Dallas County, Arkansas

Page 714-15
Richardson W. CHEATHAM, postmaster and merchant, Princeton, Ark. Among the prominent citizens of Dallas County who have occupied positions of respect and influence, stands the name of Mr. CHEATHAM, who owes his nativity to the Blue Grass State, his birth occurring in Cumberland County, October 5, 1845. His parents, Obadiah & Lucy Ann (CHEATHAM) CHEATHAM, were natives also of Kentucky. The parents were married in their native State, and came to Arkansas in 1847, locating in Dallas County, where the family have since lived. The father was a blacksmith, and worked at his trade until his death, April 7, 1862, when forty-seven years of age. He was a member of the A.F. & A. M., and was a Whig in politics. The mother is still living, and resides in Princeton. She is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South. There were born to their marriage eight children, four now living: Joseph H. (a farmer of Princeton, Ark.), James C. (a merchant of Fordyce, Ark. and a partner of our subject), and Benjamin D, (also a partner of our subject). Those deceased were John R. (was a farmer of this county, and died in 1876, when twenty-two years of age), Phoebe J. (died in this county in 1889, at the age of forty two years), Parmelia E. died (during the war , when twelve years of age), and Obadiah E. ( who died in infancy). Richardson W. CHEATHAM passed his school-boy days in this county, and after the death of his father was engaged in tilling the soil and blacksmithing, which he continued until after the war. He was then elected deputy sheriff, and served in that capacity for several years. In 1872, he was elected sheriff, served two years, and so great was his popularity and so well did he fill the position, that he was elected a second term. In 1874 he turned his attention to mercantile pursuits in Princeton, and has continued it successfully since. He was appointed postmaster at Princeton during Grant’s administration, and has held the position ever since, to the entire satisfaction of the people. In 1875 he married Miss Isabella CLARK, daughter of Peter CLARK, and four children were born to this union: Isabella, Hugh C, and Wilbur. Lucy J died in Infancy. Mr. CHEATHAM is one of the much esteemed citizens of the county, and is honest and upright in all his dealings. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity, and in political views is strictly Democratic. Mrs. CHEATHAM is a member of the Presbyterian Church.