Ouachita County

Abner S. Riddick is a native of this county, his birth occurring on the farm where he now resides, on January 12, 1858, and is a son of Benjamin F. Riddick, who was born in Virginia in 1812. The father is one of the pioneers now living in this county, having resided here since 1845, and having emigrated from Tennessee. He is engaged in farming, and is one of the much respected and esteemed citizens of the county. His wife was formerly Miss Laura Cleeves, whose birth occurred in South Carolina about 1816, and she is living at the present time. Of the nine children born to his parents, Benjamin F. is the eighth in order of birth. He received his education in the common schools of this county, and in the fall of 1886 was married to Miss Nancy L. Johnson, a native of Nevada County, Arkansas born in 1868, and the daughter of William R. Johnson {sketch contained in this writing}. Two children are the result of this union: Daniel B. and Annie L. Mr. Riddick has 235 acres of land, with about seventy-five acres under cultivation and resides about eighteen miles southwest of Camden. He served as bailiff in this county two years. He is a member of the K. of P. lodge at Stephens, and in his political views is strictly Democrat, casting his vote of the General Hancock. Mrs. Riddick is a member of the Baptist Church.[INDEX]

George L. Ritchie is a wholesale and retail grocer and dry goods merchant of Camden, Arkansas and was born in Dallas County, Alabama, in 1838, being a son of John C. and Jane E. (Campbell) Ritchie, who were born in South Carolina and Tennessee, respectively. After their marriage they emigrated first to Mississippi, then to Arkansas, in 1858, and after being residents of Bradley County until 1861, they made a settlement in Ouachita County, but the father did not live long enough to make a home for his family, as his death occurred the same year , his widow still surviving him. George L. Ritchie is the second of their four children, and the greater part of his early education was received in Mississippi. He was reared to farm life up to the age of eighteen years then followed various occupations until 1862, at which time he enlisted in Company B, Thirty-third Arkansas Regiment, and was on active duty until the close of the war. He then came back home and engaged in the hotel business, and until 1873 was the popular and accommodating proprietor of the Southerland Hotel, but at the above mentioned date gave up that work to engage in his present business. He has been a resident of this county for the past twenty nine years and the policy on which he has ever conducted his business has been such as to meet public commendation, and those forming relations with the house may be assured of receiving that liberal treatment which has always characterized its dealings. His stock of goods is valued at $10,000..[INDEX]

Ephriam D. Rogers is one of the pioneers of Lafayette Township, being the second oldest in this township. He was born November 4, 1817, in Georgia, a son of Jonathan and Sarah (Roundtree) Rogers, natives of North Carolina, the former born in 1790. Jonathan Rogers' father having died when he was young, he was bound out to a farmer, and worked until about eighteen years of age, when he was married to Miss Sarah Roundtree. Shortly after his marriage he moved to Georgia, and thence to Alabama, when the subject of this sketch was but two years of age. In 1856 he came to this county and purchased an improved farm of 400 acres, on which he lived until his death, which occurred in 1817, his wife having died in 1863. They were both members of the Missionary Baptist Church. They had a family of fifteen children, twelve of whom lived to maturity, and have families, viz: Benjamin (now deceased), Penny (married Dr. J. G. Wilson, of this township, died leaving ten children, six of whom are still living), Ephriam D. (the subject of this sketch), Betsey (Mrs. W. W. Wilson, of Columbia County, has eight children, all living), Cader (died leaving five children, all living), Alphea (a farmer of Columbia County, ahs a family of six children), Wiley M. (died, leaving five children, all living), Sallie (married Mr. Cook, and died leaving seven children, all living), Bramblie (married Mr. Booth, and died leaving seven children), Treasy (now Mrs. Booth, ahs seven children), Jonathan R. (a farmer of Alabama, has a family of eight children), and Martha (Mrs. Venable, of this township, has four children). Mr. Ephriam Rogers was reared in Alabama, and had no education whatever. He commenced farming for himself in Autauga County, Alabama, when he was twenty-one years of age. In 1838 he was married to Miss Martha Booth, a native of that county, born February 17, 1822, a daughter of Charles and Nancy (Owens) Booth, both natives of South Carolina and died in 1866 and 1837, respectively, both members of the Missionary Baptist Church, by whom he had eleven children, viz: Charles B. (now farming in this county), Nancy E. (deceased), Sarah A. (deceased), Martha Ann (now Mrs. McDonald of this county), Mary L. (now Mrs. Carter of this township), John R. (whose sketch follows this), William J. (who is engaged in farming in this township), Benjamin Franklin (farmer of this county), Elizabeth W. (now Mrs. Forbes of this township), Emily (deceased), and Ellen Frances (now Mrs. Jeffus, of this township). In 1856 Mr. Rogers moved his wife and family to this county, purchasing an improved farm of 290 acres, on which he still lives. He served one year in the late war, in the Arkansas Home Guards. In 1888 Mr. Rogers sold his farm to his son, John R. and is now residing with him. Both he and his wife are members of the Missionary Baptist Church, to which they have belonged for nearly forty-eight years. Politically Mr. Rogers is a Democrat, before the war being a Whig, since which time he has been allied to the Democratic party. He is one of the best known citizens and is highly respected by all..[INDEX]

Jonathan R. Rogers, Jr., son of the above gentleman, was born September 29, 1848, in Autauga County, Alabama, and came to this county with his parents, when he was but eight years of age, and received a good education in the common schools of the county. December 24, 1868, he was married to Miss Martha C. Holcomb, a native of this county, born in October, 1842, a daughter of William and Elizabeth (Driskel) Holcomb, natives of Illinois and Tennessee, respectively, who came to this county when they were children, here grew to maturity, and there they were married. He was one of the first settlers of this county, and owned a part of the farm which our subject now owns. The subject of this sketch commenced farming for himself immediately after his marriage, renting for the first year, and afterward buying a farm of 2060 acres, on which he lived until 1888, when he sold that place and purchased the old homestead, on which he now lives, his father and mother residing with him. Mr. Rogers now owns about 410 acres of land, with about 150 acres under cultivation. In the past he has devoted considerable time and attention to raising cotton, but is now working into stock, raising pure bred Jersey Red hogs, mules, and also grade Jersey cattle. Mr. and Mrs. Rogers have had four children born to them, three of whom are now living, one having died in infancy. They are George W., William J. and Elizabeth. They are both church members, Mr. Rogers worshipping at the Missionary Baptist Church, and his wife at the Methodist Church. Mr. Rogers is a member of the County Wheel and Grange, is a Democrat in his political views, and is one of the leading men of Lafayette Township..[INDEX]

Thomas J. Rowe, a farmer and stock raiser, Stephens, Arkansas. Mr. Rowe is the son of James R. Rowe, and the grandson of Samuel Rowe, who was born in North Carolina, and who was of English descent. The grandfather participated in the War of 1812. James R. Rowe was born in North Carolina, and died in Alabama in 1843. He was reared in his native State, and later went to Georgia, where he married Miss Harriet Green, a native of North Carolina. She died in 1869. They were the parents of seven children, Thomas J. now being the only one living. The latter received his education in the common schools, and early had instilled into his youthful nature all the duties of farm life. In 1859 he married Miss Sarah Jane Rogers, a native of Georgia, born in 1842, and to this union were born eleven children, four sons and two daughters now living: Harriet Ann, William E., James M., John, Thomas N. and Maria C. Mr. Rowe emigrated from Georgia to Ouachita County, Arkansas in 1865, and resided in that county until 1873, when he moved to the State of Texas. In 1880 he returned to his property and is now the owner of 160 acres of land, and has about sixty acres under cultivation. His farm is located about four and a half miles northwest of Stephens. Mr. Rowe was elected sheriff of Early County, Georgia, in 1861,and held that office for two years. He afterward served as deputy sheriff for the same length of time. In politics he is Democratic, and cast his first vote for Jefferson Davis. He was made a Free Mason at Blakely, Georgia, in 1865, and is a Master Mason. He is also a member of the Wheel. During the late unpleasantness between the North and South, Mr. Rowe served in the Confederate army. Mrs. Rowe is consistent member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South..[INDEX]

S. Q. Sevier, president of the Camden Water Works System, was born in Landersville, Lawrence County, Alabama on April 9, 1851, being a son of Benjamin B. and Drucilla (Ewing) Sevier, who were born near Knoxville, Tennessee, the former being the grandson of ex-Governor John Sevier, the first governor of that State. Benjamin B. Sevier was born February 22, 1816, and is now living at Bel Green, Alabama. He graduated from the Medical Department of the University of Louisville, Kentucky, and with the exception of the last few years, he has practiced his profession since 1839. He was an especially skillful surgeon and practitioner, and had the best reputation as a physician throughout his section of the country, and enjoyed a very large practice. His wife died in the State of Alabama, having borne him four children, all of whom are living. S. Q. Sevier was the second of the family, and was reared principally in the State of Mississippi, receiving a fair education in the common schools of that State, and afterward paid for the services of a private tutor. He remained on a farm until 1866, then entered the telegraph office of Baldwyn, Mississippi, as messenger boy, which position he held eight months. He was then given charge of the office, and was manager of the same of some months. He then gave up the position to attend on e session of school, then was appointed train dispatcher under L. J. Fleming, general superintendent of the Mobile & Ohio Railroad, continuing at his post until after the yellow fever epidemic of 1868, when he went to Corinth, Mississippi, but a short time later was transferred to the Western Union Depot, and opened the first telegraph office of Tupelo, Mississippi, where he remained until transferred to Monroe, Louisiana, as manager. He made this place his home until January 21, 1871, then came to Camden, as manager of the Western Union Telegraph office. May 4, 1875, he went to New Orleans and served in the same capacity until October 14, 1875, at which time he resigned. He then became a commercial traveler, with Flash, Lewis & Co., remaining with them until they became liquidated and was then appointed southwestern agent for S. W. Venable & Co., Petersburg, Virginia, a large tobacco firm, serving until 1887. In 1886 he was elected to the Lower House of the State Legislature, from Ouachita County, Arkansas, and after his return home began the practice of law, having studied that profession under Gov. S. D. McHenry of Louisiana. He continued to practice until the organization of the Camden Water Works, the Electric Light and other enterprises, which consumed so much of his time that he was compelled to give up his profession, and turn his sole attention to his enterprises, and became president of both the above named institutions. He is vice-president of the Fair Association and every enterprise in which he becomes interested , and to which he gives his support, is sure to prove a decided success. Socially he is a K. of P., and belongs to the A. L. of H., and I. O. O. F. He was married in 1872 to Miss M. B. Smead, a sister of H. P. Smead, prosecuting attorney. Mr. and Mrs. Sevier are members of the Episcopal Church, and are the parents of three children: Carrie V. and Virginia E., living: Lamar Smead, the eldest, died in 1875..[INDEX]

Miles L. Sifford, farmer and mechanic of Buena Vista, Marion Township, was born January 14, 1832, in Lincoln County, North Carolina, a son of John and Elizabeth (Derr) Sifford, natives of North Carolina. The father was born in Rowan County, North Carolina, in 1776, his parents being originally from Germany, who emigrated to the country before the birth of their son, and in time for the father (grandfather of our subject) to participate in the Revolutionary War. John Sifford (the father of our subject) was a wagon maker by trade, residing about two miles from Catawba Springs, where he had moved previous to his marriage, and where he died in 1851. The mother was born in 1788, in Lincoln County, North Carolina, a daughter of Andrew and Elizabeth Derr, natives of North Carolina. She died in 1862, at the age of about seventy-five years, a worthy member of the Lutheran Church, as was also her husband. They were the parents of fifteen children, ten of whom are still living at last accounts, viz: Solomon (a farmer and mechanic of Mecklenburg County, North Carolina), Aaron (a farmer and blacksmith, residing in Lincoln County, North Carolina), Jonas (a farmer of Lincoln County, North Carolina), Michael engaged in farming in York District, South Carolina), Daniel (a farmer of Gaston County, North Carolina)Miles L. (the subject of this sketch), Max Amelia (who married Stephen Morris , of Lincoln County, North Carolina), Melinda (now Mrs. McIntosh, widow of Alexander McIntosh of Mecklenburg County, North Carolina), and Mariah (now Mrs. Little of the same county). Mr. Sifford our subject, was reared on his father's farm, and brought up to farm labor, and also learned the blacksmith and wagon maker's trade in his father's shop, hence he school privileges were extremely limited. He left home in 1857, and the same year was married and commenced farming for himself in Lincoln County. In 1861, he enlisted in the Fifty-second North Carolina Infantry, but the following year he was detailed and sent to Richmond, where he was employed on Confederate works, until the close of the war. He received a furlough in April , 1865, and was at home at the close of the war. In 1870 Mr. Sifford came to Arkansas and located in this county, and in 1872 he purchased his present farm of one quarter section of land, within 100 yards of the post-office of Buena Vista, which was then unimproved, with the exception of his home. In 1857, he was married to Miss Martha Elizabeth Holiman, who was born August 22, 1838, in Lincoln County, North Carolina, a daughter of Moses and Calla (Lowe) Holleman, natives of North Carolina. Mr. and Mrs. Sifford have had six children all living, namely: Winfield (a farmer of Fannin County, Texas), Luther (farming in the same county), and Anna Lee, Laura and Loris (all at home). Mrs. Sifford is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South,and an earnest Christian woman. Mr. Sifford is a stanch Democrat in politics, and is a member of the County Wheel..[INDEX]

Charles K. Sithen, the well-known and able cashier of the Camden National Bank, was born near Salem, New Jersey, July 2, 1858, but when eight years of age he was taken by his parents to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and there received an excellent education, and in 1876 graduated from the Philadelphia High School, with the degree of A. M. In 1878 he came to Arkansas, and became an employee of the old Hot Springs Bank and Safe Deposit Company, now known as the Arkansas National Bank, and here remained until December, 1881, when he came to Camden and became one of the founders of the above named bank, and has been its cashier, continuously, ever since. He is also a stockholder in the establishment and in the Arkansas National Bank, of Hot Springs. Ever since locating in Ouachita County, his career has been characterized by a noticeable devotion to its welfare, and his ability and fidelity in his present position have made a lasting impression on all who know him. Mr. Sithen was married in 1885, to Miss I. L. Shisler, of Philadelphia. He has always taken a great interest in secret societies, and is past chancellor in the K. of P. He is a Knight Templar and "Shriner" in the Masonic fraternity, and a past grand in the I. O. O. F.; also a member of the Endowment Rank K. of P., and a member of the R. A. Mr. Sithen was mayor of Camden n 1886-87-88 and in 1885 was commissioned captain of the Camden Rifles, State Militia. He is the efficient representative of sixteen fire insurance companies,and is a director and treasurer of the Camden Compress Company, treasurer of the Camden Manufacturing Company, and is a director and treasurer of Ouachita Fair Association. He is also connected with several other public enterprises, railroads, etc. His business qualities are best attested by his success for prudent foresight, sound judgement and an active mind have proven to be his best friends throughout his career. His ancestors came to America in the same vessel with William Penn, and they are of English and Dutch descent..[INDEX] [PAGE 9]