Dallas County, Arkansas

Page 721-22
William HEAD, general merchant, cotton buyer and farmer, Holly Springs, Ark. No name is justly entitled to a more enviable place in the history of Dallas County than the one who heads this sketch, for it is borne by a man, who, though comparatively young in years, has yet proven himself to be one of the most successful business men in the county, and is usefully and honorably identified with the interests of the county in every worthy particular. He was originally from Henry County, Ga., where his birth occurred in 1844, and is the son of William H. and Amanda (DeLARMARL) HEAD, both natives of Georgia, the father born in Elbert County in 1821, and the mother in Butts County about the same year. They resided in Henry County until 1857, and then moved to Dallas County, residing near Holly Springs until 1875, when they moved to the city. About 1870 the father engaged in merchandising, which he continued until his death in 1883. He had formerly been a farmer. During the late war he was about two years in the Confederate service as home guard. His father, George Marshall HEAD, came to Dallas County during the war, and died here about 1865. He was of English descent, was a soldier in the War of 1812, and was a farmer by occupation. The mother of our subject died in 1862, and Mr. HEAD married again. The maternal grandfather, DeLAMAR, was of French descent, and was a sailor for many years. Later he was a planter, and at the time of his death, which occurred in Butts County, Ga., he was quite wealthy. William B. HEAD was taught the details of farm life by his father when quite small, and received his education in the common schools. He was the fourth of fifteen children—eight sons and seven daughters—four sons now living. In 1862 he joined Company G, Twelfth Arkansas Infantry at Corinth, and was in the fight at Perryville, siege of Port Hudson, and was then paroled and came home. He afterward fought at Jenkins’ Ferry, Mark’s Mill and Poison Springs. He surrendered at Marshall, Tex., in May, 1865, after which he returned home and attended school at Holly Springs for a few years. He then clerked until 1870, and then engaged in business with his father, continuing the same after the death of the latter, on his own account with annual sales of about $12,000. He held the position and discharged the duties of justice of the peace for about fifteen years, or until 1889. He has about 600 acres of land in different tracts, and home and business property in town, all the result of energy and perseverance. Mr. HEAD was married in 1867 to Miss Virginia TEMPLETON, who was born in Ouachita County, Ark., and who was the daughter of James and Elizabeth TEMPLETON, natives of South Carolina. Her parents emigrated to Alabama, thence to Mississippi, but in a very early day came to Ouachita County, Ark., where they died in 1860 and 1865, respectively. To Mr. and Mrs. HEAD were born six children, one son and four daughters now living. In politics Mr. HEAD has affiliated with the Democratic party all his life, and his final presidential vote was cast for H. Seymour in 1868. He and wife have been members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South, for many years, and he is secretary in the same.