Ouachita County

J. M. Smith, merchant, Stephens, Arkansas. Mr. Smith, the senior partner of the firm of Smith & Bro., is a native of Georgia, born in 1847, and is the son of Deraslin F. Smith, also a native of Georgia. The father emigrated from his native State to Ouachita County about 1849, and was among the early settlers of the same. He was a successful farmer. He married Miss Esther Majors, a native of Georgia, and she is now living with her children, in this county. J. M. Smith is the third of seven children, a daughter and five sons now living. He was reared in Ouachita County, Arkansas, received his education in the common schools of this county, and was married, in 1875, to Miss Siddie Bayless, a native of Ouachita County, born in 1856. Her father, Dr. S. H. Bayless, was an early settler and prominent physician of that county. To Mr. and Mrs. Smith have been born four children, one son and three daughters: Lewis D., Pearl, Leta and Mary. Mr. Smith began merchandising at Richland, Columbia County, in the fall of 1878, and continued the business at that place until the fall of 1883. In September of that year he moved to Stephens, and has continued his former business at this place ever since, under the firm name of Smith & Bro. They carry a stock of goods valued at about $6,000 and buy cotton, in connection with their other business. This firm does the largest business in Stephens. Mr. Smith has been postmaster ever since he started business here, and is serving in the capacity at the present. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church.[INDEX]

N. H. Stark is a well-to-do and successful cotton buyer of Camden, Arkansas, and was born in the Indian Territory, in April, 1859, being a son of O. P. Stark, who was a missionary to the Choctaw Nation from 1849 to 1866. He had charge of the Lamor Female Institute, at Paris, Texas, for several years, and when he died, in 1883, he was considered one of the finest educators of the State. N. H. Stark was reared principally in the Lone Star State, and there also received his education, receiving his instruction from his father, who lavished his skill upon him. Owing to the burning down of his father's institute, much of his time was spent in supporting the family, when, under happier circumstances, it would have been devoted to study, but on starting out in life for himself he engaged in merchandising, in Paris, Texas, continuing three years. He subsequently became connected with Martin, Wise & Fitzhugh, of Paris, the largest cotton dealers of Texas, and while in their employ acquired a knowledge of the cotton trade which has since stood him in good stead. Since 1884 he has been a resident of Camden, Arkansas, and has been engaged in business on his own responsibility, his ventures being attended with excellent results, but since then has been associated with a Mr. Douglas, the firm being Stark & Douglas. They handle on an average from 8,000 to 10,000 bales of cotton annually. Mr. Stark is a Mason, and a member of the K. of P. He was married September 7, 1886, to Miss Mary Ostwell, of Aberdeen, Mississippi and by her is the father of two children: Nathan H., Jr. and Martha..[INDEX]

Judge James M. Stinnett is one of the most successful of Ouachita County's farmers, and is one of her oldest and most highly esteemed residents. He was born in Morrison County, Tennessee, November 22, 1820, and is a son of William and Catherine (Smith) Stinnett, who were born in Ray County, Tennessee, the latter in 1801. The father was inured to farm work when a boy,and continued to make this occupation his chief calling throughout the rest of his days, dying in 1847, and his widow in 1848. Their union took place about 1819, and in time a family of eight children were born to them, James M., Thomas L. ( a resident of this county), and Marissa (the wife of William S. Smith, residing in Chester County, Tennessee), being the only ones now living. Judge James M. Stinnett, the subject of this sketch, received his education by the light of poplar rails and pine knots during the evenings, and at the age of twenty years began the battle of life for himself. In March, 1840, he was elected constable of the Twelfth District of McNairy County, Tennessee, and at the end of two years was elected justice of the peace, serving until 1848. In 1840 he as married to Miss Rebecca F. Spain, of Henderson County, Tennessee, a daughter of Marmaduke and Elizabeth Spain, and to them four children were born, only Catherine E., the wife of Robert Williams, a resident of McNairy County, Tennessee, being now alive. Mrs. Stinnett was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and died in 1848. Mr. Stinnett was married to his second wife, Miss Eliza J. Pickett, of McNairy County, Tennessee, April 7, 1850, his wife having been born in Hardeman County, Tennessee, in 1830. A family of sixteen children was born to this union, nine of whom are now living: Franklin P., Preston B., James K. P., Jefferson D., Laura A. (wife of Robert S. Neal), Sarah A., Ruth and Robert L. In 1849 Mr. Stinnett went to Lower California, in search of gold, and like a great number of other forty-niners, spent a great deal of money and received nothing in return. He returned home in 1850, satisfied to spend the balance of his days in Arkansas, and was actively engaged in farming here until the breaking out of the Rebellion, and in 1862 he enlisted in Company H, Arkansas Cavalry, under Capt. McMillan, and served until the close of the war, participating, in the battles of Mark's Mill, Mount Elba and Poison Spring. He was paroled in Texas, and returned home to again make a home for his family, and succeeded so well that in time he became the owner of 1,200 acres of land, but is now the owner of 240 acres, as the rest was divided among his children. When he settled on his present property it was a wilderness, but he built a log cabin, and set energetically to work to clear up his farm, and has now one of the loveliest places in the county. He has always been a Democrat in his political views, and has held a number of important offices in this county. From 1866 to 1868 he held the office of county judge; in 1874 was again elected, and served from that time until 1878, and was re-elected in 1888, and is now ably discharging the duties of that position. He is a Royal Arch Mason, and he and wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church..[INDEX]

George H. Stinson is a dealer in books, stationery, etc. at Camden, Arkansas, and also a well-known jeweler of that place. He was born in Bath, Maine, in 1827, and is a son of Samuel G. and Catherine (Gannett) Stinson, who were also born in the Pine Tree State. They traced their ancestry back to old English, Scotch and Irish families. Samuel G. Stinson was a merchant in Boston for many years, a very prosperous man of business, and died in Bath, Maine. George H. Stinson is the eldest of their nine children, and is the only son now living. He attended the public schools, which were very fine, of his native State, and at an early day as apprenticed to a watchmaker in Bath. At an early day he came to Camden, Arkansas and established himself in business, purchasing a stock of jewelry of a man who wished to sell out, and although Camden was a very small place, and his stock of goods not as extensive as could be wished, he had come to stay, and as the country gradually improved his trade increased in proportion, and he is now doing an extensive and profitable business. He at first manufactured nearly all his own jewelry, but this is now unnecessary. He has a fine brick business building in Camden, 20 x 90 feet, two stories in height, and his stock of goods is now valued at $12,000. He has served as alderman several terms, also as school director, and since first locating here he has been regarded as a valuable citizen. He is a Knight Templar in the Masonic fraternity, is a member of the Royal Arcanum and the K. of H. He was married in 1857 to Miss Virginia McCollum, a native of South Carolina, by whom he has three children: Mrs. J. B. McCaughey, Mrs. Walter Watts, and John M., who is in business with his father. Mr. Stinson and wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. In 1861 he enlisted in Company C, First Arkansas Infantry, and was on active duty until he was wounded at the battle of Shiloh, in April, 1862, in the head by a bursting shell. He then entered the quartermaster's department and clerked until the close..[INDEX]

Tom D. Thomson, grocer, of Camden, Arkansas. This familiar and most necessary business was established in the fall of 1889, and his store is filled with a large and varied assortment of teas, coffees, spices, sugar, molasses and country produce, etc., and as he selects his goods with care, and gives his customers the best value for their money, he has secured a large, and we might add, a steadily increasing business. He was born in Limestone County, Alabama, November 8, 1824, his parents, Robert B. and Lillian (Phillips) Thomson, being also natives of that State. They emigrated to New Madrid, St. Charles County, Missouri, in 1841 and there the father died the following year, his widow passing from life in Camden, Arkansas, June 28, 1884. He was a school teacher and farmer by occupation, and he and wife became the parents of four children, two of whom are living: Mrs. John W. Walker (of Stephens, Arkansas), and Tom D. By a second marriage she became the mother of four more children, but all are now deceased. The paternal grandfather was born in Glasgow, Scotland, and at an early day settled in Alabama, from which State he enlisted as a soldier in the Revolutionary War. The maternal grandfather, Thomas Phillips,w as a captain in the War of 1812, and both grandfathers were farmers and died in Alabama. Tom D. Thomson was only six years of age when he was taken by his parents to Missouri, and can just remember the earthquake shock that occurred at New Madrid, St. Charles County. After the death of his father, he and his mother removed to De Soto County, Mississippi, and in January, 1844, settled in Ouachita County, Arkansas, and took up their abode on a farm thirteen miles southwest of Camden, and here he grew to manhood, receiving such education as the schools of that day afforded. The war broke out when he was twenty-seven years of age, and although he had been engaged in farming and merchandising from the time he was nineteen years of age, he dropped everything to enlist as a private in the Fifteenth Arkansas Regiment, but at the fall of Fort Donalson his regiment was captured. He then returned to the west side of the Mississippi River and was made captain of Company B., Thirty-third Arkansas Regiment, and was elected lieutenant colonel at the reorganization, but after the colonel was killed at Jenkins' Ferry, Mr. Thomson was made colonel, and was in command of his regiment until the final surrender. He received a slight wound at Jenkins' Ferry, but was not captured. After the war he returned to Camden, and from 1866 to 1870 clerked in a store, then embarked in business for himself, but failed in 1873, losing everything he possessed. He then went back to clerking and bookkeeping, continuing until 1884, when he was elected county and circuit court clerk, and served two terms. In the fall of 1889, as above stated, he embarked in his present business, and is doing well. He is a Knight Templar in the Masonic fraternity, is a member of the I. O. O. F., and he is a Democrat in his political views. In March, 1857, he was married to Miss Martha A. Cross, by whom he has seven children: Dora (wife of J. T. Sifford), Bettie (wife of J. W. Holleman), Maggie, Emma, George, Louie M.and Percy. The Colonel and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Mr. Thomson's stepfather, Thomas Beard, built the first warehouse in Camden, which was a very large structure, and the first meeting of the Masonic fraternity was held in this building . He also built the first bridge..[INDEX]

Hon. John R. Thornton. In the Encyclopedia of the New West, we find the following reference to the subject of this sketch: "Hon. John R. Thornton, attorney at law, and State Senator for Calhoun and Ouachita Counties, was born in Chambers County, Alabama, February 14, 1840. His father having brought the family to Arkansas in 1845, he may be considered an Arkansas almost by birth. His grandfather, Henry Thornton, a Virginian and planter, settled in Georgia, where his father of John R. (William S. Thornton) was born in 1809, and married. He afterward moved to Alabama in 1830, and lived a planter and merchant. He died in 1866 in Arkansas. He was the first member of the Arkansas Legislature from Calhoun County. He was internal improvement commissioner of Ouachita County, to which he had removed in 1854, and remained there six years, when he returned to Calhoun County. He was a planter, a Democrat, a Methodist, and a Mason. He was distinguished for his moral character, never indulging in any of the frivolities of life. The mother of John R. Thornton was Nancy S. Fielder, born in Georgia in 1811. John R. grew up with the reputation of being a pretty fast, wild boy, but he never drank whisky nor gambled. He was full of fun, frolic and mischief, which was a special annoyance to his father. Having a passion for the newspaper business, he became an amateur type-setter, and contributor of 'personal' and items which got him into frequent scrapes. Finally he accepted his father's advice and began the study of law. During the war he edited a traveling newspaper, called the Advance Guard, carrying it with him in his military campaigns from Missouri to Kentucky. In 1863 he edited the army paper, called the Revelle, by authority of General Bragg, at Shelbyville, Tennessee. He yet has a fondness for the newspaper business, the passion for which clings to him. His literary education was acquired in the Arkansas schools of that day, and is , of course, limited. His reading had been miscellaneous and general without a view to any specialty, except medicine (which he studied four or five months in 1855) and law, which became his profession. He began the study of law in the latter part of 8155, and was admitted to the bar at Camden, Arkansas, in 1858, when only a month or two over eighteen years old, the Legislature, by a special act, making him twenty-one years old that he might be licensed as an attorney. The gentleman under whom he read, and the judge of the district, recommended the Legislature to remove this disability. It is not necessarily years that make men wise and learned. Years my only make men old. Is it study, labor, tact and will that make men succeed. Mr. Thornton settled in Hampton, Calhoun County, after the war, and engaged in planting and the practice of his profession and has remained there ever since. Some philosopher has said, 'Beware of the man of one book.' Universal experience teaches that success comes mostly to men of one idea, that is one profession or one business, industriously and economically pursued at one place. Mr. Thornton began at the end of the war poor, but has accumulated some property, having large landed interests in South Arkansas. He entered the army as a private in 1861, was made sergeant-major, afterward lieutenant, then adjutant, and lastly assistant adjutant-general of Reed's brigade. He served under General Hardee from 1861 to 1863. He was surrendered at Port Hudson July 9, 1863, taken to New Orleans, thence to New York, and thence to Johnson's Island, and kept there twenty-two months, until the close of the war. He went out with the Sixth Arkansas Regiment, and was with it until 1863, when he was transferred to the Twelfth Arkansas after the battle of Franklin, Tennessee and participated in the battles of Shiloh, Perryville, Woodsonville, and the siege of Port Hudson. At Perryville he was wounded in the thigh by a minnie ball, the scar of which is permanent. He is a member of no secret society, except that of the R. A. and K. of H. He was always a Democrat. In 1868 he was elected a delegate to the Constitutional Convention, General Ord set aside the election. He was again elected, but again counted out by the registrars. In 1868 he was appointed county attorney of Calhoun County, served two years and resigned. In 1871 he served one term as county judge. In 1878 he was elected State Senator for four years from the counties of Calhoun and Ouachita, the position he now holds. He is a member of the judiciary committee, and chairman of the finance committee, and was, during the last session, chairman of the committees on public printing and memorials. Mr. Thornton married in Calhoun County, Arkansas, July 12, 1866, Miss Sue E. Strong, who was born and educated in the same county, the daughter of Judge E. F. Strong, a leading citizen, merchant and large planter. Mr. and Mrs. Thornton are both members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South, of which he is a steward, Sunday-school superintendent, and for several years lay delegate to its annual conference. 'He wears his own head,' as Dr. Moody would say. For example, in 1878 he canvassed his district against repudiation, or the Fishback amendment, and carried the district with him, although the three representatives thereof had voted for it, and his friends warned him that it would be an unpopular side of the question. Like his father, he is opposed to whisky and cars, and is friendly to legislative action against the sale of whisky in the State. He is a popular stump speaker, and is considered one of the best criminal lawyers in South Arkansas. Having lived in both of the counties that he now represents, many that knew his father know him. He won his popularity by his social, genial qualities, and he owes hi elevation to senatorial dignity to his moral qualities and the intellectual ability he displays in whatever he undertakes. He was nominated and elected by the unanimous vote of both counties- and unusual honor,. Senator Thornton is attorney for the Little Rock, Mississippi River, and Texas Railway Company. He secured the passage of the law changing the mode of obtaining continuances in courts, thus preventing unnecessary delay in bringing criminals to trial. He introduced in the Senate and secured the passage of a law repealing a statute by which a large quantity of the lands of South Arkansas were to be donated to Mississippi, Ouachita & Red River Railway. He is also author of the celebrated Arkansas pistol law that has done so much to suppress crime in that State, besides several other important laws." Since the publication of the above in 1880, Senator Thornton has been re-elected to the State Senate, making eight continuous years in that body, a compliment rarely accorded any one in this State. In 1885 he was appointed receiver of public and disbursing agent of the United States Government, by President Cleveland, at Camden, Arkansas, and removed by President Harrison to make room for one of his own political household. He is at present one of the firm of Thornton & Smead, attorneys at law, at Camden. Mr. Thornton's honorable and successful position in life has not been attained by what is sometimes called chance. Step by step, with patient, persevering effort, he has put forth those energies of body and mind, savoring of intense earnestness, which can not but have one result. Respected and esteemed by a host of friends, he is likewise held in sincere admiration by those less intimately acquainted with him. His career is truly one which casts no shadow of reproach on his name..[INDEX]

James R. Toney is a retired farmer and merchant residing at Camden, Arkansas, and was born in Smith County, Tennessee, in 1817, being the eldest of a family of three children born to Elijah and Mary (Rucks) Toney, natives of Virginia and North Carolina, respectively, the parents of both being early emigrants of Kentucky. Elijah Toney was an editor while a resident of the Blue-Grass State, but at an early day entered the mercantile business at Carthage, Tennessee and remained there from 1800 to 1834, when he retired from that work and gave his attention to farming the remainder of his days, following this calling in Alabama. He died in this State during the Rebellion, having served as justice of the peace of his township, and county treasurer. His wife passed to her long home in 1828. The paternal grandfather was Alexander Toney, and the maternal grandfather, Josiah Rucks, a minister of the Baptist Church. His wife was a Miss Taylor of North Carolina, and they were the parents of Judge James Rucks, of Tennessee. James R. Toney was educated in the common schools of Smith and Sumner Counties, Tennessee. When about thirteen year of age he entered his father's store, and in 1836 engaged in business for himself at Carthage, Tennessee, remaining here three years. At the commencement of his mercantile career he worked three years for a Mr. Smith, receiving $50 for his first year's services, and at the end of the three years his capital consisted of $110. Some time afterward he learned that his father had hired Mr. Smith to employ him, and out of his own money had paid his son his wages, the object being to sober the latter down to business, a plan which succeeded far beyond his expectations.n In 1846 James R. came to Arkansas, and after a stay of about two years in Dallas County, he came to Ouachita County, and as he was the owner of a number of slaves he opened a farm of some 600 acres on the east side of the Ouachita River. In 1855 he came to Camden and opened a general mercantile establishment, which he successfully conducted until 1862, when he closed out his stock of goods and moved on to his farm, where he remained until the war closed. At the time of the Emancipation Proclamation, he was the owner of 101 slaves, 3,300 acres of land, and had some 600 acres under cultivation. In 1867, he again opened a mercantile establishment in partnership with H. K. George, which connection lasted for over five years, during which time they sold over $100,000 worth of goods annually. In 1872 Mr. Toney became sole proprietor of this establishment, but four years later abandoned this work and resumed farming, which occupation received his attention until 1888. He then sold his farm and retired from active business life. During his residence in Camden he has served as alderman and school director. Although he is in his seventy-third year he is still stout and active, notwithstanding the fact that he had his hip dislocated about one year ago. He is one of the leading citizens of the county, and can be numbered among the pioneer settlers and oldest merchants. He has been married three times: First in 1840 to Jane McClean, a daughter of William McClean of South County, Tennessee, a prominent attorney of that county. Mrs. Toney was an earnest member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and died July 10, 1868, having borne the following children: Mary E. (wife of Dr. R. M. Green of Corsicana, Texas), Jane M. (Wife of C. C. Scott, of Arkadelphia, Arkansas) and James M. (a planter of Little Bay, Calhoun County, said to be the largest and most successful planter in this or Calhoun County), and Jennie A. (wife of C. F. Coffee, and extensive ranchman of Sioux County, Nebraska and a wealthy citizen). On his ranch is an artificial cave, which will afford protection to 1,000 calves. On December 14, 1869, he was married to Miss Nannie E. Maloy, who died November 17, 1872, a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church also. His third marriage took place November 20, 1873, to Miss Antonio Powell, a daughter of Ben Powell. To them one daughter has been born, Nannie E. who is at home attending school. Mr. Toney was so unfortunate as to lose his third wife January 24, 1878, she being in full communion with the Methodist Episcopal Church at the time of her death..[INDEX]

John A. Toney. Wherever Mr. Toney's name is known he is recognized among the people of the county and the surrounding country as one of her leading citizens and oldest residents. He was born in Smith County, Tennessee, October 7, 1822, and is a son of Elijah and Mary (Rucks) Toney, who were born in Kentucky and Tennessee, respectively, and were married in Smith County, of the latter State, where they made their home until 1835. They then moved to Jackson County, Alabama, in which State the father died in 1873, when eight four years of age, the mother dying in 1828. He was a merchant and farmer, and as such was quite successful. While in Tennessee he served as treasurer of Smith County, and in Alabama filled the position of justice of the peace, being a Whig in his political views. John A. Toney is the youngest of his three children, and his youthful days were spent in Sumner and Wilson Counties, Tennessee, his literary education being received there also. On first coming to Arkansas in 1844, he located in Dallas County, and in 1850 moved to Ouachita County, but remained here only a short time when he returned to Dallas County. Since 1861 he has resided on his present farm, which consists of 400 acres in Ouachita County, and has about 150 acres prepared for cultivation. In 1862 he joined the Eighteenth Arkansas Infantry, and served until the battle of Corinth, when he was wounded, taken prisoner, paroled and returned home. He has served as justice of the peace of his township for two years and has twice been re-elected, but would not serve. His marriage to Miss Virginia High took place in 1844, she being a daughter of Samuel High, and a native of Smith County, Tennessee, born July 15, 1828. They have one daughter living, Jane A. (wife of Dr. W. H. Folden, of Holly Springs, Dallas County, Arkansas). Mary R. (the wife of Hartwell T. Wright, a farmer of Jefferson County, Arkansas, died in early womanhood). Mr. and Mrs. Toney are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church South, and he is a Mason and in his political views a Democrat..[INDEX]

Newton R. Tribble, farmer, Woodlawn, Arkansas. Mr. Tribble's parents James M. M. and Lucinda J. (Atkins) Tribble, were natives of Marshall County, Mississippi and Laurens District, South Carolina, respectively. The parents emigrated to Nevada County, Arkansas in 1836, located in the woods and were among the first settlers. The father died in Ouachita County, Arkansas on October 8, 1865, and the mother died in Texas, on August 3, 1885. The paternal grandfather, Absolom Tribble, died in Marshall County, Mississippi. Newton R. Tribble, was born in Nevada County, Arkansas on July 29, 1837, and was the first of nine children - five sons and four daughters - born to his parents. His educational attainments were received in the common schools, and in May , 1861, he enlisted in the Confederate service, Company K, Sixth Arkansas Regiment of Infantry, and was in many of the principal engagements. On November 30, 1864, he was wounded in the left leg at Franklin, Tennessee, and was obliged to have his leg amputated. He also lost the middle finger of his right hand at Atlanta, Georgia, on July 21, 1864. He was in the battles of Chickamauga, Missionary Ridge and Perryville, Kentucky, and was wounded and captured at Franklin, Tennessee. He was taken to Camp Chase, and was exchanged just before the surrender at Richmond. He returned to his home on July 1, 1865, and in 1867 he was married to Miss Laura L. Riddick, who was born in Ouachita County, Arkansas, on August 15, 1850. The fruits of this union are nine children: Benjamin M., Henry C., Toney T., Lena L., Minnie M., George G., Laura L.,Tippie and Kate. Mr. Tribble has resided on his present property since 1872, and has about 500 acres of land, which 100 acres under cultivation. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity, Woodlawn Lodge No.15 and of Chapter No. 10, and is also a member of the Farmers' Alliance. He was elected sheriff of the county in 1866, and had held the position for a year and a half when reconstruction began. He held the office of county assessor from 1874 to 1882, and gave general satisfaction. Democratic in his political views, his first presidential vote was cast for Breckinridge. Mrs. Tribble was the daughter of Benjamin F. and Laura (Cleaves) Riddick, pioneers of Ouachita County, Arkansas, having located here in 1845. They endured all the hardships incident to frontier life, and have the respect and esteem of all acquainted with them..[INDEX]

Alfred A. Tufts, receiver of public moneys of the United States land office at Camden, Arkansas, was born September 3, 1847, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. He was a son of Amos and Adelia (Shipper) Tufts, who were born in Medford and Springfield, Massachusetts, respectively. Some years after their marriage they removed to Wisconsin. Amos Tufts was a large contractor and builder, and while in Milwaukee built its first pier. He was also the owner of a wood and willow manufactory, but after being burned out, he removed to New York City, where he engaged in mercantile pursuits until his death in 1854. His widow, a lady of great refinement and lovely Christian character, survived him thirteen years. The Tufts family were originally from England and their genealogy can now be traced back to Captain Peter Tufts, who settled in Medford, Massachusetts, about the year 1838. Alfred A. Tufts received his education in the schools of New York City and Cincinnati, Ohio. At the commencement of the late Civil War he was residing in Illinois, and although a youth, he responded to the call of his country, and enrolled himself as one of its defenders; enlisting in Company K, One Hundred and Twenty-sixth Regiment Illinois Volunteer Infantry, and after serving three years, or until the close of the great conflict, was mustered out at Pine Bluff, Arkansas in July, 1865. Shortly after his return to Illinois he engaged in teaching. In May, 1867, he accepted a Government situation in Camden, Arkansas, and since that time has cast his fortunes for weal or woe with the people of that hospitable little city. He served as deputy clerk for four years, and afterward was elected county and circuit clerk for the period of four years, but only served as such two years, being legislated out of office by the adoption of the Baxter Constitution of 1874. During this period he was licensed to practice law, but has never felt free to devote his time and attention to what, under other circumstances, would have been his chosen profession. He served as receiver of United States public moneys from 1871 to 1873, when he resigned the position. In April, 1873, he was again appointed to the same office, and was again reappointed in 1879 and 1883. He was removed by President Cleveland in 1885 for offensive partisanship, but was reappointed by President Harrison in October, 1889, and now, as heretofore, performs the duties of his office in an able and efficient manner safely accounting to "Uncle Sam" for every cent of Government money coming into his hands. He has always been a stalwart Republican from principle and is not in any sense of the word what is commonly known as a Mugwump; neither can he now be called a "Carpet Bagger," as he has attained a majority residence in the land of his adoption. The following extract from the Ouachita (Camden) Herald of June 2, 1887, reflects the opinion of the people on that subject: "Twenty years ago today, Captain A. A. Tufts pitched his tent here, and became a citizen of Camden. He was then almost a beardless youth, but in spite of some obstacles in the way of sectional prejudices he had come to stay. During these twenty years he has passed through some warm scenes - some heated campaigns - and has often been arrayed in politics against the Democracy of this county, but his conduct and bearing have ever been such as to denote the inborn gentleman, and he has commanded the respect and admiration of all classes and creeds. He is now reckoned as one of the most substantial citizens of our county, and we congratulate him on having nearly attained his maturity as a citizen of Camden." All of the spare time of his busy life for the past fifteen years has been devoted to agricultural pursuits, in which he has been quite successful. He is a large, real estate owner, a public-spirited and useful citizen, and is considered by all an exceptionally good businessman. In addition to the ordinary affairs of business and politics, Mr. Tufts has taken a deep interest in many secret societies, and is now past grand chancellor and past supreme representative of the order of K. of P. and past grand commander of K. T. He is also a member of the I. O. O. F., a Shriner and in Elk. In February, 1873, he was married to Miss Nellie D. Scott, the youngest daughter of the late Hon. Christopher C. Scott, who for twenty years before the late war, was an associate justice of the Supreme Court of Arkansas..[INDEX]

F. M. Wadley, on e of the prominent and enterprising farmers of the county, owes his nativity to Tennessee, where his birth occurred on January 12, 1833, and is the son of Thomas and Elizabeth (Turveville) Wadley, natives of Virginia, and of English and French parentage, respectively. Thomas Wadley was a farmer and land-trader. He came to Arkansas in 1858, settled in Carroll (now Boone) County, and became the owner of a large amount of land. He continued in this business until his death, which occurred in the fall of 1861. Mrs. Wadley died in the same county, and on the old homestead, in 1871. They were the parents of twelve children, five of whom are now living: F. M. , Willis N. H., Nancy J. (widow of Gid Miland), Narcissus (wife of Eli Graham) and Millie A. (wife of Harvie Lacefield). F. M. Wadley was educated in the common schools of Middle Tennessee, and at the age of twenty-five years came to this State with his father, settling in the same county. In 1861 he joined the Confederate forces, J. O. Lewis' company of cavalry, from Fort Smith, and was afterward attached to Col. Green's regiment, afterward Campbell's regiment, and remained with this until the close of the war. He was in quite a number of battles during the war, the most notable being Helena, Glasgow, (Missouri), Blue Water (Kansas), and was in the raid through Missouri, participating in all the engagements fought during the raid. He received but one slight wound during his service, but was captured at Doniphan, Missouri, in 1863, and sent to St. Louis for three months. From there he was taken to Lynch's Yard for a few days, and then sent South and exchanged at Vicksburg, being paroled June 15, 1865. Returning home he resumed his farming operations in Boone County, but moved from there to Jackson in 1867, engaging in merchandising, which he followed for twelve or fifteen years, but at the same time engaged extensively in farming. He also carried on the hotel business at Jackson Port for some time. In 1882 he moved close to Pine Bluff, where he tilled the soil for three years, and in 1885 came to Ouachita County, Arkansas. He purchased 205 acres of fine upland within one and a half miles of Camden, with seventy-five acres improved. He has a good residence and substantial outbuildings, tenant-houses, etc. He raises annually from twelve to fifteen bales of cotton, also plenty of corn, hay and oats for his own use, with some to spare, every year. He has been three times married: First, in 1851 to Miss Fannie Chappell, of Tennessee, and by her became the father of ten children, only two now living: Richard W. W., and Augusta B. (wife of Eli Tureveville). Mrs. Wadley died at Russell Station, White County, Arkansas, in 1878, and in 1880 Mr. Wadley married Mrs. Nancy J. Pierce, who died in 1887. He was united in marriage to Miss Amanda E. Kirk, of Nevada County, in 1888, and he and wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal and Baptist Churches respectively. Mr. Wadley is among the stirring, industrious farmers of this county,and one who takes a decided interest in all things pertaining to the good of the same. He is a liberal donator to churches, schools, etc..[INDEX]

Joseph G. Wilson, M. D., the leading physician of Lafayette Township, was born in South Hampton County, Virginia, August 16, 1815, a son of Benjamin and Martha (Luter) Wilson, natives of Virginia. Benjamin Wilson was born in 1790, in same county as our subject, a son of James and Patience (Gray) Wilson. James Wilson was born in England, and emigrated to this country with his parents when he was still a boy. He was a soldier in the Revolutionary War, and participated in the battles of Bunker Hill, Yorktown and Brandywine, being wounded in the calf of the leg in the first named battle. Dr. Wilson thinks he served in Lee's army. He died in 1827 at an advanced age. Benjamin Wilson was a soldier in the War of 1812, in which he held a commission as captain of a company stationed at Crany Island, and served throughout the war. He was an old Virginia planter, owning 400 acres of land, and a few slaves. He died in 1839, a member of the Methodist Protestant church. The mother of our subject died in 1846. They were the parents of twelve children, all of whom lived to maturity and six are still living. They are Sarah (widow of Daniel Robins, of Alabama), Rebecca (widow of Becam Bonner, of Texas), Joseph G. (the subject of this sketch), Wiley L. (a farmer of Louisiana), Benjamin B. (farmer of Columbia County), Adalina (widow of H. Smith, of Columbia County). Dr. Wilson was reared on a farm in Alabama, to which State his father had moved in 1818. In 1834 he married, the same year he entered a farm in Autauga County, Alabama, and commenced farming for himself. In 1846 he came to this State, locating in this county, and township, buying an improved farm of 320 acres on which he remained ten years. He then removed to Columbia County, where he remained until 1866, when he returned to this township and purchased his present farm, five and one half miles south of Camden, which at the time comprised 220 acres of land, with but few improvements, on which he still resides, having seventy acres under cultivation. Dr. Wilson has been twice married: First, in 1834, to Miss Penny Rodgers, a native of South Carolina, born in 1815, daughter of Jonathan Rodgers, and sister of Ephriam Rodgers, whose sketch appears elsewhere in this work. She was a member of the Protestant Methodist Church, and died in 1854, leaving a family of eleven children, seven of whom are still living, viz: Jonathan (a farmer in Louisiana), James (deceased), William (deceased), Flavious J. (now farming in Columbia County), Virginia Alabama (now Mrs. Mitchell, of Louisiana) Mary Ann (deceased), Wells H. (framing in Garland County), Theodore (was killed in a cyclone), Martha (is now Mrs. Ostery, of this township), Paton B. (is farming in Garland County), and Max is deceased. In 1859 Dr. Wilson was again married, this time to Frances Elizabeth Rollison, born in Alabama, in 1835, a daughter of Rufus Rollison, a resident of Alabama, and the fruits of this latter marriage were seven children, six still living, viz: Ellen A. (the widow of B. Riley, now living with her father), Julia(now Mrs. Fogh of this township), Polly (now Mrs. Fobes of this township), Edward, Nathaniel and Clarence (at home). The Doctor, although advanced in years, served six months in the Confederate army, enlisting in 1864 in Fagan's regiment and served until the close of the war. He also had six sons in the Confederate army, two of whom lost their lives for the cause. Jonathan Wilson was in twenty-two general engagements. Dr. Wilson commenced the study of medicine at his home about 1850 while engaged in farming in this county, studying for his own enjoyment, not intending to practice, but in 1860 he took out a license, and has ever since been engaged in the practice of medicine. He has gained and excellent reputation all through the country, and at the present time has a larger practice, and travels over more territory than any other physician in the county. Both the Doctor and wife are church members, the former worshipping at the Protestant Methodist and the latter at the Baptist Church. In his political views the Doctor affiliates with the Democratic party..[INDEX]

Elbert S. Yarbrough is another of the old settlers of Marion Township, having been a resident of this county since 1849. He was born May 30, 1830, in Henry County, Tennessee, a son of William and Lydia (Morris) Yarbrough, natives of North Carolina. William S. Yarbrough was born in September, 1797, in Montgomery County, North Carolina, a son of James Yarbrough, of Irish descent. He was a fifer in the Revolutionary War. William S. Yarbrough was reared on a farm in North Carolina, and followed farming all his life. In 1820, he emigrated from Montgomery County, North Carolina, to Tennessee with his family and household goods in a one-horse wagon and settled first in Montgomery County, Tennessee, where he remained for about one year, then went to Henry County, Tennessee, where he remained until 1849, at which time he again emigrated west, coming to this State and locating in Ouachita County, where he bought a claim of eighty acres of land, about sixty acres of which was cleared. He afterward entered 400 acres on which he resided until his death in 1863. He and wife were both members of the Primitive Baptist Church. He was a Democrat in his political views. He was married to Miss Lydia Morris, who was born in 1798, a daughter of Jeptha Morris. Mr. Morris was a native of Scotland; his parents died while he was still quite young, and while yet a boy, he was brought to this country by a colony of his countrymen and grew up in North Carolina and served in the Revolutionary War. His wife died in 1865. She was the mother of nine children, four of whom are still living, viz: Martha (unmarried and living in Columbia County), Elbert S. (the subject of this sketch), Nathan (a minister of the Primitive Baptist Church), and Ann (who married Mr. Thomas W. A. Yarbrough, a third cousin, and now lives in Columbia County). Mr. Yarbrough came to this county when he was nineteen years of age, and has always taken an active interest in the settlement of this county. He commenced working for himself in 1852 at farm labor. In 1854 he was elected bailiff of Marion Township, and served in that capacity for four years, until 1858, when he was appointed deputy sheriff, and moved to Camden, and filled that office until 1863. He then moved back on the old homestead, where he remained until the death of his mother. On account of ill health, Mr. Yarbrough did not take part in the late war. In 1865 he purchased a farm of 610 acres, which he occupied until 1887, when he sold off part of that place and purchased his present farm on which he now lives. He now owns 530 acres of land, of which 100 are under cultivation, and devotes his attention chiefly to the raising of cotton. He was married, October 27, 1859, to Prudence W. Ross, a native of this county, born in 1841, a daughter of Israel Ross, of this township, and by her was the father of five children, there of whom are still living, viz: Annie E., Ida V. and Asa E., all living at home. Both Mr. and Mrs. Yarbrough are members of the Primitive Baptist Church. Mr. Yarbrough is actively interested in politics and affiliates with the Democratic party, and takes a deep interest in all work for the good of the county..[INDEX]