A. J. Mewer

from Biographical and historical memoirs of Pulaski, Jefferson, Lonoke, Faulkner, Grant, Saline, Perry, Garland and Hot Spring counties, Arkansas, pg 292-293

A.J. Mewer, farmer and stock raiser of Saline Township, was born in Van Buren County, Ark., March 20, 1847, and is a son of Allen and Rachel (Oversheet) Mewer, natives of Tennessee and Kentucky. Allen Mewer was a farmer and came to Arkansas sometime in 1839. Settling in Van Buren county; he at one time was engaged in boating on the Red River, but at the time of his death, which occurred the day our subject was born, he was living on a farm. Mrs. Mewer married again, her second husband being J.C. Ellis, a native of Tennessee and a prosperous farmer. By her first marriage she had three children: A.J., George A. and Margaret E. The former received but little schooling in youth, the facilities at that time being very meager. He started out to work for himself when about twenty, and engaged as a farm hand in Mississippi for $8.50 per month, later, or in 1867, returning to his home in Lonoke County, where he farmed until 1870. Subsequently be worked at the saddle and harness trade in Austin, Ark., and Little Rock. On July 29, 1875, Mr. Mewer was married to Miss Sally A. Eagle, a native of Arkansas, and the daughter of James and Charity C. Eagle, natives of Georgia and South Carolina. Mrs. Mewer is a sister of Gov. James P. Eagle [whose sketch appears in this volume]. After his marriage Mr. Mewer continued farming till 1883, when he came to Saline County and purchased a farm of 248 acres ten miles north of Benton. In 1886 he traded this farm in Beaver Township for a farm in Saline Township, on which he lives, and another in Bryant Township, the two farms now comprising 110 acres. In addition to this property he owns 275 acres in Lonoke County with about 150 under the plow. During his residence in Beaver Township he carried on the mercantile business, and in 1883 formed a partnership with T. J. Bragg, continuing the business until 1885, when he bought Mr. Bragg's interest and continued the business in his own name. The December following he traded farms as stated above, and two weeks later moved his stock of goods to the farm. where he now resides. In connection with the store, which he successfully conducted on his farm, he ran a peddling wagon for about one year. He then sold his merchandise, and since that time has given his attention to agricultural pursuits, though during the last year has been in the beef business. Mr. Mewer is a Democrat, but not active in political circles. He has held the office of school director in the school district for some time. Himself and wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, in which the former is steward. He is a public- spirited man and contributes generously to all church and school enterprises.