Biographical and
Historical Memoirs of Western Arkansas
Goodspeed Publishers,
1891
Fulton County - Biographical
James M. Archer, senior
member of the general merchandise firm of Archer, Daniels & Co. Fulton County has within
her borders many men to whom she may point with pride; men, who, forgetting
their own interests, have labored assiduously, bending all their efforts to one
great end–their country's advancement and welfare. These men, in braving the
dangers and privations incident 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 inherited a vim which refused to bow under adverse
circumstances, and here were developed that determination of purpose 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 exhausted, and he was compelled to resume his labors, and for
five years more was engaged in various occupations. When the war broke out he
was not long in making his decision, and, espousing 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 stationed at Pocahontas, Ark.
He next joined the Regulars and was commissioned regimental adjutant of the Fourth
Cavalry, participating in many engagements, among which were the battles of
Fitz Hugh's Woods. Ironton, Boonville, Independence and others. After the
close of the war be 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 Improvement & Water Power Company, and
director of the Calamity Cotton Mills. In 1879 Mr. Archer was elected
representative of Fulton
County, and reelected in
1881. His wife was Miss Laura Tunstall, of Arkansas, a daughter of
Thomas T. and Elizabeth Turnstall, 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.
page 267
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 Lawrence 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 occupation, 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 [p.267] grandfather, Benjamin Ray, was a native
of Alabama.
A. F. Bassham was reared to the age of fourteen years in Tennessee, since which
time he 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 thoroughly
qualified to enter upon a professional 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
Democratic 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 Mammoth 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 Troup 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 1870 to Independence
County, Ark., where
he died in 1874. He had been married twice. During his entire life he followed
the occupation of a farmer, and was very successful in this pursuit. During the
late war he was captain of Company G. Fourteenth Alabama Infantry, Confederate
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 Alabama State
troops and served until 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 number of years. He was a member 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 grandfather of the subject of this sketch was a native of South Carolina, and died in Troup County, Ga.
W. W. Brooks was the third of four sons born to his parents. Like most of the
youths of his vicinity, as he grew up he devoted his time and attention to
labors on the farm, and in the meantime received 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 at Batesville for two
years, and was then made deputy sheriff of Independence County.
After this he engaged in the milling business, railroading, 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 Mollie Jeffery
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 1880, lived at Salem three years, and while there was engaged
in the milling business. Since then he has resided at Mammoth Spring. He was
appointed by President Arthur postmaster at Mammoth Spring, and filled this
position in a satisfactory manner for two years. He was justice of the peace
from 1884 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 in
the Democratic party, and voted for Horace Greeley in
1872.
page 268
Hon. S. A. Brown,
ex-member of the Twenty-fifth General Assembly, and one of the largest land
owners and farmers of Bennett Bayou, was born in [p.268] the 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 Harper'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 be 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. He 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 with
those of the Republican party. He was a member of the
Masonic fraternity. Nine children were born to his marriage, eight of whom
lived to be 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 account 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 12th 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 1869 came to Fulton County.
Ark., where he taught the first free school in this section after the
war. Subsequently 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 children; Claud, born on the 19th of
September, 1871; Bettie, born on the 2d of November, 1873, 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 Tnttle, August 4, 1884, and they have two children, Roscoe
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 County, Ark.
Mr. Brown has represented his county in the legislature, and has held several
minor offices, 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 Episcopal Church.
page 269
Thomas J. Brown. No name
is more properly 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 Tennessee,
where his birth occurred January 5, 1854. [p.269] His parents, John and
Caroline (Harber) Brown, are natives of Tennessee. The elder
Brown was a sturdy son of toil and followed this occupation in his native State
until his subsequent removal to Dunklin
County, Mo. His death
occurred April 30, 1858. He had been constable in Tennessee and filled the position in a
highly satisfactory manner. His marriage took place in 1844, and six children
were the result: Henry N., born September 27, 1846, died October 23, 1846;
Martin W., born September 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
children, was born on the 19th of July, 1824, and his wife was born on the 20th
day of October, 1825. She died August 23, 1888, and was a worthy and consistent
member of the Christian Church. Thomas J. Brown commenced 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., in 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 broad acres roam
cattle, sheep and horses and mules, which he makes a specialty of raising. To
his marriage were born six children: John W., born on the 13th of June, 1874;
Richard W., born on the 12th of February, 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 William G. 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 River, in Ozark County, Mo.,
and were married there in 1848. After remaining in that county until 1887, he
moved to Boone County, Ark. His first marriage was to Miss Fannie
Holt, of Tennessee,
who bore him two children, one living at present: Mary. By his marriage to Miss
Hawkins he became the father 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 Democrat and has filled the office of deputy sheriff of his county
for two years. His wife is a member of the Missionary Baptist
Church.
page 270
Charles J. Brunson's life
from his earliest recollections has been passed on a farm, his early days being
spent in assisting his father on the old homestead in Georgia, in 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 occurring 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. Brunson died in the State of Georgia about 1829, having 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 Alabama, and again entered school,
attending about three months, after which he took charge of his uncle's
plantation, and overseered his slaves, who numbered
about sixty, for two years. Being offered 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 in Fulton
County, Ark., January
1, 1872. She left, besides her husband, 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 [p.270] 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 cultivation, and has made all the improvements,
such 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 of age. His first wife was a member of the Missionary Baptist Church.
George C. Buford, dealer
in general merchandise, farm implements, etc., Mammoth Spring. Of the many
names that make up 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 Fredericktown, Mo.,
October 20, 1849, and is the son of Christopher Y. and Mary (Nifong) Buford, natives of South
Carolina and Pennsylvania,
respectively. The parents were married in Missouri, and there spent the remainder of
their lives. Mrs. Buford died in 1855 and Mr. Buford in 1879. Her father,
George W. 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 Commercial
College, of St. Louis, in 1869. Subsequently he taught
school for several years in Frederick town, Mo., until 1871, when he removed to
Newport, 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 satisfaction 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 Della Harrison, who died in 1884. In 1886 he married Miss Nettie
Anderson, daughter of J. L. Anderson, who came from Iowa
to Arkansas,
where he is living at the present time, engaged in agricultural pursuits. Mr.
Buford is a Democrat in politics, and his first presidential 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.
page 271
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 parents,
G. C. and Lucinda (Keyton) Bundren,
were natives of Virginia, the father born in 1807, and the mother in 1823. 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.
Ill.: Surena, wife
of George Everett, a resident of Williamson County,
Ill.; Melissa, wife of David Sollis, living in Duquoin, Ill.,
and G. A. The father of these children was a successful agriculturist, and
followed this occupation in Tennessee until
1851, when he 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, [p.271] but was not an
aspirant for office, nor was he active in politics. He was a member of the United Baptist
Church, as was also his
wife. G. A. Bundren, like so many of the substantial
citizens of this county at the present time, was initiated into the mysteries
of farming from 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 Batesville & Brinkley 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 became the father of six children,
three now living: James A., born February 26, 1865, and now living at home; C.
W., born February 3, 1869, and also at home, and M. B., whose birth occurred on
the 3d of February, 1869, 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 married the second time in May, 1885,
to Mrs. Sarah J. Wilson. nee Young, a native of Kentucky, 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, residing at Alicia, Ark., and Celia, wife of T. B. Caple, a resident of Fulton 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 at Mammoth Spring, is among those who contribute to the
strength of the Arkansas
bar. He is a native of Tennessee, born in Bedford County in 1854. His parents, Freeman and
Louisa (Nichols) Burrow, were born also in Bedford County, Tenn.,
in 1834 and 1833, respectively. They resided in that county until 1857, when
they came to Sharp County, Ark., where Mrs. Burrow died in 1874. Mr.
Burrow is still living, and has followed tilling the soil for many years. He
filled the position of justice of the peace for four years, and served four
years in the Confederate army 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 substantial attorneys of Fulton County,
and also practices in Sharp and Izard
Counties. He was married
in September, 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 Democrat, his first presidential vote being for S. J.
Tilden, in 1876. He is a member of the A. F. & A. M., Myatt Lodge No. 401,
and also belongs to Spring River Lodge No. 49, K. of P., at Mammoth Spring. He
has a very pleasant home on Eminence Hill, Archer Avenue.
page 272
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 progressive farmer, 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 citizens of this
locality. He was born in Chambers County, Ala., October 15, 1838, and is a son
of Nathan H. and Francis R. (Hogue) Butler, who were born in Elbert and Waltham
Counties, Ga., respectively, the former's birth occurring 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. James 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 twenty-one years he began depending on his own resources
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
Battalion of Sharp-shooters being a part left over. He served two years as
sergeant, participating in many battles, among which wore Chickamauga,
Petersburg, being intrenched
in the ditches of that city for nine months; Hatch's Run, and the Virginia campaign. He
received a flesh wound in the leg at Chickamauga,
and at Appomattox Court House, about two hours before the surrender,
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 citizen of Fulton
County has been
identified with its advancement and growth ever since locating here. He was
married in 1860 to Miss Rhoda Ann Bryaot, 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 Methodist Episcopal Church, South.
page 273
Thomas B. Caldwell is
possessed of those advanced ideas and progressive principles regarding
agricultural life which seem to be among the chief characteristics of the
average native Missourian. 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 Missouri, in the year 1816. He was a well
known agriculturist of his region, and died in Fulton County, Ark.,
in 1863. His wife was also born in Missouri,
and died when her son, Thomas B., was about seven years of age, her demise
occurring in Franklin
County. The paternal
grandparents were Andrew and Nancy
(Farrow) Caldwell, the former being a native Kentuckian. 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 [p.273] paternal
great-grandfather, Kincaid Caldwell, was born in the "Emerald Isle."
The maternal grandfather 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 Missouri.
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 become 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
participated 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, 1862, he was
captured at Mountain Grove, Mo.,
and was sent to St. Louis, thence to Alton, Ill., 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, 1865, he was married to Miss Lucintha 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. Hutchesson. To Mr. Caldwell and his wife the following
children have been born: James Henry, Benjamin H., Thomas J. (deceased), John
H., Mary A. (deceased), Ruthie J. and Joannah. The
greater part of Mr. Caldwell's time has been occupied in farming, and he is now
the owner of 310 acres of land, with about eighty acres under cultivation. He
is a Democrat, his first presidential vote being cast for Douglas,
and he was elected on that ticket to the office of deputy sheriff and
constable. He and wife are connected with the Christian Church, and he is a
Mason and a member of the I. O. O. F. Mr. Caldwell is a man universally
respected, and to know him is to have a high admiration for him, for he is
possessed of those sterling principles which make a true man and a valuable
citizen.
page 274
Capt. John G. Carroll, a
farmer of Fulton Township, is now successfully following
the occupation to which he was reared and which has been 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 Carolina, 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
Revolutionary 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 millwright by occupation. This
family is of the same as that Carroll who was one of the signers of the
Declaration of Independence. The paternal grandfather, William Earles, was born in North Carolina
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 educational advantages. He
came with his parents to Fulton County, Ark., in 1859 and in 1861 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 Missouri and the
daughter of George Baize. To this union were born four children, a son and
three daughters. Capt. Carroll is one of the prominent agriculturists of Fulton County,
is the owner of 520 acres of land, with 300 under cultivation, and also
possesses considerable property 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, [p.274] Confederate Army, and served
three years and eleven months. After the first nine months he was promoted to
the rank of captain in his regiment and operated in Arkansas,
Mississippi and Louisiana. He took a prominent part in the
battles of Elkhorn, Augusta,
Farmington, Corinth, Iuka, Port Hudson, etc. He was
captured at Saltillo, Miss.,
but after sixteen days escaped and rejoined his regiment at Tupelo. At the close of the war he returned
to farm life. Politically a Democrat, his first presidential vote was for
Buchanan 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 unaided efforts. He was born in the State of Georgia, 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 1821. 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 great-grandfather and six brothers emigrated from the Old World, and settled in the Southern States. B. H.
Castleberry 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 during 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 interest
in 500 acres of land. Our immediate subject also owns 1,500 acres in his own
right. He was married on the 10th of April, 1881, to Miss Laura P. Wainwright,
by whom he has two interesting 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
Castleberry & 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
merchandise store in the latter place, but eighteen months later went to Rabun County,
where he began merchandising in partnership with C. W. Oakes. Two years later
they dissolved partnership, and Mr. Castleberry came to Salem, and in 1881 embarked in business with
his brother and William Wainwright, 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
enterprise in which they are engaged, and have done much in their line to
increase the trade and influence of the town. They are thoroughly reliable and
honest in all their transactions, and as a result enjoy a large and lucrative
custom. William Castleberry is also a Democrat politically, and a member of the
I. O. O. F. He is unmarried.
page 275
William D. Chase, one of
the prominent millers 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 received [p.275] an unusually good education. At the age of nineteen
he was sent to Georgia
to erect a spinning 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 manufactured cotton
goods all his life. He died in Gilmore
County, Ga., in 1881.
He was justice of the peace many years and once represented Gordon 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, 1886. 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 education
in the common schools. He was reared to the arduous duties on the farm, and in
1861 Miss Adeline Sprouell became his wife. She was
born in Fulton County, Ga.,
and was the daughter of Wilson E. and Eliza J. Spronell,
natives of Abbeville District, 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 Ridge, Resaca, Kingston,
Calboun, 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 he 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 flour and
saw, shingle and planing mills. He is also the owner
of about 900 acres of land in Missouri, Fulton, Izard and Lawrence Counties.
All his property is the result of hard labor since the war. He has been a
Democrat in his political views all his life, and his first presidential vote
was for Gen. McClellan. 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.
page 269
Thomas J. Brown. No name
is more properly 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 Tennessee,
where his birth occurred January 5, 1854. [p.269] His parents, John and
Caroline (Harber) Brown, are natives of Tennessee. The elder
Brown was a sturdy son of toil and followed this occupation in his native State
until his subsequent removal to Dunklin
County, Mo. His death
occurred April 30, 1858. He had been constable in Tennessee and filled the position in a
highly satisfactory manner. His marriage took place in 1844, and six children
were the result: Henry N., born September 27, 1846, died October 23, 1846;
Martin W., born September 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
children, was born on the 19th of July, 1824, and his wife was born on the 20th
day of October, 1825. She died August 23, 1888, and was a worthy and consistent
member of the Christian Church. Thomas J. Brown commenced 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.,
in 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 broad acres roam
cattle, sheep and horses and mules, which he makes a specialty of raising. To
his marriage were born six children: John W., born on the 13th of June, 1874;
Richard W., born on the 12th of February, 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 William G. 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 River, in Ozark County, Mo.,
and were married there in 1848. After remaining in that county until 1887, he
moved to Boone County, Ark. His first marriage was to Miss Fannie
Holt, of Tennessee,
who bore him two children, one living at present: Mary. By his marriage to Miss
Hawkins he became the father 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 Democrat and has filled the office of deputy sheriff of his county
for two years. His wife is a member of the Missionary Baptist
Church.
page 270
Charles J. Brunson's life
from his earliest recollections has been passed on a farm, his early days being
spent in assisting his father on the old homestead in Georgia, in 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 occurring 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. Brunson died in the State of Georgia about 1829, having 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 Alabama, and again entered school,
attending about three months, after which he took charge of his uncle's
plantation, and overseered his slaves, who numbered
about sixty, for two years. Being offered 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 in Fulton
County, Ark., January
1, 1872. She left, besides her husband, 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
[p.270] 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 cultivation, and has made all the improvements, such 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 of age. His first wife was a member of the Missionary Baptist Church.
George C. Buford, dealer
in general merchandise, farm implements, etc., Mammoth Spring. Of the many
names that make up 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 Fredericktown, Mo.,
October 20, 1849, and is the son of Christopher Y. and Mary (Nifong) Buford, natives of South
Carolina and Pennsylvania,
respectively. The parents were married in Missouri, and there spent the remainder of
their lives. Mrs. Buford died in 1855 and Mr. Buford in 1879. Her father,
George W. 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 Commercial
College, of St. Louis, in 1869. Subsequently he taught
school for several years in Frederick town, Mo., until 1871, when he removed to
Newport, 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 satisfaction 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 Della Harrison, who died in 1884. In 1886 he married Miss Nettie
Anderson, daughter of J. L. Anderson, who came from Iowa
to Arkansas,
where he is living at the present time, engaged in agricultural pursuits. Mr.
Buford is a Democrat in politics, and his first presidential 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.
page 271
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 parents,
G. C. and Lucinda (Keyton) Bundren,
were natives of Virginia, the father born in 1807, and the mother in 1823. 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.
Ill.: Surena, wife
of George Everett, a resident of Williamson County,
Ill.; Melissa, wife of David Sollis, living in Duquoin, Ill.,
and G. A. The father of these children was a successful agriculturist, and
followed this occupation in Tennessee until
1851, when he 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, [p.271] but was not an
aspirant for office, nor was he active in politics. He was a member of the United Baptist
Church, as was also his
wife. G. A. Bundren, like so many of the substantial
citizens of this county at the present time, was initiated into the mysteries
of farming from 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 Batesville & Brinkley 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 became the father of six children,
three now living: James A., born February 26, 1865, and now living at home; C.
W., born February 3, 1869, and also at home, and M. B., whose birth occurred on
the 3d of February, 1869, 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 married the second time in May, 1885,
to Mrs. Sarah J. Wilson. nee Young, a native of Kentucky, 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, residing at Alicia, Ark., and Celia, wife of T. B. Caple, a resident of Fulton 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 at Mammoth Spring, is among those who contribute to the
strength of the Arkansas
bar. He is a native of Tennessee, born in Bedford County in 1854. His parents, Freeman and
Louisa (Nichols) Burrow, were born also in Bedford County, Tenn.,
in 1834 and 1833, respectively. They resided in that county until 1857, when
they came to Sharp County, Ark., where Mrs. Burrow died in 1874. Mr.
Burrow is still living, and has followed tilling the soil for many years. He
filled the position of justice of the peace for four years, and served four
years in the Confederate army 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 substantial attorneys of Fulton
County, and also practices in Sharp
and Izard Counties. He was married in September,
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 Democrat, his first presidential vote being for S. J.
Tilden, in 1876. He is a member of the A. F. & A. M., Myatt Lodge No. 401,
and also belongs to Spring River Lodge No. 49, K. of P., at Mammoth Spring. He
has a very pleasant home on Eminence Hill, Archer Avenue.
page 272
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 progressive farmer, but an
intelligent and thoroughly [p.272] posted man in all public affairs; and a
short sketch of his life will be of more than passing interest to the citizens
of this locality. He was born in Chambers County, Ala., October 15, 1838, and
is a son of Nathan H. and Francis R. (Hogue) Butler, who were born in Elbert
and WalthamCounties, Ga., respectively, the former's
birth occurring 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. James 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 twenty-one years he began depending on his own resources
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
Battalion of Sharp-shooters being a part left over. He served two years as
sergeant, participating in many battles, among which wore Chickamauga,
Petersburg, being intrenched
in the ditches of that city for nine months; Hatch's Run, and the Virginia campaign. He
received a flesh wound in the leg at Chickamauga,
and at Appomattox Court House, about two hours before the surrender,
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 citizen of Fulton
County has been
identified with its advancement and growth ever since locating here. He was
married in 1860 to Miss Rhoda Ann Bryaot, 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 Methodist Episcopal Church, South.
page 273
Thomas B. Caldwell is
possessed of those advanced ideas and progressive principles regarding
agricultural life which seem to be among the chief characteristics of the
average native Missourian. 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 Missouri, in the year 1816. He was a well
known agriculturist of his region, and died in Fulton County, Ark.,
in 1863. His wife was also born in Missouri,
and died when her son, Thomas B., was about seven years of age, her demise
occurring in Franklin
County. The paternal
grandparents were Andrew and Nancy
(Farrow) Caldwell, the former being a native Kentuckian. 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 [p.273] paternal
great-grandfather, Kincaid Caldwell, was born in the "Emerald Isle."
The maternal grandfather 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 Missouri.
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 become 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
participated 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, 1862, he was
captured at Mountain Grove, Mo.,
and was sent to St. Louis, thence to Alton, Ill., 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, 1865, he was married to Miss Lucintha 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. Hutchesson. To Mr. Caldwell and his wife the following
children have been born: James Henry, Benjamin H., Thomas J. (deceased), John
H., Mary A. (deceased), Ruthie J. and Joannah. The
greater part of Mr. Caldwell's time has been occupied in farming, and he is now
the owner of 310 acres of land, with about eighty acres under cultivation. He
is a Democrat, his first presidential vote being cast for Douglas,
and he was elected on that ticket to the office of deputy sheriff and
constable. He and wife are connected with the Christian Church, and he is a
Mason and a member of the I. O. O. F. Mr. Caldwell is a man universally
respected, and to know him is to have a high admiration for him, for he is
possessed of those sterling principles which make a true man and a valuable
citizen.
page 274
Capt. John G. Carroll, a
farmer of Fulton Township, is now successfully following
the occupation to which he was reared and which has been 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 Carolina, 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
Revolutionary 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 millwright by occupation. This
family is of the same as that Carroll who was one of the signers of the
Declaration of Independence. The paternal grandfather, William Earles, was born in North Carolina
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 educational advantages. He
came with his parents to Fulton County, Ark., in 1859 and in 1861 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 Missouri and the
daughter of George Baize. To this union were born four children, a son and
three daughters. Capt. Carroll is one of the prominent agriculturists of Fulton County,
is the owner of 520 acres of land, with 300 under cultivation, and also
possesses considerable property 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, [p.274] Confederate Army, and served
three years and eleven months. After the first nine months he was promoted to
the rank of captain in his regiment and operated in Arkansas,
Mississippi and Louisiana. He took a prominent part in the
battles of Elkhorn, Augusta,
Farmington, Corinth, Iuka, Port Hudson, etc. He was
captured at Saltillo, Miss.,
but after sixteen days escaped and rejoined his regiment at Tupelo. At the close of the war he returned
to farm life. Politically a Democrat, his first presidential vote was for
Buchanan 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 unaided efforts. He was born in the State of Georgia, 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 1821. 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 great-grandfather and six brothers emigrated from the Old World, and settled in the Southern States. B. H.
Castleberry 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 during 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 interest
in 500 acres of land. Our immediate subject also owns 1,500 acres in his own
right. He was married on the 10th of April, 1881, to Miss Laura P. Wainwright,
by whom he has two interesting 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
Castleberry & 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
merchandise store in the latter place, but eighteen months later went to Rabun County,
where he began merchandising in partnership with C. W. Oakes. Two years later
they dissolved partnership, and Mr. Castleberry came to Salem, and in 1881 embarked in business with
his brother and William Wainwright, 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
enterprise in which they are engaged, and have done much in their line to
increase the trade and influence of the town. They are thoroughly reliable and
honest in all their transactions, and as a result enjoy a large and lucrative
custom. William Castleberry is also a Democrat politically, and a member of the
I. O. O. F. He is unmarried.
page 275
William D. Chase, one of
the prominent millers 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 received [p.275] an unusually good education. At the age of nineteen
he was sent to Georgia
to erect a spinning 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 manufactured cotton
goods all his life. He died in Gilmore
County, Ga., in 1881.
He was justice of the peace many years and once represented Gordon 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, 1886. 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 education
in the common schools. He was reared to the arduous duties on the farm, and in
1861 Miss Adeline Sprouell became his wife. She was
born in Fulton County, Ga.,
and was the daughter of Wilson E. and Eliza J. Spronell,
natives of Abbeville District, 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 Ridge, Resaca, Kingston,
Calboun, 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 he 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 flour and
saw, shingle and planing mills. He is also the owner
of about 900 acres of land in Missouri, Fulton, Izard and Lawrence Counties.
All his property is the result of hard labor since the war. He has been a
Democrat in his political views all his life, and his first presidential vote
was for Gen. McClellan. 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.
page 276
Hon. Samuel W. Cochran.
For a period upwards 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 saying that "a rolling stone gathers 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 District, S. C., May 20, 1820, and he was left an orphan when an
infant. Until 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 Columbia, 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 remained with his guardian for some time, and was married there to
Miss Julia A. Chiles, moving with her at a later period to Case County, Ga.,
where he gave his attention to farming until 1856. In that year he came to
Fulton County, Ark., and located in the neighborhood of where he now lives,
continuing [p.276] 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 represent 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 born 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.
Livingston, a daughter of James Livingston, who was also born in Abbsville District, S. C., her birth occurring in 1831. In
1848 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 Fulton County, Ark. Mr. Cochran's parents, Clark and Sarah
(Wharton) Cochran, ware born in Abbeville District, S. C., where the father was
engaged in merchandising and farming until his death. He was of Scotch-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 family ever
since that time.
page 277
Alvah L. Cooper, farmer and stock raiser,
and the recently appointed postmaster of the thriving little city of Mammoth
Spring, was born in Tompkins 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, receiving four different gun-shot
wounds. At the memorable battle of Lundy's Lane or 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 key 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 rendered during the war,
and as his wife is still living, she now receives a pension. She resides at Mountain Lake, Penn.,
at the age of seventy-seven years. Alvah Cooper's
youth was spent in Bradford County,
Penn., and his education was
there received in the public schools. He and two of his brothers served nearly
four years each in the late Rebellion. Alvah enlisted
May, 1861, in Company F, Sixth Pennsylvania Reserve Corps, was elected captain
and transferred to Company D. One Hundred and Thirty-Second Pennsylvania Volunteers
of the Second Army Corps. From the battle of Bull Run to the closing
scene at Appomattox, he was in all the principal
battles in Virginia, Maryland
and Pennsylvania,
never receiving a wound. Mr. Cooper has been in the employ 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
appointed postmaster at Mammoth Spring. He is thoroughly imbued with the
principles of the Republican party, and is an
indefatigable political worker, and has probably done more than any other
single man toward organizing the Republican 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 coming to this State he was elected commander of the
Soldiers' and Sailors' encampment of Bradford [p.277] County, also chairman of
the Bradford County Soldiers' and Sailors' Monumental Association, for three
years. On leaving his native State he resigned both positions, but was held in
such high esteem by his comrades 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 1866 he was married to Miss Sarah Ann Larcom, a native of Bradford
County, Penn., born
in 1843, and dying in 1883; to them were born these children: Mintie M., wife of F. L. Sayles; Elmer C., Woodard C.,
killed when fourteen years of age; Gracie, 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 prominent citizens of North Arkansas.
Charles W. Culp, M. D.,
is one of the rising young members of the medical fraternity of Fulton 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 former's
birth occurring in 1831, and his death March 8, 1880. The paternal grandfather,
Thomas B. Culp, was a Tennesseean, who removed to Izard County.
Ark., at an
early day and took a prominent part in aiding in the growth and development 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 County, with the exception of a daughter, who is a
resident of Izard County, Dr. Charles W. Culp received his literary education
in the common schools of Izard County, after which he entered the Memphis
Hospital Medical College, from which institution he was graduated as an M. D.,
February 25, 1885. Previous to graduating he had practiced the profession
(since 1879), and has won an enviable position among the medical fraternity of Fulton 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
daughter of Ephraim Sharp, whose sketch appears in this work. Dr. Culp is a
Royal Arch Mason, belonging to Rural Chapter No. 50, Evening Shade, Sharp
County. He is also 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 Fulton
County, and is the worthy
wife of J. M. Cook.
page 278
W. H. Culp, editor and
proprietor of the Mammoth Spring Monitor, at Mammoth 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 Izard County, Ark.,
November 5, 1863, and after acquiring a fair education in the common schools he
entered the office of the Clipper. at Melbourne, Ark.,
and learned the printer's trade. In 1882 he bought a half interest in the Izard
County Register, 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 following year in an unsuccessful attempt to raise
a cotton 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 ably edited business papers in Northwest
Arkansas, and Mr. Culp has become well known throughout the State
[p.278] as one of its most successful editors. He established 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 daughter of Dexter Owen, who
was born in Providence,
R. I. They have two children: Homer and Madge. Mr. Culp is a son of Dr. T. B.
and Elizabeth (Benbrook) Culp, the former's birth occurring in Izard
County, Ark., in 1835, and his
death in Melbourne
of the same county in 1880. His widow still survives him and is a resident of
this county, being forty-five years of age.
Judge Thomas J.
Cunningham, a prosperous Fulton County farmer, came originally from Randolph 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 1867, 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 Tennessee
in 1810, and died in Fulton County,
Ark., in August, 1886, having
borne a family of ten children, nine of whom grew to mature years, and eight of
whom are yet living. Four sons and one daughter reside in Fulton County, 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 familiar with the details of farm
life; while growing up he learned lessons of industry, frugal habits and
economy, which he has never forgotten. His rudimentary 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 command, whose division was commanded by Gen.
John B. Clark, Sr., and served two years, participating 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 County, 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 Fulton County, Ark, having borne a family of four
children: Julia, wife of William T. Cunningham, of Texas; Jennie D., wife of
John D. Isenhour, of Fulton County; 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 County, Ark., born October 26, 1853. Her parents are
Rev. Daniel and Nancy Jeffery. To Mr. and Mrs. Cunningham were born the
following children: Robert C. (deceased), James C., Edgar, Margaret Ann, Ida,
Thomas J. and Henry K. Mr. Cunningham has resided in Fulton County
sufficiently long to enable his many sterling qualities to become well known.
About forty-five 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 C. Breckenridge. His wife is a member of the Cumberland
Presbyterian Church.
page 279
Charles C. Davis,
surveyor of Fulton County, and one of the enterprising agriculturists of
Mammoth Spring Township,
was born in Webster County, Mo., January 22, 1854, receiving a very meager
education in the common schools. He followed the plow for his father until nineteen
years of age, and was then united in marriage to Miss Nancy C. 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 County, Mo., now of Oregon County, Mo.,
and Mr. Young served in the Confederate army as [p.279] a private. By his first
marriage Mr. Davis became the father of five children. three
sons and two daughters, and to his second union were born two children, both
sons. Since his first marriage he has lived on his present farm, one mile east
of Mammoth Spring, where he has 900 acres of good land, with 130 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 surveyor 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 Masonie
fraternity, Myatt Lodge No. 401, and was Junior Warden one year. Mr. Davis is
pleasant and agreeable in his demeanor to all with whom he comes in contact,
and is a man who attracts the regard of all who approach him. He is universally
respected by his fellow citizens. He is the son of Eliphaz
and Permealey Davis, and the grandson of Charles C.
Davis, who was born in Jackson County, Ill, in 1800, and died in Oregon County, Mo.,
in 1878. He was a soldier in the Black Hawk War, was justice 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 married in that county to
Miss Edwards, 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, he has
proven himself to be a man of good judgment in directing the editorial policy
of his paper. He is a native of the county in which he is now residing, his
birth occurring in 1865, but received his education in La
Crosse, Izard County,
Ark., and as the school was good,
he acquired an excellent education. After training the "young idea"
for some time, he 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 influence in directing the proper steps to be takenfor worthy movements. As the worth
of his paper becomes known the circulation increases accordingly, and he has
won the patronage of all the better 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 married 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 army, and died in 1880, at the age of forty-nine
years. He was a farmer by occupation, and is still survived by his widow. Our
subject's paternal and maternal grandfathers, G. A. Davis and G. F. Pipkin, were also Tennesseeans by
birth.
Dr. D. S. Deaderick, real estate agent, Mammoth Spring. In that proud
series of names which have aided materially in developing the business
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 1819, and in 1840 was united in
marriage to Miss Cotter, at Potosi,
Mo. She was born in Pittsburg, Penn.,
in 1820. After marriage the parents removed to St. Louis, where the father was interested in
the shot tower. In 1848 they moved to Saline
County of the same State, and there he
was engaged in agricultural pursuits until 1857, when they [p.280] moved to Plattin Rock, in Jefferson
County. During 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 manufacture for several
years. In 1874 they came to Mammoth Spring and were the first settlers here. He
erected a flour-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 quite
wealthy. His death occurred in 1887. Florence Cotter, the grandfather of Dr. Deaderick, was a native of Ireland
and came to the United
States about 1796. He settled in Pennsylvania, where he
died early in the present century. 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,
Company E, Second Missouri Cavalry. He enlisted as a
private and came out as adjutant of the regiiment. 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 Counties,
Mo., and in 1870 took up the study of mediicine and graduated at the St. Louis Medical
College in 1872. He then
practiced in that city until 1874, when he came to Mammoth Spring, and in
company 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 presidential 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.
page 281
William Deatherage, one of the foremost farmers 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 County,
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 children 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 age, 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
married 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 Indians were moved
to Indian Territory. William Deatherage commenced for himself in life by joining the
Confederate army, Company A, Twenty-sixth Tennessee
Infantry Regiment, on the 15th of June, 1861, and served about four years. He
participated in sixteen hard-fought battles, the principal ones being Fort Donelson, Murfreesboro, Chickamauga, Missionary Ridge,
Taylor Ridge Gap, Swamp Creek, Resaca, New Hope, Marietta, Jonesboro, Columbia,
Franklin, Nashville; 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 returned 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 County, and settled on
Bennett's Bayou, and there remained three years. In 1873 he moved to his
present fine property. consisting [p.281] of 267
acres, with 100 acres improved. He has good buildings, and a comfortable home.
As he has had but little help since commencing for himself, he is the architect
of his own fortune. To his marriage were born eleven children, eight living at
present: Susan, born October 12, 1870; E. J., born February 9, 1872; G. W.,
born on the 3d of September, 1874; Lydia M., born on the 8th 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. 373, 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 children, the
following living: Samuel, Elisha, Mollie, Elijah,
Lydia, Thomas,
Rebecca D. and J. K. P.
James Dinwiddie 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) Dinwiddie, the former
being also a native of East Tennessee, his
birth occurring February 23, 1828. He was a school teacher in his youth, and by
trade was a tailor, and these occupations 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 received 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, 1836, and died in Arkansas
on the 13th day of December, 1885. Of her two children, James, the subject of
this sketch, was the elder. His youth was spent in Arkansas, and in this State his early
scholastic advantages were enjoyed, 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 comprising 160 acres of
land. He is industrious and enterprising, and his present farm denotes him to
be possessed of thrift and energy. He is a Democrat in his political views.
Miss Elizabeth Taylor became his wife on the 16th of February, 1888. 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.
page 282
John L. Golden. Among the
prominent farmers 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 township. He was born in Weakley County, Tenn., on the
27th day of July, 1849, and since early youth has applied himself steadfastly
to agricultural pursuits, and with what success may be inferred 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 (Winn) Golden, both
natives of Mississippi,
and of English parentage. The father was born in 1824, was a tiller of the
soil, and moved to Tennessee
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, and 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 $85, one horse, a few hogs, and a little corn. He is now
the owner of 249 acres of land, with about 140 acres under cultivation, besides
having his farm well stocked with horses, cattle, hogs, and all else to be seen
on a well conducted farm. He left Tennessee in
1872, settling in Independence County,
Ark., and there remained for
three years. In 1875 he came to Fulton
County and followed
farming on rented land. He then bought a farm of eighty acres, improved the
same, and in 1884 sold out and bought his present property. He was married on
the 6th [p.282] of January, 1879, 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
five children, 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
Harriet 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 life of the farmer, continuing steadily to pursue the even tenor
of his way, and is now ranked among the prosperous 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
occurred in Richmond, Va., October 3, 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 Regiment of the Confederate
States Army, and served until he was captured at the battle of Franklin, Tenn.,
in 1864. He was taken to Chicago, Ill., and after being kept in captivity five months, was
liberated and soon after joined the United States army, and served from
1865 to November, 1866. After receiving his discharge he returned to Arkansas 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
(deceased), Elizabeth R. (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. Mrs. 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
grandfather, Louis Partie, was born in Kentucky in 1763, and in 1814 emigrated
to Arkansas. locating near Mount
Olive, being one of the
first settlers 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.
page 283
J. R.
Green, farmer, Bennett's Bayou, Fulton
County, Ark. The
father of Mr. Green. William Green, was a native of Alabama, and after reaching manhood was united in
marriage to Miss Rosanna 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 [p.283] of May, 1859, and Susan, wife of L. C. Woods. The
parents moved to Arkansas in 1861, settling in
Izard County
until after the war, and then, in 1866, moved to Fulton County.
They purchased a farm on Bennett's River, 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 children:
Rebecca Jane, born in 1872, and Mary E., born in 1874. Mr. Harber
was born in Crockett County, Tenn.,
and was married to Mrs. Green in Greene
County, Ark. He died
in 1874. He was a man who had taken a prominent part in the politics of the
county, and voted the Democratic ticket. He was a member of the Christian
Church. Mrs. Harber was a member of the Missionary Baptist Church.
J. R. Green's chances for an education 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 education, but, like her husband, she has
improved her time by study and observation. They are the parents of three
children: M. C., born on the 6th of July, 1885; W. H., born on the 17th of
March, 1887, and Rebecca, born on the 29th of April, 1889, Mr. Green commenced
farming in 1884, and has continued this pursuit up to
the present. He is the owner of a fine farm of 280 acres, which he paid for by
the honest sweat of his brow. Although of limited education himself Mr. Green
is always in favor of public schools, and is a liberal contributor to that and
all other laudable enterprises. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity,
Waterville Lodge No. 50. He is also a member of Vidette
Lodge No. 94, I. O. O. F. In politics his political preference is with the
Democratic party. His wife is the daughter of W. H.
and M. J. (Driscol) 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 Martha 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., whose birth occurred on the 25th
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 during the war,
was a commissioned officer and was taken prisoner, remaining in prison for some
time. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity, belonging 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 in Morgan County, Tenn.,
February 25, 1849, 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, in 1797 and 1812, respectively.
Elijah Hall was a farmer by occupation, and about 1870 moved to Fulton County, Ark.,
where he passed the rest of his days, dying in 1881. His widow still survives
him, and resides in Barter County,
Ark. The paternal grandparents
were North Carolinians, who removed to Tennessee
at an early day, and there died. The youthful days of Thomas Hall were divided
between farm work and attending the common schools,
where he received a fair education only. He remained with his parents until he
attained his majority, and was then married August 14, 1870, to Miss Dorcas E. Kerr, who was born in Tennessee October 30, 1850,
and is a daughter of William and Jane Kerr, [p.284] both natives of Ireland,
who died in Fulton County, Ark. To Thomas Hall and his wife eight children have
been born, six of whom are living: Katie, born August 3, 1872; Clory Ann, born January 26, 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, born October
30, 1883; Sabra Dorcas,
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
Greeley for the Presidency. He is a member of the Missionary Baptist
Church, and his wife is
connected 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 degree, of
the lives of its citizens, and it is apparent to any intelligent observer that
the history of this county 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 by 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, born 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 Independence 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
1869, but subsequently be located in Greene
County, Ark. After
remaining there two years he moved to Fulton County,
Ark., and engaged in the milling business at Elizabeth, where he
remained thus occupied until his death, which occurred on the 20th of October,
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 March 3, 1861. W. S. Hamilton
came to this county with his father, and settled on Spring River,
in the east portion for some six years. He then moved to his 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 living: Sarah E. (deceased), Philip T.,
born April 7, 1871; N. J., born on the 22d of July, 1873; Melissa, born 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 Nipper, by whom
she had these children: Sarah J. (deceased), 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. Nipper was in
the Union army, but was so disabled from exposure that he was discharged about
1863. Mr. Hamilton has filled the office of constable, has also been justice of
the peace, and, like his father, is a Democrat 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.
page 285
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 Sullivan
County, Tenn., March 13, 1848, and is a son of Henry and Margaret Adaline (Berry) Harkleroad, who
were born in East Tennessee and Virginia, respectively, and both died in Fulton
County, Ark., the former on the 18th of December, 1869, [p.285] at the age of
eighty-one years, and the latter on the 18th of November, 1888, aged
seventy-one years. They were married in the mother's native State, but resided
in Sullivan County, Tenn., until coming to Arkansas in 1850. They were members of the
Methodist Episcopal Church, South, and he was a soldier in the War of 1812, and
by occupation was a blacksmith, carpenter, and farmer, 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 Margaret E., wife of R. C. Byrum of Union
Township. W. H. C. was in
the Confederate army three years during the Rebellion, and participated in many
battles, and James H. was also in the service a 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 eighteen
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 which he turns out proving unusually satisfactory, and the
patronage that has been attracted to this place for milling purposes is
steadily increasing. If close application and study of the wants of his
customers will serve to make a permanent 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 proving 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 County.
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 birth of five
children: 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 class leader. Both he and
his brother, James H., are members of the Masonic fraternity, 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 former 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 by his wife November 3,
1887, she being an earnest member of the Christian Church. Our subject, Dr. Hazlewood, inherits English and Irish blood 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 1860 Dr. Hazlewood emigrated to Dunklin County, 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 16, 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. Hazlewood
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 an ordained
minister of the Christian Church since 1884, and has been a practicing
physician since 1874. During the war he served six months as lieutenant of
Company B, Richardson's
artillery. His first presidential vote was cast for John Bell, of Tennessee. He is a
Master Mason.
page 286
Joseph Highfill has given his attention strictly to farming
throughout life, and his earnest endeavors in pursuing this calling, coupled
with strict integrity and honesty of purpose, have placed him among the honored
and respected agriculturists of the county. He was born in Tennessee
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, respectively. 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
physician, he attained prominence. Bennett and Margaret Highfill
emigrated from Tennessee to Dallas
County, Mo., in 1854, and five years
later moved to Oregon
County. The grandfather
Bennett 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 cultivation. During 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 1863,
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 from Tennessee 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 received undivided efforts from many
worthy individuals, and one that furnishes sustenance to the ready worker. His
parents, Jesse and Annie (Hopkins) 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
marriage occurred in 1825 or 1826 in North
Carolina, and this union was blessed by the birth of
these children: Wes (deceased), Jesse (deceased), Narcissus, Artemus and Louisa. Mrs. Hinkle died about 1852, and Mr.
Hinkle took for his second wife, two years later, Miss Fannie Hopkins, who bore
him two children: Sell and Sarah J. (deceased). 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
twenty 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 1884, when he moved to Fulton County
and bought 160 acres of land. He erected good buildings and made many other
improvements, and still owns eighty acres in Oil Trough Bottom, all
well-improved and worth $50 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 Fulton
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 Mr.
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.
page 287
William Howard is one of
the sturdy and progressive 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., [p.287] when our subject was about thirteen years of age,
and the date of his birth is unknown. He removed from Alabama
to Missouri
in 1826, and was of Irish descent, his grandfather having been born in the
"Emerald Isle." His wife was supposed to have been born in Alabama in 1805, and
died in Jackson County, Ark., in 1862. 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, assisting her in 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 in 1851, having become the mother of two
children, both of whom are deceased. On February 22, 1858, he married Mrs.
Elizabeth (Breckenridge) 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 Mullens.
They have two children: Robert L. and Walter C. Mr. and Mrs. Howard are members
of the Baptist Church. In 1863 Mr. Howard enlisted in
Company E, Clark's regiment. and served until the final surrender, the latter part of his
service being under Marmaduke. He was also with Price
on his-raid and served as second lieutenant. Since about 1844 he has been a
resident of Arkansas
and in his political views has always been a Democrat, having cast his first
presidential vote for James K. Polk.
page 288
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 Rolls. When about twenty years of age
he engaged 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 been an ordained elder since
1872 and occasionally occupies the pulpit now, thus administering to the
spiritual wants of his fellow man as well as to their physical needs. He is
popular with all, kind and courteous in his intercourse with his acquaintances,
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
wealthiest farmers of Pulaski County,
Mo. This union resulted in the
birth 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 physicians of the county. When first entering upon the practice of
his profession he was in poor circumstances, but his true worth soon became
apparent and a large patronage was the result. He never attended medical college,
but in 1882 he passed the best examination before the medical examiners of any
physician in Fulton
County. For three years
he has been in the drug business 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 Wild Cherry Lodge No. 443, A. F. & A. M., and has held
nearly all the offices. He is also a member of Eastern Star Chapter, at Wild
Cherry. His wife has been a member of the church for many years, and he has
been a member since 1869. His parents, Robert and Mahala
C. (Dodd) Hudgens, were born in Kentucky
and Tennessee,
respectively. They were married in Missouri,
where they were early 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 Missouri,
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 she died in [p.288] 1885. She was a member of the Baptist Church
for seventeen years.
Jacob T. Hudson is a man
whose natural characteristics 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 principles which he has held have been peculiarly 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 vicinity, as he grew up, he devoted his time
and attention to farming, receiving in the meantime a rather limited amount of
schooling. In 1869 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 Matilda Ross, natives of Tennessee
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 children, 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 member of Lodge No. 443, A. F. & A. M.,
at Wild Cherry, and has held nearly all the offices except Master. He is also a
member of Ladies Chapter of Eastern Star (White Lily) No. 61. 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 brother. 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. Betsey
A. Mayhall, are both natives of Mississippi.
page 289
Dr. John S. Hutchenson, physician and surgeon, 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 native of Alabama, and the latter of South Carolina, were married
in Mississippi, about 1850, later removing 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 communion with the Christian Church. Mrs.
Hutchenson 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 settlers in Big Creek
Township. She has been a
member of the Christian Church for many years. Dr. John S. Hutchenson
was the 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
and 1879 attended 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 [p.289] wife. She was an orphan, was reared in Missouri, and died on September 20, 1876,
leaving one son. She was a member in good standing in the Methodist Episcopal
Church. Dr, Hutchenson owns the home farm of 520
acres, with 225 under cultivation. He is the only child living of his father's
family. In politics he affiliates with the Democratic party,
and cast his first presidential vote for S. J. Tilden in 1876.
P. P. B. Hynson of the general mercantile firm of Archer, Daniel
& Co. of Mammoth Spring, Ark.,
was born in Batesville, Independence County, in 1851, his parents being William and
Rosalie (Burton) Hynson,
the former of Maryland
by birth and rearing. In 1838 he came to Arkansas,
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 grandfather, P. P. Burton, was a native of Virginia,
and was a successful physician; he graduated from a medical college at Philadelphia, and first practiced his profession at Lexington, Va., then at Holly Springs,
Miss., and finally located in Little Rock, Ark.,
in 1840. He was a practicing physician for sixty years, and was United States surgeon at Little Rock for many years. His death
occurred in 1872 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. Hynson 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, continuing 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 $22,000.
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 director of the Building & Loan Association, all of these
companies being incorporated. He was married in 1879 to Miss Mollie McKee, of Owensboro, Ky.,
and their union has resulted in the birth of four 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.
page 290
William M. Lafevers, farmer, Viola. No worthy reference to the affairs
of this county would be complete without mention of Mr. Lafevers,
who, among others, is engaged in tilling the soil. Besides enjoying to an
unlimited extent the confidence 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, Alexander and Rebecca (Bradley) Lafevers,
were both natives of North Carolina, the
father born in 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
the Mexican and Civil Wars. Of the ten children born to his marriage seven are
still living, and all but one in Fulton
County. William M. Lafevers is the eldest child of this family. He was born in
Cherokee County, N. C., in 1852, and though his
educational advantages in youth were very meager, and though perhaps deficient
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
settlers of Arkansas, and the same year of his
marriage 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 [p.290] politics, casting his first vote for Tilden; is a
member of the Agricultural Wheel, and he and wife belong to the Methodist
Episcopal Church, South.
William Thomas
Livingston. The many years passed in sincere and earnest endeavor in thoroughly
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, 1835, 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
efforts 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
excellent 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 children, six
of whom survive, and acquired his education in the common schools of Alabama and Georgia. He remained faithfully by
his parents until their deaths, and assisted his father in managing the home
place. In 1858 he was appointed deputy sheriff under Thomas E. Martin, serving
two years, then farmed until 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 before Lee
surrendered. April 8, 1865, with a discharge by reason of his
election as representative of his county. After his return home he again
took up the implements of farm life, was appointed deputy sheriff of Fulton County
and in 1866 again appointed to the same position under M. V. 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, representing his lodge in the Grand Lodge in
1873.
page 291
Hon. E.
R. Lucas, farmer.
Viola. No name is justly entitled to a more enviable
place in the history 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 interests 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 married
there, and began the study of medicine. He practiced in that State for some time,
then graduated in his profession at Cincinnati, Ohio, after [p.291] which, his health being very poor, he
was advised to go to Europe, but died on the
ocean, in 1844 or 1845, leaving a wife and four children, in poor
circumstances. He was of Scotch descent, was a member of the Baptist Church,
also a Mason, and was a very promising man. His widow is still living, and has
been a member of the Baptist
Church for over sixty
years. She reared four children, Hon. E. R. being the eldest. He received very
little education until grown, and then taught seven terms of school. His wife
was formerly Miss Nancy Radford, whom he married in 1859. Her parents, Reuben
and Sarah Radford, were natives, respectively, of Alabama
and Kentucky,
and passed their last days in the former State, Mrs. Radford dying in 1853, and
Mr. Radford some years previous. To Mr. and Mrs. Lucas were born ten children,
three sons and four daughters living. Mr. Lucas served through the war, having
enlisted in Company K, Eleventh Alabama Volunteer Infanty,
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 Richmond, Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville, Gettysburg, Wilderness, Spottsylvania,
etc., and was never captured nor wounded. He received a furlough, and was at
home during the final surrender. He then returned to tilling the soil, and in
1869 came to Fulton County,
Ark., where he has since lived,
residing on his present farm for the past 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
present 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 1856. He
has been a Mason since 1861, 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 Baptist
Church, in which he has
been a deacon for a number 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 Revolutionary 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 Confederate
army, and was wounded at the seven days' battle, in June, 1862, 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.
page 292
Elder Joseph B. McGlasson, minister of the Christian Church, and farmer of Big Creek Township, 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 quite 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 another man a
short time to get the leather made up into a pair of shoes. He continued to
labor at such occupation as he 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 this 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, Mo.;
Jane and Fannie. Mr. McGlasson's second marriage
occurred, in 1859, to Mrs. Margaret J. Nibblett,
daughter of William and Lucy Fewell. She was born in Alabama, and by her marriage became the mother of four
children, two now living: Francis M. and Tabitha, wife of James James, of Randolph
County, Ark. The
second Mrs. McGlasson died about 1877, and Mr. McGlasson then married Mrs. Nancy Hewitt, who died in 1883.
In August of the following year he married 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 in that township at that time. He has long been recognized as
an honest, upright and much esteemed 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-sight 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 Methodist until the separation in 1845, and was then a Protestant
Methodist until the war. He then remained out of the church until 1865, 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 drummer 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
member 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. There 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 Scotland, 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 Scotland. The maternal grandfather,
Francis Harley, was of Dutch descent, and died in Virginia.
page 293
Azriah W. McKenzie. The career of Mr.
McKenzie presents an example of industry. perseverance and good management,
rewarded by substantial 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 Lawrence County, Ark.,
in 1848. He pursued the occupation 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 are now living: 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 [p.293] for California, which State he reached in the
summer 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 years was occupied in cattle dealing in California. In the last named year he again
returned home, and in July of that year enlisted in the Confederate army, being
under Capt. Wyatt, and served until the close of the war. He was taken prisoner
at Big Blue while with Price on his raid, and was retained at Alton, Ill.,
for four months, after which he was paroled. He then rejoined his company in
the south part of Arkansas,
and at the close of hostilities returned home and resumed his farming
operations. He has a fine farm of 400 acres, with 185 under cultivation, which
he has acquired by hard work and good management. His first vote for the
presidency was cast for Franklin Pierce, and he has always been a Democrat. He
is unmarried.
Dr. Joel McLemore, a
physician of acknowledged merit in Fulton
County, was born in Halifax County,
N. C., June 12, 1835, and there remained until ten years of age, when he was
taken by his mother to Tennessee, receiving
his literary education in Waynesboro,
of that State. During 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 married in Tennessee
to Miss Harriet G. McClearen, who was born and reared
in Hickman County, Middle Tenn. Her parents, John
and Elzada (Adams) McClearen,
were born in Northern Alabama 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 G., 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 Methodist
Protestant Church.
He owns a farm of 240 acres on English Creek, about seventy-five acres of which
are under cultivation. His parents, Joel and Mrs. Elizabeth (Pullen) McLemore,
were born in Virginia and North Carolina in May, 1773, and 1803,
respectively. The father removed 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 100
hands. He was twice married, Miss Pullen being 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 married John Whittaker, and moved to Perry County, Tenn., where she
died in April, 1859. The paternal grandparents of our subject were born near London, England,
and a short time prior to the Revolutionary War 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.
page 294
Jesse Matthews is a
newspaper man of long experience, his connection with his present paper 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 popular for
its hold and fearless advocacy of measures which it deems will prove 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 which place he engaged in merchant tailoring, and followed this
occupation for some time. In 1849 he went to California, where he spent eight years in gold
digging, accumulating considerable money. After his return to Missouri
he located at Huntsville, where his worthy wife
departed this life, after which he removed to the northwest county in Missouri, where he is
spending his declining years with a son. The paternal grandfather was an early
emigrant to [p.294] America,
and was of Scotch ancestry although born in the "Emerald Isle." Jesse
Matthews, the immediate subject of this sketch, was reared at Huntsville,
Randolph County, Mo., but was favored with only poor advantages for obtaining
an education, which he improved by entering a printing 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 apprenticeship 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 in 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
outfit, 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., establishing 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 member of the
Kansas City Typographical Union.
R. 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 received his
education in Lebanon,
Wilson County, Tenn., and while there formed habits of application and industry
so essential to any successful career through life, and which stood him in good
service when entering upon his legal studies, which he did after wielding the
ferule for three years. His legal preceptor was W. F. Henderson, 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 in 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 Pocahontas,
and he and his wife are worthy members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Mr. Marey'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 Tennessee
at an early day, and there spent the rest of his days.
page 295
Daniel W. Mitchell,
farmer, merchant, and postmaster of Mitchell postoffice,
which was established in 881, through his efforts, owes his birth to Marion
County, Tenn., where he was born in 1828. His father, Warren W. Mitchell, was a
native of North Carolina, born in 1782, and was married in Tennessee to Mrs. Elender 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 first time in North Carolina. After
the death of Mr. Mitchell, she removed to North
Mississippi, and there died in April, 1857. Her father, Harbored
Lewis, was a Welshman, [p.295] and his wife was Dutch. They came to America prior to the Revolutionary War, settling
in Chatham County, N. C., and there passed the
remainder of their lives. Daniel W., the second of three sons and four
daughters born to his parents, received a very limited education, and remained
with his mother until grown, taking charge of the family at the age of
seventeen. His marriage occurred 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, Ill., after which he returned to Mississippi. In 1870 he
came 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 established a store on his farm, and has carried this
on nearly ever since. He was justice of the peace for some years in Mississippi, and also filled that position for about two
years in Fulton County. In politics he was reared a
Whig, but is now a Republican. Mr. and Mrs. Mitchell are members in good
standing in the Methodist Episcopal Church, and he has been steward in the same
for many years.
page 296
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) Nesbit, natives of South Carolina and Alabama,
respectively. 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 1885, 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
standing in the Cumberland Presbyterian Church. Thomas Nesbit, grandfather of
Edward S. 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 Wesleyan University
at Florence, Ala. He then on gaged
in the lumber and saw-mill business 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 captured in West Mississippi in October, 1862, and was held a
prisoner at Fort Pickering for about three months. At the
close of the strife he engaged 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 and two daughters, all
living. Mr. Nesbit's second marriage occurred about
1881, to Mrs. Nancy E. Nesbit, daughter of J. R. Jefferys,
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 1884, when he removed to Imboden, and in 1889 to Mammoth 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 been a
Democrat, casting his first 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
Cumberland Presbyterian Church, and his wife of the Missionary 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 Imboden; 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
advantages.
H. F. Northcutt, one of
the most efficient circuit 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 roared 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 position. In social as well
as public life he is kind, courteous and affable 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 Arkansas,
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 grandfather. J. M. Northcutt,
was a native German.
page 297
Dr. William B. Phillips
is a leading physician and surgeon of Fulton County,
Ark., and possesses those sterling qualities
which are characteristic 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 knowledge of that calling. When the matterings of war resounded through the land he entered the
service as hospital steward, but afterward 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
1839, but her death occurred the following 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; Viola M., born May 5, 1879;
Ernest A., born [p.297] December 23, 1871; Ansel B.,
born December 21, 1873; Arthur L., born February 10, 1876; Alexander B., born
July 17, 1878; Anna P., born May 16, 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 east 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 postoffice,
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 children, two now living, of Zadock
and Phśbe (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 Douglas County, Mo., to which county he moved in 1859.
His wife died in this county in March, 1889. The grandfather was born in North Carolina, and the great grandfather was of Scotland
nativity.
J. M. Pickren,
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 America.
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, but 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 years of 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 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 homestead,
which consisted of 510 acres, 150 under improvement. He was married November 7
of the same year to Miss Nancy Farril, a native of Missouri, and seven
children have been the result of this union: Maud, born August 4, 1874; John,
born January 4, 1876; Harry, born April 21, 1878; Minnie. born
February 12, 1879; Luther, born April 15, 1881; Myrtie,
born June 7, 1885, and Cuthbert, born May 20, 1887. Mrs. Pickren
is the daughter of Wilson and Mary (Grubb) 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.
page 298
Dr. G. W. Ray, a
prominent medical practitioner of Fulton County, Ark., was born in Davidson
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 9, 1800, and 1808, and died in the latter State in 1865 and
1873, respectively. The father removed with his parents to Tennessee
when fourteen years of age, his father being Patrick Henry Ray, a native of
either Scotland
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 Tennessee he adopted
medicine as his profession and entered upon its practice in his native State in
1856. At the same time he was in the wholesale liquor business, following other
occupations at various times until 1877, when he left Tennessee,
and moved to Stoddard County, Mo.
Seven years later he came to Fulton
County, Ark. In 1868
he wedded Miss Susan Browning, who was born in Robertson County, Tenn.,
but she lived only two years after her marriage. December 18, 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 Mitchell. In 1862 Dr. Ray recruited a company of soldiers in Robertson County, Tenn.,
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.
page 299
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 advantages 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., Margaret L. (wife of A.
W. Ellis), Edmund G., Bettie E., Rob Preston, Kittie
(who died in infancy), Oscar Lee and Holmes G. In 1866 Mr. Rhea emigrated to Arkansas, thinking to
better his worldly condition, and after residing in this county for some time,
and his many admirable qualities becoming known, he was elected to the offices
of circuit clerk, ex-officio county clerk, clerk of
the probate court, and county recorder, holding these responsible positions for
ten consecutive years. Since 1883 he has also been engaged in mercantile
business, but is now retired, his establishment 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 member 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 Berkeley 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 Revolutionary 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 Sullivan 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 prosperous 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 remained 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
[p.299] married, in 1882, to Miss Laura E. Rhea, who was born in Tennessee. They have two
children living: Maud E. and Bernice Preston, and one child deceased, named Lillias. Mr. Robins is a Democrat, and a member of the
Methodist Episcopal Church, South. The other member of the firm, Arch.
Northcutt, is a Warren County Tennesseean, his birth
occurring in 1858. He left his native State when eleven years of age, and came
with his people to Arkansas.
He was educated in the common schools of Izard County, and worked at the
monotonous duties of farm life for his father until he 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 present 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 discharging the duties of this position.
He is a charter member of the I. O. O. F., and is a member of the Methodist
Episcopal Church. His wife, whose maiden name was Jennie Brown, was born in the
State of Ohio in 1859, and is connected to Judge O'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 26th of January, 1830. His parents are supposed to have been natives of North Carolina, the former's birth occurring in 1787, and
his death in Tennessee
in 1839. 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 in the
State of Tennessee, and after his death the
widow and her children came to Arkansas,
locating in what is now Sharp
County, about 1844, where
she died in 1859. Daniel P. Rogers received only one month's schooling after
coming to Arkansas,
owing to his mother's straitened circumstances, and the necessity of his
assistance at home to aid in supporting the family. He made his home with his
mother until his marriage, and then she continued to reside with him until her
death. His marriage 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 married 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 unfortunate 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 in Whitley County, Ky.,
in 1839. They have two children; Martha A. and Andrew J. During the Rebellion
he joined the Confederate army, and served until the final surrender, being 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 command. 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 embraces 200 acres, and is
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 first presidential
vote for Pierce. He and wife are members of the Protestant Methodist
Church.
page 300
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 October, 1824, and is a son of Wyatt and
Frances [p.300] (Satterwhite) Sears, both natives of North Carolina, who died in Georgia in 1863 and 1868,
respectively. They were married in their native State, and throughout 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 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 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 been going on for two
years Mr. Sears enlisted as a private in Beauregard's battery and served until
June 20, 1865, proving himself an efficient 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 belongs to the Baptist Church, and all are substantial 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.
page 301
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 farming as an occupation, and is of Dutch Irish ancestry. 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 Decatur County, Ind.,
to which place his parent-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 conducted affairs alone until 1884, when he sold out
to Dr. J. S. Risher. He re-purchased the goods the
following year, and has remained proprietor of the same ever since. In 1875
South Fork postoffice was established at Mr. Sharp's
store, and he was appointed postmaster, which he has since remained, with the
exception of one year. He was married in Sharp County,
Ark., November 22, 1858, to Miss Mary E.
Wainwright, who was born 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 (deceased), 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 numerous skirmishes; then he was honorably discharged, and returned to his home in Indiana, where he remained until 1866. He is
a member of Myatt Lodge No. 401, of the Masonie
order, and in his political views is a stanch Democrat, having cast his first
presidential vote for James Buchanan. [p.301] He and all his children, with the
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 12th of August,
1788, and died on the 1st of April, 1866. The mother was born 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 Walsh (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 Miss 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 second time to Mrs. Frances B.
(Campbell) Short, widow of Col. A. M. Short, who was in the Mexican War, 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,
respectively. Mr. Campbell was justice of the peace of his section for many
years, was in very comfortable 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 Tennessee; 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
counties of the State.
page 302
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 always been closely
identified with the interests of this section and he need have no fear as to
his [p.302] 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 tilling 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 Episcopal Church. He was married in October, 1886, to Miss Josephine
Roberts, who was born in 1869.
page 303
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 children born to
John and Nancy (Swift) Thomason, natives of South Carolina
and Tennessee,
respectively. 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 parents of these children: James W.,
who died in prison 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 specialty of negroes
and land. His farm was cultivated 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 unpleasantness between the North and
South, when he enlisted in the Eleventh Tennessee Infantry, Company C, William
Green, captain, and commanded by James E. Rains. Mr. Thomason served from May
9, 1861, until the close of the war and participated 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, Murfreesboro,
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 he was in a very sorry condition. He surrendered
at Memphis, Tenn., April 26, 1865. He was first married
November 20, 1875, to Miss Ellen Canuoy, 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
Benjamin W., born December 7, 1882, Mrs. Thomason died July 6, 1886, and Mr.
Thomason then married Miss Mary F. Roby, of Fulton County, Ark., November 4,
1886. One child was born to this union, [p.303] Josie M., whose birth occurred
July 21, 1887. Mr. Thomason is the owner of 210 acres of land, and is a very
enterprising 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, Ill.,
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
County, and there the
latter couple died. Jacob Thompson 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 Democrat. He was a faithful
soldier for the Union cause throughout the Rebellion, and was a participant in
the battle of Pittsburg Landing, and numerous 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 first 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 received excellent educational
opportunities (which he did not fail to improve) in McKendrie College, St. Clair County, Ill. In the
spring of 1883 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 he became a well known and successful-practitioner. Since
the first of the year 1889 he has resided in Mammoth Spring, where he is
winning the confidence and respect of all who know him. In March, 1876, he was
married to Miss Amanda Miller, who was born in Stoddard County, Mo.,
in 1856, and was there reared to womanhood. 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 in December, 1883. Her
birth occurred in Randolph County, Ark., in 1846, she being a daughter of Rev. R. O. Tribble, a Missionary Baptist minister, and the first
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 always 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 belonged to the Methodist Episcopal Church.
page 304
Robert L. Thompson, who
is closely connected with the farming interests of the county, is of Arkansas nativity, and
dates his birth from December 30, 1856. His father, G. W. Thompson, was a
native of Tennessee,
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 supposed to be
dead. In politics he affiliated with the Republican party.
Mrs. Thompson resides in Boone County, Ark. Robert L.
Thompson passed his youth and early manhood in his native State, Arkausas. On the 12th of December, 1880, he married Miss
Emma E. Cook, daughter of Henry and Elizabeth (Harris) Cook, and one of six
children born to their union; Ephraim (deceased), Sarah J., Mary, Pernecia, William W., Emma E. and Alice. Henry W. Cook was
born in Kentucky,
July 22, 1822, [p.304] 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
Church, 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 five have homes in Arkansas, and are married. The fruits of Mr.
and Mrs. Thompson's union are three children: Huston B., born May 11, 1883;
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 considerable stock, consisting of hogs, cattle and horses. He is
considered one of the leading farmers in this section. He is a man greatly in
favor of public enterprises, and donates liberally to school, churches and all
laudable movements. Politically, he is a native-born Republican. Mr. and Mrs.
Thompson are members of the Missionary
Baptist Church.
Mr. Thompson professed religion 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.
page 305
David P. Tunstall, one of the leading citizens of Fulton
County, Ark., is a native of Independence County, of the same State, his birth
occurring 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 cabinet maker's trade, at which occupation he worked for a few years. He
afterward turned his attention to steamboating, and
after residing 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 steamboating brought the first boat
up the White River. He accumulated
considerable 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 first wife is unknown. His second wife was a Miss Sarah World,
who died after having borne eight children, only one of whom is now living:
James M., a farmer, of Independence
County. His last marriage
was to Miss Elizabeth Magness, by whom he became the
father of eleven children, five of whom are living: Harrison M., David P.,
Laura (wife of J. M. Archer), Rose (wife of Richard A. McHenry), 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, 1864,
the last two years being orderly sergeant. He was at Shiloh, Perryville, 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 Station, Tenn.
He was recaptured five 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 Murfreesboro
he had one of his pants-legs shot off. He then remained in Independence
County, Ark., until 1877, at which
time he came to Fulton
County, where he has
since made his home. He owns some of the best farming land 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 re-elected in 1884. On the 25th of May,
1865, he was married to Miss Martha Jernigan, a daughter of Rev. William H.
Jernigan. [p.305] She was born in Henry County, Tenn., in 1845 (August 16), and
to their union the following children have been born: Lemuel
E. (farming his father's farm), William T., James F., Harrison M., Dicy E., Charles P., Daniel A. and Grover C. Mr. and Mrs. Tunstall are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church,
South, and he is a stanch Democrat in his politics. On coming home from the
army he was without means, and all his property has been acquired since then,
and notwithstanding 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 respectively 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 pursuits at Mammoth Spring. He and wife, who came to Arkansas at the age of
five 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 Virginia.
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
medicine. He determined to make this his profession, and for some time at first
studied under a preceptor, 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 Memphis
Hospital Medical
College in the spring of
1887 (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 Democrat.
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) Wainwright, who were born in Virginia
and Tennessee.
respectively. Upon first leaving his native State, he
went to Georgia, but before
his marriage moved from Alabama, 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 years. 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 here 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., Lucy 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, Ark.,
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
affiliated with the Democratic party, and socially he
is a member of the A. F. & A. M., being a Master Mason. He belongs to the
Methodist Episcopal Church.
page 306
Rev. William E. Watson, a
Methodist minister and farmer of Fulton
Township, was born in Ballard 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 Company 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, Ill.
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 native 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 children, 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 farming
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 preferences 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 parents. Miles and Mary S. (Gillespie) 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
Hawkins. She afterward moved to Fulton
County, and died about 1862, in what
is now Baxter County. She had been a member of the Methodist Church for many years.
page 307
Z. L. Watters, M. D., is
of Scotch Irish birth and antecedents, and his ancestors for four generations
back have been prominently identified with the interests of the State of Georgia, his
father, Joseph Watters, having been a prominent politician of that State in the
days of his prime. The latter was born in 1792 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 Gordon County, Ga.,
and for gallant service was promoted 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 medical 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 profession at Salem,
and acquired a superior 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 thoroughly qualified. He was for many years
the only physician in the place, and owing to his remarkably 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. Humphreys, but he was called upon to mourn
her loss by death in 1874. She left two children: Frank and Nora. He
subsequently wedded his present wife, whose maiden name was Samantha Jeffrey.
The following are the children which have been given them: Zula
Lee, Nettie Medora, Lamar, Lella and Ethel. Dr.
Watters is a Democrat, and has shown his brotherly spirit by becoming a Mason.
S. P. Welden,
treasurer of Fulton County, Ark.,
was born in Jackson County, Tenn., June 15, 1832, but was reared in the State
of Kentucky,
receiving 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 number of years. He was married at the age of twenty-four
years, to Miss Elizabeth S. Duncan, in Bollinger
County, Mo. She was
born in Livingston County, Ky., May 7, 1838, 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., born July 20, 1860, died October 23, 1872; Ewell B., born February 2, 1864, died December 19, 1882;
and one other infant, born November 2, 1867, died the same day. Mr. Welden bought two quarter sections of land in Fulton County, Ark.,
in 1868, and moved here in 1881. He resided on his property 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 September, 1886, and again re-elected in September, 1888, 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 integrity, sound judgment and liberal,
progressive ideas. He now owns over 900 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 children, seven boys and five girls, eight
of whom are now living, born to William Welden and
wife, formerly a Miss Jones, the former being probably a native of North
Carolina, born June 12, 1809, and the latter of Tennessee, born May 11, 1809.
William Welden moved to Tennessee with his father when young, and
was there married to Mary R. 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 paternal grandfather, Daniel Welden, was
born in North Carolina, and died in Kentucky at the home of
our subject, between ninety-five 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 soldier, and was of
Scotch-Irish descent.
page 308
Marion Whiteside is a
resident of Fulton County, Ark., who seems to be eminently fitted for
the occupation of farming, for he possesses industry and good-business ability,
and from earliest boyhood has been familiar with the details of farm life. He
was born in Oregon County, Mo.,
October 11, 1850, but was reared in Fulton
County, Ark.,
remaining with his parents until he attained 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 occupation 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
cultivation. He has always been a Democrat politically, and his first vote for
the Presidency was cast for Horace Greeley. He is now deputy assessor of his
township, has been constable of Mammoth
Spring Township
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, 1872, he was united in marriage to Miss Annis Mooney, who was born
in Dent County, Mo., about 1852, and by her he became the father of eight
children, six of whom are living: Margaret E., Jackson F., Martha L., Josephine,
Minnie A. and Monroe C. Mrs. Whiteside is a daughter of John and Margaret
[p.308] Mooney, who were native Tennesseeans, and
were early settlers of Dent 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 County, 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 Arkansas by his
parents when nine years of age, and became a noted hunter of Fulton County and
lived in this county until his death, August 27, 1879, still survived by his
widow. The paternal grandfather, 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 settlers. 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 Fulton County,
Ark.