Full Context of Northeast Arkansas Biographies and Historical Memoirs
Biographical and Historical Memoirs of Northeast Arkansas
GREENE COUNTY–PHYSICAL FEATURES–STREAMS–FORESTS–KIND OF SOIL–
AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTS–STOCK INTERESTS–REAL AND PERSONAL PROPERTY–
POPULATION–RAILWAYS–ERA OF SETTLEMENT–A NOTED HUNTER–ACTS OF THE COUNTY
BOARD–COUNTY SEAT AND BUILDINGS–OFFICERS–POLITICAL OUTLOOK–LEGAL
MATTERS–MILITARY AFFAIRS–MUNICIPALITIES–SCHOOLS–CHURCHES–BIOGRAPHY.
GREENE COUNTY, Ark., lies in the northeastern part of the State, in latitude 36º 37' North, and
longitude 91º west from Greenwich, England. It is bounded on the north by Clay County. east by the St.
Francis River, which separates it from Dunklin County, Mo., south by Craighead, and west by Lawrence
and Randolph Counties. It has an area of 600 square miles, of which less than one tenth is improved. Its
boundary lines are as follows: Commencing where the line between Sections 21 and 28, Township 19,
Range 9, intersects the middle of the main channel of the St. Francis River; thence down the middle of the
main channel of that river to the line between Townships 15 and 16; thence west on the township line to
the Cache River; thence up said river, with its meanderings, to the line between Townships 17 and 18;
thence west on the township line to the line between Ranges 2 and 3; thence north on the range line to the
northwest corner of Section 30. Township 19, Range 3; thence east on the section lines, and on the county
line, to the place of beginning.
Crowley's Ridge, from its continuation in Clay County, extends in a rather southwesterly direction
through Greene County, with a width varying from five to ten miles, and slopes gently on either side to
the level of the bottom lands. This ridge in the southern part of the county is more rolling than elsewhere,
and farms have been opened entirely across it, though generally speaking its summit is not much
cultivated. The early settlers, for the most part, selected their homes on the foot of the ridge and on ridges
between the creeks. The farms now extend from both slopes of the ridge far out into the rich level lands.
>From Crowley's Ridge the waters flow through several small streams in a southeasterly direction and
empty into St. Francis River; and west of the ridge the waters course through small streams in a
southwesterly direction, emptying into Cache River; thus all that portion of the county lying between these
rivers is drained. That part northwest of Cache River is drained through the streams tributary to Cache
and Black Rivers.
page 114
“The entire county–with the exception of places where the forest has been cleared and farms opened–is
finely timbered with unequaled quality of white oak, red oak, hickory, sweet gum, ash, poplar, pine, and
walnut timber. The Crowley's Ridge summit is timbered its entire length through [p.114] the county with
pitch or red pine of the finest quality, and the slopes with other timber named.
“The soil is varied. One discovers poor, thin and rocky points on the summit and almost any grade
between sandy soil of the bottom lands. It produces good crops of corn, wheat, rye, barley, oats, sorghum
cane, broom corn, cotton, potatoes, turnips, tame grasses, clover and millet, while the range for cattle
from eight to ten months of the year, and for hogs through the fall, is almost in inexhaustible.”*
At present lumbering is, and until the timber supply becomes exhausted will continue to be, one of the
leading if not the principal industry of the county, and a great source of income. In April of the current
year there were thirty-four steam power saw-mills, six stave factories, one shingle-mill, and two planing-
mills, within the county–all engaged in cutting the timber into lumber, etc. One of these mills–that of the
J. M. Reed Lumber Company–has capacity for cutting 100,000 feet of lumber per day. The most profitable
source of revenue to the farmers consists in the raising of cotton and corn, which yield probably a nearly
equal income. Most of the saw-mills have cotton gins, and some grist-mills attached.
In 1880 there were, according to the United States census, 1,181 farms, with 30,596 acres of improved
lands in the county, and from these the vegetable productions were as follows: Indian corn, 347,926
bushels; oats, 29,110 bushels; wheat, 10,475 bushels; hay, 124 tons; cotton, 3,711 bales; Irish potatoes,
5,181 bushels; sweet potatoes, 13,989 bushels; tobacco, 5,735 pounds. A large acreage has since been
cleared, and the vegetable productions correspondingly increased.
The numbers of head of live stock within the county, as indicated by the same census, were as follows:
Horses, 7,694; mules and asses, 760; neat cattle, 8,975; sheep, 1,727; hogs, 16,934. The following show
the number of head of live stock in the county as declared by the assessment rolls for 1888; Horses, 2,326;
mules and asses, 991; neat cattle, 10,125; sheep, 1,685; hogs, 16,481. The comparison of these figures is
interesting. The decrease in the number of sheep is probably due to the reduction in the price of wool,
while the decrease in the number of hogs is apparent but not real. The census of 1880 gives the number
raised, sold and slaughtered during the year, while the assessment rolls show only the number on hand
when listed for taxation; hence the increase must have been large. As previously stated, all parts of the
county are well supplied with streams, and an abundance of good well water can be obtained at a depth of
from thirty to forty feet, without blasting through any rock, and as the lands are well adapted to the raising
of grains, tame grasses and clover, this country must eventually–after the lumber industry ceases–become
excellent for diversified farming, and especially for the raising of live stock, the climate being mild, and
the shipping facilities to the great commercial centers unusually superior.
The country is also well adapted to the growing of all manner of fruits common to this latitude.
The assessed value of the real estate of Greene County for the year 1880 was $426,685, and of the
personal property $254,361, making a total of $681,046, and the total amount of taxes charged thereon
was $16,099. The assessed value of the real estate of the county for 1888, including the railroad property,
was $1,313,392.72, and of the personal property, $562,719, making a total of $1,876,111.72. upon which
the total amount of taxes charged was $29,103.63. This demonstrates that the taxable wealth of the county
has about doubled since 1880, but that the taxes have not increased in the same ratio. The railroads, which
now constitute a considerable portion of the taxable wealth of the county, and pay a large percentage of
the taxes, were assessed for the year 1888 as follows: St. Louis, Iron Mountain & Southern, $330,750;
St. Louis, Arkansas & Texas, $200,677; Kansas City, Fort Scott & Memphis, $4,560; total, $535,987.
page 115
The county has excellent public buildings, and a floating debt of only about $7,000, which will be
canceled after another year's taxes are collected. This covers the whole indebtedness–there being no
bonded debt at all. Such favorable facts prove [p.115] that Greene County has many attractions for home
seekers. Lands are yet cheap, and immigrants from the over-crowded Eastern and Northern States can
certainly do much better by coming to this country than by going west to points beyond the improvements
of civilization. Capital is being rapidly invested here, thus insuring employment to the laborer. Here an
industrious man with but small capital may soon possess and own a home, where society is good and the
climate unexcelled; here he may gain, by application and energy, just recognition, and here, too, may he
avoid the financial burdens which characterize other less-favored communities.
The population of Greene County in 1860, including what is now the Eastern district of Clay County, was
5,654–189 of whom were colored. The population of 1870, comprising the same territory, was 7,417–156
of whom were colored. The population in 1880, embracing only the present area of the county, was 7,405.
of whom only 75 were colored. Considering the recent rapid increase by way of immigration, together
with the natural accession, it is safe to estimate the population of the county at the present writing, at
more than double that of 1880.
The main line of the St. Louis, Iron Mountain & Southern Railroad–completed about 1872–runs in a
south westerly direction across the northwestern portion of the county, a distance of nine and three-fourth
miles. The Helena branch of the same road, finished in 1882, runs through in a southeasterly and
southerly course across the entire county, by way of Gainesville, Paragould and minor points, a distance of
twenty-three miles. The St. Louis, Arkansas & Texas Railroad, completed in 1882. passes through the
entire county in a southwesterly direction along the eastern side of Crowley's Ridge, by way of Paragould
and other points, a distance of twenty-four miles and 2.904 feet. The Kansas City, Fort Scott & Memphis
Railroad, constructed in 1883, runs in a southeasterly direction across the extreme southwestern corner of
the county, a distance of only 2,400 feet. The Paragould & Buffalo Island Narrow Gauge Railroad runs
eastward from Paragould to the St. Francis River, a distance of ten miles. It was built in 1888, by a local
company, for the purpose of shipping out timber and lumber. The combined length of the through lines of
railroad is fifty-seven miles and 3,984 feet, which added to the ten miles of narrow gauge road, makes
over seventy-seven miles of railway in the county.
The settlement of the territory now composing Greene County began about the year 1820. Benjamin
Crowley, grandfather of Hon. Benjamin H. Crowley, and his family were the first settlers, and their
nearest neighbors were then at Pocahontas, now the county seat of Randolph County. Crowley's Ridge was
named in honor of this pioneer settler. The Pevehouse family, Wiley Hutchins, Jerry Gage, Samuel
Willcockson, the Robertsons and J. W. Gage, were among the first settlers of the Crowley neighborhood,
which is some twelve miles west of Paragould. William Pevehouse was the first child born in the county,
and his brother, Wiley, and Hon. Ben. H. Crowley were first among the next children born. James
McDaniel and Jesse Payne were early settlers on Village Creek. Isaiah Hampton and Lewis Bramlet
settled in 1848, four miles east of Gainesville. John Mitchell, an early settler near Gainesville, put up the
first cotton gin in the county, and Samuel Wilcockson erected the first steam grist mill on Crowley's
Ridge, it being on Poplar Creek in the Crowley settlement. Parson William Nutt located near Gainesville;
and Aaron Bagwell, from whom Bagwell Lake in the eastern part of the county took its name, and C. G.
Jones, after whom Jones Ridge on the western border of the county is called, were also early settlers.
page 116
The Bradshaws–noted hunters–settled on the upper end of the ridge, in what is now Clay County, and A.
J. Smith, “the great Arkansas bear hunter.” settled near the Bradshaws and married into their family. He
subsequently located and cleared up a farm a few miles east of the present town of Paragould, where he
lived until his death. He was known far and near, and was the most noted eccentric character in all of
Northeastern Arkansas, possessing many of the traits of the famous Col. Davy Crockett. He was a
veritable [p.116] backwoodsman, not accustomed to the finer comforts of advanced civilization. He owned
slaves, raised large numbers of cattle, and undoubtedly killed more wild animals than any other man in
the State. He usually went bareheaded and bare footed, with his collar opened and sleeves rolled up, and
nearly always carried with him his rifle, shot pouch and large hunting knife. Upon his appearance in this
plight he was much feared, especially by those not acquainted with him. He was, however, kind and
benevolent, brave and generous, and had but few enemies, being a firm friend to those he respected, but a
dangerous man in a quarrel.
On one occasion after having sold a herd of cattle to Gov. “Jack” Drew, he went, equipped as usual, to the
governor's residence to collect his pay. The governor happened to be absent. He was met at the door by
Mrs. Drew, who though much frightened invited him to step in and take a seat at the fire. He looked down
and said he did not like “to step on that quilt.” The carpet being loose he took it by the edge, folded it over
and then sprang across and took a chair near the fire. Mrs. Drew felt convinced that her unwelcome guest
was a horse thief, and thereupon had his horse put into the stable and locked, knowing that her husband
would return soon. On seeing the latter she went out to meet him, and related the appearance of the
mysterious stranger, whereupon the governor, with a hearty laugh, replied, “O! that is Jack Smith, it's just
like him.”
Angeline, his wife, was an excellent shot with the rifle, and often accompanied him on his hunting
excursions. Once while returning home upon a trail, desiring to “prowl around a little longer,” he
requested his companion not to wait for him. Accordingly she rode on, but had not gone far until the
dogs–remaining with Jack–chased up a huge bear, pursuing it so closely that it stopped and turned its
back against the roots of a fallen tree, and began to cuff the dogs right and left. Jack ran to their
assistance, whereupon the bear, having cowed the dogs, sprang forward and rushed upon him. Jack in
retreating, stumbled and fell. Just at this critical moment, Angeline, who had heard the confusion,
wheeled her steed about, took deliberate aim and shot and killed the monster beast, thus saving her
husband's life. Ever thereafter upon relating this incident, he never failed to declare that Angeline was the
best woman ever created.
This great hunter generally wore “buckskin breeches.” He was of a humorous disposition, and on one
occasion was visited by a party of well dressed gentlemen from Memphis, who, upon seeing the large
quantity of paltry he had on hand, asked how he came to be so successful in hunting. His reply was that
formerly when dressed in his buckskin trousers and other outfit, the animals, especially the deer, had
become so well acquainted with him that they knew him by sight, and were always on the outlook for him,
in consequence of which he could not get near enough to shoot them. It then occurred to him that he must
change his garb, and thus deceive the animals. So now, he said, that upon approaching a herd of deer, the
sentinel buck seeing him would inform the rest that there was no danger–that it was only some finely
dressed gentleman from Memphis, who was harmless. In this way he claimed to delude the deer,
succeeding in killing a great many. The numerous eccentricities, bear and deer hunts and the like, of this
famous hunter, if compiled would make an interesting book on frontier life.
Wiley Clarkson was an early settler and hunting companion of Smith. The county settled very slowly prior
to 1855, but after that more rapidly until the war period, during which time it received no new comers.
Soon after the war the growth in population was renewed and continued gradual until four years ago,
since which time it has been and still is very rapid. For additional mention of settlers, with more specific
dates, the reader is referred to the biographical pages of this volume.
page 117
Greene County was organized in accordance with an act of the legislature of Arkansas Territory, approved
November 5, 1833. and was made to embrace the territory it now comprises, excepting that portion lying
west of Cache River, together with the whole of what is now the Eastern district of Clay County, and a
portion of Craighead [p.117] County, all formerly belonging to Lawrence County. When Clay County was
formed in 1873, that portion of Greene now lying west of the Cache River was attached from Raudolph
County.
The original seat of justice was located about 1835, at a point five miles northeast of Gainesville, and was
named Paris. Here a log courthouse was erected and one or two stores opened. Afterward the question of
re-locating the county seat was agitated, and of the different points competing for it, the one where
Gainesville is situated gained the location, hence the name Gainesville. To this place the seat of justice
was moved about the year 1840. A log court-house and subsequently a log jail were erected. The former
was soon abandoned and in its stead a three-story frame court house, about thirty feet square, was
constructed. The first floor of this building was occupied with the county offices, the second with the
court-room, and the third with a Masonic hall. The building, with a portion of the records, was burned in
1874. A store room was then rented for a court-house, and soon thereafter, in the same year, it was, with
all the balance of the records, also burned. These buildings were supposed to have been set on fire by
certain parties, that the records, noting their rather questionable conduct, might be destroyed. This led to
the shooting and killing of Sheriff Wright, by a citizen whom the people justified by not prosecuting. Two
other persons, supposed to be implicated in the crime of burning the buildings, were arrested and placed
in jail, from which they escaped and were not afterward apprehended. One of them, it is said, confessed
his guilt.
The next court-house was another store room, which, with all accumulated records, was burned in 1876,
presumably by an incendiary resting under indictments for crime. A one-story frame court-house was then
erected, and continued to be used until 1884, when the county seat was removed from Gainesville to its
present site, at Paragould. In 1884 the one-story frame building now standing east of the court-house
square was erected for a temporary court-house. In 1888 the present beautiful and well-proportioned two-
story brick building, with the halls and offices on the first floor and the court-room on the second, was
erected by Contractors Boone and McGinnis, at a cost of $14,700. The clock in the tower cost $700 more.
In 1877 the same contractors built the present two-story jail, containing four iron cells or rooms, and the
jailer's residence, at a cost of $7,000.
Following is a list of the names of the county officers of Greene County from its organization to the
present, together with the term of service of each:
Judges: I. Brookfield, 1833-35; W. Hanes, 1835-36; George Daniel, 1836-1838; L. Thompson, 1838-40; J.
M. Cooper, 1840-42; H. Powell, 1842-44; N. Murphree, 1844-46; J. M. Cooper, 1846-48; C. G. Steele,
1848-50; H. T. Allen, 1850-52; J. Dellinger, 1852-54; H. T. Allen, 1854-60; T. Clark, 1860-64; J. J.
Wood, 1864-66; H. T. Allen, 1866-68; A. Seagroves, 1868-72; David Thorn, 1874-76; J. P. Culver, 1876-
78; J. McDaniel, 1878-80; M. C. Gramling, 1880-82; J. O'Steen, 1882-88; W. C. Jones, present
incumbent, elected 1888.
Clerks: L. Thompson, 1833-36; G. L. Martin, 1836-38; H. L. Holt, to November, 1838; J. L. Atchison,
1838-44; H. L. Evans, 1844-46; H. Powell, 1846-50; M. T. C. Lumpkins, 1850-54; J. W. McFarland,
1854-56; L. B. McNeil, 1856-58; H. W. Glasscock, 1858-64; R. H. Gardner, 1864-68; E. R. Seeley, 1868-
72; D. B. Warren, 1872-82; R. H. Gardner, 1882-88; T B. Kitchens, present incumbent, elected in 1888.
Sheriffs: James Brown, 1833-34; Charles Robertson, 1834-36; J. Stotts, 1836-38; J. Clark, 1838-44; J. R.
Ragsdale, 1844-46; A. F. Puryer, 1846-48; J. Clark, 1848-50; William Pevehouse, 1850-52; W. M.
Peebles, 1852-58; F. S. White, 1858-62; A. Eubanks. 1862-64; F. S. White, 1864-68; M. Wright, 1868-
72; M. C. Gramling, 1872-74; J. P. Willcockson, 1874-76; J. A. Owen, 1876-77; F. S. White, 1877-80; T.
R. Willcockson, 1880-84; J. M. Highfield, 1884-86; T. R. Willcockson, present incumbent, first elected in
1886.
Footnote
R. Jackson on resignation of Stevenson.
page 118
Treasurers: James Ratchford 1836-38; H. N. [p.118] Reynolds, 1840-42; G. W. Harley, 1842-44; M.
Carter, 1844-46; J. W. Poole, 1846-52; C. G. Jones, 1852-54; W. Meredith, 1854-56; J. Payne, 1856-58;
T. H. Wyse, 1858-62; C. Wall, 1862-64; M. C. Gramling, 1864-66; Alex. Wood, 1866-68; Sam Newberry,
1868-72; R. Jackson, 1872-76; H. C. Swindle, 1876-78; G. W. Stevenson, 1878-80;* R. Jackson, 1880-84;
J. N. Johnson, 1884-86; H. S. Trice, present incumbent, first elected in 1886.
Coroners: J. Sutfin, 1833-35; J. Fowler, 1835-36; John Anderson, 1838-42; P. K. Lester, 1842-44; J.
Lawrence, 1844-46; J. Hunt, 1846-48; W. H. Mack, 1848-50; R. W. Dorsey, 1850-54; J. S. Hibbs, 1854-
56; M. McDaniel, 1856-58; A. P. Bobo, 1858-60; H. B. Wright, 1860-64; J. R. Gentry, 1864-66; H.
Jackson. 1866-68; L. Steadman, 1868-72; J. H. Dudley, 1872-74; E. Daniels, 1874-76; J. A. Little, 1876-
78; W. M. McKay, 1878-80; J. W. Hardy, 1880-82; J. R. Gross, 1882-84; V. Looney, 1884-86; J. M.
Hammond, 1886-88; B. Terrell, present incumbent, elected in 1888.
Surveyors: G. Hall, 1833-36; William Hatch, 1838-40; J. J. Johnson; 1840-42; J. B. B. Moore, 1842-44;
James Mitchell, 1844-56; E. M. Allen, 1856-58; W. C. Reyburn, 1858-60; R. G. McLeskey, 1860-62; J. P.
Harris, 1862-64; R. C. Mack, 1864-66; L. M. Wilson, 1866-68; J. Seeley, 1870-72; R. H. Gardner, 1872-
82; O. S. Newsom, 1882-88; Len Merriweather, present incumbent, elected in 1888.
Assessors: R. H. Gardner, 1859-62; T. C. Murphy, 1862-64; H. W. Glasscock, 1864-66; M. C. Gramling,
1866-68; D. J. Edwards, 1868-70; P. G. Straughn, 1870-72; W. F. Clements, 1872-74; W. S. Ledbetter,
1874-76; J. Huckabay, 1876-78; J. F. Lytle, 1878-80; P. G. Light, 1880-84; J. R. Thompson, 1884-88; E.
L. Babbett, present incumbent, elected in 1888.
Representatives of Greene County in constitutional conventions: G. L. Martin, January 4 to 13, 1836; J.
W. Bush, March 4 to 21, and May 6 to June 3, 1861; Benjamin H. Crowley, July 14, to October 31, 1874.
Representatives in general assembly: Alex. Tucker was the first representative of the county in the State
legislature, and Hon. A. P. Cox is the present one. The Senatorial district, composed of Greene, Clay and
Craighead Counties, is represented in the State Senate by Hon. Ben. H. Crowley.
To show the political aspect of the county the vote cast therein for the candidates for governor at the
September election in 1888 is here given, it being as follows: J.P.Eagle, Democrat, 1,378 votes: C. M.
Norwood, combined opposition, 841 votes.
Upon the organization of Greene County and prior to the location of the original county seat, courts were
held at the house of Mr. Crowley the first settler, as before mentioned, on Crowley's Ridge. A portion of
the time the sessions were held in the house and, also, under the adjacent trees. It is said that the judge of
the circuit court, after charging the grand jury, usually sent them in charge of the sheriff or bailiff under a
certain white oak tree to make their deliberations. Since those days the courts have been held in the
various court houses elsewhere described. The regular terms of the county court commence on the first
Monday in January, April, July and October, and of the probate court on the third Monday of the same
months in each year. The regular terms of the circuit court have heretofore commenced on the first
Monday of February and August of each year, but probably the last legislature has slightly changed the
time. This court has not been overburdened with murder trials, as but few murders have been committed
within the county. No one has ever been executed in Greene County for a capital offense except one
person who killed an individual in another county, and was brought here and tried on a change of venue.
The following are the resident members of the legal bar of Greene County: Hon. L. L. Mack, Judge J. E.
Reddick, now on the bench: Hon. Ben. H. Crowley, J. B. Boykin, A. P. Mack, W. S. Luna, Eugene
Parrish. W. W. Bandy, S. R. Simpson, A. Knox and J. F. Lytle. Mention of many prominent citizens of
the county is also made in subsequent pages.
page 119
At the outbreak of the Civil War of 1861-65, the citizens of Greene County, being mostly immigrants or
descendants of immigrants from the former slave-holding States, were found to be almost to a man, in
full sympathy with the Southern cause, and consequently lent their energies to sustain it. As might be
expected great excitement then prevailed, and in the spring of 1861 Capt. W. G. Bohaning raised a full
company of soldiers mostly in the territory now composing Greene County, for the First Regiment of
Arkansas Confederate Infantry. Soon thereafter Capt. J. L. Kuykendall formed another company in the
same territory for the same regiment, and later Capt. D. G. Byers recruited a company for the Twenty-
Fifth Regiment of Arkansas Confederate Infantry. In 1864 Capts. Park Willcockson, John McHenry and
H. W. Glasscock, each raised a company of cavalry in Greene County for Maj. J. F. Davies' battalion of
Col. Kitchens' regiment. The population being then small, these were the only organized bodies of soldiers
raised in that part of the county as it is now composed. Other troops were obtained in that portion since set
off to Clay. No skirmishes or battles took place in the county during the war, and it was but little over-run
with soldiers, consequently not suffering the devastations incident to many other counties in the State.
Only two Federal commands, together with a few small scouting parties, passed through the county, and
as a result the people fortunately escaped the raids of foragers; owing also to their unanimity of sentiment,
there was but very little bushwhacking done. In addition to the companies above mentioned some
individuals went out of the county and enlisted in other commands. Notwithstanding the natural
preferences of the people here in the war period, they are now vieing with the immigrants from both North
and South, in developing the resources of this section. Universal peace and harmony prevail, and all just
and upright newcomers are received with a hearty welcome. The survivors of both armies have organized
an association in Paragould known as the “Blue and Gray”–there being many ex-Federal soldiers among
the recent arrivals in the county, and together they meet and rejoice that the conflict is forever settled, and
that while they were enemies in war they are friends in peace.
Greene is well supplied with villages, towns, postoffices, etc., as the following facts indicate: Bethel is a
postoffice and flag station on the railroad, five miles south of Paragould.
Crowley is a postoffice twelve miles northwest of Paragould.
Finch is a postoffice ten miles southwest of Paragould.
Gainesville, on the Helens branch of the St. Louis, Iron Mountain & Southern Railroad, eight miles north
of Paragould, formerly the seat of justice for Greene County, was established about the year 1840. In 1846
it contained a log courthouse, two store buildings and five dwelling houses–all log except one dwelling
house, which was a frame, sided up with clapboards. The town has ever been of slow growth, but situated
as it is in a good community far from other villages, it is a point of considerable trade, containing four
general stores, one drug store, four family groceries, two blacksmith shops, one steam grist mill and
cotton-gin combined, two hotels, one printing office, from which is published the Greene County Event,
by F. M. Dalton, one livery stable, two church edifices–Cumberland Presbyterian and Methodist–one
public school-house, three physicians, and one lawyer, the latter being the Hon. J. E. Reddick, present
judge of the circuit court of this judicial circuit.
Halliday, a postoffice and flag station on the “Cotton Belt” Railroad, is six miles north of Paragould.
Herndon is a postoffice in the southwest part of the county.
Lorado, also but a postoffice, is in the southwest part of the county.
page 120
Marmaduke, a town of about 200 inhabitants on the “Cotton Belt” Railroad, twelve miles northeast of
Paragould, contains four stores, a blacksmith shop, cotton gin and press, church, school house, a saw-mill
and boarding house. From here a tramway is run a mile out on the St. Francis River, where other mills are
located. The village [p.120] was first laid out in 1882 by the Railroad Company.
Paragould, the county seat of Greene County, situated at the connection and crossing of the St. Louis,
Arkansas & Texas and the St. Louis, Iron Mountain & Southern Railroads, was laid out in April, 1882, by
the South western Improvement Company, Willis Pruet and wife and J. A. Lambert and wife. It was
named after President Paramore of the former and President Gould of the latter of these routes, the name
Gould being substituted for the last syllable of Paramore, making it Paragould. The town has grown
rapidly, and in the seven years of its existence has attained a population of about 2,000. It contains the
Greene County Bank, nine general stores, five family groceries, four drug stores, one hardware, saddlery
and farm implement store, six saloons, two bakeries, two millinery stores, four hotels and many boarding
houses, two livery stables, two butcher shops, one shoe, four blacksmith and one foundry shop, five stave
factories, three saw-mills, one cotton gin, a feed store, photograph galleries, barber shops, laundry and
many other industries, four church edifices–Methodist, Baptist, Cumberland Presbyterian and Christian, a
public school-house, seven physicians, three dentists, a lodge each of Masons, Odd Fellows, Knights of
Honor, Knights of Pythias and a Post of the G. A. R.; also these newspapers–the Paragould Evening
Times, published daily, by W. A. H. McDaniel, editor and proprietor; the Record, published weekly. by
Messrs. Taylor & Carter, the Press recently being consolidated with this journal. In politics the entire
press of the county is Democratic, but the papers are published in the interest of the people, and are doing
their best to promote and increase the prosperity of the county. Near Paragould on the west side are
situated the grounds and buildings of the “Greene County Fair Association,” which held its second annual
exhibition in October, 1888. Paragould is incorporated as a city, and has a mayor, recorder, marshal, and
a board of five aldermen. The present officers are H. W. Glasscock, mayor; T. P. Cole, recorder; John M.
Winder, marshal. A vast amount of capital is here invested. The town is beautifully located, and its
growth is rapid and permanent. It is surrounded by a good agricultural and stock-raising country, which
insures its future prosperity. The Bank of Paragould which was organized on March 19, 1889, is
deserving of mention. It was incorporated with C. Wall, president, E. S. Bray, cashier, and A. A. Knox as
secretary of the board of directors. The directors are as follows: Dr. C. Wall, A. Berteg, A. P. Mack, W. H.
Jones, J. W. Crawford, D. D. Hodges and A. A. Knox. They have a capital stock of $30,000. The new
bank building, which is a neat two-story structure located on the corner of Pruet and Emerson streets, was
completed and occupied on the 1st of July, 1889.
Stonewall, a post village on the Iron Mountain Railroad, fourteen miles north of Paragould, contains a
store, saw-mill and shingle factory.
Tilmanville is a postoffice fifteen miles north of Paragould.
Walcott is a postoffice twelve miles west of Paragould.
Footnote
There were perhaps others not reported.
As was common throughout Arkansas in early days, the pioneer schools of Greene County were “few and
far between,” and of the most inferior nature. A few of the pioneer settlers employed such teachers as
could be obtained for what might be considered ordinary laborers' wages, and thus afforded some meager
facilities for the education of their children. Though the State had a school system, there were practically
no free schools prior to the inauguration of the present school system, which has taken place since the
Civil War. Owing to the inadequate facilities for education, many of the citizens of the county reached
their manhood without ever attending school. The children of this generation have great advantages over
those of their parents. Seven years ago, as shown by reports of the State superintendent of public
instruction, there were thirty-nine school districts organized in Greene County, with only seven* wood
school-houses, to accommodate a scholastic population of 2,191. The following statistics, taken from the
superintendent's report for the year ending June 30, 1888, will show the improvements since made within
the territory:
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The white school children number 4,387; colored, 14; total, 4,401. The number taught in the public
schools is: White, 2.219; colored, none; number of school districts, 59; number of teachers employed,
males, 37; females, 14; total, 51; average monthly wages paid teachers of the first grade, males, $42.50;
females, $37.50; second grade, males, $40; females, $35; third grade, males, $32.50; females, $30; frame
and log school-houses reported, 28, valued at $4,338.75; revenue raised for the support of common
schools, $18,957.09; amount expended, $9,690.58; amount unexpended, $9,266.51. These figures show a
great increase over those of seven years ago. The schools are increasing in number and quality–the wages
paid being sufficient to secure teachers of good ability. The figures show also that of the scholastic
population of the county only a little over one-half were taught in the public schools, which is conclusive
that the people do not as yet fully sustain and patronize the free school system. However, the outlook for
popular education is encouraging. A. Knox is the present county examiner.
Religious meetings were held, and preaching was had in Greene County soon after it was organized, and
from the best information obtainable societies of the Methodist and Baptist denominations were probably
formed during the 40's. The Methodist Episcopal Church, South, has now at least seventeen organizations
within the county. The Paragould circuit consists of the following: Mount Carmel, Pleasant Grove, New
Bethel, Wood's Chapel, a congregation four miles west of Paragould, and Greensboro and Pine Log, in
Craighead County, with Rev. W. W. Anderson, pastor in charge. Lorado circuit consists of Pleasant Hill,
Shady Grove, Warren's and Owen's Chapels. Old Bethel and Salem, with Rev. T. B. Williamson, pastor in
charge. Gainesville circuit includes Friendship, Hurricane, Harvey's Chapel, Starue's Chapel. Scatter
Creek. Beech Grove and Strong's Chapel, with Rev. N. W. Farrar, pastor in charge. Another congregation
in the eastern part of the county, belongs to an outside circuit. Rev. W. W. Watson is pastor of the charge
composed of Gainesville and Oak Grove, and Rev. J. C. Ritter is pastor of the charge at Paragould.
The Baptist Church has at least fourteen organizations within the county, one of which is the colored
church at Paragould. The others are named New Providence, Friendship, Liberty, Epsaby, Fairview,
Unity, New Hope, Rock Hill, Pleasant Grove, Cedar Hill, Mount Zion, Paragould, and another, name not
learned. New Providence, Friendship, Fairview, New Hope, and perhaps others, were organized long
before the Civil War. All of these organizations have an average membership of about fifty, and the
Methodist denomination is about equal in strength. Elders David Thorn, Lively, W. C. Jackson, Faulkner,
J. T. Edmonds, and Halcomb are the ministers now officiating at these several churches, all of which are
designated as Missionary Baptists.
The several organizations of the Christian Church within the county are known as Paragould, Pine Knot,
Sugar Creek, Gainesville and Liberty, with a combined membership of nearly 400. Pine Knot was
organized in a very early day–long before the Civil War, and has had a very large membership. Liberty,
which was organized in 1879, was composed mostly from the membership of Pine Knot. The Christian
Church in Paragould was organized in 1885.
The organizations of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church within Greene County are known as
Gainesville, Friendship and Paragould, the latter having been organized in 1884. The one at or near
Gainesville was organized early in the 80's. In point of numbers this is probably the weakest denomination
in the county. There are no Roman Catholic organizations here, but this sect is preparing to build a
church edifice in Paragould.
Nearly all of the church organizations named have houses of their own in which to worship, and all,
except a few not supplied with pastors, have regular preaching, and are doing good work. In the summer
season Sunday-schools are connected with them, but only a few in the more populous districts continue
throughout the year.
page 122
The people of Greene County are almost without exception moral, law-abiding, kind, generous and
hospitable, and welcome and protect all deserving [p.122] immigrants that come among them. Here the
opportunities for securing a home in a comparatively new country, where the climate is mild, the railroad
facilities good, churches and schools numerous, all without the inconveniences of frontier life, are
unexcelled.
W. T. Allison was born on the 25th of December, 1850, in Gibson County, Tenn., being the eldest of six
children, two now living, born to John W. and Elizabeth (Harrington) Allison, who were born in the “Old
North State” and emigrated to Gibson County, Tenn., in 1828, where the father engaged in cabinet
making and farming, and made his home until 1867, when he moved to Weakley County, Tenn., where he
now resides. In 1862 he enlisted in the army and served under Gen. Forrest until nearly the close of the
war. He is a Democrat. His wife died in 1861. W. T. Allison attended the schools of Gibson County, and
in his youth also followed the plow, which occupation has been his chief calling ever since. In January,
1876, he removed to Stoddard County, Mo., and for a number of years was engaged in teaching school in
Dexter and other places. While there he was married on the 8th of May, 1879, to Miss Minnie A. Walker,
a native of Carroll County, Tenn., and a daughter of John and Sarah (Gibbons) Walker, also Tennesseeans
and farmers by occupation; after residing in Stoddard County, Mo., for five years, the father died in 1877.
The mother is still a resident of that county. Remaining in Stoddard County until the 5th of September,
1882, Mr. Allison and wife then moved to Craighead County of this State, and after working as salesman
in that county until March, 1883, he came to Greene County, Ark., and purchased two years later eighty
acres of improved land, to which he has since added 122 acres, making 202 acres in all, of which forty are
under cultivation. He has taken an active part in politics, and votes the Democratic ticket, being the
present justice of the peace and is filling his second term. Socially, he is a member of the Agricultural
Wheel at Halliday, and he and wife belong to the Baptist Church. Three of the four children born to their
union are living: Clyde Engenia, Dero Dean, and Vernie Pearl. Adolphus Burdette died in 1881 at the age
of six months and three weeks. Mr. Allison is still engaged in teaching, having followed that occupation a
part of four years in Greene County, and is considered one of the successful educators of his district.
T. J. Archer. Among the many sturdy “sons of the soil” of Greene County, Ark. who have attained wealth
and prominence in their calling by the sweat of their brow. and who command an enviable social position,
is Mr. Archer, the subject of this biography. He was born in Alabama in 1847 and is the youngest in a
family of nine children born to the marriage of Rev. Philip Archer and Artemisa Maxwell. The father, in
connection with his ministerial duties, was engaged in farming, and followed these two occupations until
his death which occurred on the 10th of August, 1868, his death being preceded by that of his wife by
twenty-one years. The paternal grandfather left Alabama and settled in Arkansas during the early history
of that State, being an extensive farmer for many years. His death occurred very suddenly. T. J. Archer
was reared to farm labor, and at the age of twenty-one years married Miss Lenora Amorine, of Alabama,
and two years later came to Arkansas, settling first in Polk County, remaining one year, and then went to
Monroe County, where he stopped five years. Since 1875 he has resided in Greene County, and the first
few years was engaged in tilling rented land, and since 1885 has been the owner of 160 acres of land near
the Cache bottoms, which was at first wild land but is now well improved, with seventy-five acres under
fence and cultivation. His land is among the best in this section and is devoted principally to raising corn
and cotton. To the union of Mr. and Mrs. Archer have been born the following children: Philip William
Thomas, who is married and resides on his father's place; Benjamin O., Adolphus, Osceola, Thome and
Moses Ray, living; and John, Ids, Eldora and Daniel, deceased.
page 123
H. L. Ayers, a wealthy farmer of Greene County, Ark., was born in Bedford County, Tenn., [p.123] in
1858, and is the second in a family of four children born to the marriage of Frank and Loddie (Williams)
Ayers, the former a native of Pennsylvania and the latter of Tennessee. At the early age of eight years H.
L. Ayers left home and began depending on his own resources for obtaining a livelihood, and up to the
age of seventeen years worked on farms and did teaming. In 1879 he was married in Gibson County,
Tenn., to Miss Addie Rosson, who was born, reared and educated in that State, being a daughter of John
Rosson, who was known as one of the best farmers in West Tennessee, his farm of 300 acres being valued
at $9,000. After his marriage, Mr. Ayers worked with his father-in-law until 1883, when he made a trip to
Arkansas and traveled over the greater portion of that State, as well as Missouri, the Indian Territory,
Texas, New Mexico, Louisiana and Mississippi. After one year he returned to West Tennessee, and at the
end of one year went to Fulton County, Ky., where he resided two years. In August, 1886, he moved his
family to Greene County, Ark., where he engaged in the teaming business, which he followed for two
years, and then acted as stave inspector for J. F. Hasty & Son for one year. He next began farming on a
tract of 160 acres of land in Greene County in December, 1888, and on this he immediately began to make
improvements, and has introduced many new methods of farming. He has thirty-five acres in corn, fifteen
in oats, thirty-five in rye and oats for pasture, and two in potatoes. On this farm is a fine orchard of 540
trees, mostly peach, beside a fine assortment of other fruit. He is doing well in his calling and promises to
become in time a wealthy man. He and wife are the parents of one daughter, Lizzie May.
Joseph Bleier, proprietor of the Vienna Bakery, at Paragould, was born in Bohemia, Austria, December
17, 1846, and is the son of Ignatz and Anna (Freitle) Bleier, also natives of Austria. The parents are still
living in their native country, and the father follows the occupation of a farmer. In their family were eight
children: Joseph, Frank, Robert, Ignatz, John and Otto (twins), Barbara and Anna. Joseph Bleier received
his education in Austria, and remained on the farm with his father until fourteen years of age, when he
began learning the baker's trade. In 1867, when in his twentieth year, he took passage from Bremen to
America on the steamer “Ocean,” which was stranded one year later, and landed at New York City. He
came on to Cincinnati, where he worked for about eight years in and around the city. He then went to
Chicago, remained there about three years and then engaged in business for himself at Joliet, Ill. In 1886
he came to Paragould and immediately engaged in his present business, at which he has been very
successful. He is an excellent baker and keeps a good stock of everything carried in his line. He was
married in October, 1873, to Miss Mary Gaker, a native of Hamilton County, O., and a daughter of John
and Rosa (Schleer) Gaker, who were natives of Germany and early settlers of Ohio. To Mr. and Mrs.
Bleier have been born five children, three now living: John K., Frank and Joseph E. The two deceased
were Robert and Mathew. Mr. and Mrs. Bleier are members of the Catholic Church.
page 124
E. M. Bobo. Among Greene County's self-made, enterprising and successful citizens, none deserve more
favorable mention than the subject of this sketch, E. M. Bobo, who was born in South Carolina in 1840.
His father, A. P. Bobo, came from the Palmetto State to Arkansas in 1857, and entered 160 acres of land,
upon which he lived engaged in farming and stock raising until his death in 1886. He was held in favor by
his fellow farmers, and was for two years coroner of Greene County. Of his family of seven children, two
sons and five daughters, four are still living, one in North Carolina, two in Texas, and one in Arkansas.
They are Mary (Bobo) Prince, E. M. Bobo, Virginia (Bobo) Swindle, and Spotana (Bobo) Love. E. M.
Bobo was seventeen years of age when he came with his father to this State, where he has since made his
home. He has about 154 acres of land, with eighty under cultivation, forty of which he has cleared
himself, and his farm is well stocked with horses, cattle, hogs and fine sheep. October 2, 1861, Mr. Bobo
enlisted in the Fifth Arkansas Infantry, and though twice [p.124] wounded, continued in service during
the entire war. He and wife have reared a family of nine children: M. A., born in 1862; Matilda, born in
1866; G. M., born in 1867; Olive, born in 1869, Victoria, born in 1871; Arthur E., born in 1872; J. E.,
born in 1874; Alice, born in 1875, and Ada, in 1878. Mr. Bobo belongs to the Agricultural Wheel, and he
and wife and family are active members of the Methodist Church.
M. W. Boyd (deceased) was an enterprising and industrious farmer of Greene County, Ark. He was born
in Tennessee on the 12th of October, 1846, and came to Arkansas with his father when a child, where the
latter died shortly after. In 1868 M. W. Boyd was united in the bonds of matrimony to Miss M. J.
McMillin, who was born in the “Palmetto State” and came to Arkansas with her parents, W. P. and
Adaline (Cooley) McMillin in 1853, settling on what is known as the old Willcockson estate, consisting of
500 acres. Here Mr. McMillin greatly improved his farm, became a well-known citizen of the county, and
died on the 19th of May, 1862. After his marriage Mr. Boyd began improving his farm on an extensive
scale by erecting good buildings, setting out orchards, etc., and did considerable in the way of stock
raising. He was interested in all things that promised to promote the welfare of his section, and was a
liberal contributor to churches and schools. He died on the 27th of May, 1885, leaving his wife and
children one of the best farms in the county, on which is a roomy and substantial dwelling-house,
surrounded by ornamental trees and shrubbery. Mrs. Boyd is ably managing the farm, and besides the
usual crops is engaged in raising cotton. She and Mr. Boyd became the parents of the following children:
Onie, Alice, Clara and Selma.
E. S. Bray, postmaster at Paragould, and cashier of the Bank of Paragould, is classed among the
prominent and successful business men of that town. He was born in Chatham County, N. C., and is the
son of Solomon and Sarah (Brooks) Bray, natives of North Carolina, where they passed their entire lives.
They were the parents of nine children, seven now living, three in North Carolina, two in Tennessee, and
two in Arkansas. E. S. Bray was but a lad when his parents died, and he went to live with an elder brother
in Tennessee, where he remained until grown. He received his education in that State and remained
engaged in assisting on the farm until 1878, when he came to Arkansas. Previous to this, in 1869, he
married Miss Margaret E. Cox, a native of Tennessee, and after coming to Arkansas he located three
miles from Paragould and followed agricultural pursuits until July 14, 1885, when he was appointed
postmaster. He is the owner of 440 acres of good land with about fifty acres under cultivation, and has
made many improvements since purchasing the farm. He has been magistrate for a number of years, and
was one of the enumerators of the census of Greene County in 1880. He is a member of the Masonic
Fraternity, and represented his lodge at the Grand Lodge. He is also a member of the K. of P. He and wife
belong to the Baptist Church.
page 125
William B. Breckenridge. Few men in the county have made agricultural pursuits such a decided success,
or have kept more thoroughly apace with the times, than has the above mentioned gentleman, Mr.
Breckenridge, who was born in Missouri, on Castor River, March 13. 1843, and who is the son of James
Harvey and Susan (Huffstettler) Breckenridge, the parents of European descent. In 1844 Mr. and Mrs.
Breckenridge left Missouri and located in Arkansas near the farm where their son, William B., is now
residing. Here the father tilled the soil until his death, which occurred in 1888, the day he was sixty-six
years old. He enlisted in the Confederate service in 1864, and was with Gen. Price on his raid through
Missouri. He was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South. He had been married three times,
his second marriage being to Miss Maggie Light, a native of Missouri, who died one year later. He then
married Miss Mary Ann Batto, and the result was a large family of children. One child was born to the
second union, but it died in infancy. William B. Breckenridge was but ten years of age when his mother
died, and he was the eldest of five children: William B., A. G., Eli Greene, James [p.125] Franklin, and
Jane (deceased). The mother of these children was a worthy member of the Methodist Episcopal Church,
South. The eldest of the above mentioned family reached manhood on the farm, and at the age of nineteen
years began tilling the soil for himself, which occupation he has carried on ever since. At the beginning of
the war he enlisted in the Confederate army, was at the battles of Corinth, Iuka and Port Hudson, and was
soon after paroled and returned home. In 1863 he married Miss Sarah E. Mielar, a native of Tennessee,
born in 1843, and who came to Arkansas with her parents, John and Ann Mielar, in 1851, when a child.
Both her parents are deceased. To Mr. and Mrs. Breckenridge were born twelve children, four of whom
are deceased. The children are named as follows: James Henry, William Lee, Mary Jane (wife of Ezekiel
Williams), Sarah A. (wife of James Branch), Minnie A., Edward Jefferson, Eli Blanton, Arra Frances, and
Charles McCarsy. Those deceased were named James Henry, Samantha, Vira and Joseph R. The family
are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South. Mr. Breckenridge is an active worker in school
matters, and a liberal contributor to all public enterprises reflecting credit on the community in which he
has made his home. His father had five brothers and three sisters: John I., Thomas W., James H., Mary
(Chrits), a widow, Sarah, David I., Andrew J. (who moved to Wright County, Mo., in 1879, and died in
1880), Anne, (Taylor), a widow, and Jackson. Those not living were active, enterprising farmers of
Northeast Arkansas, and much esteemed. They left a large number of cousins, among whom is W. B.
Breckenridge, our subject. His wife's brothers and sisters are: Nicholas M. Mielar, Sarah E., William H.,
Neuben R., James R., Louisa A., Lucy A., Nancy C., Arra S., and Mary E.
Daniel W. Breckenridge, who is one of the sturdy sons of toil of Crowley Township, and the son of David
and Caroline (Yoekum) Breckenridge, was born in Greene County, Ark., in 1856, and grew to manhood
in that county. His parents were natives of North Carolina, where they remained until about 1838, and
then moved to Missouri, coming from there to Arkansas, where the father died in 1877 at the age of fifty-
five years. He was a soldier in the late war, on the Confederate side, and served until cessation of
hostilities. He took an active part in church and school affairs. He was married four times; first to Miss
Kinder, who bore him four children, all deceased, and after her death he married Miss Caroline Yoekum,
and by her became the father of six children, three now living: James D., Daniel W. and Sarah C., now
Mrs. Taylor. Those deceased were named Malinda Ann, Nancy J. and Julia Ann. After his second wife's
death Mr. Breckenridge married again, and five children were the result of this union: One deceased,
Parthenia, Amelia J., Elihu and Parris. The one deceased was named George W. Daniel W. Breckenridge,
the fourth child by the second marriage, attained his majority in his native county, and commenced
working for himself at the age of twenty-one. He followed tilling the soil on the farm given him by his
father at the time of his death, and there he has remained ever since. He was married in 1878 to Mrs.
Maria Spain, a native of Tennessee, born in 1848, and who came to Arkansas when twenty-two years of
age. She is the daughter of Hugh Spain, now deceased, but her mother is still living and is a resident of
the “Lone Star” State. To Mr. and Mrs. Breckenridge were born six children: Rufus W., Victoria A., Ezra
E. and Willie P. Two are deceased (unnamed). Mr. Breckenridge is active in school matters, having been
school director for ten or twelve years, and is a Democrat in politics. He is the owner of a fine farm, well
under cultivation.
page 126
M. D. Bridges. In giving a brief sketch of the life of Mr. Bridges it can with truth be said that he is one of
the foremost men of his county, and has become one of the wealthy planters of his region by honest toil
and good management, and by the aid and advice of his admirable wife. He was born in Dunklin County,
Mo., in 1864, and was the sixth in a family of ten children born to Amherst D. and Charlotte (Russell)
Bridges, who were also born in Kentucky and at an early day emigrated to Dunklin County, Mo., where
they [p.126] are now residing. Here M. D. Bridges was born, reared and educated, and as his father was a
merchant and farmer by occupation, he first worked on the farm and then clerked in his store. Later he
engaged in the saloon business at St. Francis, Mo., and after following that calling for about eighteen
months sold out, and on the 15th of March, 1887, came to Greene County, Ark. The same year he was
married, in Clay County of this State, to Mrs. Theodocia Nolen, widow of David Nolen, and soon after
moved to his present farm, which consists of 280 acres of arable land, with about 160 under cultivation. In
addition to this he has forty acres under cultivation in Clay County, the most of which he devotes to the
raising of cotton. This year (1889) he had seventy-five acres in cotton, and also raises considerable stock.
He has never been very active in politics but usually votes the Democratic ticket; he is ever deeply
interested in the proper education of the youth of this country, and has always been a patron of education,
being now a member of the school board. Socially he is a member of Four Mile Lodge No. 412, A. F. & A.
M., and also belongs to Pittsburg Lodge No. 273, I. O. O. F., at Campbell, Mo. Mr. and Mrs. Bridges are
the parents of one son, Andy Lee.
C. J. Brinkman, a member of the firm of John F. Brinkman & Son, manufacturers of tight barrel staves,
Paragould, is a native of Batesville, Ripley Co., Ind., and the son of John F. Brinkman, who is also of
Indiana nativity. The mother, Catharine (Kipper) Brinkman, was born in Bavaria, Germany, and was
married to Mr. Brinkman April 28, 1863. The fruits of this union were eleven children, seven of whom
yet survive. John F. Brinkman engaged in the lumber business in his youth, and bought walnut lumber for
a large furniture factory. In the fall of 1868, he embarked in the manufacture of staves at Jamestown, Ind.,
and there remained until 1875, when he removed to Indianapolis to educate his children, at the same time
running his factory at Jamestown. He made his home in Indianapolis until 1879, and in April of that year,
moved to Terre Haute, Ind., where he put up a stave factory and ran it until 1889, when he sold out and is
now living a retired life. His wife died in May, 1889. C. J. Brinkman was but four years of age when he
moved with his parents to Jamestown. He received a good education in the schools of Indianapolis and
Terre Haute, and graduated at the Notre Dame University in 1881. He then started in the stave business
with his father, and has since been a member of the firm of John F. Brinkman & Son. In February, 1888,
they began the erection of their present factory, and commenced working in the same May 2, since which
time they have continued the business successfully. The foreman is W. W. Wilson, who has been with this
firm for eighteen years. Mr. Brinkman was married in September, 1888, to Miss Marie C. Vesque, a
native of Franklin County, Ind., and both he and wife are members of the Catholic Church.
page 127
Charles Brock, another prominent and successful agriculturist of Cache Township, and one whose name is
synonymous with the farming interests of the county, was born in Georgia in 1825, and is the son of
Thomas and Jemima (Kinzie) Brock, both natives of South Carolina. The father grew to manhood in his
native state, and was there married to his first wife, who bore him four children. He then removed to
Alabama and there married Miss Kinzie, with whom he returned to Georgia in 1834. He died in that State
three years later. The mother then married again and died in Georgia, in 1855, at the age of fifty years.
She was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South. Charles Brock, the eldest of the three
brothers and sisters, attained his majority in the State of Georgia, receiving very little education aside
from home study, and at the age of fourteen began working for himself. After a few years he learned the
blacksmith trade, and in 1851 immigrated to Morgan County, Ill., where he remained three years. From
there he went to Polk County, Mo., resided there several years and was then in New Madrid County for
two years. In 1866 he came to Greene County, settled in Cache Township, improved a large tract, and
moved to several places where he made many improvements. He was first married in Georgia to Miss
Cynthia Walker, a [p.127] native of Kentucky, who died in Vernon County, Mo., in 1855, and the result
of this union was three children, two now living: John R., and Martha, who is now the wife of Frank
Grambling, and who resides in Boone County, Ark. The one deceased was named James. Mr. Brock was
married the second time to Miss Elizabeth Walker, a native of Alabama. She died in 1876. The following
children were born to this union: William, at home; Margaret, now Mrs. Jones; Nancy, now Mrs.
Johnson; Catherine, now Mrs. Beaty; Rebecca, Mrs. Belk; Triphena and Triphocia (twins, and the latter
deceased); Charles (deceased); Lizzie, at home: Lee (deceased), and Jesse (deceased). For his third wife
Mr. Brock took Mrs. Luemma Israel, nee Cooper, in 1879. Three children were born to this marriage,
Mary, and two deceased. The family are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and Mr. Brock is
steward and trustee in the same at the present time. He has held the office of school director for many
years, and is liberal and generous in his contributions to all meritorious enterprises. He is a Democrat in
politics but is not an active partisan. He has a fine farm of thirty acres in cultivation, owning 160 acres of
land.
L. H. Case, real estate and loan agent, also attorney, of Paragould, is a native of Licking County, Ohio,
born August 7, 1833, being the son of Raphael and Rosetta (Hayes) Case, the father a native of Ohio and
the mother of New York, and both families of old Puritan stock. The mother was a first cousin of
Rutherford B. Hayes. The paternal grandfather, Frederick Case, was from Simsbury, Conn., and the
maternal grandfather was a native of the Green Mountain State. The latter was a captain in the War of
1812 and was in command of Vermont troops. Grandfather Case was also a captain in the War of 1812,
and was at Hull's surrender, but escaped. They both died in Ohio, whither they had emigrated at quite an
early date. Raphael Case was born in Licking County, Ohio. and was a farmer by occupation. He was
county treasurer one term and filled that position with credit and honor. He died in 1860, in his fiftieth
year. The mother died previously to this. In their family were six children, four now living: Leonus H.,
Frederick, in Missouri; Sylvester, also in Missouri; Jason, in Ohio; Wilbur, killed at the battle of
Spottsylvania Court House, and Fannie (deceased), wife of Rev. W. M. Mullin. L. H. Case attained his
growth and received his education in Licking County, Ohio, attending the Ohio Wesleyan University. At
the age of twenty-one he began the study of law and was admitted to the bar in 1858. He then commenced
practicing at Bloomfield, Ind., remained there a short time, and on the breaking out of the late war he
went home and enlisted in Company D, First Ohio Cavalry, and served three years. He was at the battles
of Pittsburg Landing, Perryville, Stone River, Chickamauga, Missionary Ridge, and participated in many
minor engagements. He was discharged at Washington, D. C., and afterward went to St. Joseph, Mo.,
raising a company of his own, after which he went to Cape Girardeau where he had command as captain
of six companies. He remained there about seven months, when they were mustered out and he went to
Maysville, Mo., where Capt. Case practiced his profession until 1885. Locating at Norfolk, Neb., where he
had a good farm, he remained there for about two years, and then settled in Little Rock, Ark., forming a
partnership with an old planter, William Field, in the real estate and loan business. This they carried on
until October, 1888, when Mr. Case came to Paragould, bought property and located here. He has since
been engaged in the practice of his profession, and has also been occupied in the real estate and loan
business. He is agent for about 200,000 acres of wild land and some good pine land. He also owns
considerable land and property in Greene County. He is prepared to loan money in almost any amount
from $250 upward. Mr. Case was married, first, in 1857, to Miss Mary Warner, by whom he had one
child, Willard. He was married the second time, in 1866, to Miss Amanda Terhune, of Missouri, and two
children were the result: Cora and Harry. Mr. Case's third marriage was to Miss Mattie McDowell, of
Missouri, in 1876. He is a member of the Episcopal Church.
page 128
Dr. R. C. Cavitt. One of the most familiar and welcomed faces in the home of the sick and afflicted of
Greene County, is that of Dr. Cavitt, who administers to the physical wants of his fellowman, in a highly
satisfactory and successful manner, as his many patients, now living, can testify. The Doctor was born in
Henry County, Tenn., but was reared in Obion County, of the same State, where he lived with his father
on a farm. At a very early age he commenced learning the blacksmith trade which he completed, and,
although he has not worked at his trade for over nineteen years, still thinks that his hand has not lost its
cunning, and that he can do as good a piece of work in that line as he ever could. At the age of twenty-
seven he commenced the study of medicine with his brother, B. H. Cavitt, then of Obion County, Tenn.,
and graduated at the expiration of two and a half-years' study at the Vanderbilt University, Nashville,
Tenn. He then moved to Greene County, Ark., locating near Tilmanville, two miles west of Marmaduke
(then not in existence), and here the Doctor, after twelve years of labor, has built up an enviable practice.
After coming to this State he was married to Miss N. E. Jones, a native of Clay County, Ark., and the
daughter of John Jones, who came from Tennessee about 1830. To this marital relation were born two
children: Vera Ethel and Iler Myrtle. Dr. Cavitt has about 120 acres of land in cultivation where he lives,
and which he has had improved to such an extent that it is one of the finest farms in the county. The
Doctor says he intends it to be the best in the county within a year or two at the most. He has always, since
living here, been dealing in cotton, and by care, and by closely watching the market, has managed to
benefit himself very much in that line. He is a member of the I. O. O. F. lodge at Tilmanville, is also a
member of the Masonic fraternity, and in each has filled many of the chairs, holding one position at the
present time. He and Mrs. Cavitt are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South, near
Tilmanville.
page 129
A. T. Chaffin is one of the energetic and progressive farmers and stockmen of Cache Township, Greens
County, Ark., and was born in Georgia in 1832, being the eldest of a family of ten children belonging to
Elias and Sarah (Yearwood) Chaffin, who were born in North Carolina and Georgia, respectively; the
former, besides his association with farming, is a Missionary Baptist minister, and is actively engaged in
preaching the gospel at the present time, although eighty-three years of age. His wife died in 1872 at the
age of sixty-four years. Both grandfathers were soldiers in the War of 1812. A. T. Chaffin was reared on a
farm in Georgia, and in his youth received very limited educational advantages, but managed to attend the
common schools to some extent. When but nineteen years of age he bought a farm and began tilling the
soil, the same year marrying Miss Nancy E. Gosa, who was born in Alabama. They lived on this farm for
ten years, then sold out and came to Arkansas, and soon located in Greene County, where he bought forty
acres of slightly improved land, and in time cleared thirty acres and erected buildings. He continued to
purchase other tracts of land from time to time, on which he also made improvements, and at one time
owned 800 acres of land. He sold off a portion of this, however, and on the remainder has erected six
dwellings, with out-buildings, and on all these places has set out good orchards of well assorted fruits. His
home farm is a fine tract at the foot of Crowley's Ridge, of which sixty acres are under cultivation. In 1861
Mr. Chaffin enlisted in the Confederate army, and was mustered into the service at Little Rock, being
assigned to Bragg's division; and was in the battles of Oak Hill, Corinth, Murfreesboro, Chattanooga,
Chickamauga, Cross Roads, Shiloh, where he was wounded, and was mustered out of service at
Columbus, Miss. He then returned home and resumed farming, which occupation has since received his
attention. He is a Democrat politically, and takes considerable interest in the political affairs of the county.
In 1878 Mrs. Chaffin died, leaving these children: Calvin, who is married and resides in Mississippi;
Benjamin (deceased); Catherine and Roxana, residents of Mississippi; and John Walter, who lives at
home. In 1881 Mr. Chaffin wedded Mrs. Susan (Croft) Shoemaker, [p.129] who was born in Kentucky,
being the daughter of Logan Croft, an early immigrant to Arkansas. By her first husband Mrs. Chaffin
was the mother of three sons: Peter, Thomas and John. Mr. Chaffin is active in promoting the welfare of
schools and churches, as well as the county in which he resides.
William H. Cothren. No matter in what business a man may engage, if he is industrious and fair in his
dealings with his fellow men, he is sure sooner or later to win their confidence, respect and liking, and to
become in time well-to-do in worldly goods. Mr. Cothren possesses these qualities, and as a consequence
stands remarkably high in the estimation of all who know him. He was born in South Carolina in the
month of February, 1842, and at an early day began to fight his own way in the world. When the
Rebellion broke out he left his labors to enlist in the Southern army, joining, June 10, 1861, the Fifth
Arkansas Regiment, and was sent east of the Mississippi, taking part in the battles of Farmington, Shiloh,
Perryville, Murfreesboro (where his shoulder was broken by a minie ball), Chickamauga, and other
engagements of that campaign. He was also at Atlanta, Jonesboro, Franklin, Nashville, Tupelo, and
Smithville, N. C., after which engagement the army surrendered and Mr. Cothren soon returned home. He
was married a short time afterward to Miss Mary Gregory, a native of South Carolina, a daughter of
William Gregory, who came from South Carolina in 1863 and engaged in farming. In 1869 Mr. Cothren
bought a farm of eighty acres, slightly improved, and on this land he began an extensive scale of
improvement, continuing to add to his original purchase until he became the owner of 240 acres, with
about ninety acres cleared. He has excellent buildings and orchards, and has taken great pride in
beautifying his home besides putting his land in good tillable condition. He is engaged in general farming
and gives his attention to raising cotton, corn, wheat. oats, grasses, etc. He is a Democrat in politics, a
patron of education, and has served as school director for eight years. He and family attend the Methodist
Church, of which himself and wife are members. They are the parents of the following children: Nancy
E., wife of Harve Spain; Reuben M., Richard V., and James W. Mr. Cothren is the eldest of seven
children born to the marriage of Jackson Cothren and Sarah Gramling, who were born in South Carolina,
and were engaged in farming in that State until the father's death in 1857, after which the mother came to
Arkansas and resided with her father, Reuben Gramling, who, with his sons, was among the earliest
settlers of the west side of Crowley's Ridge.
page 130
Alfred T. Craig, farmer and stock raiser, was born in Tennessee, in 1847, being the second of five
children born to Andrew and Jane (Lambath) Craig, the former a native of Tennessee, and the latter of
North Carolina. The maternal grandfather was born in the “Old North State,” and came to Tennessee at a
very early day, settling in the western part of the State, where he was engaged extensively in farming, and
died in 1888, at the age of eighty-three years. His father was a soldier in the Revolution, and served
throughout the entire war. The paternal grandparents were Virginians. Andrew Craig was also an
extensive farmer, and died in 1863. His widow still survives him and lives on the old homestead in
Tennessee. Alfred T. Craig worked on the home farm in his youth and received but little schooling. At the
age of seventeen he left home and went to North and Middle Tennessee, where he resided for over a year,
then went to Texas and was engaged in the distilling business for one year, after which he returned to
Tennessee, and soon after married Miss Martha Brown, a native of Tennessee, and a daughter of Hiram
Brown, of the same State, a well known farmer in his section. In 1868 Mr. Craig purchased a farm on
which he lived for three years, and on the 3d of December, 1871, came to Arkansas and settled in Greene
County, where he bought 120 acres of wild land. On this he immediately began making improvements,
and up to the present time has opened up some seventy-five acres, about all of which is under fence and in
a high state of cultivation. He has two acres in orchard. His stock is of a good grade, his hogs being Jersey
Reds and Berkshires, and his cattle part Jersey. [p.130] Mr. Craig is a Democrat, and has held the office
of school director for eight years. To him and wife were born fourteen children, twelve of whom are
living: Andrew, who died in infancy; Fannie Ella, wife of John Jones; William Charles, James Alfred,
Mary Elizabeth, Lucy, John, who died at the age of nine months; Rosa Lee, Eli, Van, Winston, Francis
Clyne and Frances (twins), and James Adaline. In 1886 Mr. Craig bought eighty acres of land on Eight
Mile Creek, which is a choice piece of bottom land, and is improved with two good houses. Forty acres are
under cultivation. His son William resides on and tills this farm.
J. W. Craven, a successful planter residing near Paragould, was born in Randolph County, of the “Old
North State,” February 22, 1834, being the fourth of eleven children born to Andrew R. and Elizabeth W.
(Garner) Craven, who were also born in that State. In 1840 the father emigrated to Georgia, and two years
later to Mississippi, where he opened up a large plantation on which he resided thirteen years, moving
then to Tennessee. In January, 1855, he came to Greene County, Ark., and settled near where his son now
resides, on 640 acres of land, 100 acres of which he cleared and improved, and here lived until his death,
March 30, 1867, at the age of sixty-five years. His wife died in Mississippi in the fall of 1845. J. W.
Craven received a common education in the schools of Mississippi, and besides becoming familiar with
the details of farm work, learned the blacksmith's trade, which occupation he followed for some years. He
assisted in clearing the home farm, and was married in Hardeman County, Tenn., in 1853, to Miss L. M.
Daniel, a native of that State, and a daughter of Ephraim and Penelope (Mundon) Daniel, who were born
in North Carolina, and emigrated to Tennessee in 1840, and in 1855 to Greene County, Ark. Here the
father died on his farm, in 1876, his wife's death having occurred four years earlier. After his marriage,
Mr. Craven settled down to farming in Tennessee, but in 1855 bought an eighty-acre timber tract in
Greene County, Ark., on which he erected a cabin, and commenced clearing and improving. He now has
120 acres, with eighty-five under cultivation, which he devotes principally to raising corn. In 1863 he
enlisted in the Home Guards under Capt. Kirkendall, and in September of the same year, joined the
infantry under Capt. Anderson, holding the rank of second lieutenant. In December, 1863, he was
honorably discharged, but in 1864 joined the cavalry, and was in the fight at Little Rock, and several other
engagements. Since the war he has been engaged in farming. He votes with the Democratic party, but is
not active in politics. He has held the office of justice of the peace for about seven years, and being an
active supporter of the cause of education, is now a member of the school board. He also assisted in re-
organizing the county. Socially he is a member of the Agricultural Wheel, and also a member of
Paragould Lodge No. 368. F. & A. M. He and wife are members of the Baptist Church, and are active
workers for the cause of Christianity. Seven of their nine children are living: Andrew Nelson (died in
1863, at the age of ten years). Mary Jane (died in 1858, aged two years and six months). Julia Ann (Mrs.
Morgan), Martha T. (Mrs. Gwyn), John W., Lillie C., Eliza C., Sarah Elizabeth and William L., all
members of the Baptist Church. Mr. Craven can remember when there was only one public road in the
county, and when Cape Girardean was their nearest market.
page 131
J. W. Crawford. Prominent among the many esteemed and respected citizens of Paragould stands the
name of the above mentioned gentleman, who was born in Orange County. N. C., June 4, 1854, and who
is the son of William and Elizabeth (Howard) Crawford, both natives of North Carolina. They are still
residents of that State, and the father is a farmer by occupation. Their family consists of ten living
children, five sons and five daughters. J. W. Crawford was reared on the farm, in Orange County. N. C.,
receiving his education in the common schools. and in 1868 went to Tennessee, locating in Fayette
County. He was but a boy at this time, and engaged as clerk in a store, which business he followed most of
his time while in Tennessee. In 1877 he came to Arkansas, locating at Gainesville, Greene County, and
sold liquors for two years. He then embarked [p.131] in mercantile pursuits, which he carried on until his
removal to Paragould, in 1885, and was one of the first business men of the town. Previous to this, in
1880, he married Miss Sadie Glasscock, daughter of Capt. H. W. Glasscock, and the result of this union is
two children: Guy E. and Henry V. Mr. Crawford continued his mercantile business at Paragould until
1888, when he sold out, and has since been practically retired, although he turns his attention somewhat
to real estate speculations. He owns a half-interest in the Gager Hotel, which is a fine brick building, and
a credit to Paragould; and he is also the owner of a good farm adjoining the corporation of Paragould. No
man has been more active in improving this place than has Mr. Crawford. He is a member of the Masonic
fraternity.
page 132
Hon, Benjamin H. Crowley is a wealthy farmer and an eminent lawyer of Greene County, Ark., and is
State Senator from the First Senatorial District of Arkansas. His birth occurred in 1836, and he is the only
child born to the marriage of Samuel Crowley and Sallie Hutchins, who were born respectively in
Kentucky and Tennessee. The paternal grandfather was a Georgian, who removed to Kentucky at an early
day, where he met and married Miss Annie Wylie, a supposed native of that State, and there made his
home, being engaged in farming and stock-raising and dealing on a very extensive scale until 1821, when
he came with his family, which consisted of his wife and eight children, five boys and three girls, to what
is now Greene County (then Lawrence). At that time the country was very sparsely settled, he being the
only settler within a radius of many miles. He located on a tract of land consisting of 240 acres, and gave
his name to a ridge of land running for more than 200 miles through Arkansas and 100 miles in Missouri.
Here he erected a dwelling house, opened about fifty acres of land for cultivation, set out orchards, and
became one of the thriftiest farmers and best-known men in Northeastern Arkansas. All his children
settled near him, where their descendants are still residing. He died about 1842 at the age of eighty-four
years, and his wife's death occurred in 1850, she never having married again after his death. Samuel
Crowley, the father of our subject, was married in 1832 to Miss Sallie Hutchins, whose parents came from
Tennessee to Arkansas and settled where Paragould is now situated, where the father died in 1887, having
been an extensive farmer and stockman. She subsequently married a man by the name of Robert H.
Halley. In his youth Benjamin H. Crowley attended the common schools and at the age of nineteen years
he entered the Wallace Institute, which he attended one year. After spending several years in Greene
County he removed to Scott County, where he had previously lived with his mother. On the 10th of May,
1858, he was married to Miss Elizabeth J. Crowley, a cousin, and a daughter of W. Crowley, and when
the war broke out he left home and friends and the peaceful pursuit of farming to enlist in the Confederate
service. He was in nearly all the battles of importance that were fought in the Southwest, and was soon
promoted to the rank of lieutenant, and later was made captain of Company H, Nineteenth Infantry, and at
the close of the war was commanding a company of cavalry. He was captured in Scott County after the fall
of Little Rock, and was in confinement at various places for fifteen months. During this time, while at
Johnson's Island, Lake Erie, he and a number of other officers formed a class and began the study of
Blackstone, and after his return home he continued his legal studies until 1871, when he was admitted to
the bar and, in 1874, was admitted to practice in the Federal courts, and in 1888 in the Supreme Courts of
Arkansas. Immediately after the war he traveled for some time in Texas, and then returned to Arkansas
and settled down to farming in Cache Township, Greene County. In 1868, when Clayton's militia were
over-running the State, and when they had stationed themselves at Jonesboro and arrested a number of the
best citizens of the town, Capt. Crowley raised 100 picked men in his county and went to their rescue.
There was a fight at Willis' Mills and his company lost one man and had several wounded, while the
militia lost several men and were driven back to Jonesboro. Afterward Capt. Crowley succeeded in
effecting a compromise whereby all prisoners taken by the militia were released, and peace and order
were once more restored in that section of the State. To this day Capt. Crowley's efforts in preventing
strife and restoring order are remembered with pleasure and gratitude by those whose lives and property
were endangered. In 1869 he bought the old homestead settled by his grandfather, which had been out of
possession of the family for several years, and with this his lands amount to about 4,000 acres in Greene
county, 500 of which are in a highly cultivated condition. He is the most extensive farmer in the
county and is also largely interested in stock-raising and dealing. He has cleared over 200 acres of land,
has erected many buildings, and in 1880 built his present commodious and substantial residence, it being
situated on a natural building site. In 1880 his wife died, leaving a family of six children: Victoria, wife of
Dr. J. D. Sibert, of this county; Cynthia H., Nannie P., wife of E. R. Page, residing in Crowley Township;
Lucian G., Bell and Ben. H. On the 26th of June, 1881, he married his present wife, whose maiden name
was Miss R. L. Fielder, a native of Tennessee. They have two children, Thomas Garland, who is deceased,
and Sallie Alice. Mr. Crowley is an eminent lawyer and has won an enviable reputation among his legal
brethren in Arkansas. He has always been an active politician, and in 1872 was elected representative to
the State legislature. The poll-books were at that time destroyed, but the Captain secured his seat and
secured a new election for the county officers, who were all elected on the Democratic ticket. He was in
the stormy session of 1884, and during this time declined a commission as colonel from Gov. Baxter. In
1876 he was elected to the State Senate from the First District of Arkansas and in 1888 was re-elected by a
very large majority. He is one of the most useful members of that body, and is a fluent and forcible
speaker, sound in his views. In the space allotted in this volume it would be impossible to give a detailed
account of his public and private career, or to speak at length of his many sterling social and business
qualities; suffice it to say that in every walk in life his career has been above reproach. He was the author
of the bill for the organization of Clay County, and was also the author of several other important
measures.
Henry Cupp, one of Greene County's leading farmers, is a native of Georgia, where he was born January
10, 1839. In the same year his father emigrated from that State to Craighead County, Ark., where he
remained but one year, when he again moved, this time selecting Greene County. There he was very
successful at farming until his death, February 17, 1871. His wife hardly survived him a year, but died
January 18, 1872. Mr. and Mrs. Cupp, reared a family of nine children, five of whom are yet living. Henry
Cupp was but a child when his parents came to this State, and he was reared to farm life. He had very
limited school opportunities, but has all his life been an industrious farmer; and through his practical
knowledge of farming, has been successful. He owns a large well-stocked farm, much of it under
cultivation. He has been married four times, and is the father of seven children, two of whom, Sarah Ann
(born October 18, 1867) and Emeline (born February 2, 1871) are the only survivors. His first wife was
Margaret Dennis, and after her death, he chose Lucy Stevens, who was born December 2, 1841. His third
marriage was with Nancy Smith, who died in 1884. Mrs. Cupp, whose maiden name was Emeline Lane,
was born November 21, 1862, and is a true wife and benevolent woman. Mr. Cupp is one of the prominent
farmers and stock raisers of the county, has decided political views, and is interested in progress and
development.
page 133
F. M. Daulton, editor and proprietor of the Greene County Events, is a resident of Gainesville, Ark., but
was born in Ralls County, Mo., in 1832, and after acquiring a common school education and attaining a
suitable age he commenced working on the Quincy Herald, at Quincy, Ill. After serving a five-years'
apprenticeship, he returned to Shelbyville, Mo., and established the Spectator in 1853, which he
conducted until the breaking out of the war, when he gave up this work to enlist as major in the Twenty-
first Missouri. [p.133] He served about two years, and was shot through the neck at the battle of Iuka, in
Mississippi. After receiving his discharge he went to Ohio, where he spent two or three years, and next
located in Indiana, being engaged in publishing papers in both these States. After coming to Greene
County, Ark., in 1878, he established the Press, and in 1882 his present paper, which has a circulation of
over 500; this is a paper pure in tone and fearless in its attacks upon the popular short-comings of the day.
He was first married to Miss M. M. Connor, who died, having borne the following children: Emma
(Hindman), living, and Jennie and Frank, deceased, the latter being killed in 1867, while braking on the
Iron Mountain Railroad. Mr. Daulton took for his second wife Miss Lizzie Lauker, by whom he has five
children: William, Charles, Daniel, Delia and Benjamin.
R. T. Daniel, a merchant and farmer of Clark Township, Greene County, was born in 1837 in Tennessee,
and is the fifth of a family of nine children born to Ephraim and Pennie (Mundson) Daniel, who were
Tennesseeans. The father was a sturdy son of the soil, and when our subject was a child removed to
Mississippi, where he was engaged in farming until 1855. At that date he came to Greene County, Ark.,
and settled on the farm on which R. T. Daniel is now residing, which consisted of 200 acres. He improved
this farm very much and soon had quite an extensive tract under cultivation and furnished with good
buildings. R. T. Daniel remained with his parents until twenty-five years of age, then marrying Miss
Elizabeth Pilmore, who was born in Mississippi and came with her parents to Arkansas at an early day.
Soon after he erected a cottage on his father's farm. and began tilling the soil for himself on forty acres of
land purchased from his father. Later he bought eighty acres more. and at his father's death, in 1870,
inherited the remainder. When the war broke out he enlisted in Capt. Anderson's company, and was with
Gen. Shelby on his raid through Missouri, and was in the battle of Cape Girardeau, where he was
wounded. He was also at Helena, Devall's Bluff. Little Rock. Camden and Saline River. While with Price
on his raid through Missouri he was in the engagements at Iron Mountain, Independence, Blue Lick,
Boonville and Kansas City. He then retreated to Texas and surrendered at Pine Bluff. After his return
home he resumed farming successfully, continuing until 1887, when he received a stroke of paralysis, and
has not been able to do hard labor since. He is now conducting a general mercantile store on his farm,
which is netting him a fair income. Sixty acres of his place are under cultivation, and he devotes it to
raising corn, cotton, etc. He and wife are the parents of the following children: James, who is married to
Miss Nancy Fielder; Eliza Jane, wife of Jeff Adams; Henry, Thomas, Pollie, and Sarah Elizabeth. The
family worship in the Methodist Episcopal Church, South. Mr. Daniel has served as school director and
has always taken a deep interest in educational matters, as well as all other worthy enterprises.
page 134
Dr. John M. Davis, druggist, of Paragould, and son of Dr. James S. and Nancy E.(Farmer) Davis, was
born in Limestone County, Ala., December 31, 1840. His parents were both natives of Alabama, and
removed to Marshall County, Miss., in 1844, going in 1850 to Salem, that State, and thence to Iuka,
where the father died. Dr. James S. Davis was a graduate of Jefferson Medical College of Philadelphia,
and was also a graduate of the Louisville Medical College. He was a very prominent physician and noted
surgeon, and people came from a great distance for his treatment. He practiced from 1844 to 1879, a
period of about thirty-five years. He was one of the members of the secession convention of Mississippi,
and signed the declaration of independence for that purpose. He was a surgeon in the late war and in
command of a company a portion of the time. His wife is still living, and is a resident of Iuka, Miss. They
were the parents of ten children, five now living, of whom Dr. John M. Davis is the eldest. He was
principally reared and educated in Mississippi, and at the age of sixteen began the study of medicine with
the intention of later following that profession, but about this time the war broke out which prevented him
from further pursuing his studies. He shouldered [p.134] his musket, marched to the front and enlisted in
the Tenth Alabama Cavalry Regiment, serving over three years. He was ensign of his regiment, with the
rank of first lieutenant, and was in all the principal engagements–Shiloh, Atlanta, Days Gap, etc. His
whole service was in the cavalry. At Pulaski, during Hood's advance on Franklin, Mr. Davis received a
severe gun-shot wound, the ball passing through his body at the side of the abdomen. He had the honor of
carrying home the captured Federal flag and also his own flag. At the close of the war he returned to
Mississippi, and engaged in merchandising, which he conducted for four years. After this he went to the
Lone Star State, resuming the mercantile business at Tyler and Fort Worth, where he remained until
1880, then returning to Mississippi. One year later, he came to Paragould where he embarked in the drug
business, which he still continues. He was one of the first business men of Paragould, and is the oldest
druggist in point of residence in Greene County. He carries a general line of drugs, etc. He was married,
April 3, 1861, to Miss Altie E. Robbins, a native of Alabama, and the fruits of this union were nine
children, seven now living: Nannie A., wife of P. W. Mass, editor of the Thayer (Mo.) Tribune; William
S., Maggie, Russell J., Hattie A., Thomas B. and Sallie B. Dr. and Mrs. Davis are members of the
Methodist Episcopal Church, and he is superintendent of the Sunday-school. He belongs to the Masonic
fraternity, the I. O. O. F., and is also a member of the K. of H., being treasurer of that organization. He is
city treasurer, and treasurer of the Building and Loan Association.
page 135
L. T. Dennis, a successful farmer and justice of the peace of Cache Township, Greene County, Ark., is a
native of the county, born in 1843, being the second of ten children born to Robert and Ellen (Tompkins)
Dennis, natives of Tennessee and Kentucky, respectively, who came to Arkansas with their parents during
the early history of this State. On his arrival in Arkansas, in 1837, Robert Dennis entered and purchased
land in what is known as St. Francis Township, and on this he lived and made improvements until about
1848, when he sold out and entered a tract of forty acres on the west side of Crowley's Ridge, on which he
lived ten years. This he sold and bought eighty acres in the same locality, clearing nearly the entire tract,
and making many other improvements, and here resided until his death on the 20th of December, 1867,
followed by his widow, February 14, 1881. The maternal grandfather, Lawrence Tompkins, came from
Kentucky to Arkansas about 1833, and settled on the east side of Crowley's Ridge, and was one of some
six families that were among the first settlers. Here he resided until his death, being an active participant
in the development of the county. L. T. Dennis, whose name heads this sketch, was reared to farm labor,
and in his youth received quite meager educational advantages, but by applying himself to his books at
home. secured a fair education. He remained with his father until twenty-two years of age, then married
Miss Nancy Ann Newsom, a daughter of Sterling Newsom, who was a Tennesseean, and came to
Arkansas at an early day. After his marriage Mr. Dennis bought a slightly improved farm of seventy-five
acres. and on this tract he located and began making improvements in the way of clearing and building.
After about ten years his house caught fire and was consumed, but the same year he purchased 325 acres
of land, erected a new dwelling and began a fresh start in life. He has opened about seventy five acres, set
out orchards, and otherwise greatly improved his property. In 1885 he erected a new residence on a
natural building site, and his surroundings are now most pleasant. On the 16th of December, 1874, Mr.
Dennis lost his estimable wife and the following year he married Miss Martha Jane Gramlin, a daughter
of Rawlins Gramlin, who came from North Carolina to Arkansas in 1857, and settled on the west side of
Crowley's Ridge. To his first union were born the following children: William Pleasant and Mary Jane
living, and Henry Albert, Robert Sterling and an infant deceased. His second union has resulted in the
birth of seven children: Lawrence M., who died at the age of four years: James Edward, Walter Anderson,
Leopold Leaton and Gopel Wiley, twins: Lucy Ellen. and Thomas [p.135] Jefferson. In 1862 Mr. Dennis
enlisted in Jefferson Thompson's artillery company and was sent to the division of the Missouri, and was
on the Arkansas Ram when she ran the blockade past Memphis; he was also on the same vessel when
she ran the blockade at the mouth of the Yazoo River. He was then transferred to the infantry, and in the
fall was in the battle of Corinth, and was also at Grand Gulf, Port Gibson, Baker's Creek, and in
Vicksburg during the siege of forty-nine days, after which he was paroled and returned home, but again
enlisted in July, 1864, joining a cavalry company, and during the remainder of that year was in and
around Little Rock. While there he met with an accident and was compelled to return home, and took no
further part in the war. He is now engaged in general farm work and devotes about seventy-five acres of
his farm to the culture of corn, forty acres to cotton and ten acres each to wheat, oats and clover. He is
quite an active politician, votes with the Democratic party, and has served as justice of the peace ten years,
and as school director six years. He belongs to the Baptist Church and his wife to the Methodist.
L. G. Dillman, manufacturer of plain lumber and building material at Paragould, was born in Stark
County, Ohio, April 15, 1830, and is the son of Jacob Dillman, a native of Pennsylvania, and Maria
(Crocker) Dillman, of Vermont nativity. The parents were married in Ohio, and here the father followed
the cabinet-maker's trade, although his principal occupation was farming. He was one of the pioneers of
Williams County, Ohio, and when first settling there his nearest neighbor was fifteen miles distant. He
died in Ohio in 1869. The mother died in 1842. They were the parents of six children, only two now
living: Lemuel G., and Susan, wife of Dwight Stoddard. A brother, Sylvester Dillman, was killed at the
battle of Winchester, Va., and his widow has been postmistress at Toledo, Iowa, for several years. L. G.
Dillman remained on the farm in Ohio until twenty-one years of age, and in 1851 went to St. Joseph
County. Ind., where he was engaged in the lumber business for several years. In 1864 he enlisted in
cessation of hostilities. He remained in St. Joseph County, Ind., being engaged principally in the lumber
business, until coming to Arkansas. In 1876 he went to Nashville, Tenn., and put up a machinery plant for
the Indiana Lumbering Company. In 1881 he came to Arkansas, located at Bradford, on the Iron
Mountain Railroad and put up a saw-mill, but sold out in a short time and put up a foundry and machine
shop at Newport, which he ran for about one year. He then sold out and came to Greene County, and has
since made Paragould his headquarters. He has had several saw-mills in this and Craighead Counties. He
was married in 1853 to Miss Margaret Vanderhoof, a native of Rochester, N. Y., by whom he has two
children, Frank, and Arl, who is at school at Cape Girardeau. Mr. and Mrs. Dillman are members of the
Methodist Episcopal Church. He is a member of the G. A. R.
page 136
A. L. Dover, proprietor of a saw and grist-mill and cotton-gin, situated near the Fair Ground in Clark
Township, was born in Blount County, Ala., in 1848, and was the third in a family of nine children born
to B. A. and Patsy (Fielding) Dover, the former a native of North Carolina and the latter of Georgia. They
settled in Alabama in 1847, where the father opened up a farm and resided several years, and in 1868
moved to Poinsett County, Ark., where he settled and improved another farm. Since 1874 he has lived in
Greene County. His wife died in 1884. A. L. Dover received his early education in Alabama, and after
coming to Poinsett County began farming for himself, and like his father has resided in Greene County
since 1874. The year following his location here he purchased a tract of land containing 128 acres, which
was heavily covered with timber, and commenced immediately to clear it. He now has sixty acres under
cultivation, which are well improved with good buildings and orchard. In 1876 he was married to Miss
Tennessee V. Yates, a daughter of Henderson and Martha Yates, who were born in Tennessee and
Virginia, respectively; the father came to Greene County, Ark, in 1875, his wife having died in Tennessee
the year before. Mr. Yates is now residing in Paragould. Mr. Dover votes with [p.136] the Democratic
party, and was elected on that ticket to the office of magistrate, which position he held four years. He has
always taken an interest in school matters and is now a member of the school board. Socially he belongs to
the Masonie fraternity and the I. O. O. F., Paragould Lodge. He and wife became the parents of five
children. three of whom are living: William Wallace, Leander Byrd and Henderson Franklin. Arthur
Bruce died at the age of one year, and Major Osear died when two years of age.
J. C. Field. Among the many wealthy farmers of Greene County, Ark., well worthy an honorable place in
these columns may be mentioned Mr. Field, who was born in Cross County, Ark., in 1849, and is the
fourth in a family of six children born to John and Catherine (Curtis) Field. who were born, reared and
married in Maury County, Tenn., where the father was engaged in tilling the soil. In 1848 he removed
with his family to Arkansas, purchased a tract of 160 acres, which he improved, and then sold out and
moved to Poinsett County, in 1875, where he bought a farm, on which he died, in 1880. His wife died
while they were residing in Cross County. J. C. Field received the education and rearing that usually fall
to the farmer's boy, and at the age of twenty-four years began farming for himself, making his first crop on
Buffalo Island. The next year he came to Greene County, and from time to time purchased land until he
became the owner of 560 acres of some of the best land in the county. He cleared about 175 acres of
timber land, and now has at least 200 acres under cultivation. He has erected good buildings on his
property, set out orchards, and has done general farming, raising cotton and the cereals, and this year has
devoted about sixty acres to corn and 140 to cotton. He has some good stock, and his first labors are
meeting with deserved success. In 1874 he was united in marriage to Miss Mary Gulches, by whom he has
two children: Jefferson and James.
page 137
B. C. Gallup, proprietor of the City Bakery and Confectionery Store, Paragould. In this city are found
quite a number of prosperous establishments, and of none can mention be made with more pleasure than
of the bakery of B. C. Gallup-Mr. Gallup was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, on the 12th of August, 1840, and
is the son of Henry and Elizabeth Gallup, the father a native of Massachusetts, of French descent, and a
fluent speaker of three different languages. He was a carpenter by trade, and after his removal to Quincy,
Ill., in 1841, he built the first Methodist Episcopal Church on Vermont Street. He died in that city, as did
also his wife, leaving B. C. Gallup, who was then but an infant. A guardian was appointed for the little
orphan, but, after growing up, his relations with his guardian were not of the most pleasant nature, and
consequently he took French leave of him. and engaged as cook on a Mississippi steamer, serving in that
capacity for about five years. During this time he learned the turner's trade, but did not put it to immediate
use, for in 1857 he engaged in the bakery business in Quincy, Ill., where he remained until the breaking
out of the Civil War. He then left the bakery to shoulder a musket, and in 1861 enlisted in the Tenth
Illinois Infantry, and served three years. He was at the battles of Belmont, Tiptonville, Shiloh,
Farmington, Corinth, Iuka, Nashville, Chattanooga, and at Atlanta, being under fire for three months. He
was at Missionary Ridge, Resaca, Dalton, etc., but never received anything but a flesh wound. He was
mustered out in 1865, and returned to Quincy, Ill., where he continued until 1868. From there he went to
Kansas City, remained there a few years, and then went to Missouri, but only tarried in that State a short
time, and then went to Kansas, Colorado, and thence to Texas, where he was engaged on journey-work.
After residing in that State for six or seven years, he came to Greene County, Ark., in 1884, and located in
Paragould, when there were but few business men in town. He bought a little property, and immediately
embarked in business for himself. He has built up a good trade, and by his upright and honest dealings has
won the confidence of his patrons. He has bought considerable town property, and is doing well. While in
Kansas City he married Miss Katie Lightman, who bore him four children, all deceased. Mr. [p.137]
Gallup's second marriage was at Jacksonport, Ark., in December, 1881, to Miss Hannah E. Bickel, a
native of Ohio. One child, now deceased, was born to this union. Mr. Gallup is a member of the G. A. R.,
and also belongs to the I. O. O. F.
Richard H. Gardner, ex-county clerk and surveyor of Greene County, Ark., is a gentleman of wide
experience, who has been actively interested in politics from his youth up. He was born in Weakley
County, Tenn., in 1831, and is a son of Richard W. and Eliza (Thomas) Gardner, who were of English
and German descent, having been born in Virginia and South Carolina in 1808 and 1811, and died in
Tennessee in 1852 and 1842, respectively, The former was taken to Kentucky when a boy, by his father,
John A. Gardner, and there resided until 1825 or 1826, when he moved to Tennessee, and there spent the
remainder of his days. He was a soldier in the Mexican War under Gen. Cheatham, of Tennessee, serving
as surgeon, having graduated from the Louisville Medical College in 1845. He practiced in the State of
Mississippi for a short time after the war, when he returned to Tennessee and resumed practice. He was
always a strong advocate of temperance. Four of the eight children born to himself and wife lived to be
grown, and two are living at the present time: Jerome A. and Richard H. The latter lived in Weakley
County, Tenn., until eleven years of age, and was then sent to Franklin College, near Nashville, where he
remained until he was twenty-one years of age. He engaged in civil engineering in Tennessee, Kentucky
and Mississippi, continuing from 1852 to 1855, and then clerked in a steam flouring-mill for two years,
after which he came west, and in 1857 located at Oak Bluff, Greene County, Ark., where he was occupied
in merchandising for a short time, and was then elected assessor and deputy clerk, serving until 1861.
When the war broke out he enlisted in the Confederate army and commanded a company as captain in the
battles of Pleasant Grove, Helena and Pleasant Hill. After the war he returned home and was appointed to
the office of county clerk for six months, being re-elected in 1866 for two years. In 1870 he was elected
county surveyor, holding the position ten years, and in 1882 was again elected county clerk, which he
held for four years. In January, 1887, after retiring from office, he came to his present place of abode. He
is a strong advocate of churches and schools, and has been a liberal contributor to both. He was married in
1856 to Miss Sarah Towles, of Nashville, Tenn., who died in 1880, leaving a family of nine children, six
of whom are now living: Arthur C., Flora G., Oliver W., Albert D., Ada B. and Nerly R. Stapleton died at
the age of twenty-one; Elmore at the age of twelve years, and Algernon, when three years of age. Mr.
Gardner took for his second wife, Lucretia C. Harris, who died in 1881, having borne one child, which
died in infancy. In 1882 he married his present wife, Mrs. Ann E. Thomp son, who was born in the State
of Mississippi. in 1844, and when fourteen years of age came to Arkansas, where she grew to maturity.
She and Mr. Gardner are the parents of two children: Berah B. and Kathleen. One son was born to her
first marriage named James Thompson. Mr. Gardner belongs to the Christian Church, and his wife to the
Methodist Episcopal Church, South. She was the widow of Isaac Thompson, and the daughter of James
and Jane Johnston, who came to Arkansas in 1858. Here the father died in 1872 at the age of sixty-nine
years, and the mother in 1886, aged seventy-six years. The former was a merchant in Mississippi until his
failure in business, then selling clocks until he was able to resume mercantile pursuits, which he did in
Gainesville, Ark. He and wife became the parents of eight children, Mrs. Gardner being one of four now
living.
page 138
G. L. Gentry, a successful planter residing near Paragould, Ark., was born in 1841 in Weakley County,
Tenn., being the eighth of twelve children born to the marriage of J. R. Gentry and Sarah Nance, the
former a native of Tennessee and the latter of Virginia. In 1858 they located near Gainesville, Ark., in
which the father died in 1884, having been a prominent resident of the county. The mother is still living,
and resides at Paragould. G. L. Gentry was reared to manhood [p.138] on a farm in Tennessee, and in
1858 came to Greene County, Ark., enlisting from this county, in 1861, in Company K, Fifth Arkansas
Volunteers, under Col. Cross, and went into service at Columbus, Ky. He was a member of a scouting
party along the Red River, and in 1862 was honorably discharged at Bowling Green, Ky. After his return
home he joined Gen. Marmaduke, and was with him for some time. In 1869 he was married to Miss
Angeline McWhirter, of Tennessee, a daughter of John and Matilda (Yarber) McWhirter, who were also
born in that State, coming to Arkansas at a very early day, in which State they both died. After his
marriage Mr. Gentry settled near Gainesville, and in 1873 bought a partly improved farm of 200 acres,
but sold it some time later and went to Paragould, where he engaged in the saw-mill business (in 1881).
Three years later he embarked in grist-milling, and also operated a cotton-gin, which he sold in 1887, and
returned to the farm. Sixty acres of his 100-acre farm are under cultivation, and on it he raises cotton and
cereals. By his wife, who died in 1883, he became the father of the following children: Joseph W.,
Laurettie, Oney, Gilbert W., Albert and Willis, all of whom are at home. In 1884 Mr. Gentry married his
present wife, whose maiden name was Frances Drollender, of Tennessee, a daughter of William and
Elizabeth (Bond) Drollender, of Tennessee, both of whom are deceased, the latter dying in Paragould in
1887. Mr. Gentry has seen a vast change in the country since his boyhood days, as it was then in a very
wild and unsettled condition. He is a member of the A. F. & A. M., and was Worshipful Master of
Gainesville Lodge for a number of years, and in 1887 filled the same position in Paragould Lodge No.
368. He is a member of the Agricultural Wheel, and although a Democrat, is not very active in polities. A
station on the Iron Mountain Railroad, midway between Paragould and Gainesville, is called Gentry in
honor of our subject.
H. W. Glasscock, mayor of Paragould and real estate dealer, was born in Randolph County, Ark.,
February 19, 1834, and is the son of George W. and Catherine (Gray) Glasscock, natives of Tennessee.
The parents were married in their native State, and in about 1830 they emigrated to Arkansas, locating in
Randolph County, and were among its very first settlers. Here the father died in 1834 and the mother
three days later. They were the parents of seven children, three now living: William, Henry W., and
George F. When the parents first made their home in Arkansas, the country was a wilderness, and wild
animals were plentiful, the red man's face frequently being seen at the door of the log cabin. H. W.
Glasscock was reared in Randolph County, Ark., until twelve years of age, when he moved to Gainesville,
Greene County. He was educated principally at Gainesville and in Mississippi. In 1858 he was elected
county clerk of Greene County, and served until after the war. In 1861 he enlisted in the first regiment
that was organized in Greene County, and left a deputy to attend to his business. He served in the eastern
army and was discharged in 1862 on account of his health. He then came home and re-enlisted in
Kitchens' regiment in the cavalry, and was in command of Company E, serving until the surrender; he
was on the raid through Missouri. After returning to his home he took charge of the clerk's office, and in
1868 engaged in mercantile business at Gainesville, which he continued until 1883, when he sold out and
came to Paragould. Since that time he has been occupied in the real estate business. He owns about 12,000
acres of land, with some 600 under cultivation. His lands are among the best in the country, as he has
been investing and buying since 1857. Mr. Glasscock was elected mayor of Paragould in April, 1888,
which position he is now filling. He was married first in 1858 to Miss Amanda Conduff, by whom he had
our children, two now living: H. F. and Sudie. His second marriage was to Mrs. Emily J. Williamson, by
whom he has six children, four now living: John, Jennie, Etta and Albert (twins). Mr. and Mrs.
Glasscock and family are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and Mr. Glasscock is a member of
the Masouic fraternity and Knights of Pythias. He is one of the prominent and leading citizens of his
vicinity.
page 139
M. C. Gramling, who is one of the first and most successful farmers and stock raisers of Greene County,
Ark., was born in Spartanburg County, S. C., November 29, 1839, and is the eldest in a family of twelve
children born to the marriage of Benjamin M. and Mary (Wilson) Gramling, also natives of the “Palmetto
State,” who were there engaged in farming until 1858, when they came to Arkansas and settled in Greene
County. Here they entered a tract of 160 acres, and began immediately to make improvements, opening
about seventy-five acres of land, erecting good buildings and setting out orchards. After living on this
tract for about sixteen years the father sold out and purchased 100 acres in Cache Township, which he
also greatly improved. He is here living at the present time, and is in his seventy-first year. M. C.
Gramling, our subject, has always been familiar with farm labor, and assisted his father until twenty-one
years of age, when he became an employé of the Government in draining this section of the State. At the
breaking out of the Rebellion he enlisted in Company D, Fifth Arkansas Infantry, and was assigned to the
Army of the Tennessee, and was with Gen. Joe Johnston, participating in the battles of Perryville,
Murfreesboro, Corinth, where he was promoted to the rank of lieutenant, and Chickamauga. In this
engagement, while his company was making a charge, and he was crying to his comrades “Come on,
boys,” he was wounded by a bullet striking him in the cheek. He was also at Ringgold, Resaca, where he
was wounded in the thigh, and Jonesboro. Ga., where he lost his left arm by the explosion of a shell on the
1st of September, 1864. He remained in the field until the close of the war, then returned to Arkansas, and
in 1866 was married to Miss Mary Smith, a native of South Carolina, and a daughter of William and
Elizabeth (Otts) Smith, who were also from South Carolina, and emigrated to Arkansas in 1859, settling
on 160 acres of land in Greene County. They were very successful, and in time became the owners of
1,100 acres of land. The father died in September, 1878, but the mother is still living. In 1866 Mr.
Gramling located at Gainesville, where he started a general store, and in the fall of the same year he was
elected assessor of Greene County, for one term of two years. In the spring of this year he was appointed
treasurer of the county till the election of a successor, but continued also to manage his store for three
years, then moving to St. Francis Township, where he rented land, and made one crop. In 1870 he bought
240 acres of land, and since that time has continued to add to his acreage until he now possesses 560 acres
of fertile land. He has made many improvements on his property, and in 1877 created a handsome
residence, and has also built good barns. Two hundred acres of his land are under cultivation, and two
acres are in orchard. He gives considerable attention to stock raising, and has a full-blooded Holstein bull
imported from Northern Missouri. In 1872 he was elected to the office of county sheriff, and subsequently
was elected county judge, which he held two terms. He has always been active in political and school
matters, and is always interested in every enterprise for the welfare of the county. He and wife are the
parents of the following children: William M., who died on the 6th of August, 1879, aged eleven years,
six months; James M., Alice, Jennie, Joseph F., Earl V., Jesse M., Elbert S., Van W., and Mary. who died
in infancy.
Biographical and Historical Memoirs of Northeast Arkansas
page 140
George A. Gramling is classed among the successful tillers of the soil and stockmen of Cache Township,
Greene County, Ark., of which he is a native, having been born in the year 1859. He is the ninth of eleven
children born to Richard and Cynthia (Brannon) Gramling, whose birthplace was in South Carolina. They
were married in that State, and in 1856 came to Greene County, Ark, settling on the east side of Crowley's
Ridge, where they acquired a large tract of land, 200 acres of which were under cultivation. Here he
erected a building, set out orchards, and made many other improvements, his attention being also largely
given to the propagation of stock. He had a blacksmith's shop on his farm and made the most of the
farming tools for this section. During his long residence in the county he became well known and highly
respected. He died at the age of sixty-three years, in 1882. His widow is still living. [p.140] The paternal
grandfather also came to Greene County, Ark., and became the owner of 200 acres of wild land, which he
improved and on which he resided until his death. George Gramling was reared to farm labor, and at the
age of twenty-two years began farming for himself, buying, at the time of his father's death, the interest in
the home property of all the heirs except two, and is now the owner of the old homestead, which consists
of 640 acres. He has opened about thirty acres, and in partnership with his brother John, in 1888, erected
a saw and grist-mill, and a cotton-gin, doing that year an excellent business, which promises to increase
as time goes on. He carries on a general farming, and has about seventy acres in cotton, and 100 acres in
corn. In 1882 he was married to Miss Lucy Pevehouse, a native of Arkansas, by whom he has three
children: Thomas, Bertie and John. The family attend the Methodist Church.
C. W. Green. To omit the name of Mr. Green from this volume would be to leave out one of the most
prominent and successful farmers of the county, who has not only made himself thoroughly identified with
the farming interests of this section but by his pleasant, genial manner has won a host of friends. He was
born in Forsyth County, Ga., in 1857, and is the son of William J. and M. E. (Garrett) Green, natives of
Georgia. The father was born in the year 1826, and died February 17, 1889, but the mother is still living,
and is in her sixtieth year. They were reared in their native State, were married there, and here the father
carried on farming until 1848 or 1849, when he made a trip to California by water, remaining there
eighteen months, and being successful, returned home by the Isthmus. In 1860 he and family moved to
Arkansas, and located near Gainesville, on the west side of Crowley's Ridge, where they resided eight
years, and then settled on Jones' Ridge, Greene County, where the mother is still living. He served as a
soldier in the Confederate army ten months, and was taken prisoner on the Osage River, in Kansas, in
October, 1864, during Price's raid, being carried thence to Alton, Ill., and later to Rock Island, where he
was confined seven months. He was released in March, 1865, and taken to Richmond, Va., on exchange.
Subsequently he returned to the home place, and there passed the remainder of his life. He held the office
of justice of the peace in Union Township several years, and after he came to Jones Township he again
held that office. He was a Democrat in polities, a leading man of the county, and a strong advocate of
schools. To his marriage were born the following children: Serena N., aged thirty-five years. wife of
William A. J. Compton, who is living in Jones Township; Isaiah N., who died October 17, 1885. aged
twenty-nine years, leaving no children; C. W., and Georgian, wife of Franklin J. Igert. She died June 19,
1888, aged twenty-nine years, leaving no children. C. W. Green attained his majority in Greene County,
where he has resided ever since. In 1879, he, with his father and brothers and sisters, made a trip to
California by railroad, and landing in Stockton, of that State, remained there three months, after which,
the father made a trip to Oregon, to look at the country, but soon returned to Stockton, and with his family
made his way back to old Arkansas, in August of the same year. C. W. Green had but poor educational
advantages, but attended to some extent the subscription and free schools of the county, and in 1880
commenced for himself on the home place. Two years later he married Gertrude Gardner, who was born
in 1865, and who is the daughter of R. H. Gardner [see sketch]. To this marriage were born two children:
Baruie O. and Maude B. Mrs. Green is a member of the Christian Church.
page 141
John W. Halley was born in Scott County, Ark., in the year 1860, and is the youngest in a family of eight
children born to the marriage of Robert Halley and Sarah Crowley, who died when he was an infant. The
mother when married to Mr. Halley was a widow with one child: Capt. Benjamin H. Crowley, whose
sketch appears in this volume. John Halley spent his childhood in the western part of Arkansas, but since
eight years of age he has made his home, the greater portion of the time, with his half brother, Capt.
Crowley. During his youth he received no educational advantages and up to the age of twenty four years
his education [p.141] was acquired by self-application, since which time he has received only the
advantages of the common schools. At the age of eighteen years he rented land and began farming for
himself, and has continued this in connection with teaching school during winter and summer since 1885.
At this date he purchased 280 acres of land in the Cache bottoms, and in 1884 exchanged a portion of this
farm for forty acres near Walcott, on which property there were but eight acres cleared. He opened up the
remainder and now has the entire tract under cultivation and fence. This land is very fertile and last year
(1888) averaged one bale of cotton to the acre. Mr. Halley is a young man whose energy, enterprise and
good business abilities will one day place him among the wealthy residents of the county. He possesses
excellent principles, is public-spirited, and takes a deep interest in worthy enterprises.
Manoah B. Hampton. This name is synonymous in Greene County, Ark., with successful agriculture, for
Mr. Hampton has been one of its enterprising tillers of the soil since 1878. He was born in Lincoln
County, Tenn., in 1841, and is a son of James M. and Melissa (Owen) Hampton, who were also born in
that State, the former's birth occurring in 1812 and the latter's in 1823. The father was reared to maturity
in Lincoln County, Tenn., and there continued to make his home until 1871, then moving to West
Tennessee, where he died in 1876, having been an active member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and
a stanch supporter of Christianity and education. His wife died in Shelby County, Tenn., in 1883; she was
a daughter of William Owen, a prominent farmer of the middle portion of that State, where he died in
1861, being eighty years old. The paternal grandfather. James M. Hampton, was born, reared and married
in North Carolina, and after becoming the father of a number of children. moved to Tennessee and located
on a plantation in Lincoln County, where he became a wealthy planter and slaveholder. He died in 1858
or 1859 at the age of eighty years, he, as well as the maternal grandfather, having been an earnest member
of the Methodist Episcopal Church. The immediate subject of this sketch is one of the following children:
Martin F., Pinkney P., Pleasant R. (deceased), Manoah B., James W., Martha J., Mary (deceased), John
T., Franklin H. (deceased), Narcissa A., Maggie (deceased), and Nancy S. Manoah Hampton attained his
majority in Lincoln County, Tenn., and received his early education in the old log school house. He
remained with his parents until the breaking out of the Civil War, when he enlisted in 1861 in the
Confederate army, in Company K, First Tennessee Regiment, under Col. Turner, and was at first and
second Manassas, Cedar Mountain, under Stonewall Jackson, Sharpsburg, Fredericksburg,
Chancellorsville, Wilderness, Spottsylvania Court House, Gettysburg, Richmond and Petersburg, besides
numerous other engagements. At Hanover Junction he was wounded by a spent cannon ball striking him
in the left side. He was taken prisoner at Shepherdstown, Md., and taken to Baltimore jail, where he and
800 others were condemned to be hung. They were afterward taken to Point Lookout, Md., where they
were kept in prison for eight months, then being exchanged. He, however, remained there until the final
surrender, when he returned home and continued his farm work until 1867. Later he moved to Shelby
County, Tenn., and in 1878 to Arkansas, as above stated. He has an excellent farm here, with 100 acres of
it under cultivation, and is doing well financially. He was married in 1866 to Miss Mollie Stevenson, who
was born in Giles County, Tenn., in 1848; she became the mother of three children: John B., who died at
the age of eleven months; Mattie M., wife of James R. Miller, deputy clerk of Greene County; and Sally
N., who lives at home. Mr. Hampton is now rearing a little girl by the name of Anna Davis. He is a
member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, a stanch supporter of churches and schools, and in his
political views is a Democrat.
page 142
W. C. Hasty is of the firm of J. F. Hasty & Sons, Paragould. Throughout the county and especially over
this portion of it, the name of Mr. Hasty is well known, not only as one of its solid, substantial citizens,
but as a thorough and reliable business man. His birth occurred [p.142] in Portland, Me., on September
15, 1862, and there he spent his boyhood days and received a good, practical education. His parents,
Joseph F. and Annie N. (Phillips) Hasty, were both natives of Portland, Me., and were of Scotch and
French descent, respectively. Joseph F. Hasty has been a lumberman all his life, and is now residing in
Detroit, Mich., engaged in the stave business. W. C. Hasty removed with his parents to Detroit, where he
served as accountant in the lumber business, becoming well posted on this topic. In January, 1888, he
removed to Paragould, Ark., and purchased the mill he is now running. He enjoys large sales and
employs, on an average, about fifty men. He is a bright, intelligent young man and is thoroughly
acquainted with his business. The stave factory firm consists of the following members: J. F., E. F. and W.
C. Hasty, the last named having the entire management of the factory at Paragould. Mr. Hasty is a Royal
Arch Mason, and is a director in the Greene County Bank.
page 143
Mrs. Isabella Highfill, widow of Hezekiah Highfill, and daughter of Samuel and Rebecca J. (Ellis)
Medlock, was born in Henry County, Tenn., October 25, 1831, and as the country was very sparsely
settled in her youth, and schools were few and far between, she received only a common school education.
While growing to womanhood, all the clothing the family wore was home made, and she became very
skillful in the use of the loom and all kinds of women's work. At the early age of seventeen years she was
married to John A. Hargrove, a native of Southern Alabama, and a farmer by occupation, by whom she
bore a family of three sons and five daughters, all of whom are deceased except Ann M. and Francis V.,
who live with their mother. On the 15th of December, 1870, Mr. Hargrove died, leaving his wife with a
farm to be improved, and four small children to care for. She entered bravely upon her work, succeeded in
paying for her home, and bought another farm, which she also improved. In 1854 she moved with her
husband to Poinsett County, Ark., made three crops, and was raising the third, when the memorable
overflow of 1858 inundated that section to such an extent that all had to seek for higher land. They
removed to Buffalo Island, Craighead County, where they homesteaded and improved 160 acres of land,
but after Mr. Hargrove's death his widow traded her farm for land in Greene County, which she also
disposed of shortly after her marriage with Mr. Highfill, in 1876, and purchased the farm upon which she
is now living, which consists of eighty acres, forty of the same being in a high state of cultivation,
furnished with good buildings and an excellent orchard. The land is a fine, sandy loam, and is devoted
equally to cotton and corn. Mr. Hargrove was a leading member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, of
which Mrs. Highfill is now a member, and was a man of exemplary habits and character, and for many
years held the office of the justice of the peace. He was allowed to remain at home unmolested during the
Rebellion. He was a Democrat, and was in sympathy with the Union. Hezekiah Highfill was an elder in
the Methodist Episcopal Church, and was not a participant in the late war, but sent out two sons, who
enlisted in the Confederate army, Isaac being killed by a cannon ball in the battle of Shiloh, and Hezekiah,
the other son, was wounded in the same engagement by a minie ball, in the left shoulder, from the effects
of which he died in March, 1880, having suffered from the same for seventeen years. Another son, J. M.
Highfill, has a sketch in another part of this work. His three daughters are as follows: Sarah A. (Woods),
widow of William Woods; Fanny (Lloyd), and Mary, wife of Rev. Isaac Verner, a Methodist minister of
Lake County, Fla. Mrs. Highfill is a very interesting and intelligent lady, and having lived in this section
for thirty-five years, can recount many interesting incidents in the early settlement of this section. She
says that during the first years of her residence here the men would devote the summer to raising crops,
and would hunt and trap during the winter months, their game consisting of deer, bear, wild cats, wolves
and turkeys for food, and otter, beaver, mink and raccoon for their furs. These were taken by ox team to
Wittsburgh or Memphis, and often realized $100 on one load. Prices ranged as [p.143] follows bear ****
25 cents per pound, deer, 10 costs, tarkeys, $1 each: wild cat. 10 cents and wolf 10 cents. **** brought $5
each; **** $7.50, mink, $3, and **** 50 cents. thus making the hunting season much more profitable
than the farming season, hence there was very little done toward developing the country prior to the war.
Everything was plentiful in the way of wild game and fruits, and the range was so good that stock could
live the year round without being ****. In those days the women mole all their own clothing and raised
their own cotton and sheep. Mrs. Highfill is now redding about one-half mile from two large mounds,
containing the skeletons and **** of the pre historic Mound Builders, but the Indiana who were here
when she first settled could tell her nothing about them. Mrs. Highfill's father and mother were born in
South Carolina: the former was a farmer and mechanic by trade, and owned a fine farm of 320 acres in his
native State, on which he resided until **** death in April, 1879. The mother dead in 1868. They were
members of the Baptist and Methodist Churches, respectively, and its his political views he was a
Democrat.
page 144 John M. Highfill, a prosperous farmer and stock raiser of the county, is the tenth of eleven
children, and was born in **** County, Tenn., in 18**** being a son of **** and Temperance B. ****
Highfill, who were also Tennesseeans, and were married to their native State. The father was a farmer and
miller by occupation, and was also a local minister in the Methodist Episcopal Church. In 18? he ****
with his family to **** County, Ark., and settled on 160 acres of **** about eight acres of which were
cleared, and on which was erected a little ****. He began **** to clear **** land from **** erect ****
and **** improve his property and **** one of the well to do **** of the county. During this time he
**** his **** and was instrumental in saving many ****. His death occurred in **** wife's a 1872.
John M. Highfill was **** to farm labor, **** never attended the **** the **** of his **** being ****
at home. When about twenty one years of age be began farming for himself, purchased his father's old
home, and was married to Miss Sarah L. Norton, a native of Alabama. He was engaged in general
farming for some time after his marriage and did considerable speculating and trading, and in 1886
erected a good frame residence and made other valuable improvements. He has cleared about forty acres,
and has some ninety under cultivation and fence, nearly all of which is excellent bottom land. In 1887 he
bought eighty acres of fine bottom land, and now, taking his property all together, it is one of the finest
bodies of land in the county. He has a good young orchard of about 200 trees. In 1886, in partnership with
J. H. Thomas, he bought an interest in a general mercantile store at Bethel, and continued this business
until the spring of 1888. At the present time he is dealing quite extensively in horses, but also gives his
attention to the propagation of other stock. In April, 1888, he went to Florida, where he purchased land
suitable for orange orchards, and has twelve acres improved and has also purchased a house and lot in the
town of Umatilla, Lake County, Fla. In 1881 he had a contract to clear the right of way and furnish the
ties for five miles of the Knobel Branch of the Iron Mountain Railroad. He has always taken an active
interest in politics, being a Democrat in his party affiliations, and in 1874 was elected justice of the peace,
and after serving four years was elected sheriff of Greene County, in September, 1885, serving a term of
two years, but was defeated for re-election by a small majority. On the 30th of October, 1886, in his
official capacity as sheriff, he was compelled to execute William H. Hopper, the only man ever hanged by
law in Greene County. He is Past Master in Paragould Lodge No. 368, of the A. F. & A. M., and be and
wife are the parents of the following children: Henry N., Lory A who died at the age of five years,
He****kiah, Joseph B. who died when five years olds, Eliza L. Benjamin Franklin and Deha Frances. Mr.
Highfill had two brothers in the Confederate army lease E., who was killed at the battle of Shiloh, on the
7th of April, 1862, white serving under Joe Johnston**** and Hezekiah, [p.144] who was with Hood in
all his campaigns, and was wounded at the battle of Murfreesboro; he died March 22, 1880.
D. D. Hodges, of the mercantile firm of D. D. Hodges & Co., Paragould. A review of the business of
Paragould discloses the existence of a number of houses which compare favorably with those of any city,
and enjoying a foremost position as one of such is the establishment of D. D. Hodges & Co. Mr. Hodges
was born in East Tennessee, his parents, B. Marshall and Mary (Adams) Hodges, also being natives of
that section. D. D. Hodges was but six years of age when he moved with his parents to Metropolis, Ill.,
and there the father died in 1869 and the mother in 1879. They had a family of six children, four now
living, viz.: William T., Charles F., Lizzie, wife of Joseph Wyess, and David D., who is the youngest of
the family living. The latter was principally reared in Illinois and received his education in the common
schools. At the age of twelve years he entered a store at Metropolis, Ill., as clerk, and there remained until
sixteen years of age, when he took charge of a branch house at Woodville, Ky., and remained with this
firm all together ten years, thus forcibly demonstrating the fact that he was reared in the mercantile
business. In 1877 he was employed as traveling salesman for Fisher & Farley, of Paducah, Ky., with
whom he remained two years. He then engaged in business for himself at Woodville, Ky., and in 1881 he
came to Arkansas, where he sold on commission for Col. Beal on the “Cotton Belt” Railroad until the
spring of 1882. Later he served as clerk for C. D. Pruet and in 1886 bought an interest in the store, after
which a partnership was formed as C. D. Pruet & Co., which continued until January, 1888. Mr. Pruet's
death occurred in August, 1887, and in January, 1888, the firm was changed to D. D. Hodges & Co. The
firm members are: D. D. Hodges, W. F. Pruet and E. C. Deakin. A large stock of goods of general
merchandise is carried, occupying two large store rooms in a brick building. Mr. Hodges was married in
1875, to Miss Ella V. Settle, a native of Kentucky. Two children were born to this union, Walter D. and
Mary O. Mrs. Hodges is a member of the Christian Church. Mr. Hodges is a member of the K. of P. and
also belongs to the K. of H. He is well respected and is one of the enterprising citizens of Paragould.
E. P. Holt, one of the leading and successful merchants of Marmaduke, Ark., was born in Middle
Tennessee, where his father, Garrison Holt, now lives, and in 1865 was united in marriage to Miss
Elizabeth Parker, daughter of C. C. Parker, of Wayne County, Tenn. In 1874 he emigrated to Pemiscot
County, Mo., where he followed farming along the Mississippi River until 1884, when he moved to
Arkansas and settled in Greene County. His wife died in Paragould January 10, 1885, and in the fall of the
following year Mr. Holt commenced farming, and also engaged in the tie business, which he continued for
several years. In February, 1888, he bought out Mr. J. L. Spencer, who carried on business at Holliday,
and Mr. Holt moved the stock to Marmaduke, first renting a building, and then erecting a store room
during the summer of 1888. His second marriage was to Miss Mary J. (Freeman) Barton, of West
Tennessee. Mr. Holt has been identified with the improvement and growth of the town since coming here.
At that time there was neither church nor school, and it is mainly by his efforts that school is now in
session five months in the year, held in a very good building, 24×40 feet, which edifice is also used as a
Baptist Church, and to which Mr. Holt and family belong. He is the father of one son by his first wife, and
this young man is now attending school. During vacation he assists his father in the store. Mr. Holt has a
well selected stock of goods, valued at about $2.000, and endeavors to furnish his patrons with the best to
be obtained.
page 145
John W. Hooker. A gratifying example of success and ably conducted home industries is afforded by the
large lumbering mill owned by Mr. Hooker, which is situated on the Iron Mountain Railroad, about eight
miles below Knobel. The works are quite extensive, and have a capacity of 10,000 feet per day, and Mr.
Hooker utilizes in a great measure the timber of his own land, his acreage [p.145] comprising 540, with
about 100 acres under cultivation, all of which is the result of his own labor. He was born in Scott County,
Ind., in 1834, and is a son of Emsley and Eliza (Hubanks) Hooker, who were born in North Carolina and
Virginia, respectively. The father was taken by his parents to Clark County, Ind., when one year old, the
country at that time being a wilderness, and here he attained his majority, being reared on his father's
farm. The grandfather died in that county in 1858, at the age of seventy-six years. Emsley Hooker was
fifty-four years old at the time of his death, in 1862, in Scott County, Ind. Throughout life he had followed
the occupation of farming. He was a Democrat politically, and was a liberal contributor to and a member
of the Methodist Episcopal Church. His wife died in 1839, having borne a family of four children, two of
whom are now living: Lorenzo D., a resident of Indiana, and John W. The latter is the elder of the two,
and was reared to mature years on a farm in Scott County, and in 1854 commenced working for himself
on a farm, at $13 per month. Three years later he was married, but continued his farm labors until the
latter part of the Civil War, when he enlisted in the Thirty-first Indiana Volunteers, Company I, under
Charles Adamson, of Rockport, Ind., and served twelve months (the last year), participating in the battles
of Franklin, Nashville, and a number of minor engagements. He was discharged at New Orleans, and
mustered out at Victoria, Tex. He then returned to Indiana, where he was engaged in farming until 1880,
coming thence to Greene County, Ark., where he embarked in lumber-milling and farming, which
occupations have received his attention up to the present time. Mr. Hooker's first marriage was to Miss
Hannah J. Reynolds, a native of Indiana, born in 1840, who died in 1862 by drowning. She and another
lady were in a canoe on White River, when they struck a snag, upsetting their boat. Her companion clung
to the snag and was saved. Three children were born to this union: Alvin A., at home; Oldridge, married
and residing at his father's mill, and John W., who died at the age of six weeks. Mr. Hooker took for his
second wife Mrs. Jeanette (Weddell) Heart, who was born in Jackson County, Ind., and died in 1886, at
the age of forty-four years. To them were born six children: Ross, Nathan, Charles, Austin, Eliza J. and
Georgia (who died in 1879, at the age of two years). To the mother's first union three children were born:
America, Mary A. and Briller Heart. The last two are deceased. Both wives were members of the church.
He belongs to the G. A. R.
page 146
George R. Hopkins, a well known and successful educator of the county, and a farmer by occupation, was
born in Gwinnett County, Ga., in 1860, being a son of Melmoth D. and Elizabeth (Martin) Hopkins, who
were also born in Georgia. The grandfather, George H. Hopkins, was a very prominent educator in his
day, and taught one school for over thirty years. He also represented his county in the State legislature
several terms, always taking an active part in politics. He was of English descent and died in Gwinnett
County, in 1889, at the age of eighty years, esteemed by all. Melmoth D. was one of his twelve children,
and was reared in that county, where he received a good education in his youth, afterwards being engaged
in farming and teaching school. He was a member of the A. F. & A. M., and belonged to the Baptist
Church. During the late Rebellion he served four years in the Confederate army, and during his term of
service was in prison seven or eight months. Since 1866 he has resided in Arkansas, and is now living in
Sebastian County, below Fort Smith, on a farm, his wife also surviving. The following are the children
born to their union: Aldorah, George, Julian, Mary, Warner (deceased), Thomas and Pearlie. George R.
Hopkins attained his growth principally in Jonesboro, Ark., also receiving the most of his education there,
but attended one year in Georgia. Shortly after he began teaching school, continuing one year, when he
was elected surveyor of Craighead County, which position he held two years. Since 1884 he has resided in
Greene County, and the first year taught school in Paragould; he has continued to be one of the successful
educators of Gainesville, being now engaged on his fourth term of ten months in that town. He was
married in [p.146] 1885 to Anna Newberry, who was born in Carroll County, Tenn., and by her has two
children: Buna and Irene. Mr. Hopkins is a member of the K. of H., is a Democrat in his political views,
and is a thorough, competent, and extensive educator of the young. During the four years he has taught in
Gaineaville, he has fitted about twenty of his pupils for the profession of teaching. His wife is a member of
the Methodist Episcopal Church. South.
Pressley Huckabay, one of the pioneers of Greene County, Ark., and one who has witnessed the rapid
development of that county in the last thirty years, was born in Campbell County, Tenn., where he grew to
manhood and was married. In 1857 he and family moved to Greene County, Ark., settling about a mile
and a half from his present residence, where he cleared a farm of seventy-two acres and erected houses,
etc. This land belonged to the railroad company, and having a chance to sell the improvements made on
the same, Mr. Huckabay did so, and then moved to his present farm, which consists of 120 acres. with 100
under cultivation. He married Miss Mary Bullock of Tennessee, and twelve children were born to this
union, eight now living. The following grew to maturity: Elizabeth married Jackson Purcell, a farmer of
Greene County, and became the mother of one child: Nancy married Obadiah Purcell, a farmer of Greene
County, and became the mother of two children; Sarah married John Van Guilder, a farmer of Greene
County, and became the mother of six children; John A. died. leaving two children, and his wife also died;
William T. married and lives on a farm a short distance from his father, and has a family of six children;
Commodore Perry married and resides at Murmaduke, where he runs a saw mill he has five children;
Rhietta was married to M. B. Harvey, a farmer of Greene County, and is the mother of eight children;
Almaring married, lives near his father, and has three children: Alfred remains on the farm with his
father, is married and has four children; Francis Marion died and left a wife and one child. Mr. Huckabay
has a noise, Miss Nancy E. Huckabay, who makes her home with her uncle. The latter takes a deep
interest in the political issues of the day, and affiliates with the Democratic party. He is a member of the
Missionary Baptist Church. During the late unpleasantness between the North and South he was in Col.
McNeill's regiment and participated in the battles of Little Rock, Forrest City, was in the Red River
Expedition, and in a number of sharp skirmishes. When Mr. Huckabay first moved to Greene County,
Ark., settlers were few, provisions scarce, and all depended. to a great extent, upon the gun for a means of
living. When he wanted fresh meat he frequently sent his children around a thicket within 300 yards of
the house, and would pick out a good one from the drove of deer thus started up. His method for catching
turkeys was very ingenious. Building a square pen of logs near where he fed his stock, he covered it with
poles, and then digged a slanting passage way leading under the logs. This passage way would end
abruptly after entering the pen. Corn was then scattered along the passage or outside slant; the turkey
would have to stoop a little to go under the pen. but as soon as inside would fly up to the level ground
above, and instead of looking down to get out would always look up. Mr. Huckabay often caught as high
as eight or ten at a time in this manner. Coons were so thick that a man could take his rifle and kill as
many as fifteen or twenty a day. John Wooten, a neighbor, killed twenty-five on one occasion, and Mr.
Huckabay has killed as many as fifteen himself. Bears were so plentiful that their meat was used instead of
bacon, and was put down for the season in much the same way as pork. A good bear skin was worth about
$5 at Cape Girardeau, Mo. Mr. Huckabay has killed a number of panthers, and can relate numerous
thrilling exploits with these animals. He was attacked by one at one time, and after having fired three
bullets against its head, which failed to penetrate the skull, he realized that he was getting in very close
quarters. Just at this critical moment his faithful dogs renewed their attacks on the panther, thus giving
heir owner a chance to send a bullet just back of the fore legs of the animal, which stretched him lifeless
on the ground.
page 147
C. P. Huckabay, the leading mill man of this section, was born in Campbell County, Tenn., and came to
Greene County, Ark., about thirty-two years ago. He is a self made man, was reared on the farm, and
picked up his education as best he could after reaching his majority. The schools were all closed during
the war in that portion of the country, and as Mr. Huckabay was a school boy at that time, his educational
advantages were not of the best. He was industrious, full of energy and perseverance, and is now the
owner of 1,000 acres of land, with seventy-five acres under cultivation. This he rents, and his time is fully
occupied in the lumber and stave business, being the owner of two large saw-mills, one located in
Marmaduke and the other in the vicinity. The one at Marmaduke has a capacity of 1,500 feet per day, and
the one in the country will run about 8,000 feet. Mr. Huckabay is now building a tram road three and a
half miles into the woods, which will be connected with the road of Mr. Rosengrant, extending two and a
half miles further into a fine timbered country, and will supply them timber for about five years. Mr.
Huckabay has been in the railroad supply business, getting out ties and other timbers, and at one time ran
about 300 men, furnishing them with provisions from his supply store then located at Marmaduke. He is
now securing all kinds of building and bridge timber. Mr. Huckabay chose for his companion in life Miss
Nancy A. Ramsey, a native of Tennessee, and the daughter of M. Ramsey (deceased), of Greene County.
To this union were born five children: Virginia E., Nathan P., William B., Carrie A. and Mary. Mr.
Huckabay is conservative, both in polities and religion, not but that he believes in both, but he considers
every one possesses the right to his own views on the subject. He is a member of the I. O. O. F., belonging
to Evergreen Lodge, located at Tilmanville.
page 148
H. C. Hunter is a representative man of Greene County, Ark., who has attained his property by industry
and good business ability, and has won an enviable position in society circles. He was born in Middle
Tennessee, in 1842, and up to the age of eighteen years was reared on his father's plantation, thus
becoming familiar with the details of farm life. When eighteen he emigrated to Greene County, Ark., but
when the Rebellion broke out, in 1861, he enlisted from Tennessee for twelve months, in Company G,
Ninth Tennessee Infantry, Confederate States Army, and participated in the battles of Belmont, Shiloh,
Murfreesboro, Perryville, and at Chickamauga was wounded by a gun shot, and was confined in the
hospital at Montgomery, Ala. After recovering he was detailed to the engineers' department, and was
engaged in constructing bridges until the final surrender, when he returned to Greene County, Ark., and
resumed farming. He has now an excellent farm of over 200 acres, with about 100 acres under cultivation,
on which he raises cotton and corn. He also gives considerable attention to the propagation of stock, and
has an excellent range on which his animals pasture. Having been a resident of this State for many years,
he has seen the gradual but sure development of the country from a wilderness to finely cultivated farms,
for where churches**** schools and substantial homes now are, then Indians and wild animals in
profusion roamed the woods. He has done a full share in securing this desirable change, and by industry
and shrewd management has made his farm one of the best in the county. Where he was previously
obliged to go 125 miles to market he now only goes eight miles, to Paragould. He was married in Greene
County, in 1873, to Miss Georgianna King, a native of Tennessee, and a daughter of John M. and Sarah
Jane (Freeland) King, who were also Tennesseeans, emigrating to Greene County, Ark., in 1872, and
opening up a farm; later they moved to Pemiscot County, Mo., where they are living at the present time.
The father was a volunteer in the Mexican War. Mr. and Mrs. Hunter are members of the Methodist
Episcopal Church, and are the parents of the following children: Betty, Alva, Minnie, Charles, James and
Bufus M. Mr. Hunter is a Democrat. He was the youngest of eight children born to Layton and Elizabeth
(Robison) Hunter, the former a native of Tennessee and the latter of Kentucky. They were married in the
former State, and here the father became quite a wealthy [p.148] planter, but in 1859 removed to Greene
County, Ark., and settled on the farm now owned by our subject, H. C. Hunter. He figured quite
prominently in politics while in Tennessee, but after coming to Arkansas he remained more at home. His
health was always good and he died in 1875, at the age of seventy-five years, his wife's death occurring
within a few days of his own. The paternal grandfather was a Virginian, and a soldier in the War of 1812,
as was also the maternal grandfather, the latter being a native of Kentucky soil.
Richard Jackson is well known by reason of his association with the general mercantile firm of Jackson
Dry Goods Company. His career in Greene County has been markedly rapid and successful, and his name
stands to-day among the leading business men of the county. The business was established in 1867, he and
his brother, J. R., purchasing the stock of goods formerly owned by Taylor & Miller, which consists of a
full line of general merchandise, and he and his present partners are now doing the leading business in
Gainesville. He was born in Stoddard County, Mo., in 1843, and was the son of John J. and Emily
(Montgomery) Jackson, who were Tennesseeans, and came to Missouri at an early period, being among
the first settlers of Stoddard County. He was engaged in farming until the late war, then coming to Greene
County, Ark., and locating near Gainesville, where he died in 1877, after having led a very active life. He
was quite an active politician, and held the office of deputy sheriff of Stoddard County for four years, and
sheriff four years after coming to Greene County. He was active in advocating schools, churches, etc. His
wife died in 1885, at the age of seventy-three years. Their children all lived to be grown; one son, two
daughters and the father died within two months of each other. Those living are Isaiah, Richard and
Franklin, the latter being in partnership with his brother, Richard. Richard Jackson attained his
eighteenth year in Stoddard County, and remained at home until the breaking out of the Civil War in
1861, when he enlisted in the Confederate army, under Jeff Thompson, and served until the final
surrender, taking part in a number of important engagements, and was wounded at Pilot Knob, having his
leg broken. He was captured while there, and sent to the hospital at Ironton, and was soon after
exchanged. He returned home and there remained until able to get about, when he rejoined his regiment,
and continued in service until the close. Again coming home he resumed farming, then clerked in a
general store, and in 1867 established his present business, and in addition to this gives much of his
attention to real estate, having charge of all the Iron Mountain Railroad lands in the county. He also
manages several large stock farms, and deals and trades extensively in stock. He is a Democrat in his
political views, and when the county seat was at Gainesville he held the office of treasurer of the county.
He has always been a liberal contributor to churches, schools, and all worthy enterprises, and now
occupies a high position both in mercantile and social circles. His wife, whose maiden name was Jennie
Stead man, was born in North Carolina, and their union was blessed in the birth of six children; Clara,
Frannie, Arthur, Emma, Maggie, and an infant daughter unnamed.
page 149
A. D. Jackson, of the firm of Jackson & Byers, proprietors of a livery stable, has one of the best equipped
enterprises of the kind in the county. This stable, from the large business it does, not only exemplifies the
importance of the town, but reflects credit upon its management. Mr. Jackson was born in Greene County,
Ark., January 20, 1865, and is one of three children born to James R. and Nancy (Davis) Jackson, natives
of Tennessee. The parents were early settlers of this part of Arkansas, but during the war the family
moved to Missouri, and there the father served as captain of a company. During the service he was
wounded in the hip by a gunshot. He died in 1881, but the mother is still living and resides in Paragould.
Their children are named as follows: Jennie, wife of John Perry: Albert D., and Lela, wife of Oscar Huff.
A. D. Jackson grew to manhood in Gainesville, receiving his education there, and afterward clerked in a
store for about four years. He then engaged in merchandising [p.149] with an uncle, Richard Jackson, at
Gainesville, remained with him three years and then ran the business alone for a short time. After this he
went to Hot Springs, thence back to Gainesville, where he was occupied in farming and teaming for about
three years. In November, 1888, he came to Paragould and embarked in the livery business with his
present partner. He keeps about fifteen good horses and can furnish, day or night, as neat a turnout as one
could desire and at the lowest figure. Mr. Jackson chose for his life's companion Miss Joe Collins, who
became his wife on December 25, 1884. Two children are the result of this union: James A. and Pearl, Mr.
Jackson is a member of the I. O. O. F. lodge.
I. C. Jeffers. Greene County, Ark., ranks among the first in the State in regard to its manufacturing
interests, and Mr. Jeffers is one of its foremost lumber manufacturers. He engaged in business for himself
in 1888, his mill being at South Miser; it was previously known as Miser's Mill, and has a capacity of
10,000 feet per day. Mr. Jeffers was born in Clark County, Ill., in 1851, and was the third in a family of
seven children born to Thomas and Julia Ann (Lafferty) Jeffers, natives, respectively, of Kentucky and
Illinois. The father was a tiller of the soil and opened up several large farms, and is now residing in
Edinburgh, Ill. In 1861 he enlisted from Moultrie County, of that State, in Company C, One Hundred and
Twenty-sixth Illinois Infantry, and was wounded at Devall's Bluff, Ark., receiving a gunshot wound by the
bushwhackers, and was confined in the hospital for some time, obtaining his discharge in May, 1865. His
wife died in Shelby County, Ill., at the age of fifty-six years, February 19, 1878. I. C. Jeffers spent his
early life on his father's farms and attended the common schools, supplementing this by one year's
attendance at St. Mary's, Indiana. When about seventeen years of age he began learning the miller's trade
in Moultrie County, Ill., and has followed that occupation with success ever since. He was married there,
in 1877, to Miss Frances Anna Jones, a native of Illinois, and a daughter of Amos and Mary Ann (Steele)
Jones, the former having been born in South Carolina and the latter in Illinois, both of whom are still
living. After his marriage Mr. Jeffers remained in Illinois until 1881, when he came to Corning and
embarked in the timber business, moving thence to Rector, where he was foreman four years for W. G.
Hutchings' sawmill; since 1888 he has been engaged in operating his mill at Rector, and now ships from
four to five carloads per week. He has always supported the Democratic party, and although having
resided in Greene County only a few years has become well and favorably known. His children are
Marietta, Charles Albert, Clara Ethel and Julia Cora.
page 150
William C. Johnson has been identified with the farming and stock dealing interests of Friendship
Township, Greene County, Ark., since 1856, and in that time he has proven himself to be a man of
intelligence and enterprise. He was born in Knox County, Tenn., in October, 1821, and is the eldest of
five children born to Pleasant M. and Ellen (Thompson) Johnson, who were born in Virginia, and at an
early day emigrated to Tennessee, where they were married. They were engaged in farming in West
Tennessee until 1858, when they moved to Dunklin County, Mo., where the father died in 1861, aged
sixty-four years, his wife's death having occurred in Tennessee, in 1854. He was a soldier in the War of
1812. His mother was Mary Hancock, a niece of John Hancock, a signer of the Declaration of
Independence. William C. Johnson was educated in the district schools near his home in Tennessee, and
was married in Madison County, of that State, in 1842, to Amanda C. Sanders, a native of Lincoln county,
Tenn., a daughter of Samuel and Linnie (Looney) Sanders, who were Tennesseeans, and prosperous
farmers of that State. They moved to Ozark County, Mo., in 1854, where they were engaged in farming
until their respective deaths in 1857 and 1887. Mr. Johnson and family emigrated to Lawrence County,
Ark., in 1854, where they entered a tract of 120 acres and remained two years, moving thence to his
resent farm in Greene County. He first entered 156 acres, which he proved up in 1861, and has added to
this land until he now owns 197 [p.150] acres, with nearly 100 acres under cultivation. Besides this he
owns forty acres of land in Clark Township (twenty-two acres in cultivation), the most of his tillable
property being devoted to cotton and corn. He has aided in the organization of Friendship Township, and
assisted in building the county road. He has always affiliated with the Democratic party, and has helped
largely in increasing the number of Democratic voters in his section. He has been one of the foremost men
in developing the resources of the county, and has always been an active supporter of schools and
churches, being ordained in 1874, by Thomas D. Lloyd and David Thorn, a minister of the Missionary
Baptist Church. He has expounded the gospel since that time and has been instrumental in converting
some people to Christianity. He and wife are the parents of three daughters and ten sons: Permelia Lane
and Emerentha Virginia (deceased); Linna Elender, wife of A.M. Shearer, living near Halliday; W. S. C.,
married and residing in Greene County; John H., married and resident of Halliday; David Pleasant and
James Monroe (deceased); Ben. Franklin, also deceased; Alfred Jefferson, single; Christopher A, also
married; J. N., P. G. and L. L.
B. A. Johnson, a wealthy farmer and stockman, of Greene County, Ark., was born in Hickman County,
Tenn., in 1834, and is the fifth in a family of ten children born to Granville M. and Nereusa (Gardner)
Johnson, who were Tennesseeans, the father being a farmer by occupation, and a wealthy citizen. He was
justice of the peace in Tennessee for many years, and died in that State in 1884, followed by his wife some
two years later. The paternal and maternal grandfathers were Virginians, who removed to Tennessee at an
early day, the former reaching this State in 1812. Here they both died. B. A. Johnson was reared to farm
labor, and had very poor educational advantages in his youth. He remained at home until attaining his
majority, and then for several years was engaged in brick-laying. At the age of twenty-one he was wedded
to Miss Sarah E. Fielder, a native of Tennessee. In 1855 he located in Wayne County, Mo., where, in
1860, he bought a farm, and embarked in agriculture, continuing until the war broke out, when he raised a
company of Missouri State Guards, of which he was elected first lieutenant. He soon resigned this
position, and enlisted as a private in the Confederate army, being elected first lieutenant of Reeves' cavalry
company of independent scouts. He was soon sent east of the Mississippi, and was in the battles of
Memphis, Corinth, Iuka, Jacinto, Richmond, Ky., Perryville, after which he was transferred to the western
department of Arkansas, where he was detailed to raise a regiment, of which he was made lieutenant-
colonel. In this capacity he participated in the battles of Little Rock, Pine Bluff and Saline River, and was
then with Price on his Missouri raid, taking part in every battle fought on this trip. During the war his
family removed from Missouri south to Clay County, Ark., and here Mr. Johnson went after the cessation
of hostilities, where he remained three years, and then came to Cache Township, Greene County, Ark,
where they are still residing. He purchased a partially improved farm of 160 acres, opened about sixty
acres, and in 1871 purchased 160 acres three miles south of his first place, to which he has added 170
acres, and has cleared 100 acres, having about 200 under cultivation. In addition to these tracts he has
about 500 acres in another locality. He does general farming, but gives the most of his attention to the
raising of corn and cotton. He is an active politician, a substantial supporter of churches and schools, and
he and family attend the Baptist Church, of which he and his wife are members. His family consists of the
following children: John W., born February 17, 1856, who is married and resides on his father's land;
William G., born February 9, 1858, also married and living in the township; Barbara Etta Bell, born
October 5, 1860, wife of E. R. C. Biggs, a resident of Woodruff County; Robert E. Lee, born October 21,
1863, died in 1864; Adelaide, born September 24, 1865, wife of P. Eubanks, of Greene County; Samantha
C., born August 4, 1867; Victoria R., wife of James Light, born July 19, 1869; Sarah N., born October 10,
1871; Benjamin O, born June 10, 1874; and Lizzie B., born August 11, 1877.
page 151
R. B. Jones. No matter how disagreeable the outlook in life, or how little encouragement is received, there
are some who will succeed in whatever they undertake, while others, placed in the same circumstances,
will give up in despair. Among those who have won universal respect by push and energy, and who are
classed among the first in whatever they undertake, is the above mentioned gentleman. Mr. Jones was
born in that part of Greene County, Ark., which is at this time known as Clay County, September 6, 1848,
and remained in that county, engaged in farming, until about twelve years ago, when he moved to what is
known as Tilmanville and opened a blacksmith shop. This he has carried on in a successful manner ever
since. In addition to this Mr. Jones manages his farm of 180 acres, which his sons are now working, and
he has opened about five or six acres on the home place, consisting of eighty acres. He was married to
Miss Martha J. Bradsher, daughter of Jefferson Bradsher, of Greene County, Ark., and three interesting
children were the result of this union: J. M., J. C. and W. A., all at home. Mr. Jones is also rearing two of
his sister-in-law's children, they being the orphan children of J. H. and Mary C. Huckabay, and are named
Almon E. and Hiram C. John Jones, the father of the subject of this sketch, came to Greene County, Ark.,
in 1830, and died here in 1871. His wife died in 1861. They were the parents of eight children, two
surviving. By his second wife John Jones became the father of five children. R. B. Jones is a member of
the Masonic fraternity, Danley Lodge No. 300, and he also belongs to Evergreen Lodge No. 66, of the I.
O. O. F. He and wife are members of the Missionary Baptist Church.
S. L. Joseph, one of the leading merchants of Paragould, was born in Germany, on the Rhine, in October,
1854, receiving his education in his native country, and at an early age engaged in mercantile pursuits,
which he has followed ever since, thus securing a thorough knowledge of the business. In 1871 he sailed
for America, taking passage at Bremen, and landing at New York City, where he remained about three
years. He then went to Pennsylvania, and for a period of some three years was engaged in the office of the
Buffalo & Philadelphia Railroad Company, going thence to St. Louis, where he remained one year. In
1878 he went to Walnut Ridge, Ark., followed clerking until 1880, and then came to Gainesville, of the
same State, and there opened a store in partnership with Isaac Less. He continued the business at
Gainesville and Jonesboro for three years, after which he sold his interest and took a trip to Europe,
traveling over the continent, and was absent about ten months. After his return he went to Wichita, Kan.,
resided at that place one year, and in the fall of 1885 came to Paragould, where he embarked in
merchandising under the firm name of Harris & Joseph. In the spring of 1889 Mr. Joseph bought out his
partner and is now continuing the business alone. He carries a large stock of merchandise, averaging
about $25,000, and is one of the enterprising business men of Paragould. He is a member of the Masonic
fraternity, the I. O. O. F., and also belongs to the K. of H. He was married May 1, 1889, to Miss Setta
Goldman, a native of Europe, and sister of J. D. Goldman, of the large firm of Goldman & Co., of St.
Louis. Mr. Joseph's parents, Maurice F. and Babbet (Steinheimer) Joseph, were natives of Europe. The
father is deceased, but the mother is still living in Germany.
page 152
Jesse Kenemure, a successful farmer and stock-raiser of Jones Township, was born in Georgia, in 1819,
and is the sixth in a family of eight children born to David and Lucy (Price) Kenemure, natives of South
Carolina. The parents remained in their native State until after their marriage, and then moved to
Georgia, where the mother died a few years later. The father again married and lived in that State until
his death. Jesse Kenemure assisted his father in the arduous duties on the farm until nineteen years of age,
after which he began farming for himself, and this occupation has continued all his life. He was married
when twenty-one years of age to Miss Rebecca Rock, a native of Georgia; and eight children were the
result of this union, four now living. They are named as follows: Lucinda [p.152] Margaret (deceased),
James Franklin, married and lives on his father's place; N. W., married and lives on Crowley's Ridge;
Charles D., married and lives in this township; Missouri Jane, died in Georgia; William Ross, died in
Georgia; L. W., married and resides in Greene County, and Margaret. Jesse Kenemure followed farming
in Georgia, until 1856, when he moved directly to Greene County, Ark., and settled on the west side of
Crowley's Ridge, where he bought forty acres of wild land. He immediately began improving, by erecting
buildings and clearing land, etc., and after having cleared about thirty acres and remaining there for some
twelve years, he sold out and moved to Jones' Ridge, being one of four families in that section. He bought
180 acres of land, cleared 100 acres, erected buildings, set out an extensive orchard of all kinds of fruits,
and has surrounded himself with everything to make a pleasant, comfortable home. During the late war he
was with Price on his Missouri raid, and was in the battles of Iron Mountain, Blue Lick, Independence
and Boonville. He is a member of the Wheel, and is an active worker in the cause of education.
T. B. Kitchens, circuit court clerk, ex-officio clerk of the county and probate courts, and recorder of
Greene County, Ark., is one of the prominent and leading citizens of that county. He was born in
Craighead County, Ark., August 21, 1854, and is the son of James H. and Arminda J. (Davis) Kitchens,
natives of Forsyth County, Ga. The parents were married in their native State, but afterward removed to
Cherokee County, Ala., where they remained until the winter of 1851, and then located in what is now
Craighead County, Ark. In the early part of the following year the father removed to the farm he now
occupies, and there he has since resided. He was one of the first settlers of Craighead County, having
located there when the country was wild and unbroken. T. B. Kitchens was reared and received his
primary education in his native county. Later he attended school at Gainesville, and completed his
education at the Arkansas Industrial University, at Fayetteville, from which institution he graduated with
honor, being valedictorian of his class in 1880. He was also awarded the gold medal of $25, offered by B.
B. Stone, of Fayetteville, for the best set of literary essays of the season of 1880, as well as the gold medal
offered by the publishing house of D. Appleton & Co., to the member of the senior class of 1880, who had
the highest standing in mathematics in the four years' course. Following his graduation, Mr. Kitchens
taught school until the spring of 1882, and in the fall of the same year he entered the county clerk's office
as deputy, and served for four years, discharging his duties faithfully and honorably, and in such an
efficient and capable manner that he won many friends, and at their solicitation he became a candidate for
his present office. He was elected in September, 1886, without opposition, and re-elected to the office in
1888, which position he is now holding. He was county examiner from 1882 to 1886, and discharged
these duties, as he does all others, with honor and credit. He owns town property and a half interest in the
Gager House, which is a large three-story brick building, and a first-class hotel. Mr. Kitchens was married
January 1, 1884, to Miss Alice B. Burton, a native of Tennessee, whose parents came to this county when
she was a child four years of age. Mr. and Mrs Kitchens are the parents of one child. William M. Mr.
Kitchens is a member of the K. of P., and a charter member of the lodge at Paragould.
Greene County part two
page 153
John J. Lambert (deceased) was born in Hardeman County, Tenn., in 1822, and his father being a farmer
he was reared to that occupation, remaining on the old homestead until he attained his majority. He was
married July 14, 1858, to Miss Jennie Cox, a native of Tennessee, whose father was a farmer. When the
war broke out Mr. Lambert espoused the cause of the Confederacy and served one year in the Confederate
army, then returning home and resuming farming. In 1867 he emigrated, with his family, to Arkansas,
locating in Greene County, where he bought 100 acres of land, a portion of which was improved. On this
tract he erected barns and stables, and opened about fifty acres, but later bought other large tracts, part of
it joining this, from which he cleared [p.153] the timber. To his union with Miss Cox one child, James
Abner, was born, and his second resulted in the birth of three children: Mary W., wife of Allen Howell;
John J. and Thomas L. The last two are young men, who are managing the home farm, being engaged in
general farm work. They have about seventy-five acres under cultivation. At the time of Mr. Lambert's
death, November 28, 1887, the farm was divided and sold, with the exception of several tracts of land in
Tennessee, Thomas L. buying eighty acres of the old homestead and 240 acres of another tract, forty acres
of another and some town property. Mr. Lambert was one of Greene County's most substantial and
prominent citizens, and was a generous and public-spirited man, ever ready to aid enterprises for the
public good, and is remembered with gratitude and affection by all his neighbors. He was a member of the
Masonic fraternity.
E. D. Landrum. Owing to the fertility of the soil in Greene County, Ark., and by energy, industry and
economy, Mr. Landrum has become one of the wealthy farmers and stock raisers of this section. He was
born in Weakley County, Tenn., in 1843, was reared on his father's farm, and there received his education
in the common schools. In 1863 he enlisted from Weakley County in Company B, Faulkner's Regiment
cavalry service, and was in the fights at Paducah, Union City and Columbus, receiving his discharge in
the fall of 1864 and returning home. In the fall of 1865 he came to Greene County, Ark., and began
farming for himself on eighty acres of land which he purchased, and in 1867 purchased eighty acres more,
eight of which were cleared and under cultivation. In 1869 he located on this property and erected a log
house, and in 1885 built an excellent frame residence. He now owns 320 acres of splendid land with 150
under cultivation, 125 of which he has cleared himself since 1869. His principal crops are corn and hay.
He raises some stock, his cattle being of the Durham breed, his horses Morgan, and his hogs Berkshire.
He is not very active in politics, but votes with the Democratic party. He was married in Greene County,
in 1867, to Mary A. Burnett, a native of North Carolina, and a daughter of John and Sarah (Howell)
Burnett, who were also born in that State, and emigrated to Greene County, Ark., at a very early day,
settling on a farm in Clark Township, on which the father died. The mother is still living. To Mr. and
Mrs. Landrum have been born the following children: James Edward and John Clinton. Mr. Landrum is
the fourth of ten children born to James and Emeline (Anderson) Landrum, the former a native of
Virginia and the latter of Middle Tennessee. The father was a wealthy planter of Tennessee, and died
there in 1862, followed by his wife several years later.
page 154
John V. Landrum, of the mercantile firm of Stallcup & Landrum, Paragould. There are a number of men
prominently identified with the mercantile interests of Greene County, but none among them are more
deserving of mention than John V. Landrum, who, although not old in years, is a substantial business
man. He was born in Weakley County, Tenn., August 18, 1853, and is the son of James and Emeline
(Anderson) Landrum, the father a native of Halifax County, Va., and the mother of Dickson County,
Tenn. The parents were married in the last mentioned State, and reared ten children, six of whom are
living at the present time: Lucy A., widow of Mr. Turner; James M., Edward D., Samuel H., Fannie E.,
wife of J. N. Wright; and John V. Nancy E. died May 11, 1889. The parents moved from Middle
Tennessee to West Tennessee and died in Weakley County, the father in 1862 and the mother in 1874.
The former followed agricultural pursuits all his life. John V. Landrum, the youngest member of the
family now living, was reared and received the principal part of his education in Weakley County, Tenn.
He remained on the farm until twenty-one years of age, after which he completed his education as best he
could and then taught school for three years in Gibson County. After this he engaged in the mill business
for one year. In 1883 he came to Greene County, Ark., from Carroll County, Tenn., located in Paragould,
and immediately embarked in the mercantile business in partnership with his brother, James M., who was
the first man to sell [p.154] goods in Paragould. In November. 1884, he married Miss Ella M. Stalcup,
and the fruits of this union are two children: Horace M. and Charles V. Mr. Landrum continued in
business with his brother for about two years, after which he sold out to him and formed a partnership
with his father-in-law, C. T. Stalcup, with whom he is carrying on business at the present time. They keep
a large stock of goods and have built up a good trade. Aside from this Mr. Landrum is the owner of a good
farm of 160 acres, also some valuable town property, and has one of the finest residences in Paragould, in
fact, one of the best in the county. Mr. and Mrs. Landrum are both faithful members of the Methodist
Episcopal Church, South. He served four years as treasurer of Paragould, and is an enterprising and public
spirited citizen. They are members of the Triple Alliance Life Association. His maternal grandfather,
Benjamin C. Anderson, was reared and married in the blue grass region of Kentucky. He moved to
Dickson County, Tenn., while a young man, where he lived to the ripe old age of eighty-five, and died at
his daughter's, Mrs. Emeline Landrum, in Weakley County, Tenn., at the age of eighty-seven.
page 155
John M. Lloyd. In every condition of life and in every locality where the struggle for a livelihood is going
on, where can independence be found more faithfully portrayed, or more clearly demonstrated, than in the
life of the honest, industrious farmer? Among those who have made a success of farming is the gentleman
whose name heads this sketch, who, although a young man, is now the owner of one of the best improved
farms in the county. He was born in Madison County (now Crockett County), Tenn., August 26, 1856, and
is the son of John W. and Elizabeth (Raines) Lloyd, natives of North Carolina and Alabama, respectively.
The father was born in 1826, and died February 11, 1869, and the mother was born in 1833, and died
November 6, 1882. John W. Lloyd, when a lad of sixteen, went with his parents to Madison County,
Tenn., where his father died at about the age of seventy-two years. He had been a soldier in the War of
1812. John W. was an agriculturist, a house carpenter and also followed the occupation of digging wells
for many years. In 1861 he enlisted in the Confederate army, Gen. Forrest's regiment, of which he was
wagon master for two years: he was in service in South Carolina, Alabama and Louisiana, and was in a
number of prominent battles, receiving a slight flesh wound on the knee. He surrendered with his
regiment at Paris, Tenn., after which he returned to his home and followed his trade. He was a member of
the A. F. & A. M., and was an advocate of churches and schools. Of the nine children born to his
marriage, seven lived to be grown, and live still survive. These are named as follows: Thomas H.,
Jefferson, M., J. M. and Mrs. S. E. Jones. Those deceased are: Jasper W., Mollie, Mattie and an infant.
Mrs. Lloyd, with the above mentioned family, came to Arkansas in 1871, and part of the family located in
Jackson County, while the mother, M. J., J. M. and Mattie, came to Greene County in 1872. Here the
mother and Mattie died. John M. Lloyd attained his majority in the county, spending the early part of his
life on a farm, and afterward engaged in clerking in a general store. He worked at stave manufacturing for
about seven years, being foreman for J. F. Husty & Sons, for about six months, at Paragould. He located
on his present property in 1888, and now has 110 acres under a good state of cultivation, and almost
wholly free from stumps. Mr Lloyd chose for his wife, Mrs. S. J. Gramling nee Halley, who was born and
reared in Scott County, Ark. Her parents, Robert H. and Sarah (Hutchins) Halley, were natives of Virginia
and Tennessee, respectively. Robert H., on leaving his native State, went to Tennessee, and thence to
Arkansas, in 1838, where he was married to Mrs. Sarah Crowley, March 10, of the following year. In
1848 they moved to Scott County, Ark., where Mrs. Halley died, October 29, 1861. She was born in
September, 1819, and was first married to Harrison Crowley, who died at the age of thirty-five years,
leaving one son, Benjamin (See sketch of B. H. Crowley). Robert H. Halley was born October 25, 1819,
and died in the Confederate army, in December, 1863. [p.155] Mr. and Mrs. Halley are the parents of nine
children, two of whom are still living: S. J. and J. M., the latter living in this county. Mrs. Lloyd was first
married to Henry C. Gramling, who died in 1882. To Mr. and Mrs. Gramling were born two children:
Victoria and Richard C. Mr. and Mrs. Lloyd are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church of
Paragould.
William F. Lovejoy is foreman of the Leonard plantation in Greene County, Ark., which is one of the
finest in the State, containing 2,000 acres under wire fence, with 600 acres in cultivation. On this farm is
a good general store, belonging to Mr. Lovejoy, and a saw and grist-mill and a cotton-gin belonging to
Mr. Leonard. They are largely interested in raising blooded stock, the plantation being admirably adapted
to this industry, and a specialty is made of raising Poland China and Berkshire hogs. Nineteen dwelling
houses are on the place, and the barn, which is 100×85 feet, is one of the best in the State. From 250 to
300 acres of land are annually devoted to the culture of cotton, which receives the most of Mr. Lovejoy's
attention. He was born in DeKalb County, Ga., in 1843, and was the second in a family of five children
born to Samuel and Paulina (Scaife) Lovejoy, who were also Georgians, the father a planter and merchant
by occupation. In 1848 they moved to Alabama and resided on a plantation in that State, and here the
mother died, in 1850. The father remained there until 1870, when he moved to Phillips County, Ark., in
which State he resided until his death, in 1883. William F. Lovejoy was reared on a plantation and
received his education in the schools of Alabama. While living in that State he was married, in 1864, to
Frances Carrington, and at the time of his father's removal to Arkansas he and wife came also and
engaged in farming and merchandising. He owns a good farm in St. Francis County, but since 1883 he
has resided in Greene County, and since 1886 has had charge of Mr. Leonard's farm, which he is
conducting in a highly satisfactory manner. Besides his property in St. Francis County he has 160 acres,
with forty under cultivation, near Mr. Leonard's farm. He has never been very active in politics, but votes
the Democratic ticket. In 1862, while in Alabama, he joined M. M. Slaughter's Company, Bell's Battalion,
Tenth Regiment, Confederate States Army, but became afflicted with chronic diarrhœa and was honorably
discharged. He is a member of the A. F. & A. M., Brinkley Lodge No. 295. He has seen a great change for
the better in Greene County since locating here, and has witnessed the full growth of Rector, and has been
the means of opening up more land than any man in Blue Cane Township. He has also done much to
increase the wealth of the same, and has expended over $10,000 in clearing the large plantation of which
he is manager, and which is now one of the most valuable pieces of property in the State. He and wife
became the parents of two children, one of whom died in infancy, and the other, Mary Pauline, is the wife
of Mr. Bradford, merchant and express agent at Brinkley, Ark.; she is the mother of one child, William
Monroe.
page 156
Dr. Robert Lovelady, of Greene County, Ark., and an eminent physician of the community, was born in
Hamilton County, Tenn., in 1846, being the second of six children born to Joseph and Deborah (Harris)
Lovelady, both of whom are Tennesseeans, who emigrated to Northeast Arkansas in 1852, where they
entered 200 acres of wild land, which was given Mr. Lovelady as a compensation for services rendered in
the Florida War. Here they made many valuable improvements, and resided until their respective deaths,
the father dying on the 12th of April, 1861. Dr. Robert Lovelady remained with his parents until twenty-
one years of age, attending the common schools; later he began farming for himself, and taught school
for a few terms. In 1872 he took up the study of medicine, under the instruction of Dr. C. Wall,
continuing with him three years, and then entered the Louisville University of Medicine, at Louisville,
Ky., which he attended for some little time. After practicing his profession in Greene County for about
three years he returned to the college, and was raduated at the end of five months, being the second
resident of Crowley's Ridge to graduate in any profession. In 1879 he returned from college and settled in
Cache Township, [p.156] where he entered upon the practice of his profession. During this time his
patronage has been constantly growing, and he is counted among the most successful professional men of
the county. He is well fixed financially, and deserves much credit for the way in which he has succeeded,
for on leaving college he had no capital whatever, save a good knowledge of his calling. He is an active
worker for the cause of education, and has done all he could to raise the standard of the public schools. In
1879 he was married to Miss Maggie A. Morgan, a native of Alabama, who came to Arkansas in 1871,
with her mother and stepfather. By her he has three little children: Ethel, Aden B. and Clifford. The
Doctor is the owner of a small tract of land near Walcott, on which he has erected a neat cottage and out-
buildings, and has set out a considerable number of fruit trees. He and wife are members of the Methodist
Episcopal Church.
Calvin E. McAuley, M. D. The most important science bearing upon man's happiness, comfort and
welfare, is that of medicine, and Dr. McAuley is a credit to the profession. His birth occurred in Carroll
County, Tenn., in April, 1857, and he is the only surviving member of a family of three children, born to
Dr. Enos and Martha (Duke) McAuley, who were born in North Carolina and Tennessee, in 1821 and
1833, respectively. The father was taken by his parents to Carroll County, Tenn., when ten years of age,
and was reared to manhood in that State on a farm. He graduated from a medical college of Kentucky and
in February, 1878, came to Greene County, Ark., where he died in 1881, having been an active medical
practitioner for about thirty-seven years, or since twenty-one years of age. He also taught school in his
youth, and socially was a Royal Arch Mason; he was an active member of the Baptist Church, to which
his wife also belonged. Dr. Calvin E. McAuley attended the common schools of Carroll County, and in
1872 or 1873 commenced the study of medicine under his father, and at the age of nineteen began
practicing. He entered the Louisville Medical College in 1885, and since July, 1878, has been a very
successful practitioner of Greene County, Ark. In 1877 he was married to Miss Mary U. Butler, a native of
Tennessee, who was born in 1863, and died December 17, 1878, having been an earnest member of the
Baptist Church. She left one child, Lelah U. The Doctor took for his second wife Miss Mary F. Ledbetter,
who was born in Arkansas in 1859, and by her he has three children: Maud L., Irvin E. and Florence P.
Mrs. McAuley is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South. The Doctor belongs to the I. O. O.
F., is an advocate of schools, and a Republican in his political views, and in 1886 was tendered the
nomination as representative to the State legislature, but would not accept. After coming to Arkansas he
was in partnership with his father until the latter's death.
William J. McBride, one of the independent sons of toil and a successful horticulturist of Hurricane
Township, Greene County, Ark., was born in Tennessee and came with his parents, Daniel and S. M.
(Jones) McBride, to Greene County, Ark., about 1870. He was one of ten children, two of whom were born
after their arrival in Greene County. William J. McBride remained on his father's farm until he was
nineteen years of age, when he was united in marriage to Miss Mary Jane Edmondson, daughter of
Archibald Edmondson, of Greene County. After marriage he and his wife settled on forty acres, to which
he has since added forty more, all improved, this forming one of the best farms in the neighborhood. He
has by far the finest peach and apple orchard to be found in his section of the neighborhood, last year
having from it 300 to 400 bushels, all of which was fed to the hogs with the exception of that used by the
family, there being no market for the fruit. To Mr. and Mrs. McBride have been born five children:
Matilda E., Daniel S., Malinda J., Julia C. and William H. Mr. McBride is a member of Evergreen Lodge
No. 66, I. O. O. F., and also of the Agricultural Wheel. He and wife belong to the Methodist Episcopal
Church, South.
page 157
John McHaney, planter and stockman, of Friendship Township, Greene County. Ark., is a native of
Wilson County, Tenn., born on the 22d of June, 1819, being the third in a family of twelve children in the
family of William and Sarah (Word) [p.157] McHaney, who were Virginians, and among the early
pioneers of Tennessee. In the latter State the father was engaged in farming and schoolteaching for some
time, and in 1840 emigrated to Marion County, Ill., where his death occurred ten years later, his excellent
wife surviving him until 1875, when she too died, at the age of eighty-four years. John McHaney was
reared to a farm life, and educated in the common schools of Tennessee, and began his independent career
as a farmer in Illinois, remaining thus engaged in that State for seven years, when he emigrated to Gibson
County, Tenn., in 1845. After living there until January 1, 1861, he moved to Greene County, Ark., and
settled on the farm where he is now residing, purchasing 100 acres of almost totally unimproved land. He
has since added to this purchase, until he now owns 200 acres of land, with ninety under cultivation, the
greater part of which he devotes to raising corn. He has a fine orchard, and takes great interest in fruit
culture. In 1863 he returned to Tennessee, and was there married to Miss Sarah Sims, who was born in
Middle Tennessee, being a daughter of Chesley and Mary Sims, also Tennesseeans by birth, the original
stock coming from North Carolina. He lost his wife in 1870, and the same year was married in Greene
County, Ark., to Mrs. Amanda (Allison) Shearer, who had two children by her former husband, both of
whom are married. Of seven children born to Mr. McHaney's first union only one is now living, Sarah,
wife of Mr. McGlumphy, of Marion County, Ill. By his last wife he is the father of four children: John
Lafayette, James Thomas, Almeda Alice and Minnie Estelle. The first named died at the age of five years.
Mr. McHaney has seen many changes take place in Greene County, and has done his share in developing
the same. He was a member of and assisted in organizing the first church in the township, which is now
in a flourishing condition. He has been a patron of education, and donated the land for his home school
building, and was one of a committee to re-district Greene County, and name the townships, giving the
name of Friendship to the township in which he is now living. He has been a justice of the peace here for
over twenty years. Socially he has been a member of Gainesville Lodge No. 168, in the town of
Gainesville, and is also a member of the Agricultural Wheel. Mr. McHaney enlisted in the army in the
latter part of 1864, and was captain of Company C, DeVee's Battalion, Kitchens' Division, and operated in
Missouri and Arkansas, and was with Price on his raid through Missouri, Indian Territory, Kansas and
Arkansas. He left the company at Fort Smith, Ark., and with a number of others returned home and
resumed farming.
page 158
LaFayette McHaney is one of the sturdy sons of the soil of Greene County, Ark., who has won his property
by the sweat of his brow and by good management. He and his parents, William and Sarah (Word)
McHaney, were born in Tennessee, his birth occurring in Wilson County in 1837, When the latter was
three years old he was taken by his parents to Marion County, Ill., where the father died in 1851 at the age
of sixty-six years, and the mother in 1880, aged seventy-nine years. The father was a Democrat and he
and wife were members of the Baptist Church. They had a family of thirteen children, ten of whom lived
to be grown and seven are yet living. LaFayette was the eleventh child, and attained his majority in
Marion County, Ill. His youthful days were spent on a farm and in attending the common schools, and
after attaining his twenty-second year he taught one term of school of nine months, later going to
Tennessee, where he was married. In January, 1861, he came to Arkansas and joined the Confederate
army, serving as first lieutenant, and was captured on the 4th of July, 1863, at Helena, Ark., and was
taken to Johnson's Island, Ohio, where he was kept a prisoner from August of that year to January, 1865,
when he was exchanged and returned home. In February, 1865, he began teaching school, continuing
twenty months, and the rest of his time has been devoted to his farm. He first located southeast of
Gainesville, but in 1881 came to his present farm, of which he has about 200 acres under cultivation. He
raises considerable stock. His wife, whose name was Nancy C. Thorne, was born in Tennessee, [p.158]
and when a child moved to Gibson County, of the same State, where she was married. The following are
their children: William W., John T., Avey Ann (wife of William Russell), John H., Robert L., Samuel P.,
Onia A., Susan A. A., Melvin M., Maude and Claude (twins), and Edward E. Henry L. died from the
effects of a fall, at the age of seven years. Mr. McHaney is a Democrat, has been a Master Mason for two
years, and he and wife are members of the Baptist Church, in which he has been a deacon for twelve
years.
James K. P. McKelvey, whose success in life is mainly due to his industry and perseverance, coupled with
a pleasant, genial disposition, is a native of Franklin County, Tenn., born in 1844, being the son of John
and Mary Ann (McKelvey) McKelvey, natives of South Carolina. The parents came to Franklin County,
Tenn., in their youthful days, were reared in that county, and were married there about 1842. In 1850 they
moved to Benton County, Tenn., and there remained until 1863, when they located in Union County, Ill.
In the fall of 1865, they came to Lawrence County, Ark., settling on a farm where they remained about
one year, and afterward moved to Carroll County, thence to Sebastian County, where the father died in
1874, at the age of fifty-five years. He practiced medicine the later part of his life; was a self-made man,
and a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South, of which he was a minister for twenty-two years
before his death. He was very successful in administering to the physical as well as the spiritual wants of
his fellow-men, and his face was welcomed in the homes of all, and especially in the homes of the sick
and afflicted. He was a member of the Masonic fraternity, a Democrat in politics, and a strong advocate of
free schools. He was a very popular man, but never aspired to office. The mother is still living in
Sebastian County, Ark., on the home place. She was born in 1825, and has been a member of the
Methodist Episcopal Church, South, for many years. To their union were born thirteen children, twelve of
whom grew to maturity: Louisa E., James K. P., Mary J., Martha F., who died at the age of thirty-eight
years; George N., died at the age of thirty years; Elizabeth Ann, William H., Millie H., John G., died at
the age of thirteen years; Isaac N., Joseph T., Aaron A. and Luther W. Aaron A. is now attending the St.
Louis Medical College. James K. P. McKelvey was reared in his native county, and received limited
educational advantages. In 1864 he commenced farming for himself in Illinois, but one year later returned
to Tennessee, to the old home place, where he remained until 1873, and then moved to Greene County.
Ark. He located west of Gainesville, and soon after went to Sebastian County, to settle the estate of his
father, where he remained until the fall of 1876, then returning and settling on his present property. He
has 100 acres under cultivation, and is a thriving, industrious farmer. He was married, in the fall of 1868,
to Miss Ferlissa A. Swindle, a native of Tennessee, born in 1848, and the fruits of this union were ten
children, all living: William T., a student at the State University of Fayetteville, Ark.; Italy, John, Alonzo,
Horace and Hervey (twins), Adolphus L., Anna L., Clara M. and James R. Italy is the wife of L. C.
Rudesial. Mr. and Mrs. McKelvey are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South, of which he is
local deacon: he was ordained in 1879, and commenced preaching in 1874. He is a Royal Arch and
Master Mason, belonging to the Blue Lodge at Gainesville, and has served as Worshipful Master for
several years. He has a dimit from Duval Chapter, No. 65. He is a Democrat in politics. His father was a
Union man during the war, and was opposed to secession. Mr. McKelvey is a strong advocate of the free
school system, but has never sought political prominence.
page 159
Dr. J. G. McKenzie. Among the many successful farmers and practitioners of the “healing art” in Greene
County, Ark., deserving of special mention, is Dr. McKenzie, who was born in Aberdeen, Scotland, in
1851, and is the third in a family of seven children born to Alexander and Jeanette (Patterson) McKenzie,
the former of whom was engaged in commercial pursuits, and conducted a boot and shoe factory. The
Doctor attended school in his native land until nineteen [p.159] years of age, then entered the Alton
Medical College for a course of two years, after which he took a finishing course of six months at the
Rush Medical College, in 1873. Subsequently he emigrated to the United States, and after remaining in
New York City for some time, made a tour of the great lakes, and settled in Canada for about one year. He
then went to the State of Illinois, and engaged in practicing the medical profession at Dresdon, in
partnership with Dr. Rhodes, making his next move to Cotton Plant, in Southeast Missouri, and about one
year later went to Kennett, and was associated with Dr. Harvey for another year. After following his
profession in Northeastern Arkansas for some time he came to his present location about 1875, purchased
one acre of land, erected a residence, and here has since made his home. He has added eight and one half
acres to his home lot, and has bought eighty acres of good farming land in one tract, besides eighty acres
in the Cache River bottoms, making the last purchase in 1887. Fifty acres of land are cleared and under
cultivation, and the rest is devoted to stock raising, in which he is quite extensively engaged, making a
specialty of horses and mules. The Doctor's practice is very large, and although he has lived in Greene
County a comparatively short time, he is well and favorably known. He is also doing a commercial
business among his friends and neighbors, and is a stockholder in the First National Bank of Greene
County. He votes with the Democratic party, and in 1885 was postmaster of Crowley. In 1886 the Doctor
made a trip to Europe and visited his old home and the Edinburgh Exposition, which was being held at
that time. He returned to the United States after about a month fully convinced that this country was the
easiest and best in which to acquire a competence. He was married in November. 1878, to Miss Cynthia
Ann Pevehouse, a native of Arkansas, and by her is the father of five children: Willie Alexander, Jessie
Odel, who died at the age of six years; James, Maggie and Roger Q. Dr. McKenzie's father is deceased,
but his mother, two sisters and two brothers are living in retirement at Aberdeen. A brother, John G., is
chief engineer on a line of steamships sailing between Shanghai and Hong Kong. He also has an uncle
who is captain on the ocean, and sails between Liverpool and New Orleans.
page 160
Judge L. L. Mack, attorney at law. The firm of Mack & Son is one of the leading and most influential at
the bar in the city of Paragould, and gives strength to the fraternity. The gentlemen composing it are
admirably adapted to the honorable prosecution of this most exalted of professions, and possess that easy
and interested grace of manner not easily acquired by the majority. Judge L. L. Mack was born in Maury
County, Tenn., on the 18th of December, 1817, and is the son of Lemuel D. and Mary (Taylor) Mack,
natives of Rockingham County, N. C., and of Wake County, N. C., respectively. The parents emigrated to
Tennessee when single, were there married and located in Maury County, of that State, where they
remained for several years, and then removed to Wayne County, also in that State. In 1851 they removed
to Greene County, Ark., locating near Gainesville, where they passed the remainder of their days. They lie
buried in the cemetery at Gainesville. They were the parents of eleven children, of whom our subject is the
eldest. He was born a cripple, and on that account it was thought that he would never amount to anything.
He was reared and educated in Maury County, Tenn., receiving an ordinary education, and after his
school day's work was over he began the study of law, a part of the time with a preceptor and a portion
without any. When in his twenty-first year he was admitted to the bar in Maury County, although living in
Wayne County, and practiced in the last named county for about twelve years. In the year 1844 he was
elected county clerk, and filled this position with credit for four years. He became very prominently
identified with the whole section of country for many miles. He was a candidate for the legislature from
Wayne County, but was defeated by forty-four votes. In December, 1850, he landed in Greene County,
Ark., with his family, and in October of the following year settled at Gainesville, then the county seat.
Here he began the struggle for life and reputation. Previous to [p.160] this, in 1844, he married Miss
Felicia Cypert, a a sister of Judge Cypert, and became the father of eleven children, nine now living. They
are named as follows: Robert P., an attorney; Allen P., also an attorney; William N., a physician; Messilla
B., wife of P. H. Crenshaw; Emma W., wife of Judge James E. Riddick; McCall, Thomas C., Idella A. and
Sarah J. After locating in Greene County, Ark., he found his money scarce though a good sized family
depended upon him for support. He had a little library and set to work in earnest in the practice of his
profession, notwithstanding there was very little to be done in those days. However he held on to what
little there was, and in 1855 he was elected prosecuting attorney from the First district, and on
next election was defeated. In November, 1860, he was elected to the legislature and served during that
session, but later resigned and was a candidate for prosecuting attorney from the Third district. He was
elected and served one term. In the year 1865 he was elected circuit judge of the same circuit and went off
under reconstruction in 1868. In 1874 he was elected circuit judge of the Second circuit without
opposition, and held one term of four years. He was re-elected in 1878 and served until 1882. Since that
time he has turned his attention to his practice. The most of his life has been spent in serving the public,
and in that capacity he has given entire satisfaction, meriting the respect and admiration of all by his
firmness and advancement. As a lawyer he is a ready and fluent speaker, and has but few superiors. A
singular circumstance of the family is that there were eleven children in his father's family, of whom the
subject of this sketch is the eldest, and eleven children in the wife's family, she being the youngest. The
Judge is also the father of eleven children. There were twenty-three grandchildren born, and twenty-two
are living at the present time. Judge Mack is a member of the Masonic fraternity and also the I. O. O. F.
He and wife belong to the Methodist Episcopal Church.
page 161
Rufus A. Markham, M. D., an energetic practitioner, is recognized throughout this State as a friend of and
laborer in the cause and advancement of the medical profession, and has acquired a flattering reputation
as a physician. He was born in Orange County, N. C. (now Durham County), in 1848, and is a son of
Benjamin and Rhoda (Pritchard) Markham, who were born in North Carolina. The father was the eldest
of nine children and grew to maturity in his native State, after which he emigrated westward to
Tennessee, where he was engaged in teaching school for some time. He returned to the old home place,
and at the age of forty years located within three miles of the old home, where he lived until his death, in
1866, at the age of sixty-three years, rearing there a family of five children, all of whom are living. His
wife was born in 1807 and died in 1861, and she, as well as her husband, was a member of the Baptist
Church, the latter being a deacon in the same for twenty years. The grandfather was born and reared in
the Carolinas, and the great grandfather was a soldier in the Revolutionary War: he reared a large family
of children. He lived to be over ninety years of age, and had several sons who also lived to extreme old
age, one lacking seven days of being ninety-nine years old at the time of his death. Dr. Rufus A.
Markham's brothers and sisters are as follows: Eliza Ann. Felix G., James D. and Martha J. Dr. Markham
remained at home until the death of his parents and acquired a fair education in the district schools and at
Durham, N. C. In 1870 he came to West Tennessee and the following year removed to Greene County,
Ark. In 1874 he went to Texas, where he engaged in teaching school. After returning to Arkansas he was
appointed, in 1876, to the office of deputy clerk of Greene County. In 1878 he began the study of medicine
under Dr. M. V. Camp, now of Walnut Ridge, Ark., and soon after entered the Missouri Medical College,
of St. Louis, from which institution he graduated in 1885, though previous to graduating he had practiced
in Greensboro from 1880 until 1884. After graduating he came to Gainesville, where he has since been
engaged in the active practice of his profession, and is ranked among the leading physicians of the county.
He was married in the fall of 1880 to Miss Maggie Steadman, who was born in Chatham [p.161] County,
N. C., in 1845, and died in October, 1888, having become the mother of three children: Edward L., James
C. and Rufus P. The last child died in infancy, soon after the mother's death. She was an active worker
and member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. The Doctor is a member of the Baptist Church. He
belongs to the A. F. & A. M., and is in every respect a self-made man.
W. H. Martin, a farmer of Blue Cane Township, was born in Caldwell County, N. C., in 1832, and is the
son of William R. and Anna (Hood) Martin, who were of English and Scotch ancestry respectively, and
were natives and farmers of the “Old North State.” W. H. Martin resided in his native State until sixteen
years of age, when he left home and went to Union County, Ill., where he engaged in the sawmill business
as a hand sawyer. He was married there in 1856 to Mary Jane Hartline, a daughter of John and Margaret
(Rendelman) Hartline, who were among the pioneer settlers of that county and State, from North
Carolina. The father was a farmer by occupation and died some years ago. The mother is still living. Mr.
Martin remained in Illinois until 1866, when be went to Texas, where he purchased an improved farm and
remained until the fall of 1869. Selling his property, he came to Greene County, purchasing an improved
farm on Crowley's Ridge. Here his wife died in 1880, having borne a family of six children, three of
whom survive: Willis A., Walter L., and Eliza Jane. The latter is the wife of C. L. Sides, and resides on
Crowley's Ridge. In the fall of 1880 Mr. Martin married Mrs. J. F. Lewis, a widow of Jacob Lewis, of
Stoddard County, Mo.; he was reared in Illinois, where he resided on a farm until 1869, when he came to
Greene County, Ark., and bought eighty acres of land, which he improved and added to. He was
conservative in politics. He died in 1879 and left his widow with two children to care for: William
Franklin and Myrtle May. Mr. Martin owns lands to the amount of 480 acres, 200 being under cultivation,
and has taken an interest in fruit culture, having on his home farm a fine orchard. He raises and buys
considerable stock, and is one of the successful farmers of the county. He votes with the Democratic party,
and has been a member of the school board ever since his residence in Arkansas. Socially, he is a member
of the A. F. & A. M., Danley Lodge No. 3, and is a member of the Knights of Honor, at Rector. He and
wife are members of the Missionary Baptist Church, and are the parents of one child: Edgar C. Mr.
Martin has seen many changes in the growth and prosperity of the county since coming here; he often
went to Cape Girardeau, a distance of 125 miles, to do his marketing, when now it is only necessary to go
a very few miles to obtain all the articles one desires.
J. R. Miller, deputy circuit and county clerk, and a prominent educator of the county for a number of
years, was born in Gordon County, Ga., April 8, 1856, and came to Greene County, Ark., in 1879. His
father, W. W. Miller, was a native of South Carolina, where he followed agricultural pursuits for some
time, and, when a young man, moved to Georgia. Here he was united in marriage to Miss Amelia Erwin,
a native of the last-mentioned State and the daughter of James Erwin. The grandparents, Archibald and
Hannah Miller, were of English stock. After coming to Greene County, Ark., J. R. Miller engaged in
agricultural pursuits, which had been his principal occupation while in Georgia, and he has also been
occupied in the teacher's profession for several years. He settled on a farm near Gainesville, cultivating
sixty acres or more, and has a fine residence. He was married December 26, 1883, to Miss Mattie
Hampton, daughter of M. B. and M. C. (Stevenson) Hampton, of Greene County, formerly of Shelby
County, Tenn. One child is the result of this union, a daughter, named Minnie May. The mother of Mr.
Miller makes her home with him. In his political views he affiliates with the Democratic party, and in
January, 1889, he was appointed to the position of deputy circuit clerk by Mr. T. B. Kitchens. Mr. and
Mrs. Miller are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South.
page 162
James F. Newberry, a prominent and highly respected farmer of Greene County, was born in Alabama in
1844, and is the son of John Newberry, [p.162] who came to this State in 1854. Here he engaged in
farming and was for two years justice of the peace. At the breaking out of the Civil War he entered the
Confederate service under Gen. Joseph E. Johnston, and was killed in 1862. He reared a family of six
children, five sons and one daughter. James F. Newberry was in the Confederate service during the entire
war, and was wounded in the left leg. In 1864 he returned to his farm in Greene County, and devoted
himself to its improvement. He then owned 100 acres, which he has since increased to 425. A part of his
farm is under cultivation, and he is also interested in raising cattle and fine mules. He married Mary
Morgan, who bore him six children and died in 1880, aged thirty years. He chose as his second wife Mrs.
Charity (Dennis) Ross, and to their union have been given four children. The nine children are: Robert E.,
born in 1865; Martha C., born in 1867, died in 1880; Sarah F., born in 1870; John E., born in 1872;
Isabella, born in 1874; Laura E., born in 1881; James J., born in 1883, died in 1884; Jennie B., born in
1885, and Myrtle G., born in 1887, died in 1889. Mr. Newberry is a stanch Democrat in politics, and he
and his wife are popular in the community in which they live.
W. C. Newberry is in every way worthy of being classed among the prosperous planters of Greene County,
Ark. He was born in Weakley County, West Tenn., in 1852, and was the sixth of eleven children born to
Samuel and Nancy (Trantham) Newberry, the former a native of North Carolina, and the latter of
Tennessee. In 1854 they moved to Greene County, Ark., and settled near the farm on which W. C.
Newberry is now residing, where they entered land and resided until their respective deaths, the father's
demise occurring in February, 1874, and the mother's in 1883. They took quite an important part in the
early history of the country, and the father assisted in organizing the county. W. C. Newberry received his
early education in the district schools of Greene County, and aided at home in opening up his father's
farm. He was married in Greene County, in 1872, to Miss Martha Jane McHaney, who was born in
Arkansas, and is a daughter of John and Sally (Sims) McHaney, Tennesseeans. Mr. Newberry soon
located on his present farm of 120 acres, about fifty-five acres of which he has cleared and put under
cultivation. He has added to his original purchase until he now has 200 acres of as good land as there is in
the county, with 110 under the plow, the principal products of which are corn and cotton. Mr. Newberry is
independent in politics, and is not an office-seeker. In 1874 he lost his wife, and four years later he was
married to Mary H. Hartso, of Arkansas. His first union was blessed by one son, Samuel; and his last by
four children: Luther, Clifton, Charley and Tuler. His wife is a daughter of William and Sarah
(McFarland) Hartso, who came to Arkansas at an early day. The father is still living, but the mother is
deceased. Mr. Newberry has been active in aiding all laudable enterprises, and is one of the self made men
of the county.
John Nutt, farmer and stock-raiser, of Greene County, Ark., is one of its foremost men in the support of
all measures for its progress and development. He was born in Shelby County, Tenn., and grew to
manhood on his father's farm, there receiving his education in the county schools. His father, William
Nutt, was a native of Alabama, and moved from that State to Tennessee in 1827. There he engaged very
successfully in farming, and, being a minister of the gospel, devoted much time to his Master's cause. He
reared a family of eleven children, four of whom are yet living. All his life he was faithful to his ideas of
right and duty, and died in 1844. John Nutt has during his life engaged in farming, and now owns 520
acres of splendid land in this county, and 600 acres in Lawrence County. He has given some attention to
stock-raising, and now has many good horses and mules. To him and wife have been born six children,
and five of them have grown to manhood and womanhood. They are three sons and two daughters:
William C., George W., Sampson M., Lavina E. and Nancy Ann. Mr. Nutt is a member of the Masonic
order, and he and wife are worthy members of the Baptist Church.
page 163
John M. Nutt. The fine quality of the soil in Greene County, Ark., added to energy and good management,
has placed Mr. Nutt among the prosperous farmers of the community. He was born on the old homestead
near his own farm on the 14th of January, 1863, being the eleventh of fourteen children born to W. G. and
Sarah (Ellis) Nutt, the former a native of Alabama, and the latter of Maryland. The father came with his
parents to what is now Greene County in 1839, and settled with them on a farm near Gainesville, where
the parents died. He was married in Greene County and became a very wealthy farmer, being the owner of
2,500 acres of land, with 600 acres under cultivation. He always votes with the Democratic party, and
socially is a member of Gainesville Lodge No. 168. He is a member of the Baptist Church, and his wife is
a Methodist. The maternal grandfather was a very early resident of Arkansas, and was a soldier in the
Mexican war. John M. Nutt has always resided in Greene County, and in his youth attended the common
schools; this with a few years spent at Howell, Mo., has enabled him to successfully cope with fickle
fortune. When first starting out in life for himself he began tilling the soil on the farm where he now lives,
his acreage amounting to 167½, eighty acres being under the plow. The most of this he cleared himself,
and now has one of the best farms in the county. He was married in Greene County in 1887 to Miss Lulu,
a daughter of W. G. Butternut and wife, nee Skiles, all being natives of Tennessee, who came to Greene
County in 1871. The parents are living in the county. Mr. Nutt always votes the Republican ticket, but is
not a seeker after office, and has ever been deeply interested in educational matters. His wife is a member
of the Baptist Church. Their union has been blessed in the birth of one child: Ivery.
John Odam is of the mercantile firm of McConnell & Odam, Paragould. In scanning the sketches of
Greene County, Ark., one fact must strike the reader with peculiar force: the high standing attained by its
business men. It is known to have a thoroughly qualified business population, and Mr. Odam is a leading
light among the number. He was born in Hardin County, Ill., August 5, 1832, and received such
educational advantages as the schools of those days afforded. Until thirty-three years of age he assisted his
father on the farm, and then went to Crittenden County, Ky., where he was engaged in the hotel and
lumber business for about ten years. After this he went to Dyer County, Tenn., there following saw-
milling, having a mill built on a steamboat, and taking the timber from the river. He was also occupied in
merchandising for about four years. In January, 1888, he came to Paragould, Ark., where he bought his
present property and immediately embarked in the mercantile business under the present firm name. He
carries a good stock of general merchandise and has a thriving trade. He was married in 1862, but lost his
wife the following year. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity, having joined that order in 1862. Mr.
dam's parents, Cleyburn and Mary (McConnell) Odam, were natives of Middle Tennessee and Maysville,
Ky., respectively. The mother emigrated from Kentucky to Illinois in 1816, when the last named State was
a Territory, and the father came to the same State about 1820. They were married there and located in
Hardin County, where the father successfully cultivated the soil. He died August 5, 1834, of Asiatic
cholera. In their family were two children: John and Sarah, wife of Thomas McConnell. After the death of
her husband Mrs. Odam married Mr. Commodore P. Tadlock, by whom she had five children, three now
living: Edward J., Jonathan L., and Nancy J. The mother died in 1858.
page 164
John O'Steen, ex-county and probate judge, and merchant, Paragould. In these days of money-making,
when life is a constant struggle between right and wrong, it is a pleasure to lay before an intelligent reader
the unsullied record of an honorable man. To the youthful it will be a useful lesson–an incentive to honest
industry. John O'Steen was born in Panola County, Miss., on April 27, 1845, and is the son of Harvey and
Elizabeth (True) O'Steen, both of Scotch origin. The parents were married in Alabama, and in 1834
removed to Panola County, Miss., where the [p.164] mother died in 1852. The father passed his last days
in Craighead County, Ark., dying there in 1865. Of the seven children born to this marriage, three are
now living: Mary, wife of W. G. Starling; John, and Samuel. The father was a blacksmith, and also a
gunsmith, which occupation he followed up to the time of his death. John O'Steen was partly reared and
educated in Panola County, Miss., but moved with his father to Craighead County, Ark., in 1859. He went
to work in the shop, learning the gunsmith trade of his father, and now has the reputation of being the
finest gunsmith in Northeast Arkansas. In 1862, during the late war, he was very anxious to become a
soldier, but could not obtain the consent of his parents. His mind was so wrapped up in it that,
notwithstanding all obstacles, he ran away from home, and enlisted in Capt. Adair's company, serving
about three years. He was in several hard skirmishes, but, on account of being a cripple, he could not keep
up with his command, and in consequence was captured by scouts, who kept him in custody about two
weeks. In 1870 he chose for his partner in life Miss Bethany A. Jones, a native of Alabama, and the fruits
of this union were two children: Mary A. and Nora Inez. The same year of his marriage Judge O'Steen
came to Greene County, Ark., and carried on his trade until 1888, when he sold out, and engaged in the
mercantile business, which he still continues. He was elected probate and county judge in 1882, and
re-elected in 1884 and 1886, thus serving six successive years. Prior to his election he served four years
as justice of the peace, and served one term as constable. Judge O'Steen is one of the prominent men of
Greene County, and may be counted among the pioneers, having been a resident here for thirty years. He
is the owner of 160 acres of land, with about forty acres under cultivation. He is a member of the Masonic
fraternity, and also of the I. O. O. F.
Eugene Parrish, of the law firm of Crowley & Parrish, was born in Dover, Stewart County, Tenn., and is
the son of Abraham P. and Mary M. (Ingram) Parrish, natives respectively of Virginia and Tennessee.
Abraham P. Parrish emigrated to Tennessee when quite small, grew to manhood in that State, and there
received a liberal education. For many years before the war he ran a furnace at Dover, Tenn., but during
that eventful period he was financially crippled and retired to a farm in Humphreys County, on the banks
of the Tennessee River, where he is residing at the present time. He is now in his seventy-second year.
The mother died when Eugene Parrish was quite young. Of the children born to this marriage, two are
now living: Charles and Eugene. After the death of his first wife Mr. Parrish, was married again and
became the father of three children: Lamar, Walter L. and Daisy. Grandfather Parrish was a soldier in the
Revolutionary War, and died in Virginia. Eugene Parrish was principally reared in Tennessee, and
received his education at West Kentucky College and at the University of Ohio, obtaining the means to
prosecute his studies by teaching school between terms until he completed his education. He was admitted
to the bar at Jonesboro in 1884, located at Wittsburg, Cross County, and there remained until June, 1885,
when he settled at Paragould. Ark. He was associated with J. D. Block, present prosecuting attorney at
Wittsburg, and, on coming to Paragould, he formed a partnership with B. H. Crowley, the present senator
of the First district, and a very noted and prominent man. This law firm has one of the finest libraries in
Northeast Arkansas, and both members are men of ability. Mr. Parrish is a self-made, self-educated man,
and is well fitted for the profession he has chosen.
page 165
Seth W. Peebles, one of the many successful agriculturists and stock raisers of Greene County, Ark., and
one who has attained wealth by the sweat of his brow, is classed among the prosperous men of the county.
He was born in North Carolina in 1825, and is the eldest one of the family of six children born to the
marriage of Wyatt and Nancy (Biggs) Peebles, who were born in North Carolina and emigrated to
Virginia, where they were engaged in husbandry. The mother died in that State, and subsequently the
father emigrated to Greene County, Ark., and in 1842 settled near Greensboro, where he became well and
[p.165] favorably known, and served as sheriff of the county six years. He died in December, 1876. Seth
W. Peebles has been familiar with farm life from earliest youth, and received his education in the schools
of Virginia. He began his independent career as a farmer in 1846, in Tennessee, and was married there in
December of the following year to Miss Catherine Mingle, a native of Virginia, and a daughter of William
and Rebecca (Kagley) Mingle, who were also Virginians and early emigrants to Tennessee, in which State
the father died. His wife's death occurred in Arkansas in 1864. Mr. Peebles became a resident of Greene
County, Ark., in 1855, and in 1859 bought a partially improved farm in Union Township, consisting of
160 acres, of which he improved and cleared forty acres. Besides this property he owns the old homestead
of 117 acres, sixty of which are under cultivation. He has always been interested in politics and has
affiliated with the Democratic party, but is not an office-seeker. He has been a member of the school board
several times and assisted in the re-organization of the townships. In 1872 his wife died, having borne a
family of six children: Nancy Jane, Rebecca E., who died in February, 1877, the wife of Joel Dollins;
George W., who died in 1886; John M., who died in October, 1878; Sarah Ann, wife of J. P. Walls, who
died in 1880; and James L., who also died in 1880. In 1863 Mr. Peebles enlisted in Company K. Seventh
Missouri Confederate cavalry, and was with Price on his raid through Missouri, Kansas, etc. He was
wounded in the Mine Creek fight in Kansas, receiving a gunshot through the right lung. Since the war he
has been engaged in farming. He is a consistent member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South.
page 166
Wiley Pevehouse. In giving a sketch of this gentleman it is but fair to say that he is one of the prominent
farmers of Greene County, Ark., and that he is a man of sound judgment and unimpeachable honesty. He
was born on Crowley's Ridge, in Greene County, on the 2d of July, 1828, being the second child born
there, his brother William, whose birth occurred April 7, 1826, having been first. He was the fourth child
of Abraham and Polly (Crowley) Pevehouse, who came to Arkansas at an early day. [For a history of the
Crowley family see sketch of Hon. B. H. Crowley.] After spending a year on Black River they came to
Crowley's Ridge, and made the first settlement in Northeast Arkansas. The paternal grandparents were of
Virginia stock, and moved from that State to South Carolina, and thence to Kentucky, of which section
they were pioneers, about 1822 coming to Arkansas. The parents of our subject died about 1835, and from
that time up to manhood he made his home with his grandfather, Benjamin Crowley. The latter was a
very extensive farmer and stock raiser, and Mr. Pevehouse drove stock all the way to St. Louis, and later
to Memphis and Helena. During his childhood he depended on his own resources for a livelihood and
hunted and sold his furs and hides, and later farmed in a small way. When about twenty years of age he
entered land, subsequently buying small tracts from time to time, and in the spring of 1861 sold out and
went to Seott County, where he remained about eighteen months, then returning to the Cache bottoms.
When some twenty-five years of age he was married to Miss Margaret Capps, a native of Arkansas, whose
family were early settlers in this section. She died in 1858, leaving two children: Sarah, who married a
Mr. Harris, and died soon after, and Cynthia Ann, wife of Dr. McKinzie, now living at Crowley. Mr.
Pevehouse took for his second wife Miss Frances Bowman, whom he married in 1860. Her death occurred
on the 13th of October, 1870. She and Mr. Pevehouse were the parents of the following children: William,
who is married and resides in Lawrence County; Lucy Jane, the wife of George Gramling; John P., who
died on the 31st of March, 1888, at the age of twenty-two years; and Mary Elizabeth. February 16, 1873,
Mr. Pevehouse married Mrs. Sarah Ann (Cooper) Allen, a native of Mississippi, who was reared in
Tennessee, and came to Arkansas with her first husband, settling in Lawrence County. In 1876 he
purchased his present property of 160 acres, of which about five acres were cleared, and now has ninety-
five acres in a tillable condition and well improved with good buildings, orchard, etc. His principal crops
are corn and [p.166] cotton, and he gives much attention to stock raising of a good grade, and also to the
culture of bees. He is public spirited, and has held the offices of deputy sheriff and county clerk. In 1864
he enlisted in the Confederate army, and was with Price on his raid through Missouri, but being in poor
health was left at Boonville, where he received good attention, and was soon after paroled and returned
home. The close of the war left him destitute, and since that time he has made his present property.
I. H. Pillow, deputy sheriff, farmer and stock raiser of Greene County, Ark., is a native of Giles County,
Tenn., where he was born in 1851, being a son of Levi and Elizabeth (Willcockson) Pillow, also natives of
that State. They came to Greene County, Ark., in 1851, settling on the farm on which the subject of this
sketch is now living. The father made some valuable improvements on his place of 320 acres, and at the
time of his death, in 1862, had cleared thirty acres from timber. In 1862 he enlisted in Capt. Clemens'
company, Gen. Pillow's brigade, and at the tight at Fort Pillow became overheated, from the effects of
which he died seven days later. He was a Democrat politically, a Methodist in religious belief, and was a
man always noted for his public spirit and benevolence. He left a widow and three children to mourn his
loss, the names of the latter being: I. H., Sina M., wife of F. F. Martin, a farmer of Greene County, and
Sarah A., wife of N. A. Danley, also a farmer of Greene County. Mrs. Pillow was left to care for her
children with but little means, but with the aid of her son, she succeeded in doing well for them. I. H.
Pillow received only a limited education in his youth, but, assisted by his mother, with subsequent
application he has become a practical and intelligent business man. December 28, 1872, he was married
to Miss Martha, a daughter of Absalom and Mary (Cobal) Arnel, Tennesseeans, and by her became the
father of two children: Mary E. and Annie Elnora. Mrs. Pillow died on the 29th of September, 1875, and
November 26, 1876, he wedded Mrs. Martha (Newsom) Wood, a daughter of Henry and Grace A.
Newsom, natives of Mississippi. To this last marriage four children have been born: Ida Lee, Joseph
Henry. Thomas A. and Charley. Ninety acres of his 160 acre farm are under cultivation, and well
improved and cultivated. His orchard is large and well selected and his crop is usually extensive. He is
interested in stock-breeding, and has a fine Norman and Morgan stallion. His cattle are of the Durham
breed, and his hogs are Berkshire and Jersey. During the fall, for the past fifteen years, he has operated a
threshing machine. Mr. Pillow, his wife, and two daughters are members of the Methodist Episcopal
Church, in which he is a class leader, and in his political views he is a stanch Democrat, having been
elected on that ticket, in 1887, to the office of deputy sheriff, which position he has very acceptably filled
up to the present time.
page 167
Robert W. Pruet, a well known and successful farmer of the county, was born in East Tennessee in 1825,
and is the third in a family of fifteen children born to Willis and Mary (Williams) Pruet, who were also
Tennesseeans, the paternal and maternal grandparents being from North Carolina and Virginia,
respectively. Grandfather Pruet was a participant in the Creek war, and was at the battle of Horseshoe
Bend. The maternal grandparents lived to be very old, reaching the age of ninety and one hundred years.
Willis Pruet was an extensive land holder in Tennessee, and dealt in stock, being a prominent and
influential citizen of his time. He died in August, 1850. Robert W. Pruet was reared to farm labor,
attended the common schools, and after attaining his majority engaged in stock dealing, and also kept a
country store for some time. In 1851 he was married to a Miss Stuart, a native of Illinois, and in 1853, in
company with three brothers, came to Northeast Arkansas and settled in Greene County, where he entered
120 acres, on which be at once located and began improving. In 1858 he sold his property with the
intention of going to Texas, but instead purchased 160 acres of wild land in St. Francis Township, 100
acres of which he now has under excellent cultivation, furnished with good buildings and orchards. He
devotes the most of his land to general farming, and raises cotton, corn, [p.167] and the smaller grains,
the land yielding a good average. He is trying to improve his stock and is going to cross his cattle with
Jersey. In 1872, in partnership with his brother, C. D. Pruet, he opened a general store on his brother's
farm, and they carried on an extensive business for many years. In 1862 he and two brothers, with several
brothers in-law, enlisted in the Twenty-fifth Arkansas Infantry, but he served only seven months, when he
was discharged on account of illness, at Georgetown, Ky. In 1870 Mrs. Pruet died, and for several years
Mr. Pruet resided with his brother. In 1877 he married Frances Owens, who was born in West Tennessee,
though reared in Arkansas, to which State she was brought by her father, Dr. Owens, who practiced in
this vicinity for a number of years, and died from an accidental fall from his horse. Mr. Pruet is an active
worker in church and school matters, and is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South, the
building in which he worships being on ground donated by himself; this was erected by means contributed
mostly by the Pruet brothers. Mr. Pruet is one of the original members of the first church organized in this
section in 1858.
W. S. Pruet. Prominent among the much esteemed and respected citizens of Paragould stands the name of
Mr. Pruet, who was born in Roane County, Tenn., September 27, 1829, and who is the son of Willis and
Polly E. (Williams) Pruet, natives also of Roane County, Tenn. Willis Pruet was a very successful man,
both as a farmer and speculator. He died in Memphis in 1851, while there on business. The mother died in
1860, in Greene County, Ark. Their family consisted of fifteen children, nine of whom lived to be grown,
but only two now living: Robert and Willis S. The paternal and maternal grandparents were natives of
Virginia and North Carolina, respectively, and were early settlers of Tennessee. The paternal great-
grandfather was in the Indian wars. Willis S. Pruet, the subject of this sketch, was reared on a farm in
Roane County, Tenn., and in that county received his education. In 1857 he came to Greene County, Ark.,
when there were very few settlers, and when the city of Gainesville was represented by one business house
and a clapboard hotel. He located about four miles south of what is now Paragould, on a farm in the forest,
put up a little house, built of poles with clapboard roof, and lived in this style for about eighteen months,
when his cabin burned down. He then put up a good log house, and lived there until 1869, when he moved
to his present location, joining the town of Paragould. He bought 271 acres of land along the railroad, and
the principal part of the town lies on his land. When he first came to the county he had but $1.50, and
neither a cow nor horse; but he was determined to make a start, and by his industry and perseverance has
accomplished his purpose, and is now one of the substantial men of the locality. He has about 600 acres of
good land, and is also the owner of considerable town property in Paragould. He contributes liberally to all
worthy enterprises, and has been active in his endeavors to build up the town. In 1851 he married Miss
Elizabeth Tucker, a native of Alabama, by whom he has three children living: Julia, Sarah and Theresa.
In 1862 Mr. Pruet enlisted in Capt. Pruet's company, and served for three years. He was at the battles of
Farmington, Murfreesboro, Richmond, Shiloh and Jackson, Miss., and carried his brother, who was
severely wounded, twice from the battle-field. He is a member of the firm of D. D. Hodges & Co.,
merchants of Paragould; is also dealing considerably in stock, and it may be noted that Mr. Pruet has
been, and is, a leading spirit of the place. He and wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
page 168
Capt. Charles D. Pruet (deceased) was one of four brothers who came from Tennessee to Arkansas in
1857, and engaged in farming and stock raising, and various other enterprises. He was born in Roane
County, Tenn., in 1827, and was married on the 23d of January, 1847, to Miss Caroline M. Nelson. After
coming to Greene County, Ark., he entered a tract of land on which he located and began improving. In
1862 he joined the Confederate forces, being lieutenant of his company, and was soon after advanced to
the rank of captain, and was in the army twenty-two [p.168] months, participating in the most of the
battles in which the Army of the Cumberland was engaged. He was wounded in the engagement at
Chickamanga, and also at Murfreesboro, so severely in the latter battle that he was compelled to return
home. In 1870 be embarked in mercantile pursuits on his farm, in partnership with his brother Robert,
and did a thriving business there for ten years. In the fall of 1882 he started a general store in the then
new town of Paragould, being one of the first merchants of the place, and was alone in business until
1886, when he formed a partnership with D. D. Hodges, and the firm name was changed to C. D. Pruet &
Co., remaining as such until Mr. Pruet's death on the 20th of August, 1887. He was a prominent Mason,
and was buried by that order. He operated a cotton gin on his farm for many years, and was engaged in
stock raising and dealing. He left a fine farm of over 500 acres, the most of which was in a high state of
cultivation, and also left behind him a name that will long be remembered, for he was honest, industrious
and enterprising, and known to be a stanch supporter of church and educational institutions. He was well-
known throughout the country as a man of unimpeachable honesty, and was possessed of exceptionally
fine business qualifications, and natural characteristics which won the respect of all. He contributed the
most of the means for the erection of a church near his home, and did much to build up the town of
Paragould, being one of the best business men of the place. He was followed to his long home by
numerous friends and neighbors who had known and loved him in life, and is now sleeping in the
cemetery near the scene of his greatest usefulness. He was married in 1875 to Miss Irene McElwee, a
native of Tennessee, who came to Arkansas with her mother in 1873. Her father, Samuel McElwee, was
an extensive farmer and died in 1865. Mrs. Pruet's mother resides with her on the homestead in Arkansas.
George M. Rosengrant, manufacturer of lumber and cooperage, Paragould, Ark. The business interests of
this portion of the country are well represented by the subject of this sketch, George M. Rosengrant, who
has been located long enough at this place to become firmly established. He was born in Wyandot County,
Ohio, in October, 1855, and is the son of James and Lenora (Connor) Rosengrant, both natives of the
Buckeye State. The father was a large stock dealer, and is now deceased. George M. Rosengrant grew to
manhood in Guernsey County, of his native State, received his education in the common schools, and
subsequently attended the college at Antrim, Ohio. At the age of sixteen he began to learn telegraphy,
which he continued for five years for the Pennsylvania Railroad Company. He then engaged in the lumber
business in Wyandot County, Ohio, where he carried on a good trade until 1884, when he came to Greene
County, Ark., and located at Paragould. Here he established his present business and has been occupied in
the manufacture of lumber ever since. He added the cooperage department in the winter of 1888. He runs
a large mill and employs on an average fifty men. In the year 1883 he chose Miss Kitty Jurenall, a native
of Wyandot County, Ohio, for his companion in life. Mr. Rosengrant averages about $75,000 annually
from his mill business, and aside from this he is the owner of 5,000 acres of land, all of which has
valuable timber thereon. He is a substantial, representative business man, is a member of the Knights of
Pythias, and a progressive, enterprising citizen of the county.
page 169
T. T. Ross. Few men have attained greater prominence in Greene County, in a social as well as business
point of view, than has Mr. Ross, who by his pleasant and courteous manner has made many friends and
built up a successful trade. He was born in Kentucky, in 1826, and is the son of Caleb and Alifal
(Hutchison) Ross, and the grandson of William Ross, who was born in Maryland, and came to Kentucky
at an early day. Caleb Ross was also a native of Maryland, and was there married to Miss Hutchison. T. T.
Ross left his native State in 1873, emigrating to Greene County, Ark., and locating on a farm two miles
north of where Marmaduke is now standing. This land he opened up and improved eighty acres, erected
buildings and remained on the same for about five years, when he [p.169] sold out and moved to the
village of Marmaduke. Here he has since been engaged in merchandising, and has built up a good trade.
He has a convenient, substantial building for that purpose, two stories high, the upper portion of which is
used for a dwelling. He was married, in Kentucky, to Miss Martha Coles Otey, who died, leaving two
children: C. H., who resides in Greene County, married, and the father of two children; and Susan, who
married L. C. Harvey, a farmer of Greene County, and has two children. Mr. Ross was married to the
sister of his first wife, Miss Elizabeth Otey, and they are the parents of three children: Frances Orlena,
wife of James Stone, resides one and a half miles from Marmaduke and has four children; Margaret A.,
wife of A. B. Harvey, is living in Marmaduke and keeps the hotel, also being engaged in farming, and has
five children; and W. A., a merchant of Marmaduke. Mr. Ross is a member of the Masonic fraternity, and
Evergreen Lodge of the I. O. O. F. He has been a member of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church since
eighteen years of age.
Dr. Jefferson Davis Sibert, an eminent physician of Walcott, Greene County, Ark., was born in Alabama
in 1858 and is the youngest of a family of six children, born to the marriage of Henry Sibert and Dorcas
Edwards, who were also born in Alabama, the former being an extensive farmer and merchant. The
paternal grandfather, David Sibert, was engaged in farming in South Carolina and was a soldier in the
Indian wars. He removed to Alabama in 1834 and bought extensive tracts of land in the northeast part of
that State, on which he died in 1874 at the extreme old age of 100 years. The maternal grandfather, Jesse
Edwards, came to Alabama and also settled in the northeast part of the State. He purchased his lands from
the Indians, and was one of the most extensive real estate holders of the State. His death occurred in 1863.
Henry Sibert, the father of our subject, was reared on a farm and did much to improve the large tracts of
land bought by his father. At the breaking out of the late Civil War he enlisted in the Third Alabama and
served throughout the struggle, thirteen months of this time being spent in prison. His uncle, Jeptha
Edwards, was a colonel in the Mexican War, also in the late war, and has represented his county in the
State legislature, being a well known citizen of Alabama. After the war Mr. Sibert engaged in farming
and mercantile pursuits, and he and wife are now residing on the old homestead in Northeast Alabama. At
the age of fourteen years, Dr. Jefferson Davis Sibert entered Andrews' Institute and finished a course of
five years, after which he immediately began the study of medicine, entering the medical department of
the Vanderbilt University, at Nashville, Tenn., in 1880, and graduating as an M. D. in 1882. In the spring
of that year he commenced practicing his profession near his old home, but came to Greene County, Ark.,
at the end of one year. After residing here a year, he returned to his native State and practiced three years.
Since that time he has permanently located at Walcott, Ark., where he enjoys a large practice, and is
becoming well known in this, as well as other counties. He has a pleasant home in the town and is highly
esteemed by his neighbors. In 1887 he was united in marriage to Miss Victorine Crowley, a daughter of
Capt. Crowley, whose sketch appears in this work. By her he has one child, a bright little daughter named
Eleanor. The Doctor has two brothers who are practicing physicians of Alabama, and another brother who
is an extensive farmer and stock raiser of that State.
page 170
Joseph P. Smelser is classed among the worthy and leading tillers of the soil of Greene County, of which
he is a native, having been born in 1858. He was a son of John W. and Nancy (Clark) Smelser, who were
born on Kentucky soil and in Tennessee, respectively. They came to Greene County, Ark., on the 6th of
May, 1836, and located in Cache Township, where the paternal grandfather, Abraham Smelser, settled on
a tract of wild land and opened up 100 acres. He and wife reared a large family of children, and both died
of smallpox in 1863. John W. Smelser was their oldest child, and attained his majority in this section of
the country. In 1864 he joined Price in his raid through Missouri, but since the war has given his attention
to farming and merchandising at Crowley, [p.170] he and wife being members of the Methodist Episcopal
Church at that place. To them were born seven children, three of whom are deceased. Joseph P. Smelser is
their fifth child and grew to manhood in Cache Township, receiving a very limited education in his youth.
At the age of twenty years he began earning his own living, and was married to Miss Margaret Adams,
residing on the old home place for eight years. He then came to his present location, which was then a
tract of wild land, and now has fifty acres under cultivation, improved with good buildings, etc. Although
not active in politics, he votes the Democratic ticket, and he and wife are members of the Methodist
Episcopal Church, South. They are the parents of two children: John William and Nancy Ann Delvada,
who died at the age of seven years, after a brief illness of five days.
David A. Smith. In the space allotted in this volume it would be impossible to give a detailed account of
the career of this gentleman, but it is only just to say that in his walk through life his course has been
marked by honesty, industry, and a manly, independent spirit. His birth occurred in Middle Tennessee on
the 8th of July, 1826, and he was the eldest in a family of twelve children born to Stantford and Margaret
(Tassey) Smith, who were natives of North Carolina and Alabama, respectively, and with their parents
removed to Tennessee at an early day, where they met and married. In the fall of 1825 they came to
Greene County, Ark., and bought a tract of 160 acres of land which was in a wild state, and on this they
located, improved it, and resided here until 1876, when the father died. His wife's death occurred on April
8th, 1874. David A. Smith was reared to manhood on this farm and, besides becoming familiar with the
details of farm work, learned the carpenter's trade of his father, following this occupation in Tennessee
and also after coming to Arkansas. He came to the latter State at the same time of his parents' removal
and bought 160 acres of wild land on Sugar Creek, on which he erected buildings, set out orchards, and
cleared forty acres. After making this his home for about fifteen years, he sold out and purchased his
present property on Crowley's Ridge, which consists of 225 acres of land, 100 of which are under
cultivation. He has cleared forty acres himself and has made other improvements, which goes to make his
home one of the most valuable in the country. He does general farming, raising corn, the smaller cereals,
and cotton. He also has a good apple and peach orchard. During the intervals between the farming seasons
he has worked at the carpenter's trade, and has built most of the better class of houses in the township,
among which are the residences of Capt. Crowley and Mrs. Boyd. Mr. Smith was married on the 6th of
January, 1858, to Miss Margaret Pevehouse, a native of Arkansas, by whom he became the father of six
children, four of whom are living: William W. C., Sarah Ann, who died at the age of twenty years; Mary
Elizabeth, who died when one year old; Logan L. R., Susan Cansada, wife of G. B. Harris, a resident of
the county; and James A. Smith. In 1879 Mr. Smith lost his worthy wife, and in 1879 he wedded Mrs.
Cothren. He is quite an active politician and has served as bailiff of Greene County. He is a patron of
education and is at present a director of his school district.
page 171
Simpson Smith. In former years the life of the farmer was considered a laborious one, but in this
progressive age, with such improvements in machinery, he can do his work with half the dispatch or labor
as in the time of his father, and in fact works but little if any harder than the average man who strives to
make a living. Besides all this he is independent, which is one of the much sought for conditions of life.
Mr. Smith is one of the successful farmers who have kept thoroughly apace with the times, and has
reached the condition of life mentioned above. He was born in Benton County. Tenn., in 1833, and is the
son of William and Elizabeth (Lewis) Smith, natives respectively of South Carolina and North Carolina.
William Smith came with his parents to Tennessee when a small boy, settling in Maury County for some
time, and then moved to Benton County, where he passed the remainder of his days. He was a farmer and
trader by occupation. He volunteered in the war under Gen. Jackson. [p.171] Mrs. Smith was born in
1798, and died May 13, 1889, on the old home place in Tennessee. She was a worthy member of the
Methodist Episcopal Church, South. Their family consisted of eight children, six now living: Angeline,
Ellen, Elizabeth, Simpson, Mary and Thomas J. Those deceased died in infancy. Simpson Smith grew to
manhood on the home place in Tennessee, and at the age of fourteen years began working for himself as a
day laborer. After this he worked on the railroad for two or three years, then farmed for some time, and
when the war broke out he enlisted in the Confederate army, Company I, Forty-ninth Volunteer Infantry,
and served three years. He was in the battles of Fort Donelson, Port Hudson and Jackson, Miss. He was
taken prisoner twice, first at Fort Donelson, and was carried to Chicago, where he was retained seven
months and three days, and was then exchanged. He then returned to the South, entering the Southern
army in the same company, re-organized and consolidated with the Forty-eighth Tennessee Volunteer
Infantry, and was captured at Port Hudson, but was soon afterward paroled, when he returned home and
resumed his farm work. He remained in Tennessee until 1881, when he came to Arkansas and settled on
his present farm in Greene County. He had first moved to Arkansas in 1854, but later returned to the
home-place, where he was married, in 1856, to Miss Ellen Erp, a native of Benton County. Tenn. The
result of this union was the birth of nine children, seven now living: William, Mary, Belle, Caldonia,
John, Augustus, Scott, Doy, Daniel Lee and Vency. Those deceased were Porter and an infant unnamed.
Mr. and Mrs. Smith are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South, in which he is a deacon. He
is a member of the A. F. & A. M., is a Democrat in politics, and takes an active part in all public
enterprises. He has a fine farm, with 170 acres under cultivation, and is one of the leading farmers of the
county.
.
page 172
Irvin G. Smith, whose career as a farmer has been one of success and prosperity, was born in Benton
County, Tenn., in 1846, and is the son of John and Fannie (Erp) Smith, both natives of North Carolina,
who came to Benton County, Tenn., with their parents when children. They were married in that State
after growing up, and there the father followed farming until his death, which occurred in 1877 at the age
of fifty-six years. The mother died in 1862 at the age of forty years, In their family were seven children,
six of whom are still living: Irvin G., Disa (now Mrs. Smith), Harvey, Jonathan, Berry H., Thomas W.
and Simpson. Harvey died at the age of eighteen years. Irvin G. Smith attained his majority on a farm in
Tennessee, and when of age commenced for himself on the home place, where he remained until 1861,
when he enlisted in the Confederate army. Forty-ninth Tennessee; the regiment was captured at Fort
Donelson and taken to Chicago. Mr. Smith was sick at this time and was at home. As soon as able he
went back to the army, joined the Thirteenth Tennessee Cavalry, and served until the close of the war. He
was captured at or near Johnsonville, Tenn., and was put on a parole of honor. He participated in the
Okolona, Miss., battle, was also in the battle of Yazoo City, Bolivar, Tenn., Johnsonville, Tenn., and in a
number of other engagements. After the cessation of hostilities Mr. Smith returned to Tennessee, resumed
his farming interests, and thus continued until 1873 when he came west to Arkansas and located in
Greens County, three miles southwest of where he now lives. In 1876 he moved to his present property,
where he has remained ever since. He was married in 1868 to Miss Louisa Swindle, a native of Benton
County, Tenn., born in 1844, and the daughter of Thomas and Mariam Swindle, natives respectively of
South Carolina and Kentucky. Thomas Swindle went from South Carolina to Illinois, thence to
Tennessee, where he was married in 1832, and is still living in Benton County, Tenn. He was born in the
year 1814, as was also his wife. She died March 16, 1872. Both were members of the Methodist Episcopal
Church. After the death of his wife Mr. Swindle married Mrs. Nancy Harris, who still survives. Mrs.
Smith is one of twelve children, eight of whom are living, born to her parents. She was reared in
Tennessee, and by her marriage to Mr. Smith became the mother of [p.172] three children, all living:
Martha A., wife of William Swindle, now residing in Greene County, Ark.; Walter D. and Cordal C., at
home. Mr. Smith resides three and a half miles southwest of Gainesville, where he has improved a good
farm and has 155 acres under cultivation. He is an active worker in school affairs, and is director in his
district. He served as deputy sheriff in 1881-82-83 and 1884 under Mr. Willcockson, and served as
constable of his district to fill a vacancy. In 1883 he was elected to that position, which he held one term.
Mrs. Smith is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South.
E. T. Smith is the junior member of the firm of Smith & Son, proprietors of a lumber mill on Bark Camp
Island, Greene County, Ark. The business was established in August, 1878, and is managed by a force of
thirty-five men, the capacity being 25,000 feet per day. Mr. Smith was born on Blue Grass soil, in 1851
(Hopkins County, Ky.), and was the youngest of a family of five children of W. E. and Sarah (Hicklin)
Smith, who were also Kentuckians. The father removed to Greene County, Ark., in 1885, and now resides
in Paragould, being senior member of the lumber milling firm. E. T. Smith's early days were spent in
following the plow and in attending the common schools of Kentucky. He was married in Hickman
County, of that State, in 1880, to Ella Leet, a native of Kentucky, and by her has an interesting little
family of three children: Dora, Kenner and Charley M. Socially he is a member of the Knights of Honor,
and in his political views affiliates with the Democratic party. He is enterprising and industrious, and
promises to become in time one of the wealthy citizens of the county.
S. J. Smith was born about two miles northwest of Paragould, Greene County, Ark., December 20, 1852,
and is one of three surviving members of a family of eleven children, born to Charles C. and Millie J.
Smith, who were Tennesseeans, and came to Arkansas by ox team when the country was almost a
wilderness, inhabited by Indians and wild animals, the latter being very plentiful. A brother of our subject
killed sixteen bear the first year. The father cleared the land upon which Paragould is now situated,
afterward moving to Buffalo Island, and still later (in 1861) to the farm of 160 acres, on which his sons.
John and Joseph, are now living. He died in April, 1865, still survived by his widow, who is living in
Craighead County. When S. J. Smith first came to Arkansas his time was about equally divided between
farming in the summer, and hunting and trapping during the cold weather, the latter occupation being the
more profitable. By industry and good management he has become the owner of 120 acres of land, the
most of which is covered with timber, but has forty-five acres under cultivation, and sixty-five under
fence, improved with substantial buildings and good orchard. He well remembers the time when there
were only two farms in a radius of ten miles, and can point out hundreds of acres of land then covered
with timber and water, which is now in dry and well cultivated farms. He raises cotton and corn, also
horses, cattle and hogs. He was married, in 1870, to Miss Mary F. Sypes, a daughter of Eli and Christina
Sypes, natives of North Carolina, who came to Perry County, Mo., at a very early day, where the father
followed the occupation of farming and blacksmithing until his death. Five of their eight children are
living: Eli J., Calvin L., George W., Martha and Charles Andrew.
page 173
W. H. Sollis, a member of the firm of W. H. Sollis & Co., merchants, is one among the first business men
of Paragould, having established his business here in July, 1882, when the town was in its infancy. The
firm was changed to its present name in March, 1883. Mr., Sollis was born in Duplin County, N. C., July
31, 1837, and is a son of Luke and Martha (Taylor) Sollis, natives of North Carolina, but of French
descent. The paternal grandfather, Abraham Sollis, was born in France, and emigrated to North Carolina
at an early day. There he passed his last days. Luke Sollis was married in North Carolina, and emigrated
to Tennessee about 1840, where he followed farming until his death. The mother also died in that State.
They were the parents of nine children, only one now living, W. H. Sollis, who is the subject of this
sketch. He was reared and [p.173] educated in Gibson County, Tenn., and was attending school when the
Civil War broke out. He left the school room to defend his country, enlisting in Company D, Seventh
Tennessee Cavalry, in 1861, and served until the close of the war. He was at the battles of Belmont, Mo.,
Britton's Lane, last battle of Corinth, and at West Point, Miss., where he was captured and carried to
Memphis, thence to Alton, and from there to Camp Douglas. He was kept a prisoner for sixteen months,
and experienced many hardships during that time. He had two horses shot from under him while in
service, but never received the least wound himself. At the close of the war he was paroled, after which he
returned to Tennessee and began speculating in cotton. He was turned loose without a dollar and remained
in that condition for one year, when he went to Cincinnati and obtained a position in a wholesale clothing
house as traveling salesman. He was engaged in this for about one year, after which he returned home and
embarked in merchandising, which he continued until January, 1870, when he went to Memphis, Tenn.,
and was here interested in the commission business. This he carried on until September, 1871, when he
was driven out by the yellow fever, and again his financial condition was in a very low state. He did not
despair, but with renewed energy started out and was soon on a sound footing. He then decided to go to
Greene County, Ark., and arrived here September 17, 1871. He located on a farm he had previously
bought, and which was all that he had left, engaged in farming and this continued until 1882, when he
resumed merchandising. He was agent for the Pomona Nursery of Tennessee for two years, and has
planted more fruit trees in Greene County than any two men in it. He is the owner of 610 acres of land,
with about 100 acres under cultivation, which he improved himself. He was married in March, 1868, to
Miss Louisa C. Ferrell, a native of Tennessee, and the result of this union is one child: Willie, wife of
John Reeves. Mrs. Sollis is a member of the Baptist Church. Mr. Sollis has erected several houses in
Paragould, and completed his brick store in February, 1889. He is a member of the I. O. O. F.
John R. Starnes. The growth and prosperity of Greene County, Ark., has been upon a scale commensurate
with the immigration to this region in past years, and this prosperity is largely due to the members of the
agricultural profession, prominent among which stands the name of Mr. Starnes. He was born in
Lauderdale County, Tenn., in 1829, and there remained until 1871, having been engaged in farming for
himself since 1861. Since the year 1871 he has resided in Greene County, Ark., and since 1876 has been a
resident of his present farm, where he is doing a prosperous business, and besides being engaged in tilling
the soil, gives considerable attention to stock raising. He was married in 1861 to Miss Elizabeth Lacey,
who was born in Henderson County, Tenn., in 1838, and is the mother of three children: Josephus,
Marshall and Parlee. Mr. and Mrs. Starnes are members of the Baptist Church, of which he is an active
supporter, and in his political views he is a stanch Republican. His parents, Marshall and Sarah (Golden)
Starnes, were born in Tennessee and North Carolina, respectively, in 1818, and were married on the 6th
of December, 1838. The father was reared in Tipton County, Tenn., but when a young man located in
West Tennessee, on a farm, and there continued to make his home until 1871, when he came to Arkansas,
and is now residing in Greene County on the farm on which he first settled. He is a member of the
Methodist Episcopal Church, as was his wife, who died March 21, 1849. They were the parents of four
children, John R. being the only one living. The father took for his second wife Parlee Johnson, on the
28th of May, 1851, and by her had twelve children, six now living: Mary J., Militia E., Martha F., Moses,
Nancy P. and James. The paternal grandfather, Moses Starnes, was a Virginian, who became a resident of
Tennessee at an early day and died at middle age, having reared a large family of children.
page 174
G. W. Stevenson has attained wealth as a planter and stock raiser by honest labor, and is a gentleman who
commands the respect and esteem of all who know him. He was born in the year 1831, in Giles County,
Tenn., and is the youngest [p.174] in a family of ten children born to Elem and Lydia (Payne) Stevenson,
both natives of the “Old North State.” They were married there and at an early day moved to Tennessee,
locating in Giles County, where the father opened up quite an extensive farm and was a large slaveholder.
He died in 1876 at the age of ninety-one years, having been a minister of the gospel for sixty-seven years,
being the oldest one in Middle Tennessee at the time of his death. His wife died in 1874 at the age of
eighty-nine years. The paternal grandfather was born in Ireland, and was one of the early settlers of North
Carolina, and a soldier in the Revolutionary War. The maternal grandfather, also born in the Emerald
Isle, was an early resident of North Carolina, and was a soldier in the Revolutionary War. G. W.
Stevenson was reared to manhood in Middle Tennessee, and received his education in Forest Hill
Academy, and Giles College, at Pulaski. At the age of twenty-one years he began teaching school, and has
followed this occupation very successfully up to the present time, being also engaged in tilling the soil and
raising stock. He was married in Lincoln County, Tenn., May 29, 1855, to Miss M. J. Thorp, who was
born in that county, and is a daughter of Joel and Elizabeth (Osborne) Thorp, who were also
Tennesseeans. The father was a wealthy planter and died in 1847, still survived by the mother. In 1861
Mr. Stevenson enlisted in Company A, Eleventh Tennessee Cavalry, and was mustered into service at
Nashville, afterward participating in the battles of Corinth, Iuka, Chickamauga, and others of minor
importance. He served as a scout for some time, and after the war returned to Tennessee, emigrating in
1884 to Greene County, Ark., where he is now residing on a farm of 200 acres, 123 of which are under
cultivation. He is interested in buying, selling and raising stock. He is a stanch Democrat in politics, and
was elected by that party to the office of county treasurer, and also to the office of justice of the peace.
Socially he belongs to the I. O. O. F., Paragould Lodge No. 13, of which order he has been a member for
over forty years, having passed all the chairs, and was grand lecturer of West Tennessee. He is chaplain in
the A. F. & A. M., and also belongs to the Center Hill Wheel. He and wife are members of the Methodist
Episcopal Church, South, and are the parents of eight children, five of whom are living: Margaret Alice
(Mrs. Huckabay), Louisa A. (Mrs. Dover). William Ernest, Ulpian Baker and Mollie Ann Barter. Mr.
Stevenson has been identified with the county's interests for many years, and has always been an advocate
of churches, schools and temperance. He was the first examiner of Greene County.
page 175
J. R. Taylor, ex-editor of the Paragould Press, was born in Williamson County, Tenn., in 1854, and was
left an orphan at two years of age. He spent his boyhood days in Humphreys County, Tenn., receiving an
ordinary common-school education, and having no means by inheritance, was obliged to start out at an
early age to support himself. He worked for wages on a farm six years, and in 1874 went to West
Tennessee, where he spent five years teaching in the common schools of Obion. Gibson and Madison
Counties. He was elected to the Academic Chair in Odd Fellow's College, at Humboldt, but failed to
receive notice of such election in time to accept the position. He commenced the newspaper business at
Bell's Depot in 1880, and published a paper at Dyersburg one year. He was married in January, 1882, to
Miss Lucy White, of Jackson, Tenn., and in March, 1883, he moved to Jonesboro, Ark., where he
established the Jonesboro Democrat. He was elected mayor of that city in 1886, and resigned the
editorship of the Democrat. Before the term of mayor had expired he bought the Paragould Press, and
moved to Paragould. In December, 1888, he sold the Press to W. A. H. McDaniel, and established the
Greene County Record in May, 1889. He was a candidate for State senator in 1888, but withdrew from the
race in favor of Hon. B. H. Crowley, an old citizen and politician, it appearing that his age, long residence
and prominence with the people during the war, and just afterward, made him a probably stronger leader
of the Democratic party. Mr. Taylor served as clerk of the senate judiciary committee of the last
legislature, and reported [p.175] senate proceedings for the Daily Gazette. He is a practical printer and
journalist, and a stanch Democrat, but the unflinching foe of monopoly. He read law but has never entered
the practice. Having consolidated the Record with the Press, he is now exclusively in the line of book and
job printing, having the only exclusive job printing establishment in Northeast Arkansas.
James S. Tenisson, a prominent citizen and farmer of Greene County, Ark., was born in Warren County,
Tenn., in 1826, and is the son of Abraham Tenisson, a native of Rowan County, N. C. His grandfather
was a seaman from 1780 to 1800, when he returned to his home in Mississippi, where he died in 1847.
His father was a highly respected farmer and stock raiser, and dealt extensively in mules. He died in 1858.
James S. was educated in Tennessee, receiving all the advantages the county afforded. He came to this
State in 1850, and now owns 120 acres of good land and fine stock. He is the father of ten children, seven
of whom are living, and six of these are married and have families. Five of them live in this township, and
one is a leading merchant of Coquille City, Cove County, Ore. Thomas F. was born August 10, 1854;
John H., May 12, 1859; Elizabeth, April 26, 1862; George M., March 12, 1865; Martha, August 21, 1867;
Julia A., January 2, 1870, and Albert N., February 18, 1875. Albert is still at home and assists his father
in cultivating the farm. Mr. Tenisson has been for six years justice of the peace of Salem Township. He is
a member of the Masonic fraternity, having held all of the offices from worshipful master to warden. Both
he and his wife are members of the Methodist Church, and are liberal in their support of all praisewerthy
enterprises.
page 176
W. F. Thompson. Greene County, Ark., is one of the most fertile counties in the State, and in this highly
productive region Mr. Thompson has resided since 1859, becoming well and favorably known, for he
commenced life a poor boy and is now one of the well-to-do citizens of the county. He was born in Giles
County, Tenn., in 1832, and was the second of six children born to John and Lucy (Meeler) Thompson,
who were natives respectively of Tennessee and Virginia. They were married in the former State, and
there the father was engaged in wagon making and blacksmithing until his death, which occurred in
1841. His wife survived him many years and died in 1875. Her father was a soldier in the Revolutionary
War and entered the service at the early age of thirteen years. W. F. Thompson has been familiar with
farming from boyhood, and received his education in the district schools of Tennessee. After the death of
his father the most of the farm work devolved upon him, and at the age of nineteen years he began tilling
the soil for himself. When twenty years old he went to Pope County, Ill., where he was engaged in
farming for about seven years, moving in 1858 to Arkansas, and the following year to Greene County,
where he entered a tract of 160 acres, and opened up and cleared about eighty acres of land. He erected
thereon a small log cabin, but built twice afterward, and in 1882 put up a large frame house and set out an
orchard. He has divided his land, and now owns eighty acres, all of which, however, is under cultivation.
He was married in Greene County, Ark., in December, 1858, to Miss Millie T. Hollerman, of North
Carolina, and a daughter of John and Millie (Hartso) Hollerman, who moved from their native State to
Greene County, Ark., in 1855, both of them now being deceased. Mr. Thompson has resided on his
present farm ever since his marriage. He assisted in organizing Clay County, Ark. He is a member of the
Union Labor party, but is not a seeker after office. In 1862 he enlisted in Company D, First Arkansas
Battery, and went into service at Pocahontas, being second lieutenant of his company. He was at Fort
Farmington, Miss., and received his discharge at Tupelo in 1863, after which he returned to Greens
County, Ark. In 1865 he went into a cavalry company and served until the close of the war, later on
returning to the farm. He is a member of the Agricultural Wheel, and he and wife are members of the
Baptist Church. Six of their nine children are living: William Orin, who died in 1873, at the age of
fourteen years; Sidney Thomas, who is married and resides in Greene County; Eliza Jane, wife of [p.176]
Elijah Goff, died on the 23d of February, 1883, at the age of eighteen years; John Wesley, married and
residing in the county; Sebell (Mrs. DeMoss), resides in Friendship Township; Mary Angeline (Mrs.
Burgess), resides in Lake Township; Emma Elizabeth (Mrs. Peyton), residing on the home farm; Lucy,
who died in infancy, and Narcisans at home. Mr. Thompson is rearing a boy, named George Thompson.
Rev. J. T. Thompson, a prominent merchant of Marmaduke, and one of the representative men of the
county, was born near Jackson, West Tenn., January 27, 1833, and is of English parentage. His father,
James Thompson, was a native of North Carolina, in that State growing to manhood, and was there
married to Miss Lydia Terrell. He followed the occupation of a farmer, but also carried on the blacksmith
trade for many years. In 1825 he moved to Tennessee, and there lost his wife, when their son, J. T., was
seven months old. The latter attained his growth in Tennessee, attending the common country schools,
and at the age of nineteen years was united in marriage to Miss Mary J. Worrell, who bore him eight
children, seven of whom are now living: James F., married and engaged in the marble business at Helena,
Ark.; J. P., a carpenter by trade, living in West Tennessee, is married and has one child; J. J., a carpenter
at Marmaduke, is married and has one child; Albert Sidney was a carpenter by trade, who, while occupied
at his work on a house in Rector, in 1887, fell and was so injured that he died a few days later; Mary T. is
at home; Sarah A. married Joseph Conger, of Greene County, and is now living on a farm near
Marmaduke; Susan E is at home and so also is William H. Mr. Thompson enlisted in the Fifty-first
Confederate Tennessee Regiment, in November, 1861, at Jackson, Tenn., and was in service in that State,
Alabama and Mississippi. His regiment was captured at Fort Donelson, but he succeeded in making his
escape on a steamboat up the Tennessee River. His regiment was reorganized at Corinth in the March
following, and then in May he was sent home on sick furlough. Having sufficiently recovered by August
of the same year, he enlisted in the Fourteenth Tennessee Cavalry, in Gen. Forrest's command, and took
part in his campaigns through Mississippi, Tennessee and Alabama, in 1865. He was detached from his
command in December, and never returned to his regiment until after the close of the war, and so was
never discharged. After the war be returned to Jackson, Tenn., remained there for some time, and then
was in Denmark for about four years. He moved to Arkansas in 1870, settling within two miles of
Marmaduke, where he followed farming until 1888, and then bought out the drug firm of Huckabay &
Moore, in Marmaduke. Since then he has added dry goods, notions, etc. For his second wife Mr.
Thompson chose Mrs. Martha A. Brand, and four children have been the result of this union: Robert Lee,
Rosa B., Benna C. (“Dot”) and an infant, Charles C. Mr. Thompson is thoroughly identified with all
public enterprises, and a liberal contributor to the same. He was licensed to preach in the Methodist
Episcopal Church, South, in 1874, and has since ministered to the spiritual wants of his fellow men in
that church. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity, Blue Lodge, in which he has filled all the chairs.
Mrs. Thompson and most of the children are also members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South.
page 177
Rev. David Thorne, an extensive farmer and fruit-grower, of Greene County, Ark., was born in
Edgecombe County, N. C., in 1828. His parents. Thomas and Morning (Dawes) Thorne, were of English
descent, and were also born in the “Old North State,” the former's birth occurring in 1781, while Gen.
Cornwallis was encamped within seven miles of the scene. He emigrated to Madison County, Tenn., in
1831, located, and became an extensive farmer, and owned slaves, departing this life in his eighty-second
year. He and his life-partner lived together nearly fifty-five years, raising to maturity eleven children, and
losing one in infancy. His father, Nicholas Thorne, according to family tradition, was born in North
Carolina about 1730 or 1740. His father, Richard Thorne, was born in England, about the year 1700 or
1710, and came to America, perhaps, about the [p.177] year 1710 or 1720, serving an apprenticeship in
Charleston, S. C. His son, Nicholas Thorne, was a farmer, and participated in the Revolutionary War, on
the side of the colonies. David Thorne, the subject of this sketch, attained his majority in Madison County,
Tenn., and received his education in the common schools and the academy at Denmark. Madison County,
Tenn., his instructor-in-chief being Dr. William L. Slack, now of Friar's Point. Miss. While a resident of
Hardeman County, Tenn., in the year 1859-60, he was elected presiding justice of the county and probate
court, which position was held two or three terms, and was much esteemed by him; indeed, with one
exception, that honor was held par excellence among many favors conferred by the grand old county of
Hardeman, because it was bestowed gratuitously and without solicitation. Emigrating to Greene County in
1871, three years after, in 1874, he was prevailed upon, by strong and urgent solicitation, to become a
candidate for the constitutional convention, making the race before the people in competition with Hons.
L. L. Mack and B. H. Crowley, and was beaten by only fifteen votes, by Mr. Crowley. He was afterward
elected county and probate judge, and served one term. Having been reared by pious and religious parents,
he naturally felt an interest in Christianity, and for nearly forty years has had membership in a Missionary
Baptist Church, and since 1868 has been engaged in the ministry. Before closing this sketch it is proper
to say, that Mr. Thorne attributes everything pertaining to what he is and has enjoyed, as respects morals
and religion, to parental training and early impressions made by Christian parents in their work in the
family nursery; and, in justice to them, whatever may have been accomplished in the way of good–yea,
even the hope of Heaven, under the blessings of God–all is dedicated in memory to the Christian influence
of loved parents that have laid their armor by. The subject of this sketch is sharing the income of a good
farm, and is taking a warm interest in fruit-growing, for which this section seems well adapted. The
crowning blessing, referred to heretofore, which Hardeman County bestowed, was the gift, in marriage, of
one of her best daughters, in the person of Miss Mary A. Toone, who was a daughter of James Toone, Sr.
James Toone, Sr., was one of the pioneer settlers of West Tennessee, and Hardeman County was his
adopted home. Before the late war he was one of the leading farmers, owning large slave property. The
marriage partnership entered into in June, 1857, by Mr. and Mrs. Thorne, has culminated in quite a
family, namely: James L., Thomas L. B., William H., David C. and Wiley, five sons; and Mary F. B.,
Jinie B., Ida R. and Allis E., four daughters; all have made the Christian profession, and the whole family
are members of the same church–truly a Baptist family.
page 178
John C. Tredaway is one of the successful farmers of Union Township, and one of its oldest settlers. He
was born in Pendleton District, S. C., in 1812, and is a son of Richard and Nancy (Smith) Tredaway, who
were born in Georgia and South Carolina, the former's birth occurring in 1787. He grew to manhood in
his native State, was married in South Carolina, and after residing in Tennessee for about ten years,
returned to Georgia, where he was engaged in farming until his death in 1851. His wife was born in 1794
and died in 1871, and both were members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South. Of their ten
children, eight lived to be grown, and seven are living at the present time. The maternal grandfather came
from Europe with two brothers and settled in Georgia, but it is not known where the others settled. He was
a farmer, and lived and died in the state of his adoption, his death occurring when between sixty and
seventy years of age. His wife lived to be nearly 100 years old, and also died in Georgia. She was an
earnest member of the Baptist Church. To them were born five children, the father of our subject being the
eldest. John C. Tredaway, who was the second of his parents' children, grew to manhood in East
Tennessee. At the age of twenty-one years he commenced for himself, engaging in the shoemaker's trade,
and followed this occupation in connection with farming until he went to Georgia, when he opened a
wagon shop, which he managed with farming for [p.178] eight years. In 1856 he came to Arkansas and
located on a farm on Crowley's Ridge in Clay County, where he remained for about sixteen years,
subsequently spending three years in Boone County, Ark. Here his wife died on the 12th of November,
1872, her birth occurring in South Carolina November 6, 1808, her maiden name being Rebecca
Chapman. They were married August 21, 1884, and became the parents of ten children, four of whom are
alive. The names of the children are: John W., who died in Tennessee; Asbury F., who first joined the
Confederate army, and later, on account of his wife, joined the Union forces, went South, and as he was
never afterward heard from, was supposed to have been killed; Francis M., who served in the Confederate
army and died in Mississippi, being buried there with 10,000 other soldiers; William B., also a
Confederate soldier, was taken sick and died somewhere in the South; James R., who sickened and died in
Greene County, and was buried at Oak Bluff; Nancy E., wife of William Wagner, residing in Clay County,
Ark.; Sidney S., a resident of Clay County; Sarah A., wife of Benjamin Copeland, of Clay County; Mary
A., wife of Buck Fain, of Boone County, Ark., and an infant not named. Mr. Tredaway was married a
second time to Amanda Fielder, who was born in Hickman County, Tenn., in 1840. To them six children
have been born: Thomas F., John W. W., Edward S., Mary and Martha (twins), and an infant that died in
childhood, not named. Mr. Tredaway and wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South,
the latter having been a professed Christian for fifty-eight years, and an active worker in the church. He is
a member of the A. F. & A. M., and in his political views is a Democrat.
Henry S. Trice, treasurer of Greene County, and undertaker, was born in Craighead County, Ark.,
November 9, 1853, and is the son of Samuel T. and Sarah H. (Smith) Trice, both of whom were natives of
Bedford County, Tenn. The parents emigrated to Craighead County, Ark., in 1853, and located on a farm
eight miles north of Jonesboro. The father was one of the early settlers of that county, improved a good
farm there, and attended to farming until his death, which occurred at his home, in August, 1861. He was
county and probate judge of Craighead County when he died, and was a very prominent citizen. He was
also for many years justice of the peace. The mother now resides in Jonesboro. They were the parents of
six children, four of whom are now living: Joseph H., Henry S., Andrew J. and Sarah T. (wife of Franklin
Lane). Henry S. Trice assisted his mother on the farm to make a hard-earned living, and received his
education in Craighead County. He followed farming until 1885, when he moved to Paragould, Greene
County, and in the fall of 1886 established the undertaker's business, which he has since carried on. He
was elected county treasurer of Greene County in 1886, and re-elected in 1888, thus illustrating his
popularity. He was married in 1873 to Miss Margaret A. Gamble, a native of Bedford County, Tenn., and
the fruits of this union are five children: Ada P., William F., Joseph T., Mary E. and Sarah V. Mr. and
Mrs. Trice are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and he is a member of the K. of P.
page 179
William H. Walden, who is not only one of the substantial farmers of the county, but also respected and
esteemed for his many good qualities, was born near Lexington, Ky., in 1840, and is the son of Coleman
and Melvina (McKinney) Walden, both natives, also, of Kentucky. The father was a farmer by occupation,
and died in 1878 at the age of fifty-five years. He had been twice married; first, in 1839, to Miss
McKinsey, who died in 1846, leaving one child, William Walden. Mr. Walden then selected for his
second wife Miss Louisa J. Price, a native of Kentucky. The following children were the result of the
second union: John, Mollie, Elizabeth, Alice (deceased in infancy), Joshua L. (died when grown), George
W., Mattie C. and Emma. William Walden moved with his parents to Haywood County, Tenn., in 1842,
and there remained until 1878, when he came to Arkansas and located on his present farm, which he
cultivates, but also, in connection, is engaged in running a cotton-gin. When the war broke out Mr.
Walden enlisted in the Confederate [p.179] army, but was rejected on account of a crippled foot. During
the latter part of the war, however, he enlisted and was wounded at the Battle of Perryville, Ky. He was
color-bearer of the Ninth Tennessee Regiment, Cheatham's division, and after receiving his wound he was
taken to a hospital, where he remained about three weeks, following which he was taken to Danville, Ky.,
and there remained until able to go home. He was married to Miss Hattie T. Martin, a native of Haywood
County, Tenn., born in 1841, who died April 17, 1886, in full communion with the Methodist Episcopal
Church. Seven children were born to this union, all living: Edward C., (who married Mattie Russell and
lives near the home place), John R. L., James B., Rosa Lee (wife of J. P. Hampton), Freddie, Walter B.
and Jessie T. Mr. Walden was married the second time to Mrs. Mollie Bowler, nee Eiberhard, a native of
New Orleans, who had previously married Erasmus Bowler, who died April 7, 1886. Mr. Walden
affiliates with the Democratic party in his political views.
Dr. Calvin Wall, president of the Bank of Paragould, and physician, was born in Spartanburg District, S.
C., October 12, 1824, and is the son of Zachariah and Oney (Clement) Wall, the father a native of Wilkes
County, N. C., and the mother of South Carolina. The parents were married in South Carolina and
remained there until their deaths, the father devoting himself to agricultural pursuits. Their family
consisted of ten children, only one now living, Dr. Calvin Wall. He was reared and educated in South
Carolina, assisted on the farm until nineteen years of age, and then taught school until twenty-six years
old, when he began the study of medicine. He graduated at the Medical University of Lexington, Ky., in
1854, and in July of the same year began practicing in Polk County, N. C., where he remained until the
latter part of 1857. He then returned to the homestead in South Carolina, where he stayed until February
7, 1859, when he started for Greene County, Ark., coming through on horseback and arriving March 26,
of that year. He located at Gainesville and entered upon the practice of his profession. In 1860 he went to
Greensboro, Craighead County, remained there six months and then returned home, where he practiced
until 1886, when he came to Paragould. Here he has since continued to follow his profession. In March,
1889, he was elected president of the Bank of Paragould, which position he now occupies. He is also
president of the Building and Loan Association, served two terms as county treasurer while living at
Gainesville, and has been notary public for over twelve years. He owns several thousand acres of land in
the county, with about 200 acres under cultivation. He was married March 13, 1860, to Miss Emily A.
Gentry, a native of Tennessee, and to them have been born six children: Ona J., wife of Dr. Kitchen;
Elmer S., wife of W. S. Ellis; Melvin C., Ethel M., Arthur G. and Ernest N. Mr. and Mrs. Wall are
members of the Baptist Church. He is a member of the Masonic Fraternity, also belongs to the I. O. O. F.,
and is one of the oldest physicians, in point of residence, in the county.
page 180
Rev. David B. Warren, a local minister of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South, residing four miles
south of Gainesville, Ark., was born in Giles County, Tenn., October 3, 1827, and is the fourth son of
John B. and Rachael (Hunt) Warren, who were born near Petersburg, N. C., the former February 27, 1796,
and the latter November 24, 1797. They were married about the year 1817, and about 1824 removed to
Middle Tennessee, settling in Giles County. He was a farmer, and a part of his life worked at the
blacksmith's trade, but gave up both occupations several years before his death owing to the failure in his
eye-sight, and the last five years of his life he was entirely blind. He was a worthy, good citizen, and in
politics was an old line Whig. He took no part in the late Civil War, but was a soldier in the War of 1812.
His wife was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South. They both lived to a ripe old age; he
died February 23, 1884, within only four days of being eighty-eight, and she died in March, 1885,
wanting only a few months of being also eighty-eight. To them were born nine children, all of whom lived
to mature age: Henry J. (who [p.180] died in 1882), Sarah J. L. (deceased), James A., Joseph A., David
B., Mary F., Louisa E., Elmina M. (deceased) and William W. Rev. David B. Warren received a very
meager education in the old field schools of that day, but after he attained the age of twenty-two attended
better schools away from home. In 1850 he taught his first session of three months, being employed by
three of his neighbors for $25 (which was only $8 1/3 per month). But this small beginning was sufficient
to demonstrate his worth as a teacher, and for more than twenty years—six in Tennessee, and more than
fourteen in Arkansas—his labors were crowned with great success, and many of the most useful and
influential men and women in the communities where he taught in both States were his pupils in their
youth, and received instruction at his hands. In 1854 he made a profession of religion, and two years later
was licensed to preach, and has been a local minister of the Methodist Episcopal Church. South, ever
since. In 1870 and 1871 he was in charge of the Greensboro circuit as a supply. He has been instrumental
in doing much good, both as a teacher and a preacher, and has performed more marriage ceremonies and
preached more funeral sermons than almost any other preacher in Northeast Arkansas. In 1882 he was a
lay delegate from the White River conference to the General conference of the Southern Methodist
Church, which met in Nashville, Tenn., and faithfully represented his constituents in that highest and
only legislative body of the church. He was ordained a deacon by Bishop Marvin, in 1867, and an elder by
Bishop Kavanaugh, in 1877, and worthily honors the church in the faithful discharge of the duties of these
important offices. He was married March 4, 1855, to Miss Lucy J. Ford, who was born in Giles County,
Tenn., March 26, 1834, where she grew to maturity and was married. Five of the eight children born to
them are still living: Alice, wife of J. W. Newberry; Ezra, married and living near the old home place;
Ida, wife of G. W. Walden, also residing near the home place; Osmer, who died November 11, 1883, aged
twenty-one years; Mackey, who died February 11, 1882, aged eighteen years; Clara, who died December
2, 1871, aged five years; Minnie and Albert, who still remain under the parental roof. Mr. Warren has a
splendid little farm of about 100 acres in cultivation, and a neat, comfortable home, and is much beloved
and highly respected for his sterling integrity as a citizen and as a Christian gentleman. He is a
distinguished member of the Masonic fraternity, and has served in several important positions in a local
sphere, and is now (1889) serving his second year as grand lecturer of the State. He takes a lively interest
in the work and lectures of this ancient and honorable institution, and travels extensively in the discharge
of the duties of his high office. He is also an uncompromising advocate of temperance, and is opposed to
the liquor traffic in all its forms, believing it to be the greatest enemy to the prosperity and happiness of
the people. In November, 1872, he was elected clerk of his county, to which position he was re-elected for
ten years in succession, and served his people with fidelity and marked ability, performing the intricate
and complicated duties of the office with satisfaction to the people, and in 1882 he voluntarily retired to
private life, followed by the good wishes and benedictions of all the people, and has well earned their
universal plaudit, “Well done, thou good and faithful servant.”
age 181
John E. Watson, father and stockman of Greene County, Ark., was born in Lawrence District, S. C., July
25, 1841, and is a son of Tillman and Sarah (Pape) Watson, who were also born in that State. The father
was a Democrat, a farmer, and he and his wife were members of the Baptist Church. They moved from
South Carolina to Alabama in 1842, remained there until 1869, and the year following the father's death,
which occurred in 1875, the mother came to Greene County, Ark., where she is still residing. The
following are their children: William F., James H., Martha M., J. E., Sarah J., Elizabeth, Israel, and Louis
J., who died when five years of age. William F. is a farmer of West Tennessee, and he and John E. are the
only ones of the family living at the present time. The latter began an independent career at the age of
twenty years, [p.181] and enlisted in Company D, Twenty-second Alabama (Day's) Regiment, and Bragg's
division, of the Army of the Tennessee, and was in the battles of Murfreesboro, Chickamanga, Missionary
Ridge and Atlanta. He was captured at Atlanta on the 3d of August, 1864, and was kept in prison at Camp
Chase, Ohio, until the 18th of March, 1865, when he was released on parole, but before the parole term
had expired the war was ended. After his return to Alabama he engaged in farming with his father, and in
August, 1865, was married to Miss Martha P. Greenway, a daughter of Thomas and Olive Greenway,
natives of Georgia, the father a farmer by occupation. Mr. and Mrs. Watson became the parents of five
children: Lugenia (Turner), of Greene County, Ark.; Laura S. (Tatum), John H., living, and Mary Lee and
James F., deceased. Mr. Watson's second marriage was to a Miss Smith, in July, 1880, and by her he has
one child, Milton. This wife died in November, 1885, and in January, 1886, he married his third wife,
Mrs. Catherine C. (Lenderman) Hyde. To this last union has been born a son, William Tell. After his first
marriage Mr. Watson lived one year in Alabama, then removing to West Tennessee, where he was
engaged in farming until the fall of 1869, since which time he has been a successful tiller of the soil in
Greene County, Ark., his first purchase being 120 acres. Five years later he traded this farm, which he
had improved somewhat, for other land, forty acres of which are in the place he now owns. His farm
consists of 140 acres of very finely improved land, and the most of this he devotes to cotton, though also
giving attention to other crops. He is also interested in stock breeding. He is an independent Democrat in
polities, and he and wife are members of the Christian Church. His wife became the mother of five
children by her first husband: Christiana E., wife of D. C. Smith, a farmer residing with Mr. Watson;
John Thomas, Edward, Jasper E. and Walter, all living with their mother and step-father.
page 182
William M. Westherly. In the series of names which have made Greene County one of the most populous
and prosperous of the State, Mr. Weatherly's name holds a prominent place. He was born in Madison
County, Tenn., in 1834, and is a son of Wright M. and Ann (Bryant) Weatherly, who were born in North
Carolina and Tennessee, in 1805 and 1808, respectively. The father came to Tennessee in 1826, where he
was married soon after, and then located in Madison County, where he remained until 1881, after which
he moved to Arkansas, and here died, in January, 1888. He was a successful farmer up to the time of the
war, but during that time lost his property. He was a Democrat in politics, was very active in supporting
schools and churches, and in early life was a Whig in politics, afterward becoming a Democrat. His wife
was also a member of the Baptist Church, and died in February, 1886, mourned by all who knew her. hey
were the parents of nine sons and three daughters: John T. (killed at the battle of Missionary Ridge),
James (killed at the battle of Franklin), Thomas, Robert, William, Houston S., Rufus A., Richard T.,
Alexander, Wright, Elizabeth C., Mary and Nancy A. William M. Weatherly attained his majority in
Madison County, and commenced doing for himself in 1855, clerking in a dry goods store in Denmark
one year. He then married and commenced farming in Madison County, continuing two years, and spent
the following three years as overseer of a large plantation in that State. In 1868 he enlisted in Company C,
Fourteenth Regiment of Cavalry, commanded by Capt. Voss, and was at the battles of Franklin and
Memphis. He was wounded at a little fight in Haywood County, and was relieved from duty for two weeks.
At the time of the surrender he was at Gainesville, Ala., and returned home, where he farmed until 1877,
then coming to his present farm in Greene County, Ark. On the 26th of January, 1878, he was married to
Ann Rievely, who was born in Madison County, Tenn., in 1835, and by her became the father of three
children: Mollie B. (who died in infancy), James William (who attended school in Denmark, Tenn., and
at Austin, Ark., and has been a teacher of ten years' standing, and is now drumming for a St. Louis
grocery and provision [p.182] company), and Robert H. (who is a farmer of Greene County, is married
and the father of two children). Mr. and Mrs. Weatherly are members of the Baptist Church, and he has
been a member of the A. F. & A. M. since 1873. He has always supported the principles of the Democratic
party. He and wife are rearing a little girl by the name of Ida Davis.
S. H. Weatherly, a planter, of Friendship Township, was born in Madison County, Tenn., in 1837, being a
son of Wright and Ann (Bryant) Weatherly, the father a native of North Carolina, and the mother of
Middle Tennessee. They were married and resided in the latter State until 1881, when they disposed of
their large farm, and came to Greene County, Ark., and made their home with our subject until their
respective deaths, in 1882 and 1885. S. H. Weatherly assisted in clearing the home farm in Tennessee,
attended the common schools, and, while still a resident of that State, began doing for himself. He was
married in Madison County, Tenn., in 1867, to Miss Ann Valentine, a daughter of William and Charity
Valentine, who came originally from North Carolina and settled in Tennessee. They were agriculturalists,
and the father died in his adopted State. The mother came to Greene County, Ark., in 1867, and is now
residing in Friendship Township, being the widow of William Burton. Mr. Weatherly remained one year
in Tennessee after his marriage, and in 1867 came to Greene County, Ark., where he bought a farm of
240 acres, only ten of which were under cultivation. He has since added 360 acres more to his land, and
has 100 acres under cultivation, on which are a good residence and orchard. He makes a specialty of
raising corn and hay. He votes with the Democratic party, and has ever taken an interest in the political
affairs of the county. He and wife are members of the Baptist Church, and are the parents of a family of
seven children, six of whom are living: Texanna (Mrs. David Falkner), Mosella, Eldredge M., Florence
Ethel, Egbert Eugene and Cornelia A. Mr. Weatherly has done a large share in developing the county, and
has always taken an active interest in enterprises tending to benefit the same. While in Tennessee he
joined Company G, Sixth Tennessee Infantry, Confederate States Army, and was mustered in at Jackson,
Tenn., April 22, 1861, and was at Missionary Ridge, Franklin, Murfreesboro, Atlanta, and was discharged
at Brownsville, Tenn.
page 183
Andrew Webb, an enterprising tiller of the soil, of Greene County, Ark., and postmaster of Bethel, was
born in the State of Tennessee, in 1824, and is the fourth of nine children born to James and Monnima
(Crisp) Webb, who were natives of North and South Carolina, respectively. The father followed farming
on an extensive scale, and was a soldier in the War of 1812, being with Jackson at the battle of New
Orleans. He died in Tennessee, where he had made his home for many years, in 1866, at the age of
seventy-six years, followed by his wife in 1867. Andrew Webb resided on a farm in Tennessee, and when
twenty-one years of age purchased a farm, and began doing for himself. He was married about this time to
Miss Winnie C. Coburn. a native of Alabama, and remained in the State of Tennessee engaged in
improving his farm. until 1858, when he sold out and came to Greene County, Ark., where he bought a
tract of eighty acres of wild land. He cleared about forty acres of this farm, set out orchards, and put his
property under fence, but some three years later traded it for a tract containing 160 acres, on which is now
situated the station of Bethel. Here he opened up about sixty acres, erected good buildings, set out
orchards, etc., and when the railroad was established he sold a considerable amount of his property for
business purposes. In 1883 he received a commission as first postmaster of Bethel, and has held this office
up to the present time. His wife, who died in October, 1887, bore him five children: Lucinda E., wife of
W. A. J. Wood; James W., John William, who died at the age of nineteen years; Pamelis E., wife of W. O.
Lane, and Sarah Ella, who died at the age of six years. May 3, 1889, he was married to Mrs. Mary C.
Yepp, a native of Georgia. James W. Webb, the only living son of Andrew Webb, is at present thirty-seven
years of age, and is tilling the soil on a portion of his father's farm, [p.183] and on 120 acres which he had
purchased. Mr. Webb has one of the best farms in his section, about sixty acres being under cultivation
and fence. He takes considerable interest in politics, and is a Democrat, having been elected on that ticket,
in 1880, to the office of justice of the peace, which position he has since held, with the exception of two
years. He was married in 1869 to Miss Mary R. Wood, a native of Mississippi, and a daughter of James R.
Wood, who came to Arkansas in 1859, being one of the early settlers of Greene County. To them have
been born five children: Calador W. J., Sarah Ella, James A., who died at the age of four years and one
month, and Mary Lelor. One child died in infancy, unnamed. Mr. Webb has a pleasant home in Bethel,
his lot consisting of two acres. He has always been a patron of education, and all worthy public
enterprises, and his business as justice of the peace is quite extensive. He has served as school director for
six years.
Dr. Henry McC. Webb. The name of Webb is one of the most influential in Greene County, Ark., and Dr.
Webb, among its most talented physicians, has obtained a reputation placing him in the front rank of the
medical fraternity. He was born in Madison County, Tenn., in 1851, being a son of Theodric and
Elizabeth (Watson) Webb, who were born, married and resided in South Carolina, and about 1842 settled
on a farm in Madison County, Tenn., where he is now living at the age of seventy-six years. His wife died
in 1861. They were members of the Presbyterian Church, and the father is now a Democrat in his political
views, a Royal Arch Mason, and an enthusiastic patron of schools, churches, etc. Dr. Henry McC. Webb is
next to the youngest of the four surviving members of their family of eight children. After attending the
common schools and the High School near Greeneville, he entered the University of Alabama in 1872,
from which institution he was graduated in July of the following year. He then returned to Lexington,
Tenn., and being well fitted by nature for the profession of medicine soon entered upon his medical
studies under Dr. H. W. Wassen, but gave this up after a short time and entered the law school at
Lebanon, Tenn., graduating in June, 1874, later practicing this profession for five years in Lexington. In
the fall of 1879 he entered Vanderbilt University, at Nashville, Tenn., attending during that year and
1880, and then resumed his practice in Lexington, continuing until 1886, when he returned to college and
graduated from the medical department in the spring of 1886. Since that time he has resided in
Gainesville, Ark., where he has become a leading practitioner, although a resident of the county only a
few years. He is becoming well known, but the heavy calls for his services at home prevent him from
going much abroad. In 1878 he was married to Miss Addie E. Smith, who was born in Henderson County,
Tenn., and is the mother of three children: Cossy T., Ella Louisa and Robert B. Mrs. Webb is a member of
the Methodist Episcopal Church, South.
page 184
James H. Willcockson, one of the wealthy residents of the county, is a native of Middle Tennessee, where
he was born in the year 1845. He was the third in a family of nine children born to William and Mary
(Rose) Willcockson, who were Tennesseeans, the grandparents being wealthy farmers of Middle
Tennessee. Grandfather Rose went to Texas, where he bought a large tract of land on which he made his
home until his death. William Willcockson engaged in farming for himself after attaining his majority,
and resided in Tennessee (where he was married about 1841) until 1850, then moving to Texas, where he
bought a tract of 160 acres, which he opened for cultivation, improved with good buildings, and on which
he resided until 1853, then coming to Greene County, Ark. After residing here for four years on two
different farms he returned to Texas, where he died in December, 1860, his wife also dying the same
month. James H. Willcockson returned to Arkansas after the death of his parents, and for some time made
his home with his grandmother. In 1865, at the age of twenty years, he began farming for himself on
rented land, and continued this for three years, when he married Miss Adaline Bowling, a native of
Greene County, and a daughter of one of the early settlers. After his marriage he purchased a small farm
which he sold later [p.184] on, and then bought an excellent tract of land consisting of eighty acres in the
Cache bottom, which was then wild land but is now one of the finest farms in the county. He has since
purchased twenty-six additional acres, and has now seventy acres under fence and cultivation, it being
devoted to raising the cereals and cotton. He is improving his grade of stock, and has crossed his cattle
with Durham, and has some fine Jersey red hogs. Mr. and Mrs. Willcockson are members of the Baptist
Church, and are the parents of the following children: William Carroll, Robert Alexander, Lawrence
Jefferson, and Anna Lee, who died at the age of eighteen years.
Joseph H. Willcockson ranks among the first of the many wealthy farmers of Greene County, Ark. He was
born in Tennessee in 1845, and is the sixth of a family of fifteen children born to the marriage of Sam
Willcockson and Frances Gibson, who were Tennesseeans, and came to Greene County, Ark., in 1850.
They settled on a tract of land on the west side of Crowley's Ridge, but sold this soon after and purchased
200 acres near by, on which he erected a steam saw and grist-mill in 1853, which was the first mill of the
kind in the county. Mr. Willcockson owned this mill for many years, and many of the houses and
buildings in this section are made of lumber sawed here. He soon had 100 acres of his land cleared, on
which he erected a nice residence. He became quite wealthy, and continued to add to his original purchase
until he was the owner of about 1,000 acres of land. He was a conspicuous figure in the political circles of
his section, and besides holding many minor offices in the county, he was elected to the State legislature
from Greene County, which position he filled for two successive terms. He assisted in the organization of
the school districts of this locality, and held the office of school commissioner for many years. In 1870 or
1871 he disposed of his extensive farming interests in the county, and moved to Newton County, where he
purchased a large milling property, consisting of a saw and flouring mill, and a cotton-gin. Here he did a
successful business for many years, and sold out at a large advance over what he originally paid. He next
moved to Brown County, where he bought a farm, which he managed until his death, in 1886, at the age
of seventy years. His widow still survives him, and resides on the estate left by her active and enterprising
husband. Joseph H. Willcockson, the immediate subject of this sketch, was reared on his father's extensive
farm, and in his youth received limited educational advantages. At the age of twenty years he rented land
and began farming for himself, and after one year bought a tract of wild land on the St. Francis River,
where he cleared about fifty acres, erected buildings, and made a good and pleasant home. Subsequently
he married Miss Matilda McDaniel, a native of Greene County, and a daughter of John McDaniel, who
belonged to one of the first four or five families who settled in Greene County. After residing one year in
Bethel, Mr. Willcockson bought a tract of 160 acres of wild land on Crowley's Ridge, and here his wife
died, at the end of two years, leaving two children: John Gibson and Virginia C. (wife of John Patton),
who resides on a farm belonging to Mr. Willcockson. The latter has improved his property very much, ad
has seventy-two acres under cultivation and fence, on which is a good orchard of assorted fruits. In 1888
he erected a commodious dwelling, which is fitted up with many conveniences. He carries on general
farming, but makes a specialty of raising corn, and this year (1889) has devoted fifty acres to that grain. In
1888 be raised 2,000 bushels. Miss Mary Jane Roberds became his wife in 1884. She was born in
Arkansas, and by Mr. Willcockson is the mother of two children: Ovid Clifton and Ota Louisa. Mr.
Willcockson is a Democrat politically, but is not an active politician.
page 185
T. R. Willcockson, sheriff of Greene County, Ark., was born in Giles County, Tenn., August 10, 1848,
and is the son of Samuel and Frances (Gibson) Willcockson, the father a native of Virginia, and the
mother of Kentucky. They were married in Tennessee, and there remained until October, 1851, when they
immigrated to what is now Greene County, Ark., coming through in wagons, and locating near the old
Crowley farm, in Cache Township. Here the father bought a [p.185] forty-acre tract, which was about the
first deeded land in this section of Arkansas. He also put up the first steam, saw and grist-mill in Greene
County, and ran this for several years. He also carried on farming, and being one of the earliest settlers,
experienced all the hardships and privations incident to pioneer life. In 1868 he removed to Boone
County, Ark., where he died in June, 1886. The mother is still living. They were the parents of fifteen
children, only six now living: John W., Isaac (deceased), William and Mary Annie (twins and both
deceased), David C. (deceased), James (deceased), Joseph, Thomas R., Sina, Sarah, Samuel (deceased),
Marion and Frances (twins and deceased), Polk and Virginia. T. R. Willcockson, the subject of this
sketch, was but an infant when he was brought to Greene County by his parents, and here he grew to
manhood and received his education in the common schools. He was reared on the farm, and tilling the
soil has been his chief pursuit ever since. He owns 241 acres of land, with about sixty acres under
cultivation. He was elected sheriff and collector in 1880, served four years, and in 1886 was re-elected to
the same office, which position he is now filling. He was married in 1868 to Miss Mary Bowlin, who bore
him six children: Callie, Lucy, Deany, Mack, Sudie and Nannie. Mrs. Willcockson is a member of the
Baptist Church, and Mr. Willcockson is a member of the K. of P.
J. W. Williams is a native of Panola County, Miss., where he was born in the year 1859, being the eldest
of two children born to John and Mary J. (Bishop) Williams, the former of whom was an extensive farmer
of that section for a long time, whither he had come with his father at an early day. When the war broke
out he enlisted in the Confederate army in the company known as the “Sardis Blues,” and was killed in
the battle of Shiloh, on the 7th of April, 1862. His widow is still living, and resides in Mississippi on the
old homestead. J. W. Williams was reared to farm labor and attended the common schools until fourteen
years of age, when he began working for himself, continuing at farm labor for seven years. In 1880, at the
age of twenty-one years, he came to Greene County, Ark., and located at Walcott, where he has since been
engaged in renting land; this year farming on some of Capt. Crowley's property. He contemplates entering
a tract of 160 acres in the fall. He is active and enterprising and takes an interest in all matters pertaining
to the good of the locality in which he has made his home. On the 7th of October, 1888, he was married to
Miss Susie Eubanks, a native of Greene County, and a daughter of James and Mary E. (Gramling)
Eubanks [see sketch of Judge Gramling]. The former came to Greene County, Ark., at an early day and
entered a large tract of land, on which he did extensive improving, clearing about 160 acres and erecting
excellent buildings. He died a few years ago, and is remembered by all as an honest gentlemen and an
estimable citizen. A brother of J. W. Williams, Charles H., came with him to Arkansas and married Miss
Janie Eubanks, a sister of Mrs. J. W. Williams.
page 186
William Worrell, stockman and farmer, was born in Tennessee in 1839, and is the tenth of twelve
children born to Peter and Martha Nancy Worrell, who were born, reared and married in Virginia, and
emigrated to Madison County, Tenn., in 1833. They purchased a farm of 103 acres, which they improved
and made their home until their respective deaths. The father died in 1874 at the age of seventy-four
years, and the mother when her son William was a child. The latter was reared to farm labor and attended
the public schools until the age of twenty, then renting land and farming for three years. In 1862 he
enlisted in Company C, Twenty-second Tennessee Infantry, Confederate States Army, and was in the
battles of Belmont, Richmond and Murfreesboro, where he was captured and sent to Camp Douglas, at
Chicago, and there he took the oath of allegiance and returned home, where he was almost an invalid for
three years. In 1864 he purchased a farm of 303½ acres, where he resided until 1871, making many
improvements, then sold out and came to Greene County, Ark., settling near Gainesville, where he lived
for two years, later moving to a tract of 360 acres, which he had previously purchased. Here he cleared
[p.186] about 150 acres, erected good buildings, set out orchards, and now has one of the most pleasant
homes in the county, but owns only eighty acres, having sold the rest. He has given considerable attention
to stock raising, and raises a good grade of Berkshire hogs. March 20, 1888, he purchased a fine Norman-
Percheron stallion, named George, which weighs 1,660 pounds, and is finely marked in all points. This
animal has an excellent record from Indiana where it was raised, and shows a fine grade of colts from last
season. It is undoubtedly one of the best horses in Northeast Arkansas. He also owns another horse named
Brick, which has an enviable record. On the 7th of July, 1859, Mr. Worrell was united in marriage to
Miss Ann Eliza Freeman, a native of Tennessee, and a daughter of William and Nancy Freeman, who
were also Tennesseeans, coming to Northeast Arkansas in 1859. To Mr. and Mrs. Worrell have been born
the following children: John Isaac, who is married and resides in Greene County, and Loueza, wife of J.
R. Hicks, also of this county, being the only ones living. Those deceased are Newson, who died at the age
of twenty years; Lulu Bell, who died when eighteen: Willie, at the age of sixteen; Savannah, who died in
infancy, and Eveline, at the age of eight years. The family attend the Methodist Episcopal Church. Mrs.
Worrell taken considerable interest in the culture of bees, and has forty stands, all doing well.
Henry Wrape, manufacturer of light barrel staves, at Paragould, was born in Jennings County, Ind.,
January 15, 1850, and is the son of Henry, Sr., and Ann (Bible) Wrape, the father a native of Ireland, and
the mother of New York State. Henry Wrape, Sr., emigrated from the Emerald Isle when a boy, locating
for a while in New York State, and went from there in 1850 to Jennings County, Ind. He became a large
railroad contractor, and was on the I. M. R.. R., and on several other noted railroads. Both parents died in
Indiana. They had four children: John, Robert, Kate, wife of Able T. Morgan, and Henry, who is the
youngest of the family. The latter was reared and educated in Indiana, at Notre Dame, the renowned
Catholic school. He assisted his brother on the farm until sixteen years of age, when he engaged in
merchandising at North Vernon, Ind., and this continued for one year. He then took a trip to South
America, stopping at Buenos Ayres to settle up the estate of an uncle. He was absent about eighteen
months, and on his return engaged in the stone-quarry business at North Vernon, which he followed for
five years. In 1882 he came to Greene County, Ark, and embarked in his present business, which he has
since continued. He has a large factory, and employs about fifty men. He makes a good stave, and turns
out about 5,000,000 per year. He is president of the Paragould & Buffalo Island Railroad, which was built
in 1888, and which extends to the St. Francis River. Mr. Wraps is one of the prosperous and public
spirited men of Paragould. He was married in 1885 to Miss Emma Davis, a native of Indiana, and to them
have been born two children: Harold and Emma. Mr. and Mrs. Wraps are members of the Catholic
Church. He is the owner of 4,000 acres of land in Missouri, and a number of acres in this county.
page 187
Hezekiah B. Wright. In reviewing the various business interests of Greene County, Ark., the name of
Wright is found to be one of the most prominent, especially in connection with farming and
merchandising. Mr. Wright was born in Hickman County, Tenn., in 1829, and there made his home until
1850, when he came to Arkansas, having commenced the battle of life at the age of eighteen years. Two
years later he located on his present farm, and has about 250 acres of land in an excellent state of
cultivation, besides several other tracts, all of which he has earned by energy and good judgment. He is
also engaged in general merchandising at Gainesville, the style of the firm being H. B. Wright & Co., and
they are enjoying a prosperous trade, owing to their thorough knowledge of the details of the business and
the wants of the public, combined with honorable dealing, Mr. Wright was married to Mrs. Martha J.
(Stares) Perry, who died in 1863, having borne two children by Mr. Wright: William J. and John N.
(twins); and one child by her first husband, Mr. Perry; Mary, the wife of H. C. Sharer, of Wright County,
Mo. Mr. Wright took for his second wife [p.187] Mrs. Permelia E. (Ward) Wood, widow of C. Wood.
Their union has resulted in the birth of eight children: Joseph D., Franklin C., Alvin T., Emma M., Anna
A., Revis and Hezekiah B. Addie J. died when two years and nine months old. Mr. and Mrs. Wright are
members of the Missionary Baptist Church, to which their children, Joseph, Frank and Emma, also
belong. Mr. Wright is a Royal Arch Mason, and in his political views is a Democrat; he was elected
county coroner on that ticket in 1858, and held the position until the breaking out of the late Civil War.
He is a strong advocate of and a liberal contributor to schools and churches. He is the only surviving
member of a family of three children (Thompson and Rebecca being the other two) born to John and
Sarah (Barr) Wright, who were natives of South Carolina and Kentucky, respectively. When a small boy
the father was taken by his parents to Tennessee, and resided first in Robertson County, then in Hickman
County, where he attained his majority, and where his father died at an advanced age. He was the eldest
child, and in 1849 moved to Arkansas, and died in Greene County, in 1867, at the age of sixty-five years,
his wife dying in 1851, aged about forty-seven years.
Christopher C. Wright (deceased) was one of the representative citizens of Greene County, and followed
the occupations of farmer and miller the principal part of his life. He was born in Virginia in 1841 and
died February 15, 1889, while yet in the prime of life. His father, Dr. John Wright, is still living in
Lunenburgh County, Va., and is a prominent physician and farmer of that State. Christopher C. Wright
remained in his native State until nineteen years of age, and seven years of that time were spent at the
tobacco-manufacturing business. He then went to Missouri and remained in Franklin County until the
breaking out of the late unpleasantness between the North and South, when he went South and joined the
Confederate army. He was wounded at the battle of Shiloh, and taken to Memphis, Tenn., where he was
discharged. He then went to Arkansas, remained on Crowley's Ridge for a number of months, and then re-
enlisted in Price's army, with which he continued until the last raid through Missouri. After the war he
came back to Clay County, Ark. (then Greene County), where he remained three years, and at last settled
on what was known as the Meredith farm, at the original site for the county seat of Greene County, where
his widow now resides. The farm was then unimproved, but Mr. Wright went to work and soon had it
under cultivation and in fine condition. In fact he was so industrious and such an inveterate worker that
he undermined his health, and death was the result. Aside from his farming interest he also ran a saw and
grist-mill, which he conducted until within a short time of his death, when he sold the saw-mill, and
afterward ran a grist-mill and cotton-gin. This Mrs. Wright now manages and conducts. Mr. Wright was a
member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, to which he was a liberal contributor, and although quiet and
unobtrusive in his demeanor, not a better man was to be found in the county. Well respected and cordially
liked by all, his death, which was a sad blow to his wife and children, was also lamented by his many
friends. He was married first at Oak Bluff, Ark., to Miss Ann Boothe, who died about one year afterward.
His second marriage was in January, 1866, to Miss C. A. Ledbetter, a native of Chatham County, N. C.,
and the daughter of Thomas and Frances Ledbetter, also natives of North Carolina. Her parents moved to
Arkansas in 1851 and located in Greene County, within one mile of where the mother is still living, at the
age of seventy-one years. Her father died May 26, 1883. To her parents were born nine children, two of
whom are now deceased. To the marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Wright were born eight children, seven of
whom are living: Charles (died in infancy), Lillie, Billie, Katy, Thomas M. and John H. (twins), Ruby J.
and Robert W. Mrs. Wright and family have conducted the farm and mill since the death of her husband.
She and her eldest daughter belong to the Methodist Episcopal Church.
page 188
Dr. T. H. Wyse, president of the Greene County Bank, was born in Jones County, N. C., April 19, 1827,
and is the son of James and Nancy [p.188] (Nunn) Wyse, who were natives of North Carolina, and who
emigrated to Tennessee in 1833, in that State passing their last days. The father was a farmer by
occupation. Dr. T. H. Wyse, one of ten children, four now living, was reared in what is now Crockett
County, Tenn., and received his education in the common schools. At the age of twenty-four years he
began the study of medicine, and graduated at the University of Nashville in 1854. He then came to
Greene County, Ark., locating at Gainesville, then the county seat, where he practiced for about twenty-
five years. He was also engaged in mercantile business at that place for eighteen years. He has now retired
from practice. In November, 1887, he moved to Paragould, and in February, 1888, the Greene County
Bank was organized, with Dr. Wyse for president, which position he now holds. In 1861 he was elected to
the legislature and served one term. He served six years as county treasurer of Greene County, and has
been one of the county's most prominent citizens. He owns some 2,000 acres of land in Greene County,
about the same number in Randolph County, and has nearly 400 acres in cultivation. He was married first,
in 1851, at Brownsville, Tenn., to Mary Williams, and his second marriage was to Miss Alice Kibler, of
Randolph County, Ark. No children have ever blessed his marriages. The Doctor is a member of the
Masonic fraternity, a member of the I. O. O. F., and also belongs to the Chapter. He has represented both
of these lodges several times in the grand lodges, and takes a great interest in each of them. He is also a
liberal contributor to worthy enterprises, aiding by his influence in all laudable movements.