Goodspeeds Biographies

for Franklin County AR

 FRANKLIN COUNTY, AR BIOGRAPHIES - A, B, C

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SOURCE: History of Benton, Washington, Carroll, Madison, Crawford,
Franklin, and Sebastian Counties, Arkansas. Chicago: The Goodspeed
Publishing Co., 1889.
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Prof. Frank J. Allen was born in Washington County, N. Y., February
28, 1834, and is a son of Amos and Mary (Fletcher) Allen, natives of
the same county and State, where they were reared and married. In 1838
the family immigrated to La Salle County, Ill., where the father died
in August, 1854. He was a farmer by occupation. The grandfather was a
soldier in the Revolution, and lived to be ninety-seven years old.
Frank J. was reared in Illinois, and when eighteen years old entered
Madison University, of New York State. After leaving school he began
to teach, and has since devoted almost his entire time to that
vocation. He first taught six years at Saratoga Springs, N. Y., and
then about the same length of time in Illinois. In 1869 he came to
Arkansas, locating in Franklin County, where he taught the first free
school in Ozark. He subsequently taught in Logan County five years,
but then returned to Franklin County, where he has since remained. He
presided over the Ozark school four years, but since 1880 has been
interested in farming in connection with his teaching. In 1856, while
in New York, he was married to Mary D. Howe, a native of Vermont,
where she received her education. This lady died in Logan County in
1875, leaving two children: Everett F., of Washington Territory, and
Artie M. In 1876 Mr. Allen was married in Logan County to Ellen J.
Sadler, a native of Arkansas, who was reared in Logan and Scott
Counties. This union has been blessed with the following children:
Victor V., Juanita M. and Chester L. While in Logan County Mr. Allen
held the position of superintendent of the public school for two
years. He is a member of the Missionary Baptist Church, and his wife
belongs to the Methodist Church. Mr. Allen is also a Master Mason.

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William A. Amis, M. D., was born in Coweta County, Ga., April 23,
1849, and is a son of Louis and Jane (Dean) Amis, also natives of that
State. In 1880 the family moved to Franklin County, Ark., where the
father died February 6, 1883. Dr. Amis grew to manhood in his native
State, and there received a good education. He began the study of
medicine in Coweta County, under Dr. J. H. Phillips, with whom he
remained two years. In the winter of 1869 and 1870, he attended a
course of lectures at the university at Nashville, Tenn., and then
practiced his profession under the supervision of his instructor. The
following winter he again attended the university, and in the spring
of 1871 graduated from that institution. He then continued his
practice in Georgia until 1880, when he came with his father to
Franklin County. He is a progressive man, being familiar with the best
medical journals of the day, and as a physician and surgeon is widely
and favorably known in Ozark and the surrounding country. He is a
member of the State Medical Society. September 28, 1871, the Doctor
was married in Hurd County, Ga., to Josephine Miller, a native of that
State, and daughter of J. M. Miller, who died when Mrs. Amis was but a
child. Doctor Amis has a family of six children: William, Bessie,
Joseph, Otis, Clyde and Ellen. Dr. and Mrs. Amis are respected members
of the Missionary Baptist Church.

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John R. Amos, was born in Roane County, Tenn., March 8, 1839, and is a
son of Charles and Polly (Harvey) Amos, natives, respectively, of
South Carolina [p.1222] and Tennessee. Charles Amos was born in 1812,
and when a young man went to Tennessee, and from there removed to a
farm in Newton County, Mo. In 1858 he located in Sebastian County,
Ark., where he remained until his death, which occurred in 1875. The
mother of our subject died in 1863, and the father afterward married
Sally Cook, a native of Tennessee, who survives her husband, and is
now living with our subject. John R. Amos was about fifteen years of
age when his parents located in Missouri, where he lived until 1858,
at that time removing to Arkansas. In 1861 he enlisted in the
Confederate army, and participated in the battles of Pea Ridge,
Shiloh, Richmond and Murfreesboro. At the close of the war he
returned to Arkansas, and resumed farming. In 1865 he married Kattie
Mildham, daughter of Jackson Mildham, and they had four children,
viz.: John, Bettie, Marttie and Charley. Mrs. Amos died in 1871, and
in 1874 Mr. Amos married Annie Hill, who has borne him four children,
three living: George Luther, Willie and Albert Sidney. Simon was born
in 1880, and died in 1885. In 1866 Mr. Amos located on his present
farm, which consists of 240 acres, 140 acres of which are under
cultivation. He is one of the industrious and enterprising farmers of
the county. In politics he is a Democrat, and in religion he is a
member of the Baptist Church. He also belongs to the A. F. & A. M.
Mrs. Amos is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

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Robert M. Anderson, farmer and stock raiser, was born in LaFayette
County, Miss., August 4, 1839. His father, William Anderson, was born
and reared in Tennessee. When a young man he went to Mississippi, and
there married Nancy C. Smith, a native of Mississippi, who died in
that State in 1854. In 1867 Mr. Anderson left his farm in Mississippi,
and coming to Arkansas located in Boston Township, Franklin
County, where he lived until his death in 1874. He enlisted in the
first company of cavalry which left Mississippi during the war, and
served until the end as a private. To himself and wife three sons and
three daughters were born, all save one sister, now deceased, being
residents of Franklin County. Robert M. Anderson passed his youth in
Mississippi, and in 1861 enlisted in the First Mississippi Cavalry, in
which he served until the close of the war, when the regiment was
disbanded at Gainesville, Ala., May 12, 1865. He fought in a number of
skirmishes, but the only battle of importance in which he participated
was that of Corinth. In 1859 he was married in Mississippi to Susan E.
Slaughter, a native of Georgia, who died in 1862. After the war Mr.
Anderson farmed in Mississippi, and in 1863 married his first wife's
sister, Amanda, a native of Alabama, and daughter of Butler Slaughter.
Mr. Anderson now has a family of ten children: Newton F., married;
Laura, wife of William Spicer; W. E.; Hulett, married; W. G., married;
R. Ira, A. H., Emma D., Lillie M. and Idus C. In 1867, in company with
his father's family, Mr. Anderson immigrated to Franklin County, Ark.,
and two years later moved upon the farm he now owns, which he
proceeded to clear and improve. He has 160 acres, ninety being under
cultivation, and his house and out-buildings are commodious and
comfortable. His orchard contains 700 peach and 100 apple trees. Mr.
Anderson is a prominent man in the politics of his township. In 1873
he was elected county supervisor, and the following year made justice
of the peace, to which position he has since been elected at different
times. He has often served several terms in succession, and is now
completing a second term. He has been a member of the school board a
number of years, and was appointed by the Governor to represent his
county in the board of equalization. In polities he is a Democrat. He
is an active member of the Free-will Baptist Church, of which his wife
is also a member.

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George W. Austin was born in the State of New York on the 26th of May,
1849, and in 1851 removed with his parents to Central Illinois, and
resided in different portions of the State until 1874. In 1865 he
began learning the printing business, and has worked at that
occupation in different capacities up to the present time. In 1874 he
removed to Kentucky, and started a paper called the Ballard News, at
Blandville, in Ballard County, and the following year removed to
Northwest Missouri, and at the end of two years returned to Kentucky.
In the spring of 1876 he came to Arkansas, and worked as foreman of
the Western Immigrant, at Dardanelle, Yell County, for two years,
removing from that town to Clinton, the county seat of Van Buren
County, where he became foreman on the Clinton Banner. In 1880 he went
to Little Rock, and took charge of the mechanical department of the
True Democrat, a weekly paper, which was removed to Fort Smith and
consolidated with the Fort Smith Independent, under [p.1223] the name
of the Independent True Democrat. While at Fort Smith he was foreman
consecutively of the Morning Herald, the Evening News and the Evening
Times. Mr. Austin was the first compositor employed on the Fort Smith
Journal, and worked there until the 1st of May, 1888, when he started
the Altus Advance, which is a breezy and thriving little Democratic
paper. While residing in Kentucky in 1874 he was married to Miss Leila
C. Stom, who died August 16, 1882, while Mr. Austin was in Little
Rock, leaving three children: Harry S., Willis, and Herbert, who died
soon after his mother's death. Mr. Austin is a son of Aaron and Annie
E. (Vanderkar) Austin, the former a native of York State, and a member
of the religious sect of Quakers by rearing, but afterward became a
member of the Methodist Church. He was a farmer, and died in Nodaway
County, Mo. The mother died November 14, 1888.

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Dr. W. R. Bachelor, of Franklin County, was born November 29, 1827, in
Lawrence County, Tenn., and is a son of W. R. and Alcie (Odom)
Bachelor, natives of North Carolina. The father was a farmer by
occupation, and located upon a farm in Nash County, after his
marriage, whence he removed to Tennessee in an early day, where he
continued farming until his death, which occurred in Hardin County in
1858. He was the father of six children, four sons and two daughters,
three of whom are living, viz.: Dr. W. R., William S. and Sarah, the
latter now living with our subject. The mother died in 1848, having
been a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Dr. W. R. Bachelor
was reared and educated in Hardin County, Tenn., and for several years
in his early manhood engaged in teaching, during which time he was
studying medicine. He began active practice of the medical profession
in Hardin County in 1859, where he remained until 1863, and then went
to Kentucky. In 1866 he returned to Hardin County, Tenn., and was
employed by the Government as physician in charge of the men engaged
in building the National Cemetery at Pittsburg Landing. In 1870 he
purchased and moved to his present fine farm of 250 acres in Franklin
County, Ark., which is well improved and stocked. In 1848 Dr. Bachelor
married Sarah Tankersly, daughter of Roling Tankersly, of Hardin
County, Tenn. To this union have been born nine children, viz.:
Leander M., Dr. James H., of Central City; John Y. L., Wilson R., Jr.,
Victor H., Nancy J., Alcie D., wife of Dr. S. R. Russell; Lulu, now
Mrs. William Harris, and Pauline G. Dr. Bachelor is one of the leading
Liberalists in Western Arkansas, and is the author of a work on free
thought, called "Fiat-Flux." As a doctor he is well and favorably
known, and has a good practice. Politically he is a Republican. Mrs.
Bachelor is a member of the Baptist Church.

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Capt. William W. Bailey. Among the leading merchants of Franklin
County, Ark., may be mentioned Mr. Bailey, whose establishment is
situated at Altus. He was born in Tippah County, Miss., near
Springhill, June 27, 1834, and is a son of Edmund I. and Lydia D.
(Mullins) Bailey, who were natives respectively of North Carolina and
Tennessee, and died in Shelby County, Ala., in 1841, at the age of
sixty-six years, and Ripley, Miss., in 1837, at the age of forty
years. They were married and lived in Giles County, Tenn., for a
number of years, and while there the father served as sheriff of the
county one term. They afterward located in Tippah County, Miss., where
the father became the first clerk of the county, which position he
held until 1840. He was appointed by Gen. Jackson to survey Northern
Mississippi, and followed that occupation throughout life. He was a
prominent and popular man of his day, and was a soldier in the War of
1812, and was a stanch Jacksonian Democrat. He was noted for his
liberality, and gave his money freely to the poor and unfortunate. He
was a Mason of the first degree, and his marriage was blessed in the
birth of five children: Elvira, who became the wife of Joel H.
Roberts; Edmund I., a resident of Wilcox County, Ala.; Annie J., wife
of Col. John McCarty, who was a well-known commander of the Twenty-
sixth Mississippi Infantry, Confederate States Army, and is now living
in Texas; Capt. William W., and Lucy, wife of Otis Lewis, a prosperous
planter of Catahoula County, La. William W. Bailey was taken to be
reared by Hon. John W. Thompson, a warm personal friend of his
father's, from whom he received his start in life, and made his home
with him until the latter's death, on the 21st of June, 1873, at the
age of sixty-six years. He received a very liberal education in the
schools of Ripley, Miss., and March 28, 1861, enlisted as a private in
Company B, Ninth Mississippi Infantry, Confederate States Army, and
served twelve months. He was then mustered out of the service in
April, 1862, and was appointed by Col. [p.1224] James L. Autry as
adjustant-general of the post at Vicksburg, and in June, 1862, became
adjutant of the Seventh Mississippi Regiment, serving with the rank of
captain for two years, and before the close of the war served as
adjutant for several regiments. At the cessation of hostilities he was
captain of Company C. Second Mississippi Cavalry, and had participated
in many battles, among which were Cumberland Gap, the siege of
Vicksburg, being the man who took the reply to the Federal soldiers
that "Mississippians never surrender:" Pensacola, Iuka, Corinth,
Moscow, Tenn., Harrisburg, Miss., and many others. He was never taken
prisoner or wounded, but had a horse shot from under him at Salem,
Miss. After the war he returned to Ripley, Miss., where he studied law
under Judge John W. Thompson, being admitted to the bar in 1866 by
Alexander M. Clayton. He immediately formed a partnership with his
preceptor, and practiced law in Ripley until 1881, when he came to
Altus and engaged in merchandising, and in 1884 became chairman of the
Democratic Central Committee of Franklin County. He is president of
the joint stock company of the Methodist Episcopal College at Altus.
On the 14th of September, 1864, he was married to Ruth E. Sellers, who
was born in Rutherford County, N. C., September 27, 1839. She was a
niece of Judge Thompson's, and was reared by him. Her union with Mr.
Bailey was blessed by three sons: Edmund I., a general merchant at
Alma, Ark.; George S., at home, and John W. T. Mr. and Mrs. Bailey are
members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and he is a stanch
Democrat.

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J. W. Bailey. Among the merchants and first-class business men of
Mulberry stands the name of J. W. Bailey, who was born in Northern
Alabama January 24, 1851, and is the son of W. C. and N. E. Bailey,
the former a native of Tennessee, and the latter a native of Alabama,
and of German and Scotch descent, respectively. The parents left
Alabama in 1870 and came to Franklin County, Ark., where they still
reside. J. W. Bailey was reared to farm life, and aided his father in
the duties of the same until seventeen years of age, when he engaged
in agricultural pursuits for himself. He followed this occupation
until 1879, when he engaged in the mercantile business at Mulberry,
with a stock of goods valued at $400, and annual sales amounting to
$2,000. His sales now reach $10,000 to $15,000. He is city recorder,
and was appointed to the position of postmaster in 1886, which
position he still holds. He is a Democrat in his political opinions.
Although starting life with little or no means. Mr. Bailey has
accumulated considerable property, is the owner of one-half interest
in a drug store, and has a house and lot in Mulberry.

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Albert L. Baker, merchant and postmaster of White Rock Township, was
born in Baxter County, Ark., January 16, 1863, and is a son of William
R. and Sarah E. (Cowey) Baker. The father was born, reared and married
in Georgia, and lived in that State until 1858, when he came to
Arkansas. He at once located in what is now Baxter County, where he
still lives engaged in farming. Albert lived until fifteen years of
age with his father upon the farm, and in 1879 came to Franklin
County. He farmed four years, and then started the first mercantile
store in White Rock Township. In 1884, two years after, he was made
postmaster of the place, which position he still holds. The same year
Mr. Patrick became his partner in the mercantile business, and the
firm is now known as Baker & Patrick. They carry a well assorted stock
of merchandise, and enjoy a good trade. December 20, 1883, Mr. Baker
was married, in this county, to S. E. Wade, a native of Georgia, who
was reared and educated here. This union has been blessed with two
children, Dora B. and Vesta E. Mr. Baker is a Master Mason, and
a highly respected citizen.

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J. Beneux, general merchant and a prominent business man, of Mulberry,
Franklin Co., Ark., was born in this county, on the farm where he now
resides, October 9, 1844, and is the son of Justin and Sarah (Alston)
Beneux, both natives of France, from which country they immigrated to
America, locating in Franklin County, Ark., and being among the first
settlers of the county. Here they accumulated a large property. They
were the parents of eight children, four of whom are still living. J.
Beneux began in early life to assist his father in merchandising, and
as a consequence his education was rather limited. This he has
overcome, to a considerable extent, by observation and study, and is
considered a well-informed man. In 1877 he engaged in merchandising
for himself at Mulberry, and is the owner of forty-five acres, thirty-
five under cultivation. He has an interest in a cotton-gin and
flouring-mill. He was married in [p.1225] 1866, in this county, to
Miss Martha Quesenbery, daughter of Harry and Angeline, who were early
settlers of Franklin County. She was born in Franklin County, Ark.,
and by her marriage became the mother of four children: Henry, engaged
in business in Mulberry; Erastus, who is now in the store with his
father; Addie G. and Maggie. Mr. Beneux is a member of the Masonic
fraternity, and is a Democrat in polities.

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H. A. Beneux, another prominent and successful merchant of Mulberry,
was born in Franklin County, Ark., August 7, 1864, and is the son of
J. and M. (Quesenbery) Beneux [whose sketch may be seen elsewhere in
these pages]. H. A. Beneux attained his growth on his father's farm,
and continued tilling the soil until 1880, when he commenced attending
school at Fayetteville, Ark., and there remained for two years. He
established his present business in 1883, at Mulberry, and has a large
and selected stock of dry goods, boots and shoes, hats, clothing and
all other goods necessary for a first-class house. He started with a
capital of $375, and now carries a stock of goods valued at $5,000,
with annual sales amounting to $15,000. Mr. Beneux has a large trade,
and is succeeding remarkably well. He is a Democrat in politics, is a
wide-awake business man, and is a much-respected citizen.

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W. A. Bennett, son of William and Rebecca (Riggs) Bennett, was born in
Jackson County, Ala., in 1833, and is now residing on Section 15,
where he has a farm of eighty acres. The father died in 1885. He was a
native of North Carolina, was of Scotch-Irish descent, and followed
the occupation of a tiller of the soil. He was a man universally
respected, and had many friends in the county. The mother died in
1882. They came to Arkansas in 1843, and here their children grew to
manhood. W. A. Bennett remained with his parents until grown, and in
1857 he was united in marriage to Miss Harriet Gaither, who was born
in Carroll County, Ark., in 1840. Six children were the result of this
marriage, four now living: Alice, Ella (wife of W. H. Hyams), Hattie
L. (now wife of James Henson), W. S. and George G. Mr. Bennett started
life at the age of twenty-one with a limited education and $10 in
money. He now has a comfortable and happy home, is succeeding well,
and is an honest, respected citizen. He was twice elected as tax
assessor of Franklin County, and three times as a justice of the peace
of that county. He was crippled in 1860, and has been obliged to use
crutches to the present time.

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C. V. Bennett, farmer and stock dealer, who now resides on Section 22,
where he has 110 acres of fine farming land, with seventy-five acres
under cultivation, is a native of Alabama, born in Jackson County,
February 11, 1837, and the son of William and Rebecca (Riggs) Bennett.
The father was a native of North Carolina, was of Scotch-Irish
descent, and was a farmer by occupation. He died in 1885. The mother
died in 1882. They came to the "Bear State" in 1843, and here passed
the remainder of their lives. To their union were born ten children,
eight of whom lived to be grown and three now living. Their son, C.
V., came with his parents to Arkansas in 1843, and has since been a resident of this State, engaged in agricultural industries; but aside
from this, at odd hours, he learned the carpenter's trade. In July,
1861, he enlisted in the Confederate service, and served through the
entire conflict, participating in several hard-fought battles. He was
captured at the surrender of Port Hudson, La., July 8, 1864, was
paroled and sent home, remaining there until his exchange soon after.
Following this he re-entered the army and served until the close of
the war. His service was one of untold hardships and severe
privations. Mr. Bennett was married in this county, in 1869, to Mary
C. Remy, who was born in Washington County, Ark., in 1842. The fruits
of their union were six children: Ida, Ara, Adell, Dennis, Henry and
Roach. Mr. Bennett is a member of the Masonic fraternity, Lodge No.
233, is a member of the K. of H., and a member of the Cumberland
Presbyterian Church, as are also two of his children. He is a self-
made man, and is now in quite comfortable circumstances, all the
result of his own efforts, coupled with that of his good wife. He is a
Democrat in his political principles.

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Hon. T. D. Berry was born in Jackson County, Ala., at Belfast,
September 24, 1827, and is a son of Thomas and Elizabeth (McFerrin)
Berry. The father was born and reared in Virginia, and was a soldier
in one of the Indian wars. He was a planter, and died in Alabama. The
maternal grandfather was James D. McFerrin. T. D. Berry grew to
manhood in Alabama, and upon coming to Arkansas located in Madison
County, where he served as sheriff four years. [p.1226] In 1861 he
enlisted in the army under Col. David Walker, as a private, but was
afterward elected lieutenant, and served until the close of the war in
that capacity. He was in a number of skirmishes with the Indians, and
participated in the fights at Oak Hill and Elk Horn. The company being
disbanded in Texas at the close of the war, he located at Ozark, and
engaged in planting. In 1866 he served one term in the Legislature,
and ten years later served another. Since 1874 he has successfully
practiced law in Ozark and the adjoining country. He is one of the
most prominent citizens of the town, and for five consecutive years
served as mayor of Ozark. In August, 1844, he married Jemima
Boatright, daughter of William Boatright, and a native of Tennessee,
who was reared in Arkansas. Mr. and Mrs. Berry have a family of four
sons and four daughters: Nancy J. (wife of Henry Richardson), Mary A.
(wife of F. M. Elsey), A. H. Berry, A. W. Berry, Dusey K. (wife of A.
L. Eichenberger), W. T. Berry, Mattie H. and Frank M. Mr. Berry is a
Royal Arch Mason, K. of H., and has represented all the orders in the
Grand Lodge of the I. O. O. F.

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John D. Berry, postmaster of Ozark, was born in DeKalb County, Ala.,
March 18, 1839. His father, John Berry, was born in Virginia, but was
reared in Alabama, where he married Jane Orr, a native of Tennessee.
In 1849 he moved to Arkansas and located at Carrollton, in Carroll
County, engaging in the mercantile business there until 1869. He then
pursued the same business in Berryville, of that county, until the
war. He lost his wife at Carrollton, and his death occurred at
Clarksville, at the residence of a daughter. John D. grew to manhood
in Carroll County, working in his father's store, and engaged in the
stock business with him. He joined the State troops in 1861, and
enlisted in the regular Confederate army in 1862. After serving a year
in Col. Gordon's Cavalry, he was transferred to Harrell's battalion of
cavalry, and made adjutant, which office he held until the close of
the war, although his regiment was afterward consolidated with Col.
Crawford's. He participated in a number of minor engagements, besides
the battles at Prairie View, Fayetteville. Poison Springs, Boonsville
and Mark's Mills. Since 1865 Mr. Berry has resided in Ozark, where he
has held several official positions. He was appointed deputy sheriff
and constable of White Oak Township, and in 1868 was elected town
marshal, holding that office fifteen years. Until 1887 he was engaged
in the transfer business. In August, 1884, he was appointed
postmaster, and is still efficiently performing the duties of that
office. He is a prosperous business man, and a brother of James H.
Berry, United States Senator. March 24, 1860, he was married, in
Carrollton, to Mary P. Winn, a native of Missouri, who was reared in
Carroll County, and is a daughter of Dr. R. M. Winn (deceased),
formerly of Kentucky. Mr. and Mrs. Berry have four daughters and two
sons: Myrtle, Magnolia, Carl J., Richard, Mary E. and Euna. Mrs. Berry
belongs to the Methodist Episcopal Church, and Mr. Berry has been
superintendent of the Presbyterian Sunday-school for a number of
years. He has filled all the chairs of the I. O. O. F. lodge, and has
represented his lodge in the Grand Lodge. He also belongs to the K. of
H., and has served his lodge as treasurer.

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Hugh W. Blaylock was born in DeKalb County, Ga., April 24, 1827. His
father, William Blaylock, was born and reared in North Carolina, and
when a young man went to Georgia, where he married Mary Wilson, a
native of that State. He then farmed in Georgia until 1855, and then
located in Pulaski County, Ark., but the following year came to
Franklin County, farming here until after the war. He next made a home
in Johnson County a number of years, and then went to Sebastian
County, finally, however, returning to this county, where he died in
February, 1882. Hugh W. was reared in Georgia, and there married
Emeline McDonald, who died here May 1, 1855. Upon first coming to
Arkansas Mr. Blaylock farmed in Saline County four years, and in 1859
came to Franklin County. He bought his present place in 1860, and the
following spring located permanently upon it. Although the war
destroyed his farm, he now has again converted it into nicely improved
land, and owns eighty acres in all, well fenced, and about sixty-five
acres cleared and cultivated. He has a nice orchard of three acres,
and his buildings are in a good condition. In 1862 he enlisted in Col.
Hill's regiment, and served in the same until nearly the close of the
war, participating in the fights at Hot Springs, Prairie De Hand and
Pilot Knob. He accompanied Price upon his famous raid, and was
disbanded at Clarksville, Ark., after which he resumed his farming.
Six children were born by Mr. Blaylock's first wife: James, Caroline,
Monroe, Hugh M., Franklin [p.1227] L., and Elizabeth, wife of Charles
Langwill. Mr. Blaylock's second marriage occurred in this county,
Elizabeth E. Nichols becoming his wife. She was a native of this
State, and a daughter of W. N. Nichols [see sketch]. This lady died in
1883, leaving five children: Mary C., Edna L., Reuben N., Bridges C.
and Emma S. Mr. Blaylock is a deacon in the Baptist Church.

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Robert Sharpe Bridgman was born in Moultrie County, Ill., in 1853,
being the son of William and Amanda Bridgman. The former was born and
reared in Illinois; the mother was born in Kentucky, and died in 1867
in Cumberland County, Ill. William Bridgman married again, and came to Arkansas in December, 1877, and located near Charleston, Franklin
County. He has been a Baptist minister for over forty years. Robert S.
was reared on a farm near Charleston, Ill., and had the advantage of a
common-school education. He began teaching school at the age of
seventeen, and at twenty embarked in merchandising in Casey, Ill., in
the stove and tinware business. In 1877 he studied medicine in the
office of his brother, Dr. N. S. Bridgman, at York, Ill., but gave up
the study of this profession, and came to Arkansas in December, 1877.
He resumed business again the following year, at Roseville, Ark., and
after a short time removed to Charleston, where he has built up a good
trade. His goods and effects consist of a stock of merchandise, houses
and lots, farming lands, the Vindicator office, etc., etc., worth
$5,000. Mr. Bridgman was married November 26, 1879, to Miss Laura
Swinney, the only daughter of James O. and Lucinda Swinney. They have
two children, Clarence, a boy of seven, and Nettie, aged three years.
Mr. Bridgman took no part in the late war, being too young at the time
to enlist. He has never aspired to office, but has filled various
minor positions, such as recorder for the town council, clerk of the
Concord Baptist Association, and in 1884 was elected mayor of
Charleston, Ark. He is a Democrat, and himself and wife are members of
the Baptist Church. They have always contributed to any and all good
causes to the full limit of their ability. He is a member of the K. of
H. Mr. Bridgman bought the Vindicator in 1885, and has been its editor
ever since, conducting the paper with signal success and marked
ability.

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Rev. J. N. Brigance, retired minister of the Cumberland Presbyterian
Church, and a resident of Maxey Township, was born in Western
Tennessee, in 1837. His parents, William C. and Sarah A. (Sparks)
Brigance, were natives of North Carolina, and both of Scotch-Irish
descent. They came to Pope County, Ark., in 1839, and here passed the
remainder of their days, the father engaging in agricultural pursuits.
Of the nine children born to their union, three are now living. J. N.
Brigance grew to manhood in Pope County, Ark., and at the age of
seventeen commenced attending college, which he continued four years.
He then began his ministerial duties in Pope and adjoining counties,
which he continued until 1886, but since then has only preached
occasionally on account of chronic sore throat. He owns 105 acres of
fair farming land, has a good residence, and is now successfully
engaged in tilling the soil. He was married in this county, in 1866,
to Miss Clementine Quesenbery, a native of Franklin County, Ark., born
in 1844, and the daughter of William C. and Elizabeth A. Quesenbery.
To Mr. and Mrs. Brigance were born four children: Carrie L., William
F., James E. and Robert O. Mr. Brigance is a Democrat in his political
views, is a member of the Masonic fraternity, Pleasant Hill Lodge No.
233, is strictly temperate in his habits, and contributes liberally to
any and all charitable institutions. He is one of the county's best
citizens.
----------------------------------------------------------------------


William T. Brown, M. D., one of the leading practicing physicians of
Altus, Franklin Co., Ark., was born in Jackson County, Mo., April 9,
1828, and is the son of Halbert E. and Susannah (Burk) Brown. John
Brown, grandfather of our subject, came from Ireland and settled in
Wythe County, Va., at a very early date. Soon after Daniel Boone went
to Kentucky, he followed and located in what is now known as Wayne
County, where his son, Halbert E. Brown, was born in 1804, August 12.
The latter lived in Kentucky until after his marriage to Miss Burk,
who was born in the same county in 1802, and then in 1824 they moved
to Missouri, and were among the first settlers of Jackson County. They
moved from there to Saline County, Ark., in 1849, and afterward moved
to Lewisburg, where they both died during the war. The father was a
dealer in stock while in Missouri, and after moving to Arkansas he
turned his attention to farming. They were both members of the
Methodist Episcopal Church, and he was a Democrat in politics. They
were the parents of six sons and two [p.1228] daughters, two sons now
living, the subject of this ketch and Benton L., who is a farmer in
Franklin County, Ark. Dr. William T. Brown received his education at
Independence, Mo., and studied medicine at the same place. In 1855 he
commenced the practice of his profession in Sanne County, Ark., and in
1860 he moved to Russellville, Pope County, of the same State, where
he practiced until 1883, and then came to Altus. In 1868 he was
elected county judge of Pope County, and held the position for four
years. He was postmaster at Berlin for a time, was justice of the
peace, register, etc., and during the war he acted as assistant
surgeon at Dardanelle and Little Rock in the Federal service. At Altus
he has a successful practice, and in fact has all, or more, than one
physician can attend to. July 26, 1849, he wedded Miss Mary J. Wills,
a native of Saline County, Ark., and the daughter of Jesse T. Wills, a
native of Alabama, but an early settler of Saline County, Ark. Mrs.
Brown died in her native county, February 8, 1855, and of the two
children born to their union, only one, John M., is now living, and is
a successful farmer of Franklin County, Ark. Jesse was born July 9,
1850, and died August 10, 1863. Then February 18, 1856, Dr. Brown
married Miss Mary J. Graves, a native of Saline County, Ark., born
April 17, 1839, and the daughter of James Graves. To the second union
were born two children: Clarissa J., born March 17, 1857, and Martha
J., born July 26, 1866. Clarissa J. is the wife of T. J. Morrison, a
farmer of Franklin County, Ark., and Martha J. is the wife of E. R.
Lee, agent of the ticket office at Alma. Ark. Dr. Brown is a
Republican in his political views, and is a strict Prohibitionist, is
a member of the Masonic fraternity, and he and wife are members of the
Methodist Episcopal Church.

----------------------------------------------------------------------

E. B. Bryant was born in Carroll County, Mo., August 21, 1833, and is
the son of Rial and Elizabeth (Jenkins) Bryant, natives of Georgia and
Alabama, and of Irish and German descent, respectively. The former was
born in 1799 and the latter February 24, 1809. They came to this
county in 1836, and were among its early settlers, and here the father
died about three years later. The mother is still living, and makes
her home with her son, E. B. Bryant. He grew to manhood on the farm,
and has followed the occupation of farming the principal part of his
life. For about six years he was engaged in merchandising at Pleasant
Hill, which he carried on in connection with farming. He established a
cotton-gin in 1868, which is still running, and which he improved in
1873 by adding a grist-mill. On an average, Mr. Bryant can gin seven
bales of cotton per day. He owns 135 acres of land, and is a
prosperous citizen. He was married in 1858 to Miss Elizabeth Hawkins,
a native of Franklin County, born April 13, 1838 who died November 22,
1872, in communion with the Cumberland Presbyterian Church. To them
were born seven children, four now living: William E., Virgil C.,
Martha A. and Martin L. Mr. Bryant was married to his second wife,
Miss Julia A. Evins, in 1875. She was born December 29, 1839. To this
union were born three children: Ann Eliza. Clinton and E. B. Mr.
Bryant started life in rather poor circumstances, but by hard work,
and by the assistance of his good wives, he has surmounted all
difficulties, and is to-day in good circumstances. Mrs. Bryant is a
consistent member of the Missionary Baptist Church. He is a Democrat
in politics.

----------------------------------------------------------------------

Dr. J. S. Burt was born in Hempstead County, Ark., June 4, 1819, and
is a son of Hewitt and Mary (Baird) Burt. John Burt, the grandfather
of our subject, was of French-Huguenot descent, was born and reared in
Virginia, and was the oldest of ten brothers. He and six of his
brothers served in the Revolutionary War. In 1795 he moved to
Abbeville District, S. C. Hewitt, who was born in 1791, was a soldier
in the War of 1812. After the war he married, and engaged in farming.
In 1815 he removed to Washington County, Mo., thence in 1817 to
Hempstead County, Ark., where he remained till his death, in 1880. He
was a shoemaker by trade, but devoted his attention to farming. He led
an active life, was an elder in the Cumberland Presbyterian Church for
over fifty years, and was an active church worker. In 1853 he was
elected a representative to the Territorial Legislature on the
Democratic ticket. He married Mary Baird, daughter of John and
Margaret (Adams) Baird, who was of Welsh-Irish descent. To Hewitt and
Mary Burt were born twelve children, four now living: John S., Hewitt
E., William S., and Susan I., wife of J. M. McElroy. Their mother died
in 1883 in her eighty-ninth year. Dr. J. S. Burt was reared and
received his early education in his native county, and was afterward
for two years in Hanover College, South Hanover, Ind. He left college
[p.1229] at the close of his junior year, but afterward received the
honorary degree of A. B. from the college. He attended one course of
lectures in the Louisville Medical College, in 1844-45. His first wife
was Hellen E. McElroy, daughter of Wiley McElroy. She died in April,
1861, and left five children, three of whom still survive: Dr. James
W., Dr. John M., and Mary W., wife of W. J. Jones. In October, 1865,
Dr. Burt married Alvia N. Cox, by whom he has only one child now
living, Lee K. In 1846 Dr. Burt practiced medicine in Clark County,
Ark. In 1847 he went to Sevier County, where he practiced two years;
then two years in Washington, Hempstead County, then returned to
Sevier County, where he remained eight years. In 1859 he returned to
Hempstead County, and thence in 1868 he came to Franklin County, where
he is still engaged in the practice of his profession. He has also
been preaching for the last eighteen years. He is a minister in the
Cumberland Presbyterian Church, and for the last five or six years has
devoted most of his time to the work of the ministry.

----------------------------------------------------------------------

James N. D. Campbell, justice of the peace, was born in Perry County,
Tenn., October 13, 1837, and is a son of William and Nancy (Dornell)
Campbell, natives of the same State. After his marriage the father
lived in Tennessee some years, but in March, 1840, located in Franklin
County, Ark., and until his death farmed in Franklin County. He was a
good sportsman, and shot many deer, turkeys and wild game. His death
occurred April 8, 1852. He was one of the first settlers of Mountain
Township, moving here from Mulberry Valley in 1845, and himself and
one neighbor were the only voters in the township at one time during
its early history. Our subject has lived in Franklin County since two
years of age, his early life being passed upon his father's farm. In
the spring of 1861 he enlisted in the State troops, and after these
were disbanded joined the regular Confederate army. He served as
orderly-sergeant of the Fifteenth Arkansas Infantry until the
surrender of Vicksburg, July 4, 1863, after which he returned home. He
participated in the two engagements at Corinth, the siege of
Vicksburg, and several skirmishes. Since the war he has been engaged
in farming with success. In 1874 he was elected justice of the peace,
which office he filled six consecutive terms, and in 1882 was
appointed postmaster of Floury Post-office, serving in that capacity
two years. He has often been a delegate to the County Democratic
Convention, and wields considerable political power in the county.
December 26, 1861, he was married in Johnson County to Martha Taylor,
who was born in Madison County, Ark., and is a daughter of one of the
early settlers of the State, who came from Illinois. Mr. and Mrs.
Campbell have lost four children in infancy, but have eight now
living: Pleasant L., married; Alonzo, married; Mary, wife of A. Short;
Nancy A., wife of William Hughes; William W., Augustus D., Amanda L.
and Catherine. Mr. Campbell's farm contains eighty acres, sixty-five
of which are cleared, and it is situated fifteen miles north of Ozark.

----------------------------------------------------------------------

Francis M. Canon was born in Washington County, Ark., November 26,
1833, near Prairie Grove. His father, James Canon, was born in South
Carolina, and when a young man went to Georgia, where he married Patsy
Knowles, a native of that State. From Georgia Mr. Canon went to
Tennessee, and after four years' residence there moved to Arkansas in
1830, and for about twelve years farmed in Washington County. He then
moved to Franklin County, and there died in October, 1865. He served
under Gen. Jackson in the War of 1812, and participated in the battle
of New Orleans. Francis M. Canon lived upon his father's farm in
Franklin County until grown, and in 1855 was married in Washington
County to Sarah J. Spencer, daughter of D. H. and Elizabeth Spencer.
In August, 1862, he joined the Second Arkansas Infantry, under Col.
Gunter, Confederate army, and served until the close of the war. He
fought in the battle of Prairie Grove, and after his regiment was
disbanded, in 1865, returned to Franklin and resumed his farming. He
located upon his present farm in 1867, to which he has since added
until he now owns 240 acres of land, 200 being the home place, and 100
acres of which are improved. Mr. Canon lost his first wife in
September, 1883, by whom he had six children, all save one now living:
Elizabeth, wife of Paul Jenkins; Martha E.; S. P., clerk in Ozark;
Mary Belle, deceased; William H. and John F. July 27, 1887, Mr. Canon
was united in marriage to Nancy Bounds, who was born and reared in
Mississippi, and is a daughter of Joseph Bounds, of this county. Mr
Canon is a member of the Baptist Church, and his wife of the
Presbyterian.

----------------------------------------------------------------------

Martin Carpenter, a farmer and stock raiser, was born in Lawrence
County, Miss., February 9, 1819, and is the third and only living
child in the family of four born to Solomon and Mary (Smith)
Carpenter. Solomon Carpenter was born in Georgia, where he lived until
about 1810, when he removed to Mississippi. He served as orderly-
sergeant under Gen. Jackson in the War of 1812, at the close of which
he returned to Lawrence County, Miss., and engaged in farming. In
later life he removed to Copiah County, Miss., where he died in 1839.
After the death of his first wife Solomon Carpenter married Nancy
Hudnell, who died leaving five children, all now deceased, and Mr.
Carpenter took for his third wife Mary Howell. She became the mother
of two children, and still survives her husband. Martin Carpenter, who
was but two years of age when his mother died, lived with his father
until seventeen years of age, when he had his home with an uncle. In
1840 he immigrated to Arkansas, and located in Franklin County near
where he now lives, which county has since been his home. He served
one year in the Mexican War, under William G. Preston, and
participated in the battle of Buena Vista. At the outbreak of the late
Civil War he enlisted as a private, was made second lieutenant, and
subsequently commissioned captain of his company, serving honorably
and actively until the close of the struggle. In 1844 Mr. Carpenter
married Martha Ann Moffatt, a native of Tennessee, and of the ten
children born to them four are living, viz.: Thomas J., Patterson,
Cosenia and Robert E. Mrs. Carpenter died August 14, 1885. Mr.
Carpenter is a member of Clarksville Lodge No. 5, A. F. & A. M. When
but twenty-three years of age he was elected justice of the peace,
which office he held two years. He has 150 acres of land under
cultivation, and is an enterprising citizen of the county.

----------------------------------------------------------------------

Dr. Thomas A. Carter, retired physician of Ozark, was born in Amherst
County, Va., March 31, 1819. He is a descendant of one of the first
families of Virginia, in which State his father, Thomas S., and his
grandfather, John C., who was a captain in the Revolutionary army,
were born. The father grew to manhood in Virginia, and was a soldier
in the War of 1812. He was married in his native State to Harriet H.
Aldridge, also a descendant of a prominent family, and in 1824 moved
to Alabama, where he engaged in farming at Tuscumbia, until his death
in 1833. Our subject lived in Alabama until seventeen, and received a
good education in that State and Tennessee. When a young man he lived
in Cartersville, Miss., some time, and studied medicine under Dr.
Brayton for two years. In the winters of 1846 and 1847 he attended
lectures at the University of Louisville, Ky., and in the latter year
located at Hickory Plains, Miss., and established himself in his
profession. Three years later he removed to Marietta, Miss., and in
1857 finally settled in Ozark, Ark., where for over twenty years he
enjoyed a lucrative and extensive practice, which was only interrupted
by his withdrawing from active practice, having acquired a competency,
leaving the field to a younger generation. During the war Dr. Carter
practiced in Texas, but in 1868 returned to Ozark. In October, 1843,
he was united in marriage to Elizabeth B. Dotson, a native of
Tennessee, and daughter of Samuel Dotson, of Tennessee. This lady was
left an orphan during her childhood, and was reared and educated by an
aunt. After thirty-four years of wedded happiness she died, leaving
two sons and four daughters: J. B., cashier of the Ozark Bank; Henry
C., of Ozark; Harriet E., wife of W. F. Crabtree; Mattie A., wife of
M. G. Butler, of Indian Territory; Mary U., wife of Capt. Fleeman, of
Ozark, and Edna T., a young lady at home. In April, 1833, the Doctor
was married in Van Buren to Miss Mary C. Hodges, who was born in
Louisville, Ky., but reared and educated at Van Buren. Mrs. Carter is
a member of the Presbyterian Church, and the Doctor is a member of the
Blue Lodge in Masonry, of which he was Master a number of years, and
also belongs to Carter Chapter No. 57, at Ozark, and has held the
highest positions in the same.

----------------------------------------------------------------------

Dr. Wallace A. Carter, physician and surgeon at Ozark, Ark., was born
in Franklin County, Ala., August 13, 1829. His father, Judge John C.
Carter, was born in Albemarle County, Va., his parents being early
settlers of that State. After reaching manhood he married Mary M.
Aldridge, a native of the same county. In 1820 he moved to Alabama,
and there engaged in planting until 1835, after which he lived in
Mississippi until 1857. He then settled in Sebastian County, Ark.,
where he died two years later. While in Mississippi he served as
county judge, and held several local offices. Wallace Carter passed
his youth in Mississippi, and after receiving a good English education
he began [p.1231] to study medicine at the age of nineteen, under Dr.
T. A. Carter, of Ozark [see sketch]. After attending a course of
lectures at Louisville, Ky., in the winter of 1850-51, he practiced
some in Mississippi, and in January, 1852, established himself in
Ozark, where he has since lived. He soon became well known, and his
practice extended over a radius of about forty miles. In 1874 he
started a well-stocked drug store, and from 1858 until 1861 had been
engaged in the mercantile business. During the war he held the
position of assistant surgeon in the Confederate army until the close
of the war, serving in hospitals in Arkansas the greater part of the
time, after which he resumed his medical profession in Ozark. While he
was in the army service his family resided in Texas, but in June,
1865, rejoined him. April 5, 1859, Dr. Carter was married, at
Clarksville, to Ann Marr, a native of Randolph County, Ark., and
daughter of Thomas O. Marr, of the same county. This union has been
blessed with seven children: Jean J. Champ, Emma B., Sallie B., Jessie
W., Lela, Norma and an infant. Mrs. Carter is a member of the
Methodist Episcopal Church. Dr. Carter is Past Master of Ozark Masonic
Lodge No. 79, and is the first Mason initiated at this lodge. He is
one of the highly respected citizens of Ozark, and is still enjoying a
good practice.

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J. Benham Carter, cashier of the Ozark Bank, was born in Tishomingo
County, Miss., October 18, 1845, and is a son of T. A. Carter, M. D.
[see sketch]. He accompanied his father to Ozark, where he grew to
manhood and received a moderate education. When seventeen years of age
he enlisted in the Home Guards, and in 1863 joined Company C, First
Arkansas Cavalry, Confederate States Army, and served until the
cessation of hostilities. Among other battles he participated in the
fights at Prairie De Hand, Mark's Mills and Fayetteville. At Mark's
Mills he received a flesh wound, which disabled him from active
service for four months. After the war he joined his father in Texas,
and there farmed and clerked until 1868, after which he clerked in
Webb City, Franklin Co., Ark., remaining there until 1879. He bought
an interest in the firm in 1872. He then established a mercantile
business in Ozark, which he conducted until 1887, and then sold. He
and other prominent business men established the Arkansas Valley Bank,
of which he was elected cashier, and which is the only bank in Ozark.
Mr. Carter is one of the most reliable business men of the place, and
is a director, the treasurer and one of the original stockholders of
the Ozark Canning Association. June 29, 1873, Mr. Carter married
Eugenie Beneux, a native of this county, where she was reared. Her
parents were Justine and Sallie Beneux. Her father was a native of
France. Mrs. Carter bore four children, viz.: Lillian P., Elsie R.
(who died aged sixteen months), Ouita G. and Claude B. Mrs. Carter
died December 10, 1886. Mr. Carter is a Royal Arch Mason, and has
served as Master and High Priest of his Chapter.

----------------------------------------------------------------------

C. C. Colburn, editor and proprietor of the Ozark Democrat, was born
in what is now Logan County, Ark., July 3, 1845. His father, Ferdinand
M., was born in Montgomery, Ala., and after attaining his majority
settled in Johnson County, Ark. He was engaged in journalistic work
all his life, and edited the first secession paper published in
Arkansas. For some time he was in the newspaper business in
Clarksville, and then went to Dardanelle, and later continued the same
business at Fort Smith, where he died in 1863. He was a soldier in the
Confederate service, and participated in the battle at Oak Hill. His
first wife was formerly Miss Jane Rogers, and she was married to Mr.
Colburn in Johnson County, Ark. She died in 1849, when our subject was
but a child, after which Mr. Colburn was married a second time. C. C.
Colburn lived in Johnson County until fourteen, and then went to Fort
Smith. Having learned the printer's trade he started a paper at Fort
Smith when but sixteen years old, which he published about six months.
In 1863 he enlisted in the Southern army under Col. Lee Thompson, and
among others participated in the battles of Fayetteville, Mark's Mill,
Poison Springs and Pilot Point. He accompanied Price upon his raid
through Missouri, and upon the retreat, in a battle near Fort Scott,
received a slight wound in the foot from a piece of shell, which
caused him to be taken prisoner. He was held until the close of the
war, a period of six months, when he was exchanged. In 1866 he went to
Texas, but returning located at Van Buren, where for nine years he
worked as a journeyman. In April, 1873, he wedded Anne E., daughter of
Judge John B. Ogden; she received a good English education at Van
Buren and Fayetteville. Mr. Colburn removed to Little Rock in 1875,
but two years later came to Ozark to assume the editorship [p.1232] of
a paper. He soon obtained a lease of the paper, and two years later
became the proprietor of the organ, through which he has since kept
the people of Ozark informed of current events. He devotes his paper
to the advancement and improvement of the county, and is a firm
advocate of education, temperance and morality. Mr. and Mrs. Colburn
have had five children, of whom Jane and Flora are the only ones
living. Clara, the eldest, died aged three: Claudius, aged nine, and
Ernest, aged three. Mr. Colburn is Noble Grand in the Ozark I. O. O.
F. Lodge, and himself and wife belong to the Methodist Episcopal
Church.
----------------------------------------------------------------------

Jonathan Cole, an enterprising resident of Prairie Township. Franklin
County, was born in Wayne County, Tenn., January 18, 1844. His
parents, Henry and Serena (Hinkle) Cole, had ten children, six of whom
are now living, viz.: James, Thomas, Price, Jonathan, Mary, wife of J.
A. Mosely, and Tennie C., who married W. M. Lafevers. The paternal
grandfather of our subject removed from North Carolina to Wayne
County, Tenn., about 1825; he was an extensive farmer, and died in
1869, at an advanced age. Henry Cole was born in North Carolina in
1819, and removed to Tennessee with his parents when a child; in 1846
he located on a farm in Izard County, Ark., where he lived until his
death, which occurred in 1871; he was a very prominent man, and held
several public offices, serving as county judge and probate judge
several years; he was also an active member of the Methodist Episcopal
Church, and was a member of the A. F. & A. M. The mother of our
subject was a native of Tennessee, was born in 1823, and was a
daughter of William Hinkle, an enterprising farmer, who located in
Izard County, Ark., in 1846. Mrs. Cole died in 1863. Jonathan Cole was
reared and received his education in Izard County, Ark. In 1865 he
married Rosanna Cole, a native of Hardin County, Tenn., who was born
in 1849, and was a daughter of W. C. Cole, a prominent farmer of Izard
County. Of the fourteen children born to this union, seven are now
living, viz.: Maggie L., James E., Jesse H., Millard M., Conrad C.,
Fred J. and Olan L. Those deceased are Joseph W., Flora E., Thomas M.,
Charles, Henry and two infants unnamed. The mother died December 5,
1887; she was a loving mother, and a devoted member of the Methodist
Episcopal Church, and is deeply mourned by the family and a large
circle of friends who knew her but to love her. After his marriage Mr.
Cole located on a farm in Izard County, where he lived until 1877,
when he sold out and removed to his present farm in Franklin County,
which consists of 275 acres, 150 acres of which he has under good
cultivation. He is an industrious and enterprising farmer, and also
owns and operates a saw-mill, a cotton-gin and a corn-mill. During the
late war Mr. Cole served in Company F, Twenty-seventh Arkansas
Regiment, Confederate Army. He is an active worker in the Methodist
Episcopal Church and Sunday-school, and takes a deep interest in all
educational and public enterprises. He is a member of the A. F. & A.
M., and his political sympathies are with the Democratic party.

----------------------------------------------------------------------

Marion B. Conatser, merchant, was born in Franklin County, Ark., May
31, 1859, and is a son of John A. and Mary Ann (Nichols) Conatser,
natives of Tennessee. The father was twice married, the mother of our
subject being his second wife. In 1848 the father went to Pike County,
Ark., and soon after came to Franklin County, where he lost his first
wife and his second marriage occurred. He now resides upon a farm near
Ozark, where he then settled. Marion B. Conatser grew to manhood in
this county, living with his parents until twenty years of age. He
then established a small mercantile business in Ozark, which has
gradually increased until it has become one of the leading mercantile
houses in the city. He carries a complete stock of dry goods,
clothing, boots, shoes, groceries, queensware, etc., and has a large
stock of wagons, saddlery and harness. His present business house was
established in 1882, and he sells about $75,000 worth of goods per
annum. Mr. Conatser is an enterprising business man, and is one of the
directors and originators of the Ozark Canning Association. March 10,
1886, he was married, in Ozark, to Miss M. E. Bradley, a native of
Arkansas, who was educated in White County. Mr. Conatser is a member
of the town board, and is Past Chancellor of the lodge of the Knights
of Pythias in this city. Both Mr. and Mrs. Conatser are members of the
Methodist Church.

----------------------------------------------------------------------

Wyley B. Corley was born in Independence County, Ark., March 15, 1831,
and is a son of Nathaniel and Matilda (Whickers) Corey, natives of
South Carolina and Tennessee, respectively. After their marriage the
parents immigrated [p.1233] to Lawrence County, Ark., and there reared
their children. Mr. Corey served in the Florida War, under Gen. Wayne,
and died about 1849. When nineteen years of age our subject left the
parental roof and spent three years in Vandal, Ill., engaged in buying
and shipping apples the greater part of the time. He came to Franklin
County, Ark., in May, 1856, and until 1861 resided near Ozark. He then
enlisted under Gen. McCullough as lieutenant of Company C, McRea's
infantry regiment, in which he served about a year, and then joined
the cavalry. His health having been shattered he was on recruiting
duty most of the time, but he participated in the fight at Oak Hill
and several skirmishes. After being paroled at Clarksville he returned
to Ozark, and until a few years ago speculated in land and dealt in
stock. In 1884 he moved upon his present farm, which is situated on
Boston Mountains, eighteen miles north of Ozark, and contains 200
acres of land, sixty of which are under cultivation. July 10, 1859,
Mr. Corley was married, near Ozark, to Malinda Bourland, a native of
this county, and daughter of D. L. Bourland, an early settler of
Arkansas. Mr. and Mrs. Corley have four children: Mary T. (wife of J.
M. Roach), Virginia Lee (a widow), M. D. (a young man) and Florence.
Our subject, his wife and all his children but Florence are members of
the Cumberland Presbyterian Church. Mr. Corley is a Master Mason, and
before the war served the community four years as deputy sheriff.

----------------------------------------------------------------------

John E. Cox was born in Chattooga County, Ga., February 1, 1845, and
is a son of Franklin and Mary (Rice) Cox, who were born in South
Carolina in 1811 and 1813, respectively. They were married in South
Carolina, and afterward removed to Georgia, thence to Alabama, where
the father died October 16, 1861. The mother is still living, and
resides with her children in Arkansas. They were farmers and members
of the Missionary Baptist Church, and in his political views the
father was a Douglas Democrat. John E. Cox is their seventh child, and
the youngest of four sons and six daughters (eight of whom are
living). He remained with his mother until November 7, 1867, when he
was married to Martha J. Cunningham, a native of Jackson County, Ala.,
born September 10, 1849, and by her became the father of three
children: Mary M., wife of L. A. Stockton; Nancy E. and Arminda B. Mr.
and Mrs. Cox are worthy members of the Missionary Baptist Church, and
he is a member of the Farmers' Alliance, and in his political views is
a stanch Republican, and is also strongly in favor of the prohibition
of the liquor traffic. He was ordained a deacon of the Missionary
Baptist Church in 1869, and began preaching the Gospel in 1887. In
1862 he was conscripted into the Confederate service, serving six
weeks, and in November, 1863, enlisted in Company H, of the First
Alabama Regiment, Independent Vidette Cavalry, United States Army,
serving nine months, and was mustered out June 16, 1864. He continued
to make this State his home until January, 1880, when he came to
Franklin County, Ark., where he now owns a good farm of 160 acres.
What property he has accumulated has been the result of his energy and
good management, and the assistance and encouragement of his wife. He
at all times supports the cause of education, and is ever ready to aid
all other worthy enterprises.

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John W. Crockett, postmaster at Altus, Ark., was born in Humphreys
County, Tenn., March 27, 1830, and is a son of Henry and Joanna
(Nolen) Crockett, who were born in Tennessee in 1802 and 1800, and
died in Humphreys County, Tenn., in 1880 and 1850, respectively. Henry
Crockett was a farmer throughout life, and with the exception of about
eight months, always resided on the farm on which his father. John
Crockett, had located at a very early day. He was twice married, his
first union resulting in the birth of four sons and four daughters,
and by his second wife, who is yet living and resides on the old home
farm in Tennessee, he became the father of three children. John W.
Crockett is the second child born to the first union, and remained
under the paternal roof until he was twenty-two years of age, when he
engaged in farming on his own responsibility, and has continued that
occupation up to the present time. In 1860 he left Humphreys County,
Tenn., and came to Arkansas, where he has since made his home. He has
been engaged in farming during this time, and since November 15, 1885,
has been postmaster of Altus. From 1874 to 1876 he was assessor of
Franklin County, and in 1880 was census enumerator, and has also
served as constable and justice of the peace. January 19, 1853, he was
married to Mary E. Fain, a daughter of William C. Fain. She was born
in Bedford County, Tenn., in 1830, and her union with Mr. Crockett
resulted in the [p.1234] birth of seven children, six of whom are
living: James W., Mary A., Jefferson D., Maggie, Nannie and Betty.
John H. is deceased. Mr. Crockett has been a member of the Primitive
Baptist Church for many years, and is a member of the Democratic
party. He belongs to the Masonic fraternity, and is one of the
prominent men of Franklin County.

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S. J. Crossno was born in Tishomingo County, Miss., in 1842, and is a
son of Isaac and Betsy Crossno, natives of Tennessee. After their
marriage the parents removed to Mississippi, where they lived until
1847, when they went to Franklin County, Ark., and the father entered
200 acres of land, which he improved, and carried on a large farm. He
served in the late war under Col. Brewster, and after the war he
returned to his home, and resumed farming; he died March 27, 1876, his
wife having died in Mississippi in 1846. They had four children, all
now living, viz.: Priscilla A. F. (wife of John Rider). Samuel J.,
Sarah C. and James K. P. After the death of his first wife Isaac
Crossno married Anna Eliza Kindle, a native of Wayne County, Tenn.,
who died in 1882, the mother of thirteen children, of whom nine are
now living, viz.: Mary, William, Rebecca J., Charity, Thomas, Jeff D.,
Susan (Ritchie). Edward and Robert H. John died in 1887. Samuel J.
Crossno was but five years of age when his parents located in Franklin
County, where he was reared and educated. In 1861 he enlisted in the
Confederate army, in Col. Rieff's regiment, as Price's body guard, and
was in the battles of Oak Hill. Pea Ridge and others, receiving a
slight wound in the side from a spent ball in the battle of Prairie
Grove. After the war he spent a short time in Texas, when he returned
to Franklin County, and resumed farming. He now has a fine farm of 200
acres under cultivation. In 1881 he erected a mill at Corksville,
which he conducts as a saw and grist-mill with marked success.
February 24, 1867, he married May E. Kuykendall, who was born in 1848.
Mr. and Mrs. Crossno have three children, viz.: James H., Willie A.
and Louisa. Mrs. Crossno is a member of the Methodist Episcopal
Church. Mr. Crossno has served his county as school director and
sheriff, as well as commissioner, and is an active member of the
Democratic party.

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