Dallas County, Arkansas

Page 736
William J. WALSH, who is also numbered among the substantial and much respected residents of the county, came originally from Virginia, his birth occurring in Chesterfield County, in 1822, and is the son of Thomas and Martha T. (BACHER) WALSH, natives also of the Old Dominion. The parents both died in Dallas County, Ark., the father on September 4, 1851, when about fifty-five years of age, and the mother on October, 1858, when about fifty-five years of age. They were married in their native State and moved from there to Fayette County, Tenn., in 1837, where they remained until 1848. They then came to Arkansas, located in Dallas County, and there received their final summons. The father was a millwright and worked at his trade the principal part of his life. In later years, however, he engaged in farming in connection with his trade, and was quite successful in both occupations. When a young man he built the Merchants Flouring Mill, at Pittsburg, Va., and while in Tennessee he owned mills at Moscow and other places. He was a Jeffersonian Democrat in his political views, and was a member of the Universalist Church. Mrs. WALSH was a member of the Baptist Church. Their union was blessed by the birth of seven children, four now living: Maria (widow of Dr. Willis WINSTEAD, deceased and residing in Lono, Hot Springs County, Ark.), John L (is a farmer of Dallas County), and Sarah (wife of Dr. LELI, of Cleveland). Those deceased were named: Lavinia, Bell, Martha T. and Elizabeth. William J. WALSH received his schooling in Virginia and Tennessee, and when seventeen years of age took charge of his fathers farm until the latter's death, when he purchased the old homestead, on which he has been residing ever since. He is the owner of 900 acres of land with a good portion under cultivation, and has contributed his full share to the agricultural development of this part of the county. On February 6, 1856, he married Miss Henrietta HOLMES, who was born in Mecklenburg County, Va., on September 25, 1837, and who was the daughter of Col. William T. M. HOLMES and Martha (GEE) HOLMES. Col. HOLMES was colonel of the Third Arkansas Confederate Infantry, was in many hard fought battles, and was killed at Hatchie Bend, or the battle of Corinth. He was a prominent citizen of Dallas County, and represented the same in the Legislature several times. He was prominent in church affairs and was a Methodist in his belief. To Mr. and Mrs. WALSH were born eight children: Thomas J., William M., Oliver G., Percy, Lula, Alice, Martha G. and Caspar. Mr. WALSH is a Democrat, and he and wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South, as are also four of the children. Miss. Alba OWENS, niece of Mr. WALSH, makes her home with the family. She is the daughter of William and Martha T. (WALSH) OWENS, the father at the present time residing in Louisiana, but the mother died in Dallas County. Mr. WALSH's thoroughness as a man, and good taste and industry as an agriculturist, are to be seen in the surroundings of his home place and he deserves the position in which he is held by so many in the community.