Hon. N. J. Willis, farmer, Harrisburg, Ark. The name that heads this sketch is borne by one of the most highly respected and esteemed residents of Poinsett County. Let a man be industriously ambitious, and honorable in his ambitions, and he will rise, whether having the prestige of family or the obscurity of poverty. Mr. Willis was born in Caswell County, N. C., on the 31st of January, 1835, but attained his growth in Tennessee. His parents, John T. and Elizabeth (Ward) Willis, were also natives of North Carolina. The father was a thorough-going, industrious farmer, and an active member of the Masonic fraternity, and held the office of junior warden in that organization several years. He was a Democrat in politics, and he and wife were members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Their family consisted of six children: George W., died in the army in 1863, was a farmer of White County, Ark.; Mary, wife of a farmer living in Cross County, Ark.; Flora A., wife of James Maloney, a farmer of Illinois; Nancy, wife of Capt. J. M. LeVesque, county clerk, and the largest farmer in Cross County, Ark.; Sarah, died in 1864, and was the wife of Samuel Allen.
N. J. Willis, the fourth child in order of birth, spent his boyhood days in Tennessee, when school opportunities were very limited. During that time his vocation was farming, and at odd times he was busy over his books, of which he was very fond. At the age of twenty he began working for himself, and then spent a year in school to Prof. Phillips, near Somerville, Tenn. The next year, 1856, he came with Capt. LeVesque, to Poinsett (now Cross) County, Ark., and followed agricultural pursuits for two years. In 1857 he married Miss Nancy Shannon, daughter of Archibald and Nancy (Allen) Shannon, the former a native of Tennessee. To Mr. and Mrs. Willis were born five children (two of whom are living): John T. died in infancy; Thomas J. died at the age of seventeen; James M. died at the age of four years; Samuel H., a farmer and miller, now resides with his father, and Ollie A., who is now thirteen years of age, is at home.
Judge Willis lived in Poinsett County (now Cross), until 1875, and then moved to Poinsett County proper. In 1874 he was elected justice of the peace, and in 1879 was elected county judge, serving one term. In 1881 he was elected representative, and re-elected to the same position in 1883, thus showing his popularity with the public. In 1886 he engaged in ginning and milling, and the same year moved to Harrisburg, but continued to superintend his farm. He is the owner of 828 acres of land in Poinsett County, besides two lots with good houses on them, and the gin and mill at Harrisburg. In March, 1862, he enlisted in the Confederate army, Capt. Joe Martin's Thirteenth Arkansas Infantry (mounted), and in 1863 was promoted to the rank of lieutenant of Company C, which position he held until the war closed. He was in the battles of Greeneville, Helena, and went with Gen. Price in his raid through Missouri and Arkansas. He left the main army at Fort Smith, and operated on White River until 1864, when he joined the main army at Camden, and continued with the same until the surrender at Wittsburg, Ark., in 1865. He served his county and State in the most acceptable manner during the war, but has rendered it even more valuable service, not only as a reliable public official, but as an industrious farmer and law-abiding citizen. He is now living in comparative retirement. He is a member of the Masonic order, also the K. of H., and in his views affiliates with the Democratic party. He and Mrs. Willis are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, in which he has held the office of class leader, has also been superintendent of the Sunday-school, and he is a liberal contributor to all laudable enterprises.