucinda Webb were born the fol-
lowing children: C. H. (subject), Sarah T. , born
on the 5th of November, 1856, and the wife of
Joseph McDaniel, died in spring of 1S84, a farmer
of Black River Township; Fredonia A., born on
the 10th of February, 1858, and the wife of Henry
McDaniel, also one of the farmers of the county,
and Luciuda Holland, born on the 16th of July,
1876, and now living with her mother. C. H.
Webb was reared to the occupation of farming,
and attended several months in his father's school.
By this means the children all received a fair edu-
cation. C. H. began life for himself at the age
of nineteen by raising a crop on his father's farm,
and received half of the same. On the 21st of
May, 1874, he was united in marriage to Miss
Mary C. Killingsworth, daughter of E. R. and
Sarah A. (Martin) Killingsworth, and a native of
Arkansas. Her father was one among the first
brick masons of Bates ville. Mr. Killingsworth
was a large contractor and builder, and in the
50' s was engaged in erecting brick buildings in
that city; later he turned his attention to agricul-
tural pursuits. Mrs. Killingsworth was a daugh-
ter of Adam and Elizabeth Martin, and a sister of
Senator George Martin [see sketch]. After his
marriage Mr. Webb lived on his father's farm for
two years, and at the latter' s death he sold his
portion of the same, and then purchased the farm
on which he now lives. This farm consists of
eighty acres, with fifty under cultivation, twenty
of which he has cleared himself. On this farm lie
has erected one of the finest farm-houses in Black
River Township. He has a good orchard of five
acres, a nice vineyard, and has perhaps one of the
finest farms in the county. In addition to his
home place, he has bought 200 acres joining it,
and has ninety acres under cultivation. He has
• >.
three tenement houses on it, and gives homes and
employment for three families. Mr. Webb believes
in thorough farming, and so in addition to his
crops of corn and cotton, he raise's all kinds of
grain. He depends entirely for his support on the
products of his farm. He was reared a Democrat,
and voted with that party until the Wheel was
organized in his county. He was solicited as a
charter member June 27, 1884, for Wheel No.
388, and since that time has thoroughly identified
himself with that order, and in 1886 was nominated
by the farmers for assessor, and elected. He has
served in that capacity with credit to himself and
his constituents. He and his wife are members of
the Methodist Episcopal Church. He is a mem-
ber of Sulphur Rock Lodge No. 1189, K. & L. of
H. , and is one of those liberal, free-hearted men
upon whom depends, to a great extent, the future
progress of his country. His future prospects
look bright.
R. D. Williams. The merchants of Batesville
have the reputation of being among the most en-
terprising in Arkansas, and Mr. Williams stands
in the foremost ranks of commercial life at that
point. He was born in Henry County, Tenn., on
October 28, 1836, and is a son of William R. and
Evaline (Moody) Williams, of Kentucky and Ten-
nessee, respectively. The parents were married in
the latter State and moved to Arkansas about the
year 1839, locating in Independence County. They
remained here two years and then removed to
Lawrence County, now Sharp County, and located
near the county seat. Evening Shade. They were
among the early settlers of that section, where the
father's occupation was farming, and where they
resided imtil the time of their death. They were
the parents of eight children, of whom three only
are living at present: Richard D., Cordelia, wife
of M. G. Wainright, and Nancy J., wife of W. T.
Cunningham. Richard was only three years old
when he came to Lawrence County with his par-
ents, and was educated in the common schools of
that place. Some idea of the schools of that i)eriod
may be obtained from the one he attended, which
was merely a log cabin, and had nothing l)ut the
bare earth to serve as a tloor. He remained on
the farm until he reached maturity, and then oc-
cupied a responsible position with a business house
at Evening Shade, in which he was emjtloyed for
two years. In 1858 he became a merchant himself,
and carried on a profitable business until the war
commenced, when he left it in charge of a friend
and enlisted in Company D, Fourteenth Arkansas
Regiment. He was taken violently ill shortly after
joining the army and returned home, but after re-
covering he again enlisted, becoming a member of
Wade's Company, and served a short time in
Price's raids through Missouri. He was captured
near his home soon after this raid, l)Ut after two
weeks' confinement was paroled, and after the sur
render returned home and took charge of his busi-
ness at Evening Shade, continuing there until the
fall of 1887, when he moved to Batesville and
0])('ned up a large and well stocked store. He
still retains his interest in the business at Evening
Shade, however, the firm there' being Williams,
Price & Co. , while that one at Batesville is known
as R. D. Williams & Co. He owns about 1,200
acres of land in Sharp County, and has about 500
acres under cultivation. Mr. Williams is a true
representative of the wide-awake, active and en-
terprising business man, and his ability has made
him one of the mo.st successful men in commercial
circles in Batesville. He was married in 1867 to
Miss Mary E. Shaver, by whom he has one child
living — Clara. He lost this wife," and was again
married in 1882, his second wife l)eing Mrs. Mat-
tie Wasson, widow of \V. G. Wiisson. Mr. M'il-
liams is a member of the Masonic fraternity and
the Knights of Honor, and, with his wife, attend-;
the Methodist Episcopal Church.
James Alfred Williamson, M. D.. a prominent
physician of Elmo, whose name is familiar in many
homes throughout Independence County, is a son of
Alfred and (Caroline Virginia (Sanders) William.son,
the former a native of Maine, and the latter of
Kentucky. The parents were married near what is
now Saloma. Taylor County, Ky., where James
Alfred was born, on the 20th of March, 1857.
The parents moved from Kentucky the same year,
and settled in Arkansas, at a point near Batesville.
where the father commenced i)racticing his pro
724
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
fession in addition to cultivating a farm. The Doc-
tor was reared on the home farm, and educated in
the schools of Independence County. After grad-
uatinsr from these schools he took a course in liter-
ature at the Batesville High School, and in 1880
commenced the study of medicine under his father.
He received his first course of lectures at the Mis-
souri Medical College, of St. Louis, Mo., in 1882
and 1883, and afterward located at Elmo, Ark.,
where he practiced until the fall of 1884, when he
matriculated at Vanderbilt University, and gradu-
ated that term, also graduating from the medical
college at Nashville, Tenu. , in 1885. Dr. William-
son was married to Miss Henry Clay Tunstall, of
Arkansas, a daughter of Clay and Nancy (Arnold)
Tunstall, both natives of Tennessee, but among
the earlier settlers of the former State, and Clay
Tunstall' s name is associated with much of Inde-
pendence County's early development. To the
Doctor' s marriage were born three children : Jessie,
Basil and Imogene, and they contribute to make
this one of the brightest and happiest homes in
Northern Arkansas. The Doctor has built up a
large practice in this section, and enjoys the con-
fidence of everyone with whom he comes in contact.
He is a general practitioner, and skillful in his pro-
fession, having made it the study of his existence.
In the winter season, when pneumonia, bronchitis,
croup and kindred diseases are jirevalent, he has
his hands full, and in the summer months, when
malarial affections are lurking everywhere, he is
one of the busiest men in that county. In politics
the Doctor is a Democrat, and in religious faith he,
with his wife, attends the Methodist Episcopal
Church. Dr. Williamson is a member of McGuire
Lodge No. 208, Oil Trough, Independence County,
and filled the chair of Senior Warden at one time,
but is now the Senior Deacon. He also belongs
to Oil Trough Chapter No. 84, at Oil Trough, and
holds the position of Captain of the Host.
W. G. Wilson is the mayor of Sulphur Rock,
Ark., and is the proprietor at that place of one of
the best livery stables in the county. He is a native-
born resident of the county, his birth occurring in
1837, and during his early youth and manhood he
attended the subscription schools, and worked with
his father on the home farm. On the 26th of Jan-
uary, 1859, he was married to Miss Mary E. West,
a native of the ' ' Bay State, ' ' who came with her
parents to Arkansas when a child. Her death oc-
curred on the 27th of January, 1873, and she left
her husband and three children to mourn her loss,
the names of the latter being: Ed. M. , Charley G.
and Florence, who died aged twenty -seven years,
the wife of Solon Burkett, and left two children.
Mr. Wilson took for his second wife Miss R. F.
Morgan, a native of Alabama, and the following
childi'en have been given them: Emma, Myrtie,
Bertha, Fay, and Julia A. Two children died
when quite small. When ihe thunders of war re
sounded through the land, Mr. Wilson enlisted in
the Confederate army, in the First Arkansas Cav-
alry, and served from July 26, 1862 to June 5,
1865, surrendering at the latter date. He was in
Little Rock, Helena, and various fights in Missouri,
being with Price on his raid through the latter
State. After the war he returned home and re-
sumed farming, continuing until 1885, when he
came to Sulphur Rock and embarked in his pres-
ent business, which is one of the most popular es-
tablishments of the kind in the county, and is meet-
ing with well-deserved success. He has a fine
farm, two miles north of Sulphur Rock, and is well
fixed in a worldly point of view. In April, 1889,
he was elected mayor of Sulphui- Rock, Ark., and
also served part of an unexpired term of the pre-
vious year. Besides this, he served one term as
constable and four terms as justice of the peace.
He belongs to the Blue Lodge of the A. F. &A. M.,
is a Royal Arch Mason, and Royal and Select
Master Mason, and is a member of the K. and L.
of Honor. In his religious views he is a Methodist.
He is one of the substantial residents of the county,
and is well known and highly respected by all.
His parents, William M. and Hannah (Masters)
Wilson, were born in Tennessee and Missouri, re-
spectively. The father moved to the mother's na-
tive State after reaching manhood, and afterward
went to Arkansas, and located in Independence
County, where he died in November, 1864, at the
age of seventy-five years, followed by his wife in
November, 1868. Of the ten children born to
*^
INDEPENDENCE COUNTY.
725
them, only two are living — our subject, W. G.
Wilson and his sister, Mrs. Davidson.
Samuel M. ^\'yatt, a genial and popular farmer
and stock raiser, of Independence County, was
born in Davidson County, Tenn., in 1S37, and is
a sou of Isaac and Eleanor (McCutchen) Wyatt, of
North Carolina and Tennessee, respectively, the
mother dying when Samuel was four years of age.
The father moved to Gibson County, Tenn., the
following year after her death, where he resided
until 1857, and then came to Independence Coun-
ty, Ark., spending the balance of his life in that lo-
cality. He was a prosperous and highly-respected
farmer at the time of his death, in 1885, and a
member of the A. F. & A. M. His parents both
died when he was still very young, and he was
reared by an uncle in Tennessee. After the death
of his wife he sincerely mourned her absence, and
remained a widower all his life. Mrs. Wyatt' s
parents were natives of Ireland, who emigrated to
America and settled in Tennessee, where they re-
sided until their decease. The father, John Mc-
Cutchen, was a soldier in the War of 1812, and
fought under Gen. Jackson, at the battle of New
Orleans. Samuel was the fourth child of one son
and four daughters born to his parents, and re-
ceived a good common school education in his
young days. He moved to Arkansas with his fa-
ther and sisters, and has made that State his home
ever since. When the war broke out he cast his
lot with the Confederate army, and enlisted in
the First Arkansas Mounted Riflemen, operating
through Missouri, Arkansas, Tennessee, Georgia,
Alabama, Mississippi, Virginia, Florida, and, in
fact, all the Confederate States. He took part in
almost all of the principal battles during that mem-
orable period, besides a great number of skirmishes
and minor engagements, and though the Confed-
eracy had followers for her cause whose names
are far better known to the world, she had no
braver soldier than Mr. Wyatt. After his surren-
der at Jacksouport, in 18(55, he returned to his
farm, and again commenced cultivating the soil.
In 1S()7 he was married, in Independence County,
to Mrs. Mary Gainer, a charming young widow,
and a daughter of John and Tobitha Rodman, of
famous old Bourbon County, Ky. Two sons and
one daughter were born to this union: Isaac R.,
John and Mamie. Immediately after his marriage
Mr. Wyatt settled on 'VN'hite River, and commenced
farming in that neighborhood, residing there ever
since. He has become one of the leading farmers
in that section, and now owns about 1,000 acres of
land, in different tracts, with about 500 acres un-
der cultivation. He inherited a portion of his
land, but the greater part has been derived from
his own industry and enterprise, and outside of
being a practical farmer he is a wide-awake and
energetic business man. In politics he is a Dem-
ocrat, and has been a stanch adher(>nt to that party
all his life. Mrs. Wyatt is a member of the Epis
copal Church, and a devoted wife and mother, who
makes her home one of the most pleasant iu Indi'
pendence County.
William C. Wyatt is a successful farmer and
stockman of Independence County, Ark. . iind is a
man who, by his sterling characteristics and genial
and hospitable disposition, has won a host of warm
friends, and the universal respect of those whom
he meets. He is a son of James and Martha
(Davis) Wyatt, the former a native of North Caro-
lina, and the mother of old Virginia, and of Swiss
and Scotch descent, respectively. The paternal
ancestry is traced back as far as the great-grand-
father, and the grandfather particijiated in the
Revolutionary War and the War of 1812, in the
latter war taking part in the battle of New Orleans.
His death oecuiTed while coming home from that
battle. In the year 1852 James Wyatt emigrated
with his family to Arkansas and located in Inde-
pendence County, where he turned his attention to
farming, an occupation which he had always fol-
lowed, on forty acres of land which he had pur
chased. He cleared this of timber, and many of
his early days were spent in hunting, his trusty
I rifle bringing down many wolves, bear, panthers, (
deer and wild turkeys. In 18(57 Mr. Wyatt re
turned to Tennessee, where he had lived a numl>er
i of years, to dispose of his possessions there, and
after receiving the money for the sale of his land
he started for his home in Arkansas, but. after
crossing the Tennessee River, he disappeared and
'.^
120,
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
has never been heard from since. He is supposed
to have been killed for his money, and his family
mourn him as dead. William C. Wratt was one
of his eight children, and was the fourth in order
of birth, this event occurring on the 5th of January,
1842. He came to Arkansas when ten years of
age, and was reared to farm life and educated in
this State. When the war broke out he enlisted
in Company B, Eighth Arkansas Volunteer Infan-
try, United States Army, and participated in the bat-
tles of Stone River, Perryville, being captured at
the former battle on the Slat of December, 1862,
anil was exchanged on the 22d of March, 1863.
In the same engagement in which he was captured
he was severely wounded, having his left arm
broken, but thinks he has now entirely recovered.
After being exchanged at Petersburg he returned
home on furlough, and this ended his services as a
soldier. On the 18th of January, 1866, he was
married to Miss Mary M. Dodd, a native of Arkan-
sas, and a daughter of Abner H. and Mary Jane
(Martin) Dodd. the father born in Tennessee and
the mother in Kentucky, the latter being a great-
granddaughter of Col. Ben Hardin, of Kentucky.
To Mr. and Mrs. Wyatt have been born the fol-
lowing children: William Abner, who was born on
the 25th of November, 1866; Andrew David, who
was born August 11. 1869; George Washington,
who was born July 24, 1877, and Edna Inez, born
January 14, 1887. Mr. Wyatt made his first pur-
chase of land in 1876, it consisting of forty acres
of timber land, and has added to it until he now
has seventy-eight acres in the home farm, the re-
mainder being inherited by Mrs. Wyatt from her
father's estate. About fifteen acres were under
cultivation, and he now has thirty-five acres cleared
and improved. He has a good frame dwelling
house and substantial barns, stables, etc. His en-
tire acreage at the present time amounts to 290
acres, with sixty- five under cultivation. He and
wife are members of the Missionary Baptist Church,
and he is a Democrat in his jiolitical views, and is
a warm friend of progress, and a liberal contributor
to all worthy enterprises.
M. A. Wycough, county clerk of Independence
County, and one of its most scholarly men, was
born February 3, 1835, and is a son of Samuel B.
and Malinda H. (Bandy) Wycough, of Lincoln
County, N. C. In 1835 the parents emigrated to
Independence County, Ark., and located at Bates-
ville, where their son was born. The father was
a carpenter, and master of his trade, as some of
the finest buildings in Batesville, and also some of
the first, will testify. He held the office of county
treasurer for five successive terms, and also repre-
rented Independence County in the legislature for
one term, and was one of the most prominent and
brilliant politicians in Independence County at
that period. His word carried considerable weight,
and his influence was eagerly sought after by
others. The Wycough family are of German ori-
gin, and the name has been illustrious for several
generations as soldiers, statesmen and honorable
men. The grandfather was a soldier in the War
of 1812, and his bravery was often the theme of
conversation among his fellow-comrades, while
Samuel B. Wycough, though dying in 1880. his
brilliant career in the political arena is still remem-
bered in Arkansas. The mother died in 1864,
leaving: eight children, of whom five are still liv-
ing: Marion A., Martin A. R. , Samuel B. , Henry
C. and William H. , the latter a Presbyterian min-
ister in Texas. M. A. Wycough was reared and
educated at Batesville. The facilities for attend-
ing school at that period were very limited, conse-
quently young Wycough did not receive quite the
learning that he wished for, but his natural ability
and bright intellect made up for any deficiency.
At fifteen years of age he occupied a position of
trust for several years, with a firm in Batesville,
and then followed the carpenter's trade for a
number of years after his marriage. In 1861 he
enlisted in Capt. McGutfin's company, and accom-
panied Gen. Price in his raids through Missouri,
and while on a scouting expedition, he received a
gunshot wound in the left foot. After the war
Mr. Wycough entered into commercial life up to
the time of his election to the present office, in
1879. He took charge of the position in 1880,
and his distinguished services have been recog-
nized to that extent that he has been re elected
five times in succession — the first and third terms
<s -
*-^
INDEPENDENCE COUNTY.
727
[
without opposition. Iq 185(5 he was married to
Miss Emma A. Bevins, and has had thro(< childnMi
by this union, of whom one is yet living, Ralph,
who resides in Colorado. Mr. Wyeough was mar-
ried a second time, in 1870, to Miss Sarah J. Ken-
nedy, by whom he has had two children, one of
them, Jessie, still living. He is a stanch Demo-
crat, and that party has no more able and loyal
supporter. Mr. Wyeough and wife are both mem-
bers of the Presbyterian Church, and are much
respected by their neighbors and follow citizens.
M. A. R. Wyeough, who has the honor of be-
ing the oldest native-born individual in Batesville,
was born in that city, on November 27, 1839, and
is a son of Samuel B. and Maliuda H. (Bandy)
^^'ycough, of North Carolina, who emigrated to
Arkansas, in February, 1835, and located at Bates-
ville, where the father died. Mr. Wyeough was
reared and educated in Batesville, and reached his
nuiturity in the same year that the Civil War com-
menced. He enlisted in Company K. First Ar-
kansas Mounted Riflemen, and served with that
body until after the battle of Murfreeslioro. in
1863, when he was granted a furloiigli and returned
to his home. He again entered the army, joining
Crabtree's cavalry, and was assigned to the quart-
ermaster's department. He was present at the
battles of Oak Hill, Elkhorn. Farmington, Mur
fi'eesboro and in Price's raids through Missouri,
up to Jefferson City, where he was captured and
taken prisoner to St. Louis, Mo. . and kept in con-
tineiueat until February 25. 1865. He was then
exchanged, and went to Richmond, but immediately
left for Mobile and from there to Jackson, Miss. ,
where he was paroled, and came home. On his re-
turn he commenced farming and speculating, and
also keel boating to some extent from Jacksonport
to Batesville. Shortly after settling down at Bates-
ville again, he was elected deputy sheriff, collector
and clerk, liolding that office for about twelve
years, and for a short period was engaged in the
United States revenue office. He has also been
the assistant assessor of Independence County, but
during all this time he still continued looking after
his farm interests, and at the present time owns
about 2,000 acres of land, with some 800 acres
, under cultivation. In 1865 Mr. Wvcouwh was
married to Mrs. Catherine E. Cullens, a pleasant
lady and widow of James Cullens. Four children
were born to this marriage, two boys, now deceased,
and two girls: Monnie M. , wife of C. W. Maxfield,
and Nettie A. The wife died in 1872, and on July
14, 1873, he was again married, his second wife
being Miss Mary E. Neely, by whom he has had
j three children: LilJie Lee, and two boys, now de-
ceased. This wife died in 1877, and after his
period of mourning, Mr. Wyeough was maiTied a
third time, the lady being Miss E. A. Boone, of
I Callaway County, Mo., by whom he has had two
children, Emma A. and Agnes B. Mr. Wyeough is
a Mason and has been secretary of the Blue Lodge
for some time. He is a member of the Knights of
Honor, and in religious faith belongs to and at-
tends the Methodist Episcopal Church, with his
wife, having served on the official l)oard for a num-
ber of years. For several years he was engaged
in commercial life, but gave it up on finding that
his farms would need all of his attention, and
! since then he has built uj) and improved it so well
that he now owns one of the finest farms in North-
east Arkansas; together with some very valuable
town property. He is an enterprising man. and a
prominent figure in Batesville circles, where he
enjoys a large degree of popularity.
Col. J. C. Yancey, a prominent attorney of
Batesville, and a man of brilliant attainments,
whose words of eloquence have often been heard
in the halls of justice, was born in Orange County,
Va. , on July 10, 1853. He is a sou of James E.
and Mary E. (Waller) Yancey, both natives of the
same county in Virginia, who moved to Jefferson
County, Ky., in 1859. and remained at that place
until 1873, when they repaired to Phillips County,
Ark., in which ])lace the father died in 1876, while
the mother still survives him, and resides in that
county. They were the parents of sis children:
Archilles N., Charles C, Elizabeth, Amelia, John
C. and George W. Col. Yancey was reared in
Virginia and Kentucky, and received his education
from the schools of both States, his inclination for
the law being developed at an early age. At eight-
] een years of age he began the study of law, and
nr>c
'k
in 1874 was admitted to the bar in Crittenden
County, Ark. , where he practiced about one year.
He then formed a partnership with Col. A. Crockett,
a grandson of famous Davy Crockett, and moved
to Arkansas County, Ark., to practice. They re
mained at this place until 1878, when Col. Yancey
came to Batesville, and established a law office,
where he practiced alone until 1882, and then
formed a partnership with Col. H. S. Coleman,
under the firm name of Coleman & Yancey. In
1885 Col. Yancey was elected to the XXVth Gen-
eral Assembly, serving one term, and in 1889
was elected mayor of Batesville, an office he holds
at the present time, and fills with distinction. In
1884 he was married to Miss Ella A. Dunnington,
by whom he has had three children: Nona W.,
Dunnington A. and James C. Col. Yancey is a
man of excellent ability, and one whose oratory
at times is grand. His shrewdness and foresight
have won for him many cases, where facts and
argument were needed, and his eloquent addresses
to many a jury have given him victory where it
needed a man who could play upon the human
heart. He is attorney for the Keystone Mining
Company, and is president of the Telephone Com-
pany of Batesville. Also president of the Char-
coal and Chemical Plant, and a principal stockholder
in the Bank of Batesville, and also interested in the
Batesville Printing Company, and Oil Trough Tel-
ephone Company.
-In-
:fv:
SHAKP COUNTY.
729
SiiAiti- County — Lo(;ation and TopooitAi-iiY -Tiih Watkk Sui'FLy— Minkkals, Timbkk and 8uii.-
Pkoducts— Valuation of Puoperty— Public Highways— Population— Erection of the
County— The J.egal Centkk— County BuiLDiN(is— Days of the Pioneers- Law
AND EyuiTY Practiced— The Stkugqle over Slavery and Secession
—Villages Located and Described— School Statistics-
Church People— Catalogue of County Offi-
cers—Personal and Business Memo-
randa—Elections.
' The liusy world shoves angrily aside
The man who stands with arms akimbo set
Until occasion tells him what to do."'
^HARP COUNTY, lying in the
northern tier of coiinties in
Arkansas, is bounded north
by Oregon County, Mo., east
by Randolph and Lawrence,
south by Independence, and
west by Izard and Fulton
counties, in Arkansas. It has an
area of 290 square miles, or about
377,600 acres, of which nearly
60,000 belong to the United States,
about 20,000 to the State, and the
remainder to individuals, and to
mining, timber and railroad com-
panies.
The boundary lines of the county
are as follows: Beginning at the
southeast corner of Township 15 north. Range 4
west; thence north on the range line to the line
between Townships 18 and 19 north; thence east
on the township line to the south-east corner of
Section 85, Township 19 north. Range 3 west;
thence north on section lines three miles; thence
west on the section line one mile; thence north on
46
section lines live miles; thence in a northwesterly
direction on the line between Sharp and Ran-
dolph Counties to the State line; thence west,
about eighty rods, to the line dividing Ranges
4 and 5 west; thence south on the range line
to the northeast corner of Township 19 north,
Range 5 west; thence west to the northwest
corner of said Congressional township; thence
south to the southwest corner of the same; thence
west on the township line to the northwest corner
of Section 1, Township 18 north, Range 7 west:
thence south on section lines to the middle of said
township; thence east one mile to the range line;
thence south on the range line to the northeast
corner of Section 36, Township 16 north. Range 7
west; thence west one and a half miles; thence
south on sub-divisional lines to the middle of Town-
ship 15 north; thence east on section lines to the
line between Ranges 4 and 5 west; thence south
on the range line to the line between Town-
ships 14 and 15 north; thence ea.st on the town-
ship line to the place of beginning.
The most of the surface lies high and dry, and
is drained by waters flowing south tributary to
i V
■^j]^ w-
730
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
White River, and others flowing east tributary to
Black River. It is classed in the State with the
northern barrens and hill region. Its surface pre-
sents a variety of features, some portions being
hilly and broken, others rolling or undulating,
with summit plateaus, while still other portions
eshil)it a level or flat surface. The ridges, which
are from tifty to three hundred feet high, show
outcroppings of sandstone and cherty limestone.
The principal difficulty encountered on some
of the uplands consists in the loose rocks and
bowlders lying scattered on the surface or slightly
embedded in the earth; but, when these are re-
moved, there remains a light soil, easily cultivated
and always possessing to a greater or less extent
the elements of fertility. The valley and bottom
lands are dark loams, very rich and productive,
usually drained by clear and never- failing streams
of wholesome water. The latter, however, com-
pose but a small percentage of the area of the
county. A large portion of the uplands, as well
as all of the valley lands, are comparatively free
from rocks, and as the growth of timber is light
upon the former it is easily cleared for the plow.
Spring River, flowing from the great Mammoth
Spring of Fulton County, enters Sharp from tte
north, near the middle of the north line of Town-
ship 19 north. Range 5 west, flows thence in
a southeasterly direction across the county, and
contains several good mill seats on its route.
South Fork, its principal tributary from the west,
enters the county at the northwest corner of
the Congressional township just described, and
empties into Spring River in the same township.
Martin's Creek rises in the extreme northern por-
tion, and flowing southwardly, empties into Spring
River, in Range 3 west. Many smaller streams
empty into this river within the county. Straw-
berry River enters from the west, and flowing a
little south of east on its general course, crosses
the south central portion, its route also offering a
number of desiraVjle sites for mills. Piney Fork,
another important stream, makes its appearance
from the west a few miles south of Strawberry
River, and empties into the latter in the south-
west part of Township 17 north. Range o west.
William's, or South Big Creek, and also Reed's
Creek flow into Strawberry River from the south,
while North Big Creek. Mill and Harry's Creeks
join it from the north. Many smaller streams also
find an outlet here. Polk Bayou and Sullivan's
Creek, rising in the southwestern portion of
the county, flow into White River. Cave Spring,
a large body of water, flows through a cavern a
few yards from the road leading from Evening
Shade to Batesville. at a point about ten miles
south of the former place. There are numerous
springs in this vicinity, all producing cold, clear
and pure water unexcelled in quality. Good
well water can also be obtained in many places at
a moderate depth, but where springs are not con-
venient, cisterns are generally in use. The streams
mentioned are not sluggish, but run with a swift
current, thus making the water pure and healthful
for stock.
Sharp County lies in the mineral belt, and zinc
has been successfully mined and smelted at Cala-
mine, on Section 22, Township 16 north. Range 4
west, in its southeast part, and also on Sections
12, 28 and 29, Township 18 north, Range 4
west, and there are indications of its existence
in other localities. Evidences of the presence
of copper have been discovered in Section 32,
Township 17 north. Range 6 west. Some two
miles from Calamine, in Sections 22, 23, 25 and
30, Township 10 north. Range 4 west, and the
surrounding region, lies an immense bed of pot
iron or looking-glass ore. Here, before the late
war, iron was successfully made in a rude furnace,
operated by Bevens & Co. The iron was of a
fine quality, and found a readj' sale then. The
supply of ore is said to be almost inexhaustible.
Hematite is found in various parts of the county,
cropping out and lying loosely about the ground.
Lead ore has also been found in the county, but
its extent has not been ascertained. The best
of lime has been made at Calamine and other
points, and a light-grey, nearly white, marble,
which takes on a fine polish, and has been used
for grave-stones, lies in illimitable (juantities near
Highland, and but a few miles from Hardy. Good
building stone may be had in various sections.
SHARP COUNTY.
731
The timber growth of tlip county includes pine,
all the varieties of oak, walnut, hickory, ash, syca-
more, elm, gum and cedar. In the southwestern
portion is a belt of yellow pine, of excellent quality.
This pine region is about fifteen miles long and
from two to five miles wide. Several good saw-
mills are now at work in this region, converting
the pine trees into lumber for the local trade. *
The resources of the county are almost entirely
agricultural, but the natural mineral and horti-
cultural provisions, if developed, might be made
very profitable. But little scientific farming has
been done. Clover and the tame grasses, thousrh
they are said to do well, have scarcely been
introduced. Individuals seem content to raise
such crops of cotton and corn as the land will
produce without re-fertilizing it. More thorough
methods of farming must come. In 1880 the
county contained 1,183 farms and 44,674 acres of
improved land. The vegetable productions for
the year 1879, as shown by the United States
census of 1880, were as follows: Indian corn,
432,570 bushels; oats. 52,241 bushels; wheat,
18,908 bushels; hay, 282 tons; Cotton, 4,350
bales; Irish potatoes, 4,285 bushels; sweet pota-
toes, 5,917 bushels; tobacco, 10,070 lbs.
The number of head of live stock, as given by ;
the same census, was: Horses, 2,186; mules and j
asses, 960; neat cattle, 8,653; sheep, 8,458; hogs, I
19.731. The number, as shown by the assessment
rolls for 1888, was: Horses, 2.31 1 ; mules and asses,
1.003; neat cattle, 11,149; sheep, 7,535; hogs, 14,-
497. The apparent decrease in the number of sheep
and hogs is accounted for by the fact that the as-
sessment rolls show only those on hand when the
assessment was taken, and do not, like the census
of 1880, include the number slaughtered and oth-
erwise disposed of during the year. The census of
1890 will show a large increase over that of 1880.
The county is well adapted to the raising of live
stock, the winters being so mild and the range so
extensive that but little shelter or feed are required.
The stock industry can easily be made a very pro-
fitable occupation.
*CJuotalions from North Arkansas Land Company's
description of Sliarp County.
In 1880 the real estate of Sharp County was
assessed for taxation at $426, 363, and the personal
property at $363,420. making a total of $788,783,
on which an aggregate amount of taxes to the
extent of $11,596 was charged. In 1888 the real
estate assessment was $754,901, and personal prop
erty, $502,085, making a total of S1,256,9S6.
The total taxes reached $ 1 2, 752. This comparison
shows that since 1880 the taxable wealth of the
county has increased nearly sixty per cent, while
the amount of taxes charged is only a trifle more.
The Kansas City, Fort Scott & Memphis Rail-
road passes through and across the northern part
of the county, in the valley of Spring River. It
is assessed for taxation here at $173,4U6.
The population of the county in 1870 was :
White. 5,286; colored, 114; total 5,400. In 1880
it was white, 8,871; colored. 176; total 9,047.
This shows an increase from 1870 to 1880, of a
little over sixty-seven per cent of the white popu-
lation and a little over fifty-four per ceat of the
colored. The immigration l)eing somewhat rapid,
the next census will probably present a still larger
growth.
The organization of this territory was in accord-
ance with an act of the General Assembly of the
State, approved in July, 1868. It was named after
E. Sharp, one of the representatives of the dis-
trict composed of Lawrence, Randolph and
Greene Counties, and who presented the bill for
its formation. The territory composing it was
nearly all taken fi-om Lawrence County. By sub-
sequent acts of the General Assembly, the original
boundary lines have been slightly changed .so as to
conform to the present limit, as elsewhere noted.
The county is now divided into eighteen municipal
townships.
Upon the organization of the county the seat of
justice was located at Evening Shade, where it still
remains, though strenuous efforts have been put
forth for a change to a more central point. Soon
after the seat of justice was determined upon, work
was commenced for the construction of a court-
house which was completed not later than 1H70.
This house was a two-story frame, al)0ut 40x60 feet
in size, with office rooms below, and the court-room
:e
732
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
above. It stood until 1879, whea it was consumed
by fire, together with nearly all of the public
records. It is not known how the fire occiUTed.
Since then the county has rented and still con-
tinues to rent a building for a court-house. A
very substantial wooden jail with an eighteen-inch
wall made of planks securely spiked together,
containing two rooms with a "cage" in one of
them, was constructed soon after the county was
organized. It is still standing and is in use. The
county owns a "poor farm" consisting of 165
acres, located in Washington Township, on which
there are good and comfortable buildings for the
use of the paupers of the county, and the super-
intendent of the farm. The contract for the
keeping of the paupers is annually let to the low-
est responsible bidder. The poor are here well
cared for.
Among the pioneer settlers of (now) Sharp
County were John King, who settled where Center
postofiice is now located; Robert Lott, who located
two miles west; Nicholas Norris and his son-in-law,
William McKinley, who settled on Strawberry
River, all about the year 1810. Prominent among
the pioneers along Spring River were William
Morgan, at the mouth of Rock Creek; William J.
Gray, William Williford, Solomon Hudspeth,
Colby Crawford, Stephen English, Robert J.
Moore, Joseph Kellett, John Walker, Samuel
Beasley and L. D. Dale. Ferguson B. Boothe
settled at the head of Martin's Creek, John C.
Garner and his four sisters farther down, and Jo-
seph Kellett at the mouth of the same creek. Mr.
Garner and two of his sisters, Mrs. Wilkinson and
Mrs. Baker, all at a very advanced age, are living
at this time. John and Joseph Hardin, R. P.
Smithee, John MUliggan and J. W. Mobley were
early settlers on Reed's Creek. John M. Vanhoo-
zer, William Norris and Serrel Mobley early made
a home on South Big Creek. The first settlers in
the southwest part of the county were John Luce,
Josiah Richardson, Plummer Baxter, A. J. Hodges
and Judge A. H. Nuun, whose settlement dates
fi-om early in the 40' s, and Col. William G. Math-
eny, a pioneer of 1849.
The many very old jjeople now residing in the
county, who have lived here nearly all their lives,
prove that this is a remarkably healthy section,
notwithstanding all that can be said to the con-
trary. Several of the old settlers named are over
eighty years of age, and two ladies, Mrs. Sarah
Galloway and Miss Mary Caton, mention of whom
should not be omitted, are ninety-eight and eighty-
eight years of age, respectively. In 1876 there
were in the county, by actual count, seventy-four
persons each over seventy years old.
The county court of Sharp County convenes
for its regular sessions on the first Mondays of Jan-
uary, April, July and October of each year, and
the probate court on the first Mondays of February,
May, August and November. The circuit court
convenes for its regular sessions on the first Mon-
days of June and December of each year. This
county belongs to the Third judicial district, of
which J. \V. Butler, of Batesville, is the present
judge.
The legal liar of the county consists of the fol-
lowing named attorneys: Col. J. L. Abernethy,
S. H. Davidson (present State senator), John B.
McCaleb, W. A. Turner, and A. J. Porter, the
present county judge.
There has never been an execution for the of-
fense of murder committed within Sharp County.
A few years ago, however, one Joseph Camp was
tried at Evening Shade, upon a change of venue
from another county, for the killing of one Hulsey,
was found guilty, and was hanged for the otfense.
For crimes committed within the county, there
has been no conviction for murder in the first de-
gree, and but one in the second degree, and two
for manslaughter. Neither have there been but
few homicides. The laws are generally well en-
forced, and the citizens are law-abiding.
At the beginning of the Civil War of 1861-65,
the citizens of this locality were, with only a few
exceptions, in full sympathy with the proposed
Southern Confederacy, and did all in their power
to help establish it. There were but a few Union
men, and they refugeed to the North. A number
of companies of soldiers commanded, respectively,
byCapts. M'illiam Adams, William G. Matheny, A.
H. Nunn, M. V. Shaver, and perhaps others, were
^}
■^cA^ot,
Mississippi UoiiMTV Ahkamsas.
SHAEP COUNTY.
733
recruited and organized in Lawrence County, from
that part which now composes Sharp, for the Con-
federate army, in which they served during the
war. No engagement worthy of mention took
jilace here, until the spring of 1864, when Col.
Freeman and Maj. M. V. Shaver, with the Third
Missouri Confederate Cavalry, met Col. Woods,
with a Kansas regiment of Federal cavalry, on the
Baker farm on Martin's Creek, in what is now the
northern part of the county. On this occasion the
Federal troops were routed and compelled to fall
back toward headquarters, at Batesville, suffering
some loss. There was no bushwacking amoncr the
citizens during the war, but several persons were
killed by scouting parties passing through. The
territory was generally over-run and devastated of
its provisions, in consequence of which considera-
ble suffering resulted for the want of food.
Sharp County can boast of no large towns, but
it has a number of small villages distributed to
suit the convenience of the people.
Ash Flat, located on Section 10, in Richwoods
Township, contains four general stores, a drug
store, a grocery and saddlery store, two blacksmith
shops, two church edifices (one of which is also
used for school purposes), a grist and flouring-mill
and cotton-gin coml)ined, a saw-mill and cotton-
gin combined, one hotel, a lodge each of Masons,
Eastern Star, and Knights and Ladies of Honor,
one physician, and has a population of about 200.
It is located in the best agricultural district of the
county, and enjoys a considerable trade.
Some time prior to 1849 a postoffice was estab-
lished in the hollow south of the east end of what
is now the business street of Evening Shade. The
office was so situated that after 3 o'clock P. M. of
each day it remained in the shade of the tall pines
standing on the rising groimds south and west, and
for this reason it was named Evening Shade, the
name that the place still retains. In June, 1849,
Samuel Cammack opened the first store here. The
site of its location is now occupied by the business
street of the town, immediately in front of the
present store of R. D. Williams. The building
containing the gootls was a canvas tent, with the
rear end boarded up, the lock used at the front being
a large and savage female bull-dog. In September
following, J. W. Shaver joined Mr. Cammack in
the business, and together they formed the firm of
Shaver & Cammack. About 1852 a party of na-
tives met J. M. Hiland, a young man from Ten-
nessee, in a saloon kept by one William Vanghaii,
and there gave him rum until he became intoxi-
cated, after which he was induced to play cards.
The victim was soon dispossessed of his money — a
considerable amount. Upon sobering up, he ex-
claimed: "They gave me rum, and hooked my
money." In consequence of this. Evening Shade
was, for many years, vulgarly called ' ' Hook lium. ' '
At the beginning of the Civil War, Evening
Shade contained three stores and a saloon, and
about 100 inhabitants. It now has two general
stores, two groceries, a drug store, bookstore, two
hotels, mechanics' shops, a large public school-
house, three church edifices, three grist-mills, two
cotton-gins, five saw-mills, in the town and its im-
mediate vicinity; two shingle-mills, two wool-card-
ing mills, a bed spring manufactory; a lodge,
Chapter and Eastern Star lodge of the Masonic
fraternity, and a lodge each of Odd- Fellows,
Knights of Honor and Knights and Ladies of
Honor, also five physicians, a real estate agent and
an insurance agent. Society is refined and culti-
vated; the town offers attractive advantages; it is a
pleasant place in which to live, and a large amount
of business is transacted. The population is about
350. The Sharp County Record, a weekly news-
paper, in its twelfth volume, is published here by
E. G. Henderson, its proprietor. It is well edited
and advocates Democratic principles, though ably
serving the general interests of its community.
Hardy, located on Spring River and on the Kan-
sas City, Fort Scott & Memphis Railroad, consist*
of the railroad buildings, a general store, drug
store, saloon, blacksmith shop, cotton-gin, a school-
house, church and Masonic hall combined, and
about twenty families. Williford, on the same
river and railroad, ten miles below Hardy, has
three general stores, a saloon, cotton-gin, black-
smith shop, railroad section house, a school- house
used also for religiojis services, and two stone
quarries.
<S w_
734
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
At each of these places is a postofiSce, the one
at Evening Shade being the only money order
ofiBce within the county. Other postoffices and
post-hamlets, the latter having a store or black-
smith shop, and sometimes both, are Armstrong,
Calamine, Canton. Center, Coats, Grange, King's
Mills, Loyal, Martin's Creek, Maxville, Polk Bayou,
Poughkeepsie, Reed's Creek, Sidney and Winsted.
The subject of education has not been lost sight
of in the progress and advancement of other mat-
ters. In 1873 a two-story frame college building,
40x80 feet in size, was erected at Evening Shade,
and a college was incorporated, but never supplied
with a faculty. The building, however, was used
for school purposes until 1882, when it was con-
sumed by fire. In general, the people of Sharp
County are in favor of popular education. This is
evidenced by the fact that nearly, if not all, the
districts recently voted a local school tax for 1889.
The following statistics are taken from the offi-
cial report of the State superintendent of public
instruction for the year ending June 30, 1888:
Scholastic popiUation — White 3,909; colored 66;
total 3,975. Enrollment in the public schools —
White, 2,'2'28; colored, 13; total, 2,241. Number
of districts 06; number reporting enrollment 45;
teachers employed 45; number of institutes held 2;
number of teachers attending 33: average monthly
salaries paid teachers — first grade, males $42.50,
females $40.00; second grade, males $37.50,
females $35.00; third grade, males $27.50; females
$25.00. If these figures indicate a true condition
of the schools of the county, it readily appears
that only 57 per cent of the white and only 20
per cent of the colored scholastic population at-
tended the public schools. In submitting the
above figures to the State superintendent, P. H.
Wilkerson, the county examiner, complaining of the
failure of school directors to make full reports, said:
' ' The reports are never correct excepting the num-
ber of children; all other data are almost entirely
neglected." Evidently the school law should be
thoroughly revised, so as to compel full and com-
plete reports of all school officers. It is argued
here by those most favorable to popular education
that all school tuition taxes should be levied by
the State, collected into the treasury, and distrib-
uted pro rata to the scholastic population of the
State. This would give to each and all an equal
share of the school fund, and dispense with all
contention and quarreling in school districts about
the levy of taxes. The amount expended in Sharp
County for the sujjport of the public schools for
the year referred to was $7,499.75.
The religious denominations of Sharp County
are the Methodist Episcopal, South, Baptist, Chris-
tian, Cumberland Presbyterian and one or two
organi;zations of the Methodist Episcopal and
Methodist Protestant Churches. The Methodist
Episcopal Church at Evening Shade belongs to
the Evening Shade Circuit, the other appointments
all being in Izard County, where proper men-
tion is made. Ash Flat Circuit of the Methodist
Episcopal Chui'ch, South, Rev. F. M. Smith, pas-
tor, has eight appointments: Ash Flat, Shiloh,
Liberty Hill, Bethlehem, Pleasant Hill, Pleas-
ant Ridge, Stacy Church and Hickory Flat —
the latter two being in Izard County — with an
aggregate membership of 320. The Mammoth
Spring Circuit, composed of Mammoth Spring,
in Fulton County, and Hardy and AVilliford,
in Sharp County, Rev. J. F. Troy, pastor, has
a membershiji of forty-five, as given in the last
conference minutes. The Methodist Episcopal
Church, South, at Maxville, in this county, be-
longs to Bethesda Circuit, in Independence Coun-
ty. All these belong to the Batesville District.
An organization of this denomination at Cala-
mine, another at Cross Roads and another in
that vicinity belong to the Calamine Circuit, of
Newport District. Other appointments outside
of the county belong to this circuit. Rev. S. W.
Register is the pastor, and the aggregate mem-
bership is 231.
The Baptist Church organizations within the
county are Evening Shade, Ash Flat, Bethlehem,
Pleasant Hill, George's Camp Ground, aud Big
Creek. Rev. J. L. Foard is pastor of all except
the latter, of which Rev. William Johnson has
charge.
Of the Christian Church the following organi-
zations are well known: Ash Flat, Evening Shade,
Center, Blannville, Poughkeepsie, and one in the
Higginbottom neighborhood, iu the northeast part
of t)ie county, none of which have a regular pas-
tor at this writing.
The Cumberland Presbyterians have a congre-
gation at Mt. Carmel, one near Calamine, and one
near Highland. Rev. A. C. Evans is pastor at
Mt. Carmel.
The Methodist Episcopal Church has an organ-
ization at Powell's Chapel, six miles east, and one
at Pine Hill, four miles northwest of Evening
Shade. The Methodist Protestants have an organ-
ization at Liberty Hill.
The following is a list of the names of the
county officers of Sharp County, together with
the date of terms served by each from the organi
zation of the county to the present time:
Judges: Solomon Yeager, 1868-72; commis-
sioners, 1872-74; C. G. Wilson, 187-4-76; C. G.
Hunn, 1876-78; A. J. Porter, 1878-80; W. G.
Matheny, 1880-86; J. M. Montgomery, 1886-88;
A. J. Porter, present incumbent, elected in 1888.
Clerks: N. McLeod, from August, 1868, until
after election; "W. T. Cunningham, 1868-72; J.
P. Cochran, 1872-76; J. M. Wasson, 1876-78; T.
J. Davidson, 1878-80; J. M. Wasson, 1880-82; R.
E. Huddleston, 1882-86; Joshua Waim, present
incumbent, first elected iu 1886.
Sheriffs: James K. Jones, 1868-72; T. Y.
Huddleston, 1872-80; A. C. Higginbottom. 1880-
83; George R. Hall, present incumbent, appointed
iu 1883, elected in 1884, and served continuously
since.
Treasurers: D. C. Wolfe, 1868-72; Robert
Gray, 1872-78; T. J, Spurlock, 1878-80; W. G.
Hor'ton, 1880-82; E. G. Henderson, 1882-84; C.
W. Shaver, present incumbent, first elected in
1884, and served continuously since.
Coroners: J. G. Wolfe," 1868-72; J. T. Mc-
Cord, 1872-74; A. R. Hipp, 1874-80; J. D.
Hankins, ; A. T. Porter, 1884-86; Charles
Horn. 1886-88: B. H. Couch, present incumbent,
elected in 1888.
Surveyors:. W. B. Leverton, 1872-76: T. A.
McGea, 1876-78: W. W. Hill, 1878-80; T. J.
Gay, 1880-82: W. W. Hill, 1882-86; D. D. Spur-
lock, 1886-88; Horace Hill, present incumbent,
elected in 1888.
Assessors: T. Cunningham, 1868-71; F. Goss,
1871-72; J. R. Metcalf, 1872-74; J. J. T. Mc-
Adams, 1874-76; J. W. Bristow, 1876-78; R. B.
Bellany, 1878-84; A. C. Higginbottom, 1884-86:
John Norman, 1886-88; A. C. Higginbottom,
present incumbent, elected in 1888.
The political aspect of the county is shown by
the number of votes cast for candidates as follows:
At the September election in 1888, for governor,
James P. Eagle (Dem.), 983; C. M. Noi-wood
(combined opposition), 711. At the November
election for president, Cleveland (Dem.), 1)13;
Harrison (Rep.), 115: Streeter (U. L. ), 407:
Fiske (Pro.), 2.
Mr. J. L. Abernethy of Evening Shade, Sharp
County, Ark., was born at Morganton, on the
Little Tennessee River, in Loudon County, East
Tenn. . on the 3d of March. 1835. He is the young-
est son of Rev. Berry and Myra (Cobb) Aber
nefhy, formerly of Lincoln County, N. C. The
Abernethy family are purely Scotch -Irish blood.
As early as the sixteenth century. Rev. John Aber-
nethy, a dissenting minister of the Presbyterian
faith, in the Highlands of .Scotland, attained gn-at
distinction as a theologian and author. Later, Dr.
John Abernethy, another member of the family,
who emigrated to London, was greatly renowned
as a physiologist and surgeon. He was a pupil of
Sir Astley Cooper, and gave medical lectures for
thirty-five years at St. Bartholomew Hospital. Hi-
wrote and published many books on medical and
kindred topics. Mcllwain, in 1835, published a
book entitled " Memoirs of Abernethy," which was
re-published in America by the Harpers, and is ex-
tensively read. Mr. Abernethy' s ancestors came
to America [)rior to the Revolutionary War, set-
tling first in Virginia and then in North Carolina.
To a man they stood for the colonies, and against
the British. His parents emigrated from North
Carolina to Tennessee 'seventy-four years ago.
Rev. Berry Abernethy was licensed to exhort by
Bishop Asbury. and to preach by Bishop Roberts,
r
-C, .a
736
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
of the Methodist Church. In his day, he was a
minister and revivalist, and well known in the
Holston conference. In 1844 he went with the
Church South, and fully maintained his Christian
character as a minister and a citizen for about sixty
years, and died at Rhea Springs, Rhea County,
East Tenn., in 1871, aged eighty- eight years. Mr.
Abernethy's mother is still living, at the age of
eighty-nine years, and is a hale, hearty and active
old lady — a woman remarkable for her strong na-
tive intellect, and is thoroughly posted in the great
events which have transpired during her long and
pleasant life. The parents had eight children:
Eliza D., Susan R., Martha M. and Artie A. ; John
C. , A. Sylvester, James T. and Joseph L. Eliza D.
and Sylvester are dead; balance, except the subject
of this sketch, now living in East Tennessee. Dr.
John C. Abernethy is an eminent physician and
surgeon. He was surgeon of the Sixty-second Ten-
nessee Confederate Regiment and Brigade, sur-
geon of Gen. Vaughan's brigade at Vicksburg.
James T. , who was residing in Missouri at the be-
ginning of the war, adhered to the Union side of
the controversy, and became colonel of the Tenth
Tennessee Cavalry. The subject of this memoir
was educated at the Morganton Academy, under
the Rev. T. K. Munsey, and Hiawassee College,
under Profs. Doak, Bruner and Duncan. He first
studied medicine with Dr. Bickwell, at Madison-
ville, Tenn. , and attended lectures in 1855-56 at
the University of Nashville. Subsequently, in
1861, he enlisted in the Confederate service. He
enlisted as a private in Capt. Cawood's company,
Forty-third Tennessee Regiment, commanded by
Col. J. W. Gillespie and Lieut. -Col. D. M. Key,
now United States judge, residing at Chattanooga.
He was soon transferred to the medical service,
and was assigned to duty at Loudon Post, in charge
of the sick and woianded, where he remained until
the spring of 1863. He then resigned for the pur-
pose of aiding Col. John A. Rowan in raising the
Sixty-second Tennessee Regiment, with a view of be-
ing surgeon in the field. After the formation of the
regiment, he was, on account of domestic afflictions,
compelled to decline the position, and his place
was filled by his brother. Mr. Abernethy retired
to Rhea Springs, and had no further connection
whatever with the war of the States. He began the
study of law in August, 1863, and gave it unremit-
I ting attention for more than two years, when he was
licensed to practice by Judge E. T. Hall, of Knox-
j ville, Tenn., and Chancellor D. C. Trewhitt, of
Chattanooga, Tenn. He was fir.st admitted to the
bar at Washington, Rhea County, Tenn. Subse-
I quently, he removed to Knoxville, and practiced
there until 1870, when, having professional busi-
ness in Arkansas, he visited that State, and was so
well pleased with the country, and especially with
his prospective wife, that he removed to the State
of Arkansas, and located at Evening Shade, the
county seat of Sharp County, where he has since
remained, engaged in the practice of the law, and
in farming. In 1880 Mr. Abernethy was the
Democratic elector on the Hancock and English
ticket, for the Fourth Congressional district of Ai--
kansas, and made a thorough canvass of the same.
j He is now serving his third term as State's attor-
ney for the Third judicial circuit of Arkansas, and
' is faithfully discharging the duties of the office
, to the best of his ability. In 1858 he was mar-
ried to Miss Mary A. Johnston, a daughter of
James H. Johnston, a leading citizen of Monroe
County, Tenn. By her he had three children.
One, Josejjh L. , is dead; the others, Allie and Eifie,
their mother having died July 9, 1863, he brought to
Arkansas in 1871. They are accomplished young
ladies. John B. McCaleb, an attorney of good
promise, married Miss Allie, and they have three
children. Robert E. Huddleston married Miss
Effie. They reside at Ash Flat, and have charge
of the high school at that place. Mrs. Huddle-
ston is an accomplished music teacher, and now
has charge of a large class of pupils. In the fall
of 1871, Mr. Abernethy married the widow of
James S. Shaver, on Reed's Creek, Sharp County.
She was the daughter of James P. Monger, de-
ceased, and is a native of Roane Coimty, East
Tenn. The Shaver and Shelby families are closely
connected, and were noted people in Southwestern
Virginia, and Upper East Tennessee many years
ago. Mrs. Abernethy had one son by Mr. Shaver,
James R. Shaver, who is now engaged in the stndv
SHARP COUNTY.
of law in his step-father's law oflict'. Mr. and
Mrs. Abernethy had three children : -Artie and John
Loudon living, and Elsie Pearl, who is dead. Mr.
Abernethy owns a farm of about 400 acres, situated
on Piney Fork of Strawberry River, one and a half
miles from town. On this he has two neat and
substantial residences, and about 110 acres in cul-
tivation. His home residence is in the suburbs of
Evening Shade, surrounded by shrubbery, flowers,
forest trees and orchards of the different kinds of
fruits. He calls it ' ' Forest Home. ' ' Evening
Shade is
" The loveliest village of the plain,
Where health and plenty cheer the laboring swain."
At the beginning of the National troubles in ISGO-
61, Mr. Abernethy doubted the expediency and
right of separate State action, and was in favor of
remaining in the Union, but after the disruption
was an accomplished fact, and the tragedy of war
began, he allied himself to the cause of the South,
and remained faithful thereto. He believes in
maintaining the supremacy of Federal States and
individual rights under the laws, and in a revenue
tariff, and in a strict construction of the constitu-
tion in every article and section thereof. Whilst
he is a Democrat from principle and choice, he is
conservative, and is neither loud nor illiberal in the
expression of his political opinions. He is not a
member of any church, but believes all denomina-
tions of Christians are meritorious and doing good,
more or less. In matters of faith, he is attached
to the old-fashioned Methodist doctrines and polity,
and thinks the best religion is to live well, die
poor, and go to Heaven.
William Jasper Adams, a farmer of North
Townshij), one mile soiith of Armstrong postoffiee,
was born in Pulaski County, Mo., May 16, 1836,
being the fourth child of a family of nine chil-
dren. He was raised in Missouri, receiving his
limited education in the common schools. Septem-
ber 2, 1859, he married Miss Sarah M. Lee, who
was born in Phelps County, Mo., September 2,
1S42, and died January 13, 1878. She was the
mother of seven children (five of whom are living):
William M., John H. (deceased), Elizabeth (de-
ceased), Halcoyn (wife of Alex. Smittle), Orlena,
Bethelda and Thomas S. Mr. Adams married his
second wife, the widow Gardner, in February,
1879; she was a daughter of Wiley and Matilda
Jones, of Tennessee, who were among the early
settlers of Phelps County. They have had two
children: James M. and Nettie M. Our subject
worked three years in Public Iron Works, was two
years in the livery stable business, and has been a
farmer. In 1887 he came to Sharp County, Ark.,
where he now resides. He has about 120 acres of
land, some eighty-five under cultivation. May 11,
1861, he enlisted in Company G, Confederate army,
and served about four years, having been wounded
in the right arm by a gunshot. He was in the
battle of Lexington. He is a member of the
Knights of Honor; in politics is a Democrat, hav-
ing cast his first presidential vote for Buchanan.
His wife is a member of the Baptist Church. Our
subject's parents were William and Charlotte (Ma-
lone) Adams, who were born and raised in Wash-
ington County, Ky. , he having been Iwrn in 1808
and she in 1811. Mr. Adams was a farmer, and
came to Pulaski County, in 1833, his nearest
neighbor being twenty miles away. He returned
to Kentucky in 1840, remaining till 1-S43, when he
returned to Pulaski County, his father coming
with him, and settling on the Merrimac, in Dent
County. He died August 18, 1885. He was a son
of Coonrod and Rebecca (Hawk) Adams, who died
in 1S4G and 1848, respectively. They wore about
the first settlers of Dent County, and were of
Dutch descent.
Jeremiah Pitt Baird, one of the early settlers
and leading farmers of Union Township, residing
one and one-half miles east of Williford postoffiee,
was born in Smith County, Tenn., October 10.
1824, the son of Jeremiah and Mary (Pennington)
Baird. His father, of Scotch descent, was born in
Rowan County, N. C, about 1785, and died in Law-
rence County, Ark., in 1857. He married in North
Carolina, emigrated from that State to Kentucky in
1817, resided there for one year, when he moved to
Smith County, Tenn., and from tbere to Lawrence
County, Ark., in 1841. Mrs. Baird was Iwrn in
Montgomery County, N. C, near 1791. and died in
Lawrence County, Ark., about 1N51. Our subject.
4
738
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
the only child livinn; of a family of nine, received
most of his education after arriving at maturity, his
parents being poor, and he being obliged to work
instead of attending school. After coming to Ar-
kansas he lived vpith his parents till their death.
In 1859 he married Miss Susan A. More, v?ho was
born in Tennessee about 1830, and died October 8,
1884, in Lawrence County. In 1888 he married
Isabelle (Wassen) Crawford, a widow. Mr. Baird
enlisted in 18fi3, in the Union Army, in Company
C, First Missouri Cavalry, participating in the
battle of Jenkins' Ferry, and was discharged in
1865. He has resided on Spring River since 1841,
and has about 200 acres of laud, eighty-five under
cultivation. He has held the ofiBce of justice of the
peace several terms in Lawrence County, and was
one of the assistants of the county court, when it
consisted of the judge and two justices. He is a
Republican, voting first for Zaehary Taylor. He
and his wife are members of the Christian Church,
as was his first wife. Mr. Baird is an influential
citizen, well-to-do and highly resjaected.
James P. Cochran, of the firm of J. P. Cochran
& Son, general merchants and dealers in farming
implements, was born in De Kalb County, Tenn. ,
in 1832. His parents were William T. and Jane
K. (Duncan) Cochran, of Smith and DeKalb Coun-
ties, Tenn. , respectively, being married in the lat-
ter place. The parents moved to Dresden, Weak-
ley County, Tenn., when James was very young,
and resided there until their decease, Mr. Cochran
dying in 1802, and his wife several years after
their arrival. The elder Cochran was a tailor and
clothier, and, later in life, established a general
merchandise store. He built uji a large trade, and
was one of the most popular merchants of that
section in his day, bearing a reputation for hone.sty
and enterprise that has been well guarded by his
son. He fought in one of the Indian Wars, and
was a member of the I.O.O.F. His father, Henry
Cochran, of Scotch-Irish descent, died in Smith
County, Tenn., where he had resided for a great
number of years. The mother of James P. Coch-
ran was a member of the Christian Church, and
died in , that faith. Her father, Josiah Duncan,
was an old resident of De Kalb County, Tenn. ,
where he died. James P. Cochran is the eldest of
two sons and three daughters. He was educated
at the Dresden (Tenn.) Academy and schools in
the vicinity, receiving a good English education
and business training. At thirteen years of age
he held a position of trust with a firm in Dresden,
and remained with them eight years. The experi-
ence gained in commercial life during that time
made him one of the shrewdest business men in
his section, although just attaining his manhood,
and shortly afterward he entered into partuershij)
with his father, in the same place, and continued
with him until an excellent opportunity was pre-
sented at Hickman, Ky. , to which place he re-
moved and established a livery business. Mr.
Cochran's marriage occurred at Dresden, in 1857.
to Julia, daughter of David and Harriet Shaver,
natives of Tennessee, where Mr. Shaver died,
when his daughter was very young. The mother
afterward moved to Sharp County, where she died
a few years later. Mrs. Cochran's death occurred
on the 27th of December, 1866; she was the moth-
er of one son and one daughter. Mr. Cochran
was again married on January 10, 1870, his second
wife being Miss Martha M. Shaver, a sister of his
first wife, this lady dying March 23, 1886. In
1861 he moved to Salem, and established himself
in business, but was compelled to close up on ac-
count of the war. In 1865 he was apjaointed clerk
of Fulton County, and in 1866 was re-elected, and
held the office for three years. He moved to
Sharp County, in 186U, and in 1872 was elected
clerk of Sharp County, holding that office for four
years. He next occupied the present building
and commenced a commercial career, and since
then has been one of the most successful business
in Sharp County. The firm have a fine stock of
goods valued at $5,000. Besides this, Mr. Cochran
owns several good farms and some 2,000 acres of
land in Sharp County. He is a representative
merchant, a shrewd and fair-dealing business man,
and one of the most progressive citizens of this
section. He has in his possession the first dollar
he ever earned, and has kept it as a memento of
the early days when he had nothing in the world
but his own pluck and determination to succeed.
^
SHARP COUNTY.
?30
lu politics Mr. Cocbrau is a Democrat, and in re-
ligious faith a Methodist, as also were his two
wives.
David Collins, a farmer of North Township,
nine miles northeast of Afton postoifice, Fulton
Comity, was born in Indiana, Jnue 2, 1835. His
grandfather, Aaron Collins, who was bom in North
Carolina and married there, moving to Morgan
County, Ind. , and afterward coming to Missouri
about 1884, where he died. David's father, Stephen
Collins, was born in Kentucky about 1800, but
came to Indiana with his parents when quite young;
there he married Mary Lang, moving to Missouri
in 1837, and in 1803 went to Lawrence County,
and died there in 1864. Our subject's mother was
born in Ohio about 1801, and died in Fulton
County, Ark., in 1881. She was the mother of
five childi-en. David being the third; he was raised
in Douglas County, Mo., his schooling being lim-
ited to three months. He lived at home till after
his father died, and in 1867 married Miss Martha
Hopper, who was liorn in Indiana in 1841. They
have a family of twelve children: Lee, Aaron T.,
Rosa T. , Daniel N., David (infant), now living.
Mr. Collins was a resident of Lawrence County for
six years, and has resided in Sharp County since
1869. He has 160 acres of land, twenty-five acres
of which are under cultivation. In 1862 he en-
listed in the Confederate army, and served about
two years. In politics he is a Democrat, his first
presidential vote being for Cleveland. He is a
good citizen and highly respected.
Sam H. Davidson, of Sharp County, was born
near Camden, Benton County, Tenn. , January 2'J,
1846. He is a son of John Wallace and Susan L.
(Prance) Davidson, born in Huntsville, Ala., in
1814, and Montgomery County, Tenn., in 1818,
respectively. The parents were married in Hum-
phreys County, Tenn.. in 1836, and lived in that
State, at Camden, until 1805, when they moved to
Graves County, Ky. In 1866 they lived a short
time at Jackson, Mo. , but during that year changed
their residence to Randolph County, Ark., and in
1867 to Doniphan, Ripley County, Mo., thence to
Evening Shade, Ark., in 1869, where the father
died in October, 1870. Previous to 1852, the
elder Davidson was clerk of the circuit court of
Benton County, Tenn., and after that year he
practiced law up to the time of his death. In
1859-60 he was a member of the Tennessee legis-
lature, representing Benton and Humphreys Conn -
ties in the house, and was present at the extra
session that paved the way for the secession of
Tennessee, giving earnest support to the vigorous
war measures of the governor, Isham G. Harris.
For many years he was a zealous Mason, and was
a member of the Methodist Church from 1865 uu
til his death. His father, John Davidson, was
born in "Virginia or North Carolinji during the lat-
ter half of the eighteenth century, removed to and
was an innkeeper in Huntsville, Ala., and died
there in 1815. His mother was Mary Wallace, of
Scottish ancestry, noted for her beauty and culture
among the early settlers of North Alabama. The
father of John Davidson was Abraham Davidson, a
native Pennsylvanian, a soldier of the Revolution,
who settled in North Carolina, and afterward in
Montgomery County, Tenn., and who died in Ben-
ton County, Tenn., in 1838. The father or grand-
father of Abraham, James Davidson, was a native
of Scotland, who came with his family, and settled
near the Susquehanna River, Pennsylvania, and
claimed to be the first Davidson to settle in North
America. The mother of Sam H. Davidson is still
living, a devout Christian, and has been a member
of the Methodist Church for more than forty yeai-s.
She is a daughter of John Prance, of Scotch and
Irish descent, who died in Montgomery County,
Tenn. His wife. Mary Cooper, was born in Mont-
gomery County, Tenn. , and died in McCracken
County, Ky. Sam H. David.son is the seventh child
of five sons and five daughters, of whom seven are
still living. He attended the Camden (Tenn. ) Acad-
emy until 1861, when the Civil War closed up the
schools of West Tennessee, after which he pursued
his studies at home until the latter |)art of the war,
when he enlisted, serving first in the Tenth and
afterward in the Nineteenth Tennessee Cavalry,
and taking part in many sharp engagements and
brilliant dashes, under Gen. N. B. Forrest, during
his operations in Tennessee, Kentucky and Mi.ssis-
sippi. In 1866 he began the study of law with his
^^r
740
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
father, and in 1868 he was examined and admitted
to practice iu all the courts of the State of Mis-
souri, by the circuit coiirt of Ripley County, at
Doniphan. In 1869 he came to Evening Shade,
and at the first term of the circuit court of Sharp
County, held by Judge (afterward Governor) Bax-
ter, he was admitted to practice in the inferior
courts of Arkansas. A few years afterward, on
examination, he was licensed to practice in the
supreme court of Arkansas, and his practice has
extended through Fulton, Izard, Sharp and Inde-
pendence Counties, and in the supreme court at
the capital of the State. In 1870 he served as
county attorney for Sharp County; in 1872 the
Governor appointed him county superintendent of
public schools. In 1872-73 he was editor and
part owner of the Sharp County Herald, a Demo-
cratic newspaper. He has frequently been called
by his brethren of the bar to preside as special
judge of the circuit court in Fulton, Izard and ad-
joining counties. In 1874 he was defeated for
delegate to the constitutional convention, but in
1876, after a sharji contest, he was elected to the
lower branch of the General Assembly, and after
his term expired he was re-elected without opposi-
tion, and at the organization, in 1S79, received a
very flattering vote for speaker of the house. He
never sought office afterward, but iu 1888, with-
out any solicitation on his part, he was nominated
by the Democratic party of the Second senatorial
district as their candidate, and, after a hotly-con-
tested campaign, defeated the Union Labor and
political Wheel nominee for State senator, carrying
every county in the district, his majority reaching
nearly 2,000; and, while he did not seek the place
in any sense, he lacked but three votes, on several
ballots, of election as president /^''o tern of the sen-
ate (lieutenant-governor) at the close of the legis-
lative session of 1889. Mr. Davidson is a hold-
over senator, and will be a member of the session
of 1891. He has been a Mason for about eighteen
years, holding membership in the Lodge, Chapter
and Council, and has been Master of his Lodge and
District Deputy Grand Master, and for more than
ten years has served his Chapter as High Priest.
He is also a member of the Knights of Honor, and
has held the offices of Past Dictator, Reporter and
Grand Representative. In the State conventions of
his party he has served several times on the com-
mittee to formulate a platform, and, in 1884, he
was secretary of the convention held in Little Rock
which nominated candidates for State offices, and
selected delegates to the National Democratic Con-
vention, at Chicago, that nominated Cleveland.
Mr. Davidson was married in 1870, to Virginia,
daughter of William and Frances French, and has
live children. He has a pleasant and comfortable
home at Evening Shade, a number of town lots
there and in other villages, and about 1,000 acres
of land in various portions of the county. He is
devoted to his family and his friends, and an earn-
est worker for the promotion of the material pros-
perity of Arkansas.
Dr. John O. Durham, a prominent physician
and druggist at Ash Flat, was born in Shelby
County, Tenn., in the year 1851. He is a son of
the Rev. Dennis and Sarah (Harper) Durham,
the former a noted and eloquent divine who was
born in Georgia, in the year 1824, and the latter
in North Carolina in 1832. The parents were
married in Shelby County, where the mother is
still living. The Rev. Durham during his life
had been a Missionary Baptist minister for
twenty years, and his fame as an eloquent and
gifted speaker was widesj)read. Ho also served
sixteen days in the Confederate army with General
Forrest, and in the short time of his stay in the
army he made many warm friends among the boys
in gray. Mr. Durham died in 1873, after a long
and useful life. His father was Grisham Durham,
of Irish descent, who was born in South Carolina,
and in after years moved to Lawrence County,
Ark. , where he was appointed county survej'or
for a number of years, and died iu 1850. The
mother of Dr. John O. Durham was a daughter of
James Harper, of North Carolina, a brick mason
by trade, who was one of the first settlers of Mem-
phis, Tenn. , and helped to build the first brick
building in that city. The Doctor is the oldest of
four sons and three daughters, and spent the greater
portion of his younger days on a farm. When
eighteen years of age he began the study of medi-
Tl
SHARP COUNTY.
741
cine with Dr. Ed. Irby, and Dr. B. A. Mathews,
of Cuba, Tenn., and under these able instructors
he acquired a thorough knowledge of the intricate
study of medicine. In 1873 the Doctor com-
menced to practice, and since that time he has
steadily raised himself to the top of his profe.ssion.
He was married, in 1870, to Miss Elizabeth J.
Smith, a daughter of James and Lucy Smith, of
Lawrence County, Ark., her father being at one
time one of the most illustrious of Lawrence
Coiuity's citizens. Mr. Smith served in the Con-
federate army through the war, and was taken a
prisoner to Little Eock, where he died, his wife
following him to the grave in 1869. The Doctor
and his wife have had nine children, of whom one
son and two daughters are still living. In 1876
he moved to Calamine, Ark., whore he practiced
for about one year, and then came to Ash Flat,
where he has been residing ever since. His skill
as a physician has given him a large practice, and
as an individual he has won a host of friends. He
is a self-made man in the true sense of that term,
and is in every way worthy of the success which
has fallen to his lot. In politics the Doctor is a
Democrat, and has also been a member of the A.
F. & A. M., of Ash Flat, since 1880, holding the
offices of Secretary, Junior Warden, and at the
present time Senior Deacon. He also belongs to
Royal Arch Chapter No. 50, Evening Shade, and
was at one time Master of Third Vail. He is now
a Royal Arch Captain, and a member of Eastern
Star, Adah Chapter No. 32, of Ash Flat. He is
also a member of the Knights and Ladies of
Honor, and has been Protector and Treasurer.
The Doctor and his wife are both members of the
Missionary Baptist Chiireh, he for a period of
twenty-two years, and Mrs. Durham for fifteen
years.
Wilej' Marshal Edwards, a leading farmer,
was bom in Wilson County, Tenru, January 8,
1836, where he was reared and received his lim-
ited education. In 1859, while yet unmarried, he
started West to seek his fortune, locating in Sharp
County, Ark., where he has since resided. His
parents were Michael and Sarah (Bennett) Ed-
wards, who were born in Tennessee in 1812 and
1815, respectively, his father having died in 1886
in Tennessee, where he had always resided, with
the exception of 1871 and 1872, when he was in
Arkansas; the mother of Wiley died in Tennessee in
1876. His grandfather, William Edwards, was a
native of South Carolina, but came to Tennessee
in an early day. In this family there were seven
children, four of whom are living: Sarah (residing
in Tennessee), Rebecca (residing in Tennessee),
Robert H. (residing in Jackson County, Ark.), and
the subject of this sketch, who was the second
child. In June, 1861, Mr. Edwards enlisted in
the Confederate Army, Company E, Twenty-first
Arkansas Regiment, under Capt. Nunn, and served
for four years, participating in the battle of Cor-
inth, Miss. At the close of the war he returned to
Sharp County, and married Mrs. Maria (Simson)
Barnett, a widow, in 1874; she was born on the
farm where our subject now resides, in 18-19, and
died in 1879. By this marriage there were three
children, John B., Marshall AV., William O. In
1880 he married Anna Lock, a native of Tennessee,
she having been born in 1858. They have six chil-
dren : James C. . George, Etta, Orra and two not
named. ]\Ii'. Edwards has 800 acres of land,
about 200 cultivated, located on Strawberry River.
This is a fine stock farm. Mr. Edwards is a mem-
ber of Masville Masonic Lodge, and is a Democrat,
having cast his first vote for Gen. Scott.
Charles W. English, a fanner, of Union Town-
ship, four miles west of Ravenden postoffice. was
born in Sharp County, Ark., June 19, 1S50, the
son of Edward N. and Sariih (Hudspeth) English.
Edward N. , a farmer, of English descent, was lx)rn
in Tennessee; he was in the service of the Confed-
erate army, was taken prisoner, and died at Alton,
111., in 1864. He came from Tennessee, with his
parents, to Sharp County, in an early day. his
father being one of the first settlers. Our subject's
grandfathers were Samuel Hudspeth and Stephen
English. His mother was born in 1826, and reared
in what is now Sharp County; she is yet living,
and the mother of six children, of whom Charles
W. was the eldest. He was educated in the com
mon schools of Sharp County: in 1867 married
Miss Sarah Williford. who was bom in 1850, and
742
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
reared in Sharp County, and died in 1S71. She
was the mother of three children, none of whom
are living. He married Miss Mollie Fair in 1873:
she was born in Sharp County in 1857, and died
in 1883. By this marriage he has four children,
three living: Green T. E., Saphronia and Khoda
B. In June, 1888, he married Miss Nancy S.
Howard, who was born in Lawrence County, Ark. ,
in 1860. Mr. English has resided where he now
lives since 1878, having 270 acres of land, about
sixty acres on Spring River bottom, all in cultiva-
tion. He is a Democrat, having cast his first pres-
idential vote for Greeley, and is a good citizen,
highly respected and well-to do.
David R. Ford, a well known farmer, ginner
and miller, of Sullivan Township, was born in
Smith County, Tenn. , in 1827, and is a son of
James G. and Martha (Rowland) Ford, of Smith
County, born in 1803 and 1802, respectively. The
parents lived in that cotinty until the year 1844,
and then moved to Arkansas, and settled on White
River, in what is now Stone County, where they
lived among the early settlers for the rest of their
days. The father died in 1866, and the mother in
1868, both members of the Methodist faith. The
elder Ford was a farmer by occupation, and a
soldier in the Seminole War, in Florida. He was
a son of Zachary Ford, of Virginia, one of the
early settlers of Smith County, Tenn., where he
farmed and held the office of justice of the peace
for a great many years. The Ford family are of
French descent. David Rowland, the father of
Mrs. J. G. Ford, was born and reared in North
Carolina, and was also one of the early settlers of
Smith County, Tenn., where he died at an ad-
vanced age. David R. Ford is the third child of
three sons and five daughters, and moved to the
State of Arkansas with his parents in 1844. In
1855 he was married to Martha P. Headstream,
daughter of John and Harriet Headstream. The
father was a native of Sweden, and a sailor for a
number of years before coming to America. He
was married in Tennessee, his wife's native State,
and moved to Phillips County, Ark., afterward to
Monroe County, where he died. Twelve children
were born to Mr. and Mrs. Ford, of whom eight
sons and one daughter still survive. Soon after
their marriage they settled at a point about eight
miles above Batesville, where they resided imtil
February, 1887, when Mr. Ford concluded to move
to their present farm, some ten miles south of
Evening Shade. He now has 350 acres of laud
under cultivation, owning altogether about 7(10
acres, besides operating a cotton-gin, corn-mill and
thresher, and his present prosperity is due entirely
to his own enterprise and energy. Before the war
Mr. Ford was captain of a company of militia, and
when the ontljreak occurred he enlisted in New-
ton's regiment of cavalry, Arkansas' troops, and
served about one year and a half. After the war
he was elected justice of the peace, and held the
office two years, and in 1874 was elected assessor
of Independence County, a position he filled with
distinction for the same length of time. He is a
Democrat in politics, and a valnable man to his
pai-ty, being a strong supporter of his principles.
John C. Garner, one of the early settlers of
Sharp Coimty, and postmaster of Martin's Creek
postoffice since its establishment- in 1876, in his
residence, was born in Williamson County, Tenn.,
December 4, 1808, son of John and Sally (Coch-
ran) Garner. John was bom in Tennessee, and was
drowned in Spring River, Arkansas, about 1820.
He was one of the first settlers of Sharp County,
having come from Illinois about 1818. The mother
of our subject was born in Tennessee, about 1778,
of Welsh descent, and died in Sharp County, near
1860. She was the mother of six children, three
of whom are now living, oiir subject being the first.
He was of Scotch and Irish descent, raised in Sharp
County, and never saw a schoolhoiise till twenty
years of age, and never went to school. John C.
has been a resident of Sharp County since about
1818; he helped to clear the farm on which he
resides, and endiired many hardships incident to
pioneer life. He was a noted hunter, and shot
many deer where Monmouth Spring Village now
stands. In 1828 he married Miss An'ena Gray,
born in Boone County, Mo., in May, 1811, and
who died in 1854; she was the mother of ten chil-
dren (five of whom are living): Milton (deceased),
Redman (deceased), Sally (deceased), Hiram, Bet-
sey (wife of William RatclifF ), Lewis (deceased),
Calvin (deceased), Nancy (wife of Elijah Ratcliff).
Helena (wife of James A. Graves) and Harden. In
1857 John C. married Mrs. Mary (Farris) Rice,
who was born and raised in Tennessee. She was
born in 1805, and died in 1887. Our subject has
resided on the place he now owns, for some forty
years, and has sixty acres of land. He resides
with his son, Hiram, who farms the place. It
contains 120 acres, forty under cultivation. Hiram
was married, in 1859, to Miss Martha Rice, who
was born in Tennessee, in 1837, and who died in
1881, She was the mother of six children, two of
whom are living. Mary (deceased), Sarah (de-
ceased), Rosetta (deceased), Permetta, Indiana
(deceased) and Arazana. Hiram was married the
second time in October, 1882, to Melinda (Mc-
Canny) Brown, a widow. The subject of this
sketch is a member of the Christian Church, as are
Hiram and his wife. Hiram served in the Federal
army about one year, and has held the office of
constable two years. John C. is a Republican,
and cast his first presidential vote for Martin Van
Buren. Hiram cast his first presidential vote for
Bell, of Tennessee.
John L. Gawf is a well-to-do farmer of A^'ash-
ington Township, and grandson of Edmond Gawf,
of North Carolina, who died in Tennessee. John's
father, George W. Gawf, was born in Tennessee,
in 1818, and went when a boy with his parents to
Tennessee, where he married. He was a farmer,
and in 1852 he went to Carroll County, Ark., and
to Sharp County in 1864, where he is still living.
He is of Dutch descent. His wife was Mary A. Doss,
born in 181',), by whom he had eight children, six
of whom are living: William, James P., Margaret
Stoddard, Mary Ann Montgomery, Jerusha Shaw,
and John L. , the subject of this sketch, the eld-
est, who was born in Henderson County, Tenn.,
December 25, 1840; he was raised until eleven
years of age in Tennessee, w^here he received jiart
of his schooling, and the remainder in Sharp Coun-
ty, In 1867 he married Miss Margaret C. John-
son, who was born in Tennessee, Knox County, in
1847, and whose father was Jahue Johnson, a
Baptist minister, and old citizen of Sharp County,
where he now resides, and whose mother was Ue-
bocca John.son. Maigaret is the mother of nine
children, eight of whom are living: William W.,
Mary A. R., Jehu L., John H., Catherine E.,
James M., Samuel N. and Dora B, Mr. Gawf
has a farm of 280 acres, on which he has resided
since 1870, 150 acres of which are cultivated. He
served in the Confederate Army, in Company (i.
Fourteenth Arkansas Regiment, in the battles of
Pea Ridge (Ark.), Corinth and luka (Miss.), Delhi
(La.), and various other skirmishes, and was dis-
charged in 1865. He is a Democrat in politics,
and is an influential citizen and well -to do. His
two eldest children are members of the Methodist
Episcopal Church.
Dr. William A. Gibson,one of Mill Creek's lead-
ing citizens and physicians, was born in Franklin
County, Ala., in 1840. He is a son of W. N. and
Nancy (Crocker) Gibson, both born in the year
1815, the former in Tennt>ssee, and the latter in
North Carolina, and were united in marriage in
the State of Alabama, where they have resided ever
since, with the exception of several years' sojourn
in Texas. In religious faith both parents have
been Primitive Baptists for a great length of time,
and the father for a number of years was tax col-
lector and assessor of Walker County, Ala. He
is at present justice of the peace of his county,
and has hold that office several years, having
also been a member of the A. F. & A. M. for the
past forty years. His father was Jacob Gibson,
of Tennessee, who resided in Alal)auia some length
of time, but died in the State of Arkansas. The
father of Jacob Gibson was Jacob Gibson, a Revo-
lutionary soldier of early days, who died in Walker
County, Ala. On the mother's side, James Crock-
er, Mrs. W. N. Gibson's father, was an Irish-
man, who emigrated to the United States when
a young man. His wife was also a native of Ire-
land, but they were married in North Carolina,
and, after a long residence in .Mabama, lioth
died in that State. Dr. William X. (xibson is
the second child of two sons and one daughter.
He was educated at the common schools, and, by a
close application to his studies hiins(<lf, and, after
having thoroughly mastered his liooks, he taught
744
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
school for a number of years, in the meantime
reading physic all the while. After the war was
over he attended the Mobile Medical College, and
immediately set out to carve his name in the temple
of fame. He practiced in Alabama until the year
1874, and then moved to Sharp County, Ark.,
where he still resides. The Doctor owns 160 acres
of land on Mill Creek, of which forty- live acres are
iinder cultivation. When he first arrived in Sharp
County he had very little, if anything at all, in the
way of wealth, but, by his shrewdness in trading,
his energy and his natural abilities, besides being
a skillful physician, he soon placed himself in an
independent position. In 1867 the Doctor was
married to Mrs. Eliza M. Wilkins, a daughter of
Thomas and Sidney Price, of North Carolina, and
by this marriage has one son, Ellis Lee. In poli-
tics he is Democratic, and gave his vote to Cleve-
land in 1888. He has been a member of the A.
F. & A. M. since his twenty-first year, and at pres-
ent belongs to Smith ville Lodge No. 29. Mrs.
Gibson has been a member of the Methodist Epis-
copal Church, South, for twenty-four years.
J. W. Graddy & Bro. , farmers and proprietors
of a saw-mill, are sons of Lewis and Matilda (Ford)
Graddy. The father, a farmer of Scotch and Irish
descent, was born in Tennessee, and died in 1862.
His widow was born in North Carolina, and is now
living. They were married in Alabama, and came
to Mississippi, where they resided till 1858, when
they removed to Arkansas. Matilda is the mother
of seven children (five now living): Edward F., G.
W., Mary J. (deceased), Sarah F. (deceased), Nancy
C, J. B. and J. W. J. B. Graddy, the oldest child
and junior partner of this firm, was born in Octo-
ber, 1846, in Alabama. He lived in Mississippi
till the age of twelve years, when he came to Sharp
County, Ark. He attended school in both States.
In October, 1865, he married Miss Mahala E. Bell,
who was born in Kentucky in 1845; they have had
seven children: Lewis W. , Charles S. , Clara E.,
Margaret C, John H. , George W. and Lucy E.
Mr. Graddy served all through the war, a part of
the time in the Confederate army, in Capt. Nunn' s
company, and the remainder in the Union army.
He has eighty acres of land, twenty acres being
under cultivation. J. W. Graddy, the second child,
and senior partner of this firm, was born in Ala-
bama, August 8, 1848, and received his education
in Mississippi and Sharp County, Ark. In 1869
he married Miss Alice Hamilton, who was born in
Arkansas in 1849. Their family consists of six
children: William A. (deceased), Benjamin F.,
James P., Winnie A., Martin L. and Artie M. He
has eighty acres of land, about thirty-five being
under cultivation. He is a member of the I. O. O.
F. In 1887 this firm erected a saw-mill and cot-
ton-gin at a cost of $2,000, the capacity of the mill
being 8,000 feet per day. Both are good business
men, and have secured a good trade. They are
Democrats in politics, and J. W. served one term
as justice of the peace.
William P. Hamilton, of the firm of Hamilton
& Tindel, proprietors and owners of the Hamilton
flour and saw- mills and rail factory, one mile
east of Evening Shade, was born in Independence
County in 1850, and is a son of James A. and
Catherine E. (Metcalf) Hamilton, natives of North
Carolina, and born in 1822 and 1830, respectively.
The parents were married in that State, and in
1849 moved to Independence County, Ark. The
following year the}' came to what is now Sharp
County, and located near Evening Shade, and in
1868 the family settled on the farm where William
P. Hamilton now resides. The saw-mill was
erected in 1865, and purchased by the elder Ham-
ilton in 1868, who immediately established a Hour-
mill and rail factory, which business he continued
with great siiccess until his death, in 1884. The
present firm, however, was established in 1872.
The flour-mills have a capacity of 100 bushels of
wheat and 200 bushels of corn per day; the saw-
mill a capacity of 1,200 feet of lumber per day.
The elder Hamilton was a member of the A. F. &
A. M. , Evening Shade lodge, and with his wife at-
tended the Christian Church a great number of
years. Mrs. Hamilton, who is still living, is a
daughter of Andrew K. Metcalf, of North Carolina;
he was born in that State in 1808, moving to Inde-
pendence County in 1849, where he resided six
years, and then came to what is now Sharp County.
His wife is still living at the age of seventj'-nine
SHARP COUNTY.
745
years. William P. Hamilton was married, in 1872,
to Ruth J., (laughter of Young and Jane Richie.
His wife was born in Mississippi, where her mother
(lied when thi> daughter was very young, and
where the father still resides. She moved to
Arkansas with au uncle, and was here married to
Mr. Hamilton. This union has given them two
sons and one daughter. Mr. Hamilton has lived
on the old farm ever since 1808, and has about
forty-tive acres of land under cultivation, owning
altogether 160 acres. He is a Democrat in poli-
tics, and has been a member of the I. O. O. F.
since 1874, holding the offices of secretary and
grand secretary during that time. He also belongs
to the Evening Shade Masonic Lodge, and has held
the offices of junior warden, master and several
others. Mr. Hamilton and his wife and oldest son
are members of the Christian Church. They are
a well-known family in this vicinity, and are held
in the highest esteem by their neighbors.
E. G. Henderson, editor of the Sharp Comity
Record, was Iioi-n in Catoosa County, Ga. , in 1850,
and is a son of Charles and Sophia A. C. (Ussery)
Henderson, born in Halifax County, Va., in 1803,
and Charlotte County, Va., in 1810, respectively.
The parents were married in North Carolina in
1830, and shortly afterward settled in Virginia.
They remained in that State a few years, and then
moved to Alabama, and from there to Georgia,
where the elder Henderson died in 1853. The
family continued in Georgia several years after the
father's death, and in 1856 moved to Izard County,
Ark. From that place they changed their residence
to Batesville. where they resided until ISfi'J, and
then moved to Little Rock. A few years later the
mother came to Evening Shade, where she still
lives. She is a daughter of John Ussery, a native
of Virginia, who enlisted in the War of 1812, but
who never engaged in active service, as peace was
declared shortly after his entrance into the ranks.
E. (Jr. Henderson is the youngest of five sons and
five daughters, of whom four are yet living. He
was educated in Batesville, and in his eighteenth
year went to Little Rock, where he remained one
year, learning the printer's trade. He then moved
to Jacksonport, and farmed in Jackson County for
47
two seasons, but as the sea is to the mariner, .so wa.s
printer's ink to young Henderson, and he gave up
his agricultural i)ursuits to enter the office of the
Herald, in Evening Shade, as a compositor. He
remained in that capacity until the year 1874, and
then, in partnership with J. W. Clark, he estab
lished the North Arkansas Democrat. In 1870
he was made postmaster, and at the same time en-
gaged in the grocery and stationer's business, con-
tinuing in that until 1882, when he was elected
treasurer of Sharp County, and held the office for
two years. In 1884 he purchased the Sharp County
Record, which paper he still (^dits and jiublishes,
and has not only made it the leading exponent of
Democratic principh's in Sharp County, but also a
magnilicent news gatherer. Mr. Henderson was
married in September, 1879, to Miss Minnie Tnr-
ney, daughter of the Rev. Dani(4 M. and Isabella
B. Turney, now residents of South Dakota. Mrs.
Henderson was born in Mattoon, 111., and died
June 23, 1889, at her home in Evening Shade.
Three children were born to this marriage, of whom
two are still living. Mr. Henderson is a member
of Evening Shade Lodge No. 143. A. F. & A. M.,
"Rural" Royal Arch Chapter No. 50; I. O. O. F.,
and K. of H. His eldest brother served in the
Confederate army, and fought almost through the
entire war. He was killed in 1864, about twenty-
five miles above Batesville, on the White River, by
a scouting party. Another brother, Charles E.,
gave two years' service to the Confederate cause,
and was severely wounded at the battle of Augusta.
Ark., in 1865, but recovered, and is now a farmer
of Sharp County. The mother of Mr. Henderson,
although very near the advanced age of eighty
years, is still living and is as active and capable of
doing as much work as many other women fifteen
or twenty years younger. Mr. Henderson, in the
rush and huiry of his active life, still finds the
time to devote to her, and though stern to the out-
side world as a rule, he is one of the gentlest of
sons.
Thomas I. Herrn. teacher, also a farmer and
stock dealer in Highland Township, was born in
Independence (now Izard) County, in 1861. His
parents were John and Malinda (Fiidey) Herrn, of
»fV^
A e ^
746
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
Tennessee and Arkansas, respectively, who were
united in marriage in Independence County. The
father was a farmc^r by occupation, who died in Ozark
County, Mo., in 1863. He was a son of Thomas
Herrn, one of the pioneers of Arkansas. His wife's
father was Isaac Finley, who settled in Izard
County, Ark. , at a very early day, and died there
in the year 1865. Thomas I. Herrn received but
little schooling until bis thirteenth year, and then at-
tended Evening Shade high school for three years.
He subsequently went to the State University at
Fayetteville, and afterward taught school himself
for four years. In 1883 he was married to Kate, a
daughter of James P. and Julia Cochran, whose
history appears in this volume. By this marriage
he has had one son and two daughters, the latter
living. After his marriage Mr. Herrn moved to
Evening Shade, and taught school for two years,
but gave that occupation up to commence farming
at South Fork. He now has 600 acres of land,
with about seventy-five acres under cultivation,
which, on his arrival, was destitute of improve-
ment. In politics he is a Democrat, and is zealous
in upholding the principles of that party. Mr.
Herrn is one of that type of men who present a
strong example for the younger generation to fol-
low. He was thrown on his own resources at the
age of thn-teen, and went to work for $8 a month,
on a farm.
Jasper N. Higginbottom, whose success as a
farmer and stock raiser has seldom been equaled,
was born in Independence County, in 1846. His
parents were James and Nancy (Ward) Higginbot-
tom, who were born in Kentucky, in 1801, and
South Carolina, in 1809, respectively, and were
married in Perry County, Tenn., about the year
1840. The parents moved to Independence Coun-
ty, Ark., in 1846, and four or five years later
changed their residence to Lawrence County, where
the father died. The elder Higginbottom was a
well-known boatman on the Ohio and Mississippi
Rivers, and in his later days quite an extensive
farmer. His father was Oglesbury Higginbottom,
a native of Ireland. The mother of Jasper died
in 1877, in the religious faith of the Christian
Church. Jasper was the eighth child of eight sons
and six daughters, of whom only two sons and one
daughter are yet living. His education was some-
what limited on account of the facilities for attend-
• ing school not being so good as they are at the
present day, but his natural shrewdness and quick-
ness of comj)rehension made up for any deficiency
in that respect. In 1868 he was married to Miss
Sarah Wilmuth, a daughter of Edward and Mary
Wilmuth, of Kentucky, and by this marriage has
had twelve children, of whom seven are still living.
Mr. Higginbottom continued to reside in Lawi-ence
County until 1877, when he moved to his present
farm, in Sharp County, where he owns about tiOl)
acres of land, and has some 120 acres under culti-
vation. In addition to his farm, he deals in stock
on an extensive scale, and has the reputation of
being one of the best men in the business in that
section. He is noted for his fair dealing in all
business transactions, and is one of the most pop-
ular men in Sharp County. In politics, Mr. Hig-
ginbottom is a Democrat, and that }>arty has in
him a representative who strongly su[)ports their
principles and men.
Kussel Jordan, justice of the peace, a prosper-
ous farmer and stock raiser, is the youngest of
three sons and six daughters. lie was born in St.
Clair County, Ala. , December 22, 1827, and is the
son of Stephen and Sarah (Deerman) Jordan, of
South Carolina, where they were reared and mar-
ried. The parents removed to St. Clair County,
Ala. , soon after their marriage, where the father
died when Russel was but two or three years old.
The mother married a second time, her next
husband being Peter Roadland. who died shortly
before Russel left St. Clair County, and the moth-
er's death occurring after the war. The elder
Jordan was a farmei', and a soldier in the War of
1812, fighting under Gen. Jackson at the battle of
New Orleans. He was of Irish descent, as was
also the father of Mrs. Jordan, William Deerman.
Upon looking over the thousands of schools and
colleges now in every part of our countiy. it is
hard to conciMve the difficulty that early settlers
had to contend with in oi'der to procure an educa-
tion for their children. But the facilities then
were not near what they are now, and where there is
n^
« — »-
^
no excuse for any civilized being to be uneducated
at the present day, at that period it was (Mitirely
different, and the children who were eager for an
education, in the unsettled j)ortions, were unable to
attend school. This was the case of Russel Jor-
dan, Init, though seriously handicapped as he was,
lie managed to obtain a few years' study at the com-
mon schools, and when unable to attend, applied
himself to his books and mastered what he desired
to learn. On January 2, 1847, he was married to
Martha, daughter of Levi and Jane Watson, of
North Carolina, who moved to Sharp County, in
1852, where they have since died. Mrs. Jordan
was born in St. Clair County, Ala., where her
parents resided some time, and died in 1861. Six
children were born to this marriage, of whom three
are yet living. His second marriage was in 1862
to Nancy J. , daughter of Harvey D. and Josephine
Worthington, of North Carolina and Kentucky,
respectively. The parents moved to Arkansas,
about the year 1856, and settled in Prairie Coun-
ty, where the father died. Mrs. Worthington is
now residing in Kentucky, her daiighter's birth-
place. Seven sons and four daughters were born
to Mr. Jordan's second marriage, all of them still
living, and, remembering his early experience in
attending school, he has spared no pains in giving
them the best education obtainable. In 1852 he
moved to Mississippi, and from there to what is
now Sharp County, Ark. , the following year,
where he settled on a farm. His land at that time
had but seven or eight acres cleared, but now he
has over 100 acres cleared and under cultivation,
and owns about 210 acres altogether, all the result
of his own industry and good management. Mr.
Jordan is a well-known and popular man in his
vicinity, and mingles in public life considerably,
having for the ])ast thirty years held several public
otfices, such as de]iuty sheriff, justice of the peace
(his present official capacity) and others. In
politics he is a Democrat and a stanch adherent
to that party. He enlisted in the Confederate
army during the war, becoming a member of Col.
Freeman's regiment of cavalry, and performed
some excellent work in a numlier of battles. Mr.
Jordan is a member of the A, F. &. A. M., and has
been master a great many years of Curia Lodge
No. 144. He also belongs to " Rural" Royal Arch
Chapter No. 50, at Evening Shade, and has hel.l
several of the offices, and is a member of Eastern
Star, having been for .some time past worthy
patron. At one time he was commissioned to or-
' ganize chapters of his fraternity through.Mit North
Arkansas, and succeeded in establishing quite a
number.
John B. McCaleb, a prominent attorney at
Evening Shade, was born at Evening Shade, Ark.,
October 24, 1856. He is a son of Col. James
H. and Frances A. (Jenkins) McCaleb, of Knox
County, Tenn., and Bowling Green, Ky., respect-
ively. The mother was married in her fourteenth
year to William French, and soon after moved to
Little Rock. After a short residence in that place,
they came to Evening Shade, at a time when there
were but one or two families living there, and
where Mr. French died. In 1854 Mrs. French
was married to Col. McCaleb, who had come from
Tennessee, and both have resided in Evenino'
Shade up to the time of their death. The father-
was a farmer and hotel proprietor for twenty- live
years, and was one of the best- known hotel men in
Northeast Arkansas. In earlier days the elder
McCaleb held the office of justice of the peace.
He served almost through the entire war. and per-
formed the duties of a soldier in different capaci-
ties in the Confederate army, and was colonel of a
regiment of militia in the home guards stationed
at Pocahontas. He was a member of the A. F. &
A. M., and was master of Evening Shade Lodge
[ for a number of years. Col. McCaleb" s father was
James H. McCaleb. of North Carolina, who died
in Evening Shade after a few years' residence.
Col. McCaleb's forefathers originally came from
North Ireland to this eountiT. and the lineHge of
that family extends back to the earlier part of the
eighteenth century. The father of Col. McCaleb's
wife was William Jenkins, a Kentuckian. who
moved to Illinois at an early period, and died
there about the year 1873. His daughter, Mrs,
McCaleb, had three children by each husband, of
whom John McCaleb is the oldest of three broth
ers — sons by the last husband. John McCnleli
748
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
was educated at Evening Shade, and began life
for himself when fifteen years of age. In 1878
he commenced tlu; study of law with the Hon.
Sam H. Davidson, teaching school in the mean-
time. In 1881 he was admitted to the bar by
Judce R. H. Powell, and since then has practiced
his profession in Sharp, Izard, Fulton and Baxter
Counties, also holding a license to practice in the
supreme court of Arkansas and Missouri, and is
one of the most promising attorneys in Sharp
County. On January 10, 1883, he was married to
Allie, daughter of Col. Joseph L. Abernethy, and'
has had four children by this marriage, one son
and two daughters still living. Mr. McCaleb
owns some town property, besides aboiit 1,500
acres of wild land in Sharp County, and his pros-
perity is due entirely to his own enterprise and
shrewdness. In politics he is a Democrat and is
chairman of the county Democratic Central Com-
mittee. He has been a member of the A. F. & A.
M. since his majority, belonging to Evening
Shade Lodge No. 143, and has held almost all of
the offices, being master for two terms. He is also
a member of Royal Arch ( Rural ) Chapter No. 50,
and has been high priest. Also a charter member
of Knights of Honor, and Knights & Ladies of
Honor, and is dictator of the former.
John C. McKinney, a leading farmer of Law-
rence County, Smithville postoffice, was born in
Alabama, February 20, 1839, a son of James and
Patsey M. (Holder) McKinney. James was born
in North Carolina, April 3, 1819, was reared and
married in Alabama, came to Polk County, Mo. ,
about 1844, and in 1857 moved to Sharp County,
where he resided until his death, in 1863. His
father, Francis McKinney, of Scotch and Welsh
descent, was born in South Carolina. He served
throughout the Revolutionary War, and died in
Polk County, Mo. Our subject's mother was born
in Alabama in 1820; she died about 1867, being
the mother of ten childi-en, five of whom are now
living: Thomas M. , Elizabeth A., William B..
Samuel B. , and John C. our subject, who came to
Polk County, Mo. , at the age of eight years, where
he received his education. On March 4, 1860,
he married Lucinda Daily, who was born in Polk
County in 1839, and died in September, 1882.
She was the mother of six children, all living:
Sarah J., wife of William Hollen: Melvina J., wife
of Jeff D. Estes; Mary A., Davis L., Milliam G.,
Dora J. In November, 1884, he married Hannah
Williams, who was born in Louisiana in 1855. Mr.
McKinney has 285 acres of land, about 100 culti-
vated, located on Strawberry River. He enlisted
in Company F, Shaffer's regiment. Seventh Ar-
kansas Infantry Volunteers, and served until May,
1865. He was a private the first year, corporal
the second, and afterward captain of a company
till the close, when he retui'ned home and resumed
farming. He has been a resident of this county
since 1875, and has held the office of justice of the
peace two years. He is a Democrat, having east
his first presidential vote for Breckinridge. He is
a member of Masonic Lodge No. 29, at Smithville.
His wife is a member of the Baptist Church.
William C. Matheny, retired farmer and ex-
coiinty judge, was born in Roane County, Tenn.,
September 9, 1824, his parents being Samuel and
Sytha (Grimsley) Matheny. The former, whose
birth occurred in Virginia, June 18, 1796, was a
son of Elijah and Mary (Davis) Matheny, natives
of Virginia, the Mathenys being of French descent.
His parents moved in 1799 to East Tennessee,
where he was raised and where Samuel died (in
Overton county) in 1881. The latter was a farmer,
althoiigh he served an apprenticeship at the cabi-
net trade. His wife Sytha Matheny, was born in
Washington County, Tenn., in 1793. and died in
Roane County, that State, in 1838. Her jiarents
were natives of Culpeper County, Va. , and moved
to Tennessee in an early day. She was the mother
of twelve children. Eleven grew to maturity and
married, and five are now living, all in Tennessee,
except our subject, who also has two half sisters and
one half brother by his father's second marriage.
His parents being poor, William C. received but a
common school education, and that in Tennessee,
where he was raised. December 13, 1849, he mar-
ried Miss Louisa F. Terry, who has born in what
is now Putnam County, T(^nn., November 9, 1831.
She is a daughter of Joseph and Elizabeth Terry,
the father having died in Tennessee, where the moth-
er is still living, tbougli blind. The family of our
8ul)ject consists of seven children — Allison B., l)orn
September 30, 1850; Sarah E., bora January 14,
lSr)3, wife of James W. Smith, of Sharp County;
Mary A., born November 15, 1855, wife of Milton
T. Ofield, of Izard County; Columbus D., born
January 14, 1858; Elijah, born July 23, 1861;
Grimaley H. , born April 7, 1806, and Ira J., born
August 24, 1868. In May, 1847, Mr. Matheny
enlisted in Capt. Huddleston's Company, Four-
teenth Regiment, United States Infantry, in Over-
ton, Tenn. , and served in the Mexican War, being
with Gen. Scott at the taking of the City of Mexi-
co, {)articipating also in the battles of Contreras,
Cherubusco, Melina Delva, Castle of Chapultepec,
and at the gates of the city, being discharged as
second sergeant at New Orleans July 25, 1848.
He now tb'aws a pension of $8 a month. In 1861
he organized a company in Sharp County, and was
mustered into the Confederate service in September
of the same year, and served as captain until May
8, 1862, when he was promoted to lieutenant-col-
onel of the Twenty-first Arkansas Regiment of In-
fantry, which position he held until the close of
the war. May 17, 1863, he was captured at Vicks-
bnrg and taken prisoner to Sandusky Bay, Ohio,
and kept there till exchanged, March 3, 1865, at
Richmond, Va. At the battle of Corinth, Miss.,
October 3, 1862, he received a liullet wound in the
left forearm, breaking the bone. In 1866 he was
elected representative of Lawrence County (which
then included Sharp), and served one term. In 1872
he was again elected to represent Sharp County,
serving one term. In 1880 he was elected county
and probate judge of Sharji County, and served for
three consecutive terms, and is one of Sharp Coun-
ty's most influential citizens. Politically, he is a
Democrat, and himself and wife are members of
the Primitive Baptist Church. He has a farm of
160 acres, about 70 of which are cultivated.
John S. Medley, owner and proprietor of the
extensive saw and planing-mill and shingle factory
two miles south of Evening Shade, was born in
Parke County, Ind., in 1848. Ho is a son of Capt.
Philip and Rachel (Barnes) Medley, of Indiana
and Kentucky, respectively, who were married in
Indiana, and in 1853 removed to Fulton County,
111., and from there to Schuyler County, 111., after
the war, where the father died about the year
1870, and his wife one year previous. Both were
members of the Union Baptist faith. The elder
Medley was a miller by occupation, and a man of
fine business ability. In 1862 he joined the Thir-
teenth Illinois Infantry, and commanded Company
I, serving about six months, when he was forced
to resign on accountjof poor health. He was a
member of the A. F. & A. M., and a son of Rev.
Samuel Medley, of Scotch -Irish descent, a noted
preacher of Kentucky, who died in Illinois. The
grandfather of John S. Medley, James Barnes,
was a farmer, and died in the State of Indiana.
John S. Medley is the third child of eight sons
and three daughters, of whom eight are yet living.
He received his education partly at the common
schools and by self- tuition, and at the age of seven-
teen years his ability was so well recognized that
he was taken into partnership with an extensive
saw mill firm, and has continued in that business
ever since. He thoroughly understands the busi-
ness, and has met with success in every instance.
In 1869 Mr. Medley moved to Evening Shade,
where he resided up to 1870, when he married
Mrs. Nancy Sharp, a widow lady, of Indiana, who
died six months after their wedding. In 1889 he
was again married, his second wife being Miss
Lily Green, of Illinois. Mrs. Medley's mother is
still living, but the father died when she was a
young girl. Mr. Medley owns about 1,200 acre.s
of land in the vicinity of Evening Shade, and has
about 125 acres under cultivation, with several
good buildings and barns. His mills have the
reputation of turning out some of the best work in
Sharp County, and. as a citizen and business man,
he enjoys a popularity that must be gratifying
even to the most egotistical, although Mr. Medley
is as modest as he is popular. His mills have a
capacity of about 8,000 feet of lumber, and about
20,000 shingles per day, and has also a planing at-
tachment. In politics he is a Democrat, and has
been a member of the I. O. O. F. since his matur-
ity, holding all of the otfices during that period.
William G. Meeks, a pioneer farmer of Sullii
750
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
vau Township, was born in Breckinridge County,
Ky., in 1819. He is a son of the Rev. William
and Nancy (Goatley) Meeks, of North Carolina and
Maryland, respectively, who moved to Kentucky,
and were married there at a very early day, and
when young William was sixteen years old, settled
in Spencer County, Ind., where the father died
about 1846, and the mother some time afterward,
in Illinois. The elder Meeks was a Baptist min-
ister, and well known for his eloquence in the pul-
pit. He is a son of Priddy Meeks, of North Car-
olina, who was one of the first settlers of Kentucky,
and an associate of the famous Daniel Boone.
William G. Meeks' grandfather, John Goatley, was
a native of Scotland, who came to America with
his parents when four years old. He served through
the Revolutionary War, with the exception of one
year, in which he was badly disabled, and died in
Kentucky, with honors showered upon him for his
record through that period. William G. Meeks is
the seventh child of eight sons and four daughters,
and in his youth received a very limited education,
as the facilities for attending school were quite
scarce in those days. He commenced in life for
himself at the age of twenty, and, in 1843, was
married to Millie, daughter of Pleasant and Re-
becca Galloway. Mrs. Meeks' mother is still liv-
ing at the age of ninety-six years, but the father
died in the State of Indiana, where Mrs. Meeks
was born. In 1840 Mr. Meeks came to what is
now Sharp County, but did not move on his pres-
ent place until 1849, which was then but very little
improved. He now owns about 280 acres of land,
with some 120 acres under cultivation, all the re-
sult of his own energy, and is one of the most en-
terprising farmers of Sharp County. Mr. Meeks
enlisted in the Confederate army during the war,
and was enrolled in Company D, Fourteenth Ar-
kansas Infantry, holding the rank of lieutenant.
He afterward became a member of Freeman' s regi-
ment of cavalry, and later took part in Price's
raids through Missouri and Kansas. Mr. Meeks
performed some creditable work during the war,
and won a reputation as being a gallant and effi-
cient soldier. He surrendered at Jacksonport in
Juno, 1865. and returned to his home. When Mi'.
Meeks first settled in this vicinity the country was
nothing but a wilderness, and had no inhabitants
but a few venturesome spirits like himself, who
were seeking a home in the West, unless, indeed,
the wild animals that infested the country at that
time could be called its inhabitants. His nearest
postoffice and trading post was at Batesville, some
twenty miles distant; but since that period he has
lived to see this portion of Arkansas grow up into
a populous and thriving country, and can now tell
the younger generation how the streets and by-ways
of the present civilization were once the path of
the fleet-footed deer and the prowling wolf. The
names of Mr. Meeks' children are : Nancy, wife of
Francis Kent; Sarah, wife of A. J. Green; Benja-
min F., Thomas J., Eliza, wife of J. E. G. Ball,
and Willie Ann, wife of J. D. Cargle.
Isaac N. Jlorgan, a substantial farmer of Mor-
gan Township, is a native of Tennessee, having
been born in Franklin County in 1837. His
father was Harris Morgan, who was born in Ten-
nessee, in June, 1810, and who is now living in
Sharp County. Ark., where he came in 1840, Mor-
gan Township being named in his honor before the
war. He was a blacksmith by trade, but carried
on farming in connection therewith. His wife was
born in North Carolina in 1816, but died in Sharp
County in November, 1881. She was the mother
of ten children, three of whom are now living.
Elizabeth, Sarah and Isaac, all of whom reside in
Sharp County. Isaac N. acquired most of his
education after reaching manhood, but received
what little schooling he had in Sharp County. In
October, 1865, he married Miss Salina Carver,
who was born in Mississippi in 1843. Her par-
ents were J. D. and Frances Carver, natives of
Mississippi, who came to Ai'kansas in 1851. The
father is dead, but the mother still lives in Sharp
County. The family consists of three daughters
and three sons: Tennessee B. , Amanda L., Mary.
William T., Joseph and Isaac B. Our subject
entered the Confederate service in 1861. in the
Seventh Arkansas Volunteers, under Col. Robert
Shaver, participating in the battles of Shiloh,
Corinth and Bowling Green, and at the close of
the war returned to Sharp County and resumed
SHARP COUNTY.
751
farming. He has a good farm of 347 acres, about
100 of which are under cultivation. He is a Dem-
ocrat, and both he and hi.s wife are members of |
the Baptist Church.
Judge Addison H. Nunu, one of the pioneers
of Sullivan Township, was born in Williamson
County. Tenn., in 1814. He is a son of William
R. and Rebecca W. (Stone) Nunn, the former born
in Pendleton District, S. C. , about 1783, and the
latter in Mecklenburg, Va. The parents were
married in Williamson County, Tenn., and resided
there until the year 1855, when they moved to
Texas, where the father died in 1862. The elder
Nunn was an extensive merchant and real estate
dealer, and a very successful business man, finan-
cially. He first started in life without a dollar, ,
but by his natural abilities, shrewdness in busi- !
ness transactions and enterprise, he left a fortune
at his death. He held the office of justice of the
peace for three years, and was a member of the
I. O. O. Y. His father, Francis Nunn, was a
Noi-th Carolinian, and when William R. was about
thrfee years old removed first to Georgia and then
to the State of Tennessee in 1806, where he died
at the age of sixty years, his wife, Marcy (Rice)
Nunn, dying in Tennessee, at the age of eighty-
tive years. The Nunn family are of French origin,
but on the mother's side the family are English.
Judge Nunn's grandfather, William Stone, came
from England with his parents, and settled in Vir-
ginia, and were afterward among the first settlers
of Maury County, Tenn. Judge Nunn was the
eldest of thirteen children, who received their edu-
cation in the early days at a log cabin school. In
1837 he w'as married to Amanda, daughter of Jere-
miah and Catherine Baxter, born in North Caro-
lina and Tennessee, respectively. Eleven children
were given to this marriage, of whom four sons and
three daughters are yet living. His second mar-
riage was in 1863, to Mrs. Mary Bowman, a widow
lady, and a daughter of Men-iman Arnn, of Vir-
ginia, where his daughter was also born, in Pitt-
sylvania County. Ten children were born to Mr.
and Mrs. Nunn, of whom three sons and five daugh
ters are still living. In 1843 Judge Nunn moved
to Arkansas, and pitched his tent upon the same
spot where he now resides. This section of Arkan-
sas was then a wilderness, whose only inhabitants
were wild animals, the nearest postoftice and trad-
ing point being the town of Batesville, which was
then a very small place. He has made this his
home ever since, and at one time owned over 2,0(tO
acres of land. He now owns about l,IMtO acres,
and has 100 acres under cultivation, owning one
of the finest farms in Sharp County. In 1861 he
organized Company I, and joined MeCarver's reg-
iment of Arkansas infantry, and for the first four
months was stationed at Pocahontas, then at Fort
Pillow, and lastly at Corinth, where he was dis-
charged after six months' service. After the war
he returned home, and for several years was justice
of the peace, an office he also held in Tennessee.
In 1845 he was elected county and probate judge
of Lawrence County, and at the expiration of bis
term, on two different occasions, was re-elected.
In 1 874 he was elected supervisor of Sharp County,
and in 1878 county and probate judge for two years.
Before the war. Judge Nunn established the Sidney
postoffice, and was postmaster for three years; and
after peace had been declared he had the office re-
stored, and was appointed jwstmaster again. In
politics, he has been a Democrat ever since the war,
and was a Whig before that event. He became a
member of the I. O. O. F. in 1845, and a Mason
several years later, and is a member of the Royal
Arch Chapter. Judge Nunn is well known and
luiiversally respected throughout Northeast Arkan
sas. He is one of its oldest inhabitants, and has
lived to see that portion of the State grow u]) from
its infancy, to be dotted with productive farms,
thriving towns and enterprising citizens. He has
been a member of the Presbyterian Church since
his fourteenth year, as also were both wives, and
was an elder for over forty years.
Abner J. Porter, judge of the county and pro
bate court of Sharp County, and a leading attorney
of that place, was born in \\ illiamson County,
Tenn., in the year 1831. He is the son of Will
iam C. and Judith R. (Owen) Porter, the former
born in Rockingham County, N. C. in 1803, and
the latter in Davidson County. Teim., in 1804.
The parents were married in Williamson County,
■»Pv
2iJ
752
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
Tenn.. in 1824. and resided there until the year
1830, when they moved to Weakle_y Coiinty, Tenn.,
and from there to Springfield, Mo., in 1856. In
1860 they settled in Sharp County, Ark., where
the father died in 1878, and the mother in 1881.
The elder Porter was a prominent farmer and a
leading citizen of Sharp County during his life,
and was held in the highest esteem by his fellow-
citizens. He was a son of Dudley Porter, of
North CaroHna, who removed to Tennessee in 1811,
and died three months after his arrival. His
father was John Porter, who lost another son at
the battle of Charleston, during the Revolution.
Judge Porter's parents had eleven sons, of whom
seven are living: Their names are Robert G. , a
resident of Sharp County;. William G. , a tobac-
conist of Springfield, Mo.; Judge Abner J. Porter;
Rev. Peter O. , of Sharp County; Jesse W., re-
siding in the same county; Henry W. , of Ran-
dolph County, and Felix R., a prominent lawyer of
Springfield, Mo. Five of them gave their services
to the Confederate cause — Abner J., John W.,
Jesse W., Benjamin F. (who was captured and
died in prison at Chicago), and Felix R. In his
youth Judge Porter received a common school edu-
cation, and also applied himself to the higher
branches of education, which he mastered without
the aid of a teacher. He had commenced the
study of law at Springfield, Mo., when the war
called him from his books, and he joined Capt.
Thomason's company of the Fifty- second Volunteer
Tennessee Infantry. In the spring of 1862 he was
sent home on furlough, on account of disability, but
after recovering from hi.s afflictions he re-joined
the army under Gen. Forrest's command, becom-
ing a member of Col. Wilson's Tennessee regi-
ment. He held the rank of orderly sergeant in
Capt. Dudley's company, and served about one
year longer, taking part in a number of engage-
ments during that time. Judge Porter was mar-
ried in Weakley County, Tenn., in 1866, to Miss
Mary J. Carter, a daughter of Jerome and
Mary (Matthews) Carter, of North Carolina
and Tennessee, respectively, and they are the
parents of five sons and three daughters: Ada J.,
William C. , Thomas J., James O. , Ida R. , Mary
E., John W. and Granville D. In 1867 the
Judge arrived in Sharp County, and located at
Evening Shade, where he entered the grocery busi-
ness, and practiced law until 1875. He then set-
tled on his present place of residence, and com-
menced farming, and now has about 100 acres un-
der cultivation, owning 320 acres altogether in two
farms. He is considered to be one of the best
farmers in Sharp County, and has also continued
the practice of law, with gratifying success, both
in the justice and circuit courts. In 1878 he was
elected judge of the county and probate courts for
two years, and filled the office with distinction.
The soundness of his judgment and the coiTect-
ness of his views made him the most available
man for that position, and he was again elected in
1888. In politics he is a Democrat, and has been
one all his life. He is strong in upholding the
principles and men of his party, and is one of
its stanchest adherents. The Judge has been a
member of Evening Shade Lodge No. 141, A. F.
& A. M., since 1867, and is also a member of
Royal Arch Chapter No. 52, at Evening Shade.
He belongs to the Baptist Church, while his wife
is a Presbyterian.
Elijah Ratliff is a farmer of Union Township,
near Martin's Creek postoffice. His grandfather
was one of the first settlers of Pike County, Ky. ,
where he died. Robert R. , the father of our sub-
ject, was born in Kentucky, about 1816; was mar-
ried there to Polly Edwards, and in 1854 emi-
grated to Texas County, Mo. , being one of the
early settlers of that county. In 1862 he moved
to Arkansas. He was a soldier in the late war, was
captured and taken prisoner to Alton, 111., where
he died in 1866. His wife, who died about 1865,
was the mother of nine children, our subject being
the sixth. He was raised and received most of his
schooling in Texas County, Mo. In 1871 Elijah
married Miss Nancy Garner, who was born in
Sharp County, Ark., in 1849, the daughter of John
and Rena Garner. They have six children living:
John R., William H., Martha E., Mary J., George
W. (deceased), Albert and James. Mr. Ratliff
has resided in Sharp County since 1870, and has
about 400 acres of land, about ninetv of which are
^
SHARP COUNTY.
under cultivation, 200 acres in Fulton County,
Ark., and '200 on Martin's Creek. In politics he is
a Democrat. Laving cast his first presidential vote
for Cleveland. Our subject and his wife are both
members of the Christian Church.
Michael Van Buren Shaver, farmer and mer-
chant, was born in Sullivan County, East Tenn.,
April 7, 1832. His parents were David and Har-
riet (May) Shaver. David, Jr., was born in Sulli-
van County, Tenn., in 1799, where he always re-
sided, and died in 1843. He was a son of David
Shaver, Sr. , merchant and slave owner, who was
born in Buncombe County, N. C, and whose father
(Michael's great grandfather), was killed in the
Revolutionary War. The Shavers are of French, .
German and English descent. Michael's mother
was bom in Tennessee, in 1800, and died in Sharp
County, Ark., in 1881; her parents were Samuel
and Catherine May. Mr. May was born in Lon-
don, England, and was a physician by profession,
and a wealthy citizen. His wife was a Shelby, of
one of the old families of the United States. Isaac
Shelby, an uncle of Catherine, was governor of
Kentucky, and a noted man. Ferdinand M. and
our subject are the only children living of a family
of eight. M. Van was raised in Tennessee, where
he received a common school education. At the
age of nineteen years he came to Independence
County, Ark. The next year he located in Fulton
County, cleared a farm in the woods, and in May,
1866, married Mary Livingston. They have had
five children (four of whom are now living) : Shelby
L. , Hattie M., Jimmie (deceased), Emma and Mat-
tie. In 1861 he raised a company of infantry in
Fulton County, Seventh Arkansas, of Col. Robert
Shaver's regiment, under Gen. Hardee; was cap-
tain of his company one year, when he came home,
formed a battalion, was elected major, and served
in that capacity during the war. At Augusta,
Ark., he was wounded in the left leg, where the
bullet still remains. He was also with Gen. Price
on his raid through Missouri. After the war he
returned to Fulton County, of which he was ap-
pointed sheriff l)y Gov. Murphy, and served two
years, when ho removed to where he now resides.
He has a natural stock farm of 350 acres, 125 of
which are under cultivation, the same being finely
watered by Reed's Creek. In 1880 he erected a
grist mill at a cost of $4,000, and in May, 1882, it
was totally destroyed by high water; having no
insurance, it was a total loss. In 1866 he opened
a general store where he now resides, but retired
in 1880 on account of health, and in 1887 resumed
business in partnership with his son. He is a
Democrat, having cast his first presidential vote
for Buchanan. Mr. Shaver was engaged in a hard
fight on Martin's Creek, and selected the battle
ground for the first fight in Fulton County.
Ferdinand May Shaver, farmer and merchant,
two and a half miles west of Grange postolfice, is
a brother of M. Van Shaver, and was born in
Sullivan County, Tenn., July 14, 1836, where he
resided till the age of fourteen years, and received
his schooling, which is very limited, and came to
Arkansas with his parents in 1850, where he has
since resided. In 1870 he married Miss Mary J.
Gardner, who was bom in Lawrence County, Ark.,
in 1847. She is the daughter of John H. R.
and Susana Gardner, her father a Baptist minister,
who came to Independence County in the early
days. Mr. Shaver's family consists of six chil-
dren, Julia M. , Edwin V., David L., James F.,
Lulu B. and an infant. The subject of this sketch
served in the Confederate army as a cavalryman,
fi'om 1862 till the close of the war, taking part in
the Augusta fight. He was engaged in business
in Fulton County previous to the war, and in 1867
opened a general store in Sharp County, where he
has since been in business, carrying a valual)le
stock of goods. He has about 700 hundred acres
of land in Sharp County, 200 acres under cultiva-
tion; 300 acres in Independence County, and eighty
acres in Lawrence County. Politically, he is a
Democrat, having cast his first presidential vote
for Breckinridge.
Tliomas C. Sims, a prominent farmer and sttx-k
raiser of Sullivan Township, was horn in Ruther-
ford County, Tenn.. in 1832. His parents were
the Hon. Leonard H. and Louisa (Beatty) Sims,
born in North Carolina in 1807, and Virginia in
1808, respectively, and were united in marriage in
Rutherford County. Tenn. In 1839 the parents
>»
y
754
HISTOKY OF AEKANSAS.
removed to a point near Springfield, Mo., but in
1847 returned to Tennessee, and in 1859 they came
to Independence County, Ark., where the father
died in 188(3, and the mother in Tennessee the fol-
lowing year. The elder Sims was at one time one
of the most brilliant politicians in Tennessee. He
twice represented Rutherford County in the legis-
lature, and from 1842 to 1845 or 1846, represented
Greene County, Mo., in the State legislature.
During the Polk administration be was a member
of the National Congress from Missouri (at large),
and in 1860 was elected to represent Independence
and Stone Counties in the State senate. He was
again elected in 1874 for the long term of four
years, and his oratory while a member of that body
was noted for its eloquence. He was a man of su-
perior abilities, a close observer of men and events,
and a shrewd politician, and never suffered defeat
in a political contest. When a member of the
senate he served on the committee on Federal
returns, and was one of the ablest men of that
body, and was also an ardent advocate for the pay-
ment in full of the State debt. During his first
term in the Arkansas State senate he delivered the
memorial address on the late Senator Lusburrow,
who was the senator from Pulaski County during
that session, but had recently committed suicide
while the senate was in session. This was one of
the most eloquent and able addresses ever heard in
the senate chamber, and Mr. Sims was the recip-
ient of many flattering compliments and consider-
able praise on this occasion. He was also a promi-
nent member of the A. F. & A. M. , Curia Lodge, and
of the Royal Arch Chapter. In politics he had been a
Democrat all his life, and was a strong supporter of
that party. Thomas C. Sims was the fourth child
of seven sons and five daughters, and received a
good common school and academic education. In
1854 he was married to Sarah J., daughter of
Judge A. H. Nunn, and by this marriage has had
ten children, of whom four sons and three daugh-
ters are still living. In 1855 he moved to what is
now Sharp County, and settled on a farm with but
very little improvement, but since that time he has
placed 145 acres under cultivation, owning alto-
gether some 346 acres, besides a number of town
lots in Hardy, and all the result of his own industry,
business tact, and good management in farming
and trading. He taught school for several years
before and since the war, and, on the outbreak of
hostilities between the North and South, he en-
listed in Company G, of Col. Shaler's regiment,
and served almost three years in the Confederate
army, holding the rank of first lieutenant for two
years. He fought in a number of battles in Mis-
souri, Kansas, and portions of the Indian Territory,
and was with Price on his raids through Missouri
and Kansas. He was present during the snin>n-
der at Jacksonport, in 1865, and returned home
after the war was over. In politics, Mr. Sims has
always been a Democrat, and was appointed post-
master of Sullivan Springs for several years. He
is a member of Evening Shade Lodge No. 143,
A. F. & A. M., and, with his wife, has been a
member of the Presbyterian Church for over thirty
years. His grandfather, Swepson Sims, of North
Carolina, resided in Rutherford County, Tenu., for
about forty-five years, where he was a noted physi-
cian in his day. His father was Leonard Sims, a
Scotchman, who settled in North Carolina at a very
early period. William Beatty, the grandfather of
Thomas C. Sims, was a native of Virginia, and
died in Rutherford County, Tenn. , where he had
resided a great many years. Joseph Sims, the
great- uncle of Thomas C. Sims, first settled at
Welchmere, now known as Lebanon, Tenn. , and
was the first man to cut down a tree in that place.
Leonard H., the father of Thomas C. Sims, was a
great hunter in his yoimger days, and a celelirated
shot. His early experience with the Indians had
given him a skill with the rifle that was marvelous,
and to the present day many a tale may be heard
of the great work done by him in the far West.
James G. Sims, an enterprising and popular
farmer, of Sharp County, was born in Greenes
Covmty, Mo. , in 1841. He is a son of Hon. Leonard
H. and Louisa (Beatty) Sims, of whom an extended
sketch is given in the biography of T. C. Sims.
When, in his seventh year, Mr. Sims removed with
his 2>arents to Tennessee, where the}- resided until
the year 1859, and then came to Independence
County. He was reared on a farm, and received a
~^;
^
good common scbool oducatiou in his youth, and '
in early youth displayed the disposition and charac-
ter of a man whose future life woiild V)e success-
ful. He was imbued with the same traits of
energy and force which characterized his illustrious
father, and though not following directly in the
footsteps of the elder Sims, he has made a path
for himself that may serve as an example for many
others. In ISfil, he joined Company K, of th(>
First Ai'kansas Infantry, and served one year
through Missouri, Ai'kansas, Kansas and the In-
dian Nation, taking part in the battles at Wilson's
Creek, Pea Ridge and others. The same comj)any
soon after re-organized, with Mr. Sims a mem-
ber of it, and took a leading part in the memorable
l)attle of Shiloh. His next campaign extended
through Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia, Tennessee
and Kentucky, and he took part in the liattle at
Richmond ; on Kirby Smith's raid through Ken-
tucky: afterwards at the battles of Chickamauga
and Atlanta, and then returned with Hood to Ten-
nessee, where he fought in the battles at Franklin
and Nashville. Shortly after this campaign, he re-
turned home and resiimed his farm work, and, in
18()7, was married 1^ Miranda, daughter of Perry
and Margaret West, of Arkansas. Mrs. West died
when her daughter was a child, and the father
died in 187-4, in Sharp County. Mrs. Sims was
born in Texas, and with her marriage to Mr. Sims,
has had nine sons and one daughter. In 1808
they settled on their present farm, about four .miles
northeast of Evening shade, where Mr. Sims
owns 700 acres of land, and has about 200 acres
imder cultivation. He is one of the leading farm-
ers and citizens of Sharp County, and is held in
high esteem by the entire community. In politics
he is a Democrat, and was a member of the board
of equalization of Sharp County. He was also a
member of the Agricultural Wheel, and in 1888
was vice-president of the Sharp County Wheel.
He also belongs to Evening Shade Lodge No. 143,
A. F. & A. M. , and has been a member since 1874.
John T. Sparks, a farmer of Strawberry Town-
ship, Smitbville postoffice, Lawrence County, was
born in Alabama, February 8. 1843. His father,
John Sparks, was born in Alabama about ISI 1, and
died there in 1847, and Sarah (Bowlou) Sparks, his
mother, was bom in Georgia in 1815, dying in
Lawrence County in 1.S87. The family consisted
of eight children, three of whom are living: John,
James L. and Isaac, all residing in Sharp County,
our subject being the eldest. John T. was raised
in Alabama till the age of eleven years, when he
went to Tennessee with his parents, remaining
there till he was eighteen years of age, when his
mother and family removed to Lawrence County,
Ark., living there a short time, and finally moving
to where our subject now lives. He received his
education in Arkansas, and, in 181)0, married Miss
Susan Webb, who was born in Polk County, Mo. .
in 1845, and died in 1871: she was the mother of
two children, both living; Mary J. (wife of James
Wheeler) and William N. In 1872 Mr. Sparks
married Miss .\lvira Hill, who was born in Law-
rence County, Ark., in 1850, the daughter of Daniel
and Delia Hill, Mr. Hill being a native of "Virginia,
and one of the early settlers of Lawrence County,
where his wife was born. By this marriage there
was a family of five children, three living: Ellen
O., Causette and Edward B. In April, 1862. our
subject enlisted in the Confederate army, serving
under Capt. Huddleson until 1805: he was in aU
the battles west of the IMississippi River, in the
cavalry. At the close of the war he resumed farm-
ing, and has also held the offices of constable of his
township and justice of the peace four years. He
is a Democrat, and he and his wife are memliers of
the Missionary Baptist Church.
Ashley Taylor, a prominent farmer of Rich-
woods Township, is a son of J. Millidge and Hes-
ter A. (Cravens) Taylor, of Missouri and Arkansas,
respectively. J. Millidge Taylor moved to the
State of Arkansas, with his parents, in 18Ut, and
met the lady who became his wife in Lawrence
County, where Ashley was born in 184(5. The
elder Taylor was a son of J. \V. Taylor, one of the
earliest settlers of Lawrence County, and died in
1852. his wife surviving him a good many years.
They were the parents of ten chiliiicn, «f whom
Ashley was the seventh, and four of them are still
living: William W. and Millidge. residents of
Texas; Mary, wife of John Saffell. and Ashley.
3 .
V
756
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
Ashley Taylor remained on the home place until
the year 1863, when he joined the Confederate
army, becoming a member of one of the Arkansas
regiments, in which he did gallant service. On
September 12, 1864, he was captured at Thomas-
ville, Mo., and taken to the prison at St. Louis.
From there he was changed to a prison at Alton,
111., but again returned to St. Louis, where, with
five others, he was sentenced to be shot. The six
men awaited their doom with the greatest fortitude,
realizing that what was to be was according to the
fortunes of war, but shortly before the hour set
for the execution a kind Providence saved them
from the fate they expected, and others were
chosen instead to face the executioners. He was
then returned to Alton, 111., and afterward to Rock
Island, where he was held until June 22, 1865,
and then released. On his return to Arkansas Mr.
Taylor ran a carding machine at Evening Shade
for several years, and finally commenced farming
again, his occupation previous to the war. He was
married in 1875. to Miss America E. Barnett, a
daughter of James and Jane Barnett, of Sharp
County, and by this marriage has had one son and
four daughters. Mr. Taylor lost his wife on Sep-
tember 21, 1887. He resided in Lawrence County
until 1885, and then moved to Sharp County, but
did not settle on his present place until 1887. The
land comprises 200 acres, of which 1 20 acres are
under cultivation, all of it being accumulated by
Mr. Taylor himself. He is a Democrat in politics
and a strong supporter of his party. Mr. Taylor
is a member of Ash Flat Lodge No. 159, F. & A.
M., and of Royal Arch Chapter No. 50. at Even-
ing Shade. He is also a member of the Famous
Life Association of Little Rock, his wife, during
her life, being a member of the same association.
S. Price Turner, one of the leading merchants
of Ash Flat, was born in Dent County, Mo., in
1862. His parents were George \V. and Leon E.
(Dougherty) Turner, both natives of Tennessee,
who resided in Dent County, Mo. , bef,ore the war.
The family moved to Baxter County, Ark. , in
1864, and from there to Izard County, and, in
1866, settled in Sharp County, coming to Ash
Flat one year later. The father entered into com-
mercial life on his arrival, and was a successful
business man up to the time of his death, in Janu-
ary, 1885, being one of the most prominent mer-
chants and leaders in mercantile affairs in that
place. He was an officer in the Confederate army,
and served through the war with great distinction,
and was also a member of the A. F. & A. M. , and
Knights and Ladies of Honor. His start in Ash
Flat was, similar to that of other self-made men,
on almost nothing, but, being a man of energetic
and determined spirit, he made a success where
many others would have made a failure, and, at
the time of his death, left a considerable fortune.
Mr. Turner and his wife were both members of the
Christian Church, and Mrs. Turner still survives
her husband, at the age of fifty- four years. She
is a daughter of Sakiah Dougherty, a brave officer,
who met death at the battle of Wilson's Creek, in
1861. S. Price Turner has resided in Ash Flat
ever since five years old, with the exception of one
year at Fayetteville. He attended the State Uni-
versity in his youth, and at the age of eighteen
was taken into partnership with his father, and re-
mained with him until the elder Turner's death,
when he succeeded to the business. He has car-
ried on the business in the same enterprising man-
ner that characterized the father, and has upheld
the reputation made by the elder Turner. Mr.
Turner, in connection with other members of his
family, owns over 1,200 acres of land in Sharp
County, besides considerable real estate in Ash
Flat, and in the State of California. He was mar-
ried, February 19, 1885, to Miss Fannie David-
son, a daughter of Dr. Benjamin H. and Atella J.
Davidson, both deceased, the former being one of
! the leading physicians of this county during his
life. Mr. Turner and his wife are the parents of
one son and two daughters, and they comprise one
of the most interesting and happie.st families in
Ash Flat. In politics he is a Democrat, and in
I 1884 cast his vote for Cleveland. He is also a mem-
ber of Ash Flat Lodge No. 159, A. F. & A. M.,
and was senior warden for two terms. Royal Arch
j Chaj)ter, Evening Shade, claims him as a mem-
ber, as do the Knights and Ladies of Honor.
1 Anderson Huston Vance, farmer and justice of
V
B .F. Jones
Frenchmans Bayou.
Mississippi County, Arkansas.
9 W
the peace, of Washington Township, was liorn in
AlHl)ania, November 15, 1837. His parents were
William and Sarah (Hudson) Vance. William was
born in North Carolina about 1776, and died in
March, 1866, in Sharp County, Ark., when about
eighty-six years of age. Ho emigrated from North
Carolina to Tennessee in an early day, with his
parents (who were born in Ireland), and from Ten-
nessee to Arkansas, in 184S, and located live miles
south of where the county seat now is. He was a
farmer. His wife died in October, 1858. in Sharp
County. She was the mother of fourteen children,
all of whom grew to maturity, only four of whom
are now living: Nancy Clark, Claring Norman,
Anderson H. and Mai'y A. Shirley. All but Mary
reside in Sharp County, and she in Independence
County. The subject of this sketch, the eleventh
child, was raised in Sharp County, where he re-
ceived his limited education. In 1859 he married
Miss Margaret C. Johnson, who was born in East
Tennessee, September '2, 1840, and died June 26,
1878. She was the mother of three children, one
of whom is living, William Huston. December 3,
1888, he married Sarah J. (Hardester) Douglas, a
widow, who was born in Independence County, in
1851. Mr. Vance was in Evening Shade before
the town was thought of. In June, 1862, he en-
listed in the Confederate army. Company F, under
Col. Bob Shaver, serving four years, and partici-
pating in the battles of Pleasant Hill (La.) and
Jenkins' Ferry (Ark. ). He is, and has been since
1867, a member of the Masonic order, and once
represented his lodge in th(^ grand lodge. In
1874 he was elected justice of the peace of Wash-
ington Township, and s(>rved eight successive years,
and was again elected to the same oflBce in 1888,
and is now serving his fifth term. He is a Demo-
crat in jiolitics. He has 174 acres of land, and
cultivates seventy-five acres of it. He and his first
wife were members of the Missionary Baptist
Church, his present wife being a memlier of the
Melhodist Ejjiseopal Church, South.
Samuel J. Walker, general merchant and stock
dealer, was born in Stewart County, Tenn., in
1821). His parents were John and Susan (Thomas)
Walker, the former born in Virginia in 1804, and
the latter in Tennessee in 1806. The parents were
married in Stewart County, where they resided
until the year 1852, and then moved to what is now
Sharp County, and lived there until the time of
their death. John Walker's father was Samuel
Walker, who was born in Ireland and fought in
some of the early wars of this country. He was a
blacksmith and woodworker by trade, and moved to
Tennessee when John was a boy, where the latter
grew to manhood and was married. Samuel J. is
the fourth child of a family of eight sons and four
daughters. He moved to Shaqi County, Ark.,
with his parents, and was married in that place to
Miss Elizalieth Baker, a daughter of Newton and
HaiTiet Baker, of Sharp County. Mr. Walker lost
his wife in 1874, after a happy married life, and
also a son. His second wife was Mrs. Mary Dun-
can, a widow lady, and a daughter of Ephraim and
Olive Perkins, of Missouri, and by this maiTiage
he has three children: Minnie J., Maudee and Sam-
uel. With the exception of one year's residence in
Randolph County, Mr. Walker has lived on his
present place ever since his arrival in .\rkansas.
He then liad only two acres of land under cultiva-
tion, which he had fenced in a very primitive man-
ner, but has increased the number U) 300 acres
under cultiv.ation, and owns about 1,5(10 acres alto-
gether. He is also an extensive dealer in stock,
merchandise and general trading, and is one of the
most successful and energetic men in Sharp (bounty.
Mr. Walker has secured all of his prosperity by
his own efforts since the war. Before that event
he had considerable real estate and farms, but lost
everything, and after peace had been declared he
started in life without a dollar. He served three
years in the Confederate army, and was a nien]bt>r
of AVood's battalion, on Gen. Price's staff. After
two years' service he was discharged ou account of
disalnlity, and sis months later re enlisted in Col.
Love's regiment as a private, where he remained
until the close of the war. Few men served their
country better than Mr. \\'alker diil, whilf lighting
for the Confederacy. He took part in a great
many engagements, and was with Price on his iiiein-
orable raids through Missouri. At home he was
captured by the enemy and taken prisoner in the
(T
^
a k^
758
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
fall of 1863, and was held about two months at Pilot
Knob, afterward taking the oath of allegiance.
Later ou he was forced into the service again, and
surrendered at Jacksonport. In politics, Mr. Wal-
ker was a Whig, and cast bis first vote for Scott,
in 1852, but since the war he has become a true
Democrat. He has been a meiujaer of the A. F. &
A. M. (now belonging to Wilson Lodge No. 132, at
Hardy), for twenty years, and has in that time
helped to organize two lodges, also holding all of
the principal offices. He is also a member of the
Knights & Ladies of Honor, and the Famous Life
Association at Little Rock, having belonged to the
latter for five years. Mrs. Walker is also a mem-
ber of the same association. Mr. Walker is a gen-
tleman of great popularity in this locality, and is
also counted as one of its wealthiest men. He is
full of energy and life in all enterprises, and Sharp
County has in him a citizen of whom she may feel
proud.
David D. Walker, a retired farmer, residing in
Hardy Village, was born in Stewart County, Tenn. ,
November 16, 184:4, but came to Sharp County
with his parents, who were among the early set-
tlers, iu tlie winter of 1852. His father, John
Walker, died in Sharp County, and his mother,
Susan (Thomas) Walker, died in the same county
in 1874. Of a family of twelve children our sub-
ject and ii brother are the only living members,
David being the eleventh. He was raised in Sharp
County, but his education was very limited, he
having had no opportunity of going to school. In
1866 David married Miss Permelia Webb, who
was born in Tennessee, in 1844, the daughter
of Thomas J. and Batharba Webb. Mr. Webb
was born in Arkansas and his wife in Tennessee,
both having died iu Arkansas. Mr. Walker's fam-
ily has consisted of eight children (two of whom
are living): Sarah H. (deceased), Susan M. (de-
ceased), Mary E. (deceased), Samuel J. (deceased),
Lucy Ann, John W. (deceased), Margie E. (de-
ceased) and Newton R. Mr. Walker has about
300 acres of land in Hardy Township, some 200
being under cultivation. In 1864 he enlisted in
Capt. Adams' company, in the Confederate army,
and served till the close of the war, participating in
the battles of Martin' s Creek and Dardanelle. He
is a member of Wilson Lodge No. 132, A. F. &
A. M., at Hardy, and is a Democrat in politics,
having cast his first presidential vote for Seymour
and Blair. He and his wife are both members of
the Methodist Episcopal Church, South.
Joshua Wann, county and circuit court clerk of
Sharp County, was born in Jackson County, Ala. ,
in 1836. His parents were the Hon. Joshua and
Lydia (Collins) Wann, born in North Carolina iu
1796, and Virginia in 1800, respectively, who emi-
grated to Kentucky with their parents, and were
there married. They afterward moved to Tennes-
see, and from there to Alabama, where young
Joshua was born, and then came to what is now
Sharp County, Ark., where the father died shortly
after their arrival. The mother was a Missionary
Baptist, and died in that faith in the year 1879.
She was a daughter of Thomas Collins, a native of
Virginia and of English descent. The elder Wann
commanded a company of soldiers during the re-
moval of the Indian tribes from Alabama and
Georgia in the earlier days, and later in life whs a
representative from Jackson County, Ala., wheu
the capital was situated at Tuscaloosa. He held
the office of assessor and collector of that county
for several years, and was a member of the A. F. &
A. M. in good standing. He was in the battle of
New Orleans, in the War of 1812, and died in
Jackson County, Ala., before young Jo.shua was
born. Joshua Wann is the seventh child of four
sons and six daughters. One of his uncles, Will-
iam Wann, was at one time a member of the Ten-
nessee legislature, and died in Lawrence County,
Mo. His brother, Landen A. , fought in the Mex-
ican War, and died at Tampico during the cam
paign. Joshua Wann received his education at
the common schools, and early in life, the fathei-
being deceased as well as the elder brothers, the
support of the family devolved upon him. In
1860 he was married to Miss Zilpha J. , daughter
of Dr. Burwell and Edith Dawson, of North Caro-
lina. Dr. Dawson located in Independence County,
Ark., about the year 1857, and wrote for his family
to join him there, but upon their arrival they found
that death had been before them, and the husband
5)
'k
SHARP COUNTY.
750
and father had passed away. Mrs. Dawson sur-
vived her husband until after the war, and died in
Sharp County. Mr. and Mrs. Wann have one
daughter, Laura A., wife*of (i. S. Jernigan. The
family resided on a farm in Scott Township until
18S6, when Mr. Wann was elected to his present
office, and then removed to Evening Shade. He
was re elected in 1888, and has filled the office in
a highly creditable manner. He gave three years'
service to the Confederate cause, and held the rank
of captain of Company B, Thirty-lifth Arkansas
Infantry, for three years, performing heroic work
in Texas, Louisiana and Missouri. He was at the
battles of Prairie Grove, Little Rock, Saline River,
Jenkins' Ferry, and many others, and later on
joined Gen. Price's army, and commanded a com-
pany of cavalry in Col. M. D. Baber's regiment.
He was present in all the raids through Missouri and
Kansas, and was actively engaged until the sur-
render at Jacksonport, in 1805. In politics, Mr.
Wann has been a Democrat all his life; in 1874-75
he represented Sharp County in the legislature,
and was present during the first session after the
adoption of the new constitution. He is a charter
member of Reed's Creek Lodge, A. F. & A. M,,
and has been master, warden and secretary. He
also belongs to the Knights and Ladies of Honor
and Eastern Star at Evening Shade. Mrs. Wann
has been a member of the Mission.irv Baptist
Church since her youth, and is a devout Christian.
Mr. W'ann's success has been due entirely to his
own shrewdness and ability, and he is one of the
most popular and influential citizens of Sharp
Coimty. He has an interest in a small farm in
Scott Township, and is an enterprising and pro-
gressive man.
Capt. John M. Wasson, a prominent citizen of
Sharp County, Ark. , is the oldest of a family of six
children, and was born in Lawrence County, Tenu.,
in 1835. He is a son of William Lee and Jane
(Matthews) Wasson, born in 1810 and 1813, re-
spectively, in the State of Tennessee, where they
resided until 1841 and then moved to Searcy
County, Ark. , but soon afterward came to Lawrence
County, Ark. The elder Wasson was one of the
pioneers of that section, and settled on a large
farm, which he made one of the most successful in
Lawrence County, and in connection with which
he ran a blacksmith shop until his death, in LSf57.
His father, John Wasson, of Scotch Irish descent,
died in Lawrence County, Tenn. Capt. Wasson's
grandfather, Thomas Matthews, was a successful
farmer during his life, and is also buried in Law-
rence County, Tenn. The Captain received a
"log cabin" education in his youth, and studied
one term in Smithville. Upon reaching his ma-
turity he was offered a position in one of the firms
at Smithville, and remained with them for several
years, afterward going into partnership in the
grocery business at Evening Shade with L. S.
Bobo, under the firm name of Wasson & Bobo. In
the fall of 1861 he enlisted in Company B, of the
Twenty-first Arkansas Infantry, and commanded
that company as captain until the fall of Vicksburg,
where he was captured and paroled and then
came home. He was again captured at home in
1863 and imprisoned for a short time at St. Louis,
and from there taken to Camp Chase, Ohio, and
then again transferred to Johnson's Island. Ohio,
where he was held until May, ISf)."), and then pa-
roled and returned to his home. Altogether he was
kept a prisoner for one year and a half, and soon
after his release he surrendered in June. 18(»5, at
Jacksonport. Capt. Wasson fought well for the
cause he undertook, and received many words of
praise for his gallant actions during tue war. His
operations extended through Arkansas, Alabama
and Mississippi, and he took part in the battles at
Corinth, Baker's Creek, Black River, siege of Vicks-
burg and many others. While at the lirstuamed
battle he received a gunshot wound in the right leg
and left arm, and in his career through the war had
many thrilling escapes from death. In ISfid he
was married to Amanda, a dauglifei' of Williniu
and Frances French, liorn in Bowling (J reen, K\..
in 1820 and 1824, respectively, who immediately
after their marriage moved to Arkansas and settled
in Lawrence County, where the father died wiien
Mrs. Wasson was a little girl. The mother was
afterward married to Col. James H. McCaleb, who
died in May, 1885. Mrs. Wasson wa.s born in
that portion of Lawrence County which is now
760
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
Sharp County, and is the mother of nine children,
of whom seven are living. After the war Capt.
Wasson entered into commeroial life at Evening
Shade, but finding that farm life was more eon-
genial, he carried on that buKiness, and at
present has a fine farm, consisting of seventy-
tive acres under cultivation, about eight miles north-
west of Evening Shade. In 1876 he was elected
clerk of Sharp County and served two years, and
was again elected in 1880, filling the office with
credit. He has been a Democrat in politics all his
life, and is a member of the Masonic order at
Evening Shade, also belonging to the Knights of
Honor at the same place. Mr. and Mrs. Wasson,
both, have been members of the Christian Church
in good standing for several years.
Allen Weaver, one of the first settlers of North
Township, resides at what is known as Indian
Camp Spring, located near Martin's Creek. His
great-grandfather, William Weaver's father, was a
soldier in the Revolutionary War, and fought by
the side of Gen. Washington. The grandfather
was also William Weaver. His wife was Kesiah
W^eaver, who died in Tennessee at an advanced
old age. The father of our siibject, James Weaver,
was born in 1812, in North Carolina, but came to
Tennessee with his parents when two years old.
He was there married to Jane Whitted, in 1836.
She was a native of North Carolina, and died Jan-
uary 29, 1875, in Sharp County. In 1851 James
Weaver came to Polk County, Mo. : in 1852 went
to Crawford County; the next year to Oregon, and
in 1857 to where our subject now lives, where he
died June 18, 1889. On coming to this place he
piirchased from the government 240 acres of land,
at 12 J cents per acre; there are now eighty acres
under fence. The subject of this sketch is the
onlv child of James and Jane Weaver, with whom
he resided until their deaths. His education was
limited, and mostly received at home. September
7, 1865, he married Miss Josephine Hollinay, of
Knox County, Tenn., born in 1840, a daughter of
Zachariah and Eliza Hollinay, her father born in
North Carolina, and her mother in Tennessee. Mr.
Allan Weaver's family consists of six living chil-
dren, two having died: Eliza J. (deceased), born
September 15, 1866; William A., born September
7, 1867; Margaret E., born October 3. 1862 (de
ceased); Joseph L., born .4.ugust 15. 1870; Delila
D., born March 21, 1873; Joseph N. , born April
14, 1876; John W., bom December 12, 1877, and
Orlean S. , born November 26. 1881. died Novem-
ber 28, 1883. Mr. Weaver enlisted, on the 12th
of September, 1863, on the Federal side, in Com-
I^any D, Tennessee Regiment of Light Artilleiy,
and was discharged July 20, 1865, at Nashville.
He was in the battle of Nashville, and numerous
skirmishes. September 2, 1878, he was elected
justice of the peace for North Township, and re-
elected in 1880 for another term, having been an
able and efficient officer. In politics he is a Re-
publican, but was formerly a Democrat. He owns
200 acres of land, having given forty to his sou,
William, who was recently married. Winsted post-
olfice was established at Mr. Weaver's house July
1, 1888, he being appointed postmaster. When
he first located here the nearest postoffice was ten
miles on Martin's Creek, called Red Bank, and his
nearest neighbor two miles away. He and his
wife are members of the Missionary Baptist Church.
On this farm are traces of an ancient silver mine,
supposed to have been worked by the Spaniards.
J. M. Williams, proprietor and owner of Even-
ing Shade carding factory and saw and corn-mills,
was born in Sharp County, in 1858. His parents
were John W. and Margaret (^\■orley) Williams,
of North Carolina and Tennessee, respectively,
who were married in Tennessee, and came to what
is now Sharj) County, about the year 1854. where
they resided until the demise of the father, in
1871, and his wife, in 1888. Both were members
of the Baptist faith for many years. The elder
Williams fought in the Confederate army almost
from the beginning to the end of the war, and had
many a nari'ow escape from both death and the
enemy, although on one occasion he was severely
wounded, and at another time was captured. He
was a son of Joseph Williams, of North Carolina;
he was a member of the A. F. & A. M. , Evening
Shade Lodge. Michael Worley Deitch, the grand-
father of J. M. Williams, died in Tennessee, and
was a well known resident of that State. J. M.
^'
Williams is the fourth son of three sons and five
(lauf^hters. and did not receive much cdncation,
owing to limited school facilities. He began
farming for himself at the age of twenty years,
and continued in that occupation for three vears.
He then turned his attention to milling, a business
for which he seems to be especially adapted, and
has remained at it ever since. In August, 1879,
he was married to Sarah, daughter of Lewis
Graddy, but lost his wife in 18S4, and by this
marriage had two childi-en, one of them, a daugh-
ter, still living. In 1886 he was married to Mat-
tie, daughter of John W. and Emma Bristow,
natives of Boone County, Ark., who moved to
Sharp County after the war, where Mrs. Bristow
died. Four children were born to Mr. and Mrs.
Williams, of whom one daughter is still living.
Mr. Williams is a member of the A. F. & A. M.
(Evening Shade Lodge), and has been junior deacon
for two years, and is also a member of the Order
of Eastern Star. He is one of the most enterpris-
ing and popular citizens of Sharp County, and a
man who takes every opportunitj- to make that
county one of the most progressive in Arkansas.
Samuel Yates, farmer, of Union Township, six
miles north of Martin's Creek postoffice, was born
in East Tennessee, July 24, 1830; son of Nathaniel
and Margaret (Davie) Yates, both natives of Ten-
nessee, born in 1803 and 1805, respectively, where
they each died. Nathaniel Yates was a soldier in
the Revolutionary AVai\ Our subject was the
fourth of a family of seven children, live of whom
are now living. He was raised in Tennessee,
receiving his education in the common schools. In
1853 he married Miss Jane Davis, born in Ten-
nessee in 1829, the daughter of Benjamin and
Eleanor Davis, who both died in Tennessee. Mrs.
Davis is the mother of eight children, all liv-
ing: Eleandora (wife of C. C. Heaves), Mary M.
(wife of Robert Wood), Nancy C. (wife of Broad-
foot Wells), John, William (in Texas), Thomas
A., Benjamin N. and John S. In 1871 Samuel
Yates came to Independence County, Ark., re-
sided there till 1881, when he removed to Sharp
Coiinty, where he now lives. He has 160 acres of
land, about fifty of which arc under cultivation.
He is now serving his third term as justice of the
peace of riiioii Township, and gives good satis
faction. He is a Democrat in politics. 'S\v»
Yates is a member of the Baptist Church.
Lemuel A. Yeagor, a well known and j)ri)iiiiiient
farmer of Piuey Fork Township, was born in
White County, Tenn., in 1.S27. He is a son of
Solomon and Nancy (Dearing) Yeager, born in
East Tennessee and South Carolina, respectively,
and married in White County, Tenn., where they
resided until the year 1850, and then moved to
what is now Sharp County. Ark., the father dying
there in December, 188(5, and the mother several
years previous, both of them being members of the
Baptist faith. The elder Yeager was a farmer,
and for twelve years justice of the peace in \\'hite
County, Tenn. He was afterward elected county
and probate judge of Lawrence County, for two
years, and for six years in the same capacity at
Sharp County. He was a son of Solomon Yeager.
of Virginia, who fought in the Revolution, and
whose parents came originally from Germany to
this country. Lemuel A. Yeager' s grandfather,
John W. Dearing, was a South Carolinian, who
lived many years in White Coimty, Tenn., and
died in the northern part of Missouri. Lemuel
was the second child of two sons and one daughter,
and received a good common school edtication in
his youth. He was married, in 1840, to Louisa,
daughter of John and Elizabeth Hobinsou. of
Virginia and North Carolina, respectively, who
resided in White County, Tenn., when Mrs. Y^eager
was born. Nine children were the results of this
marriage, of whom eight are still living. In 1850
Mr. Yeager and his family moved to what is now
Sharp County, Ark., and, in 18(')1, settled on the
farm where he now resides. The land was but
very little improved at that period, and covered
with timber, but since then he has cleared sixty
acres, and put them under cultivation, and owns
altogether about 240 acres. In ISOS he was
elected sheriff of La\NTence County for four years,
but when Sharp County was brought in he refused
to move to Lawrence County, and resigned his
office after one year's service. In politics, he was
formerly a Whig, but is now a Republican.
762
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
Iflff'lSt XXI¥.
-^+-5-
Lawkence County— Period of Settlement— The Mound Builders— Boundary of the County-
Topography— Rivers OR Creeks— Timber, .Soil and Products— Minerals and Other
Uesources— Live Stock— Taxables— Population— Railroads— Legal Matters-
The Civil War— School Affairs— Church Strength— The County
Created — Its Officers, Buildings and Seat of Justice —
Political Statistics — 'J'owns and Villages —
Personal Notices.
On the overwork'd soil
Of this planet enjoyment is sharpen'd by toil;
And one seems, by the pain of ascending the height.
To have conquered a claim of that wonderful sight. — Meredith.
^I^AWRENCE COUNTY had
,/^v its pioneer settlements along
^i'' the water courses, and the
first location that can posi-
tfe 'j ti vely be mentioned was that
of 1812, though undoubt-
edly previous ones were
made. Prominent among the first
settlers were the McKnights, Taylors,
Finleys, Hillhouses, Richardsons, Ja-
cob Fortenberry, John Spotts, Sam-
uel Raney and the parents of Will-
iam J. Hudson,* who settled on Straw-
berry River; Col. William Stuart,
John Richie, James Kuykendall, Hi-
ram Darter, Isaac Morris and the
Way lands, on Flat Creek; Ferguson
Sloan, Booker Bennett, the Imbodens. Wyatts,the
Wellses, John Hardin, James Couch, William B.
Marshall, and a Mr. Berry, on Spring River. The
latter was shot and killed at his plow by an unknown
person soon after coming, and was among the first
» The Hudsons settled in 1813.
men murdered in the country. William B. Marshall
was an early politician, and served twenty years in
the legislature. Other early pioneers were the
Thornburgs, near Smithville, G. W. Jackson, near
Running Water, Col. John Miller, and Robert
Smith, who sold goods at Davidsonville, when that
was the countj' seat.
There was a French settlement on the east side
of Black River, at what is now Clover Bend, headed
by Peter Lamew, a Frenchman, and the tract
known as the Spanish Grant, on the same river, at
Lauratown. was settled by Charles Logan and
William Russell, assignees of John Baptiste Janis.
to whom the grant was confirmed. Henson Ken-
yon settled near this grant.
John S. Fickliu, the original owner of the site
at Powhatan, and also the Houghtons, Watsons,
Capts. T. J. Warner, and John A. Lindsey were
early residents near Black River. The eastern
part of the county was settled later than the west-
ern. All but one or two of those mentioned have
passed away. The names of many others are well
remembered. At first some suffering resulted from
-7i:
' >r
LAWRENCE COUNTY.
763
the want of bread, a few not bi'inn; able to obtain
grain, while those wiio had it were obliged to
pound it into meal with the pestle and mortar.
As soon as grain could be had and mills were con-
structed a new era of prosperity set in, for game
and wild honey were abundant and easily obtained,
and vegetables were grown without trouble.
An anecdote is told concerning the appearance
of the first steamboat that ascended Black River.
Having received notice of its arrival, the early set-
tlers— men, women and children — for miles around
assembled on Sunday at the site of Powhatan,
where it stopped at the landing. It was a great
curiosity, for onlj- a few of the pioneers had ever
seen such an invention. After viewing it for a
time from the banks, many of them boarded it.
Presently the engineer let off some steam, which
so frightened the "natives'" that all ran, a few
jumping into the water and making for the shore,
while others, upon reaching land, hid in the brush.
The boats now pass daily, but excite no wonder
or astonishment. Before the present transporta-
tion facilities peltry was shipped to Arkansas Post,
on "flats.''
Ancient mounds have been discovered on the
bottom lands on the Spanish Grant, at Lauratown,
on the east side of Black River, and on adjacent
lands, and also in the same locality on the west
side of the river. Other smaller mounds have been
fotmd on the bottom lands of Cooper's Creek, near
Smithville. A few of the former have been opened,
revealing the presence of pottery, lead, copper
images, Indian arrow-heads, etc. The paint on a
portion of the pottery is well preserved.
Lawrence County, situated in Northeast Arkan-
sas, is bounded north by Sharp, Randolph and
Greene Counties, east by Greene and Craighead,
south Ijy Craighead, Jackson and Independence,
and west by Sharp County, and contains an area of
some 582 square miles, of which only al)Out one-
sixth is improved.
Its boundary lines are as follows: Beginning at
the northwest corner of Township 18 north. Range
3 west; thence east to the northeast corner; thence
south to the middle of Spring River: thence down
the middle of Spring River with its meanders to
Black River; thence up the middle of Black River
to its first crossing, from the north, of the line di-
viding Townships 17 and 18; thence east on the
township line to the middle of Cache River, in
Range 3 east; thence down t\w middle of Cache
River to the lines dividing Townships 14 and 15
north; thence west on the township line to the line
dividing Ranges 3 and 4 west; thence north on the
range line to the place of beginning. The fifth
principal meridian of the public land surveys
passes through the county a little east of the center.
Cache River crosses the line between Townships
17 and 18 north, on the northern boundary of Sec-
tion 3, Township 17, Range 3 east, and flows thence
in a southwesterly direction on the county's eastern
boundary to its southeast corner, at or near the
southeast corner of Section 33, Township 15 north,
Range 2 east. Village Creek enters from the north
in Range 2 east, and flows in a southwesterly di-
rection, passing out in Range 1 west. Running
Water Creek enters the county from the north in
Range 1 east, and flows in a southwesterly course
through Range 2 west. Black River, a large and
beautiful stream — navigable for boats at all sea-
sons of the year — miikes its appearance fi-om the
north in the eastern [)art of Range 1 west, and pro-
ceeds in the same general direction as the streams
above named, flowing out in the western part of
Range 2 west. Spring River enters from the north,
about two miles east of the north we.st corner of tile
county, and flows in an eastern and southeastern
direction to its confluence with Black River at the
center of Section 15, Township 17 north. Range 1
west. So far as it flows through Ranges 1 and 2
west, it forms the boundary between Lawrence and
Randol[)h Counties. Strawberry River enters near
the middle of the western boundary line, and flows
southeasterly and empties into Black River a short
distance below the southern boundary of the county.
These streams and their tributaries famish ex-
cellent drainage.
The valley or bottom lands of Black River, ex
tending through the county a little west of the
center, vary in width from three to seven miles.
These lauds are [)artially subject to overflow early
in the spring, about once in three years, but the
t'
J^l
764
HISTOET OF ARKANSAS.
water always subsides in time for the raising of
crops. East of this valley the land is compara-
tively low and level, with alternate ridges or
slight elevations between the streams. Buncom
Ridge lies between Black River Valley and Run-
ning Water Creek, and extends from the north-
ern boundary of the county south to the line be-
tween Townships 15 and 16 north. Bramlett's
Ridge extends between Running Water and Vil-
lage Creeks. The western line of Black River
Valley is bordered with a bluil, averaging about
fifty feet high. This bluff extends from near the
northern boundary close to Spring and Black Riv-
ers down to Powhatan, then bears to the west-
ward and widens out the valley. The rock forma-
tion crops out along it from its northern extent to
a point several miles below Powhatan. West of
this bhifP are the table lands, becoming higher as
they increase in distance from the river. These
are traversed with the valleys of the smaller
streams. Iron, lead and zinc abound in this sec-
tion, and have been mined to a limited extent, but
no mining is now being done. Numerous springs
abound in that portion of country lying west of
Black River Valley, and on the table-lands well
water can be obtained at a depth of from forty to
eighty feet. East of Black River Valley water is
found at a depth of from fifteen to twenty-live
feet, and in all parts of the county good cisterns
can be constructed with but little expense.
The timber of the territory east of the St.
Louis, Iron Mountain & Southern Railroad con-
sists principally of post, white and willow oak,
with red oak interspersed. On Bramlett's Ridge
white and red oak, walnut, and sweet gum are the
most numerous. On Buncom Ridge white oak
and sweet gum prevail, with some black oak and
walnut interspersed. On Black River Valley the
principal growth is black and red oak, sweet gum,
elm, sycamore, cypress and tupelo. In the west-
ern part, on the table-lands, several varieties of
oak and black hickory are found, but of much
lighter growth than elsewhere in the county.
Many kinds of lesser value grow in all parts. Ex-
cellent saw and rail timber abounds in abundance.
A great variety of soils is peculiar to the coun-
ty, and nearly all is of good quality. None can
be found that does not produce well, with proper
cultivation. The soil of the valleys is mostly al-
luvial, and on the uplands is composed of vegeta-
ble mold, clay and sand, well adapted to the
growing of Indian corn, oats, wheat, cotton, the
tame grasses, clover, and all kinds of vegetables.
Fruits common in this latitude, especially peaches,
do well here. But little attention has as yet been
devoted to horticulture. A few individuals have
turned their attention to growing peaches for the
market, with excellent success.
Lumbering and farming constitute the principal
resources of the county at present. The former is
a great industry, and the supply of timber is suffi-
ciently abundant to last for many years. There
are twenty-three saw-mills, about twenty shingle-
mills, two spoke factories and three stave factories
in full operation, giving evidence of progress and
growth and advancing prosperity. Many hands
are employed in these mills, and the lumbering
business has become extensive.
In 1880, according to the census, there were
1,250 farms within the county, with 46,808 acres
of improved lands, fiom which the vegetable pro-
ductions for the year 1879 aggregated: Indian
corn, 522,720 bushels; oats, 40,851 bushels;
wheat, 18,662 bushels; hay, 414 tons; cotton,
j 6,480 bales; Irish potatoes, 3,809 bushels; sweet
potatoes, 3,145 bushels; tobacco, 4,600 pounds.
These figures show that corn and cotton were then,
as now, the staple products. There are about
twenty five cotton-gins, but only a few gi-ist mills
here. Watermelons are extensively raised and
shipped to Northern markets.
The census of 1880 also shows the presence of
2,574 horses; 1,008 mules and asses; 9,670 head
of neat cattle; 4,336 sheep, and 30,515 hogs.
By the assessment rolls of 1888 there were then
within the county 2,860 horses; 1,395 mules and
I asses; 14,113 head of neat cattle; 4,396 sheep, and
18,131 hogs.
I The real estate asssessment in 1880 was $631,
i 079, and of personal property $442,577, making
I $1,073,650, as the total assessed value of taxable
I property, on which total taxes charged amounted
^;
to |2(», 141.00. lu 1888 the roiil estate, iacluding
the railroads, was assessed at $1,671,839, and the
personal property at $948,628, a total of $2,620, -
467, and the total amount of taxes charged was
$41,478.62. These figures show that since 1880,
the taxable property has considerably more than
doubled, while the taxes have but little more than
doubled. The county has good public buildings,
is entirely out of debt, and its scrip is worth a
hundred cents on the dollar. The railroads, which
now constitute a considerable portion of its taxa-
ble wealth, were assessed in 1888 as follows:
St. Loais, Iron Mountain & Southern. .1278.140.00
Kansas City, Fort Scott & Memphis 252,763.00
Total 530,903.00
The county's rapid growth as shown by these
statistics, its vast resources, the great facilities for
the development of agriculture, horticulture, and
especially stock raising, where stock lives through
the year on the grasses and mast of the forest
without shelter; and where the climate is mild and
not subject to the extremes of heat and cold; where
churches and schools abound; and the shipping
facilities, both by rail and water, are excellent, and
the people are kind, moral and sociable, ought to
be sufficient inducements to turn the tide of emi-
gration to this country, instead of toward the cold
region of the West and Northwest — to Oklahoma
or elsewhere. Here the industrious cannot fail to
prosper.
The population of Lawrence County iu 1870,
after it was reduced to its present limits, was 5, 735
white and 246 colored, a total of 7,981. In 1880
it was 8,815 white and 467 colored, a total of
8,782. There is no manner of truly ascertaining
the exact present population, but the census takers
of 1890 will certainly find a wonderful increase
over that of 1880.
The St. Louis. Iron Mountain & Southern Rail-
road enters the county from the north, in the east-
ern part of Range 2 east, and runs in a south-
westerly direction, by way of Walnut Ridge, Hoxie
and Minturn, passing out near the middle of Range
1 west. Its length, within 'these boundaries, is
twenty three miles. The Kansas City, Fort Scott
& Memphis Railroad enters about four miles east
of the northwest corner, and runs in a southeast-
erly direction, by way of Ravenden, Imboden,
Black Rock, Portia, Hoxie and Sedgwick. Its
length, within the county, is thirty-one miles, mak
ing a total of fifty-four miles of railroad through
this immediate section.
The first term of the circuit court was held, as
provided in the act creating the county, at the
bouse of Solomon Hewit, on Spring River, and the
next session convened " at the new house of Rich-
ard Murphy, Esq., in Spring River Township."
After that it was held at Davidsonville, the place
selected for the seat of justice. This court, aside
from the juri.sdiction usually held by circuit courts,
exercised jurisdiction over all county and probate
business until 1829, when the county court was
organized. The terms of the circuit court now
convene at Powhatan in March and August, and
at W^alnut Ridge in March and September of each
year.
The county court was created tmder the Terri-
torial laws, in 1829, its first session having been
held in April, 1830. It then consisted of a judge
and .several justices of the peace as associates, and
remained thus composed until after 1836, when
the State was admitted into the Union. It then
comprised a judge and two associates, until 1873,
when a board of commissioners constituted the
court. During all of this period, after 1836, the
county court judge, presiding alone, held the pro-
bate court. Since the adoption of the constitution
of 1874, the county court has consisted of a single
judge, and he, by virtue of his office, is judge of
the probate court. The terms of the former are
held at Powhatan for the entire county, beginning
on the first Monday of January, April, July and
October, of each year, and of the probate court for
the Western district at Powhatan on the second
Mondays of the same months, and for the Easti-rn
district, at Walnut Ridge, on the third Moudiiys
of the same months.
The resident attorneys constituting the legal
bar of Lawrence County, are M. D. Ruber, R. P
Mack, Charles C. Rogers, John K. Gibson. Z. M.
Cypert and Charles Coffin. The latter two live at
Walnut Ridge, and the others at Powhatan.
766
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
There have been a few legal and some illegal
executions of criminals within the territory. Dur-
ing the early days of its existence, as originally
constituted, when courts and officers were few, the
old settlers often took the administration of justice
into their own hands, and for murder, raj^e, arson
and horse stealing, usually selected certain ones to
run down the perpetrators, who, when caught,
were brought back and hung without the use of a
court or jury. For lesser crimes offenders were
tied, stripped and flogged. Hanging and flogging
thus constituted the only modes of punishment in-
flicted by Judge Lynch and his associates. This
manner of acknowledging crime ceased generally
when the Territory was divided into several counties,
and courts and oflScers became more numerous.
However, only a few years ago, a mob composed
of iudividuals outside of the county, forcibly took
from the jail at Powhatan, a negro, incarcerated
therein on a charge of committing rape, and hanged
him. For capital crimes men have been legally
tried and sent to the penitentiary for long terms,
and a few, some half dozen, have been executed.
Two of the latter, however, were tried in this
county, on change of venue, from other counties.
Society is now well regulated, and property and
persons are preserved in safety.
The people of Lawrence County were originally
opposed to a separation of the States of the Fed-
eral Union, but when actual war came they were
found to be, with very few exceptions, in full sym-
pathy with the Southern cause. A few of the ' ' old-
line Whigs"' adhered to their Union sentiments
throughout the struggle, and were saved by the
efforts of their Southern, sympathizing neighbors
from punishment at the hands of Confederate sol-
diers. On the other hand, many adherents of the
South were saved by Union citizens from punish-
ment by Federal soldiers. Though opposed in sen-
timent there was no quarrel or fighting among
themselves. In 1860 this county, including all of
what is now Sharp, and about tweuty-tive square
miles afterward set off to Randolph, had a pop-
ulation of 10,000. Out of this number of peo-
ple not less than seventeen companies of soldiers
were recruited and organized for and served in
the Confederate army. After the Federal army
obtained possession of the country, and toward the
close of the war, a few individuals left here and
joined it. The tir.st company organized in the
county was that of Capt. Z. P. McAlexander, re-
cruited in the spring of 1861. Among the captains
and first commanders of other companies were the
following named: Robert Jones, T. J. Warner,
Dr. Andrew Balfour, William C. Sloan, W. G.
Matheny, James H. Herndon, Dr. John R. Wells,
Wiley Jones, James C. Holmes, Mr. Wann, James
M. Phelps, Charles A. Stewart and John A. Lind-
say, besides others.
While the Federal army under Gen. Curtis had
possession of this part of Arkansas, in the summer
of 1862, a post was maintained about three months
at Smithville. Meanwhile Confederate forces
scoured the country, keejiing watch and reporting
the movements of their enemies. Two slight skir-
mishes, in which a few were killed and wounded,
took place between the opposing forces within the
county, one about four miles west of Smithville,
and the other a mile and a half north of Powhat-
an. No property was burned by either army, but
both passed and re-passed, and camped here so
constantly during the war period, that provisions
were all consumed, and citizens left in a destitute
and suffering condition.
As was the case with nearly if not all the coun-
ties mentioned in this work, the educational facilities
of Lawrence County were very meager prior to the
inauguration of the free school system. Statistics
at hand show that, in 1881, the scholastic popula-
tion consisted of 2.935 white, and 168 colored
children, and that of these only 1,450, less than
one-half, were taught in the public schools. There
were then twenty- one male and five female teachers
employed, and the amount expended for the sup-
jiort of the schools for the year ending June 30,
1881, was $5,573.90. The report of the State
siiperintendent of public instruction for the year
ending June 30, 1888, shows that the scholastic
population consisted of 3,950 white, and 303 col-
ored children, and that of these 2,353 white, and
198 colored, much more than one-half, were taught
in the public schools; that there were forty-four
^7
-^p
LAWRENCE COUNTY.
7(57
male and eight female teachers employed, and that
the amount expended for the support of the schools
during the year was 115,319. Sfi. The same report
shows that the average monthlj' salaries which were
paid teachers were as follows : First grade — males,
$42.20; females, $35.50. Second grade— males,
$33.83; females, $30.18. Third grade-males,
$32.54; females, none. A much better class of
teachers than formerly are now being employed.
The free school system has to a great extent out-
grown the prejudice formerly existing against it,
and it is now becoming popular, and is better and
better sustained as the years go by. At this writ-
ing there are fifty-two school districts, and fifty-
five white and three colored schools within the
county.
The Methodists and Baptists organized the pio-
neer Christian societies of the county, followed at
a later date by other denominations.
The Methodist E])iscopal Church, South, is now
the strongest here, and its various organizations be-
long to the Newport district of White River confer-
ence, of which Rev. F. E. Taylor is presiding elder.
Powhatan and Walnut Ridge constitute a station,
with a membership of about 100, and of which
Rev. G. W. Smith is the present pastor. Portia
circuit has about eight appointments or preaching
places, and a membership of nearly 135, with Rev.
•J. H. Anderson as pastor, ^^'aluut Ridge circuit
has several appointments in the eastern part of the
county, and a membership of about 300. Smith -
ville circuit has six appointments, and a member-
ship of 496, with Rev. W. T. Ready as pa.stor.
Hoxie mission includes Hoxie, Black Rock and
other points, with a large, scattering membership,
and with Rev, S. D. Evans as pastor.
Of the Missionary Baptist Church there are the
following church organizations: Pleasant Hill, on
Strawberry River; Bethany, on Ridge Creek; New
Hope, seven miles west of Powhatan; Clear Spring,
on Stinnett's Creek; Pleasant Grove, in the Flat
Woods near Spring River; Cross Roads, near Por-
tia: Stranger's Home and two or three others.
Some of them have a small and others a very large
membershi]).
Of the Free Will Baptist Church, three organ-
izations are within the county — Mt. Zion ami Har
mony, on Caney Creek, and Jerusalem, on Ridge
Creek, with an average membership of alwut fifty
each. Elders G. W. Hassell and C. L. Sneed are
pastors.
Lebanon Church, seven miles southwest of
Powhatan, the oldest society of the Presbyterian
Church here, was organized in 1852, by Rev. Sam-
uel J. Baird. It has a very small membership.
Powhatan was first organized in the year 1807. and
in 1875 it was re-organized by Rev. Thomas U.
Welch, of Little Rock. It has a membership of
fourteen. Walnut Ridge Presbyterian Church was
organized in 1870 or 1877, also by Rev. Welch.
The present pastor is Rev. Isaac J. Long, of Bates-
ville, president of Arkansas College, who preaches
there twice a month. Black Rock Presltyterian
Church was organized in December, 1888, by Rev.
R. B. Willis, evangelist of Arkansas Presbytery,
with seventeen original members. Rev. W. S.
Baker, a licentiate, during his vacation from the
'< Theological Seminary, is preaching at Powhatan,
Black Rock and Lel)anon.
Of the Christian denomination three organiza-
tions are worthy of mention: New Prospect, on
Steep Bank Creek, one at Opposition, and one
at Portia. Nearly all the church organizations
throughout this vicinity maintain Sunday-schools,
having also regular preaching, and do good work
in the moral vineyard. The settled portions of
the county are well supplied with churches and
schools.
The county of Lawrence was organized in ac
cordauce with an act of the legislature of the Ter-
ritory of Missouri, approved January 15. 1815, by
Gov. William Clark. It was named in honor of
Capt. Lawrence, who distinguished him.self in the
United States navy during the War of 1812-15.
[ At this time the whole of what is now .Vrkansas was
I a part of the Missouri Territory, and this county
was carved out of the original subdivision known
as New Madrid, and was de.soribed as follows:
" Beginning at the mouth of Little Red River, on
the line dividing said county [New Madrid] from
the County of .Vrkansas; thence with said line to
the River St. Francis; thence up the River St.
A J
768
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
Francis to the division liue between the counties of
Cape Girardeau and New Madrid; thence with
said last-mentioned line to the western boundary
line of the Osage purchase; thence with the last-
mentioned line to the northern boundary of the
county of Arkansas; thence with the last-mentioned
line to the place of beginning," By a careful
study of the above it will be seen that Lawrence
county originally comprised a large portion of
Southeast Missouri and of Northeast Arkansas —
enough territory to make a State. Since then,
from time to time, other counties have been formed
out of this, until it has been cut down to its pres-
ent limits. By an act of the legislature, approved
March 26, 1887, two judicial districts were formed,
— the Eastern and the Western — with Black River
as the dividing line between them; and Walnut
Ridge was made the seat of justice for the Eastern
district.
The act creating the county provided that the
first county court and circuit court to be holden for
said county should be held at the house of Solo-
mon Hewit, on Spring River. Later, at the Oc-
tober term, 1815, Louis De Munn, William Robin-
son, William Hix, Sr., Morris Moore, Solomon
Hewit, Andrew Criswell and Isaac Kelley, commis-
sioners appointed to select the permanent seat of
justice for the county, or a majority of them, re-
ported to the county court that they had fixed the
permanent seat of justice on Big Black River, near
the mouth of Spring River, and purchased the
town site fi'om their several owners, for the sum of
$255. Soon after a town was laid out on the site
selected, and named Davidsonville. At this place
the county seat remained until 1829, when it was
removed to Jackson in what is now Randolph
County. No vestige of Davidsonville at this
time can be found. May 22, 1837, David Orr,
Alexander Smith and William Thompson, commis-
sioners previously appointed to select a new site
for the seat of justice, reported that they had lo-
cated the county seat on fifty acres of land in Sec-
tion 33, Township 17 north, Range 8 west, donated,
by James H. Benson tor the purpose. To this
place, where a town was laid out and named Smith-
ville, the county seat was immediately removed.
and remained there until 1868, when, in accord-
ance with the act of the legislature creating Sharp
County, it was removed to Clover Bend, on Black
River, six miles south of Powhatan. Afterward
the question of removing the seat of justice to the
town of Powhatan, was submitted to the voters of
the county, at an election held November 15, 1869,
on which occasion 207 votes were cast in favor of
the removal, and only six against it. In accord-
ance with this decision of the people, the records
were taken to Powhatan, which became the final
and permanent seat of justice.
At all the former county seats, excepting Clover
Bend, but ordinary public buildings were used.
In 1873 the first court-house at Powhatan, a large
two-story brick structure, with offices below and
court-room above, was completed by Thornton &
Jones, of Little Rock, at a cost of between $16,-
000 and $17,000. It was destroyed by fire in the
month of March, 1885, supposed to have been the
work of an incendiary. The records, however,
which were in a vault that had been attached to
the building after its original construction, were
saved in good condition. The present court-house
was constructed in 1888, by the contractors. Boon
& McGinnis, at a cost, including the pay of the
commissioner, J. P. Coffin, and the removal of the
debris of the old building, of about $12,000. It
stands on the site of the former building, and is a
handsome modern two-story brick structure, on a
! rock foundation, with fine offices and fire-proof
vaults below and the court and other rooms above.
The jail, near the court-house, is a substantial stone
house, containing iron cells. When the county
was divided into judicial districts, a two-story
frame court-house, with the clerk's office and two
jury rooms on the first floor and the court-room on
the second, was erected at Walnut Ridge, at the
expense of the citizens of that district. The coun-
ty offices authorized to be held there are managed
by deputies.
The following is a list of the county officers of
Lawrence County as compiled from the report of
the secretary of State, showing also the time served
by each.
Judges: James Campbell, 1829-32; T. S.
Drew, 1832-33; Joha Hardin, 1833-40; J. G.
Floyd, 1840-44; J. Ficklin, 1844-46; A. H.
Nunn, 1846-50; Johu Milligiin, 1850-52; G. Mc-
Gehey, 1852-56; W. G. Smith, 1856-58; George
McGehey, 1858-60; G. S. Wainright, 1860-62; G.
McGehey, 1862-64; Solomou Yeager, 1864-66; G.
McGehey, 1866-68; Josiah Dent, 1868-72; com-
missioners, 1872-74; J. N. Hillhouse, 1874-76; ■
David Wagster, 1876-78; Alex. Jackson, 1878-84;
W. A. Townsend, 1884-86; David G. Smith,
1886-88; W. A. Towusend, present incumbent,
elected in 1888.
Glerks: Lewis DeMunn, 1815-19; R. Searcy,
1819-21; H. Sanford, 1821-25; R. Richardson,
1825-27; H. R. Hynson, 1827-29; D. W. Lowe,
1829-38; J. S. Brown, 1838-42; J. B. Wilmeth,
1842-46; A. Hammond, 1846-48; L. B. Toney,
1848-50; N. G. Steadman, 1850-53; J. N. Hill-
house, 1853-58; Z. P. McAlexander, 1858-60;
A. Lowe, 1860-64; H. W. Harlow, 1864-66; A. j
Lowe, 1866-68; J. H. Snj^der, 1868-72; William
McBride, 1872-73; J. P. Goffin, 1873-88; Glay
Sloan, present incumbent, elected in 1888.
Sheriffs: Joseph Hardin, 1819-25; J. M. Kuy-
keudall, 1825-36. T. McGarroU, 1836-44; L.
Toney, 1844-40; L. B. Poer, 1846-50; G. C. ,
Straughan, 1850-54: W. J. Hudson, 1854-56; T.
G. Steadman, 1856-60; J. D. Wyatt, 1860-62;
B. F. Matthews, 1862-66: J. H. W. Gampbell,
1866-68; J. B. Judkins, 1868-72; AV. G. Was-
son, 1872-78; W. A. Townsend, 1878-80; John
Darter, 1880-86; C. A. Stuart, present incumbent, i
first elected in 1886.
Treasurers: G. T. Stewart, 1836-40; J. B,
Wilmeth, 1840-42; Henry King, 1842-44; F. B
Wilmeth, 1844-46; G. G. Straughan, 1846-50
Edward Holt, 1850-56; James McGarroll, 1850-62
L. W. Robertson, 1862-64; E. Taylor, 1864-66
Edward Holt, 1866-68; Samuel Sharp, 1868-72
J. N. Gampbell, 1872-78; W. Ghilders, 1878-82
M. D. Hudson, 1882-88; J. N. Gampbell, present
incumbent, elected in 1888.
Surveyors: John Rodney, 1827-30; J. M.
Cooper, 1830-35; N. W. Grawford, 1835-36; T.
Johnson, 1836-38; John Kidd, 1838-40; L. B.
Lang. 1840-42; G. Durham, 1842-46; T. John-
son. 1846-52; J. T. Perkins. 1852-54; T. John
son, 1854-56; Alfred Gay, 1856-60; J. Pattun,
1860-62; T. Johnson, 1802-64; Alfred Gay,
1864-66; T. B. Goforth, 1866-68; H. L. Roberts,
1868-71; J. P. Goffin, 1871-72; G. Matthews,
1872-74; I. T. Morris, 1874-76; Johu Darter,
1876-80; W. Brannon, 1880-86; M. H. Ageo,
1886-88; William Matthews, present incumbent,
elected in 1888.
Assessors: G. W. Wright. 1862-64; B. F.
Matthews, 1864-66; Alfred Gay, 1866-68; J. W.
Houghton, 1868-70; S. G. Sharp, 1870-72; J.
B. Judkins, 1872-74; G. G. Dent, 1874, to Feb-
ruary, 1876; M. D. Hudson, from February, 1876;
W. A. Townsend, 1876-78; E. A. Vinson, 1878-
80; T. J. Moore, 1880-82; James H. Doyle,
1886-88. J. H. Moseley, 1882-84; Samuel A.
Harris, 1884-86; J. N. Ghilders, present incum-
bent, elected in 1888.
Representatives in constitutional conventions:
1836, Robert Smith, Thomas S. Drew. David W.
Lowe and Henry Slavens; 1861, M. D. Baber and
S. Robinson; 1864, none; 1868. Bouldin Duvall;
1874, Philip K. Lester.
The political aspect of the county can be
readily be ascertained by reference to the number
of votes cast at the November election in 1888, for
the candidates for the presidency and for congress-
men. For president: Cleveland (Dem.), 1,416; Har-
rison (Rep. ), 427; Streoter (U. L. ). 1 54 ; Fisk (Pro. ).
10. For Congress: W. H. Gate {Dem.), 1,292; L.
P. Featherstone (combined opposition), 690. At
the State election held in Se]>teml)er, 1888, James
P. Eagle, Democratic candidate for governor, re-
ceived 1,503 votes, andC. M. Norwood, opposition
candidate for the same office, received 762 vdtes.
Alicia, a town on the Iron Mountain Railroad,
near the southern boundary of the county, con-
tains three general stores, a sawmill, cotton-gin,
church, school house and a number of dwclliiii.'
houses.
Black Rook, on the western side of liluck
River, where the Kansas City. Fort Scott A; Mem-
phis Railroad crosses the same, comi)rises five gen-
eral, eight grocery, two drug, one liardware nud
one millinery stores: live hutels. .several lioardiiig
770
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
houses, two meat markets, one wholesale flour store,
a bakery and restaurant, ten saw-mills (seven of
which have shingle mills attached), one separate
shingle mill, one planing mill, one lumber drying
kiln, one heating factory, one lath mill, a wagon
felloe factory, one undertaker's store, several
mechanics' shops, a stone quarry, a weekly news-
paper, a school -house, two churches (Methodist and
Presbyterian), and a population of about 1,000.
It is also the headquarters for three steamboats, the
"George W. Decker," the "Hope" and the "St.
Augustine." The latter makes daily round trips
between Black Rock and Pocahontas. The Bowlder
Publishing Company, of Black Rock, publish a
stanch Republican paper of seven columns, issued
weekly, which was first organized August 24, 1888,
and edited by J. G. Cash, as a Democratic paper.
It was purchased by the above company February
2, 1889, and is the only paper published in Black
Rock. It is a fearless critic on every course of
human events, and each issue is replete with in-
teresting matter. George Dent is editor.
Black River and its tributaries above Black
Rock, aggregate a thousand miles of waterways,
through a well timbered country, uncrossed by a
railroad. The outlet for the timber of this vast
section is through Black Rock, by way of Black
River and the Kansas City, Fort Scott & Memphis
Railroad. The town was incorporated October 7,
1884. It has all been built since the completion
of this railroad.
Clover Bend, a 2,000-acre plantation on Black
River, eight miles below Black Rock, with 1,300
acres in cotton at this writing, has a supply store,
saw and grist-mill, cotton-gin, church, school-
house and a few dwellings.
Dosy is a postoffice four miles southeast of
Clover Bend.
Egypt, a postoffice, is six miles southeast of
Minturn.
Hoxie, at the crossing of the St. Louis, Iron
Mountain & Southern, with the Kansas City, Fort
Scott & Memphis Railroads, contains a general
store, several groceries and restaurants, four hotels,
a church and a school house and some dwellings.
Imboden. on the Kansas City, Fort Scott &
Memphis Railroads, eight miles northwest of Black
Rock, includes three general stores, two groceries,
two saloons, a hotel, livery stable, school-house,
church, and dwellings.
Lindsay is a postoffice on the railroad, four miles
southwest of Hoxie.
Minturn is also on the railroad, six miles south-
west of Hoxie; two general stores, a hotel, cotton-
gin, church, school-house, etc., are here.
Opposition is a postoffice in the northwest part
of the county.
Parsonville, five miles east of Minturn, is but a
postoffice.
Portia, a railroad village, two miles southeast
of Black Rock, supports three general stores, two
groceries, a drug store, two saw-mills, a church,
school-house and dwellings.
Powhatan, the county seat, on the western
bank of Black River, two miles below Black Rock,
proves a profitable center for four general stores,
one grocery, one drug store, a spoke factory,
blacksmith and wagon shop, two hotels, two
churches — Methodist and Presbyterian — a school -
house, livery stable, the county buildings, a ferry
across the river, and about 250 inhabitants. It is
a very old town, the site of which was settled by
John Ficklin, and its location is a most pleasant
one.
Ravenden, on the Kansas City, Fort Scott &
Memphis Railroad, five miles northwest of Imbo-
den, contains three general stores, a hotel, church,
school -house, etc.
Sedgwick, on the same railroad, at the eastern
boundary of the county, consists of a saw mill,
store, grocery, school-house and a few dwellings.
Smithville, for many years the county seat, sit-
uated ten miles west of Powhatan, has four gen-
eral stores, a drug store, hotel, livery stable, and
about 350 inhabitants.
Stranger's Home, a store and postoffice, is seven
miles southeast of Clover Bend.
Strawberry is a village of log houses on Straw-
berry River, containing two general stores, a school-
house, church, etc.
! Taylor includes only a store and postoffice on
Strawberry River.
7^
LAWKENCE COUNTY.
'1^,
Walnut Ridge, ou the Iron Mouutaiu Eaih-oad,
one and a half miles north of Hoxie, the seat of
justice for the Eastern district, contains seven gen-
eral stores, four groceries, a bakery, meat market,
three hotels, two livery stables, a cotton-gin and
grist-mill, two churches, a school- house, the court-
house, a weekly newspaper, and its complement of
dwelling houses. In size it is the second town in
the county. The Telephone, now nearing the
completion of its third volume, is a neat and well-
edited Democratic newspaper, published there by
its proprietor, George Thornburg. It ably sup-
ports the interests of the community.
All of these places are supplied with a post-
office, and those located on the railroads have
depots. A proportionate number of physicians
are found, besides notaries public, insurance and
other agents,
Bonita Springs is a noted summer resort, one
mile west of Black Rock, where there are mineral
springs and a hotel. Lodges of Masons, Odd
Fellows, Knights of Labor, Wheelers and other
orders, exists at various places throughout the
coimtv.
Jacob S. Allison, a farmer and stock raiser
whom Lawrence County can feel proud to claim as
a citizen, was born in Burke County, N.C., Novem-
ber 12, 1837. He is a son of Bird and Elizabeth
(Davis) Allison, of the same State. The elder
Allison was a farmer in North Carolina, until the
year 1 859, when he moved to Cocke County, Tenn. ,
and from there to Alabama, where he now resides
with his wife, very near the age of one hundred
years. Jacob remained with his parents in North
Carolina, until he gi'ew to manhood, and then started
in life on his own account. In 1861 he enlisted in
the Twenty second North Carolina Infantry, and
served in that company until the close of the war.
He took i)art in the liattles around Richmond, at
Manassas, Chancellorsville, the seven days' l)attle,
in the Wilderness, the fights and siege at Peters-
burg, Cedar Creek, and others, besides twenty or
more skirmishes. He was wounded twice, through
the .shoulder, at Shepherdstown, by v^'" l"i11«. and
had one finger shot off. His service for the cause
was brilliant, and there are few that are superior.
After receiving his discliarge he returned to the
State of Tennessee, where he remained up to 1871,
when he moved to Arkansas and located at Clover
Bend. He first bought some land near Stranger' s
Home, and has since then added to it on different
occasions, until now he owns about 1,400 acres of
rich bottom land, with about 200 acres under cul-
tivation. He has ten houses altogether on his
land, eight of them being on the home farm.
When Mr. Allison first came to Lawrence County,
all he possessed was $90 cash, and two beds, and
was in debt to the extent of SI 00, which he has
since paid. He now owns a fine farm, and is con-
sidered to be one of the most substantial men in
Lawrence County. He was married, in 1809,' to
Miss Sallie Store}', of Tennessee, a daughter of
William Storey, and has had seven children by his
marriage: William, Clara, Rose, Pearl, Lizzie,
Robert Lee and Zola. Mr. Allison is a Master
Mason, and he and Mrs. Allison are both members
of the Eastern Star Chapter.
Sidney W. Andrews, of Sexton & Andrews,
druggists, was born in Jefferson County, 111., Jan-
uary 12, 1855, and is a son of Seymour Andrews
and Martha C. (Hendricksou) Andrews, now resid-
ing in Centralia, 111. The parents had ten chil-
dren born to them, five of whom are still living.
S. \V. Andrews being the only one in Arkansa.s,
however. Mr. Andrews was reared in Centralia,
and received a common school education. In the
year 1871 he learned telegraphy, in Centralia. 111.,
and accepted a situation as telegraph operator at
Georgetown, 111. Soon thereafter he emigrated to
Arkansas, and in 1S74 entered the emi>l(>y of the
St. Louis, Iron Mountain &; Southern Railway
Company as agent and operator at Bradford, re
maining in their service at Bradford and Walnut
Ridge until January, INH7, when Le formed a
partnership with Joseph K. Sexton in the drug
traile, and has had fair success. He is a Mason,
and a member of the Knights and Ladies of Honor,
also of the Methodist Epi.scopal Church, South,
and is treasurer of the town. He was united in
we.llock to Mrs. Belle E. (Haney) Matthews. May
A
772
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
3, 1883, and has had two children: Sidney Mills,
born March 7, 1884, died with whoojjing cough
August 16, 1884; Alonzo Bertrand, born October
29, 1885, died with membraneous croup August '24,
1889. His wife is also a member of the Methodist
Episcopal Church, South.
Joseph Bagley (deceased) was born in Bed-
ford, Penn. , February 2'S, 1802, and is the son of
Samuel Bagley, a native of Scotland (who came to
the State of Pennsylvania at a very early day), and
Martha (Bentle) Bagley. He was reared in the
neighborhood of Bedford, or Bedford Springs,
Penn., and in his younger days drove a hack, and
did considerable freighting between Philadelphia
and the above named places. When between the
age of twenty one and twenty-two he enlisted in
the United States regular army for five years, and,
on one occasion, was sent with his company up the
Missouri River, as far as the mouth of the Yellow-
stone. After his five years' service was up he
was discharged from the army, at Jefferson Bar-
racks, and came to Illinois, where he resided one
year. From there he traveled down the Missis-
sippi to Jacksonport, Ark. , about the year 1829 or
1830, and was there married to Miss Annie Gibson,
of Lawrence County, daughter of Jacob Gibson.
Within a short time after his marriage he moved
to this section, and commenced farming, until his
death, April 0, 1872, at the age of seventy years.
His grave is on Col. Ponder" s farm, at Old Walnut
Ridge. He was among the early settlers of this
section, and lived, until his death, about live miles
northwest of Walnut Ridge. He and wife were
the parents of nine children, only two of whom are
yet living, Lavira, the wife of Thomas C. Hennes-
see, and Isam J., both residents of Campbell
Township. Isam J. was reared on the homestead
farm, and was born December 18, 1847. He led
a placid life on the farm, with nothing eventful oc-
cuj'ring to disturb the serenity of his existence un-
til March, 1864, when he enlisted in Company F,
Thirteenth Missouri Cavalry, and was a gallant
soldier through the remainder of the war. He was
married to Miss Elizabeth Sailing, of Crawford
County, Ark., and out of nine children has five
still living: Estella, Charles, John, Alfred and
Edward. Mr. Bagley fir.st rented his land for
three or four years, near Walnut Ridge, and then
bought 120 acres north of tliat town. Since then
he has added to it, and now owns 460 acres. He
also operates a cotton-gin upon the farm, and deals
very largely in stock. He is a member of the Ma-
sonic fi'aternity, and in politics a Democrat, hold-
ing the office of justice of the peace for one term.
William W. Baley, farmer and cotton ginner,
was born in McNairy County, Tenn., in the year
1835. His parents were Benjamin and Nancy
(Holman) Baley, of North Carolina, who had set-
tled in Tennessee with their parents when children.
Later in life they married and moved to Hender-
son County, remaining there until the war eom-
! menced, when they transferred their home to Bal-
I lard County, Ky., where the father died in 1867, at
the age of seventy-four years. After his death the
mother came to Arkansas with one of her sons and
a daughter, and settled in Searcy County, where
she died in 1870, aged sixty-eight years. She was a
member of the Missionary Baptist Church, in which
: she had been an earnest worker all her life. Mr. Ba-
( ley is the oldest of five childi'en yet living. Seven
were born to his parents, but two of them have died.
He was reared in Tennessee, and commenced farm-
ing for himself in Henderson County in the year
1855, where he remained until 1862, when the call
to arms was issued, and on June 17 of that year
he enlisted in Company K, of the Seventh Kansas
Cavalry, and served three years and two months.
He was in the foremost ranks of every battle in
[ which the Seventh Kansas was engaged, and can
recount some of the narrowest escapes a soldier
ever had in time of war. Twenty-eight different
times he was shot through the clothes he wore, the
bullets not even scratching his skin, and on four
occasions had the horse he rode shot from under
him. His service through the war was honorable
and brave, and the lustre of his valor can never be
tarnished by time. He received his discharge from
the army in November, 1864, at St. Louis, Mo. , and
joined his family in Kentucky. Five years later
he moved to Thomasville, Mo., and from thence to
Arkansas, coming here in 1870, and locating on Big
Creek, in this county. He came to his present
home iu 1872, which, at that time, was but veiy lit-
tle improved. Since then a great change has taken
place in the condition of the land. He owns 100
acres, 125 acres of which are under cultivation.
He also has a cotton-gin set up on his place and in
1888 ginned 312 bales of cotton. Mr. Baley's wife
was formerly Miss Jane C. Wadey, of Tennessee,
born in 1829. They have a family of four chil- |
dren living: Richard M., Mary E., John G., Rob-
ert L. Mary E. is the wife of William B. Doyle,
and the others are all married except the youngest.
They have lost two children — Sarah Ann and
Jeanette E. Mr. Baley and wife are members of
the Christian Church, and the former of Dry Creek
Masonic Lodge No. 453. In politics he is a Re-
publican.
"William J. Ball, retired merchant and farmer,
was born near Murfreesboro, Rutherford County,
Tenn., September 13, 1825. He is a son of W.
T. Ball, an Englishman, and a native of Worcester-
shire, whose histories and adventures would till a
volume. The elder Ball was a soldier in the Eng-
lish army, and fought under the famous Welling-
ton. He took jjart in seven battles against the
great Napoleon, and fought under Blucher on the
memorable field of Waterloo. He was a member
of the British army at the battle of New Orleans,
but the principles of liberty were so strongly in-
stilled in his mind that he found it impossible to
fight against them, and deserted the ranks to join
the younger nation in its struggle against the mother
country. After the war had ended, he came to the
State of Tennessee and settled in Rutherford Coun
ty, where he was married to Miss Jane Jordan, a
native of that State, whose father was one of its
pioneers. He resided in Rutherford County, one
mile from Murfreesboro, up to the year 1835, when
he moved to Bradley's Creek, of the same county,
and lived there till 1851, then selling out and mov-
ing to (Jibson County, where he lived until 1867.
He then moved back to Rutherford County, where
he died in 1873. W. J. Ball remained with his
father in Rutherford County until his eighteenth
year, and then received the contract for carrying
the mails by stage coach through that section until
the fall of 1858. He then moved to Lawrence
County, Ark., and l)i>nght a farm in Spring River
Township for farming purposes, but shortly after-
ward entered into l>usiiiess at I'owhataii. and was
a dealer in general merchandise up to the time of
war, and during that period had charge of a dis-
tillery, on Martin's Creek, for the government. In
January. 1860, he moved to Gibson County,
Tenn., more for the purpose of giving his children
the advantages of a good schooling than anytliing
else, but while there, engaged in the general nier
chandise business. At the expiration of a year hi-
returned to Lawrence County, and settled upon
the place he now occupies, and liegan selling goods.
He had been an active business man up to the year
1886, when he turned the business over to his son.
who continues at it with the same enterprise that
characterized his father. In 1868 Mr. Ball was
appointed postmaster at Opposition, and still has
charge of the office. He owns 320 acres of land
on his home place, with about 180 acres cleared,
and has eighty acres in clover and meadow, and
about 10(1 acres iinder cultivation. .Mr. Ball was
married on September 13, 1846. to Miss Mary
Crouse, of Rutherford County. Tenn., a daughter
of Harmon G. Crouse. There are five children
living by this marriage: George W.; Samuel H. .
Joseph, now carrying on the business here; Eliza-
beth, wife of Joseph Hallowell; Hattie, wife of F.
M. Graves, and William T. and John, who are
deceased, the former in 1882 and the latter in 18SSt.
Mr. Ball and his family are all members of the
Christian Church, of which he is clerk, and he is
also a Royal Arch Mason.
Sam. H. Ball, a prominent merchant of Rav
enden, Lawrence County, was born in Rutherford
County, Tenn., in November, 1850. and is a son
of William J. Ball, whose adventurous career has
been jiortrayed in the sketch preceding this.
Mr. Ball remained with his father in his store
luitil he reached his twenty eighth year. He then
established a store for himself in 1S7U, at Ojipo.si
tion, Ark., and carried on a profitable business up
to the year 1882. In 1883 he moved to Raven-
den, built a magnificent residence and a large,
commodious store, and put iu a large st<K'k of
merchandise, where he has lieen liolding forth
Aj!
774
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
ever since. His store is two stories in height,
the upper story being devoted to furniture, under-
takers' goods, clothing, etc. ; the lower, dry goods,
boots and shoes, groceries and general planta-
tion supplies. He handles both cotton and stock
to a great extent, and altogether does a business
of $35,000 to $40,000 annually. He is also inter-
ested in a large cotton-gin, and besides owns two
large farms, situated on Spring River, one in
Lawrence and the other in Randolph County,
being a farmer as well as a successful merchant.
The third business house opened in Ravenden,
after the location of the Kansas City, Springfield
& Memphis Railroad, was by Mr. Ball, and he is
the leading man of the place. In November, 1878,
he was married to Mrs. Margaret Williford, of Ran-
dolph County, a charming widow. Since then
five children have been added to the family: Cleo,
Luther, Marvin, Ernest and Lillian. Both Mr.
and Mrs. Ball are consistent members of the Chris-
tian Church. The former is a Democrat politi-
cally, a Mason and a member of Ravenden Lodge
No. 451, of which he is Junior Warden.
Joseph M. Barlow, farmer and stock raiser,
came from Illinois to the State of Arkansas in the
fall of 1879. His occupation on his arrival was
simply farming until the year 1888, when he
moved to his present place, known as the Cross
Roads farm, which consists of 342 acres of land,
with about 140 acres under cultivation, and now
has a good frame residence, a cotton-gin, grist-
mill and blacksmith-shop, besides his interests in
stock raising. Mr. Barlow also owns a farm near
by, which he rents out. This place consists of 1 20
acres, of which forty acres are under cultivation, and
contains a fine orchard of about 100 peach and
apple trees, besides a great number of small fruits.
There are also a good frame and a log house on the
land, which is situated one mile southeast of Portia.
Mr. Barlow is a son of John and Sinah (Finley)
Barlow, of Illinois, and was born in Montgomery
County, 111., July 14, 1841. His father died while
still a young man, in 1854, and he remained with
his mother until his nineteenth year, when he mar-
ried and commenced farming on his own account.
In the spring of 1861 he enlisted in the army and
served until expiration of enlistment, and in July,
1862, he once more enlisted, in the Third Illinois
Cavalry, and was discharged shortly afterward on
account of general disability contracted in service.
In June, 1864, he entered the army again for the
third time, and served until he was mustered out,
October 19, 1865. Mr. Barlow first entered the
ranks as a private, but soon afterward was promoted
to be a sergeant, and his record through the war
is one that can be placed among the best of that
period. He took part in the battles at Haines'
Bluff, Arkansas Post, and a hot scrimmage at
Memphis, in 1865. He was also in the campaign
against Hood at Nashville and in the fight at that
place. Mr. Barlow was married, November 17,
1859, to Miss Catherine Chapman, of Montgomery
County, 111. , who died in that locality in 1868. The
children by this wife are Dora A. , wife of John
Davenport, and a son, who lived until his seven-
teenth year. He was again married on February
18, 1869, to Mrs. Nancy L. Klutts, a widow lady,
of Montgomery County, and this union has given
them two children: ^inah J. and Clara E. Mr.
and Mrs. Barlow are both members of the Meth-
odist Episcopal Church, in which the former is
district steward, and Mr. Barlow is a member of
G. A. R., Lawrence Post No. 8, and is adjutant of
that post. He is also a ]\Iaster Mason and senior
deacon of his lodge, and belongs to the Knights
of Honor. In politics he is a Republican, and was
elected justice of the peace for his township, and
at the expiration of his term was elected county
coroner. At the end of that term he was nomi-
nated for county and probate judge by the Wheel,
and endorsed by the Republicans, as the latter
made no nominations. Mr. Barlow has adopted
Arkansas as his future residence, and expects to
live and die in Lawrence County.
Clark S. Beach, an extensive stock raiser,
farmer and fruit grower, of Lawrence County, was
born in Wayne County, Mich., on March 27, 1843.
His parents were Arctus and Esther (Gibbs) Beach,
of New York State, who moved to Michigan about
the year 1840, and settled at Detroit, where the
elder Beach's occupation was farming and dealing
in stock. He remained at that place for twelve
years, and then moved to St. Clair County, where
he continued his previous occupation and also kept
a hotel. His death occurred at the latter place in
1886, leaving a name that was widely known and
highly respected. C. S. Beach grew to manhood
in Wayne and St. Clair Counties, and remained
with his father until he had reached his twenty-
first year. April 8, 1805, he enlisted in the
Eighth Michigan Cavalry, and served until the
close of the war, taking a brave part in many en-
gagements and small skirmishes. He was mus-
tered out September 22, 1865, after the South had
been conquered and returned home and rented his
father's farm for eight years in St. Clair County.
He then bought a farm in that county, and went
to work upon it, and, after several years' labor, with
fair success, he sold out and moved to Arkansas,
locating in Lawrence County. He bought the land
upon which he now resides, in 1880, which con-
sisted of 200 acres, unimproved, and at the pres-
ent time has seventy-five acres cleared and under
cultivation. The land has a comfortal)le house
upon it, with out-buildings and all conveniences,
and a line orchard of about 600 trees of different
varieties. Mr. Beach was married in St. Clair
County, Mich., April 4, 1871, to Miss Hannah
M. Shears, a Canadian lady, and they now have
sis children : Sarah Esther, Mark A. , Henry H. ,
Emma L. , Mary A. and Eva E. Mrs. Beach is a
member of the Seven-Day Adventist Church, and
Mr. Beach belongs to Aurora Lodge No. 423, A.
F. & A. M. , at Walnut Ridge, being a Master
MasoD.
George B. Borah is a minister of the Gospel,
who has followed in the footsteps of his father
Chesterfield G. Borah, a physician of note and a
minister. Mr. Borah's father was born in Cald-
well County, Ky., in 1814, and by his earnest en-
deavors in that direction was made a professor of
religion when quite a young man. He found a
faithful partner in the per.son of Miss Samarimus
Perkins, also a native of his State, a young lady
well fitted to assist him in his chosen field of labor.
In 1845 Mr. Borah and his wife, seeking new
pastures for their work, came to Arkansas and
settled on Reed's Creek, in Lawrence County. He
preached the Gospel and practiced medicine until
death ended his labors in March, 1868. He was a
prominent man in his time and one who took an
active part in the affairs of his county. His wifo
still survives him and makes her home with Inn-
son, George B. Borah, the eldest of six children,
of whom two only lived to the age of maturity,
the other being Samarimus A., now the wife of N.
E. Judkins. When George B. Borah arrived at
the age of manhood he enrolled himself in the
ranks of the Confederate army under Gen. Price,
and took part in the raids through Mis.souri and
Kansas. During a lull in the war he was given a
sixty days' fm-lough to go home, and afterward
went to Jacksonport, where he surrendi-red June
5, 1865. He adopted the |)rofession of religion in
1874, and was ordained to preach in 1876. Since
then he has had charge of four churches, besides
assisting at others whenever his services were
called upon, and has been an indefatigable worker.
His efforts have been appreciated, and he is now
recognized as one of the ablest ministers in that
county, and is beloved by all with whom he comes
in contact. He was married in 1866 to Miss
Melissa Wayland, a daughter of Sisco Wayland,
one of the pioneers of Arkansas, and nine children
have blessed their union. Six of them are living:
Willie L., John N., Joseph H., Richard P., Flor-
ence and Mary Ethel. Those deceased are Samar-
imus M. , Josaphineaud Milton A. Mrs. Borah is a
valuable assistant to her husband in church work,
and a lady whose Christian influence is manife.sted
in many ways. Mr. Borah is a member of the A.
F. & A. M. He is the owner of eighty-five acres
of land under cultivation, besides considerable un-
improved lands in other sections.
George W. Brady, merchant and postmaster,
of Smithville, is a son of Jeremiah Brady, of North
Carolina, who came to Arkansas in his childhood,
with his father, James W. Brady, one of the pio-
neers of Lawrence County. Jeremiah Brady was
reared and grew to manhood in this county, where
he was also married to Miss Nancy MeCarrell, a
native of the same place, and where their sun.
George W., was born, October 8, 1858. Mr.
Brad)', the father, was a farmer and blacksmith.
-^ — \^
Ti%
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
and resided here until the war, when, tired with a
desire to battle for the cause of the Confederacy,
he left the peace and quiet of his family for the
turmoil and dangers of war. He died at Mul-
berry, Ark. . and previous to his death his faithful
wife had passed away, thus leaving George bereft
of both parents in quick succession. George W.
Brady received a good common school education in
his youth, and, after his school days were over,
entered into commercial life at Smithville, for two
years. He next made a trip to Texas, in 1876, and
remained about eighteen months in the Lone Star
State. On his return to Smithville he again occu-
pied a position in one of the business houses, and
in 1878. after obtaining a thorough knowledge of
commercial affairs, he established a business of his
own, which, by his enterprise and fair dealings,
has won for him a large patronage. Previous to
1885 Mr. Brady had been appointed deputy post-
master, but in that year he received his appoint-
ment as postmaster, and has held the office since
then. He was married September 7, 1871), to Miss
Lee L. Raney, a daughter of Morgan Raney, of
Lawrence County, and by this marriage has had
two children: J. Clarence and Claud Carter.
George W. Bridges is a son of John and Jane
T. Bridges, the former of whom was a native
of Missouri, and his mother a Virginian. He was
born in that portion of Lawrence County, now
known as Randolph, in 1856. His parents settled
in Arkansas when they were children, about the
year 1829, and were married when they reached
the age of maturity. They have always made
Lawrence County their home, where the father
died in 1858, at the age of thirty-eight years, with
the proud consciousness of having performed his
duty to his country, having been a survivor of the
Mexican War, through which he served with the
eulogium of his commanding officers upon his
bravery. The mother contracted a second mar-
riage with William Ferguson (now deceased), and
had one child by her second husband, who was a
captain in the Confederate army. Mr. Ferguson
died in June, 1865, shortly after he returned home
from the war. Mr. Bridges is the third child of
his parents, and was reared in Randolph and Sharp
Counties, returning to the former in 186it, where
he remained until February 28, 1888, and then
moved to his present place of abode. He has up-
ward of 100 acres of land under cultivation, and
has also turned his attention to cotton planting.
He was married to Miss Bettie A. Glenn, in 187'J,
a young lady of Ballard County, Ky. They have
had six children, one of them deceased. Those
living are: Charlie Emma, Mamie Ana, SallieH. ,
Andrew O. and George William. Mr. Bridges is a
member of the A. F. & A. M., of Ravenden, and is
a popular resident of Lawrence County. His wife
is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church,
South.
Thomas F. Buchanan, an enterprising farmer
and stock raiser, of Spring River Township, was
born in Lawrence County, Ark., November 14,
1854. He is the son of Thomas, and Eliza (Wei-
thy) Buchanan, of Missouri, who moved to Arkan-
sas after their marriage and settled in Lawrence
County, where the older Buchanan died in 1854, in
the prime and vigor of his manhood. Thomas F.
remained with his mother until he had attained his
maturity, and then commenced to take his own
part in the world. He has been farming the
greater portion of his life, and the experience
gained during that time has made him one of the
best farmers in his county. When still a young
man, he visited the city of Memphis, Tenn., with
a view of making it his future home, but after a
residence of fourteen months, he decided to come
back ty Lawrence Country, and has remained here
ever since. On August 20, 1876, he was married
to Miss Sarah Huffman, daughter of John Huff-
man, and two years after his marriage he bought
the tract of land upon which he now resides, and
commenced cultivating the soil. He now owns
120 acres, with about thirty-live acres cleared, and
has built a large double house upon it, besides
giving his attention to a small but well selected
orchard of two acres, with several different varie-
ties of fruit. Mr. Buchanan and his wife have
four daughters: Effie. Ruby, Ella and Orlana, and
all four of the girls are members of the Missionary
Baptist Church. He takes great interest in edu-
I cation and is a member of the school board.
LAWRENCE COUNTY.
[
Benjamin R. Bush, fanner and stock raiser, of
Lawrence County, was ))orn in Wilson County.
Tenn., February IIJ, 1838. His parents were S.
L. and Elizabeth (Tate) Bush, of the same State,
who iiuuiigrated to Arkansas in 1840, and settled
in Lawrence County, where the father practiced
medicine up to the time of his death, about the
year 18r)'2. He reared a family of three sons and
one daughter, all of whom lived until their matur-
ity. Benjamin R. remained with his mother until
his twentieth year, when he niarriod and purchased
a farm of his own. His bride was Miss Mary Orr,
a young lady who was reared in this county, who
proved a \isefnl helpmate and faithful wife. Mr.
Bush farmed on his land for several years, and
then bought more and added to it from time to
time, until he now owns about 400 acres of the best
laud in Arkansas, with 1 50 acres cleared, and all of
it situated four miles west of Minturn. There is a
good residence, two barns, two cribs, and all other
necessaries upon the land, besides a lino orchard of
three acres, with peach and apple trees. He had
almost nothing he could call his own when he first
started in life, and has accumulated his fine prop-
erty by shrewdness, good judgment and industry,
and has set a worthy example for others to follow.
In 1802 he enlisted in Col. Lindsay's company
(afterward C'ol. Baber's), and served one year.
He then joined Col. Reeves' regiment, and re-
mained with it until the close of the war, when he
surrendered, and was paroled June 5, 1865, at
Jacksonport. He took pait in the engagements at
Cane Hill, Ark., and Price's raids through Mis-
souri, also the fight at Pilot Knob, besides numer-
ous other sharp encounters, liearing himself in a
soldierly manner through the entire campaign.
Mr. Bush lost his first wife in 1880. and afterward
married Jfiss Ellen (iuthry. Five children were
bom to him by his first wife: Joseph W., George
R.. Sauford, Charles, and Mary Elizabeth, wife of
William McC'lure; also two children by his second
wife, who.se names are Clarence and Katie. Both
parents are members of the Methodist Episcopal
Chiirch. and Mr. Bush is a member of the K. of H.
and the Agricultural Wheel.
M. V. Camp, physician and surgeon of Walnut
Ridge, has been a resident of Northeast Arkansas
for the past twenty-one years. He was born in
Bibb County, Ala., June 11, 1830, and is the son
of James Camp, of South Carolina, who was one
of the first to manufacture the ore into wire in the
iron furnaces of Birmingham. Ala. He was mar
ried to Miss Mary Luoney. of South Carolina, wlio
died in Mississippi about the year 1870, aged
eighty years. Eight girls and four l)(jys were born
to them, four of them still living. Martin Van
Buren Camp was the youngest of this large family,
and was reared on a farm. He had bren given a
liberal education at the city of Birmingham, prin
cij)ally at "Old Elyton," and was the leader in
Greek and Latin in his class. After his college
days were over he embarked in the newspaper busi-
ness at Butler, Choctaw County, Ala., and bought
the plant of the Southern Democrat. This paper
he edited from 1837 to 1800. and hisal)ility pnshe.l
it to the fir.st place among the newspapers of Ala
bama. It was the second paper in that State to
advocate secession, and the Doctor still has cc)|)ies
of his first literary effort in his library at home.
In 1861 he enlisted in Capt. Maner's regiment,
and was created a sergeant (Mississippi troops) and
then under Col. (afterwards Maj.-Gen. ) Lowrv.
with whom he served three months. He afterward
organized a company of volunteers, with Dr. R. B.
Stephens, of Tupelo, Miss., of which he wits cap-
tain, while Dr. Stephens was made surgeon. The
com])any formed part of Col. W. M. luges' Twelfth
Regiment Mississi])pi Cavalry, in Gen. S. W. Fer-
guson's brigade, and did excellent service all
through the war. Dr. Camp came to Jonesboro.
Ark., after they had disbanded, and was engaged
in teaching school in Craighead County. He then
attended a course of lectures at the University of
Louisville, and when through moved to Gainesville,
where he practiced fur fourteen years. In I8.S5 he
located in Walnut Ritlge, where he has .succeeiled
in i)uilding up a fair practice. He has no desire
to accumulate a large amount of pro(>erty, but be-
lieves in giving his children a good education under
his own supervision, so that his money will be ju-
diciously expended. The Doctor is a member of
the Masonic and Odd Fellows' fraternities, and of
<& k_
U 9
778
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
the Cross Roads Baptist Church, near Portia. He
is a Democrat in politics, but has never held any
public office excepting that of county examiner of
public instruction, in Greene County. He was
married May 2, 1860, in Sumter County, Ala., to
Miss Sarah C. Sheid, of that State, a daughter of
Jesse G. Sheid. Her parents had three girls and
two boys born to them, one of them deceased.
Those living are Lizzie I. , the wife of Rev. James
F. Jernigan, a minister of the Methodist Episco-
pal Church, South, and residing in Walnut Ridge;
James Sheid, now studying medicine with his
father; Mary Ann, who graduated in June, 1889,
from the Bellevue Collegiate Institute, of Cale-
donia, Mo., and Alice E., at home. Mrs. Camp's
mother died July 17, 1888, aged fifty-one years.
She was a member of the Cumberland Presbyte-
rian Church, and came from what is known through-
out South Carolina as the " Old Horseshoe Robin-
son Stock."
John N. Campbell, treasurer of Lawrence Coun-
ty, Ark. , is a native of Cumberland County, N. C. ,
where he was born April 3, 1820. His father was
Miirdock Campbell, of Scotland, born of Scotch
and Irish parentage, who was raised and married
in North Carolina. After his marriage the elder
Campbell moved to Lawrence County, Tenn. , and
settled on a farm, where he began the cultivation of
the soil and rearing his children. From there he
moved to the State of Arkansas in 1843, settling in
what is now Lawrence (bounty, where he resided
up to the time of his death, about the year 1852.
John N. Cambell reached his maturity in the State
of Tennessee, and came to Arkansas in 1843, where
he settled, in Lawrence County, on a farm, and
tilled the soil for a number of years. In 1872 he
was elected county treasurer and at the expiration
of his term was re elected, serving from 1872 to
1878. In 1888 his party, seeing the fitness of the
man for the position and recognizing his abilities,
once more elected him to office. He previously
discharged the duties of justice of the peace for
twelve years, and also served as deputy sheriff and
constable. Mr. Campbell was married, in 1846,
to Miss Mary J. Childers, of Virginia, and they are
now the parents of three sons and one daughter.
all of them having attained maturity and mar-
ried. Their names are: William M., John D.,
Alex C, and Sarah A., wife of John C. Overstreet,
the entire family residing in Lawi-ence County.
Both Mr. and Mrs. Campbell are mt^mbers of the
Methodist Episcopal Church, South, and stand
high in the regard of those surrounding them.
John Casper, farmer and blacksmith, whose
work at the forge and anvil has placed him as an
expert in his trade, was born in Rowan County,
N. C, May 5, 1827. He is a son of George and
Nancy (Leonard) Casper, both of the same county
and State, who died in their native place. Mi-.
Casper is one of a family of four sons and four
daughters, of whom five are still living, three
brothers and two sisters, the latter residing in
North Carolina, and the former, David, Jacob
Alexander and John, living in Lawrence County.
John Gasper is the oldest of the three brothers
living, and was reared in Rowan County, N. C,
where he remained with his father until his twenty-
sixth year. He moved west in 1853 and settled
in Lawrence County, Ark., where he bought a
small section of land and commenced clearing and
improving it. On March 8, 1854, he was married
to Mrs. Sarah M. Blackwell, a widow lady, of
North Carolina, who also possessed a small im-
provement on government land. Mr. Cas[)er im-
mediately set to work clearing his land, and they
now have about seventy-five acres under cultiva-
tion. The home place comprises about 380 acres
altogether, with a good log house and other build-
ings built upon it, and an orchard. He also owns
240 acres in other sections, and fiom the fact that
he commenced on almost nothing at all, has done
remarkably well. He owes it all to his own thrift
and business tact, and is now considered as one of
the sul)stantial farmers of Lawreuce County. Mr.
Casper enlisted in the Confederate army in 1863,
and was a member of the Seventh Missouri Cav-
alry, and afterward transferred to the Seventh
Arkansas Infantry. He took part in many a hard
fought battle — at Little Rock, Pilot Knob and in
Gen. Price's I'aids through Missouri, besides sev-
eral battles of lesser importance. He was paroled
at Shreveport, La., at the close of the war, and
^-*
e k.
At
LA WHENCE COUNTY.
77»
rotnrned homo to resume his labor upon the farm.
In 1877 Mr. Casper lost his faithful wife, who
(lied October 4, leaving him one child, George W.
He again married, his second wife being Mrs. Har-
riet E. Harris, a widow, of North Carolina, and
has one child by this marriage- Etter E. Mr.
Casper is a member of the Old School Presbyterian
Church, in which he is an elder, and is also a mem-
ber of the Agricultural Wheel, being vice-presi-
dent of the local Wheel. He has been unfortunate
in the loss of his second wife, who died February
13, 1884, leaving behind her a record of useful-
ness and many virtues.
John A. Cathey, one of the oldest merchants in
Lawrence County, was born in Shelley (Jounty,
Tenn., in the year 1840. He is the son of John
A. Cathey, of Maiiry County, Tenn., who was
reared on a farm, and finally adopted the tailoring
trade, which he followed until his death occurred,
in 1SS31, at Jacksonport, Ark, in which place he
had settled in 1848, for the purpose of working.
He was married to Miss Narcissa Turnage, of Ten-
nessee, who died shortly after the decease of her
husl)and at Jacksonport. Five sons were born to
them, two of them yet living: James H. and John
A., both living in Arkansas. The children who
have died are William T. , David L. and an infant.
David was killed by accidentally shooting himself
during the war. John A. Cathey, for whom this
sketch is intended, is the youngest member of the
family living. He came to Arkansas with his par-
ents, and remained with them, until he grew to
manhood, in Jackson County. He enlisted in the
Confederate army in 1861, and was enrolled in
Company G, First Arkansas, and served until the
close of the war,, when he surrendered at Jackson-
port. He participated in the battle of BuU Eun,
at Shiloh, and was so severely wounded in that en-
gagement that he lay disabled for some two
months. He also took part in the battles of Perry-
ville (Ky.), Murfreesboro (Tenn.), Chickamauga,
Chattanooga, and then a three months' campaign
from Dalton to Atlanta. He was at Franklin,
Tenn., during the terrible slaughter (Hood's) at
that place, and afterward in another hot campaign
at Nashville. He has been wounded at different
times, and bears a war record thai few men can
equal at the present day. When the war was over,
it would naturally seem that after witne.s.sing and
taking part in the terrible carnage of his numerous
battles, he would prefer a peaceful life, l)ut, strange
to say, his occupation was Initchering while in
Jacksonport, as though he had not yet been satiated
by the sight and smell of blood. From Jackson
port he moved to Newport, and lived there for
eight years, then settled down in Lawrence County,
where he is now considered the oldest establisln'd
merchant in that section. He carries a large stock
of general merchandise, and is noted for his square
dealing throughout the county. In fact, lie is the
founder of the town that bears his name. He was
appointed postmaster from 1881 to 1885, and lias
held several local offices. His wife was Miss Sarali
W. Roberts, of Alabama, who died in 1809. Mr.
Cathey afterward married a sister of his first wife.
Miss Eliza Roberts, and they have had two chil-
dren by this union, I'jliza I. and Bertha Lee. They
are members of the Methodist ]<j|)iscopal Church,
and Mr. Cathey is a member of Dry Creek Lodge
No. 458, F. & A. M.
Burrel M. Childers, a well-known and popular
farmer and stock raiser, was born in Madison
County, Ala., October 9, 1821. His father, John
Childers, was a native of Georgia, who moved to
the State of Alabama when a young man, and wa.s
there married to Miss Rutlia Cown. The parents
remained in Alabama until the year 1824, and
then settled in Tennessee, where they resided up
to 1838, when they selected Arkansas as their
future home, and located in Lawrence County.
The elder Childers had an eventful history in his
younger days, and was a soldier in the Black Hawk
War. He reared a family of eleven children, five
sons and six danghtera, of whom Burrel M. Chil-
ders is the only survivor. Burrel remained with
his father until he was of mature age, and then
enlisted in the Mexican War of 1840. After the
war was over and the treaty had been made, he re-
ceived his discharge, and returned to Lawrence
County. He settled on his present place in 1849,
when this ])ortion of .\rkansas was nothing more
tjian a wilderness, ami has lived to see it trrow up
A
<» w.
780
mSTOEY OF AEKANSAS.
into a populous and thriving community. Mr.
Childers bas since then cleared up about seventy-
five acres, and put them under cultivation, besides
owning 160 acres adjoining. He did, at one time,
own over 1,000 acres, but has divided up with his
children. When war was announced between the
North and South he gave his services to the Con-
federacy, and joined Col. Shaver's regiment. He
was elected lieutenant, and held that rank until
the close of hostilities. During that time he took
part in the fights at Pilot Knob, Independence,
Kansas City, Big Blue and Miner's Creek, where
Gen. Marmaduke was taken prisoner. After the
war he returned to Lawrence County, and has
since then been occupied in farming. His first
marriage was to Miss Narcissa Beavers, of Illinois,
who died in 1856. This wife left, two children,
who grew to maturity, were married, and left
childi-en of their own. Mr. Childers next married,
in this county, Mrs. Hopkins, a widow lady, of
Indiana, who died in 1883. There are three chil-
dren living by this wife, whose tmmes are: C. F.,
wife of Joseph Lollar; Julia, wMow of A. B.
Hogard, and Hezekiah. His present wife was
united to him in 1884, her former name being
Aveline Grider, a daughter of Martin Grider, one
of the j)ioneers of Randolph County. There are
three children by this marriage: Maxie, Stonewall
Jackson and Cbaldon. Mr. Childers is a member
of the Masonic order, and is a Royal Arch Mason,
belonging to the Eastern Star. He attends the
Christian Cliurch, while his wife is a member of
the Methodist Episcopal Church, and also of the
Eastern Star. In the early days of his settlement
in Arkansas, Mr. Childers was a hunter of no
mean pretences. He made a regular business of
hunting for ten years, and together with his brother,
killed tliirty-six bears, six panthers and a great
number of wild cats, in one spring, besides a
quantity of deer. He has a record of killing eleven
deer in one day, while a companion of his, Ji
Frenchman, killed eleven deer and two bears the
same day. Mr. Childers is a genial and active
gentleman, though well advanced in life, and is
very much thought of by his neighbors. He is
full of anecdote, and it is a pleasure to listen to
the reminiscences of his early days, which none
can tell so well as an old settler.
William Childers. a well-known boniface and
liveryman of Imboden, was born in this county in
the year 1844. His parents came to Arkansas in
childhood, and were located in the soiithwostern
part of Lawrence County. He is descended fi'om
an old family of Virginians; his grandfather, Isam
Childers, moving from that State to Arkansas, with
his family, in 18'J4, where he reared his family of
four boys and two girls, Alexander C. Childers, his
third son, being the father of William Childers.
Isam Childers was a veteran of the War of 1812,
and died in 1858 at an advanced age. Alexander
C. Childers was born in Virginia, in 1815, and
moved to the State of Arkansas, with his father,
when in his childhood. When war was declared
between this country and Mexico, he was one of
the first to follow the lead of Gens. Scott and Tay-
lor in the land of cactus, and distinguished himself
on many a battlefield. He died in 1860 while in
the very prime of life, and left a shining example
behind him for his sons to follow. James Childers,
one of his brothers, represented this county in the
legislature for several terms, and was one of the
prominent men of Arkansas. The mother of Mr.
William Childers was a daughter of Jacob Forten-
bery ; her name was Matilda, and she was born in
Virginia in 1810, and died in 1844, when he was
an infant. She left four children: Elisabeth, the
wife of D. Christian ; Nancy, the wife of Lee Holt,
now residing in Texas; Absalom F., a Baptist
minister in Alabama, and William Childers, of
Lawrence County. Mr. Childers commenced to
make a career of his own at the age of sixteen
years, and entered the army during the war. He
was a member of Company E, First Arkansas,
and gallautly upheld the reputation of his fore-
fathers as model soldiers. On August 10, 1861,
he was dangerously wounded and forced to desist
from fighting. He lay idle for three months, but
the old fighting instinct compelled him to enter the
ranks again, and he joined McCorvess' regiment.
Fourteenth Arkansas, in which he fought until his
capture at Port Gibson. He regained his lil)erty
three months later, and after the fall of Vicksburg
:^;
sr*
Indepenoemce County, ARKAHSfts.
LAWRENCE COUNTY.
781
T
re-joined the army at Washington, Ark. He was
again made prisoner and taken to Little Rock, Ark. ,
and transferred from there to Rock Island, 111.,
where he was kept until Leo's surrender. After
bis release he went to Leavenworth, Kas. , and
made a trip across the plains to Denver City, Col.,
remaining in that place six mouths befoi'e his re-
tiu-n home. He has, since that time, resided in
Lawrence County, where he is entraeed in farmins',
stock raising, and as a hotel keeper and liveryman
he enjoys a well -deserved reputation. He is one
of the most extensive stock dealers in the county,
an occupation to which he has given much atten-
tion since the war, and his was the first ship-
ment made over the St. Louis, Iron Mountain &
Southern Railroad. He has devoted himself
largely to trading in horses, mules, cattle, hogs
and sheep. Mr. Childers is prominent in all
political matters, and was twice elected treas-
urer of Lawrence County by the Democrats. He
was also nominated for sheriff, but was beaten by
his opponent. His first business ventui-e in this
county was with W. Childers & Co., at Smithville,
Ark., and the second with a firm composed of W.
C. Sloan, Q. C. Jones and himself, dealers in mer
chandise, of which Mr. Childers was the manager.
He sold his interest to W. C. Sloan two years later,
and since that time has had charge of the widely-
known Delmonico Hotel and a well-ecjuipped livery
stable attached. He was married, January 15,
1865, to Miss Clara A. Wells, a lady of Lawrence
County, Ark., and daughter of John Wells, of
Virginia, who was one of the principal stock dealers
in Arkansas, before his death in 1858. ' Mrs.
Childers' mother was Eliza A. Grayson, of Louisi-
ana, before her mamage. She died in Imi)oden
in the year 1886, aged sixty years. Nine children
were born to Mr. and Mrs. Wells, all of them de-
ceased excepting the wife of William Childers.
Mr. Childers and his wife have had eight children,
three of whom are dead, namely: Robert E. L. ,
Nancy S. and Doney Belle. Those living are:
Chiirles O. , Mollie May, William Sloan, John
Crockett and Grover Cleveland. Mrs. Childers is
a charming lady and universally beloved for her
kindness of heart and gentle disposition. Her
husband is a Master Mason and a leader in the
affairs of his county. They are generous and lib-
eral in all their undertakings, and respected b\
everyone.
Hon. Charles Coffin is one of the principal
Democrats of Northeast Arkansas, and a man well
known over the entire State. He has all the ante-
cedents which combine to produce a man stanch
and true to the real Democracy, and for several
years past has been an earnest advocate of Demo-
cratic principles in this State. He was born at
Rogersville, Hawkins County, Tenn., on the 28d
of April, 184'2, and, with his parents, removed to
Knoxville, Tenn. , when but five years of age. He
there remained until December, 1865, when he re-
moved with his mother and brothers to Memphis,
and resided there until July, 1809, when the family
came to Lawrence County, his present home. The
ancestry of Mr. Coffin goes back over 200 years
to Tristam Coffin, an English yeoman, who came
to Newberryport, Mass., in 1642, but being driven
from there on account of his religious belief - a sym-
pathy for persecuted Quakers — went and settled
the Island of Nantucket. He is the ancestor of
all of that name in America. The family celebrated
the two-hundredth anniversary of his death in 1881.
Mr. Coffin, with a brother and two cousins from Ten-
nessee, were the only representatives present from
the Southern branches of the family, and there
were nearly 600 present. Mr. Coffin's grandfather,
the Rev. Charles Coffin, D. D. , a Presbyterian
minister, and a graduate of Harvard, emigrated
from Newberryport, in 1804, to Greeueville, Tenn.,
where he founded and was president of Greeueville
College until 1827. He held the same position
in the East Tennessee University, at Knoxvill(>.
from 1827 until 1S36, and died at Greeueville, in
1852. He was the educator of many of the most
prominent, influential and distinguishe<l men of
the South, of the last generation, one of whom was
the late Gen. Grandison D. Royston, of this State.
His portrait is frescoed in the ceiling of tiie library
room in the capitol at Na.shville, as one of the
pioneer Utterati of Tennessee. Mr. Coffin's father,
Charles Hector Coffin, was born on the 24th of
April, 1804, at Newberryport, Mass., and was a
782
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
merchant of Kuoxvilk', an active railroad man,
and imder Gov. Campbell's administration was
president of the hrancb Bank of Tennessee, at
Eogersville. He died at Columbia, Tenn. , on the
19th of June, 1854. He had married Miss Eliza
Park, a native of Knoxville, Tenn., born on the
22d day of September, 1811, and the daughter
of James Park, who was of Irish birth, and a
merchant by trade. Mr. Park died in 1853, at the
age of eighty- four years. His wife, who was
formerly Sophia Moody, of Wilmington, Del.,
died in 1862, when over eighty years of age. She
■was the mother of twelve children, of whom Rev.
James Park, D. D., a distinguished Presbyterian
minister at Knoxville, is one. Mrs. Coffin (mother
of the subject of this sketch) died in this county,
in 1874, and lies buried at Knoxville, Tenn.
Charles Coffin has been not so much a student of
books as an independent thinker. He went through
the freshman and sophmore years in the Tennessee
University, at Knoxville, and the junior year at
Princeton, N. J., but the war closed his school
life. He was a Southerner by birth, his home
was there, all his interests and his heart were with
"his people." He believed neither in secession
nor coercion, but seeing his people in trouble and
danger, his warm heart went out in sympathy for
them, and he loft the college, gave up all that
promised to be a brilliant literary career, for he
had all the requisities which only needed to be
molded, cultured and trained, and resolutely set his
face homeward, where he was eagerly welcomed. He
enlisted as a private on the 10th of August, 1861,
when but nineteen years of age, in Capt. Ben M.
Branner's cavalry company (at Cumberland Gap),
afterwards Company I, Second Tennessee Cavalry,
under Col. Henry M. Ashby. Mr. Coffin was in
Gen. Zollicoffer's command, and participated in
all his engagements until the hitter's death at Mill
Springs, Ky., on the I'Jth of Jamtary, 1862. Mr.
Coffin was afterwards in the campaigns in Ken-
tucky, under Gen. Kirl)y Smith, participating in
the battle of Murfreesboro, December 31, 1862,
and North Carolina, January 1, 1863, and on the
19th, 20th and 2 1st of March, 1865, he wasatBen-
tonville, N. C, where Gens. Joseph E. Johnston
and Sherman fought their last great battle. He was
in the fight between Wheeler and Kilpatrick, Feb-
ruary 11, 1865, at Aikin, S. C, and with Johnston
in Wheeler's cavalry corps during the campaigns
of the Carolinas in the last mentioned year. He
was captured at Somerset, Ky. , under Brig. -Gen.
John Pegraui, March 31, 1863, and exchanged at
City Point, Va. , on the 22d of April; was captured
again at Lancaster, Ky., on the 31st of August,
1863, while under Col. John S. Scott, of Lou-
isiana, and was a prisoner at Camp Chase, Ohio,
for seven months, and the eight montlis following
at Fort Delaware. He was exchanged at Savannah,
Ga., on the 12th day of November, 1864. He was
sergeant major of his regiment, but surrendered
and was paroled at Charlotte, N. C, under the
cartel between Johnston and Sherman, May 11,
1865, as adjutant, in which position he was then
acting. Mr. Coffin was a grocery merchant at
Memphis, Tenn., from March, 1867, to July,
1869, and was engaged in mercantile pursuits at
Clover Bend, in this county, from July, 1869, to
March, 1871. In 1873 he edited the Observer,
at Pocahontas, Ark., until August, 1874, and also
taught school in that time. In September, 1874,
he was licensed to practice law and located at Wal-
nut Ridge, where he has since resided. In 1876
he was co-editor of the Little Rock Gazette, but
one year later he resumed the practice of his pro-
fession, at Walnut Ridge. Mr. Coffin is a Dem-
ocrat, of Whig antecedents, having been reared
by Whig parents. He became a Democrat after
the war, and in 1873 was elected from Randolph
County, as a Democrat, to the extraordinary ses-
sion of the legislature, and served eighteen days
during the Brooks-Baxter war, at the call of Gov-
ernor Baxter. In 1878 he was elected prosecut-
ing attorney, and re-elected in 1880 for the Third
judicial district. In the summer of 1888 he was
a candidate for the Democratic nomination to Con-
gress for the First Arkansas district, against Hon.
W. H. Cate, of Jonesboro, and gave the latter a
close and exciting race. He was afterwards given
an unsolicited and unanimous nomination as rep-
resentative to the State legislature (being not even
a candidate) by the Democratic convention of his
^^
county, iuid won the light by a good majority. He
made the cauvass as a "straight Democrat,''
against the combined Republican, Union Labor
and Wheeler opposition, and wears the laurels of
a hard earned victory. In the legislative session
following (1888-89) ho was a strong advocate and
leader of the effort to organize the Democratic
members of the legislature for Democratic pur-
poses. His heart was in the work and he labored
indefatigably and gallantly for the sake of .all the
principles he holds most dear. He was chairujan
of the house committee on penitentiary, also a
member of the house committee on railroads,
ways and means and education. Mr. Coffin intro-
duced several important bills, among them the fol-
lowing: To regulate the practice of pharmacy; to
inspect cattle for butchering purposes in cities of
first and second class; to repeal features of the
labor contract law (Mansfield's Digest, Section
4441), which makes valid contracts for labor made
beyond the limits of State. He also had the honor
of framing the State Democratic platform of 1888,
in which the State canvass and victory were won
from the Union Labor and Republican parties com-
bined. Mr. Coffin owns a farm of eighty acres
near Walnut Ridge, and is a strong advocate of
grass farming, being one of the first to introduce
clover into this section of the State. He was bap-
tized in infancy, but is not a member of the
Church, though a Presbyterian in his views, and
assists in maintaining ministers and church enter-
jirises. Mr. Coffin is a member of that large class
of mankind who have never seen tit, from various
causes, to enter the "conjugal state of felicity,"
although a previous biographer has dryly remarked
that "he is young enough to reform. ' ' He has
l)(>en known to say, in reference to his loneliness
and alisence of a life companion, that "a Coffin
is the last thing on earth a woman wants.'' Mr.
Coffin has for his motto: " Never do anrthing to
be ashamed of." His style of oratory is earnest,
fluent and pointed, speaks impromptu and gets at
the "meat" of the question. He is an honor-
able, upiright citizen in all that the terms imply.
Joseph W. Coffman, a prominent farmer of
Duty Township, was born in McLean County,
Ky., in 1838. His parents, Benjamin and Eliza
Ijeth (Gossett) Coffman, are natives of Virginia,
and of German descent. Homo of the family were
extensive farmers in Virginia, while others had
various occupations. The father was l)orn in the
year 1802, and came to Kentucky with his parents
in 1804, where he grew to maturity, and was mar-
ri<'d. He died in ISufj, from a very painful
accident, having his head mashed while moving a
hogshead of tobacco. He was a firm adherent of
the Universalist Church, and a member of the A.
F. & A. M., while his death was a source of sin-
cere regret among a large circle of friends. The
mother, who was some ten years j'ounger than her
husband, died in 1844. Benjamin Coffman and
Elizabeth (Gossett) Coffman were the parents of
eight children: William A., Nancy, Ephraim
A., Benjamin ¥., Daniel M., Eli.sha, Elizabeth,
and Joseph W., of whom William A. and Elisha
are deceased. Joseph W. Coffman was the third
child, and remained on the farm in Kentucky with
his parents until his twenty-first year, when he
accepted a lucrative position with a large tobacco
firm, and commenced his own career. On October
19, 1856, he was married, and moved to the State
of Arkansas, wher(> he settled in Hempstead
County, on a farm which he rented the first year,
but at the expiration of that time was able to
purchase a farm of his own. A few years later,
that announcement of war, which broke up so
many happy homes, also filled him with the desire
to aid the Confederacy, and he enlisted in W. H.
Prescott's company, and served for three years.
He took part in a gi-eat number of engagements,
and carried himself through that bloody e|)och in
history in a manner that won the admiration and
respects of his comrades. After the war had
ended, he returned to Lawrence County, in l8l<<5,
and settled at a point within one mile and a half
of where he now resides, and, in 1878, moved to
the present place, where he has been employed in
agricultural pursuits ever since. Jlr. Coffman
was married to Miss Rebecca Bowen, a daughter
of John W. and Ann (Kenerly) Bowen, natives of
South Carolina and Virginia, res])ectively. who
were prominent farmers and large slave-owners
4,
784
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
before the war. The father was born in 1805, of
English descent, and died in the year 1869, while
the mother, who was of Dutch origin, was born
in 1804, and died in 1864. Thoy were the parents
of five sons and three daughters, three of them yet
living, and Mrs. Coffman is the sixth child of that
number. Ten children were born to Mr. and Mrs.
Coffman, of whom seven are still living. Their
names are: F. AVarren, Mary C, wife of B. A.
Welbon, living in the State of Washington; John
B. , Elizabeth, who died in her thirteenth year;
Benjamin A., at home; William M., who died at
thirteen years of age; Jennie, algo dead; Flora,
Lena and Josie at home. Mr. and Mrs. Coffman
are both members of the Methodist Episcopal
Church, South, in which they are active workers,
while Mr. Coft'man is a trustee, steward, and also
superintendent of the Sunday-school, and has
represented the church in several conferences. He
is a prominent man, and a leader in all enterprises
concerning the welfare of his county, and one
whose advice and judgment are sought for on
many occasions. He is a member of Lodge No.
ITjO, and has belonged to that organization forever
tln'rty years. Mr. Coffman' s father contracted a
second marriage after the death of his first wife,
and by this wife had nine children: John T.,
Jacob B., Samuel R., Solomon E., George P.
(who met his death at the hands of an assassin),
Frank P. , Susan F. , James Lewis, Ezekiel. Ezekiel,
George, Frank, James and Samuel are deceased.
James W. Coffman, M. D., a gentleman well
known throughout Northeastern Arkansas as one
of its leading physicians, and a fruit grower of
well-deserved reputation, was born in 1847 on a
farm in what is now known as McLean County,
Ky. He is the son of Jacob N. and Nancy (Gish)
Cott'man, both natives of Pennsylvania, who re-
moved to the State of Kentucky in 1808, when
they were children. In 1857 Mr. Coffman and his
family removed to Arkansas, and settled in Law-
rence County, where ho entered into the cultivation
of cotton on an extensive scale. His death occurred
in 1879, at the age of sixty -seven years, fourteen
years after the demise of his wife. Ten children
were born to them, of whom two only are living,
one of them being a daiighter, Mrs. Mary S. Benne-
lield, and James W. Coffman. Mr. Coffman re-
sided in Lawrence County until the age of sixteen
years, when he enlisted in the Confederate army
under Gen. Price during the declining years of the
late war, participating in some of the daring raids
through Missouri and Kansas. At the close of
that eontiict he returned home, and engaged in the
more peaceful avocation of cotton planting. In
1868 he commenced the study of uiedicine, with his
brother (now deceased), who was a graduate of the
University of Louisville, Ky. , as his preceptor.
He entered the same university in the fall of 18(59,
fi'om which he graduated in 1871, and later on en-
tered the Jefferson Medical College, of Philadel-
phia, graduating in 1883. He commenced the
practice of medicine at Powhatan in 1871, and re.-
moved to Black Rock in 1883, where his personal
popidarit}' and large practice attest to his efficiency
as a skillful physician. His wife, a pleasant and
attractive lady, was formerly Miss Mollie F. Warner.
The Doctor embarked in general merchandising in
1883-84 at Black Rock, and has been deservedly
fortunate, being the owner of considerable prop-
erty in that town and the outlying district. He
has one of the finest fruit orchards in the north-
eastern portion of this State, comprising twenty-
five acres of young trees just producing fruit,
which he planted in the fall of 1S85 as an ex-
periment, and which have proven a .success be-
yond his most sanguine expectations. They will
yield on an average one and one-half bushels to the
tree this year. Besides this, he has planted out
small fruits in proportion, and has been equally
successful with them. He is a strong Democrat;
one of the most industrious and energetic citizens
of Black Rock, and takes a active part in all public
and private enterprises that tend toward the ad-
vancement of his county.
J. Bowen Coffman. deputy clerk of Lawrence
County, for the Eastern District, was born in Hemp-
stead County, Ark., November 17, ISCA. He is a
son of Joseph W. Coffman, of McLean County,
Ky. , who came to Arkansas in 1 856, and located
in Hempstead County, where he resided until the
war was ended, and then settled in Lawrence
LAWRENCE COUNTY.
785
Comity, his present rewitlonoi*. Tlic clclcr (joffmiin
WAS jiiarricd to Miss Kobecca Bowen, of Alabama,
and tliis nnion gavo them ten cliildrcn. SovBn of
ihi'Ui arti now living, six of them in this county.
J. JJowcn (V)ITnian was five years old when ho came
to Lawrence County. He received a good district
school education, and also attended scliool at Pow-
hatan. He then taught school in Lawrence Coun-
ty for three terms, and in Fulton County for the
same length of time. He was appointed deputv
clerk under Clay Sloan, February 14, 1887, and
when the district was divided he came over to Wal-
nut Kitlge, in April, 1887, to take charge of the
Eastern District. He fills the position in a highly
creditable maimer, and enjoys the confidence of
his fellow citizens. He is a meml)er oi the Meth-
odist Episcopal Church, and also of the Walnut
Ridge Silver ('Ornet Band. Mr. Cofi'man has hosts
of friends, and well merits the resjx'ct and esteem
accorded him.
Rufus M. Dail, farmer and stock raiser, is a
son of WillL;un and Nancy (Overttm) Dail, natives
of North Carolina and Virginia, resjjectively.
William Dail moved to the State of Tennessee, and
was there married when a young man. He settled
on a farm in Anderson County, where Rufiis was
born, July 11, 1828, and remained there until his
death, in 1877, at the age of eighty- four years.
He served in the War of 1812, and drew a pension
for his heroic performances during that event.
Eufus M. Dail gnnv to manhood on the farm, and
remained with his father until that time. He was
married in June, 1858, to !Miss Christina Skaggs,
of Knox County, Tenn. , and settled on a farm with
his wife, up to the year I87i), when he moved to
Arkansas, and located in Randolph County. He
remained at that place for six years, and had
brought his farm up to the highest grade of per-
fection, when he sold out and came to Lawrence
County, arriving here in 1881). He has resided
here ever since, and cultivates the soil, farming,
on an average, seventy acres annually. Mr. Dail
was elected and served as justice of the peace in
Anderson County, Tenn., for eight consecutive
years, and was also elected deputy sheriff, in which
capacity he served four years. He was an old
time \\ liig originally, and since tlii^ war has be
come identified with the Democratic party. His
family is com])os<>d of six children: Nancy J., wif((
of James Hill, of Lindseyville; Sarali Ann, single;
Martha I., wife of Charles Basket; Naomi, wife of
Tiiomas Howard, and Kden S. He has l(jst three
other children: Leroy, who died at the age of
twenty-five years; William K. , who died in his
twenty fourth year, and James M., at tlie age of
fourteen. Mr. an<l Mis. Dail are lioth meniliers
of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South, and
Ml-. Dail was formerly a iueml).er of the Masonic
fraternity. He is highly res|>ected, and his valu
al)le advice and aid in all enterprises regarding
the advancement of iiis community are very much
appreciated.
(ireene 1'. Dean, an enterprising and prosper-
ous farmer of Dent Townshij), was born in Law-
rence Cimnty, in the year 1S48. He is the son of
William and Hettie (Roney) Dean, nativesof Ten-
nessee and Arkansas, resp(>ctively. His father set-
tled in the latter Statci at the age of eighteen
years, having started in life for himself at an early
age, and established a good blacksmith trade, which
ho followed until the time of iiis death, in ISIil.
He was an active politician and a noted temper-
ance worker in his day, and was a member of the
society known as Sons of Temperance. He was one
of the main pillars of the Methodist Episcopal
(/hurch, South, and also tilled the office of justice
of the peace for a numlier of years. The mother
died in IS")-!. She was a descendant of one of the
oldest families in Arkansas, and a lady universally
loved for her many excellent (jualities. This cou]ile
had nine children, seven of them living to maturity,
since which time two have died. 5Ir. (ireene P.
Dean was the fourth child, and has grown right uji
with the county be resides in. He started in to
learn his father's trade at the ago of fifteen, and
after his death he worked with ^ladison Smith, of
this county, for three and one half years. He is a
self-made man, and even during the bnsie.st por-
tion of his younger days f(junil time to apply him
self to his books. He hired himself out on a farm
aftin- leaving the blacksmith trade, and att<>nded
school for several years, and, in tlie fall of 1S07,
786
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
turned tutor himself, and opened a private school.
He met with splendid success, and continued his
teaching until 1S71. Ho also had charge of a
school in Duty Township, this county, in 1877.
Mr. Dean was married in December, 1870, to
Miss Elizabi'th T. Phillips, of Arkansas, whose
]iarents came to that State from Tennessee, in
IS4U, and settled in Lawrence County. Mrs.
Dean's grandparents were at one time the most ex-
tensive iron dealers in Tennessee, controlling sev-
eral of the largest foundries in that State. Ten
children were born to this couple: William A.,
Thomas Oscar, Nettie Oberia, Eugene D., Asa
Belle, Francis Marion, Mary Edna, John Foster,
Homer Lee and Ernest D. Mr. and Mrs. Dean
are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church,
South, and Mr. Dean of the Farmers' Alliance. He
takes a deep interest in politics, and is a Democrat.
The office of justice of the peace has been filled by
him in Duty Township, and ho has also occupied
several local positions, besides being a director in
the schools. Mr. Dean is one of Lawrence County' s
most influential and prosperous men. He has 300
acres under cultivation, and owns considerable
other land in different sections.
William Deeter is a farmer of Lawrence County,
and was born in Miami County, Ohio, in 1831.
His parents, Jacob and Elisabeth (Williams)
Deeter, came from Ohio in 1839, and settled in
Clay County, lud., where his father cultivated the
land, and also followed his occupation as a stone-
mason. They resided here until the father's
death, in 1885, at the age of seventy-three years.
Both parents were members of the Christian
Church, in which faith the mother died in 1876 in
her sixty-sixth year. Mr. Deeter is the second of
seven children, and grew to manhood in the State
of Indiana, with the exception of a short time
served in apprenticeship at the carriage and wagon-
making trade, in Ohio, when in his eighteenth year.
On his return to Indiana he followed that trade
until the war commenced, but for the greater part
as a journeyman worktn'. He enlisted in the army
July 15, 1862, and was a member of Company I,
Eighty- fifth Indiana Volunteer Infantry, serving
until 1865, when he received his discharge at
Washington, D. C. Mr. Deeter did considerable
guard duty in the army, and, after the battle of
Chickaniauga, was detailed for repair duty. He
returned to Clay County, Ind., after the war hatl
ended, and purchased a small farm, on which he
lived until the fall of 1878. He then came to Ar-
kansas and settled on the place he is now occupy
ing, having cleared about 100 acres of the land with
his own hands, and getting it under cultivation.
Mr. Deeter' 8 first marriage occurred in 1852 to
Miss Mary E. Congleton, a young lady of Clay
County, Ind., who died, a member of the Christian
Church, on the 14th of March, 1803. By this mar
riage he was presented with three children, two of
whom died in infancy. The one living is Martha
I. , now the wife of C. R. Moon, a resident of
Wilton Springs, Mo. His second marriage took
place in September, 1865, to Miss Catherine Now-
port, an Ohio lady, who is now the happy mother of
nine children, namely: Elisabeth, wife of J. H.
Still; Mathias, Henry, Clara, wife of Isaac Wells;
Laura, Isaac, David J., Barton W.,. George W.
Mr. Deeter and his wife are members of the Christ
ian Church, of which he is the organizer. He is
also an elder of that church, and a director of the
schools, being a strong advocate of the latter. He
is a man well appreciated for his good qualities,
and is beloved by his flocks to whom he pi'eaches
regularly.
Swan C. Do well, dealer in drugs, books and
stationery. Walnut Ridge, Ark. It is to the skill
and science of the druggist that suffering hu-
manity look for alleviation from pain. The phy-
sician may successfully diagnose, but it is the
chemist who prepares the remedy. Mr. Dowell
has been engaged in the above business since 1880,
and in that time a trade has been built up second to
no other drug house in the city. His birth occurred
in Breckinridge County, Ky., on October 20,
1856, and he is the son of Christopher M. Dowell,
also a native of the Blue Grass State, who came
to Arkansas in February, 1867, and who located
near Clover Bend, in Lawrence County, where ho
remained for tour or five years. He first rented land,
but afterwards bought 160 acres, and sul)sequently
(in 1876) went to Minturn to live near his two
sons, J. T. aud Swan, who were there, in business,
and there ]ie passed the remainder of bis days.
Ho was a pioneer settler and a iii(>mber of the Ma-
sonic fraternity. He was marriod to Miss Eliza-
beth Ann Brandenburg, a native of Brandenburg,
Ky., and the daughter of Solomon Brand<>nburg,
who Weis a native of Hampshire County, ^\'est Va.
To them were born five children, two now living —
John Thomas, proprietor of an hotel in Minturn,
on the Iron Mountain Railroad, aud Swan C. (the
subject of this sketch). The latter became famil-
iar with the duties on the farm in early life, and
received his education in the common schools.
\\'hen fifteen years of age, he went to Clover Bend
;ind engaged as a clerk for his cousin, J. H. Dow-
ell, by whom, subsequently, he was promoted to
l)0okkeei)er. Five years later he went to Minturn,
and with his brother formed a partnership in a
general store under the firm name of J. T. Dowell
& Bro. In 1880 they dissolved i)artnorship, and
Swan C. came to Walnut Ridge, where he engaged
in tlie drug business. He has i)een fairly success
ful in his calling, and for the last three years has
bi'en engaged in the real estate business with J. P.
CoUin, of Powhatan, under the firm name of Coffin
& Dowell, and they control about 2,500 acres of
land for sale. Mr. Dowell individually owns 5,000
acres. He is a Democrat in politics, aud at jires-
ent is mayor of the city. His marriage was con-
summated in 1878 to Miss Alice Wall, a native of
St. Louis, Mo., and the daughter of William \\'all
(deceased). The fruits of this union were five
children — Walter, Mamie, Agnes, Oliver and jVly-
sius. Mrs. Dowell is a memlier of the Catholic
Church.
Andrew C. Estes, deputy sheriff for the Eastern
District of Lawrence Count v, was l)orn in O'Brien
County, Ala., October 10, 1859. He is a son of
Thomas and Elisabeth (Belcher) Estes, of Ala-
bama, who settled in Arkansas, when their son
Andrew C was very young. They located in
Carroll County, where they resided until the war,
when the elder Estes enlisted in the Confederate
army, and was killed near Smithville, Ark., dur-
ing the latter part of that period. Four children
were born to the ]iarents. two of tliem .still living.
After the father's death, his wife removed to
Lawrence County, and settled on a farm three
miles west of Walnut Ridge, and lived there until
the month of October, 1.S88, when she moved to
Scott County, Mo. , where she is at present resid-
ing. Mr. Andrew C. Estes was reared on a farm
and received only an ordinary education in his
boyhood. His avocation was farming until the
year 1882, when ho was elected constable of
Campbell Township. He served four years in this
position, and was then appointed deputy sheiifl'
for the Eastern District, in Novoniljer, 1888, by
C. A. Stewart, sheriff. That entire portion of
Lawrence County, is now under his jurisdiction,
and he fills the bill to perfection in every way. On
November 20, ISOI, Mr. Estes was united in mar-
riage to Miss Amanda McGuinnis, of Illinois, and
four children have been th(! r((sult of this union:
Elizabeth, Eliza Ann, Tliomas Edward Jefferson
and Maudie May. They are both members of the
Methodist Episcopal Church, at Old Walnut
Ridge, and in politics Mr. Estes is a Democrat.
John T. Evans, farmer and stock raiser, of
Black River Township, wasliorn in Tippah County,
Miss., Jime 23, 1837. He is a son of Thomas
Jefferson and Miriam (Rainey) Evans, who, after
their marriage, first moved to Fayette County.
Tenn., and then to Tipton County, and on March
1, 1851, arrived at Batesville, Ark., where they
settled on a farm. The elder Evans was a Union
soldier during the war, and died at Batesville, Ark.,
while in the service, his two sons, John T. and
David F., also belonging to the same regiment, al-
though John first enlisted in the Confederate army.
After joining the Union forces, John remained
with them until his comjiany disbanded, and then
went to Illinois, where he resided until the war was
over. When peace had once more been assured
he returned to Arkansas and located in this (Law-
rence) county. He first settled on a portion of
land belonging to the railroad, but afterwards
bought the tract of land upon which he now re-
sides, and shortly after its purchase added forty
acres more, having now about seventy acres under
cultivation, with several substantial dwellings on
the land. ^^r. Evans has also given a great deal
A
3 kw
788
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
of his atteutiou to fruit growing, and can now lioast
of a splendid pnach and apple orchard. After his
marriage he started in life with very little, so far
as worldly wealth was concerned, Imt being the
possessor of a stout heart and a determined spirit,
hesocn lifted himself above want and now owns a
fine farm, a comfortable home, and is looked ui^on
as one of the best farmers in Lawrence County.
He was married in Lawrence County, on May 3,
1S6S, to Mrs. Mary E. Craig, an amialile and
pleasant widow, of Union County, N. C. , who came
to Arkansas with her father, Jason Hargett, in 1851,
when a young girl of eighteen. Mrs. Evans has
one daughter l)y her first marriage, Fannie C. Har-
gett, who is now the wife of William H. Leonard;
and two children by her second husliand, Miriam
Emmeline and John A\'illiam. Miriam Einmeline
is now the wife of Lewis H. Richey, who is a renter
on Mr. Evans' ])lac('. They are the parents of one
child, Fannie Ella. Mr. and Mrs. Evans are both
members of the Christian Church.
Hartwell B. Farmer is a son of Capt. John
Farmer, of North Carolina, and Nancy Farmer,
of the same State, who moved to Tennessee in the
year 182i), and settled on a farm in Williamson
County, where Hartwell was born on December
20, 1830. The father was a carpenter and wheel-
wright, but also cultivated the soil. In the latter
years of his life he moved to the State of Ken-
tucky, and located in Graves County, where he
died aboiit 18fi2. He was a captain of militia, and
a survivor of some of this country's earlier wars
before his death. Hartwell B. remained with his
father until his eighteenth year, but being fired
with the ambition to make his own way in life, he
started out with that worthy object in view, and
located at Haywood County, in the western portion
of Tennessee, where he learned the blacksmithing
trade. By close application to his duty he soon be-
came an expert, and thereafter followed that occu-
pation for several years. In 18'J0 he moved to
Lawrence County, Ark., and bought a tract of
land, the same upon which he now resides. It
comprises 120 acres of rich bottom land, and is
situated two miles fi'om Portia. He has cleared
about sixty acres upon which stands a good double
log-house, also an orchard of 200 peach, apple,
plum and pear trees, besides smaller fruits. Mr.
Farmer enlist(^d in the Confederate Army in 1 S()2,
becoming a member of Col. Shaver's regiment of
infantry, and served until his ca}>ture,ou December
25, 1863, when he was taken prisoner to Rock
Island, and held until near the close of the war.
He was paroled June 5, 18(')5, at Jacksonport,
Ark. Mr. Farmer was first married, in 1852, to
Miss Martha King, and has one daughter by this
wife, Margaret Ann, wife of Hiram Corkins. He
was married again, in Tennessee, to Miss Sallie
Cook, and has two children by this marriage.
Their names are Napoleon P. and Lee Thomas.
Afterward he was married a third time to Miss
Martha Ogden, a native of Lawrence County, and
has had six children by this wife: Delilah P.,
Jennie B., Blunt H., Sarah E. L., Milton H. and
Simon Cleveland. Mr. Farmer and his wife are
both members of the Missionary Baptist Church, of
which the former is a deacon, and also a membei- of
the Masonic order since 1852. He is a Master
Mason, and together with his wife is a member of
the Eastern Star, a degree in Masonry. Mr.
Farmer also served his county as justice of the
peace for ten years, filling that ofiice with a dig-
nity that won for him the highest respect.
Joseph Finley (deceased) was one of the oldest
settlers in Lawrence County. He had recorded in
the county clerk's bfifice the first deed for land
east of Black River, in this section of country.
His native State was Kentucky, where he was born
January 18, 1814. He came to Arkansas at a very
early day, and located west of the river, on Straw-
berry Creek, and, in 1846, came over on the east
side of the Black River. Mr. Finley was consid-
ered to be one of the best farmers in that portion
of Arkansas, and when his death occurred had
two splendid farms of 160 acres each. He was
noted far and wide for his generosity and good-
heartedness, and, at the time of his death, was
mourned by not a few. Stock raising was also
part of his business, and his knowledge as a
breeder of cattle enabled him to make considei'able
money in that line. Mr. Finley' s grave is on the
home farm, three miles west of Walnut Ridge, a
3^
LAWKENCE COUNTY.
78ft
place selected by himself for the i-epose of his
ashes. In politics he was a Democrat, and a mem-
ber of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Mrs.
Nancy (Childers) Stuart became his wife. H(>r
parents were also among the earliest settlors of
Arkansas, and had nine children besides herself,
four of whom are living: Elizabeth (wife of Will
iam Shelton), living in Southern Texas; Amanda
(wife of Rev. B. A. Morris, a minister of the Meth-
odist Episcopal Church), residing three miles west
of Walnut Ridge; Joseph B. , in Walnut Ridge,
and L. D. , residing near Portia. The mother died
about the year 1854, and is buried near what is
now " Ponder' s Chapel," three miles west of Wal-
nut Ridge. Elizabeth, the wife of William Shel-
ton, a resident of Southern Texas, is the youngest
of the four children living. Joseph B. Finley was
born in this county December 13, 184S. He has
received but very little schooling, and has been
farming all of his life, excepting at odd times when
he clerked during the dull agricultural season.
On January 12, 1871, he was unit<'d in marriage
to Miss Emma Montgomery, of Tennessee, and
this couple have been the parents of five children,
of whom three are living: Ida, George and Orto.
The wife and daughter are members of the Meth-
odist Episcopal Church, South. In spite of the
disadvantages he labored under, Joseph B. is now
the owner of a farm four miles from Walnut Ridge.
He is a stanch Democrat in politics, forty years
of age, and hopes to live to see another Democratic
president in power.
Dr. S. L. Fisher was born ill Lawrence County,
Middle Tenn., IFay ;5(), bS;'>G, and is the son of
Fredrick Fisher, a native of North Carolina, whose
wife was Elizabeth ^[(tWhirter before her marriage.
She was a native of South Carolina. They were
among the first settlers of MidtUe Tennessee, and
the father was in the mercantile ))usiness for a
number of years in that State, on Duck River.
The establishment is still conducted under the
name of the Fisher stand. After raising their
family, Mr. and Mrs. Fisher moved to Hardeman
County, West Tenn., where the mother died at the
age of about fifty years; after this the family came
to Arkansas. There were seven children in the
family— John P., William G , H. P., C. J., A. M.,
M. E., and S. L. John P. died in Randolph
County. Ark., AV. G. died at Metropolis City, 111.;
A. M. died in Kentucky; C. J. died at La Crosse,
Izard County, Ark., and H. P. died at Smithville,
Lawrence County, Ark. ; all between the ages of
fifty and sixty, exce|)t A. M., at the age of sixtet-n.
Only two are living, S. L. and Mary E., widow of
(Jreen Ruliy. After coming to Arkansas. S. 1;.
commenced the study of medicine under tlie guiil
ance of his brother, John P., and entered upon the
practice of his profession in lSr)7, l)eing located
the first two years in the wild mountains of Izard
County, Ark., where panthers, hears, au<l other
wild animals were numerous. Later, he mov(>d to
liandol|)li County and )iracticed his j)rofession un
til tlie war commenced, when he enlisted in Jmn',
1801, and served in Col. Lowe's regiment, Prici-'s
brigade, as assistant surgeon. He was wonmled
twice during the war, the last time being iicl<lliil
with a bom)> shell at Kansas City, on Price's raid.
This ended his services in the war, and he returned
home, and after recovering, came to Smithville,
Lawrence County, where he resumed his practice,
March, 1885. Here lie has since remained. He
was married .Noveml)er 15, 1S80, to Miss Mary
Ann McKnight, whowasl)orn in Lawrence County.
Ark., in 1840, and died August '_'(), 1.S72. They
Were blessed with three children, all living; the
eldest, Martha L. , is the wife of J. N. Barnett •
(and they have two chihlren); and ('harlie F. and
Gertrude are now grown. After the death of his
first wife. Dr. Fisher lived single three years and
three months, and was married to Miss Mary E.
Barnett, October 10. 1875. They have two chil
dren — Ada L. , twelve years old, and Myrtle .\.,
two years old. The Doctor has Ix'en a member of
I the Masonic fraternity thirty-three years, having
gone as high as the Royal Arch degree. Both
wives were members of the Methodist Episcopal
Church, South, and devoted Christians.
Jesse P. (Tibl)ens, farmer and stock raiser, of
Spring River Township, was born in Rowan Conn
ty, N. C, January 1 1, I.S31. He is a son of J.Jm
and Pat.sy (Winder.s) (til)bens, of the same .State,
wlio moved to the State of Tennessee, altont the
r to
Ai
790
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
year 1836, and settled in Shelby County, on a
farm where they resided until 1846, and then
changed their home for one in Lawrence County,
Ark. Jesse P. Gibbens remained with his father,
until he reached his majority, in this county, which
was also about the time of the elder Gibbens' death,
and then went back to Tennessee. After an ab-
sence of three years he returned, and was married
in Lawrence County, in 1861, to Miss Mary J.
Hamrich, of Tennessee, a daughter of John Ham-
rich. Mr (Jibbens had cleared up and im-
proved his farm before his marriage, and he now
owns 140 acres of valuable land, with over 100
acres ready for cultivation, besides having a small
but select orchard and a comfortable house. In
1862 he enlisted in the Confederate army, and
joined Col. Baber'a regiment, serving until the
linal surrender. He took part in a number of
sharp skirmishes at close quarters, and was always
to the front in battle. He was paroled at Jack-
sonport. June 5, 1865, and retui-ned home to his
farm work and a more peaceful life. Mr. and Mrs.
Gibbens have one daughter, the wife of F. Lee, a
resident of Lawrence County. They are lovers
of children, and have reared eight orphans to ma-
turity, and started them in life with the exception
of one. Both Mr. Gibbens and his wife are mem-
bers of the Missionary Baptist Church, and the
former a member of Rock Cave Lodge No. 347, A.
F. & A. M. They are well known for their benev-
olence and generosity, and are highly esteemed by
their neighbors.
Hon. John K. Gibson, attorney, and real estate
dealer, Powhatan. This man. whose name is
synonymous of success in his profession, was born
in Richmond County, N. C, August 15, 1845.
His parents were John K. and Elizabeth (Wat-
son) Gibson, natives of the same State. Early
in life Mr. Gibson began to show traces of what
his future course would be through the world, and
the occupation he would follow. He obtained a
knowledge of men and things beyond his years,
and even when a boy at school, often surprised his
elders at the correctness of his ideas regarding
different events and his knowledge of human nature.
This talent he has fostered up to the present time.
and it has stood him well in many a hard- fought
battle before the bar. Mr. GiVison attained his
maturity in North Carolina, and attended the com-
mon schools of his county. Subsequently, he went
to the higher schools and academies of North and
South Carolina, and for a period of three years
later taught school himself. In 1867 he became a
freshman in the University of North Carolina, at
Chapel Hill, and in the fall of 1868 commenced
reading law at that place under a well-known and
prominent juri.st of that State. He was admitted
to the bar in 1869, and shortly afterward departed
for Arkansas, where he first located at Jaeksonport,
unknown and unheralded. On the 15th of Decem-
ber, 1869, he left Jaeksonport, and came to Pow-
hatan, where he soon won the confidence of his
fellow citizens, and built up a fair practice. He has
brought several cases to a successful issue in the
Superior Court, and always given his jier.sonal at
tention to his clients' grievances, not trusting them
in the hands of subordinates. In connection with
his law practice he is engaged in the real estate
business, and has been highly successful in the
latter, owning about 4,000 acres of land, besides
holding the agency for an immense amount. Mr.
Gibson has been elected to several local positions,
and for a number of years was county superin-
tendent of schools. He also held the office of
county examiner for several years, and it is not
only said, but is an established fact, that he has
done more toward advancing the public school in-
terests, and aiding the caiise of education, than any
other man in the county. In 1876 he was a can-
didate for and elected representative of his county,
and served with distinction for two years. In 1873
Mr. Gibson was married to Miss Fannie Peebles,
and after a short period of happy wedded life his
wife died. He was again married in 1881, his
second wife being Miss Lizzie M. Moore, a relative
of J. M. Moore, the prominent Little Rock jittor-
ney. This union has given them three bright chil-
dren: George M., Maggie M. and John K. Gibson,
Jr. , besides an infant, which the parents had the
misfortune to lose. Mr. Gibson and his wife are
members of the Old School Presbyterian Church,
in which the former is a deacon. In summing up
>? (3
Mr. Gibson's career, it would not ho inappropriate
to touch upon the causes of his success in life. As
shown in this sketch, he began life with compara-
tively nothing, but has, by untiring energy and
the strict application of business principles, coupled
with the brilliancy of his mind, won for himself
the eminent success he has achieved.
John S. Gibson, attorney at law, one of the
brightest of the legal talent in Lawrence County,
was born in Fayetteville, N. C, October 12, 1857.
He is a son of Green S. and Sarah (Evans) Gibson.
Mr. Gibson received a common school education in
his youth, and was a close student of every sub-
ject that came under his notice. He studied law
with Chief Justice Pearson, of Richmond Hill, and
was granted a license by the Supreme Court of
North Carolina in 1879. He came to Arkansas
immediately following, and was granted a license
in that State in March, 1879, locating at Walnut
Kidge. He has had very fair success as a lawyer,
and can proudly point to the fact that he has won
every suit lirought to the court by him. "When
Mrs. Mary A. Boas came to Hoxio, he took charge
of her business as manager, and March 9, 18S7,
he was united in marriage to Miss Annie Boas.
He is a Democrat in politics, and was a delegate
to the State convention that nominated Gov.
Hughes. He resided in Colorado for eighteen
months, and in the fall of 1888 delivered several
speeches in behalf of the Democratic party in that
State. Mr. Gil)son was the lirst man to predict
the election of Wade Hampton, if nominated, for
governor of South Carolina. Mrs. Mary A. Boas
at one time owned the land on which Hoxio now
stands. The Iron Mountain Railroad was already
here at that time, and she gave twenty acres to the
company on which to build their side-tracks, de-
pots, etc. The road runs about as near through
the center of her 400- acre farm as it is possible to
locate without measurement. Mrs. Boas has since
then laid out the town site, and is selling the lots.
This lady is a native of Alabama, whoso parents
were Henry and Sarah M. Stephens, the former
from Georgia, and the latter a South Carolinian.
She was reared in the city of New Orleans, and
was there united to Henry Boas, December 27,
1804, a gentleman who Inid lieen engaged in rail-
roading almost all of his lifo until he came to
Moark, Ark., and oi>ened up the railroad eating
house at that place. Two years later he cauje to
Walnut Ridge, and established a very fine eating-
house, which was burned down in ^lay, 1877, In
the interval between the lOth of .May (date of tire)
and September t>, he had ))uilt ami moved into the
present eating-house, which ho conducted for three
years and a half, and then retireil from active lifo
for about four years. September 20, 1883, he
came to Hoxio, and erected the present hotel, whicii
ho operated until March, 1887. At this period
the health of their youngest child, Harry, began to
fail, and Mrs. Boas and her family made a visit to
Colorado, where they remained eighteen months.
Her oldest son, William Edgar, graduated from
the Brothers' College, St. Louis, Mo., but died
xVngust 21, 1885, and she lost her husband in
Panama, in September, 1886, where he had con
tracted malarial fever. Those of her children wlio
are now living are: Anna E., wife of John .S. Gib-
son, and Harry. There are two churches and a
public school building in course of construction at
Hoxio, the site of those improvements having Ijeen
donated by Mrs. Boas, and the newly projected
Walnut Ridge & Hoxio Street Railway Company
is through her farm, as also the right of way for
the Pocahontas & Hoxie Railroad. Mrs. Boas is
widely known for her liberality and kindliness, atid
is hold ill high regard by all acquaintancos.
George W. Goodwin is the oldest of four chil-
dren, and has resided in Lawrence County since
his twelfth year. He is a native of Alabama and
was born in 1839. His parents left Alabama in
1849 and came to Arkansas, where they settled in
Independence County and cultivated the land for
two years. In the fall of 1851 they removed to
Lawrence County, and settled in the neighliorliood
of whore Mr. Goodwin is now living. Here the
father purchased nn unimproved farm and com-
menced to model it into better shajie, when death
interrupted his labors in 1852, while yet in the
meridian of life. The mother is still living at the
age of seventy years and has never ceased to mourn
the loss of her husband. Eight children were
r
born to them, of whom four are deceased, and the
four remaiuing are George W. , Mark, Peter. Emily,
wife of D. A. Price. Those deceased are: Francis,
Samuel, Pleasaut, Mary E. Mr. Goodwin re-
mained at liome until the year 186'i, and in March
of that year entered the army under Capt. Sloan,
of the Twenty-tifth Arkansas. He fought in all
the battles in which the company participated
when able to do duty, and was commended by his
superiors for the bravery he displayed on several
occasions. He was taken prisoner at Baldwin,
Miss., in 1862, but was only held a short time
and then released. He surrendered at Greens-
boro, N. C, in April, 1805, and when paroled, re-
turned home and resumed his work on the farm.
In 1870 he was married to Miss Leah Williams, of
Arkansas, who was l)orn and reared in this county,
and who died March 1, 1878, at the age of thirty-
two years and eleven months. Their union was
blessed with four children, one of them now de-
ceased. Their names are James, Charles J.. Absa-
lom (deceased), and John L. Mr. Goodwin again
contracted a marriage with Miss Martha B. Daw-
son, born in Independence County, and a daugh-
ter of 1. F. Dawson, one of the representative
farmers of this county. Three children were born
to Mr. Goodwin and his second wife, namely:
George F. , Osa May and Lena. Mr. Goodwin is
a member and the clerk of the Missionary Baptist
Church, and has taken an active pai't in school
work, having held several offices on the school
board. He has taken one degree in Masonry, and
is a leading spirit in the community, being held in
high esteem by his fellow-townsmen and neighbors.
He has upward of ninety acres of land under
cultivation.
Mark Goodwin, a well-known farmer of Law-
rence Countv, was born in Jefferson County, Ala.,
in 1843, and came to Arkansas with his parents,
Wyche and Maria (Sharp) Goodwin, when very
youn". Mr. Goodwin has resided in Arkansas
ever since, and on reaching his twenty second year
he married and settled on the farui where he is at
present living. He is a practical farmer, and
thoroughly versed in the details of cotton ginning,
which l)usiness h(* operates in conjunction with his
brother, George Goodwin. They purchased a gin
in 1887, and in the following year ginned KiO Ijales
of cotton, with marked success. Mr. Goodwin at
one time devoted his attention to cabinet-making,
but finding that his farm would claim all of his
energies, he turned in that direction and has since
followed the occupation of farmer. His first mar-
riage was with Miss Frances Koney, of Arkansas,
who died, leaving two children — Samuel and
Laura, the latter now dead. His second wife was
Mi.ss Sarah SafFell, also a native of Arkansas, who
shortly followed in the footsteps of his first wife,
leaving one child, an infant, that did not survive
her long. Mr. Goodwin was married in 18(57 or
1868 to bis present wife. Miss Margaret Williams,
a daughter of Samuel Williams, a farmer and ex-
tensive stock dealer, of Lawrence County. The
fruits of this union were eight children, six girls
and two boys, whose names are: Ida, Joseph,
Milton, Ella, Lena, Addie, Mandie, Nora all of
them living. Mr. Goodwin is a member of A. F.
& A. M. Lodge No. 458, and also of the Mission-
ary Baptist Church. He has creditably filled sev-
eral offices on the school l)oard and local positions,
and is a man of great popularity in his vicinity.
(ieorge Graff & Sons, wagon manufactur-
ers, blacksmiths and repairers. Walnut Ridge.
George Graff, who established the l)usiness in
1877, was born at Frankfort on-the-Main, Ger-
many, October 18, 1825. He learned the wagon
trade in his native country and came to America
in 1854. locating at St. Louis, where he established
himself in business at the corner of Clayton and
Manchester roads, remaining there twenty-si.\
j'ears. Having been compelled to pa}' a big secur-
ity debt, and being a heavy sufferer from fire, he
was induced to settle in Arkansas, in the year
1877, when he bought 200 acres of land at Lind-
say, five miles south of ^\'alnut Ridge. Shortly
aftm'ward he came to the latter place and opene<l
u]) his present business, while fortune seemed to
smile on him once more. In 1879 he had seven
men in his employ, and manufactured all kinds of
wagons, and in I8S() lie Ijrought his oldest son,
Benjamin F. , into partnership, changing the tirm
name to George Graff' & Son, which continued un-
":?i;
LA^\ HENCE COT'NTY.
7»3
der this hp;ul until the time of his death, January
7, 1888, when the other son, Fritz F. , became a
partner. The father, George Graff, was a mem-
ber of the Roman Catholic Church, and was buried
in the Catholic cemetery at Little Rock, the ser-
vices being conducted by Rev. Father Fitzgerald.
His two sons have since carried on the Imsiness of
wagon manufacturing, and have added an under-
taking establishment to it. The father was mar-
ried to Miss Anna Mary Graeber, also a native of
Germany, ten children having been born to them.
Six of them are still living, four boys and two
girls: Josie M. , wife of John .J. Pace, of Las
Vegas, N. M. ; Fritz F., Jacob T., of Las Vegas;
Benjamin F., Julius and Mary. The mother is
now deceased. Benjamin F. Graff was married
August 5, 188-4, to Miss Ida F. Israel, of Walnut
Ridge, and the couple have had two children:
Ruby Archias and Bennie. Fritz F. was married
October 19, 1884, to Miss Susie Kirsch, at Raven-
den Springs, Ark. They have twin girls: Josie
Ruby and Jessie Lee.
William C. Harris, of Hazel Grove, comes orig-
inally from North Carolina. His parents ar(> both
North Carolinians, but were married in South Car-
olina, from which place they moved, in 1835, and
settled in Walker County, Ga. His father, William
6. Harris, was a tanner by trade, and had followed
it for a number of years, but later in life embarked
in agricultural pursuits. He was one of the num-
ber who assisted in transferring the Cherokee Na-
tion into the Indian Territory. After locating in
Georgia he turned his attention to farming, and
also devoted part of his time to a lanyard, until the
Union WHS divided, when he moved to Catoosa
Connty, wliere he died in 1X54, a member of the
.Methodist E])iseoiial (Uuircli. His wife moved to
Missouri, after his death, and settled in Maries
('ounty, where she lived until the time of h<'r de-
cease, in 180'.^. Twelve children were born to them,
seven living to maturity, and two dying since then.
The names of those living are Mary Ann, Sarah
N., Martha, Cicero F. and William C. Those
dead who lived to maturity were James F. and
Fletcher; the others died in infancy. William C.
was the third child and the eldest son. His young
50
er days were passed ujwn a farm in Georgia, and
at the age of twenty-ono years ho commenced life
for himself. His first venture was on a farm in
Georgia, and, in 1857, he came to Arkansas, and
settled in Jefferson County, where ho dealt in
stocks. In the year 18()() he moved to his present
home, where he has lived ever since, except in thi-
interval when he enlisted in Dobbins' regiment,
during the war. He was pre.sent at the surrender,
on June"), 1805, at Jacksonport, Ark. On his re
turn home ho resumed his work on the farm, and
was shortly afterward married to Miss Mary Sini
ord, of Walker County, Ga , a daughti-r of .lames
Sinierd, an old resident of Georgia. Mrs. Harris
came to Arkansas with her parents, in 18r>7, an«l
settled in this county, wiiere the father died in
1801, at the age of tiftytwo, and thr> mother in
1874, aged sixty two. Botli of them were mem-
bers of the Missionary Baptist Church. Two chil-
dren were born to them: Joseph G. , who died in
1859, and Mary, now the wife of Mr. Willianj C.
Harris. Mr. Harris and his wife liave three chil-
dren living: Martha E. , the wife of William Allen;
Thomas M., and Amanda G., the wife of Bishop
Morris, justice of the peace of this township.
When Mr. Harris first settled in this jjlaco there
were only five acres of land cleared; but he now
lias upwards of 1(10 acres under cultivation, most
of it being done by his own labor.
Thomas C Hennessee is a son of G. C. and
Sallio (Smith) Hennessee, of Warren County. Teun.,
who emigrated to Wright County, Mo., in 1842,
where Thomas was born March 20, 1844. In
ISOM the family moved to Arkansas and located in
Lawrence County, where the father died in ISSO.
He served in the Confederate army through the
war, and was one of the raitlers luider Price during
that general's daring exploits. The family con-
sisted of four sons and three daughters, who grew
to mature years, of whom two brothers and three
sisters are yet living. Thomas ('. Hennessee re-
mained with his father on the farm until the latter
joined the Confederate array, in IStU. In 1802 ho
enlisted in the Second Missouri Battalion of Cav
airy, and served in that company until the clo.se of
the war. He was paroled and discharged at
d
s w_
794
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
Shrevepoit, La., on May 10, 1865, and returned
to his home in Lawrence County. During his
career in the army Mr. Henne.ssee has, no doubt,
seen about as much lighting, and also done fully as
much as any soldier at that jjeriod. He took part
in the tights at Poison Springs, Marks' Mill, Jen-
kins' Ferry, and a great many skirmishes and tights
of lesser note, but equally as hot as their prede-
cessors. When he tirst joined the army, the bat-
talion of which he was a member was composed of
476 men, and out of that number only seventy-four
lived through the hon'ors of war to be paroled at
its close. Mr. Hennessee received a gun- shot
wound in one of his limbs, which disabled him for
a time; and, on another occasion, was wounded by
one of the guards, after being taken a prisoner,
while walking over a log to cross a creek. Ou De-
cember 21, 1865, he was married to Miss Levira
Bagley, of Arkansas, and then settled to a farm
life with his bride. He came on his present place
in December, 1870, and has cleared up about 160
acres, and built a fair house, out- buildings and all
necessary adjuncts, besides a small orchard of well-
selected fruits. He also owns another farm of 187
acres, with about sixty acres cleared up and a com-
fortable house -built upon it, owning altogether
some 400 acres of rich Ijottom land, situated abou*
five miles northwest of Walnut Ridge. Mr. Hen-
nessee was elected justice of Cache Township in
1874, and held the oifice continuously for twelve
years. He is a Democrat in politics, and a strong
adherent to the principles and doctrines of his
party. Both he and his wife are members of the
Methodist Episcopal Church, South, and Mr. Hen-
nessee is also a member of the Knights and Ladies
of Honor. They have had five children born to
them, all living. Their names are Martha, wife
of J. S. Childers; Laura, wife of W. G. Duty;
Joseph G. , John H. and Sallie Anna. Mr. Hen-
nessee .started in life, after the war, without a dol-
lar, and has accumulated his fine property by in-
dustry, economy and good management, and is
now one of Lawrence County's solid men and en-
terprising citizens.
Samuel Henry, farmer and stock raiser, is a son
of Reuben and Elizalieth (Yates) Henry, of Polk
County, Tenn. , where Samuel was born on the 10th
of August, 1837. His father bore arms for this
country in the War of 1812, and also fought under
Gen. Jackson, at the battles of New Orleans and
Horseshoe Bend. After the death of the elder
Henry, which occurred while in his prime, the
government granted a land warrant to the family,
in recognition of his services. Samuel remained
with his mother until he grew to manhood, and
then commenced farming for himself. When war
was announced between the North and South, he
enlisted in the Confederate army, and became a
member of the Ninth Tennessee Cavalry, first as a
private, but later on i^romoted to the rank of
orderly sergeant. He was present at the battle of
Shiloh for three days, and at the tirst siege and
bombardment of Vicksburg for thirty days; then
at the battle of Baton Rouge, La., and at Corinth,
Miss. , where he was captured and taken prisoner.
Ten days after his capture he was paroled, and in
nine months' time fi'om that date re-joined his regi-
ment in time to take part in the battle at Jackson,
Tenn. His last fight of importance was at the
battle of Chickamanga, but he afterward fought in
a great many skirmishes and smaller battles. In
the fall of 1864 he was taken prisoner at Charles-
ton, Tenn., and held at Paducah, Ky. , until the
close of the war, when he was paroled at Union
City, Tenn. , in June, 1865. x He then returned to
his home in that State, and farmed for several
years, and in the fall of 1872 moved to ISIissoim,
where he remained for two years. Ho again
changed his habitation in 1874, coming to Lawrence
County, Ark., and settling on a farm. In 1882 he
moved to Texas, and was gone one year, when he re-
turned to Lawrence County, and bought a small
tract of land, iipon which he commenced farming.
Shortly afterward he went to Randolph Coirnty,
Ark. , bought land, and later on retui'ned to Law-
rence County, and settled upon his present place of
residence, where he has almost 200 acres of land,
and about fifty acres cleared and under cultivation,
all of it being on bottom land, and composed of
very rich soil. In politics Mr. Henry is a Demo-
crat, and, before he went to Texas, had been elected
justice of the peace and served one term. In the
_
fall of 1888 he was again elected justice of the
peace, and is still holding that office. He was mar-
ried on July 22, 1860, in Bradley County, Tenn.,
to Miss Adalino Clark, a daughter of Ht^nry Clark,
of Georgia, and has three children: Miranda,
Elizabeth and Margaret, all single. Mr. and Mrs.
Henry have lost a son, Reuben Napoleon, who died
in July, 1884, at the age of seventeen. Mrs.
Henry is a member of the Methodist E])iscopal
Church, and is well-known for hi'rcliarital)le nature
and interest in church work.
J. F. Hildebrandt, farmer, has been a resident
of Campbell Township for thirty-one years, and
was boru in Dallas County, Mo., in 1857. His
parents were Thomas and Mary (Potter) Hilde-
brandt, who died while he was very young. They
moved to Arkansas in the year 1858, and settled
in Randolj)h County, where the father followed his
occupation of farming Tintil 1861, when he enlisted
in the Federal army, and was taken sick and died.
The mother survived him eight years, leaving
three boys at hm' death, of whom only one is liv
ing at present, J. F. Hildebrandt. Mr. Hilde-
brandt was reared on a farm, and after his mother's
death went to live with his uncle, M'illiam I'otter,
until the time of his decease, when he transferred
his home to that of Uncle Claiborne Piiuiell, an
old settler of Lawrence County. December 5,
1876, he was married to Miss Elizabeth Hennes-
see, a daughter of Gideon Hennessee, one of the
old residents of Campbell Township, who presented
his daughter with forty acres of land, as a mar-
riage gift, and upon which Mr. Hildebrandt and
his wife are at present living. He is an energetic
and successful young farmer, and will soon add to
his prosperity, from present indications. They are
members of the Methodist Episcopal Church,
South, and Mr. Hildebrandt is also connected with
the Knights and Ladies of Honor, at Walnut
Ridge. They have had live children, two of them
deceased. Those living are Nancy Artabell, Mary
Vlvira and William Thomas.
P. B. Hill, a well-known farmer of Campbell
Township, was born in Iredell County, N. C,
July 8, 1852. His father, who was Robert H.
Hill, was a native of North Carolina, of Scotch and
Irish ancestry, who married Miss Sarah Adeline
Hall. The father of Mr. Hill died in North Caro-
lina, and the mother in Fayette County, Tenn.
P. B. Hill received a liberal education at home,
his parents taking pains to provide him with every
facility for learning, and was subsequently at Mm'
University of Mississippi, where he completed thi-
junior and sophomore courses. He then studied
law at SomervilJe, Tenn., with H. C. Moorman,
and attended a course of law lectures at the Van-
derbilt University, Nashville, Tenn. He was a<l
mitted to the bar in Tennessee, and later on in the
State of Arkansas. He came to the latter State in
1886, and settled in Lawrence County, and has
been a resident of Campbell Township for about
three years. He was marrieil in June, 1886, to
Miss Victoria Lester, a daughter of P. K. Lester,
and has one child, Annie P. Hill.
Dr. A. B. Hogard, a prominent citizen and a
farmer and stock raiser of Marion township, was
born in Louisa County, Va., on the 27th of August,
1827. He is a son of Austin and Sarah (H.'imil-
ton) Hogard, of that State, the father being of
Scotch descent, and the mother a daughter of
Capt. Hamilton, of Virginia. The elder Hogard
was a physician and also a preacher, and was noted
for his great oratorical powers and strong delivery
at that period. He moved to Missouri in 183:1
and settled in Perry County, where he practiced
medicine, and was also occupied in farming and
milling. His death occurred in 1.S62. During his
life he fought in the War of 1N12, and took part
in the battle at Norfolk, Va. Dr. A. B. Hogard
remained with his father in Perry County. Mo. .
until he grew to manhood, and received a good
common school education. He also attended the
Washington Seminary at Cape Girardeau, and
afterwards studied medicine with Dr. Glenn, of
Perry County, a widely known pliysician of that
period. In 1858-5'J he took his lirst course at tlie
St. Louis Medical College, and afterwards took a
graduating course at the Kentucky School of Med-
icine at Louisville, in 1860-61, graduating in the
spring of 1861. He then returned to Perry County,
and |)racticed until 1864. when he eidisted in the
Federal army, and served until the end of the war.
-> A J'
796
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
He first entered as a lieutenant, but was afterwards
transferred to the regiment hospital of which he
had full charge, and was promoted to surgeon-
general. The Doctor then located at Pinckney-
ville. 111., in 1860-67, and was appointed pension
examiner by Gen. Grant. He held the office for two
years, and then resigned, but continued his prac-
tice at that place up to the year 1875. In 1878 he
moved to Arkansas, and located at the place upon
which he now resides, and practiced for a number
of years. He finally gave up his profession, and
bought a section of land, with some slight improve-
ments on it and commenced farming, and he now
owns about 450 acres of land, with about 240 acres
cleared. The Doctor also built a cotton-gin in
1883, which was at first worked by horse-power,
but is now run by steam, and gins a large portion
of the cotton in that vicinity. In 1850 he was
married to Miss Ellen Burgee, in Perry County,
a daughter of Judge Burgee, of that place, but lost
his wife in 1S06. He has one daughter by this
wife, and two sons and one daughter by his second
wife, who was Mrs. Mary Steel, a widow lady of
Illinois. Their names are Martha, wife of John
Mosley; John, Ellen, wife of H. R. Childers, and
Thomas. The Doctor and his wife are members of
the Baptist Church, and he himself is a Master
Mason. In the fall of 1884 he was elected justice
of Marion Township, and at the expiration of his
term was re-elected in 1888, and is at present fill-
ing that office with dignity and wisdom.
John Holmes (deceased), one of the former citi-
zens of Walnut Ridge, was born in Coshocton,
Ohio, April 18, 1858. His 2)arents were A. Jack-
sou and Mary (McDanifl) Holmes, of the same
State, who died when their son was very young.
Mr. Holmes was reared on a farm in Coshocton,
Ohio, by his uncle, Felix Butler, and on reaching his
twentieth year, he left him and settled at a point
near St. Mary's, Kas., where he learned the car
penter's trade. He followed this for two years,
and then worked on a farm for one year. In the
spring of 1884 he came to Walnut Ridge, and
worked at his trade until his death occurred, in
1888, aged thirty years. Mr. Holmes was not a
member of any society. He was a Republican in
politics, and served one term as marshal of Wal-
nut Ridge, gaining the reputation of being an effi-
cient officer. He was married January 1, 1881,
to Miss Maggie Van Syckle of New Jersey, whose
parents, A. Jackson and Catherine (Hibler) Van
Syckle, were natives of the same State. Four chil-
dren were born to Mr. and Mrs. Holmes, three of
them living: Ada, Bertha and Otto. Mrs. Holmes
was appointed postmistress of Walnut Ridge, on
May 16, 1889, succeeding Capt. James C. Can-
non, on June 9, 1889, and fulfills the duties of
her office to the satisfaction of Lawrence County's
citizens.
Henry T. Holt, one of Lawrence County's lead-
ing farmers, and a blacksmith whose repiitation
extends to all parts of that county, was born in
1844, in the State of Arkansas. His parents were
Heni-y and Patsy (Logan) Holt, of Kentucky, who
came to this State and settled near the Missouri
line, in 1830. The following year they moved to
Carroll County, Ark., where the father is still liv-
ing, in his seventieth year. Mr. Holt's parents
had eight children, and seven of them are yet liv-
ing, Henry T. being the fourth child born. He
was reared in Carroll County, and lived thereuntil
better opportunities seemed to present themselves
in Lawrence County, to which locality he moved.
In 1863 he enlisted in the Confederate army, and
was one of Gen. Price's raiders through Missouri.
He was also a member of the Sixth Cavalry, and
while with that company was engaged in several
sharp skirmishes. Before raiding through Mis-
souri he took part in an engagement in this county,
and played an active part. His surrender was
made at Buffalo, in Newton County, in 1865. He
returned home in 1866, and came to this county,
where he located on Coopers Creek. He lived
there five years, and then purchased his present
home, near Smithville, and has been there ever
since. He was married to Mrs. C. Campbell, nee
Sloan, of Tennessee, and the coujile are happy in
the possession of three bright children: Lura,
Amelia, and Clo. Thomas. Mr. Holt learned the
trade of blacksmith from his father, when a boy,
and has followed it up to within the last few
years. He is the largest stock dealer in Smith-
villi" Township, and also has 100 acres of land
under cultivation, besides some good farms. In
politics, he is a Democrat, and one of Lavprence
County's leading citizens.
Dr. "William H. James, of the firm of James &
Wayland, merchants and lumber dealers, was born
in Gibson County, Tenn., in 1844. He is the son
of John W. James, of Virginia, who y/na born in
181U, and came to the State of Tennessee in his
young days, where he was graduated from the
Nashville Medical College, being in his after career
a successful physician. He was also a minister of
the Baptist Church, of which denomination he died
a member in 1863. The mother, Lucinda D. (Mc-
Whirter) James, was born January 4, 1817, in the
State of North Carolina, and died in 1860. They
were the parents of five children, three of whom
lived to maturity, but only one. Dr. William H.
James, is living at present. Dr. James came to Ar-
kansas with his parents in 185S, where he remained
until the war commenced. He enlisted in the Con-
federate army in 1861, and served until the close
of hostilities, when he surrendered at Jackson,
Miss. He was severely wounded at the battle of
Bentonville, N. C, while making a charge upon
the enemy, aud slightly wounded at Murfreesboro,
Tenn. AVhen the war was over he returned home,
and was engaged to oversee a plantation near Mem-
phis, and afterward accepted a position in a mill
near that place. He commenced the practice of
medicine under Dr. Boardman, of the Missouri
Medical College, St. Louis, and entered that col-
lege in IBBC). He returned to Arkansas, and com-
menced practicing at Smithville, and from then"
came to Powhatan in 186U. He now resides on
Flat Creek, between Smithville and Powhatan, and
enjoys a large practice. The Doctor was first mar
ried, in 1869, to Miss Temperance A. Wesson, of
Virginia, who died August 1, 1884, leaving five
children to survive her— Ada L., Ella L. , Ida L.,
Ora L. , and Ula L. , of whom the first letter in
each name makes the five vowels. His second wife
was Miss Virginia Brady, of this county, who is
still living, and by whom he has had three chil-
dren —Willie V. (a girl), Yancey V. (a boy), and
Edward, all of them living. The Doctor and his
wife are memliers of the Missionary Baptist Church,
and the Doctor himself of the A. F. & A. M,, in
which he is a Chapter member. He entered into
mercantile life in 18711, and one year later formed
a partnership with F. M. Waylaad, now the man-
ager of the firm. Dr. James is one of the most
successful men in Lawrence County. He owns a
large farm, well under cnltivution, besides several
large tracts of timber land, and is engaged in saw-
milling lo some extent. He is very popular, both
on account of his business and personal qualifica-
tions, and is a man of fine physique. •
\\'iley C. Jones is a native of Alabama, and
was born in Jackson County, in 1824. His parents
both came originally from Georgia, and settled in
Alabama, where they were married, and in 1829
or 1830 moved to the State of Tennessee. In 1834
they settled in Illinois, locating in the southern
portion of that State, and remaining six years, and
in 1840, the prospects of a brighter future present-
ing itself in the State of Arkansas, they turned
their attention in that direction and settled on Big
Creek, now situated in Sharp County. Farming
and milling were their occupations until 1856, when
the father died at the age of fifty-two years, after
a busy and useful life. Four children were born
to the parents, Mr. Jones being the second child.
He grew to manhood in this county, and com
menced in business for himself in Sharp County,
in 1S47, and afterward in Lawrence County. He
followed the business of his father until the first
iilarm of war penetrated into his home, and. leaving
the old mill and its boyhood memories behind,
rushed to the front like a gallant soldier to fight
for his country. He was enrolled in Coleman's
regiment, and after two months' hot work, was
captured in Sharp County, and conveyed to St.
Louis, Mo., where he was forced to lay si.v weeks in
captivity. From St. Louis he was taken to Alton,
where he was held a jmsoner for three months,
and thence to Memphis, Tenn., from which place
he daringly made his escape by swimming the
river, with the bullets of his cnptoi-s singing about
his ears. He returned to his regiment, then at
Pocahontas, Randolph County, and obtained his
release. He remained at home for a short time,
798
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
bnt inactivity was the bane of his existence, and,
in the fall of 1802, he joined Capt. Dye's regi-
ment, which had been re-organized, and was then
called Newton's regiment. One year later he was
sent home on a recruiting expedition, and suc-
ceeded in organizing what was known as Baber's
regiment, in honor of Col. Baber, and remained
with them until the surrender at Jacksonjwrt,
June 22, 1865. At the close of the war he re-
turned home and resumed his business of farming
and milling, and has devoted a portion of his time
to cotton-ginning. He has various interests in
Lawrence County, and is one of the influential
men of his section. He was married, in 1848, to
Miss Rebecca Lingo, one of the former belles of
Arkansas, and their marriage has been blessed
with two children, who brightened their home un-
til death claimed them. After the death of his
first wife Mr. Jones met Miss Sarah Endsley, an
attractive lady of Tennessee, and after a brief
struggle love was once more the victor over grief,
and they were united in 1853. They have had
seven children, of whom four are deceased. Mr.
Jones was fated to lose his second wife, and re-
mained a widower until January 11, 1884, when he
succumbed to the charms of Miss Sarah Snider, his
present wife. He is a member of A. F. & A. M. ,
and was appointed postmaster at Canton in this
county before the war, and has also held several
local ofSces.
William Jones, justice of the peace, and a well-
known farmer and merchant, was born in William-
son County, 111., November 29, 1849. He is a son
of L. A. Jones, of Indiana, who moved to Illinois
in 1841, and was married in that State to Miss
Ridley J. Moore, of Tennessee. After their mar-
riage the couple made W'illiamson County, 111.,
their home, where the elder Jones still resides at
a very advanced age. His mother, Mrs. Ridley
J. Junes died in March, 1862. W'illiam Jones re-
mained with his parents until his sixteenth year,
and with a strong reliance on his own abilities he
commenced in life for himself. He came to the
State of Arkansas in 1807, and located at Clover
Bend, in Lawrence County, where he farmed for a
number of years, and then moved to his present
residence. When he first purchased the land it
was all new and unimproved, but since then he has
cleared about fifty acres, biiilt some very fair
houses upon it, and cultivated a small but well-se-
lected orchard. He also built a store in 1888, and
put in a good stock of general merchandise, and l)y
his upright and honest methods of doing business
has established a tine trade. He was married in
the spring of 1868 to Miss Mary Stephens, of
Tennessee, and has three children living by this
marriage, Nettie Jane, Charley A. and Arthur W.
Allie D. and Willie A. died in early childhood.
Mr. Jones was elected justice of the peace in the
fall of 1884, and is now serving his third term.
He is a member of the Agricultural Wheel, and
one of the most substantial citizens of Lawrence
County.
Hon. Joseph B. Judkins, a name well known
and respected throughout Lawrence County, was
born in what is now De Kalb County, on March 1,
1837. He is a son of Hon. William H. and Sarah
(Roberts) Judkins, natives of Virginia, where the
elder Judkins was a farmer of considerable magni-
tude. The father first moved to North Carolina,
and from there to the State of Tennessee, and
about the year 1850 he settled in Lawrence
County, Ark., where his son, Joseph B., now re-
sides. He was elected to the State senate of Ar-
kansas, and was a member of that body at the
time of his death, in 1854, and previous to that
event had held the office of justice of the jieace for
twelve years. Joseph B. Judkins came to Ar-
kansas with his father when fourteen years of age,
and remained with him up to the time of his death.
He then lived with his mother until he had attained
his manhood, and bought the land upon which he
now resides. When he first came n|)on it the land
was entirely new, and he immediately sot to work
clearing and building upon it, so that now he has
some 150 acres cleared and under cultivation, own-
ing altogether about 520 acres. Mr. Judkins also
owns two fine orchards of apples and peaches, upon
which he has spent a large amount of time and care
to tiring to a state of perfection, and thus far his
labor has been rewarded. In 1862 he enlisted in
the Confederate service, becoming a memlier of
^'
LAAVEENCE COUNTY.
I'M
the Twenty fifth Arkansas Infantry, and gave val-
uahle and efficient aid to the canse until the close
of the war. He was at the battles of llichmoiid,
Ky. , Stone River and Ghickainauga, and was also
present at the siege and surrender of Atlanta. Al-
together he was engaged in ahout twenty five hat-
ties, besides several minor skirmishes. On his first
entrance into the army he held the rank of orderly
sergeant, but by his bravery ho soon won the raidcs
of lieutenant and captain, respectively. He com-
manded the regiment as senior captain in thirteen
(Migagoments, and was twice wounded, each time
while gallantly leading his men before a suijerior
force. After the war was over, and his surrender
at Jacksonport, he returned to his home and farm,
and on July 8, 1856, was married to Miss Susan
A. Phillips, a daughter of Alfred and Ann Phillips;
she had captured the gallant soldier's heart, and
found for him a haven of peace after his stormy
career through the war. Seven children were born
to this happy union: Alfred L., William H.,
Josie \\'. (wife of George A. Dungan), all of them
married, and Charles F., Augustus H. G., Horace
H. and David W., single. Mr. Judkins is an Odd
Fellow, and in politics is a .strong believer of
Democratic principles, supporting his party on
every occasion where his valuable aid was needed.
He was elected sheriff of his county in 186'J, and
on the expiration of his term was re-elected
and served four consecutive years. Two years
succeeding he was elected and served as assessor,
and then represented his county in the legislature.
In 1870 he was elected to the State senate, and
after serving in that body four years, was re-elected
as a member of the Arkansas legislature, and for
ten years comprised one of that body. He retired
from political life in 1880, but still takes an active
part in the aflfairs of his county. His record in
the political field is one of lirilliancy and honor,
and few men have ever served the interests of their
l)arty to a bettter advantage than did Mi-. Judkins.
John W. Kelley is the son of Marvel and Sally
Kelley, of Georgia, in which State he was born in
the year of 1830. He is the youngest of eight
children, and lost his father when only two years
old. His mother was afterward married to Ed.
Kitchens, and removed to Arkansas in 1857, local
ing in Newton County. They remained there
several years and then settled in Te.xas, where
they liv(Hl until the time of their decease. 5Ir.
Kelley reached his mauhood in the State of Ala
bama, having gone there when quite young. At
twenty tliree years of ago he went to Dent County,
Mo., and finding the locality satisfactory, remained
there until 1854, when he returned to Alabama,
and lived there three years. He then moved back
to Dent County, Mo. , and in 1863, when the first
alarm of war was sounded, he joined Col. Mitchell's
regiment in the Confederate army, and served un-
til the fall of 1804. They were disbanded when
near the Indian Nation on account of the ravages
of small pox in that territory. He fell a victim to
this dread disease, and remained in Ozark County,
Ark., until his recovery. In the spring of 1805,
he came to Lawrence County, Ark., and settled at
a point near Powhatan, where he remained six
years. From thi>re he moved to his present home
and commenced farming and improving the land.
Mr. Kelley was first married to a young lady of
Alabama, Miss Nancy Lawson, who died in 1800.
By this marriage he had seven children (four of
them dying since): Rebecca J., the wife of Thomas
Hederick; Marvel Jackson, and JlaryAnn, the wife
of James C. Smith — living; and those who have
died are: Sarah, who was the wife of William
McLaughlin, leaving three children, and Nancy,
William and Cassandra, the latter dying in child-
hood from the small-pox. Mr. Kelley was married
the second time to Mrs. Mary Woodson, nee Law-
son, a sister of his first wife. They had one child
by this union, Andrew, who died August 22, 1887.
This lady died in 1882, and Mr. Kelley' s third
wife was Mrs. Cynthia Cravens, nee Johnson. He
has had one child by this wife. Mr. and Mrs.
Kelley are members of the Methodist Episcopal
Church, South. They have throe children by her
first husband, whose names are Maggie Cravens,
Thomas G. and Martha E. Their father died in
March, 1882. Mr. Kelley' s son. Marvel Jack.son,
is married and teaching school near the home of
his father.
Jarrett W. Kendall, a widely-known farmer of
800
HISTORY OF AKKANSAS.
Strawberry Township, was Ijorii in Henry County,
Tenu., in 1834. He is a son of Jophtha A. and
Elizabeth J. (Harvey) Kendall, of Tennessee,
whose parents settled in Tennessee in the year
1800. Mr. Kendall's grandfather fought in the
War of 1812, and was also a soldier in the old Rev-
ohitionar}' War. He lived to a very advanced age,
as did also his wife, Rachel, who was one hundred
and twelve years old at the time of her death.
They were the parents of a very large family, the
father of J. W. Kendall being their youngest child,
who was l)()rn in Tennessee, in 1806, where he
grew to maturity and married. His wife, the
mother of J. \V. Kendall, was born in Tennessee,
in the year 1812, and both parents were of English
descent. They remained in Tennessee until the
death of the father, in 1838, when the mother came
west and located in Independence County, Ark.,
where they lived until 18(55, when they removed
to a point in Jackson County, near Jacksonport.
In 1861) they came to this county, where Mr. J. W.
Kendall has since lived. He enlisted in Capt.
Gibb's company. First Arkansas Regiment, and
served four years. During that time he fought at
Wilson's Creek, andElkhorn, Mo., also at the bat-
tle of Corinth, Miss. He took part in several small
engagements, but the next battles of note in which
he was present were at Murfreesboro (Tenn. ) and
Chickamauga (Ga. ), and was with Sherman on his
famous march to the sea. Some of his hottest
fighting was at Franklin, Tenn. , and at Nashville,
where he was disabled by a ball through the left
hip, and was also shot through the bowels and kid-
neys. He was taken to the hospital at Franklin,
where he was captured, and taken to Nashville.
He was held in the hospital for tliirty days, and
taken to Columbus, Ohio, where he was kept a
prisoner until his exchange, just before the war
was ended. He then went to Rook Hill, N. C. ,
where he was taken care of by a citizen of the
town until the surrender, when he returned home
and resumed his farm work. Mr. Kendall must
certainly have received as many wounds as any
survivor of the war. For two years afterward he
could pick small pieces of bone out of his body,
especially in his ])ack, where he was struck by a
bursting shell at Murfreesboro; and at Dock Hill.
Mo., his legs were riddled with small shot. His
war record is an honorable one, and the country
he served certainly had no braver man. One of
the saddest episodes of his career was during the
battle at Franklin, Tenn. He saw his brother
John shot down l)efore his eyes, but was unable to
reach him unlil the smoke and thunder of that
terrible slaughter had cleared away, and left the
battlefield to the dead. He returned at the earli-
est opportunity, and found him lying among the
slain, and, far away from home and kindred, he
buried him in a secluded spot near where he fell,
with the vast tield of battle as a monument to bis
bravery. At the close of the war Mr. Kendall
was left without a cent in the world, Ijut by exert-
ing himself he i-eceived 130 from the A. F. & A.
M. , with which to make a new start in life. He
now owns 4-16 acres of land, and has l^O under
cultivation, with a substantial building ujion it.
He was first married, in 1866, to Miss Mary G.
Box, of Tennessee, who died in 1880, leaving two
children: Felix Susan and George A., the latter
dying in December, 1888. His second wife was
Miss Harriet I. Reed, of Arkansas, who has borne
him two children; John W. and William S. Mr.
and Mrs. Kendall are members of the Missionary
Baptist Church; the former also of the A. F. & A.
M. , in which he is Past Master. He takes an active
interest in politics, and is a Democrat, having held
the office of justice of the peace.
Daniel Ketuer, farmer and stock-raiser, is a son
of David Ketner, of North Carolina, whose father
was one of the soldiers of the Revolution. David
Ketner married Miss Mary Izehom, their son, Dan-
iel, being born November 25, 1825. The latter
remained with his father until he reached the age
of twenty-four years, and in the .spring of 1849
moved west, and settled in the State of Illinois.
He labored on a farm in Union County for eight-
een months, and then, thinking the prospects
brighter for him in Tennessee, he moved to that
State, where he was shortly afterward married to
Miss Catherine Bour, of North Carolina. After
his marriage, he settled on a farm in Weakley
County, Tenn. , where he remained three years.
LAWRENCE COUNTY.
.S(l|
and id tlie expiiiitioii of tluit time, moved to Union
County, 111., residing there until the fall of 1858.
He then came to Arkansas and l)ou<^lit eighty acres
of now laud, which he cleared and put under cul-
tivation, and, meeting with success in his new
home, he l)onght more land on different occasions,
until, at the present time, he owns considerable.
His home place consists of 100 acres, with about
eighty acres cleared and a comfortable house upon
it; an adjoining farm of eighty acres, with fifty-
live acres cleared ; one of 160 acres, with about thir
ty five acres cleared, and another of s(^venty-three
acres, with thirty-five acres ready for cultivation.
Mr. Ketner can feel proud of his possessions, as
he has made it all liy his own exertions and good
management since, the war. He is one of Law-
rence County's representative farmers, and a man
much thought of and respected in his community,
lu 1863 he enlisted in the Confederate army, and
served until the final surrender, when he was pa-
roled at Shreveport, La., in June, 1865. His
record through the war is one of the best, and he
was always in the thick of battle at Pilot Knob.
Pine Bluff, Little llock. Independence and Price's
raids through Missouri. Mr. Ketner returned to
his home after the war had ended, and was there
married to his present wife, a widow lady, of
Tennessee, formerly Mrs. Mary Lawson. He is
the father of seven children by his first marriage:
George H., J. Daniel, Mahala, wife of Clay Hol-
den; Jesse A., Jane, wife of George Caspar; Mar-
garet, wife of James Nunley; Amanda, wife of
Elihu Davis; and there is also one child by the last
marriage, Nettie, a miss of five years. Mr. Ket-
ner is a membov of the Old School Presbyterian
Church, and also of the Agricultural Wheel, while
Mrs. Ketner attends the Baptist Church.
/ Henry L. Lady, farmer and stock raiser, is a
son of Henry and Irene (Fried) Lady, of Tennes-
see and Germany, respectively. After their mar
riage the parents moved to Lyon County, Ky.,
where their son, Henry L., was born, Doceml)er
26, 1S48. The elder Lady has resided in that
county over since, with his wife, both having
reached an advanced age, and is one of the most
prominent men in that section. He held the office
of ct)r()uer for sixteen consecutive years, and at Uie
present time he is still a vigorous, active old gen
tleman. Henry L. Lady remained with his jiar
ents until he had reached his twenty fourlli year,
having, in the nu^antime, all the advantages of a
good common school education, and also attending
the Eddyville Academy. He left his native place
ill 1871, and (rame to Arkansas, where he remained
the first year with an uncle, and then located on
the place upon which he now resides. On March
2',), 1S76, he was married in Lawrence County to
Miss Alice A. Cunningham, of South Carolina, and
.settled on a farm with his bride, who died on No-
vember 28, LST'.t. He was married a second time,
his nest wife being Miss Emeline Kenion, of Law-
rence County, who owned the place upon which
Mr. Lady resided on his arrival witli the first wife.
j They have 100 acres of fine land under cultivation,
and since his arrival, Mr. Lady has greatly im-
))roved and l)uilt up the place. He also has 200
acres of other land under cultivation and six tene-
ment houses, besides his own residence. Mr. and
Mrs. Laily hav(> no children of their own, but havi-
adopted two orphans, one of them thirteen years
of age and th(i other three years, and are giving
them a comfortable home and idl the advantages
that can be had. They are generous, kind-hearted
people, and much respectcnl by their neighbors.
Mr. Lady is a member of the Knights of Honor,
and also an active man in all enterprises working
for the welfare of his community.
Isaac Loss, of Walnut Ridge, farmer and real
e.state dealer, was born in Germany in the year
1840. He was thoroughly instructed in mercan-
tile branches in early life, and when in his .seven-
teenth year, he left his native country for America,
where he entered into partnership with Marcus
Berger (now of Jonesboro), at Greenville, III. In
1875 he came to Walnut Ridge with Mr. Berger.
and established a general store under the firm
name of Berger & Less, at a time when that town
had a population of about 200. They continued
under that name until ISSO, when the stock and
trade were purchased by Mr. Less, who remained
in the business for eight years, when fire burninl
him out; fortunately, however. It wie- c.iv.Ti'd l>y a
T
802
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
fair amount of insurance. He owns between 9,000
and 10,000 acres of land, and is quite an exton.'iive
dealer in that commoditj', and out of this amount
has about 1,200 acres under cultivation. Mr.
Less was married, in lS8t*, to Miss Augusta Isaacs,
of St. Louis, Mo., and four children have been
born to them. For natural ability, fair dealing in
all commercial transactions and activity in business
life, Mr. Less takes rank with the foremost. He
is one of the largest landholders in the eastern part
of the county, and has acquired it all by his own
labor. The names of his children are Mary, Alex-
ander, Morris and Jacob.
Philip K. Lester (deceased) was a resident of
Greene and Lawrence Counties for a period of
fifty years or more. He was a native of Middle
Tennessee, born in the year 1819. His parents
were John and Nancy (King) Lester, the former a
Virginian and a farmer by occupation, who came
to the State of Arkansas in 1831 or thereabouts.
The elder Lester was one of a party who camped
on Manmelle Prairie, Mo., the night of a great
celestial phenomenon, when multitudes of stars
were seen to fall from the heavens; a sight so grand
and inspiring that he had occasion to remember it
for a lifetime. He settled on Crowley's Ridge
(now the site of Lorano, in Greene County), where
P. K. Lester was reared. When the latter reached
his eighteenth year he attended school, and em-
ployed the greater part of his nights in studying.
He was an apt pujiil and a diligent student, and
mastered his task with such success that eventually
he taught school himself. While still a young
man, he went into the real estate business and fol-
lowed that until the war broke out. He enlisted,
but served only six weeks, and in the winter of 1861 ,
he came to Lawrence County, where he resided
until his death occurred. He bought and sold
stock quite extensively after the war was over, and
was very successful in business, owning at the time
of his death about 7,000 acres of land. He was a
hearty, active man, but was stricken down with
pneumonia and died January 28, 1877, at the age
of iifty-eight years. His grave is on the old home-
stead farm, where it was his desire to be buried.
He was a member of the Methodist Episcopal
Church, and also of the Powhatan Lodge of Masons.
In 1 855 he was married to Miss Mary Ann Rogers,
of Shelby County, Tenn. , whose parents were
ISlagilbra and Nancy (Staton) Rogers, of Nortli
Carolina, who had, besides this daughter, six other
children, three of them still living: JohnM. , Nancy
v., the wife of P. B. Hill, and Robert L., of Little
Rock, Ark. Mrs. Lester resides with one of her
daughters, and is a member of the Methodist Epis-
copal Church.
Col. John A. Lindsay, farmer and stock raiser
is a native of Kentucky, and was born in what is
now Carroll County, on the 7th of July, IS'JO.
His parents were Gen. Jesse Lindsay and Priscilla
(Ficklin) Lindsay, of Kentucky, who lived in tliat
State, and were married there in its earlier days.
They settled in Carroll County as soon as the In-
dians were moved from that section, and com-
menced farming and stock raising. The elder
Lindsay served through the War of 1812, and was
afterward militia general for a large district in
Kentucky. He also filled the office of sheriff of
both (xallatin and Carroll Counties, and at one
time was elected magistrate; and by virtue of be-
ing the oldest magistrate in the county, held the
first term as sheriff, in accordance with the laws
of the State. Gen. Lindsay, in his day, was one
of the best- known men in that locality, and as an
official was fearless in the discharge of his duty.
As sheriff, he was held in the highest respect by
the entire district he covered, and his name was a
check of the strongest kind on the law breakers of
that community; as a magistrate, his fame was
widesj)rpad. He died March 6, 1875, greatly
mourned by all who knew him. Col. John A.
Lindsay remained in Carroll County until he had
attained his eighteenth year, and then moved to
the State of Arkansas, in 1838, locating in Law-
rence County. As Washington was called the
father of his country, so might Col. Lindsay be
called the father of Powhatan, as he laid out that
town, and established the ferry across Black River.
Upon his arrival in Lawrence County he cleared
the land, and commenced farming where Powhatan
now stands, and at one time owned some 10,000
acres of land in this county. He now possesses
■" — "t^
LAWRENCE COUNTY.
80:!
n
alH)iit. 2,000 acres, aud six valuable farms, and is
(Mie of the wealthy men of Ashland Township. In
18()1 the Colonel received the cajitain's commission
of an independent company, who were armed,
nionnted and equipped at their own expense, and
re(|U('sted to report to the nearest command for
home protection on special duty. This company
afterward entered the Confederate army, and per-
formed good service for the Southern cause, their
captain being promoted to colonel. In 1864 he
joined Gen. Price, but more in the capacity of
guide than for actual battle, as he was thoroughly
acquainted with the country in which they were
traveling. The war was an occasion of heavy
losses to Mr. Lindsay, on account of his having
credited an immense amount of goods previous to
its advent, and then not being able to collect. He
was married at Powhatan, in 1840, to Miss Martha
A. Ficklin, of Missouri, a daiighter of Asa P.
Ficklin, who died in 1878, after a faithful and
happy married life of almost forty years. One
son was born to them, who lived until his thirty-
seventh year, and died in 1879, Asa T. Lindsay.
The Colonel is a member of the Masonic order,
being a Royal Arch Mason and Knight Tem^jlar,
belonging to Powhatan Lodge No. 72, besides being
a member of Hugh DePayne Comraandery, at Little
Kock.
James M. McCall, farmer and stpck raiser, and
a popular resident of Duty Township, was born in
Weakley County, Tenn., March, 29, 1889. He is
a son of Robert J. and Eliza McCall, who were
the i)arents of five children, four boys and one girl.
One of the brothers was killed in the last war, and
another met his death in a runaway team, while
the remaining three are still living: James M.,
John M., and Elizabeth, wife of F. Gillespie. The
family moved to the State of Arkansas in 1850, and
settled at a point in Lawrence County, near Wal-
nut Ridge. They remained here one year, and
then located on a farm near Portia, where the
father died, in 18')1 or 1802, and the mother sev-
eral years later. The elder McCall, up to the time
of his death, had been a veteran of the Mexican
War. and had done good service for his country
during the campaign in Mexico. He was married
a second time, and James M. is the ol.lcst .'.(.n liv-
ing by that marriage. James M. McCall came to
Arkansas with his parents when in his twelfth
year, and remained with thcun until ho came of
age. He enlisted in the Confederate army at the
commencement of the war, and was a member of
Col. Baber's regiment, in which ho was one of its
most gallant fighters in the numerous battles par-
ticii)ated in by that regiment. On December 25,
1863, he was captured in Ripley County, Mo., atid
taken a prisoner to Rock Island, 111., where he was
held until the close of the war. After being liber-
ated he returned to his home, and resumed his work
upon the farm, this having been his occupation
ever since, and he now owns one tract of 120 acres,
some three miles from Portia, of which twenty-
five acres are cleared and under cultivation. He
has a good frame residence and stables on his
home place, and also an orchard, from which he
expects good results.' Mi-. JlcCall was married in
Lawrence County, March 14, 1861, to Miss Mar
tha C. Jeffrey, a native of this county, and a daugh-
ter of Jesse Jeffrey. Five children were horn to
this union, who are still living: James E. , F. O.
McCall, wife of John Freer; Martha Selnia, wife
of D. Finly; Robert J. and Laura Jessie, and two
who died in childhood. Mr. and Mr.s. McCall are
both members of the Methodist Episcopal Church,
South, and Mr. McCall is one of Lawrence Coun-
ty's brightest men. He is active in promoting the
interests of the county, and is held in high esteem.
John R. McCarrell, an extensive stock rai.ser
and farmer of Black River Township, was l)orn in
Lawrence County, Ark., December 24, 1S34. His
father, James McCarrell, was a native Kentuckian.
who came to Arkansas with his parents when eight
years of age, being among the lirst settlers of
Lawrence County. They settled at a point near
Smithville, in the year 180S, where James McCar-
rell grew up and lived the greater portion of his
life. His occupation was farming, and at one
time ho owned two of the finest farms in that sec-
tion of Arkansas. He also served a.s county treas-
urer of Lawrence County, for a number of years,
tilling the oflice with honor and credit. His death
occurred iu 1872, after a long and n-'fn) i-Mr....!-
S()4
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
John R. McCarrell remained with his father until
December 22, 1852, whcni he was married to Miss
Elizabeth Davis, of Tennessee. This wife died
January 24, 1884, after a faithful and happy mar-
ried life of over thirty -three 3'ears. They were the
parents of sixteen children, ten of them yet living.
After his marriage Mr. McCarrell commenced farm-
ing near Smithville, and in 1876 he moved to the
present place, which he has greatlj' improved since
his arrival, having about 1 50 acres under cultiva-
tion, on the Flat Greek Bottoms. In the fall of
1861 he enlisted in the Confederate Army, and
served until the close of the war, performing in
that time many a deed of valor. He was present
at the battle of Pilot Knob and several others, and
a great part of the time was on detached duty. He
surrendered at Jacksonport, Ark., June o, 1865,
and shortly afterward returned home to attend to
the cultivation of his farms. On March 10, 1886,
he was married to Mrs. Emma Rutledge, a widow,
of Lawrence County, who formerly resided in Ten-
nessee. They have two children by this marriage:
James P. and Sarah E.,the latter the wife of Frank
Hastin; and those by Mr. McCarrell' s first wife
are John H. , Susan (wife of Robert Eddy), George
W., William T., Martha (wife of Mr. Harroll),
Fannie (wife of W. Taylor) and Cora Belle.
Rol)ort McKamoy is a son of Robert and Jemima
(Parks) McKamey, of Tennessee, where young
Robert was born, on the 29th of November, 1845.
The elder McKamey held several local offices, and
was quite a prominent man in Tennessee, and was
also one of the survivors of the Mexican War. He
moved with his family to Arkansas in the fall of
185S, and purchased a farm in Lawrence County,
where he resided until his death, on the 12th of
October, 1870, six days after the demise of his
wife. Robert McKamey, Jr. , came to Arkansas
when in his thirteenth year, and remained with his
parents until the last year of the war, when he
entered the Federal army, and was attached to the
Sixth Missouri Volunteer Cavalry. He enlisted
fir-st as a ])rivate, but was made sergeant, in which
capacity he remained until the war had ended.
After he was given his discharge, in September,
1865, he returned to his home, and on the 6th of
•January, 1867, was married, in Randolph County,
to Miss Barbara Wells. He remained in that county
four years, farming upon a piece of land he had
purchased, and then sold out and bought the place
upon which he now resides. At the time of its
purchase, there were about 100 acres cleared, and
the buildings on it were unfinished, but since then
he has cleared some seventy -five additional acres,
fenced it in, and greatly improved the place. He
owns altogether about 500 acres of land, situated
two miles from Imboden, and one third rich bot
torn and second bottom land. This is one of the
best farms and most desirable pieces of [U'operty in
Lawrence County, and Mr. McKamej' has shown
thrift and energy in securing it, from the fact that
he started on comparatively nothing after the war.
He also has a tine orchard of seven acres, consist-
ingof different varieties of fruit. Mr. McKamey's
first wife died in Lawrence County, leaving two
children to her husband's care. His present wife
was Miss Susan Ann Bragg, of Independence
County, liy whom he has had seven children. Their
names are James L., John, Leona, Robert, Naida,
Abbie and Anna, the last two being twins; and
those by his first wife are Margaretta, wife of Will-
iam York, and Emily, who died in her seventeenth
year. Mr. McKamey has also lost three children,
who died in childhood. Mrs. McKamey is a mem-
ber of the Methodist Ei)iscoiial Church, and Mr.
McKamey an Ancient Odd Fellow. He is a Repul)
lican in politics, and upholds the principles of his
party. His wealth, while not of mammoth pro-
portions, has grown to ample size, and he is one of
the most substantial men of his county.
Simon McLeod was born in Harnett County,
N. C, March 3, 1843, and is the son of Murdoch
and Barbara (Matthews) McLeod, who came to
Arkansas in 1858, settling on a farm in Law-
rence County. His grandparents, on his father's
side, emigrated from Scotland to this country
during the latter half of the eighteenth century.
On his mother's side, he, is a descendant from a
local family of merchants and farmers. The elder
McLeod died in 1862, and his wife followed, De-
cember 20, 1888. Eleven children were born to
them, and the family came to Arkansas unbroken,
(deceased)
Mississippi Cdunty.Arkanbas.
LAWRENCE COUNTY.
Mir)
but death has cropped them out one by one until
but live remain. Their names are James, John
A., Simon, "William and Hector all farmers and
mechanics. Simon McLeod, the seventh child,
came west vyith his parents, with whom he remained
until 1861, then leaving a comfortabh* home to
fight for a cause he thought was right. He en-
listed in the First Arkansas Battalion, and served
to good advantage for the princ^iples which he had
undertaken lo defend. He was present at the bat-
tle of Corinth, and at the siege of Port Hudson
was among the most valiant in action. He did the
duty of a ])rivat(' soldier until the end of the war,
and surrendered at Shreveport, La., in ISC),"). He
then returned to his home, and was married, in
1867, to Miss Sally C Judkins, a Tennessee lady.
In 1868 he and his companion moved on to tiie
farm where they still live, with a happy and pros-
perous family. Mrs. McLeod is the descendant of
a wealthy and influential Virginia family. She
also is of Scotch descent. She is the daughter of
William H. and Sarah D. (Roberts) Judkins. Mr.
Judkins was elected to the State Senate of Arkan-
sas, in 18r)4, and died at Little Rock, Ark., in
December of the same year. Mi's. McLeod is a
sister of Hon. Joseph B. Judkins, who was presi-
dent of the Twenty- fourth Arkansas senate. Mr.
McLeod and wife have been blessed with nine
chililren. all living with the exception of two.
Their names are: Walter E. , Maggie D., Lettie
M., Bes.sie C, Joseph H., Luther H., Eva A.,
(and one not named, deceased), and Laurence S.
Mr. McLeod and his wife and his three oldest
children are members of the Misssionary Baptist
Church, and are peo|)le that command the respect
of tlie entire community. He is a Democrat, and
takes a deep interest in politics, though he has
never aspired to any public position, prefeiTing
rather the pleasures of rural life.
John D. McMillen, a widely -known farmer and
stock raiser of Duty Township, was born in Tip-
pah County, Miss., October 21, 1850. He is a
sou of \V. W. McMillen, a native of Alabama, who
moved to Tennessee when a boy of seven years, and
was reared in that State. \V. W. McMillen was
married in Mississippi, to Miss Mary A. (iuniiell, i>f
Jefferson County, Ala. (who moved to Mississippi
when thirteen years old), and after his marriage
settled on a farm in Tippah County, where Jolin
D. was born. He moved to Arkansas County, Ark. ,
in 1855, and, after residing there for nine years,
came to Tjawrence (county, where lie remained nn
til his death, in 187'J. He fought for eight montbs
in th<> lat<> war, and bore a splendid record for his
bravery. John D. IMcMiiien came to llie State of
Arkansas witli his parents when thirteen years of
age, and remained with tiieni until his maturity.
He was married, on Deceml)er 2'2, 1878, to Miss
Laura K. Mitchell, who was Ijorn and reared at
Clover Bend, Lawrence County, and brought liis
l)ride to the present residence. Tlie land was l)nt
slightly improved wlien he came upon it, but
about forty-three acres are now cleared and under
cultivation, and. ])erhaps. forty acres more, wliicb
are still unimproved, i)ut valuable ]an<l. He lias
a comfortable house, barns and all conveniences
upon his ])lace, and a good orchard, two acres in
extent, of peacb, a])ple, apricot, plum and pear
trees. Mr. McJIillen is a member of the Mis-
sionary Baptist Church, taking an activt^ inter
est in all its affairs. He and his wife are well
known for their generosity and sympathy toward
all ent(^rprises for the advancement of educational
and kindred interests. They are among the most
popular residents of Lawrence County, and people
who are held in the highest esteem.
Hon. Robert P. Mack, one of the leading at
torneys of Powhatan, is a native of Tennessee, and
was born at Waynesboro. August '11. 18 IS. His
father is Judge L. L. Mack, whose history appears
in another portion of this I>ook. Mr. Mack cnme
to Arkansas with liis parents in lsr>I{, when lie was
a lad of live years, where they located at Marion.
Crittenden County. They afterward moved to Bol
ivar, and then to Gainesville. Greene t'ounty.
where he grew to manhood. He receive<l a very
fair education at the common and high schools,
besides applying himself studiously to all subjects
which he thought would be of advantage to him in
after life, and for one year was a-ssistant teacher
at one of the schools. In I86H he comineiicetl the
study of law, uiiiler the guidance of his father.
806
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
Judge L. L. Mack, and, in 1868, was admitted to
the bar, before he had reached his twenty-first
year. He was licensed to practice by Jiidge Wil-
liam Story, and shortly afterward moved to Pow-
hatan to enter into his profession. In 1869 he
was associated with his father, under the firm name
of Judge L. L. Mack & Son, and his natural tal-
ent, combined with the experience of his father,
made it one of the mo.st successful firms in that
section. His present location is the one selected
by him in 1870, which he has kept continuously
since that time. In 1873 the elder Mack with-
drew from the firm, and, up to the spring of 1887,
Mr. R. P. Mack had been associated with various
practitioners, when the present firm was organ-
ized. He was married, August 29, 1878, to Miss
Mollie E. Lyons, of East Tennessee, a very attract-
ive lady, and by this happy union with the lady
of his choice, was born three children : Anna M. ,
Vera C. and Lucy. Mrs. Mack is a member of
the Old School Presbyterian Church, and a lady
whose kindly influence and gentle disposition are
made manifest at home and in society.
John H. Martin, merchant and postmaster of
Powhatan, is a native of Eldorado County, Cal.,
born June 17, 1854. He is a son of Josiah Mar-
tin, one of the veterans of the gold excitement
during the early days of California. The elder
Martin was born and reared in the State of Mis-
souri, and left his home for California two years
after the great gold fever of 1849 had spread its con-
tagion all over the civilized globe. While there he
met and married Miss Mary Mincer, of Pennsyl-
vania, and after sixteen years of mining returned
with his wife to the State of Missouri. The fol
lowing year after his arrival he moved to Arkansas
and located at Powhatan, where he is now in
partnership with his son in the general merchan-
dise business. John H. Martin resided in Cali-
fornia until he reached his fourteenth year, when
he returned to Missouri with his father. He re-
ceived a good education, both in California and
Missouri, and after completing his studies, in 1868,
he moved to Arkansas and settled in Lawrence
County. From 1870 to 1875 he was occupying a
clerkship in one of the principal drug houses in
Lawrence County, and afterward engaged in the
same ))nsiness himself. In September, 1880, he
opened up a general stock of merchandise in [)art-
nership with his father, under the firm name of
Martin & Son, but still continued in the drug
business on his own account. The firm of ^lartin
& Son do a business of about §;^0,()(KI auiuially,
and enjoy an enviable reputation for fair dealing
and honest goods. Mr. Martin was appointed
assi.stant postmaster several years ago, and on the
I retirement of his superior, in 1875, was given the
office, and has been postmaster ever since. In
December, 1878, he was married to Miss Lula
McLeod, of Georgia, but in June, 1880, he was
deprived of the companionship of his wife by
death. Charles H., ten years old, is the only child.
j James A. Martin, of the firm of J. A. Martin &
Bros., manufacturers, comes from a faiuih' of Mis
souri pioneers. He was born in Pike County, Mo. ,
December 3, 1854, and is a son of F. G. Martin,
of Lincoln County, Mo. The family is one of the
oldest in Eastern Missouri, their ancestors settling
in that State in its earliest days. The elder Mar-
tin was married in Pike County, Mo., to Miss Susan
E. Doyle, a native of that place, and after his mar-
riage resided there for a number of years. In
1867 he came to the State of Arkansas and located
at Powhatan, where he carried on the manufacture
of wagons up to the year 1 880, when he returned
to Missouri, and in the spring of 1889 moved to
Texas, where he at present resides. James A.
Martin came to Arkansas with his parents when
fourteen years of age. In his youth he was given
a good school and commercial education, and in
order to be more thoroughly acquainted with Ins
father's business, he spent some time in black-
■ smithing and wagon-making. His knowledge of the
business, being gained from practical experience,
enabled him to build up a large and protitalile
trade. The firm manufacture spring wagons, bug
gies, etc., and turn out about 60,000 spokes
monthly, besides felloes, plow beams and im-
plements of a like nature. Their trade is one of
the most extensive in Northeast Arkansas in their
line, and their goods have obtained a well-merited
renown. March 12, 1877, Mr. Martin was mamed
LAWRENCE COUNTY.
WI7
to Miss Ida Fortenberry, of Mississippi, a daughter
of Absalom Foitciiberry, of that State, and this
happiest of unions has boeu blessed with three
ehiklreu: Guy K., Carrie and Nina. Mr. Rogers
and his wife are members of the Methodist Epis-
co])al Chureh, South, and th(> former is a Mason.
He is a very popuhir man. l)otli in business and
society, and is also one of the most progressive
men of his county.
Samuel A. Massey was born in Knox County,
Teun., in 183S. He is the son of Jacob L. and
Ann J. (Gray) Massey, the first named being a na
tivo of Tennessee, and the mother coming fi-om
Ireland to America with her parents in 1820, and
settling in Knoxvillo, Tenn. His parents were
married in Tennessee, in the year 1837, and moved
to Arkansas in 1850, where they s(>ttled on Straw
berry Kiver, and commenced farming until the
death of his father, in 1883. His mother died in
1878. Nine children were born to the parents,
and two of them have been called away by death.
Of the seven yet living, Mr. Massey is the oldest,
and came to Arkansas when in his thirteenth year.
He passed the younger portion of his days on the
farm, and, on attaining his majority, commenced
his race with the world with such a degree of suc-
cess that to-day he is worthy of emulation by the
young men of his county. He has 140 acres of
land under cultivation, besides other lands in vari-
ous sections, amounting to some 240 acres in all,
which is the result of his own labor. In 1861,
when he found that his country needed his services,
ho eidisted in the army, becoming a member of
Company B, Twenty -first Arkansas, and held the
rank of second lieutenant. He was captured liy
the enemy in 1-8(34, in this countv, and taken
prisoner to Johnson's Island, Ohio, where he was
kept until January, 180,"). When no longer a
prisoner of war he returned to his command and
did good service, returning to his home shortly be-
fore the surrender, and has continued farming ever
since. He was married in 1858 to Miss Elvira
Milligan, a young lady born and reared in Arkan
sas, and a daughter of John ]\Iilligan, one of the
pioneers of that State. AJFrs. Massey died Septem-
ber 1, 1866, leaving four children as the result of
their happy married life. Their names are Edia
J., Samuel J., Jacob L., and Elvira E. Mr. Mas-
sey lives with his son Jacol) on the home place,
and though ofltimes beset by the snares of his wid-
ower's state, has always remained true to the
memory of his beloved wife. He is a memiier of
the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, to which his
wife also belonged, and is also a member of Lodge
No. 144, A. F. &A. M., of Reed's Creek, Sharp
County.
Benjamin F. Matthews, a popular citizen of
Powhatan, is a native of Georgia, and was born
in Madison County, August 12. 1823. His parents
were the Hon. Allen and Margaret (Elton) Mat-
thews, who were manied and resided for awhile
in Jackson County, Ga., and then moved to Madi
son County. After a short residence in the latter
locality they moved back to Jackson County, where
the elder Mr. Matthews practic<>d law during the
greater ])ortion of his life, and attained an emi-
nent place in his profession. He represented the
county several terms in the legislature, and died in
Gainesville, Ga., in 1843, after a successful ca-
reer. His son, B. F. Matthews, grew to manhood
in the State of Georgia, and during the earlier
portion of his life had but a limited amount of
education. This, though an ob.stacle in his path,
was easily overcome by his perseverance and
natural ability. He first came to Arkansas in
1854, and located at Powhatan, which place has
been his residence ever since. In 187(5 he com-
menced his commercial career, and up to the year
1886 was actively engaged in mercantile life, con
trolling a business of from ?30,(I00 to $40,000 a
year. In 1863 he was elected sheritT of Lawrence
County, and served until 1867, and for four years
acted as collector and as.sessor. Previous to that,
in 1860. he was deputized census enumerator, and
took the census of Lawrence and Sharp Counties.
On October 24, 1844, he was married to Miss
Catherine ilcElroy of Cherokee County, Ga., and
this union has given them nine children, of whom
only three are living at the present time: William,
Catherine, wife of Clay Thorn, and Ella. Those
deceased are Josephine. Bettie. Phineas, Alice,
Thomas and Henry. Mr. .\[attbews lost bis
r
first wife October 80, 1871, and after her death
was determined to spend the remainder of his days
single, but after meeting Miss Mary C. Clisby, of
Massachusetts, he succumbed to that lady's charms,
and was again married. They are both members
of the Presbyterian Church, and Mr. Matthews
has been a Mason for forty years.
Willis B. Matthews, of the firm of Weir & Mat-
thews, is another representative of that class of
men, who, by their energy and pluck, have won
the esteem of their fellow-citizens. He was born
in Lawrence County, Ark., on the 1st day of No-
vember, 1857, and is a son of William J. Mat-
thews, a native of Tennessee, whose father, John
L. Matthews, was one of the pioneers of Arkansas.
His father, W. J. Matthews, married Miss Eliza
J . McGhehey, of Lawrence County, a daughter of
George McGhehey, one of the early settlers of this
State, and his interest in the State of Arkan.sas is,
thus doubly strengthened by the fact of both par-
ents being born on the same soil. His father
turned his attention to faiTaing until 1885, and
then moved to Black Rock, to engage in mercan-
tile pursuits. Mr. Matthews remained with him
until he attained his majority, educating himself
in the meantime, and then taught school for a
period of twelve months. He gave up this occu-
pation to accept a position at Powhatan, where he
became thoroughly versed in mercantile afPairs, and
received excellent business training. He then re-
turned to farming again, and continued in that
business until October, 1888, when he re-entered
into mercantile life at Black Rock. He established
himself in the grocery and dinig business at that
point, and,- in 1885, his father was brought into
partnership, and remained with him until the time
of his death, in 1887. In the spring of 1889, the
present firm of Weir & Matthews was established.
They carry a large stock of general merchandise,
dry goods, groceries, clothing, drugs, hardware,
etc., and by their fair dealing and integrity, have
earned a reputation second to none in the county.
Mr. Matthews has served on the town board, and
is a Master Mason. He is treasurer of Black Rock
Lodge.
James Cabell Minor, physician and surgeon,
Walnut Ridge, Ark. In a comprehensive work of
this kind, dealing with industrial pursuits, sciences,
arts and professions, it is only fair and right that
that profession — the medical profession — on which
in some period or other of our lives, we are all
more or less dependent, should be noticed. It is
the prerogative of the physician to relieve or alle-
viate the ailments to which suffering humanity is
j)rone; and as such he deserves the most grateful
consideration of all. A prominent physician and
surgeon, who by his own ability has attained dis-
tinction in his profession, is Dr. Minor. He was
born in Albemarle Coimty, Va. , on the l()th of
October, 1858, and is the son of Dr. Charles
Minor, and nephew of Prof. John B. Minor, pres-
ent professor of Common and Statute Law in the
University of Virginia, and the author of ' ' Minor' s
InstitTites." Dr. Charles Minor was a physician,
and in the early part of his life practiced his pro-
fession, but in later life was principal of a high
school at Brook Hill, six miles north of the Univer-
sity of Virginia. He died in 1861, at the age of
fifty-eight years. He married Miss Lucy Walker
Minor, a native of Virginia, who died in that State, •
at Bellevue, in 1881, at the age of fifty-two years.
They were the parents of a large family of chil-
dren, thirteen in all, eight now living, two in this
state — Lancelot, attorney at law, Newport, Ark.,
and James Cabell. One brother, Charles (now
deceased), was an attorney at law at Jacksonport,
and at one time represented Jackson County in the
State legislature. James Cabell Minor was reared
in Virginia, and first took an academic course,
but subsequently entered as a student the Univer-
sity of Virginia, from which institution he gradu
ated in the class of 1882, in the study of medicine.
Going to Louisville, Ky., he there took a clinical
course at the Hospital College of Medicine. He
then came to Newport, Ark., in 18S3, ])racticed
there three years, and, in 1886, located at Walnut
Ridge, where he has since resided. His marriage
to Miss Emma Smith occurred on the 6th of Feb-
ruary, 1885, at Newport, Ark. She was born at
Brownsville, Teun., and by her marriage became
the mother of one child — Lancelot Minor, Jr. Dr.
Minor and wife are members of the Episcopal
LAWRENCE COUNTY.
800
Gliurch, parish of Newport. He is a Democrat in
politics, and has for the past six years been local
surgeon for the Missouri Pacific Railroad Company.
William Park Mitchell, farmer and stock raiser,
is a sou of William and Sallie (Ross) Mitchell,
of North Carolina, in which State William Park
Mitchell was born on December '25, 1830. The
family resided in North Carolina until 1847, when
they moved to Benton County, Teun., and settled
on a farm. Here they resided, a hajipy family,
until the father's death, in 1872, and then the
mother following him in 1875. William P. re-
mained with his father until his majority, and
then entered into the grocery busines at Dresden,
where he remained for fourteen months. He next
commenced farming in Tennessee, uj:) to th(> year
1870, and, thinking that Arkansas offered a better
field for that business, he moved to the latter State,
and settled in Lawrence County. On his arrival
he bought 120 acres of timbered land and an ad-
ditional 150 acres, with slight improvements upon
it. He at once began to improve and cultivate
his farms, and at the present time has about eighty
acres under cultivation, with two fair residences
and two tenant houses, besides a substantial donblo
log house, in which he resides. He also owns a
tine bearing orchard of peaches and apples. Mr.
Mitchell was married in Benton County, Tonn.,
on July 27, 1862, to Miss Sarah F. Summers, a
native of that State, and a daughter of Zachariah
Summers, of Virginia. This union has given them
six children, all of whom are living and in the best
of hejilth. Their names are Willis L., Zula, wife
of H. D. Lawson; Emma, wife of Elijah Roberts;
Anna and Maggie, both young ladies, and Katie.
They have also lost three children : George, who
died in his sixth year; Laura, (lying at three years
of age, and John, who died in his second year.
Mr. Mitchell is a Democrat in politics, and is
always loyal in his support of the principles and
men of that party. He was appointed deputy
sheriff and served in that capacity for a number of
years, and is held in the higiuvst esteem by the
entire community. He has a splendid farm, a com-
fortat)le home, and is considerinl to be one of the
most successful farmers in Lawrence County, all
of which he has accumulated by his own good
judgment and industry. Mr. and Mrs. Mitchell
are both members of the Methodist Episcopal
Church, and Mr. Mitchell also of the Agricultural
Wheel, being president of the local \Vli(>el.
J. E. Moore is a firm believer in the soil upon
which he was born, having remained in this county
since his birth. His occupation is that of farming,
but he is also an exponent of the advantages of a
good education, and finds time for instilling knowl
edge in the minds of Lawrence County's future
men and women. He is the son of William Moore,
one of Arkansas' pioneers, who is now residing
near Powhatan, and his mother was Miss Martha
A. Judkins. of Tennessee, who met. and was
united to her husbaii<l, in Arkansas. Ton children
were born to them, five boys and five girls, and
three have since (Ywd. Tho.se living are Henry A. ,
Joseph E., Nathaniel A., Robert C, Margan^t I.,
Leonard H. and Laiua C. Lizzie, Susan A. ami
Clara S. are deceased. Mr. Moore ri'ceived the
first rudiments of his edncation iu the common
schools of this county, and studied the higher
branches at Irwin's Institute. After being thor
oughly eijuipped for the duties of a school teacher,
he went to Big Lick, in 1882, and opened u|) his
first school. He has since then followed that pro
fession, with stea<lily increasing success, holding
two terms each ycvir. He was married, in 1887,
to Miss Josephine Childress, a daughter of ('ol. R.
A. Childress, one of the old settlers of Independ-
ence County, and a hearty old gentleman, in his
seventy eighth year. Mr. Moore is a ineml)(>r of
th(^ Ba[)tist Church, and his wife of the Pn-sby
terian. He is an active politician.
John H. Morgan is a (Jeorgian, and was l)orii in
Walker C!ounty, that State (now Catoosa ("ounty),
in the year 1838. He is a prosperous farmer of
Morgan Township, and is a son of Henry Morgan,
of Georgia, who was killed in a distressing man
ner, in 18(54, by being thrown from an unruly mule.
The elder Morgan came to Missouri with his
family, in the year 1850, and .settled at a point
in Wayne County, about ten miles from flreenville.
the county seat, where he farmed and cultivated
the land, until the time of his death. His wife,
^r
■^J
810
HISTOEY OF ARKANSAS.
Polly (Blackwell) Morgan, of Georgia, died in
about 1877. John H. Morgan is the fourth of
ten children, and was in his sixteenth year when
his parents came to Missouri. He attained his
manhood in Wayne County, and in 1858 returned
to Georgia, where he established himself in the
grocery business. In 1862 he answered the call
for men, and enlisted in Company A, of a Tennes-
see regiment, and fought under Captain White,
iintil the close of the war. He afterwards went
back to Missouri, and wa.s there married to Miss
Surilda Smith, of Wayne County, but a native of
Hamilton County, Tenn. The couple have eight
children living: Henry H. D., Joseph L., George
W., Savanah J., William Jackson, Tennie C,
Martha S., Laura Alice. They have lost three
children, namely: John Morgan, born September
28, 1869. died September 7, 1886; General Robert
Lee, born November 28, 1885, died March 15,
1889; and an infant daughter, who died, when
eight days old, March 4, 1872. Mr. Morgan and
his family came to Arkansas in 1869, and settled
in Independence County, at a place some ten
miles south of his present residence, where they
lived until the year 1881, when he moved to where
he now is. He and his wife are members of the
Free Will Baptist Church, and are earnest workers
in the religious field.
Capt. J. M. Phelps, senior member of the firm
of Phelps Bros. , general merchandise, was born in
McNairy County, Tenn., July 17, 1841. His father
came lo Arkansas when twelve years of age, and
located at a point near Dardanelle, in Yell County.
Four years later he went to Northwest Missouri,
where he remained a year, and then came back to
Randolph and Greene Counties. Ho entered into
mercantile life at Gainesville; thence to Southern
Missouri, and from there to Lawrence County,
Ark., in the latter part of 1860. His son, Capt.
James M. , received only a common school educa-
tion in Tennessee and Arkansas, but his natiu-al
aptitude made up for any loss in that direction.
When war was announced he was a resident of this
county, and first joined the Seventh Arkansas In-
fantry, Company F, in April, 1861, Joseph Mar-
tin, captain. He was discharged in February, 1862,
and returned home, where he remained until Hind-
man's call for volunteers, and, in April, 1862, he
was captured, after having raised a cavalry com-
pany in response. That entire summer was spent
by him in prison at St. Louis, Chicago and John-
son's Island. In 1862 he was exchanged, and
joined Tim Reeves' company of Missoiu'i cavalry,
and served with them until the spring of 1864,
when he raised a cavalry company, which he com-
manded until he surrendered, June 6, 1865, Com-
pany F, Fourteenth Missouri Cavalry. At the
close of the war he returned to Lawrence County,
which has been his home ever since, and embarked
in farming and merchandising. Later on he spent
three or four years traveling through Texas and
Mexico, and in the spring of 1876 came to Walnut
Ridge and established the business of Z. Phelps &
Sons (J. M. & A. C. ). The firm continued under that
head until the year 1880, when it was merged into Z.
Phelps & Son (J. M.). The present firm of Phelps
Bros., was started up in 1884, with J. M., A. C.
and Z. C. Phelps as partners. They do a heavy
business in general supplies, their transactions in
1888 amounting to $125,000, and are one of the
largest firms in their line in the county. J. M. ,
the eldest, has practically retired from active busi-
ness. Capt. Phelps owns probably 1,500 acres
of land, divided into several tine farms, and, in
conjunction with his father and brother, has a
gi'eat amount of other lands in Lawrence and ad
joining counties. He is a member of the Knights
of Honor, and the Blue Lodge, Chapter and Com-
mandory of the Masonic order, lielonging to Hugh
DoPayne Commandery at Little Rock; is a mem
ber also of the Methodist Episcopal Church,
South. This year (1889) he was a delegate to the
district conference at Corning. He is a Democrat
in politics, and was mayor of Walnut Ridge for
several years. In 1864 (February ISth) he was
married to Miss Victoria Kinian, of La\vi'ence
County, Ark., whose father, Hensen Kinian, was
a pioneer settler of Lawrence County. They have
had one child, Virgil D., a little boy, who died in
November, 1876, aged about nine years; and, hav-
ing no other ehildi'en of their own, the Captain
and his wife are rearing a neiee, Jessie Vinson.
-^;
»t^
LAWRENCE COUNTY.
811
Abram C. Pliolps, of tho firm of Phelps Bros.,
Walnut Ridge, general merchandise and supply
house, was born inMcNairy County, Tonn. , January
4, 1848. A\hen six years of age he came to North-
eastern Arkansas, and has been reared principally in
Lawrence County. He received a somewhat limited
education in his youth — a disadvantage which the
majority of our substantial men at the present day
seem to overcome — and worked on his farm until
the year 1S()8. On March 7 of that year he was
married to Miss Sarah Fallin, who breathed her
last ten months afterward. Mr. Phelps, shortly
after the death of his wife, traveled with his
brother, J. M., through Texas, Mexico and the
greater part of the western country. When his
trip had been finished he returned to Lawrence
County, and in February, 1874, was united in wed-
lock to Miss Mattie Ammons. During that period
he went into business with his father, establi.shing
the firm known as Z. & A. C. Phelps, which he con-
ducted for two years. The firm was then changed
to Z. Phelps & Sons, and has since continued un-
der that name. In 1884 he sold out his interest
in the business, and went to Fort Smith, where he
started a grocery, but one year later he returned
to Walnut Ridge, and entered actively into mer-
cantile life at that jioint again, and now has ex-
clusive control of the firm's business. Besides his
interests in the firm, he owns 660 acres of land,
500 acres of which are under cultivation. Mr.
Phelps is a member of the Knights of Honor, and
151ne Lodge, Chapter and Council of Masonic fi'a-
ternity, and also of the Methodist Episcopal Church
at Walnut Ridge, of which his wife is a regular
attendant. They have three children: Flora, Wal-
ter and Claude.
Zaccheus C. Phelps, a partner in the house of
Phelps Bros., well-known merchants of Walnut
Ridge, was Ijorn in Greene County, Ark., Novem-
ber 21, 1858. His early life was spent on a farm,
and, at the age of seventeen years, he entered the
employ of his father and brother, where he re-
iiiainod three years, obtaining a thorough knowl
edge of mercantile affairs. Later on he formed a
partnership with N. M. McCarroll. under the firm
name of McCarroll <& Phelps, which was continued
for two years, when he bought out his pailiiers in
terest, and combined it with A. C. Phelps & liros.
Mr. Phelps owns 240 acres of good land, and has
i;iO acres of it under cultivation. He is a Royal
Arch Mason, also a member of the Council, and of
the Methodist Episcopal Church. His wife was
Miss Mattie Brinkerhoff, of Warreiisbnrg, Mo.,
whom he married on September 15, ISSU, and one
child has been born to them, Otis B. Mrs. Phelps'
father is a minister of the Baptist denomination.
Claiborne Sullivan Pinnell, familiarly known
as Uncle " Claib" Pinnell, has been a resident of
Northeast Arkansas for about fifty-one years, or
over half a century. He was born in what was
then called the " New Purchase " of Kentucky,
October 27, 1817. His father was Peter Pinnell.
who removed to Franklin County, Mo., when the
son was an infant, and afterward settled in Greene
County, Ark., at Crowley's Ridge, where he re-
mained until his death, in 1842, or therealrouts.
His wife was Miss Annie Sullivan, of Kentucky,
whose parents, Claiborne Sullivan and wife, nee
Harvey, were South Carolinians. This couple were
the parents of nine children, C. S. Pinnell being
the only one living, so far as known, although his
oldest brother, Louis, was living in the Choctaw
Nation, I. T. , two or three years ago, at the a"e
of eighty -two years. The mother died in Law-
rence Coimty, on the Cache River, after the close
of the war. Claiborne S. Pinnell was reared on a
farm, and as his father always lived in a very new
country, where schools were not to bo found for
love nor money, and teachers were few and far
between, his education, as a consequence, was very
limited. When nine years of age he met with a
painful accid(>nt, which has rendered him a cripph-
all his life; a colt ran away with him one day,
and, stepping into a hole, threw him off, breaking
his, right arm and shoulder, which has |)revenled
him from doing any hard labor ever since. Not-
withstanding this fact, he has been an active man
all his life: following the plow, farming and rais-
ing stock. He came to Lawrence County alx>ut
thirty years ago, and bought 160 acres on Village
Creek, one and one-half miles north of Walnut
Ridge, and has made this his home ever sinci". be
812
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
HidpH owninf» another farm in this county, tho two
ag{^i'og!itinf5 '-'10 iicn'H. Ho has hnnte<l " bar" all
over the State, and about twelve or fourteen years
iifijo lie killed the hirj^est ]>anther that had ever
been H(H'n in that iiei^'hliorhood, measuring eleven
feet from l)oth tips. Mr. Pinnell has made a
lengthy trip to Oregon, and another to Texas, but
looks upon Lawrence (Jounty as the dearest spot
on (mrth. He was married to Miss Minerva G.
Rhea, a sister of M. 15. Rhea, and has luul nine
childi'ou. Four of them grew to maturity, but all are
now deceased, including tho mother. His second
wife was Mrs. Amanda K (drayles) Moore, and has
had no children by this lady, although his wife
has a daughter by her former husband. Mr. Pin-
nell is a nieml)er of th(< Ravenden Springs Methodist
Episcopal Church, as are his wife and step-daugh-
ter, Mettie Isabello. Grandfather Claiborne Sulli-
van married liis scwond wife in liis ninety eighth
year, living two or three years afterward, showing
the remarkable vitality existing in the family. He
was a noted Haptist preacher in his time. Mr.
Pinnell was an ardent huntor in his younger days,
and has made considerable rnoney in killing wild
game and selling the liidos and furs. He tanned
the hide of the " [jainter " ho killed some years ago,
and made a pair of shoes out of it, which were
(juite a curiosity, on ac(^)nnt of the associations
connected with them.
Col. W. M. Ponder, farmer and piopiietor of
sawmill, was born in Hickman County, Tenn.,
O(!tobor 12. 1S2;5. His father was Amos Ponder,
of Georgia, one of the early settlers of Tennessee,
moving to that State in the year 1800, and snl)se-
cpiently to Southeast Missouri, where ho died, in
1808, in his seventy fourth year. Col. Ponder' s
mother was Miss Nancy Dudley, of Tennessee, in
which State she mot and was married to his father.
They were tho parents of nine children, four of
whom are still living. Mrs. Ponder died in tho
year 187i), aged about seventy two years. The
Colonel was reared on a farm in Tennessee, and
received a somewhat limited eilucation in his boy-
hood days, on account of tho scarcity of schools in
that section of the State. He applied himself to
farm woik until he reached his twenty-fourth year,
when his father then moved to Missouri. Here he
commencetl farming and merchandising, and also
dealing in produce and stock, shipping the latter
to the N(nv Orleans marltet in flatl)oats. He con
tinned in this ))usiness some four or five years,
and was then elected clerk of the circuit, county
an<l probate courts, of Rijiley County, Mo., which
offi(^e he tilled creditably for six years. He was
formerly assessor for one or two terms in that
county. After his term was tlnished in the court,
ho began farming and milling on quite an extensive
scale, and was rapidly approaching the highest
pinnacle of success in his business, when the dread-
ful news of war came to his ears. Ho loft his in-
terests and enlisted in the Ninth Regiment, Mis-
souri State (iuards, under Col. Lowe, of Gen. JefF
Thompson's brigade. His first battle was at
Fredericktown, Mo., where he lost several relatives
and fri(>nds in the tight. Subsecpuintly ho entered
tho Confi^dorate army, where his bravery and
knowledge of tho tactics of war pushed him rap-
idly to tho front, being promoted from sergeant
through the different grades to colonel. He hold
that rank and commanded the Seventh Missouri
Infantry in the (!oiif(Hlorate army and served until
the surrender at Shrevoport, La., about tho 25th
of June, 1865. After peace had been declared
he came to Arkansas and bought 200 acres of
land, a couple of miles from tho present town of
Walnut Kidgo. Hi^ then went to work with a
vim an<l energy that wore tridy heroi(% consid-
ering tho fact that he was bare-footed at tho time,
and did not even have so much as a bed or a chair
for his habitation. Two yctars later his perse
veranco began to tell, and success was slowly but
surely coming over the horizon of his adversity.
He commenced merchandising and farming, an<l
in connection with these operated saw-mills and a
cotton-gin, and in 1878 he came to AValnut Ridge,
and bought some of the land on whi(^h the present
town site is situated. Ho also laid off the town of
Doni])han, Mo., and was the first man to build a
cabin, and sold the lirst yard of calico in that place.
He remained in Walnut Ridge for ten years, and
also laid olT the town site of that i)lace on his
arrival in 1S78. Ho built the lirst residence in
« i^
'H^
LAWRENCE COUNTY.
.Si:i
Walnut Kicli'n, and was inHtriimmitul iu Hiicuiiuf
the location for the Eastern district court- house,
anil also lari^cly assisted in the (M'wition of the
Prc^shytcrian and Methodist Episcopal Churches.
He is a member of the Masonic order and is a
Kojal Arch IMason, and also tlie ruliii<^ older of
th(^ Pn^sliyterian Church. The Colonel was first
married, in 1846, to Miss Mary Kittrell, of South-
east Missouri, and has had two children, one sur-
viving;, Nancy S., widow of Thomas Miuton, of
Walnut llidge. Mrs. Ponder died in April, 1850,
and h<> afteiward married, in A[)ril, IS")?, Miss
Susan Hudspeth, of Mis.souri. Two children were
born to them, both of them dyinj; since. His
wife died in .lanuary. ISfi'i, and he was again mar-
ried, this time to Miss Mary Montgomery, of Vir
ginia. Six children were the result of this mar-
riage, of whom five are living: Andrew, Harry
Lee, George W., Edgar F. and Susan. Col.
Ponder increased his farm of 200 acres to 2,600,
and is also president of the Walnut Uidge & Hoxie
Street Car Company. He is one of the bust known
and most highly respected citizens of Lawrence
County; is a Democrat in politics, and in 1882-83
represented his county in the State legislature, and
was county judge in 1878-74.
Wilson Price, postmaster and a well known
farmer and stock raiser of Taylor, was born in
Union County, N. C, July 27, 1836. His parents
are Valentine and Caroline (Hargett) Price, of the
same State, who, a few years after their marriage,
first moved to Smith County, Tean., where they
remained for throe years, and in the fall of 1841)
settled in Lawrence County, Ark., at a point near
Smith ville, where they resided until the father's
death, in 18<')1. Wilson Pric(( was reared and
has lived in this county since his thirteenth year.
He remained with his parents until lie attained his
maturity, and then commenced in life for himself.
He was married in his twenty-second year, and
located on a farm near Smitliville, where he culti-
vated the soil until ho came to his present resi-
dence, in 1876. Mr. Price has always been a man
of industrious and progressive hal)its, and it did
not take him long to obtain a fair competence. He
bought laud and added to his possessious when-
ever he saw a good chance t^) invest, ami now
owns over 1,000 acres of the l)e.st laiul in Arkan-
sas, with some 300 acres of it cleaicl. The entire
amount is comprised in four tracts, and is all sit
uated in Lawrence County. Mr. Price was mar-
ried in this county on January 7, 1858, to Miss
Susan Ann Davis, a daughter of Ross Davis, of
Tennessee, but on Octolter 11, I87i), this lady
died, leaving eight children to survive her: Sarah
Ann, wif»» of John Bilberry; Nile A., (Jeorgi- L.,
David P., B'illmore, Charles D., Philip V., and Lutz,
a young lady. Nile A. and George L. are both
married. Mr. Price has also lost five children, who
died in early childhood. His second wife was a
widow lady, Mrs. Mary Steadman, whom ho mar-
ried in 1881, this lady dying in 188"), and leaving
one daughter, Hattie U. He married his ]jresent
wife, who was formerly Miss Nancy llidor, of In
dependence County, on July 3, 1887. Both Mr.
and Mrs. Price are members of the Baptist Church,
in which the former is a deacon, and they are
deeply interested in all matters concerning its wel-
fare. In 1885 ho established a general merchan-
dise store, and by his methods of doing business,
soon built up a good patronage. A postoflice was
opened \ip in his place of business in Ai>ril, 1886,
and he was appointed postmaster, having Ijud
charge of the office since then.
Greene E. llaney, a prosperous and well known
farmc^r of Smith ville. Ark., was born in Lawrence
County, near that town, September 20, 1850. He
is a son of Morgan Uaney, also a native of ArkansaH,
born March 18, 1818, and died in 1877. Samuel
Raney, the gi-andfather of Greene E. , was a Vir
ginian by birth, who married and settled in Mis
souri, where he reared part of his family. His son,
Morgan llaney, was the youngest of eight chil
dren, and was born in Arkansas, iu which State he
lived all his life, never having evinced any desire to
go out of it. Morgan Raney was one of the most in
dustrious and able men of his day, and at the time
of his death owned about l.NSO acres of line land,
with a good portion of it under cidtivatioii. At
the time of his decease lie j>resented each of his
children with $2.(inn cash, and a tine farm, since
which time the land has doubled in vnbi.' He was
su
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
married to Miss Nancy Taylor, of Lawrence Coun-
ty, Ark. , who was born in 1S27, and died in the
year 1867. meetin<f her death through a very pain-
ful accident while coming from church. They
■were the parents of seven children, all of them
now dead, with the exception of Leah, wife of G.
W. Brady, postmaster of Smithville, and Greene
E. Raney. His second marriage was with Miss
Elvira Janes, by whom he had two children, Loey
G. and an infant, both deceased. Greene E. Ra-
ney was reared in this (Lawrence) County, and,
like his father, prefers to remain on the soil of Ar-
kansas all his life. He began farming for himself
after his father's death, and the same energy that
characterized the latter was part of his own spirit,
as he has demonstrated by his present prosperity.
His brother, John W., enlisted in the army, and
was killed during the war, while he remained at
home to assist his father, who needed his help.
After the death of the elder Raney, he took charge
of the entire estate, and has brought it up to its
present proportions. He was married October 22,
1873, to Miss Sarah Jackson, of Sharp County,
Ark. , a daughter of Marcus Jackson, of Tennessee.
Six children were born to them by this union:
Lotta, Ernest and Joseph M. , all of whom are liv
ing, and three others who died very young. Mr.
and Mrs. Raney are members of the Methodist
Episcopal Church, South, and Mr. Raney is a Dem-
ocrat in politics. He is a prominent man in all
enterprises for the advancement and improvement
of his county, and is one of the most liberal, open-
hearted men in that section.
Moses Boiling Rhea is one of the oldest set-
tlers of Lawrence County, and has been here over
fifty- four years. There is only one citizen in the
above county, C. S. Pinnell, who has been in this
section longer than Mr. Rhea. He was born in
Warren County, Tenn. , June 6, 1822, and is the
son of Obadiah Rhea, of East Tennessee, who set-
tled in Arkansas about the year 1835, and located
within fifteen miles of the present town of Walnut
Ridge, where he lived until his death, in 1855.
The wife of Obadiah Rhea was Miss Elizabeth Lit-
tlepage, of Tennessee. They were the parents of
ten children, six of whom are still living. Their
names are: Moses B. , Thomas, a farmer of Greene
County; Elizabeth, widow of James G. Ruther-
ford, residing near the old homestead ; Nancy, wife
of James Edward, of Greensl)oro, Ark. ; Mary, the
wife of C. C. Grayson, of Greene County; Emily,
the wife of Allan Pierce, a resident of Cache Town-
ship. This is indeed a remarkable showing for
one family. Six of the ten children are living, the
oldest being sixty-eight years old and the youngest
fifty four years. They have outlived every family
who settled in Lawrence County, at about the same
time, and have more living members as a proof of
their longevity than any other of the early settlers.
The mother of these children died at the age of
seventy-two years, in 1871 or 1872. Moses B. was
thirteen years of age when he fir.'^t came to Law-
rence County, but resided in Greene County, until
his twenty-third year, before he settled on his pres-
ent farm, seven miles east of Walnut Ridge. He
has been a farmer all his life, and a very success-
ful one, owning some 1,200 acres of land, of which
550 acres are under cultivation, and besides his
lands, he owns considerable stock. His children
have cause to remember him with gratitude, as he
has presented each of them with a good farm. He
first started in life for himself when twenty two
years of age, with nothing but a mare and colt. The
meagerness of bis worldly possessions, however,
did not disturb him in the least, and it was not
long before his industry secured for him almost all
of the freighting between Cape Girardeau. Mem-
phis, Powhatan, Jacksonport, Forest City and
other points, and no doubt he has hauled more
freight than any other man in Lawrence County.
He fought under Price during the war, and was in
that general's raids through Missouri and Kansas.
Hard work never affects him ajiparently, and he
keeps it up steadily on the farm. His principles
were toward the Union at first, but lie afterward
changed to be a strong Southern man. In his
early days he was a Whig, and mingled in politics
considerably, but under no circumstances would he
ever accejit an office, although often urged to do
so. He was married February 8, 1844, to Miss
Sarah C. Lamb, of Alabama, whose parents, Will-
iam and Mary (See) Lamb, were among the ear-
^^
LAWRENCE COUNTY.
sir>
licr s(!t,tlfis of this coimty. She died in 1807, uiul
Mr. llhea was again married in 1808 to Clementine
S(H'<^o. This wife died in ISOO, and in 1870 he
was married to Miss Mary Slavin, whose death oc-
curred in 1S71. His fourth wife was Miss Sarah
Daily, who died in 1870, and his present wife is
Miss Uuth Kiuyon, who has lived in this county
about thirty-eight years. Mr. Rhea is the father
of sixteen children, only five of whom are living:
Murcinda, wife of William Hennessee; John A., of
Walnut Ridge; Flavins, married; Laura Daily,
who lives near the homestead; James and A\"illiaiii,
who live at home.
John A. Rhea, proprietor of Walnut Ridge liv-
(<ry staliles, was born in Grreene County, Ark.,
Sei)tember 30, 1854, and came to Lawrence County,
when twelve years of age. He received but a lim-
ited anioiint of schooling in his yonng days, and
was reared on his father's farm. On July 3, 1870,
he was married to Miss Lizzie Cooper, a daughter
of Thomas and Ibbie (Willis) Cooper, early settlers
of this county. After his marriage he commenced
farming for himself, but shortly afterward gave up
that occupation, and came to Lawrence County in
the year 1877, where he opened a hotel. Five
years later he went into the business of buying
and selling horses, and then started a livery, which
he has fostered into a complete success. It is the
only livery stable in the Eastern district of Law-
rence County, and commands rjuite a large trade.
He also buys and sells horses, and is the owner of
a farm of 148 acres, of which 133 acres are under
cultivation. The 'bus line running between Wal-
nut Ridge and Hoxie is controlled by him, and he
has the mail contract between those points. In
politics Mr. Rhea is a Democrat, and was the first
town marshal of Walnut Ridge. He has two
cliiklren, Harry and Annie L.
Dr. J. V. Richardson, whose nam<' is well
known throughout Northeast Arkansas, was born
in Spencer County, Ind., on the 8th of April,
183S. His ])arents were J. V. and Elizabeth (Ev-
erton) Richardson, of Kentucky and Indiana,
respectively, who moved to Arkansas in 1844, and
settled in Sharp CJounty, where they lived until the
year 1801. They tiien removed to Texas, but
came back to Arkansas in bSfiO, and located in Ful
ton County, where the older Richardson still resides
at the age of eighty-six years, his wife dying al)out
the year 1870. Dr. Richardson came to this State
with his father when a boy of eight years, and re-
mained with him until he had reached liis matur
ity. Hi! then commenced the study of medicine in
Jackson and Lawrence Counties, under the guid-
ance of the then celebrated Dr. Hatfield, iind in
1800 first began practicing in Jackson County.
In 1802 he enlisted in the Confederate army as n
private, l)ut was shortly afterward promoted, and
sent out on detached duty. He visited his home
again in 1803, and in the spring of the following
year rejoined his company, and served until his
surrender at Jacksonport, in June, 180"). The
Doctor fought in the battles at Little Rock, Inde-
pendence (Mo.), Kansas City, Big Blue, Boons-
boro (Ark.), and in Price's raids through Missouri.
After the war was over he returned to Jackson
County, and resumed his practice and farming
until 1873, when he moved to Lawrence County,
and located in the neighborhood of where he now
resides. He continued in his profession up to
1879, when he built a store-room, and in 1880 be-
gan dealing in general merchandise. He has been
very active in commercial life and farming since
then, giving up his jn-actice entirely, and has now
built up a successful business, and is one of the
leading merchants of that section. The Doctor
was first married Juno 11, 180."), in Jackson Coun-
ty, to Miss Sarah A. Johnson, who died June 4,
1870. There were two children by this marriage:
William D., who died in liis twelfth year, and >[a-
hala E., wife of William Beavers, of this county.
He married his present wife in Jackson County, in
1875. The lady's name was formerly Miss Eliza-
beth Brackenridge, a daughter of James Bracken -
ridge, one of the pioneers of Jackson County.
There are four children by this marriage: Ada,
Gilbert, Aggie and May. Dr. Richard.son is n
meml)er of Thornburg Lodge No. 371, A. F. & A.
M. , and is Master of his lodge. Ho is also a Royal
Arch Ma.sou, and a member of Walnut Ridge Chap
ter, and has represented his lodge in the Grand
Lodc^e on several occasions. He has served as Wor-
-^
816
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
sbipful Master for six or seven years, and has a
lodge-room over bis store-room.
Hamilton W. Richey is a sou of John Richey,
of Virginia, vpho moved to Indiana in his younger
days, and married Miss Polly Woods, of that
State, locating in Gibson County, where Ham-
ilton vyas bom December 29, 1829. John Richey
followed his occupation of farming in Indiana un-
til the year 1844, when he removed to Arkansas,
and settled in Lawrence County. He resided in
that place, and reared his family, until the time of
bis death, in the fall of 1861, when he passed
away, regretted l)y all who knew him. Up to the
time of his decease Mr. Richey had been a sur-
vivor of the War of 1812, and was at Mobile,
Ala., when the battle of New Orleans was fought.
He was also a captain of militia during his resi-
dence in Indiana. Hamilton W. Richey came to
Arkansas when in his fourteenth year, and is the
oldest of three surviving sons, out of a family of
eight who grew to maturity and had families of
their own. He remained with his father until his
twenty third year, and was then united in marriage
to Mrs. Sarah Ann Richey, December 12, 1852,
the lady being a widow, and a native of Lawrence
County. After their marriage they settled on a
small farm in Flat Creek, and, in the spring of
1867, moved to their present home. Mr. Richev
commenced clearing his land at once, and at the
present time has almost 225 acres under cultiva-
tion. He owns altogether about 700 acres of land,
on different tracts, a portion of it l>eing cleared,
and owes his present prosperity to liis own enter-
prise, having but very little property when he first
started in life. Mr. Richey is one of the substan-
tial and progressive men to whom Lawrence
County can point with pride, and by his industry
and economy has placed himself upon a basis
where others must look at him with admiration.
In March, 1862, he enlisted in the Confederate
army, becoming a member of the First Arkansas
Battalion, and served until taken prisoner, at Port
Hudson, July 8, 1863. The command was again
reorganized the following fall, and then Mr.
Richey held the rank of first lieutenant, and con-
tinued in that capacity until his surrender, at Jack-
sonport, Ark., where he was paroled in June, 1865.
He had two children by his first wife, both of them
deceased, and fcis wife also dying in 1857. He
contracted a second marriage, his wife being Miss
Mary Way land, of Arkansas, who died in 1876,
leaving six children: David H. , John H. and Jo-
seph W. , while three others lived to maturity, and
two married before their deaths occuircd. Their
names are Hamilton W., Sarah Ann M. and
Amanda J. Mr. Richey was again married, his
third wife being Miss Mattie E. Walker, of Gib-
son County, Tenn. , and has had two children by
this marriage, Nora May and Mattie Aoma. He
was elected justice of the peace of his township,
and, at the expiration of his first term, was re-
elected to a second term. Mr. Richey and his wife
are both members of the Christian Church, and he
is also a member of the Agricultural Wheel.
James P. Rogers, a well-known farmer of
Cache Township, was born in Middle Tennessee,
March 10, 1847. He is the son of John B. Rog-
ers, a native of North Carolina, who settled in
Tennessee about the year 1846, and from there
came to Arkansas and located on Black River,
eight miles or more east of Pocahontas, where he
resided until his death, two years later. His wife
was Miss Ann S. Collier, of North Carolina, a
daughter of Henry Collier, wlio settled in Arkan-
sas about the year 1850 and located on Black
River, in Randolph County, in which place he pur-
chased half a section of land. He was one of the
first settlers in that region and lived there until
his death, in 1855, or thereabouts. Mrs. Rogers
is still living and resides in Red River County,
Tex., at the age of seventy years. She is the
mother of twelve children, seven of them living,
whose names are: James P. Rogers, Martha L.,
widow of William Sutton, a resident of Red River
County, Tex.; John C. and Henry C. twins, the
former a resident of Fort Worth, Tex., and the
latter near Arkadelphia, Ark.; Mary E., the wife
of John W. Scoggin, of Red River County, Tex. ;
Senora, wife of Samuel Daniels, and Robert Lee,
also of Red River County, Tex. James P. Rogers
spent the earlier part of his life on a farm in Ten-
nessee, and in his twenty-second year went to
"TP
Sherman, Tex., where he worked as a carpenter.
He then traveled through the Indian Territory for
a short time, after which he nndertook the busi-
ness of freighting between Paul's Valley and Fort
Sill. His next trip was back to Texas, along the
Red River, and after finding a suitable location he
commenced farming. He continued at various oc-
cupations until the year 1871, when he came to
Randolpli County, Ark., and l)ought 120 acres of
land, and on Decemlier 'I'S, 1872, was married to
Miss Ellen E. Brooks, a daughter of Albert W. W.
Brooks, who has the reputation of l)eing the
wealthiest man in Randolph County, Ark. Mr.
and Mrs Rogers then came to Cache Township, in
Lawrence County, and settled on a farm of 240
acres, of which 115 acres are in a good state? of
cultivation. He owns 440 acres more in two tracts
of land in Randolph County. Mr. and Mrs. Rogers
are the parents of seven children, five of them
living, whose names are recorded as follows: John
A., William H. , Julia A., Magnolia, Mary Susan.
He is a member of the Knights and Ladies of
Honor, and a man held in high esteem.
Charles C. Rogers, attorney and county ex-
aminer, was born in Madison County, Tenn., April
1, 1852. He is a son of Hon. D. S. and Nancy G.
(Taylor) Rogers, of North Carolina and Virginia,
respectively. After his marriage, the elder Rog
era resided in Tennessee for a number of years,
where he farmed to a consideralile ext(>nt, and for
twenty five years was chairman of the county court
of Madison County. In his sixty- fifth year Mr.
Rogers was admitted to the bar, but as he had al-
ways declined to practice, his membership was con-
ferred more as an honor. Previous to the war he
had l)een elected a member of tin? legislature, and
for almost twenty-five years, continuously, he held
the office of justice of the peace. His death oc-
curred in the spring of 188B, leaving behind him a
name respected and honorinl wherever mentioned.
Charles C. Rogers grew to manhood on the farm
in Tennessee. His facilities for attending school
in his youth were very meager, but, knowing the
advantages of a good education in order to make a
success in life, hi- applied himself studiously to his
books at every opportunity, and now not only is
ho posted in the common and higher EDglish
branches, Imt is also well versed in Greek and
Latin. After niastcriug liis studies, Mr. Rogers
taught .school himself in Teiuiessee for five terms,
and for one term iti Arkansas. In 1875 he com-
menced the study of law at the ('uiiil)cr]atid fjaw
School, Lebanon, Tenu., and completed his full
course. He then located at Jackson, Tenn., and
in 1881 was offered th(> editorial chair of u news-
paper in that city, which he occupic'd for eight
months, his work during that time attracting wide-
spr(>ad att(!ntion. In 1882 he moved to I'nwliatan,
where he has resided ever since, and commenced
the practice of law. He has been successful from
the very Ix'ginuing, and now ranks as one of the
best lawyers in Northeast Arkansas. Mr. Rogers
was married to Mrs. Ella Croom, a charming
widow, of Tennessee, who had been the companion
of his youth. Mrs. Rogers has one daughter by
her former marriage, and her union with Mr.
Rogers has given them a son Willie P. Rogers.
They are l)oth members of the Methodist P^pisco
pal Church, South, of which Mr. Rogers is stewar<l,
and the latter also holds the office of county ex-
aminer, to which lie was appointed in 1888.
Dr. D. B. Rudy, physician and surg(K)n, is a
man of whom it can l)e truly said that lie has
reached the top round in his profession. He was
born in Henderson County, Ky., December 24,
1851, and is a son of William R. and Jane P.
(Smith) Rudy, both of the same county and State,
the father being an extensive stock raiser and
farmer. The Doctor grew to manhood in Hender-
son County, and in his youth received the liest ed-
ucation to be had. He attended the high schools
and also the Cairo Academy, of Cairo, that county,
and in 1871 cimmenci-d tlie study of mi-dicine
under Dr. Samuel Furman, of Cairo, a noted
physician of that perioil. He obtained his lirst
course of medical lectures at the I'niversity of
Louisville, and graduated in 1875. His lirst lo-
cation was in McLean Cnnnty, Ky. . where he
practiced until the fall of 1871), and then move«l
to Sharp County, Ark. In 1878 he left Sharp
County and retiuned to the University to jiursue
his studies still further, and graduated on March
1, 1879. He thou came to Lawrence Couuty, Ark.,
in May, 1879, and commenced practicing, and is
now looked upon as one of the leaders in the med-
ical profession. The Doctor was married at Smith -
ville. Ark. , to Miss Belle Henderson in 1880, who
died seven years later, leaving three children. His
second marriage was to MissParalee Fortenberry,
of Lawrence County, in 1888, and the result of
this happ_v union has been one child. The names
of those children by his first wife are Maud, Anna
Belle and William B. , and the child of his last i
wife is James Frederick. The Doctor has built
up a splendid practice, and owns considerable prop-
erty in Lawrence County. He is a very popular
man, owing it to both his skill as a physician and
his personal magnetism. He also devotes a por-
tion of his attention to stock raising and farming,
and has been very successftil in both, and is also a
member of the Lawrence County Medical Society.
Silas RufFner, of Walnut Ridge, is one of the
oldest citizens of Lawrence County. He was born
in New Madrid County, Mo., in 1836, and is the
same age as that of his adopted State — Arkansas.
His father was Elias Ruffner, of what is now
Kanawha County, W. Va., who was a farmer by
occupation. The elder Ruffner moved from Vir-
ginia to Indiana, and afterward to Illinois, Wiscon-
sin, Arkansas and Texas. He came to Arkansas in
1814, and located at Crowley's Ridge, in Poinsett
County, and in 1857 removed to Texas, where he
contracted pneumonia, and died the same year,
aged sixty years. He was married to Miss Nancy
Phillips, of Virginia, and had live children, four
of them living in Lawrence County and one in
Prairie County. The mother is still living in the
former county, at the age of seventy -eight years,
and has full possession of all her faculties. Silas
RufFner was reared as a farmer, and had been in
that business until within the past three years.
He has had but a limited education, but is a man
of strong will and a determination that overcomes
all obstacles. Ho has resided the greater portion
of his life in Lawrence County, having come here
in the year 1850, and can recount a score of rem-
iniscences of the early days of this State. He first
lived in Poinsett and Jackson Counties, and re-
members when Jacksonport, in the latter county,
was merely a canebrake. He can also remember
when the Jacksonport and Pocahontas country road
was opened, which covered a distance of sixty-two
miles, and had but one house upon it, which was
called the "Stranger's Homo," as that was the
only place of accomodation on the entire road. In
1886 Mr. Ruffner established himself in the mer-
chandising Viusiness at Walnut Ridge, and has had
very fair success. He is a member of Walnut
Ridge Lodge No. 19731, Knights of Honor, and
also a member of the town council. In 1802 he en-
listed in Capt. Henry's company, and served three
and one-half years through the war. He was dis-
charged June 5, 1805, and held the rank of second
lieutenant at the time of his release. He has been
married four times, two of his wives having been
sisters, and all four of them cousins. He has had
eleven children altogether, and seven of them are
still living: Savannah (the wife of John E. John-
son, of Walnut Ridge), Joseph and Nancy Owen
(who reside in this county), Williger (the wife of
Edgar O'Neal, of the "Stranger's Home"), Julia
(the wife of Davis Ruffner, of this county), Henry,
George and John. He has married for the fifth
time, his present wife having been Rachel Up-
church. Mr. Ruffner is in splendid health, and
has never taken a cupful of medicine in the whole
course of his existence, nor touched a drink of
whisky. In politics, he is a Democrat.
T. A. J. Runyan, M. D., one of Lawrence
County's popular citizens, and a physician of
excellent reputation, was born in Vermillion
County, Ind. , in the year 1829. He is a son of
William and Melinda (Murey) Runyan, of Tennes-
see and Kentucky, respectively, who were married
in Tennessee, and moved to the State of Illinois,
shortly after. Dr. Runyan received his education
from the district schools in his earlier days, and
later on at the Academy of Georgetown, Tenn.
He commenced the study of medicine in 1855,
under the guidance of Dr. John L. Yarnell, a
celebrated physician in those day, and is now one
of the leading men in his profession. He also
practiced five years under the care of an elder
brother, Dr.M. D. L. Runyan. While at Nashville
LAWRENCE COUNTY.
SI '.I
taking a course of lectnros, the Doctor had tho
misfortune to lose oue of bis eyes by erysipelas,
which caused bim to give up his studies for a time.
This, however, did not deter hitn from mastering
tho intricacies of his chosen profession, and in
ISIU he resumed the study of medicine. He came
to Arkansas in 181)3, and located in what is now
Sharp County, and commenced building up his
practice within four miles of whore he now resides.
He is the oldest physician residing in this part of
the county, and, besides bis profession, is the owner
of a large and very productive farm. He has
upward of 200 acres under cultivation, besides
other lands in various sections, all of which he has
accumulated by bis own industry. The Doctor was
practically penniless at the close of the war, and
his present prosperity is a good evidence of bis
indomitable pluck and energy. He was married
to Miss Mary A. Campbell, of Tennessee, and
eight children have been given them to brighten
the home, four of whom have died. The names
of those living are: Ester Jane, wife of Henry
Doyle; Martha M. , wife of James M. Turner;
William, and Josephine, wife of J. W. McLaugh-
lin. The dead are: Marcus, an infant not named,
Eliza Ann and Melinda. The Doctor is a member
of Lodge No. 126 of the A. F. & A. M.
John J. Sharp, one of the principal farmers
and stock raisers in La-wrence County, was born
in this county, on the 0th of Juno, 1846. He is
a son of John Sharp, who was born in the same
county and State, in 1818, and a grandson of Sol
omon Sharp, one of the first settlers to till the soil
of Arkansas. His grandfather began farming and
stock raising on his arrival in this section, and that
particular business has been followed by father and
son for three generations. Their first location was
on the place now owned by Capt. Stewart, near
Powhatan. John Sharp was a soldier in the Mex-
ican War, and was the second child of a family of
nine. His intrepidity led him to the front ranks
of battle, where he sickened and died, without the
privilege of bidding his family good bye. He mar-
ried Miss Luriza Turman, a Kentucky lady, in
1S16. who died in 188S. There were three chil-
dren born to them: ^Mrs. Jane Smith, Mrs. ^Mary
Williams, a widow lady, and John J. Sharp, (jf
whom we write. Mr. Sharp remained in this
county until August, 1862, when he enlisted in tiie
Confederate army, and was one of tho raiders
through Missouri, under Gen. Price. He returned
home the same year, and iu 1865 went to Jackson
port, where he was paroled. When twenty yours
of age he went on his uncle's farm, at Black Rock,
and remained two years. After leaving him ho
moved to his present place of rosidoiice, which he
bought from his uncle in 1870. It is one of the
oldest places of K(>ttlement in tho county, and has
100 acres of land under cultivation. Mr. Sharp
was married, September 20, 1868, to Miss Lucinda
C. McGhehey, a daughter of Judge McGhehoy,
who has filled that ol!i(!e for fourteen years. They
have five children: William Henry, Alice, Albert
Redmond, Ernest ^\'. and Lacie B. , and are mem-
bers of the Christian Chiu-ch. Mr. Sharp has
been a member of the school board for n nural)er
of years, and has always used his influence to the
fullest extent, in the cause of education. He is a
firm believer in the maxim that " knowledge is
power," and is always one of the first to advance
a cause for the enlightenment and instruction of
childhood. He is the owner of a large sorghum -
mill and a splendid farm. His mill has a capacity
of forty five gallons per day.
T. J. Sharum, general merchant of Walnut
llidge, was born in Daviess County, Lid., February
4, 1840. His father, H. Y. Sharum, is a native of
Kentucky, and an early settler of Daviess County,
lud. , where he still resides on a farm, at tho ago of
eighty years. The elder Sharum was married to
Miss Rosa Ann Cisell, of Kentucky, and eight
children were the result of this union. One of the
sons, James A., was a member of Company I,
Twenty-fourth Infantry, Indiana Volunteers, and
was killed in the battle of Shiloh. Two of the .sons
reside in Arkansas — T. J. Sharum and J. C. Shnr
um. the latter a resident of Portia. Mr. T. J.
Sharum was reared on a farm in Indiana, and re-
ceived a fair education in his youth. He learne<l
tho carpenter's trade early in life, and worked at
it in the town of Manitowoc, Wis., until tho fall
of 1S60. In 18<)1 (Julv 3) he enlisted in Omi-
820
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
pany I, Twenty-foiirtb Infantry, Indiana Volun-
teers, which was organized at Camp Knox, and iu
the latter part of that summer went to MissoiU'i,
under Gen. Fremont. He took part iu the }>attle
of Sliiloh, where he was wounded in the left-
shoulder l>y a rifle ball. He was granted a fur-
lough of several months after this occurrence, and
later on rejoined his regiment at Helena, Ark.,
and with the exception of skirmishing, was not
engaged in actual battle until the siege of Vicks-
burg. On June 2;3, he was taken prisoner, and
finally landed in the famous Libby Prison. Later
on he was exchanged, and rejoined his regiment
at New Iberia, La. At Clinton, La. , he did some
skirmish duty, and iu the year of 1864, he was
mustered out at Baton Rouge. Mr. Sharum's next
occupation was that of traveling salesman for a
jewelry house, and then a stock trader. He jour-
neyed through the Choctaw Nation and the State
of Arkansas for two years, trading in stock and
hides. He then established himself in business in
Indiana for seven years, and afterward was a
wholesale mannfacturer of boots and shoes in St.
Louis. Mo., for eight years, in connection with a
brother. In November, 1888, ho came to Walnut
Ridge, his present home, and purchased the busi
ness of J. M. Phelps & Sons. His undertakings
have all been successful, and he is now the owner of
some 8,000 acres of land, besides thatjsart of Wal-
nut Ridge where the court-house and Methodist
Episcopal Church stand. He is commander of
Lawrence Post No. 72, G. A. R., and is a member
of the I. O. O. F., Good Templars and Knights
and Ladies of Honor. He was married April 24,
1806, to Miss Lydia A. Loutz, of Indiana, and has
bad three children, one of them dying since (Ed-
ward). The two still living are Monte and Myrtle.
Arthur W. Shirey, a prominent merchant of
Ashland Township, comes from an old South Car-
olinian family, but is of German descent. He was
born in Lexington County, S. C, on the 13th of
May, 1835, and is a son of Enoch and Martha
(Sandford) Shirey, who, a few years after their
marriage, moved to the State of Georgia, and from
there to Alabama, where they settled on a farm,
and proceeded to make their future home. The
father died September 6, 1866, while visiting his
son, A. W. Shirey, in Texas, giving the family a
blow from which they did not recover for some
years. A. M'. Shirey remained with his father un-
til he had attained his manhood, and then moved to
Texas, where he located in Smith County, and af
terward in Angelina County. In 1862 he enlisted
in the Thirteenth Texas Cavalry, as a private, but
his valiant services for the cause of the Confeder-
acy soon won for him the rank of orderly sergeant,
in which capacity he remained until the company
disbanded at Hempstead, Texas. He fought at
the battles of Mansfield (La.), Pleasant Hill (La.),
and -Jenkins' Ferry (Ark.), besides a great number
of others e<jua]ly as noted. After the war he re-
turned to his Texas home, where he was occupied
in farming for one year, and in 1867 moved to
Arkansas, and located at Jonesboro. In the latter
place he was engaged in business for eighteen
months, and in th(? fall of 1868 scuttled on Black
River, iu Lawrence County, where he transacted
business for a jieriod of four and one half years.
His next venture was at Minturn, but he sold out
his interest at that place, and began farming near
by. This he continued four years, then returning
to Minturn, and forming a partnership, under the
name of Shirey & Henry, for the sale of general
merchandise. After a period of one year and a
half Mr. Henry withdrew from the business, which
Mr. Shirey continued on his own account, and he
now does a business of about $30,000 annually,
besides handling cotton to a considerable extent.
He carries a large and fine stock of dry goods,
groceries, queensware and general supplies, and
has built up a prosperous trade. He is deemed to
be one of the shrewdest business men in that sec-
tion, and no man in business in Lawrence County
has a better reputation for fair dealing and honest
goods. Mr. Shirey first commenced on almost
nothing, but, by his own good management and
legitimate methods of doing business, has accumu-
lated a comfortable fortune. He owns some 4,000
acres of land in this county, on ten ditferent tracts,
of which 1,300 acres are cleared and under culti-
vation. Once before he had been on the road to
prosperity, but lost all he possessed while coming
k.
LAWRENCE COUNTY.
821
from Jonesboro to Lawrence County, on the Black
River, in 1868. The boat upon which all of his
savings and goods had been freighted sunk at
Bird's Point, and he was again forcod to start in
life without a dollar. His wonderful energy and
tact have once more placed him upon a solid Viasis,
and now, besides his 4,000 acres of latul and large
business, he owns considerable other personal
property, and is considered to bo one of the bul-
warks of commercial life in Lawrenc(( County.
Mr. Shirey has been a Spiritualist in religious faith
for the past fifteen years, and for some three years
he has been a magnetic healer. He delights in
treating patients after medicine has failed to cure,
and many have been restored to health and strength
through his aid. People who are poor and des-
titute receive the benefits of his healing powers
gratis.
Capt. William C. Sloan, of Smithville, Ark.,
was born in Lawrence County, August 14, 1888.
His father was Fergus Sloan, of Lincoln County,
N. C, who was born in December, 1787, and died
in November, 1849. The elder Sloan remained in
North Carolina until he reached his twenty-fifth
year, and then moved to Missouri, and settled, in
Washington County, near Caledonia. He resided
th(>re until his marriage to Miss Rosanna Ruggles,
of Otsego, N. C, who was born in 1797, and came
to Missouri in 1818. They moved to Arkansas in
1S'20, and located in the Spring River district,
where they opened up a largo farm (for that time) of
150 acres. Both Mr. and Mrs. Sloan were mem-
bers of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and the
elder Sloan's house in (larly days was often a
meeting place for the missionaries of that time.
He dieil, while on a visit to his former home in
Missouri, on November 18, 184Vt, anil ins wife, the
mother of Capt. Sloan, died on the old homo-
stead, August 10, 18f)0. Nine children were born
to the parents, all of them living to bo marrie<l.
William C. Sloan was the seventh child, and the
youngest of four boys, and besides himself, has
three sisters still living. He grew to maturity in
this county, and on arriving at the age of twenty-
one yi'ars, conimenciMl doing business for himself.
During the war, he was captain of Company A,
Twenty-fifth Arkansas, and was mustered in willi
his company, March 1, 1802, serving about six
nKJiiths in that commauil. He next joined Col.
Baber's cavalry regiment, the Forty -fifth Ar
kansas, and was a meml)er of the raiding i^xjicdi
tion, under General Price, through Missouri.
After the war was over, he returned home and
entered actively into mercantile life, and has re-
sided in Smithville ever since. H(Msalsoa i)artner
in the firm of Sloan & Co., at ImlKxleu, Ark., and
besides, deals in stock very extensively. Capt.
Sloan is a Democrat in [tolitics, and represented
his county in the rebel legislatur(» of 18(5(5 67,
when they first convened after the war, and was
known throughout the county, as a fair-minded
and conscientious man in the discharge of his
duties. He was first married to Mrs. Susan Sloan,
the widow of his l)rotlier, who was born in Law
rence County, in 1881, and died in October, I.Sf).").
This union gave them two children, William V. ,
and Leona, wife of L. T. Andrews. His second
wife was Miss Elizabeth J. Cravi'us, whom he mar-
ried in 1871, a native of the same county, luit ed-
ucated at Shelbyville, Ky., and by whom he had
three children: Homer ¥., Eula L. , and Fannie,
all of them living. The mother died September
'29, 1887. Capt. Sloan is a member of Lodge No.
29, A. F. & A. ]\[., of Smithville, and is widely
known for his generosity and good fellowshi]>.
Clay Sloan, circuit court clerk, Powhatan, was
born in Lawrence County, Ark., August 20, I Sill.
He comes of a family who have made Arkansas
their home for a great many years, his father, James
F. Sloan, having been reared in the same county
and State, as also his mother, Margaret J. (Uauey )
Sloan. The older Sloan was, for the greater |«>r
tion of his life, a prominent merchant of I'owha
tan, and was one of the most progi'essivo men in
commercial circles in that city up to the time of
his death, in 1878. His wife still survives him,
and is now married to M. D. Baber, an attorney
of Powhatan. Mr. Clay Sloan attained his ma
turity in Lawrence County, and in his youth re
ceived a thorough education at Arkansas College,
Batesville, Ark. He ci>mi>lete<l his fidl course at
college in 1881, and was tiien engaged in teaching
Jl:
822
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
at Powhatan until the year 1886. His abilities
having been tested and recognized by this time,
he was elected to the position which he now occu
pies, and in 1888 was re-elected to the same office.
Ml". Sloan also filled the office of county examiner
fi-om 1884 to 1886. a position in which his actions
were reflected with credit. He is a Democrat in
polities and is strong in his support of the princi-
ples of that party. In the month of October, 1888,
Mr. Sloan was captivated by and married to Miss
Katie Matthews, a daughter of B. F. Matthews,
and they are as happy as two people can be who
have made a wise selection in the lottery of life.
They are both members of the Old School Presby-
terian Church, and are held in high esteem by
their neighbors.
Thompson F. Smith, justice of the peace, was
born in Washington County, Mo., on the 7th of
February, 1828. He is the son of William C. and
Jemima (Warner) Smith. His father moved from
his native place, Fayette County, Ky., in his nine-
teenth year, and settled in A\'ashington County,
Mo. , where he met and married his wife. They
remained in this State tintil the year of 1841, when
they were induced to remove farther west, and
located in Arkansas, near Smithville. In 1846 a
permanent home was established at what is now
Black Rock, but what was then almost a barren
prairie. Mr. William C. Smith was first jus-
tice of the peace in that county, and was after-
ward elected to the county judgeship, in 1854, by
the Democratic party. He was a soldier in the
War of 1812, and was a member of Johnson's
regiment. His contributions toward the church
were liberal, ho besides being a strong advocate in
the erection and maintenance of schools. Mr.
Smith's mother died July 31, 1886, in the New
Hope Baptist Church, one of the oldest churches
in the county, of which she had been a member
for thirty-nine years. To them were born fifteen
children, of whom five are still living. Mr. Smith
is their fifth child, and moved with his parents to
Arkansas when in his fourteenth year. He attained
his majority on the place where he now resides,
and, after reaching that age, his first steps were
toward improving the farm, and it is now his great
satisfaction in being able to say that, since coming
to this point, he has lived to see trees grow from
mere shrubs to be over two and one-half feet in
diameter. He has under cultivation about 100
acres of land, and is the owner of some 200, wilh
orchards and buiklings upon them. His new fruit
evaporator is the only one in the county, and since
he has been in possession of it, has evaporated
over 3,000 pounds of fruit. Mr. Smith was mar
ried on the 1st of January, 18()3, to Miss Letitia
Moore, of this coiinty, a daughter of Jackson Moore,
one of the earliest settlers. They have had five
children, four of whom are still living: James H. ,
Charles B., Julia A. and William H. Mr. Smith
is a member of the A. F. & A. M. , of Kock Cave,
this county. He has served as justice of the peace
for seventeen years, and is the present justice of
the peace and notary public. He fought in the
late war, and held the rank of lieutenant in the
Thirteenth Arkansas, Company D. He had com-
mand of Company D in the battle of Shiloh, and
his lips give many a thrilling recital of narrow
escapes during that period. Mr. Smith is an en-
ergetic citizen, a popular official, and a ])rominent
figui'e in his county.
David C. Smith was born in Lawrence Coun-
ty, Ark., February 10, 1837, and is the son of
David Smith, of Vermont, who settled in Kentucky
in his earlier days, where he met and was married
to Miss Mariah Hornby, a native of that State. In
the year 1830 Mr. David Smith and his family
left their Kentucky home and found a suitable lo-
cation in Lawrence County, Ark. This section of
country was sparsely settled at that time, and Mr.
Smith had all the difficulties to contend with that
befell the pioneers of that State. However, he
cleared up a portion of the timber and commenced
farming, which occupation he followed until the
time of his death, which occurred on the 1 2th of
March, 1881. Both Mr. and Mrs. Smith were
members of the Methodist Episcoisal Church.
Seven children were born to them, of whom four
are still living, David C. being the youngest. The
advantages of education were very limited in those
days in Mr. Smith's section, owing to the newness
of the country, and he found, quite early in life,
~7\~<i
:±=4>t^
the necessity of schooling himself. At tho awe of
twenty two ho located on the home jilacc, where
he remained nntil he was able to purchase a home
of his own, and, owing to his natural ability and
pluck, was not long in attaining his object. He
served three years in the C(jnfederate army, being
a memljer of Col. Shaver's regiment, and was
present at the surrender at Jacksonport, Jackson
County, Ark. At the close of the war he returned
home and engaged in farm work, and some years
later was elected justice of the peace of Black
River Township, tilling the duties of that office
for two terms. He was then elected to the office
of county judge in the fall of 188f). serving two
years. Mr. Smith has also been a member of the
board of equalization for four years, and has filled
several minor offices. He was first married in
1859 to Miss Mary A. Bottoms, a lady of Tennes-
see, who died on the I'Jth of Marcli, 1888. He
had seven children b}' this wife, five of them de-
ceased: David W., Elias H., Mary E., Clay C.
and Emmett E. Those living are James C. and
John R. Mr. Smith was married a second time
to Mrs. Vj. a. Pyland, a native of Tennessee, and
this lady had three children: Mary F., Georgia A.
and Modena W. They are meml)ers of the Bap-
tist Church. Mr. Smith is an active worker in
school and church affairs. He is a stanch Demo-
crat, and was a Whig b(>for<< the reconstruction.
J. C. Starr, M.D., was born in ("annon County,
Tenn., on the 2d day of August, 1843. He is a
son of John and Celinda (Shumate) Starr. The
family settled in Missouri, in IS50, and located in
Wright County, where Mr. Starr, the elder, en-
gaged in farming and stock raising. The Doctor
remained with his- father until he reached maturity,
when he began the study of medicine with Dr. J.
F. Brooton, one of the leading physicians of
Wright County, in 1808. He finally moved to
Lawrence County, Mo., and enrolled as physician
and surgeon in the clerk's offic(> in Mount Vemon,
Mo., in July, 1874, where he remained until mov-
ing to Arkansas, when ho settled in Lawrence
County in 1875. His first place of residence was at
Smithville, but in 1887 he selected Black Rock as
a more desirable location, and has continued there
ever since. He has a large jjractice, and is a man
of high .standing in that community, which position
has been won by his sterling qualities and skill in
his profession, and ho is in every way worthy (jf
the success attending him. The Doctor mot and
won Miss E. J. Smith, a yoimg lady of Arkansas,
in 1882. Five children have been born to tlieui-
Clara, Tolivar, Webby, Ophelia and Mary. The
family are members of the Missionary Baptist
Church, and the Doctor himself is a member and
Junior Warden of Black Rock Lodge of ilasons.
Andrew J. Stewart, a well-known and exten-
sive stock raiser and farmer, was born January 1 5,
1S4S, in Phelps County, Mo. His father, James
Stewart, was married in Missouri to Miss Melinda
Lane, of Iowa, who, after their marriage, first
settled in Dent County, Mo., and subsequently in
Phelps County, where Andrew J. was born. An-
drew remained with the family until his sixteenth
year, and then came to Arkansas, and settled in
Lawrence County, where he has resided since.
He was married on September 24, 1872, to Miss
Sarah Thomason, of North Carolina, a lady who
has proven herself a devoted wife and mother.
After his marriage Mr. Stewart bought 12t) acres
of land, partly cleared, and since then has added
to it considerably, now owning some b'lO acres in
three tracts, with perhaps 200 acres cleared. He
has a good box Innise on one place and a log house
on each of the others, besides a good many im
provements having been done upon all of his land.
Mr. St(>wart's position in life is a gooil exami)le
of what thrift, good management and common
sense will do toward building up a man's fortune.
He first started in life with comparatively nothing.
l)nt l)y the aid of these qualities has accumulated
an independent competence, and is now considered
as one of the most substantial men of his county.
He has a family of four children: Filli'nore L.,
James T., Jessie and Charles H. ; and has lost one
child. Mrs. Stewart is a member of the Old
School Presbyterian Church, and takes an active
interest in all matters pertaining to it.
Joseph Taylor was born in LawTence C uunty.
Ark.. January 'IH, 182:^, his parents being Will-
iam and Mary (Fortenberry) Taylor, whoso ro-
— ►
824
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
spective places of birth were Tennessee and Vir-
ginia. The father was born in East Tennessee, on
Clinch River, near Kingston. The grandfather
died at an early age, leaving a widow and two
children — "William and Nancy. His wife married
a short time after the death of her husband, and
William was compelled to leave home on account
of the ill treatment of his stepfather. At this
time, being abont seventeen years of age and
weighing only 104 pounds, he started for the
West. He crossed the Mississippi River not far be-
low the mouth of the Ohio, and located in Capo
Girardeau County, near the southern line, on a
small stream called White Water. He was wholly
illiterate, being unable to read, save a little, while
to write his own name was an impossibility. He
remained in this coiintry until about the age of
twenty -two, and having grown to be a reasonable
sized man, he married. He was in this country in
time of the earth's shaking and during the War of
1812. During this time his wife presented him
two sons — Milledge and John — and about the year
1816 or 1817 he removed with his wife and family
to Arkansas, and located in the woods, on the bank
of Strawberry River, a very poor man. He suc-
ceeded in procuring lands, on which he erected a
building and cleared a farm, and, following the
occupation of farming and stock-raising through
life, he became a well-to-do man. After he settled
here his wife bore four other sons — James, Wesley,
Joseph, and one that died soon after its birth.
The mother died at the same time, leaving Joseph
a little over two years of age. The father remained
a widower about two years, and married a lady
named Lear Williams. This wife became the
mother of four children, Nancy, William, Eliga and
Elie. The father died at about the age of fifty- livo
or fifty six, leaving eight sons and one daughter,
all of whom became grown, married and had fami-
lies, save one son, William, who died single at the
age of twenty two. Joseph was about seventeen
years old when his father died. He remained with
his step-mother one year, and then lived with his
brother until twenty years of age. On November
7, 1843, he married Mary J. Hinderson. They
lived together about three years, and she died.
During this union they had a son born unto them,
named William Alexander (after his grandfather).
This son (without consent of his father), at the age
of sixteen, joined the Southern army in the fall of
1861, and was killed at Atlanta, Ga. After the
death of his wife, Mr. Taylor remained a widower
about three years, leading a very reckless life, but,
under the influence of his brothers, he was per-
suaded to marrj' a second wife, Martha A. Findley,
November 7, 1850. This lady was a member of
the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, and a de-
voted Christian. Through the influence of his
wife, Mr. Taylor made a profession of religion in
September, 1853. The next morning he joined
the church to which his wife l)elonged. Shortly
after he was elected and ordained to the office of
ruling elder of the Strawberry congregation, which
office he has held to the present time. Mr. Tay-
lor lived with his second wife about fourteen years,
and she died, after having given birth to five chil-
dren— John W., Margret A., Sarah W., Melissa
A., Matilda E. Mr. Taylor again married, a third
time, the lady being a sister of his second wife,
and the widow of J. M. Barnett. They had three
sons, all of whom are living: Joseph G., Benjamin
D. and George W. He lived with this wife about
eighteen years, when she died, on the 31.st of De-
cember, 1883. In 1887 he was married to the
widow McHenry, who had one little daughter —
Allis McHenry, who is now living with them. Mi'.
Taylor's present wife's maiden name was Crits.
Her native State is Virginia. Mr. Taylor is the
only one of this branch of the family now living.
He is in his sixty-sixth year, and lives at the Jack-
sonport Crossing, on Strawberry, a place within
two miles of where he was born.
Thomas J. Thorn, farmer and stock raiser, was
born in Bedford County, Tenn., December 25,
1837. His father, W. Thorn, was a native of
North Carolina, who moved to the State of Ten-
nessee, and was there married to Miss Penelope
Crumple, of that State. After his marriage the
elder Thom settled on a farm in Bedford County,
where he resided until his death, in 1856. His
wife still survives him, and is a resident of Law
renee County. He served through the Seminole
^
LAWRENCE COUNTY.
825
War in Florida, and had n(W(*r fully recovered from
the exposure and hardships broucrht on while en-
deavorinf( to subdue this savage tribe. Thomas
J. Thorn remained with his father until he had
reached his maturity, and then started out to tind
his own fortune. In 1859 he settled in Oregon
County, Mo. , and one year later moved to Law-
rence County, Ark. In ISOl he enlisted in the
Confederate army, and after six months' active
service was badly wounded and discharged. He
received his wound in the thigh, from a rifle ball,
while engaged in a battle at Springfield, Mo., in
180L and at that time was a member of Col.
McBryant's division. Finding it impossible to
light any longer, he returned to Lawrence County,
and, as time passed, and he was able to resume
his farm work, he did so, and has been at that oc-
cupation ever since, with the exception of a short
period, in which he did carpenter work. He sold
out his farm and moved to Florida, in 1880, spend-
ing twelve months in that State, and, at the end
of that time, returned to Lawrence County and
bought the place upon which he now resides. He
owns forty acres of fine land, and has about twenty-
five acres under cultivation, with a comfortable
house, Ijarns and all necessary adjuncts. Mr.
Thorn was first married, in Teimessee, to Miss
Mary Bennett, who died in Arkansas. Two chil-
dren are yet living by this wife and two deceased.
His second marriage was in Randolph County, to
Miss Rebecca Holt, who left five children at her
death. He was married a third time to Mrs. Sarah
Hatfield, a widow of Lawrence County, who is
still living. Both Mr. and Mrs. Thorn are mem-
l)ers of the Missionary Baptist Church, of which
the former is a deacon, and are people who are
held in the highest respect in their community.
George Thornlnirg, born in Havana, Mason
County, 111., January 25, 1847, moved to Smith-
ville. Ark., in December, 1855. His educational
facilitie.s were meager, but used industriously, such
as they were. He assisted J. N. Hillhouso for
two sessions, and taught one session at New Hope.
Ho l)egan the study of law in 1807, with Col.
Bal)er, and then in the law department of the
Cumberland University, Lebanon, Tenn., in 1808.
52
He was licensed to practice by Judge (afterward
Governor) Baxter, and had charge of the circuit
clerk's office fi-om 1808 to 1870, during which time
the county seat was moved to Clover Ben.l, and
from there to Powhatan. He entered into mer-
cantile business at Smith ville, from 1870 to 1873,
and in June, 1873, moved to Powhatan, where he
began the i)ractice of law in co-partnershij) with
Col. Baber. This firm did a large and successful
business until June, 1880, when Col. TLornburg
withdrew to take charge of a newspaper at Walnut
Kidge. He moved to Walnut Ridge, in July, 1 880,
and began the publication of the Tele])liono. The
change from law to newspaper was not made from
any pecuniary interest: but for the reason that
journalism was more congenial to his taste. He
was elected to the legislature as a Democrat, in
1870, but, after serving a month, his seat was con-
tested, and the house l)eing largely Repul)lican,
and j)olitics being very bitter, he was ousted to
give place to William B. Janes, who received less
than one- fourth as many votes. He was reelected
to the legislature in 1872, and stood with the im-
mortal minority in the house in 1873. In 1876 he
was nominated liy his county for the senate, but
declined on account of business engagements. In
1880 he was forced by the demands of his party
and friends to submit to an election to the legisla
ture again, and was elected speaker for the bouse
during the session of 1881. It is said of him, as
it can be said of no other speaker of the Arkansas
legislature, that none of his decisions were ever ap-
pealed. In 1884 he was again elected to the legis-
lature, and was made chairman of the judiciary
committee. In 1886 he was nominated by the
State Wheel convention for secretary of State,
but declined the nomination, because, as a Demo-
crat, he could not accept any nomination that
would antagonize the Democratic party. Since
1884 he has .sought no political oflice, devoting his
attention to his paper. He was appointed a col-
onel in the Arkansas militia, l)y Gov. Baxter, and
again appointed by Gov. Garland. Col. Thorn -
burg was made a Mason, in Smithvilli' Lodge No.
20, in ISON. He served as Secretary of his lo<lge
and Worshipful Master. He was made a Royal
826
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
Arch Mason, in 1870, in Pythagoras Chapter No.
34, held at Powhatan. This Chapter is now
defunct. He was made a Sir Kni<^ht Mason in
Hugh De Payne Commandery, at Little Rock, in
1871. He has been a delegate to every Grand Lodge
and Grand Chapter from 1871 to the present time.
He was Secretary of the Masonic Convention of
1873, which made the present constitution of
the Grand Lodge. Elected Grand Orator of the
Grand Lodge in 1874, in 1875 he made and de-
fended the famous minority report, which cut the
Grand Lodge loose from supporting St. John's
College. He was elected Grand Master of the
Grand Lodge in 1878, and re-elected to the same
position in 1879. In 1880 he was elected Deputy
Grand Commander of Knights Templar, and
elected Grand High Priest of the Grand Chapter,
and in 1883 was elected Illustrious Grand Master
of the Grand Council. He has delivered over
twenty public addresses on Masonry, and is a per-
manent member of the committee on law of the
Grand Lodge and Grand Chapter. He is now the
special representative of the Grand Lodge of Geor-
gia, the Grand Chapter of Illinois, and the Grand
Orient of Spain. In July, 1886, he founded the
Masonic Trowel, a paper devoted exclusively to
Masonry. It has a large circulation throughout
the State, and grows in favor with the craft. It
has been adopted by the Grand Lodge as its
official organ. Mr. Thornburg is a member of the
Methodist Episcopal Church, South, and has been
steward continuously since 1876, also Sunday-
school superintendent for sixteen years. He ia the
only layman in the Southern Methodist Church
who is secretary of an annual conference, and he
has the honor of being the author of the system
of reports now used throughout the church. Prior
to 1886 the church had no uniform plan or system
of reporting. Mr. Thornburg arranged a system
for the conference, of which he was secretary.
This form was so complete and systematic that
Bishop McTyeire urged its adi)[)tiou hy the general
conference, and it is now the only form allowed to
be used in the Methodist Episcopal Church, South.
Mr. Thornburg is a strong temperance advocate, a
supporter of the free school system and a conserva-
tive but straight Democrat. In the newspaper
fraternity he stands high, having been selected as
orator the year before last, and vice-president last
year. He has, perhaps, delivered more addresses
on Masonic, Sunday-school and miscellaneous
occasions than any man in North Arkansas. In
September, 1868, Col. Thornburg was married to
Miss M. C. Self, a daughter of J. M. Self, a
physician and Methodist local preacher. He has
a pleasant home, is surrounded b}' an interesting
family, and enjoys a quiet life with his wife, chil-
dren and flowers.
Judge William A. Townsend, one of Arkansas'
most respected citizens, is a native of Alabama,
where he was born in Franklin County in the year
1853. He is a son of John \V. and Mary L.
(Weatherford) Townsend, the former of Illinois
and the latter from Alabama. The elder Town-
send was reared and received his education in Ala-
bama, where he also practiced medicine, and was,
in his day, a prominent physician of that State.
About the year 1855 he moved to Arkansas, and
settled near Smithville, where he began the prac-
tice of law. He lost his wife a year later, and re-
turned to Alabama, where he remained until 1863.
He again came back to Arkansas, and located in
Lawrence County, where he resided and was or-
dained a minister of the Baptist Church in 1870,
serving until his death, in January, 1878. Judge
W. A. Townsend is the second child in the family.
He came to Arkansas when very young, and was
reared in Lawrence County, where he was edu-
cated. He was taught principally at the home
schools, and was an apt and attentive scholar,
though the higher branches of education were out
of his reach, on account of the poor facilities ofPered
at the time. He afterward taught school himself
for three years, but in 1878, bought out an estab-
lished business in Smithville, and has been actively
engaged in mercantile affairs since then. He car-
ries one of the largest and most complete stocks of
merchandise in Lawrence County, and has built
up a reputation for fair dealing and honest goods
second to none in the State. This fact has brought
him a trade of 115,000 a year, which is still
growing. In 1876 Mr. Townsend was elected
LAWRENCE COUNTY.
ST,
assessor, and served one term, .and in 1878 he was
elected sheriff and collector, and served one term.
In 1884 he was elected county judge, and in 1888
was again chosen to fill that office. He also had
charge of the postoffice at Smithville in 1878-79.
Judge Towusend was married in Independence
County October 31, 1880, to Miss Belle Toler, a
daughter of J. B. Toler, and this marriage has
given them three children: Neva, Roy and Mary,
whose l)right faces and childish voices are a great
source of happiness to the parents. Judge Town-
send belongs to the Masonic order, and is a Master
Mason. He is held in high regard by the entire
community, and is a man of irreproachable honor.
While performing his judicial functions, he gained
a reputation for the fairness of his decisions, and the
justness with which he wielded the law irrespective
of ]>arty, creed or color.
Francis M. Wayland, of the lirm of James &
Wayland. dealers in general merchandise, is
another name that will be rememlicred for years to
come as belonging to a pul)lic-si)irited and progres
sive man of this community. He was born in
Lawrence County October 7. 1840, and is a son of
Rev. Jonathan Wayland, of Vii-ginia. a noted
])reacher of that period, who came to Arkansas in
1815, and settled in what is now Lawrence County,
with his father. Nevil Wayland. (irandfather
Wayland died soon after his arrival in Arkansas,
and Jonathan was thrown on his own r<>sources:
lint though the prospects ahead of him at the
time were very dark, he was never daunted in the
least, and through thf troul)les and |)rivations of
his early life he grew to manhood with the |)roud
consciousness of having overcome all obstacles that
had been thrown in his path. He was married in
Lawrence County, to Miss Amy A. Kdily. of Indi
ana. whose parents wore among the pioneers of
Arkansas, and locat(>d with his wife on a farm near
Powhatan, where lie resided until his death. He
was a noted minister of the Methodi.st Episcopal
Church, South, in tiiat section, and his sermons
were often the occasion for drawing hundreds of
people from the surrounding country. His loving
and faithful wife died about the year 1870. some
fifteen years before his own death, leaving besides
her husband, two .sons and a daughter to mourn
her. The elde.st of these children was Francis
M. Wayland, who remained with his father until
he reached his majority. He received agooil edu-
cation at the common schoolfl of Lawrence County,
supplemented by a course of study at the Academy
High School, of Iron County, Mo. When througli
with his schooling he commenced teaching in Law-
rence County, and <'oiitinued at it until induced by
the offer of a lucrative position at Powhatan, to go
to that city. In 1879 he entered into mercantile
life on his own res|)onsil)ility, and his eiiter[)riHi-,
honesty in all transactions and untiring energy have
I built uj) for him a large and well-established bnsi-
j ness. This firm carry one of the largest and best
selected .stocks of general merchandise in Lawrence
County, besides dealing in lumber, and operat-
ing a cypress shingle-mill, having a capacity of
80,000 per day. They do a iiusiness of .^()(),()(10
annually, with the different branches combined,
and are well and favorably known throughout the
entire county. In the month of October, ISfJN,
Mr. Wayland was united in marriage to Miss
Sarah K. IMatthews, of Georgia, and this happy
union has given th(>m three children: Charles M.,
j assisting in his father's business, Katie and Nettie.
They are members of thi' Methodist Episcnpal
Church, South, and Mr. Wayland is supt^rintend-
I ent of the Sabbath-school, a position he has held
for the past five years. He is also a Royal Arch
Ma.son, and is Warden of his lodge. Mr. Way
land is one of those men who can look back from
his assured and substantial position in the world
to that time when, as a young man struggling
through life with nothing but a stout heart and an
honest character to .sustain him. he fought his way
U[)ward, like the hero of Longfidlow's E.xcelsior,
never stopping until he had reached the summit of
his ambition. His career has been one that can be
pointed out as an example for the younger genera-
tion to follow, in order to be placed upon ns solid
a foundation, antl it is of such men the luition
shoiUd i)e conji>oseil, in order to draw the admira-
tion of the worlil upon us.
I John P. Wel)b was born and raised on a farm
J in Coffee County, Tenn. His parents. John B.
>^
828
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
and Mary (Pearson) Webb, were natives of the
same State, who moved to Arkansas in the fall of
1858, and settled at a point seven miles west of
Powhatan, where they continued to reside until
the death of Mr. Webb's father in 1865, two years
before the mother. Mr. Webb is the seventh of
ten children, all of whom lived until their matur-
ity, when four have since died. He remained on
the farm with his parents until the disruption of
the North and South, and gave up the plow and
rake for the more deadly implements of war. In
1862 he enlisted with Newton's regiment of cav-
alry, and thereafter fought on several battlefields
before the surrender. He took ])art in the battles
of Helena and Alexandria on the Red River, and
also at Little Rock, and was one of the followers
of Gen. Price on his raids through Missouri. Af-
ter the war had ended, he once more sought the
peace of his home, and remained with his mother
on the farm until his marriage, in the fall of 1866.
He then located near the home place, where he
resided until 1882, when he removed to Black
River Bottom, near their present home. Here he
put his energies into saw-milling for three years,
and after that venture engaged in cotton -ginning.
He moved to his present home in 1887, and com-
menced farming, and has also established a thriv-
ing business in general merchandise. Mr. Webb
was married to Miss Asenath Denton, of Tennes-
see, who died in 1871 after a happy wedded life,
leaving seven children to mourn a mother's loss.
Since then three of them have died. He was
married a second time to Miss Rebecca Johnson,
a young lady also from the State of Tennessee, who
is now the mother of three children. The names
of those by his first wife are William F. , Charles
(deceased), Wiley J., John It., Chesley N., Mary
(deceased) and Harvey (deceased). The children
by his second marriage are Henry P., Matilda
and Elisabeth. Mr. Webb and his wife are mem-
bers of the Missionary Baptist Church, of which
Mr. Webb is a deacon. He has also been a mem-
ber of Dry Creek Lodge No. 453, A. F. & A. M.,
for the past sixteen years, but was a member of
Rock Cave Lodge No. 347, this county, when Dry
Creek Lodge was organized in 1886. Mr. Webb
is a generous, public -spirited citizen, and one of
the foremost to assist in pushing his county to the
front. He takes an interest in all public and
private enterprises, and is one of this section's
most valued citizens.
John H. S. Weir, a well-known resident of
Dent Township, was born in North Carolina in
1842. The parents of Mr. Weir moved west, and
settled in Arkansas in 1845, locating at Old Jack-
son, December 24. From there they moved to a
point in Black River Township, where they have
resided since 1846. James A. Weir, the father,
has been one of the foremost citizens of this
county, and a leading spirit in its affairs. He is
one of the best-posted men in Northeastern Arkan-
sas, and now, after a liusy and useful life, is living
quietly with his children. The mother died. May
23, 1885, a firm believer in the Seceder Church.
Out of eight children six are living. The first four
born were twins. Mr. Weir came to Arkansas
with his parents when three years old. and has
always remained in that State, excepting the time
he spent in the late war. In 1862 he enlisted in
Wells company, and soon afterward was dis-
charged. He re-enlisted in R. C. Newton's Cavalry
Regiment, of Little Rock, Ark., and served until
1865, when he was paroled in Drew County. He
took part in the battles at Mark's Mill and Poison
Springs, in this State, but was principally sent out
on skirmish duty. After the war he returned home,
and worked on the farm until 1867, when he ac-
cepted a position with William Jones, of Pow-
hatan, who owned a general merchandise store,
which was then sold to the firm of Stuart, Cravens
& Balfor. On leaving the above business Mr.
Weir entered school, where he studied diligently
for ten months. At the end of his student days
he met and married Miss Thirsey J. Moore, a
daughter of Robert W. Moore, of Tennessee, who
came to Arkansas in 1832, with his mother and
stepfather. Mr. Moore was a representative citi-
zen of this county in his day, and one of its most
popular men. He died at the age of sixty-six
years. When Mr. Weir first purchased his pres-
ent place it was heavily covered with timber, but
since that time he has put upwards of seventy-five
s-mm
J.H.M^.Gauqck.
(qe ceased)
Mississippi County, Arkansas ,
LA.\VEENCE COUNTY.
829
acres under cultivation, all of which has been done
by the labor of his own liaadH. His mother-in-
law is still living, and is a member of tli(> Metho-
dist Episcopal Church, South, which she has at-
tended ever since her girlhood. She was boru
near Huntsville, Ala., in the year 1819, and her
first marriage was with Hezekiah Darter, of Vir-
ginia, by whom she had one child, Charlotte. Mr.
Weir and his wife have had seven children, two of
them deceased. Their names are: Margaret E.
(wife of Henry H. Rainwater), Eobert S., Mary L.,
Burett S., Moses N. , Clay C. and Laura B. They
are both members of the Methodist Epi.scopal
Church, South, and are zealous workers. Mr.
Weir has been one of the school directors for a
number of years, and is an active leader in public
and private enterprises.
George F.Weir, of Imboden, Lawrence County,
was born in this county, in 1846. He is the son of
James A. and Elisabeth (Sloan) Weir, who were
among the earlier settlers of this State, locating here
in the year 1845. Mr. Weir was born and reared
on a farm, and remained at home until his twenty-
fifth year, when he enlisted in the Confederate
army in 1863, under Capt. Butler, and served
until peace was established. He was one of
the foremost in the raids through Missouri, under
Gen. Price, and was engaged in some of the
hottest work of that time. After the war was
over he retiu-ned to his hom(>, and has since fol-
lowed the occupation of a farmer. He was mar-
ried, in 1871, to Miss Martha J. Smith, but lost
his wife in December, 1S84; she had been a mem-
ber of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South, for
fifteen years. Six children were born to them —
all of them living: Margaret R., James F., Wil-
liam H., George R., Julia E. and Lenora L. Mr.
Weir's second marriage was with Mrs. Charlotte
Nation. They have one child, a step-daughter
of Mr. Weir's, Ella V. Nation, and Mrs. \\eir
has one daughter married, Mi-s. John StaiT, resid-
ing in Dent Township. Mrs. Weir is a member
of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South. Mr.
Weir is a Democrat. He has upwards of 100 acres
of land under cultivation, and can be counted as
one of the successful men of this county.
Burett S. A\eir, postmaster, of the firm of Weir
«& Matthews, is a native of Aikansas, and was born
in Lawrence County, on the 'ilst day of December,
1856. He is the son of James A. and Sarah E.
(Sloan) Weir, both of North Carolina, who moved
west and settled in Arkansas in 1845, locating at
Old Jackson, in what is now known as Randolph
County. From there he moved seven miles south,
now in Lawrence County, where Mr. Weir estab-
lished a home for his family, and lived until the
death of his wife, in 1885. Mr. Weir, the elder,
served with distinction through th(> late war, hold-
ing the rank of lirst lieutenant, and took an active
part in that portion of oui' country's history.
After remaining with his father until he reached
the age of twenty-eight years, Mr. Weir started
upon a career of his own. He received the greater
part of his education from the public schools, and
is a self-made man in the true sense of that phrase,
being a strong representative of what pluck and
perseverance will do. On the 7th of June, 1883,
he was united in marriage to Miss Eudora Perry,
daughter Of William and Elisabeth Perry, and re-
moved to Black Rock, where he occupied a position
cif trust in a general store. In 1885 he entered
into the grocery business on his own account, and
continued in that business luitil 1880, when the
present firm of Weir & Matthews was organizeil.
Mr. Weir has held several local positions, and was
appointed postmaster of Black Rock on the 14th
of December, 1888, but has had charge of all busi-
ness connected with the postoflSce since it was es I
tablished in 1884. He is a member of the Knights
of Honor and holds the uGice of Past Dictator.
I Dr. John R. Wells, a successful and well
■ known physician and surgeon of Powhatan, comes
from a family of Arkansas pioneers. He was
born in Lawrence County, Ark., Se|>tember 5,
1838, and is a son of G. W. Wells, of the same
State, whose father was one of its earliest settlors,
coming here in the year 1807, and locating at what
is now known as Ravendeii JuiictiuM, in fwiwrence
County. G. W. Wells grew to mauliood, and was
married, in what is now Lawrence Comity, his wife
being Miss Nettie Stubblefield. of Cape fiiranleau
j County, Mo., whose father C. S. Stubbleliehl, was
'-^
830
HISTOKY OF ARKANSAS.
also one of the pioneers of this State, and repre-
sented Lawrence County at an early day. After
his marriage Mr. Wells settled on a farm across
the river, in this county, where he resided until
his death, in 1840. Ho was a farmer and stock
dealer, and shipped his stock to the Southern
markets. His wife died in 1887, at the age of
seventy-tive years, after rearing her family with
all the care of a gentle Christian mother. Dr.
Wells grew to maturity on the farm at home, and
received a good common school education. He
subsequently attended college for two years, at
Springfield, Tenn., and in 1857 began the study
of medicine at Jacksonport, Ark., under the care
of Drs. Kirkwood and Matlock, both noted physi-
cians of that period. He took his first course of
lectures at the Memphis Medical College, in
1858-59, and the following year completed his
course at the University of Louisiana, one of the
most celebrated schools of medicine in the South.
He graduated from the latter place, in the spring
of 18fi0, and came to Powhatan, where he com-
menced to practice his profession. Dr. Wells has
kept unceasingly at his practice, from the time of
obtaining his diploma, to the present day, except-
ing the period when he enlisted in the Confederate
army during the war. He entered as a private, in
the First Arkansas Regiment of Riflemen, but was
soon after detailed as steward on the medical staff.
In 1862 a new company was organized, of which
he was made captain and assistant surgeon, and in
that capacity served in Col. Baber's regiment until
the close of the war. When the war was over, he
returned home and resumed his practice, and has
succeeded in building up a reputation in that sec-
tion that is second to none. The Doctor was mar-
ried, November 24, 1804, to Miss Nettie Stuart,
of this county, a daughter of C. F. Stuart, and
now has a family of five children: Laura G. .W.,
John L., Ada, and Frank Stuart, besides three
children, who died in infancy. Dr. Wells and his
wife are both members of the Methodist Episcopal
Church, South, and the Doctor is a member of the
Masonic order, being a Master Mason.
Frederick W. Westphal, the leading butcher
of Walnut Ridge, was born in Pomvaigne, Ger-
! many, November 7. 1844. He learned the tan
ner's trade in his native country, and in 186'J
'. came to Baltimore, Md. Mr. Westphal was de-
sirous of seeing something of the country of his
adoption, and shortly after his arrival at Balti-
more, he went to Illinois, and thence to La Porte,
Ind. , where he settled down for awhile, and worked
on a farm. He then came to Chicago and wcwkcd
at his trade, and afterward moved to Effingham,
111., where he remained three months. His next
visit was made to St. Louis, in the spring of 1878,
and from there he came to the then small village of
Walnut Ridge. In the second year of his arrival,
he bought 160 acres of land, and has since that
time homesteaded 160 more. He has also pur-
i chased enough additional land to make in the ag-
gregate 420 acres. His homestead is three miles
due west of Walnut Ridge, and has on it a fine
fruit orchard, and at least 125 acres under cultiva-
tion. In the fall of 1887 he started in the meat
business, and has succeeded in building up a good
trade. He is a member of the Knights and Ladies
of Honor, and Odd Fellows, and also of the Pro-
testant German Church. Mr. Westphal has al-
ways remained a bachelor, as the lady has not yet
appeared to captui-e his heart. His mother re-
sided with him until her death, January 5, 1887.
He is a much respected citizen.
Samuel Williams was born in Lawrence County,
in 1845, and was reared in the same county. He
! is the son of James and Sally (Rose) Williams,
also natives of this State. Mr. Williams lost his
mother when still very young, and his father died
in the year 1888, leaving two children to survive
them: Samuel Williams, and his sister Leah, the
wife of George W. Goodwin, but now deceased.
The father married again after the death of his
first wife, his second bride being a sister to the
first. This union gave them five children — three
of them now dead, and those living are Margaret
and Nancy, who are both married. Mr. Williams
reached his maturity in this county, and, in fact,
has resided here ever since. He is a man of lib-
eral ideas, and has traveled extensively through
the South, but, in the face of all his wanderings,
still believes there is no place like home. He was
LAWRENCE COUNTY.
831
a gallant soldier during the war, and did some
excellent work in Coleman's regiment, which, as
the advance guard, always brought on the engage-
ment. He escaped without injury, the closest call
he ever had being at Kansas City, where his horse
was shot from under him. He surrendered at
Jacksonport, June, 1865, and then returned home,
where he commenced farming and trading in stock.
In 1872 he was married to Miss Sally Brandon, of
Tennessee, who came to Arkansas, a girl of eight
years, with her parents. Mr. Williams and his
wife have had eight children, three of them now
dead. Those living are: Eebecca, Ashley, Clay,
Roxien, William. The children who have died are
Addie, George, and James Lacy. He and his wife
are members of the Baptist Church, and are strong
adherents to its teachings. Mr. Williams has eighty
acres of fine land under cultivation which is the
work of his own hands, besides 180 acres of tim-
bered land, in all 260 acres. He is a Democrat.
John E. Willmuth, elder of the Baptist Church
at Hazel Grove, was born in Graves County, Ky. ,
in the year 1840. He is the son of Edmund and
Mary (Edwards) Willmuth, of Tennessee, who lived
in that State until their marriage, and fi-om there
moved to Kentucky. Edmund Willmuth gave the
greater portion of his attention to farming, but was
also a carpenter by trade, and sometimes worked
at shoomaking. He died when his son, John E.
Willmuth, was a child, and his wife survived him
but a few years after, consequently, young John
knew but little of parental authority. This couple
had ten children born to them, nine of them living
until they had reached maturity, and four yet re-
maining. John E. continued on the homestead
tmtil his tw(>nty third year, and then married and
located on a farm of his own. Since then he has al-
ways lived within a radius of three miles from his
present home. In 1861 he enlisted in the Con-
federate army, becoming a member of Harrington's
company, in McCarver's regiment, and served two
months. His wife was Miss Lncinda Campbell, of
Tennessee, a daughter of Alex. Campbell, a native
of that State, and their marriage has been blessed
with seven children, namely: William R., Sidney
G., George W., Lawrence F., John W., Henry C.
and Mary E. All of them are single, and reside
with their parents, making one of the happiest
homes in Arkansas. Elder Willmuth and his wife
are members of the Baptist Church, and are among
the most faithful workers in the fold. He has a
splendid farm, and is the owner of a cotton-gin,
built in 18S7, that ginned some 20S( bales of cotton
the following year. He is a man of sound common
, sense, whose word is always considered as good as
his bond, and possesses the qualities that go to
make up a valued and influential citizen.
William J. Wilson, one of the leading mer-
chants of Eavenden, was born in California, in
1858. He is a sou of Capt. Isaac D. Wilson, whose
birthplace was in Tennessee, but was reared in
Arkansas, having come to this State and settled in
White County, among the first arrivals. I. D.
' Wilson grew to manhood in White County, and
was married in Lawrence County to Miss Martha
F. Estes. After their marriage they made a trip
to California and remained several years, return-
ing about the year 1855, and locating in Washing-
ton County. Capt. Wilson held a commission in
the Confederate army, and died in that service
about 18()3, while gallantly defending his cause.
William J. Wilson was reared in Lawrence and
Sharp Counties, and cultivated the soil until the
year 18S2, when he entered into commercial life at
Williford. He remained here two years and then
moved to Ravenden, where he formed a piu'tner
ship with Mr. Ball, with whom he continued in
business for the same length of time. He after
ward went to Texas and purchased some land, and
on his return was inactive until 1887, when he
once more entered into business. He carries a
large stock of gcMieral merchandise, and has estab-
lished a line trade, enjoying an enviable reptita
tion for fair dealing and honest goods. He also
handles cotton to n consideralile extent, and is in
terested with Mr. Ball in the erection of a cotton
gin. Mr. Wilson was married, in 1S73, to Miss
Mary Osborn. and tln»y are now the parents of six
children: Isaac M., Martha A., Minnie, Alvin.
Thomas and ToUie. Both parents are members of
the Christian Church, an.l Mr. Wilson is a member
, of the Masonic order, and is secretary of his l.Hlge.
r
832
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
Illfiifi
-4-+-5-
Jackson County— Act of Creation— Seat of Justice Located— County Structures— Official Cata-
logue—Votes AND Voters— The War of 1861-65— The Administration of Justice— Church
Denominations Represented- School Matters Outlined — Names of the
Early Settlers— The County Located— Topography— Streams-
Timber— Soil— Resources— Property Valuation— Rail-
roads—Population— Towns AND Villages-
Personal Memoirs.
The "good old times " — all limes, when old. are good-
Are gone; tlie present might be, if they would;
Great things have been, and are, and greater still
Want little of mere mortals but their will. — Byron.
hs:i*s
ACKSON COUNTY was organ-
ized in accordance with an act of
the legishititre of the Territory
of Arkansas, approved Novem-
l)er 5, 1.S29. * As then consti-
'■<: tilted it embraced nearly all of
what is now Woodruff County.
The latter was cut off in 1S62. By
the act creating Woodruff, and
other acts, the county has been re-
duced to its present limits, as
given in subsequent pages of its
history.
In 1832 the site for the per-
manent seat of justice for the
county was chosen at a place
called Litchfield, which was on the Jacksonport
and Augusta road, at the crossing of Village Creek,
a point some two or three miles southeast of the
present town of Newport. Here the county seat
remained until 183U, when it was removed to
Elizabeth, a point on the northeast side of White
*Named in honor of General Jackson.
River, about midway between the present sites of
Jacksonport and Newport; there it continued until
1S52, when it was removed to Augusta, which is
now the county seat of Woodruff County. The
next year, 1853, it was changed to Jacksonport,
and there has since remained. It is predicted
that its next and final removal will be to Newport,
the largest town in the county, and the one having
the greatest transportation facilities.
A small frame court-house was erected at
Elizabeth, but no county building was constructed
at either of the other places where the seat of jus-
tice was fixed until after it was removed to its pres-
ent location, and not there until early in the 70' s,
when the present, court hou8e_ was erected. This
house was built by Col. J. A. Sehnable, the orig-
inal contract being for .140,000. It is claimed,
however, that it cost twice that amount by the time
final payment was made. It is a very substantial
two story brick structure, large and commodious,
with halls and ofiices on the first fioor. and court-
room above. A serviceable fire-proof vault, cost-
ing, together with its burglar proof safe and other
JACKSON COUNTY.
HHH
i'uniiture, iibout$2,S0(), hasrefiniitly bocii attached.
Near the court-house stands a small, frame jailer's
residence and a safe and com]>lote stone jail with
iron cells.
The county poor farm, consisting of forty
acres, on which the jiaupers are supported, lies
live miles north of Jacksonport.
The following is a list of the names of officers
of Jackson County, with the dates of their terms of
service annexed, from its organization to the pre-
sent time:
Judges: Hiram Glass, l(S3()-32; E. Bartley,
18<J2 33; J. llobinson, 1833-35; D. C. Waters,
1835-36; John Rodby, 1836-38; D. C. Waters,
1838-40; O. M. Stephenson, 1842-44; John
Robinson, 1844-50; J. H. T. Webb, 1850-52; A.
J. Langford, 1852-54; J. C. Johnson, 1854-56;
H. D. Casey, 1856-58; J. C. Kirkpatrick, 1858
62; A. J. Langford, 1862-68; T. J. Randolph,
1868-72; J. W. Stayton. 1874-78; J. W. Phillips,
1878-84; W. H. Jago, 1884-86; M. M. Stuckey,
present incumbent, tirst elected in 1S8().
Clerks: J. C. Saylors, 1830-33; A. M. Car-
penter, 1833-35; P. O. Flynn, 1835-36; J. C.
Saylors, 1836-40; W. J. Haggard, 1840-42;
Garlen Silvey, 1842-44; W. J. Haggard, 1844-46;
A. Crow, 1846-48; A. H. Logan, 1848-52; W. R.
Jones, 1852-54; D. C. Perry, 1854-5(); C. W.
Board, 1856-58; R. R. Kellogg, 1858-68; Will-
iam Akers, 1868-71; M. McCannany, 1871-74; F.
R. Hargrave, 1874-76; H. C. Lowe, 1876-78; R.
W. Bandy, 1878-84; J. J. Walker, present incum-
bent, first elected in 1884.
Sheriffs: Isaac Gray, 1830 35; James Roijiu-
son, 1835-38; Isaac Gray, 1838-42; J. Robinson,
1842-44; J. H. T. Webb, 1844-46; J. J. Waddle,
1840-50; G. Silvey, 1850-54; R. Hudson, 1854-
56; A. H. Logan, 1856^62; J. R. Jelks, 1862-64;
L. R. Clay, 1864-66; J. R. Loftin, 186(; 68; R.
Kinmau, 18<)8-72; H. N. Faulkinbnry, 1872-74;
J. R. Loftin, 1874-82; T. S. Stephens, present
incumbent, tirst elected in 1882, and served con-
tinuously since.
Treasurers: G. W. Cromwell, 1836-40; B.
Bailey, 1840-42; J. Webb, 1842-44; J. C. Pngh,
1844-46; J. R. Frost, 1846-50; John Cowdry,
1850-52; L. R. Clay, 1852 54; A. H. Logan.
1854-56; W. F. Mason, 1856 60; P. S. Wisdom,
1S60-64; W. F. Young. 1864-68; A. J. Green-
haw, 1868-72; G. Brandenburg, 1872 74; W. S.
Shuford, 1874-78: W. H. Heard. 1878 80; W. S.
Shuford, present incumbent, elected in 1880, re-
elected and served continuously since.
Coroners: M. Copolaud, 1830-32; Hiram
Glass, 1832-35; J. Matthews, 1835-36; Samuel
Matthews, 1836-38: Sam Allen, 1838 40: R.
Montgomery, 1840-42; J. Williams, 1842 44; A.
Crow, 1844-46; James Patten, 1846 48; I. Hamil
ton, 1848-50: L. R. Clay, 1850-52; J. G. New
bold, 1852-54; Charles McKinney, 1854-58; C. H.
Jackson, 1858-60; J. L. Quiun, 1860 62: W. J.
Sweat, 1862-64; A. J. (ireenbaw, 1864 66; W.
H. Watkins, 1866-68; J. J. Green, 1868-72;
George Gordon, 1872-74; R. O. Duffer, 1874-80;
W. D. Shackelford, 1880-82; R. O. Duffer, 1882-
84; R. W. Wallace, 1884-86; F. Harrison, 1886
88; Thomas Nance, present iucumi>eut, elected in
1888.
Surveyors: ■bilni ivubinson, 1832-35; Hall
Roddy, 1835-38; William Scruggs, 1840-42; J.
Gibson, 1842-44; H. H. Pongur, 1844 46; William
Hughes, 1846-48; Jesse Oats, 1848-50: John
Towey, 1850-52; B. Ford. 1852-54: .). Mullin-.
1854-56; J. C. Mullin.s, 1856-58: J. M. Miillms.
1858-60; John Glass, 1860-62; J. K. Siddell.
1862-64; Ignatius S])rigg, 1864 6S; B. F. Chand-
ler, 1868-72; C. E. Brizzell, 1872 74; M. Hawk.
1874-76; W. P. McDonald, 187fi 78; F. Simmons.
1878 88; T. W. Jamison, present incumbent,
elected in 188S.
Assessors: ^\ illiam Brian. 1N6S 71; W. .1.
Scott, 1871-72; F. W.Lynn, 1872 74; J. G.
Bandy, 1874 76; G. C. Buford, 1876-80; J. R.
West, 1880-81: J. S. Jones, 1884-88; F. R.
Dowell, present incumbent, electeil in 1888.
Representatives in con.stitntional conventions;
John Robinson, 1836; J. H. Patterson, 1861;
John Box, 1S61: W. H. Pickett.* 1868; Franklin
Doswell, 1874.
R. Tidwell was the first representative of tiie
county in the council, and Morgan Magness and
* Never preseat.
V
834
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
C. S. Manley the first rejiresciitativeH in tlio lioiise
of tho Torritorial legislature. This was in 1S81.
The votes cast in .Jackson County for the can-
didates for governoi' and for president at the late
elections will show its political aspect. They were
as follows: At the September election, 1888, for
governor, James P. Eagle (Dem.), 1,808; C. M.
Norwood (Com. 0pp.), 1,200; at the November
election, 1888, for president, Cleveland (Dem.),
1,555; Harrison (Rep.), 842; Streeter (U. L.), 82;
Fisk (Pro.), 5.
At the approach of the Civil War of 1861-65,
the people of Jackson County were found to be
almost unanimously in favor of secession and the
proposed Southern Confederac}'. The delegate
elected to represent the county in the State conven-
tion, held at Little Rock in March, 18()1, was in-
structed to vote for secession of the State from the
Federal Union. Eleven companies of infantry and
cavalry and McCown's battery, about 1,200 men
in all, were organized within the county for the
Southern army.
The companies were originally commanded, re-
spectively, by Capts. A. C. Pickett, Harvey Wilson,
O. Percell, Orm, J. H. Hunter, M. M. Bate-
man, Robert Anthony, A. C. Hooker, J. H. Patter-
son and others. No Federal troops were raised
hero, and no fights worthy of mention took place
within the county's boundaries. It was held alter-
nately and over-run by the'contending armies, and
much property was destroyed. A few little skir-
mishes took place between scouting parties, and a
few individuals were killed. The citizens suffered
considerably for the want of provisions, and shared
alike with those of adjoining counties, the hard-
ships of ' ' cruel war. ' ' Numerous Union soldiers
have settled here since the war, the effects of which
struggle are rajiidly passing away.
The first terms of the courts held in the
county were early in 1830, at the house of Thomas
Wideman, at the place now called Irwin, a flag
station on the Batesville & Brinkley Railroad, five
miles south of Newport. At this point the organ-
ization of the county was completed, and the
courts continued to be held there until the seat of
justice was established at Litchfield, in 1832.
Hiram Glass was the first county court judge, and
J. C. Saylors the first clerk of the courts. Judge
Thomas P. Eskridge convened the first term of the
circuit court on Monday, May 3, 1830, and finding
no business he immediately "adjourned to court
in course. ' ' The next term began on the first
Monday of November following, when the first
grand jury was empaneled. This jury, after a
short deliberation, reported ' ' no business found. " '
and were then discharged. No such report has
ever l)een made since. At the third term of this
court the grand jury found three indictments — the
first against a man for bigamy, the second against
a man and woman for adultery, and the third
against a man for vagrancy. In the first case the
defendant was "too much married," in the second
the df^fendauts were "not enough married," and
the third proves that there were "tramps" (va-
grants) then as well as now. Judge Eskridge con-
tinued on the bench until 1835, when he was suc-
ceeded by Judge Archibald Yell, who in 1837 was
succeeded by Judge Lewis B. TuUy.
The county court of Jackson County convenes
on the first Mondays, and the probate court on the
second Mondays of January, April, July and Oc
tober, and the circuit court on the fourth Mondays
of April and October of each year.
The legal bar of the county consists of the
following named attorneys : William R. Jones,
Franklin Doswell, Joseph M. Bell, J. W. Stayton,
Joseph W. Phillips, L. Minor, A\'. A. Monroe,
Isaac T. Davis, M. M. Stuckey, O. W. Scarborough,
J. M. Stayton, Gustave Jones, C. F. Greenlee and
F. M. Lamberton.
The county's criminal record is comparatively
small. One white man and two negroes have been
legally executed since the close of the Civil War
for the crime of murder, and two colored men have
been taken from the jail and hanged by a lawless
mob. During the war period a niimber of murders
were committed by roving bauds of soldiers and
others, who took advantage of the circumstances of
the times.
The leading religious denominations within
Jackson County are the Methodist Episcopal,
South, Baptist, Presbyterian, Episcopal and Chris-
*n^
JACKSON COUNTY.
88,-
tiau. The Methodists have three stations — New-
port, A. M. Branson, pastor, witli a membership
of 11 T); Jackson port, W. K. llntledge, pastor, mem
berslii[> alxint ninety, and Auvergue, W. R. Foster,
pastor, with a membership of sixty-three ; also
Titckerman circuit, E. M. Davis, pastor, and
Weldon circuit, R. M. Manloy, pastor. The
former of these circuits embraces two or more
appointments with an agijreijjate membership of
sixty three; and the latter, three or more appoint-
ments, with an aggregate membership of 112.
Seven Sunday schools are reported with these
churcli organizations.*
Of the Baptist Church organizations there are
Pleasant Valley at Aiivergne, Elder J. I. Martin,
pastor, with a membership of seventy-four; Oak
Grove, Elder John Ball, pastor, membership nine-
teen; Hickory Grove and Litchfield. Elder F. M.
Brannon, pastor, membershij), respectively, eighty-
two and eighteen, and Pleasant Hill, the latter
having only a small meml)ership. All of these
belong to the AVhite River Valley Baptist Associa-
tion.
There is only one Presbyterian Church organi
zation in the county, the one located at Newiwrt.
It was organized January 29, 1S82, by Rev. Dr.
Long of Batesville. The pre.sent pastor is Rev.
Richard B. ^\ illis, of Searcy, and the membership
is nineteen.
Of the Christian Church, there are within the
county the following named organizations: Shiloh,
Surrounding Hill, Grand Liike, oneatMcCullough's
School house on Departee Creek, Rol)inson'sChapel,
Hopewell, one in Richwood Township, one eight
miles southeast of Newport, one three miles east of
Tuckerman, and Swifton; the whole having an
aggregate membership of al)out 5(10. Elder Ritch
erson preaches at Shiloh, Surrounding Hill and
Robinson's Chapel; Elder S. Bowman at Hopewell;
Elders Townsend and Mills at and near Swifton,
and Elder J. G. Connor at a point three miles east
of Tuckerman.
In addition to the foregoing there is one Epis
copal Church in the county, located at Newport,
Rev. Coursan, of Little Rock, officiates as rector.
*Stati8tic8 mostly from last Uonfereiice minutes.
The educational facilities of .lackson ('(juntv
are best shown by the following statistiiis, taken
from the rejiort of the State superintendent of
public instruction, for the year ending June :i().
LSSS: Scholastic population — white, males l,74(i,
females l,5fl5, total 3,:U1; colored, males Tyfil,
females o4S, total 1,115. Number of pupils
taught in the public schools — white, males 1,122,
females 1)28, total 2,050; colored, males 407, fe-
males 3S2, total 789. Numi)er of school districts
31; number reporting enrollment 24; number vot
ing local tax 20; number of teachers erajiloyed,
71; average monthly salary of teachers— first
grade, males, 150; females, $45; second grade,
males, .'542.50, females $37.50; third grade— males,
$35, females $30. Amount expended for the sup-
port of the free schools — teacher's salaries, $18,-
015.47; treasurer's commissions, $405.35, total
$18,480.82. These statistics, if fidl and correct,
would show that only a little over sixty-one per cent
of the white, and a little over seventy per cent of the
colored scholastic population, were taught in the
public schools; this, however, is not correct forth(>
reason that the number of pupils att(>nding schocil
in seven of (lie thirty-one districts were not re-
ported at all. The State school system is very
defective. A school law should compel fidl and
complete statistical reports showing all of its opera-
tions, proving itself adequate to meet the demands
of the cause of education. The wages paid teachers
is sullicient to secure good talent, and the amount
of money expended for the public schools, if prop-
erly a|)plied under a more efficient school system,
would bring about ijetter results. Jackson County,
however, makes a far more favorable showing in
respect to her schools than many other counties
within the State.
Auvergne Academy is a private enterprise, ami
was established in 1S85 at the |)rogressive town
of Auvergne. by the re(piest of the leading citizens
of that place and vicinity. The Academy building,
which is a large two story frame, was en«ct<»d in
1885, by D. W. Bristol, of Beebe, under the man
agement of Dr. G. D. Clements and R. M. Laird.
The property was purchased June 22, 1888, by D.
L. Paisley aTid \. L. Blake, now the jirincipals
4
Air
836
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
of the faculty of the Academy. The town of
Auvergne is high and rolling, free from mud and
malaria, and the school is strictly moral, but not
sectarian. It is open to lioth sexes. More ex-
tended mention of this institution is made in sub-
sequent pages.
The settlement of the territory now composing
Jackson County began some time prior to 1830,
the date of its organization, but by whom or just
when the first settlement was made can not be
definitely stated. The following named persons
who composed the first grand jury of the county
were, as a matter of course, prominent pioneers
here: Nicholas Copeland, Dudley Glass, Jesse
Gray, Jacob Haggerton, Michael Haggerton, Silas
T. Glass, Samuel Stokes, Joseph Haggerton,
Elijah Bartley, Holloway Stokes, John Teagne,
John Flannery, Jacob Flannery, William Melton,
John James, Martin Copeland, Martin Bridgeman
and Redding Stokes. Some of tlie.se, perhaps,
lived in that part of the county since cut off in the
formation of Woodruff County. John Wideman,
at whose house the first courts were held, the Cope-
lands and Newton Arnold, were the first settlers in
the neighborhood of what is now Irwin Station,
on the Batesville & Brinkley Railroad. George
Hatch and a Mr. Daugherty were the first to
locate at Newport.
Alexander, George, William, Samuel and John
Robinson, five brothers, and their cousin James
Robinson, all from Tennessee, togethei' with George
Crummel and several others, with their families,
located in 1831 in the neighborhood of Litchfield.
The Grays and Stokes were the first settlers in the
southern pait of the county, a Frenchman, Shave-
naugh by name, Dunbar and the Hollenheads,
were amotjg the first in the northern part, and
Thomas T. Tunstall and Samuel Reid were early
residents at Jacksonport. About the year 1833 or
1834, the Robinsons l)oiight a steam-boat, the
"Mount Pleasant,"' with which they carried on a
trade for several years following, between their
landing at Newport and New Orleans. [For the
names of other pioneer settlers see the early
county officers and biographical sketches.]
The county lies in Northeast Arkansas, and
is bounded on the north by Lawrence, east by
Craighead, Poinsett and Cross, south by Woodruff
and AVhite, and west by White and Independence
Counties. It has an area of ()50 square miles, of
which only about one fifth is improved. There are
some government lands in the county subject to
homestead entry, and some State lands subject to
donation, and about 30,000 acres belonging to the
St. Louis, Iron Mountain & Southern Railway
Company; the remainder is owned by individuals.
The boundary lines of the county are as fol-
lows: Beginning on the fifth principal meridian,
where it is intersected by the township line divid-
ing Townships 14 and 15 north; thence south on
the meridian line to the point where it is inter-
sected by the township line dividing Townshi|)s
8 and U north; thence west on the township line
to the range line between Ranges 2 and 3 west;
thence north on the range line to the township
line dividing Townships U and 10 north; thence
west on the township line to the range line between
Ranges 5 and 6 west; thence north on the range
line to the township line dividing Townships 10
and 1 1 north ; thence east on the township line to
the range line between Ranges 3 and 4 west; thence
north on the range line to White River; thence
down White River, following its meanders, to the
mouth of Black River: thence up Black River,
following its meanders, to the point where it first
crosses (in its downward course) the township line
dividing Townships 14 and 15 north; thence east
on the township line to the place of beginning.
Jackson County is situated in the valleys of
White, Black and Cache Rivers. White River,
after forming a short portion of the boundary,
enters from the west at the town of Jacksonport,
and flows thence in a general southeasterly direc
tiou to Newport, and thence a little west of south
until it crosses the southern boundary, in the middle
of Range 4 west. It is a most magnificent river,
and is navigable throughout the year to points far
north. Black River, as has been noted, forms
about one-half of the western boundary of the
county, and empties into White River just above
the town of Jacksonport. It also is a beautiful
stream, very deep, and is navigable during all the
JACKSON COUNTY.
ss-;
year for a considerable distance. Cache River
makes its appearance near the center of the
eastern boundary, and tlows thence west of south,
passing out at a point aljout eight miles west of
the southeast corner. Village Creek enters the
county at a point about two and a half miles west
of its northeast corner, and flows in a southerly
and southwesterly direction, and empties into
White River about four miles south of Newport.
Departee Creek, from the north, runs in a south-
erly direction across the eastern part of Township
10 north. Range 4 west, and empties into White
River below. These, the principal streams of the
county, and their tributaries, furnisli its entire
drainage. Cache River, and some of the smaller
streams are extremely slow and sluggish. In that
region lying east of Black and White Rivers there
are several small lakes or bayous. Some good
springs are found here, though they are not so
numerous as in a more hilly country. Cisterns
and wells are in general use, and the supjjly of
good water for all purposes is abundant.
That part of the county lying west of Departee
Creek, emliracing about one and a half ('ongres-
sional townships, is hilly, while the balance is com-
paratively low and level; the farming lands l>or-
dering on White River being elevated some six
to eight feet above the Cache tlats. The best
farming lands embrace that portion of country
lying between Village Creek and ^\'hit(< River,
occupying a low ridge rising several ff't't aljove the
adjacent flats, and elevated about tea feet above
high water of White River, and that portion of
the Oil Tiough Bottom extending into the County
of Independence. This latter tract is situated in
the bend of White River, south of Jacksonport and
west of Ni^wport. The low ridge dividing the
waters of Villag(j Creek and White River has a
siliceous soil and sul)soil of seven feet, under which
is a stratum of tough yellow clay, eighteen feet in
thickness. These are underlaid by a light colored
sand, the thickness of which has not lieen ascer-
tained; this sand forms the sub-stratum, alTording
unfailing supplies of excellent pure water, and is
reached In' sinking wells from lifteen to thirty feet.
The soil of the " lirst bottoms," or the lowe.st
valley lands, is composed of alluvial deposits and
vegetable mould, and that of the higher lands in
made up of sjuid, clay and vegetalile mould, anil
all, (excepting some portions of the hilly and ridg<(
lands, are exceedingly rich and fertile. The low
lands along the streams and bayous support a
growth of large timber, gam, cypress, ash, pin oak.
hackberry, sycamore, cottonwood, elm, etc.. wlii!.-
the higher lands al)ound in l)lack. wiiitf and |)i>st
oak, l)lack walnut and some hickory. Tiie growth
on the liilly lands consists of aev(>ral varieties of
oak and some hickory, while the summits are cov-
ered principally with l)lackjack oak. There is yet
an unlimited supply of good timber. No mineral
is claimed to exist here. Aside from the malaria
cau.sed by stagnant surface water in the extensivi'
forests, the county is comparatively healthy. Tiic
malaria disappears in proportion as the country is
cleared of its forests and the lands are drained.
At present the lumber industry is a leading
source of income to individuals, and as the supply
of timber seems almost inexhaustibli- it will .so con
tinuo for many years. One stave factory, thirteen
sawmills and a planing-mill are in operation. Th<f
lnml)er is extensively shi|)ped to the manufacturing
cities of this country and also of Europe. Cotton,
corn, oats, wheat, millet and potatoes ar«< the prin-
cij)al products of the soil, and with proper culti-
vation the lands will produce per acre from 800
to 1,500 pimnds of seed cotton, thirty to sixty
bushels of corn or oats, and fifteen to twenty-five
bushels of wheat. Clover and tlic seed gra.sses
succeed well, but they are not as yet I'xtensively
cultivated. All varieties of fruit c(>mmon to this
latitude can also be raised in great excellence and
abundance, but horticulture has not received much
attention. In ISSO tiiere were 1.282 farms within
the county and 48,4ii7 acres of im|)roved lands,
from which the yield of products for the previous
year were as folKnvs: Cotton, 18,SS)r> bales; Inilian
corn, 384,898 bushels; oats, (i.MlHt; wheat. 7,415;
hay. inO tons; Irish jiotatoes, 4.*140 l>nshels: sweet
pt)tatoes, 7.2:l'.t liushels; tobacco, 4.7!lO pounds.
The United States census of 1W)0 will nndoubtedly
show the ])roducts of the present yt>ar (ISSit) to b.-
more than double these amounts.
838
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
The climate being so mild and the water
supply so abundant, this locality is well adapted
to the raising of live stock, but little winter feed-
ing being necessary. According to the census re-
ferred to there were within the county 2. 192 horses,
1,118 mules and asses, 11,246 neat cattle, 1,343
sheep and 18,006 hogs. The assessment rolls of
1888 show that the county then had 3,036 hor.ses,
1,506 mules and asses, 15,171 neat cattle, 1,202
sheep and 13,429 hogs — a noticeable increase from
1880 to 1888 in horses, mules and asses and cattle,
a small decrease in the numl)er of sheep, and a
large apparent but not real decrease in the number
of hogs. A liberal income can be derived by de-
veloping the horticultural advantages hereabouts.
In 1880 the real estate of Jackson Ooirnty was
assessed for taxation at $1,029,404 and the per-
sonal property reaching $366,091, making a total
of !{! 1,935, 495, and the aggregate amount of taxes
charged thereon was 127,389. In 1888 the real
estate assessment was $2,146,781 and personal
property, 1753,179, making a total of $2,899,960,
upon which the aggregate amount of taxes charged
was $49,320.55. These figures indicate that since
the year 1880 the taxable wealth of the county
has more than doubled in value. This increase is
due mainly to the building of the railroads and
the consequent rapid development of resources in
the community, the railroad property itself adding
to the assessment the sum of $615,856.
The main line of the St. Louis, Iron Mountain
& Southern Railway enters the county about three
miles west of its northeast corner and runs thence
in a southwesterly direction by way of Newport and
other points — its length within the county being
thirty- six miles. The Batesville branch of this
railroad departs from the main line at Diaz, two
miles north of Newport, its length within this
territory lieing live miles. The Batesville & Brink-
ley Railroad enters eleven miles west of the south-
east corner and runs mostly in a northern direction
to Newport, thence northwesterly to its present
terminus at Jacksonj)ort, a distance of twenty-two
miles. The total number of miles of main line of
railroads within the county is sixty- three.
The aggregate population of Jackson County
since its organization, as shown by various United
States census reports, has been as follows: 1830,
333; 1840, 1,540; 1850, 3,086; 1860, 10,403;
1870,7,268; 1880,10,877. During the first de-
cade the population nearly trebled, during the
second it doubled, and during the third, it more
than trebled. Then, in 1862, nearly half of the
territory was set off in the formation of Woodrufif
County, which accounts for the reduction of popu-
lation from 1860 to 1870. On account of the rapid
immigration since 1880 the population at this writ-
ing undoul)tedly equals 15,000 or more. The
colored population of the county in 1870 was
1,612, and in 1880, 2,763. It is now estimated
at 3,000.
Auvergne, on the Batesville & Brinkley Rail-
road, fourteen miles southeast of Jacksonport, con-
tains a postoffice, two general stores, a drug store,
grist-mill and cotton-gin. a blacksmith and wood
shop, puldic school-house, railroad depot, and
some other establishments. The population is es-
timated at 200, and it does a large amount of trade.
It is also the site of Auvergne Academy.
Campbell is a station on the St. Louis, Iron
Mountain & Southern Railway, five miles north-
east of Newport.
Denmark, in Barren Township, in the e.xtreme
sovithwestern part of the county, has two grist
mills, a general store, blacksmith shop, post office,
etc.
Grand Glaize, also on the Iron Mountain Rail-
way, fifteen miles southwest of Jacksonport, com-
prises a saw mill, postoffice, railroad depot, and a
general store.
Irwin, a station on the Batesville & Brinkley
Railroad, live miles southeast of Newjiort, has a
small collection of houses.
Jacksonport, on the north bank of White River
just below the mouth of Jack's or Jacque's Creek,
the present county seat, was established about the
year 1839, l)y Thomas T. Tunstall, who in com-
pany with Samuel Reid, opened the first store in
the place. It contains the county buildings, three
general stores, a drug store, a family grocery, a
steam, saw and grist-mill, three church edifices —
one for the white peo])le and two for the colored;
JACKSON COUNTY.
\M
two public school houses, a livery stable, a cabinet-
maker and undertaker' s shop, two restaurants, and
a number of mechanics' shops. The population is
estimated at 500, and is about equally divided be
tween the whites and blacks. Before the day of
railroads — or before they were constructed through
this part of the country — Jacksonport did a flour-
ishing business, but the building up of Newport at
the crossing of two railroad lines, has interfered
somewhat with its business. This is a desirable
and excellent site for a town.
Newport, the largest town in .lackson County,
is situated on White lliver. at the junction of the
St. Louis, Iron Mountain & Southern and the
Batesville & Brinkley Railroads, eighty three miles
northeast of Little Rock, and three and a half
miles southeast of Jacksonport. It has within it
two banks, eight general stores, ten family grocery
stores, five drug stores, two hardware stores, an
undertaking store, a harness store, a merchant
tailor store, two millinery and dressmaking estab-
lishments, a music store, two jewelry stores, two
book and stationery stores, a photograph gallery,
a livery stable, five restaurants, four hotels, two
bakeries, marble works, three saw-mills, with
lumber yards attached, three planing-mills, a car-
riage factory, an extensivt! stave factory, foundry
and machine shops, a complete system of water
works, a capacious ice factory, a largo cotton com-
press, commodious railroad depots and ware-
houses, an important cotton seed warehouse (form-
erly the oil mills,) opera house, three church
edifices, pnljlic school houses, a telephone system
forming communication between various points,
a ferry across White River, many mechanics' shops,
a full supply of doctors, lawyers, notaries public,
iusnnince agents, etc. Two weekly news]>apers,
both Democratic in politics, are also here; the
Jackson County Herald, successor to the Jackson-
port Herald, which was estal)lished at Jacksoni>ort
in 1858, is a seven-column folio, published every
Saturday by T. T. Ward, editor and proprietor.
The Newport Weekly News is an eight column
folio, published every Friday by J. J. Flahiff, edi-
tor and proprietor. It was established in 187:^.
and was the first paper published in Newport.
Both of these journals al)ly advocate the interests
of the community. In addition to the foregoing,
Newport contains many other industries worthy
of mention. The town was estal)lisiied and named
soon after the settlement began, but remained
only a small village until 187'J, wheti the St.
Louis, Iron Mountain it Sontiiern Railway was
completed. Its growth then coniineijced and il
has been almost entirely built sinci' that date.
It has lodges of several secret and l)enevolent
societies, is incorporated and has its complement
of cor])orate officers. It is a flourishing town,
very advantageously located for manufacturing
purposes, having two good railroads and u river
navigable for large vessels. The lumber and
timber traflic on the river has readied extensive
proportions. The population of tiie |)lace is esti
mated at 2,500.
Olyphant is a station on the St. Louis, L-on
Mountain & Southern Railway, eight miles south
west of Newport. It has a railroad depot, jji^^t
office, two general stores and a saw mill and cot
ton gin.
Swifton, also on the Iron Mountain Railway,
twenty miles northeast of Jacksoni)ort. contains a
po.stoffice, a steam grist-mill and cotton gin, two
general stores, one dry goods and grocery store,
two groceries, two hotels, a school-house, mechan
ics' shops, etc., and a population of -about 150.
Tuckerman, on the Iron Moinitain Railway.
ninety-one miles northeast of Little Rock anil
eight miles north of Newport, is comprised of a
post-office, three general stores, two groceri<>s, two
drug stores, two blacksmith and wood shops, one
hotel, two boarding-houses, a school-house, a
church, two saw-mills and cotton-gins coniliined,
and has a population of 150.
Tupelo is a station on the Batesville »t Brink-
ley Railroad, twenty two miles south of Jackson
port.
Wehlon. on the Batesville \- Hrinkley Kail
road, eighteen miles south of Jacksonport, con
tains two general stores, two groceries, one hotel,
postoffice, etc.
Ceuterville (postoffice Keiiyon) lies in the
northern part of Bird Township, foiirt«en uiiloH
840
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
north of Newport, and contains one general store,
two groceries, two cotton-gins, a blacksmith shop
and school-house. There are a few other post ham-
lets in the county, having a store, postoffiee, etc.
R. W. Anderson, one of the pioneer merchants,
and a highly esteemed resident of Jaeksonport,
was born September 12, 1846, in the State of Ohio.
His parents, John and Jane (Kerr) Anderson were
both natives of Dublin, Ireland, who emigrated to
America about the year 1880, and located in Penn-
sylvania, from which State they moved to Ohio,
and from there to Iowa, about the year 1850. In
September, 1859, they came to .Jaeksonport, Ark.,
where the father died on February 28, 1888, the
mother preceding him in 1887. They were the
parents of nine children, of whom only one svir-
vives — Roliert W. The father was a Pre.sbyterian
minister, and had been ordained in Ireland. He
preached the gospel up to within a few years of his
demise, and was one of the most intellectual and
scholarly men that ever spoke from a pulpit at that
period. He afterward left the Presbyterian and
joined the Methodist faith, and was also engaged
for some years in mercantile life at Jaeksonport.
His son, Robert W., was born in Ohio, but princi-
pally raised and received his education in Iowa.
He was still quite young, however, when his par-
ents moved to Jaeksonport, and lie there received
the higher branches of education from his father.
The commercial instinct was early in life developed
in Robert, and he was brought up behind the
counter from a boy. The training he received in
his young days was well calculated to tit him for a
mercantile life, and his after career reflected the
highest credit on himself and his father, who had
instructed him. He has one of the largest and
best stocked stores in the city, and owns about 480
acres of land, most of which is under cultivation,
and is adapted to almost any growth, the soil being
a rich, sandy loam. Mr. Anderson has been twice
married, his first wife l)eiug Miss Mary A. Jones,
by whom he had four children, three of them yet
living — John, Fannie, and Lizzie. The first wife
died, and Mr. Anderson married a second time.
being united to the next wife in 1884, who was
Miss Ella Nixon, of Indiana. This union gave
them four children (of whom three are living):
Robert W. (deceased), Robert W., Pearl and Allie.
Mr. Anderson is a Royal Arch Mason, and a mem-
ber of the Knights of Honor. He was one of the
first men to start in business at Jaeksonport, and
his fortitude and pluck in struggling through the
adversities of a young business venture and coming
out victorious have won for him the admiration and
respect of his fellow -merchants and citizens.
Samiiel Anthony, farmer and stock raiser, is a
native of Missouri, but came to Arkansas in 186(t.
He remained but three or four months, when he
returned to Missouri, and after a short time again
returned to Arkansas, Jackson County, in 1861,
where he remained until the following autumn,
and then enlisted in the Fourteenth Regiment of
Arkansas Volunteer Cavalry, serving as a scout for
about two years. In 1863 he organized a com-
pany of scouts, reported to Gen. Sterling Price,
then stationed at Little Rock, Ark. , and served to
the end of the war as captain of that company.
In 1866 he purchased 240 acres of land, partially
improved, adding by subsequent purchases, until
he now owns 720 acres, on which he raises all
kinds of produce known to American agriculture.
September 12, 1872, he married Miss Mary A.Par-
mer, a native of Tennessee. They have had eight
children, four of whom are still living: Emma
(burn in October, 1874), Ethel (born February 6,
1883), Katie (born May 25, 1885) and Edgar (born
August 15, 1887). Mr. Anthony is a member of
Buck Skull Lodge No. 101, A. F. & A. M. Our
subject's father was a native of Virginia, as was
also his grandfather; he married Miss Unica Shep
herd, a native of Missouri. Mr. Anthony's mater-
nal grandparents traveled on foot from Georgia to
Missouri, locating in the southeastern part, near
Cape Girardeau.
Adam Bach, an enterprising merchant, and the
postmaster at Jaeksonport, was born in Hessen,
Germany, on the 1st of March, 1863, and is a son
of Conrad Bach, a native of the same place, who
was a shoemaker by trade, which occupation he
followed in Germany, previous to coming to Amer-
5) \
ica. The father had two children by his first wife:
Adam and Lizzie; the latter was married to G. A.
Lockard. Ho was married a second time and had
four children by the next wife: Margaretta, Morie,
Conrad and Peter. Adam, the eldest son, was
reared in Germany and completed his studies at
Gross-Rohrheim College, from which he gradu-
ated in 1878. He shortly afterward sailed for
America, taking passage at Bremen, and landed at
Baltimore, going from there to Tell City, Ind. ,
where he attended school for eight months in order
to learn the English language. In the spring of
1879 he came to Jacksonport, and was there em-
ployed by his uncle Peter, with whom ho remained
until the year 1882, when he embarked in business
for himself.^ Since then he has been successful,
and become very prosperous, making an enterpris-
ing merchant and a valuable citizen to his adopted
country. He was appointed postmaster in 1884,
and his intelligence and many fine qualities would
fit him for almost any other position or business in
which he might enter. He is also a member of the
Masonic fraternity. Peter Bach is a well-known
and retired merchant of Jacksonport, who was
born in Hesse- Darmstadt, Germany, on November
4, 1835. He is a son of Peter and Margaretta
(Crow) Bach, both natives of the same province,
the father dying when his son was but two years
of age. The mother, however, is .still living at the
ago of eighty-one years, and came to America in
1882. There were throe children born to the par-
ents: John S. , Peter and Conrad. Peter was
reared and educated in the homo college, and
learned the barber's trade in his native place, an
occupation he followed for four years. In 1853
ho sailed for America, taking jjassage in France,
and landing in New York City after a twenty-
sovou days' voyage on the ocean. From New York
ho wont to Cincinnati, whore he was employed at
his trade for some time, and then found employ-
ment on the Empire No. 3, a steamboat plying up
and down th(> Mississippi. He remained on this
vessel about six months, and then came to Jackson-
port, where ho has resided ever since. On May 5,
18r)l. he enlisted in Company G, of the Fir.st
Arkansas Regiment, and served until a short time
before the surrender. He took part, in all the Ijat-
tles of his regiment, and was severely wonii.led at
Atlanta. Ga., from which place he was taken to
the Macon Hospital, and hovered between life and
death for three months. He was furlougliod in
1804, and went to Alabama, and in bSG") rcturnod
home to Jacksonport. Mr. Bach is now practically
retired from business. He is (juite pros[)oroii«.
owning about 2,0r»() acres of valual)lo land and a
tine residence at Jacksonport), besides interests in
various industries. He was married, in 1805. to
Miss Jennie Hndson, who has boon a devoted wife
and helpmate to him. Mr. Bach is a Royal Arch
Mason, Knight Templar, Kniglit of Pythias, and a
member of the American Legion of Honor.
G. W. Bandy, farmer and stock raiser. Tuck-
erman. Ark. It is a fact unnecessary of denial
that a person is better fitted to follow the occu|>a-
tion with which he became familiar in early life,
than to engage in an undertaking learned in later
years. This truth is Iiorno out by the career of
Mr. Bandy, who from a boy has known all the
minute details of agricultural life. To this ac
(juired knowledge may be added a natural faculty
for that calling, for his father, Richard Bandy.
was also a farmer. The latter was a native Vir-
ginian, but emigrated to Tennessee when a l)oy,
grew to manhood on the farm in that State, and
there married Miss Keziah Pearce, by whom he
had four children, only one, G. W. Bandy, now
living. He was a soldier in the War of 1812,
under Gen. Jackson, and afterward received land
warrants, which he sold. His second marriage was
to Miss Lucy Rushing, a native of Tennessee, antl
they had four children, only one living, Amanda,
now Mrs. John M. Glass, who resides in Glass
Township, Jackson County, Ark. Mr. Bandy
moved to Bird Township, Jackson County, Ark.,
in 1853, where he purchased eighty acres of land,
with ten acres cleared. He died in 1854. His
wife died in September. 1887, at the age of eighty-
three years. G. W. Bandy was born in Sumner
County, Tenn., in 1827, and as before stat<>d, was
reared to the duties ou the farm. He received a
fair education in the schools of his native comity;
and in Bedford County, Tenn., in 184(5, Miss Dm
842
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
cilia Salina Mitchell Perry, a native of Bedford
County, became his wife. Her parents, Wiley and
Letitia (Gentry) Perry, were natives, respectively,
of North Carolina and Tennessee. Mr. Perry was
a farmer and tanner, and made Bedford County his
home until his death, in 1868. His wife had died
previously, in 1867. Grandfather Allen Perry
was in the Revolutionary War, and Grandmother
Perry went to New Orleans to enter the fort for
protection. G. W. Bandy after marriage settled
in his native State, followed farming until 1850,
when he came to Arkansas, landing at Jackson-
port on the 25th of December, 1850. One year
later he went to Izard County, purchased a claim,
but the same year sold this and moved to Jackson
County, Ark., where he purchased an eighty-acre
tract with twenty acres in tillable shape. To the
original tract he had added from time to time un-
til he owned 280 acres with 100 acres cleared.
Later he sold this and invested in 320 acres, unim-
proved, set out an orchard, erected a cabin and
otherwise improved his farm. He now owns 840
acres, with 450 under cultivation, and has a great
many tenants. He raises principally on his farm
cotton and corn, and has 200 acres in cotton yearly.
He is also engaged in raising stock, and on his ex-
tensive meadows may been seen many fine horses
and mules. He is a Democrat in politics, and
is active in school matters, and represented the
school interests of Bird Township as trustee. He
has two school-houses on his land, donated for
buildings, one for white and one for colored chil-
dren. Socially, Mr. Bandy is a member of the
Masonic order; was made a Mason in 1848, at
Marsh Hill Lodge No. 144, Rutherford County,
Tenn. He is now a member of Lunenberg Lodge
No. 190, A. F. &A. M. , at Lunenberg, Izard Coun-
ty, Ark. Mr. Bandy was charter member of Kirk-
patrick Lodge No. 102. In 1865 he moved to
Lunenberg, Izard County, Ark. , for the purpose of
educating his children, live in nnmber, as five were
deceased. Those living are named Richard W.,
now married and resides at Tuckerman; William
A. , married and resides in Comanche County, Tex. ;
George O. , married and resides in Bird Township;
Jane, now Mrs. Conditt, resides in Bird Township,
and Lucilla, at home. Mr. Bandy has been active
in his support of worthy enterprises and contributes
liberally to all. He is practically a self-made man,
having made all by his own industry.
A. P. Bateman, merchant, Elmo, Ark. Nowhere
in this section of the county is to be found a more
wide-awake, thorough-going business man than
the gentleman whose name heads this sketch.
Born to the union of Simeon D. and Mary (Con-
naly) Bateman, on the farm where he now lives, in
Jackson County, August 6, 1859, A. P. Bate-
man has ever since been a resident of this county.
His father, Dr. Simeon D. Bateman, was born in
Tennessee in 1829, and emigrated with his father to
Independence County, Ark., in about 1832. They
located seven miles west of Sulphur Rock, and
here Simeon D. was reared and educated. At the
age of fifteen years he began the study of medi-
cine and graduated at New Orleans Medical Col-
lege some time later. He first began practicing
in Independence County, and afterwards moved to
Jacksonport, where he administered to the phys-
ical wants of his fellow-men for thirty years. By
his marriage to Miss Mary Connaly, a native of Ar-
kansas, he became the father of eight children —
six now living: Charles T. , Alice J., widow;
Albert P., Nora C. (deceased). Savannah, David
L., Mary and Susan. The grandfather of these
children, Bonniah Bateman, died near Sulphur
Rock, Ark. He was an old Mexican soldier, and
was a military man most of his life. He was also
a member of the legislature for several years, and
the governor gave him the prize for the nicest suit
of jean clothes to be found in the senate. He was
a very matter-of-fact, stern man. A. P. Bateman
attained his growth and received his education in
Jackson County, and, being brought up on the
farm, naturally his inclinations turned that way,
after he had reached years of discretion. In 1884
he also engaged in merchandising and this busi-
ness he still carries on. He is successful and is a
substantial business man. Charles T. was also
reared to farm labor, and received the principal
part of his education in the common schools.
For several years he was engaged in teaching
school, but the balance of his time was occupied
^^
.^
JACKSON COUNTY.
843
on the farm. He was married, in 1877, to Miss
Panthia Long, who died in 1882, and the re.sult of
this union is two living children: Hattio and Mil-
lie. Mr. Bateman was married the second time, in
1884, to Miss Annie J. McGoffin, by whom he has
three children: Annie, Emma and Fannie. Mr.
Bateman is a member of the Masonic fraternity.
William H. Beede, farmer and stock raiser of
Cow Lake Township, residing five miles southeast
of Lay ton, was born in Orange Couiity, N. Y., in
1837, being the son of Addison C. Beede, of Ver-
mont, and Elizabeth (Weygant) Beede, of New York
nativity. William H. received his education partly
in the public schools of his native county, and
finished his education at Newburgh. At the age
of seventeen, he was apprenticed to the carriage
workers' trade, to Mr. Theodore Weygant, High-
land Mills, Orange County, N. Y. At the break-
ing out of the late war, he was working at his
trade in Germantown, Tenn. ; he enlisted in the
Thirteenth Tennessee Volunteer Infantry, Confed-
erate States Army, participating in the battles of
Belmont and Shiloh, and after one year was
discharged on account of physical disability. Re-
turning to Tennessee, he worked at his trade, till
he came to Arkansas, in 1867; that year he bought
280 acres of land in Woodruff County, about ten
acres being cultivated; he at once commenced
improving and clearing the land, building stables
and cribs, besides a log house. He remained there
one year, when he came to Jackson County, pur-
chased 100 acres of land, only eight being under
cultivation. Since that time he has cleared and
improved the land, and erected a good fi'ame
house, and other buildings. He now owns 550
acres of hind, 140 of which are under cultivation,
having deeded KiO acres to his eldest son, after
his marriage. August 20, 1867, Mr. Beede mar-
ried Miss M. J. Nance; they have had nine chil-
dren: Julane N., born July 11, 1868; Jasper
Newton, born September 3, 1869; William W.,
born September, 1870; Macy, born February 28,
1874; Joseph A., born May 0, 1875; Francis W.,
born March 2, 1877; Fletcher H., bom September
19, 1880; Eugene A., born November 4, 1882, and
Amelia Viola, born September IS, 1883. Mi\
Beede is a great friend to education, and whs the
first school director in Cow Lake Township, and
for four years the only one, and since 1874 had
been superintendent of schools for the State. There
are now four hee schools in Cow Lake TownHhiji.
C. Biggers, planter and stock raiser of Bird
Town.ship, was born in Randolph County, Ark., in
1845, the fifth in a family of seven. His jiareuts
were natives of Tennessee, and came to Randolph
County in an early day, the father dying when our
subject was young, the mother still surviving, in
Baxter County, Ark. The subject of this sketch
was raised on the farm, receiving a very limited
education, and in 1804, at Pocahontas, enlisted in
McCray's brigade, Crammond's regiment, for one
year. At the battle of Pilot Knob he received a
gun-shot wound, which prevented further service,
and he returned to Jackson County, Ark., where,
the same year, he married Elizabeth (Ridley) Con-
ditt, widow of John A. Conditt. He then rented
land, commenced farming, and in 1877 bought
eighty acres of timber-land, which he has improved
and added to, until he now owns 1 60 acres. 1 1 M)
under cultivation, averaging about fifty acres a
year in cotton, which is the principal product. He
also raises some stock. They have a family of six
children: Sarah A. (now Mrs. Tinsley, of Bird
Township), Samuel E., James Henry, Thomas
Calvin, Richard Franklin and William Richard.
Mr. Biggers is a Democrat, and has been a mem-
ber of the school board, taking an active interest
in school work. He has seen a vast change in
Jackson County, and has done his share toward
opening it up and developing it. Mr. Biggers has
made what he has by his own individual efforts,
and takes an interest in everything for the welfare
of the county.
Oliver Blackburn, general farmer and .stock
raiser, was born in the town of Cash. Jaekson
County, in 1847, sou of William and Mary (John-
son) Blackburn, the father a native of North Car-
olina, who married in Alabama. The subject of
this sketch married Miss Wilkiu.son, a uativo of
Jackson County, Ark., and they have had three
childi'en: Lydia, born in \X~\. married .\. W.
Pariah in 1887; Harriet Emma, born in ISTI. at
A
844
HISTORY OP ARKANSAS.
liome, and Lyda, born in February, 1882. Mrs.
Blackburn's father died in 1859, and -wasbm-iedin
the family cemetery, on Sections 17 and 18. Mr.
Blackburn, like all native-born Americans, is an
ardent lover of his native State, and has witnessed
great changes, having been an active participant
in the development of the country. As early as
Mr. Blackburn can remember, the market for the
farm produce vpas Elizabeth, and game being
plenty, many pelts and skins of animals adorned
the fences and barn, which found a market at Jack-
soiiport. Our subject now gives his attention to
raising cotton and mules. While he has not had
the best educational advantages, he has always
been a friend to education and progress.
J. C. Bleakley is a planter and stock raiser of
Auvergne. His parents were William C. and
Catherine Bleakley, of North Carolina. Mr.
Bleakley came to the southern part of Arkansas
before the war, where he married, after which he
came to Jackson County and bought what is now
the Pickett farm. Later he moved to Hempstead
County, where he raised his family, and where our
subject was born, October 20, 1854. The family
consisted of nine children, four of whom lived to
be grown — William, died at the age of twenty-
one; J. C, Mary, wife of Charles Harris, now the
wife of George Johnson, farmer of Oil Trough Bot-
tom; and Robert, a farmer. The father, a conserv-
ative man politically, died in 1865, and the mother
in 1874. They were both members of Missionary
Baptist Church. J. C. .spent his boyhood days on
his mother's farm, and at the age of eleven years
began its management. He was his mother's main
stay, and assisted his brothers and sisters in get-
ting an education, sending bis sister one term to
the high school at La Crosse. In 1868 he sold his
property in Hempstead County, came to Jackson
County, and bought forty acres of land, which he
began clearing and improving, and on which he
has since resided. In 1877 he bought 120 acres
adjoining, and now has 115 acres under cultivation,
south of Auvergne, raising corn and cotton. In
November, 1876, he married Miss AbertineClanton,
daughter of Javison and Dulciana (Morris) Clan-
ton, of South Carolina and Georgia, respectively,
who came to Union Township, Jackson County, in
1871. Her father died in 1882, but the mother,
still surviving, resides in Union Township. She has
three brothers — William, John and Thomas, farm-
ers in Faulkner County, and a sister, Georgia,
wife of John E. Manger, farmer, of Faulkner
County. Mr. Bleakley' s family consists of five
children living — Oscar, Lulu, Lina, Crawford,
Claude and Georgia; Clyde died in childhood. In
addition to this family, they are raising and giving
a home to Idle, Willie and Eva Nelson, children
of a widow, one of his tenants, whose dying wish
was that they should raise her children. Mr.
Bleakley has a pleasant and comfortable home,
and has seen a great many improvements in this
community. He and his wife are members of Sand
Hill Baptist Church. He is a Democrat, but con-
servative. He is a most enterprising farmer, rais-
ing horses, cattle and hogs. He is always active in
the interest of all public enterprises for the welfare
of the county.
John Boen is the only child of Thomas and
Sallie (Leonard) Boen, both natives of Tennessee,
and of Scotch and English descent, respectively.
Thomas Boen came to Arkansas from Tennessee in
the fall of 1845, and located on Sections 14 and
15, in the township now known as Cache, purchas-
ing from the United States Government 320 acres
of heavily-timbered land, upon which he built a
log cabin, and as he chopped down the trees made
rails to fence the land. At the time of his death,
which occurred in 1857 or 1858, he had seventy
acres cleared and under cultivation, and his farm
well stocked with cattle and hogs, wolves prevent-
ing the raising of sheep. His first wife dying
when John was biit an infant, Thomas Boen, in
1847, married Mrs. Nancy (Kirldand) Mackey, by
whom he had two children: James Wesley, now
married, and residing on our subject's farm, and
Andrew J. , who died in 1877, at the age of twenty-
seven years. John Boen was married, in 1S59, to
Miss Catherine Mathering, a native of Tennessee,
and to them have been born two children, viz. :
Henry J., born November 12, 1861, is a farmer,
and resides near his father; be married Miss Callie
Ragsdale, of Arkansas, May 2, 1886, and they
:7i'.
Lave oue cbikl, Lena, about two years old. Jubu
R. Boen was bora February 4, 1865, and was mar-
ried, September 1, 1887, to Cyatliia Luiiley, who
has borne two children, one, Laura Belle, dyin" at
the age of two months; the other, Thomas JefPer-
son, is one month old. He is also a farmer, and
owns a farm in Breckiuiidge Township. Mr. John
Boen came into possession of forty acres of land
throni,'h his wife; he now owns in all 3'20 acres of
laud, about 125 acres of which are under cultiva-
tion; corn and cotton are his principal crops, and
his farm is well stocked with horses, cattle and
hogs of good grade. Mr. Boen is interested in all
matters tending toward the advancement of relig-
ious and educational interests, and is in every re-
spect an enterprising farmer of Jackson County.
Mrs. Boen is a member of the Christian Church.
Henry Bordwell, one of the leading citizens of
Jacksonport, was born in Ontario County, N. Y.
His parents were John and Abigail (Travis) Bord-
well, the former a native of Massachusetts, who
emigrated to New York at an early age, and
located at Chautauqua Lake, where he resided
until his death. After the demise of the father his
family moved to Ontario County. They were the
parents of three children, of whom Henry is the
only one living. Henry was reared and received
his schooling in Ontario County, N. Y. In 1858
he moved to ■ Arkansas, and located in Jackson
County, where he has since resided. When the
Civil war commenced he enlisted in Company B,
Eighth Arkansas Regiment, and during the battle
of Shiloh was severely wounded in the ankle by a
rifle ball. To add to his misfortune, he was cap-
tured and taken prisoner to Louisville, and from
there to Camp Chase, where be was closely con-
fined for about four months. He was then taken
to Vicksburg, where he was exchanged and re-
turned home. Mr. Bordwell has been actively en-
gaged in business up to within a few years, and
during that time has acquired a comfortable fortune
upon which he is entitled to retire. He owns con-
siderable town property in Jacksonport, and, al-
though not in active commercial life, he is wide-
awake to the interests and development of his
county, and is always ready to give his valual)K>
assistance for that cause. He is an old resident of
Jackson County, and has watched its growth from
infancy up to the present, and can recount many
interesting incidents of the various changes that
have taken place during his stay.
Dr. li. L. Boyce, physician and surgeon,
Tuckerman, Ark. Dr. Boyce is recognized
throughout the county as a friend of and laborer
in the cause and advancement of the medical fra-
ternity. He is a native of Ralls County, Mo.,
born in 1832, and is the fourth in a family of six
children, born to Richard and Elizalietb (Foreman)
Boyce, natives of the Blue Gra-ss State. Dr.
Boyce was reared to farm labor, and in 1849, when
but seventeen years of age, he was seized with the
gold fever and started with an oxteam to cross the
plains to California. He was three months in
making the perilous trip, and after reaching that
State was engaged in mining until 185'J, when ho
returned to Ralls County, Mo., quite well satisfied
with the result of his visit to the Golden State,
after which ho engaged in cultivating the soil, and
in 1854 entered the State University at Columbia,
Mo. , taking a literary course. H(^ subsetjuently
entered the St. Louis Medical University, graduat-
ing from that institution in the spring of 18(50.
He first began practicing medicine in Macon
County, Mo., in 1857, where he remained until
1859, entering the St. Louis Medical University,
graduating _at the dates stated above. Then
moving to Bird Township, Jackson County, Ark.,
he purchased a farm near Elgin, and began a
systematic course of fertilizing and cultivating tlio
soil. At the breaking out of the late contlict, he
enlisted, in 1801, in Lawrence County, and was
regimental surgeon in Col. Adams' regiment. Col.
Shaver's brigade, and under Gon. Hindnian, but
part of the time served as brigade surgeon. He
remained in service until 1803, when he returned
to Jackson County, and resumed the practice of
medicine, which he has followed ever since. He
has been actively engaged in faruiiug and having
it carried on, and is now the owner of 320 acres of
good land, with 160 acres in tillable condition.
He has contrilmted more than any other man to
the introduction of fine st(«'k in his neiglilMirhoml.
t
846
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
He brought the first Durham and Berkshire stock
into that part of the county. The Doctor is quite
active in politics, and votes with and is a supporter
of the Democratic party. Socially, he is a member
of the Masonic fraternity. In his religious con-
viction he adheres to the Presbyterian Church, and
is a liberal contributor to the same. He is deej)ly
interested in educational matters, and is at present
a member of the school board. His parents emi-
grated to Missouri at an early period, settling in
what is Ralls County, where the father tilled the
soil for many years. He was quite an active man,
politically, was county judge of Ralls County,
quite a number of years, and was a good and use-
ful citizen. He served in the War of 1812 from
Kentucky, under Old Hickory. He died in 1869,
and his wife, previously, in 1867. Their family
consisted of the following children: James, the
eldest, first settled on a farm in Missouri, later
moved to Texas, locating near Bastrop, where he
tilled the soil until his death, in 1859; Aaron, mar-
ried, settled also in Texas, before it was part of
the United States, having many fights with the
Indians and narrow escapes, and there his death
occurred in 1850; Nicholas, was also a pioneer of
Texas, and died in 1858. A. W. Boyce, brother
of the Doctor, came to Jackson County, with his
family in 1884, and settled on a farm where the
subject of this sketch resides, and there died in
1886, leaving a widow and two bright and promis-
ing children, son and daughter — the son holding
a responsible position among the county officials—
E. L. and Lucia. R. L. Boyce, the subject of
this sketch had four sisters, all of whom married
men of some distinction, and all have joined the
silent throng, that are passing on before.
Thomas Britt, planter and stock raiser, son of
Alexander and Nancy (Prauat) Britt, natives of
North Carolina, came with his parents from Mis-
sissippi, in 1848, and located on Section 23. He
was born April 10, 1842, in Mississippi, and re-
ceived his education in the private schools of that
time. In 1863 he entered the Confederate serv-
ice in Col. Gaw's Regiment Arkansas Volunteer
Infantry, was captured in the hospital at Little
Rock, in September, 1863, and sent to Camp Mor-
ton, Indianapolis, Ind. , where he remained till
the close of the war, arriving home May 13, 1865.
His father was wounded in battle, from the effects
of which he died; the mother died in 1805. Com-
ing into possession of all his father's property by
will, Thomas took possession of the homestead, and
at once commenced cultivating the land, which was
in bad condition, but little of the farm having been
cultivated during the war, and only fifty of the
300 acres being cleared. August 11, 1868, Mr.
Britt maiTied Miss Anna Combs, a native of Ala-
bama, and whose parents came to Arkansas in
1852; their children were Julia M., (born July 6,
1870), Iduma (born March 7, 1873, deceased), Ida
(born October 2, 1875), Alice (born July 29, 1880),
Luvena (born May 7, 1878, deceased), Jacob L.
(born March 4, 1883) and John F. (born August
29, 1885). In 1872 Mr. Britt erected the com-
fortable house in which he now lives. He has
upon his place a steam cotton-gin, also grist-mill
and barns. Being an early settler, he remem-
bers well when the only grist-mills were turned by
hand, when the meat was obtained fi'om the forests,
and when wolves and bears rendered it almost im-
possible to raise sheep and hogs. He is a member
of the Missionary Baptist Church, and his wife of
the Methodist. He is a Democrat, and has been
justice of the peace, and although not an educated
man himself, his children have received the advan-
tages of the best schools in the neighborhood.
Emma (Anthony) Buford, of Union Township,
Jackson Countj% resides three miles south of New-
port, upon the farm which her husband owned and
improved, and upon which he died. May 28, 1889.
Mrs. Buford is a native of Madison County, Mo.,
of which State her parents wore also natives. Sep-
tember 4, 1873, she married William Buford. and
the same year they located on the farm in Jackson
County, Ark. , which has ever since been her home.
They had four children, viz. : May Buford, born
July 21, 1874; Maud Buford, born September 29,
1877; Bertha Buford, born July 26, 1882, and
Homer, born February 5, 1886. The maternal
grandfather of Mrs. Buford was of German de-
scent, and Mr. Buford' s maternal grandfather,
George Nifong, lived to be eighty-eight years of
^l
JACKSON COTJNTY.
sr
ug(% r«taiuiug to the last full possession of all his
faculties. Mr. Buford projected many plans for
the improvement of hin farm, which his sudden
death prevented him from carrying out, but Mrs.
Bnford has taken up the management of the farm,
and is completing her husband's plans. The place
now contains 4'20 acres. Mr. Buford was an en-
terprising farmer, a kind neighbor and affectionate
husband, and in his death the county was deprivonl
of a most exemplary man. The following pream-
ble and resolution was adopted by the White River
Stock Breeders' Association, at a meeting in June,
ISSU, and appeared in the columns of the Newport
News, issued June 7, 1889: "William Buford
died at his home, May 28, 1889, and it becomes
our duty to give formal expression to the sorrow of
our association at the loss of so valuable a mem-
ber. The mere mention of his name is sufficient
to recall to the minds of surviving members more
vividly than any words the uprightness and recti-
tude of his conduct, which earned for him the high
standing he enjoyed as a citizen, and as a valued
member and acquisition to the White River Stock
Breeders' Association. Plain, sincere and honest
was William Buford, and as treasurer of the asso-
ciation, to which position he was elected one year
ago, he was prompt and fully alive to its interests.
Dead — and where now are those e.aruest, loving eyes.
Which kindled in so many eyes the light?
Have they departed from our earthly skies
And left no ray to illuminate the night?
Shall man thus die and waste away
And no fond hope be left?
Is there no sweet, confiding ray for bosoms all bereft?
Yes, yes, an earnest trust.
Resolved, That a page of our records be suita-
bly inscribed and set apart, sacred to his memory,
and that a copy of this memorial be furnished his
family, with our deepest, warmest and most loving
sympathy." The resolution was unanimously
adopted by a standing vote.
Thomas J. Burton, postmaster at Layton, was
born in Mississippi, March 15, 1847. His parents
were Thomas F. and Nancy (Burton) Burton, who
came to Arkansas in 1869. The father was born
in Halifax, Va., in 1808, and the mother in Rock-
ingham County, N. C, in 1808. In their family
there were seven children: William F., Jolin A.,
Sarah Jane (wife of S. J. Moore), Mary S. (wife
of D. A. Kiml)rongh), Henry J. and Thomas J.
The father died in 1878, the mother in 1879. The
subject of our sketch received his education in
Kemper Comity, Miss., and made his first purchase
of land in 18(59, on Sections 2f5 and 27, in Caclie
Township. There were 220 acres in the tract, thir-
ty-five of which were under cultivation, and fenced
with rails. Thomas cleared twenty acres more,
and erected a good double-box house, hauling lum-
ber from Augusta, Woodruff County, a distance
of twenty miles, and paying §20 per thousand.
At various times Mr. Burton has cleared fifty acres
of land. At the age of sixteen, Thomas J. enlist-
ed in the Confederate service, served two years,
participating in all the battles from Resaca to At-
lanta, leaving Hood's army at Dalton, on his re-
turn to Tennessee, after the campaign at Atlanta.
He was in Gen. J. E. Johnston's army at the time
of the surrender, at Gainsborough, in April.
1865, and still has in his po-ssession the parole re-
ceived at that time. In 1878, in partnership with
Mr. D. A. Kimbrough, he opened a stock of general
merchandise at Layton (now Bower's Ridge), and
continued till 1882, when he sold out to his part-
ner. In 1885. after farming three years, he again
engaged in business with Mr. Hite, but in Jan-
uary, 1889, Ml-. Kimbrough bought Mr. Kite's
interest. In connection with this he carries on
his farming enterprises. Mr. Burton's first wife
was Miss Narcie Otey, of Arkansas; they had one
child, Augustus, born June 22, 1873. Obtaining
a divorce, in 1874, they separated, and December
2, 1879, Mr. Burton married Miss Ada Murphy.
They have had four children: T. Ewing, decea.sed;
Beenie, born June 21, 1883; Willie May. Iwru
January 5, 1885; David Henry, born April 2,
1888. Mr. Burton is now the owner of eighty
acres of land. His wife is a member of the Meth-
odist Episcopal Church. He has 8erve<l three
terms as justice of the peace in Jackson County,
Ark. . or for six years.
George D. Camp, farmer and fruit raiser, of
Jackson County, was born in IMttaylvania County.
Va., September 30. 1S30. being a son of William
■»P>
^t
848
HISTOEY OF ARKANSAS.
H. Camp (German descent), of Virginia, and Cath-
erine (Whitehead) Camp (French descent), also of
Virginia. May 7, 1852, he married Miss Maria
Ferguson, of McCraekon County, Ky., whose par-
ents came from Khode Island. By this union
they had two children: Luther R., now of Perry
County, Ark., and Catherine F. (married Will-
iam F. Hammond, and died in 1881). Mrs. Camp
died June 15, 1806, and he again married Mrs.
Martha (Nance) Robertson, who had two chil-
dren : William Jesse Robertson and Martha A. By
his second wife Mr. Camp has eight children:
George Washington, born September 28, 1861;
Nancy J. Camp, born May 10, 1863; Sarah E.,
born May 29, 1865; Doctor Dick Camp, born April
10, 1867; Daniel L., born March 23, 1869; John
H., born December 24, 1870; Laura Jane, born
January, 1873; Mary A., born December 24, 1875;
and Martha H., born February 8, 1880. Mrs.
Camp died October 6, 1886, and Mr. Camp mar-
ried Mrs. Missouri Crabtree, who had one child,
Eva Blair, by her drst husband, who lives with her
stepfather. Mr. Camp learned the carpenter's
trade, tiuished it in 1853, and engaged in the busi-
ness for three and a half years, when he com-
menced farming. After coming to Arkansas he
leased a farm belonging to the estate of John Jones,
at the expiration of which lease he moved upon the
present farm, which has since been his home. He
bought the land of the State of Arkansas at sev-
enty-five cents per acre, and with will and deter-
mination commenced clearing and improving it.
Mr. Camp now has fifty- live acres of land under
cultivation, seven acres being in orchard, contain-
ing apple, peach, pear and fig trees, he having the
largest and finest variety of fruit in Arkansas, in
which he takes a just pride. Mr. and Mrs. Camji
are both members of the Christian Church, and
Mr. Camp has always been a friend to religious,
educational and social advancement, and by strict
and honest dealing, has earned the reputation of
an honest man. What higher tribute can be paid
his name ? He well deserves a place in the pres-
ent volume.
Jarrett Record Carter, a planter and stock raiser
of Jaekson County, was a son of Kinchen and
Cazar (Johnson) Carter. The father came to Ar-
kansas in 1849, bringing seven children with
him, five remaining in Tennessee. He died in
1851, leaving his widow and children almost desti-
tute. The wife died in 1868. The subject of our
sketch, born January 26, 1840, educated himself,
and, although having little learning, is shrewd, in-
telligent and liberal in business affairs, and in all
things for the advancement of his State. Li 1863
he purchased a tract of twenty-three acres of land,
on which was a small hut, where he lived ten or
twelve years, renting land and farming, and accum-
ulating means, until at the present time he owns
253 acres, about 100 under cultivation. He has
good dwellings and barns on the place, and such
improvements as ai-e necessary, together with a
small orchard. In 1863 Mr. Carter married Mi-s.
Melissa (Benson) Jones. His second wife was
Mary Jane Sutherland. Of the family there are
these living children: Bettie, born March 12, 1873;
Sarah, born October 2, 1874; Jarrett R., Jr., born
January 17, 1877; Mabel, born September 5, 1883;
and Rosenell, born October 17, 1885. Mr. Carter
has taken the degree of Fellow Craft, A. F. & A.
IVI. , and intends to advance at the first opportunity,
sickness having prevented. He is a member of the
Christian Church, and a friend to religrious and
educational advancement.
Col. J. W. Clark, a prominent planter and
stock raiser of Glass Township, Jackson County,
was born in Madison County, Ala., in 1833. His
parents were Thomas and Esther (Moore) Clark,
natives, respectively, of South Carolina and Ala-
bama, who had seven children, of whom J. W .
was the third. Thomas Clark, who was also a
farmer, removed to Madison County, Ala., in an
early day, where he operated a large plantation
and spent the remainder of his life, his death oc-
curring in 1849; his widow survived until 1855.
The paternal grandfather of our subject, who was
also named Thomas Clark, was a soldier of the
Revolution, and died in Alabama, at the advanced
age of one hundred and twelve years. His wife
lived to be one hundred and eight years old. Col.
J. W. Clark was reared and educated in his native
county. He learned the blacksmith's trade, and
his first experience at farming for himself was in
his native State. In 1857 he went to Gibson
County, Tenn., where he was employed as an over-
seer until November, 1860, when lie removed to
Jackson County, Ark., locating near the present
site of Swifton, on what is now known as the Har-
ris place, where he remained one year. In 1801
he enlistinl in Company B, Thirty -first Arkansas
Mounted Riflemen, spending the early part of that
winter in Central Arkansas, recruiting soldiers;
the following March he went to Memphis. He was
made major of the First Regiment, promoted to
lieutenant colonel, and subsequently became colo-
nel of the Thirty-second Arkansas Infantry. He
took part in the battles of Richmond, Murfrees-
boro, Perryville, Mansfield, Dickens' Ferry, Pilot
Knob; was with Gen. Price on his raid through
Missouri; thence south in Arkansas, to Fayette-
ville; thence to Jacksouport, whore, June 5, 1805,
he surrendered the Forty-fifth Arkansas Infantry.
At the close of the war Col. Clark returned to Jack-
son County. December 25, 1864, he was married
in Calhoun County, to Mary S. A. Moore, daugh-
ter of Leroy and Mary (Culp) Moore, of Alabama,
who removed to Calhoun County at an early day.
The father died some years ago, but the mother
now resides in Jackson County. Mrs. Clark died
in 1879, and January 1, 1882, Mr. Clark married
the wi<low of Dr. A. J. Jones, whose maiden name
was Lavina Elizabeth Heard, a daughter of Bailey
and Margaret (Milner) Heard, natives of Ken-
tucky and Virginia, respectively. Mr. Heard still
resides on the homestead in White County, upon
which he settled in 1851, owning considerable
land in that county. His wife died in 1874. After
his marriage. Col. Chirk l)ought a timber tract of
200 acres, upon which ho erected a house and
cleared and improvt^d some of the land. He now
owns 1 20 acres, of which about ninety acres are
imder cultivation. He devotes considerable atten-
tion to stock raising, especially cattle. Ho also
raises cotton largely. He is an active Democrat,
has been magistrate and notary public, and brought
before the county court the petition to form Glass
Township, which he named. Ho is also a mem-
ber of the Masonic fraternity, and he and wife
are members of the Methodist Kiiiscopal (Church,
South.
Uriah Cole, farmer and stock raiser, and the
oldest living settler in Bird Townsliip, was born in
Middle Tennessee, Humphreys County, in 18^5,
and was the fifth in a family of ton born to James
and Martha (York) Cole, natives of North Caroliiui
and Tennessee, respectively. The father, when a
boy, emigrated to Tennessee, thence to Kentucky,
when it had very few settlers, living si.\ty miles
from a mill, and then back to Tennessee, and, in
1847, to Jackson County, Ark., locating in what is
now Bird Township, on the place where our sub
ject now resides, and having to cut a road from
Jacksonport to their claim, where plenty of game
abounded. The father died in 1855, at the age of
eighty-four years, his excellent wife following in
1804. The subject of this sketch was reared to
frimtier farm life, receiving his education ni the
district schools of Tennessee and the subscription
schools of Arkansas. He and his brother, Jack-
son, ri>main(>d at home, clearing the farm, and in
1849 Uriali married Martha Wann, a nativi> of Al-
abama, and setthnl on the farm on which he now
resides, which contains 240 acres, 190 under culti-
vation, thirty-five of which are yearly planted to
cotton. Mr. Cole also raises considerable stock.
In 1801 he enlisted in Capt. Bateman's company,
Dobbins' regiment of cavalry, and parti(-ipated in
the battles of Helena, Little Rock, Marks' Mills,
Jenkins' Ferry. At the close of the war, in 18fJ5,
be was paroled at Jacksonport, when he returned
to the farm. Though a Democrat, Jlr. Cole is not
an office-seeker, and not very active in politics.
Mrs. Cole died in 1879, leaving six chihlren:
William Jason, married, residing in Bird Town-
ship; Amanda, now Mrs. Gibson, of Bird Town-
ship; Mary Elizabeth, now Mrs. Grooms, of Binl
Township; Uriah A., single; Henry, single; and
Harriet, now Mrs. Brightwell— the last two being
twins. In 1882 Mr. Cole married Martha Deaton,
a native of Alabama. Mr. Cole has seen the full
growth of Jackson County — has cami)ed out and
kilh'd bears where the town of Tuckermun is now
situated. During the war Mr. Cole lost every
thing, and what he now ha-* lia-* bi-oti iniid.' vjn,-..
■^
850
HISTOEY OF ARKANSAS.
that time by economy and industry, and by taking
an interest in everything for the good of the
county.
William Wesley Collier, a merchant of Tupelo,
Jackson County, is a native of Limestone County,
Ala. , and is a son of Mark M. and Elizabeth (Har-
ris) Collier, born, respectively, in North and South
Carolina, and of English and Scotch descent. The
father died in 1840, and the mother in 1864.
William AVosley was born April 12, 1826, and ob-
tained his education iu the private schools of his
county, and the H. H. Brown school, which at that
time had a wide reputation, being conducted by a
Methodist preacher, who was employed by the com-
munity. At the age of twenty years Mr. Collier
was employed by Dewooddy, Turentine & Hig-
gins, at Athens, Ala. ; at the expiration of one
year he went to Aberdeen, Miss. , where he served
three years at the carpenters' trade, with J. W.
Ellis. February 3, 1849, he emigrated to Califor-
nia, with the Mississippi Rangers, a joint stock
conipany, which dissolved after three months.
Our subject arrived at Los Angeles, July 6, 1849,
where until January, 1850, he engaged in the car-
penter and joiners' trade. He then went to San
Francisco, worked for weeks as journeyman, and
then in partnership with K. T. Woody, engaged
in mining; three months later Mr. Woody died,
and Mr. Collier bought a stock of general mer-
chandise, which he established at Agufrior Gold
Mines, Mariposa County, Cal. He also built a hotel
at the latter place, which he sold in 1851, carrying
on his mercantile business there three years; he
then took into partnership George Turner, of New
York, and William T. Osburn, of Georgia. Early
in 1853, Mr. Collier went to Stockton to buy goods
and supplies for the store, remaining until fall,
when he was notified by his partners to return and
close out business, as they were not making any-
thing; returning, he found that they had lost money
gambling, and squandered the entire resources of
the firm. After closing out the business, he went
to San Francisco, in October, 1853, where he pur-
chased a ticket for his home in Alabama, arriving
there the following December. In 1854 he lo-
cated on his mother's farm near Athens, where he
lived the following three years. In January, 1856,
he married Martha Walls, also a nativt» of Ala-
bama. Of the eleven children born to them, six
are now living, viz. : Albert, a farmer by occupa-
tion, now residing in Breckinridge Township; he
married Laura Stanley; William T., married a
Miss Higgs of Mississippi, and has two children;
he is also a farmer of Breckinridge Township; J.
M. , who is engaged in business with his father, and
farming; John M. is living with his father; Cath-
arine, of Arkansas nativity, married Mr. W. C.
Patrick, a native of Mississippi, and has one child;
and Allen C, who is now a student at Searcy Col-
lege, Ala. The children have all been liberally
educated in the English branches. At the time of
his marriage, Mr. Collier owned about 370 acres
of land, some 100 acres of which were under culti-
vation. He is a Democrat in politics, as are also
his sons and son-in-law.
Lee H. Conditt, planter and stock raiser, of Bird
Township, was born in Ohio County, Ky. , in 1848,
the fifth in a family of six, liorn to Jeduthan Lind-
ley and Mary (Duke) Conditt, of Tennessee and
Kentucky, respectively. The father was a cabinet
workman and wagon-maker, and came to Jackson
County in 1855, in Jefferson Township, then in
1856 came to Bird Township, where he bought a
partly improved farm of 275 acres. He was very
active in religious and educational interests, being
the principal man in organizing the school district.
His death occurred in 1863; he was a Methodist.
His widow survived until 1878. There are living
of the family William Henry (of Baxter County),
Lorenzo M., and Lee, the subject of this sketch,
who was educated in the district schools of Bird
Township, Jackson County. He aided in clearing
the home farm, and at the age of twenty commenced
farming for himself. After his marriage, in 1883,
he settled where he now resides, owning a good
farm of 275 acres, with ninety acres under cultiva-
tion, having cleared forty acres himself; he also
owns the original homestead. He raises corn, and
on an average thirty-five acres of cotton a }'ear,
and good average cattle; he has now a high grade
stallion, Morgan and Bashaw, a well-known trotter
and good roadster, six years of age, said to be the
« k_
>^
JACKSON COUNTY.
851
best in the county. Our subject's wife was Jose-
phine A. Snider, daughter of Ur. Jacob and Mary
(Davis) Snider, of Tennessee, who came to Dunk-
lin County, Mo., where they now reside; they have
two chikb-en: Annie Beatrice and Phamous Arlee.
Mr. Conditt takes a great interest in school matters,
being secretary of the school board for District 10,
which includes also the Tuckerman District, three
white schools and one colored. He is now serving
his second term. He is a Democrat, and liberal in
all [)ublic matters.
William H. Craige, dealer in groceries, drugs,
and plantation supplies, also postmaster, Kenyon,
Ark. Among the important industrial enterprises
which contribute to the commercial .standing of the
thriving town of Kenyon is the establishment of
Mr. Craige, who is acknowledged to be one of the
prominent business men of the jilace. He was
born at Chapel Hill, N. C, on the 30th of Novem-
ber, 1840, and his father. Rev. John M. Craige, was
a Methodist minister, and a member of the East
North Carolina Conference. The elder Craige' s
health failing during his ministerial duties, he was
ol)lig(^d to abandon this calling, and betake himself
to agricultural pursuits, which he continued until
his death, in 1864. His excellent wife, formerly
Miss Elizabeth Barbee, a native of North Carolina,
survived him until 1869. Both were of Scotch-
Irish descent.- They became the parents of three
children: James, married, and resides at Chapel
Hill, N. C, on the old homestead. He enlisted in
the Twenty- eighth North Carolina Infantry, in
1861, and served during the war. Wesley enlisted
in the Eleventh North Carolina Infantry in 1S62,
and remained in service until the time of his death,
but contracted sickness at Petersburg, Va., went
home and died there in 1864: and William H.
The latter at the age of fourteen was put under
the tutelage of F. M. Hubbard, D. D., of the Tni-
versity of North Carolina, and there remained for
two years, receiving the preparatory course. Then,
at the age of sixteen, he entered the University of
North Carolina, and remained in college until
1859, when ho was obliged to leave on account of
ill health. In 1862 he enlisted in the Confederate
nnv\' at Charleston, S. C, but was transferred to
heavy artillery at Wiiuiington, N. C. .w,. ,, i...
remained until February, 1864. He was then put
in charge of engineering corps, and remnineil in
that capacity until the close of the war. After
this he settled at Chapel Hill, N. C, where he fol
lowed agricultural ])ursuits for one year and then,
at the solicitation of Gov. Swain, entered college,
finishing his course and graduating with the class
of 1868. After this he followed teaching for some
time, and then came to Lawrence County, Ark.,
where he still continued that avocation at Pow-
hatan for two years. In 1878 his alma mater con-
ferred on him the degree of A. M. Since that time
he has been engaged in merchandising and farm-
ing. Ho moved to Kenyon. Jack.sou County, in
the spring of 1872, embarking in mercantile pur-
suits, but has also been engaged in farming since
1879. He owns a good farm of 1,000 acres, with
500 acres under cultivation, has nearly HOO acres
in cotton and 200 acres in corn. He raises consid-
erable cattle, and has one of the best stock farms
in the countj'. He has not been very active in pol-
itics, but votes with the Democratic party. He
has held the office of postmaster since 1879. and in
all his relations with the public, as well as in all
other respects, he is strictly honorable and upright.
He was married in Jackson County, in August,
1871, to Miss Lavinia Holford. a native of Tennes-
see, and the daughter of William and Martha A.
Holford, natives of Tennessee. Her |>arentscau)i'
to Jackson County in 1859, settling on a farm, and
there both passed their last days. Their family
consisted of the following children: Mrs. C. W.
Winfree, Mrs. B. F. Manning and Rev. B. F. Hoi
ford, a Baptist minister, residing in Lawrence
County, Ark., and Mrs. Lavinia (Holford) Craige.
To the union of Mr. and .Mrs. Craige wore born
these children: Hubbard, Augustus G. and Bar
bee. Mr. Craige is a member of the Episcopal,
and Mrs. Craige of the Baptist Church.
C. G. Crow, farmer and proprietor of gristmill
and cotton-gin at McCreary Station, Bird Town-
sliip, was l)oru in Jackson County, in 1S44, the
second in a family of three children of Atrides and
^lary (Waters) Crow, the father of Kentucky, the
mother of Cape Girardeau County, Mo. The
« »-_
852
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
father was marrioJ in Missouri, and in 1840 came
to Craighead County. He was practicing physi
cian and surgeon, and in 1842 came to Jackson -
port, Jackson County; after residing in various
places, he returned to Jackson County, where he
was county clerk; his death occurred in 1857. His
wife died in 1851. The subject of this sketch was
educated at the seminary in Hartford, Ky. In 1861,
in Scott County, Mo., he enlisted for six months'
State service, and on the expiration of this time,
he reenlistod in Capt. William Cotter's company,
Gen. Forrest's brigade, Neeley's regiment, and
was mustered into service in Tennessee. He was
in the battles of Fort Pillow, Harrisburg, Parker's
Cross Roads, and the Oklahoma raid. He was
paroled in Mississippi, in 1865, and returned to
Jackson County, and in 1807 married Mary V.
Parrott, a native of Tennessee, daughter of William
H. and Martha (Darden) Parrott, of North Caro-
lina and Tennessee nativity, who came to Jackson
County in 18(51. Her father died in 1879, and her
mother some years before. After his man'iage our
subject settled where he now resides, buying a tim-
ber tract of forty acres, which he cleared and added
to, until he now owns 600 acres, nearly 300 under
cultivation, the products being cotton and corn;
he also raises some stock. Mr. Crow is a Demo-
crat, active in politics, and has always taken an
active interest in the schools, being now a mem-
ber of the school board. He is a member of Jack-
sonport Lodge No. 191, A. F. & A. M., and of
Jacksonport Chapter No. 40. Mr. Crow always
takes an active interest in everything for the good
of the county, and has seen great changes in the
course of its development. His family consists of
four children now living: Ada, Maoima, Charles
and Daisy Cleveland. William Atrides died in
1868, at the age of two years; Maud Ida, in 1874,
at the age of four years.
Roliert L. Davis, farmer and stock raiser, was
born in Alabama, September 25, 1832, son of Will-
iam and Ann (McDonald) Davis, natives of Ala-
bama. Samuel Davis, grandfather of our subject,
a native of East Tennessee, came to Alabama
between 1815 and 1825, and was the iirst settler
at Huntsville. He located a claim, built a log
house and returned to Tennessee for his family.
In his absence his claim was jumped by David
Hunt, after whom the city of Huntsville was
named. Mr. Davis made no effort to substantiate
his claim to the land, but located another, which
he improved, and on which he resided till his
death, at the age of ninety-six years. William
Davis died at the age of seventy-three years, and
his wife at the age of forty. Robert L. was the
fifth of a family of eight: Elizabeth, Samuel,
Steele, Jane, James, Anson and William. The
subject of our sketch lived at home with his parents
till he married Miss Eliza Henderson, May 16, 1857.
In 1860 he came to Arkansas, locating a farm on
Bower's Ridge, which he sold in 1863, when he
liought 152 acres of wild land in Section 18,
Breckinridge Township, which he commenced at
once to clear and improve, and now has about 100
acres of that tract under cultivation, and which has
since been his home. Mrs. Davis died May 21,
1885. They had three children : Walter S., born
March 16, 1858; James H., born April 1, 1868, a
telegraph operator in the employ of the St. Louis
& Iron Mountain Railroad Company, and Georgie
Laird, born January 28, 1872. Mr. Davis' chil-
dren have been well educated at the j)rivate schools
of the county, and also at some of the prominent
colleges of the State and of Tennessee, Mr. Davis
being a friend to education, and taking active in-
terest in all matters of importance to the county
and State. At this time he has 432 acres of land,
230 under cultivation.
R. M. Davis, mayor, Newport, Ark. Mr.
Davis has been a resident of Jackson County, Ark. ,
for many years, and has been closely and usefully
identified with its history throughout all that pe-
riod of time. He was born in Madison County,
Ala., near Huntsville, March 27, 1841, and is a
son of Matthew and Sarah (Walls) Davis, the
former a native of the Old Dominion, born near
Lynchburg, and the mother a native of Alabama.
They were married in Madison County, of the last
named State, and emigrated to Marshall County,
Miss., in about 1844. They remained there until
1856, and then moved to Arkansas, settling in Jack
son County, where the father died in 1866. The
Maj .D. L. Ferguson .
Mississippi County,Arkansab
JACKSON COUNTY.
853
mot,}i(^r had previously died in Missisisippi. Their
family consisted of nine children, only four living:
IMrs. E. V. McDonald, Mrs. M. S. Ballard, Mrs.
Anthony McDonald, and Richard M. , who is the
youngest of the family living. He was only thir-
teen years of age when he came to Arkansas, and
finished his growth on a farm in this State. At
the breaking out of the war, he was but eighteen
years of age, and in 1861 ho enlisted in Company
A, Ninth Mississippi Regiment, at Pensacola, Fla.
He was one of the first three men to leave the State
of Arkansas, before the ordinance of secession was
l)assed. He was at the battles of Shiloh, Prairie
Grove, Helena, and in Gen. Price's raid through
Missouri. He was wounded at the battle of Hel-
ena, by a gun-shot through the left leg. He served
over four years in the Confederate army, and sur-
rendered at Jacksonport, Ark. Afterward he en-
gaged in the livery business at the last named
plape, and continued at this for about three years,
when he embarked in the mercantile business,
which he carried on for some time. He then be-
gan farming, but later went back to merchandising,
which he continued until 1882, when he moved to
Newport. He was here employed as clerk by E.
L. AVatson & Son, with whom he remained until
February, 1888, and then took charge of the stock
of goods now owned by P. V. Davis & Co. The
firm carries a good line of groceries, etc., and are
doing a good business. Mr. Davis was married, in
1863, to Miss Pauline Hudson, a native of South
Carolina, who bore four children now living: Rush
H. , Daisy D. , Mary E. and Fannie J. Mr. Davis
is a member of the Masonic fraternitj'. In April.
1880, he was elected mayor of Newport, and is fill-
ing that position to the entire satisfaction of all.
He has also served as alderman.
C. F. Dean, a prominent planter, of Jackson
County, whoso name is almost too well-known to
need any comment, was born in Meigs County,
Tenn., in 1853. His parents were Patrick and :
Caroline (Stames) Dean, the former a native of
Ireland and the latter from North Carolina. The I
father emigrated to America upon reaching his ma-
turity, and settled in Tennessee, where he was
afterward married. He was a very intellectual |
(
man, and a school teacher by profession. He died
in the State of Tennessee, while the mother snr
vived him a number of years, and j)assed away in
Jackson County, Ark., l.-aving three children yet
living: Cornelius F., Margaret and Jamos J. Cor
nelius was reared in Tennessee, where he remaineil
until 1808, and then moved to Jackson County,
Ark. For the first few years after his arrival he
farmed on rented land, but his energy and slirewd
ness in business transuclions have enaliled him to
accumulate about 347 acres of valuabl.. land, with
some 200 acres well nnder cultivation, almost all
of which he has improved himself. His farm is
situated on the west side of White River, ojiposite
the city of Jacksonport. and the soil is some of tin'
best in that section, being adapted to almost any
kind of vegetal>le or grain, as well as a fine graz
ing country. In 1875 Mr. Dean was married to
Miss Lizzie Delaney, by whom he has had two
children: Stella and Archie. He is a member of
the Legion of Honor, and one of the most success
ful men in Jackson County.
Maj. William Deen. One of the men who has
contributed much to the development of Jackson
County is Maj. Deen, a ])romiuent planter and
stock raiser of the county. He was born in Ansou
County, N. C, on February 18, 1825, and was the
fourth in a family of eight children born to Red
dick and Martha (Morre) Deen. both natives of the
same State. The father was also a planter in An-
son County, and duiiug the earlier hi.story of that
county was a prominent figure in politics. The
Major was reared on a fai-m, and educated in the
district schools of his birthplace. In 1843 he was
married to Miss Rebecca Price, from tiie same
State, who subsequently died after a hajipy married
life, leaving him one child, John, who is now a
prominent i>hysician and surgeon in Texas. In
1855 Maj. Deen was again married, in Anson
County, his second wife being Mi.ss Ann Lilly, and
two years later he moved with ills bride In KempiT
County, Miss., where he bought a plantation, and
became a leading citizen of that county, Ix-ing al
one time commissioned on the relief committee to
look after the destitute of tliat section. In IStll)
he moved to Woodruff County, Ark., and two years
0 k_
854
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
afterward bought a timber tract of 320 acres, which
was slightly improved. He has continued to im-
jnove the land and add to it on different occa-
sions, until now he owns about 1,080 acres, and
has some 400 acres under cultivation. His princi-
pal crops are corn and cotton, and he also raises
some stock. Maj. Deen is not a very active poli-
tician, but he takes a deep interest in all matters
that augur for the welfare of his county, and is
very liberal in his aid toward all enterprises, which,
in his judgment, will make it one of the foremost
in the State. The Major and his wife, who both
attend the Missionary Baptist Church, have had
eight children born to their union: Marcus L. (re-
siding in Texas), William T., Laura (now Mrs.
McCauley), Fannie (also married), Benjamin and
Simeon, all residing in the same townshij) with
their father except Marcus. Maj. Deen has been
a valuable citizen to the community, and one whose
efforts in building up his county have been well
appreciated.
F. R. Dowell, assessor of Jackson County,
farmer, miller and ginner, was born in Jackson
County, May 10, 1851. His father, Henry J.
Dowell, was born in Virginia, in 1814, moved to
Kentucky, and in 1838 married Miss A. M. Boyce,
who was born in Kentucky, in 1819. In 1849
they came to Jackson County, Bird Township,
bought a farm of 100 acres, and improved and
added to this iintil, at the time of his death, in
1881, it consisted of 2,200 acres, 500 under culti-
vation. Mr. Dowell was a strong Democrat, and
served his township ten years as magistrate, and
declined several other offices. The mother was a
member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Our
subject was the fourth of a family of six: Belle,
J. H., Jimius, D. C. and Mary S. J. H. served
diu-ing the war in the Confederate army. Henry
J. was a man of great energy, and was of much
service to the early settlers in locating land, being
thoroughly acquainted with the country. His wife
still lives on the old homestead, at the age of sev-
enty. The subject of our sketch was raised on the
farm, received his education in the common schools
of Jackson County, and also spent two years at the
academy in Philadelphia, Izard County, Ark. He
left school at the age of twenty-two, and for ten
years engaged in mercantile business at Tucker-
man with his brother D. C. , the firm being F. R.
& D. C. Dowell. In the spring of 1882 he with-
drew from the firm, and, having been appointed
administrator of his father's estate, he took charge
of that and engaged in farming and stock d(>aling.
In 1883 he built a large saw-mill and cotton-gin.
later adding the grist-mill. He also owns 160
acres of land, 100 of which are cultivated, and also
has an interest in his father's estate. Mr. Dowell,
in November, 1878, married Miss L. B. Billings-
lea, daughter of J. C. and Mary E. (Woolley) Bil-
lingslea, natives of Alabama, who came to Arkan-
sas about 1807 and settled in Woodruff County,
Mr. Billingslea .being a prominent farmer and phy-
sician of that county, and dying in 1809. Our
subject's wife was born May 19, 1858. They have
had three childi-en : Harry E. (born in 1880), Mary
A. (born August 20, 188(3; died March 7, 1888),
and Henry J. (born September 2, 1888; died Feb-
ruary 7, 1889). They are members of the Meth-
odist Episcopal Church. Mr. Dowell is an active
member of the Democratic party, having served on
both township and county committees. In Sep-
tember, 1888, he was elected assessor of Jackson
County, which office he still holds. He has also
held the office of school director, and is active in
the cause of education, and in support of all pub-
lic enterprises. He is now making preparations
for entering the business of raising blooded stock.
D. C. Dowell, general merchant at Tucker-
man, was born in Jackson Coiuity, in 1853, being
a son of H. J. and A. M. (Boyce) Dowell, natives
of Kentucky. The father, a farmer, emigrated
to Jackson County, in 1849, settling in Bird Town-
ship, near Black River, and opened up consider
able land in the county; his death occurred in
1881, his excellent wife still surviving. In their
family were J. H. (now deceased,) Jimmie and
Belle (who died young), F. R. (assessor of Bird
Township) and M. L. (at home). The subject of our
sketch was raised on the farm, educated in the dis-
trict schools, and also at Izard County College. He
aided at home in clearing the farm, and there en-
gaged in mercantile business, and in 1 874, at Tuck-
-^ V
erman, in partnership with his brother, F. li.
Dowell, erected the first store in the place, carry-
ing a full line of notions, dry goods, groceries and
drugs; this partnership continued till 1885, when
our subject bought his brother's interest, they
having been burned out in 1888, and in 188!) a
good frame building was erected. October H\
1879, Mr. Dowell married Ida Thoroughman, a na-
tive of Missouri, daughter of Thomas and Emily
Thoroughman, natives of Virginia and Kentucky,
respectively, the father then being an attorney in
St. Louis, Mo., where they now reside. Five
children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Dowell:
Gracie, Lou (died in 1885, aged four years), Fos-
ter, D. C, Jr., and Taylor. IVIi-. Dowell daring
his lifefime in Jackson County has seen a vast
change; he is one of the prominent citizens, and
takes an active interest in furthering all projects
for the good of the county.
G. "\V. Dudley, a highly-esteemed farmer and
stock raiser of Jackson County, was born in Bod-
ford County, Tenn. , in 1840. He was the third in
a family of seven children born to Christopher S.
and Louisa P. (Bandy) Dudley, of Tennessee, in
which State the father was county surveyor of
Bedford County for twenty-five years, and also en-
gaged in farming quite extensively. The elder
Dudley was a noted Democratic jwlitician during
his life, and one of the best orators of his party in
that section. During his lator days he t)ccupied
himself with his farm entirely until his death, in
1878, his excellent wife only surviving him one
day. The seven children born to the parents are
all living: Richard Hou.ston resides in Nashville,
Tenn., and is engaged in the wholesale hardware
business; Marion resides in Glass Township; G.
W. also lives in Glass Township; Harriet M.,
now Mrs. Lucker, of Franklin Comity, Tenn. ;
Fannie, now Mrs. Jarrett, residing in Tennessee;
Guilford, residing in Nashville, Tenn., and in the
hardware business; Robert M., residing at Na.sh-
ville, and also in the hardware business. G. W .
Dudley was reared to a farm life and attended the
district schools of Bedford County, Tenn. In
ISOl he enlisted in Company D, Senator Bates'
regiment, and was mustered into service at Lynch-
burg, Va. He was engagctl in ibi- liombarcliiient
of Aqua Creek, on May 28, 1801; at .Mana.s.sas,
on July 22, and was a member of Claiborne's
brigade at Shiloh. Ho also took part in the l)attle
at Richmond, Ky. (when captain and colonel were
Iwtli killed), at Perryville, Murfroesboro and
Chickamauga. and was severely wounded at Iwtli
Perryville and Chickamauga. He was also at the
battles of Missionary Ridge, Resaca, Calhoun,
Konesaw Mountain, Marietta and Decatur. At
the last place he was again severely wounded, and
fell on the s])ot where Gen. McPherson was killed.
He lay on the battlefield for some time, unable to
move, but was finally discovered and taken to the
hospital at Macon, Ga. After his recovery he
again returned to the front and went with Hood to
Middle Tennessee. At Franklin he heard Gen.
Claiborne give his last command to his brigadii-r
generals:
Gentlemen, I have called you lopetlier to say lo you
tliat Gen. Hooil comninnds that Franklin must lie taken.
He says that line of works (scanninf; tlie breastwork-))
must be taken. He says: " I want you. General, and your
staff otflcers to lead your brigades, and impress it on llic
colonels and captains to lead their commands. I. myself,
will lead the division, and the Hrsl man who lircs a gun or
dodges to the rear we will eut his head off and put it on a
pole, and carry it through the streets of Nashville with
' cowardice' branded upon it."
He then waved them off, the battle commenced;
and Gen. Claiborne was killed while storming the
breastworks, as were also Gens. Sniitli and Gran
berry, while many of the officers were mortally
wounded. After this event Mr. Dudley joined
Gen. Forrest at A\'est Point, Miss., and was witii
him at Selma, Ala., during the closing scenes. He
surrendered at Gainesville, Ala., and returne<l to
Tennessee, where he remained for a year, and (hen
moved to Jackson County, Ark., where he com
menced farming. In 18fW he was married, in this
county, to ^liss Mollie Raynor, of Tenne.>«.see.
whose death occun'ed the same year, and, in 1875,
he was maiTiod to Miss Caroline Laster, of Mis
sissippi. In 1878 he made his lirst purchase of
laud and bought 170 acres on a timber tract, which
he immediately set to work improving, and now
has forty acres under cultivation. Mr. Dudley
^ '^
856
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
has always been an active politician, and a valuable
man to the Democratic party. He is very much
interested in educational mutters, and has served on
the school board for some years. In secret socie-
ties he belongs to Thornbiirg Lodge No. 39, A. F.
& A. M. , and has been Worshipful Master, and is
a member of Jackson Chapter No. 40, at Jackson-
port. Four children were born to Mr. Dudley and
his wife: George William, Robert Guilford, Rich-
ard Houston and Mary Louisa. Mr. Dudley has
witnessed a great many changes in the county
during his loDfr residence here, and has noted the
adversity and prosperity of Jackson County, as it
fell and rose fi-om year to year, until now it can take
rank with the foremost through the efPorts of citi-
zens like himself.
Christopher Marion Dudley, farmer and stock
raiser, now residing on Section 18, Township 14,
was born in Bedford County Tenn., near Shelby-
ville, a son of Christopher S. and Louisa Peirce
(Bandy) Dudley, both natives of Tennessee. There
were ten children in this family, Christopher M.
and William being the only ones living in Arkan-
sas. The former was raised on a farm in his na-
tive State, where he attended the public schools,
and also spent several terms at the Academy at
Salem, coming to Arkansas November 7. 1860.
His first purchase was of wild land, which he sold,
and in 1868 or 1869 bought the farm on which
he now resides, clearing and improving the same
himself, and at the present time has upon his
farm good house and stables, besides cotton-gin
and grist-mill. Mr. Dudley is the owner of 746
acres, about 800 acres being cultivated. January
13, 1867, Mr. Dudley married Miss Letitia Bandy,
of Arkansas. They had three sons and one
daughter, George C, Richard Huston, Guilford
and Louisa S. , all of whom have had good school
advantages; and Richard, a graduate of University
of Tennessee, in the wholesale hardware house of
Dudley Bros. & Lipscomb, at Nashville, Tenn.
The other children at home, attending school.
Mrs. Dudley died, and in 1880 he married Mrs.
Sarah P. Maxy {nee Winfred) ; they have one daugh-
ter, Susan Maud. Mr. Dudley is a charter mem-
ber of the Strangers' Home Lodge No. 391, Thorn-
burg, Lawrence County, Ark. He is progressive,
and ready and willing to take an active part in all
enterprises which, in his judgment, are for the
best interests of the county and State. ^
Dr. M. M. Erwin, physician, surgeon and
planter, is a native of East Tennessee, having lieen
born in Knox County, June 8, 1849. His parents
were Wade H. and Melinda (Kincade) Erwin, of
Tennessee, where their parents came from Virginia
about 1812.- The grandfathers on both sides, of
English and Irish descent, were soldiers in the Rev-
olutionary War and the War of 1S12. Mr. Er
win's father was a planter and mechanic, who, in
1852, came with his family to Independence, then
to Lawrence County, and settled a large farm
near Smithville, where he lived till his death, in
1882, his wife having died about three years pre-
vious. He served four years in the late war; was
twice discharged and returned, and closed his
military career after Price' s raid through Missouri.
Five of his sons were in the Confederate service,
all of whom survived without a wound. Our sub-
ject's parents were consistent members of the Bap
tist Church, and his father an honored member of
the Masonic fraternity, a strong temperance man,
an active Democrat in politics, and served as jus-
tice of the peace several terms. The subject of
this sketch, a highly-esteemed citizen of Auvergne,
came to this State thirty-seven years ago. He was
reared to farm life, spending his school days in the
common schools of Arkansas. In 1868 he began
the study of medicine, under Dr. Bevens, of Bates-
ville, Ark. ; was with him several years, when lie
began the practice of his profession in Lawrence,
Craighead, Independence, Cross, and Jackson
Counties. In 1873 he married Miss Kitty A.
Wright, daughter of George W. and Liddia (Old-
ham) Wright, natives of Kentucky. Living in
Lawrence County four years, he moved to Bower" s
Ridge, where he engaged in farming and stock
raising, in connection with his practice, remaining
ten 3'ear8. In November, 18S6, ho removed to
Auvergne, purchased farm and town property, and
in March, 1886, associated with Dr. G. D. Clem-
ents in practice, and also in the conduct of the
drug business, in which connection he still con-
♦^;
a
JACKSON COUNTY.
857
tiiiues. Dr. Erwin is the ninth of a family of
eleven children, and himself has a family of five liv-
ing; Willie Lee, Claude Mayo, Ira H., Dovie and
Josie R. ; those who died were Alabama, Geortre
A. and May. He is a member of Newport Lodge
No. 71, I. O. O. F., is a Democrat in politics, but
conservative, and himself and wife are members of
the Methodist Episcopal Church. He also takes
an active part in supijort of schools, churches and
public enterprises, and is thoroughly familiar with
the development of the country since his residence
here. He was one of the most liberal supporters
of the Auvergne Academy, and one of the board to
guarantee a support of that school until it should
be made permanent. Dr. Erwin has a farm of
620 acres, 285 acres of which are cultivated. He
was one of the tirst to prove that swamp lands
could be successfully drained, and that small fruits
could be successfully grown. One of his farms,
the Wideman farm, was the first land cleared in
the village, and it was done by the Indians.
John T. Flynn, superintendent of the Bates-
ville & Brinkley Railroad, was born in Charleston,
S. C on January 10, 1840, and is a son of John
T. and Louisa (Abram) Flynn. of New York and
South Carolina, respectively. The father went to
South Carolina, and was married in that State,
afterward entering into business, which he carried
on until after the war, when he returned to New
York, where he died in 1881, the mother dying in
South Carolina. They were the parents of live
children, of whom three are yet living, John T.
being the oldest. Young Flynn was l)orn and
reared in Charleston, and received his education
in the public schools of that city. He commenced
railroading at seventeen years of age, entering
into the employ of what is now the Louisville &
Nashville system, where he remained twenty years,
first commencing as clerk in the freight dejiart-
ment. and working himself up to be a division
superintendent of that road. After leaving the
employ of the Louisville & Nashville road, he
went to Texas, and was made superintendent of
the East Line & Red River Railroad for several
years. He was then transferred to the Memphis
& Little Rock Railroad, as agent for ««<<i. v. ,uk
and in JS.S7 Ijccame suiieriulendent of the Hates-
ville & Brinkley Railroad, which position he still
occupies. Mr. Flynn has followed railroading
almost all his life. He is one of the best informed
men in railroad matters now in the State of Arkan-
sas, and has a thorough knowledge of the workings
of every department (Hi his line. He is a genial,
pleasant man, of good address, and very |)opnlar
in that section, where he has a large circle of
friends. In 1869 ho was married to ]\Iiss Eliza-
beth Rasser, of South Carolina, and together they
make their home at Newport, the headquarters of
the road.
Charles Monroe Ford, planter and stock raiser,
of Richwood Township, is a son of William and
Nancy (Bunch) Ford, natives of North Carolina,
and was born May 4, 1846. His parents came to
Jackson County, Ark., in 1854, and in 1855 en-
tered a (juarter section in Section 11, Richwood
Township, but sold this and went to Illinois in
1864. The subject of our sketch was one of a
family of ten childi-en, and received his education
in the schools of the county. He married Miss
Margaret X. Paid.', who had four children: Rob-
ert Newton (born December 14, 1873), Martha A.
(bom November 25, 1875), Nancy E. (born March
15, 1877), William Amos (born December 16,
1878). His first wife died in 1879, and he mar-
ried Miss Eliza Jane Brown, of Tennessee. They
have four children: Charles L. (born A]>ril 6, 1882),
Laura Jane (born September 10, 1885j, James
Arthur (born August 4, 1887) and Rufus L. (Iwrn
April 3, 1889). In 1868 or 1S(S9 Mr. Ford pur-
chased eighty acres of partly improved land on
Section 11, and lived there until 1880, when he
bought the farm on which he now lives. He now
has 160 acres of tine corn and cotton laud, about
sixty-five acres uniinijroved, which is well stocked
with good breeds of cattle and hogs. Mr. Ford
is a member of Newport Lodge No. 397, A. F. &
A. M., has been school director and justice of the
peace, and is now postmaster at Ford jiostolVice.
He takes quite an active part in polities, and id-n
in educational and religions udvnucement.
Rev. W. R. Foster, a member of the \\ lute
River .\iiiinal eonfereiKH' of the Methodist F.pisco
4^
858
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
pal Church, South, aud pastor of the church at
Auvergne Station, is a native of Madison County,
Tenn., born September 16, 1828. His parents
were Elijah B. and Ann (Smith) Foster, natives of
South Carolina and Virginia, respectively; the
father a farmer, and an energetic and prosperous
man, emigrated to Tennessee v^^hen a young man,
and there married. He was magistrate of his
county for several years, and died January 20,
1845, his wife surviving him nine years, and de-
parting this life in March, 1854. They were mem-
bers of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South.
Our siibject is the eldest of six children: W. R. ,
Sarah E., Harriet A., Fannie T., Julia P. and
James L. Foster. W. R. was raised and received
his education in Lauderdale County, Tenn. In
1851 he professed religion and joined the above
named church. In December of the same year he
came to Mississippi County, Ark., with his mother,
where be was engaged in the wood business on the
Mississippi River for two years, after which he
moved, with his mother to Phillips County, Ark.,
where she departed this life in the faith of the
Gospel. He engaged in farming for two years,
and was licensed to preach on the 24th of August,
1855, by the Walnut Bend Quarterly conference,
Helena district, Stephen S. Carlisle, presiding
elder. In September, 1856, he was admitted, on
trial, in the Arkansas Annual conference, as a
traveling preacher, and was appointed to Salem
Mission, where he had good success for a young
preacher, aljout 144 persons being converted to the
Christian religion, and some 200 added to the
Church of God. At the close of that year (1857)
he was appointed to the Lawrenceville circuit,
where he met with some success, about sixty being
brought into the church. In the fall of 1858 he
was appointed to the Smithville circuit, where he
had a good revival of religion, over 100 souls be-
ing converted. In the fall of 1859 he was ap-
pointed to Greensboro Mission, which he served
two years with good success. Jonesboro was then
a young town, and one of his appointments. In
this town he preached the tirst sermon heard there,
in a livery stable, and organized the church in that
(now) city. In the fall of 1861 he was appointed
to the Walnut Bend circuit, where he was licensed
to preach. The war was on, and but little was
done in the work of the ministry. In the fall of
1862 he was appointed to Batesville Station aud
circuit, where he had a good revival of religion, all
over his work. While on this work ho was cap-
tured by the Federal soldiers, and was held in
l^rison one month. While in prison the annual
conference was held, and he was appointed to the
Strawberry circuit. In the fall of 1864 he w/is
appointed to the Smithville circuit, and for three
years he served this work with happy results.
In the fall of 1867 he was appointed jjresiding
elder on the Yellville district, laboring with good
results for three years. In 1870 he was transferred
by Bishop Keener to the White River conference,
and was appointed to Searcy Station, at which
place he met with some success. In the fall of
1871 he was appointed to the Osceola circuit,
where he served two years as pastor. In 1873 he
was appointed presiding elder on the Mississippi
district, which work he served four years with
acceptability. In 1877 he was appointed to the
Helena district, where he served two years. In
1879 he was appointed again to the Mississippi
district, where he served the church four years
longer. In the fall of 1883 he asked Bisho])
Granberry to relieve him from district work and
give him a circixit. The request was granted, and
he was appointed to Jonesboro circuit. The fall of
1884 he was appointed to Greensboro circuit, the
fall of 1885 to Pleasant Hill (now Larado circuit),
and in 1886 to Harrisburg circuit, and on this
work he labored two years, with great success.
In the fall of 1888 he was appointed to Auvergne
Station. Rev. W. R. Foster was ordained deacon
by Bishop Early in September, 1858. On account
of the war the Bishop could not meet the annual
conference, and he was not ordained elder until
September, 1866, by Bishop G. F. Pierce. He
was married, to Miss Mildred E. Barker, on the
11th of December, 1857, she being a native of Rob-
ertson County, Tenn. To them have been born six
children: John C, Matilda A., William R. (died
in early childhood), Dixie L. (a young lady of
twenty-four years), Ida B. (seventeen years), and
Minnie P. (eigbt years). Mr. Foster is a member
of Jonesboro Masonic lodge; also Jonesboro Royal
Arch Chapter, and of R. & S. M., Harrisburg
Council. He was made a Mason in RitcLman
lodge, in Cotton Plant, St. Francis County, Ark.,
in 1858. He is now closing up his thirty-third
year's work in the ministry, all in the State of Ar-
kansas. He never has been a supernumerary, nor
a superannuated preacher, and he loves the itiner-
ant ministry today as he loves his own life. Many
have told him they would be stars in his crown
when they get home to Heaven.
Josejih P. Foushee, farmer and stock raiser of
Union Township, Jackson County, is a son of Lloyd
and Mary (Lambert) Foushee, natives of North Car-
olina, the father being of French descent. Our sub-
ject's paternal grandfather, Elijah Foushee, a na-
tive of Paris, France, came to America in 1774, and
participated in our Revolutionary War, supposedly
under the immediate command of Gen. Washington.
Daniel Foushee, brother of Lloyd, and Joab and
Eli Lambert, uncles of our subject, participated
in the War of 1812. George Washington Foushee
and Elijah Foushee were in the War of 1861, Eli-
jah being present at the surrender of Gen. R. E.
Lee, at Appomattox, in 1805. Joseph P. Foushee
was a member of the North Carolina militia, with
the rank of captain, at the breaking out of the
Civil War, which position ho tilled for three years,
in Company B, Sixth Regiment, North Carolina
Infantry. Home Guards. William F. Foushee,
being colonel of militia, retained that position in
the Home Guards for about three years. Elijah
Foushee. the grandfather, married ]\Iiss Anna
Stewart, in Chatham County, N. C. They had a
family of ten children. Joseph F. married Miss
Fanni(> Sanders, of Irish descent, a native of North
Carolina, and they have had six children: James
(born December 8, 1848), William A. (born in
1852), Mary (married Thomas J. Sconyers, of Ala-
bama), Fannie E. (married William Harwell),
Eliza P. (married John Baker, of Tennessee), and
George V. (at home). Mr. Foushee has had some
education, and has given all his children good
schooling, providing for them liberally as they have
grown up, married, and left home, but still has
plenty, owning 040 acres of good average cotton
land. As an instance of Mr. Foushee' a kindheart-
edness, may be mentioned the fact that he is now
raising and providing for two orphan children, and
a place in this volume may well bo accorded such
an individual. Mr. Foushee is a member of the
American Legion of Honor, of the Royal Arcaniim.
and of the Missionary Baptist Church, his wife an.!
the members of his family also belonging to the
latter.
N. M. Gardner was bom in Henderson County,
West Tenn., July 7, 1830, the son of Joseph and
Elizabeth (McLernan) Gardner, natives of North
Carolina, who at an early day, in 182 1, moved to
Henderson County, Tenn., and engaged in farm-
ing. Mr. Gardner, though an uneducated man,
by hard work accumulated quite a property, own-
ing 3,000 acres at the time of his death, which
occurred in Tennessee, at the age of seventy years,
his excellent wife dying some years later. Grand-
father Joseph Gardner served in the Revolution-
ary war. Our subject, the sixth in a family of
ten, was raised on the farm, and aided in clearing
up the land; he was educated in the subscription
schools of Tenno.?see. In 1859 he came to Jackson
County, settling in Bird Township, where he bought
400 acres of land, sixty-five acres being cleared;
after clearing sixty acres more, he sold the land,
and in 180'.) engaged in the mercantile lousiness, in
which he is now engaged, as the proprietor of a
general store, carrying a full line of groceries, dry
goods, and shelf hardware; this was the (irst store
opened in the place. Mr. Gardner also has a farm
of 475 acres, 251) being under cultivation, on
which are raised principally cotton, corn and oat.s.
and some stock. June 23, 1857. our subject mar-
ried Lavinia R. Hardgrave. of Madison Connty,
Tenn.. daughter of F. R. and Melvina (Woodfolk)
Hardgrave, of Tennessee. Her father came to
Jackson County, in 1800, his death occurring at
Kenyou, in 1878, his wife dying in Tennessee.
They have two children: Emerson D., attending
Batesville College, and Mattio Lou, attending the
public school at Batesville, where th(> family
reside during the school year. Mr. Gardner also
owning property in that place. Mr. (lardner is a
T'
\
^k
860
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
Democrat, having been brought out by the party
as representative, and made a strong run. He is
a member of Tuckerman Lodge No. 192, and
was made a Mason in Tennessee. He is practi-
cally a self-made man, having made what he has
by his own efforts, and has always been actively
interested in eveiything, for the good of the county,
aiding liberally in all pixblic enterprises.
Eugene Bailey Gillim, farmer and stock raiser,
residing in the village of Swifton, Jackson County,
is a native of Daviess County, Ky., having been
born October 3, 1849. His parents were Hamilton
B. and Middle Gillim. Our subject was raised on
a farm in Kentucky, and received his education in
that State at Pleasant Valley High School. He
made his home in Independence, and taught several
terms in Independence County during the summer
months, working on a farm during the remainder
of the year. In 1874 he came to Jackson County,
rented a farm near Tupelo, where he put in crops
in 1874 and 1875. Mr. Gillim came to Swifton in
1878, and engaged in mercantile business with Mr.
A. D. Bailey, bought Mr. Bailey's interest in 1879,
and finally sold ont to H. P. Mortensen. He pros-
pected for a location, and finally invested in lots
at Morrillton, remained there about nine months,
when he sold his property at a nice profit, and in
1880 returned to Jackson County and bought 480
acres of land, abont twenty acres improved, where
he moved his family, and now has 125 acres under
cultivation. In 1888 he erected the comfortable
house in Swifton in which he resides, working on it
at odd times when not engaged in farm work. His
first wife was Miss Clara B. Caviness, of Jackson
County, a native of Tennessee, by whom he had two
children, one. Gorilla, born August 26, 1875, now
living. Mrs. Gillim died February 11, 1878, and
in 1879 he married Miss Willie E. Moon; they
have four children: Otis Eugene, born June 10,
1880; Julia, born January 21, 1883; John M.,
born May 19, 1886, and Robert L., born March
10, 1888. Mr. and Mrs. Gillim are members of
the Christian Church at Swifton. Mr. Gillim is
a member of Thornburg Lodge No. 371, Stranger's
Home, Lawrence County, Ark. , and is a supporter
of all worthy movements.
J. M. Glass, Sr. , planter and stock raiser,
Swifton, Ark. Mr. Glass, who is also numbered
among the first-class farmers and stock raisers of
the county, came originally from Fayette County,
111. , where he was born in 1829. He was one of
the first settlers of this township, after whom it
was named, and the only original settler living in
the same. He was the fifth of six children born to
Elisha W. and Eleanor (Taylor) Glass, natives of
the Old Dominion, but both of whom were reared
in Illinois near Golconda, Gallatin County. Elisha
Glass came with his father, Dudley Glass, to Illi-
nois in 1802, but went to Tennessee in 1820, and
settled in Weakley County, of that State. He
was there married, and there remained, engaged in
farming, until in September, 1829, when he bought
land and settled in Fayette County, 111. He im-
proved several farms, but in 1845 moved to Miller
County, Mo., settling in Rich wood Township,
where his death occurred in 1851. His wife after-
ward moved to Hill County, Texas, and died in
April, 1884. The paternal grandfather of the sub-
ject of this sketch moved to Fayette County, 111. ,
at an early day, where he died, in 1843, at the age
of sixty-six years. He was a soldier in the Semi-
nole War. J. M. Glass, Jr., was taught the
duties of farm life during boyhood, and received a
fair education in the district schools of Illinois.
He went with his parents to Miller County, Mo. ,
was engaged in clearing and developing the farm,
and in 1850 made his way to Jackson County,
Ark., and settled in Bird Township. During the
fall of 1851-52 he taught school on Black River,
and boarded with Henry Miller. In the last named
year he entered eighty acres of land near Inde-
pendence County, but later sold that, then invested
in more land in 1854, again sold out, and from
1854 to 1857 was engaged in the real estate bus-
iness. In 1856 he purchased 167 acres of land,
and commenced improving the same, erecting a
cabin and planting a good orchard. From time to
time he added to this farm, until he now owns 467
acres with 150 acres under cultivation. At the
beginning of the war he was the owner of 800
acres but afterward sold some of this. He was
elected county surveyor in 1860, serving until
'C (
'->£
JACKSON COUNTY.
801
1802, and iu July of that year enlisted in Com-
pany A, in Capt. Henry's company, and was
mustered into service at Clover Bend, Lawrence
County, Ark. He participated in the battle of
Prairie Grove, and was in many skirmishes while
on detached duty. In the fall of 18(53 he was
sent home on recruiting service by orders of Gen.
Smith, and organized a company of which he was
elected first lieutenant, serving thus until Novem-
ber, ISG-t, when he was made adjutant, serving in
that capacity until the close of the war. He was
in Thomas H. McCray's brig.ide, was with Gen.
Price on his raid through Missouri and Arkansas,
and was in active service until the close of the war.
He surrendered the company at Jacksonport, June
5, 1865, after which he returned to the duties on
the farm. He was married, in Jackson County, on
the 7th of November, 1857, to Miss Amanda K.
Bandy, a native of Bedford County, Tenn. , and
nine children were born to them, four now living,
viz. : Fannie, born October 18, 1858, and is now
Mrs. A. Catlett, Prairie Grove, Ark. ; John M. ,
born February 10, 1863, and is at home; Lucy E. ,
born December 25, 1800, and Carrie A., born in
Jiily, 1873: E. W. died in 1880, at the age of
twenty years; two died in infancy: Samuel died in
1875, at the age of five years, and George died in
188-1, at the age of four years. After his mar-
riage Mr. Glass located on his present fine farm,
and there he has since remained. He is quite act-
ive in politics, and votes with the Democratic
party. He discharged such duties as were incum-
bent upon the ofiice of justice of the peace in
1858 and 1860, and has always taken an eixrnest
part in all educational affairs, having served on
the school board for about twelve years. He re-
sided for a short time in Izard County, for the
purpose of educating his children, and in this he
has been successful.
George W. Goddard is the popular proprietor
of the Planters' Hotel, at Newport, Ark., and is a
native of Wayne County, N. Y., born on the 2d of
December, 1840. He is one of six living members
of a family of eight children born to Edwin P. and
Maria (Fillmore) Goddard. and is their third child
in order of birth. He was reared and educated in
York State, and like the majority of natives of the
" Empire State" he is intelligent and enterpris-
ing. After making his home with his parents
until he attained his majority, he went to Leaven-
worth, Kan., where he was employed in the (quar-
termaster's and sutler's department for several
years during the war, and he was thereafterward
employed on the construction of the Kansas Pa-
cific Railroad for some time. His next enterprise
was to engage in the hotel business, at Salina,
Kan. , but this enterprise he gave up, after a short
time, to go to Old Mexico, where he spent a year
or two in investigating a mining interest. Subse-
quently he opened and developed the Bellville
Zinc Mines, in Jasper County, Mo., putting up
the improved reduction works, and these mines he
operated, with good results, for several years. His
nest business enterprise was to engage as a clerk
in a hotel at Joplin, Mo., and from this point he
returned to Old Mexico. After a time he settled
in Little Rock, Ark. , where he became manager of
the Doming House, continuing in this capacity for
about three years. The following year he ran a
hotel at Hot Springs, Ark., and in the month of
October, 1887, he came to Newport, and took con-
trol of the Planter's Hotel, which is a strictly first-
class house. His establishment contains forty
rooms, and the meals he serves are always of the
best quality, and are palatable and well cooked.
Mr. Goddard is connected with the mining in-
terests of Marion County, and his mine gives
promise of becoming one of the finest in the United
States. Socially, Mr. Goddard is a momlier of the
K. of P. He was married, in 1888, to Mrs. P. V.
Sparks, the former proprietress of the Windsor
Hotel. Edwin P. Goddard and wife were born in
the State of New York, and in 1850 they emigrat
ed to Knox County, 111., and until 1800 were resi-
dents of Abingdon. In the latter year they re
moved to Leavenworth, Kan., where the father
died in 1867, still survived by his widow, who re
sides in that city.
Andrew J. Greenhaw (deceased), a native of
Alabama, was born November 20, 1813. His
fatlier, (Jabriel Greenhaw. who was l)orn August 0,
1783. fiiiiif li> this country from tiie easterr\ sliores
862
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
of Scotland, and, after living in Alabama, removed
to Mississippi, v^here be died. Andrew J. located
in Jackson County, Ark., about 1840, where, for
several years, he rented land and carried on farm-
ing. In 1850 he settled on the farm upon which
his widow now resides, in Village Township, which,
at the time of his purchase, was entirely unim-
proved, and covered with forest trees. He hung
up a log-chain to mark the place for his cabin,
which he afterward erected in the most crude way.
He then went to work to clear and cultivate his
land, which required years of labor and economy,
but his toil was rewarded, for at the time of his
death he owned in all 640 acres of land, of which
200 acres were under cultivation. He devoted his
time and attention entirely to farming and stock
raising, and became a prominent man of Jackson
County. During the war he was a member of the
Home Guards, but saw no active service. After
the war he was elected county treasiu'er, and also
served as coroner. Mr. Greenhaw was married
March 5, 1844. to Lucinda Pistole, daughter of
David Pistole, a native of Virginia, who emigrated
to Middle Tennessee, and thence to New Madrid
County, Mo., where he died. Mr. and Mrs. Green-
haw were the parents of nine children, five of whom
are living, viz. : James A. , born in December,
1847 (married September 27, 1866, to Mattie E.
George); Mary, born July 1, 1851 (now the wife
of Robert A. Spinks) ; Susan, born October 6, 1852
(wife of Rev. E. A. Garrison, of Trinidad, Col.);
Isaac N. , born May 27, 1854, and John, born Janu-
ary 15, 1860. Those deceased were Lucy A., born
December 18, 1844, died in February, 1846; Will-
iam D., born March 20, 1846, died June 9, 1859;
Anthony, born April 25, 1849, died November 24,
1877, and Nicholas, born August 31, 1855, died at
Center Point, Tex., May 16, 1884. The father
died February 22, 1872, and his widow is still liv-
ing on the homestead. The Greenhaw family now
have in their possession 800 acres of land, of which
400 acres are under cultivation. The land is all in
one tract, and the different members of the family
all have their homes upon it. The principal prod-
ucts are corn and cotton, and some attention is
paid to stock raising. They are enterprising and
successful farmers, and an honor to the parent, who
was one of Jackson County's jiioneers.
Benjamin F. Grimes, farmer and stock raiser,
now residing on Section 6, and owning land on
Sections 5, 6, 8 and 17, is a son of Lewis and
Ruthy B. (Embry) Grimes, natives of Kentucky.
Lewis was a son of James and Sallie Bryan (Boone)
Grimes, natives of Virginia, Sallie Grimes being: a
sister of Daniel Boone, the Kentucky pioneer. The
subject of our sketch was born in Fayette County,
Ky. , March 24, 1836, receiving his education
partly in the private schools of his native State;
he also attended the State Normal School, of Col-
umbia, S. C. , and finished his education at Bethany
College, Virginia, in 1854, when he returned home,
where he engaged in farming and stock raising,
finding a market for his horses and mules in South
Carolina. In 1860 he purchased 122 acres of land
in Bourbon and Nicholas Counties. June 5, 1861,
he enlisted in Company I, Forty-eighth Regiment
Volunteer Infantry, Confederate States Army,
serving fourteen months as a private, when he re-
ceived a commission from the secretary of war of the
Confederate States of America, to raise a regiment,
which was mustered into service in November,
1862, and was ordered to McMinnville, Tenn., un-
der Gen. John H. Morgan, and finally entered the
secret service. In the winter of 1863 Col. Grimes
was captured, taken to Lexington, Ky. , and thrown
into what was known as Gen. John H. Morgan's
nigger prison; he was kept there ten days, when
he was transferred to Kemper Barracks, Cincinnati,
where he was kept in solitary confinement four
months and twenty-three days, during which time
he was court-martialed and sentenced to death on
Johnson's Island, in Lake Erie, but six hours be-
fore the time for the execution he made his escape
by bribing the guards with money given him by a
lady friend, and by sliding down a lightning-rod,
hand over hand, thirty feet. He took the train for
St. Louis, but, fearing danger, stopped off at Law-
rence Station, 111. During his long service. Col.
Grimes participated in the battles of Piketon,
Chancellorsville, South Mountain, Antietam, seven
days' fight before Richmond, Si^ottsylvania, Hart-
ersville, Perryville, and many skirmishes, toonum-
r
'i'h
erous to mention. April 4, 1882, Col. Grimes
married Mrs. Hebe (Grayson) Butler, daiifrJiter of
Col. William P. B. Grayson, of Kentucky, who
was a sou of Robert Harri.son Grayson. Col.
Grimes is a member of the Christian Church, his
wife being a member of the Episcopal, having been
confirmed with her father, at his death-bed, in
1873, by Bishop Cummings.
John Q. Guynn, who resides near Newport, in
Jacksou County, came to Arkansas from Christian
County, Ky. , in 1861. He is a son of Eandolph
and Elizabeth (Collins) Guynn, the latter of whom
died in Jacksonport, Ark., February 27, 1887, and
is buried in the cemetery near Jacksonport. John
Q. Guynn was born June 0, 1832, and lived in
Kentucky until he emigrated to Arkansas, in 1861,
as before stated. He received his edncation in the
Counties of Trigg and Christian, of his native State.
January 13, 1857, he married Miss Catherine
Stenibaugh, a native of Trigg County, Ky. To
them were born two children: John M. (born
March 8, 1858, in Trigg County, Ky. ) and Will-
iam A. (born March 6, 1868.) John M. Guynn
was married December 15, 1882, to Miss Miimie
Pistole, of Jacksonport, Jackson County; he is
now employed in the freight depot of the St. Louis
& Iron Mountain Railroad. Mr. Guynn first en-
gaged in farming, on rented land, and has ever since
devoted his attention to the pursuit of agriculture,
with the exception of two years, during which he
served in the Confederate army. His first pur-
chase of land was in 1862, and consisted of 160
acres in Cache Township, Jackson County, which
was cultivated land. In 1872 he sold out and
bought 300 acres in Sections 24 and 25, Jefferson
Township, upon which were some small improve-
ments. He now has about 160 acres under culti-
vation, has erected four good tenant houses and
two dwellings, one of the dwelling-houses being
built for his son John M., and the other by him-
self. Mr. Guynn is now renting his farm, which
is situated midway between Jacksonport and New-
port. Ho at present leases a farm about one mile
east of Newport, where he has lived a year and a
half. After the death of his first wife our subject
married Mrs. Eliza (Holdby) Pistole, March 11,
1878. They are members of the Shiloh congrega-
tion of the Christian Church, at Deaz. Mr. (iuyiiu
is also a member of Jacksonport Lodge No. IWI,
A. F. & A. M., and also belongs to Jacksonport
Chapter No. 40, K. A. M.
Howell Jesse Hale, a farmer and stock raiser,
residing on Section 34, in Grublis Township, Jack-
son County, came to Arkansas when about four
years of age with his parents. John and Jane
(Tatum) Hale, both natives of Georgia. John Halo
located in IndeiJendence County about 1853, and of
the four children born to himself and wife Imt two
are now living, our subject and a sister, who mar-
ried Mr. T. M. Owens, and now lives in Indian
Territory, near Oklahoma. Mr. H. J. Hale was
born January 30, 1854. He married Miss Nancy
C. Sullens, a native of Arkansas, who was lx>rn
and luarried on the place now owned by Mr. Hale.
She died in 1880, the mother of two children, one
of whom, Julia A., died in 1876; the other. James,
was born in 1877. In 1885 Mr. Hale married Miss
Nora Kobin.son, of Jackson County. To the latter
union have been born two children, of whom Al-
berta died in 1887, and Clara, born June 4, 1888,
still survives. After the death of his first wife
Mr. Hale came into possession of her old home-
stead, which she inherited from her father, con-
taining 355 acres, to which Mr. Hale has adiled
460 acres. He now has 260 acres under cultivation
and has erected upon the place seven tenant houses,
as well as good barns, a cotton-gin, and saw and
corn-mill. In clearing his land Mr. Hale uses
such of the timber as will make a good quality of
lumber for l)uilding purposes, for which he fincN a
ready market in the neighborhood and adjoining
townshi]>s. He is a meml)er of Newport Lixlge
A. F. & A. M., and also belongs to that Christian
Church known as Robinson's Chapel.
Isaac W. Hankins, by occupation a fanner and
stock raiser, was born in (ieorgia. ami when but
three years of age came to Arkansas with his par-
ents. Elijah and Celia (Brock) Hankins, both na-
tives of Georgia. The [larents located in Craig
head County, Ark., in 1856. removing to Jackson
County, in 1864. where they rented the McElrath
farm in Grubbs Township, upon which they liveil
864
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
two or three years, and afterward moved to a place
in Village Township, known as the Quails farm,
where both died, the mother surviving her husband
only three years . To this worthy couple were born
nine children, whose names in the order of their
birth are as follows: J. W. , born in 1853; Winnie,
R., born in 1858; Mintia D., born in 1879; Melia,
born in 1881; Noria F., born in 1886, and Strator
W. , born in 1889. Isaac W. Hankins, the only
son, received the most of his education in the
common schools of Village Township. Mr. Han-
kins married Miss Winnie K. Freeman, a native of
Johnson County, Ark., and took his bride to a
home he had prepared on a small farm on Section
28, Grubbs Township, Jackson County, where they
commenced life, living there about five years.
Three of their children were born on this place.
In 1882 Mr. Hankins rented the farm upon which
he now lives, on Section 29, which he purchased
in 1885. Mr. and Mrs. Hankins have had six chil-
dren, of whom but four are living, two having died
in infancy. Those living are Mintia D.. Melia A.,
Nora and Strator. The parents are both members
of the Christian Church, worshiping with the
congregation at Robinson's Chapel. Mr. Hankins
is also a member of the Wheel, an organization for
the promotion of the interests of the farmers.
J. A. Harlan. One of the best examples of
enterprise to be seen in Jacksonport is the busi-
ness of Mr. Harlan. This gentleman was born in
Hardeman County, Tenn. , on January 1, 1851, and
is a son of David and Sarah (McMuUeu) Harlan,
of North Carolina, who emigrated to Tennessee
shortly after their marriage, where they remained
several years, and from there to Mississippi, where
the father died in 1855. After his death the
mother returned to Tennessee, where she is still
residing. They were the paients of five children,
of whom four are yet living: Cullen M. , Idotha
(wife of Guy Smith), Bettie (wife of Dr. J.
M. Higlin) and John A. The mother of the.se
children was three times married, and by her j
second husband had one daughter, Jennie Black.
John A. was reared principally in Tennessee, and
received his education in that State. In 1869
he came to Jacksonport, and was engaged in |
farming for five years. He afterward embarked
in commercial life, and became one of the lead-
ing business men of that city, as well as one of the
most popular men, socially. He carries a fine stock
of general merchandise, and has earned a rep-
utation for square dealing, the best goods and
lowest prices, that has enabled him to build up a
large patronage in Jackson County. In 1880 Mr.
Harlan was married to Miss Lulu Simpson, by
whom he has had three children : Cullen D. , Elden
B. and Ethel A. He is a member of the Masonic
fraternity and Legion of Honor, as well as the
Knights of Honor. Besides his mercantile inter-
ests, he owns several hundred acres of valuable
land, and altogether enjoys a liberal prosperity.
B. F. Harris was the third in the family of five
children born to John and Jane (Goodi-ich) Harris,
and his birth occurred in Madison County, Tenn. ,
in 1856. The parents were natives of Tennessee.
John Harris was a planter by occupation, and set
tied in Glass Township, Jackson County, Ark., in
1860, purchasing 400 acres of land, which he partly
improved, and which was his home until his death,
in December, 1872; his wife died in 1870. Of the
children, two are living beside our subject: J. G.,
who resides iu Jackson County, and Elizabeth E.,
now Mrs. Hill, living at Swifton. B. F. Harris was
reared to the pursuit of farming, receiving his ed-
ucation in the district schools of Jackson County.
He aided his father in clearing and improving tlie
home farm, and commenced farming for himself
on the same tract. Mr. Harris was married in
Jackson Coimty, in 1880, to Emma J. Moon, a
native of Calhoun County, Ark., and their three
children are John Leroy, Thomas Edwin, and
Tennessee. After his marriage, our subject set-
tled where he now resides, near the village of
Swifton, where he owns 160 acres of good farm
land, of which 100 acres are under cultivation.
He pays considerable attention to stock raising,
owning some valuable stock. Mr. and Mrs. Har-
[ ris are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church,
South, and well known in the township, where
they are highly esteemed. Politically, Mr. Harris
is a Democrat in his political preferences, though
he takes no active interest in politics.
e; -
JACKSON COUNTY.
m;:,
Albert Walter Harris, farmer and stock raiser,
of Breckinridge Towaship, was born March 25,
1859, in Alabama. His parents were Fletcher Har-
ris (born in Alabama, in 183:^, died in 1877) and
Sallie A. (Walls) Harris, of Alabama (born in 1836,
and died January 29, 1889). Our subject was ed-
ucated in the public schools of Jackson County,
Ark. Upon the death of his father, he came into
possession of some sixty acres of the old homestead,
twenty-five acres of which were cultivated. He
now owns 220 acres of land, forty acres cultivated.
At one time, in company with his brother, James,
he engaged in the mercantile business, erecting a
building on the homestead, where they continued
six years, moving to Tupelo in 1885, and selling out
in 1888. In 1883 Mr. Harris married Miss Martha
Ellen Rotenburg, of Alabama; they have three
children: Laura Jane (born in November, 1883),
Maud Ethel (born February 11, 1885) and Lena
(born May 14, 1887.) Mr. Hairis is a Democrat,
public-spirited and progressive, taking an active
interest in things educational, social and religious.
George C. Harrison, planter and miller, is a
native of Mississippi, and was born March 23,
1834. His parents were natives of Tennessee, and,
both dying before our subject was one year old, he
was raised by an uncle — G. C. Harrison. He
lived on a farm, never attending school, and the
considerable knowledge he has was gathered since
his majority. At the age of nineteen he began life
for himself, engaging in farming as an overseer, in
Prairie County, Ark., where he remained till 1857.
He has been three times married — in 1853 to Miss
Mary Henderson, of St. Francis County, Ark. They
had one child, Arthur, the wife dying in 1857.
In 1863 he married Miss Sarah Bray, of St. Fran-
cis County, daughter of Henry and Fanny Bray,
the father a farmer and Baptist minister. By this
union there were four children: Delia (died at fif-
teen), Henry, \\'illiam, and George (married and
living in Jackson). Mi-s. Harrison died in 1882,
and in 1884 Mr. Harrison married Mrs. Sumette
Mallory, widow of James Mallory, who had two
children, Anna and Hannah O., aged fifteen and
twelve years. In 1872 Mr. Harrison came to ,
Centerville, Jackson County, Ark., whore he lived
live years, and in 1877 bought ninety-one acreH of
new land, which he cleared, later adding forty
acres to it, and has 100 acres of cleared land. He
has since added forty acres to that, making 171
acres in that farm in Union Township. In 1885
he gave his wife a farm of eighty-five acres, sev-
enty-five of which are cleared, lying half a mile
northwest of Auvergne. Together, they now own
570 acres, 350 of which are now under cultiva-
tion. In 1882 he began ginning cotton with his
own machinery, on his farm, in Union Townshij),
insured his customers against loss l)y fire, and in
October, 1885, the gin, together with eighteen bales
of his customers' cotton and three bales of his own,
were totally destroyed by fire, being a totjil loss.
In 1886 he built his present gin and the grist mill
at Auvergne. This gin is the best in Jackson
County, having a capacity of fifteen bales. He
does a general ginning business, and buys his ten-
ants' crops. In 1861 our subject enlisted in the
Thirteenth Arkansas Regiment, was made lieuten-
ant of Company B, serving one year, when he was
discharged. He re-enlisted in Capt. Anderson's
company, Col. Dobbins' regiment, where he served
until the surrender, in 1865. He was never
wounded, but in the battle of Belmont, in which he
was engaged, seven bullets were sent through his
clothing. He was with Gen. Price on his raid
through Missouri, and was at the battle of Lexing
ton. He was also at the battle of Pilot Knob, and
the last skirmish was at Fayetteville, Ark., in the
winter of 1864. Mr. Harrison votes the Democratic
ticket, and is conservative; is a member of the Ma-
sonic order, of the Knights of Honor and the A.
L. of H. He and his wife are members of the
Baptist and Presbyterian Churches, respectively.
He also contributes to the support of the cliurches,
schools, and all other enterprises for the good of
the county.
J. Y. Harrison, a prosperous and enterprising
farmer of Jefferson Township, was born in Chris
tian County, Ky., near Hoi>kiusville, on tbe 22d of
April, 1847. His parents were Robert nn<l Isabella
(Means) Harrison, the father a native of Tennessee
and the mother from Kentucky. The elder Hnr
rison moved to Kentuckv in his voiith, and was
^_^
866
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
afterward married in that State, taking his bride
to Arkansas in 1850, and locating in Jackson
■ County, near Jacksonport. He entered a tract of
land in Bird Township, where he commenced cul-
tivating the soil, and remained until his death in
1874. The mother yet survives him as well as
five children: Margaret, wife of A. D. Anderson;
James, Robert, Frank and Mary, the latter mar-
ried to C. B. Coe. J. Y. Harrison, one of the
sons, came to Arkansas when only three years of
age, and grew to manhood in this State, receiving
in the meantime the best education afforded by
the schools of that period. He left his parents
when eighteen years old, in 1867, with 85 cents
in money. He has always made farming his voca-
tion, and after his marriage located on a tract of
land in Bird Township, where he resided and cul-
tivated the soil until 1863, when he removed to
his present residence and rented land up to 1881,
and then biiying 160 acres. He now owns 740
acres of some of the most valuable land in that
section, and has 320 acres under cultivation, 180
acres of which were cleared and improved by him-
self alone. The principal crop is corn and cotton,
and of the former this year he has had 300 acres,
and 200 acres of the latter. Besides his farm Mr.
Harrison deals extensively in stock, having
splendid facilities for that business, and raises
some of the finest horses, cattle and mules in that
section. He also owns a cotton-gin, grist and
saw-mill, and raises some grass for the market. In
1869 he was married to Miss Mary Hunter, by
whom he has had eight children: Emma, Ida,
Minnie. Norah and Pinkey (both deceased). Ber-
tha, Spriggs and Cleveland. In politics Mr. Har-
rison is a Democrat, and a valuable man to his
party, as well as a popiilar citizen of his county.
Robert H. Harvey, planter and stock raiser, was
born in North Carolina, in 1830, the third in a
family of nine children of William and Josephine
(Harrington) Harvey, of North Carolina. Will-
iam came to Jackson County, in 1850, settling in
Bird Township, where he juade his permanent
home, dying in 1885 at the age of eighty-two. His
wife died some years ago. Of the family there
are living Emma (now Mrs. Poe), Robert, Simeon
(of Oregon), Benjamin (of Oregon), and W. R. ,
who has a large farm in the upper part of Jack-
son County. Our subject was raised on the farm,
received his education in the subscription schools
of Tennessee, and came to Jackson Count}* at
the age of twenty and engaged in overseering on
plantations for nine years. In 1859 he married
Mary B. Palmer, daughter of Samuel and Louisa
(Means) Palmer, of Kentucky (both deceased),
who came to Jackson County in 1850. After his
marriage he entered forty acres of land where he
now resides, on which he planted an orchard, and
otherwise improved and added to it, until now
he has 400 acres, with about 200 under cultiva-
tion, raising cotton and corn, and grade stock.
Mr. Harvey is a Democrat, has been road overseer,
and always takes an active interest in school work,
and aids liberally in public enterprises. In 1869
Mrs. Harvey died, leaving three children: Herbert
(killed at Tuckerman, in 1879), Samuel and Mag-
gie B. (now Mrs. Shoat, residing in Texas). In
February, 1878, Mr. Harvey married Josephine
Thomas, of Tennessee, daughter of Columbus and
Elizabeth (Long) Thomas, of South Carolina,
early settlers of Tennessee. Mrs. Harvey has had
two children, both deceased. On his farm Mr.
Harvey has a cotton-gin and grist-mill, and does
I a general business for people in the vicinity.
William R. Harvey, a planter and stock raiser,
of Glass Township, Jackson County, is one of the
pioneer settlers of that county. He was born in
Hardeman County, Tenn., in 1843, and was the
tenth in a family of thirteen children born to Will-
iam M. and Josephine (Blunt) Harvey, natives of
North Carolina. AA'illiam M. Harvey settled in
I Hardeman County, Tenn., in an early day; he
owned and operated there a large plantation until
1849, when he emigrated to Jackson County, Ark.,
entering land in Bird Township. He cut a road to
his claim, upon which he erected a small log cabin
and commenced clearing and injproving his land;
this was his home until 1872, in which year he
went to Oregon, remaining in that State until
1876, when he returned to Jackson County, where
I he spent the remainder of his life, his death oc-
curring in August, 1886. The mother of our sub-
^Izz^
JACKSON COUNTY.
8(57
ject died iu 1860. William R. was reared on the
farm, and receivod the limited advantages of the
subscription schools, assisting his father in the
meantime in clearing the farm. In 1862 he en-
listed in the Confederate army, Capt. Hooker's com-
pany, for two years, and was assigned to Gen. Van-
Dorn's bodyguard, being afterward transferred to
John McRay' s brigade, Col. Young's regiment; he
was in the battles of Prairie Grove, Eockfence, Pilot
Knob, Jefferson City, and was with Gen. Price on
his raid through Missouri and Arkansas, to Fay-
etteville. At the close of the war Mr. Harvey re-
turned to Jackson County and engaged in farm-
ing, purchasing a tract of 280 acres in Bird Town-
ship, which was partly improved; in 1880 he -sold
out and removed to Glass Township, where he
first bought 440 acres, upon which was considera-
ble improvement, and to which he has since added
until he now owns iu all 700 acres, with over 220
acres under cultivation, one of the finest stock
farms in the township, as it is well watered. Mr.
Harvey devotes a good deal of attention to stock
raising, owning about sixty head of cattle, forty
horses, and a large drove of hogs. He annually
raises about 100 acres of cotton. Mr. Harvey was
married, in Bird Town.ship, in 1865, to Miss Eliza
Bettisworth, who was bom iu Tennessee, and
is a daughter of George and Sarah (Anderson)
Bettisworth, natives of Kentucky, who removed to
Independence County, Ark. , in 1850. Mr. Bettis-
worth, who was a saddler by trade, died in 1855;
his widov,', who removed to Pocahontas, Randolph
County, in ISGLdied in 1880. Five children have
been born to Mr. and ^Irs. Harvey, viz: Joseph,
AVilliam, Sydney, Arthur, and Ross (who died in
1877, at the age of four years). Mr. Harvey is an
active jwliticiau, working and voting with the Demo-
cratic party. He is an enterprising farmer, and fully
alive and interested in the advancement and de-
velopment of the county.
Dr. W. H. Heard. One of the earliest physi-
cians to settle in Jackson County was Dr. Heard,
who was born in Chicot County, on June 13, 1840.
He is a son of John and Harriet N. (Hardy) Heard,
of Georgia and Kentucky, respectively. The ma-
ternal grandfather was a colonel in the Warof 1812,
who was one of the earliest settlers, and died in
Jackson County. Dr. Heard's father, John Heard,
was an extensive planter in Drew County, where
he died during the war, the mother dying some
time previous. They were the parents of six chil-
dren, two of whom are .still living: Dr. William
H. and Emma (wife of Samuel Holloway). The
Doctor was reared on the plantation in Arkansas,
and was comiiaratively young when his parents
died. He was attending school at the Georgetown
College, in Kentucky, when the War of the Rebel
lion began, but when the news came info the
school-room his youthful ardor was fired with the
ambition to become a soldier, and he exchanged
the books and orders of his spectacled profes.sor to
shoulder the musket and listen to the drumbeat
and cannon. He enlisted in Company D, of the
First Arkansas regiment, and .served through the
entire war, taking part in the battles of Farming
ton, Murfreesboro, Chickamauga, Perryville, cam-
paigning through Georgia and iu the retreat at
Franklin, where he was captured and taken pris-
oner to Camp Douglas. He was here confined for
six months, and then taken to the city of New Or-
leans and exchanged, and at Natchez received his
parole. During his many battles he received a
number of wounds, but hap])ily recovered from all
of them, and lives to day to recount to his children
the scenes of his struggle for the lost cause. After
the war was over he returned to Jackson County,
and began the .study of mi'dieine, and in lS<>i)
graduated from the University of Louisville, an<l
immediately commenced practicing. After an ar
duous practice of seven years he went to New
York City in the fall of 1870, attended lectures
at Bellevue Hospital Medical College, and received
an ad eiiitdem diploma from that institution in the
spring of 1877. Up to the present time no man
in the jirofession has exceeded his reputation lis a
skillful physician and surgiou, and, as a conse-
quence, his practice is one of the largest in Jack-
•son County. Dr. Heard was chosen a.s acting as-
sistant surgeon of the United States Marine Hospi
tal, and has held that position since 1S82. He i.s
a member of the State Meilical So<uety, and has
served on the board of examiners for some time.
868
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
and iu 1878 he was elected county treasurer, and
served one term. In 1879 the Doctor was married
to Miss Mattie Foushee, by whom he has had two
children: Kate P. and Walter L. He is a Royal
Arch Mason, and a member of the Knights of
Pythias, also the Royal Arcanum and Knights of
Honor. Politically, the Doctor is a Democi'at, and
one of the strongest supporters of that party. He
attends the Methodist Church, and is also one of
the directors of the Newport Bank.
Capt. James T. Henderson, a prominent and
influential man of Jackson County, and the father
of Auvergne, the town where he resides, is a na-
tive of Giles County, Tenn., and was born Sep-
tember 14, 1835. His parents were Benjamin
Franklin and Nancy C. (Blackwood) Henderson,
natives of North Carolina, and of Irish and En-
glish ancestry. The parents were married in North-
ern Alabama, and in 1834 moved to Giles County,
T^enn., locating upon a large plantation, where
they reared their family of four children. B.
Franklin Henderson was an active and influential
Democrat, and the family were members of the
Cumberland Presbyterian Church. James T. was
the eldest of the children; the others are Eliza J.,
who became the wife of Robert L. Davis, in April,
1857; Emma, wife of R. M. Laird, a merchant
and farmer of Auvergne; and John C, a farmer
and stock raiser, also of Auvergne. Benjamin
Franklin Henderson died in the early part of 1849,
which sad event made it necessary for James T.,
who was then attending college in Tennessee, to
return home and assist his mother in the manage-
ment of his father's estate; the mother died in
1856, leaving him sole manager at the <ige of
twenty-one. He was made joint administrator,
and Henry Henderson, a colored slave, was ap-
pointed foreman under our subject' s direction. In
1857 Mr. Henderson was em])loyed l)y John T.
Shapard, of Elkton, as a cotton buyer, in which ho
was successful, and was subsequently engaged in
the store of John T. Shapard under permanent
contract at $100 per month; at the end of six
months he bought a one-half interest in the busi-
ness, and the lirm became Shapard & Henderson,
of Elkton, Tenn., carrying on an extensive busi-
ness until 1860; in the latter year our subject sold
out and removed to Jackson County, Ark., first
locating on Bowen's Ridge, where he lived two
years. At the outbreak of the war he raised Com-
pany H, Thirty-second Arkansas Regiment, of
which he was elected captain, and after serving in
that capacity a short time, he was selected to till
a position in the secret service under Gens. Hind-
man, Shelby and Price, and Kirby Smith. He
was quite successful in the work of securing sup-
plies for the army, and escaped capture, receiving
honorable discharge at the close of the war. He
then returned to Arkansas, and bought a large
farm near Newport, but was employed as mercan-
tile salesman in the store of J. W. Stayton & Co.,
of Jacksonport, for three years, afterward, for
about the same length of time, in the same capac-
ity with A. Hirsch & Son. In 1873 he bought
755 acres of land, on which he settled, and the
first year cleared 400 acres; of this tract he has
sold a considerable portion, now owning 480 acres,
of which 410 acres are under cultivation. He has
erected good houses, barns, etc. , and made other
improvements. When Mr. Henderson first located
his present home, there was no open laud be-
tween his place and Newport, but his enterprise
and perseverance have opened a large area; he has
a beautiful home among the trees, one-half mile
west of Auvergne, and upon his place is growing
a young peach orchard of 1,000 trees, of more than
a dozen varieties; he also has other orchards con-
taining nearly all kinds of pears, apples, plums
and cherries. All of the twenty-five slaves whom
Mr. Henderson owned and brought with him to
Arkansas before the war are still living, and have
farms of their own, loading independent lives.
Capt. Henderson owns ten places, comprising in all
1,220 acres, besides four residences in Newport,
and the towns of Tuckerman and Swifton. He
located the town of Auvergne, and built the first
house there in 1886; he also built and furnished
the Methodist Episcopal Church, South, which he
presented to the town. With six others besides
Capt. Henderson a board of directors was formed,
who built and established Auvergne Academy, and
in many other ways has our subject taken a lead-
JACKSON COUNTY.
vCi'.l
ing part ia tho upbuilding of his town. In 1888 he
was appointed by the State Immigratiou Society
to organize a Jackson County society, to which he
was successful, holding the position of vice-presi-
dent of his township and director of the county
board. Capt. Henderson has devoted considerable
attention to the breeding of thoroughbred cattle,
and has some of the finest stock in the State. In
1858 the Captain married Miss Amanda M. Laird,
daughter of Martin and Margaret (Malone) Laird,
natives of Virginia. Capt. Henderson is a mem-
ber of Newport Lodge No. 191, A. F. & A. M. ;
he is an Odd Fellow, a member of the K. of H. ,
and A. L. of H. , and of the Wheel. He takes an
active part in the politics of his county and State
as a Democrat, having been elected in 1874 to rep-
resent the Twenty-ninth District in the senate,
where he served until 1878. Mr. and Mrs. Hen-
derson are consistent members of the Methodist
Episcopal Church, South.
Henry Henderson is a prominent colored resi-
dent of Northeast Arkansas, and one whose name
is rightly entitled to appear on the pages of Ar-
kansas history. He was born in Madison County,
Ala., in 1821, and is a son of Joseph and Amy
Walker, who were the property of Samuel Walker,
a noted Alabama legislator and slave owner.
When Henry was at the age of nineteen years,
Samuel Walker died, and he became the property
of his heir, Milton Walker, with whom he re-
mained until his twenty-eighth year, when he was
then traded to a man named Franklin Henderson,
in exchange for a man of the same weight, the
trade being made in order to allow the family to
remain together. In 1844 he was united in mar-
riage to Malindia Halloway, a comely young slave,
who was the property of Louis Halloway, and to
this couple were born the following children : Mary,
Chatman, Matildia, Ann, Ellon, Sam, Bryson, and
a child who died in infancy. Mary is now the
mother of a family, and resides in Tennessee, as
does also Ann, who has a family of her own.
Chatman is the father of a family, and owns a
farm adjoining his father, as does also Sam, who
owns his own land. Matildia is married, and has
a large family, and lives in Washington County,
Miss. Ellen has a family also, and lives near Lor
father, while Bryson, who is a well educated and
very intellectual man, teaches school at Weldon.
In tho year ISfiO Mr. Henderson came to Bowen's
Eidge, Ark., with his owners, the Henderson fam-
ily, and assisted in farming and improving the
land. During tho war he was taken to the army
as cook, and at the close of that period he was
paroled at a point near St. Louis. After an ab-
sence of four years he returned to his family, and
later on moved to the vicinity of Auvergne, Ark.,
where he conducted the farm work of his old mas
ters, the Hendersons. He remained with them two
years, and then took a lease on forty acres of land,
where Auvergne now stands. At the end of five
years he purchased forty acres, and shortly after-
ward added fifteen more, and then fifty-five acres
still later. Since then he has become more pros-
perous from year to year, and has donated consid-
erable land to his childi-en. He is one of the
leading men of the colored r.ace in that section,
and the oldest of the Hendersons' former slaves.
L. Hirsch, real estate dealer and insurance
agent, at Newport, Ark. The principal necessity
to the success of the real estate business, the safest
and surest form of investment, is to have reliable
agents, who are thoroughly posted on their city
and locality, and the town of Newport has found
such a man in the person of Mr. Hirsch, who is
one of the largest land-holders in the county, being
the owner of about 2,000 acres of real estate, and
fifteen valuable lots in the town of Newport. In
connection with this work he is engaged in the
insurance business, and represents the following
companies: The Hartf(jrd, Phtenix, Orient, -Etna,
of Hartford, Conn. ; the Springfield, of Spring-
field, Mass. ; the Phoenix, of Brooklyn, N. Y. ; the
Anglo-Nevada, Union, Commercial and California,
of the State of California; the Lancashire and North
British and Mercantile, of England; the New Or-
leans Insurance Association, Crescent, Southern,
Hibernia, Sun Mutual, and Mechanics and Trad-
ers, of New Orleans, La. ; the Fire As.sociatioii, of
Philadelphia; the Arkansas Fire, of Little Hock,
Ark. ; the East Texas, of Tyler, Tex. ; the Mutual
Fire Insurance Com[mny. of New York, and the
-^ — A,^
870
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
Fidelity and Casualtj- Compan_y (Accident), also of
that city. Mr. Hirsch was born in Batesville,
Ark., on the 9th of August, 1855, and is a son of
Aaron and Amelia (Blochman) Hirsch, the former
a native of France, and the latter of Heidelburg,
Germany. While Aaron Hirsch was still a single
man, he took passage on board a vessel bound for
the United States, and, after reaching this country,
gradually drifted to the State of Tennessee, where
he was afterward married. In 1853 he removed
to Arkansas, locating near Batesville, where be
opened a mercantile establishment, and conducted
business here and in Jaeksonport for many years.
L. Hirsch, the subject of this memoir, made his
home in Batesville until 1862, then removed with
his parents to New Orleans, making that city his
home until 1870. Four years later he returned to
New]3ort and established a mercantile store, under
the tirm name of A. Hirsch & Son, but in 1878
this partnership was dissolved, and the firm name
became L. Hirsch & Co., and remained such iintil
1880. At this date Mr. Hirsch sold out to Wolf
& Goldman, and embarked in his present business,
and up to 1885 was associated with H. L. Remmel,
but in that year he purchased Mr. Remmel' s inter-
est, and continued alone until January, 1889,
when he gave an interest to his younger brotlier,
Ralph, and the firm is now Hirsch & Bro. He is
also treasurer of the Newport Water & Irrigating
Company, and has full control of the plumbing
department. He is secretary of the White River
Telephone Company; is secretary and manager of
the White River Ice Manufacturing Company, and
is a director of the New^^ort Compress & Storage
Company, now being organized. He is a member
in good standing of the Masonic fraternity, be-
longs to the K. of P. , and is treasurer of the lat-
ter organization. He has also held the offices of
city treasurer and recorder, and has been deputy
sheriff and deputy clerk. He is one of the ablest
youug business men in Jackson County, and in all
enterprises of a worthy character he has been the
first to identify himself, and take an interest in
their successful establishment. Miss Nettie Staf-
ford, a native of Virginia, became his wife in
September, 1884, and their union was blessed
in the birth of two children; Irving S. and
Eugene A.
J. B. Hirsch is a dealer in hardware, groceries
and. plantation supplies, at Newport, Ark., and is
conducting a successful business. He was born in
Batesville, Ark., November 25, 1861, but received
his education in the cities of New Orleans and St.
Louis, and from his earliest youth he has been
familiar with the details of mercantile life. At
the age of sixteen years he came with his father,
A. Hirsch, to Newport, and began clerking in the
latter' s mercantile establishment, continuing thus
employed until 1881 , when they formed a business
partnership and continued under the firm name of
A. Hirsch & Son, until January, 1889. At this
date J. B. Hirsch purchased his father' s interest
in the business, and began life on his own responsi-
bility, and by honesty and fair dealing is doing an
exceptionally prosperous business. His stock of
goods is well selected, and in point of size is of
fair proportions. For two years he was associated
with Wolf, Goldman & Co. , but thinking he could
do better alone, this partnership was discontinued,
and the result has proved that his judgment was
sound. He is an intelligent and enterprising
young man of business, and his future prospects
are bright. He is a Mason and a meml)er of the
K. of P. His marriage with Miss Dora Pollock,
of Little Rock, Ark., was consummated in Sep-
tember, 18S8.
Stephen G. T. Hite resides on Section 23,
Cache Township, Jackson County, Ark., and is a
farmer and stock raiser by occupation. He is a
son of S2:)encer and Martha J. (Wilkins) Hite, na-
tives of Virginia, where they were married and
reared a family of twelve children; one child died
in infancy, and another at the age of six years,
making in all fourteen. The parents still live on the
place upon which thej' settled immediately after
their marriage, Mrs. Hite receiving the land by
deed from her father December 25, 1869. Stephen
G. T. Hite married Miss Sarah White, a native of
Virginia, and a schoolmate. To them have been
born the following children: David Russell, born
October 13, 1870; Albertana, born September 5,
1872; Ella James, born November 6, 187-t; Eunice,
^wv
JAC^KSON COUNTY.
87)
born ; Amos Andrew, born in July,
1881; Charles, born January 20, 1884, and
Stephen, born July 17, 1887; two died in infancy.
The two elder chikli-en were born in Virginia, and
the rest in Arkansas. When Mr. Hite first went
to Arkansas he located in the neighborhood in
which he now lives, purchasing in December,
1875, his present farm, of which about forty acres
were under cultivation, and upon which the only
buildings were two small log cabins. He now has
lifty-two acres under cultivation, and has erected
a good two-story frame dwelling. He has also
built a cotton-gin, saw and grist-mill, good l)arn8,
and has a well- improved place, contemplating
still greater improvements, which will beautify his
home, as he believes the more attractive the home
the better will be the morals of his children. He
aims to give his children six months schooling
each year, as he thinks a good education is better
than a legacy. Mr. Hite served nearly three years
in the Fifty-ninth Virginia Volunteer Infantry,
Confederate States Ai-my, and in May, 1864, was
wounded by a musket ball carrying away the
fourth toe of his left foot. He participated in the
siege of Richmond, belonging to the command of
Gen. Lee at the time of his surrender to Gen.
Grant. Mr. and Mrs. Hite are members of the
Missionary Baptist Church, and are highly re-
spected by all who know them.
W. G. Hogan, planter, of Bird Townshi[i, is a
son of Granville and Mary Jane (Taylor) Hogan, of
Tennessee. The father, a farmer, went to Texas in
ISoS, where our subject was born March 8, of
the same year. Soon after arriving the father
died; the mother remained some eight years, and
finally settled in Bird Township, this county,
where she still resides, with her son, W. G. Mr.
Hogan was raised on the farm, receiving his edu-
cation in the schools of Cross County, this State.
In 1877 he came to Jackson County, settling in
Bird Township, and engaged in farming. He is a
Democrat; is active in politics, and has held the
offices of justice of the peace and constable, and is
a member of the school board, Tuckerman District.
He is a member of Kirkpatrick Lodge No. 192, at
Tuckerman, holding the office of steward; he is
also a member of the Triple Allianci-. In IHll
our subject married Maggie Smith, a native of
Tenne.ssee, whose parents, Ross and Martha
(Woodard) Smith, came to Jackson County in 1874.
The mother is still living. They have bad four
children, three of whom are living: Lafay Ella,
Charles Henry and Daniel Green. Mrs. Hogan
is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church,
and has a brother, M. M. Smith, who is presiding
elder of White River conference, located at Joncs-
boro. Mr. Hogan is actively interested in the
schools, and in all enterjirises for the advancement
of the county.
James W. Howard, farmer and stock raiser, of
Jackson County, lives six and a half miles east of
Newport, on the Memphis road. His parents were
Philip and Hester D. (Bidwell) Howard, of Ohio and
Tennessee, respectively. The father lived and
married in Arkansas, but returned to Ohio, where
James W. was boyn, the eldest of six children, two
now living: Sarah Jane and James W. At the
age of nine years the subject of this sketch came
to Arkansas with his parents; he had then received
the greater part of his education, but attended
common school only eleven days in Arkansas. At
the outbreak of the War of the Rebellion he was
living in Village Townshij), Jackson County, but
enlisted in the Southern army in Company A,
Eighth Regiment of Arkansas Volunteer Infantry,
served about three and a half years, and at the
close of the war returned home, since which time
he has given his attention to farming and stock
raising, purchasing, in 1873, 120 acres of land, to
which he has added l)y purchase eighty acres, and
upon which he has since made his homo. At that
time, realizing the necessity of an education, he
applied him.solf diligently to study, acquiring suffi-
cient knowledge to carry on his business. Mr.
Howard married Miss Margaret Lamkins, a native
of Ai'kansas, who lived ten years, and in 1877 he
married Miss Margaret Ballew, of Arkansas, daugh-
ter of Robert J. and Mary (Pucket) Ballow, natives
of Tennessee. Mr. and Mrs. Howard are mem-
bers of the Christian Church, and ho has always
been a friend to progress educational, religiotis
and social, liberally supporting the church.
Capt. George \V. Hurley (retired), Newport,
Ark. The career of the above mentioaed gentle-
man affords a striking example of encouragement
for the youth of the present day who have not very
favorable circumstances surrounding them, and yet
who are desirous of attaining to positions of trust
and esteem in the communities where they may
hereafter reside. Left an orphan at an early day,
Mr. Hurley attained his growth without the influ-
ence and tender care of parents, and for this rea-
son, if for no other, he deserves great credit for
his success in life, not only in material affairs, but
as a man. His birth occurred in Frederick Coun-
ty, Md., on the 1st of May, 1829, and he is the
son of Morris and Catherine Hurley, both natives
of County Clare, Ireland. The parents were mar-
ried in their native country, and in about 1829
emigrated to America, where the father, who was
a civil engineer and contractor, worked on the
Chesapeake and Ohio Canal. He was a large con-
tractor on the canal, and had his headquarters at
the Point of Rocks. They were the parents of
these children: John, Catherine, Charles and
George W., the first three of whom died in the
year 1833, as did also the parents, leaving George
^\'. Hurley, only four years of age, alone and
among comparative strangers. He was taken by a
family who thought considerable of him, received
as good an education as they could afford, and,
when nine years of age, was apprenticed to learn
the tailor's trade. When about thirteen years of
age he ran away fi-om his master, went to Balti-
more, and shipped as a cabin-boy on board the
brig Edith. He made a trip around Cape Horn,
visited Santiago, and numerous other places on
the Pacific slope, and remained on the ship for
about two years, being quite a favorite of the Cap-
tain and his wife. Mr. Hurley relates an incident
which took place while on the vessel, and gives it
as a reason for leaving the sea. It was his duty
to wait upon the table, and one day, after dinner,
he put some nuts, raisins, etc., in the pockets of
his little sailor's suit. The Captain, who fre-
quently indulged too freely at the noon meal, met
George on deck, and asked what was in his pockets.
The boy replied, "Nothing,'" which so incensed
the Captain that the latter gave him a severe whip-
ping. George was ever after afraid of the com-
mander, and at the first opportunity left the vessel
and returned to Baltimore. There he finished his
trade as a tailor, and soon after went to Washing-
ton, thence to Richmond, Ya., where he was taken
sick and came very near dying. He became penni-
less, hut, through the charity of friends, obtained
enough money to return to Baltimore, where he
obtained emjjloyment, and there remained until
the breaking out of the Mexican W'ar. He then
enlisted in the Second Baltimore Battalion, under
Col. Hughes, and served one year, receiving a sabre
and lance wound at the battle of Monterey, for
which he now receives a pension. After recovering
he was placed in the quartermaster's department,
and was on the Southern route. Upon his second
return to his home he had some means saved, and
located at New Richmond, Ohio, where he started
up a modest tailoring establishment, but only re-
mained there a short time. He then sold out and
moved to Indianapolis, Ind. , where he secured a
position as emitter in a large establishment; but, at
the end of one 3'ear, he became restless, and en-
listed in the Cuban Lopez expedition. He, with
about 200 old Mexican soldiers, went to Cuba;
eighty-six were captured, fifty -two were taken to
Havana and shot, and thirty-four carried on the
steamer "Pizarau,'' a large Spanish man-of-war —
and was taken to Spain, with aljout thirty-four
other comrades. They were kept prisoners some
six weeks, and during that time, which seemed, no
doubt, like so many years, experienced some of
the most heartrending scenes imaginable, being
taken out every day and counted, with the expec-
tation of being shot. They were finally released
by President Fillmore, who sent a United States
cutter for them. They were treated like kings
on the vessel, being given money, clothes, etc.
He came to Kentucky, being again entirely broken
up, and invented a patent for garment cutting,
with which he traveled over several different States,
and made considerable money on the same. He
subsequently went to Keokuk, Iowa, where he
started another tailoring establishment, and carried
it on until 1857. From there he went to Jackson,
"'« spV
JACKSON COUNTY.
87:5
r
Tonu. , where be was married, and removed with
his family to White County, Ark., being there en-
gaged in agvieultwral pursuits. In 18(51 he was
appointed by Gov, Rector, of Arkansas, as quarter-
master of the State troops, and in the organization
of a regiment at Mound City, was appointed by
Colonel-elect (afterward General) Cleburne, quar-
termaster of the tirst State troops. The regiment
moved to Pocahontas, where State troops were
abandoned and regiments for the Confederacy
formed. Being, as a consequence retired, he re-
turned home and organized a company, of which
he was made first lieutenant, and afterward, for
meritorious conduct, was promoted to a captaincv.
He participated in all the general engagements on
this side of the Mississippi River, receiving one
slight wound from a shell. In 1S64 he asked for
retired papers, and then took the superinteudencj'
of cutting and fitting clothes for the soldiers at
Shreveport, La. His family still living in White
County when he came home, he moved with them
to Augusta, Woodi'uif County, Ark., where he re-
mained for nine years, being engaged for two
years in the livery business, and after this took the
traveling agency for a cotton commission house at
New Orleans. Having speculated too heavily in
cotton, he became involved, and then entered the
hotel and confectionery business, which he carried
on until 1873, when he came to Newport, then a
town of about thirty-one inhabitants. He em-
barked in the wholesale and retail liquor and to-
bacco business, afterward turning his business into
a grocery and general planters' sujsplies, and buy-
ing cotton, in which he was very extensively en-
gaged until about 1880. Since that time lie has
been engaged in the real estate business, and in
building up Newport, owning five large brick bus-
iness buildings and several residences. He also
owns a good farm, and is one of the leading citi-
zens of Jackson County. He has taken great in-
terest in secret orders, is a member of the Masonic
fraternity, advancing as far as a Knight Templar.
He is also a member of the I. O. O. F., is Past
Grand Master, and has been a meml)or of the order
since 1847; was initiated in Mechanic's Lodge No.
15, at Baltimore, Md., being subsequently con-
nected with the order in the States of Ohio, Indi-
ana and Kentucky. He is the founder and orig-
inator of Newport Lodge No. 71, Newport, Ark.,
which was organized May 17, 1875. He has Ix-en
lionorod with nearly every oflicial position within
the gift of the order; has served as Grand Master,
was Grand Representative to the Sovereign Grand
Lodge for six years, and Grand Patriarch in the En-
campment branch for two years. In 1876 he repre-
sented the State of Arkansas in the Sovereign Grand
Lodge, at Philadelphia, and in 1882 at Toronto.
He is an indefatigable worker in the interests of
Odd Fellowship, and is one of the most highly
honored members of that fraternity. He is also a
member of the Knights of Pythias, and a member
of the Royal Arcanum, of which he is past officer.
His marriage to ilrs. Mary L. Boyd occurred in
1858, and one child, now deceased, was the result
of this union. Mrs. Hurley is a member of the
Episcopal Churclj. Both Mr. Hurley and Mrs.
Hurley are hale and hearty in their old age.
Samuel C. Ireland, now residing in Auvergne.
was born in North (!arolina, February 26, 1841t,
son of John and Elizabeth (Isley) Ireland, natives
of North Carolina. Mr. Ireland came to Arkan-
sas in 1872, without a dollar, and located in Cow
Lake Township, on property which belonged to
his father, there then being but twenty-two fam-
ilies in the township. On this place was a doulile
log house, and twelve acres had been cleared and
planted the year previous. In 1878 he had thirty-
two acres planted to corn: eight acres he cleared
with the assistance of one man, and twelve acres
he cleared after night, without assistance. Mr,
Ireland continued to clear the land, and the next
year planted sixty acres. In 1875 he bought
eighty acres of W, L. Johnson, planted seventy
acres, which he worked himself, and rented twenty
more, making ninety acres under cultivation on his
place. At that time, by various purchases, he wa.s
the owner of 400 acres of land, 320 of which he
bought of his father; he is now the owner of 1.834
acres, 380 of which are under cultivation, the
various tracts being in Cow Lake and Richwood
Townships. On the places are good dwelling
houses and barns, and on that in Cow Lake Town-
^ f.
874
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
ship are a cotton-gin and a grist-mill. Mr. Ireland
gives a great deal of attention to mule and cattle
raising, finding a home market for them. Novem-
ber 20, 1873, Mr. Ireland married Mrs. Mar-
garet Ireland, widow of his brother, W. W. Ire-
land. They have no children, but are raising four
orphan boys, Henry Lee and Willie Benelield,
born in 1871 and 1873, resi^ectively, and Willie
and Connie Barnes, nephews of Mrs. Ireland, born
in 1880 and 1S83, respectively. Mr. and Mrs.
Ireland are members of the Christian Church.
Thomas William Jamison, county surveyor of
Jackson County, Ark., and farmer of Bird Town-
ship, was born in Buckingham, Canada East, the
youngest of six children born to Thomas and
Clara (Hall) Jamison, natives of Scotland and Ire-
land, respectively, who came with their parents to
Canada, and there married. The father was a
farmer, and, in 1859, when our subject was about
seven years old, removed to Woodford County, 111.,
and settled near Minonk, returning to Canada in
1876, where he died in 1884. His wife died in
Canada in 1852. The subject of our sketch was
raised on a farm near Minonk, receiving his edu-
cation in the district schools of that county, and in
Minonk. After leaving school he learned tele-
graphy at La Salle, 111., and engaged in that busi-
ness at Colona, 111. , Columbus Junction and West
Liberty, Iowa, on the Chicago, Rock Island & Pa-
cific Railway. On May 11, 1882, he married Clara
LafPerty, a native of Mercer County, 111., and
daughter of William Lafferty, of Ohio, an early
settler of Mercer County. In September, 1879,
he came to Jackson County, as agent and operator
at Tuckerman, where he remained till last year,
when he was elected county surveyor. He is not
very active in politics, but votes with the Demo-
cratic party. He is a member of Trinity Lodge
No. 561, A. F. & A. M., Monmoiith, 111. He has
bought a tract of timber land, containing 120
acres, improved, and now has seventy-three acres
under cultivation. He has been engaged in stock
raising. He has imported a thoroughbred stallion,
also a heavy-draft Clydesdale, which carried off
the first prize at this and adjoining county fairs.
He is public-spirited and liberal.
Anderson Johnston, planter and stock raiser, is
a native of Arkansas. His father, Andrew John-
ston, was born in Maury Countj', Tenn. , in 1829:
came to Arkansas in 1841, and, at the age of eight-
een, married Miss Sebelle Durham, a native of Mis-
sissippi, and about that time settled a farm in
Jackson County, where he raised his family, and
where our subject was born, August 12, 1849.
Andrew is a Democrat, and has been magistrate of
his township. His wife is a member of the Chris-
tian Church. Anderson was raised on the farm,
and spent his school days in Jackson County, and
in September, 1871, married Miss Julia A. Brown-
ing, daughter of Nimrod and Emeline (Vandiver)
Browning, natives of Tennessee, who was born in
1847. They have the following family: Auzell
Bibb, fifteen years old; Lewin A., thirteen; Min-
nie B. , ten; James H. , eight; Silvey, six; Ada and
Etta (twins), three, and a babe one month old.
After his marriage Mr. Johnston opened up a farm
of 160 acres, thirty acres of which he cleared and
cultivated. He sold the farm, and in 1887 lived
in Boone County, Ark., and in 1888 came to Jack-
son County and bought a farm of 160 acres, eighty-
five under cultivation, on which he now lives. He
rents his land for corn and cotton, and makes a
specialty himself of raising sweet potatoes, raising,
also, his own stock, hogs and cattle. He and his
wife made themselves an excellent home, and a
competency. They are members of the Christian
Church. He is a Democrat, and a member of
Fortitude Lodge No. 397, A. F. & A. M., and
takes an active interest in all public enterprises.
Retherford Lewis Jones, a prominent planter
and stock raiser of Breckinridge Township, was
born in Carroll County, Tenn., in 1825, and was
the fourth in a family of eight children born to
Richard and Polly (Martin) Jones, of Tennessee,
where the father was an extensive planter in Wil-
son County. The elder Jones moved from Wilson
County to Carroll County, and a few years later
went to Wayne Count}', Mo., where he became en-
gaged in farming until his death, in 1844. While
in Carroll County ho took an active part in politics,
and was one of the prominent figures in the his-
tory of that county, and was also a member of the
-^;
Masonic fraternity for a number of years, and
deputy sheriff. He had one brother, who fought
in the Creek and Seminole Wars, and his father
was an old Revolutionary soldier, who was born in
North Carolina, and in 1839 died in Davidson
County, Tenn., at the age of eighty-four years. R.
L. Jones was reared in Carroll County, Tonn., and
instructed in the duties of farm life. In 1843 he
moved with his parents to Wayne County, Mo.,
and continued farming in that State until 1847,
when he ^ent to Jackson County, Ark., settling
in Breckinridge Township, where he took up a
pre-emption claim, and later entered the same.
The land consisted of sixty acres of virgin soil, and
he at once commenced improving it and erected a
log cabin. In 1850 he was married to Miss Ema-
line Brazeale, a daughter of Archibald and Dorcas
Brazeale, of Tennessee, and resided with his bride
on the first farm until 1859, when he sold it and
bought a claim of 160 acres, of which twenty-five
were under fence. He has added to this and im-
proved the land since he first occupied it, until
now he owns a fine farm of 520 acres, and has 225
under cultivation. He raises principally corn and
cotton, and other portions of the land make excel-
lent grazing for cattle, in which he also deals quite
largely. In 1871 Mr. Jones lost his wife after a
happy married. life of twenty-one years. Eight
children were born to this marriage, of whom four
are yet living: Mary Dorcas, now Mrs. Martin;
Sarah, now Mrs. Jagers, who resides on her father's
farm; Edgar, and Nancy Alice, now Mrs. Harris. Mr.
Jones was again man'ied, in 1872, his second wife
being Miss Barbara C. Outlaw, of Tennessee, who
died leaving two children, Joseph E. and Jeanette,
both of whom reside at home. In 1880 Mr. Jones
married his third wife, who was Miss Fanny B.
Hall, of Alabama, by whom he has one child, Nora.
He does not take an active part in politics, but his
sympathies ever since the war have been with the
Democratic party. In educational matters he is
greatly interested, and his efforts toward promot-
ing the schools in Jackson County have been
praiseworthy. He is a member of Augusta Lodge
of the A. F. & A. M., while in the religious faith
he attends the Missionary Baptist Church, of whicli
r
his wife is also a member, and Mr. Jones has held
a membership in that church for forty-three years.
During the war he accompanied Gen. Price on hi^
raid through Mi.ssouri, and also took part in the
battles of Pilot Knob, Jefferson City, Blue Gap,
Kansas City, Newtonia and Fayetteville, Ark.,
from which place he returned home after an hon-
orable service. Mr. Jones is a very attentive man
to the welfare of his children, and is providing
them with the best education to be obtained. He
is a very close observer, and, from an educational
and religious standpoint, notes that there is a de-
cided change for the better constantly going on.
R. E. Jones, a planter and stock raiser of Glass
Township, Jackson County, was born in Gibson
County, Tenu., in 1842, the second in a family of
nine children born to Gabriel and Elizabeth (Webb)
Jones, natives of Virginia, where they were mar-
ried. In 1838 Gabriel Jones emigrated to Gibson
County, Tenn., where he lived many years, and
followed his trade of carriage-builder. He re-
moved to Jackson County, Ark., in 1800, and his
death occurred in the latter county in 1883. He
took an active part in politics in Tennessee, sym-
pathizing with the Democratic party. The mother
of our subject died in 1884. R. E. Jones was
reared to the pursuit of farming, receiving the ad-
vantage of a common school education in his native
county. He removed to Jackson County, Ark.,
with his parents, in 1860, and subsequently be-
came located on the farm where he now i-esides,
which contains about 200 acres, and belongs to the
heirs of Dr. Beard. In 1801 Mr. Jones enlisted
in the Confederate army, in Capt. Hunter's com-
pany, under command of Col. Hart. He served
three years, and participated in the battles of
Helena, Pea Ridge and several others. At the clo.se
of the war he returned to Jackson County, Ark. .
and again devoted his attention to farming. In
1805 he married Martha Taylor, a native of Louis-
iana. They are the parents of three children, viz. ;
John W. (who is married and lives at home I.
Laura and Eddie. After marriage Mr. Jones set-
tled in Glass Township, where he now lives, which
place he has greatly improved. At the time of bis
settlement the nearest market was Jacksonport, but
f
.u
876
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
the country has since undergone a great change,
having been extensively cleared and improved, and
now he finds a market at Swiftou, only three miles
distant. Mr. and Mrs. Jones are members of the
Christian Church. Mr. Jones is a Democrat,
though he takes no active interest in politics.
Di'. J. M. Jones. Among the people of Jack-
son and suri'ounding counties the name that heads
this sketch is a very familiar one, for, in his pro-
fessional capacity he has become intimately ac-
quainted with the majority of their inhabitants.
He was born in Weakley County. Tenn. , July 3,
1846, and is a son of Darling and Margaret E.
(Miller) Jones, the father a native of North Car-
olina, and the mother of Tennessee. They were
married in the latter State, and are still hale and
hearty old people, residing on the homestead, in
Weakley County. The following are the living
members of their family of six children: Marion
D., Dr. John M., William H. (a resident of Para-
gould), Dr. A. M. , and Sarah J. (wife of Asbury
Kensey); James is deceased. Up to the age of
seventeen years. Dr. J. M. Jones resided on the
home farm and learned all the details of farm
labor, but when the war broke out he left the plow
to enlist in the army, and became a member of
Company I, Twelfth Tennessee Regiment. He
continued to remain in service until the final sur-
render, participating in a number of battles, then
returned to his home with the consciousness of
having faithfully performed every duty imposed
upon him. Not deeming the education he had ac-
quired prior to the war sufficient to enable him to
successfully cope with the world, he entered a
Normal School, which he attended until 1868, and
during this time he formed the resolution of mak-
ing the practice of medicine his calling through
life. In order to fit himself for this work he en-
tered the Medical University, of Nashville, Tenn.,
from which he was graduated as an M. D. in Feb-
ruary, 1872. He had come to Jackson County,
Ark., the jjrevious year, where he has since made
his home, and, during his residence of eighteen
years in this county, he has become well and favor-
ably known to the majority of her citizens as an
able and successful medical practitioner. To his
marriage with Miss Callie Patterson, which oc-
curred in 1872, he has become the father of four
children: Nora, Jamos, Minnie and Oscar. Mrs.
Jones was born in the State of Tennessee, and she
is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
The Doctor is a Mason, a member of the I. O. O. /
F., the K. of H., and the Royal Arcanum.
Gustave Jones is a member of the law firm of
Jones & Jones, of Newport, Ark., and, in connec-
tion with his law practice, he is also engaged in
the loan and insiu-ance business, and in these dif-
ferent occupations he is meeting with flattering
success. He is a native-born resident of the county,
his birth occurring on the 25th of August, 1861,
and as such is looked upon with considerable pride
by the people of the locality, for he is a live, ener-
getic business man. To live an entire life in one
community and still retain the reputation Mr.
Jones enjoys, is by no means as easy as it is for a
stranger to come into a place where he is entirely
unknown and build up a reputation. The ac-
quaintances of Mr. Jones, therefore, know who
and what he is. He is having a fair practice in
his profession, and in the management of his cases
displays considerable ability and sagacity for one ■
of his years. After attending the common schools
of Jackson County in his youth, he entered the
Arkansas Industrial University at Fayetteville, and
was graduated in the class of 1882. Previous to
graduating, however, he had taught school to ob
tain means with which to defray his expenses in
college, and after leaving school he began his legal
studies, and after a searching examination, he was
admitted to the Jackson County bar in November,
1886. He has since been associated with his father
in his practice, and represents the Phcenix Fire In-
surance Company, and is secretary of the Emigra-
tion Society, and is county school examiner. So-
cially, he is a member of the K. of P. , the Royal
Arcanum, and the Masonic fraternities, and in his
religious views he is a member of the Episcopal
Church. His parents, William R. and Kate (Hud-
son) Jones, were born in Breckinridge County,
Ky. , and Charleston, S. C, respectively, and were
married in Jacksonport, Ark., in 1857, whither the
father had come in 1851. At an early age he be
■^1
^a^t:^
Independence County, Arkansas.
4^
JACKSON COUNTY.
HTi
I
gan the study of law, and after being admitted to
the Vjar in Kentucky, and practicing there for some
time, he came to Arkansas and pursued his calling
in Jacksonport for several years, being in partner-
ship with F. Doswell. In 1854 he was elected to
the oflSce of county clerk, but after serving one
term gave his entire attention to his practice, and
by long years of hard and unremitting toil he has
become quite wealthy. He spends his summers at
Maryville, Mo., where he has a pleasant summer
residence. Of sis children born to himself and
wife five survive: Hattie, wife of Judge J. B.
Newman; Ida, wife of J. R. Cox; Gustave, Mol-
lie and Ellen. The paternal grandfather, William
B. Jones, was born in Campbell County, Va. , and
was a soldier in the Mexican War. He died in
Missouri, in 1879, when over eighty years of age.
He was a farmer by occupation, but his latter days
were spent in retirement and ease. The maternal
grandfather was Hush Hudson, a South Carolinian,
who once served as sheriff of Jackson County.
Capt. W. A. Joyce, the well-known Newport
druggist, was born in Memphis, Tenn., on the
20th of February, 1847, and is a son of William
and Alcena (Austin) Joyce, the former a native of
Kentucky, and the latter of Nashville, Tenn. The
parents were married in the latter State, and made
their residence in Memphis at an early day, where
the father was a prominent physician, being a
graduate of the Botanical College of that city.
Previous to practicing medicine, he was a steam-
boatman, and at that period owned one of the
largest standard steamers that plied on the river,
besides having an interest in several other large
boats. About 1850 he moved to Augusta, Ark.,
and from there to Jacksonport, where he was
among the earlier settlers of that city, and one of
its first physicians, residing there until his death,
in 1855. The mother is still living, and makes
her home in the State of Indiana. She was twice
married, bearing two children by her first mar-
riage, only one of whom survives, Sarah Dollis.
Her second union resulted in two children, of
whom W. A. is the only survivor. He was but
three years old on his arrival in Arkansas, and was
principally reared in Jacksonport, but received his
education at Cincinnati, Ohio, whore ho was at the
outbreak of the war. In 18fi4, although still quite
young, he enlisted in Capt. Bateman's company,
and served until the fall of Little Rock, taking
part in the battle of Helena, Little Rock and. sev-
eral skirmishes. After the war was over, he re-
sumed steamboating (which he had commenced in
1863) fi'om St. Louis to New Orleans, and also on
the White River, occu))ying the positions of pilot,
master and clerk, and continuing until 1882. In
1874 he engaged in the drug business at Jackson-
port, where he remained until August, 1882, when
he removed to Newport, and since has successhilly
carried on the business, his store being one of the
best in this locality. Capt. Joyce was a member
of the council at Jacksonport, and also tilled the
office of mayor of that city for a length of time.
December 15, 1800, he was married, in St. Louis,
to Miss Miriam M. Major, of Pittsburgh. Penn.,
by whom he has had four children: Mary A. . Katt-
S., William A., Jr., and Emma C. Mr. and Mrs.
Joyce are both members of the Methodist Episco-
pal Church, while Mr. Joyce is a member of the
American Legion of Honor, Knights of Honor and
Royal Arcanum, as well as belonging to the Ma-
sonic fraternity.
D. A. Kimbrough, railroad agent and merchant,
at Weldon, Ark. , was born in North Carolina, June
14, 1842, in Caswell County. His parents were
Miles and Dicia (Burton) Kimbrough, natives
of North Carolina. His father was a son of
William Kimbrough, one of the earliest settlers ,
of that section of North Carolina; was an active
Democrat and planter, and is still living at the
age of eighty-eight. Miles Kimlirough's wife was
a daughter of Capt. Thomas Burton, of North
Carolina, captain of Light Horse Muster Company
in an early day. He was a farmer and teamster
and moved to Alabama about 1850, where he died
in 1858. ^Iis. Kimbrough died in North Caro-
lina in 1873. She was a member of the Meth-
odist Episcopal Church. D. A. was raised on a
farm, received his schooling in North Carolina, and,
at the age of seventeen, l)egan life for himself,
working as a farm hand two years, and then went
to Mississippi, where he remained till May, 1801.
when he married Miss M. S. Burton, of Mississippi.
They have the following family: J. T. (a young
man of twenty-seven, unmarried, living at home),
Sarah A. (young lady of twenty-three), Nancy S.
(wife of J. M. Burford, died in 1888), W. S., D.
A., George W., Miles (who died at the age of
three years) and Dinah M. (a little girl of twelve
years). After marriage our subject continued farm-
ing till March, 1862, when he enlisted in Com-
pany A, Thirty-lifth Mississippi, Col. Barrey's
regiment, under Capt. Watson. He was in the
battles of Corinth, luka, Second Corinth, Holly
Springs, the siege of Vicksburg, when he was
paroled and returned home, afterward returning to
the Parole Camps, at Columbus. Miss. , from which
place they were called to join Johnson, at Resaca;
they went to Meridian, Miss. , thence to Mobile,
through Florida, then to Selma, Ala. , then through
the campaign of Johnson to Atlanta; then, under
Hood, assisted in the destruction of the railroad
fi-om Atlanta to Dalton; then to Franklin, Tenn.,
Spring Hill, Nashville to luka, Miss., thence to ,
Mobile and Blakeley, being captured and consigned
to Ship Island, where he remained till the close of
the war. He was paroled at Vicksbm-g, June 1 ,
1865. On his return he engaged in farming till
1870, when he sold out and moved to Bowen's
Ridge, in Jackson County, where he bought ninety-
three acres of land, and engaged in farming, and
buying and clearing land, till he had 370 acres,
150 under cultivation. In 1878 he engaged in
mercantile business in Bowen's Ridge, till 1885,
when, seeing there was an opening for a town at
the present site of Weldou, he built a house there
and moved to that place, and trading half of his '
goods to W. H. Wise for half of eighty acres of
land, they began business, with success, and dur-
ing that year the Batesville & Brinkley Railroad
reached that point, and the town was laid off, and
in the fall of 1885, the depot was erected. Through
his influence the town grew rapidly, and in the
spring of 1886, Mr. Kinibrough was made agent
of the railroad company, which position he still
holds. He now owns 280 acres of land, and one-
half of the town property at Weldon. He has over I
100 acres in cultivation. He is a Democrat, and
he and his family are members of the Methodist
Church. He is also prominent in all enterprises
for the good of the country.
T. D. Kinman, a popular resident, and cashier
of the Newport Safe Deposit Bank, of Newport,
was born in Batesville, October 5, IHi-i, and is a
son of Riley and Jane (Bates) Kinman, of Lexing-
ton, Ky. , and Batesville, Ark. , respectively. The
Bates family were among the first settlers of Bates-
ville, and are of Irish descent, the maternal grand-
father, Robert Bates, coming from Ireland, and
first settling at Philadelphia. He was a tailor by
trade and followed his occupation in that city for
some time. Later on he became a well-known ho-
tel keeper, until retired by old age. Riley Kin-
man immigrated to Batesville in 1842, and was
there married and resided for a number of years.
He was a steamboat captain during the earlier
years of his life in Arkansas, and his latter days
were spent on a farm in Jackson County. His
death occiured on the 17tli of September, 1883,
leaving a large circle of friends to mourn him.
Two children were born to Mr. Riley Kinman and
his first wife, the latter dying in 1846, aod he has
had one daughter by the second marriage, Mattie E. ,
wife of Judge J. H. Wynn, of Greenville, Miss.
His son, T. D. Kinman, was reared in Batesville,
and educated at that place. In July, 1861, he en-
listed in Capt. John Dye's company of the Seventh
Arkansas Regiment, and served all through the
war until the surrender. He was assigned to the
paymaster's and supply departments, and was one
of the adjutant-general's staff officers, taking part
in the battles of Stone River, Shiloh, Chickamauga
and several others. After the surrender he re-
returned to Jacksonport, and engaged in the steam-
boat agency and commission business, in which he
continued for four or five years, when he embarked
in the steamboat business, running to Memphis
and New Orleans. In 1876 he was associated with
Capt. Albert B. Smith in steamboating on the
White River to the mountains, and remained with
him until 1880, when he returned to Newport, and
entered into the firm of Wishon Bros., as book-
keeper, continuing with them until 1883, when the
business was discontinued. He then went with E.
^-.
f
L. Watson & Son, with whom bo remained until
April, 1889, and then accepted a position with \A'.
L. McDonald as book-keeper until September, re-
signing to go in the bank. Mr. Kinnian was treas-
urer of Newport for some length of time. He
owns about 2.000 acres of land, with about 700
acres iinder cultivation, and has one of the finest
farms in Jackson County. The land is adapted to
almost any kind of grain and vegetables, and he
also deals quite largely in stock. He was njarried,
in 1867, to Miss Mary E. Dillard, of Missouri, by
whom he has had one son, Thaddons D., Jr. Mr.
and Mrs. Kinman are members of the Episcopal
Church, and Mr. Kinman belongs to the Royal
Arcanum, of which he is treasurer. He has an
elegant residence and one of the most pleasant
homes in Newport, and is very pojuilar in his
community.
Francis M. Lamberton is a leading and influ-
ential attorney at the bar of Newport, and lends
eminent strength to the fraternity, his name shin-
ing as a star of the first magnitude in the firma-
ment of Arkansas law. His birth occurred in
Cedar County, Mo., on the ()th of April, 1850,
and he is a son of Christopher I. and Miranda
(Edsell) Lamberton, the father a native of the
" Keystone State "' and the mother a native of the
" Backeye State." They were married in Mans-
field. Ohio, but about the year 1840 removed to
th(> State of Missouri, and took up their location in
Cedar County, where the father followed mer-
chandising and dealt in live stock. In this county
l)oth parents died, having reared a family of seven
children, of whom our subject is the youngest.
His boyhood days were spent in his native State,
and being a youth of a rather thoughtful disposi-
tion, he applied himself closely to his l)ooks dur-
ing his school days, and in later years while a stu-
dent in the University of Nebraska he was diligent
and })ainstakiiig. From this instutitiou he was
graduated in 1877, and the following year (1878)
he located in the State of Arkansas, and in 1883
took up his abode in Newport being admitted to
the bar the same year. He has since successfully
followed the practice of law, and is now filling the
office of justice of the peace, to which position he
was elected in 1884. To his marriage to Miss
Annie Wearham, which occurred in December,
1883, have been born a family of three children:
Horace C. and Annie L. (twins), born in 1887, and
Frank. Mrs. Lamberton is a member of the
Methodist Episco[)al Church. The paternal grand-
father, Christopher Lamberton, was a native of
Ireland, and was a graduate of Dublin University.
By profession he was a lawyer, and was one of the
early settlers of Ohio, dying there at the ago
of ninety-four years. The maternal grandfather
was a colonel in the War of 1812, and died of
cholera in Cairo, III.
T. D. Lawrence, general merchant, Tuckerman,
Ark. Mr. Lawrance's career in life, as far as its
connection with industrial afFairs is coucerued.
might be divided into two periods, that during
which he was occupied in agricultural pursuits, and
his more recent experience in the capacity of a
merchant. He owes his nativity to the Blue Grass
State, where his l)irth occurre>d, in 183f), and is
second in a family of five children born to William
and B. Gatsy (Pace) Lawrence, natives of Alabama.
They settled in Kentucky at an early day, Ijut
later moved iroxn there to Tennessee. Mr. Law-
rence was a very active man in the early history of
the State, and was a successful tiller of the soil.
His death occurred in West Tennessee, in 1844,
and he was a member of the Hard Shell Baptist
Church. The mother died in 1886, at the ago of
seventy -two years. T. D. Lawrence secured a fair
education in the schools of Gibson County, and
was early instructed in the mysteries of farm life.
He was the second of the following children ; ^lary
(now Mrs. Shelton, resides in Weakley County,
Tonn.), T. D. , Susan (now Mrs. demons, resides
in Howell County, Mo.), Elizabeth (now Mrs.
Parker, resides in Weakley Connty, Tonn. ), and
John William, whose death occurred in Weakley
County. Tenn., in 1858, at the age of nineteen
years. T. D. Lawrence came to Jackson County,
Ark., in November, IStiil, locating in Bird Town-
ship, entered land and bought KU) acres, which he
proceeded to cultivate. He was married in Jack
son County, in 1861. to Miss Sarah V. Palmer, a
native of Memphis, Tonn., and daughter of Samuel
J'-
IhL
880
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
and Louisa (Means) Palmer. Mr. and Mrs. Palmer
were natives of Kentucky, and were among the
pioneers of Jackson County, Ark. Mr. Palmer was
a farmer and an honorable, uprij^ht citizen. After
his marriage, T. D. Lawrence settled in Bird
Township, where he opened up some land, and
where he now has 800 acres under cultivation.
He is the owner of 1,700 acres in Jackson Countj%
and 330 acres in two farms in Lawrence County,
neai' Alicia. He is a successful stock raiser, and
on his extensive farm may be found many fine cat-
tle and hogs. He has about seventeen tenants on
his farms. He also runs two cotton-gins and a
blacksmith shop, besides owning considerable prop-
erty in town. He owns 160 acres adjoining Tuck-
erman, or rather owns East Tuckerman, and lots
have been laid off. He has resided in town since
1 885, and has followed tlie general mercantile busi-
ness since, although in 1881 he engaged in this
business on his farm. He lost his wife in 1879.
By that union he became the father of five chil-
dren: William Shelby (married, and resides on the
home farm), Lula Lee (now Mrs. Spriggs, resides
in this count}'), Felix, Albert and Lucien. 'Mr.
Lawrence was married again in Jackson County,
in 1881, to Miss Elizabeth Perrox, a native of
Craighead County, Ark. He has taken quite an
active part in politics, and votes with the Republi-
can party. He was in the service a short time
during the war, then exchanged and remained in
the North until the close of hostilities. He has
served in different official capacities, viz. : deputy
sheriff, magistrate, and has been a member of the
school board. He is deeply interested in educa-
tional matters. Mrs. Lawrence is a member of the
Missionary Baptist Church.
Andrew Lawson, farmer and fruit raiser, is a
native of Denmark, and by occupation a carpen-
ter. He left his native land on an expedition to
Greenland, remaining six months, when he came
to Philadelphia, Penn. , in 1869; from there he
journeyed to Buffalo, and thence to Chicago, where
he made an engagement to go to Mississippi, to
clear land, at $20 per month, working at this in
the winter and at his trade in Memphis, during
the summer. In 1873 he was united in marriage
to Miss Delia Nelson, a native of Denmark, after
which they traveled and prospected in Texas, re-
turned to Mississippi, and in the early part of
1874, came to Arkansas, and engaged with Dr.
Peters, to take charge of the stock, orchards, etc. ,
on the plantations. There he remained two years,
and then started for Little Rock, engaging with
the Baring Cross Bridge Company; he worked on
the bridge across the river at Baring Cross, and on
its completion secured the position of watchman,
where he remained for three years, when he locat-
ed at Grande Glaise, in charge of the water
station. In 1883 he bought eighty acres of partly
improved land adjoining that upon which stood
the water station, which he improved, and there is
now upon the place a fine young orchard and vine-
yard. Mr. Lawson was instrumental in securing
the postoffice at Grande Glaise, and has been the
only postmaster in charge. Mr. and Mrs. Lawson
are both members of the Danish Lutheran Church.
He is a member of Newport Lodge, I. O. O. F.,
in which he takes an active interest: he is also a
member of the Knights of Honor, Lodge No.
1159, Little Rock, Ark., and takes a very active
interest in temperance matters, and all religious,
educational and social enterprises.
Thomas James Laytou, of Cache Township,
Jackson County, is a native of Fountain County,
Ind. , and was born September 28, 1830. He is a
son of Samuel and Ella (Ogle) Layton, natives of
Ohio, where they were married. The father died
in Indiana, about the year 1859, and the mother
in Illinois, in 1877. Thomas J. was reared to
farming, receiving the advantages of the common
schools of his native State. At the age of four-
teen he learned the cooper's trade, which ho fol-
lowed in connection with farming until he was
twenty years of age. In October, 1854, he mar-
ried Miss Anna Bradshaw, who was born in Indi-
ana, and to their union were born four children,
viz. : Samuel James Layton, born in 1855, a
merchant of Weldon, Ark., who married Miss
Georgia Symmonds, of Stafford County, Kas. , in
August, 1879; John McElroy Layton, a farmer by
occupation, who married, in 1883, Miss Emma
Bowen, of Indiana; David L. Laytou, married
Miss Neila Burton, in February, 1884, and is in
partnership with his brother, Samuel, at Weldon;
Jesse B. married Miss Lydia Burton, and is a
farmer, also operating a cotton-gin. Th(! mother
of this family died in September, 1864, in Cham-
paign County, lU. , and her remains were taken to
Indiana for interment. In October, 1865, Mr.
Layton, married Mrs. M. J. McCorkhill, nee Ful-
ler, widow of W. J. R. McCorkhill, of Indiana.
She had one child by her former marriage, Mahala
Josephine, born in Vermilion County, 111. , who, in
1864, married William C. Glover, of Virginia, a
farmer and carpenter by trade; he was the princi-
pal contractor in rebuilding Newport, Ark., after
its loss by lire. Mr. and Mrs. Layton have seven
children, viz.: Anna C. , born in Missouri, in 1866,
married, in December, 1885, Howard Fletcher;
William Thomas, born March 28, 1869; Fairel-
lener, born May 9, 1870, married, December 9,
1888, Lee Stanley, of Cross County, Ark. ; Mar-
garet, born April 11, 1872: Katie, born December
3, 1873, and Jacob H., born January 13, 1876,
died February 15, 1889. Mr. Layton removed
with his family to Arkansas, in 1867, locating in
the neighborhood in which he now lives, where he
rented land for three years. In 1871 he bought
eighty acres of his present farm, which was en-
tirely unimproved, and which he began at once to
clear and improve. He has been successful, and
has added to his farm from time to time, until now
it contains 346 acres, seventy-eight acres of which
are under cultivation. He has one of the finest
farms in the county, as a result of enterprise and
jjerseveranee. Though not an active politician,
Mr. Layton votes with the Union Labor party.
Dr. W. H. Lenox, physician and surgeon,
Denmark, Ark. This prominent and successful
practitioner was born in Kolla, Phelps County,
Mo., in 1837, and located in Denmark, Jackson
County, Ark., in 1878. His parents, Hamilton
and Permelia (Harrison) Lenox, were natives, re-
spectively, of Kentucky and South Carolina, and
both immigrated to Missouri in ISl 1. They settled
in what is now Callaway County, were reared in
that county. l)ut were married in Pulaski County,
in 1834, after which Hamilton Lenox followed till-
ing the soil in Craighead County for some time.
From there he moved to Phelps County, but in
1861 left the State of Missouri, and took up his
residence in Jackson County, Ark., where he made
his home until 1863. He then went to Van Burea
County, where he [)nrchasod and improved a farm,
and there resided until his death, which occurred
in November, 18()5. He took a deep interest in
the early settlement of the county, and was promi-
nently fdentified with its affairs. In politics he
was first a Whig, but later became a Democrat.
His faithful and much beloved companion followed
him to the grave in 1874. Grandfather Williani
Lenox was one of the early pioneers of Callaway
County, Mo., was a soldier in the War of 1812,
and also saw duty in the Seminole War. Great-
grandfather Lenox was also a soldier in the War of
1812. Grandfather Harrison was an early settler
of Pulaski County. Mo., and made that his home
during life. He lived to an advanced age. Dr.
W. H. Lenox attained his growth in Phelps
County, Mo., and received his rudimentary educa-
tion in the subscription schools of the same. He
first began reading medicine under the tutelage of
J. P. Harrison, of Phel|)s County, then under N. A.
Davis, of Greene County, and finally under John
Hyer, of Dent County. In 1855 he entered
McDowell College, now called Missouri Jledieal
College, at St. Louis, but later, on account of
bronchial troubles, went to Lake Providence, La..
to recuperate. After remaining in that State for
three winters, he returned to Phelps County, Mo.,
and was there occupied in farming and trading in
horses and mules. He selected for his companion
in life Miss Ellen E. Stiegleman, a native of Cum-
berland Valley. Penu., and was married to her in
Laclede County, Mo., in 1861. Her father, Dr.
Stiegleman, was an eminent physician of Penn-
sylvania, and received his final summons in Mis-
souri. Her mother now resides in Dent Coimty,
Mo. In 186 1 , or the same year of his marriage. Dr.
Lenox moved to Jackson County. Ark., settled in
Union Township, and the same year enlisted in
Company A, Col. Freeman's regiment, but did
not serve with the regiment, as he received per
mission to remove to .Vrkansas. He then went to
882
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
Jackson County, to Corinth, and enlisted in Com-
pany K, Fourth Missouri Infantry, Col. McFar-
land's regiment, after which he participated in
the engagements around Corinth, Jackson, Ray-
mond and Big Bhick Bridge. Prior to the engage-
ment at Vicksburg, he went to Little Rock, thence
to Van Buren County, Ark., and there, in 1864,
raised Company C (cavalry), and was made captain
of the same under Col. Coleman. He joined Gen.
Price's raid through Missouri, and was in the bat-
tle of Pilot Knob. He was captured near Jefferson
City, and confined a prisoner at Johnston Island
until the close of the war. After his release he
returned to Van Buren County, Ark., engaged in
farming, and there remained until coming to Jack-
son County in 1878, as above stated. He com-
menced the practice of medicine in Van Buren
County in 1S73, and has thus continued ever since,
having built up a paying and profitable practice. In
connection with this Dr. Lenox is also engaged in
cultivating the soil, having purchased 210 acres, to
which he has since added eighty acres, and now
has forty acres in tillable condition. One hun-
dred and thirty acres of the Doctor's laud are in
White County, and he is also engaged in raising
stock. He is not active in politics, and does not
vote; in school matters he takes a decided inter-
est, and is connected with an incorporated school
at Pleasant Plains, being trustee of the same. Dr.
and Mrs. Lenox are members of the organization
collectively known as Ecclesia of the Deity, com-
posed individually of Christ Adelphians, which
means Church of God, composed of Christ's
Brethren. To their marriage were born the follow-
ing children: Shelby L., Laura E., Florence O.,
Edna G. and Pearley E.
George W. Littleton, a farmer and stock raiser,
of Village Township, is a son of William and
Martha (Brown) Littleton, the former a native of
North Carolina, and the latter born in Tennessee,
in which latter State this worthy couple were mar-
I'ied. William Littleton emigrated to Tennessee
with his father in 1801 ; he was the father of ten
children, of whom four sons and four daughters
are still living. In the order of their birth George
W. was the fourth. In 1886 he married Miss
Telitha Jane Hall, a native of Virginia, and to
them have been born seven children, viz: Martin,
born in 1858; Eliza, who married Mr. Henry Sul
livau in 1873, and died in 1875; Samuel P., who
was born in 1865; Martha Lena, married John
Darden, February 23, 1887; William, born in
1870; Amanda, born in 1872; and Henry, born in
1875. Mr. Littleton and family removed from
Tennessee to Arkansas in 1872; he rented land
which he farmed for several years, when he pur-
chased eighty acres, only six acres of which were
under cultivation; he and his sons cleared forty-
nine acres of this place, and he is now negotiating
the purchase of 220 acres in Bird Township, Jack-
son County, 125 acres of which are cleared ami
broken, to which place he expects to move. He
has some very fine stock on his place, among which
are thirteen blooded horses, good grades of cattle,
and about eighty hogs of the best breeds. In poli-
tics Mr. Littleton is inclined to be liberal. In
1862 he enlisted in Company I, First Regiment
Tennessee Volunteer Infantry, was immediately
promoted to the sergeantcy, and subsequently be-
came first lieutenant, thus serving luitil the close
of the war, in all three years and four months.
George A. Lockard, deputy county clerk at
Jacksonport, Jackson County, Ark. This promi-
nent citizen of the county owes his nativity to
Breckinridge County, Ky., where his birth oc-
curred on the 5th day of June, 1846. His parents,
Phillip A. and Armilda (Dowell) Lockard, are na"
tives, respectively, of Westmoreland County. Va.,
and Breckinridge County, Ky. They were mar-
ried in the latter State whither the father had
come when a boy, and there remained until 1849,
when he and family moved to Jackson County,
Ark. They located at Jacksonport, and there the
father engaged in the livery business until
about the year 1852, at which time he moved to
the country near Jacksonport, and followed the
occupation of overseer of slaves, in said county,
until the year 1856. Moving to the State of
Louisiana he continued as overseer of slaves on a
plantation, near Donaldsonville, until his death,
which occurred in March, 1859. Then in the fall
following the mother and family returned to Jack-
JACKSON COUNTY.
^s:',
son Conuty, Ark., aud there roniained until her
death, which occurred in November of 1859. The
family consisted of five children, of whom our
subject is the only survivor, he being only three
years old when his father first moved to Arkansas.
At bis mother's death he returned to the land of
his nativity, and remained there during the war.
and in 1866 returned to Jackson County, Ark.,
where he grew to manhood, receiving such educa-
tion as the schools of that day afforded, and, at an
early age, he began the occupation of clerk in the
mercantile business, at Jacksonport, where he has
since resided. Since the year 1S7S he has been
acting as deputy clerk of Jackson County, and
at present is still acting in that capacity. He is a
pioneer of Jackson County, and during bis residence
here has witnessed many changes in the way of
improvements, etc. He was married, in May, 1885,
to Miss Lizzie Bach, a native of Germany, and the
fruits of his union are two sons: George A. and
Franklin A. Mr. Lockard is a member of the
Masonic fraternity, and American Legion of Honor.
Mrs. Lockard is a member of the Lutheran Church.
Samuel W. Loftin, a general farmer and stock
raiser, residing on Section 15, township of Grubbs,
Jackson County, was born in liutherford County,
Tenn. , August 31, 1834. His parents were Eldredge
and Elizabeth (Moore) Loftin, natives, respectively,
of North Carolina and Tennessee. The father died
two years after his location in Jackson County,
Ai'k., which was in 1849; the mother died in Ten-
nessee in 1840. Samuel W. received a limited
common school education in the private schools of
Tennessee, and in 1857 commenced business for
himself. He married Miss Elizabeth Denton,
whose birth occurred August 12, 1843, and of
their eight children, four died in infancy; those
living are Sallie, born January 19, 1867 (who tin-
i.shed her education at Jacksonport, and is now the
wife of Eli Evans, a native of Tennessee, and has
three children, of whom two are living: Bertha,
born in 18S6, and Elizabeth, I)orn in 1888), Rob-
ert M.. born December 15, 1873; Rachel E., born
September 12, 1875, and Cora, the latter born July
25, 1882. In 1859 Mr. Loftin bought eighty acres
of wild land, upon which he erected a log cabin.
and industriously set to work to clear and improve.
He afterward bought 200 acres more, and liuilt a
comfortable farm house, in which the family now
live. Mr. Loftin takes an active interest in educa-
tional matters, and proposes to give his children
the advantages of a good education, as, having been
deprived of the same himself, he realizes its im-
portance, and does not wish them to grow up in
ignorance, and the humiliating consciousness that
they are inferior to others in that direction. Mrs.
Loftin is a member of the Missionary Baptist
Church, and the family is highly respected by all.
B. R. McDearmon, one of the prominent citi-
zens and manufacturers of Weldon, Ark. , is a native
of Tennessee, having been born in Wilson County,
September 19, 1858. His parents were William
W. and Martha (Wright) McDearmon, of Tennes
see. His father came to Batesville, Ark., and en-
gaged in business of contractor and builder, till
his death in 1879 or 1880. The mother died A]>ril
19, 1887. They were members of the Missionary
Baptist Church, and the father was a Democrat,
and served four years in the Southern army, being
once captured, but never wounded. The subject
of this sketch spent his school days in Batesville,
and attended the State University at Fayetteville
one year, receiving a good English and scientific
education. At the age of eighteen he went to
Tennessee for his health, and spent two years as
apprentice with S. L. Garrett, a noted architect of
Louisburg, Tenn. In 1879 he returned to Arkan-
I sas, and, on account of his father's ill health, ran
1 his saw-mill on what is now the Pickett farm, at the
I same time carrying on the same business ten miles
south of Newport. In 1880 he sold his father's
mill (after his death), and in 1888 his own. in the
meantime having built the grist-mill and machine
shops at Weldon. He also in 1.S88 built the larg
est cotton-gin and press in the county. November
15, 1881, he married Miss Susan L. ShoiTner,
daughter of A. E. and JIartba (Patterson) Shoffiier.
Mr. Shoffner being a prominent fanner of Jackson
County. They have two daughters: Pearl, three
years old. and Node, eight months, respwtively.
Mr. McDearmon, who has been active in the de
velopment of Weldon, now owns several town lots.
I'
j!dl
884
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
and two blocks in the town. In connection with
the milling and ginning business, he does general
repairing and manufacturing, and takes no part in i
politics.
Roberts Manly, farmer and stock raiser of
Union Township, Jackson County, Ark., was born
January 16, 1830, in Henderson County, Tenn. ,
a son of Elkarp and Catherine (Roberts) Manly,
who are of English and Irish descent, natives of
North Carolina, and who both died in Tennessee.
In 1855 Mr. Manly went to Missouri, locating in
Dunklin County, where he engaged in farming for
ten years, and in 1806 located on his present farm
in Arkansas, which consists of eighty acres of fine
land, sixty of which are in a high state of cultivation,
cotton being the principal crop; on this farm he has
planted a veiy tine and large apple orchard, con-
taining the very best varieties, his object being to
raise fruit which will keep the year round. Mr.
Manly, by his thrift and perseverance, has made
all the tine improvements to be seen upon his farm.
While he had not the advantages of an education,
he is greatly interested in the schools, and believes
the interests of the country could be best subserved
by liberally educating the children. Mr. Manly
married Miss Mary Armstrong, of North Carolina.
By this union there were seven children, one, W. S.
Manly, growing to manhood, and now residing in
Marion County, Ark. Mrs. Elizabeth Manly died
in 1863, and Mr. Manly was again married, to Mrs.
Rhoda (Bates) Berry, a widow, and a native of
Georgia. They had one child, Rufus H. Manly,
born in 1866. The other children were William,
Sutton, Elizabeth, Harriet and Tennessee Caroline;
two daughters and one son are now living. Mr.
Manly, his wife and children, are members of the
Missionary Baptist Church; Mr, Manly being a
Democrat, and a member of Jackson Lodge No.
91, A. F. & A. M. He was formerly a Whig.
Fred J. Mason, farmer, Jacksonport, Ark. Of
the many residents of foreign birth in Jackson
County, none are more honest, industrious or more
deserving of success than the German element of
which Mr. Mason is a representative. He was born
in Saxony, December 16, 1840, and his parents,
Carl and Christina (Gehering) Mason, were natives
of the same province. The father followed agri-
cultural pursuits in the old country. In 1852 he
sailed to America, taking passage at Bremen on a
sailing vessel, and landed at New York City after
a forty-two days' ocean voyage. He came as far as
Buffalo by railroad, then took a boat on Lake
Erie, went from there to Sandusky, Ohio, thence
to Cincinnati, and fi'om there down the Ohio River,
stopping in Southern Indiana. They located in Per-
ry County, and there both parents died. They had
three childi'en : Fred J., Augusta and Christopher.
The eldest child, Fred J., was only eleven years
old when he came to America, and he remained in
Indiana with his parents until of age. During
the stirring period of the war he came to Little
Rock, Ark., and was there employed as butcher
for the government, remaining in that capacity un-
til cessation of hostilities. He subsequently moved
to Batesville, where he followed the butcher" s trade
for one year, and in the fall of 1869 he came to
Jacksonport, Ark. , where he followed his trade for
fourteen years. For the past few years he has
been engaged in farming, and has one of the finest
tracts of land along the river, 700 acres in all, with
200 acres imder cultivation. Mr. Mason makes
his residence in Jacksonport, and is a progressive
and enterprising citizen. He was married, in 1868,
to Mrs. Mary Sharj), nee Young, by whom he has
five children: Frank, Carrie, Ruth, Fred and Fan-
nie. His wife Mary died January 15, 1883, and
Mr. Mason married his present wife, Ella Cameron,
September 12, 1886.
Dr. David May, practicing physician and farm-
er, is a large planter, of Breckinridge Township.
He was born in Missouri, November 15, 1826.
His parents were John and Guyan (Morgan) May,
natives of Pennsj'lvania and Virginia, who moved
to what is now Bollinger County, Mo., about 1820.
David's father was born in 1759, in Pennsylvania,
and at the age of seventeen ran away from home,
and joined the American army, serving four years
in the field, and the last three years of that strug-
gle as a hospital nurse. On coming to Missouri he
bought 160 acres of land, on whicli he lived, and
died in 1841. He was a Democrat, and both him-
self and wife were members of the Baptist Church.
•^ Q
9 k^
.^M
JACKSON COUNTY.
8S5
Our subject is the youngest of a family of eight
children: William (deceased), Hamilton (deceased),
Andrew (deceased); Alpha, wife of James Boker,
farmer, of Missouri; Eliza, of South Missouri;
Mary, wife of Anderson Virgin, farmer, of Missouri,
and John (deceased). Dr. May was raised on a
farm, and received his education in the common
schools, and in the academic school near Bloom-
field, Mo. When a young man he secured med-
ical works, which he studied for the purpose of at-
tending his own family, but, the demand being
great, in 1875, he went to Nashville and attended
a course of medical lectures, and has since had a
successful general practice, until the present, when
he is about retiring. At the age of eighteen years
he began his career as a farmer, and in 1850 married
Miss Rina W. Naremore. They had one child,
George W. , born April 5, 1851, who now lives in
Jackson County. Mrs. May died in 187G, and in
1877 he married Evaline T. Gwynn, a native of
Tennessee, who had one child, but both mother and
child died in 1878, and the same year our sub-
ject married Sarah E. McMinn, relict of Jos-
eph W. McMinn. They have one child, Will-
iam Lee, ten years old. In 1848 Dr. May came
to Jackson County and settled on what is now
the Pickett farm. He bought and entered 160
acres of land, cleared fifty or sixty acres of the
same, and in 1858 sold it and entered 160 acres of
the farm he now works, which was then in the
woods. He now owns 600 acres of land, having
200 acres under cultivation, all of which he cleared.
During his residence here of forty-one years, Dr.
May has seen a great many changes, and has done
his share in the development of the country. He
served as magistrate sixteen years, during which
time but one appeal was taken from his decision,
and that appeal was not sustainc^d. He and his
wife are members of the Baptist Church, and for
the last twenty years he has filled the position of
local minister of that church. He is a member of
the Royal Arcanum, is a Wheeler, and votes the
Democratic ticket. In addition to his farming and
l>ractico, Dr. May is taking some interest in horse
and mule breeding, and has as good a stock farm
as there is in the county.
William Miller, planter and stock raiser, was
born in Humphreys County, Tenn., in 1839, the
oldest of two boys born to Henry and Louisa (Cole)
Miller, natives of Tennessee. The parents dying
when the boys were quite young, they were left to
depend upon themselves. Our subject was reared
to farm life, and also learned wood-work, and re
ceived his education in the subscription schools of
Tennessee. He was married in Humphreys County.
Tenn., in 1857, to Martha Jane Plummer, of Ten-
nessee, daughter of John and Parthena (Mat
this) Plummer, natives of Virginia, who emigi-ated
to Tennessee in an early day, where they died.
After his marriage William settled on a farm, and
in 1861 enlisted in Capt. MoAdoo's company for
three years; he was in the battles of Bell Buckle,
Tallahassee, where he was taken sick, and sent to
Atlanta, where ho remained two months, when he
returned to Tallahassee. He was in the campaigns
in North Alabama, East and Middle Tennessee and
North Mississippi, and in 1865 surrendered under
Col. Hurd. In 1872 Mr. Miller came to Jackson
County, Ark., settling in Bird Township, where,
in 1880, he bought 120 acres of improved land;
he has continued to improve it. and has now nine-
ty acres under cultivation, having planted a good
orchard, and has all varieties of fruit. He raises
hogs, horses and cattle. In 1870 his wife died
leaving foiu' children: Henry (married), James
William (married), Charles Lafayette, and Louisa
(now Mrs. R. Donahoe), all residing in Bird Town-
ship. In Jackson County, in 1881, Mr. Miller
married Belle Corson, a native of North Alabama,
daughter of Charley and Julia (Anderson) Corson,
who were early settlers of Alabama. They have
had foui- children: Jesse, Dawson, Julia Pinckuey
and Rosa Lee. Our subject is not active in poli-
tics, and votes independently. He has been road
overseer, and is a member of the Methodist Epis-
copal Church; he is practically a self-made man.
and interested in the welfare of his coinity.
Lancelot Minor is a leading member of the
! bar of Jackson County, and owes his nativity to
Albemarle County, Va., his liirth occurring in
Charlottesville, June Ki, 1S47. He inherits Scotch
and Irish blood from his ancestors, and is a son
J^
HISTORY OP ARKANSAS.
of Dr. Charles and Lucy W. (Minor) Minor, both
of whom were born in Louisa County, Va., the
father's birth occurring at what was known as
Minor's Folly, the old homestead. He was reared
on this farm, and upon reaching a proper age be
gan the study of medicine, and became a graduate
of a medical university of his native State, and of
one in Philadelphia, Penn., both noted colleges.
He first entered upon his practice in Albemarle
County, Va., continuing there iintil 1S54, then
gave up his profession and established the Brook-
hill College, or preparatory school, which he suc-
cessfully conducted until the breaking out of the
late Civil War. He then raised a company and
sent it into service, but was unable to go himself,
and died in 1862 at the age of sixty years. His
widow survived him until 1879, when she, too,
followed him to the grave. Seven of the family
of thirteen children born to them are now living:
Mrs. William R. Abbott, whose husband is prin-
cipal of the Bellevue Institute of Bedford County,
Va. ; Mrs. Loed, a widow residing in Wilmington,
N. C. ; Lancelot, Kate, residing in Virginia; John
B., Jr., also in Virginia: Annie and Dr. J. C, of
Walnut Ridge, Ark. Both the paternal and ma-
ternal grandfathers were soldiers in the Revolu-
tionary War. and were well educated men, having
prepared themselves for a professional life, but
were practically good farmers. Lancelot Minor re-
sided on his father's farm until Civil War times,
then left the Brookhill school, of which his father
was manager, to take up arms for the Confederate
cause. He enlisted in Rock Bridge Artillery, and
served the cause he espoused, faithfully and well,
until April 8, 1865, when he was wounded at
Cumberland Church, Virginia, by a gun shot pass-
ing through his right lung. He was left at a
farm house, being thought dead, but at the
end of about five days he began to recover, and
in the care of the kind people with whom
he was left he remained until he was thor-
oughly convalescent, but, from the effects of his
wound, he had become paralyzed. He remained
in this condition until 1867, when he recovered
the use of his limbs, and soon after resumed farm-
ing, continuing until 1868, when he was taken
with the pioneer fever, and determined to push
westward. He did so, and settled at Miami
County, Kas. , where he farmed until 1 870, then
came overland to Jacksonport, Ark. , and was en-
gaged in farming and dairying at this point up to
1875. In the meantime he had been reading law,
and in the above mentioned year he was admitted
to the bar, and formed a partnership with his
brother, Charles, which continued up to the lat-
ter's death, in 1879. After being in practice
alone for four years, he entered into partnership
with Franklin Doswell, one of the oldest attorneys
in Jackson County, and their connection has since
continued, the firm being known as Minor & Dos-
well. They make a strong legal firm, and, by their
superior abilities, command a large patronage in
this and surroiuiding counties. Mr. Minor owns
a great deal of real estajte in Jackson County, and
is the originator of the White River Stock Breed-
er's Association, of which he is the president.
They have forty acres with a mile track for train-
ing, which is now under the management of Prof.
Menkie. Mr. Minor is deeply interested in this
enterprise, and, so far, it has proved a decided
success. He has attained the hig-hest dearree in the
Masonic fraternity, and is also a member of the
K. of P. and the Royal Arcanum. He has been
a member of the city council, and is at present
chief of the fire department. He was married,
in 1868, to Miss Emma W. Minor, by whom he
became the father of two children, Charles and
Louisa, but in 1884 was called upon to mourn her
death. In July, 1887, he espoused his second
wife. Miss Theo Ferguson, of Augusta, Ark. They
are members of the Episcopal Church.
Nathaniel D. Moon, farmer and stock raiser,
was born July 19, 1844, and in 1858 came to Ar-
kansas with his parents, Leroy and Mary A. (Gulp)
Moon, who were natives of Alabama. Nathaniel
was raised on the farm, receiving his education in
the private schools of Alabama, and the public
schools of Arkansas, and in 1868 came with his
parents to Jackson County, and in 1869 bought a
farm of 120 acres in Section 1, erected a double
log-house, and at once commenced clearing and
improving the land, and in 1870 put four acres
•? a
:x.
<i fc_
1^
JACKSON COUNTY.
887
into corn; each year be weat through the same
routine, and in 1875 had thirty-eight acres under
cultivation. At various times he bought adjoining
land, until the homestead now contains 280 acres,
Mr. Moon at the present time owning 874 acres,
200 of which are under cultivation. In 1883
be entered the mercantile business with A. J.
Mills, opening up a stock of family groceries and
drugs. In 1885 J. H. Myers was admitted to
partnership, the business being conducted under
the firm name of Mills. Moon & Co., for one year,
when Mr. Myers withdrew, Messrs. Mills & Moon
continuing the same until 1SS8, when Mr. Moon
retired to private life. November 25, 1806, Mr.
Moon married Miss Frances M. Dickenson, of
Tennessee. They had nine children, fom* of whom
are living: Mollie W. (born October 16, 1867),
Leroy \\. (born March 16, 1871), Ozella K. (t)om
December 27, 1873) and James N. (born February
19. 1879). June 15, 1884, Mr. Moon married
Miss Myra E. Lawler, of Arkansas. One child
was born to them, which died. Mr. Moon is a
member in good standing of Thornlnirg Lodge No.
371, A. F. & A. M., and is a member of the Chris-
tian Church. He always takes an interest in enter-
prises for the advancement and progress of the
county and State.
John T. Moon, an enterprising farmer and stock
raiser of Glass Township, Jackson County, was
born in Washington County, Ark., in 1850, being
the fourth in a family of eight children born to Le-
roy and Majy (Culp) Moon, natives of Alabama.
In early life Leroy Moon was a school-teacher.
He was married in Alabama, and, in 1848, located
in Washington County, Ark. , where he purchased
a large farm, which he disposed of, and removed
to Calhoun County, thence to Glass Township,
Jackson County, in 1868, settling near where our
subject now resides, where he died in November,
1880. He was Democratic in principle, and took
an active part in politics in Washington and Cal-
houn Counties. The mother of our subject is still
living, and resides near S wifton. John T. Moon re-
mained at home until his father's death, and com-
meiiced farming for himself on the old homestead.
In 1880 he purchased 160 acres in Glass Township,
which he partly cleared, adding 240 acres, so that
his farm now contains 400 acres, of which seventy
five are under cultivation. He has made many im-
provements, having erected a good frame house
and sfarted a good orchard. He devotes considera-
ble attention to stock raising, keeping good grades.
In 1875 Mr. Moon married Julia Dozier, who was
born in Greene County, Ark., and is a daughter of
William Herndon and Mary Elizabeth (James) Do-
zier, natives of Kentucky. She is of French de-
scent on fhe paternal side, and her grandfather.
Zachariah Dozier, was an early settler of Louis-
ville, which was his permanent home. The father
of Mrs. Moon was a carpenter by trade, and re-
moved from (Jreene County to Pocahontas, Ran-
dolph County, where he lived several years. He
died in 1859, and his widow survived until Augast.
1887. Of the two children born to Mr. and Mrs.
Moon only one is living, Joseph Leroy. Mr. Moon
is a Democrat politically, and takes an active in-
terest in matters pertaining to the welfare of his
county, lending hearty and liberal support to all
worthy public enterprises.
Stephen J. Moore, a farmer and stock raiser of
Cache Township, Jackson County, is a native of
Person County, N. C. , and was l)orn March 28,
1829. His parents were Alfred L. and Sarah
(Cates) Moore, both born in North Carolina. Philip
Moore, grandfather of Stephen J., was a native
of New York, and his parents were natives of
England. Phillip Moore was a prominent church
worker of the Methodist Episcopal denomination,
and held many important ofKces in his county: his
father, Stephen Moore, was a veteran of the Rev-
olution, and was second in command of the force
that was captured through Arnold's treason. Philip
was a planter and machinist, and, when a young
man, went to North Carolina, where he married
and reared his family: he built the first horse-
power threshing machine ever used in that part of
North Carolina, and served a long time as surveyor,
at which latter work he contracted pleurisy, which
terminated his life in December, 1840. Alfred L.
Moore was an enterprising and successful planter,
of North Carolina, and he ami family were mem-
bers of the Methodist Episcopal Church; the fath-
"A
« w.
-^ 2>
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
er's death occurred in August, 1883, and that of
his wife in April, 1884. each living to be about
eighty-three years of age. Stephen J. is the third
child of a family of seven, viz.: William L. (a
farmer, teacher, and mechanic, enlisted in the
Confederate army in Texas, and met his death at
Richmond, Va. , in 1864), Caroline (became the wife
of A. H. Bumpass, a farmer of North Carolina,
and died April 17, 1889, leaving a family of nine
children), Rufus R. (was a farmer, who married and
had two sons; he served in the Confederate army
and was killed in the second battle of the Wilder-
ness, in 1865; his two sons are DeWitt and Rufus,
the former now living on the original Moore home-
stead, and the latter a merchant at Birmingham,
N. C), Susan (is the wife of Henry Foust, a farmer
and mechanic, living in Chicot County, N. C),
Sarah E. (married William Moore, a teacher and
farmer, of Washington, Hempstead County, Ark. ;
they have six daughters and one son), and Alfred
Dudley (a farmer, of Person County, N. C, hav
ing a family of live children). Stephen J. Moore
was reared to the pursuit of farming, in Person
County, N. C. , and at the age of twenty-one en-
gaged in farming for one year in his native State,
after which he went to Sumter County, Ala. ,
where he remained three years, going thence to
Greenfield, Dade County, Mo., where he turned
his attention to the mercantile business for four
years. In 1859 he sold out and returned to North
Carolina. August 16, 1859, he married Sarah
Jane Burton, daughter of Thomas F. and Nancy
Burton, natives, respectively, of Virginia and
North Carolina. Mr. Burton was a prominent
farmer of Alabama and Mississippi. Prior to the
birth of Mrs. (Burton) Moore, her parents lived in
the Cherokee Territory, afterward moving to Ala-
bama, where she was born March 2, 1835. To our
subject and wife have been born seven children,
two of whom died in infancy; those living are:
Nancy E. (wife of George T. Damerson, a native
of Randolph County, Mo.), Fanny (wife of W. H.
Wise, a merchant, of Weldon, Ark.), Alfred T.
(born March 15, 1868, a graduate of Jones Com-
mercial College, of St. Louis), Margaret J. (born I
November 28, 1870, attending the school for the
blind, at Little Rock, Ark. ), Georgia (bom Janu-
ary 21, 1873, also attending the blind school at
Little Rock). Immediately after his marriage Mr.
Moore retu^rned to Dade County, Mo., and the
same year went to Texas, where he engaged in
merchandising three months, then sold out and
went to Kemper County, Miss. ; he farmed one
year, railroaded one year, and, in April, 1862, en-
listed in the Thirty-fifth Mississippi Regiment; he
participated in the battles of Corinth, luka, Chick-
asaw Bayou, and all the summer campaign in
Georgia; August 26, 1864, he was captured in
front of Atlanta, and remained a prisoner of war
at Nashville, Tenn. , Louisville and Camp Douglas,
until June, 1865, when the close of the war set
him free. He then returned to his farm, which he
worked until November, 1809, when he emigrated
to Jackson County, Ark. , and bought and settled
upon the farm upon which he now resides. He
first bought 105 acres of land, very little of which
was cleared; he cleared, improved and built, add-
ing to his acres from time to time, until he now
owns 235 acres, 120 acres of which are under a high
state of cultivation. He votes the Democratic ticket
and is a member of the Masonic fraternity. Mr.
and Mrs. Moore and family are members of the
Methodist Episcopal Church, except Alfred, who
is a Baptist. The family is highly esteemed by all
who know them, and Mr. Moore has done his share
toward the support of worthy, public enterprises.
William H. Morris, a farmer, residing at New-
port, and one of the pioneers of Jackson County,
was born in Pennsylvania on the 6th of January,
1834. He is a son of William H. and Eliza (Proc-
tor) Morris, of New York City and Boston, Mass. ,
respectively. The Morris family are of French
descent. William H. Morris, Sr. , was married in
New York State, and a few years after removed
with his bride to Dayton, Ohio, which was almost
nothing but a wilderness at that period, and owned
a portion of the land upon which the city now
stands. In 1838 he moved to little Rock, Ark.,
where he entered into commercial life and carried
on a successful business until 1840, when he
moved to Austin, in Prairie County. Mr. Morris
remained in that county for one year, and then
^1^-
-n sIV
JACKSON COUNTY.
fSSU
removed to what is now Jackson County, bringing
with him his stock of merchandise and locating at
Elizabeth, then the county seat of tliis county.
He continued in business at that point until 1S54,
when he changed his business to Jacksonport,
where he remained until his death, in 1855, the
mother dying at Little Uock, while residing in
that city. They were the parents of six children,
of whom two still live, and after the moth<>r's
death, the father married a second time, this union
giving him three children: Robert, John and Anna.
During the early days of his settlement he was
postmaster at Elizabeth. At that time coon skins
and beeswax were legal tenders for postage.
William H. Morris was quite young on his arrival
in Jackson County, and was given the l>est educa-
tion to be had at that time. He was early in life
instructed in commercial affairs, and was taught to
look upon it as being marked out for his after
career. He remained with his father until almost
of age, and was then associated with several prom-
inent iirms in Jacksonport and Newport. In 180!)
he purchased his present farm and commenced
cultivating the land, and now has 175 acres, out of
500, under a good state of cultivation. In 1857
he was married to Miss Amelia C. Hamilton, of
Alabama, by whom he has had five children, three
of them now living: Marguerite E., wife of
Stephen Brundidge, Jr., of White County, Ark.:
Savannah H. and Charles M. Mr. Morris is a
member of the Masonic fraternity, and one of the
first settlers of Jackson County, having witnessed
a great many changes from the time of his an'ival
to the present day.
B. C. Morrison is a member of the firm of
Morrison. Decker & Co., manufacturers of tight
barrel staves and hardwood lumber, at Newport.
Mr. MoiTison was born in Denmark, on the 11th of
March, 1843. and until his twentieth year resided
in his native land, and learned farming and tavern
keeping of his father, who followed both occupa-
tions. Becoming imbued with the idea that better
opportunities were offered to young men of push and
energy in the New W^orld, he determined to seek
his fortune in tlie " land of the free," and accord-
ingly, in April, 1863, hetook jiassage at Hambursr.
and landed at Quebec in May. He iinniediai<'i_\
wended his way to Racine, Wis., where he hired
out to a farmer, remaining with him four months,
then entered a cooper shop to learn the trade, and
this occupation received his attention until the fall
of 1801, when he enlisted in the First Wisconsin
Heavy Artillery, United States Army, and was a
faithful servant of his adopted country until July,
1805, when he was mustered out of service. He
returned to his former home at Racine, where he
worked as a jonrneyman for some time. In 1868
he is found at work in a cooper shop in Keokuk,
Iowa, but, in 1873, he determined to embark in
business for himself, and from that time until 1881
he successfully conducted a cooper shop of his own.
In the latter year he removed to Newport, Ark., and
began building his present mill, under the name
of B. C. Morrison & Co., and on the 10th day of
January, 1882, ho raised steam in his engine, and
began running his establishment, which is the
largest concern of the kind in Northeast Arkansas.
They handle a great deal of lumber, piling and
staves, and give employment the year round to at
least 300 men. With this mill they are clearing a
farm of 1,700 acres, and in a few years they ex
pect to have every acre of it under cultivation.
The pi'esent partnership was formed in 1884, and.
in connection with their stave and lumber factory,
they own a large saw mill at Pond Switch, which
furnishes employment to about fifty men. They
also own two steaml)oats: the '"G. W. Decker."
which is a passenger boat, and the ' ' Bright Star,
a freight boat, both of which iim regularly up as
far as Cherokee Bay. These gentlemen may be
termed benefactors of the community in whicli
they reside, for they have done much to open up
Jackson Count}', and have added materially to its
commercial standing. They are building good
houses, and have a railroad of their own, which is
three miles in length. Mr. Morrison was united
in marriage to Miss Hannah Prater, a native of
Illinois, in 1868.
Jasper Nance. One of the best known men in
mercantile circles in Jackson County is Mr. Nance,
who keeps a general store in Cow Lake Township.
He was l)oru in what is now Woodntfr Countv.
890
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
Ark. , in the year 1 846, and was the fourth in a
family of seven children, born to Joshua and Hetty
(Forehand) Nance, of North Carolina and Georgia,
respectively, the parents being married in the lat-
ter State. After their union they moved to Wood-
ruff County, and entered land in Barnes Township,
which the father at once commeuced to cultivate
and make a permanent home, and at the time of
his death he had cleared up about 500 acres. He
died several years before the Civil War, and his ex-
cellent wife soon after moved back to her native
State, where she survived him but a few years.
Jasper was reared by his maternal grandfather,
and received his education in the schools of Baker
County, Ga. In 1858 his grandfather moved to
Woodruff County, Ark. , where he bought a line
farm, upon which he resided until his death, and,
during the litigation over the estate, young Nance
commenced farming for himself. In 1865 he in-
herited his share of the land, and has added to it
on different occasions until now he owns 100 acres,
all of which are under cultivation, besides owning
several other farms in different portions of the
State. In 1884 he first started in business and
opened np a general store, laying in a stock of
everything to be found in a store of that kind, and
has established a fine trade. He was married in
Jackson County, July 20, 1866, to Mrs. Permelia
M. Duty, who was a daughter of David Johnson,
of Jackson County, and this iinion has given them
eight children: Margai-el J., now Mrs. A. Sprague;
William M. , Laura A. , Lewin A. , Alonzo, Martha,
David J. and Elza Brown. Mr. and Mrs. Nance
are both members of the Christian Church, in
which the former is an elder, the daughter Mar-
garet also being a member. Mr. Nance is not an
active politician, but his interest in the affairs of
his county are unbounded. He is a keen observer,
and his remarks upon the various changes that have
taken and will take place in his county are well
worthy of attention.
Thomas Nance, farmer, of Bird Township, was
born in Cape Girardeau County, Mo. , in 1849, the
youngest of fifteen children born to Thomas Nance
and his wife. Thomas was a farmer of North
Carolina, and in 1846 came to Missouri, bought
land and improved it; he also bought land in But
ler County, Mo., and in !March, 1861, came to Jack-
son County, Ark. , moving to Cache Township in
1866, and then to Independence County, where
he bought land near Fairview, which he made his
home till his death, in August, 1874. His wife
died when our subject was an infant. Grandfather
Nance died, at the age of one hundred and fifteen,
in North Carolina; the grandmother died in the
same State, at the age of one hundred and four
teen. The subject of this sketch was raised on the
farm, receiving his education in the subscription
schools of Missouri. In 1861 he came to Jackson
County, and aided in clearing and improving the
home farm. In September, 1864, in Jackson
County, he enlisted in C'apt. Steen's company,
and was with Gen. Price on his raid through Mis-
souri. He was in the battles of Pilot Knob and
Kansas City, returning home in 1865, and engaged
in farming. In August, 1866, he married Sarah
Cheshire, of Jackson County, daughter of Jonathan
and Nancy (Seiner) Cheshire, natives of North Car-
olina, and early settlers of Jackson County. Both
died some years ago. After his marriage Mr.
Nance settled on Black River, this township, and
later moved to Tuckerman, and engaged in farm-
ing. His excellent wife died in October, 1877,
leaving three children: George W. (married and
residing in Lawrence County), Mollie (now Mrs.
Parrott, of this county) and Savannah (at home).
In 1881 Mr. Nance married Rebecca Goodman, of
Tennessee, whose father was one of the early
settlers of this county. Both her parents are
dead. Mr. Nance has resided on his present place
since 1880. He owns a good farm of eighty acres,
forty acres of which are under cultivation. He is
a Democrat, active in politics, being now county
coroner; was bailiff of Bird Township two years,
also deputy sheriff for two years, and has always
taken an interest in school matters, and all enter-
prises for the good of his county, aiding liberally
in such matters. He is a member of the Masonic
order, belonging to Kirkpatrick Lodge No. 192, at
Tuckerman, and was Senior Deacon in 1888. He
is also a member of Jacksonport Chapter, and a
member of the Eastern Star order, as is his wife.
^*
±z=£k
JACKSON COUNTY.
891
They are both members of the Methodist Episco-
pal Church.
C. C. Nicholson is a native planter and stock
raiser of Jackson County, and was born in 18G3.
He is the youngest of the five children born to Major
and Nancy (Tippett) Nicholson, both natives of
Tennessee. The parents were early settlers of
Jackson County, Ark., where the father opened a
farm, and devoted his entire attention to clearing
and improving it. He died in 1863, the mother
surviving until 1872. C. C. Nicholson was brought
up on the farm, which occupation he has always
followed. He obtained his education in the dis-
trict schools of his native county, and worked on
the home farm vintil sixteen years of age, when he
commenced farming for himself on sixty acres,
which he cleared. He now owns 220 acres, eighty
acres of which he has under cultivation, as a result
of his own labor. In March, 1884, Mr. Nicholson
married Elizabeth Dudley, also a native of Arkan-
sas. They have two children: Willie and Nancy.
Mr. and Mrs. Nicholson are members of the Chris-
tian Church, and are highly esteemed by all who
know them. Mr. Nicholson is one of the most
enterprising young farmers of Glass Township, in
the welfare and development of which he takes an
active interest, aiding libei'ally enterprises for its
advancement, educationally and religiously.
Paisley & Blake, well known residents of the
community, are closely identified with the affairs
of Auvergne Academy, a graded school for both
sexes, which is located on a beautiful eminence in
the southern part of the village, facing the east.
June 20, 1888, this property was bought by Prof.
D. L. Paisley and A. L. Blake, of Mrs. G. W.
Bristol. They have conducted it during the term
of 1888-89, with signal success. The faculty are D.
L. Paisley, A. L. Blake and Mrs. A. L. Blake (in-
structor in instrumental music). The building is
a large two-story frame edifice, with boarding de-
partment below, and school rooms above, with a
seating capacity of sixty. Prof. Paisley is a native
of North Carolina, born in Guilford County April
10, 1860. His parents, James and Minerva ( Whor-
ton) Paisley, were also natives of North Carolina,
of Scotch descent. His father was a farmer and
magistrate. He enlisted in the army of Northern
Virginia, under Gen. Loe, in the Guilford Grays,
was dismissed on account of ill health, and died
in 1866, his wife surviving until 1888. Tbey were
members of the Presbyterian Church, and the
father was an oldline Whig, and afterward a Dem-
ocrat. Prof. Paisley was reared on a farm; his
schooling was obtained first in the public schools
of his county, then in Lych's select school, at High
Point, N. C. ; in Horner's school, Oxford, N. C,
and in 1880 entered the State University, in
1881-82 taking an eclectic course. After complet-
ing this term, he taught in Maysvillo, S. C, three
years. After his marriage, in 1885, he taught at
Bennettsville, S. C, one year, when became to
Gurdon, Ark. . and aftersvard to Auvei-gne Academy.
His wife was Miss Loula Rankin, daughter of
Thomas and Nancy Rankin, of Guilford County,
N. C. They have one child. Lacy, a bright babe
of eleven months. Our subject is the sixth child
of a family of seven, and has one brother and one
sister living. He is a Democrat, and conservative,
and himself and wife are members of the Method-
ist Episcopal Church at Auvergne. Prof. Andrew
L. Blake is a native of Abbeville County, S. C,
son of William K. and Hattie (Law) Blake, also
natives of South Carolina, and of Irish and Scotch
descent, respectively. His father, a lawyer and
member of the Masonic order, served one term as
the Democratic representative of his county in the
State legislature, and has, for years, held the office
of magistrate. The parents were members of the
Presbyterian Church, the mother dying February
2, 1887. Our subject, the third of a family of six
children, was reared on the farm, spent his school
days at Greenwood, and from 1880 to 1884 was in
Davidson College, Mecklenburg County, N. C. He
began teaching at White Hall, S. C. , where he
remained one yiear. He taught one jear near
Greenwood, S. C. ; taught at McLeansville, N. C. ,
eighteen months, and in July, 1887, came to Clark
Coimty, Ark., and engaged as bookkeej)er for
William Paisley, of Gurdon. He remained in this
position till February, 1888, when he taught an
unexpired term at Gurdon. Closing this school
April 20, he came to Auvergne, and taught the
I
@ Sfc_
892
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
last nine weeks of the term at Auvergne Academy,
and in June, with Prof. Paisley, bought that in-
stitution. Prof. Blake is a member of the Pres-
byterian Church, a Democrat, and takes an active
interest in all public enterprises for the general
welfare of the country. He was married to Miss
Josie B. Lindsay, of Athens, Ala., Jiily 16, 1889.
George H. Palmer, planter and stock raiser, of
Bird Township, was born in Memphis, Tenn. , in
1848, son of Samuel and Louisa (Means) Palmer,
of Virginia and Kentucky, respectively. The father
was a pioneer of Kentucky, married there, and in
1849 came to Jackson County, Ark., in Jefferson,
and the winter of the same year came to Bird
Township, locating on the farm where our subject
now resides, taking a claim of 520 acres of timber
land, which he cleared and improved, erecting a
house and planting an orchard. He died in Jack-
son County, in 1866, his wife surviving till 1884.
George H. was the fifth of the family, the others
being Margaret (wife of Joel Bandy), George H. ,
Fannie (wife of William Haynes), and Joseph H.,
all residing in Bird Township. George H. was
reared to farm life, educated in the subscription
schools of Bird Township, and aided at home in
clearing and developing the homestead. He com-
menced farming for himself at the age of twenty-
two, and in 1870 was married in Jackson County,
to Laura Steen, a native of Jackson County, daugh-
ter of John and Nancy (Stancell) Steen, who were
among the early settlers of Jackson County. The
father died about 1858; the mother is still living.
Mr. Palmer owns a good farm of 120 acres, with
about sixty-five acres under cultivation, having
cleared the most of it himself. He raises princi-
pally cotton and corn, and considerable stock. He
is a Democrat, though not active in politics, and
served as magistrate for two years. He is a mem-
ber of the Masonic fraternity, Kirkpatrick Lodge
No. 192. Mrs. Palmer is a member of the Meth-
cJist Episcopal Church, South. Mr. Palmer re-
members this country as a dense timber tract, and
has always been interested in everything for the
good of the county. There are three children in
his family. Oda L., Samuel Tilden and Maggie
Cordelia.
Hon. John W. Parish, an enterprising farmer
of Union Township, Jackson County, resides two
miles east of Newport. He is a native of Tennes-
see, and is a son of William B. and Elizabeth
(Cheatham) Parish, both of whom were born in
North Carolina. The parents were married in Ten-
nessee, and to them were born seven children, all
of whom are dead except two: Sarah N. (who
married Richard Cole, and died, leaving three
children, named William, Anna and Jennie), and
our subject. John W'. Parish married Miss Sarah
E. Lacy, a native of Tennessee, and a daughter of
Hiigh R. and Eliza (Smith) Laeey. Their union
has been blessed with sis children, viz. : Lydia,
born December 19, 1873; Frederick, born October
24, 1876; Cora, born June 4, 1884; Hugh, bom
January 6, 1886. Mr. Parish removed to Union
Township, Jackson County, Ark., in 1873, locat-
ing on land which is now a part of his farm, and
which he rented for about six years, subsequently
buying the same. He purchased 326 acres, of
which 150 acres were under cultivation. He now
has 225 acres well improved, and has built four
tenant houses, renting his houses and lands to re-
sponsible parties. He has at present about 160
acres of cotton, and the balance in corn and clover.
At the outbreak of the war Mr. Parish was attend-
ing college at Jackson, Tenn., now known as the
West Tennessee College, where he was a student
two years. He entered the Confederate army.
Company I, Fifty-first Tennessee, in which he
served six months, and the company then being
consolidated with other Tennessee regiments,
served until the close of the war. his regiment con-
stituting a part of the reserve of Gen. A. S. John-
ston at the battle of Shiloh. Mr. Parish takes
an active interest in enterprises tending toward
the advancement of all social as well as religious
and educational interests of his community, and is
highly esteemed by the people of the county,
which is evidenced by the fact that in 1881 he was
elected to represent the county in the XXIIId
session of the General Assembly of the State, where
his honest endeavors to promote the best interests
of his constituents earned for him their hearty
approval. He was elected on the Democratic
' «^® r-
9 »^
JACKSON COUNTY.
898
T
ticket. Mr. Parish is a member of Newport Lodge,
A. F. & A. M., and is a prominent and honored
man of Jackson County.
Alexander S. Parish, M. D., of Jackson County,
student of the Allopathic School of Medicine, was
born in Tennessee. He is a brother of the Hon.
J. W. Parish. In 1871 became to Arkansas, and
began the study of medicine with Dr. P. S. Wood-
ward, and in 1879 took his first course of lectures
at Vandorbilt University, Nashville, Tenn. He
continued in Dr. Woodward's office until the fall
of 1880, when he returned to the University, grad-
uating in 1881, after which he returned to Jackson
County, and actively engaged in the practice of
his profession. March 26, 1884, our subject mar-
ried Miss Annie Phillips, of Arkansas, daughter
of Col. T. H. and Amanda (Robinson) Phillips,
the father a native of Georgia, and the mother of
Arkansas. They have one cliild, William Theo-
dore, born March 31, 1885. Dr. Parish is one of
the deservedly successful physicians of this portion
of the community. Earnest, careful and search-
ing in the investigation of the science to which he
has given his best attention, he has become well-
informed, keeping thoroughly apace with the ad-
vancement made in this profession. His practice
is a happy illustration of his worth.
Lewis W. Penix resides on Section 13, Union
Township, Jackson County. He is a son of Henry
H. and Caroline (Roberts) Penix, both natives of
Tennessee, who died in Jackson County, Ark.
They were the parents of ten children, one of
whom died in infancy : Minerva, died at the age
of eighteen; Mary A., married R. V. Hunter, a
farmer of Jefferson Township, and has four chil-
dren; Susan F. (married R. T. Armstrong, de-
ceased, and has six children); Lewis W., Eliza-
beth (had two children by her first husband, Mr.
R. P. Jackson, and afterward married Mr. T. D.
Lawrence, a farmer and merchant of Tuckerman),
Martha J. (single), Columbus C. (married Dora
Jowers, and resides in Jefferson Township engaged
in farming), they have three children: Lydia \V.
(died at the age of eighteen), and James Henry
(married Miss Jennie Anderson, by whom he has
one child, is also a farmer of Jefferson Town-
ship). Lewis W. Penix was born May 1, 1850,
and received his education in the public schools of
Jackson County, where he has lived all his life,
commencing business for himself at the age of
twenty one years. In 1880, in partnership with
R. V. Hunter, he purchased 240 acres of land iu
Jefferson Township, which they still own, and Mr.
Penix afterward purchased forty acres in Union
Township. Since 1882 he has lived on the home-
stead of his wife's parents, in Union Township.
Mr. and Mrs. Penix were married December 27,
1877. Her maiden name was Miss Willie J. Car-
ville, she was born in Memphis, Tenn., Deceml)er
27, 1857, and is a daughter of W. K. and Mary
A. (Estes) Carville. Of their four children, but
two are living, viz. : Nora E. , born December 1 ,
1878, and Clarence E., born August 28, 1882.
The parents are members of the Missionary Baptist
Church of Jefferson Township, while Mr. Penix
also belongs to Jacksonport Lodge No. 191, A. F.
& A. M. , Jacksonport Chapter No. 40, R. A. M. ,
and American Legion of Honor.
Dr. W. H. Pickett, retired physician, Weldou.
Ark. Originally from Limestone, Ala.. Dr. Pick
ett's birth occurred on the 22d of Decemlier, 1826.
and his early life was passed in attending the
common schools and in assisting on the farm.
Later he supplemented his primary education by
attending Exeter College, in Exeter, N. H., and
in 1846 and 1847 he attended the Medical College
of the University of New York. From there he
went to New Orleans and attended the University
of Louisiana, where he graduated in medicine and
surgery in the class of 1848. He began the prac-
tice of his profession the same year at Whitesburg,
Ala., and, after remaining there two years, came to
Jackson County, where ho settled upon his present
property. He entered and bought about 2,300
acres of land, 1,200 under cultivation and 1,100
acres of which he has cleared himself. Dr. Pick-
ett was married, in 1850, to Miss A. R. Collier, a
native of AlaViama, and two children were the
result of this union: Ida G. , wife of John \V.
Ferrill, a farmer residing at Batesvilie; and Eliza-
beth B. , wife of William H. Hardy, also residing
at Batesvilie. Mrs. Pickett died Julv 1. ISH."), in
9 w
894
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
full communion with the Episcopal Chui'ch. Dr.
Pickett was exempt from any army service by
Gen. Kirby Smith, in 1803, and practiced his pro-
fession at home. In the year 1868 he moved
to Batesville, and since that time he has remained
a resident of that city, and is enj^aged in agricult-
ural pursuits in Jackson County. He gave up
his practice in 1868, and, in addition to ^neral
farming, he lias also a large cotton-gin, grist and
saw-mill, with which he does all his own work and
general settlement business. He has on his farm
about forty tenant families, aggregating 200 peo-
ple, all in fair circumstances and furnished with
good houses. The Doctor has seen many impor-
tant changes during his residence of thirty-eight
years in this county. When he first came here
Elizabeth was the county seat, but was afterward
changed to Augusta, and subsequently to Jackson -
port. Wild game was plentiful and easily ob-
tained. His parents, Steptoe and Sarah O. (Chil-
ton) Pickett, were natives of the Old Dominion,
the father born in Fauquier and the mother in
Westmoreland County. The parents settled in
Alabama, in 1820, and were among the earliest
pioneers of Northern Alabama. They both bought
and entered land (1,000 acres in all), and Steptoe
Pickett was an extensive slave-holder. He was a
schoolmate of James Buchanan, and was a coiisin
to both Chief Justice John Marshall and "Light
Horse ' ' Harry Lee. He was also a cousin of
Gen. Pickett. He was a graduate of William and
Mary College, and was an old-line Whig in his
political views. His death occurred in 1848, at
the age of fifty- four years. He was a member of
the Episcopal Church, and the mother a member
of the Christian Church. The latter died in 1864,
at the age of seventy-four years. They were the
parents of nine children : Martin, married, and a
commission merchant at Mobile, Ala. ; Richard is
an attorney and judge at Florence, Ala. ; Steptoe,
Jr., was a farmer and died in 1884, at Madison,
Ala., leaving a wife and two children; A. C. is a
lawyer at Augusta, Ark. ; John S. was a physician,
at Danville, Ala., and died in 1887, leaving a wife
and two children, who reside in Des Arc, Ark;
Felicia, the wife of Gov. Reuben Chapmore, of
Huntsville, Ala. (she died in 1874, leaving four
children); Virginia, wife of Samuel Blackwell, a
farmer of Alabama; Anna S. Edwards, wife of a
farmer, and resides in King William County, Va.
I. D. Price is the efficient postmaster of New-
port, Ark., and also deals in books and stationery.
He is a native of the county, born December 10,
1856, and is a son of Dr. John F. and Kate (Brown)
Price, the former from South Carolina, and the
latter a native of the State of Arkansas. Dr. John
F. Price has become well known as a physician
wherever he has resided, and is now living at Fort
Worth, Tex. I. D. Price resided in Jefferson
County until seven years of age, and was princi-
pally educated in the schools of Cross County. In
the spring of 1880 he came to Newport, Ark., and
for four years followed the occupation of clerking,
then opened a book and stationery establishment
in the building he now occupies, and his stock is
extensive and well selected. In February, 1888,
he was appointed to the position of postmaster,
and is now discharging his duties in a manner ac-
ceptable to all. He was married, in 1884, to Miss
Mamie Wallace, and by her he has had two chil-
dren: Katie and Rina. His wife is a member of
the Presbyterian Church, and he belongs to the
American Legion of Honor.
Lewis E. Purssell, a prominent merchant of
Auvergne, Jackson County, is a native of Arkansas,
born in Woodruff County, February 20, 1861. His
parents were William O. and Lucy (Coyle) Purs-
sell, natives, respectively, of South Carolina and
Alabama, the former of whom came to Arkansas
with his father, J. H. Purssell, who was one of the
earliest settlers of Woodruff County, where he
opened several large farms. William O. Purssell
married Miss Lucy Coyle, in Prairie County, Ark.,
in 1854; they afterward moved to Woodruff County,
where they lived imtil 1868, when they moved to
Izard County, where Mr. Purssell died in 1872.
He was a Master Mason and an Odd Fellow, and
in the early part of the war enlisted, and served
until its close as brevet-captain; at the time of his
death he owned 900 acres of land in Woodruff and
Izard Counties, about 160 acres being under culti-
vation; he had been very successful as a farmer and
stock raiser. His -widow remained on the farm in
Izard County until December, 1875, when she re-
turned to the old homestead in Prairie County,
which was her home with our subject until 1871}.
She died December 19, 1882, a member of the
Methodist Ejjiscopal Church. The maternal grand-
parents of Lewis E. came to Arkansas from Mis-
sissippi in 1858, living one year in Woodruff
County, and then locating in Prairie County, where
they entered land and built a home. Mr. Coyle
was a natural and successful farmer, and during
his life cleared about 500 acres of land, l)eing able
to do a good day's work at the age of seventy
years. His death occurred in December, 1885, and
his excellent wife, who survives him, still lives on
the old home.stead; she is a member of the Meth-
odist Episcopal Church, to which her husband also
belonged. Lewis E. Purssell was reared to the
pursuit of farming, receiving a good education at
the common schools of Woodruff and Jackson
Counties, the Philadelphia Academy iu Izard
County, and the Male College at Searcy, "White
County. At the age of eighteen he left home, and
was engaged as clerk for Gates Bros. & Co., at
Des Arc, Prairie County, where he remained six
months, when he entered the employment of Plun-
kett & Erwin of the same place, in which capacity
he worked two years; in 1882 he opened a drug
and grocery store at Hickory Plain, Prairie County,
which he conducted until January, ISSH, when, on
account of his maternal grandfather's death, he
sold out and assumed the management of his grand-
mother's farm. In the latter part of the same
year he moved to Auvergne, Jackson County, pur-
chased a stock of groceries of M. J. Malone, to
which he added a sreneral stock of drv-goods, cloth-
ing. etc., and now has one of the best general
stores in the country. Mr. Purssell also owns a farm
of IfiO acres in Prairie County, sixty acres of which
are under cultivation. Our subject was the fourth
in a family of nine, and is one of the two surviving,
the others dying in infancy, except Ada, who mar-
ried J. W. Williamson, a farmer and stock trader
of Izard County; she died in 1884, leaving one
child. Ethel, aged five years. Alice Corrinne Purs-
sell is the wife of James B. Gardner, a practicing
physician and farmer near Hickory Plain, Prairie
County; they have four children: Elmer, Earl,
Oscar and Bessie. Mr. Purssell is iinniarrieil; lie
is one of the leading men of the town of Auvergne,
and is actively interested in its welfare, lending
his hearty and liberal aid to the support of schools,
churches and all worthy public enterprises. He
takes no active part in politics, but his sympathies
are with the Democratic party.
B. F. Hay, planter and stock raiser of Bird
Township, was born in Lauderdale County, Ala.,
in 1888, being the ninth of twelve children born to
Benjamin and Nancy (Dixon) Ray, the fath<«r of
East Tennessee and the mother of South Carolina.
Benjamin Bay served in the War of 1812. He
settled in Alal)ama, on a plantation, where he
died in February, 1864, his wife having died in
1861. He engaged in farming until his death.
Our subject was reared on the plantation, receiv-
ing his education in the subscription and district
schools of the State of Alabama. In 1862 he en-
listed in Company C, of the Sixteenth Alabama In-
fantry, and was in the battles of Murfreesboro,
Liberty Ga]>. Chickamauga, Missionary Ridge,
and a number of skirmishes, also in Ringgold. In
January, 1864, he left the service and returned to
Alabama, where he engaged in farming, coming to
Jackson (bounty, Ark., in 1868, and settling in the
vicinity of Newport. In ISfi'.t he married Josephine
Slayden, of Jackson County, daughter of Coleman
Slayden. a native of Middle Tennessee, and an early
settler of Jackson County. Her father died in
1859, and her mother in 1864. In 1878 Mr. Ray
settled on his present farm, which consi.»ts of 280
acres, 130 under cultivation; he raises considerable
stock, and a mixed cro]> of cotton, corn and hay.
Mrs. Ray died in 18S3, leaving two children:
Prince Ella and William Thomas. In 1884 Mr.
Ray married Elizal)eth Carter, of Alabama, dangh
ter of James and Lucinda (Rankins) Akens. who
came to Jackson County in 1S69; the father died
in 1877, the mother is still living. Mr. Ray is not
very active in politics, but votes with the Demo-
cratic party; he has been a member of the school
V)oard, and has always taken an active interest in
school matters: he is a member of Kirkpafrirk
3?^
896
HISTOEY OF AKKANSAS.
Lodge No. 192, and has been Senior Warden. He
lias seen great changes in the county, and the edu-
cational system is improving rapidly. The chil-
dren by the second wife are Isaac and Franklin.
WOson LaFayette Robinson is a son of Mathew
B. and Sarah (Lindsay) Robinson, and is a farmer
and stock raiser of Grubbs Township, Jackson
County. The father was a native of Virginia, and
the mother was born in Tennessee. In the fall of
1860, W. L. came to Arkansas with his parents,
the mother dying in 1862, and the father surviv-
ing until 1872. Mr. Robinson attended school in
Alabama until his twentieth year, receiving in-
struction in the common branches. In 1862 he
enlisted in Col. Mattock's regiment of Arkansas
Volunteers, Confederate States Army, serving iive
or six months, when poor health rendered him un-
fit for service. In 1864 Mr. Robinson married
Mrs. Frances (Blair) Coffin, who died in 1874; they
had one child, which died in 1868. July 22, 1874,
Mr. Robinson again married, and to the latter
union seven children were born, only two of whom
are now living, viz. : Grover Cleveland, born Oc-
tober 11, 1884. and Robert LaFayette, born May
7, 1888. In 1863 our subject purchased quit claim
deed to land in Grubbs Township, which was
partly improved, and to which he subsequently
added forty acres, upon which he erected a house,
in which he lived eighteen years. He now owns
720 acres of land, of which about 325 acres are
under cultivation, the remainder being woodland.
He has one of the best improved farms in the coun-
ty, as a result of industry and enterprise, as well
as good management and perseverance.
W. A. Roy, farmer and stock raiser, Layton,
Ark. Mr. Roy is a typical Arkansas citizen, sub-
stantial, enterprising and progressive, and such a
man as wields no small influence in the commu-
nity where he makes his home. He was born in
Shelby County, Term., in 1886, and was the second
in a family of ten children, born to the union of
Merida and Susan (Gentry) Roy, the father a na-
tive of South Carolina, and the mother of Tennes-
see. Merida Roy came with his parents to Ten-
nessee in 1807, settling in the middle part of the
State, and after growing to manhood was united
in marriage to Miss Gentry, a representative of one
of the old and much honored families of Tennes-
see. He tilled the soil in that State, and was a
prosperous and industrious farmer. He was a
Democrat in politics, and a member of the Masonic
fraternity for many years. His death took place
in Shelby County, Tenn. , in May, 1885, and his
wife still survives him. She resides on the home
farm in Shelby County. Their family was named
as follows: John Thomas, presiding judge of Poin-
sett County; W. A., Eliza, now Mrs. Crain, resides
in Tennessee; Frances, now Mrs. Clarridge, re-
sides in Tennessee; Merida, married, and resides
in Tennessee; Alfred, married, and a resident of
Poinsett County; Daniel, resides in Poinsett Coun-
ty, and the remainder died when young. Tilling
the soil was the pursuit ^V. A. Roy followed in
youth, and his time was divided between this occu-
pation and in attending the district school, where
he received a good practical education. He was
married, in Shelby County, Tenn., in 1857, to
Miss Frances Jane Mustin, a native of Alabama,
and the daughter of Henry and Hannah (Clark)
Mustin, of Alabama nativity. Mr. and Mrs. Mus-
tin first immigrated to Tennessee, thence to Jack-
son County, Ark., in the fall of 1860, and settled
in Cow Lake Township. Here both parents
passed their last days. After his marriage Mr.
Roy located on a farm in Tennessee, and there re-
sided until 1861, when he came to Jackson County,
Ark. , and entered 160 acres of land, which he im-
mediately began to improve, erecting a house, set-
ting out orchards, etc. He continued to add to the
original tract from time to time, until he is now the
owner of 520 acres, with ninety acres under culti-
vation. He raises corn entirely, but his renters
raise considerable cotton. Mr. Roy lost his wife
in 1879. By that union he became the father of
two living children: William Newton and Melinda
Alice. His second marriage was consummated in
Jackson County, in 1879, to Miss Martha Taylor,
a native of Jackson County, Ark. , and the daughter
of Richard and Melinda (Bigham) Taylor, natives
of Tennessee. Mr. and Mrs. Taylor came to Jack-
son County, in 1859, and there both closed their
eyes to the scenes of this world. Mr. Roy lost his
*M
k.
JACKSON COUNTY.
SOT
wife in 18S7, and was left with four interesting
children: Richard Charley, Louvenia J., Susan
and Alafa. In 1888 Mrs. Susan (McFadden)
Turner became the third wife of Mr. Roy. She
was a native of South Carolina, the widow of
Stephen Turner, and the daughter of Twitty
McFadden, a native of South C'arolina. Her
father came to Jackson County, Ark. , many years
ago, and there died in 1808. Mr. Roy has been
justice of the peace for some time, has been a mem-
ber of the school board, and takes much interest
in educational matters. He is a Democrat in poli-
tics. In 1862 he enlisted in Company C, Col. Mat-
lock's regiment, and was with Gen. Price on his
raid through Missouri. He was in the battle of
Prairie Grove and numerous skirmishes. He and
Mrs. Roy are members of the Christian Church,
and he is an elder in the same.
Dr. J. H. Rutland, of Swifton, Jackson County,
was born in Georgia, in 1853. He was the second
child in a family of eight, born to J. H. and Orphy
(Jordan) Rutland, natives of Sumter County, Ga.
The father owned and operated a large plantation
in his native State, 1,800 acres in one tract and
1 , 300 in another. He is now president of the
South Georgia Vocal and Instrumental Conserva-
tory, and he and wife still live in Georgia. Dr. J.
H. was reared on his father's plantation, receiving
his early education in the public schools. He then
entered the ^S'estmoreland Medical College, at At-
lanta, Ga. , from which institution he graduated in
1886. He first located in Texas Township, Craig-
head County, Ark., where he built up a large and
lucrative practice, removing to his present home in
Swifton in 1889, where he is a prominent physician
and surgeon, and enjoys extensive patronage. Dr.
Rutland was married in Craighead County, in No-
vember, 1888, to Florence Bell, a native of Ten-
nessee, whose parents now live in Craighead Coun-
ty, Ark. Dr. Rutland is quite an active member
of the Democratic party, politically, and, religious-
ly, is a member of the Christian Church. He is a
liberal supporter of public interests, and is one of
the rising yoimg men of Jackson County, where he
is highly esteemed by all who know him.
Otis W. Scarborough is one of the leading at-
torneys of Jackson Coimty, and has been estab-
lished in business in Newport since 1884. He was
born in Ko.scinsko, Attala County, Miss., on the
24th (lay of December, 1849, and is a son of Isaac
and Lucy G. (Harrison) Scarborough, being the
eldest of their five living children: Otis W., Othello
C, a physician; Isaac W., also a physician; Fen-
ton G., wife of Wade F. Fletcher, and Lucy L. :
seven children are deceased. The grandfather,
John Scarl)orough, was born in North Carolina,
but was of Welsh extraction, his father having
been born in Wales, but removed to the New World,
owing to some difficulty he had with the Crown.
He settled in North Carolina, where he died, after
having taken an active part in the Revolutionary
War, his son John being also a participant in that
war. They were both planters by occupation.
Isaac Scarborough was born in Edgecombe County,
N. C, and his wife in Madison County, Ya He
was a lawyer by profession, and after his removal
to Mississippi about the year 1828. was admitted
to the bar at Kosciusko, and there he has since
made his home, being a prominent member of the
legal fraternity in Attala County. He served as
judge of the county and circuit courts for about ten
years, and now, although in his seventy- fourth
year, he shows few indications of decay, either
mentally or jjhysically. Otis W. Scarborough ac
quired an excellent education in the high school
at Kosciusko, but. not being satisfied with the
learning there ae<[uired, he entered Davidson Col-
lege, Mecklenburg County, N. C. . in 1868, becom-
ing a member of the sophomore class, and from
this institution he was graduated as an A. B. . in
June, 1871. Having determined to follow the pro-
fession to which his father was devoting his time,
he entered the law department of the University of
St. Louis, in the month of October, 1883, and
graduated in May, 1885, being admitted to the bar
in Kosciusko, in August, of the same year. He
practiced his profession in his native town until
December. 18S4, when he came to Newport, and
the following year began the practice of law. He
is an able practitioner, and his iiifiuenee is felt
when he takes the stand, for he is a fluent and elo-
quent speaker, and is always the thorough master
• i
898
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
of the subject which he handles. He was married
on the 24th of December, 1878, to Miss Cynthia
E. Rimmer, by whom he has one child, James I.
He and wife are members of the Methodist Epis-
copal Church, and he is a member of the I. O. O.
F. , belonging to the Encampment.
Thomas J. Sconyers, an enterprising farmer of
Village Township, Jackson County, came to Arkan-
sas in January, 1870, with his parents. Darling
and Samantha (Snyder) Sconyers, natives, respect-
ively, of South Carolina and Alabama. Upon his
arrival in Arkansas the father leased the Davis
farm, upon which he died in August, 1870. He
was the parent of ten children, viz. : Catherine,
who died with diphtheria about 18fi3; Elizabeth,
who first married Green Jacks, and after his death
married Julius Wright; George married a Miss
Phillips; Mary married a Mr. Rhodes; Policy Ann,
wife of B. Eason; Ellen became the wife of Mr.
Myrick, and both are now deceased; Victoria mar-
ried Thomas Hutson; Nisie died, the wife of Rollie
Phillips, and John first married a Miss Strauther,
after whose death he married Miss Arnett. Thomas
J., who was born Februaiy 20, 1846, received his
education in the common schools of his native
State, Alabama. March 16, 1873, he married
Miss Mary Foushee, whose birth occuired March
20, 1856, and their six children are "William C,
born January 26, 1875; Joseph Edward, born Jan-
uary 20, 1878; George F., born March 4, 1881;
Frances S. , born September 19, 1884; Monte L.,
born August 31, 1886, and John T., born Septem-
ber 17, 1888. For about one year Mr. Sconyers
worked for Mr. G. B. Branderburge, of Union
Township, and the following six years rented land,
which he farmed, and subsequently purchased.
His first purchase consisted of 320 acres in Village
Township, and afterward in partnership with Mr.
J. T. Foushee, bought 240 acres in the same town-
ship. He now has about 150 acres improved, and
raises corn and cotton, at which he has been suc-
cessful. Mr. Sconyers was a member of the Thir-
teenth Alabama Regiment, Volunteer Infantry, Con-
federate States Army, enlisting in 1 863. He partici-
pated in the battles of the Wilderness and Peters-
burg (Va. ), not taking off his cartridge-box for
forty days and nights. Though a Confederate
soldier, and, while in arms, fighting to conquer,
Mr. Seon3'ers wishes it to go on record that he will
hail with joy the day when sectarian animosities
are forgotten, believing that there should be "no
North, no South.'" He is an enterprising farmer,
and is highly esteemed by all who know him.
A. E. Shoffner, one. of the leading planters of
Jackson County, was born in North Carolina, on
April 18, 1831, and is a son of Frederick and Susan
(Danison) Shoffner, both natives of Germany, who
emigrated to this country with their parents, and
settled in North Carolina, the grandfather becom-
ing a prominent planter in Orange County. The
father was married in the same county, and died
in that place in 1845, near Hillsboro, the mother
dying several years later. They were the parents
of two sons, Aenes E. and T. M. The former son
was born and reared in Orange County, N. C, and
received his education in that place. In the fall
of 1858, he emigrated to Arkansas, and located at
Batesville, where he remained until 1860, when he
removed to Jackson County and settled in Rich-
mond Township. He bought some land and com-
menced farming in that locality, but a few years
afterward he moved to Breckinridge Township,
and settled on a farm in that place. On his ar-
rival in Arkansas he possessed very little, but be-
ing a man of industrious habits and economy he
became very successful and accumulated considera-
ble property. He now owns about 960 acres of
valuable land in Jackson County, with about 300
acres under cultivation, and a great many improve-
ments on his other land. Mr. Shoffner has passed
through many hardships in his life, and encount-
ered obstacles in his path on almost every occasion
when seeking to make his fortune, but his strong
will, determination and upright character, have
placed him in an independent position, and he is
now a respected and highly-esteemed citizen of
his county. In the spring of 1862 he enlisted in
Company I, of Gauze's regiment, and served until
the surrender. He was principally assigned to the
quartermaster's department during that time, but
also took part in several battles. Mr. Shoffner
was married in 1854, to Miss Martha N. Patterson,
l)y whom be bad eight children: Emily I., Queeny i
A., Susan L., William H., Charles C, Edwin P., V
Daniel L. and Nannie B. Mr. Shoffner has served
as justice of the peace and constable of his town-
ship, and has also been one of the school directors.
He is a member of the Knights of Honor and lioyal
Arcanum, and also of the Masonic fraternity.
W. S. Shuford, treasurer of Jackson County,
born in North Carolina, November 29, 1821, in
Lincoln County, was a great-grandson of Jacob
Shuford, one of the earliest settlers of that section;
at his death, in 1844, there were present seventy-
five grandchildren, twenty-foiu* greatgrandchil-
dren and several great-great-grandchildren. Jacob
was born about 1764, in Lincoln County, was a
farmer, and conducted a large plantation, owning
several. He was several times elected sheriff.
Our subject's parents were Abel H. and Adeline
(Perkins) Shuford, natives of North Carolina, their
parents, who were of Dutch and English descent,
coming from Pennsylvania and Virginia, respect-
ively; Abel H. was the fourth of eleven children:
Betsey (Smyer), Eva (Ramsaeur), Fanny (Cansler),
Susan (Reinhardt), John J. (merchant and farmer),
Martin (member of the legislature), Abel Eli
(farmer), Elkanah (farmer), Jacob (farmer), and
Andrew (farmer, representative and Baptist minis-
ter); they all lived and died in Lincoln County.
Adeline (Perkins) Shuford was a daughter of
Ephraim and Elisabeth (Abernathy) Perkins, na-
tives of Lincoln County, and she was the eldest of
a family of ten children: Adeline (died at the age
of forty-two in North Carolina), Elisha, Caroline,
Catherine, Elizabeth J., John (deceased), David,
Patsey, Daniel, Robert J. M. Abel H. Shuford
was born October 11, 1796, and died January 4,
1858; October 4, 1820, he married; both himself
and wife were members of the German Reformed
Church. He was a Whig, but took no active part
in ])olitic3. The subject of this sketch was reared
to farm life, and spent his school days in the old
schools of that date. He worked with his father
till 1840, when he went to Northern Mississippi,
where he resided seven years, and in February,
1851, he married Miss Ellen Grider. daugliter of
Jesse and Polly Grider, natives of Kentucky. Af-
ter marriage he remained in Mississippi two years,
when he came to Jackson County. Ark., and en-
gaged in farming and clerking in Jacksonport till
after the war, he being exempt from military serv-
ice on account of age, and of being a cripple.
Like a great many others, he lost all his property
during the war, and when {)eaco was declared
found himself in possession of a dog, which had
followed him to Texas and liack, and two old mules.
From 1805 to 1870 ho clerked, and then bought
160 acres of land, on which he now resides, having
cleared about ninety acres of the same. In 1874
he was elected county treasurer, which office he
has held continuously since, with the exception of
the years 1880 and 1882, and is the present in-
cumbent. He is a Democrat, though conservjitive,
is a member of Poole Lodge No. 40, Chapter and
Council, of the A. F. & A. M., at Jatfksonport, and
he and his family are members of the Methodist
Episcopal Church, he being trustee and steward.
The family consists of Fanny (wife of Frank How-
ell), Mattie (wife of Rev. David Hare, deceased).
Jesse (married and living at home), Mary T. (died
at the age of eighteen months). Mrs. Hare and her
four children live at home. Mr. Shuford had one of
the first cotton-gins in this country, a horse- power
(in 1871), and in 187<) erected a steam gin, and has
been engaged in ginning and milling, during the
season for such work, ever since. He was one of
the first settlers of the county, and gives his sup
port, as far as able, to schools, churches and all
other public enterprises.
Joseph E. Slaydeu (deceased) was a native of
Jackson County, and was a son of Coleman and
Elizabeth (Briggs) Slaydeii, the father a native of
Virginia, and the mother of North Carolina. Tlie
parents were married in Hickman County, Tenu.,
March 27, 1884. Two children were born to them
in Tennessee, both of whom died. Six children
were born in Arkansas, viz. : Atlantic, lx>rn April
13, 1839; Artamesa, born November 11, 1841.
man'ied Levi Eader, Deceml)er 27, 1858. and
died December 18, 1870; Joseph E., born June
22, 1S44, married Miss Cordelia Graham, a n.-itive
of Jackson County, Ark. ; Cordelia, born December
30, 1840, married Job Greenhnw. a farmer of Bird
'-^
900
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
Towniship, Jackson County: Ariminty, born March
13, 1848, became the wife of James P. Gurgo, a
native of Tennessee, and died June 2, 1871; Jo-
sephine, born January 21, 1852, married Frank
B. Ray, and is now deceased. At the time of his
marriage Joseph E. Slayden owned a farm in Union
Township, which was under cultivation, and upon
which he lived fifteen years; he owned in all 300
acres, of which 200 were well improved. He after-
ward purchased 100 acres which were mostly under
cultivation, and still later bought 240 acres more,
upon which he erected a good dwelling and barns.
The latter place was his home until his death, and
then became the property of his wife and sister,
Atlantic. To Mr. and Mrs. Slayden were born in
all seven children, viz. : Levi Tillman, born Janu-
ary 12, 1874; William H, born January 23, 1878;
Thomas Jeffei'son, born August 23, 1870; Joseph
E., born February 9, 1880; Julius B., born March
20, 1884; James Morgan, born February 19,
1886, and Augustus, born August 15, 1887. Mr.
Slayden was a public-spirited man, of liberal views,
and always took an active part in every enterprise
for the advancement of his county or State. At
the time of his death he was a member in good
standing of Jacksonport Lodge No. 191, A. F. &
A. M., and was a sincere friend of educational and
religious interests.
L. D. Smith, postmaster at Tuckerman, was
born in Gibson County, West Tenn., in 1855, the
fourth of nine children born to A. B. and M. J.
(Woodard) Smith, natives of Middle Tennessee. The
father was a farmer and came to Bird Township,
Jackson County, in 1873, where he died in 1876,
his wife surviving. Of this family there were Mon-
roe M., LeroyD. , James R. (deceased), George L.,
Ashley, Maggie (Mrs. Hogan), Mollie (Mrs. Mc-
Farland), Lena (Mrs. Layton), Decatur (deceased),
Maud (deceased). The subject of this sketch, be-
ing raised on a farm, received his education in the
district schools of Gibson County. Coming to
Jackson County in 1873, he engaged in farming
until he entered the grocery and drug business, in
1883, erecting a frame building that year, having
lived in Tuckerman since 1882. In 1879, in El-
gin, this county, he married Nora Coe, daughter
of Thomas and Sarah (Coleman) Coe, early settlers
of Independence County, where the father was en-
gaged in mercantile business till his death, in 1864.
His wife died in 1885. They have a family of four
children: Gussie M., Gertie, Ralph and Kate.
Mr. Smith is active in politics, voting the Demo-
cratic ticket, and received his commission as jsost-
master from Cleveland. He has served as magis-
trate six years, has been delegate to county con-
ventions at different times, and was a delegate to
Little Rock, in 1888, to a convention of the various
Democratic clubs. He always takes an active in-
terest in all worthy enterprises for the advance-
ment of the county.
Hon. John W. Stayton is a prominent attorney
of Newport, Ark., and is a native-born resident of
Helena, Ark., his birth occurring on the 6th of
November, 1835. He is a son of Thomas N. and
Esther (Harns) Stayton, who were born in Dela-
ware and Virginia, respectively, but their mar-
riage occurred in the State of Arkansas, whither
the father had moved with his father. Hill D.
Stayton, in 1820. They located in what is now
Helena, Phillips County. Hill D. was a civil en-
gineer, and came here with a contract for sur-
veying land for the Government, and this occu-
pation he followed until his death. The ma-
ternal grandparents were Virginians, who, at an
early day, settled in the State of Kentucky, and
later in Louisana, coming from there to Arkansas
about the year 1832, also taking up their abode in
Helena. Mr. Harns was a planter, and died in
Helena. Thomas N. Stayton was a small boy
when he was brought to Arkansas, and his earlj'
youth was spent in farm labor. Like the majority
of boys, the occupation which received his atten
tion in his youth became his calling in after life,
and his enterprises in the interests of agriculture
have been attended with good results. Although
he has now almost attained his four- score years,
he is still quite active, the "ravages of time"
having had but little effect upon him. Of six
children born to himself and wife, but three are
living: John W., Dr. D. A., and R. F., wife of
Dr. C. C. Herring. John W. Stayton remained
on the home farm until he had attained his
Mississippi County, Arkansas.
I
A
^ - 1>
JACKSON COUNTY.
'.Id I
eighteenth year, when he entered the high school
of Helena, and while there formed the resolution
to make the profession of law his occupation
through life, and upon leaving school he entered
upon his legal studies with a determination to sue- i
ceed, and after a most thorough preparation he
was admitted to the bar in 1857, at Helena. From
tliat time until the opening of the Civil War he 1
was actively engaged in practicing in that town,
then took charge of the county clerk's office, and
served faithfully and well until the night of the
9th of July, 1862, when Helena was captured by
the Federal troops, and ovc^rybodj' was put under
arrest, Mr. Stayton being among the number. I
Upon his release he went to St. Louis, and being
urged by some of his friends to accept a position
there, did so, and remained about one year, i
From that time until 1866 he resided in Helena,
and at the latter date came to Jacksonport, and
embarked on the sea of merchandise, and success- [
fully conducted this business until 1874, when he
again engaged in the practice of his profession.
The first office which he held was that of city re-
corder of his native town, and in 1808 he was
chosen mayor of Jacksonport, and in 1874 was
appointed by the governor as justice of the peace. ;
Upon the re-organization of the State government,
under the constitution of 1S74, he was elected on
the Democratic ticket, and in 1884 was chosen to
the position of State senator from the Twenty-
ninth District, and served a term of four years.
In 1885 he was elected president pro tern, of the
senate, and was acting governor in the absence of
Gov. Hughes. From 1874 to 1878 he was county
and probate judge, and the efficient manner in
which he discharged the duties incumbent upon
the different and responsible positions he has held
is too well known to need any additional words of
compliment; suffice it to say that he always labored
on the side of right and justice, and that his career
was above reproach. Since 1885 he has been a resi-
dent of Newport, and as a member of the legal
fraternity he has few superiors, and is a fluent and
elegant pleader. He has always been victorious
whenever his name has been announced before the
public as a candidate for any office, and, although he
has never been an office seeker, he has been i. >.,-
nized as a leader by his numerous friends and
acquaintances, and, as a natural result, honors have
been bestowed upon him. He is a member in good
standing of the Masonic fraternity. On the Slst
of June, 1861, he was united in marriage to Miss
Sarah J. Wickersham, a native of St. Louis, by
whom he has had four children, three now living:
JoHej>h M. . partner with John W. in l)usine.ss;
Mattie B. and John W., Jr.
George K. Stephens, a well-known liveryman
and farmer of Jackson County, was born in Madi-
son County, Tenn., in 1840, and is a son of Isaac
and Mary J. (York) Stephens, of North Carolina
and Tennessee, respectively, the father dying in
the latter State in 185'.l. After his death the family
moved to Jackson County, Ark., and located in
Bird Township, where they resided until the
mother's death, in 1882. George was reared prin-
cipally in Tennessee, and came to Jackson County,
Ark., when nineteen years of age. In 1861, when
the Civil War called so many thousands of young
men from home and family to face the fate that
awaited tliem from cold steel or leaden bullet, he
never hesitated a moment, but gallantly went forth
to bear arms and battle for the Confederacy. He
became a member of the First Arkansas Regiment,
and the first that left the State, and was mustered
in at Lynchburg, Va. His first battle was at Ma
nassas, and, after that engagement was over, he
was discharged, and returnetl to his home.
He soon enlisted again, however, and joined Hook-»
er's cavalry company, but was afterward dis-
mounted and put into the Thirty second Arkansas
regiment, in which body he served until the close
of the war. Mr. Stephens took part in a number
of battles, and, at the evacuation of Little Kock,
was captured and confined for two months in tliat
city. He was then taken to Pleasant Hill, and ex-
changed, and, in a l)attle some time afterward, re
ceived a wound in his left hand from a rifie ball.
After the war he returned home and resumed his
farm work, now owning between 8,000 and 4,(M10
acres of valuable laud, with about 5)00 acres under
cultivation. In 186V» he embarked in the livery bnsi
ness at Jacksonport. ami continued there until
3<:
^'
902
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
1880, when he removed to Newport, where he has
been ever since, and has established a lucrative
trade. He was married, in 1866, to Miss Mary
Stewart, by whom be has had five children: Isaac
W. (who has charge of the livery business), Mary
A. (wife of Judge M. M. Stuekey), Florence M.,
Fannie G. and Sarah. Mr. Stephens lost his first
wife, and, in 1878, was married to Miss Alice York,
by whom ie has had three children: Stella, Guy
and Lydia. He is a Mason, and a very popular
man in both business and social circles.
T. S. Stephens, the popular and efiicient sheriff
and collector of Jackson County, was born in
Madison County, Tenn., on the 30th of April,
1849, and is a son of Isaac and Mary J. (York)
Stephens, of North Carolina and Tennessee, re-
spectively. The parents were married in Jackson,
Tenn.. and resided in that city until the father's
death occiirred, in 1851. The mother was again
man-ied. her second husband being Alexander
Claridge, and shortly afterward moved to Jackson
County, Ark. Four children were born by her
first mairiage, three of them yet living: George
K., Fannie, widow of Elsie Brown, and Theophi-
lus S. , and by her second husband one child was
born, John H. The elder Stephens was a shoe-
maker by trade, and followed that vocation all his
life, while the husband of his widow, Mr. Claridge,
was a school-teacher, who taught for some time at
the West Union College, near Cuba. The latter
gentleman died at Sulphur Rock, Independence
County, about the year 1869, and his wife survived
him until 1882, dying in the town of Newport. T.
S. Stephens was only eight years old- when he
moved to Arkansas with his mother, and received
the greater portion of his education in Independ-
ence County. He remained on the farm and cul-
tivated the soil, an occupation he seemed to take
delight in, until his twentieth year, when he made
a visit to Jacksonport. While at that place he met
and was introduced to several business men, and
the idea of a commercial life then seemed to enter
his mind. The consequence was that he remained
at Jacksonport and went into one of the grocery
firms, where he clerked for several years. In
political life he was always very active, and after a
few years' residence in that city he was elected con-
stable, and filled the office for two terms, in the
meanwhile terminating his engagement with the
grocery firm, and carrying on a livery business of
his own. His integrity and the manner in which
he conducted himself while in office won the sup-
port of almost every citizen, and in 1882 he was
elected sheriff and collector, the office he fills at
present, and to which he has been re-elected four
terms Mr. Stephens owns about 1,200 acres of
good land, and has some 500 acres under cultiva-
tion, the soil being adapted to almost any kind of
growth, and also good for grazing purposes. On
March 4, 1884, he met and won Miss Belle Taylor
for his bride, who died in November of the same
year. His second wife was Miss Emma Kellogg,
whom he married on July 15, 1885. This union
gave them four childi-en, of whom three are yet
living: George K., Ralph C. and Mary J. Both
Mr. and Mrs. Stephens are members of the Meth-
odist Episcopal Church, while Mr. Stephens be-
longs to the Masonic fraternity, I. O. O. F. Lodge
and Encampment, Knights of Pythias, Knights of
Honor and Legion of Honor. He is prominent in
political affairs, and a popular man among all
classes of society, his position being such that he
is brought in contact with many different phases
of life while in the discharge of his duties.
A. Steveley, the proprietor of the Newport Lum-
ber Company, was born in Essex County, N. J.,
May 1, 1824, and is a son of Andrew and Jean-
nette (Hay) Steveley, who were of Scotch descent.
The genealogy of the family can be traced back 300
years. Both the paternal and maternal grand-
parents died in New Jersey, in which State Andrew
Steveley also died, his death Ijeing caused from
cholera, in 1848. He was a copper refiner by oc-
cupation, and made this his calling through life.
A. Steveley, the subject of this sketch, is the only
one of the two childi-en, born to himself apd wife,
now living, and after his death his widow married
again, becoming the worthy companion of John
Frame, who was a participant in the War of 1812.
She also died in New Jersey. A. Steveley was
reared and educated in his native State, and in his
youth learned the cabinet-maker's trade. At the
JACKSON COUNTY.
903
[
agt> of twenty-one years he left his home and
pareuts to take up his abode in New York City,
and after working at his trade in that city for about
five years he removed to the "Nutmeg State."
In 1857 we find him- in Wisconsin, which State
continued to be his home until 1873, in which year
he removed to the city of Chicago, where he acted
as foreman for different establishments until 1884.
At that time he removed to Newport, Ark., and be-
came manager for the Newport Lumber Company,
continuing as such until February, 1889, when he
bought oat the entire establishment, and has since
managed affairs alone. He manufactures lumber
of a fine grade, and ships to many different points,
but principally to Chicago, and his establishment
gives emploj'ment to about forty men the year
round. Mr. Steveley is a member in good standing
of the Masonic fraternity, is a public-spirited citi-
zen, and in the interest of all good works has been
an active participant. In 1846 he was married to
Maria Adair, a native of Pennsjdvania, and by her
he has five children: Eliza. Benjamin, Walter,
John and William.
Dr. J. H. Strider, though still a young man,
has established an enviable reputation in Jackson
County, and is one of its leading physicians. He
was born in Tallahatchee County, Miss., on the
]'2th of July, 1857, and is a son of Henry A. and
Abigail (McMullen) Strider, the former a native of
Virginia, who moved to Mississippi in his boyhood,
locating in Tallahatchee County, where he was af-
terward married, residing there until his death,
in 1874, the wife, who was a native of Tennessee,
dying a number of years previous. They were the
parents of four children, of whom the Doctor is
the only survivor, and when the latter was only two
years old, he was taken charge of by an uncle, who
died in 1865, and later by his aunt, with whom he
still makes his home on a farm in Jackson County.
At the age of nineteen years he began the study of
medicine, and attended lectures at the University
of Nashville, from which institute he graduated in
1879. He immediately returned to Jackson Coun-
ty, and commenced practicing, which he continued
up to 1883, when he abandoned his profession,
much to the regret of a large number of friends.
and turned his attention entirely to farming. He
owns 480 acres of land, and has 200 acres under
cultivation, the largest portion of the farm having
been iniproved since his residence upon it. He
raises corn and cotton principally, but the soil is
valuable, and well adapted to almost any growth,
and he has l)een as successful in this venture as he
was in hia profession. In 1S79 the Doctor was
married to Miss Ada Frost, of Nashville, Tenn.,
by whom he has had throe children: Maud, Mary
and Caroline, and he is a kind husband and in
dulgent father, as well as a valuable citizen to the
community. Dr. Strider is a member of the Bap-
tist Church, Masonic fiatemity, and the Agricult-
ural Wheel.
M. M. Stuckey, the county and probate judge of
Jackson County, and one of its leading men, was
born at Alton, 111., on the 16th of December, 1853,
and is a son of Michael ]M. and Amelia (Bush-
weiler) Stuckey, the father a native of Kentucky,
and the mother from Worms, Germany, in the
province of Hesse-Darmstadt, Mrs. Stuckey coming
from her native country with a cousin, Louis May,
who is now a prominent New York banker. The
father met and was married to her in Illinois,
where they resided for a number of years, and then
moved to Wichita, Kas. , their present residence.
The father is a well known and popular minister of
the Methodist faith. Nine children were born to
the parents, of whom eight are yet living: Mar-
garet, Lucy, M. M. , Milton, Frederick and Minnie.
The elder Stuckey was twice married previous to
meeting Miss Bushweiler, both of his former wives
being sisters by the name of McCauley. M. M.
Stuckey was reared and received a common school
education in Butler, 111., completing his studies at
the Depann University of Greencastle, lud. , which
he left at the end of the sophomore term. After
bis college days were over he traveled for thehonse
of R. L. Billingsley & Co., St. Louis, for a few
years, and then severed his connection with the
firm, coming immediately to Jackson County, Ark.
He there taught school for a short time, and com-
menced reading law under Jmlge Phillips. In
September, 1883, ho was admitted to the bur, and
in 1884 he commenced to practice, meeting with
i,pr
remarkable success since that time. In 1886 he
was elected to his present office, and re-elected in
1888. Judge Stuckey is a self made man, and
one who has worked himself up in the world by his
own intellect and industry. He has made a repu
tatiou in his profession that is seldom equaled,
and it is said that he is better posted in the fine
points of law than any other lawyer in that sec-
tion. He was married, in July, 1888, to Miss Alice
Stephens, who has been a devoted wife, and is a
member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, while
the Judge belongs to the I. O. O. F. He takes a
great interest in all affairs of his county, which he
understands will be of benefit to its citizens, and
he is one of the most popular men in that commu-
nity. The Judge has completed a set of abstract
books of Jackson County, which are a boon to its
citizens, as any title may be found within a few
minutes, and they are at his office for inspection
any day.
Solomon D. SuUins, a farmer and stock raiser,
residing on Section 29, Grubbs Township, Jackson
County, came to Arkansas with liis parents in the
year 1849. He is a son of Jesse and Catherine
(Eaves) Sullins, both natives of North Carolina, to
whom were born ten children, all of whom grew to
maturity, married, and have homes of their own.
One of the sons married in North Carolina, where he
still lives. The other members of the family who
are still living reside in Arkansas, all farmers and
farmers' wives. Solomon D. married Miss Sarah
A. Han kins, July 11, 1869. She is a native of
Georgia, from which State her jjarents moved to
Craighead County, Ark., and thence to Jackson
County. To Mr. and Mrs. Sullins have been born
eleven children, viz. : Celia C. , born in November,
1870, now the wife of Nathan Holbrook, of Bates-
ville, Independence County, Ark.; Georgia A.,
born in September, 1872; Cornecei A., born in
January, 1874; William L., born March 30, 1875;
Isaac J., born in 187C; Sarah J., born in 1878;
Lydie O. , born in 1879; Mary Frances, born in
1881; James A., born in 1884; Solomon Wright,
born in 1886; and Jesse T., born in 1889. Mr.
Sullins commenced business for himself in Decem-
ber, 1866, working for three years with an older
brother, James Sullins, at the expiration of which
time he rented land that he cultivated one year.
He then bought a tract of land which was partly
improved, and had a very good log house which
had been erected by the former owner. He made
many substantial improvements on this place,
planting a good orchard of peaches and apples.
In 1882 Mr. Sullins rented and moved to the farm
upon which he now resides, which place he pur-
chased in 1884. He now owns in all 600 acres of
good land in Jackson County, which is well adapted
to all the varieties of products of the temperate
zone. Mr. and Mrs. Snllins and the four older
children are members of the Christian Church,
worshiping in Robinson's Chapel.
. J. A. Sursa was born in Madison County, 111. ,
in 1840. He was the eldest in the family of seven
children born to William and Elizabeth (Steward)
Sursa, natives of Tennessee. William Sursa, who
was a farmer and millwright, moved from Tennes-
see to Madison County, 111., in 1832, locating on a
farm, upon which he remained until 1847; he then
moved to Jefferson County, purchasing a farm near
Mount Vernon, where he spent the remainder of
his life, his death occurring in 1865. Mrs. Eliz-
abeth Sursa still resides in Mount Vernon, 111. Of
their children besides our subject, George is mar-
ried, and is a farmer in Missouri, and Sarah, now
Mrs. Staley, lives near Mount Vernon, 111. J. A.
Sursa was brought up on a farm, receiving his
education in his native county. In 1876 he re-
moved to Jackson County, Ark. , first locating near
Elgin, where he worked as a farm laborer. He
then engaged in farming for himself, in Lawrence
County, Ark., purchasing in 1880 a tract of timber
of 120 acres, which he commenced clearing and
improving; he erected a good log house, and now
has all except forty acres fenced, with sixty acres
under cultivation. Mr. Sursa was married, in
Greene County in 1881, to Elizabeth Can, who was
born in Tennessee and reared in Kentucky, a
daughter of John and Margaret Can, the former of
whom died in Kentucky ; the mother removed to
Greene County in 1880, and later to Jackson County,
where she died in 1882. Mr. Sursa has a good
home in Glass Township, and devotes his entire
atteution to farming and stock raising; he is inter-
ested in every enterprise for the advancement of
the county, and is a public spirited man.
John Sweat, residing between Weldon and Tu-
ytelo, on Section 9, was born in Georgia in May
1848, being a son of Noah and Betsy J. (Hargett)
Sweat, natives of South Carolina. John has been
a farmer all his life, having been reared on his
father's farm, and on coming to Arkansas rented
of L. B. McDonald, of Newport, Ark., where he
has lived for years. In 1888 he purchased 160
acres of land, about sixty being improved, and
since that time has cleared some twenty acres,
about ten being under cultivation. Mr. Sweat has
345 acres under cultivation on the McDonald farm.
His father served three years in the Confederate
army, participating in the battles of Shiloh and
New Hope. December 26, 1883, Mr. Sweat mar-
ried Miss Jennie Cooper; they have had a family
of four children: Columbus, Maud, Lena and
John. Mr. and Mrs Sweat are memliers of the
Sand Hill Missionary Baptist Church.
E. J. Taylor, a prominent and enterprising
citizen of Bird Township, Jackson County, was
born in North Carolina in 1814, the fifth child of
Charles and Mary (Turner) Taylor, of North Car-
olina, the father an extensive planter of North
Carolina, who died in Mississippi in 1855, his ex-
cellent wife dying in 1836. The subject of this
sketch was reared on the farm, and educated in
the subscription schools of Alabama, and at the
age of twenty two enlisted for three months' serv-
ice under Gen. Scott, against the Creek and Sem-
inole Indians, after which time he clerked in
Huntsville, Ala., for nine years, and in 1845 went
to Memphis, and conducted a general store. After
his man-iage, in 1850, he engaged in farming, in
Do Soto County, Miss. , till after the close of the
war. He improved a large plantation, and in 1866
moved to Memphis, and opened a grocery and
commission business, which he conducted until
1873, when he sold the business, and came to Bird
Township, locating at Elgin. He engaged in farm-
ing, and now owns a good farm of '2,000 acres,
in Jackson and Independence Counties, with 600
under cultivation, raising principally cotton. In
57
connection witli his sun, James ().. lie has a cot-
ton-gin and grist mill, and also a Ininbermill, for
their own use. They also have a supply store.
His son is jiostmaster at Elgin. Our subject is a
Democrat, and a member of Memphis Lodge, A.
F. & A. M., and he and his wife are members of
the Methodist Episcoi)al Church, South. In 1850
he married Mary J. Oliver, a native of Georgia,
and daughter of James and Lucy (Clark) Oliver, of
Virginia and Georgia; the father died in 1848,
and the mother in 1850. They have two children:
James O. married Julia Ethel Doswell, and Lucy
Ann. Mr. Taylor is actively interested in every
thing pertaining to the good of the county.
Thomas Toler is a native of Johnson County.
N. C, and was born in November. 1844. He is a
son of Thomas and Mary (Holder) Toler, who were
the parents of eleven children, of whom our sub-
ject was next to the youngest. Both the paternal
and maternal ancestors were of Irish descent, and
were pioneers of North Carolina. The father of
our subject, who was a native of \\'ayne County,
N. C, owned and operated a very large plantation
in Johnson County, where he was a well-known and
influential man. He was a soldier in the War of
1812, and for many years served as magistrate,
taking an active part in politics and sympathizing
with the Whig party. He died in Johnson CJounty
in 1849, his widow surviving until 1865. Thomas
Toler, the subject of this sketch, was reared to the
pursuit of farming, receiving his education in the
district and subscription schools of Johnson County.
In 1861 he enlisted in Company E, Twenty-fourth
North Carolina Infantry, and was mustered into
service at Weldon, N. C. , June 24. He took part
in the Seven Days' Battle around Richmond, the
battle of Antietam, Winchester, and at the siege of
Petersburg, doing service with the corps of sharp-
shooters; he received a wound in the left leg and
was first confined in the hospital at Richmond.
He was then sent home on wounded furlough,
where he was captured liy Sherman, taken before
Blair, and was impri.soned at Hart's Island. N. Y.,
until the close of the war. Returning to Johnson
County, N. C. , he engaged in fanning until 1S67.
when he went to Obion Countv. Ti'im unil fniin.M]
<s s.^
LLt
906
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
two years. In 1869 he removed to Jackson Coun-
ty, Ark., and two years later bought a tract of 160
acres, in Glass Township, six acres of which were
cleared. He planted an orchard and made some
improvements, after which he sold out and rented
land. In 1877 he purchased 240 acres, which were
partly improved, and which he still owns, having
now under cultivation seventy -five acres, upon
which he raises some timothy and clover, but more
cotton. Mr. Toler read law at one time and now
does some successiul practicing in the justice's
court, having served as justice of the peace since
1883. Mr. Toler was first married, in Sampson
County, N. C. , in 1864, to Virginia J. Walton, of
Raleigh, N. C, who died in 1879. Of the children
born to this union four are living, viz. : Thomas W. ,
a phj'sician and surgeon, of Swifton; Charles A., a
traveling salesman; Anna V. and tdward C. In
1880 Mr. Toler married Martha Lollar, of Law-
rence County, Ark. , whose parents, David and Sarah
(Michael) Lollar, were natives of North Carolina,
and settled in Lawrence County, Ai-k. , before the
war, where the mother still lives, the father being
deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Toler have three chil-
dren: William A., Mary Carolina and Mattie.
Mr. Toler is an active politician, voting with the
Democrats. He is also a member and elder in the
Christian Church, and one of the most prominent
and influential farmers of Glass Township.
Rush L. Tucker, farmer and stock raiser, of
Grande Glaise Township, was born in Arkansas,
October 22, 1843, the son of Stitch and Minerva
(Steel) Tucker. Our subject's grandfather came
to Arkansas in 1812, when Stitch was one year old.
He had three children by his first wife, the father
of Rush L. being the third, who died at the age
of thirty-eight, his wife dying in 1873. In Stitch
Tucker's family there were three children: Sarah
E. , Chester A. and Rush L. The latter received
his education iu the private schools of his county.
In 1862 he enlisted in the Thirty-fourth Regiment
Arkansas Volunteers, and served until October,
1864. Mr. Tucker is the owner of 150 acres of
land, which he gained by inheritance, 100 acres from
his mother' s estate, the remainder from his father's.
He has been a large land owner, but has sold it, till
he now owns but 160 acres, twenty- five of which are
under cultivation. He was married, January 31,
1864, to Miss Mary L. Hall, a native of Tennessee.
They had three children, two now living: Stephen
H. and Chester A. September 12, 1875, he mar-
ried Miss Celia Foster, a native of Arkansas.
Their three children are Lucy, Robert Lee and
Jesse Gray. October 12, 1886, Mr. Tucker mar-
ried Miss Mary Snider, of Mississippi, who has
borne one child, Nellie Ann. Mr. Tucker is a mem-
ber of Byers Lodge No. 81, A. F. & A. M., of
Bradford, White County, Ark. He takes no act-
ive part in politics, but is a Democrat, and is a
friend to all religious, social and educational ad-
vancement.
Joseph J. Walker, circuit clerk and ex-officio
county clerk and recorder, of Jackson County, was
born in Christian County, Ky. , on November 12,
1843. His parents were Joseph and Delila A.
(CofPman) Walker, of Logan County, Ky. , and of
Scotch and Dutch descent. The Walker family
were among the early settlers of Kentucky, and
the grandfather, in his younger days, was an asso-
ciate of Daniel Boone. The father was left an
orphan when quite small, and was reared on a farm,
but ujJon reaching maturity, he branched out for
himself and entered into commercial life, at Chilli-
cothe. Mo., where he remained several years. He
next resided in Greene County, 111., where he died
in 1871, the mother also dying in that county, in
1886. They were the parents of eight children, of
whom six are yet living: William E., of Boone
County, Ark. ; George H. , of Quincy, III. ; Mary,
widow of John Fitzsimmons, of Carrollton, III. ;
Joseph J., Phillip, deceased; John R., James V.,
and Emma, deceased. Joseph was reared in Ken-
tucky until his fifteenth year, when he moved to
Missouri with his parents, in which State he re
mained until the Civil A\'ar commenced. After
that he went to Quincy, 111., and from there to
Atchison, Kas. , then to Nebraska City and finally
back to Quincy, 111., where he resided until 1866,
when he came to Jackson County, Ark., and located
at Elgin. He here found employment as book-
keeper with a business house in that town and
remained with the firm three years. He next
d^
commenced farming and continued at that until
the fall of 1875, when he removed to Jackson-
port, and again entered into mercantile life, con-
tinuing in that branch until 1883. He then en-
tered the sheriff's office as deputy, and continued
in that capacity until the fall of 1884, when he was
elected to his present office, and twice re-elected.
Mr. Walker is one of the pioneers of this section,
and a prominent and influential man in the com-
munity. He is a member of the Masonic Order and
Knights of Honor, as well as the American Legion
of Honor. He was married August 3, 1869, to
Miss Deborah B. Foushee, by whom he has had
live children: Joseph, Owen, Emma, Mattie and
Bessie, and with his wife he attends the Methodist
Episcopal Church.
James Edward Wallace, a planter and stock
raiser of Union Township, Jackson County, was
born in Rutherford County, N. C. , Sept(*mber 7,
185'2, and is a son of Wesley W. and Isabella
(Rutherford) Wallace, natives, respectively, of Edin-
burg, Scotland, and Rutherford County, N. C.
Wesley W. Wallace emigrated to Mount Pleas-
ant, Miss., about 1852, where he lived until 1862,
when he removed to Arkansas, locating on Village
Creek, Section 10, Jackson County, on the farm
now owned by J. W. Parish: upon this farm Mr.
Wallace lived until his death, in 1865, and was
l)uried in the family cemetery, which was on the
farm. He was the father of twelve children, eight
of whom grew to maturity, viz. : Sarah (who died
at the age of twenty years), William (who served
in the Confederate Army, Seventh Arkansas Reg-
iment, under command of Col. Cleburne, and at
the battle of Franklin, Tenn., lost his right arm,
died in 1871, and was buried in the family ceme-
tery), Carrie (who married Dr. Chuun, and now re-
sides at Searcy, White County, Ark.), James E. ,
Amelia (wife of N. B. Wishon, of Newport, Ark.),
Mary (who married I. D. Price, postmaster of
Newport), llina (wife of W. C. Wishon, agent for
the Adams Express Company at Newport), Katie
(wife of a i)hysician at St. Louis, Mo.), John W.,
and Dr. R. W. (who married a Miss Brooks, of
Florida, and now resides in Texas engaged in
farming and stock raising). James E. Wallace
was but thirteen years of age at the time of his
father's death, and being one of the elder boys a
great deal of responsibility fell upon him. He
assumed the management of the farm and took
upon himself the rearing and educating of the
younger children, all of which he performed with
credit. Mr. Wallace now owns three farms, con-
taining in all about 540 acres, of which 212 acres
are well improved and under cultivation, growing
principally cotton and corn, with some oats, millet,
clover, etc. October 11, 1877, he married Mary
E. Hart, who is a native of Tennessee. Of their
four children three died in infancy; the survivor,
William Wallace, was born March 11, 1884. Mr.
Wallace is a member of Newport Lodge, I.O.O.F.,
which he joined in his twenty-first year.
John A\ . Wallace, a prosperous and enterpris-
ing merchant, of Newport, Ark. , was born in Mar-
shall County, Miss., in the town of Holly Springs,
on the 2l)th of January, 1854, l)oing a son of Wes-
ley W. and Isabella M. (Rutherford) Wallace, the
former a native of South Carolina, and the latter
of North Carolina. They were married in North
Carolina, and at an early day removed to the State
of Mississippi, where they purchased a farm and a
number of slaves, and conducted their plantation
with success for a number of years. About 1802
they removed to the State of Arkansas, and located
in Jackson County, and from that time until the
father's death, in 1865, he was engaged in farming
a large plantation near Newport. His widow sur-
vived him until 1877, when she, too, passed to her
long home. Eight of a family of eleven children
survive them: Carrie V. (wife of Dr. T. D. Chunn),
James E., Amelia (wife of N. B. Wishon). John
W., Mamie (wife of I. D. Price), Rina E. (wife of
\V. C. Wishon). Kate (wife of Dr. G. Hurt), and
Robert W. John W. Wallace, the subject of this
biography, was only eight years of age at the time
of his parents' location in this county, and here he
was reared and educated, and after securing a good
common school education he completed his scho-
lastic training in the Xorth Arkansas College. Upon
leaving his school days liehind him he started out
in life for himself as a clerk for Wishon Bros., of
Jacksonport, and after remaining with them in this
908
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
capacity for seven years he was taken into the busi-
ness as a partner. They only remained thus con-
nected one year, when Mr. Wallace sold to them
his interest and embarked in the same enterprise
on his own responsibility, establishing himself in
Newport, the firm name being John W. Wallace &
Co. At the end of one year he purchased his part-
ner's interest and has since been alone. He was
so unfortunate as to lose his property in the fire of
1883, but he removed to Rogers, Ark. , and opened
a store; not liking the location, however, he sold
his goods and returned to Newport. His stock of
goods is well selected and extensive, and Mr. Wal-
lace fully deserves the success which is attending
his labors, for he conducts his affairs on strictly
honest principles, and is enterprising and industri-
ous. He belongs to the Royal Arcanum, and he
and wife, whose maiden name was Vannie Lynn,
and whom he married in 1884, are members of
the Methodist Episcopal Church. She was born
iu the State of Indiana, and by Mr. Wallace is the
mother of one child — Ruth.
T. T. Ward. One of the best known members
of the Arkansas press, is Mr. Ward, who edits the
Jackson County Herald. He was born in Bertie
County, N. C, on February 8, 1843, and is a .son
of T. W. and Frances E. (Bentley) Ward, of the
same State. The father died while on the way
with his family to the State of Tennessee, and is
buried at Glade Spring, Va. The other members
of the family came on to Tennessee and located at
Brownsville, where they remained until 1852,
when they moved to Batesville, Ark. Young
Ward was reared and educated in Batesville, and
at the age of thirteen years was apprenticed to the
printer's trade, which he had thoroughly learned
at the end of his term. At the outbreak of the
Civil War he enlisted in Company E, Seventh Ar-
kansas regiment, and served until the surrender,
taking part in the battles of Shiloh, Mufreesboro,
Chickamauga, Franklin, and in fact all the greater
engagements. His war record is one that will
never be tarnished by time nor die out of the rec-
ollection of his old comrades, and no man ever
fought more gallantly for the caiise he undertook
than did Private Ward. On December 16, 1864,
he was severely wounded by a rifle ball in the
right wrist, but after his recovery continued to
serve until the surrender. After the war was over
he returned to his trade, and in 1879 purchased
the Herald, which,vinder his management, advanced
to a larger circulation than it had ever attained
before. In 1882 he moved the paper to Newport,
and has since then issued it from that city. Mr.
Ward was married in 1871 to Miss Belle Harbison,
by whom he has had two children: Allie and May,
and has one of the brightest homes in Northeast Ar-
kansas. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity.
W. J. Watkins. A name that is familiar to
many households in Northeast Arkansas, and one
of the leading physicians in that section, is Dr.
Watkins. He was born in Rush County, Ind. ,
on October 14, 1849, and is a son of Joseph and
Sarah A. (Miller) Watkins, of North Carolina and
Virginia, respectively. The families are of Welsh
and German descent, and the grandparents on
both sides were born in Virginia. The paternal
grandfather emigrated to North Carolina, and re-
sided in that State several years, when he removed
to Rush County, Ind. , where he died, as did also
the maternal grandfather. The father of Dr.
Watkins was a farmer, and was married in Indiana.
In his latter days he carried on a successful bro-
kerage business, and at the time of his death was
one of the best known brokers in Brown County.
His body was removed to Rush County and buried,
as was also that of the mother. They were the
parents of eight children, of whom seven are still
living: Berry H. , Martha, Perry, William J.,
Louisiana, Hester A. and Felicia. The Doctor
was reared in Rush County, and moved to Brown
County when in his fourteenth year. He received
a very liberal education in his youth, and, at the
age of seventeen years, began to stvidy medicine.
In 1867 he commenced to attend the medical lec-
tures at the Ohio Medical College of Cincinnati,
and, in 1872, he graduated from the Cincinnati
College of Medicine and Surgery. After being thor-
oughly versed in his profession he went to New-
burg, Ind., and commenced practicing. He re-
mained there a short time, and then moved to Ar-
kansas, locating at Clover Bend, but, three years
^i
— *\>?^
JACKSON COUNTY.
flOO
after, he again ehanged, and settled at Walnut
Ridge, in the same county, whore he remained un-
til the spring of 1889, when he left, to the regret
of many friends, and moved to Newport. Ho is
building up a fine practice, and is regarded as one
of the most competent physicians in that section,
besides being a very popular man socially. He is
a member of the Lawrence County Medical Asso-
ciation, and was its president for a number of
years, as well as being a member of the State Medi-
cal Society. The Doctor also belongs to the
Knights of Honor, and was the State medical ex-
aminer of that organization for three and one-half
years, also belonging to the Masonic fraternity.
He was married in 1872 to Miss Elizabeth T. Jen-
kins, daughter of Dr. J. H. and Sarah C. {nee
Wayland) Jenkins, both natives of Kentucky, by
whom he has had one child, G. Masey, the lady
being a sincere and conscientious Christian, and a
member of the Presbyterian Church. Dr. M'at-
kins has become one of the most enterprising and
valuable citizens of whom Lawrence County can
boast. He is always a leading spirit in anything
advancing and improving the community.
E. L. Watson. In any worthy history of Jack-
son County, Ark. , the name that heads this sketch
will always be given an enviable place among the
leading citizens of the county, and its self-made
wealthy l>usines8 men. His experience in life has
been quite a varied one, but at the same time re-
flects only credit upon him as a man. He was
born in Pulaski County, Ga., November 25, 1819,
and is a son of Grin and Lydia (Smith) Watson,
who were of English descent, early settlers of
Georgia, and removed to Tennessee, locating in
Henry County, in 1822, where his motlier died, in
1828, and his father died on his second trip from
his home in Georgia, in camp on Chattanooga
Mountains, Tennessee, in 1822. The father was
a farmer by occupatii^n, and he and wife became
the parents of thirteen childi'en, three of whom
are living: LeRoy, Martha A. and Elbert L.
The most important years of the latter's life were
spent in Tennessee, after he had reached his fif-
teenth year, and although he was reared in town,
most of the education he received was obtained
through self application. In 1836 ho left home
and kindred to tight his own way in the world, and
soon found himself in Hickman County, Ky., where
he remained until 18,")!, being engaged in the oc-
cupation of merchandising and farming. He also
served for quite a number of years as sheriff of
that county. On the 2yth of December, 1853, he
arrived in Jackson County, Ark., and immediately
located in Jacksonjiort, where he opened a mer
cantile establishment, conducting the same with
the best of success for a great many years, but
in ISfil gave up this work to enlist in Patterson's
Eighth Arkansas Regiment, serving until the month
of June, 1862, when, on account of rheumatism, he
was compelled to resign, and returned to his home
and fireside. In 1883 he removed to Newport,
where he carried on merchandising until February,
1886, when he sold out and engaged in the broker's
business, which he is still successfully conducting.
He has now in process of erection, a substantial
bank, iind is putting in a tine iron and steel cased
burglar and fireproof vault, at a great expense, and
the bank, when finished, will be known as the
Newport Safe Deposit Bank. Mr. Watson owns
about 20,000 acres of land in Jackson and adjoin-
ing counties, a part of which is occupied by ten-
ants, and several of his farms are very finely im-
proved and are very valuable. To his second
marriage, with Miss Lizzie J. Caldwell, in 1858, a
family of five children have been born: Oren D. ,
Mattie, Ellen, Birdie and Bessie. Mrs. Watson
is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, •
and he is a Mason, and is one of the leading and
prominent men of Jackson County, having been a
resident of this county for thirty-six years.
T. J. Watson, a retired and highly respected
merchant of Jackson County, was born in Hick-
man County, Ky., on the 8th of December, 1845,
and is a son of E. L. and Mary (James) Watson.
Mr. Watson was liut nine years old when he came
to Jackson County, Ark. , with his parents and re-
ceived the greater portion of his education at the
Forest Homo Academy. Like many of the young
men at that period, his Southern blood was aroused
at the first intimation of war. and he joined the
Confederate army in the early days of the rebellion,
910
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
becoming a member of the Tenth Tennessee Cav-
alry, Company E. He took part in the fight at
Parker's Cross Roads, Thompson's Station and a
number of other engagements and skirmishes, and
in February, 1864, he was captured at Fort Donel-
son and confined for about three months. At the
end of that time he was paroled and returned
home, where he embarked in business at Jackson-
port, until February, 1883, when he moved to New
port and carried on his business quite extensively,
but in 1889 he sold out and has been practically
retired ever since. In 1874 he was elected by the
county court to collect the revenue of Jackson
County, but owing to some fault of the bond,
which was $200,000. he was never qualified. Mr.
Watson was married in 1869 to Miss Elizaleth
Boyd, of Jackson County, by whom he has had
five children: Kate M., Lucy, Elbert L., Bessie
and Fannie. He is a member of the Masonic fra-
ternity and Hugh DePayne Commandery at Little
Rock, as also the Hiram Council No. 18 and
Blue Lodge, at Newport, holding the offices of
Past Master of the Blue Lodge, and Past High
Priest of Jackson Chapter, as well as positions in
the Council; he is also an ex-member of the Knights
of Pythias and Ancient Order of Odd Fellows. He
is also Senior Warden of the lodge at Newport, and
has been representative of the Masonic fraternity
at the Grand Lodge. Mr. Watson is a full fledged
Mason, and takes a deep interest in all matters
pertaining to the fraternity.
Dr. R. P. Watson, of Newport, Jackson Coun-
ty, was born in Hempstead County, Ark. ; in 1848,
and is the only child of William and Nellie (Cald-
well) Watson, natives, respectively, of Virginia
and Arkansas. William Watson emigrated from
Virginia to Middle Tennessee at an early day, and
in 1837 located in Hempstead County, Ark. ; he
was a physician and surgeon, and became the
owner of a large plantation in Hempstead County.
In 1858 he moved to Jackson County, and the fol-
lowing year went to Craighead County, where he
engaged in farming and tlie practice of his profes-
sion until his death, which occurred in 1864; he
served in the Mexican War, and took quite an act-
ive part in politics as a JefFersonian Democrat. The
mother of our subject died in 1855. Dr. R. P.
Watson was reared to the pursuit of farming; he
attended the common schools of his native county,
and after his father's death educated himself, at-
tending the seminary at Jonesboro until 1870,
when he entered the old University Medical Col-
lege at Louisville, graduating from the latter insti-
' tution in 1872. The same year he commenced the
practice of medicine at Jonesboro, remaining, how-
ever, but a short time. He also acted as medical
examiner for a New York life insurance company.
November 7, 1872, Dr. Watson married Martha
Florence Dodd, of Jackson County, a daughter of
Atlas and Margery (Stegall) Dodd, the former a
native of Mississippi, and the latter of Memphis,
Tenn. Mr. and Mrs. Dodd came to Jackson
County, at an early day, and settled in Village
Township, where Dr. Watson now resides; they
j now live in Izard County, Ark. After his mar-
riage. Dr. Watson removed to Jackson County,
j and engaged in farming in connection with his
practice. In 1881 he removed to La Crosse, Izard
County, where he devoted the greater part of his
attention to his profession; in 1884 the cyclone
destroyed his residence, and the following year he
moved to his present residence. Dr. Watson owns
2, 354 acres of land in one tract, of which 350 acres
are under cultivation, and near by has another
farm of 1000 acres, with 350 acres more improved.
I He has erected a good cotton-gin and grist and
j saw-mill, and has been one of the leading stock-
I men of the county. He is a member of the White
River Stock Breeders' Association, and owns a great
many fine full-blooded horses and cattle and hogs,
in which he takes a great deal of pride. Politi-
cally he is in sympathy with the Democratic party,
and has twice been a delegate to the State Conven-
tion. He is a member of Philadelphia Lodge No.
127, A. F. & A. M., of Izard County, and also
belongs to the I. O. O. F. at Newport. Six chil-
dren have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Watson, viz.:
Margery Ella, Belle, Willie Dodd, who died in
1881, aged eighteen months; Gracie, Baxter B.
and Robert S. Mrs. Watson is a member of the
Methodist Episcopal Church, and also of the East-
ern Star Chapter, of Newberg. The Doctor is one
^
f
JACKSON COUNTY.
'J 11
of the live and enterprising men of Jackson Coun-
ty, where he is well known for his public spirit
and active interest in every public enterprise.
Robert West, farmer and stock raiser, is a na-
tive of Tennessee, the son of Robert C. and Sarah
(Willard) West, of North Carolina and South Car-
olina, respectively. They had a family of eleven
children, of whom only two, the subject of our
sketch and Dr. Crawford West, of Tuckerman,
born May 18, 1855, are now living.. Robert West
came from South Carolina with his parents, to
Arkansas, in the year 1S(J6, locating in Jackson
County upon a farm rented of W. R. Jones; they
lived there one year, then rented a farm of a non-
resident, where they lived one year; they again
rented of Mr. W. R. Jones, and the following
year bought a farm in Union Township, where the
father died at the age of lifty-two. In 1875 he
bought land in Union Township, Section 30, and
after remaining there one year, bought the farm
upon which he now lives. This farm was partly
improved. At the present time Mr. West owns
450 acres of cotton and corn land, 205 acres of
which are cultivated; in addition to this, he is cul-
tivating 800 acres of rented land. Mr. West is a
man of unusual energy and determination, such a
one as is needed to build up a country like
this. In 1874, October 24th, Robert married Miss
Josephine E. Miller; they have had a family of
live children, three of whom are now living: Sarah
Emma (born November 11, 1878), Cromwell H.
(born February 18, 1886), and Thurman (born
December 13, 1888). Mrs. West's parents were
George W\ and Emma (H.) Miller, who were among
the early settlers of Arkansas.
Wiley J. Westmoreland, farmer and stock
raiser, is a son of William and Annie (Bridges)
Westmoreland, natis'es of Georgia, M'illiam's father
being a native of Westmoreland County, Va.
Wiley J. was born March 16, 1833, in Georgia,
being the eldest of a family of twelve, four of
whom are still living in Arkansas. Our subject
was raised on a farm, and never engaged in any
other business than farming. He came to Arkansas
with his parents in 1857, and made his Jir.st pur-
chase of land, a forty-acre tract, in 1859, in White
j County. About twenty acres were cultivated; be
put in one crop, and in the fall of that year sold
it, after which he rented land, which ho worked
till 18(52, when he enlisted in the Thirty-fourth
Arkansas Volunteer Infantry Regiment, participat-
ing in the Prairie Grove battle in 1802, the battle
of Helena in 1803, and also the battles of Pleas-
j ant Hill and Jenkins' Ferry, and served faithfully
till May 5, 1805, when he returned home, having
been under Gen. Kirby's command, Pierce's divi-
I sion. On bis return, he rented a farm in Barren
i Township, where he lived till 1808, when he
bought the farm upon which he now lives. At
the present time, he has forty acres under cultiva-
tion, and raises good grades of horses, cattle and
hogs. In 1885 Mr. We-stmoreland married Mrs.
Sarah (Gray) Swick, who has one child, Susan
Naomi Swick. They have had no children. Mr.
Westmoreland has served his township as school
director for five years, and in May last was elected
for a term of three years. In politics, he is a
Democrat, and with his wife, belongs to the Mis-
sionary Baptist Church of Denmark, a small vil-
lage of Barren Township.
J. M. M'estmoreland, farmer and stock raiser,
Bradford, Ark. Originally from Coweta County,
Ga., Mr. Westmoreland's birth occurred in 1853,
and he is the youngest in a family of eleven chil-
dren born to the union of Dr. William and Anna
(Bridges) Westmoreland, both natives of the same
State as their son. Dr. William Westmoreland
attained his growth, and was married in his native^
, State, removing from there to Arkansas in 18511.
I He settled in White County, Liberty Township,
and there ret\ted land, but at the same time fol-
lowed his profession, becoming prominentl}- known
1 all over the county in the latter capacity. He then
moved to Jackson County, Barren Township, where
! he purchased an unimproved farm, and l)pcame
well known all over the county, not only as a sue
cessful and eminent physician, but as a social,
pleasant gentleman. He was a Democrat in poli-
I tics, and socially a Ma.son. His death occurred on
the 2d of June. 1S77, and his wife j)revious to
this, on the 21st of February, 1S74. J. M. West-
moreland, like the average country boy. a.ssisted on
912
HISTORY OF AEKANSAS.
the farm and received his education in the district
schools of Barren Township. He was married in
that township, in 1883, to Miss Nettie Lovell, a
native of Missouri, and afterward settled on his
present property, where he has 125 acres of land,
with thirty-five acres under cultivation. He has
erected good houses and out -buildings. He is at
present quite deeply interested in the raising of
stock. He votes with the Democratic party, but is
not active in politics. Mr. and Mrs. Westmore-
land are members of the Baptist Church. Their
marriage was blessed by the birth of two children:
Willie and Alta. Mr. Westmoreland has always
taken an active interest in all matters relating to
the community's welfare, and is a tirst-class citizen.
John N. Williamson, of Arkansas, planter and
stock raiser, was born in Marshall County, Tenn. ,
in 1822. His father was John Williamson, of
Virginia, who married Mary Hunter, of South
Carolina, and was a farmer and one of the early
settlers of Tennessee, where he died, in Marshall
County, in 1832, his widow surviving till 1852.
John N., the sixth in a family of eight children, was
raised on the farm and received his education in
the subscription schools of Tennessee. He followed
the life of a farmer, and in 1850 moved to Greene
County, Mo., where he remained for five years,
then going to Cedar County, of the same State,
and in the fall of 1860 removed to Sharp County,
Ark., engaging in farming jsart of the time during
the war, in Missouri. In 1866 he came to Jackson
County, Ark. , located at Elgin, renting land, and in
1870 bought a timber tract of 160 acres, on which
there were no improvements, and no settlement be-
tween there and Elgin. For 120 acres of this
land he paid $16 an acre, and for forty acres, $10.
He at once cleared off a place for a cabin, and
commenced clearing and improving the land, until
now he has eighty acres under cultivation, on' which
is a good orchard. He raises a good grade of
stock. In 1847 Mr. Williamson married Willmarth
Roberts, a native of Marshall County, Tenn., born
in 1829, the daughter of Jeremiah and Rebecca
(Jones) Roberts, of Virginia and North Carolina,
who were among the early settlers of Tennessee.
They have been dead some years. To Mr. and
Mrs. Williamson have been born twelve children,
eight of whom are living: Narcissa (died at the
age of nine), James M. (died at the age of twenty),
Thomas N. (of JefPerson Township), Mary E. (died
at the age of sixteen), Christopher C. (of Bird
Township), John F. (of Western Arkansas), An-
drew Jackson (died at the age of twenty), William
S. , Sarah Frances (resides in the West), Virginius
F., Josephine J. (at home), and Monroe Pinckne\'
(at home). Mrs. Williamson is a Baptist in belief.
Mr. Williamson is a Democrat, but not an ofiSce
seeker, and always takes an active interest in public
enterprises for the advancement of the county.
Our subject is practically a self-made man, and one
of the leading citizens of the county.
P. L. Williamson, farmer, of Bird Township,
was born in Limestone County, Ala, in 1828, the
only child of F. L. and Sarah (Lookenbill) Wil
liamsou, the father a native of England, who came
to this country at an early day, married in Virginia,
and finally settled in Tennessee, where he died in
1828. Our subject's mother went to Alabama be-
fore the country was sectionized, settling in what
is now Limestone County, Ala., and later moved
to Tennessee, where her death occurred. Her
father was among the first pioneers of Pennsylva-
nia, and served through the Revolutionary War.
He had two sons in the War of 1812. The sub-
ject of this sketch was reared to frontier life, and
went four miles on foot to the subscription schools
for what education he received. He aided in clear-
ing and developing the home farm, and commenced
farming for himself in Wayne Coimty, Tenn. In
January, 1862, he enlisted for twelve months in
Capt. Powers' company, under Col. Crewes, went
to Nashville, thence to Alabama, and was assigned
to the Fifth Kentucky Infantry, under Col. Hunt,
Gen. Breckinridge's brigade. He was in the bat-
tle of Shiloh, then on the skirmish line to Corinth ;
from there to Tupelo, Miss., then to Abbeville,
Miss. He was in the company that reorganized,
and was in service till the close of the war; he was
in the battle at Jackson; thirty-two days at Vicks-
burg; then went to Baton Rouge, returning to
Jackson, Miss. . where he was on garrison duty :
from there to Grand Junction, then to Jackson.
n*
JACKSON COUNTY.
Vtl3
Merita, Ala. , Mobile and thence to Florida, from
there to Montgomery; to Atlanta and to Chattanoo-
ga; to Knoxville, to Virginia, and l)ack to Knox-
ville; to Chattanooga and Murfroesboro; engaged at
Nashville, then on skirmish line to Murfreesboro; he
was then transferred to Newman's command, Ten-
nessee Regiment, and finally returned to Tennessee
in 1864, and engaged in farming. In 1867 he came
to Arkansas, settling in Independence County,
and in 1869 came to Jackson County, in Village
Township, and in 1872 to Bird Township, renting
land, and in 1886, bought 160 acres in that town-
ship. Mr. Williamson has taken quite an active
part in politics, voting with the Democratic party.
He has seen a vast change in this county, and has
always taken an active interest in all worthy pub-
lic enterprises. Mr. Williamson was first married
in AVayne County, Tenn., in April, 1848, to Vianer
Tally, daughter of Page and Nancy Tally, natives
of South Carolina and Alabama, respectively,
who came to Tennessee in an early day. Her
father died in 1864, his wife later. By that mar-
riage there were seven children: Levi, Mar}' Ann
(now Mrs. Blake), Calvin, Elizabeth (now Mrs.
Beech), William Marion, Caledonia (now Mrs.
Stephens) and John, our subject. Mrs. William-
sou died in 1886, and in 1887 Mr. Williamson
married Josey Andrews, widow, daughter of John
Petty, an early pioneer of Tennessee.
C. W. Winfi-ee, farmer and merchant, Centre-
ville, Ark. This gentleman, who was originally
from West Tennessee, where his birth occurred in
1850, is the second in a family of si.'c children born
to Charles W. and Susan H. (Terry) Winfree. both
natives of the Old Dominion. Charles W. Winfree
emigrated to Tennessee at an early day, and was a
mechanic (carriage workman) by trade. He moved
to Jackson County, Ark., in 1870, settling in Bird
Township, and there followed tilling the soil until
his death, which occurred in 1873. His cheerful
companion also closed her eyes to the scenes of this
world in 1883. C. W. Winfree was early initiated !
into the duties of farm life and quite naturally, as
might be supposed, has since principally followed
that pursuit. He received his education in the
schools of Tennessee, and came with his parents I
to Jackson County, Ark., in 1S70, when- he re
sumed the duties on the farm. This occupntion he
has since continued, and has opened up considera-
ble land, being now the owner of 1,700 acres in
Bird Township, with 600 acres under cultivation.
He has about 450 acres in cotton, and this is his
principal pursuit. He also raises considerable
stock, principally horses and mules, and in fact is
one of the wideawake, thorough going farmers of
the county. He is active in politics, and votes
with the Democratic party. He has filled the offices
of judge, clerk and supervisor, several times, and
to the satisfaction of all, and ho also takes au active
interest in school matters. Mr. Winfree was mar-
ried, in Independence County, Ark., in 1887, to
Mrs. Fannie E. (Holdford) Gray, widow of Dr.
Gray, and afterward settled in Centreville, where
he has been engaged in merchandising since 1884,
but akso carries on his farming interest. Socially,
he is a member of Tuckerman Lodge No. 15)2,
Masonic fraternity, and has been secretary' of the
same. To his marriage was born one child.
W. H. Wise is a farmer and merchant, being a
partner in the firm of Kimbrough & Wise, of Wel-
don, Ark. His parents were William H. and
!Mary E. (Brown) Wise, natives of Maryland and
Alabama, respectively, who moved to Mississiiipi
at an early day, where the subject of this sketch
was born, in De Soto County, April 1, 1849. His
father, a farmer and mechanic, was a relative of
Gov. Wise, of Virginia. He settled a large farm
in Mississippi, also the town of Hernando, and l)e-
came a large land owner. He was a Democrat, and
held the office of magistrate a great many years.
M'. H. Wise was'raised on a farm, where his op-
portunities for education were limited, having at-
tended only the common schools of Mississippi.
At the age of twenty, in 1870. he came to Arkan-
sas, engaged in farming, and in 1873 bought eighty
acres of land in the woods, ou the present site of
Weldon. He cleared fifty acres of this land and
continued farming till 1885, when the Batesville
& Brinkley Railroad reached Tupelo. At that time
he sold forty acres of his land to D. \. Kiuibrongh
for a half interest in the latter's store, and the
same year the firm of Kimbrough & Wise began
Aj ffl
9U
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
business in Weldoa, where they have since contin-
ued. They carry a general stock of goods and do
a large business. Mr. Wise and his partner own a
large part of Weldon property, twenty-two lots and
two blocks having been sold. In 1873 he married
Miss Maggie Godby, of Mississippi. They had
five children: Ida, Willie, Estelina, Maggie Jef-
ferson, Edward Hubbard, aged fifteen, thirteen,
eleven, nine and six years, respectively. His wife
died December 27, 1883, and in October, 1885, he
married Miss Fannie Moore, daughter of S. J. and
Sarah Moore, of North Carolina and Alabama, who
came to Arkansas in 1870, where he has since en-
gaged in farming. They live at Bowen's Ridge.
Mr. Wise is a Democrat, though not an active poli-
tician. He and his wife are members of the Meth-
odist Episcopal Church, South, of which he is stew-
ard and trustee. He is active in the interest of
schools and churches in his community, and has
done his share in the development of the country.
Robert A. Wise is a brother of W. H. Wise,
and both are residents of Weldon, Ark. Robert
A. Wise was born in Hernando, De Soto County,
Miss., May 24, 1844. He is now postmaster at
Weldon and engaged in the drug and grocery bus-
iness. He was the second child of W. H. and
Maiy E. (Brown) Wise, the former having been
born and reared near Baltimore, Md., and the
latter at Florence, Ala. W. H. Wise, a mechanic
by occupation, came to Memphis, Tenn. , in 1838,
and went to work at his trade, but his health be-
coming bad he moved to Hernando, Miss., in 1839,
and met Miss Brown, whom be married in 1840.
He was elected magistrate and sheriff of De Soto
County for a number of years, abd he invested his
income in real estate in the town of Hernando.
Finally his health became so bad that he gave up
his oifice and sold his property in town, and in-
vested in a large tract of land four and one-half
miles east of Hernando, turning his attention to
farming and stock raising, and at his death, which
occurred in 1850, his estate, consisting of land,
stock and negroes, was valued at $100,000. He
and his wife were strict members of the Methodist
Ei)iscopal (jhureh. South. Robert A. was raised
on the farm, receiving his education in the common
schools of North Mississippi, and at the age of
seventeen he left school and enlisted as a volunteer
in Company K, Ninth Mississippi Regiment, Monroe,
Capt. Thomas White, Chalmer's brigade, in the
Army of Tennessee. He was at the battle of Shi
loh and was sent home on furlough sick from Cor-
inth. Returning to the army at Tupelo he was
taken down with typhoid fever, which settled in
his right leg, disabling him from duty. He re-
ceived an imlimited furlough to go home, and re-
mained until further orders. Some ninety days
later he recovered, and was ordered to join the
army at Knoxville, Tenn., as it came out of Ken-
tucky on its way to Mui'freesboro. He was in that
battle and all the skirmishes and fights engaged in
by his command through Tennessee, taking part in
the battle of Chickamauga, and receiving a wound
in the breast on the second day of the fight. This,
however, did not disable him from duty, and sulj-
sequently he was in the engagements at Mission-
ary Ridge, Tunnel Hill, at Dalton, Ga. , and at
Resaca; he was wounded in the thigh at Altoona
Mountain. Following this he was occupied with
his command in fights around Atlanta and at Jones-
boro, but becoming ill again he was sent home,
where he remained until the close of the war.
Afterward he engaged in farming on a small scale.
His father's and mother's estate was all destroyed
during the war and taken away except the land.
Robert A. received his portion of the land, which
he sold and went to Louisiana to raise cotton on a
large scale on Red River. He invested every dol-
lar he had in a cotton crop, but the fir.st year the
worms destroyed half of it and the next year the
overflow destroyed all. He then came to Jackson
County, Ark., and engaged in farming, starting on
boirowed capital, and by hard labor and economy
he managed to pay for a farm near Newport,
which he sold in 18S7, and came to Weldon, em-
barking in his present business. He is a bachelor
and a member of the Methodist Church, South,
and was an active member in the district school
board in which he lived before coming to Weldon.
He was also a member of the Farmer's Alliance or
Wheelers. He has always been liberal, and has
done his share toward building; churches, schools
Bdlden LAKE,Miaar8aiPPi Co.Arhahms.
1
4
JACKSON COUNTY.
and all public enterprises. He is now a cripple,
being paralyzed in the right hip and leg, but is
making a good support by his own exertion. Him-
self and his brother are the only surviving members
of a family of nine children.
N. B. Wishon is a prosperous real estate
dealer and collecting agent at Newport, Ark., and
was born in Phelps County, Mo., on the 12th of
September, 1848, and is a son of Benjamin and
Elizabeth (Singleton) Wishon, the former a native
of North Carolina, and the latter of Kentucky.
Their marriage took place in the latter State, and
they afterward moved to St. Louis, Mo. , when the city
contained less than 10,000 inhabitants (in 1829).
Here Mr. Wishon remained for about ten years,
being an employi^ of the A\'iggins Ferry Company,
and acted in the capacity of engineer. In 1839
he located near Eolla, Mo., and opened a very tine
farm of about 1,500 acres, and here he and his
wife resided until their deaths. N. B. Wishon
remained on this farm until nineteen years of age,
and in 1867 came to Arkansas and began clerking
in a store in Jacksonport, continuing an employe
of Holloway & Co. ,at a very low salary, until 1871.
He then formed a partnership with his brothers,
Frank and W. C. , and the firm became known as
Wishon Bros.; they conducting a general merchan-
dising establishment in Jacksonport. In 1873
they opened up a branch store at Newport,
which was the first business house in the place,
and was a frame structure, and this together with
two cheap box houses were located in the woods.
They continued at this point until 1883, then sell-
ing out to E. L. Watson & Son. Mr. Wishon then
set to work to build up the town and put up a sub-
stantial brick block and several residence buildings,
but for the past few years he has given his atten-
tion almost entirely to the real estate and collec-
tion business. The brothers at one time owned a
tifth interest in the original town site. They own
eight brick business houses, and considerable im-
jiroved residence property, and unimproved town
lots and several line farms in a high state of culti-
vation, together with several hundred acres of fine
timbered and wild lands in the county. He has
held several local offices, and he and wife, whom
he married in 1871, atid whose maiden name was
Amelia Wallace, are members of the Methodist
I Episcopal Church, South, and an- the jiarents of
two children; Lena and Karl H.
\\'. C. Wishon, agent of the Batesville & Brink
ley Railroad, and a popular resident of Newport,
was born in Phelps County, Mo., in February, ]H'>\.
and is a son of Benjamin and Elizabeth (Singleton)
AVishon. He was reared and remained in Phelps
County until attaining his twenty-second year, and
up to nineteen years of age lived on the home
farm, and attended the schools of his native place.
At nineteen years of age he was oflFered and acce|>tcd
a position in one of the business houses at Rolla,
Mo., where he remained for two years, winning the
confidence and esteem of his emi)loyers by per-
i forming his duties in a satisfactory manner. In
1871 he moved to Jaek.sonport, Ark., and entered
into commercial life with his brother, N. B.A\'ishon,
continuing at that city until 1873, when they both
removed to Newport, where they were among the
first and most onterjirising business men of that
town, and helped to build considerable of the
property. In 1880 W. C. was engaged bj' the
Southern Express Company as express agent, and
the business of the brothers was sold in February.
1882. He remained with that company until 1880,
when the Batesville &. Brinkley Railroad opened up
its line, and he was engaged as their agent at New-
port, where he has Vieen ever since, building up a
reputation for being one of the best agents on the
line. In 1877 he was mamed to Miss Rina Wal-^
lace, a pleasant and attractive lady, who has made
his home one of the brightest in Newport. Mr.
Wishon is a member of the Masonic fraternity and
the Royal Arcanum. He is a prominent man in
social and business circles at Jaek.sonport as well
as Newport, of which latter city he is the pioneer.
A. Wiysel, lumber manufacturer. Mr. Wiysel
was born and reared among the industries of a
great manufacturing place, his birth occurring in
Cambria County, Penn., on the 24th of August,
1824. He is a son of Joseph and Susanna (Weis-
inger) Wiysel, of the same county and State, but
the great grandfather was a native of Germany,
who emigrated to this country at an early jHTiod
u>£:
916
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
and settled in Pennsylvania, afterward fighting
in the War of the Revolution. The parents of A.
Wiysel emigrated to Wabash (Jounty, Ind. , some
years after their marriagi% whore the father died
during the Civil War, while the mother still sur-
vives him and is living in Indiana. They were
the parents of six children, of whom four are yet
living, A. Wiysel being the oldest. He was reared
and spent his younger days in Pennsylvania, where
he also received the greater part of his education,
and afterwards moved to Wabash County, Ind.
From there he went to Adair County, Mo. , and
remained until 1859, when he came to Jackson-
port and was employed in teaming. Diuing the
war he was detailed as engineer of a large flouring
mill on the White River, and after that event he
embarked in saw-milling and lumber manufactur-
ing, a business that he has fostered and built up
to be one of the most successful in that section.
He has various markets for his products, employs
a large number of men, and turns out some of the
best material to be found anywhere, and has the
honor of being one of the pioneer mill men of
Jackson County. Mr. Wiysel was married in
1848 to Miss Susanna Stemman, by whom he has
had five children, two of them yet living: Samuel
and Charles. He is a member of the Lutheran
Church, and one of the representative citizens of
his county, taking an active interest in its promo-
tion and welfare.
William D. Yarbrough a merchant, of New-
port, Ark., was born November 28, 1856, in
Nebo, Hopkins County, Ky. His parents were
Lewis and Lucy (Davis) Yarbrough, both natives
of Kentucky. William D. received a fair educa-
tion in the English Ijranches, in the public schools
of his native State, and commenced business for
himself in 1881, securing a position in the com-
mercial house of Mr. H. V. Ames, of Newport,
Ark., who carried a general line of merchandise,
where he remained until 1885, when he paid a
visit to his home in Kentucky, and while there, on
the 10th of February, 1886, married Miss Katie
Trigg, of Hopkins County. On the 25th of Feb-
ruary they returned to Arkansas and he entered
the employ of Mr. Johnson, of the firm of
Ames & Johnson, his former employers. He re-
mained with them until the latter part of the year,
when he purchased a full line of groceries, and on
January 1, 1887, opened an establishment for him-
self, carrying a well selected line of staple and
fancy groceries, and the prediction is, that Mr.
Yarbrough will be one of the leading business men
of the community. Mr. Yarbrough is a member in
good standing, of the Newpoii Lodge. His wife
died September 25, 1887, and was buried in Rose
Creek Cemetery, in her native county. On August
25, 1889, Mr. Yarbrough married Miss Saidie
Roberon, a native of Ohio, an estimable young
lady, and a general favorite.
ft X>
IZARD COTJNTY.
'.tr
Izard County— Thk Akiiival of the Settleus— Cikcuit am> Pkohate Courts— Mii.itakv Mioioiit-
The County Formed— The County Seat Located— Public Buildings Prected— Election
Returns— Church Organizations— Towns and Vii-LAtiKs- Educational Devel-
opment—The County Bounded— .Statistics Showing its Desirabil-
ity as a Place ok Residence— Population— Biography.
There is a spot of earth supremely blest.
A dearer, sweeter spot than all the rest,
Where man, creation's tyrant, casts n.si(Ie
His sword and sceptre, pageantry and pride.
That spot's tliy liome. — Montgomery.
*HE exitct timo and place of
the making of the tirst set-
tlement of the territory now
composing Izard County is
uncertain. It is evident,
however, that immigration
must have commenced very
soon after the beginning of the
present century, points of location
being, in general, along White and
Strawborry llivers. Among the
early settlers in the vicinity of the
former stream were Daniel Hively,
Elbert and Henry Benbrook. the
family of the father of William
and Hill Dillard, the JeflFerys,
Moses Bishop, the Harrises and
George and James Partee. Daniel Jeffery settled
below Mount Olive, Jehoida, his brother, a mile
above, and James, another lirother, at or near the
mouth of Piney Creek. Of the Harrises there
were four brothers: Augustus. Henry, James and
Richard. Augustus located on the east side of the
river, in (the present) Izard County, the others on
the opposite side, now Stone County. Daniel
Hively settled at the mouth of Piney Creek, anil
there built a water-power grist-mill very early.
Among the first to locate on Strawberry River wore
the Simpsons, Billiugsleys and Finleys, John
Gray taking up his residence on Rocky Bayou,
and James Wren at Lunenburg. Other very early
comers to the county were Ambrose, Harvey, Will
iam and James Creswell.
Later came the Lancasters, the Walkers, the
AVatkiuses, Richard, Robert and William Powell.
Thomas Richard.son. Samuel Bingham, William
and James Woods, Col. Thomas Black, the Ar
nolds, Jesse Hinkle, the Robinsons and many
others. Both the early and subsequent settlers of
the county principally came from Tennessee. .\
few were from Georgia, and some other Soutlieni
States, but few, if any, from Northern .Stales.
The early settlers here suffered in common with all
who moved so far back from the Mississippi the
many privations of frontier life. It was not long,
however, until boats came up White River and fur-
nished such provisions as could not be produced at
home. The people of Izard ('ounty are iiitidli
gent, kind and ho8])itablo. Society now is all that
could be desired, and churches aro miraorous in all
r
918
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
settled portions. Subsequent pages contain more
detailed mention of the county's pioneers and
prominent citizens.
Court affairs, of course, early occupied atten-
tion. The county court was established in 1829,
when Arkansas was a territory. Prior to that date
the county business had all been transacted in the
circuit court. This court meets on the first Mon-
days of January, April, July and October, in each
year. The probate court meets on the third Mon-
days of March, June, September and December.
The Izard circuit court convenes on the second
Monday in April and October, in each year. It
belongs to the Fourteenth judicial circuit, composed
of the counties of Izard, Boone, Baxter, Marion,
Fulton, Searcy and Newton, of which R. H.
Powell, of Melbourne, is the judge.
The legal bar of Izard County is composed of
the following named attorneys: Ransom Gulley,
John H. Woods, J. B. Baker, F. M. Hanley,
Moreau Ashley, S. W. Woods, and E. B. Brad-
shaw. Judge Powell, when not on the bench, is
also a member of the bar.
Aside from the war period, there has never been
but one or two murders committed within the
county, as it is now composed, and not a legal exe-
cution of a criminal has occurred here. Other
crimes have been committed frequently.
At the approach of the Civil War, when the
question of secession was first discussed, a majority
of the people of Izard County seemed opposed to
it, but when actual hostilities commenced, all but
a few were naturally in full sympathy with the
Southern cause, and soon thereafter favored the
secession of the State. Of the several companies
of soldiery raised within the county for the Con-
federate army, one, gathered by Capt. Deason,
served in the Seventh Arkansas Regiment; four,
commanded, respectively, by Capts. C. C. Elkins,
T. N. Smith, Hugh A. Barnett and T. J. Mason,
became a part of the Ninth Arkansas Regiment;
two, commanded, respectively, by Capts. C. Cook
and Richard Powell, served in Col. Freeman's
regiment of cavalry; three, commanded, respect-
ively, by Capts. T. M. Gibson, R. C. Matthews and
Samuel Taylor, formed a part of Col. Shaler's
regiment. A portion of a company was raised by
Capt. John H. Dye, the other part being raised in
Independence County, and a part of another was
raised by Capt. James Huddleston, the other being
recruited in what is now Sharp County. Some in-
dividuals went out and joined companies raised in
adjoining counties. Thus ten companies, besides
the fractions of other companies, were furnished
by the county for the Confederate army.
Early in the war period, most of the Union
men here removed to Rolla, Mo. , and were there
organized into a company by Capt. L. D. Toney,
and served in the Federal army. All the able
bodied men of the county, and many boys in their
"teens," joined the armies. Only the old and
feeble were left with the women and children.
There was no fighting or bushwhacking among the
citizens. The county, however, was over-run by
scouting parties from the contending armies, and
while but little burning was done, all stock and
provisions that could be found were seized and car-
ried away, thus leaving the citizens in great want
for food. Parties of women, each accompanied by
an old man, frequentlj^ hauled cotton inside of the
Federal lines and exchanged it for salt and other
necessities. Salt was also obtained by extracting it
from the earth under old smoke houses. Meat was
concealed from the scouting parties by hiding it in
straw beds, in the rocks and under brush heaps.
Grain was also hid in peculiar places. J. B.
Hunt, the postmaster at Melbourne, states that he
saved his corn by shelling it and hiding it in the
hollow walls of his house, between the weather-
boarding and the inside-boarding, and had a hole
at the bottom through which he drew it out on
going to the mill. Others, no doubt, saved their
grain in a similar way.
The county of Izard was organized in accord-
ance with an act of the legislature of the Territory
of Arkansas, approved October 17, 1825. It was
named in honor of George Izard, who was the gov-
ernor of the Territory, and contained territory
since cut off in the formation of Fulton, Baxter and
Stone Counties. Various acts have been passed
since its formation, by which it has been created as
at present.
IZARD COUNTY.
SHU
The original county seat was located on White
River, at the mouth of Big North Fork, now in
Baxter County. Soon after it was moved to
Athens, on White River, at the mouth of Piney
Creek, and from there, about the year 1844, to
Mount Olive, in Section 31, Township 16 north,
Range 10 west, another point on White River.
Here it remained until May 15, 1875, when it was
taken to its present site at Melbourne. The first
court house erected at the original site of the county
seat was a hewed log cabin. The second was a
small frame structure, built at Athens, and the
third was also a frame erected at Mount Olive.
The court-house at Melbourne was built in 1878,
but on the 11th of April, 18S'J, it was consumed
by fire, with all the public records aiul papers, sup-
posed to have been of incendiary origin, as the fire
occurred in the morning before daylight. The
question of removing the county seat to some other
point is now being agitated, but the probability is
that it will remain at its present location.
The only public building the county possesses
is the jail and jailer's residence combined, at Mel-
bourne. This is a wooden building, the jail proper
being fi-ame on the outside, with a wall of squared
timljers on the inside. The county owns a poor
farm, but it has never been improved or made
available for the support of the paupers. The lat-
ter are let out on contract for their su{)port, to the
lowest responsible bidder.
The following is a list of the names of the
county officers of Izard County, and the dates of
their terms of service fi'om the organization of the
county to the present time, as compiled from the
report of the secretary of State:
Judges: Matthew Adams, 1829-38; J. Jeffery,
1833-38: B. Hawkins, 1840-42; J. A. Harris,
1842-44; James Wren, 1844-46; J. A. Harris, 1846-
48; G. H. Morton, 1848-50; Henry Cole, 1850-52;
J. J. Sams, 1852-54; B. C. Hollowell, 1854 50;
T. Black, 1858-60; H. H. Harris, 1860-62; Thomas
Black, 1862.64; A. C. Jeffery, 1864-68; William
Byler, 1868-72; commissioners, 1872-74; G. W.
Shaw, 1874-80; J. A. Byler, 1880-82; W. Grim-
mett, 1882-86; H. H. Harris, present incumbent,
first elected in 1886.
Clerks: J. P. Houston, 1825 30; Jesse Adams,
1830-32; J. P. Houston, 1832-38; B. H. Johnson!
1838-44; C. P. Lancaster, 1844-46; A. C. JefTery,
1846-48; R. M. Haggard, 1848-52; William Wood,
1852-54; H. H. Harris, 1854-58; W. C. Dixon,
1858-60; H. H. HaiTis, 180068; I. H. Talley,
1868 72; F. W. Pen-in, 187274; D. W. Billings-
ley, 1874-70; J. N. Craig, 1870-78; H. H. Harris,
1878-84; W. K. Estes, present incumbent, elected
in 1884, re- elected and served continuously since.
Sheriffs: John Adams, 1825-30; John Har
grove, 1830-35; Daniel Jeffery, 1835-30; J. A.
Harris, 1836-38; D. K. Lloyd, 1838-44; Miles Jef-
fery, 1844-40; S. E. Rossen, 1846-50; S. J. Mason.
1850-56; John Woods, 1850-58; A. Adams, 1858
60; W. J. Cagle, 1800-08; R. L. Landers, 1868-
72; J. M. Hinkle, 1872-78; R. L. Landers, 1878-
82; J. S. Roberts, 1882-86; R. L. Landers, pres-
ent incumbent, first elected in 1886.
j Treasurers: W. B. Carr, 1836-38; A. Cres-
I well, 1838-40; S. H. Creswell, 1840-42; Jacob
; Wolf, 1842-44; A. McFelich. 1844-40: H. J.
Wren, 1840-48; H. Dillard, 1848-50; William
Gray, 1850-58; J. W. Cypert, 1858-64; H. H.
Harris, 1864-60: E. D. Hayes, 1800-08; B. F.
Brantley, 1808-72; J. B. Hunt, 1872-74; L. C.
Holmes, 1874-76; A. J. Hutson, 1876-SO; John
McElmurry. 1880-82; H. H. Hinckle, 1882-84;
John McElmurry, 1884-80; J. B. Hunt, present
incumbent, first elected in 1886.
Coroners: H. C. Roberts. 1829 3U; J. Blyeth,
1830-35; Jesse Adams, 1835-36; H. W. Bandy,
1840-42; R. C. Moore, 1842-48; G. W. Neal,
1848-50; J. D. Churchill, 1850-52; D. Jeffery.
1852-54; R. Harris, 1854-50; S. T. Martili,
1856-58; R. Landers. 1858-02; Jesse Hincklo,
1802-04; J. A. Byler. 1804-66; R. Landers,
1866-68; J. G. Richardson, 1808-72; J. H. Uoten,
1872-74; J. F. Cornelius, 1874-76; F. M. Hall.
1870-78; Squire Wood, 1878-80; J. R. Beaver.
1880-80; John Schell. 188ii-.SS: S. F. Heaves,
present incumbent, elected in 1888.
Surveyors: William Clement, 1830-32; A.
Adams, 1S35-30; Jesse .\dams. 1830-38; James
Davis, 1838-40; William Seymour. 1840-42; J.
M. Pugh, 1842-44; F. M. Copeland. 1844-46; R.
r
920
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
Decker, 1846-4S: Cyius Crosby, 1848-52; J.
Byler, 1852-56; J. W. Rector, 1856-58; A. C.
Hardin. 1858-62; J. W. Rector, 1862-64; J. C.
Claiborne, 1866-08; R. Sanders, 1868-72; J. A.
Claiborne, 1872-76; Joseph Hixon, 1876-80;
Jacob Franks, 1880-82; J. A. Claiborne, 1882-88;
E. L. Billingsley, present incumbent, elected in
1S88.
Assessors: P. F. Heasler, 1868-72; W. O. Dil-
lard, 1872-74; James Green, 1874-80: W. C.
Hammond, 1880-84; Robert Gray, 1884-86; James
Gray, 1886-88; P. J. Puckett, present incumbent,
elected in 1888.
Representatives in constitutional conventions:
1836, Charles R. Sanders; 1861, A. Adams; 1868,
W. W. Adams; 1874, Ransom Gulley.
The tirst representative of the county in the
Territorial legislature was Jacob AVolf, and the
first one in the State legislature was Thomas Culp.
The first State senator from the county was C. R.
Sanders.
The following will show the political aspect of
Izard County. At the September election, 1888,
James P. Eagle (Dem. ) received 1,328 votes for
the oifice of governor, and C. M. Norwood, his op-
ponent, 779 votes. At the presidential election,
1888, the several candidates received votes as fol-
lows: Cleveland (Dem.), 1,187; Harrison (Rep.),
378; Streeter (U. L.), 68; Fisk (Pro.), 7.
Religious affairs, here as elsewhere, date from
the first settlement of the community. As usual,
the Methodists and Baptists were the pioneer Chris-
tian workers of the Territory, followed by the Cum-
berland Presbyterians and Christians. The organ-
izations of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South,
located within the county, are embraced in three
circuits. The Melbourne circuit. Rev. W. L. King,
pastor, has eight appointments; the Newburg cir-
cuits. Rev. William A. Peck, pastor, has five ap-
pointments, and the La Crosse and Evening Shade
circuit. Rev. J. S. Brooke, pastor, has also five
appointments, the latter being in Sharp County.
The aggregate memViership of each, as shown by
the last conference minutes, is as follows: Mel-
bourne, 399; Newburg, 684; La Crosse and Even-
ing Shade, 301; making 1,384 in all. Of the
Methodist Episcopal Church, there is but one or-
ganization in the county.
Of the Missionary Baptist Church nineteen or-
ganizations are known, sixteen of which belong to
the Rocky Bayou Association, two to the Big Creek
Association, and one to Independence Association.
Those belonging to the first named are Melbourne,
Lunenburg and Franklin, of which Elder J. L.
Brown is pastor; Saints' Rest, Bellview, Mount
Nebo, No. 2, and Piney Bayou, of which Elder J.
J. Vest is pastor; Mount Pleasant and Bethel, of
which Elder J. D. J. Faulkner is pastor; Zion
Hill, Concord, Fairviow and Philadelphia, of which
Elder William Dureu is pastor; Pleasant Valley,
with Elder S. A. Merchant as pastor; Mount Nebo
No. 1, with Elder J. H. Soden as pastor, and Hid-
den Creek, which has no pastor at present. Those
belonging to Big Creek Association are Cross Roads
and New Prospect, while the one belonging to
Independence Association is called Wilson Creek.
The aggregate membership of these organizations
within the county is between 700 and 80(\
The ten organizations of the Christian Church
here consist of Mill Creek, at Melbourne; Walnut
Grove, Oxford, Franklin and luka. with Elder H.
T. King as pastor; Kent Mill, Liberty, Pleasant
Spring and Newburg, with Elder W. G. Cypert as
pastor, and Twin Creek, with Elder G. H. Metheny
as pastor. The aggregate membership is 503.
The organizations of the Cumberland Presby-
terian Church are Mill Creek, at Melbourne, and
Mount Olive, with Rev. P. M. Jeflfery as pastor;
Nnl)bin Ridge, Rev. R. H. Evans, pastor; Olive
Branch, Rev. J. S. Bone, pastor; La Crosse. Rev.
W. B. Baird, pastor; Barren Fork, Rev. A. C.
Evans, pastor; Dry Town, Rev. J. S. Bone, pas-
tor; Palestine, Rev. Clark, pastor: Rocky Glade
and one or two other organizations. Many of the
church organizations have Sunday-schools connect-
ed with them, and nearly all have regular preach-
ing, and are doing good work in the cause of Chris- •
tianity. There is an organization of the Adventists
at La Crosse.
The towns and villages of the county are small
and scattered, and no one has gained much as-
cendency over the others. Barren Fork, in the
IZARD COUNTY.
!)•_>!
southeast part of the county, contains two general
stores, one drug store, one grocery, two church
houses, a school house, cotton-gin, and some shops,
dwelling houses, etc.
Franklin, in the opposite northeast jwrtion, has
two general stores, a grist-mill, still-house, school-
house, Masonic hall and lodge, and an Odd Fel-
lows' hall and lodge.
luka is a very small post village on the line
between Izard and Baxter Counties.
La Crosse, four miles northeast of Melbourne,
contains two general stores, a drug store, a church
edifice, two blacksmith shops, a Masonic hall and
lodge, and the La Crosse Collegiate Institute. In
the fall of 1883 a cyclone passcnl over this place
and almost entirely demolished the buildings, be-
sides killing a number of individuals.
Melbourne, the county seat, located near the
center of the county, includes within its limits
four general stores, three groceries, a drug store,
two hotels, four church buildings, a Masonic and
Odd Fellows' hall and school- house combined, a
lodge each of Masons and Odd Fellows, two feed
stables, one newspaper (The Izard County Reg-
ister, Democratic in politics, now in its eighth
volume, and ably edited by its proprietor, Mr.
Dave Craig), a steam grist-mill, mechanics" shops,
etc., etc., but no court-house at present. Of the
societies there is also an Encampment of Odd
Fellows. The churches are Baptist, Methodist,
Cumberland Presbyterian and Christian.
Newburg, a few miles northwest of Melbourne,
has three general stores, a steam saw-mill, school-
house, blacksmith shop, a Masonic and Odd Fol-
lows' hall and a lodge of each of these societies.
Oxford is in the north central part of the coun-
ty. Three general stores, a steam grist-mill, three
churches, a school-house and an Odd Fellow's
hall comprise its industries.
Pineville, in the northwest part of the county,
contains a general store, a blacksmith shop, and a
Masonic hall, church and school -house combined.
Violet Hill is eight miles northeast of Mel-
bourne. It has a store, steam grist-mill, black-
smith shop and a church.
At each of these points is a postoflice, and
ss >^
dwelling liouses corresponding in number to the size
of the place. The other p<jstotlic(«s in the county
are Wideman, Sage, Gid, Alder, Rockford, Engle
and Byler.
Prior to the inauguration of the present free
school system there were no schools within Izard
County, except a few sustained here and there by
private individual enterprise. Education in those
days for the masses was not advocated or encour-
aged, and truth compels the assertion that, even at
this date, the facilities for popular education are
not as well sustained as they ought to be. How-
ever, prejudice against free schools is wearing
away, and the interest in their favor is slowly but
gradually increasing. The following statistics
compiled from the report of the State superin-
tendent, for the year ending June 30, 1888, will
show the progress of schools within the county:
Scholastic population, white, 4,702, colored, 116,
total, 4,818; number taught in the public schools,
white, 2,572, colored, 19, total, 2,608; number of
teachers employed, males, 47, females, 8, total,
55; average monthly salaries paid teachers, first
grade, males, .$40.25, females, $40; second grade,
males, $37.50, females, §28.30; amount of revenue
expended to sustain the public .schools, $9,433.45.
According to these figures, only a little over one-
half of the white .scholastic population and about
one-sixth of the colored scholastic population were
taught in the public .schools. It is l)elieved,
though, that the statistics do not give the whole
facts, as the number taught in some schools was
not reported. The wages paid should secure teach-
ers of fair talent. The free school system is yet
young, and will improve with age and experience.
The La Crosse Collegiate Institute, which bus
been sustained for many years at the town of Lu-
Crosse, has gained considerable reputation as an
institution of learning. It is now taught in con-
nection with the public school of that j)lace. There
are eighty-four school districts within the county,
and for the school year mentioned, thirty-four
voted a local tax for school purjwses.
Izard County is in Northeast Arkansas. It is
bounded north by Fulton County, east by .Sharp,
south by Independence ami Stum", and west liy
922
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
Stone and Baxter. It has an area of 600 square
miles, with only about one-eighth of it improvisd.
Being an interior county it has as yet no railroad
facilities, its nearest railroad station being at Cush-
man, in the adjoining county of Independence.
The boundary lines are as follows: Beginning at
the northwest corner of Section 1, in Township
18 north. Range 7 west, of the fifth principal
meridian; thence south three miles; thence east
one mile to the range line, between Ranges 6 and
7 west; thence south on the range line to the
southeast corner of Section 25, Township 16 north,
Range 7 west; thence west one and a half miles;
thence south to the quarter-post between Sections
14 and 23 in Township 15 north, Range 7 west;
thence west to the southwest corner of Section
16, same township and range; thence south 45°
west, seven and a half miles to White River;
thence up the middle of that river to the range line
between Ranges 11 and 12, in Township 17 north;
thence north on the range line to the township
line between Townships 17 and 18 north; thence
east to the middle of Range 11 west; thence north
on section lines to the township line between
Townships 18 and 19 north; thence east on the
township line to the place of beginning.
The principal streams are White and Straw-
berry Rivers, both of which flow in a general south-
easterly direction, the former on the southwestern
boundary of the county, and the latter across the
northeastern portion. Between these rivers there
is a dividing ridge or water-shed in the same direc-
tion. The principal tributaries of White River
within the county are Piney, Mill, Knob, Hurri-
cane, Rocky Bayou and LafEerty Creeks. The
principal tributary of Strawberry River is Caney
Fork. There are some smaller tributaries of these
streams, and altogether they form a complete sys-
tem of drainage for the territory. Numerous ex-
cellent springs abound, and in most places good
well water can be obtained at a depth of fifty feet.
Cisterns are in general use. From the streams,
springs, cisterns and wells, an abundant supply of
excellent water for all purposes is obtained.
The surface of the county is generally broken
and hilly, though there are some tracts of beauti-
ful and gently undulating table lands. The highest
points above sea level are said to be about 1,000
feet. A large percentage of the lands belong to
the Government, and are subject to homestead
entry. Of the entire area, a very small proportion
is valley, or bottom lands. The soil of the latter
is alluvial and exceedingly productive, while that
of the uplands is light and sandy, and not so pro-
ductive. Contrary to the general rule elsewhere,
the most productive uplands in this county are the
pine timbered lands. Altogether it is adapted to
the cultivation of cotton, several kinds of grain,
clover, and the tame grasses. It is probably best
suited to the growing of corn. Clover and the
tame grasses have scarcely been introdiiced, but,
where tried, excellent results have followed. ' ' Cot-
ton is king," and some lands are being exhausted
by its constant cropping. All the uplands are capa-
ble of the growing of all manner of fi'uits, com-
mon to this latitude, but thus far the cultivation of
fi'uit has received but little attention.
In the southeast part of the county, over an
area of twenty -five square miles are rich deposits
of black oxide of manganese. This ore is used
extensively in the manufacture of Bessemer steel
rails. In Section 20, Township 17 north, Range
9 west, there is a lead of antimony, and at differ-
ent points elsewhere, notably in Townships 16 and
17 north. Range 7 west, are strong indications of
zinc. There is a good quality of sandstone,
building stone, and a great deal of limestone within
the county. In Sections 34 and 35, Townshijj 15
north, Range 8 west, is a good deposit of litho-
graphic stone, which is being worked by a New
York company.
The bottom lands and adjacent bluffs are cov-
ered with white and black oak, red cedar, and
black and sweet gum, allot good quality, the white
oak being of very superior quality. In the north-
west part of the county is a belt of good short-
leaved yellow pine, the stumpage of which is care-
fully estimated at 500,000,000 feet. Much of this
timber averages from two to three feet in diameter,
and many trees will cut four saw logs each. The
rest of the timber is mostly black, post, and white
oak. In the northeast portion the growth is mostly
Of
:|V
►L>
IZARD COUNTY.
'.)'23
post oak and black jack. Ash, cherry, walnut,
and other varieties of timber abound in limited
quantities.
The county's resources, so fur as developed, are
principally agricultural, the horticultural and min-
eral wealth not having been unfolded. The supply
of timber is extensive, as but little, aside fi'om the
small quantity used at home, has ever been cut.
This will be an important resource whenever ship-
ping facilities are provided. The agricultural
products for 1879, as given by the census of 1880,
were as follows: Indian corn, 451,904 Vnishels;
oats, 40,593 bushels; wheat, 25,902 bushels; hay,
214 tons; cotton, 4,800 bales; Irish potatoes, 4,500
bushels; sweet potatoes, 11,349 bushels; tobacco,
13,212 pounds. These figures show that the lands
of the county are best adapted to the raising of
corn, cotton, sweet potatoes and tobacco. • The
number of head of live-stock, as shown by the same
report, were as follows: Horses, 2,109; mules and
asses, 1,258; cattle, 9,492; sheep, 8,492; hogs,
18,966. The number listed for taxation, as shown
by the abstract of taxable property for 1888, are as
follows: Horses, 2,436; mules and asses, 1,655;
cattle, 14,857; sheep, 7,035; hogs, 1,619. This
indicates by comparison a large increase of the
three former and an apparent decrease of the two
latter. But reflecting that the number of animals
given by the census report include the number of
sold and slaughtered during the previous year,
while the tax lists include only those on hand when
assessed, it is evident that in all, excepting proba-
bly sheep, there was a large increase.
In 1880 the county's real estate was assessed
for taxation at 1584,303, the personal property at
$411,715, making a total of $996,018. In 1888
the real estate was assessed at $743,994, and the
personal property at $759,607, making a total of
$1,503,601. This shows that the taxable property
of the county, since 1880, has increased in value
over 61 per cent. The total amount of taxes
charged in 1888, for all purposes, was $20,608.
The population of Izard County at the end of
each census decade, since its organization, has
been as follows: 1830, 1,266; 1840, 2,240; 1850,
3,212; 1860, 7,215; 1870, 6,806; 1880, 10,857.
The colored population in 1870 was 182, and in
1880, 222.
Charles R. Aikin, a retired merchant of Calico
Rock, Ark., was born in Colorado, in 1854, and is
a son of William M. and Catherine W. (Rudolpli)
Aikin, who were born in South Carolina and Mary-
land, respectively. William Aikin removed to
Arkansas in 1843 or 1844, and located in what was
then Izard County (now Stone County), and these
counties have since been his home, with the excep-
tion of from 1852 to 1855, when he was a resident
of Colorado. From 1861 to 1872 he resided in
Batesville, Init upon the death of his wife, in the
latter year, he removed from Batesville, and has
made his home in Izard and Stone Counties since.
He was a farmer during his early life, but after-
ward gave his attention to merchandising, and was
associated with Cox & Byers, at Sylamoro. He
was married in 1850 or 1851, and he and wife be-
came the parents of four children, Charles R., th(>
subject of this memoir, being the only one living;
Maggie L. (deceased) was the wife of Joseph Case,
of Batesville, and died in 1881, leaving two chil
dren, Maggie being the only one now living; the
two other children died in infancy. Mr. Aikin has
filled the ofSce of notary public, and w.is postmas-
ter of Calico Rock for a number of years. He re
sides in Sylamore, is sixty -six years of age, and is
in the enjoyment of excellent health. Charles R.
Aikin attended school in Batesville until he at-
tained his sixteenth year, and then engaged in
farmingfor himself on his father's farm, continuing
thus occupied for three years; then entered college
at Batesville, which institution he attended one
year. He then entered the dry goods store of W.
E. Maxwell, at Sylamore, but at the end of one
year accepted a position in a store at Batesville,
and after remaining in the employ of H. C. Smith
for some time he returned to Sylamore and entered
the employ of McMurtry & Whitfield. His next
enterprise was to engage in merchandising in part-
nership with W. E. Maxfield, but in 1879 he came
to Calico Rock, and began working for that gen-
tleman for a portion of the profits, and since li)iS8
924
HISTOKY OF AEKANSAS.
has been out settling up the outstauding accounts
of the business. He was married on the 22d of
January, 1888, to Miss Mary B. Grimmett. He
has been postmaster of this place for four or five
years, is a Democrat politically, and belongs to the
I. O. O. F. and the A. F. & A. M. He owns a
good farm of eighty acres close to the town, well
improved, besides other valuable property.
A. G. Albright is one of the substantial resi-
dents of Izard County, Ark., but his birth occurred
in the "Old North State" October 9, 1838, his
parents, Alvis and Mary A. (Stockard) Albright,
being also born there, in 1808 and 1815, respective-
ly. They were reared, educated and married in
their native State, but about the year 1853 they
moved to Arkansas, where they reared their family.
Five sons and live daughters were born tc> them,
and seven of their children are living at the pres-
ent time. The father was an energetic tiller of
the soil, in which occupation he acquired a hand-
some competency, and at the time of his death,
March 31, 1881, he was the owner of some 500
acres of land. He was also a minister of the
gospel, being an expounder of the Methodist doc-
trine, but, after his arrival in Arkansas, he and his
wife attached themselves to the Cumberland Pres-
byterian Church, Mr. Albright being identified
with this church at the time of his death. His
widow is still living, and resides with a daughter
at Barren Fork. A. G. Albright, their son, was
educated near Pittsboro, N. C, and after com-
ing to Arkansas with his parents he united his
destiny with that of Miss Sarah T. Screws, who
was born in this State, being a daughter of George
W. Screws. Of the family of eleven children born
to them eight are living: George A., James G. ,
Sarah C, Harriet E., Nancy N. , Julia Esther,
William F. and Lula J. Mr. Albright owns an
excellent farm comprising 352 acres, of which there
are about 160 acres under cultivation, and it is well
stocked with all the necessary animals for success-
fully conducting the place. In connection with
this work he is engaged in general merchandising
at Barren Fork, his stock at the present time in-
voicing at about $8,000. He is a member of three
secret organizations, the Masons, the Knights and
Ladies of Honor, and the I. O. O. F. , and in the
former order belongs to the Commandery. When
the war, which had for some time been threaten-
ing, at last became an assured fact, Mr. Albright
joined Kelley's Ninth Battalion, and went to Ken-
tucky, but was discharged on account of disability.
The same year he joined Capt. Woods' company,
Shaler's regiment, and served to the close of the
war in the quartermaster's department, as regimen-
tal carpenter. In the latter part of 18fi6 he re-
turned home and engaged in the milling business
with his father, and still later embarked in the
occupations mentioned above. He and wife are
members of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church,
and are active and liberal supporters of churches
and schools, as well as all other worthy enterprises.
J. H. Ayler, farmer, Melliourne, Ark. Among
the younger members of the agricultural com-
munity of Izard County there are none more de-
serving of mention than Mr. Ayler, and on this
account, no less than that he has resided in this
county since about three years of age, he is ac-
corded a worthy place in this volume. His birth
occurred in Tennessee in 1848, and he came with
his parents, Charles and Minerva E. (Robison)
Ayler, to Arkansas, in 1851, and settled in Izard
County. He assisted on his father's farm until
twenty-one years of age, when he started out to
fight life's battles for himself, and rented land for
about sis years. He then purchased a farm of
eighty-six acres, which he afterward increased to
286 acres, with sixty-five acres under cultivation,
and has plenty of good stock to run his farm. In
1870 he was married to Miss Icj^ D. H. Cornelius,
and they became the parents of these children:
John P., born October 13, 1871, at home; Ada M.,
born February 21, 1873, at home; Lou N., born
July 21, 1875; Nancy E., born November 23, 1877;
Willie Maud, born February 1, 1880 (deceased);
Nettie E., born February 19, 1883, and Grover H.,
born June 7, 1885. Mr. and Mrs. Ayler are mem-
bers of the Christian Church, and in politics he is
a Democrat. His parents were both natives of
Tennessee. The father, Charles Ayler, was reared
on a farm and educated in the common schools of
Tennessee. He came to Arkansas in 1851, as
s^ i
-f
'4^
IZARD COUNTY.
5»2r.
above stated, and bought an unimproved farm in
Izard County. After remaining on this farm for
about fifteen years he sold out and bought an im-
proved farm, close to where he first resided, and
continued there about ten years. He then sold out,
and bought another farm of 175 acres, where he
remained until his death, which occurred in 1882,
at the age of sixty-four years. He was twice mar-
ried, the first time to Miss Minerva E. Robison,
and by her became the father of seven children,
five now living: J. H., William, Mrs. Nancy Evans,
Mrs. Sarah E. Sterling and Mrs. Harriet J. Will-
iams. The mother of these childi-on is a member
of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Mr. Ayler's
second marriage was to Miss Amanda Taylor, in
1871, and they had a family of three children:
Tennessee, Annie and John. Mr. Ayler was a
member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and
Mrs. Ayler still survives him. Mrs. Minerva Ayler
was married the second time to Henry Williams,
and they reside in this county.
John N. Bates, farmer, Franklin, Ark. Not
withstanding the rapid growth of the agricultural
affairs of the county in the last few years, and the
progressive ideas advanced, Mr. Bates lias kept
thoroughly apace with the times, and is considered
one of the leading farmers of the county. His
birth occurred in Bedford County, Tenn. , in 1829,
and he is the son of J. A. and Elizabeth (Davis)
Bates, the former a native of the Old Dominion,
and the latter of South Carolina. J. A. Bates
came to Tennessee about 1820, but previous to that
had been a resident of Georgia and Alabama. He
was principally reared in Georgia, and served in
the War of 1812 up to 1815. He was also with
Gen. Noonan's command, was in the Florida
swamps in 1830, and was present when the chief,
Osceola, was captured. During the War of 1812
he was a lieutenant, and served in that capacity
until 1814 when, for his bravery and daring, he
was promoted to the rank of captain, having piloted
a boat-load of ammunition and provisions from
Black Creek Station to Fort Scott. Fla. This
boat-load of supplies had been ordered to Black
Creek Station while Gen. Jackson was there, I)ut
the commander at Fort Scott was hard-pressed.
and had requested Gen. Jackson to come to his
assistance. Lieut. Bates was off after deserters at
this time, but when he returned to Black Creek
Station he found Gen. Jackson gone, and the boat
load of ammunition and provisions had arrived
from the head of supjilies. There were not enough
troops loft to guard the boat, so Lieut. Bates
built breastworks on the boat and pushed off,
reaching Gen. Jackson in safety. For this daring
and almost impossible feat he was promoted to the
rank of captain. He died in Coffee County, Tenn.
in September, 1868, at the age of seventy-four
years. Ho had l)0(>n twice married, first to Eliza
beth Aulford, by whom he had three children, all
daughters, Martha, Mary and Elizabeth, wife of a
Mr. Carroll. Mrs. Bates died about 1819. and
Mr. Bates was the second time married, to Miss
Elizabeth Davis, in 1824. To this union were
born seven children, six of whom lived to be grown.
The yoimgest one died when quite small; Jasper
M. resides in this county; Alethia (deceased), was
the wife of J. S. Jones; John N., the subjiH^t of
this sketch; Frances A., widow of J. Hickerson.
now resides in Tennessee; Rebecca A. (deceased),
wife of L. W. Angel 1, of Tennessee, and Louisa
J. (deceased), was the wife of Alex. Oldfield. Mrs.
Bates died in July, 1869. Both Mr. and Mrs.
Bates were members of the Baptist Church, and
he was a member of the Masonic fraternity. In
politics he was a Whig. At the age of twenty-one
years J. N. Bates started out for himself, after
receiving a fair education in the common schools.
He was a schoolmate of Judge Powell, of this
county, in Bedford County, Tenn. He first began
as a hired hand to learn the tanning business.
boarded with his father, and worked for $5 per
month for one year. In 1854 he commenced tan
ning on his own account, and ran a yard for himself
until 1864, when he lost all of his property. He then
engaged in farming, and has foilowod this pursuit
up to the pros(>nt. In March, 18(19, he came to this
county, and settled on Strawljerry, where ho re-
mained until 1876, when he sold out and Iwught
his present property, consisting of 220 acres, 1(X)
under cultivation, all the result of hard labor since
the war. He was married, on the 4th of December,
926
HISTOKY OF ARKANSAS.
1849, to Miss Harriet L. Oldfield, a native of Ten-
nessee, born on the 11th of November, 1827, and
they are the parents of ten children, eight now liv-
ing: Nancy E., widow of Dr. J. M. Beaver, and af-
terward married to John C. Billingsley; Rhoda J.,
wife of James Billingsley; Eliza F., wife of F. M.
Wolf; Charles L. lives in Texas; John L. resides
in Lee County, Ark.; Mary F. (deceased); Laura
A., wife of J. T. Robertson; Susan L., wife of
Walter Hardaway; Lillie M., wife of James M.
Godwin, and Carrie L. (deceased). Mr. Bates
was not in the army, but was detailed to make
shoes for the soldiers, and to continue the tanning
business. Previous to the war he was a Whig,
but since then he has voted with the Democratic
party until 1880, when he supported the Green-
back and Wheeler ticket. He and wife are mem-
bers of the Cumberland Presbyterian Chiuch.
The paternal grandfather of John N. Bates, Samuel
Bates, was a soldier in the War for Independence,
and served first, until the battle of Lexington,
when he was captured by the English, and kept
prisoner for three months. He then made his
escape. He was a silversmith by trade, and the
English kept him at work at his trade while a pris-
oner. He then joined the army again, was at
Yorktown, and was present at the surrender of
Lord Cornwallis. After the war he located in Vir-
ginia, where he reared his family. He worked at
his trade and became wealthy, owning many ne-
groes. In 1807 he moved to North Carolina.
Dr. E. A. Baxter, Melbomne, Ark. It is the
prerogative of the physician to relieve or alleviate
the ailments to which suffering humanity is prone,
and as such he deserves the most grateful consid-
eration of all. A prominent physician, who by
his own ability has attained distinction in his pro-
fession, is Dr. E. A. Baxter. This gentleman
was born in Batesville, Ark. , in 1853, and is the
son of Elisha D. and Harriet N. (Patton) Baxter
[see sketch of ex-Gov. Elisha Baxter]. Dr. Baxter
was educated at Batesville, Ark. , received a good
English education at that place, and in 1877 en-
tered the University of Louisville, from which he
graduated in March, 1879. He then returned
home, remained a short time, and then came to
Melbourne, where he located in the last named
year. He immediately began practicing his pro-
fession. Realizing that it was not good for man
to be alone, he was married on the 23d of Decem-
ber, 1882, to Miss Maggie Powell, daughter of
William and Millie Powell, and niece of Judge
Powell, of Melbourne. They are the parents of
two children, only one living. Hattie M. The one
deceased was named Alfred A. Dr. and Mrs.
Baxter are both members of the Methodist Epis-
copal Church, and the Doctor is a member of the
I. O. O. F., and also belongs to the Encamp-
ment of that order. He makes no specialty in his
line of practice, but has gained the confidence of
all as a clever and scientific practitioner. He has
been successful financially, accumulating property
as rapidly' as could be expected in a healthy county
like Izard. Coming as he does from one of the
leading families of the State, and being well con-
nected by marriage, the Doctor would be a very
pojjular man even if it were not for his pleasant,
social disposition, which has called around him
many friends. Kind and obliging, open-hearted
and free-handed, he is ever found at the bedside
of the sick and helpless. He takes no active part
in politics, and votes always for the good of his
friends. He is a Republican, though he has voted
with the Democratic party in this State.
Elbert Benbrook is one of the most successful
farmers and stockmen of Izard County, and de-
serves much credit for the success which has at-
tended his efforts, for when he began life for him-
self he only owned one horse and rented land,
whereas he is now the owner of 500 acres of as
good land as there is in the county, and is one of
the most successful stockmen of this region. He
was born in Izard County, in 1838, and is a son of
Henry and Catherine (Langston) Benbrook, who
came from the State of Illinois in 1832, and settled
on the farm on which our subject is now residing.
The father was a miller as well as a farmer, and in
1848 erected one of the first mills in the county,
and was also the proprietor of one of the first
cotton-gins. Upon settling in this region their
neighbors, with the exception of the families who
came with them, were twenty miles distant, and
^^
^rr
-^ — Aj-
IZARD COUNTY.
927
Indians and wild game of all kinds were very
abundant. Flonring-mills were very few and far
between in tlie region at that time, and their com i
and wheat were ground t)y machinery of their own
manufacture and wore of a very crude description.
The first mill built in the county was said to have
been erected by Laugsten Close, near Melbourne,
in 1811), its capacity being one bucket of meal per
day, but this was sufficient to keep all the families
in meal within a radins of fifty miles. Wild honey
was very al)undant, and as a means of carrying it
in considerable quantities they would sew up a
deer skin in the form of a sack, put the honey in
at the neck, throw the same across their horse as a
sack, and thus convey it home. A few elk were
found in the region by the earliest settlers, but
there was no bufPalo, although the country showed
evidence of their having been here, as the woods
were entirely free from underbrush, the canelirake
being only along the streams. At the age of twenty- •
three years Elbert Benbrook began managing a ]
steam saw-mill, the first one of the kind in the
county, it being erected by A. H. Matthews and
Ben BufFord in 1858, but owing to the breaking
out of the war he was compelled to give up the
work. In 1802 he enlisted in the' Confederate
sei-vice, but at the end of six weeks he was dis-
charged on account of disability and returned home,
where he engaged in teaching school for a short
time. He then operated his father's carding ma-
chine until after the close of the war, when he
again embarked in saw-milling, and also managed
the carding machine and followed farming up to
1S7:5. From 1878 to 1881 he ojierated a grist-
mill, but since that time he has given his attention
to farming and carpentering. He is a Democrat
l)olitically. and has held the office of justice of the
|)eace and deputy sheriff, and is the present in-
cumbent of the latter office, to which he was ap-
pointed in 1888, and had previously filled it from
1N74 to 1878. Margaret M. Berry became his
wife in 1861, but her death occurred seven years
later, she having borne a family of three children:
Susan A. (wife of W. J. Hudson), Robert H., and
JIartha 0. (wife of W. C. Rodman). Mr. Ben-
brook wedded his second wife. Miss Sarah A.
Mathes, in 18R8, biit after bearing three children,
Margie A. , Dora and Allan H. , her death occurred
in 1878, she having been a member of the Meth-
odist Episcopal Church, South. In the latter part
of 1878 Mr. Benbrook wedded his present wife,
Mrs. Elizabeth (Slyre) Rodman, and both are
worthy members of the Methodist Episcopal
Church, and he is a Royal Arch Mason. He is
one of the men who has helped to build up the
county and has always been noted for his Chris-
tianity, benevolence, and high sense of honor.
Uen Benbrook, farmer, Pinesville, Ark. Lo-
cated in the midst of one of the finest agricultural
centers of Izard County, the farm which Mr. Ben-
brook occupies is conceded to be among the best
in this vicinity, and this is saying not a littl<>. for
on every hand may be seen superior places, whose
ownership indicate thrift and prosperity. He is a
native of this county, his birth occurring in 1849,
and he is the son of Henry and Elizabeth (Tray-
lor) Benbrook, natives of Illinois and Indiana, re-
spectively. Henry Benbrook came to Izard Coun-
ty, at a very early day, settled on a farm and tilled
the soil, but in connection also carried on the mill-
ing Inisiness. He and wife reared a family of ten
children, eight now living: Maria J. (wife of David
Smith), Uen, Armedia A. (wife of Green P. Staggs),
Washington. Serenia V. (wife of A. J. Frank.s),
Perry, Charlotte T. (wife of L. L. Bailey). Henry
and Nancy (deceased). Mr. Benbrook died in
1872, at the age of sixty years, and Mrs. Ben-
brook died in 1808, at the age of forty years.
They were members of the Methodist Episcopal
Church, and he was a uiemlier of the A. F. & A.
M. He had accumulated considerable pn)perty at
the time of his death, and owned about 1, 8(H) acres
of land, besides a gri.st-mill, two saw-mills and a
water-gin and carding machine. He was one of the
leading men of his day, and contributetl liberally
to all worthy enterprises. Fen Benbrook remaineil
on his father's farm until twenty-four years of age.
and acquired a taste for agricultural pursuits
which has adhered to him ever since. He receive<l
a good practical education in the subscription
schools, and when twenty five years of age selected
a wife in the person of Mrs. Acenith (Long)
928
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
Beabrook, a native of Izard County, Ark. This
union was blessed by the birth of six children:
Elizabeth, Angelene A., Albert, Robert, Acie and
Elbert. Mr. Benbrook first commenced farming
on rented land, but two years later purchased 200
acres of land, selling part of this in 1881, and
purchasing 1 15 acres unimproved. He then traded
that for his present property, which consists of 205
acres, with about 125 improved. He also owns
one-half interest in a cotton-gin. He has excellent
buildings and plenty of stock to run his farm. He is
a liberal donator to all public affairs, and is active
in educational matters. He and Mrs. Benbrook
are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church,
South, and he is a member of the A. F. & A. M.
Mrs. Benbrook had been man-ied previous to her
marriage to Mr. Benbrook, and to the brother of
the subject of this sketch. He died in 1870. Her
parents, George and Elizabeth (Langston) Long,
were both natives of Arkansas, and her father was
one of the earliest settlers on Strawberry Creek.
He and wife were the parents of three children, two
now living: Acey M. and Acenith. Mr. and Mrs.
Long both died in 1834.
Rev. J. N. A. Billingsley, Rockford, Ark. Like
many others of the representative men of Izard
County, Ark. , Mr. Billingsley is a native Tennes-
sean, born in the year 1834. His parents, A. C.
and Rebecca (Billingsley) Billingsley, were also
natives of the eastern part of that State. A. C.
Billingsley received a common school education in
his native State, and moved to Arkansas in 1844.
He purchased land in Izard County, and followed
farming in the spring and summer, and the rest
of the time was engaged as a house carpenter, and
was interested in the ginning business. He was
married in 1833 to Miss Rebecca Billing.sley, and
the fruits of this union were ten children, nine of
whom lived to be grown and four are now living:
J. N. A., Harriet E., wife of W. Lee; Thomas C,
resides in Yell County, Ark., and Eutonia E., wife
of W. Ragan. When Mr. Billingsley first came to
Arkansas the country was very thinly settled, and
their clothes were principally made from deer skins,
and their shoes were also made of the skins of ani-
mals. The settlers depended principally on hunt-
ing for their meat. Mr. Billingsley was a Whig in
politics, and was justice of the peace in his county
for a number of years. His father, Samuel Bil-
lingsley, came to this county in 1840. He tilled
many offices of trust in Fulton County, and was
ex-county judge and representative of that county
from about 1852 to 1853. Politically, he was a
Democrat. He was a member of the A. F. & A.
M. , and was a member of the Advent Church.
The maternal grandfather of the subject of this
sketch was Thomas Billingsley, brother to the pa-
ternal grandfather. He moved to Sevier County,
Ark., about 1840 and there followed agricultural
pursuits. He was a Democrat in his political views.
Upon reaching manhood. Rev. J. N. A. Billings-
ley commenced life for himself and worked for
some time as a hired hand. After this he clerked
in a dry goods store for about fifteen months, and
then went to tilling the soil on rented land. One
year later he entered 320 acres in Van Bureu
County, Ark., but sold out in 1868 and came to
Izard County. He rented land for four years and
then entered his present property of 160 acres.
He now has seventy acres under cultivation.
During the late conflict, or in 1862, he joined the
Confederate army, and served until the 5th of June,
1865, when he surrendered at Jacksonport, Ark.
He participated in the following battles: Prairie
Grove, Helena (July 4, 1863), Little Rock, and was
in most of the battles during Gen. Price's raid
through Missouri, in 1864. After cessation of hos-
tilities he returned home and resumed his farming
industry. His marriage was consummated, in 1 858,
to Miss Catherine Orr, of Fulton County, Ark.,
and nine children were the result of this union,
eight now living: David C, resides in this coun-
ty; Mary E. , at home; Sarah F. . wife of Charles
B. Thomas, resides in this county; J. N. A., Jr.,
(deceased); Samuel A., at home; R. Catherine,
wife of L. J. Jackson; Eutonia E., at home; Edwin
H., at home, and Martha E. , also at home. Mr.
Billingsley was ordained a minister of the Advent
Church in 1873, and was a pioneer minister of his
faith in this section. He has had between thirty -
five and forty conversions in the church, and has
performed about a dozen marriage services. He is
^,
IZARD COUNTY.
»2y
in favor of all public enterprises, is active in school
matters, and is a Prohibitionist and Union Labor
man. He is also a member of the Masonic frater-
nity. The father of Mrs. Billingsley, David Orr,
was born in 1799, came to Cape Girardeau Coun-
ty, Mo., in 1823, remained there for five years,
and in 1827 came to this State and settled in Law
rence County, where he remained until 1845. He
then moved to Fulton County, and died there in
1 849. He was a missionary in the Bapti.st Church,
and his circuit extended from Jefferson City, Mo.,
to Little Rock, Ark. The State was still a terri-
tory when he settled here, and the nearest neigh-
bor was twenty-five miles distant. Often he would
travel all day and not see a house. Sometimes he
would get bothered and fail to reach a house by
night time, and in that case he would be obliged to
camp out, frequently in the dense canebrakes.
Bear, panthers and other wild animals would come
prowling around, and he would have to stay up to
watch his horse. He followed his ministerial du-
ties from 1827 to 1845, and was also a school
teacher. He married Miss Eliza T. Caldwell, of
Kentucky, on the 13th of September, 1821, and
became the father of eleven children : -Tames (de-
ceased), E. W. (died in 1863, and his family re-
sides in Fulton County),' David (died in 1827),
David (died in 1856), John H. (lives in Idaho Ter-
ritory). Eliza A. (wife of A. S. Godwin), Cath-
erine (wife of Rev. Billingsley), Martha J. (died in
1847), W. H. H. (died and left a family in Texas).
Joseph M. (lives in Fulton County) and Robert G.
Mr. On- died in 1849 and his wife in 1874. Mrs.
Orr was married the second time, in 1852, to
Thomas R. Hill, a member of the Methodist Epis-
copal Church ; she belonged to the Baptist Church.
Dr. J. K. P. Black, Melbourne, Ark. One of
the leading and most successful physicians of Izard
County is Dr. Black, who has acquired a flatter-
ing reputation, and does credit to the profession.
He was l)oru in Bedford County, Tenn. , in 1S40,
and divided his time in youth between assisting on
the farm and in attending the common schools. In
1S61 he threw aside the implements of peace to take
up the weapons of warfare, and enlisted in Com-
pany K, Boon's First Battalion of Cavalry, and
served until lS(»o, when he was paroled at Shrevi-
port. La. He was engaged in the battles of Elk-
horn, luka, Corinth, and was sick during the siege
of Vicksburg. He came west after the surrender
of that place and joined Capt. McCabel's cavalry,
and was captured on Saline River, Ark., taken t(j
Rock Island, 111., where he was kept over a year
before being exchanged. He returned home after
the surrender and engaged in agricultural pursuits,
but also attended school. In 1870 he commenced
to read medicine, and two years later attended
lectures at the University of NashviUe, from which
he graduated in 1876. He then commenced prac-
ticing at Melbourne, and here he has remained
ever since. He was married, in 1882, to Miss Su
san Morton, of this State, and six children are the
result of this union, all living: Edgar and Edna
(twins), Thomas K., Ernest, Rufus and Mary. At
the commencement of his life as a public man. the
Doctor was not possessed of a great amount of
property. I nit he is now the owner of a large farm
of 310 acres, with about 100 acres under cultiva
tion. He is at present erecting a very tine resi-
dence, which, when completed, will be equal to
any in the county. He is a stanch Democrat, but
takes no particular interest in politics. He is a
member of the I. O. O. F. Mrs. Black is the
daughter of David and Nellie (Garmon) Morton,
both natives of North Carolina. The father was
born about 1807 or 1808, and came to the State of
Arkansas in 1850. The mother was born alwut
1810, and died in 1881. Dr. Black is the son of*
Col. Thomas and Mary F. (Byler) Black, the for
mer born on the 4th of October, 1807. In 1813
Col. Black removed with his father from William-
son to Bedford County, Tenn. , and when in his nine-
teenth year he was elected lieutenant of the militia.
When twenty-one years of age he was promoted
to the rank of captain, and subsequently in his
twenty sixth and twenty ninth years he was made
adjutant-major and then colonel of his regiment.
When twenty-three years of ago he was elected to
the Tormesseo legislature, where he remained for
four successive terms, representing Marshall and
Bedford Counties. Within this time occurred the
trouble of 1841 and 1S42, relating to aQineffoctunl
930
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
effort to remove Foster and White from the United
States senate; Col. Black being a Democrat, dyed
in the wool, voted accordingly. In 1 849 he moved
to Izard Connty, Ark., from which he was sent to
represent the county in 1852. In 1856 he was
elected county and probate judge, which office he
filled successfully for four years, when he was ap-
pointed by the governor for two years more. In
1880 he again represented Izard Countj' in the
State legislature, and with the expiration of his
term of otfice came the end of his public life. His
last years were spent in the retirement of the home
circle, but he was at all times keenly alive to pass-
ing events. His death occurred at his residence
near Melbourne, on the 23d of June, 1889, when
in his eighty second year, and after a long and
useful life. When in his thirty-third year he be-
came a member of the Cumberland Presb3'terian
Church, and was at once made ruling elder, a re-
lation to the church which he retained until his
death. He was also a member of the I. O. O. F.
Lee A. Bland, farmer, Melbourne, Izard County,
Ark. Personal popularity, it cannot be denied, re-
sults largely from industry, perseverance and close
attention to bu.siness, which a person displays in
the management of any particular branch of trade;
and in the case of Mr. Bland this is certainly true,
for he has adhered so closely to farming, and helped
in so many ways to advance all worthy enterprises
in this community, that he is considered one of the
representative men of the county. His birth oc-
curred at Augusta, in Woodruff County, Ark., and
he is the son of James T. and Mary C. (Snow)
Bland, the father a native of Tennessee, and the
mother of Arkansas. James Bland came to Arkan-
sas, at an early day, settling at Augusta, Woodruff
County, and was married January 5, 1854. He
followed farming, biit also engaged in merchan-
dising previous to the war, and was broken up
(luring that eventful period. He did not enlist,
but was one of the few men who assisted the wives
of the soldiers. He had three biothers killed while
serving in the Confederate army. After the war
he farmed extensively until his death, which oc-
curred January 5, 1809, when he was killed by
the State militia, serving under Powell Clayton's
orders. He was at one time quite wealthy, and
was the owner of some slaves. He and his tirst
wife were the parents of two children, Lee A.
being the only one living. Mrs. Bland died in
1858, and Mr. Bland took for his second wife, in
1858, Miss Lucy Perry, who bore him two children,
only one living, Oliver P. , who is a telegraph oper-
ator, and resides at El Paso, Texas. Mr. Bland
was only about thirty-nine years of age at the time
of his death, and his second wife followed him to
the grave in 1869. In politics he was a stanch
Democrat. At the age of sixteen years Lee A.
Bland (the subject of this sketch) commenced life
for himself, first as a dry goods clerk, and was
then employed for eighteen months by Campbell
Bros. , at Augusta. He then farmed for about two
years, after which he again returned to mercantile
pursuits, but not liking this he again returned to
farming and has continued thus occupied ever
since. He tirst rented land, but in 1887 he bought
his present property, consisting of 397 acres, with
sixty under cultivation, and has resided here since.
In 1876 he abandoned his single state and was
united in marriage at La Crosse, Izard County, to
Miss Cornelia F. Helm, who bore him five chil-
dren, three now living: Ada M. , born July 29,
1877; Mary J., born October 5, 1879; Effie L.
(deceased), born November 1, 1883; Nora S. (de-
ceased), born February 17, 1886, and Willie L. ,
born November 22, 1887. Mr. Bland has been
constable of La Crosse Township for two years,
and, like his father, is a Democrat in his political
principles. Mrs. Bland is a member of the Meth-
odist Episcopal Church. She is a daughter of
George T. and Sally C. Helm, and was born in
Izard County, Ark., September 16, 1859.
Dedrick Blevins is one of the practical and
representative agriculturists of this region, and
from early boyhood has been familiar with the oc
cupation of farming, having learned the details of
the work from his father, who was a worthy tiller
of the soil. He is the owner of a good farm of 140
acres, of which about sixty-five are under cultiva-
tion, and his jsroperty is well improved with good
buildings, fences, etc., and is also well stocked
with the necessary animals for successfully con-
Mississippi County , Ahkrnsas
fT^/-
« k.
-i 9
IZARD COUNTY.
il8l
ducting the same. Ho was bom in Sullivan County,
Teun., March 20, 1847, and is a son of W. K. and
Rachel (Morgan) Blevins, who were also Tennes-
seeans, the former's birth occurring in Sullivan
County, June 26, 1818, and the latter' s on the
28th of April, 1822. In connection with his farm
work the father was engaged in blacksmithing,
which occupation he followed on his farm of I'iO
acres. He died on the 3d of October, 1865, hav-
ing been an earnest member of the Christian
Church for many years, but his wife, who is a
member of the Baptist Church, still lives and re-
sides with her son, John W., on the old homestead.
Her family consisted of nine children, whose names
are as follows: Mary, Eliza, Nathaniel, Hiley A.,
Thomas \i., Lydia, Henry B. , John W. and Dod-
rick. Seven of these children reside in the State
of Arkansas, the last named child having been
reared and educated in Izard County, acquiring a
fair education in the common schools. After at-
taining manhood he was married to Miss Lucy
Davidson, their marriage being consummated on
the 10th of September, 1868, and to them have
been born nine children, five sons and four daugh-
ters, six of the family being still alive and residing
with their parents: David G., Emily C. , Lydia
F., Bartholomew, Owen A., and an infant. Mr.
Blevins joined the Confederate army June 8, 1864,
and, after serving under Oen. Price, was discharged
in 1865. He has held the office of school director
and constable, and he and wife are members of the
Methodist Episcopal Church.
Charles Henry Boatman was born in the State
of Tennessee, in 1844, and is a son of John and
Rel)occa (Shore) Boatman, who were born in
(lioigia and Tennessee, respectively, the former's
birth occurring in 1786, and their marriage in Ten-
ue.ssee in 1838. Four sons and three daughters
were born to them: William E., Richard, Wiley,
Lucinda, Elizabeth J. , Eliza F. and Charles Henry.
Mr. Boatman was a farmer, and died in 1861, fol-
lowed by his wife, whose death occurred in Izard
County in 1886. They removed to this State in
1850, and entered 160 acres in Izard County, on
which they erected a little log cabin, which con-
tinued to be their home for a number of years.
Charles H. Boatman came with his parents to this
county and State, but received a somewhat limited
education in the schools of Izard County. He was
married here, in 1860, to Mi.ss Sarah, a daughter
of Henry Hose, and of nine children born to them
seven are living: Rebecca J., Lucinda E., Ira E.,
Jose])h B., Franklin A., Jasper O. , Lewis H., and
William W., and Andrew C. , deceased. Mr. Boat-
man owns eighty acres of good land, with thirty
under cultivation, and on his farm he erected a
substantial frame residence, in 1885, and an add!
tion to the same in 1888. His principal crops are
corn, cotton and small grain. His wife, who was
born in the State of Tennessee, in 1843, is a mem-
ber of the Methodist Episcopal Church. John
Boatman enlisted in the Confederate infantry,
under Capt. Thomas Smith, in 1861, and, at the
battle of Shiloh, he was woimded in the head. He
was also at Franklin, Nashville and Chickamauga.
Tenn. , besides l)eiug a particij>aat in many other
hard fought battles, and served until the war closed.
James H. Bone is a native of Izard County,
born on the 18th of June. 1857, and is one of five
living members of a family of ten children born to
the marriage of A. W. Bone and Sarah L. McKee,
both Tennesseeans, the former's birth occurring on
the 8th of October, 1826. He gave his attention
to farming throughout life, and is now residing on
his farm of 200 acres in Izard County, Ark., there
being about seventy-five acres of his land undei-
cultivation. He and wife arc church membei-s, ho
being a member of the Olil School Presbyterian
Church and she of the Cumberland Presliyterian,
and they are 8ul)stantiHl residents of the county.
James H. Bone received a good practical education
in his youth, and learned the rudiments of farm
life from his father, who was a practical agricull
urist, and by attending strictly to hisfiiosi-n calling
he has done much to advance the reputation the
county enjoys as a prosi)erous farming community.
He is careful ami painstaking in the cultivation of
his land, and very thorough in everything con-
nected with its management, and of the 180 acres
which he possesses he has about sixty acres under
cultivation. He was married, in his native county,
on the 7th of Fel)ruary, 1S7S, to Miss Amanda M.
932
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
Taylor, a daughter of Stephen and Arena Taylor.
Stephen Taylor was born in North Carolina, but
moved to Tennessee at an early daj' and married
there. He then came to Arkansas, after which his
wife died, and later he married Miss Arena Hinkle
who still survives, a resident of Izard County.
She was born in the State of Tennessee. To the
union of Mr. and Mrs. Bone five children have
been born: Fannie E. , AVilliam H., Sarah A.,
Stephen W. and Samuel J. Mr. Bone has held a
number of local offices in his township, and he has
always been ready and willing to support enter-
prises of a worthy character. He and wife are
members of the Missionary Baptist Church. Mr.
Bone's paternal grandfather came from Tennessee
to Arkansas in 1840, and his great-grandfather,
McKee, was born in Ireland. He went from there
to Virginia. Grandfather McKee was born in Vir-
ginia, in 1801 or 1802, and moved from there to
Tennessee, and in 1851 he came to Arkansas.
W. L. Bramblette is a farmer of Izard County,
and although his land only amounts to eighty acres
yet his farm is so well tilled that it yields a larger
income than many larger farms. He was born in
Murray County, Ga. , July 8, 1851, he being one
of five sons and three daughters born to the mar-
riage of Wiley Bramblette and Mary A. Howard,
whose birthplace was in the ' ' Palmetto State, ' '
where they were reared and married. At the time
of the father's death, which occurred in August,
1861, he owned about 200 acres of laud in Izard
County, Ark., whither he had moved in the year
1856. His wife survives him and lives with her
son, W. L. Bramblette, our subject. He was a
Mason in good standing at the time of his death.
W. L. Bramblette received the advantages of the
common schools of Izard County in bis youth, and
after attaining manhood was married in this county
to Miss Sarah Mosier, whose native State was Ar-
kansas, their nviptials Ijeing celebrated on the 27th
of May, 1877, and to them were born five children,
whose names are as follows: Owen M. , Minnie A.,
Arab B. , Buggie and Delia C. , all residing at home.
Mr. Bramblette is a member of the Agricultural
Wheel, and was president of this organization for
one year. The family are attendants at the Baptist
Church, to which our subject and his wife belong,
and they are liberal contributors to enterprises
tending to benefit the community in which they
reside.
G. W. Bray is one of the rising young farmers
of this region, and since starting out in life for
himself he has applied himself steadfastly to agri-
cultural jjursuits, and with what success may be
inferred when we mention the fact that since 1881
he has owned a good farm of 193 acres. He was
born in Mississippi in 1851, and is a son of Will-
iam and Permelia (Aikin) Bray, who were natives
of Tennessee, but moved to Mississippi at an early
day, where they engaged in farming, and reared
their family of ten children, only two of whom
are now living. Mr. Bray died in 1843, and in
1868 Mrs. Bray and her son, G. W. , came to Ar-
kansas (whither her daughter Permelia, wife of
W. F. Raider had previously come), their journey
being made in an ox-cart, which they had bor-
rowed. Mr. Bray now says at that time he had only
$2 in cash, and that the oxen were borrowed from
W. Garner, and the cart from Sandford Hames.
The first two years after coming here he raised
crops on shares, and then entered land, purchasing,
in 1870, his first horse, for which he paid the sum
of $80, 130 of which he earned by picking cotton on
the bottom lands, and the balance he paid the follow-
ing year. In 1871 he married Miss Alice Nail,
who bore him five children: JohnH. , born in 1872;
Martha B., born in 1873; William A., born in
1877; George W., born in 1879, and Newton E.,
born in 1882. This wife died in 1883. In 1881 he
purchased his present property, and has thirty
acres under cultivation and seventy-five acres im-
proved with good fences, buildings, orchards, etc. ,
his building especially being in excellent condition.
This property has all been acquired through unre-
mitting toil and judicious management, and he
may with tnith be called one of the self-made men
of the county. He always favors public improve-
ment, and although he never went to school a day
in his life he is making every effort to give his
children, Permelia R. , Isaac R., Mary B. and
Ellen E. , the advantages of which he was deprived.
Before coming to Arkansas, and for two years
^ e
IZARD COUNTY.
ysa i
after, he supported his mother out of his \va<,'es
earned by daily labor, and for this filial care if for
nothing else ho deserves the respect of his fellow-
men ; and when it is taken into consideration that
he has manfully fought his way up to his ])resent
position, and that he has been honest and upright
in all his dealings, words are but meager things
with which to express the admiration his conduct
commands. In his political views he is a Demo-
crat, and socially he is a member of the I. O. O.
F. His wife, whom he married in 1883, was for-
merlj' a Miss Docia Hames.
E. A. Brown, one of the worthy residents of
Izard County, Ark. , was born in Hall County, Ga. ,
on the 16th of August, 1824, and is a son of Will-
iam and Nancy (Grimes) Brown, whose native
State was South Carolina, the former's birth occur-
ring in 1797. They were reared and married in
their native State, and their union resulted in
the births of four sons and five daughters, E. A.
Brown being the only one of the family now living.
The father was a carpenter by occupation, and
died on the 26th of December, 1880, his death be-
ing followed by his wife's on the 9th of January
following. They were worshipers in, and consist-
ent members of, the Presbyterian Church, and were
worthy and honored residents of the community in
which they resided. E. A. Brown was educated in
the State of Georgia, near Lawrenceville, and after
reaching manhood, was married there on the 14th
of August, 1845, to Miss Susan Long, she being a
native of the "Palmetto State," and a daughter
of James and Margaret Long. At the time of his
marriage Mr. Brown only owned a horse worth
about $40, but, with the push and energy for which
he has always been remarkable, he set bravely to
work, and with the aid of his intelligent and estima-
ble wife he has become the owner of 1,400 acres of
land in Izard County and 9li0 acres in Sharp Coun-
ty, about 875 acres of which are under cultivation.
He is a member of the Masonic lodge,i8 a Democrat,
in his political views, and on the breaking out of
the late war he enlisted in the First Georgia Cav-
alry, under Col. Morrison, and his first hard fight
was near Knoxville, Tenn. He was discharged at
Jacksonport in 1865. He and wife are members of
the Baptist Church, and are tiie parents of the fol-
lowing children: Henry, Wiley, Jane and Mollie.
W. A. Bruuiitt, farmer, Franklin, Ark. This
successful farmer was born in Fulton County,
Ark., in 1859, and when only eleven years of age
started out to fight life's Ijattle for himself. He
first commenced as a hired hand, and for his serv-
ices was boarded and clothed the first year, but the
second year the same man paid him $12 a month
for his labor. He confinuod working by the
month on a farm until seventeen years of age, when
he began traveling, and thus enjoyed himself for
about twelve months, visiting as far north as Illi-
nois and Kentucky, and as far south as Texas and
the Indian Nation. When eighteen years of age
he rented land and farmed in Sharp County, and
when nineteen years of age he farmed and ran a cot-
ton-gin. After this he rented the Wolf mill and con-
ducted that for two years, after which he embarked
in the distillery business for twelve months. lu 18S4
he bought his present property, consisting of 220
acres, with eighty under cultivation, and had this
farm cultivated until 1889, when he took charge
of the place himself. He was married in Decem-
ber, 1878, to Miss Rebecca Jack.son, a native of
this county, and born on the farm where they now
reside. They are the parents of four childri'ii;
Lucy A., W. P., Clara and James H. Mr. Bru-
mitt has discharged the duties of justice of the
peace in his township, and is now director of the
public schools. He is a self-made man in everj-
sense of the word and deserves the esteem of all
for his enterprise and perseverance. His educa-
tional advantages, as might be supposed, were
rather limited, but by reading and observation he
has become a well-informed man. He is a Repub-
lican and is alive to the j)olitical issues of the day.
His parents were R. H. and Elizabeth A. (Morris)
Brumitt, natives of Tennessee and Kentucky, re
spectively. R. H. Brumitt moved to Arkansas in
1857, entering land on Strawberry River, Fulton
County, but only resided there three years, when
he moved to Independence County, settling in the
northeast part of the same. In 1862 he moved
to Illinois, settling in Johnson County, and there
I remained for four years. In 1867 hi' caim' b.'ick
A
S k^
934
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
to his farm in Independence County, remained
there until 1869, when he moved to Sharp County
and there bought a farm of 360 acres. In 1883
he Bold this farm and moved to Izard County,
locating near the center of the county ' on a farm
of 340 acres. He has been married three times;
lirst, to the mother of the subject of this sketch,
and they became the parents of two childi-en: Na-
thaniel (deceased) and W. A. Mrs. Brumitt was
a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and
died in 1867, at the age of fifty-two years. Mr.
Brumitt' s second marriage was to Mrs. P. M.
Hotchkiss, nee Shanks, and they had six children,
live now living: Martha, wife of William Fry;
James F., resides in this county; Susan J., at
home; Lucy F., Daniel H. and Mary A. (deceased).
Mrs. Brumitt was a worthy member of the Baptist
Church, and died in 1881. By his third marriage,
to Mrs. Mahala Thompson, nee Richardson, he
became the father of one child, Naomi A. Mr.
Brumitt is a member of the I. O. O. F. lodge,
and is still quite an active man. He is a Repub-
lican, but does not take a very active part in poli-
tics. Mrs. Brumitt is a member of the Primitive
Baptist Church.
Joseph L. Byler was born in Middle Tennes-
see, in 1834, his father, John Byler, being also
born in that State in 1797. The latter was a sol-
dier in the War of 1812, and was the captain of a
company, afterward being promoted to major,
and this latter position he held until the close of
the war. In the year 1820 he united in the bonds
of matrimony to Miss Middia Adkinson, a daugh-
ter of John Adkinson, and to their union seven
children have been bom, two of whom are now
living: Mary and Joseph L. He removed from
Tennessee to Izard County, Ark., in the year 1847,
and obtained a land warrant from the government
for 160 acres of land, which he farmed with suc-
cess up to the time of his death, in 1873. His wife
died in Bedford County, Tenn. , in 1844. At the
age of eighteen years Joseph L. Byler engaged in
farming and stock raising, and in these two enter-
prises, which have been his chief calling through
life, he has met with marked success. He owns
250 acres of land on Rocky Bayou, and has about
ninety acres under cultivation, which he devotes
principally to the raising of cotton, corn and small
grain. In addition to this, he owns a large cot-
ton-gin and gi'ist-mill, which he has operated for
the past twelve years, last year putting up 166
bales of cotton, and since 1887 he has been en-
gaged in merchandising, and has a fair patronage.
Since Cleveland's administration he has held the
office of postmaster of Alder, and socially is a
member of the Masonic and Odd Fellow's fraterni-
ties. He is a thorough, enterprising business man,
has a host of friends, and is recognized by all as a
good citizen. In 1854 he was married to Rachel,
the daughter of John and Elizabeth Gray, of Izard
County, but she died in 1868, leaving him with a
family of five children to care for: Augusta C,
Mary E., Mentian, Sarah J. and Rachel R. In
1871 he was married to his second wife, whose
maiden name was Lettie W. Woody, she being a
daughter of Joseph and Sarah Woody, of Izard
County. They have a family of three children:
Dixie E., Joseph G. and Edna. Mr. Byler served
in the Confederate army under Capt. Gibson and
Col. Shaler from 1861 to 1865, being in the in-
fantry, and was a participant in a number of bat-
tles. He is now a stanch Democrat in his polit-
ical views, and for a number of years has been a
member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South.
William W. Campbell. The farm which Mr.
Campbell now owns and conducts in such an enter-
prising and industrious manner embraces 340
acres of land, of which 125 are under cultivation,
forming one of the neat, comfortable homesteads
of this township. The improvements upon it are
convenient and complete, and, no doubt, one
reason of his success in this calling is the fact that
from his earliest youth he has been familiar with
the duties of farm labor. He was born in the
"Old North State" in 1838, his father, William
R. Campbell, also being born there, the latter's
birth occurring in 1813. The latter received a
somewhat limited education in his youth, but in his
business enterprises was quite successful, and be-
came the owner of 550 acres of land. He was
married to Miss Mary Howard, a daughter of John
Howard, of Iredell County, and to their union a
^1
IZARD COUNTY.
family of eleven children were born, seven sons
and four daughters: James A., William W., Sarah
A., Faunie, Martin H. , Augustus W., Henry F.,
Samuel P., Mary, Preston B. and Alice. The
family emigrated from North Carolina to
Izard County, Ark., in 1856, and here Ijocame
prominent citizens. The father purchased 200
acres of land, which he devoted principally to
raising corn and small grain, and during his life-
time he was quite active in politics, and held the
office of magistrate for some years. He volun-
teered to serve in the Mexican War, but before he
entered service peace was declared. He, as well
as his wife, were active members of the Mission-
ary Baptist Church, and his death occurred in
Izard County, Ark., in 1883. William W. Camp-
bell received a common school education in North
Carolina, and, in 1859, began life for himself in
Izard County, with the results above stated. Upon
the breaking out of the Civil W'av he (>nlisted
in the infantry, bxit later joined the cavahy, being
under Gens. McCarver and Hardy, but was dis-
charged while serving under the latter, at Poca-
hontas. He next enlisted under Gen. Shaler, and
was taken prisoner at Cape Girardeau, Mo., and
was taken to St. Louis, where he was confined for
six months. He served in all four years. He is a
Mason, a member of the I. O. O. F., and is a man
who enjoys an extensive acquaintance, and is
highly respected. He has been married three
times; fir.st, in 1860, to Miss Hiley J. Walker, a
daughter of John Walker, of Izard County, but
she died in 1863, leaving one child, Pierce W.
She was a member of the Baptist Church, and was
an estimable woman in every respect. In 1864 Mr.
Campbell took for his second wife Miss Hiley J.
High tower, Nathan High tower's daughter, but her
death occurred in 1876, she having borne him two
children, Sarah A. and Martha J. She was also
a consistent member of the Baptist Church. Mrs.
Caroline Smith became his third wife in 1883, her
father's name being Andrew James. This mar-
riage resulted in the birth of the following family:
Patrick O. , Edward B. , Augustus A. and Maggie O.
Henry F. Campbell is a native of North Caro-
lina, born in 18-i8, and like the majority of the
^^^=4^
native born residents of that State, he i.-< .■ii.>rg(tic
and enterprising. A short history of his father,
William R. Campbell, appears in the sketch of
Milliam W. Campbell. Henry F. Campbell re-
ceived the education and rearing which is usually
given the farmer's boy, and after reaching man-
hood was married in Izard County, Ark., to Miss
Mary E. Helen, a daughter of George C. Helen,
of this county. To them have been born the fol-
lowing interesting family of children: James T.,
William C, Mary E., and Cornelia F. Like so
many of the substantial citizens of this country at
the present time, Mr. Campbell was initiated into
the mysteries of farm life from the very fii-st, and
this has since continued to be the calling to which
his attention has been directed. He now owns and
operates 240 acres of land in Izard County, and
has sixty-five acres under cultivation, which he de-
votes to the raising of cotton, corn and oats. In
1880 he erected a cotton-gin on his farm, which
has been in operation each succeeding year, and in
1888 he ginned 140 bales of cotton. He built
a substantial residence in 1881; and is one of the
largest and most successful fruit growers in this
section of the country. His marriage occurred in
1874, and his wife lived until the 7th of March,
1889, when she was called to her long home. She
was a consistent member of the Methodist Episco-
pal Church, South, and Mr. Campbell belongs to
the Baptist Church. His mother was born in
North Carolina in 1816, her parents being also
natives of that State, and they were the parents of *
the following family of children; Martin, James.
Polly, Sarah, Lemira iind Millie.
John W. Cone, farmer, Newburg, Ark. Mr.
Cone is one of the rejiresentative young farmers of
Newburg Townshi[). and is closely a.ssociated with
the agricultural affairs of the county. His birth
occurred on the 5th of July, 1850, in Tenue.ssee,
and his youth was passed in attending the common
schools and in assisting his father on the farm in
Tennessee. He came with his father to Arkansas,
in 1870, and settled on the farm where he now re-
sides. Four years later ho wedded Miss Mollie A.
Freeman, a native of Tennessee, but who vnxa
reared in Arkansas, this county. Four children
— V
k
936
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
are the result of this union: George T., Cora E.,
Bosa H. and John B. Mr. Coue commenced farm-
ing for himself at the age of twenty- one years on
his father's land, and at the end of two years
bought his present property, which then consisted
of 140 acres, but he has added to this until he now
has 260 acres with 160 under cultivation. Soon
after arriving at his majority he commenced travel-
ing, and journeyed over Tennessee, Kentucky and
Illinois, and did not commence saving anything for
a rainy day until twenty -five years of age. He is a
member of the A. F. & A. M. , is a Democrat in his
political views, and he and wife are members of
the Christian Church. His parents, Bev. G. W.
and Margaret (Howland) Cone, were natives of
North Carolina and Tennessee, respectively. G.
W. Cone was a minister in the Christian Church,
and followed this calling for forty years, although
in connection he also carried on farming. He was
married in Tennessee, in 1847, and lived there
until 1870, when he moved to Izard County, Ark.,
and settled on the farm adjoining his son's (John
W. Cone) tine tract of land. There he now resides
and is in his seventy-third year, but is still active
and in the enjoyment of comparatively good health.
He was quite well off previous to the war, but lost
the principal part of his property during that ex-
citing period. He and wife reared a family of
eight children, all living: Tennessee, wife of B.
F. Smith, of this county; John W., J. B., resides
in this county; Mary J., wife of W. C. Bounds,
and lives in Texas County, Mo. ; I. N., wife of W.
C. Aylor; Cassie M., wife of C. E. Jett; Maggie
W. , wife of H. Lacy, and Thomas F., who lives in
this county. The mother of these children is in
her fifty- eighth year. The paternal grandfather
was of Irish descent as was also the grandmother,
whose maiden name was Norwood. The maternal
grandparents of John W. Cone were John F. and
Ellen (Miller) Howland, and the grandfather was
a soldier in the Mexican War.
J. M. J. Conyers deserves honorable mention
as one of the successful agriculturists of Izard
County, and, owing to his own enterprise and
push, he has become the owner of 307 acres of
land, with about 110 acres under cultivation, all
of which is located in Dry Town Township. He
was born in Hart County, Ky. , March 6, 1836,
and is one of three sons born to P. C. and Eliza
(Ralston) Conyers, both of whom were born on
Blue Grass soil, and were there reared, educated
and married. After the death of his wife, in 1838,
he espoused Miss Tabitha Gouch, she also being a
Kentuckian; their union was consummated in
March, 1842. This marriage resulted in the birth
of thirteen children, of which family three were
boys and the rest girls. Seven of these children
are now living. At the time of Mr. Conyers death,
March 4, 1865, he was the owner of 240 acres of
land. His widow -survives him, and resides with
a son in Izard County, Ark. The father was a
Mason, and a member of the Cumberland Presby-
terian Church. J. M. J. Conyers received an ex-
cellent education in Henry County, Tenn., but in
the year 1867, he removed to Arkansas, and was
afterward married to Miss Nannie Billington, a
daughter of William and Pemelia Billington, of
Tennessee. To their marriage, which occurred on
the 6th of February, 1867, have been born a fami-
ly of eleven children (eight of whom are living):
William P., Thomas A., Franklin M. , James A.,
Newton A., Nathaniel E. , Dora A., Nancy A.,
Mary E. , Jeptha A. and Sarah J. Mr. Conyers
has held the office of Junior Deacon in the Masonic
order, and in public life has been deputy sheriff
of the county, and has also held the position of
constable of his township. He and wife worship
in the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, of which
he has been a worthy member since 1853.
David Craige, proprietor of the Izard County
Register, Melbourne, Ark. The name of Craige
is honorably connected with the prosperity and
happiness of Melbourne and the county of Izard,
for his paper enters the homes of many, and with
its progressive ideas and newsy articles, receives
a ready welcome. This paper is the only one in
the county. David Craige is a native of Rowan
County, N. C, born in the year 1836, and is the
son of John and Jane (Thomason) Craige, both
natives of North Carolina, The father was a de-
scendant of a Scotch family, and owned a number
of slaves. He was a Democrat, but not active in
-5.pr
IZARD COUNTY.
St:{7
polities. He ilied aliunt 1847, at the ajije of forty-
five years, ami bis wife died about 1840, at the age
of thirty five years. The paternal grandfather
served as a colonel dining the entiri> War for In-
dependence. David Craige divided his time in
early youth in assisting on the farm and in at-
tending the common schools of his county. At the
age of fifteen years he commenced serving an ap-
prenticeship at the printer's trade in Lincolnton,
N. C. , and after following this for some time, he
came to Batesville. Ark., in lSr)2, and went to work
on the Commercial Standard, run by John C.
Claiborne. Mr. Claiborne only ran the paper a
year, when he sold to Urban E. Fort, and the
name and political status were changed from a
Democratic to a Whig. It then became known as
the Independent Balance, and was run under that
name until the commencement of the war. About
1855 Prof. M. Shelbj' Kennard assumed control of
the paper, and through all the political changes
Mr. Craige worked at this paper until the breaking
out of the war. On account of poor health he was
exempt from service, and during the war, and for
a few years afterward, he was engaged in agricnl-
tural pursuits on North Fork and Piney Bayou.
In 1871 he returned to the printing business and
worked on the North Arkansas Times, published
by Charles Maxwell and Dr. ]M. McClure of Bates-
ville, Ark., and Democratic in its principles. He
continued with this paper until 1873, when he
went to Jacksonport, and was engaged as journey-
man on the Statesman, a Republican journal,
edited by John Fagan. From 1873 to 1883 Mr.
Craige merely rusticated, for his health was quite
poor at that time. In 1883 or 1884 he took charge
of the Sharp County Record for J. W. Buckley,
and managed that for three years. In January,
1887, he first leased the Register, but in No-
vember, 1888, purchased the same, and runs the
paper in the interests of the Democratic party.
Ho was married March 20, 1887, to Jliss Elizabeth
Campbell, daughter of Archibald Campbell, of this
county, who was originally from Iredell County,
N. C. , and is one of the old settlers of Izard
County. Mr. Craige is now permanently located,
having married in his fifty- first year, and with the
59
extensive circulation his paper has already ob
tained, commands the respect and confidence of
many of the reading pulilic. Politically he is. of
course, a Democrat.
Dr. John M. Creswell is a native of Izard
County, and was born on the 20th of May. 1 857.
being one of nine living members of a family of
eleven children born to James C. and Martha
(Mann) Creswell, the former a native of Arkansas,
born in 1826, and the latter of Tennessee. James
received a very limited education in his youth, and
afterward followed the occupation of farming: and
although he was badly crippled financially during
the war, by diligent subsequent labors he was the
owner of a good farm of 1(50 acres at the time of
his death, on the 2l8t of March, 1881. In 18*58
he moved to Bell County, Tex., but not liking the
country he returned to Arkansas at the end of six
months, and settled at Sylamore (now in Stone
County), but two years later ciime to Izard County.
He served in the Confederate army from 18(53 to
1865, and was captain of his company, being under
Gen. Price, and was with him on his raid through
Missouri, participating in the battle of Pilot Knob.
He surrendered at Jacksonport. Ark., June 5. 186r(,
and then returned home. He was married in 1854.
the following being his children, who are now
living: John M.. Solon M.. Cyrus J.. James L. .
Rufus C. Martha D. (wife of J. D. Denton), Will-
iam D., HaiTiet E. and Homer Z. Mr. Creswell
was a member in good standing of the A. F. &
A. M. at the time of his death, and was a man who
took great interest in all worthy public movements
and gave his children good educational advantages.
His widow survives him. Dr. John M. Creswell
was reared on a farm but spent the most of his
time in school, being an attendant of the La Crosse
Academy from 1871 to 1878, the institution at this
time being under Profs. H. C. Tipton and ^I.
Shelby Kennard. In 1880 he entered the St. Louis
Homtepathic College and gi-adnated from this in-
stitution two years later, delivering the valedictory
address at the commt>ncemi>nt exercises, and was
honorably mentioned in Materia Medica and Surg
ei"y. He has been engaged in practicing at his
present location ever since, and lias won an envi-
•*j N-
938
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
able reputation among the medical fraternity of
the county, and is acknowledged by all to be a
successful physician. On the 7th of May, 1885,
he was united in marriage to Miss Martha C. Peel,
of Izard County, and by her became the father of
one child, who is deceased. They are members of
the Methodist Episcopal Church, and he is a Royal
Arch Mason, and a member of the I. 0. O. F. The
paternal grandparents, James L. and Margaret
(Laferty) Creswell, were very early settlers of
Izard County, and here the grandfather died at
the age of fifty-five years; four of his sisters also
died when fifty five years of age. The maternal
grandfather. Rev. John H. Mann, was a minister
of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South, and
came to Izard County from the State of Tennessee
in 1830. His death occurred in 1872, aged sixty.
Wiley Croom is a Tennesseean, bom in 1840,
and a son of Denajah and Mary (Daniel) Croom,
who were born, reared and married in North Caro-
lina, the latter event taking place in 1825. The
father was born in 1805, and about 1828 or 1830
removed to the State of Tennessee, and was there
engaged in farming up to 1849, when he came to
Arkansas, and after renting land one year he re-
turned to Tennessee. He continued to make his
home in this State until 1854, and from that time
until 1856 he was a resident of Lawrence County;
then resided one year in Greene County, Mo.,
after which he again returned to Lawrence County.
He here purchased 160 acres of land, which he
was engaged in farming until 1863, at which date
he removed to Illinois and farmed on rented land
until 1866. From that time until his death, in
1871, be was a resident of Lawrence County, Ark.
He was a member of the Baptist Church, as was
his wife, whose death occurred in 1870, she being
a daughter of Owen Daniel, of North Carolina.
Of sixteen children born to Mr. and Mrs. Croom,
the following are now living: Nancy, wife of Eph-
raim Sharp, of Lawrence County, Ark. ; Elizabeth,
Mariah, wife of Whit B. Smith; Jesse, Wiley,
Hiram, and Drucilla, the wife of John M. Smith.
Wiley Croom, our immediate subject, began life
for himself in 1865. farming on rented land for
two years, and then purchased a farm of I'iO acres
in Izard County, the tilling of which has since re-
ceived his attention, but his acreage is now 185,
and he has sixty -five under the plow. Since 1878
he has been engaged in grist-milling in Oxford, at
which time he erected a substantial mill, and in
these two enterprises the results have been highly
satisfactory. His union to Miss Sarah J. Pearson
occurred in 1866, she being a daughter of Thomas
Pearson, of Lawrence County, Ark. , and to them
have been born five sons and three daughters : Mary
M., wife of J. L. Smith, of Oxford; David F..
Hiram F., Ida J., wife of A. H. Caldwell, of Ox-
ford; Denajah, Anna B., Thomas W. and Grover
C. Mr. Croom is a Democrat. In 1861 he en-
listed in the Confederate army, under Col. McCar-
ver, find was in many important battles during his
service. He was captured at Big Black, Miss.,
and taken to Fort Delaware, on the Delaware River,
and was kept there until September, then being
taken to Point Lookout, on the Chesapeake Bay.
He was kept in captivity from May 17, 1863, till
January, 1864, when he was released and returned
to Arkansas. Here he again entered the service,
this time enlisting under Capt. Wiley Jones, and
served until the surrender at Jacksonport, in 1865.
Marion D. Crutchfield was born in Orange
County, N. C. , in 1846, and is a son of James W.
Crutchfield, who was born in North Carolina, July
6,1811. The latter first married Levina, the daugh-
ter of Alex. Lashley, their union taking place on
the 13th of March, 1836, but her death occurred
the following year, she having borne one child,
Salina. For his second wife he took, in 1841, a
daughter of Acquilla Jones, her name being Sallie
P., and three sons and three daughters have been
born to them. Mr. Crutchfield emigrated from
North Carolina to White County, Ark., in 1849.
and here he took up government land to the
amount of 160 acres, near Searcy, but the follow-
ing year he moved to Newton County, and bought
eighty acres and entered eighty acres more, and
here made his home until his death in 1860, his
wife, who was a member of the Methodist Epis-
copal Church, having died here a j'ear earlier.
Marion D. Crutchfield, having learned farming and
blacksmithing of his father, began doing for him-
IZARD COUNTY.
MQ
self in 1861, and when the war broke out be joined
tlie infantry, but afterward joined the cavalry un-
der Capt. Harvey Lane. In 1868 he was captured
in Newton County, Ark. , and at the end of about
three weeks, after being kept at Springfield, was
released, and joined the Federal army. After his
return home he resumed farming and blacksmith-
ing, and by his own good management has a fine
farm of 580 acres, with 250 acres under cultiva-
tion, his principal products being corn, cotton,
millet and the small grains. He has a fine fruit
orchard of about 500 bearing trees, and, take it all-
in-all, he has one of the finest and best improved
farms in the county. In connection with his farm
work, he has also been engaged in blacksmithing.
He is a Democrat, a member of the I. O. O. F., and
he and wife, whom he married on the 7th of Jan-
uary, 1869, and whose maiden name was Martha
M. Cargill, are members of the Methodist Epis-
copal Chiu'ch, South, and are the parents of the
following children: Lueian E., Ida A., Elmer
W. and Henry G. Those deceased are James P, ,
Florence I. and Marion F. His wife was born in
Kentucky in 1846, and is a daughter of Mr. and
Mrs. John P. Cargill, the former a native of North
Carolina, born in 1812, and the latter of Kentucky,
born in 1819. This couple became the parents of
the following family: William, James, Mary E.,
Sarah M. and Susan S. ; and those deceased are
Thomas C. , Jonathan and Louiza. Mr. and Mrs.
Cargill are residing in Izard County, and the
former is a member of the Baptist Church.
Thomas P. Cypert was born in Wayne County,
Tenn. , in 1820, his parents, Jesse and Jemima
(Worthen) Cypert, being Virginians by liiiih. To
them were born seven sons and four daughters:
Nancy, Elizabeth, John, Zacharias, William, James
W., Thomas P., Robert J., Jesse Newton, Sarah
W. and Felicia Ann. At an early day the parents
moved to Wayne County, Tenn., where thoy en- J
tered land, and followed the occupation of farm- I
ing for many years. The father served in the |
War of 1812. and died in Tennessee in 1856, and
liis wife in 1858. Thomas P. Cypert embarked in j
life for himself in 18-12, following the occupation I
of farming, and by energy and good management
has become the owner of 160 acres of land, fifty
of which are under cultivation and are devoted to the
cultivation of corn, cotton and small grain. He
also raises considerable stock. In 1861 he en-
listed in the infantry under Capt. Deason, and was
with the troops stationed at Bowling (ireen, Kv..
during that year, but after participating in the
battle of Shiloh, the following year he was dis
charged, and upon returning resumed farming,
which occupation has since received his attention.
He has been a resident of Izard County. Ark.,
since 1852, and is considered by all one of its in
dustrious and enterprising citizens. The year
1846 witnessed his marriage to Miss Temperance
Brown, a daughter of Levi Brown, by whom he
became the father of eleven children: John T. ,
Sarah A., Delphina. Mary. Levi J., Jesse N.,
Jemima C, Mack, Lydia. George W., Emma F..
Levi and Jesse (twins).
William Davis is one of the old and highly
honored residents of Izard County, and durinir the
many years devoted to agricultural pursuits in this
region he has become well and favorably known.
His farm comprises 252 acres, of which eighty acres
are under cultivation, and it is well improved with
good buildings and orchards. Some portions of
his land are underlaid with minerals and are con-
sidered very valuable. He was born in Campbell
County, Tenn., in 1815, and is a son of James
Davis, who was born in Kentuck.y. The latter re-
ceived a liberal education in his youth, and gave «
his attention to the occupation of farming. He
served in the ^\'ar of 1812, was a member of the
Primitive Baptist Church, and after his marriage
to Miss Sallie Cushenbury, of Tenue8.see, he re-
moved to Kentucky (in 1829), where he purcha.sed
land and reared his family of six sons and six
daughters: Patsey, Nancy, Baxter, (teorge, Anna,
James, Ursula, William, Ferroliy. Joseph, John
and Emaiuiel. William Davis, the immediate sub
ject of this sketch, was married to Miss Bethenia
Dobbs, of Kentucky, in 1.835. but her death oc- 1
curred in 1858, she having borne a family of
eleven children, eight of whom survive: Mary A..
James, Emanuel, Ferrol>y, Simon, Mark, Ollie and
Nancy. In the latter part of 1858 Mr. Davis took
^
940
HISTOEY OF ARKANSAS.
for his second wife Harriet A., the daughter of
Isaac Bettis, of Izard County, Ark. This union
resulted in the birth of twelve children, seven now
living: William A. Baxter, Rufus M., Martha E.,
Anthony W. , Tennessee and Minnie L. Their son,
Rufus M., was married in 1888 to Miss Julia
Cunningham, of Izard County, and they reside
on the homestead with Mr. Davis. They have one
child, Willie. The family attend the Missionary
Baptist Church, of which Mr. and Mrs. Davis
have long been members.
W. O. Dillard. The family of which the sub-
ject of this sketch is a representative, is one well
known to the people of Izard County, for one or
more of its members have been identified with its
agricultural interests since 1849, when Alex. Dil-
lard and his family located here. The latter was
married to Delilah Legau, both being natives of
Tennessee, and, throughout his entire life, he was
engaged in farming and merchandising, following
the latter occupations at Spring Creek and Flat
Woods after coming to Arkansas. He served as
justice of the peace and deputy sheriff of his coun-
ty, and, during the time he served in the latter
capacity, he transacted the greater portion of the
business which should have been attended to by
the sheriff. He was quite a wealthj' man prior to
the war, and owned several negroes, but his losses
during the rebellion were very heavy, and these
he never fully regained. He died in 1867, at the
age of fifty-nine years. To his marriage, which
occurred in 1825, were born a family of seven chil-
dren, three of whom lived to be grown, and two
now living: J. A., a resident of this county, and
W. O. John C. died while serving in the Mexican
War, being sergeant of his company. Both par-
ents were meaibers of the Methodist Episcopal
Church, South, and the mother's death occurred
in 1837 or 1838. Mr. Dillard's second wife was
Mary Wood, of Tennessee, and she is now the wife
of John Anderson. W. O. Dillard remained with
his father until twenty-seven years of age, then
commenced for himself, farming on his own land,
which was situated on White River, in Izard Coun-
ty. This property he sold in 1806, and bought
202 acres on another portion of White River, about
eighty acres of which are under cultivation, and
in addition to this owns 1,000 acres, the entire
amount of his land under cultivation amounting to
250 acres. In 1862 he joined the Confederate
army as a private, but was afterward promoted to
the rank of second lieutenant, and served three
years under Col. Freeman, and was with Price
on his raid through Missouri. He suiTendered at
Jacksonport, Ark. , on the 5th of June, 1865, and
returned home and resumed farming. From 1869
to 1875 he was successfully engaged in merchandis-
ing, and since that time he has been occupied with
farming. He was married, in 1857, to Miss Aver-
illa Jeffrey, but she died in 1868, after having
borne four children, three now living: James L. ,
Nancy J. , wife of Neely Talley, and Alex. Mary
E. is deceased. In 1869 Mr. Dillard wedded his
second wife, she being a Mrs. Sarah Slavens, and
to them three childi'en have been born: J. J.,
John C. and W. O. Mr. Dillard was called upon
to mourn the death of this wife in 1879, and in
1881, his third wife, who was a Miss Sallie Harris,
also died, their marriage having been consummated
in 1880. His marriage to his present wife, who
was a Miss Adelaide Cantrell, took place in 1883.
They have two children: George C. and Charley
R. Mr. Dillard's first two wives were members of
the Methodist Episcopal Church, his third wife
was a Cumberland Presbyterian, and he and his
present wife belong to the Methodist Episcopal
Church. He is a Democrat, a member of the A.
F. & A. M. , and is a man who favors and sup-
ports all laudable enterprises, especially those con-
nected with churches and schools.
George J. Dillard is a native-born resident of
Izard County, Ark. , and was born in the year
1850. He is a son of Hill and Eliza (Creswell)
Dillard, the former's birth having occurred in the
"Old Dominion," in 1814. The fatherwasone of
the leading farmers of the section in which he resid-
ed, and during slavery times, owned a great many
negroes. Although he received a limited early
education, he possessed sound judgment and a keen
and active intellect, and was a man who stood well
in the estimation of all who knew him. The fol-
lowing family wereborn to himself and wife: Eliza-
■^s-
■S k^
IZARD COUNTY.
941
betb, the wife of B. T. Roose; Martha, also married,
Sarah, now Mrs. Billingsley, all of whom reside iu
this county. Mr. Dillard removed to this county
and State in 1836, coming overland, and entered a
large tract of land, and, at the time of his death,
owned about 1,000 acres. He built him a cedar-
log hilt in the woods and in this primitive struct-
ure, his son, George J. Dillard, was born. After
making this county his home until 1863 he moved
to the State of Texas, where he died two years
later. George J. Dillard, like his father, has fol-
lowed the occupation of farming all his life, and
like him, has been successful. His farm, which
comprises 264 acres, of which 130 acres are under
cultivation, he devotes chiefly to raising cotton,
corn and small grains, and throughout the county
he is well and favorably known. Although he at-
tended the La Crosse school for some time, which
was under the management of Prof. Kennard, his
early education was somewhat limited, but by read-
ing and contact with the world, he is considered
one of the well posted men of the county. In 1872
be was married to Miss Rebecca Shell, a daughter
of AVilliam and Catherine Shell, of Izard County,
and l)y her has a family of seven children: Edward,
William D. , Ollie, Elizabeth, James, Hul)l)ard and
Catherine.
William K. Estes, county and circuit clerk,
Melliourne, Ark. In his present position as clerk
of the county and circuit court of this county, Mr.
Estes is proving himself to be efficient and popu-
lar, and the manner in which he has acquitted
himself has justly won him the name of being
possessed of more than ordinary business aliility.
He is a native-born citizen of this county, his birth
occurring on the 5th of September, 1853, and he
is the son of Thomas N. and Lucy R. (Johnson)
Estes, and the grandson of Burris and Martha
(Morris) Estes, natives of North Carolina. The
grandfather came to Tennessee at an early day,
and was there married about 1825. He was a
leading agriculturist, and died near the close of
the late war, leaving consideralile property in land
and slaves. He was a member of the Baptist
Church, as was also his wife, who died shortly
after his death. The paternal gieat-grandfather
of William K. Estes was an officer in the war for
independence, and had in the same army with him-
self eleven cousins of the same name and sons
of one father. He drew from the government
600 acres of land, and located his claim in
Henry County, Tenn., where he passed his last
days. Thomas N. Estes was born in Tennessee,
but moved to this State in 1852, and was married
that year to Miss Lucy R. Johnson, who bore hiui
three children: W. K., John J. (who is a book-
keeper at Evening Shade, Sharp Coimtj'), and Sam
uel C. (who is clerking in a dry goods store, at Ash
Flat, Ark.) The mother of these children died in
1858. She was a member of the Baptist Church.
Mr. Estes was married the second time, in 1869, to
Mrs. Minerva R. Wilson, tiee Kimmins; both are
members of the Baptist Church. The same year
they moved to Izard County, where Mr. Estes has
a fine farm of 200 acres, with thirty or forty under
cultivation, and on which are good buildings, etc.
In 1849 he crossed the plains to California, and
after suffering untold hardships and after being
on the road over six months, reached that State.
He then followed mining until 1852, met with rea-
sonable success and returned to Arkansas in the
above mentioned year. He was countj' clerk of
Fulton County from 1862 to 1864, and also served
in the Confederate army. William K. Estes' early
life was divided between assisting on the farm and
in attending the common schools of bis county. At
the age of twenty years he started out for himself
by continuing the pursuit to which he had been
reared, and followed this occupation uninterrupt
edly for a long time. In 1879 be moved to the
city, and served as deputy clerk from that timeun
til 1884, when be was elected county clerk, though
he had first been deputy clerk in November, 187<').
He tilled this ofiice in such a capable and efbcieiit
manner, and so popular did be become, that be was
complimented by being re-elected in 1886, serving
until 1888. He has been twice married: first, in
1873, to Mi.S8 Lurana E. Wilson, l)y whom he bad
five children: Lucy E., Walter H., Jasper M.,
Allie M. and Ford W. Mrs. Estes was born on
the 3d of March. 1855, and died on the 13tb of
August, 18S6. She was a member uf the Baptist
<S w_
942
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
Church. Mr. Estes' second marriage was to Miss
Nancy C. Kitchens, on the 30th of January, 1887.
They have one child, Earl T. Mr. and Mrs. Estes
are both church members, she of the Christian de-
nomination and he of the Baptist. He is a member
of the A. F. & A. M. and R. A. M. , and also a mem-
ber of the Subordinate Lodge and the Encampment
of Odd Fellows. In politics he is Democratic.
James H. Garner was born in Tennessee, in
1834, and is a son of John Garner, who.se native
State was North Carolina, where he was born on
the 1st of August, 1808. In his youth he re-
moved to Tennessee with his parents, and in this
State he received the advantages of the common
schools, and as far back as he could remember he
had been familiar with farm work. In 1831 his
marriage with Miss Sarah B. Greer was celebrated,
she being a daughter of Joshua and Polly Greer.
Five sons and three daughters were born to John
Garner and wife: William T. , Washington L., Ed-
ward P. , John D. , Mary E. , Francis and Lucy C.
Mr. Garner removed from Tennessee to Izard
County, Ark., in 1858, and purchased a farm of
eighty acres, which he successfully conducted un-
til his death on the 21st of August, 1872. His
wife, who was born in Tennessee, February 19,
1816, still lives on the old homestead, and both were
members of the Christian Church. James H. Gar-
ner's youth was spent in his native State, and in
1859 he followed his father to Izard County, Ark.,
and purchased a woodland farm of 120 acres near
him. On this he built a house and established his
family, and in time became able to purchase 280
acres more, of which he has 150 acres under the
plow. On this he raises corn and cotton, and as a
large portion of his farm is underlaid with mineral
ore it is very valuable. He has now in jirocess of
erection a commodious frame residence on his Piuey
Creek farm, and in looking over Mr. Garner's
domains it can easily be seen that he thoroughly un-
derstands his business and is thrifty and energetic.
He was married to Miss Mary E. Murphy, a
daughter of Gilston Murphy, of Illinois, and by
her has a family of seven children: John It., Na-
than F., William L., Jessie B. , James E., Henry
B. , Thomas F. and Edwin L. When the war broke
out he joined Company E, and was two years in
the infantry under Capt. Gibson, and from that
time until the close of the war he was in the cav-
alry under Capt. Powell. He was at Little Rock,
Independence and Kansas City, and surrendered
at Jacksonport in 1865. He is a Democrat in his
political views, and from 1872 to 1876 served as
justice of the peace; in 1887 he was appointed
deputy sheriff under R. L. Sanders, of Izard Coun-
ty. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity,
having been Master of his lodge two years.
B. F. Garner was born in the State of Tennes-
see, in 1836, his parents, William P. and Harriet
(Greer) Garner, being also natives of that State,
the former's birth occurring in 1813. They were
married in their native State in 1835, she being a
daughter of Joshua Greer, and in 1859 they re-
moved to Izard County, Ark., and purchased a
farm of 240 acres, and here he was engaged in
farming and i:)reaching (he being a minister of the
Christian Church) up to the time of his death, in
1870. His wife died in 1860, and three or four
years later he wedded Miss Martha Murphy, who
died the same year as himself. His first union re-
sulted in the birth of twelve children, six being
now alive: B. F., John L., Nancy E., wife of M.
D. S. Laird, of Boone County, Ark. ; Eliza J. , wife
of William A. Robins, of Izard County; Thomas
H. , and Harriet L. , wife of J. J. Seers, of Fulton
County, Ark. B. F. Garner removed to this coun-
ty in 1869, having begun life for himself in his
native State at the age of twenty-one years, his
first business venture being to engage in saw-mill-
ing. This enterprise he continued to follow until
1864, when he turned his attention to farming.
He was married there, in 1858, to Miss Elizabeth
J. Wade, and by her has four children: William
L., A. B., J. T. and U. S. The two eldest sons
are engaged in saw-milling, on a large scale, in
what is known as "Dry Hollow," Izard County,
and are enterprising young business men. Upon
coming to the State of Arkansas Mr. Garner entered
and purchased land to the amount of 410 acres,
and, with the exception of 100 acres, has divided
his land among his sons. He has forty acres of
his land under cultivation, and since 1879 has been
-^ py
IZARD COUNTY.
«48
engaged in the mercantile business, at Oxford, and
does a business of about $4,000 per annum. He
is also interested iu the mercantile business with
his son, J. X., at Widoman. He supports the prin-
ciples of the Republican party, and he and wife
are members of the Christian Church, as are three
of his sons: A. B. , J. T. and U. S.
John D. Garner has spent his entire life in the
occupation of farming, and the manner in which
he has acquired his present possessions denotes
him to be a man of energy, push and enterprise.
He was born in Tennessee, in 1852, and since 1858
has been a resident of Izard County, Ark., and
here received a somewhat meager education in the
common schools in his youth. In 1871 he mar-
ried Miss Ellen Langston, a daughter of John
Langston, of Izard County, and to them have been
born two children: Lafayette and James E. Mrs.
Garner died in 1876, and he afterward married
Miss Sarah Niblett, a daughter of Samuel Nib-
lett, their imion taking place in Fulton County,
Ark., in 1878. Six children have been born to
them: Lucy C, Silas M., Joseph, Coral. Harvey
and Richard. After Mr. Garner's marriage to his
present wife he resided for some time in Fulton
County, but .is now located permanently in Izard
County, and is negotiating for the farm he is now
working. He raised a good crop this year, and is
a thrifty and industrious farmer. He is a Demo-
crat politically, and he and wife are members of
the Christian Church. He is a son of John Garner,
whose sketch appears elsewhere in this work.
Dr. Thomas K. Goodman, of the mercantile
firm of Goodman & Schenck, of Calico Rock, was
born in Polk County, Mo., in 1849, and is one of nine
surviving members of a family of twelve children,
eleven of whom lived to be grown, born to the
marriage of Sampson Goodman and Sarah Lyngai',
of English and French descent, respectively, and
natives of Tennessee. The father removed to
Polk County, Mo. , when the country was almost a
wilderness, and resided in this county until hi.s
death, which occurred in 1888, at the age of eighty-
two years. His wife died in 1869. He was a
farmer and stock raiser of moderate means, and,
although a man of not much education, he pos-
sessed sound judgment, and was an individual of
more than ordinary intelligence. He and his wife
were married in 1827, and were members of the
Baptist Church for a number of years. Their
children were as follows: F. M. , who died in
Missouri, in 1888, leaving a family; Elizabeth,
wife of George Slatten; John F., James, who went
to California in 1852, and has not been heard from
since; Isaac J., Newton J., Mary E. , wife of S. ('.
Chumbley; Harvey C, Thomas K., Edward M.
Dr. Thomas K. Goodmaa received his early educa-
tion in the common schools of his native county,
and afterward comi)leted his education in the
academy at Greenfield, Mo., wbicli institution he
entered in 1800. He began studying medicine at
Springfield in the following year under Dr. \V. A.
Hyde, and in the spring of 1879 graduated from
the Homccopathic Medical College of Missouri, at
St. Louis, but previous to graduating had prac-
ticed in Newton and Izard Counties, Ark., having
located in the latter county in 1872. He continued
his practice here until 1885, when he embarked in
the mercantile business with Dr. Schenck [see
sketch |. Upon coming to this c(junty the Doctor
was rather poor financially, but he now owns 248
acres of improved land, and his interest in his
mercantile establishment. He is a Republican in
his political views, is a member of the A. F. & A.
M. , and he and his wife, whose maiden name was
Elizabeth Greenhaw. and whom he married in
1871, are the parents of three children: Oliver S..
Homer H H. and Albert A. T.
Robert Gray was born in Wilkes County. N.
C, July 11, 1S38, and is one of twelve chil-
dren, six living, born to Constant and Jane (Sale)
Gray, who were also North Carulinians. and were
there reared, educated and married. Mr. (iray
was a successful farmer, and at his death, in 1862,
owned 1,800 acres of good land. His wife died in
1873, in the full faith of the Baptist Church.
Robert Gray was educated in Uilkesboro, N.
C, and in 1859 removed to .Vrkiinsas, settling
in Izard County, he at that time owning but one
horse and about $75 in money. He was mar-
ried here on the 15th of June, IStJl, to Miss
Rachel E. Gray, who was Iwrn in the " Old North
944
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
State," but ker death occarred in January, 1864,
leaving one son, William R. , who died on the 8th
of February, 1875. June 14, 1868, Mr. Gray
wedded his second wife, Martha Hinkle by name,
she having been born in Tennessee; and of their
family of twelve children, eleven are still living,
and ten reside at home: Thomas J., Arena J.,
John, Mary E., Ida K. , Bertha L., James F. ,
Walter N. . Robert E., Amanda E. , Annie M. and
Jesse A. Mr. Gray, like his father, has always
been engaged in farming, and owns about 700
acres of good land, of which 250 acres are under
cultivation. He has been a member of the I. O.
O. F. for the past nine years, and has held a num-
ber of offices in the county, such as assessor, and
while residing in Sharp County held the office of
county treasurer for two years. In 1862 he en-
listed in the Confederate army under McBride,
and was severely wounded at the tight at Mans-
field, losing his left leg and one linger on his left
hand. He also received a shot in the left side,
and received his discharge in 1865. He followed
the occupation of school teaching for some time
after returning home, but, as stated above,' has
given the most of his attention to farming, at
which he has been remarkably successful. He and
wife worship in the Baptist Church.
W. Grimmett, ex-county judge and farmer,
Newburg, Ark. A plain untarnished statement of
the facts embraced in the life of W. Grimmett, a
man well known to the people of Izard County, is
all that we profess to be able to give in this his-
tory of the county; and yet, upon examination
of those facts, there will be found the career of
one whose entire course through the world has
been marked with great honesty and fidelity of
purpose, as well as sincere and effective service to
those whom he has been called upon to represent
in different capacities. Mr. Grimmett was born in
the Blue Grass State in 1840, and his parents,
Andrew and Mary (Wilson) Grimmett, were na-
tives of Virginia and Kentucky, respectively.
Andi'ew Grimmett came to Kentucky at an early
day, worked as a farm hand, and was here married
to Miss Wilson. He moved to Arkansas in 1855,
settled first in Fulton County, and one year later
moved to this county, where he remained for five
years. He subsequently located in Van Buren
County, resided there four years, and then re-
turned to this county, where his death occurred
in 1878, at about the age of sixty-six years. Mrs.
Grimmett died in 1887, at the age of seventy-two
years. They were the parents of these children:
Harvey Watson (the subject of this sketch), Sam-
uel (deceased), Wilson (deceased), Mrs. Elizabeth
Reynolds, W. T., Mrs. Minerva Billingsley. Mrs.
Grimmett was a member of the Baptist Church.
At the age of eighteen years W. Grimmett com-
menced life for himself by farming, and in 1858
was united in marriage to Miss Sarah A. Ham-
mond. He has followed agricultural pursuits ever
since, with the exception of three years, when he
was engaged in merchandising at Newburg (1876-
78), but he soon closed out his business and re-
turned to the farm. He has held the office of
justice of the peace for two terms, four years in all,
two terms county and probate judge, and has since
resided on and attended to his fai'm. In 1862 he
joined the Confederate army, Company C, Shaler's
regiment, under Capt. Gibson, and served until
the close of hostilities, when he surrendered at
Jacksonport on the 5th of June, 1805. He was
engaged in some severe skirmishes, notably Au-
gusta and at Village Creek. After the war he
came home, and went immediately to farming.
Although starting with limited means the Judge
has been quite successful, and is now the owner
of 190 acres of land, with 100 acres under cultiva-
tion. To his marriage were born the following
children: Amanda M. , wife of J. O. Hammond;
Caldona, wife of R. F. Lacy; Charles M. , Averilla,
C. E., at home; George A., Amos J. and Joseph
Roscoe. Judge Grimmett is a man who favors
all public improvements, and is a great friend
to education. He is a member of the I. O. O. F.
lodge, and in politics casts his vote with the Dem-
ocrat party. Mrs. Grimmett is a member of the
Baptist Church.
Sandford Hames, of the saw- milling firm of
Hames & Kanky, was born in Georgia, in 1832,
and is a son of Thomas H. and Annice (Robinson)
Hames, who were born in South Carolina. Thomas
spy
^^.^^
(□CCEASEO)
Mississippi Coumtv Ark ansas.
Haines removed to Georgia at an early day, and
there reared a family of ten children, three of
whom are now living: John, Jasper and Sandford.
The father was a soldier in the Mexican War, and
was a miner by occupation, working in 'the gold
mines of Georgia, acquiring considerable wealth in
this enterprise. He passed from life in 1802, and
his wife died in 1884. Sandford Hames was reared
in a mining camp, and worked in the mines for
some time before coming to Arkansas, in ISfil.
He purchased the place where he is now living,
which had then fifteen or sixteen acres under cul-
tivation, but he now has seventy-five acres under
the plow, and in excellent farming condition.
Besides this he owns a one-half interest in a saw-
mill worth at least $2,000, and also has a farm of
216 acres in Fulton County, with fifty or sixty
acres under cultivation and well stocked. He is a
man who will assist in the advancement of any
community in which he may reside, and gives lib-
erally of his means in support of worthy enterprises.
He is a member of the A. F. & A. M. , and in his
political views is a Democrat. In 1855 he was
united in marriage to Miss Rebecca Montgomerj',
and by her is the father of seven children: Martha,
wife of John Hagar; Mahala, wife of James Mar-
tin; Thomas H. , William, Docia, wife of George
Gray, and John. One child is deceased. J. M.
Kanky, like his partner, is also a farmer, and since
the age of sixteen years he has been fighting the
battle of life for himself. He was first engaged in
tilling his own land in Kentucky, but afterward
sold out, and rented land for one or two years. In
1873 he came with his father to Arkansas, and
after renting land for one year he purchased a
tract of land comprising' 1 30 acres, of which there
were about twenty-five or thirty acres in a tillable
condition. He now has sixty-five acres of land
cleared, and also owns a one-half interest in the
above mentioned mill. He was born in the State
of Indiana, in 1852, and in 1882 was united in
marriage to Miss Mekay Hames, who died in 18S8,
leaving one child, Annie. Mr. Kauky is a Demo-
crat, and is a son of J. M. and Annie H. (Davis)
Kanky, whose native place was in the '•Olil
Dominion." The father removed to Indiana in
1845, and after removing to Kentucky was raarriiMJ
in that State, in 1848. Of four children l)orn to
them two are now living: J. M. and Thomas. Mr.
Kanky removed to Arkansas in 1873, and in this
State has since made his home. He is the post-
master at Wideman, Ark., is a member of the A.
F. & A. M. and the I. O. O. F., and has now at-
tained the advanced age of seventy -five years, and
although quite feeble in body his mind is still clear
and active. His wife died in 1875.
Andrew J. Hamilton has been a resident of
Izard County, Ark., since the year 1871, and has
become well known to the people of this section as
a substantial, enterprising and industrious tiller of
the soil. Of his farm, which comprises 300 acres
of fine land, he has 125 imder cultivation, and this
he devotes to the raising of corn and small grain.
He was born in the "Palmetto State" in 182(».
and was there reared and received his scholastic
training in the common schools. He first em-
barked in the battle of life for himself at the age
of twenty-four years, and at that time emigrated
to the State of Georgia, where he purchased a
farm embracing 250 acres of land. On this he re-
sided for about twenty-seven years, then, as stated
above, coming to Izard County, Ark. In addition
to the admirable way in which he conducts his
large farm he is also one of the largest fruit grow-
ers of Northeast Arkansas. While residing in
Georgia he was married to Miss Mary M. Stand-
ridge, in 1849, she being a daughter of Samuel
Standridge, of that State, and their family include
the following children: Lottitia, Andrew B. , He
becca, Mary J., William H., Celia A. and Laura.
The mother of these children is still living, she,
like her husband, being a member of the Metho<list
Episcoi^al Church. Mr. Hamilton has always
honored the Democratic party by his vote, ever
being interested in political affairs. He is a
son of James C. and Nellie ((lilstrap) Hamilton,
the former's birth occurring in 1876. and he is a
grand.son of Hardy Gilstrap. To James C. Ham
ilton and his wife were born these children: Edle_\ .
Andrew J. , Lettie, Mary A. , David, Thomas and
Nancy. Mr. Hamilton died in Georgia, in 1S73.
and his wife in lS51t. in the same State.
^^ ^
^ — ^.Iv
946
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
Newton L. Hamm. The estate which Mr.
Hainm is now engaged in cultivating embraces 266
acres of land, which are well adapted to the pur-
poses of general farming, and in his operations he
displays those sterling principles which are char-
acteristic of those of Tennessee birth, industry, and
wise and judicious management being chief among
the number. He has 150 acres of his land under
cultivation, it being well improved with good build-
ings, fences, etc., and stocked with all the neces-
sary farm animals for successfully conducting the
same. He was born in McNairy County, June 24,
1840, and is one of five surviving members of- a
family of ten sons and seven daughters, born to
William and Rachel (Hnggins) Hamm, both of
whom were born on Blue Grass soil, the former's
birth occurring on the 20th of October, 1799, and
the latter' s September 13, 1798. They were til-
lers of the soil, and at the time of the father's
death, December 10, 1872, he was the owner of
120 acres of land. He had attained a high rank
in the Masonic lodge, having been a member of
that organization from the time he was twenty-
one years of age, and also belonged to the Hard
Shell Baptist Church. He was followed to his
long home by his wife on the 10th of January,
1874. Newton L. Hamm's youth was spent in at-
tending the common schools of Tennessee, and in
assisting his father on the home farm. In 1855 he
moved to Arkansas, and was married here on the
Ist of November, 1863, to Miss Nettie Frizzell, she
having been born in Henry County, Tenn. , and a
daughter of Jason and Mahala Frizzell, and ten
children have blessed their union, nine of whom,
still living, reside at home with their parents:
Carrol, William, Asa, Emmer, Joseph, Jason,
Philip, Newton, Leroy and Adah E. In 1862 he
enlisted in the Confederate army under Gen. Hind-
man, and was at the battle of Prairie Grove. He
was discharged at the surrender of Jacksonport.
Like his father he is a Mason, and he is a member
of the Baptist Church, his wife being a member of
the Methodist Church.
F. M. Hanley, attorney, Melbourne, Ark.
Prominent among the comparatively young men of
Izard County, Ark. , whose career thus far has
been both honorable and successful, is the subject
of this present sketch. He was born in Graves
County, Ky., in 1845, and his parents, F. M. and
Elizabeth (Mobley) Hanley, were also natives of
the Blue Grass State. The parents were married
about 1828, and the father was a successful agri-
culturist in his native State. He died in 1845, and
the mother died in 1854. Both were members of
the Methodist Episcopal Church, and he was Demo-
cratic in his views. Their family consisted of five
children, three now living: James E. (resides in
Kentucky, and follows farming), Mary E. (wife of
Joseph G. Henry, and resides in Kentucky), and
F. M. The paternal grandfather was born in Tip-
perary, Ireland, and came to America when quite
a young man. The paternal grandmother was also
a native of the Emerald Isle. The maternal
grandparents were natives of Ireland, and were
married there before coming to America. F. M.
Hanley was left an orphan when quite young, and,
at the age of nine years, he was taken to Todd
County, Ky. , and bound out to Johnston Carr.
He was reared on a farm, attending the subscrip-
tion schools of his county until his fifteenth year,
after which he entered the St. Joseph College, at
Bardstown, and there remained two years. When
seventeen years of age he enlisted in the Confeder-
ate army. Company D, Second Kentucky Infantry
Regiment, and served until the 7th of May, 1865,
participating in the following battles: Fort Don-
elson, Hartsville, Murfreesboro, Jackson, Chicka-
mauga ami Missionary Ridge, and was in all the
battles from Resaca to Jonesboro, where he was
captured, on the 1st of September, 1864, but was
retained only a short time. Previous to this he was
captured at Fort Donelson, and was retained by
the United States forces from February to Septem-
ber, 1862. After being exchanged the last time
his command was mounted. Upon coming home
he attended school at Spring Grove Academy,
Todd County, Ky. , and subsequently spent three
years "teaching the young idea" and in studying
law, under Williams, Turner & Williams. He was
admitted to the bar, at May field, Ky. , in 1869, and
engaged in the practice of his profession at that
place. In 1873 he came to Phillips County, Ark.,
IZAllD COUNTY.
SM7
but, on account of poor health, only lomiiincd a
short time there, and came to Izard County in
1874. He located in La Crosse, and there remained
until the county seat was located at Melbourne, in
1875, when he moved here. He has since prac-
ticed his profession at this place, and has met
with flattering success. Ho was married, in Ken-
tucky, in 1866, to Mrs. Willie Dallam, nee Overley,
and they are the parents of three children: Lena
(wife of T. P. Powett, of Melbourne), Moss (wife
of E. C. Parsons), and Gussie (at home). In his
political views Mr. Hanley affiliates with the Demo-
cratic party, and he is a member of the I. O. O.
F. lodge. Mrs. Hanley is a member of the Cum-
berland Presbj'terian Church.
Judge Henry H. Harris, Melbourne, Ark. There
is one man within the limits of this county whose
name, it might be said, is a household word with the
people in the vicinity, for his long residence hero and
his intimate association with its various material
and official affairs, have gained for him an exten-
sive acquaintance. Such a man is Henry H. Har-
ris, judge of the county court of Izard County. He
owes his nativity to Independence County, Ark.,
where his birth occurred on the 18th of January,
1 8'26, and is the son of James A. Harris, a native of
Georgia, who moved to Arkansas in 1820, and was
there married, in 1822, to Miss Elizabeth Finley,
also a native of Georgia. They first moved to
Lawrence County, but a short time afterward went
to Independence County and located east of Bates-
ville, where they were the neighbors of John Miller,
Sr. To their union were born two children, the
Judge being the only one living. Mrs. Harris died
in 1827, and Mr. Harris took for his second wife
Miss Ester Ruddle, of Arkansas, in 1828. One child
(deceased) was the result of this union. ,Mrs.
Harris died in 1830, and Mr. Harris was again
united in marriage to Miss Ann Carter, of Virginia,
by whom he had four children, all deceased after
arriving at maturity. The third Mrs. Harris died
in 1846, and Mr. Harris' fourth marriage was to
Miss Ellen Holoman, who bore him one child (de-
ceased). After living in Independence County and
tilling the soil until 1834, Mr. Harris moved to
Izard County, and settled on White River, in
Kickapoo iiuUoiu, wliicli is known as Harris Hut
tom, and now in Stone County. He here purchased
160 acres of land and improved a farm of about
100 acres in the Bottom. In 1840 he was elected
sheriff, serving in that capacity for two years, and
at a time when it required some little courage to
successfully fill that position, as Col. Lewis had
recently left with his Cherokee Indians, and every-
thing was wild and unsettled. Later he was
elected county and |)robate judge, which position
he tilled in a creditabh' maimer for two years. He
was very successful as a farmer, and popular as an
officer. He had acquired considerable property,
and owned at the time of his death, which occ\irred
in 1848, several negroes, besides a good improved
farm. Of all the children born to James A. Har-
ris, Judge Harris is the only one now living. During
his boyhood days he assisted on the farm and re
ceived his education in the subscrijition schools of
the county, but later supplemented this by a course
at Mount View, where he paid 7)0 cents a week for
board. Though not a graduate of any school, the
Judge is quite a scholar, and is held in the high-
est respect by all for his sterling integrity, sober,
sound judgment, broad intelligence and liberal
progressive ideas. His decisions are not made
without care and painstaking, and all feel that he
can be relied upon. At the age of eighteen he
ventured out in life for himself and first engaged
in the calling to which he had been reared, but in
connection was also a horse drover and trader. He
was married on the 22d of November, 1849, tS
Miss Lucy A. Dillard, a native of the Old Domin-
ion, but reared in the State of .\rkansas. To
them were born nine children, seven now living:
Virginia E. (wife of Dr. D. T. Powell, of Thayer.
Mo.), James A., Arkansas (widow of A. J. Kainey,
of Powhatan), George D., Henry H. Jr.. Ruth L.
(wife of S. R. Hinkle, of Melbourne), and H. D.
In 1852 he was elected county and circuit clerk of
Izard County, served for two years, and, in 1850,
was elected the second time to the same position,
holding that office imtil 1M60. He was then
elected county and pro\)ute judge, ser^etl alwnt a
year, and then sent in his resignation from Bowling
Green, Ky., wIhti' he had joined the Confi'diTate
iiL
948
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
army, Company G, Eighth Arkansas Infantry.
He served east of the Mississippi River and was
VFOunded in the battle of Shiloh, after which he
came home to remain there three or four months.
After this he went east and served until the close
of the war. He was a daring and fearless soldier
and participated in some of the closest engage-
ments. He was at Shiloh, Perryville, Murfrees-
boro, Chickamauga, also Franklin, where he was
wounded the second time, and was from Dalton,
Ga. , to Jonesboro, of the same State. Aside from
these he was in many minor engagements. He
surrendered at Meridian, Miss., in ]865, and re-
turned to his home, where he continued farming
for some time. He was then employed to carry the
mail and followed this for seven years, after which
he embarked in mercantile pursuits, and was thus
occupied from 1871 to 1872, when he moved to La
CroBse, and there continued the same business for
two years. In March, 1877, he was again elected
clerk of this county and served for seven years.
From 1884 to 1886 he was deputy clerk, and in
the last named year he was elected county and pro-
bate judge, being re-elected in 1888. The Judge
and wife have reared a family of which they may
wellbe proud, for they are all honorable men and
women. Politically, the Judge is a very decided
Democrat, and was one among the prominent men
of his county that the reconstruction act did not
leave out in the cold. He was then, as he is now,
among the most prominent men, and is desirous
of the welfare of his county. He is a member of
the Masonic fraternity, also the I. O. O. F. , and
he and wife are members of the Methodist Episco-
pal Church, South.
W. E. Hill is a successful merchant and farmer
of Franklin, Ark., and is one of the oldest native
residents of the county, having been born here in
1841. His parents, Thomas R. and Rachel (Bur-
lisson) Hill, were born in Kentucky and Indiana,
respectively, and the former came to the State of
Arkansas in 1836, settling in Izard County. Here
he entered and purchased about '2,000 acres of
land, which he owned and operated until his death.
This country at Urst was very thinly pojsulated,
and Mr. Hill was compelled to go from ten to
twenty miles to mill. He was married twice, and
of his first family only four children are living:
Mary A., widow of Lewis Williams; J. B., of Ful-
ton County, La. ; Elizabeth F. , wife of Samuel
Vannatta, and W. E. Two children died in in-
fancy and three after reaching mature years:
James W., Thomas J., Erasmus, Benjamin and
Eliza. Mrs. Hill, who was a devout member of
the Methodist Episcopal Church, died in 1849,
and in 1851 Mr. Hill married Mrs. Eliza (Colwell)
Orr, widow of Dr. Orr. This wife was a Baptist,
but he, like his first wife, was a member of the
Methodist Episcopal Church. Mr. Hill died in
1876, at the age of sixty-eight years, his wife's
death occurring in 1874, at the age of sixty-four
years. W. E. Hill has been familiar with farm-
ing fi-ora his earliest youth and secured a good
education in the common schools of his native
county. At the age of twenty one years he began
farming for himself, but continued to make his
home with his father until twenty six. When the
Civil War began he espoused the Confederate
cause and joined C. A. Shaler's battalion, but only
served a short time when he was discharged on
account of sickness. After remaining at home
one year he again joined the army and served un-
der Capt. Wolf until the close of the war, being a
participant in all the fights with Gen. Price in
Missouri. He surrendered at Jacksonport, Ark. ,
June 5, 1865, and returned home and began farm-
ing on his father's land. In connection with him
he built a mill, which he operated six years, and
diiring this time his father gave him his present
home farm, which consists of 274 acres. There
were ten acres cleared, but it was in a worse condi-
tion than if it had not been touched. He now has
175 acres improved, and on it is erected one of the
finest farm houses in Northern Arkansas. His
barns are also very commodious and will accom-
modate forty or fifty head of horses. He has forty
acres of improved land in Jefferson Township, be-
sides his home place and 155 acres of unimproved
land. His wife owns fifty-five acres of her father's
old homestead, a portion of which is improved.
In 1867 Mr. Hill married Miss Margaret J. Bill
ingsley, a daughter of Samuel Billingsley, one of
ft ' v»
IZARD COUNTY.
y4ii
the old settlors of Izard County, and the lollow
ing are their famil}-; Elizabeth A., W. E., Jr.,
Thomas R. , Samuel B., James M., John W.
Joseph E. and Stella W. Mr. Hill and his wife
belong to the Methodist Episcopal Church, South,
and he belongs to the A. ' F. & A. M. , and is a
Democrat politically. He is associated with Mr.
Billingsley in the mercantile business at Franklin,
and they do an annual business of about $18,000.
Robert H. Holland has been familiar with the
intricacies of farm work from his youth up, but
since the year 1871 has been engaged in business
for himself, and by unremitting toil and judicious
management he has become the owner of 820 acres
of land situated on Rocky Bayou, about fifty acres
being under cultivation. He is one of the wide-
awake agriculturists of the county, and he and his
worthy wife, whom he married in 1883, and whose
maiden name was Mary J. Kerwin, are noted for
their hospitality and liberality. His native birth-
place was Independence County, Ark., where he
first saw the light of day, in 1850. He is a patron
of all enterprises of a worthy character, and has
shown his approval of secret organizations by be-
coming a member of the I. O. O. F. He married,
in 1885, Miss Mary Jane Taylor. He is a son of
William Holland, who was born in the State of
Tennessee, in 1819, and was reared to a farm life,
removing with his mother to Illinois, during the
early settlement of that State, and coming with her
to Arkansas, in 1829. her death occurring in In-
dependence County, Ark., when she was about
ninety years of age. His father was a soldier in
the War of 1812. William Holland received a
limited education in his youth, and when about
twenty-one years of age began the battle of life for
himself. He was married, in Independence Coun-
ty, to a Miss Henderson, who bore him two chil-
dren, James W. and Reuben L., and after her
death he was united in marriage to Martha J.
Dickson, of the same county. Six children are the
result of this union: Benjamin F., Robert H. (our
subject), Mary J., William M., John and Sarah
E. The mother of these children died in Inde-
pendence County, in 1866, she having been an act-
ive member of the Missionary Baptist Church for
many years. Catherine Fiilks l)ccaiiH' liis wife in
18*')7, and by him the mother of these children:
Charles C, Martha J., Nancy A., Joseph S. and
Margaret. This wife's demise occurred in 1882,
and he is now living with his fourth wife, who was
formerly Mrs. Jane Fullbright, of Izard County.
He served in the Mexican War, and he and wife
are members of the Missionary Baptist Church.
Prof. I. K. Hoojjer. The education of the youth
of our country being a matter of great importance,
it is just and proper to make honorable mention of
Prof. Hooper, for he is one of the able educators of
' the county. He was born in Hall County. Ga. . on
the 31st of December, 1854, and is one of seven
surviving members of a family of nine children
born to Edward and Eveline Hooper, the former's
birth occurring in South Carolina, in 1799. The
father was married three times; first, to Anna
Bowen, who died after having borne three sons
and four daughters; next, to Mary Steppe, a native
of Georgia, who bore him two sons and three
daughters; and then to Eveline Owen, who was
also a native of Georgia. This last union resulted
in the birth of nine children, six sons and three
daughters, seven of the children being still alive.
Tin? father was a farmer by occupation, and owned
500 acres of land at the time of his death, in De-
cember, 1880. He and wife were in communion
with the Baptist Church, she being now a resident
of Georgia, making her home with her daughter.
Prof. I. K. Hooper received his education at La
Crosse Collegiate Institute, of Izard County, and
at Fayetteville, Ark., in the Industrial University,
and while at school was a bright and industrious
student. On the 25th of October, 1882, after his
return home from the University, he was married
to Miss Mary T. Bishop, a native of ^\jkansas, ami
a daughter of William and India Bishop, who were
Tennesseeans. Prof. Hooper and wife have an in
teresting little family of three children: Edward
C, Lillian G. and Cyril L. Prof. Hooper has al
ways been a patron of education, and has been
successfully engaged in teaching .<chool for some
time, and his labors in this direction have won
golden opinions for himself. He has been a mem
ber of the T O () F fur nbout three months, and
950
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
in his religious views is a member of the Methodist
Church. His wife is connected with the Cumber-
land Presbyterian Church.
P. M. Jeffery was born in Izard County, Ark.,
June 14, 1887, and is a son of Daniel JefFery, who
was born, reared and educated in the State of Ten-
nessee, moving to Arkansas in the year 1816, and
took up his abode in Izard County, where he was
married to Miss Mary Bowcock, a native Virgin-
ian, their union taking place in 1824. The result
of their marriage was the birth of eleven children,
seven sons and four daughters, only one of whom
is now living, P. M. Jeffery, our subject. The
father was an active politician, and besides hold-
ing the offices of sheriff and county judge, one
term each, he was elected to represent this county
in the State legislature in 1846, and discharged
the duties of this position with honor to himself
and to the satisfaction of bis constituents. He
was also justice of the peace of his township one
term. He and wife were active workers in the
Cumberland Presbyterian Church at the time of
their resj)ective deaths in September, 1862, and
February 22, 1863, and left a fine property to be
divided among their children, consi.sting of 320
acres of fertile land. P. M. Jeffery, the immedi-
ate subject of this sketch, has spent his life in his
native county, and received his education in the
schools near Melbourne. From earliest youth he
has been familiar with farm work, and of his 200
acres of land, tifty are under cultivation. In con-
nection with this he is engaged in preaching the
gospel, being a minister of the Cumberland Pres-
byterian Church, his wife and all his children
being also members of that church. In Septem-
ber, 1861, he enlisted under W. J. Hardy, for a
war experience, his first hard light being at Shiloh,
he being wounded in the head in this engagement
by a fragment of shell. He received his discharge
at Jacksonport. On the 30th of April, 1865, he
wedded Miss Dorinda Arnold, a daughter of James
and Annie Arnold, and to them have been born
seven children, six sons and one daughter: James
E., Albert S., Willie M., Philip A., Daniel P.,
Henry K. and Annie M.
P. H. Jeffery, farmer, Mount Olive, Ark. Mr.
Jeffery is a representative of one of the oldest and
most respected families of Arkansas, and was born
in Izard County in 1851. His parents, Miles and
Sarah (Williams) Jeffery, were natives of Missouri
and Arkansas, respectively, the former having
been born in Mis.souri, while on the way to Arkan-
sas, in 1818. His father, Jeohiada Jeffery, came
to Arkansas in 1818, settling on White River, near
Mount Olive, and was one of the very first settlers
of the county. He purchased a little claim, im-
proved it, and accumulated considerable property
previous to his death, which occurred sometime
in the 50' s. His wife was originally Miss Polly
Wair, and they reared a large family of honorable
men and women, who are scattered throughout
Izard County. Jeohiada Jeffery was one of the
first justices of the peace of his county after the
State was admitted. He was in the War of 1812,
and was in the battle of New Orleans, under Gen.
Jackson. Miles Jeffery was reared to farm labor,
and was not an educated man, although he had
better advantages than most boys at that day. He
was married, about 1836, to Miss Williams, and to
them were l)orn fifteen children, ten of whom lived
to be grown, and eight are now living: Ambrose,
Asa, Robert E., Attie, Mary, P. H., Finis E. and
R. J., all of whom live in this. Independence and
Stone Counties. Miles Jeft'erj' represented Izard
County in the legislature two terms before the war,
in 1856 and 1858, and also filled the position of
sheriff in 1844. He was a strong Democrat, and
took an active part in politics. He was a member
of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, and was
an honest, upright citizen, having a host of friends.
He died in 1868. The mother died in 1876, at
about the age of fifty-five years. She was an ex-
cellent woman, firm and decided in her views.
P. H. Jeffery, like his father, was reared and edu-
cated in this coimty, although his education was
rather neglected, on account of the breaking out of
the late war. When eighteen years of age, he
started out on his own responsibility, rented land,
and tilled the soil for three years. He then pur-
chased a farm of 345 acres, with twenty-five under
cultivation, and still owns this tract of land. He
now has about fifty acres cultivated, and is deeply
IZARD COUNTY.
951
interested in stock raising. His land is on White
River, and is excellent for stock raising. By Lis
marriage, wbich was consummated in 1876, to
Miss Carrie E. Perrin, be became the fat.b(>rof five
cbildren: Henry E., Frank P., Charles E., Rich-
ard R. and Sallie. Mr. and Mrs. Jeffery are both
members of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church,
and he is Democratic in his political views.
John W. Jones, M. D., is one of the oldest
aiid best known physicians in Izard County, Ark.,
and was born in Giles County, Tenn., on the 1st
of March, 1832. He inherits Welsh blood from
his paternal ancestors, his grandfather, Wiley, and
his great grandfather, John Jones, having been
born in that countrj-. They came to America a
short time prior to the Revolutionary War, and
John took an active part in that struggle, taking
sides with the colonists in their struggle for liberty,
serving throughout the entire war as a private.
He afterward settled in Virginia, near the North
Carolina line, but after these two States were
divided his home was found to be on the North
Carolina side, and in this State he died near Char-
lotte in 1807. Wiley Jones and his wife, who was
also born in Wales, removed to the State of Ten-
nessee at a very early day, and there he reared his
family and engaged in farming, being the owner
of a large amount of property, both personal and
real. He died in 1827. His son Ceberu was born
in North Carolina, and in his youth learned the
boot and shoe maker's trade, which business he
conducted in Nashville from 1803 to 1871, his
death occurring in the latter year. He was mar-
ried, in 1827, to Miss Selina W. Mealor, and their
marriage was blessed in the birth of four children,
John W. and William being the only ones now
living, the latter a farmer of Greene County, Mo.
The mother's death occurred in 1837, and Mr.
Jones took for his second wife Miss Sarab Stephens,
their union resulting in the birth of four sons and
three daughters: ^larj' A., the widow of James
Cash; Sarah A., Christina, George W., Thomas
N., Newton J. and Louis E. Mr. Jones and this
wife were divorced, and he espoused his third wife
in Nash^dlle, Tenn. He was a member of the Old
School Presbyterian Church, and in his political
views was a W hig. Hi.s son. Dr. John W. Jones,
was reared to farm life, but lived in the villages of
Louisburg and Connersville; receiving his early
.scholastic advantages in the schools of those
places and Jackson College, at Columbia, Tenn.,
which institution ho entered when seventeen years
of age, remaining one term. Upon leaving school
he learned the harness maker's and saddler's
trade, but after following this occupation two years
he came to Arkansas in 1855, and settled in Inde-
pendence County, whore he was engaged in teach-
ing school, following this occupation in Polk Bayou,
and afterward in Searcy County. During his days
of podagoguing his leisure moments were devoted
to the study of medicine with the view to making
it his calling through life, and in ISfiO he entered
upon his practice continuing until the opening of
the rebellion, when he joined the Confederate
forces as a private, and after serving one month
was promoted to the position of assistant surgeon
and filled the position three years. He took part
in a number of battles. Pea Ridge, luka and Cor-
inth being among the number. He was taken pris-
oner at Port Hudson, but after being kept in cap-
tivity for sis days he was ]>arolod and returned to
Searcy County, Ark., where he again resumed the
practice of his profession. In 1865 he located at
Evening Shade, and after teaching school for
twenty months he again entered upon the practice
of medicine, being in partnership with Dr. Hill.
but this connection only continued a short time..
He moved to near La Crosse in IStJS, but in 1N73
he came to Izard County and settled on the old
Langston place, where he remained seven years.
He purchased his present property at the end of
that time, and l)y adding forty acres now has a
farm comprising 100 acres, with about twenty acres
under cultivation. Prior to the war, in 1S(51, he
attended the Medical College, of St. Louis, Mo.,
but owing to some disagreement between Prof.
McDowell and some of his German and Irish
students the institution was closed. Dr. Jones
is a member of the A. F. & A. M., the I. O. O. F.,
and in his political views is a Demo<Tut. He was
married in October. 1866, to Miss Martha H. Tay-
lor, of Izard County, and by her is the father of
952
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
ten children: Mary F., wife of Robert Guest;
John W., Cebern S., James T., Margaret J., Sam-
uel T., Wiley N., Martha C, Nancy A. and
George R. Mrs. Jones is a member of the Cum-
berland Presbyterian Church. Dr. Jones is a
physician of acknowledged merit, and an excellent
proof of his ability is shown in the extended terri-
tory over which he goes to alleviate the sufferings
of the sick.
Prof. Michael Shelby Kennard is principal of
the Collegiate Institute at La Crosse, Ark., an in-
stitution established by him in 1868, which has be-
come noted as an excellent business training school,
and is largely patronized by the best youth of which
the State of Arkansas can boast. Prof. Kennard
was born in Sumter County, Ala. , in 1833, and
is the son of George W. Kennard, who was born
in Williamson County, Tenn., in 1801, which
State he made his home until 1821, at which time
he emigrated to Alabama. Up to this date, owing
to his services being required on his father's farm,
he had received a limited education, but in 1848 he
began studying for the Baptist ministry in his adopt-
ed State, was ordained in 1847, and in 1852 emi-
grated to Arkansas, and located in Batesville, where
he continued to reside until his death, which oc-
curred in May, 1864. He was an earnest and
faithful minister of the Gospel, and his influence
in the Baptist denomination was widely felt. He
was a member of the Masonic order for some thirty-
five years. He was married in Perry County, Ala. ,
in 1828, to Eliza Hopson, a daughter of Bluford
and Nancy Hopson, whose death occurred in Bates-
ville, Ark., in 1860. They had two children:
Octavia C. and Michael S. The latter, the subject
of this sketch, had the best advantages in obtaining
an education that his native State afforded. He
graduated with honor at the University of Alabama,
in 1852, at the age of nineteen, and some years
after received from that institution the degree of
A. M. In September, 1852, he was married, in
Sumner County, Tenn., to Mary E. Saunders,
daughter of Joseph P. and Ellen D. Saunders, of
that county. In 1852-53 he was engaged in teach-
ing in Louisiana and Mississippi, part of the time
as private tutor in the family of Gen. Minor, of
Natchez, Miss. In 1854 he removed fi-om Missis-
sippi to Arkansas and settled at Batesville, where
he spent two years in teaching, in the meantime
pursuing the study of law. He was admitted to
the bar in 1856, but soon abandoned the law to
engage in the newspaper business. From 1857 to
1861 he was the editor and proprietor of the Inde
pendent Balance, a newspaper published at Bates-
ville. When the war broke out he joined Sweet's
Cavalry regiment, and served as adjutant, with the
rank of major, and participated in many skirmishes,
until January, 1863, when he was severely wound-
ed in the head by a fragment of a shell, at the bat-
tle of Arkansas Post, and was made a prisoner of
war. At the close of the war he determined to de-
vote the remainder of his life to teaching, and en-
gaged in the work of that profession again, at
Batesville, but in 1868 he moved to La Crosse,
where, as stated above, he established the Colle-
giate Institute. He has been principal of the same
since that time, with the exception of five years,
spent in Bradley County, Ark. He is a member
of the Masonic fraternity, in which order he has
advanced to the Council, and has filled the offices
of Worshipful Master and High Priest of the Royal
Arch Chapter. In earlier days he was a follower
of the Whig party, but since the disruption of that
party has been a stanch Democrat. His children
are as follows: Mary E., wife of T. B. Childress,
of La Crosse, Ark. ; George S., who was first mar-
ried to Miss Maud Cunningham, a daughter of
Hon. J. F. Cunningham, but after her death, in
1884, he married Miss Annie Collins, of Van
Buren, Ark. ; he is a graduate of the Southern
Baptist Theological Seminary, at Louisville, Ky. ,
and is now pastor of the Baptist Church at Ben-
tonville; John F., who married Miss Mary Wat-
kins, a daughter of Dr. O. T. Watkins, is engaged
in the mercantile business at Fort Smith, Ark. ;
Ralph E., who married Miss Henry Lee Powell, a
daughter of Judge R. H. Powell, of the Fourteenth
judicial district, is adruggi-st at La Crosse: Joseph
A. married Miss Carrie W. Hunt, a daughter of
Dr. O. T. Hunt, of La Crosse, and Edward L. ,
Ruth and Robert S. are still unmarried.
Dr. J. A. Kerr, physician and surgeon. New-
burg, Ark. Among tho younger ruemljors of Ibo
medical profession in Izard Couuty, Ark., is he
whose name heads this sketch, already well estab-
lished as a physician and siu'geon of merit and
true worth, and regarded with favor by those older
in years and experience. Ho is a native of this
State and county, and is one of nine children,
seven now living, born to John and Ann (Meiinox)
Kerr. The children are named as follows: G. W.,
resides in Izard County; J. A., Mrs. Mary J. Hays,
of this couuty; Mrs. Indiana Evans, of this county;
John M. , of this county; T. J., resides in New-
l)urg; Mrs. Maggie Stroud, wife of D. J. Stroud,
of this county; Benjamin F., died in 1809 at the
age of eleven years, and one that died when quite
young. The parents were natives of Ireland, and
the father came to America about 1843. He landed
in New York, but immediately made his way to
Nashville, Tenn., where he remained for seventeen
years, and where he was engaged in tb(> carpenter's
trade exclusively. He was there married to Miss
Mennox, who came over from Ireland when he did,
and who settled in Nashville, Tenn. Both he and
wife were orphans, and came over from the old
country with an old man and his family. In 1860
they settled at Batesville, Independence County,
remained there for some time, the father engaging
in the carpenter business, and then moved to Izard
County, where he still continued his trade up to
1870, after which he embarked in the mercantile
business. In 1884 he retired to private life on his
farm, and there received his linal summons, in
1886, at the age of liftysix years. Mrs. Kerr still
survives and resides on the old homestead. Mr.
Kerr was a member of the Masonic fraternity, and
was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church,
of which his wife is still a member. Dr. J. A.
Kerr received his education in the j)ublic schools
of his county until 1880, when he entered the
Medical College at Louisville, and attended regu-
larly until 188"J, when he graduated. He then
returned immediatel)' to Izard County and entered
ui)on the practice of his profession at this place,
and his reputation as a physician and surgeon, as
well as in private life, is an enviable one. The
Doctor is vet a voung man. as his birth occurred
in hS-JT, and he was married in 1882 to Miss Emma
^\■ood, of this county. The fruits of this union
have been four children, three now liviug: Clarence
E. (deceased), Neely T. , Oscar and Roscoe (twins).
Mrs. Kerr was bom in 1863, and is the daughter
of William and Sarah (Benbrock) Wood, natives
of Tennessee, who came to Izard County at an
early day. When Dr. Korr tirst commenced the
practice of medicine his financial resources were
rather limited, a horse, saddle and bridle, and a
pair of pill bags, filled, completed his outfit. He
is now the owner of some 500 acres of land, with
iibout 135 acres und(>r cultivation, and is also the
owner of property in Newburg, consisting of house,
store-house, office, vacant lots, and, besides, plenty
of personal property. He is Iniilding on his farm
a fine residence, and already has a good barn
and out- buildings. The Doctor has made all this
within the last ten years, and by energy and per-^e
verance. He is a member of the I. O. O. F. , and
politically he is Democratic. Mrs. Kerr is a mem-
ber of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
. Rev. H. T. King, minister, Melbourne. Ark.
This much revered and esteemed gentleman is only
one of the many citizens of Izard County, who owe
their nativity to Tennessee, where his birth oc-
curred in 1853. He is the sou of John A. King,
a native of Virginia, who. when a young man. was
united in marriage to Miss Dedama Sutton, also a
native of the Old Dominion. The parents moved
to Tennessee at an early day, and here the father
purchased land, which he tilled until 1850. after
which he moved to Crittenden County, Ky. He
remained in that State for four years, and then
settled in Randolph County. Ark., but, not being
particularly satisfied, he moved from there to Clay
County, 111. , thence to Jefferson County, where his
death occurred in 1873, at the age of sixty-.seven
years. He was a member of the Christian Church.
Mrs. King still survives and resides in Baxter
County, this State. She is a member of the
Christian Church, and a pleasant, agreeable wo
man. They were the parents of eleven children,
four now living: Nancy J., widow of John Welch,
is now liviug in Fulton County, Ark.; Sarah A.,
wife of (i. W'. Sel]>h. resides in Baxter County;
r
MJ-
Rebecca M. , wife of G. W. Lundy, resides in Bax-
ter County, and Rev. H. T. The father of these
children waa fairly educated, and during his life-
time had accumulated considerable property, the
principal part of which was lost during the late
unpleasantness between the North and South.
Rev. H. T. King acquired but a limited educa-
tion, as during his boyhood days he only attended
one month at school, and this was all the education
he received until after his marriage, when he at-
tended school two terms. He is quite studious,
and applies himself to his books at home, and is
now probably better informed than many who have
had every advantage. He expects to attend school
during the fall and winter of this year (1889), and
is now studying law with a view to making it his
profession. At the age of twenty -one years Mr.
King commenced life for himself, and at that age
was united in marriage to Miss E. E. Taylor, by
whom he had six children, five now living: W. C,
K. J., Auscar and Oscar (twins), and Mary L.
Mrs. King died in 1884, a devout member of the
Christian Church. Mr. King took for his second
wife Mrs. Mary A. Harlin (Conklin), a widow.
She was a member of the Christian Church,
and died in 1880, at the age of thirty-seven years.
By her first marriage she became the mother of
nine children, eight sons now living: James P.,
W. T., J. H., Joe E., L. D., C. C, J. C. and Frank
H. Mr. King moved to Arkansas in 1876, settling
in Baxter County, and there remained until 1887,
when he moved to this place. He had very little
means when first coming to this county, but he is
now the owner of a tine residence with some three
or four acres of land worth about $1,000 or 11,200.
He is a member of the Masonic fraternity, R. A.
M. , and is also a member of the I. O. O. F. In
politics he is a Republican. He is a minister in
the Christian Church, and was ordained in 1881.
K. J. Lacy, blacksmith and farmer, Newburg,
Ark., came originally from Tennessee, his birth
occurring in 1830. Mr. Lacy has won an enviable
reputation as a farmer, and none the less is his
reputation established as a first-class blacksmith.
His father, Robert Lacy, was a native of North
Carolina, born in 1793, and came to Tennessee
about 1813 or 1814, where he was united in mar-
riage to Miss Annie Miller, in about 1816. He
was a farmer by pursuit, and was also a minister
in the Methodist Church. After remaining in Ten-
nessee until 1861, he settled on White River, in
this county, but after a residence there of only
one year, moved to Knob Creek, where he pur
chased a farm. There he closed his eyes to the
scenes of the world in 1870. He still continued to
preach after coming to this State, and was asso-
ciated with the American Tract Society for a num-
ber of years previous to his death. He was a
Democrat in polities. His wife was a native of
Georgia, and died in 1870 at the age of seventy-
three years. She was also a member of the Meth -
odist Episcopal Church. In their family were
the following children: AV. Mc. , Mrs. Mary A.,
wife of George Bussey; Mrs. L. J., widow of
John Bussey; Kibble J. (the subject of this sketch),
and James W. The paternal grandparents were
fi-om Ireland and England, respectively. The
maternal grandfather was a German by birth, and
came to this country when a boy. He served
during the greater portion of the War for Inde-
pendence. At the age of twenty years K. J.
Lacy began learning the blacksmith trade, and at
that age he commenced life for himself, doing
joui'ney man's work in Tennessee for fifteen years.
In 18G0 he came to Arkansas, and took charge of
Col. Black's farm on White River, where he was
overseer of the negroes for one year. He then
went to Lunenburg, opened a shop, and con-
tinued there until 1870. He joined the army in
1862, but was discharged on account of disability.
He was conscripted two or three times afterward,
but succeeded in being released, and was taken
prisoner one time by the United States soldiers,
but was soon released by the Confederates. In
1870 he rented a farm from Dr. Watson on ^^'hite
River, and remained there for ten years, when he
bought a farm on Knob Creek. At the end of four
years he sold out, purchased another farm, im-
proved the same, and built good houses, barns, etc.
He made two tratles afterward, one for the farm
on which Judge Grimmett now lives, and the other
for his present property. This farm consists of 100
«<^ 6"
-^j>v
IZARD COUNTY.
sinr
acres with thirty-five under cultivation, with fair
houses, etc. Mr. Lacy has been twice married;
lir.st, on the 15th of November, 1858, to Miss Mary
E. Hairendon, and four children were the result,
three now living: William H. , lives in this county;
Robert ¥., James M. , and Sarah J., wife of Ole
Brown, and lives in this county. Mrs. Lacy died
in 1870, and was a consistent member of the
Methodist Episcopal Church, South. Mr. Lacy's
second marriage was to Mrs. Martha A. Womack
(Wolds), and two children have been born to them:
Laura B. and George T. Mr. and Mrs. Lacy are
members of the Methodist Episcopal Church,
South. Socially he is a member of the A. F. &
A. M., and the I. O. O. F., and Encampment of
that order. He has filled the oflBce of Worshipful
]Master in the Masonic fraternity, and nearly all
others of this order, and has held the office of N.
G. in the I. O. O. F. He is a Democrat.
R. L. Landers, sheriff, Melbourne, Ark. R.
L. Landers, was born in Bedford County, Tenn.,
in 1845, and is the son of George T. and Jane
(Browning) Landers, natives, respectively, of North
and South Carolina. The parents came to Ar-
kansas in 1851, and settled in Izard County,
where they reared a family of five children, four
now living: Robert L. , Nanny J., wife of Guston
Rose; Mary T.. wife of J. F. Driskill; and G.
R. , a farmer of this county. The father, George
T. Landers, only lived three years after com-
ing to Arkansas. He was Democratic in his po-
litical principles. When he came to this State,
he brought with him fourteen negroes and consid-
erable money, and was quite successful, financially,
after coming here. The mother died in 1885. R.
L. Landers was early taught the principles of farm
life, and a limited education was ol)tained in the
subscription schools of Tennessee, and Izard
Connty, Ark. When seventeen years of age he
superintended his father's plantation, and at the
age of twenty-one. he commenced life for himself.
In 18(52 he enlisted as a private in Company E,
Forty-seventh Arkansas Infantry, under Capt.
Gibson, and served west of the Mississippi River,
until 1804. He was sergeant of his regiment at
the time he was discharged. After the war he
commenced tilling the soil, which occupation he
followed until 18(i'.), when ho was elected sheriff,
and held the office until 1875. He then returned
to the farm and cultivated the soil until 1881,
when he was again elected sheriff, and held this
position for one term. In 1886 he was again chosen
to discharge the duties of this office, and is the
present incural)ent. Mr. Landers seems to have a
peculiar fitness for this position, and his long ser
vice in this capacity has proven that he is surely
the right man in the right place. During 1884
and 1885, he served as justice of the peace. By his
marriage, which occurred in 1804, to Miss Sarah
E. Shannon, were i)oru the following living chil-
dren: Mary E.. wife of A. E. Feltz: W. T., G. R.,
Frances T. and Rosa L. Mr. Landers is the
owner of about 500 acres of land, with 140 acres
under cultivation, and also has considerable town
property. He is Democratic in his political views,
is a Royal Arch Mason, and is also a member of
the Odd Fellow order. He and wife are members
of the Missionary Baptist Church.
E. G. Landers, mi'rehant, ^Melbourne, Ark. In
publishing an account of the industries and mer-
cantile resources of the town of Melljourne, the
house of Mr. Landers' must not be forgotten, as
it constitutes a most important factor in the com
mercial fabric of the town. Mr. Landers was born
in Bedford County, Tenn., on the 7th of May.
1840, and came with his parents to Arkansas in
1854. He attended the subscription schools, buir
only received a limited education, and at the at'e
of twenty-two started out in life for himself, first
as a laborer in a gin. He then followed the car-
penter's trade for some time, and in 1804 joined
the Confederate army, remaining in service until
June, 1805, when he surrendered at Jacksonport,
Ark. He was witii Gen. Price on his raid through
Missouri, in 1804 and 1805, and particii)ated iti
nearly all the battles fought on the raid. In 1877
he engaged in merchandising at Lunenburg, under
the firm title of Landers & Bros., and continued
thus until 1880, when his brother sold out and a
new partner, S. R. Hinkle, took his place. The
firm is now Landers & Co., and do the largest busi
ness in the place. They carry a stock of goods
« w.
956
HISTORY OF AEKANSAS.
that invoices at about $10,000 at the least, enjoying
an annual trade of about $40,000. When first
starting out in this business the firm had a capital
of $1,5(0, Mr. Landers putting in $750. Aside
from his flourishing mercantile business, he owns
about 400 acres of land and considerable town
property. His marriage was consummated in No-
vember, 1867, to Miss Martha A. Hinkle, and by
her he became the father of six' children, five now
living: Leanora (wife of William Blair), Robert
O. (deceased), Maggie, EfiSe G. , J. H. and Maudie.
Mr. and Mrs. Landers, with the two eldest chil-
dren, are members of the Missionary Baptist
Church, and he is a Democrat in politics. Mrs.
Landers is a member of the lady's department of
the Masonic fraternity, and also of the Odd Fel-
low's order. Mr. Landers started with very little
means, but he is now one of the most successful
men of the county. He is the son of Roland and
Martha G. (Landers) Landers, natives of North
Carolina. The father was born in 1810, and died
in 1878, and the mother's birth occurred in 1813,
and she died in February, 1884. Roland Landers
was coroner of Izard County for several years,
and was a cabinet maker Ijy trade, although in his
latter years he was engaged in tilling the soil. He
accumulated considerable property previous to the
war, but was not a slave holder. By his marriage,
which occurred in Tennessee, he became the father
of these children: Rebecca J. (wife of W. Joe
Arnold, of Melbourne), Sarah A. (wife of G. W.
Gray), Mary Frances (wife of G. W. Owens), H.
B. (farmer), Charlotte T. (wife of T. H. Adams),
E. G., Genora D. (wife of W. Z. Craig), George
W. (of Batesville), John F. (farmer), and Joe L.
(farmer).
Nathan J. Langston is one of the oldest native
residents of Izard County, and when his parents,
Nathan and Patty (Weir) Langston, made their
first settlement in this region, Arkansas was a ter-
ritory. They came here from their native State of
North Carolina in 1814, and Mr. Langston and Col.
Stewart erected the first mill in the county, he and
four brothers being the ones to build it. They
caiTied the logs on their shoulders, and had the
mill completed in six days, and although it was a
very rude construction, and only ground about a
bushel of corn a day, yet it was sufiicient to supply
the demand, as the settlers at that day were very
few. Nathan Langston, Sr. , was only connected
with this mill for about six months, when he turned
his attention to farming, at which he was fairly
successful, and in early days he also carried the
mail for twelve years from Mount Olive, in Izard
County, to Thomasville, Mo., a distance of IfiO
miles, there being only foiu' oflices on the entire
route. According to Mr. Langston the first post-
office in this county was at North Fork, which was
also the first county seat. In 1838 it was moved
to Calico Rock, afterward to Athens, at the month
of Piney Bayou, nest to Mount Olive, and thence
to Melbourne, where it now is. When Mr. Lang
ston first came to Arkansas Batesville consisted of
two pole cabins, and from Batesville to the mouth
of the Big North Fork there were only five families
living on the east side of the river. The west side
was inhabited by the Indians, who were very nu-
merous at that time. The first year of his location
Mr. Langston had to goto Helena, Ark., for flour,
and to Little Rock, Ark., to attend circuit court.
He died in 1870, at the age of seventy-nine years.
He was married twice, and by his first wife became
the father of sixteen children, and by his last,
three. Those living are Absalom, Thomas B.
and Nathan J., whose name heads this sketch.
The latter was born in the year 1830, was reared
to a farm life, and at the early age of nineteen
j years was married to Miss Rachel Adams, who died
1 in 1856, leaving four children, three of whom are
! living: Alex., Mary, wife of Johnson Holfora, and
I Matthew R. Mr. Langston married his second wife
in 1859, she being a Miss Lucy A. Churchill, and
five of their eleven children yet survive: Luvinia
J., wife of James Brothers; Dempsia M. , Rebecca
A., Acenith B. and Albert W. Mr. and Mrs.
Langston are members of the Cumberland Presby-
terian Church, and in his political views he is a
Democrat. He owns a good farm comprising 120
acres, and has twenty-five acres under cultivation.
Among his numerous acquaintances and friends the
respect shown him by them is in full keeping with
his well-established reputation for honesty of pur-
■^1 ^^
pose and hospitality. Mr. Langston remembers
many interesting facts connected with the early
history of this county, which the limited nature of
this volume will not admit of insertion.
William Lawrence, farmer, Melbourne, Ark.
In the early settlement of Izard County, Ark., Mr.
Lawrence bore a prominent jiart in developing and
opening the way for civilization and is one of the
representative men of the county. He was born
in Alabama, in 1823, and is the son of James and
Cynthia (Franks) Lawrence, natives of Tennessee.
James Lawrence moved to Alabama, in 1822, set-
tling in Marion County, and after remaining there
a short time removed to Fayette County, where he
remained until 1839. From there he journeyed to
Louisiana, entered land and followed farming for
about two years, when ho moved to Izard County,
Ark., and settled in Sylamore, now in Stone Coun-
ty. After a residence there of two years, he moved
to the western part of the county, where he im-
proved some government land. Two years later he
moved to the eastern part of the county and re-
mained there until a short time previous to his
death, when he went to live with his son, William
Lawrence, and died there in 1859, at the age of
sixty-live or. seventy years. He had held the office
of justice of the peace in the county for four years,
and was an excellent citizen. He was twice mar-
ried, his first wife being a Miss Tucker, who bore
him five children, two sons and three daughters, all
living at last accounts. They are named as fol-
lows: Martin, Edward, Sai'ah, Catherine and Mary.
His second marriage was to Miss Cynthia Franks,
and to them were born nine children, two now liv-
ing, William and James, who reside in this county.
Mrs. Lawrence died in 1865. Both were members
of the Baptist Church, and in politics he was a
Democrat. William Lawrence was married in his
twenty third year, and commenced work for him-
self by farming on his own land, which ho had pur-
chased in the central portion of the county. He
sold this farm in 1850 and entered his present
property, which he has improved and which con-
sists of 200 acres. He now has about seventy or
seventj'-five acres of cleared land, all the result of
his own efforts, unassisted by any of his family.
In 1802 he joined tlie Coufedenitc army and served
under Gen. Thompson and Capt. C. C. Cook until
the close of hostilities, when ho returned to his
farm. He has lieeii three times married, his first
wife being Elizabeth King, whom he led to the
altar in 184t), and the fruits of this union were six
children, all living: James, G. W., John, Isaac,
Thomas and Edward. Mrs. Lawrence died in
1859, a worthy member of the Baptist Church. His
second marriage took place in 1801, to Miss Eliza
both Clark, who liore him five children, all living:
Henry, Cynthia A., wife of J. VV. Freeman; Mary
F., at home; Rebecca J., at home, and Walter, also
at home. The mother of these children was a
member of the Baptist Church, and died in 1879.
Mr. Lawrence's third marrijigo was to Mrs. A. N.
Ivins (Bryant), a member of the Christian Church.
He is a member of the Baptist Church, belongs to
the Masonic fraternity, and in his political vifws is
a stanch Democrat.
Dr. Samuel M. Lewis, farmer and physician
of Izard County., Ark., was born in Bledsoe
County, Tenn., December 14, 1832, his parents.
Reason and Patience (Peters) Lewis, being also
natives of that State, the former's liirth occurring
in Bedford County, in 1809. Their union took
place in Bledsoe County, and to them were born
four sons and five daughters, seven of their fam-
ily being now alive, and all residents of the State
of Tennessee except our subject. The father
yet lives in Tennessee, and owns COO acres of as
good land as there is in the State. He is a meirf
ber of the Baptist Church, as was his wife, who
died in 1875. Dr. Samuel M. Lewis, after acquir
ing a good common school education, entered the
Hamilton College with the intention of studying
medicine, having chosen that profession as his
calling through life. After his marriage, which
was celebrated on the 19th of Septeml>or, 1858, to
Miss Margaret Turk, he remained in his native
State until 1807, at which time he settled in Max-
field, Sharp County, .\rk.. but for a long time has
been a resident of Izard County. He has been
very successful in his practice, and has always
commanded a large anil paying patronage, and
occupies an iMivinbli' place among the medical
'*Pr
9 k^
958
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
brotherhood of Izard County. In addition to this
work he has been engaged in farming, and is now
the owner of about 640 acres of land, with about
330 acres under cultivation, of which 150 are in
Sharp County. He has shown his approval of
secret organizations by becoming a member of the
Masonic fraternity, and in this order has held the
highest office. He and wife are classed among
the worthy citizens of the county, and are consist
ent members of the Methodist Church. Their
children are as follows: Charles W. , Henry R.,
James J., George T., Joseph R., William D.,
John R. , Aque M. and Lora A. Mrs. Lewis is a
daughter of George and Malinda Turk, both na-
tives of Tennessee.
Capt. Ransom "\V. Luther was born in the
•'Keystone State" in 1837, and is a son of Enoch
Luther, whose birth occurred in Sugar Creek,
Penn., in 1787. The latter received a limited ed-
ucation, and when quite a youth, learned the car-
penter's trade, which occupation he followed for a
number of years, then learning the wheelwright's
trade. He was married in his native State, in
1807, to Miss Polly Bennett, her father being
Elisha Bennett, and to them a large family of
seventeen children were born, ten of whom are
living at the present time : Rosweir, David, Enoch,
Elliot, Ransom, Burton, Laura, Mary, Angeline
and Adaline. Mr. Luther served in the War of
1812, and after hostilities had ceased, he returned
home, and entered a tract of land embracing 160
acres, which lie farmed for several years; then
erected two large saw-mills and a grist-mill, which
have been rebuilt, and are in good condition at
the present time. For services rendered in the
War of 1812, he received a grant to 160 acres of
land in Knox County, 111., from the government,
and at the time of his death, on the old " Luther's
Mill Farm," in Pennsylvania, in 1859, he was the
owner of 300 acres of laud. Capt. Ransom Luther
received a good business education in the ' ' Luther's
Mill Farm" school, and he has since put the
education he acquired in this institution to the best
use. He learned the millwright's trade under his
father, afterward worked at the carpenter's trade,
and in time became a very tine architect, although
in more recent years he has given his attention
principally to milling as his chief calling. He is
an experienced carpenter and builder, and many
evidences of his ability and skill in this direction
are to be seen in his native State, Illinois, Iowa
and Ai'kansas. He has always been of an enter-
prising disposition, and in 1856 started out in life
for himself, and moved to the State of Hlinois, but
two years later went back to his old home, and
was married there, in 1859, to Miss Sarah Knapj),
a daughter of Charles Knapp, by whom he had
one child, Alice. He wedded his second wife.
Miss Edna C. Scott, of Cherokee, Iowa, in 1871,
and two interesting children, Eugene W. and
Maud S. , have blessed their union. Capt. Luther
removed from the State of Iowa to Benton County,
Ark., in 1878, and purchased eighty acres of land
near Maysville, which he used as a small cattle
ranch. From this place he went to Eureka Springs,
in 1880, and erected a neat little cottage on Spring
Street, near the Crescent Spring, his place being
generally known as ' ' Eagle Cottage, ' " and it is
of his own architecture. Here he resided until
i 1 883, when he sold out to Dr. Swartly, of Chicago,
for $2,350. After this the Captain and his family
traveled for some months, and visited various
places of interest in Missouri, Illinois, Dakota and
Arkansas, and in 1884 returned to this State, and
I located on Lafferty's Creek, six miles west of
Barren Fork, where, with his brother in-law, Mr.
Scott, he erected a large saw-mill, which has been
of great benefit to the surrounding country. In
1889 he sold his interest to Mr. Scott, and erected
a grist-mill and cotton-gin just south of his former
place of business, and at the present writing he is
preparing to erect a commodious residence, and
build a large dam to afford water power for his
mill. In 1888 he ginned 150 bales of cotton, and
in his new mill he expects to bale at least 300.
Capt. Luther is a jovial and hospitable gentleman,
a thoroughly capable business man, and is ever
ready to assist any good cause, either practically
or financially. He approves of secret organiza-
tions, and is an active member of the I. O. O. F.
His wife and daughter, Alice, are consistent mem
bers of the Baptist Church. In 1861, upon the
r
bursting of the war cloud, which had threatened
the country for some time, he enlisted in the in-
fantry, under Col. Dodge, of Pennsylvania, and
was in the battles of Williamsburg, Four Oaks,
Richmond and Melbourne, and was also in the
seven days' retreat at Harrison's Landing. He
entered as a private, but for gallant services ren-
dered, he was promoted to the rank of captain.
He was honorably discharged, in ISfio.
James McCuistion is one of the men of this
section who has won life's battles, and by enerey
and pluck, which are so necessary to success in any
pursuit, he has become one of the leading agri-
culturists of Izard County. He was bom in Jef-
ferson County, East Tenn. , in 1815, and is a son
of Joseph and Rachel (McGuire) McCuistion, the
former's birth occurring in North Carolina, in
1775. In 1789 he removed to Tennessee, with his
parents, and in this State received a fair educa-
tion in the common schools. In 1809 he entered
160 acres of laud, and lived on it until 1S;]8, when
he sold out and moved to Bays Mountain, where
he died, in 1862, being followed to his long home
by his wife in 1868, both having boon niembers of
the Old Presbyterian Church. The children born
to them were Catherine, James and Elizabeth.
James' youth was spent in attending the schools of
Tennessee, and in 1842 he was married, in Jeffer-
son County, of that State, to Miss Mary Ann, a
daughter of John Kimbrough: and Lafayette, Eve-
line, Rachel A. (who died August 7, 1889), Vir-
ginia, Francis (who has been dead some twenty
years), Mary E. and Josephine are their children.
Mr. McCuistion emigrated from Tennessee to Izard
County, Ark., in 1850, and took np 299 acres of
land, of which be has now about fifty-five acres
under the plow. His first house was a log cabin,
wliich he has since converted into a comfortable
frame residence. His land is devoted to raising
eottou, corn and the small grains, and he has plenty
of good fruit. He and his wife and children are
all members of the Missionary Baptist Church,
and he has given freely to public institutions for
the good of his fellow-men. He has twenty four
grandchildren, ten boys and fourteen girls, and
two great-grandchildren, both boys.
Alfred N. McNairn was born in Georgia, in
1842, and is one of seven sons and four daughters
born to Alfred T. and Prudence (Horton) Mc-
Nairn, and is a grandson of Edwin Horton. Al-
fred T. McNairn was born in North Carolina, De-
cember 15, 1813, and was reared on a farm, but in
1826 moved to Georgia, where he followed the oe
cnpation of farming; he was also engaged in preach-
ing the Gospel, being a minister of the Missionary
Baptist Cluirch, and there reared his children,
whose names are as follows: Larkin H. , Spencer
B., Edwin B., Joseph U., William L., Alfred N..
Alvin C, Martha J., A. L., Eliza M. and Rosa
A. Both parents died in the State of Georgia,
his death occurring in 1870, and hers in 1868, at
the age of fifty-eight years. Alfred N. McNairn
emigrated from Georgia to Izard Coimty, Ark., in
1869, and was here married, in 1872. to Miss Nancy
E. Dureu, a daughter of James E. Duren. Of the
eight children born to them the following are living:
Thomas E., Mary L.. Francis P. E.. Dolores A.,
Zef R. and Newton A. In 1873 Mr. McNairn
purchased eighty acres of woodland, but he now
owns 100 acres of good land, with forty-eight acres
under cultivation, it being well improved and fur-
nished with one of the finest fruit orchards in this
section of the country. He and wife are memlters
of the Missionary Baptist Church, and he belongs
to the I. O. O. F.. and in his political views is a
Democrat, and always supports the men and mea
sures of that party. He espoused the cause of the
Confederacy during the rebellion, and in 18ft2
enlisted in the Fifty-second Georgia Infantry, and
served until the close of the war, when he surren
dered at Kingston. Ga. He was a member of
Company I, under Capt. Russell, and was in a
number of hard fought battles. ^
A. A. Marchant, farmer, Melbourne, Ark
Among the leading men'of Mill Cn-ek Townshij)
none arc more prominently identified with the
farming and stock raising interests of the same
than Jlr. Marchiint. who by his industrj-, perse-
vereuce and integrity, is considered one of its
tirst-clasB farmers. He was born in Bedford
County, Tenn., in 1S41, and when iiinet<>en years
of age started out in life for liiniself, his first ven
l^,
'J60
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
ture l)eing to hire out to one man as a farm hand
for two years. When twenty-one j-ears of age he
donned his suit of blue, and enlisted in the First
Arkansas Infantry, United States Army, Company
C, and served for six months, when he was dis-
charged at St. Louis, Mo., in December, 1863.
After this he drove a team for the government,
and acted as guide until 1864, when he enlisted in
the Forty- eighth Missouri, Company E, for twelve
months, and served only nine months, when he
was discharged again at St. Louis, on the 1st of
July, 1865. At the close of the war he was at
Chicago, 111. , guarding the prisoners. After ces-
sation of hostilities he came home and engaged in
farming, which he followed on rented land until
1871, when he bought land in Baxter County.
He only remained on this land one year, but con-
tinued in the county until 1874, when he moved to
Izard County, and, in 1879, bought his present
jiroperty consisting of 163 acres, with about 100
acres under cultivation. At the close of the war
he had only about $50 or $60 in money, and not a
horse, hog or cow. On the 16th of July, 1865,
he wedded Miss Amanda F. Dixon, a native of
Izard Count)-, although they were' married in Mil-
ler County, Mo. They became the parents of
these children: W. B., lives in the Choctaw Na-
tion; T. J. (deceased); J. W., at home; Rufus, at
home, and Minnie M. Mr. Marchant is a member
of the I. O. O. F. , is a member of the Christian
Church, and is a Republican in his political views.
Mrs. Marchant belongs to the Baptist Church.
The parents of Mr. Marchant, W. B. and Nancy
(Byler) Marchant, were natives of Alabama and
Tennessee, respectively. After reaching manhood
W. B. Marchant went to Tennessee, but left that
State in 1850, and came on a flat-boat to Napoleon,
thence by steamer to Little Rock, and from there
with teams over- land to Izard County. He settled
on Hidden Creek, bought an improved piece of
land and there resided for six years. He then sold
out and bought a farm close to where Melbourne
now is, remaining there only two years, when he
traded his farm for one close to Calico Rock, in
Izard County. In 1862 he joined the* United
States Army, and was sent to St. Louis, where he
died in the hospital. He was married three times;
first, to Susan Cox, who bore him four children,
three living: W. B. , Minerva and T. J. After
her death, Mr. Marchant married Miss Nancy
Byler, mother of the subject of this sketch. Three
children were born to this marriage, only one, A.
A., now living. Mrs. Marchant died in 1844, at
the age of twenty-eight years. She was a mem-
ber of the Missionary Baptist Church. In 1845
Mr. Marchant married Miss Ena Taylor, of Ten-
nessee, and by her became the father of nine
children, eight now living: W. S., Richard E.,
Mary T., Silas A., Joseph E., Martin B., Susan
A. and A. M. The oldest child, Martha, was
killed on the road from Little Rock to Melbourne,
having accidentally fallen out of the wagon, by
which she was ran over. This was in 1850, and
she was buried in White County. Mr. Marchant
was an old line Whig, but was not active in poli-
tics. He was once a member of the Know-
Nothing party, was a member of the Baptist
Church, and at one time was constable of Rocky
Bayou. His last wife still resides near Calico
Rock, and is a member of the Baptist Church.
The maternal grandfather of A. A. Marchant,
John Byler, was a private in the War of 1812,
and was in the battle of New Orleans. He died
about 1871, at the age of eighty-live years.
T. J. Mathews is a merchant and farmer, re-
siding at Calico Rock, and was born in Benton
County, Tenn., being a son of Capt. R. C. and
Nancy (Migell) Mathews, who were also Tennes-
seeans, and came to the State of Arkansas in ] 860,
settling in Izard County. Capt. Mathews em-
barked in merchandising in the house in which his
son T. J. is now doing business, and he was also
engaged iu farming. In the spring of 1861 he
moved to Pineville, where he conducted a general
store for about one year, then joined the Confed-
erate army, and was elected captain of his com-
pany. After serving for one year, he was taken
sick and returned home, and here continued during
the remainder of the war. After the cessation of
hostilities, he again embarked in merchandising,
and continued this occupation with success for
twelve or thirteen years, when he sold out to his
V
*,
(deceased)
Mississippi CouHit,ARHAH5AB .
^
IZARD COUNTY.
'.If, I
son, S. E. Mathew.s, iuul turned his attention to
farming and stock raising, on the property where
he now lives. His business ventures have been at-
tended with good results, and the property he now
owns has all been acqiiired since the war, as his
losses during that time were very heavy. He was
married about 1835, and his children's names are
as follows: Margaret E., wife of W. McNeil; S.
E., a merchant of Pineville; Clarissa E., wife of
Dr. J. A. Schanks; Mary A., wife of Rufus P.
Jones; and T. J., the subject of this memoir.
Mrs. Mathews died in March, 1879, having been a
member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South,
for many years, her death occurring on her birth-
day, at the age of sixty years. Mr. Mathews is a
Democrat, and belongs to the F. & A. M. T. J.
Mathew's birth occurred on the 6th of September,
1855, and his early education was received in the
schools ot La Crosse, Prof. M. Shelby Kennard
being his instructor, and at the age of twenty-five
years he began life for himself as a merchant, this
being the occupation to which he was reared. He
has continued to follow this business up to the
present time, and has been remarkably successful,
for, on starting for himself in 1880, his stock of
goods amounted to $160, and his annual sales now
aggregate between » 12, 000 and !?1 0,000, and he has
an excellent tract of land, amounting to i)'SH acres,
with nearly 164 acres under cultivation, all of
which he has earned by good business management
and industry, since the above-given date, and with
the aid and assistance of his worthy wife. Her
maiden name was Mollie Wood, their union taking
place on the 30th of October, 1879, and they have
an interesting little family of four children: Henry
H., born October 4, 1880; Shelby S., born Decem-
ber 15, 188'2; Troy G., born February 3, 1885;
and Winford F., bom May 23, 1887. Mrs Math-
ews was born in Izard County, on the 28th of
November, 1863, and she and Mr. Mathews are
members of the Methodist Episcopal Church,
South, and he belongs to the F. & A. M. . and is
a Democrat politically.
Dr. R. H. Morton, Franklin. Ark. Dr.
Morton is one of the oldest j)ractitioners of Frank-
lin Township, and one of the oldest in the county.
He owes his nativity to Bedford County, Tenu..
and is the son of Jacob and Annie (Fisher l
Morton, natives of North Carolina. Jacob Mr)rton
received an average education in his native State.
and came to Tennessee at an early date. He pur-
chased a farm in Bedford County, and was one of
the tirst settlers of Shelbyville. In connection
with farming he also carried on the blacksmith
trade, liut bis principal occupation was tilling the
soil, which he gave his attention until his death in
1857. He was married in Tennessee, and he and
wife commenced housekeeping on Duck River,
where they reared a large family of children, eight
now living: Minerva, wife of B. F. Whitworth:
Sophronia (deceased) was the wife of Micliael Shof
ner; G. W. C. (deceased), whose family resides in
Bedford County, Tenn. ; Daniel C. resides in Cof-
fee County, Tenn. ; Nancy, wife of Edward Whit
worth; Christina, wife of W. Tune; Emily, wife
of Newton Neal; Ann, wife of B. F. Smawling.
D. E. resides in Bedford County, Tenn. ; Dr. R.
H., Jessie E.. wife of T. N. Smith: Elijah A. re-
sides in Bedford County, Tenn., and Martha (de-
ceased), wife of T. N. Smith. The father of these
children served in the War of IS 12. as a private,
and participated in the battle of New Orleans.
Mrs. Morton died about 1869. Both were members
of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church. Mr.
Morton took an active interest in politics, and was
a very strong supporter of Old Hickory. Dr. R.
H. Morton divided his time in early youth between
assisting on the farm and in attending the free and
subscription schools of Tennessee, where he re-
ceived a good English education. He atten<l<>(l
medical lectures at Nashville, Tenn., in 1856 and
1857, and opened his first office at Poplin's Cross
Roads, where he practiced for two years previous
to graduating. He was then located in Missouri,
from 1858 to 1861 (Texas County). In the spring
of the last mentioned year he served in the Con
federate service as surgeon, and thus continued
until 1863, when he resigned and located in Izanl
County, where he has since resided. He gradti
ated at the American Medical College, at St. Louis,
in 1878, and is the oldest practicing physician in
the county. He has almost al)aiuloned the prac
® W-
>^,
962
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
tice of his profession in late years, and is now in-
terested in agricultural pursuits. The Doctor was
married in Septembor, 1857, to Miss Emma A.
Nichols, of Tenn., but they have never had any
children. He is quite well fixed financially, and
enjoys life to the fullest extent. He is a member
of the A. F. & A. M. , is also a member of the I.
O. O. F. , and has been Treasurer of the former
lodge, holding the position of Vice Grand. Com-
mander, and others in the latter lodge. He is a
Democrat in politics, but has never been an office
seeker. He is a member of the Christian Church.
The Doctor owns considerable land, and has on his
home place about seventy-five acres under cultiva-
tion. He has good barns, outbuildings, etc. His
residence is one of the finest in the county, and
there he entertains his friends in the social pleas-
ant manner peculiar to him, and the stranger also
meets with a ready welcome from the Doctor and
his agreeable wife. Although children were denied
their union, the Doctor and wife have reared sev-
eral who were left orphans.
Jacob Mosier, Sr., was born on the Potomac
River, in Lincoln County, N. C, in 1821. His
father, Barnett M. Mosier, was also a native of
that State, his birth occurring in 1799, and was
married there to Margaret, a daughter of Corb.
Gobble, their union taking place when he was
eighteen years of age. In 1832 he removed with
his family to Independence County, Ark., and
purchased and entered land there to the amount of
320 acres, which land he was engaged in farming
lip to the time of his death, in 1864. His children
are: Mary J., Allen B., George W., Henry A., Ja-
cob and Jack. Jacob Mosier removed to Arkansas
with his parents, and on his father's farm, in In-
dependence County, he learned the details of farm
work, which occupation has received his attention
up to the present time. He is one of the leadinc
husbandmen of this vicinity, and has 250 acres of
well improved and well cultivated land. He was
one of tlu^ pioneers of the State, and during its
early history he carried the surveyor's chain
through this section, this being some fifty years
ago. He is one of the hard working men of Izard
County, and owing to his many worthy characteris-
tics, chief among which may be mentioned his gen-
erosity and honesty, he is respected and esteemed
by all. In 1854 he took a trip to California. He
was married, in 1846, to Miss Melissa A. Romenor,
by whom he has a family of seven children: Mary
J., William H., Jacob, Charles M., Cordelia. Sarah
A. and Martha. Mr. Mosier and his wife are
members of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church,
and he belongs to the I. O. O. F.
James H. MuUins was born in the "Old Do-
minion." on the 18th of March, 1839, and is a son
of Hiram R. Mullins, who was born in North Car-
olina, in 1794. and was educated in that State.
He moved to Tennessee in 1815, and was there
married to Nancy Singleton, a native of Virginia,
and to their union eleven children were born, six
of whom are living, three being residents of Ar-
kansas and three of Kentucky. The father was
one of the honest sons of the soil, and uj)on his
death, in 1850, was the owner of 220 acres of pro-
ductive and valuable laud. His wife died in
Arkansas, August 13. 1886, both having been
members of the Methodist Church, and be a mem-
ber of the Masonic lodge. James H. Mullins was
educated in Tennessee, near Tazewell, but being of
an energetic and enterprising disposition he deter-
mined to seek his fortune in what he considered a
more favorable locality, and accordingly, in ] 8(53,
moved to the State of Arkansas and engaged in
business for himself, his capital consisting of a
span of horses and the energy and pluck which
nature had bestowed upon him. He immediately
engaged in farming, and that he has been success-
ful is shown when the fact is mentioned that he
owns 250 acres of land, with about 125 acres under
cultivation. Notwithstanding that he was severely
wounded in the left wrist, in the year 1862, at the
battle of Oak Hill, being left a cripple for life, he
has succeeded far beyond his expectations, and can
look back over a useful and well spent life. He
and wife, whose maiden name was Minerva King,
and whom he married on the 23d uf June, 1863,
are worthj' and consistent members of the Baptist
Church, and both areliberal contributors to all char
itable and other worthy enterprises. He is a Mason,
has been postmaster of Evening Shade for three
-> n>*-
IZARD COUNTY.
years, constable two years, and deputy sheriff six
months. His children are: Eliza A. (Mrs. T. D.
Starkey), Albert F., Hiram R., Josephine, Robert
C, Nancy M., Sarah R. and William C. In the
late war Mr. Mullins served from 1862 till No-
vember, 1864, under Col. Greene.
William S. Nail was born in Lawrence County,
Tenn. , in 1820, and his father, Archie, was a na-
tive of Alabama, but was married in Tennessee to
Miss Morrow, by whom he reared a family of four
children: William, Franklin, Thomas and Mary
A. Archie Nail was a soldier in the War of 1812,
and died in the State of Tennessee, in 1830, he
having followed the occupation of farming and
blacksmithing all his life. William S. Nail
learned these occupations of his father, and in ad-
dition to farm work, which has always received
his attention, he has been faithful to the hammer
and anvil also. In 1845 he removed from Ten-
nessee to Mississippi, and was there engaged in
blacksmithing until 1856, when he came to Inde-
])endence County (now Izard County), Ark., and
purchased land to the amount of 120 acres, and in
1867 built a cotton-gin on this farm which has
been in operation ever since. His land now com-
prises 280 acres, seventy- tive being in a tillable
condition, and a portion of his mountainous land
is underlaid with valuable minerals. He raises
cotton, corn, and small grains on his cultivated
lands, and is acknowledged l)y all to be one of the
most reliable and enterprising citizens of Lafferty
Township. In 1840 he was married to Miss Me-
linda, the daughter of Thomas Williamson, of Mis-
sissippi, aud of eight children born to them, the
following are living: Thomas, INIary E., Catherine
F. and Charley L. Mr. Nail belongs to the I. O.
O. F. , aud he aud wife are members of the Pres-
byterian Church.
Thomas A. Nail is one of the industrious farm-
ers aud law abiding citizens of Izard County, Ark.,
and has a good farm of 100 acres, which he has
acquired by his own energy and good management
since the close of the Civil War. His property is
located on Lafferty' s Creek, and is considered very
valuable, as it is underlaid with mineral ore in
paying quantities. Twenty-five acres are under
the plow, and are in an exceedingly fertile con-
dition. Mr. Nail was l)orn in the State of Missis-
.sippi, in 1842, aud at the early ag(^ of eighteen years
ho was united in the Ijonds of matriuKjny to Miss
Sallic Brown, a daughter of Levi Brown, of Izard
County. T(j them were born u family of three
children: William A., Mary F. and Charles F.
When the Civil War broke out he, in 1862, joined
the cavalry under Capt. George W. Rutherford,
now of Independence County, Ark., and was in
many important engagements during his service.
! He surrendered at Jacksonport and returned home,
and has since given his attention to farming with
the above mentioned results. He is a son of Will-
iam S. Nail, whose sketch precedes this.
Joel D. Patterson has been familiar with farm
work from his earliest youth, aud is now ranked
among the prosjjerous farmers of Izard County.
He was born in North Carolina in 1826, and is a
son of David and Mecca ( Holder ) Patterson, who
were also born in the "Old North State.'" In
1846 David Patterson removed to Kentucky,
where he engaged in farming, having previously
worked at house carpentering and cabinet making
in his native State. He was also married there in
1825, and to him and wife were born eight children,
five of whom are living: J. D., Caroline, wife of
La Fayette Wright, of Kentucky ; Susan, wife of
M. V. Belma, of Kentucky; Francis M.. a black
smith, also residing iu Kentucky, and Mary, wife
of C. C. Ashworth. of Tennessee. Mr. Patterson
voUmteered, but did not serve in the War of IS12.
He died on the 16th of May, 1855, at the age of
sixty six years, followed to his long home by bis
wife in 1883, her death occurring at the age of
seventy-eight years. They were meml)ers of the
Baptist Church, and were worthy and honored
citizens. Joel D. Patterson attended the common
schools of North Carolina, and, after his removal
to Kentucky with his parents, he gave his atten
tion to agricultural jmrsuits. with the exception
of two years, when he worked in a wagon shoji.
In 185i) he moved to Izard County, Ark., aud en
tered ll'id acres of land near the town of Philadel
phia. where he resided two years, then, upon \\w
opening of the Civil War, he returned to K<'n
J^!
^^
964
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
tucky, where his attention was given to farming
for four years. He then came back to his farm in
Izard County, but about two years later traded it
for another place, but also disposed of this at the
end of two years. He then pui'chased and has since J
resided on his present farm (which amounts to i
277 acres, with eighty acres improved, with good
buildings and under cultivation), with the excep- |
tion of about twenty months, when he resided in
Fulton County. He was married, in ]8r)8, to Miss
Miranda Egbert, of Kentucky, and five of their
eight children are now living: James R. , who is
now residing in Smith ville, Ark. , but expects soon
to go to Texas; Joel B. , residing in Indian Terri-
tory; Francis L. , Marcus L. and Hiram E. Mr.
and Mrs. Patterson are members of the Baptist
Church, and he is a Democrat politically, and is
decidedly in favor of all movements which prom-
ise to benefit the community in which he resides.
E. S. Pearson is a member of the mercantile
firm of Sanders & Pearson, of Oxford, Ark., and
also of F. AV. Pearson & Co., of Thayer, Mo.,
both of whom carry a varied assortment of goods,
which can not fail to satisfy every want of their
patrons. He was born in McMinn County, Tenn.,
in 1829, and is a son of Edmond and Cynthia E.
(Hardwick), natives of South Carolina and Alabama,
respectively. The father removed to Tennessee in
1824, where he farmed, in connection with preach-
ing the Gospel, and for ten years he was an elder
in the Methodist Episcopal Church, South. In
1832 he settled in Jackson Covinty, Ala., but he
afterward moved to Talladega County, where he
died in the fall of 1847, at the age of fifty-two
years, having been a minister of the Gospel for
twenty-eight years. He and wife became the par-
ents of the following children: Charles D. (who
died, leaving a family in Texas), F. A. (deceased,
left a family in Mississippi), B. T., F. C. (a min-
ister of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South,
residing in Texas), F. C. (also a minister of the
Methodist Episcopal Church in Texas, besides
engaged in farming), Martha C. (wife of Marion
Simmons, of this county), Cynthia E. (the de-
ceased wife of Carroll White, her family residing
in Mississippi), Mary C. (wife of D. B. White, of
Texas), Watson H. (a Methodist minister, residing
in Izard County), and W. W. (deceased, was also
a minister of the Methodist Church, and died in
Mississippi, in 1871). E. S. Pearson was reared
on a farm, and educated in the schools of Alabama.
Upon reaching the age of twenty-one years he be-
gan farming on land which he owned, but this
work he gave up, on the breaking out of the war,
to enlist in the Confederate service. He joined
Company F, under Gen. Forrest, and served as his
commissary for three years, and, in 1865, surren
dered at Corinth, Miss. He then returned to
Mississippi, where he had located in 1850, and be-
gan farming and merchandising at Houston, but,
four years later, he moved to Lee County, and en-
gaged in farming. He took up his abode in the
State of Arkansas, in 1889, and, after residing for
some time on a farm of 400 acres, he sold out and
went to Newburg, where he was engaged in the
mercantile business for three years. From that
time iintil 1880 he again farmed, and then followed
merchandising once more. He sold this establish-
ment to Garner & Richardson, and up to March,
1889, his attention was given to agriculture alone.
He has since followed merchandising, and has also
managed his farm of sixty- five acres. His home
place is also under cultivation, and in the two enter-
prises to which he has given the most of his at-
tention he has met with flattering success, and,
besides the income which he derives from his farm,
the sales in his mercantile establishment will
amount to about $12,000. He was married, in
1850, to Miss Ellen Morris, of Pontotoc County,
Miss. , and by her he became the father of eleven
children, seven of whom are living: C. Elizabeth
(wife of John M. Smith, of Polk County, Mo.),
F. W. (a merchant at Thayer, Mo.), Alice M.
(wife of Joseph Harklerood, a farmer of Fulton
County, Ark.), Mary E. (wife of Jasper Rader, of
Fulton County), Emma (wife of W. Martin, a
farmer of Izard County), Thomas W. and Josie
L. (the latter two at home with their father).
Adolphus L., the eldest child, died in 1SS8 (he
wedded the daughter of Judge Hunter, of Fulton
County); W. W. died in his twenty-third year, in
1876, and two died in infancy. Mr. Pearson was
IZARD COUNTY.
iKjr
called upon to mourn tho death of his wife ia
1879, she having been an earnest member of the
Methodist Episcopal Church, South, and, in 1880,
he wedded Mrs. Sarah J. (Hancock) McCollough,
a daughter of Joel and Sarah (Hall) Hancock, na-
tives, respectively, of Kentucky and South Caro-
lina. Mrs. Pearson was reared in Ohio, to which
State her father was taken when he was a small
boy, and from this State her father enlisted in the
War of 1812. He was a fanner, and he and wife
were the parents of the children whose names are
here given; Robert T. (of Oliio), L. B., J. K.,
J. H., J. B., J. R., Harriet (wife of Ezra Clark,
of Indiana), and Sarah J. (Mrs. Pearson). Mr.
Hancock died in 1803, and his wife in 1875, both
being earnest members of the United Presbyterian
Church at the time of their deaths. Mrs. Pearson
was first married, in 1848, to Aaron Michael, in
Ohio, soon afterward emigrating to Arkansas, and
settling in Jackson County, where Mr. Michael
died, in 1857. In 1874 Mrs. Michael was united
in marriage with William McCollough, who died in
1878. He was a Confederate soldier, and was with
Price on his last raid through Missouri. He was
a member of the Baptist Church, and belonged to
the A. F. & A. M. Since 1884 Mr. Pearson has
been a licensed minister of the Cumberland Pres-
byterian Church, with which church he united in
1880. While residing in Mississippi, in 1868, he
became a licensed minister of the Methodist Epis-
copal Church. Politically, he is a Democrat.
Mrs. Pearson has in her possession a bed-spread,
with a double-woven top, in blue and white, and
on the under side is the year (1837) in which it
was woven, and also the name of the weaver, she
having herself spun the thread, of which the bed-
spread was made, when a girl.
James Perrin is one of the wealthy agricult-
urists of this region, and at the present time is the
owner of a fine tract of land consisting of 900
acres, of which there are about 100 acres under
cultivation, all being the result of his energy, de-
termination and attention to details. He was born
in Lexington, Ky., December 1, 1844. but was ed-
ucated in Independence County, Ark., to which
place his parents moved at an early date. He was
there also married, his wilV' licmg .i .Mis> Eil.-u
Street, and a daughter of \\illiam and Anna Street,
their nuptials being celebrated on the "Jd of March,
1869, at Batesville. To them were born four sons
and three daughters, the following of whom are
living: Jessamine, Claud B., Horace, and William
F., all residing at home. During the rebellion
Mr. Perrin served in the Third Arkansas Cavalry
from 1862 to 1865, the first hard Imttle in which
he participated being at Helena. After his return
home he engaged in grist- milling, and now in ad-
dition to his farm work he is furnishing railroad
timber supplies, such as telegraph poles and ties.
He and wife belong to the Presbyterian Church
and are worthy and honored citizens of the county.
He is one of three surviving members of a family cf
two sons and three daughters born to the man-iagi'
of David Perrin and Nancy M. Baldwin, the
former a native of Michigan, born in 1786. He
was also educated in that State, but moved to Ohio,
and was there married, his wife being a sister of
Rev. S. D. Baldwin, who was the author of the
"Baldwin's Prophecy," and was pastor of the Me
Kendry Church at Nashville. Tenn. Mr. Perrin
was a millwright by trade, and was a member of
the Masonic lodge, and at the time of his death,
on the 2d of April, IS69, he was buried with Ma-
sonic honors in the cemetery at Batesville. He re
moved from the State of Indiana, where he had
resided for some time, to Arkansas, in 1850. settling
near Batesville, where he erected the first bridge
ever built over Polk Bayou. His wife died May
28, 1877, both being members of the Old School
Presbyterian Church.
Judge R. H. Powell, Melbourne, Ark., is one
of whom it can be said:
" With an equal scale
He weiijhs the affairs betwi.xt man and man '
He is a prominent man of Northern Arkansas,
and judge of the district in which he resides. His
' birth occurred in Sussex County, Va. , on the Sth
of April, 1827, and he is the s<m of Thomas P. and
Jaue P. (Roland) Powell, both native.s of the OKI
Dominion, the former born in 1808 and the latter
in 1806. The father was of Welsh descent, and
was reared and married in his native State. Hi-
oon
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
moved tn Tennessee in 1832, settling in Bedford
County, and was a very successful tiller of the
soil, being the owner of ahowt thirty negroes, and
some fifteen or twenty field hands. He was a
Whig, and a very decided partisan, although he
never held office. He split off from the Demo-
cratic party in 1834 and joined with the Clay fac-
tion. His first Whig vote was cast for Hugh L.
White and Baily Peyton. He bade a final adieu
to this world in 1853, and died as he had lived, an
honored, upright citizen, one universally respected.
He was a member of the Methodist Episcopal
Church, South, of which his wife was also a mem-
ber. She died in 1840 or 1841. To their mar-
riage, which occurred in 1824, were born nine
children, all of whom lived to maturity, and eight
still survive: Dr. R. J. (resides in Izard County),
R. H. (subject), Mary A. (wife of Dan Morten, and
makes her home in Tennessee), Martha H. (wife of
J. W. Nailer, resides in Tennessee). Margaret V.
(wife of S. H. Winston, resides in Stone County,
Ark. ), Miranda (wife of James McCuistion, resides
in Izard County), W. S. (deceased), Sarah J.
(widow of Dr. David Deason, resides in Tennessee),
and Harriet T. (wife of Town Scruggs, resides at
Bell Buckle, Tenn. ). The paternal grandfather of
these children, Robert Powell, was a native of
Virginia, and was a boy at the surrender of Lord
Cornwallis, but was present on that auspicious oc-
casion. The youth of Judge R. H. Powell was
passed in laboring on his father's farm and in at-
tending the common sub.scription schools. When
twenty- one years of age he entered the Salem
Academy, remained there but three or four months
and then engaged in teaching school, which pro-
fession he followed until about twenty-eight years
of age. He then attended law school at Lebanon,
Tenn., under Judge Abram Caruthers and Judge
Greene, and after passing a very rigid examina-
tion received his license. He subsequently com-
menced practicing at Louisburg, Marshall County,
Tenn. (1855), and there remained until 1860,
being first a partner of Gideon B. Black, of Ten-
nessee, and later a partner of James H. Thomas,
of Columbia. In 1860 he came to Batesville, Ark.,
remained there but a short time, and then moved
to Izard Countj', in 1861. He was first married to
Miss Jane Temple, in June, 1849, and the fruits
of this union were six children, who lived to be
grown: Dr. Dempsey T. (resides at Thayer, Mo.,
and is an assistant surgeon of the Kansas & Mis-
souri Railroad), Robert T. (attorney at Greenwood,
Ark.), Nancy J., Mary W. (wife of John W. Woods,
who is an attorney in Melbourne), Henry Lee (wife
of Ewing Kennard, who is a druggist at La Crosse),
and William W. (an attorney). In 1862 Judge
Powell joined Company B, Freeman's battalion,
Shaler's company, and, although entering the
ranks as a private, he was afterward elected by
his company to the position of first lieutenant, in
which capacity he served until December, 1868.
He was taken prisoner near Batesville, and was
sent to Little Rock, Ark. At the time he was taken
prisoner he had been assigned to duty as commis-
sary and quartermaster, by Gen. Price, and had
in his possession some valuable papers and about
$1,500. The United States forces secured the
papers but failed to get the money. Mrs.
Montgomery (sister of Capt. James Ruther-
ford, of Batesville) managed to slijs the money
from the outside pocket of his overshirt, and
sent it to Col. Freeman. After being sent to
Little Rock, he was shortly afterward removed to
St. Louis and quartered in the McDowell Col-
lege, in February, 1864. The following April he
was removed to Johnson's Island, and was there
retained until the Oth of January, 1865. On the
29th of the following month he was exchanged and
then came home on a sixty days' leave of absence,
and had started back to rejoin his command, when
he heard of Gen. Lee's surrender. He surrendered
at Jacksonport on the 5th of June, 1865, and after
returning home engaged in agricultural pursuits,
which he continued until 1866. He then began
practicing his profession in this and surrounding
counties. In 1862 Judge Powell was elected to
represent his county in the legislature, and this
was the first legislature that met after the seces-
sion of the State. In 1866 he was elected judge of
this, then the Seventh circuit, and served until
after the reconstruction of 1868, when he was dis-
fi-anchised. From 1868 to 1874 he was interested
><^(5 r-
V
' J£
IZARD COUNTY.
007
ia mercantile pursuits, and followed this business
in La Crosse, Lunenburg and Newburg, Izard
County, and at Paraquet Bluff, Independence
County. He lost his wife in 1870. She was a
member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South.
In 1873 the Judge wedded Mrs. Harriet Herbert
{nee Harris), and two children were the result of
this union, both of whom died while small. Mrs.
Powell died in 1870. She was also a member of
the Methodist Episcopal Church, South. Judge
Powell was again married in 1878 to Mrs. Elizabeth
Davidson, widow of Dr. Davidson. Her maiden
name was Gardner, and she was a native of Ten-
nessee. Two children were born to the last union:
Guy and Ruth H. In 1874 Judge Powell attend-
ed strictl}' to the practice of his profession, and
for four years remained thus engaged. In 1878
he was elected judge of the Third circuit, and tilled
that position until 1887, when there was a division
iu the circuit, and he was placed in charge of the
Fourteenth judicial circuit. He has been judge
ever since 1878 (now twelve years) without any in-
termission, and his term expires in 1890. He is a
member of the Masonic fraternity. Blue Lodge,
R. A. C. , and Council, and is also a Knight Templar.
He is a straight Democrat in his political views, and
he and wife are members of the Methodist Episco-
pjil Church, South.
William M. Ray removed from his native State
of Tennessee (he being a native of Bedford County,
born in 1828), to Independence County, Ark., in
1858, and purchased and entered the land on which
he is now residing, which comprises 300 acres, 100
acres being under cultivation. The tillable por-
tion of his land he devotes principally to cotton, corn
and small ffrain, and the manner in which he con-
ducts his farm shows him to be well posted on all
matters pertaining to the work. He was reared,
educated and married in his native State, the latter
event taking place in 1850, and jjeing to Miss
Nancy J. Holland, a daughter of William Holland.
Seven of their nine children survive: Alexander,
Joseph R. , George F. , Sarah J. , James, William
M. and Dorinda. Mr. and Mrs. Ray are members
of the Christian Church, and he is an active mem-
ber of the I. O. O. F. During the Civil War he
espoused the cause of 1\h< Confederacy, and served
in the infantry and cavalry for about six months
during 1802. His parents, Alexander and Isabella
(Scott) Ray, wore born in North Carolina and Ten-
uessee, respectively, and were married in the lat-
ter State, in 1810, to which State ho came with his
parents, when near twenty-six years of age. Ho
was badly crippled when al>out twenty years of
age by white swelling, but notwithstanding this
drawback he became quite well-to do, and was the
owner of 240 acres of land in Tennessee. Of the
seven children born to himself and wife, only one
is now living, William M., our subject. He died
in Tennessee, July 30, 1850, his wife, who was a
daughter of John Scott, of Tennessee, dying at the
age of thirty-five years.
T. H. Ray is a Tennesseean, born in Wayne
County on the 10th of March, 1845), his father, E.
W. Ray, being born in Warren County of that
State, in 1812. He was reared, educated and
married there, the latter event being to Miss Eliz
abeth Ford of the same State. Of four sous Ijorn
to them, two are still living, and both reside in the
State of Arkansas. E. W. Ray was a fairly suc-
cessful agriculturist, and died in the "Lone Star
State" in 1881, his wife having died in Tennessee
in 1855. Mr. Ray moved from Tennessee to Ar-
kansas in 1860, and at the time of his death and
that of his wife they were members of the Presby-
terian and Methodist Churches, respectively. T.
H. Ray was educated in Flat Woods, Tenu., but
after reaching manhood was married in the Staly
of Arkansas to Miss Sarah A. Moser, she being a
native of the State, and their union was consum-
mated on April 11, 1809. Of a family of seven
sons and three daughters born to them, there are
but six children living, all of whom reside at home:
Mary F. , Ida T. , Heury J. , Oscar H. , Lemon B.
and Delbert A. Mr. Ray has Ijeen engaged in the
occupation of farming from earliest boyhood,
learning the details of the work from his father,
who was an enterprising agriculturist. He owns
an excellent farm i n Dry Town Township, compris
ing 124acres,of which about ninety areunderculti
vation. He has always been fou ml ready and will-
ing to support iMiti-rprises of a worthy character,
and as a citizen and neighbor, is highly esteemed
and respected. His wife is a communicant in the
Presbyterian Church.
K. W. Kector, farmer, Arkansas. No worthy
reference to agricultural affairs oi this county
would be complete witliout mention of Mr. Rector,
among others engaged in tilling the soil, for, al-
though young in years, he has already attained an
enviable position in the ranks of the farmers. He
owes his nativity to Izard County, his birth occur-
ring on the farm where he now resides, in 1858,
and he is the son of J. W. and Ann E. (Cooper)
Rector, natives of Kentucky. J. W. Rector came
to Arkansas in 1852, settled in Izard County, on
the place where his son, K. W., now resides, and
tilled the soil for many years. He was at one
time surveyor of the county. During the late war
he was a lieutenant in Capt. Cook's company, and
served four years, participating in a number of
battles on the east side of the Mississippi River,
where he was on duty a part of the time. He sur-
rendered at Jacksonport, Ark. , on the 5th of June,
1865, after which he immediately came home, and
engaged in farming to replenish his fortune, near-
ly all of which had been lost during the war. He
owned, at the breaking out of strife, quite a num-
ber of negroes, and a large number of stock of all
kinds, which he lost. He was also the owner of
about 800 acres of land. This was a very thinly
settled country when he first located here, and he
suffered many inconveniences, his nearest neighbor
being about live or six miles distant, and the near-
est mill ten miles away. After the war he tilled
the office of supervisor, or county judge, which
position he occupied only one term. He was mar-
ried in 1850, and to him and wife were born nine
children, eight now living: J. M. (resides in this
county), Mrs. Mary Richardson, G. S. (resides
in this county). Miss Ellen J. (resides in Van
Buren County), K. W., Mrs. Sarah E. Sheid (re-
sides in Texasj, J. L. (resides in this county),
Nancy E. (makes her home with her father, in
Texas) and Joseph I. (with his father). J. W.
Rector moved to Texas in January, 1885, and
bought land in Palo Pinto County. He is a mem-
ber of the Masonic fraternity, and he and wife are
members of the Baptist Church. He was born on
the 3d of December, 18'2(), and Mrs. Rector was
l)orn on the 30th of August. 1830. Both are en-
joying good health, and bid fair to live many
years. At the age of twenty- one years K. W.
Rector l)egan life for himself by farming, and this
occupation he has since followed. He was mar-
ried, on the 25th of September, 1879, to Miss
Martha C. Bigham, of this county, and they are
the parents of tive children: Margaret E., born
September 12, 1880; Samuel B., born September
15, 1882; Effie J., born March 8, 1884; Joseph
L., born March 3, 1886, and Rufus S. , born Sep-
tember 5, 1888. Mr. Rector started life with little
capital, but with the assistance of his life companion
is now the owner of about 400 acres of land in one
tract, and with fifty or sixty in another, consider-
able stock, and is one of the leading farmers of
the county. He has about 145 acres under culti-
I vation, with good buildings, outhouses, etc. Mrs.
Rector in the daughter of Samuel and Susanah
(Woods) Bigham, natives of Tennessee, who came
to this county at an early day, and here reared a
family of four children, three now living: James
W., Mary B., Mrs. Martha Rector (wife of the
subject of this sketch), Ursulla C. (wife of Rufus
Landers). Mr. Bigham was killed during Gen.
Price's raid through Missouri, in 1864. He was
a member of the Christian Church. Mrs. Bigham
was married the second time, in 1867, to Joseph
H. Russell [see sketch]. Mr. and Mrs. Rector
are both church members, he a member of the
Baptist Church, and she of the Christian. In
politics, he is Democratic. Mr. Rector is a man
who is in favor of all public improvements, and is
deeply interested in educational matters.
William S. Richardson ia one of the oldest
pioneers of' Izard County, and was born in Craw-
ford County, Mo., in 1828, being a son of Joshua
' and Mary (Stafl'ord) Richardson, who were fi'om the
State of Maine. The father removed to Missouri
about 1816, and entered land in Crawford County,
the country at that time being in a very wild and
unsettled condition and thinly inhabited. Here he
was married in 1827, and made his home until
1844, when he moved to the farm in New Hope
Township, Izard County. Ark., on which his >(.i,.
William S., is now residing, and here he passed
away in 1S73, at the age of seventy-three years, his
wife having died iu Missouri in 1830. Of six chil-
dren born to this union only William S. is now liv-
ing, and after the motlier's death Mr. Richardson
married a second time, his wife being a Mrs. Sarah
Romine {nee Barley), who bore him eleven chil-
dren, the following of whom are living: Alex.,
James C, Francis R., Martha (wife of James Stub
bletield), Nancy (wife of James Smith), Sarah (wife
of Richard White), and Wilmoth (wife of John
Smith). The mother of these children died in
1872, and both she and the first Mrs. Richardson
were members of the Methodist Episcopal Church,
although Mr. Richardson was a minister of the
Cumberland Presbyterian Church. William S.
Richardson was reared on a farm and educated in
the common schools of Izard County, and after at-
taining his majority he began farming for himself
on his own land in Izard County. When the war
Iwoke out he dropped his farming implements to
engage in the struggle between the North and
South, and joined the Union forces at Rolla. Mo. ,
enlisting in Company G, Phelps' regiment of Mis-
souri Volunteers, and at the end of six months en-
tered the Missouri State service for six months. In
1805 he returned to the State of Arkansas, and
after serving for some time as first lieutenant of
his company, he was promoted to the rank of cap-
tain, and held this office until his company was
disbanded. He was at the battle of Pea Ridge,
and at this engagement had a brother killed.
After the war he served as courier for the Freed-
men's Bureau, in Izard County, for some time.
After his return home he found nothing left to
show for his earl}' toil, except his land, all his per-
sonal property having been destroyed, but he im-
mediately resumed his farming operations, and has
since increased his acreage from 1(50 to 270, a large
portion of which he has under cultivation. He is a
Republican in his political views, and is a liberal
contributor to all charitable enterprises, educa-
tional and otherwise, and he belongs to the A. F.
& A. M. He and wife, whom he married in 1851,
and whose maiden name was Elizabeth U ells, are
incmluMs of the Ciinilierlaiid l'resl)ytenan Church,
and of a family of twelve children born to them
they have reared five: Alex. S., Fannie J. (wife of
John Largeant), Ellen. Emma, Net(ie V., Catlierine
(the deceased wife of James B. Byr.l), and Martha
(the deceased wife of John Fuller).
Joab M. Rodgers, a prosjierous farmer of this
region, was born in Georgia, in |.sr)4, and is a son
of Avery Rodgers who was a Tennesseean, and a
farmer by occupation. The latter was luanied to
Miss Polly A. McCuUum, a daughter of Joab Mc
Cnllum, their union taking place about 1840, and
to their mamage the following children have been
born: William, John B.. Mary A.. Sallie E. and
Joab M. Averj' Rodgers enlisted in the Confed-
erate army in 18(51, serving in the infantry, and
was killed in 18(58. In 1807 his wife married
William Anderson, of Georgia, by whom she be
came the mother of three children: Hardy L.,
Doney and Clinton, and in 1K70 they moved to
Izard County, Ark., and are here now living, both
being consistent members of the Methodist Epis-
copal Church, South. Joab Rodgers, the subject
of this sketch, was married to Miss Sarah M.
Wethers, of Dade County, Ga., in 1873, she be
ing a daughter of Johnsey Wethers, and four
daughters and three sons have been the result of
their union: Effie. Leter P., Veronia, Hattie B.,
Ward J., Garland and Benjamin. Mr. Rodgers
removed with his mother and ste]) father to Arkan
sas, in 1870, but since his marriage has been doing
for himself, and by industry, economy and good
management, he has become the owner of 11?
acres of land, forty -six of which are under culti
vation and well improved. He built a commodi
ous and substantial residence in ISSS. has a fine
fruit orchard, and in connection with his farming
he is engaged in stock raising to some extent. He
and wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal
Church.
Reuben Rogers was liorn in the State of Ten-
nessee, in 1820, his parents, William and Klizal)eth
(Hicks) Rogers, being natives of Alabama and
Tennessee, respectively, the former's birth occur
ring in 1795. He was familiar with the duties of
farm life from earliest boyhood, and in |S81 was
"Th
970
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
married to Miss Hicks, by whom he became the
father of six children: Reuben, John, Peter, Allie,
Sarah and Ada. From Tennessee Mr. Rogers re-
moved to Independence County, Ark., in 1843,
where his death occurred the following year, he
being a member of the Baptist Church at that
time. His widow married Henry Newman, of In-
dependence County, in 1845, and to them three
children were born: Henry N. , Matilda and Annie
E., all of whom reside in Izard County. They
own eighty acres of land, and both are members
of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church. Reuben
Rogers was married to Miss Nancy Newman in
1869, a daughter of Henry Newman by his former
wife, and their union resulted in the birth of two
children: William R. and Reuben F. In 1854,
becoming possessed with the ' ' gold fever, ' ' Mr.
Rogers took the overland route to California, to
seek his fortune, and like a great many others in
those days, failed to find it and returned to
Arkansas in 1868. After living on eighty acres
of land in Independence County, until 1876, he
moved to Izard County, and purchased the place
where he is now living, consisting of 160 acres, a
portion of which is mountainous, and is finely
adapted to grazing. The rest is in the valley and
about fifty acres are under cultivation, well watered
and improved with good buildings, orchards, etc.
He and wife have been members of the Cumber-
land Presbyterian Church for a number of years,
and he is one of the men who has assisted largely
in making Izard County the fine agricultural re-
gion which it now is. Mr. Rogers is a severe suf-
ferer from cancer of the stomach.
Joseph Ruminer was born on Blue Grass soil,
in Hickman County, June 22, 1835, his father,
John Ruminer, having been born in Bedford Coun-
ty, Tenn. , in 1809. The latter was educated in
his native State and county, and was married there
to Miss Elizabeth Harris, who was a Kentuckian,
their union resulting in the birth of six sons and
five daughters, only one, Joseph, being now alive.
Mr. Ruminer was a farmer by occupation, and at
the time of his death, in 1862, was the owner of
seventy seven acres of land. He held the office of
justice of the peace for two terms, and was a man
whom all respected and esteemed. His wife, who
was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church,
died the same year as himself, but a few months
afterward. Joseph Ruminer received a very lim-
ited education in his youth, but this defect he has
remedied in a great measure by reading and con-
ducting the business affairs of life. After reach-
ing manhood, he was married on the 24th of Feb-
ruary, 1859, to Miss Sarah Coalson, whose birth
occurred in the State of Mississippi. Although
the family born to them consisted of ten children,
only five are now living: Mary E., Samuel R..
Sheffield, Robert and Harris H. Mr. Ruminer is
a successful agriculturist, and his farm consisting
of 368 acres is one of the best in the coiinty, with
about seventy-five acres under the plow and twenty
acres cleared of wood and brush, with which it
abounded. His first purchase of land was some
forty acres, but as can be seen he has been remark-
ably successful, and now ranks among the first
farmers of the county. He enlisted in the army in
1863, and his first hard fight was at Helena. He
was a member of Dobbins' regiment, but when the
rest went to Jacksonport to surrender he returned
home. He is a member of the I. O. O. F. and he
and wife worship in the Cumberland Presbyterian
Church.
J. H. Russell, farmer, Melbourne, Ark. Mr.
Russell is one more of the many residents of Izard
County, Ark., who were originally from Bedford
County, Tenn., and who, since their residence in
this State, have become leading men in whatever
calling in life their tendencies have led them. Mr.
Russell was born in 1821 and is the son of Joseph
D. and Mary (Hightowor) Russell, natives, respect -
ively, of North Carolina and Tennessee. The
father was born in 1777 and the mother in 1800.
They were married in Hickman County, Tenn.,
about 1820, and afterward removed to Bedford
Coimty, of the same State, where they remained
until 1829. They then located in Scott County,
Mo. , and after stopping there for several years
went to Webster County, of the same State, and
here the father passed his last days, his death
occurring in 1847. He was twice married, first to
a lady whose name is not remembered, and by her
IZARD COUNTY.
5)71
became the father of two children: William B.
and Daniel D. By his second marriage, to Miss
Mary Hightower, he became the father of five
children, four of whom lived to be grown: J. H. ,
subject of sketch; Louis, was killed during the
war with Mexico and after being discharged, it is
supposed by Indians; Louisa (deceased), was the
wife of John Cox, the family living in Missouri;
John W. (deceased), whose family reside in Fulton
County, and one who died in infancy. Mrs. Rus-
sell died in Kentucky, in 1827, while Mr. Russell
was on his way to Missouri. She was a member of
the Baptist Church, of which Mr. Russell was also
a member until about six or eight years before his
death, when he joined the Christian Church and
died a member of the same. He was a school
teacher, farmer, and also a carpenter, but followed
the teacher's profession principally after reaching
mature years. He was an old line Whig, but not
active in politics. He was well-to-do while living
in Tennessee, but lost nearly all he had by going
security for his fi-iends. J. H. Russell had very
poor chances for an early education, but this he
made up to a great extent by observation and read-
ing. In 1862 he moved to Arkansas, settled in
Izard County, and still continued to till the soil,
the occupation he had followed while living in
Missouri. While residing in Howell County, of that
State, he was appointed one of the three to organ-
ize the county, and served as county judge, being
elected to that position afterward (or one of the
associate justices), and was once elected justice of
the peace of his township. He was first married to
Miss Elizabeth Sweet, of North Carolina. His
second marriage was in 1807, to Mrs. Susanah (Big-
ham) Woods, a native of Tennessee, who bore him
one child, Margaret L., who died in infancy.
Mrs. Russell was the mother of four children by
her tirst marriage (three now living): James (de-
ceased), Mary E. (at home), Martha C. (wife of K.
W. Rector), and Ursula C. (wife of G. R. Lan-
ders). Mr. Russell has one son; his name is
Robert F. He is now in his twenty-third year.
At the time of the Mexican War Mr. Russell joined
the army at Spriugtiekl, Mo., but the company was
not received, although he was very anxious to go,
and had hired a man to run his farm. He was
suffering with poor health during the late war.
He bought 400 acres of land in Izard County, in
1868, and resides on that farm at present. There
were about forty acres improved at that time, and
he now has 135 acre? und'M" a fine state of cultiva-
tion, with good buildings, barns, etc. He and wife
are both members of the Christian Church, and he
is a memlier of the Masonic fraternity. In his po-
litical views he atKJiates with the Democratic party,
and was originally a Whig.
W. E. Sanders, M. D., of Oxford, Ark., was
born in the " Palmetto State" in 1846. and is one
of six living members of a family of seven children
born to the maiTiage of Dr. W. R. and F. H.
(Simons) Sanders, the former of whom removed to
Georgia in 1851. He wiis a graduate of the
Charleston (S. C.) Medical College in 1838, and
was an extensive and successful physician. He
was married in 1839, and died in 1853. being a
member of the Old School Presbyterian Church,
and a member of the A. F. & A. M. In his po-
litical views he was a Democrat. His wife died in
1809, at the age of fifty-two years. Dr. \V. E.
Sanders attended the graded school of Newman.
Ga. , up to the breaking out of the late war. and at
the early age of fourteen years and eleven months,
he joined Company E. Twentieth .Vlabama Infan
try, and was an active participant in forty-six hotly
contested engagements, among which were Baker's
Creek, Chickamauga. Lookout Mountain. Mission-
ary Ridge, Raymond, Dalton. Vicksburg. and ^s
in all the battles from Dalton to Atlanta, Ga. At
the battle of Franklin lie was wounded l)y a bay-
onet, while he and his comrades were trying to take
possession of the Federals' ditch. Thirty days
afterward he took part in the l)attle of Nashville,
although he had not fully recovered from his
wound. He surrendered at Greenstoro, N. C.
He served as a private, and on five different occa-
sions, when the color be:irer was shot. Dr. Sanders
carried the colors of his regiment out of the en-
fafements, and was offered the position of color
bearer bv his colonel, but declineil, saying he would
rather carry a gun. .\fter his return home he
becan the study of medicine, and for some time
w
^
972
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
before entering college he was engaged in practic-
ing, and was well fitted to perform the duties of a
physician from the fact that his father and all his
brothers were practicing physicians. At the age
of twenty years he entered the Medical University
at New Orleans, but at the end of one term en-
tered the Medical College of Philadelphia, gradu-
ating therefrom in 1868, and immediately began
practicing in Clinton, Ala. At the end of five
years he moved to Fayette County, Texas, and
three years later settled in Independence County,
Ark. In 1878 became to his present location, and
the same year opened a mercantile establishment
in Union, Fulton County, Ark., but removed bis
goods to this county in 1884, and formed a part-
nership with J. E. Ford. This partnership was
dissolved in 1888, and the Doctor has since been
connected with E. S. Pearson, the style of the
firm being Sanders & Pearson. They ai-e doing a
prosperous business, and fully deserve the patron-
age which they are receiving, for they are honest
and upright in all their dealings, and are accom-
modating and agreeable gentlemen. The Doctor
was married, in 1876, to Mrs. Addie Hodges, of
Independence County, but a native of Tennessee,
and to them have been born four children : Mary
A., William C, Edward C. and Kittie. Dr. and
Mrs. Sanders are members of the Methodist Epis-
copal Church, South, and he is a member of the
I. O. O. F., and is a Democrat politically. He
is now examining physician for the Pension Bureau,
and a thoroughly reliable, successful physician.
Dr. Joseph A. Schenck is a leading physician
of Calico Rock, and in connection with tiis prac-
tice is also engaged in merchandising. He was
born in Owen County, Ky. , in 1847, and is a son
of Julius P. and America (Applegate) Schenck,
natives of Kentucky. The father was a captain
on a steamboat plying between Cincinnati and New
Orleans, and he was also engaged in farming and
merchandising, following the latter occupation in
Vevay, Ind., while at work on the river. He
owned a one-half interest in the "Switzerland,"
which was the name of his boat, the other half
being owned by Jesse Teets, and they were also
the proprietors of several other boats which plied
on the Ohio and Mississippi Rivers, in the interests
of the Government during the war. He died in
1862, leaving his family well provided for, but
during the war much of their property was lost.
He was married about 1842, and he and wife be-
came the parents of eight childron, four of whom
are living: J. P., who is a merchant of Worthville,
Ky. ; Delia, the wife of Dr. J. F. Costillo, resides
in Kansas; Amy is the wife of James Grubbs, a
telegraph operator, and J. A., the subject of this
sketch. Mrs. Schenck died in 1887, having
been a worthy member of the Christian Church
for many years, her husband being a member of
the Baptist Church. He was a Democrat politi-
cally, and belonged to the I. O. O. F. Dr. Joseph
A. Schenck received his early schooling in Vevay,
Ind., and in 1873 he took his first medical lectures
in the University of Louisville, Ky. , and gradu-
ated from this institution in 1880. He had, how-
ever, begun practicing in Jackson County, Ark.,
in 1874, but at the end of one year removed to
Izard County, Ark., and has been a successful
practitioner at Pineville ever since. Since 1885
he has been engaged in merchandising, in part-
nership with Dr. T. K. Goodman, their paid
up capital upon starting in business, amounting
to about $300, but on the 6th of October, 1886,
they were burned out with, a loss of about $1,600,
their insurance reaching the sum of 11,000. They
opened their store on the 12th of the same month,
with a stock of goods worth $200, and have since
been very successful, and are now doing an
annual business of $18,000. In addition to this
property Dr. Schenck owns 288 acres of valuable
land, with 150 acres under cultivation, and all
this property he has earned since coming to the
State of Arkansas, as he then (in 1874) only
owned a horse and saddle and about $150 worth
of drugs. The Doctor still continues to practice
his profession, but not so extensively as formerly.
He was married in 1876 to Miss Ellen Matthews,
a daughter of Capt. R. C. Matthews. She was
born in Tennessee in 1849, and by Dr. Schenck is
the mother of the following family: Amy D., Reua
Z., Joseph E. and America E. (twins), Lunford
P. Y., Carrie M., Julius P., John M. and Robert
IZARD COUNTY.
«73
C. Mrs. Schenck is a member of the Methodist
Episcopal Church, South, and the Doctor belongs
to the A. F. & A. M. and I. O. O. F., having ad-
vanced to the Encampment in the latter order.
John Sharp, farmer and stock raiser, Evening
Shade, Ark. Originally from Independence Coun-
ty, Ai'k., Mr. Sharp's birth occurred on the 15th
of September, 1843, and he is the son of Hon. i
William and Catherine (Barnes) Sharp, the former
born in Indiana, and the latter in Ohio. William
Sharp came to Independence County, Ark. (near
Sulphur Rock), in 1838, and engaged first in farm-
ing, which occupation he continued for two or
three years. He then embarked in the tannery
business, and established the second yard in the
county. It is now known as the Gelpin (anyard.
Mr. Sharp was a practical tanner, and followed
this pursuit until 1852, when he moved to what is
now Sharp County, and settled close to Evening
Shade. He purchased a mill, rebuilt it, and it is
now known as Sharp's mill. This business he fol-
lowed until his death, which occurred in 1804.
In 1860-61 he represented Lawrence County in the
legislature, was a member when the State seceded,
but was opposed to secession. During 1863 and
1864 he was at home attending to his mill, and
was also engaged in tilling the soil. He was one
of the old land-marks in the early settlement of
Northeast Ai'kansas, and was one of the prominent
men of his section of the county. He was a man
well read, and although he had never attended
school but about three months, he was a much bet-
ter informed man than many who had every advan-
tage for schooling. He died in his fiftieth year.
He was a Democrat in politics. He was married
in Ohio, about 1835, to Miss Catherine Barnes,
and eight children were the fruit of this union,
five of whom lived to be grown: Isaac E. died in
1875, and was quite a prominent man in Northeast
Arkansas after the war; Zaccheus (deceased), Mary
(deceased), John, Rachel, wife of E. Berry, resides
in Dent County, Mo. ; Margaret, wife of William
Martin, resides in Independence County; Elijah
resides in Dent County, -Ai-k.. and Ephraim (de
ceased). Mrs. Sharp died in 1855, in full commun-
ion with the Methodist Episcopal Church. In
1857 or 1858 Mr. Sharp married Mrs. Louisa
Simpson, nee Douglas, and they became the par-
ents of four children, one now living, Samuel,
residing in Wasliingtoii Teiritory. The second
Mrs. Sharp died in 1864. John Sharp, the sub-
ject of this sketch, joined the Confederate army in
1861, under Capt. Nunn, and served cast of the
Mississippi River until after the fall of Vicksburg.
He was engaged in two prominent battles, Cham
pion's Hill and Black Rivi-r Bridge. He was taken
prisoner at the last named place the day before the '
siege of Vicksburg, and was sent to Fort Delaware, [
thence to Point Lookout, Md. , and was retained
from the 17th of October to the 24th of December,
when he was paroled. He then returned home,
remained there until 1864, when he enlisted the
second time as a private under Capt. Huddleston,
and served the remainder of the war, surrendering
at Jacksonport on the 5tb of June. 1865. He wa.'^
with Gen. Price on his raid through Missouri in
1864, and after the surrender he returned home,
where he worked in the mill until 1867. He then
engaged in tilling the soil on his present farm,
which now consists of 800 acres, with 300 under
cultivation. Part of this is in Sharp County, but
all joins except one tract of 253 acres, which is,
however, within one-fourth of a mile from the
home place, with eighty-five acres under cultiva-
tion. Mr. Sharp was married the first time in
1865, to Miss Catherine Summers, and they be
came the parents of these children: William, mar
ried and resides on the farm; Anna, wife of I^au.
T. Taylor, resides on the home place; Mary E.,
wife of Jeff. Davis, resides in this county; Emma
died at the age of nine years; Robert I., at home,
and one unnamed. Mrs. Sharp died on the 13th
of December, 1876. She was a member of the
Baptist Church. Mr. Sharp's second marriage
was to Miss Susan J. Yeager. in 1878. and they
have a family of five children (two l)eing de
ceased): Katie, Prussia, John C. Frank and one
unnamed. Mr. Sharp is a member of the Masonic
fraternity and the Knights of Honor. He and wife
are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
He is a Democrat politically, but though well
posted, does not take nn active interest in politics.
974
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
J. M. Shaver ranks among the successful
farmers of Guthrie Township, Izard County, Ark.,
and is now residing on the farm on which he was
born in 1853, his parents being John S. and Mary
(Cox) Shaver, Tennesseans by birth. John Shaver
came to the State of Ai-kansas in 1851, and pur-
chased the farm in Guthrie Township, in connection
with which work he was engaged in merchandising.
Here he made his home until 1862, when he was
killed by Federal soldiers, he having previously
served in the Home Guard Confederate service.
He was also a soldier in the Mexican War, holding
the rank of captain, and when returning home
came via New Oi'leans. He was married in 1848,
and he and wife became the parents of seven chil-
dren: D. C, Marietta (wife of J. R. Metcalf), J.
M., Mattie (wife of E. A. Taylor), Addie (widow
of T. H. Montgomery), Hattie (wife of Will Col-
lins), and Belle (wife of C. E. Taylor). Mrs.
Shaver still survives her husband, and makes her
home with her children. She is a member of the
Methodist Episcopal Church, South. Capt. Shaver
was a member of the A. F. & A. M., and in 1858
was elected to represent Fulton County in the
State legislature. J. M. Shaver, the immediate
subject of this memoir, received his early school-
ing in Izard County, and made his home with his
mother and sisters until 1884, when he was mar-
ried to Miss Georgia Smith, and made a home for
himself. He has now seventy-five acres of his
land cleared, and besides making a good living, is
slowly but surely laying by capital for a rainy day.
He was at one time engaged in merchandising in
Oxford, but has given his attention to farming only
for some time. He is a Democrat politically, and
on that ticket was elected to the office of deputy
sheriff of the county for four years. He is also a
member of the A. F. & A. M. His wife belongs
to the Methodist Episcopal Church, South, and
they are the parents of two children: John S. and
Mamie L. Mrs. Shaver is a daughter of S. J.
and Levica (Chastine) Smith, natives of Georgia.
John J. Shultz was born in the State of Illi-
nois on the 16th of August, 1851, and like the
majority of German-Americans is one of the sub-
stantial residents of the county, and is industrious ]
and frugal. By energy and close attention to the
details of farm work he has become the owner of
160 acres of good land, and of this there are about
fifty acres under cultivation, well improved and
well stocked. He is now tilling the office of justice
of the peace, which position he has occupied for
the past fourteen years, and he and wife, whose
maiden name was Mary E. Bean, and whom he
married on the 11th of October, 1865, are mem-
bers of the Christian Church. Of six sons and
five daughters born to them nine are still living,
and all reside at home: William A., Walter E. ,
John M., Caswell B., Mordecai M., Mary E.,
Amanda V. , Albert F. and Maggie E. Mr. Shultz
is a son of John Shultz, a native German, born in
1784, he being educated in his native land. He
was also married there to Holy Homsan, by whom
he becanie the father of seven children, sis sons
and one daughter. Six of this family are still
living, three being residents of the State of Kan-
sas, two of Illinois and one of Arkansas. The
father was a farmer, and at his death, in 1838, he
owned a good and fertile farm of 160 acres in
Illinois, he having moved from Germany to the
United States in 1832. His wife died in 1871,
both belonging to the German Lutheran Church.
William C. Sims is worth)- of being classed
among the many prosperous farmers of Izard
County, for by his own exertions he has become
the owner of about 420 acres of fertile land, of
which 300 are in Izard County and the rest in
Sharp County. One hundred and seventy acres of
this farm are under cultivation, and in addition to
his farm work he gives much of his attention to
raising a good grade of stock. He was born in
Itawamba County, Miss., on the 7th of Septem-
ber, 1844, and is a son of Gray and Marinda
(Mann) Sims, who were from the State of Ala-
bama. Of two sons and four daughters born to
them, the two sons only are living. The father,
at the time of his death, was the owner of 160
acres of good land. He and wife were members
of the Baptist Church, and after his demise, in
1846, his widow became the worthy companion of
John Pressley, to whom she bore a family of four
sons and three daughters. The mother's death oc-
Tl
>y
%
iL.
IZARD COUNTY.
fl75
curred on the 22d of June, ]8fi3. William C.
Sims was educated in Mississippi, and at the age
of fourteen years moved to Van Buren County, I
Ark., remaining there until 1861. Thonhevolun- i
teered in the Confederate army, and was mustered
into service on the 14th day of July, 1861. After
the war he located in Sharp County, and was mar-
ried to Mrs. Sarah C. Waiiiwright, who was a Ten-
nesseean, their marriage being consummated Sep-
tember 4, 1867. This union resulted in the l^irth
of eleven children, three sons and eight daughters,
but only two of the family are now living. After
the death of Mrs. Sims, on the 18th of March,
1881, Mr. Sims was married, August 10, of that
year, to Miss Sallie P. Haile, a Mississippian. He
has attained a high rank in the I. O. O. F., and he
and wife are members of the Cumberland Presby-
terian Church.
Ephraim Sipe has been a resident of his pres-
ent well cultivated and fertile farm of 240 acres in
Izard County, Ark., since 1857, and has about 100
acres in an excellent state of cultivation. Like the
majority of German-Americans he is thrifty, indus-
trious and enterprising, and his property has been
acquired through his own good management and
business ability. After remaining single until
1865, he was united in marriage to Miss Betsey
Deal, their union taking place in Independence
County, Ark. Fom- children are the result of their
union: Martha M., Malinda E., Ephraim and Rob-
ert R. He and wife belong to the Missionary Bap-
tist Church, and he is a member of the I. O. O. F.
He is a son of Jacob Sipes, who was also born in
Lincoln County, N. C. , his wife, Mary Delp, being
also born there. John, Jacob, Joseph, Abraham,
Ephraim, Peter, Franklin, Noah and Susan are
their children. The father died in 1846. Our
subject's wife was a daughter of Robert Deal and
wife, the latter of whom was born in North Caro-
lina in 1806, and is still living, and makes her
home with her daughter, Mrs. Sipe. Although
she has passed her allotted three-score years and
ten, she is still active, and bids fair to reach one
hundred years.
E. F. Smith, farmer and miller, Melbourne,
Ark. All his life Mr. Smith has followed, with
substantial success, the occupation to which he
was reared and in which he is now engaged — farm-
ing— but in connection has also been largely inter-
ested in the milling business. He was born in
Massachusetts, in 1S88, and is the son of Roswell
and Jane E. Smith, who were also natives of Mas-
sachusetts. Roswell Smith was a farmer by occu-
pation, and was a man of only limited education.
He was drafted in the AVar of 1812, but was not
in any engagements. He was married about 1807
and became the father of fourteen children, twelve
of whom lived to be grown, E. F. Smith being the
only one residing in the South. At the age of
seventeen the latter came to this part of the United
States, located first in Tennessee, and later, or in
1859, in Arkansas. He was employed on the
Memphis & Little Rock Railroad, and after that
was finished he settled in Jacksonport, where he
followed the carpenter's trade. In 1S61 he joined
the Confederate army under Gen. Hindman, and
served on the west side of the Mississippi River,
participating in the following battles: Pea Ridge
and Pleasant Hill, and was in the (juartermaster's
department. He surrendered at Marshall, Tex., in
1865, returned home and located at Evening
Shade, where he engaged in merchandising, and
which he continued for two years. He then re-
sumed the carpenter's trade, which he followed un-
til 1880, when he commenced farming. He bought
his present property, consisting of a merchant
mill and cotton-gin combined, with a nice resi
dence. He owns, besides this property, two farms
in the county, with about eighty acres under cul
tivation, all the result of his own labor since the
war, for at the close of that eventful period he
had but $2. He was married on the 18th <>f
October, 1866, to Miss Melissa J. Wasson, and
they are the parents of two children: Ella G., at
home, and Leander G.. also at home. Mrs. Smith
is the daughter of Lee and Jane (Matliews) Was
son, natives of Tennessee. Mr. Smith votes the
Democratic ticket, is a member of the A. F. & A.
M., and he and wife are members of the Mi>thod
ist Episcopal Church, South.
Dr. James L. Smith lias acipiired an envialile
reputation in Izard County, Ark., as an nbli' j)hy
^1
976
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
sician and surgeon, and the extensive territory
over which he travels to alleviate the suffering of j
the afflicted is a sufficient proof of his popularity, i
He was born near Melbourne, and is a son of S.
R. and Jane (Walker) Smith, the former a native j
of Tennessee, and the latter of Arkansas. In I
1849 S. R. Smith came to Arkansas, and settled
on the farm with his mother, near where he is
now residing, live miles southwest of Melbourne.
He served in the Confederate army during the re-
bellion, and was with Price on his raid through |
Missouri, but in 1864 he was severely wounded by
a gun-shot, which resulted in the loss of his left
leg. He was captured and taken to Alton, 111. ,
thence to St. Louis, and received his parole from
this city in 1865. He returned to his farm in
Izard County, only to find it destitute of buildings,
fences and stock, but he set manfully to work, and
by good management he is now in comfortable
circumstances. He and Miss Walker were mar- i
ried in 1855, and moved to the farm where he is
now living, and eight of the nine children born to
them still survive: James L. , Joseph M. , Mary
E. P., wife of J. P. Gray; W. T. (deceased), W.
A., Jeff. D., John H. , Solomon and Robert L.
Mr. Smith has been constable of Lunenburg
Township for several years, and is a member of ■
the I. O. O. F. His wife belongs to the Chris-
tian Church. The paternal grandfather was a sol-
dier in the Mexican War, and bore the name of
James. His wife was a Miss Orphia Byler. The
maternal grandparents were Joseph and Sarah
(McCubbin) Walker. Dr. James L. Smith re
mained with his father on the home farm and at-
tended the common schools until 1S7(), when he
engaged in farming on his own responsibility, con-
tinuing two years, and in. the meantime he was en-
gaged in the study of medicine under Dr. J. K. P. '
Black. In 1880 and 1881 he attended his lirst
course of lectures in the Hospital Medical College
of Memphis, Tenn., and in 1881 entered upon his
practice, continuing until 1887, when he again re-
turned to Memphis and graduated from the same
institution in 1888. He has been very successful, j
and is held in high esteem by the medical brother- |
hood of Izard County. The Doctor is a Democrat, j
a member of the I. O. O. F. , and he and wife,
whom he married in 1883, and whose maiden name
was Mary Croom, are members of the Christian
Church. Dr. and Mrs. Smith have three interest-
ing little children: Robert O. , Bertha J. and
Erskin. Mrs. Smith was born in Izard County,
January 28, 1865, and is a daughter of Wiley and
Sarah J. (Pearson) Croom, both Tennesseeans,
and the parents of nine children : Mary, D. F. , H.
F., Ida J., wife of A. H. Colwell; Benage, Susan
E., Annabel, Thomas W. and Grover.
William A. Spence is one of the enterprising
agriculturists of La Crosse Township, and since
1868 has been the owner of an excellent farm of
187^ acres in Izard County. He was born in
Davidson County, N. C, in 1837, but in his youth,
which was spent in that State, he received a limited
education. Upon emigrating to Arkansas, in 1862,
he settled in Independence County, but since 1868
he has been a resident of the farm on which
he is now residing. In 1857 he was married to
Miss Emily C. Grills, a daughter of William D.
Grills, and by her he is the father of six children:
Mary, Harriet G.. Martha T. L., Ive T., James
D. and William E. Mr. Spence is one of the live
farmers of his community, and the success which
has attended his efforts is fully deserved, for
throughout life he has been industrious and frugal.
He and his wife are members of the Methodist
Episcopal Church. He began doing for himself
in 1857, in Wright County, Mo., where he home-
steaded eighty acres of land, but in 1862 moved to
Independence County, Ark. , as above stated. He
is a son of Joseph Spence, who was born in North
Carolina, and the latter was married in his native
State to Miss Rachel, a daughter of James Hurley,
and by her became the father of three children.
Their union took place in 1834. In 1855 Mr.
Spence moved to Wright County, Mo., and was
engaged in farming there until 1863, at w'hich
time he moved to Independence County, Ark. , and
bought 160 acres, which he farmed successfully
for several years. He died here in April, 1878,
at about the age of seventy-three years.
O. P. Stroud is a prominent farmer and stock
man of Izard County, Ark., and is one of the old
^.
<S*<^y-«<^ 0<_-<,
LAWRENce County, Arkansas
W
IZARD COUNTY.
977
settlers of Guthrie Township, having come here in '
1851, and has been residing in the house in which
he now lives since 1857. He was born in Tennes-
see, August 10, 1820, and was reared on his
father's farm, receiving a common school education,
and at the time of his location in this State the
country was almost a wilderness, and wild game
was quite abundant. Mr. Stroud was fond of
hunting, and on one of his hunts killed six deer in
one day, this being in 185(), when the snow was
very deep. At one time he took fifty-three deer
hams to Mount Olive, to market, receiving for them
$53. The woods abounded with wild turkeys, and
Mr. Stroud says they were easier killed than the
common domestic fowl of to-day. Although he
did not take an active part in the Civil War he
served in the commissary department for two
years. He lost heavily during the war, principally
in personal property, however, but owned 800
acres of good land. He now has 400 acres, with
about 140 acres under cultivation, furnished with
good buildings and otherwise well improved. He
was married in 1844 to Miss Martha Jourdan, of
Mississippi, and to them have been born a family
of fourteen children, eleven of whom are living:
John A., William L. , George II., Martha E. (wife
of W. Pierson), James M., Lawson R., O. H.,
Mary F. , Richard A. , Robert H. and Taylor M.
Mrs. Stroud is a daughter of John and Edith
(Alexander) Jourdan, who were born in the State
of North Carolina, and became the parents of
nine children. Both parents died in Texas in
1856. Mr. and Mrs. Stroud are members of the
Methodist Episcopal Church, South, and he is a
Democrat in his political views. His parents,
Thomas and Lucy (Jarvis) Stroud, were of Ger-
man descent, and were born in the "Old North
State. " At an early day Thomas removed with
his father to Tennessee, and was there reared to
manhood on a farm. He served in the War of
1812, under Jackson, and was in the battle of
New Orleans, his father also being in service in
that war. Gen. Jackson was an intimate friend
of the Strouds, and made thoir house his home
a great portion of the time, and lived with them
during the period he was making the race for the
presidency. Thomas Stroud became a wealthy
man, and to his marriage, which occurred in 181!i,
a family of fourteen children were born, ten of
whom are now alive: Sarah, wife of William Mc
Spade; A. L., O. P., ElizHl>eth, widow nf John
McAfee, Thomas J., Resi, Marcus L., Fannie,
widow of William Sapp; Hettie and Minerva, wif»<
of Robert Henderson. In 1872 Thomju* Stroud
died on the same place he settled wlien he first
came to Tennessee. His father's death occurred
in 1840, at the age of seventy-four years. The
maternal grandfather was in the Revolutionary
War, being severely wounded in one of the battleti.
He settled in Tennessee, also, and there died.
J. A. Stroud is one of the rising and energetic
young agriculturists of Izard County, and was born
in Mississippi in 1840, being a son of O. P. Stroud,
whose sketch precedes this one. In 1851 be re-
moved to Arkansas with his father, and remained
with him, assisting on the farm until he was twen-
ty-one years of age. Besides working at farm labor
his youth was spent in attending school, and he
acquired a fair practical education in the subscrip-
tion schools of Izard County. Upon attaining his
majority he began fanning on rented land, contin-
uing for two or three years, then purchased his
present property, which consists of 230 acres.
There were only aliout ten acres of this improved,
and on the land were no buildings, Vjut by industry
he hjis put sixty-five acres in good farming condi-
tion, and has erected a good frame residence and
barns. His property is also further improved by a
small orchard, which will in time bear an afcuii
dance of fruit. Mr. Stroud is a Democrat, a mem
ber of the A. F. & A. M., and donates freely to
churches and educational institutions. Like his
ancestors, he is quite fond of hunting and fishing,
and, as good spwrt can still be had in the vicinity
of his home, he freijuently indulges in thesp amuse-
ments. Miss Euphemia Guest became his wif»« in
1874, and by her he has an interesting family of
five children: Jeffie A.. Lillie B. , Doroth«'8 N..
Perry L. and Fannie C. Mrs. Stroud was born in
Tennessee, and is a daughter of Morgan and Eliza
(Dennison) Guest, who wern alsoTenni'sseoans. In
1859 they came to Arkansas, and from this State
978
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
Mr. Guest enlisted in the Confederate army, and
died during the war. Of the four children boi"n to
them Mrs. Stroud and Robert M. Giiest are living.
Mr.s. Guest still survives, and makes her homo with
Mr. Stroud.
John K. Suttle is a well known merchant of
Izard County, Ai'k. , and was born in Henry Coun-
ty, Tenn., September 24, 1850. His father, Ed-
ward J. Suttle, was born in Pennsylvania County,
Va. . and he was reared and educated in that State,
being also married there to Mintie Marrow, a na-
tive of the Stat(>. The ten children born to them
(five sons and five daughters) are all living, and four
reside in the State of Arkansas. Mr. Suttle removed
from Vii;ginia to Tennessee, and from that State
to Arkansas, in the fall of 1854, locating in Big
Spring Township, Izard County, where he entered
a large tract of land, consisting of 460 acres, on
which he made his home until he was called from
earth October 20, 1862. He was followed to his
long home by his wife October 23, 1873, they hav-
ing been earnest members of the Hard Shell Bap-
tist Church for many years. The father served
for a short time in the Confederate army during the
rebellion, and after his death his property was
divided among his children. John K. Suttle was
educated in the Mountain school house, in Izard
Coimty, his early days being employed in assist-
ing in tilling the home farm. In March, 1873,
he was married to Miss Sarah Edwards, a daughter
Wiley and Martha Edwards, and a native of Ten-
nessee. Of four daughter and three sons born to
them, only three children are now living: Ora A.,
Dee E. and Archie. Mr. Suttle has been engaged
in merchandising at Barren Fork, for some time,
and his stock of goods will invoice at about $1,500,
his annual sales netting him a fair income. His
wife is a member of the Baptist Church.
James J. Vest was born in Alabama, in 1821,
and is a son of James and Sallie (Harvey) Ve.st,
the former a native of Georgia, born in 1791, and
to their union, which occurred 1809, a family of
eight children were born: Albert, James, John,
George, William, Lucy, Martha and Nancy. The
mother of these children died in Alabama, in 1827,
she having been a worthy member of the Method-
ist Episcopal Church for many years. Mr. Vest
wedded his second wife, Margaret Canady, in
1828, she being a daughter of Felix Canady, and
the following childi-en were bom to their union:
Henry, Martin, Jonathan and Sarah. Mr. Vest
from earliest boyhood was reared to a farm life,
and received his early education in the common
schools of Georgia. He served as a captain in the
Alabama State Guards, State Militia, and in 1833
was elected to the office of constable of Morgan
County, Ala. , and after remaining in office for sev-
eral years he was (in 1838) elected sheriff of the
same county, holding the position until 1840. Two
years later, he was elected to represent Winston
County, Ala., in the State legislature, and died
in this county in 1868, followed by his wife two
years later, and they lie side by side in the Old
Mount Nebo Cemetery, Ala. James J. Vest re-
ceived his early instructions in farming from his
father, and in 1857 removed to Izard County,
Ark., fi-om which State he enlisted in the Confed-
erate army in 1862, under Gen. Price, and after
serving for a short time in the infantry, he joined
the cavalry, and was a participant in all the prin-
cipal battles which occurred west of the Missis-
sippi River. He surrendered at Jacksonport on the
25th day of June, 1865. When a young man in
his native State, he studied for the ministry, and
in 1838 was licensed to preach in the Methodist
Church, and was a minister of that denomination
for several years. In 1865 he was ordained to
preach in the Baptist Church, and although he
was the owner of a tract of land, he has divided it
among his children, and devotes his time to the
cause of Christianity. He is a stanch Democrat,
a Royal Arch Mason, and also belongs to the I.
O. O. F. His wife, who was formerly a Miss De-
laney Kent, and whom he married in 1840, was
born in the State of Alabama, and she and Mr.
Vest are the parents of the following family: Al-
bert, James, William, Martha and Mary living,
and John, Malviney and Sallie deceased.
James A. Walker is a native of Izard County,
Ark. , born in 1849. His father, who was born in
the State of Kentucky in 1807. was reared to a
farm life, and after he attained his majority, he
^,
IZARD COUNTY.
979
learued the blacksmith's trade. As earlj' as 1820
he removed to the State of Arkansas with his
parents, the country then being a territory, and
from that time up to the day of his death was
engaged in farming, becoming one of the leading
agriculturists of this region. He owned an ex-
cellent farm of 200 acres, the principal part of
which he devoted to the raising of cotton, corn and
tobacco. He was married, in 1830, to Miss Sarah
McCubbins, whose people were residents of Marion
County, Ai'k., and to their union a family of ten
children were born, six sons and four daughters,
all of whom lived to maturity : Eobert T. AV. , Will-
iam M., John A. W., Greene, James A., Jane,
Phoebe, Elizabeth, Harriet C. and Mary L. In
1869 James A. Walker married a daughter of Jo-
seph and Sarah Woody, of Izard County, but Ten-
nesseeans by birth. Her name was Izora E. Woody,
and by Mr. Walker she became the mother of four
children: Lillie, Leroy, Oleen and Charley. Mr.
Walker has devoted his attention to farming from
his youth up, and by paying strict attention to
his work, and being ever ready to adopt new meth-
ods, he has met with good results, and now has a
fertile farm of 127 acres on Rocky Bayou, the fifty
acres which are under the plow being devoted to
the raising of cotton, corn and small grain. Mr.
Walker is a gentleman who possesses many worthy
qualities, and ho and wife make the best of neigh-
bors, and are very hospitable. They are members
in good standing of the Methodist Episcopal
Church, and he belongs to the I. O. O. F.
T. J. Williamson is a man who seems to be es-
pecially iitted for the occupation of merchandising,
for he has met with more than the average degree
of success, and his earnest and sincere endeavor to
succeed in life is well worthy of imitation. He
was born in Independence County, Ark., Decem-
ber 22, 1852, and is a son of R. P. and Catherine
(Bowman) Williamson, who were born in Franklin
County, Tenn., and North Carolina, respectively,
the former's birth occurring November 15, 1819.
He was educated in Hardeman County, Tenn., near
Bolivar, and after his removal to Arkansas, in 1849,
he settled in Independence County, and was there
married. He and wife became the parents of
two sons and two daughters, and being people of
wealth and position, they have given their children
good educational advantages. They own aboat
1,500 acres of land, and have some 750 under cul
tivation. The mother is a member of the Cumber
land Presbyterian Church. T. J. Williamson,
their son, was educated in Bellefonte, Boone
County, Ark., and ho was married there to Miss
Sarah Murray on the 20th of December, 1877,
she being a native of that State, and a daughter of
Alfred Murray, who was a Tennesseean. To Mr.
and Mrs. Williamson were born seven children,
of whom four are still living: Clarence R., Kittie
N., Pauline and Alexander; those deceased are:
Oscar W., who died June 14, 1889; Viola, who
died October 5, 1888; and Elloena, whose death
occurred on the 14th of September, 1888. Mr.
Williamson has been engaged in merchandising
since he was twenty-one years of age. He holds
the highest office in the I. O. O. F., and has been
a delegate to the Grand Lodge. He and wife are
members of the Methodist Church, and are well
known and highly esteemed citizens.
W. H. Winkle was born in Iredell County. N.
C, July 8, 1838, and is one of five surviving mem
bers of a family of ten children born to Harvey and
Sarah Winkle, who were born in Tennessee and
North Carolina, the former's birth occurring in
1806. Harvey Winkle was educated in his native
State, and his occupation through life was that of
a farmer and mechanic. His death occurred
March 24, 1866, and his wife's in April, 1850, she
l>ein<' a member of the Lutheran Cljurch atethe
time of her death. After receiving the advantages
of the common schools and attaining manhood on
his father's farm. W. H. Winkle wiis marrie«l on
the 14th of February, lfS61, to Elizal)eth Ful-
bright, who was bom in the State of Arkansas,
but her death occurred on the 2Sth of September.
1868, she leaving him with an infant daughter,
Mary Jane, to care for. His second wife, Sarah
Jackson, was also born in the State of Arkansas,
and their marriage was consummated on tlie 24th
of January, 1866, his wife l)oing a daughter of
John and Mary Johnstin. The second union also re-
sulted in the birth of one daughter, who ilied on
►^
'-^
980
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
the 19th of November, 1872. Mr. Winkle pos-
sesses an exceedingly fertile farm of 160 acres, of
which eighty acres are under cultivation, and
much of his attention is given to raising a good
grade of mules and other stock. He has attained
a high rank in the I. O. O. F., and in every en-
terprise in which he engages he is progressive and
energetic, and consequently is successful as a rule.
He and wife belong to the Cumberland Presby-
terian Church.
James B. Woods, farmer, Melbourne, Ark.
Among the prominent young farmers of Izard
County appears the name of James B. Woods,
who, like many others of the representative
men of the county, is h native of Bedford Coun-
ty, Tenn. His parents, John and Luciuda (Rich-
ardson) Woods, are natives of the same State.
John Woods came to Arkansas in 1854, settling
in Izard County, and bought a farm near Mel-
bourne, or rather near the present site of Mel-
bourne, where he resided until his death in 1860.
He was in his twenty -ninth year at that time, and
was a member of the Christian Church. He had
always taken an active interest in politics. In
1858 he had been elected sheriff of the county,
and had just retired from office at the time of his
death. The mother died in 1879, at the age of
forty-eight years. To their union were born six
children, four now living: Margaret, wife of Alex.
L. Sublett; James B., Mary, wife of W. L. Stroud;
Sarah J. (deceased), wife of Joseph E. Freeman;
Thomas R. (deceased), and Martha C. , wife of
Daniel S. Freeman. James B. Woods was born in
February, 1852, and was reared to agricultural
pursuits in this county. He received a good, prac-
tical education in the subscription and free schools
of Arkansas, and when twenty-one years of age
started out to fight life's battles for himself. He
first tilled the soil on his mother's farm, but two
years later bought a house in Melbourne, moved
there, but rented land and still cultivated the soil.
In connection with this he also teamed and fol-
lowed the carpenter's trade for two years, after
which he sold out and bought his present property.
This (consists of 151 acres, with about forty or
fifty acres cleared, and with good buildings, etc.
He was married, in 1874, to Miss Fannie Dixon,
daughter of \V. C. and Eliza (Clarada) Dixon, na-
tives of Tennessee. To this marriage have been
born five children: Ora A., Lillian A., Owen D.,
Robert L. and Margaret. James B. Woods is
among the prosperous young farmers of the county
and deserves especial credit for the start he has
made in life. He is public-spirited and takes an
active interest in educational matters as well as all
other public enterprises. He and wife are both
members of the Christian Church. In politics he
casts his vote with the Democratic party. Socially
he is a member of the Masonic fraternity.
S. H. Wren is the oldest living pioneer of Izard
County, and was born in Warren County, Ky. ,
(near Bowling Green) in 1824, and at the age of
six years was brought by his parents, James and
Elizabeth (Hightower) Wren, to Izard County.
I James Wren was born in North Carolina, and in
1 1819 moved to Kentucky, and settled in Warren
County, where he engaged in farming, and lived
until the above mentioned date, at which date he
located in Arkansas, near Lunenburg, and gave
his attention to farming. He served as justice of
the peace of the county several terms, and held the
office of county judge from 1842 to 1847, having
no opponents during this time. He was also
elected to the office of county trustee, to distribute
the international and school fund for the purpose
of improving the public roads, there being three
candidates, and Mr. Wren received every vote
polled in the county with the exception of one —
the only case of the kind on the county records.
He was popular with all, and justly so, for he
' was ever very public-spirited, and his efforts in
aiding in the improvement of the county will al-
ways be highly appreciated. His death, which
occurred on the 28th of April, 1888, at the age of
ninety seven years and twenty-eight days, was
much regretted by all who knew him. He had
! been a member of the Missionary Baptist Church
h'om the time he was thirty two years of age until
his death, and in his political views was a Jeffer-
sonian Democi'at, and during the war a loading
I Secessionist. His wife, who was born in the "Pal-
! metto State," died on the 6th of June, 1883, at
71®
^v-
IZARD COUNTY.
'.IS I
tlie agi> of t'ighty-piglit years. Tlieir son, S. H.
Wreu, bogaji life for liimsolf at tbo age of twonty
years, first as a farmer, and October 6, 1845, ho
moved to the Platte Purchase, in Missouri, remain-
ing there about one year. Upon his return to
Izard County, Ark., ho was engaged in rafting
lumber for two years. In 1861 he was living in
Fulton County, Ark. , and was a candidate on the
Union ticket for a seat in the convention opposed
to secession, and was victorious over his opponent,
biit the county clerk gave the certificate of election
to the defeated candidate. The race was made
three times, and each time Mr. Wren secured the
greatest number of votes, but before the case was
finally settled the State seceded. Owing to the
views held Vjy Mr. Wren in regard to secession, he
was arrested and tried for treason to tlie Confed-
erate government, the trial being held at Little
Rock, before Judge Ringo, but he was ac(juitted
after they had examined two prosecuting witnesses.
He then returned home, in February, 1862, and
remained here until the arrival of Gen. Curtis,
when he went to Rolla, Mo., and remained con-
nected with the Union army for two years, selling
goods at Batesville. After his return home, at
the close. of the war, he found all his buildings
and fences destroyed, but he set to work to again
improve his property, and now lias hin fnrin, which
consists of 120 acres, well impn.ved with gotjd
buildings, and has eighty one acres under the
plow. He has owned 1,2(1(1 acres, but has lost
the most of it in going security for his friends.
His wife owns 146 acres, with 1(10 acres under
cultivation. He was elected to the oftice of justice
of the peace two terms, making six years in all,
and during that time did not have a decision re
versed or a change of venue taken, and not a cent
was charged up to the State of Arkansas. He is a
Republican in his political views, but usually votes
for whom ho consid(>rs the best man, regardless of
party. He has been twice married, the first time
to Miss Nancy J. Hayley, in 1854, and of six chil-
dren born to them, three are deceased: .Tanies M. .
William C, and Martha .J. (Mrs. .James Cole) living
in Franklin County, Ark. Mrs. Wren was a mem ■
ber of the Missionary Baptist Church.'Tjnd died in
1865. Mr. Wren's second union took place on the
24th of November, 1867. his wife being a Miss
Margaret Evans, and of nine children liorn to
them, four are living: W. G., S. R.. Thomas H.
and Mai-}' C. Mrs. Wren is a member of the
Christian Church, and he is a member of the I. O.
O. F., and the Agricultural Wheel, taking a warm
interest in commendable enterprises.
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