Dallas County, Arkansas

Page 716-17
Judge Robert H. DEDMAN, attorney, Princeton, Ark. Judge DEDMAN, one of the most popular and successful legal practitioners of Dallas County, was born in Madison County, Ala., on April 24, 1831, and is the son of Philip & Mary (HAWKINS) DEDMAN, natives of the Old Dominion, Mecklenburg and Lunenburg Counties, respectively. The father was born in 1779, and his death occurred in 1852. He commenced for himself with very little means, but a lifetime devoted to the arduous duties of the farm, and the untiring energy he displayed in the management of the same, contributed very materially in placing him in the foremost ranks of agriculturists. He was a member of the Primitive Baptist Church, as was also the mother, who was born in 1783, and who died in 1847. After her death the father married Mrs. Mary VAUGHAN. To the first union were born fourteen children- eight sons and six daughters-he being the youngest, only three now living: James S. ( a merchant and stock dealer of Idaho), Richard D. (a farmer of Dallas County, Ark.). Judge Robert H. DEDMAN was educated at Viney Grove Academy, Viney Grove, Lincoln County, Tenn., and when twenty years of age, he commenced to read law in Madison County, Ala. In December, 1852, he came to Princeton, Ark., and commenced the study of law, under Judge Freman W. Compton. In 1855 he was licensed to practice in the inferior courts and in 1856 in the Superior courts, where he has since practiced his profession. In May, 1861, he joined Company A, Third Arkansas Confederate Cavalry, as a private, was soon promoted to lieutenant, and then captain, remaining in the same regiment until the close of the war. He was in many prominent battles, viz: Corinth, Hatchie Bridge, Chickamauga, the Atlanta campaign, and was in all the battles from that time until the surrender at Greensboro, N.C. He was never wounded or taken prisoner, but had horses shot from under him, and his clothing was often riddled with bullets. Soon after the war, or in 1866, he was elected prosecuting attorney of the Sixth District, when it consisted of Dallas, Pulaski, Hot Springs, Saline, Conway and Prairie Counties, and in 1888 he was appointed county judge, to fill an unexpired term. He has also been special judge in the circuit courts a number of times. He was married in 1859, to Carrie WINSTEAD, daughter of Stephen WINSTEAD, and a native of Person County, N.C., born in 1841. To them were born two sons and one daughter: Robert H., Phillip W. and Carrie Lee (who died in 1884). The two sons are engaged in merchandising in Princeton. Judge and Mrs. DEDMAN are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South, and he is superintendent of the Sunday school. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity, and in his political views adheres to the Democratic party.