Dallas County, Arkansas

Page 728
John NUTT, general Merchant, Fordyce, Ark. This gentleman is a member of the firm of Nutt & Son, general merchants of Fordyce, and is one of the prominent business men of that city. He owes his nativity to Alabama, where his birth occurred in 1828, and is th son of Rev. Sampson and Mary (SPEARS) NUTT, who were probably born in Alabama, and who moved to Shelby County, Tennessee when our subject was an infant. There they resided until 1848, when they came to Dallas County, Ark., settled in the woods, improved a good farm and there received their final summons, she dying during the War, and he afterwards. Both were members of the Baptist Church for many years. Mr. NUTT was a ginwright by trade and was also a minister for many years, preaching the Gospel all over Southern Arkansas. His father, William NUTT, died in Greene County Ark. The maternal grandfather of our subject, John SPEARS, died in Dallas County, Ark., at an age of one hundred and five years, and his wife also died in that county at an advanced age. John NUTT was the second of seven sons and three daughters, who grew to mature years with limited educational advantages common in those days. He came with his parents to Arkansas, and was married there on September 10, 1850, to Miss Josephine EAGLE, whose father died when she was still quite young. This union resultd in the birth of eight children, four sons and one daughter now living. Mrs. NUTT died in April, 1883, and Mr. NUTT's second marriage was in 1885, to Miss Katie FORTUNE, daughter of Walter and Polly FORTUNE, formerly of Alabama. Mr FORTUNE came to Arkansas about 1848, settled in Dallas County, and there died at the age of eight-three years. Mrs. NUTT was born in Alabama and by this marriage, became the mother of one son. Mr. NUTT is one of the early settlers of the county, where he has improved several good farms. He is the owner of 500 acres of land, and has considerable property in Fordyce, all fruits of his own labor since the War. During that eventful period, he served for three years in the Confederate Army, Company K, of Col. Grinstead's regiment of infantry, and operated in Arkansas and Louisiana. He was in the siege of Vicksburg, but was home on furlough at the time of surrender. In politics he has been Democratic all his life, and his first presidential vote was cast for Franklin Pierce in 1852. Mr NUTT is one of the pioneer and sturdy farmers and stock-raisers of Dallas County, and is well known as an honest, industrious citizen. For years he and wife have been honorary members of the Missionary Baptist Church.