Some Goodspeed Biographies
SEBASTIAN COUNTY, ARKANSAS BIOGRAPHIES
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SOURCE: The Goodspeed Publishing Co., 1889.
Contributed by Michael Brown
18 Oct 1998
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SEBASTIAN CO
Matthew Jerome Irvin, one of the old settlers of Center Township, Sebastian Co., Ark., residing about one and a half miles west of Greenwood, was born in Lincoln County, Tenn., in 1833, and is a son of Charles Ellis and Malinda (Akins) Irvin, who were born in Dublin, Ireland, in 1771, and Kentucky, in 1801, respectively. At about the age of twenty-two years the father immigrated to the United States, locating in the State of Georgia, and afterward went to Lincoln County, Tenn., thence to Jackson, Madison County, where he died in
1844. He was a Methodist minister, and was engaged in preaching the Gospel until about 1820, when he gave up this calling, and spent the remainder of his days retired from the active duties of life. He was twice married, his last wife dying in Sebastian County, Ark., in 1876, having come here in 1857. She was the mother of eleven children, Matthew Jerome being the seventh born. From early boyhood he has been engaged in tilling the soil, and made his home with his mother until he was twenty-two years old, and after his marriage his mother made her home with him. In 1856 he left his native State, and immigrated to
Sebastian County, Ark., where he was married in August, 1858, to Miss Mary Ann McCray, a daughter of Alexander and Keziah (Perkins) McCray, who came to Sebastian County in 1850, and were natives, respectively, of Georgia and Alabama. Mrs. Irvin was born in Tallahatchee County, Miss., in 1840. Ten children have blessed their union, only six of whom are living: Martha J. (wife of Robert H. Moore), William H., Lillie Eudora (wife of Sanford Caudle), John Matthew, Susan Ellen and Frank Tatum. In 1860 Mr. Irvin purchased 120 acres of land in Center Township, and from time to time has since increased his acreage, until he now owns 220 acres of fertile land He and wife have been members of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church for the past twenty-five years,
and he has been a ruling elder in the same for the past twenty years. In 1862 he enlisted in Company H, Eleventh Regiment Arkansas Infantry, Confederate Army, and served for about one year, though he was a Union man at the commencement of the war. He is a Democrat in politics, and cast his first presidential vote for James Buchanan.
SEBASTIAN CO
Aunt Sophia Kannady, of Fort Smith, Ark., was born in Fort Gibson, Cherokee Nation, August 16, 1826, and is the daughter of Aaron and Rebecca Borling. Aaron Borling was born in London, England, June 4, 1792, and his father, Moses Borling, sailed for America August 31, 1793, and landed on American soil November 5 of the same year. He brought his family with him, and lived in Baltimore the balance of his life. He was born April 29, 1767, and died in 1796. He was married in England to Miss Mary Cooper, March 7, 1787, and she died in Baltimore, at the age of twenty-six years. Aaron Borling was one of five children born to his parents, and was by trade a sail-maker. Being left an orphan at an early age, he was reared by an aunt. When quite a boy he went to sea, and followed a seafaring life for twelve years. During this time he was married to Miss Rebecca Tucker, a native of Maryland, born October 14, 1781. After his marriage, Mr. Borling followed the sea until he joined the United States army, and with the first troops came to Arkansas, where he helped locate Fort Smith. He was in the Federal service for about five years, when he finally received his discharge. He was promoted to the rank of sergeant. His family had previously joined him at Fort Gibson, and of the six children born
to his union, three are now living: Sophia, subject of this sketch; Henry and Robert. After resigning his position in the army Mr. Borling bought a farm in what is now Sebastian County, and upon this farm the family was reared. About 1835 Aaron Borling was employed by the Government to issue supplies to the Seminole Indians, and in the spring of 1841 he moved back to his farm. In 1853 he moved with his family to Fort Smith, and here Mrs. Borling died July 27 of the same year. On March 22 of the following year Mr. Borling also died. May 19, 1847, the subject of this sketch married Jerry R. Kannady, and their marriage
was the first one published in the first newspaper of Fort Smith. They were also married by the first Episcopal minister of the place. Jerry R. Kannady was a native of Pennsylvania, and was born at Beaver, Beaver County, on February 11, 1817, and moved to Ohio with his family while yet an infant, their home being in Ohio, at Hebron. He came to Fort Smith in the last of February, 1836. He came with his uncle, Capt. J. Rogers, the founder of Fort Smith, for whom he kept store until he engaged in mercantile pursuits for himself, and then
engaged in various kinds of business. At the time of his marriage he was sutler for the United States troops at Fort Smith, for many years. During the Civil War, Mr. Kannady manufactured different kinds of implements. He owned several slaves, and about 1863 he took his wife and negroes south, remaining in the “Lone Star State” until the close of the war. He then returned to Fort Smith in the summer of 1865. During the latter part of the war he was in the employ of the confederate Government, erecting public buildings. He was born in 1818 and died in 1883. Mrs. Kannady has an oil painting of Fort Smith as a
garrison, and this is valued at $700, and is the only one in existence.
SEBASTIAN CO
Allen A. Kersh, farmer and blacksmith of Diamond Township, was born in
Orangeburg District, South Carolina, in 1817, on March 31, and is a son of William and Rachel (Shuber) Kersh, natives of South Carolina, who lived in that State until 1833. They then removed to Rankin County, Mo., where they passed the remainder of their lives. Mr. Kersh was a farmer and blacksmith. His father, Andrew, came to America with his parents, from Germany, prior to the Revolution, and, his parents being poor, he was bound out in order that he might support himself. The maternal grandfather of our subject was born of German parents in South Carolina. Allen A. Kersh is the third of a family of eleven children, and during his youth he attended the country school of his
neighborhood. At the age of sixteen he accompanied his parents to Mississippi, where he was married, in 1842, to Elizabeth, daughter of James H. and Barbara W. Riddlespirger, natives of Collenton District, South Carolina, where Mr. R. died when Mrs. Kersh was but an infant. His widow afterward became the wife of Mr. Griffith, and when Mrs. Kersh was ten years old removed to Lauderdale County, Miss. In 1859 the family came to Sebastian County, where Mrs. Griffith died in 1861. Mrs. Kersh's grandfather, David Riddlespirger, was born in South
Carolina, and his father, Abram, was a native of Germany. Mr. and Mrs. Kersh have three sons and six daughters, viz.: Rachel M., wife of David Bishop, of Benton County; Eliza R., wife of Wiley R. Gwyn; William Horton; Samuel R., of Texas; J. Timothy; Sarah B., wife of George Bishop; Elizabeth M.; Susan L., wife of Cooper Hayes, and Viola A., wife of Wiley Martin. Our subject has had fifty-nine grandchildren. In 1858 Mr. Kersh came to Sevier County, and the same year located near Huntington, in Sebastian County, on the Brewster farm.
He engaged in farming and blacksmithing, and became the owner of 1,400 acres of land. He now owns about 500 acres. He was one of the pioneers of the county, and remembers paying $13 for 250 pounds of salt, and $11 per barrel for flour, at which time the nearest trading point was either Fort Smith or Little Rock. Mr. Kersh has been a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South, since his youth, and his entire family belongs to that denomination. He is a Democrat, and cast his first presidential vote for Van Buren in 1840. He belongs to Pulliam Masonic Lodge No. 133.
SEBASTIAN CO
page 1334
Thomas J. Kersey (deceased) was one of the oldest and most highly esteemed
citizens of Sebastian County, Ark., and was born in Davidson County, Tenn.,
[p.1334] in 1819. At an early day he came to the State of Arkansas and settled
in Logan County, where he was married to Peggy A. Shelby, who afterward died,
having borne two children: Jane, widow of L. Gee, and George Huston, who was
eighteen years old at the time of his death. In 1847 Mr. Kersey was married to
Mary Ann Williford, who was born in Montgomery County. Ill., the daughter of
Jordan and Sarah J. Williford. Mrs. Kersey came to Arkansas when only thirteen
years old, and was married to Thomas Kersey at the age of fifteen. She is the
mother of fifteen children, only four of whom lived to be grown Amanda V., who
married, during the war. Mr. A. J. Fry, and was the mother of six children,
four boys of whom are living, Grant, Charles, Baty and Mathew; the two
youngest are living with their Grandma Kersey, their mother having died when
the youngest, Mathew, was only one year old; Baty, who is now thirteen years of
age, has lived with his Grandpa since last May, his father having died; the
other two are grown. The next child of Thomas Kersey, a son. I. N. Kersey,
died when twenty-one years of age; he was an excellent young man in every way,
and was much beloved by all who knew him: he was a student of Cane Hill
College, Washington County, Ark., and would have graduated the spring he died.
A daughter, Mollie, was married very young to Dr. N. D. Woods, Jr.; she is the
mother of four children: Mary E., Susie, George Newton and Annie Tribue, the
first and last of whom are living. Georgia is the wife of A. J. Chandler. Of
these four children, who lived to maturity, only two are living: Mollie Woods
and Georgia Chandler. Thomas J. Kersey made a trip to California in 1849 with
the long train of gold seekers, and was absent fifteen months, meeting with
good success and returning with a large amount of gold. Soon after coming back
his dwelling was set on fire at night during the absence of the family, and a
heavy loss sustained. He suffered considerably by fire (having been burned out
three times— once losing a hotel), but this only increased his determination to
accumulate more property. Mr. Kersey was for many years one of the foremost
citizens of Greenwood, and was ever ready to assist all laudable public
enterprises, and was largely interested in a dry goods store, and owned a mill
in the town. He was known throughout Western Arkansas for his honesty,
integrity and liberality, and although uneducated, save by his own exertions,
was a man of powerful mind and good judgment. He was successful in all his
business enterprises, a man of quick perceptions, and possessed considerable
personal magnetism, which drew around him a large circle of friends. He was
for many years a consistent member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South,
and was one of its most liberal supporters. He was a member of the A. F. & A.
M., Lodge No. 131, and was buried by the members of his lodge with impressive
ceremonies. He commenced life a poor man, but at his death, October 11, 1888,
was a large land-holder, and possessed a large amount of personal property. Of
keen observation, he absorbed a great deal by travel, and for fifteen months,
when a young man, lived in Texas among the Indians. His house was the home of
the orphan, and he partly reared five orphan children. Mrs. Kersey has been a
member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South, since she was thirteen years
of age.
SEBASTIAN CO
page 1336
John H. Lairamore was born December 25, 1828, in Morgan County, Mo., and is a son of Obadiah and Emily (Esteys) Lairamore. The father was born in Greene County, Ky., July 8, 1800, and lived there until eight years of age. He afterward lived in Franklin and Sangamon Counties, Ark. and Ill., when these States were inhabited by Indians and wild animals, and he was of great assistance in driving the former to the Indian Territory. He grew to manhood in Petersburgh, and volunteered in the Black Hawk War from Illinois. He also enlisted in the Mexican War, and during the late war served as a Government
scout and spy. He settled in this county, which was then Crawford County, over sixty years ago, when there were but two log cabins at Fort Smith. The mother was born in Sangamon County, Ill., where she was reared and married. She bore nine children. Those living are Nelton L., John H., Obadiah and Wiley. Those deceased: William, Martha J., Rebecca, Samuel, who was killed in the war, and Elijah. Mrs. Lairamore died in Sebastian County in 1862, and Mr. Lairamore afterward married Polly Cordin, a native of Coffee County, Tenn., who came here in 1858. She is the mother of two children, Mary Doney and Elizabeth
(deceased). The paternal grandparents of our subject were natives of Maryland, who immigrated to Kentucky, and the maternal grandfather was a resident of Illinois. John H. Lairamore came to Sebastian County when three years old, and here grew up with but a limited education. He lived with his parents until his marriage, in 1846, to Jane, daughter of Lewis Pinnell and wife, formerly a Miss Turner, early settlers of this county. Mrs. Lairamore was born in Illinois, and bore three children: Elizabeth, Mary and Clarinda (deceased). Mrs. Lairamore died March 12, 1858, and in 1860 our subject was united in marriage
with Ann P., daughter of Theophilus and Elizabeth Petty, natives of Tennessee. Mrs. Lairamore was born in Missouri, and is the mother of six children: John H., Milford, Frances P., William, Martha and George W. (deceased). Mr. Lairamore is an ordained minister in the Free Will Baptist Church, and his wife belongs to the same denomination. In 1863 Mr. Lairamore enlisted in the First Arkansas Volunteer Infantry, and served in Company H until discharged at Fort Smith, August 10, 1865. Since then he has lived in Sebastian County, with the exception of two years spent in Missouri. He owns 155 acres of land, and cultivates sixty. In politics he is a Republican. Six months before the
conscript law Mr. Lairamore sold 200 acres of land, taking it all in property, with a view of trying to get north. His position south of the Arkansas River was a most trying one, and the sufferings he, in common with other Union sympathizers, underwent, can better be imagined than described. At one time several of them were obliged to lie concealed in the brush until a favorable opportunity was afforded for reaching the Federal lines. When it became known that Mr. [p.1336] Lariamore had left the country, the jayhawkers entered upon a course of indignities toward his family wholly unwarranted. Everything obtainable was taken, his wife and children being left so destitute that the former found it necessary to travel fifty miles on foot to find a place of safety among friends. A return of peace was bailed with sincere joy, and
barmony and good feeling have since prevailed.
SEBASTIAN CO
John W. Lamb, farmer, is a son of Nathan and Rebecca (Simpson) Lamb, who were
born, reared and married in Alabama. Soon after the consummation of the latter
event they moved to Nashville, Tenn., where the mother died. Mr. Lamb moved to
Arkansas about 1834, locating in Greene County, where he married Eliza Simpson,
a sister of his first wife. They afterward moved to Jackson County, Ark., and
there the father died at the age of fifty-nine years. He was a farmer by
occupation, and he and both his wives were members of the Methodist Episcopal
Church, South. Two sons and one daughter were born to his first union, and two
sons and six daughters to his last. John W. Lamb was born in Nashville on the
17th of April, 1835, was reared on a farm, and received a very liberal
education. At the age of eighteen years he began farming for himself in Jackson
County, Ark., and in July, 1862, enlisted in Company C, Thirty-second Arkansas
Volunteer Infantry, Confederate States Army, and served nearly three years,
participating in the battles of Prairie Grove, Pleasant Hill and others. After
his return home he resumed farming, and in 1871 moved to Franklin County, Ark.,
where they resided about eight years, and then came to Sebastian County,
locating on the farm of 153 acres where he now lives. He has 100 acres under
cultivation, and is doing well financially. He is a stanch Democrat in
politics, belongs to the Masonic fraternity, and throughout life has been
identified with all the farmers' movements, being a member of the Wheel.
Alliance, etc. He was married in 1856 to Martha J. Patterson, a native of
Alabama, and by her is the father of nine living children; Mary P., William
N., Andrew, Joseph, Palmyra, Sophronia, John, Nancy and Mattie. Samuel and an
infant are deceased. Only one of the sons, William N., is married, and all are
farmers.
SEBASTIAN CO
Hon. John S. Little, judge of the Twelfth Judicial Circuit of Arkansas, was
elected in 1886 by the Democratic party, having no opposition. His district
comprises Sebastian, Crawford, Logan and Scott Counties. Judge Little is a
native of Sebastian County, Ark., and was born in 1851, being the son of Jesse
and Mary E. (Tatum) Little. Jesse Little was a native of Pitt County, N. C.,
born in 1818. In 1838 he became a resident of Sebastian (then Crawford)
County, Ark., was married in 1845, and located near Jennie Lind, in that
county. He was a farmer, was the owner of 200 acres of land, and died in
august, 1887. The mother was born in 1829, is still living, and is the mother
of two children: John S. and Thomas E. John S. received his education in the
common schools, and at Cane Hill, Washington Co., Ark. He remained on the farm
until 1872, when he engaged in teaching, and followed this profession three
terms, all in his native county. At the time he commenced teaching he began,
also, the study of law, his preceptor being Hon. C. B. Neal. In 1873 he was
admitted to the bar at Greenwood, and soon after located at Paris, in Logan
County, Ark., and engaged in general practice until May, 1877, when he was
elected prosecuting attorney for the Twelfth Judicial Circuit. He was re-
elected in 1878, 1880 and 1882, serving in all eight years. In 1884 he was
elected to the State Legislature, and served on committee of judiciary, and
was chairman on county and probate affairs. In January, 1877, he married Miss
Elizabeth Irvin, daughter of Pleasant and Elizabeth Irvin, and a native of
Logan County, Ark., born in 1861. Three children were the result of this
union; Paul, Jesse and Monte. Judge Little is a member of the Masonic order,
Master Mason, is a member of the K. of H., and he and wife are members of the
Methodist Episcopal Church, South.
SEBASTIAN CO
Gilbert Looman, proprietor of a livery, and feed stable at Greenwood, was born
in Madison County, Ill., in 1829, and is the son of Thomas and Charity
(Heddie) Looman. Thomas Looman was born in the State of Tennessee, and was a
farmer by occupation. When young he went to Madison County, Ill., married and
located there. He was a soldier in the Black Hawk War, and died soon
afterward. After his death his widow married John T. Norton, who moved to
Dallas County in 1835. Mrs. Norton was born in Kentucky, and died in 1862. She
was the mother of four children by Mr. Looman, Gilbert Looman being the second
child in order of birth. He was quite small when his father died, and lived
with his mother until sixteen years of age. He traveled about for four or five
years, visited the “Lone Star State,” and then returned to Sebastian County in
1844. In 1853 he married Miss Margaret Byram, who was born in Kentucky in
1831, and seven children were the fruits of this union: Thomas, Mary E. (wife
of Virgil McClain), John, Sarah (wife of William Hindman), Ida (wife of William
Newsam), Katie and Emma. After marriage Mr. Looman located six miles north of
the county seat, where he owned 200 acres of land. In 1885 he moved to
Greenwood and established a livery and feed stable; was also proprietor of the
Capital Hotel until October, 1888. He keeps six horses, three buggies, a hack,
and is the oldest liveryman in Greenwood. He is a Republican in politics, is a
Master Mason, and his wife is a member of the Free-Will Baptist Church. In
1863 Mr. Looman enlisted in Company E, First Arkansas Infantry, United States
Army, and was in service eight months, being discharged on account of
disability.
SEBASTIAN CO
R. H. Mcconnell was born March 6, 1815, in Blount County, Tenn. His father,
Samnel McConnell, was of Scotch descent, and was born in Pennsylvania. Early
in life he went to Tennessee, where he grew up on a farm. He served throughout
the entire War of 1812, and in 1820 immigrated to McMinn County. In 1840 that
county was divided, and the part he resided in was named Polk County. He died
there in 1849. The mother, Mary (McGill) McConnell, was born in Tennessee, and
reared on Duck River. She bore seven children, named as follows: Peggy A.,
Susan, Eliza J., Marella, Elizabeth, Robert H. and Isabella (deceased). The
paternal grandfather of our subject was a soldier in the Revolution, and a
native of Pennsylvania, as was also his wife. R. H. McConnell grew to manhood
upon his father's farm in Tennessee, and received a good common-school
education. In 1842 he married Minerva Hawkins, also a native of Tennessee, who
died in 1864, and was the mother of eight children: James H., Samuel K., Mary
J., Robert H., Jane A., Mary E., William O. and John (deceased). In 1866 Mr.
McConnell married Martha Pitts, a native of Madison County, Miss., and daughter
of Samuel and Mary (Frazier) Dufful, natives of Tennessee and Kentucky,
respectively. This union was blessed with but one child, Alma E., who is
deceased. While in Tennessee Mr. McConnell served twelve years as justice of
the peace, and for four years was president of the county court. During the war
he served a short time in the Confederate army, and at the battle of Pea Ridge
he supported a battery. In 1853 he came to Sebastian County, which he
represented in the Legislature in the years 1856, 1858, 1874, 1878 and 1883. In
1885 he was elected State senator from the Twenty-eighth Senatorial District,
which term of office has just expired. He is one of the influential and highly
respected citizens of the county, and himself and wife belong to the Missionary
Baptist Church. He has been a Mason over thirty-two years, and is a member of
the “Alliance.” In politics he is a Democrat.
SEBASTIAN CO
John McCray, of Fort Smith, Ark., was born in the State of Mississippi in 1835,
and is a son of Alexander and Keziah (Perkins) McCray. The father was born in
Alabama, and was one of the pioneers of Mississippi. He was a man of more than
ordinary education and intelligence, and a wealthy land owner and slave holder.
He died when his son John was quite young, and the latter was left to fight
the battle of life for himself. Until he attained his majority he remained
with his mother and assisted her in caring for the younger members of the
family. He has one sister and one half sister, who are now living; they are
residents of Sebastian County, Ark., and Texas, respectively. During the late
Civil War he cast his fortunes with the Confederacy, and joined the Fort Smith
Rifles, under Capt. J. Spark, participating in the battles of Wilson's Creek,
Prairie Grove, Poison Springs, and others too numerous to mention. At the
close of the war he began working in the quartermaster's department,
continuing one year, and then re-engaged in agricultural pursuits and
merchandising, which occupations he has carried on up to the present time. He
was married to Miss Mattie Ingles, who died about fourteen months later,
having borne one child, who died at the age of five months. She was a daughter
of Capt. Ingles, a hero of the Mexican War. Mr. McCray's second wife was Miss
Martha Collins, who only lived about one year after her marriage. He married
his third wife in Arkansas, in 1879. She was a Miss Florence Rogers, and became
the mother of three children: Clarence, Clifford and Mary. Mr. McCray is a
Democrat, and a member of the A. F. & A. M. and the I. O. O. F.
SEBASTIAN CO
page 1340
A. A. Mcdonald, circuit court clerk of Sebastian County, Ark., was born in Rhea
County, Tenn., in 1863, and is a son of Charles T. and C. E. (Rice) McDonald.
The former was born in Virginia in 1831, and January 16, 1859, was married, in
Jasper County, Tenn., to Miss Rice. She was born in Tennessee January 12, 1834,
and after her marriage removed with her husband to Alabama, thence back to
Tennessee, locating near Dayton. Charles McDonald was a soldier in the
Confederate army during the late Civil War, being next to the last man to get
out of prison at Rock Island, Ill., his exposure there being the cause of his
early death. He died about 1868 in Calhoun County, Ark., where he had located
previous to the war. His widow then returned with her family to her people in
Alabama, but after residing there one year returned to Arkansas in company with
her father, George W. Rice. They finally settled in Greenwood, in 1873, where
the family have since made their home. The children are [p.1340] as follows:
Emma E., A. A., the subject of this biography, and T. B. Owing to their
mother's earnest endeavor and good judgment, they have been reared to
intelligent manhood and womanhood. A. A. McDonald has grown up principally in
Sebastian County, Ark., and secured a good common-school education. He
followed various occupations until August 31, 1884, among which was teaching
school, and was then appointed chief deputy in the sheriff's office for
Greenwood District, of Sebastian County, and filled this position for over two
years. He then resigned the office, and March 1, 1887, accepted a position with
Rappenhimer Hardware Co., of Fort Smith, where he worked until June of the same
year, and then engaged in the livery business, and worked in the county
clerk's office at Greenwood until January 29, 1888. He then became candidate
on the Democratic ticket for circuit court clerk, received the nomination, and
was elected September 3, 1888. He entered upon the duties of his office October
30, 1888, and, owing to his many sterling business qualities, a bright future
is predicted for him. He says that if he ever attains to any prominence in
years to come it will be owing to the counsels which he received from a good
and intelligent mother, whose advice he has always tried to follow.
SEBASTIAN CO
page 1341
Hon. Robert William McFarlane, attorney at law and real estate agent, of
Greenwood, Ark., was born in Grayson County, Tex., in 1858, and is a son of
Dr. Robert S. and Isabella C. (Norton) McFarlane. The father is of Scotch
descent, and was born in Tennessee July 4, 1821, and when about seven years of
age was taken to Jackson County, Ala., by his father, Robert McFarlane, where
he resided until 1840, when he went to Texas, and for about two years was one
of the Texas Rangers. He then returned to Alabama, and from there moved to
Arkansas, locating at Dripping Springs, and two years later removed to He has
served as justice of the peace a few years, and was elected to the Arkansas
Legislature in 1852, in which body he served with credit. He has been twice
married, his first wife, Miss Norton, being born in Tennessee in 1831; she died
in 1866. By her he became the father of four children who lived to be grown.
He is the descendant of three brothers who emigrated from Scotland to the
United States in 1716, two brothers settling in Virginia (from one of whom he
is descended) and the other in South Carolina. Hon. Robert William McFarlane is
the third child and the only son, and received his rudimentary education in
the common schools of Sebastian County, supplemented by a course in the State
University at Fayetteville, which institution he entered in 1876, and from
which he graduated with the degree of A. B. in 1882, the degree of A. M. being
conferred upon him two years later. In 1877 he entered the teacher's
profession, his first term being taught in the Indian Territory, and continued
that occupation [p.1341] four terms. After leaving college he became a disciple
of Blackstone, his studies being carried on under the instructions of Hon. J.
S. Little, now circuit judge of the Twelfth Judicial Circuit, and in June,
1885, he was admitted to the bar. He immediately opened an office and entered
upon the practice of his profession, and has met with good and well-deserved
success. He is well versed in legal lore, and is considered one of the leaders
of the legal fraternity in He is quite an extensive dealer in real estate,
which, with his profession, brings him in a handsome annual income. He is a
Democrat in politics, and in 1885 was appointed school examiner of Sebastian
County, which office he filled to the satisfaction of all for three years. Mr.
McFarlane had but $75 when admitted to the bar in 1885, and has since purchased
160 acres of improved farming land and six lots in the heart of Greenwood,
upon which he has built a cozy cottage, out of his savings in the law. He is
unsuccessful in politics, having, as he remarks, invested $1,000 in politics
without any return in the last four years. He is a Master Mason, and is Past
Dictator of his lodge in the K. of H. In September, 1885, he became editor and
proprietor of the Greenwood Times, but at the end of twelve months he sold the
paper to H. T. Hampton, and has since confined himself strictly to the practice
of law. November 29, 1887, he was united in marriage to Miss Maggie Harris,
who was born in Illinois in 1864, and is a daughter of David D. Harris, of
Mound City, Ill. She is a worthy and consistent member of the Episcopal Church.
SEBASTIAN CO
page 1342
John S. M. Mckamey, who has a stock of general merchandise, cotton, hay, etc.,
at Huntington, valued at about $9,000, was born in Roane County, E. Tenn., in
1849, and is the third of a family of three children born to Capt. John C. and
Zerelda (Tunnell) McKamey, natives of East Tennessee, born in 1809 and 1811,
respectively. The father served as captain in 1838 in one of the Indian wars,
but was a farmer by occupation. He removed to Anderson County, Tenn., when our
subject was an infant, and in 1852 went with his brother, Harvey McKamey, on a
prospecting tour to Arkansas. He died near Little Rock, and his wife died in
1875 in Sebastian County, Ark. The paternal grandfather, John McKamey, was
born in Virginia, and was of Scotch descent. The [p.1342] maternal
grandfather, Col. William Tunnell, was also a Virginian by birth, and was of
English descent. He served as colonel in the War of 1812, the epaulets and
plumes of his uniform now being in the possession of our subject. He
represented Anderson County in the Lower House and in the Senate several terms,
and died in that county in 1861. John S. M. McKamey came with his mother to
Sebastian County in 1867, and November 20, 1873, married Sarah R., daughter of
A. T. Bonham, who removed here with her parents from Anderson County, Tenn.,
in 1870. Mr. Bonham was married twice, his first wife dying in 1881. He
commenced business February 19, 1883, under the firm name of McKamey &
Davenport. In August of that year Mr. Davenport retired, and the business was
continued by J. S. M. McKamcy until November 15 of the same year, when Mr. S.
E. Smith took an interest, and the firm was McKamcy & Smith. Since January,
1885, Mr. McKamey has carried on business alone. He landed here November 22,
1867, with only $4.75, first taught school in the Choctaw Nation, beginning
January 5, 1868, and continuing until June of the same year, making in that
time over $300. The following fall he went to Cane Hill College, remained till
May, 1869, and then taught school, and finally bought and settled a farm
January, 1 1870. February 19, 1883, he went into the mercantile business.
December 1, 1888, he bought an interest in the Kansas & Texas Coal Co., of
Huntington, Ark., the sales of which will average $20,000 per month. He was
also elected president of the bank of Huntington. He is a successful man, and
has nearly 500 acres of land in different tracts near Huntington, some of
which contains coal deposits. Although he began life in humble circumstances,
he is now one of the active and enterprising business men of the county. He is
an elder in the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, of which his wife is a member.
They have a family of six children. Mr. McKamey is a Democrat in politics, and
for twelve years has been a member of Pulliam Masonic Lodge No. 133, in which
he has served as Master. His oldest brother, William T., served four years in
the Confederate army, first in the Nineteenth Tennessee Infantry, and
afterward in Thomason's legion of sharpshooters, in the Virginia army. He was
wounded at Shenandoah, and died in Sebastian County in 1871.
page 1343
T. D. Magness is a son of M. J. and Melvina (McClary) Magness, whose [p.1343]
deaths occurred in 1887 and 1858, respectively. In 1881 the father (who was
born in 1835) moved from Marion to Washington County, Ark., and two years
later to Sebastian County. In 1887 he went to California, and there died the
following year. His father, James Magness, was a farmer, born in South
Carolina about 1793, and died in 1873. M. J. Magness enlisted in the
Confederate army in 1862, but afterward joined the Federal troops, and
participated in the battles of Prairie Grove, Corinth, Fayetteville and
Springfield. He was captured at the latter battle, and was afterward sent on
exchange to Mississippi, and received his discharge in 1864. The following are
his children: M. E. (Campbell), Elzetta (Barham), Mary (Wilburn), Lou (Zinn),
Laura, Hanse, Cora, Willie, Nora and T. D. The latter was born in Marion
County, Ark., in 1857, and spent his boyhood days in his native county, and
began the battle of life for himself at the early age of seventeen. In 1876 he
was married to his second cousin, Samantha Magness, who was born in Marion
County, Ark., in 1862, and by her is the father of two children, Lawrence
Edgar and an infant unnamed, Mr. Magness became a resident of Sebastian County
in 1884, and two years later purchased his present farm of 300 acres. He has
100 acres under cultivation, and a pleasant and comfortable home. He is a
Republican in politics, and cast his first presidential vote for James A.
Garfield in 1880. His wife's parents, Hugh and Huldah J. Magness, were born in
Tennessee, and subsequently came to Arkansas, where the father followed the
occupation of stock raising, and died in 1877. The following are his children
who are living: D. A. (Foster), S. J. (Magness), W. T. and Z. M. J. C., C. B.
and an infant unnamed are deceased.
Wilson Manus, a successful agriculturist, and the son of Jesse Manus, was born
in Hawkins County, Tenn., March 15, 1842. The father was also a native of
Tennessee, was reared and married in Tennessee; was a farmer by occupation,
and a Democrat in politics. He was married twice, and became the father of
children by both wives. Wilson Manus was but three years old when both of his
parents died, and he has no remembrance of his parents, brothers or sisters.
After the death of his father he was bound out to a man by the name of Debord,
with whom he staid but a short time, when an uncle by marriage took him and
kept him until the breaking out of the late war. In 1857 he was brought to
Scott County, Ark., and in 1862 he was conscripted in the Confederate army,
and served until the fall of 1863, being under seven different captains. With
the idea firm in his mind that he was serving a wrong cause, he determined to
escape as soon as possible. In September, 1863, he went to Fort Smith and
enlisted in Company C, Second Arkansas Volunteer Infantry, United States Army.
Soon after he was transferred to Company F, of the same command, and received
an honorable discharge August 8, 1865. He participated in the battle of Saline
River, Prairie Grove. A considerable portion of the time he was detailed on
scouting service, and in a skirmish near Clarksville, Ark., April 11, 1865, he
was wounded in the left thigh and hip, the ball passing clear through and
crippling him for life. As a partial compensation he gets a pension. After the
war he returned to Sebastian County, where, in 1867, he married Miss Julia
Anthony, a native of Scott County, and the daughter of Finis Anthony. Nine
children were the fruits of this union: Abraham L., Mary E., Henry W., Daniel
G., Tennessee J., Archidelphia A., Eva J. L., Audus L. B. and an infant
(deceased). Mr. Manus was a Democrat until the war, and since that time he has
been a Republican. After marriage he settled upon the farm where he now lives,
and where he is engaged in successfully tilling the soil, although he followed
merchandising for a short time in connection with his farming interests. He
owns 200 acres of land, ninety under cultivation, has been a resident of this
county for twenty-one years, and is an honorable man and a good citizen. He is
a member of the Masonic fraternity, is also a member of the G. A. R., and he
and wife are members of the Free Will Baptist Church. He received very little
schooling, and was not able to read or write until about four years ago. He is
deeply interested in the education of his children.
page 1344
Jesse Martin, farmer and real estate dealer of Mansfield, Sebastian Co., Ark.,
was born in the “Blue Grass State” in 1819, and is a son of Jesse and Jane
(Hunter) Martin, who were born in the “Old Dominion,” and whose ancestors were
among the “F. F. V.'s.” Jesse Martin, the father, was born in 1777, and died in
Tennessee in 1840. At an early day he removed to Kentucky, and afterward to
Tennessee, where he was engaged in farming, and spent the remainder [p.1344]
of his days. His wife was born in 1782, and died in 1882, having borne a
family of ten sons and four daughters. The paternal grandfather, John Martin,
was born in Virginia, and lived to be one hundred and four years old. He was
in the War of 1812, and served two years under Gen. Jackson. His father, James
Martin, was a soldier in the Revolutionary War, and was on the staff of Gen.
Washington. He also lived to be one hundred and four years old. Jesse Martin
spent his boyhood days in Tennessee, and received a fair English education,
and at the age of twenty-one years began working for himself. In 1866 he
removed to Arkansas and settled in Ashley County, removing to Montreal,
Sebastion County, in 1869. Here he resided until the winter of 1887–88, when
he came to Mansfield. He is real estate agent for the Frisco Railroad Company,
and for forty-four years has been a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church,
South. He is a Democrat, and cast his first presidential vote for Martin Van
Buren. In 1841 he was married to Miss Martha Jane McDaniel, who was born in
Tennessee in 1824, and is a daughter of Samuel and Rachel (Cox) McDaniel, who
were born in North Carolina and Tennessee, respectively. The father was a
mechanic and farmer. To Mr. and Mrs. Martin were born nine children: Jane,
(deceased), John, adaughter (Mrs. L. P. Powell), Samuel B., James J., Thomas
F., Louisa, Wiley O. and Margaret E. In 1861 Mr. Martin enlisted in Company I,
Fifth Tennessee Cavalry, and served with Gens. Bragg, Johnson and Hood, and
with them participated in the battles of Perryville, Murfreesboro, Missionary
Ridge, Chickamauga, Rocky Fall, Resaca, Marietta, Kenesaw Mountain, Peach Tree
Creek and Atlanta. He was discharged in 1865, after Johnston's surrender.
Joseph H. Martin, farmer and stock raiser, was born in Maury County, Tenn., in
1844, and is a son of Patrick and Sarah (Lee) Martin, natives of Virginia, who
accompanied their parents to Williamson County. Tenn., where they married.
They then settled in Maury County, and a few years later removed to Obion
County, Tenn., where they still live. Mr. Martin is a well-to-do farmer, and
both himself and wife belong to the Methodist Church. Thomas Martin, the
grandfather, was of Irish descent, and died in Maury County when Patrick was a
small boy. Joseph H. Martin is the fifth of a family of six children, and when
young attended school but little. In 1862 he joined Company K, Seventh
Kentucky Cavalry, under Gen. Forrest, with whom he remained until the close of
the war. He operated in Tennessee, Kentucky, Mississippi, Alabama and Georgia,
and participated in the engagements at Nashville, Franklin, Murfreesboro,
Shiloh, and was through the Atlanta campaign. He was also at West Plain at the
time of the surrender. After the war he returned home, and December 28, 1865,
married Lucinda, daughter of Joseph and Ruth Hogan, a native of Virginia, who
when young went to Indiana, where they were married and Mrs. Martin was born.
Mr. and Mrs. Hogan had a family of nine children, eight of whom are living.
About three years after the birth of Mrs. Martin they removed to Obion County,
Tenn., where they died in 1884 and 1870, respectively. Mr. Martin lived in
Maury County for two years after his marriage, and in 1878 came to Sebastian
County, settling upon his present farm, which was then but little improved.
This was situated just south of the present site of Huntington, and consisted
at first of eighty acres. Mr. Martin since has sold about forty acres for town
lots, the tract being known as Martin's addition to Huntington. He has always
followed agricultural pursuits. In politics he is a Democrat, and his first
presidential vote was cast for Seymour in 1868.
page 1347
Capt. Dudley Milam, farmer and stock raiser, is a son of John and Levica
(Hamby) Milam, who were born in North Carolina, and when young went to Hickman
County, Tenn., where they married, and where the father died at the age of
about forty-two years. The mother spent her last days in Boone County, Ark.,
where she lived to be sixty years of age. The father was a soldier in the War
of 1812, being a participant in the battle of New Orleans, and was a
blacksmith, wood workman and farmer by occupation. He was an old-time Democrat,
and a son of Jordan Milam, who served seven years in the Revolutionary War,
and died in Arkansas at the age of one hundred and ten years. Capt. Dudley
Milam is the eldest of seven children, and was born in Hickman County, Tenn.,
February 9, 1826. He was reared on a farm, and received just enough education
to enable him to read, and at the early age of fifteen years began earning his
own living. He was of a rather roving disposition, and spent several years'
earnings in traveling in different States. During the Mexican War he spent nine
months in Capt. Whitfield's company, and at the end of that time was
discharged from active duty on account of sickness, and then returned to
Tennessee, and in 1847 came to Franklin County, Ark., locating soon after in
Johnson County, where he was married, in 1852, to Miss Lennet Wood, who was
born in North Carolina October 16, 1825. Since 1857 they have resided in
Sebastian County, where he owns a fertile farm of 100 acres, with about fifty
acres under cultivation. In April, 1862, he enlisted in Capt. Oliver Bassham's
company, Confederate service, [p.1347] and at the end of three months joined
Capt. Leister's company, but two months later this company split, and Capt.
Leister joined the Federal forces, Mr. Milam was then elected captain of the
company. At Mark's Mill, in Bradley County, Ark., he was leading a battalion
of advance skirmishers, and in the heat of the battle he was struck by a
minie-ball in the left ankle joint, the bone being so shattered that his leg
had to be amputated a little below the knee. This was done in April, 1863. He
has been the hero of two wars, and is yet hale and hearty, and has never had
to pay a doctor's bill for himself in his life. He is a stanch Democrat in
politics, and is the father of seven children: Emeline P. (deceased), Kansas,
William M. (deceased), John, Wood B., Lennet A. and Frances E. Mrs. Milam is a
member of the Methodist Church.
Charles Milor was born in Floyd County, Ky., October 4, 1818, and died January
12, 1887. He was the son of James Milor and Martha (Boles) Milor, who were
married in 1806. James Milor was the son of Charles Milor, an Englishman, who
came from England to Rockingham County, Va., in an early day. Martha Boles was
the daughter of James Boles and Nellie (Stanley) Boles, who spent most of
their lives in Surrey County, North Carolina. They were extensive slave-
holders. James Milor and Martha (Boles) Milor moved to Floyd County, Ky., in
1811. He was a farmer on the Big Sandy River. He was murdered August 19, 1822.
They were the parents of four children: Mrs. Mary Stevens, Colchester, Ill.;
Col. Alfred Milor, Grandview, Ind.; John (deceased), Judge Charles Milor
(deceased), being the youngest child. Charles Milor's chances for school were
very limited, except when he went to the State University, Bloomington, Ind., a
short time. He took advantage of the public library, and by attentive reading
and hard studying acquired a good English education, and in time became one of
the best read men in the community in which he resided. He was known to have a
most remarkable memory. He was a Republican, but never affiliated with the
extreme wing of the party. He always ran independently. He cast his first
presidential vote for William Henry Harrison. He settled in Arkansas in 1838.
He was justice of the peace four years, and was county and probate judge of
Sebastian County two terms. In 1864 he was elected to the State Senate,
filling the duties of that office with honor to himself and to the entire
satisfaction of the constituents. He then returned to his farm. In 1876 he was
again elected to represent Sebastian County in the State Legislature, serving
one term. From that time until his death he was engaged in agricultural
pursuits and stock raising. He was married December 12, 1849, to Miss Emiline
Tyree, who was born in Franklin County, Ark., March 14, 1833, and by her
became the father of four children, two living: Blanche Mary, who married
Samuel H. Rains, son of Gen. James S. Rains, of Dallas County, Tex.; Mrs.
Martha J. Tompson, of Washington County, Ark. His wife died on the 14th of
October, 1860. December 15, 1862, he married Miss Amanda Largen, who bore him
eight children, seven of whom are living: Aurora, Charles, Flora (deceased),
Fannie C., Mollie, Alfred W., Lola Pearl, Louis Chester. Mrs. Amanda (Largen)
Milor is a native of Corroll County, Va., born May 11, 1839, and is the third
child of nine, and a member of the Christian Church; she is a daughter of
James and Thersa (Hawks) Largen, who were born in 1810 and 1814, and died in
1858 and 1882, respectively. They moved from Virginia to Georgia, thence to
Franklin County, Ark., reaching the latter State in 1848, where they engaged
in farming. Their grandparents, William and Nancy (Dalton) Largen, were born
and spent their lives in Virginia, and were among the wealthy planters of that
country.
page 1350
Ira Lain Morris, a wealthy farmer of Sebastian County, Ark., is a son
of Enoch and Mary (Sexton) Morris, both of whom were born in North Carolina,
the former in 1794 and the latter in 1796. The family first came from Wales at
an early day, and located in North Carolina, where the Sextons, who were of
English birth, had also settled. Here the parents were married, and lived
until 1827, when they moved to De Kalb County, Ga., and made that State their
home the remainder of their days. The father was an expert carpenter, and was
very handy with tools of all kinds, and in connection with his trade carried
on farming. He died while visiting his children in Texas, in 1884, his wife
having died in Paulding County, Ga., in 1868. They were devoted members of the
Methodist Church, and were the parents of eleven children, six of whom are
living. Four sons served in the Confederate army during the late war. The
fifth child of the family, Ira Lain Morris, was born in Davidson County, N.
C., April 17, 1825, and was reared on a farm, but received but little early
education, as his boyhood days were spent on the Cherokee Purchase in Georgia,
there being very few schools in the region at that time. He afterward acquired
a sufficient knowledge of the common English branches to enable him to acquit
himself creditably in the transaction of business, and he is now considered
one of the most intelligent men in the community in which he resides. In 1847
he was married to Miss Nancy J. Simes, who was born in De Kalb County, Ga.,
January 14, 1829, and by her is the father of twelve children: Mary J., Sarah
A., James W., William J., Martha E., George L., Frances O., Amanda M.
(deceased), Enoch H., Nancy C., Charles H. (deceased), and Jennie L. In 1853
Mr. Morris moved to Texas, and during thirteen years in that State was a
resident of the following counties: Cass, Wood and Upshire. In 1866 he came to
Sebastian County, where he has since made his home, and is the owner of 220
acres of fertile land. The family are all members of the Methodist Church, and
he is a Democrat and Mason. In February, 1863, he enlisted in Company R, Texas
Volunteer Cavalry, Confederate States Army, and served until the close of the
war. The chief battle in which he participated was Yellow Bayou, and he was
neither wounded nor taken prisoner during his service.
George L. Morris, a progressive farmer of Sebastian County, and the owner of
141 acres of land, fifty-six of which are under cultivation, is a son of Ira
L. and Nancy J. (Simes) Morris, and was born in Wood County, Tex., January 10,
1860. At the age of six years he was brought to Sebastian County, Ark., and was
reared in White Oak Township, his early life being spent in farming and
attending the district schools. He received sufficient early education to
enable him to transact all his business affairs, and at the age of twenty years
was sent to school for the greater part of the year by his father, whose habit
had been to give his sons their liberty at the age of twenty, or to school
them one year. George L. accepted the latter, and made good use of his time
while in school. Having lived a life of single blessedness until March 26,
1882, he was united in marriage to Miss Medora A. Kersey, a daughter of
William Kersey, and by her is the father of three children: Clara E., Monta C.
and Maud E. Mrs. Morris was born in Greenwood, Ark., March 25, 1861, and she
and Mr. Morris are members of the Mount Zion Methodist Episcopal Church,
South. Mr. Morris having been a steward in the same since he was seventeen
years of age. He is a Democrat politically, and is considered by all an
honorable, enterprising and intelligent young man.
Hon. Caswell B. Neal, attorney at law and real estate agent, of Greenwood, is a
native of Andersen County, Tenn., where he was born in 1829, being the son of
John O. and Permelia (Young) Neal, and grandson of Daniel Neal, who was a
native of Ireland. John O. Neal was born in Russell County, Va., in 1793, and
was a young man when he went to Whitley County, Ky., where Daniel Neal died.
About 1820 John O. Neal went to Tennessee, and soon after married Miss Permelia
Young, who was born in the State of Virginia, Spottsylvania County, in 1808.
She is still living, but her husband died in Tennessee in 1878. They were the
parents of eight children, only three now living: Caswell B., John R., who is
a member of Congress from Chattanooga District, in Tennessee, and is now
serving his second term, and Henry C., who is an itinerant minister in Holston
Conference in Tennessee, of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South. Hon. Caswell
B. Neal was educated at Strawberry Plains, in Jefferson County, Tenn., and at
the age of twenty-one he entered the teacher's profession, receiving $10 per
month for compensation, and paying $2 per month for board. This was in Anderson
County, Tenn. In 1848 he went to Scott County, Ill., and taught here four
terms. In 1852 he returned to his native State, and became employed in the
chancery court's office in Madisonville, Monroe Co., Tenn. He was there two
years, and during that time became a disciple of Blackstone, his preceptor
being Hon. George Brown, who now lives in Knoxville, Tenn. In 1856 he was
admitted to the bar at Madisonville, and afterward left his native State, and
in January, 1860, he became a citizen of Greenwood, Sebastian Co., Ark., where
he resumed his practice. He was a Whig in politics before the war, but since
then he has affiliated with the Democratic party. In 1862 he was elected State
representative, and in 1864 he was re-elected from Sebastian County, serving on
the judiciary committee. In 1870 he was again elected as representative, and
it was this Legislature that passed the articles of impeachment against Gov.
Powell Clayton and John McClure, chief justice of the State. Hon. C. B. Neal
was chosen to present the charges before the Senate and prosecute the same.
This service he performed to the satisfaction of his party. He was also
complimented by the Democratic vote for speaker of the House. He has devoted
his time to his profession, his practice extending from Arkansas to Red River,
and is one of the leading legal lights in Sebastian County. He has been
wonderfully successful financially, and is the largest land-holder in Western
Arkansas. He owns 1,500 acres, and at one time was the owner of 3,000 acres. He
also owns fine property in Greenwood, about one-third of the village. In 1858
he married Miss Susan Inge, who was a native of Alabama, born in 1835, and who
became the mother of four children: John M., dealer in stock; Caswell B.,
salesman in Greenwood; William H., attorney with his father, and Thomas W. Mrs.
Neal died in 1876, and in 1878 Mr. Neal married Mrs. M. A. Robertson nee
Brazier. He and wife are members of the Missionary Baptist Church; he is a
Knight Templar, and has been a Master Mason for thirty-five years.
Wiley Nelson, farmer, was born in Sevier County, Ark., in 1840, and is a son of
William and Sarah (Mitchell) Nelson, who were born in North Carolina and
Alabama, respectively. They removed from Alabama to Sevier County, Ark., about
1837, where the father died when our subject was three years old, and the
mother died during the war. Mr. Nelson was of Irish descent, and Mrs. Nelson
was a member of the Methodist Church. Wiley received a very limited education
when a lad, and upon the outbreak of the war joined Company F, Nineteenth
Arkansas Volunteer Infantry, being first stationed at the Arkansas post. He
then spent nearly three months imprisoned at Camp Douglas, now Chicago, after
which he was taken to Richmond, Va., where he was exchanged and sent to the
Army of Tennessee, at Chattanooga. He participated in the Georgia and Atlanta
campaign, returning with Gen. Hood, and after the engagements at Franklin and
Nashville joined Johnston's army in North Carolina, with which he surrendered.
He then returned to Sevier County, where he was married, in 1865, to Helen,
daughter of the Hon. David Carroll and Catherine Price. Mr. and Mrs. Price were
born and reared in Alabama and Kentucky, respectively, and Mrs. Nelson is a
native of Crawford County, Ark. Mrs. Price died in 1870, but Mr. Price is
still a resident of Washington County, Ark. He was a soldier in one of the
Indian wars, and represented Crawford County in the Legislature when it
included Sebastian County. For many years he served as justice of the peace.
Mr. and Mrs. Nelson are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South. They
have a family of nine children. After the war they settled in Washington
County, and in 1873 came to Sebastian County, where Mr. Nelson rented land for
five years. He then purchased his present farm of 110 acres, near Huntington.
In politics he is a Democrat, his first presidential vote having been cast for
Seymour. He is a member of the A. F. & A. M., and one of the self-made and
respected citizens of the township.
page 1353
Willis W. Nolen, farmer and general trader, was born in Madison County, Tenn.,
in 1827, and is a son of James and Nancy (Anderson) Nolen, natives of South
Carolina, who, after their marriage, removed to West Tennessee in an early
day. In 1847 they removed to Hempstead County, Ark., where the mother died in
1865 and the father in 1875. They were members of the Methodist and Baptist
Churches, respectively. James Nolen, the grandfather of our subject, served in
the Revolutionary War and the War of 1812, and was a son of Irish parents.
Willis W. was the fourth of a family of four sons and three daughters. At the
age of seventeen he left home to work on a farm in Hempstead County, Ark. In
1849 he married Susan, daughter of Andrew and Rachel Henderson, a native of
Illinois. Mr. Henderson died in that State, and the family afterward came to
Arkansas, prior to 1844. The mother died in Texas. In 1869 Mr. Nolen came to
Sebastian County, and until 1880 farmed and traded at various places. He then
engaged in the mercantile business at Lavaca with [p.1353] M. Harwood for two
years, after which he continued in business alone until retiring in the winter
of 1887-88. He is one of the wealthy business men of the town, and himself and
wife are highly respected members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South.
During the war he served nearly four years in the Confederate army. He was one
year in Company E, Twentieth Arkansas Infantry, and afterward in Bryant's
regiment of cavalry. He operated in Arkansas, Mississippi and Indian Territory,
and was discharged in the Territory at the close of the war. Besides many
skirmishes he participated in the battles at Vicksburg and Corinth, and
accompanied Steele through Arkansas. He was formerly a Whig in politics, and
cast his first presidential vote for Gen. Taylor, but since the war has been a
Democrat.
John L. Oneal was born December 26, 1834, in Bedford County, Tenn., and is a
son of Wiley and Phebe (LaRue) Oneal. His paternal grandfather was born in
Virginia, of Irish parents, and was a soldier in the Revolution. The maternal
grandparents were natives of Virginia, who immigrated to Tennessee in an early
day. Wiley J. Oneal, the father, was born and reared upon a farm in Bedford
County, Tenn., and during the late war served in the Confederate army. After
being discharged in the Indian Territory he went to Texas, where he immigrated
in 1860, and there died in 1884, aged seventy-four. Mrs. Oneal was born in
Marshall County, Tenn., and died in Sebastian County, Ark., in 1872. She was
the mother of eleven children. The following seven are living: John L., Jasper
N., Andrew J., Tennessee C., R. J., Mary E. and Wiley I. B. Those deceased are
William T., James M., Clara E. and an infant. John L. lived, until October 15,
1854, in his native country, where he received a common-school education; then
he immigrated to Newton County, Mo. A year later he settled in Franklin
County, Ark., where Charleston now stands, and there farmed until September,
1861. He then went to Texas, and enlisted in Company D. Thirteenth Texas
Volunteer Infantry, serving until the close of the war on station duty on the
Brazos River. He then farmed in Van Zandt County until 1868, since which time
he has been a resident of Sebastian County, Ark. In 1855 there were but few
white settlers, and there were few schools and churches. He now owns 160 acres
of land, eighty being cultivated, and is exclusively engaged in agriculture.
January 30, 1856, he married Nancy M. Johnson, of Newton County, Mo., who was
born in Davidson County, Tenn. This marriage has been blessed with seven
children: William W. B., Pinkney A., Clara T., Robert L., James T., Phebe E.
and Minnie L. Mr. Oneal has been a member of the Missionary Baptist Church over
thirty- eight years, and his wife is a member of the same church. He is a strong Democrat, and has served two terms as school director, although not desirous of public office.
Capt. George E. Otis, of Mansfield, Sebastian Co., Ark., was born in Wisconsin
in 1849, and is a son of Joseph and Maria E. (Smith) Otis. The father was born
in the “Green Mountain State” in 1809, and at an early day removed to
Wisconsin, thence to Minnesota in 1855. Here he made his home until 1879, when
he moved to Dakota Territory, and after residing there until 1888 came to
Sebastian County, Ark. They were the parents of two children: George E. and
Ada (Mrs. Graves, of Minnesota). George Otis spent his early days in Minnesota,
and received his rudimentary education in the common schools, supplemented by
an attendance in the high school at Chatfield, Minn. He studied civil
engineering in the field, and began working at that occupation as chainman, and
since his residence in Arkansas, has been “locating engineer” on the 'Frisco
Railway about six years, the location of the Mansfield branch being a portion
of his work. Since taking up his abode in Mansfield he has been engaged in the
wholesale flour business, and also in the fruit and cotton business. He is a
Mason, and a stanch Republican in politics.
page 1355
Frank Parke, a resident of Fort Smith, Ark., was born in County Leitrim,
Ireland, July 11, 1829, and is the son of Thomas Parke, and grandson of John
Parke, who was born in England, and who owned property in that country. Later
he immigrated to Ireland, where he died. Thomas Parke, was born in Ireland, and
here passed his entire life. He was the owner of considerable property, and
married Miss Mary McGarry, who was born in Ireland, and who became the mother
of twelve children, of whom Frank Parke is the youngest. The family came to
America in 1849, settling in the State of Ohio, and here the mother died in
1875 at the age of ninety-four. The father died when Frank Parke was a young
man. Previous to coming to America the latter followed merchandising, which he
continued until the time of his leaving his native country. He located in Ohio,
remained there three years, and then came to Fort Smith, where he followed
merchandising until the outbreak of the Civil War. He then enlisted in the
Confederate army as a private, and resigned at the close of the war as a major
of the quartermaster's department. After the war he followed mercantile
pursuits in the Choctaw Nation for several years. Returning to Fort Smith in
1873, he engaged in merchandising under the firm name of Parke & Sparks. The
firm was very prosperous, and was dissolved on account of the ill health of Mr.
Parke, who for many years suffered greatly from infiammatory rheumatism, but
has been entirely cured by the use of the waters of Biswell Springs, he having
erected a cottage there in the summer of 1887, where with his family he has a
beautiful summer resort. Mr. Parke is one of the largest real estate owners in
the city, and owns valuable suburban property, and [p.1355] over 2,000 acres
of the best coal lands in the county of Sebastian. He was married to Miss Sarah
J. Ish, a native of Washington County, Ark., and a granddaughter of one of the
early pioneers of Tennessee, who was killed by the Cherokee Indians. Her
father was one of the early settlers of Washington County, Ark. Nine children
were born to Mr. and Mrs. Parke, six of whom are now living: Myrtle, wife of
Martin T. Dyke; Frank, Mary, Lady, Phśbe and A. H. Winfield Parke. Myrtle
graduated at the Arkansas Female College, Little Rock, Ark., Frank graduated
in law in 1888 at the Vanderbilt University at Nashville, Tenn., and Mary was
a graduate of Nashville College for Young Ladies in 1887, and took a post
graduate course in 1888. Lady is now attending Nashville College for Young
Ladies, and the two youngest children are attending the public schools of this
city. The children deceased were named Lillie May, Lalla Rookh and Jane. When
Mr. Parke discontinued merchandising he turned his attention to the real estate
business. He is a Democrat and a Prohibitionist; is a member of the Masonic
fraternity, and is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South. His
father, grandfather, and his ancestors as far back as the days of the Wesleys,
were Methodists.
Hon. Robert T. Powell, of Greenwood, is a native of Bedford County, Tenn., and
was born in 1853, to the marriage of Judge Richard H. and Jane Taylor (Temple)
Powell. The father was born near Petersburg, Va., in 1826, and is of Irish-
Scotch-Welsh extraction. At the age of five years he went to Tennessee with his
father, Thomas Powell, who died about 1854. Judge Powell was married in
Bedford County, Tenn., to Miss Jane T. Temple, who was born in the last named
county in 1831. She died in 1870. The Judge moved to Arkansas, and since
becoming a resident of this State has resided in Independence and Izard
Counties. He was in the late war, and was a captain; was captured in
Independence County, Ark., and was held a prisoner at Johnson's Island during
the greater portion of the war. He is an attorney by profession; was educated
in law at Cumberland University, at Lebanon, Tenn., and commenced his practice
at Louisburg, Tenn. In 1860 he moved to Arkansas, began practicing at
Batesville, and soon became distinguished in his profession. He was a member of
the Legislature from 1862 to 1866, and was elected circuit judge of the Seventh
Judicial District in 1866. In the year 1878 he was re-elected to the same
office in the Third Judicial District, and was re-elected in 1882 and 1886,
the district now being the Fourteenth. Judge Powell has served constantly for
the last ten years, and at the last election had no opposition. He is a man of
prominence and a person of eminent legal ability. He has been married three
times, and is the father of eight children living, six by the first wife and
two by the last. Robert T. Powell was the second child born to the first
marriage. He was educated at La Cross Academy, in Izard County, and then
attended the North Arkansas College, at Batesville. At the age of twenty-one he
became a disciple of Blackstone under his father's instruction, and in 1879 he
entered the law department of Vanderbilt University, at Nashville, Tenn.,
where he remained seven months, being admitted to the bar at Nashville, Tenn.,
in 1880. The same year he returned to Arkansas, going to Fort Smith, where he
was admitted to the bar. On October 3, 1880, he came to Greenwood, Sebastian
County, opened an office, and has since been actively engaged in the practice
of his profession. Mr. Powell is Democratic in his political opinions, and in
October, 1882, was appointed deputy county clerk of Sebastian County, and
served two years. He has devoted the greater portion of his time to the
practice of law, and in connection he deals in real estate. Hon. Robert T.
Powell is one of the leading attorneys of Sebastian County, and a man
universally respected. March 21, 1883, he married Miss Ida M. King, a daughter
of E. W. King, and a native of Virginia, born in 1855. They are the parents of
one child, Arte Lee. Mr. Powell is the owner of 800 acres of land, and good town property in Greenwood and Fort Smith; is a Master Mason, is an ancient member of the I. O. O. F., belongs to the K. of H., and his wife is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
page 1357
Thomas A. Putnam was born April 26, 1845, in Hall County, Ga., and is a son of
Berry B. and Martha F. (Tate) Putnam, natives of Georgia. The father was
married in his native State, and from there immigrated to Johnson County,
Ark., where he remained two years. He then lived four years in Franklin County,
Ark., and after spending another year in Grayson County, Tex., settled in
Sebastian County, where he has since lived. During the war he served two years
in Company H, Second Arkansas Cavalry, being discharged at Memphis, Tenn. He
also fought in the Florida War. He is a Republican, and has served as justice
of his township. He is now seventy years of age. Mrs. Putnam was born February
23, 1828, married in 1844, and died October 2, 1864. She was the mother of
nine children, four of whom are living, viz.: Thomas A., Mary A. (wife of James
P. Frye), Nancy M. (wife of John Luck) and Eliza J. (wife of J. A. Wilburn).
Those deceased are George R., William E., Leonidas, Martha B. and an infant.
In 1866 Mr. Putnam married Sallie Cardin, who has borne him one child, Millie,
wife of Lon Carson. The paternal grandparents of our subject were of German-
Irish descent, and natives of South Carolina, where they spent their entire
lives. The maternal grandparents passed the greater part of their lives in
Georgia. Thomas A. Putnam was reared upon a farm in Arkansas, receiving
[p.1357] but a common-school education, and when sixteen years old joined
Company F, Seventeenth Arkansas Volunteer Infantry, Confederate Army. He
fought in the engagements at Pea Ridge, Corinth and Iuka, and after two years'
service was discharged at Port Hudson, La., in March, 1863. He then returned
to Fort Smith, and after the death of his mother went to Illinois, where he
remained one year. He then returned to Sebastian County, and January 20, 1869,
married Martha H., daughter of Castleton and Mary Ward, natives of Alabama.
Mrs. Putnam was born in this county, and has borne six children: Vanonar V.,
Larosa L., Annie M., Pearl, Willie O. (deceased), and an infant, now deceased.
Mr. Putnam lived within a mile of his present place until 1878, and then bought
the farm he now owns. This contains 220 acres, eighty being under cultivation.
Both himself and wife belong to the Methodist Episcopal Church.
Bernard Quante, retired farmer in Fort Smith, Ark., was born in the Kingdom of
Prussia, Germany, in 1827, and is the son of G. and Theresa (Vieth) Quante.
The Quante family lived in Prussia for many generations back, and the family
are the descendants of some of the oldest and best families in Germany. G.
Quante was born in Prussia in 1789, and was an architect by occupation. His
father was also an architect and carpenter by trade. Mrs. Theresa (Vieth)
Quante's people have also lived for generations in Germany. Bernard Quante was
educated and grew to manhood in his native country, and at the age of twenty-
one years entered the German army, and served three years in the German
Revolutionary War, in the Prussian army, from 1848 to 1851. When the war
closed he came to America, and landed in New Orleans in August, 1852. He
remained only two days in New Orleans, and went to Galveston, Tex., but after
a few days' absence returned to New Orleans. From there he went to St. Louis,
then to Cincinnati, and at the last named place worked at the carpenter's and
architect's trade for nearly a year. He then went to Dubois County, Ind., and
resided there for seventeen years. He was there at the time of the Know-
Nothing massacre, and after that exciting time he engaged in the carpenter's
trade, and built St. Ferdinand's Church at Ferdinand, Dubois; St. Joseph's
Church at Josephstown, Dubois; St. Henry's Church at St. Henry, Dubois County;
St. Boniface, in Spencer County, Ind., and St. Anthony's Church at St. Anthony,
Benton Co., Ind. Mr. Quante moved to the last named county, and remained there
for ten years. He has traveled over all the Northern States. He was drafted
into the Union army, and sent a substitute. He then traveled westward to look
at the country, and then northward until the great Father of Waters dwindles to
almost nothing, and here he met “Hole-in-the-day,” chief of the Chippewas, who
said: “Whites have nothing to do here.” Mr. Quante replied that he was
recommended to come by a missionary, Father Piers. The chief then welcomed
him. He came to Arkansas in 1877, and settled on the prairie in Upper Township,
Sebastian County, where he is now the owner of over 800 acres of land, besides
considerable town property. Mr. Quante was married in Dubois County, Ind., to
Catherine Lesch, who was born on the Rhine, in Germany, in 1840, and who
became the mother of fifteen children, thirteen now living: Mary, Frank, Henry,
Joseph, Kate, Anton, Florenza, Christ., John, Annie, Ernest, May and Bennie.
Two are deceased; the eldest son, Benoid, died at the age of about twenty
years, and seemed to be a strong and hearty man; Barbara died when an infant.
Mr. Quante is a Democrat in politics, and a member of the Catholic Church.
John Ray, farmer and stock raiser, was born in Tuscaloosa County, Ala., in
1832, and is a son of Hamilton and Polly (Moses) Ray, natives of South
Carolina and Georgia, respectively. They were married in Alabama, and when our
subject was a small boy removed to Itawamba County, Miss., where their
respective deaths occurred in 1880 and 1861. Mr. Ray was a farmer by
occupation. He lost his father when a small boy living in South Carolina, but
his mother afterward married and removed with the family to Georgia. Mr. and
Mrs. Ray were members of the Missionary Baptist Church, and to them a family
of thirteen children were born, of whom our subject is the second. He, with a
brother, Alfred, are the only survivors. He was educated at the country schools
of early days, and in 1855 married Martha J., daughter of Ezra and Lucinda
Brown, and a native of Ringo County, Ala. This marriage was blessed with ten
children, of whom five sons and two daughters are living. One daughter, Mary
Lucinda, was killed, while at home, by a cyclone, April 18, 1880. In 1859 Mr.
Ray removed to Hempstead County, Ark., and in 1871 located upon his present
place in Sebastian County, which was then a wilderness. He owns 200 acres, and
has cleared and cultivated 100. He also cleared a farm while in Hempstead
County. During the cyclone of 1880 all of his buildings and a great deal of
timber was destroyed. The house was blown from the floor, and all the inmates
injured to some extent, one daughter being killed, as above mentioned. During
the war Mr. Ray served four years in the Confederate army, having enlisted in
Company F, Twenty-fourth Arkansas Volunteer Infantry, in 1862. In January,
1863, he was captured at Arkansas Post, and taken a prisoner to Camp Douglas,
at Chicago, where he was held three months. He was then taken to City Point,
Va., and exchanged, after which he joined his old company in the Army of
Tennessee, under Gen. Bragg. He served in the battles of Chickamauga and
Mission Ridge, and after the latter battle returned home. He also fought in
many skirmishes, but was never wounded. Mr. Ray cast his first presidential
vote for Buchanan, and has voted the Democratic ticket since. He has been a
Mason for about eighteen years, and joined the Missionary Baptist Church prior
to his marriage. Mrs. Ray is also a member of that church.
page 1359
James D. Richmond, farmer, was born in Chester District, S. C., in 1843, his
parents being Robert G. and Louisa (Cornwell) Richmond, also natives of that
State, where they were reared and married. In 1853 the family moved to Floyd
County, Ga., and five years later went to Jackson (now Lincoln Parish), La. In
1867 they came to Scott County, Ark., where the father is now a well-to-do
farmer. While in Georgia he served some time as justice of the peace. Gunning
Richmond, the grandfather, came to America with his parents, prior to the
Revolution, from Ireland, and after attaining his growth lived in South
Carolina until his death. Davis Cornwell, the maternal grandfather, lived and
died in South Carolina. The parents of our subject were Presbyterians in
faith, and reared a family of seven sons and four daughters, of whom James D.
was the second child. At the age of eighteen he joined Company I, Twenty-
eighth Louisiana Volunteer Infantry, with which he participated in the famous
Red River expedition. He fought at Pleasant Hill, Alexandria, Yellow Bayou and
other places, and was wounded at Franklin, near New Orleans, April 14, 1862.
He was then held a prisoner by the enemy until his recovery, when he was
exchanged, and rejoined his company, remaining in service until the same was
disbanded at Shreveport. In 1867 he accompanied his parents to Scott County,
and was there married, in 1869, to Jane, daughter of Milton and Amanda
Larimore, early settlers of Sebastian County, where Mrs. Richmond was born.
They are now living in Scott County. Mr. Larimore was in the Government employ
during the late war. In 1879 Mr. Richmond left Scott County and settled upon
his present farm, which was then a wilderness. He now owns 200 acres of land,
130 of which he has cleared and cultivated. Himself and wife are Methodists.
They have had ten children, six of whom are living, and who have enjoyed the
advantages of a good education. Mr. Richmond is a Democrat, and his first
presidential vote was cast for Seymour in 1868.
SEBASTIAN COUNTY
page 1359
William T. Roberts, a well-to-do farmer of Prairie Township, Sebastian Co., Ark., was born in Monroe County, Miss., in 1838, and is a son of Eli and Permelia (Walpool) Roberts. The father was born in Alabama, on the 13th of December, 1808, and when a young man went to Monroe County, Miss., where he married and passed the remainder of his days, dying in 1872. His wife was born in the “Old North State,” June 9, 1814, and died October 4, 1878. Five of their eight children are living: Harriet C. (widow of Thomas J. Savage), Annie C. (wife of Andrew Hawkins), William T., John C. and Jasper, all of whom are
living in Monroe County, Miss., except William T. After residing with his parents until he was twenty-three years of age, he was married (in 1861) to Miss Martha Jane Gilmore, a daughter of Simeon and Lettie (Reece) Gilmore, who were born and died in Monroe County, Miss., both dying when Mrs. Roberts was quite small. She was born in Yalobusha County, Miss., in 1846, and became the mother of one child, Fannie Ella, born August 5, 1865, married, July 2, 1879, to Dr. W. L. Gillespie, and bore one child, William J., born April 27, 1880.
Dr. Gillespie was born in Tennessee July 24, 1848, and died near Fort Smith, Ark., March 3, 1882. His widow was subsequently married, November 20, 1884, to W. B. Milam, who was born February 20, 1861, in this county. They have one child, Claudie Leander, born September 15, 1885. Mr. Roberts resided in Monroe County, Miss., until 1882, when he immigrated to Sebastian County, Ark., and purchased ninety-three acres of land four miles south of the county seat. He is now the owner of 243 acres of land, 120 acres of which are under cultivation. Mr. Roberts is one of the worthy citizens of the county, and in his political views is a Democrat, casting his first presidential vote for
Breckinridge in 1860.
Thomas Franklin Rodden, farmer of Sebastian County, Ark., and native of North Carolina, was born in 1826, and is a son of Spencer H. and Elizabeth (Hill) Rodden. The father was born in the “Palmetto” State (S. C.) June 7, 1799, and afterward moved to Tennessee, locating first in Monroe County, thence to McMinn County. His wife was born in Virginia December 15, 1805, and died in Sebastian County, Ark., in 1880. Thomas was only an infant when his parents moved to Tennessee, and he was there reared to manhood and married, the latter event
taking place in 1846. His wife, whose maiden name was Mary C. Morris, was born in 1820, and became the mother of nine children: Eliza Jane (born February 20, 1847, married Andy M. Cameron), James S. (born October 10, 1848, died March 27, 1849), Elisha F. (born June 12, 1854, died February 6, 1855), George W., John B., William M., Thomas M., Joseph M., Andrew J., Winnie Berthena (deceased), Mary Jane and Alice. Mrs. Eliza Cameron left two sons at her death in 1872: James F. and Archibald W. George W. is married, and is the father of five children: Cornelius, Mary A., Thomas, Louella and Tennessee. John B. has also five children: Amanda, Eliza, Emma, Thomas and Rosa. William M. has four children: Franklin, Ora J., Charles C. and an infant. Thomas M. has one child, Frederick C., and Andrew J. also has one child, Bertha. Joseph M. is married and has two children. After his marriage Mr. Rodden located in Polk County, Tenn., and in 1850 moved to Cherokee County, N. C., where he resided twelve years, and again returned to Tennessee. In 1867 he came to Arkansas, and the following year purchased 160 acres of land in Sebastian County, on which he is
now residing. He and wife have been members of the Missionary Baptist Church for the past forty years, and he has been deacon for eighteen years. He is a good citizen and an accommodating and obliging neighbor. In 1862 he enlisted in Company H, Twenty-ninth Regiment North Carolina Infantry, and was orderly- sergeant of his company. He is a Democrat in politics.
page 1361
Capt. Hugh L. Rogers, of Fort Smith, Ark., was born in County Armah, Ireland, in 1812, and is an old and prominent citizen of Sebastian County. His parents, James and Alis (Cassly) Rogers, were natives of Ireland, and came to America in 1824, locating in Pittsburgh, Penn., where they both received their final summons. They were the parents of ten children. Hugh L. Rogers received a good practical education in Pittsburgh, learned the engineer's trade, went on the Ohio River, and navigated on the Mississippi and its branches for several years. He was a jndicious financier, saved his money, and finally left the
river, going to Washington City, where he worked as overseer for his brother, I. C. Rogers, on the Alexander Canal for some time. Abandoning this he went with his brother on the railroad from Hicksford, Va., to North Carolina, where they took a forty-two mile contract on the Raleigh & Garton Railroad. He had by this become the owner of many slaves, and when this contract was finished he moved his force into South Carolina and took a contract on the Louisville, Cincinnati & Charleston Road, and with a brother-in-law of Wade Hampton took a
contract on the Central Railroad, the same road being torn up by Gen. Sherman in his march to the sea. He next moved his forces on James River Canal, Va., and took a contract that lasted one year. After this he went through to Raleigh, N. C., and gathered up the blooded horses he had been purchasing. He then made an extensive trip over the South, visiting all the [p.1361] principal marts, and selling all kinds of stock, including negroes. He had become the owner of some of the fastest running horses of the day, and visited the principal race courses of the country, matching races for fabulous sums.
In Galena, Ill., he beat O'Kelly and Maurice O'Connell with his stock. He next went to Mineral Point, Wis., won a race and sold stock, selling one filly for $2,000. After this he went to Raleigh, N. C., and rode horseback from Nashville, Tenn., to that place. Mr. Rogers was familiarly known as one of the leading sportsmen of his day. On reaching North Carolina he found his experience as a sportsman had not been very successful financially, so he returned to the river. The first steamer he owned was the “Osprey,” and on her he moved the Mormons from Nauvoo, Ill., to Iowa. He finally sunk her. He
afterward owned several boats, but finally built the “General Shield,” and ran her for many years, doing much shipping on the Arkansas River with her to Fort Smith. After this he made an extensive trip over the West, and saw many of the Mormons, at Salt Lake, whom he had moved some years before from Nauvoo, Ill. Capt. Rogers finally settled down in Fort Smith, where he still resides as an object of interest to all who know him. The Captain is a member of the Catholic Church.
page 1362
Robert A. and Styles T. Rowe, attorneys at law, real estate agents and
abstractors of titles, are natives of Crawford County, Ga., and Pike County,
Ala., born March 5, 1857, and May 28, 1861, respectively. They are sons of
Daniel and Margaret A. (Taylor) Rowe, and grandsons of Joshua and Elizabeth
(Rigby) Rowe, who were natives of South Carolina, born in 1780, both of whom
died on the same day in Crawford County, Ga., in 1840. Joshua Rowe was a
Missionary Baptist preacher. Daniel Rowe was born in Georgia in 1822, and was
of English descent. He was a farmer, and also a minister in the Missionary
Baptist Church. He was married three times, his first wife being Miss Caroline
Dearn, his second Miss Sarah Horn, and his third Miss Margaret A. Taylor, who
was born in Crawford County, Ga., in 1832, and a descendant of Gen. Zachary
Taylor. She was married to Mr. Rowe in 1856. Daniel Rowe resided in Georgia
until 1857, when he moved to Pike County, Ala., and in the first of 1872
became a citizen of Sebastian County, Ark., settling one and a half miles east
of the county seat. He died November 19, 1876. He was engaged in his
ministerial duties the greater part of his life, and had charge of four
churches in Alabama, and two in Sebastian County. His wife is yet living, and
is the mother of four children: Robert A.; Daniel, who is residing on the old
home place; Mary F., wife of John Carter, and Styles T. Robert A. was educated
in the common-schools and in the State University of Arkansas, at Fayetteville,
where he attended two years. At the age of twenty years he commenced teaching
school, and followed this occupation nine terms in all in Sebastian County,
meeting with good success. In 1877, or during his teaching, he began the study
of law, his preceptor being Hon. C. B. Neal, and was admitted to the bar
November 28, 1882, in Greenwood, Ark. He was married to Miss Jennie E. Jarrell,
who [p.1362] was born in Rutherford County, Tenn., September 23, 1864, and who
bore him one child, Mamie A. Styles T. was educated in the home schools, and at
the family fireside, and at the age of nineteen he entered the teacher's
profession, which he followed for three terms in In 1878 he began the study of
law under Hon. C. B. Neal, and was admitted to the bar the same year as his
brother, Robert A. Immediately after being admitted they opened a law office,
with the firm of Rowe & Rowe, and have since been actively engaged in the
practice of law. They have met with excellent success, and in connection with
their legal pursuits are also handling real estate. They are temperate, and
are men much esteemed by all who know them. Styles T. was married May 23, 1884,
to Miss Emma C. Patton, who was born in Sebastian County, Ark., August 20,
1859, and who became the mother of three children by her marriage: Prentiss
E., Cherub (deceased) and Emma. For the past six years Robert A. Rowe has held
the office of deputy circuit clerk for Sebastian County, and is a member of the
city council of Greenwood. In 1884 he was a candidate for clerk before
primary, and was defeated by nine votes. Styles T. Rowe has also held a
commission as deputy court clerk for five years. Both brothers are Democrats in
politics, and both are members of the K. of H. Styles T. Rowe and wife are
members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South, and Mrs. Robert A. Rowe is a
member of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church. The brothers both clerked in the
store of Thomas McCord, Robert A. for a year, and Styles T. for two years.
page 1364
S. M. Rutherford, deputy sheriff of Sebastian County, Ark., is a graduate of
Emory and Henry College, Virginia, having completed a classical course and
taken the degree of A. B. from that institution in 1883. He graduated with the
second honors of his class, and bears with him from his alma mater the
“debater's medal.” Since leaving college he has been pursuing the study of
law, and is now preparing to be admitted to the bar. In 1885 he was appointed
deputy sheriff of Fort Smith District, of Sebastian County, and is still
filling that position with a marked degree of success. He is a young man of
brilliant attainments, and has the promise of a bright future before him. His
birth occurred in Lewisville, La Fayette Co., Ark., in 1859, and he is a son of
Robert B. and Sallie W. (Butler) Rutherford, grandson of Samuel M. and Eloise
M. (Beall) Rutherford, and the great-grandson of W. B. Rutherford, who was
born in Virginia, and moved to Tennessee about 1812, settling near Nashville,
where he spent the remainder of his days. His son, Samuel M., was born in
Virginia in 1797, and removed to Tennessee with his father, and in 1814
enlisted in the War of 1812, being with Jackson at the battle of New Orleans,
and after the close of that war remained in New Orleans until 1817. He then
sailed up the Mississippi and Arkansas Rivers until he reached a point about
four miles above where Fort Gibson is now situated, where he established a
trading post among the Osage Indians, and remained two years. He was the first
sheriff of Clark County, being appointed September 1, 1819, and served until
1823. He then moved to Phillips County, and acted as clerk of the circuit
court from 1823 to 1825, and from that date up to 1830 was sheriff of Pulaski
County. He was treasurer of the Territory of Arkansas for three years, but
previous to that time had represented Pulaski County in the Legislature. From
1836 to 1840 he was register of the land office at Little Rock, and at the
latter date was elected presidential elector on the Van Buren ticket. In the
spring of 1846 he was appointed to what was then the western superintendency
of Indian affairs, by President Polk, which position he filled until the
summer of 1849. He was the first representative from Sebastian County to the
State Legislature (in 1851), and was county and probate judge of Sebastian
County from 1854 to 1856. The following year he was appointed by President
Buchanan as agent for the Seminole Indians, and held this position until the
breaking out of the late Civil War, in 1861. He then retired from public life,
and died on his farm in 1867 at the age of seventy years, having lived a long,
useful and prosperous life. His son, Robert B. Rutherford, was born at Little
Rock, Ark., and was reared in Pulaski and Sebastian Counties. He graduated from
Arkansas College, at Fayetteville, in 1854, after which he became a disciple of
Blackstone, and practiced his profession in LaFayette County from 1857 to
1867. At the latter date he returned to Fort Smith, where he was elected
justice of the peace in 1874, and afterward served as county and probate judge
two terms, commencing the duties of the office in 1878. From 1882 until 1886
he served as judge of the Twelfth Judicial District, and since that time has
been engaged in the practice of law. His wife was born in South Carolina in
1837, and became the mother of seven children: Samuel M., whose name heads
this sketch; William B., attorney at law and civil engineer; R. B.; Raymond
P.; Jane G., wife of William B, Smith; Emmala Elise and Ethelende Butler. The
mother is a daughter of Dr. William Butler, of South Carolina, who represented
that State in the United States Congress in 1844, and a niece of the late
Senator A. P. Butler, also a niece of the late Gov. P. M. Butler, who was
colonel of the Palmetto regiment of South Carolina volunteers, and was killed
in the Mexican War. She is a sister of Gen. M. C. Butler, the present United
States Senator from South Carolina. [p.1364] Her parents were of English-Irish
descent, and she is a worthy descendant of illustrious ancestors. Mrs.
Rutherford is also a niece of Commodores Oliver and Matthew C. Perry, her
mother being their sister.
Ashley W. Rutherford was born June 8, 1849, in Butler County, Mo., and is a son
of Shelby R. and Charity (Thurman) Rutherford. The father was born in Logan
County, Ky., and during his youth learned the blacksmith's trade, which he
afterward followed. He immigrated to Missouri, and until 1859 lived in Butler
County. He then came to Sebastian County, where he died in April, 1879. The
mother was born in Blount County, Tenn., and married in Missouri. She is now
living in this county, aged fifty, and is the mother of four living children:
Harriet, wife of John McDaniel; Taylor, Ashley W. and Shelby R. The children
she lost were Archie, James and Catherine. The paternal grandparents of our
subject were born in Virginia, and in an early day immigrated to Kentucky. The
maternal grandparents were natives of Tennessee, who went to Missouri. The
grandfather died in Arkansas. Ashley W. Rutherford came to this county when ten
years old, where he received a good education. He began farming on his own
account in 1867, and January 30, 1872, married Mollie, daughter of James
Lorgen. The latter went to Georgia from Virginia, and in an early day came to
Arkansas. Mrs. Rutherford was born in Murray County, Ga., and died here March
8, 1888. Eight children were the result of her union with our subject: Fred,
Edgar and Earl (twins), Jennie, Ida, Sammie, Ashley G. and Morton O. Mr.
Rutherford is a well-to-do citizen, owning 100 acres, sixty-five of which he
cultivates, and in connection with his farming is interested in general
milling. Politically he is a Democrat, and as such has served his township as
constable. He is a member of the Baptist Church, and belongs to the Masonic
fraternity.
page 1365
Mrs. Elizabeth (Goode) Smith. The agricultural interests of Sebastian County, Ark., are well represented by the lady whose name heads this sketch, and who was born in Alabama January 5, 1827. Her father, Holbert Goode, was also a native of Alabama, and died in 1833, and three years later Mrs. Smith removed with her mother to Arkansas, locating in Franklin County. Here Mrs. Smith spent her early life, and was married in 1845 to Pleasant W. Richardson, who was born in Georgia January 11, 1815, and a son of William Richardson. He died in
1848, leaving a wife and two children to mourn his loss: Mrs. Emily J. Smith, of Texas, and Mrs. Mary E. Colter, now residing in California. In 1851 she was married to her second husband, John W. Putman, a son of Samuel and Mary Putman (the former from Vermont), and three children, Mrs. Sarah J. Hill, Mrs, Lucy Carroll, and John H., blessed their union. Lucy's husband, Hugh Carroll, was a son of Col. John Carroll, of Carroll County, Ark. He (Hugh) and wife are deceased. Mr. Putman died in 1862. Two years later his widow wedded Augustus H. Smith, who was born in Washington County, Ark., October 8, 1832, and by him became the mother of two children, James A. and Ada G. The father of these children died in 1879; he was a son of Burt and Mary Smith. Since 1851 Mrs. Smith has resided on the farm where she now lives.
She at first owned 350 acres of land, but has divided it among her children until she now owns only sixty acres. She moved to Kansas in 1864, but returned to Arkansas in the fall of 1865, where she has been contented to make her home since that time. She is a lady of rare good sense, and is noted for her liberality and charity to the poor and unfortunate.
page 1366
Benjamin F. Spears, was born in Mecklenburgh County, N. C., April 8,
1836, and is a son of William and Jane (Gray) Spears. The father was born in
Cabarrus County, N. C., and there learned the mechanic's trade, although he
lived upon a farm until eighteen. He was also a tailor by trade, but worked at
the first named trade the greater part of his life. For a short time he kept a
tavern at Charlotte. He died in the prime of life, in North Carolina, in the
year 1842. The mother was a native of Mecklenburgh County, where she was
educated and married. She died, aged eighty-one years, on April 10, 1877, and
was the mother of nine children, of whom three are now living: James M.,
Flornoy G. and Benjamin F. Those deceased are Washington, Wallace, Charles,
Edny, Stanhop and Mary. The paternal grandfather, Wallace Spears, was born in
Ireland, of Irish parents, and when twelve years old came to North Carolina,
where he married Betsy Gilmor. He never heard but one minister after settling
in North Carolina. His wife, Betsey Spears, was born in North Carolina, and was
of Scotch parentage. Nelson Gray and Olivia his wife, the maternal
grandparents, were natives of Wake County, Va. Mr. Gray had a brother who was
killed in the Revolution, and two of Mrs. Gray's brothers served in the same
war. Benjamin F. lived in his native county until 1847, and then went to
Lafayette County, Miss., where he lived until 1879. He received a common-
school education, and in April, 1862, enlisted in Company G, Fourth
Mississippi Volunteer Infantry, Confederate Army. He was in the fights at
Chickasaw, Vicksburg, Port Gibson, Big Black, Resaca, Franklin and Nashville,
among many others. At Nashville he was captured, and held a prisoner at Camp
Chase for six months. He was paroled at Vicksburg, but was afterward exchanged.
He was discharged June 12, 1865, and then resumed farming in Mississippi.
January 4, 1859, he married Marina M., daughter of William and Lucinda Giles,
natives of North Carolina, who immigrated to Mississippi when Mrs. Spears was
a child. She bore three children, McKindrey, Delia and Eugene, and died
February 19, 1873, in Mississippi. December 11, 1879, Mr. Spears married
Dorcas Ross, also a native of North Carolina, who immigrated to Mississippi. In
1879 Mr. Spears came to Sebastian County, Ark., where he now owns a farm of
200 acres, which he bought after renting land two years. Fifty acres he keeps
under cultivation. Politically Mr. Spears is a Democrat, and himself and wife
and McKindrey and Delia belong to the Old School Presbyterian Church.
Mrs. Isabella (Mckamey) Spessard, of Sebastian County, Ark., was born in East
Tennessee in 1841, and is a daughter of John C. and Zerelda (Tunnell) McKamey,
both of whom were born in East Tennessee and died in Arkansas, where they
moved in 1869. The father was a farmer, but served one year in the army in
1838. Two of their children are living: Isabella (Mrs. Spessard), and John S.,
a merchant of Huntington, Ark. William T. is deceased. The grandparents, John
and Mary McKamey, were born in Virginia, and removed to East Tennessee at an
early day. The maternal grandparents, William and Elizabeth (Worthington)
Tunnell, were born in North Carolina and Virginia, in 1774 and 1781, and died
in 1861 and 1862, respectively. The grandfather was a farmer, and a colonel in
the War of 1812. He was sent ten times to the Legislature at Nashville, Tenn.
Mrs. Spessard spent her early life in East Tennessee, and received some
education in Robertsville Academy. September 12, 1867, she was married to
William R. Spessard, who was born in East Tennessee, in 1844, and by whom she
became the mother of seven children: Zerelda A. Lipard, William M., Nancy E.
and Mary E., living, and John F., Robert L., Ada D. and William R., deceased.
Mr. Spessard was a Master Mason in good standing when he died, March 22, 1880.
His parents, William and Delana (Leach) Spessard, were both born in Tennessee.
In 1862 he enlisted in Col. Cain's Artillery, and was captured at Cumberland
Gap, and taken to Camp Douglas, Ill., but was not exchanged until near the
close of the war. He then returned home and resumed farming.
page 1367
Lieut. George N. Spradling, merchant of Greenwood, and ex-county clerk of
Sebastian County, Ark., is a native of Hickman County, Tenn, born in 1840, and
the son of Leonard and Elizabeth (Norris) Spradling, and grandson of David and
Ann Spradling. Leonard Spradling was born in the State of North Carolina in
1806, and was of German descent. At the age of twelve years he moved with his
parents to Alabama and about 1822 he moved to Hickman County, Tenn., where
David Spradling and wife received their final summons. Leonard [p.1367]
Spradling was a young man when he went to Hickman County, Tenn., and here he
was married about 1829. In 1842 he became a resident of Crawford (now
Sebastian) County, Ark., and located eight miles north of Greenwood. He was a
farmer, and entered 200 acres. In 1845 he moved and settled seven miles north
of the county seat, where he passed the remainder of his days. He was
commissioner of the county, and was one of three men who located the county
seat, the other two being Jeremiah Bell and Green F. Bethell. This was in
1856, and was the second location of the county seat. Leonard Spradling died in
November, 1858. His wife was born in North Carolina in 1806, and died two
weeks previous to the death of her husband. They were the parents of nine
children who lived to be grown, four of whom are now living: Ephraim, Nancy E.,
George N., and Martha M., wife of Thomas Wingfield. George N. Spradling was
but one and one-half years old when his parents moved to Sebastian County,
Ark., was reared and grew to manhood on a farm, and remained with his parents
until their deaths. In 1859 he attended school, and afterward became employed
as book-keeper in Fort Smith, about the time of the breaking out of the late
war. In February, 1863, he went to Springfield, Mo., where he enlisted in
Company E, First Arkansas Infantry, in the Federal army, and in the summer of
the same year he returned with thearmy to his home. In October, 1863, he
raised a company for the Second Arkansas Infantry, went out as private, and in
a few months was commissioned as second lieutenant, and served during the
remainder of the war. He was in the battle of Prairie Grove, at Jenkins' Ferry,
and at the last fight was acting aide-de-camp for Gen. Edwards, who commanded
the brigade. He was in the Federal army, and was discharged at Clarksville,
Ark., August 8, 1865. After the war Mr. Spradling established a general store
at Clarksville, Ark., but later engaged in merchandising at Greenwood, Ark. He
sold out at Clarksville, and returned to Sebastian County in February, 1867,
where he again engaged in merchandising at Greenwood. In 1872 he sold out, and
was elected county clerk, holding that position two years. The following six
years he was proprietor of a grist- mill at Greenwood, but sold the mill in
1879 and again resumed merchandising, which he has since continued. In
January, 1865, he married Miss Mary A. King, of Johnson County, Ark., where she
was born in 1845. To them were born nine children, four of whom are still
surviving, viz.: Maggie, wife of W. J. Hodgens; Lulu, George B. and Rebecca
McCord. Mr. Spradling lost his wife in February, 1888. She was a member of the
Cumberland Presbyterian Church, and was an excellent woman. Mr. Spradling is a
member of the Masonic order, of the K. T., a member of the K. of H., and is a
Republican in his political views.
Joseph Cole Stalcup, of the firm of Garrett, Stalcup & Co., liverymen, was born
in McMinn County, Tenn., February 20, 1851, and is a son of Moses and Nancy
(Black) Stalcup. The father was a native of Virginia, and one of the first
settlers of McMinn County, Tenn. He lived upon the farm he first cleared and
located upon in that county for over half a century, and there reared a family
of eleven sons and two daughters. One son was killed during his youth, while
on duty at Vicksburg, serving as lieutenant of Company F, Thirty-first
Tennessee Infantry. Another died at the close of the war at Jeffersonville,
Ind. Seven of his sons were soldiers in the Confederate army. The Stalcup
family originally came from Massachusetts and settled in Virginia, where they
became well-to-do planters. The family upon the side of our subject's mother
were influential people of Greene County, Tenn., being early settlers of that
place. Joseph C. lived in his native county until 1869, when he left home and
spent three years in Southwestern Missouri and one year in Kansas. He then
engaged in farming in Sebastian County, near Fort Smith, and in 1880 was chosen
by his friends to fill the position of deputy circuit clerk, and took charge
of the office at Fort Smith. In 1882 he was elected circuit clerk, to which he
was successively elected until 1888. He then retired from public life, and
went into the livery and transfer business with Mr. Garrett. He was united in
marriage at Bolivar, Mo., to Miss Fannie A. Miller, a native of McMinn County,
Tenn., and daughter of the Rev. John W. Miller, a minister in the Baptist
Church. Mr. and Mrs. Stalcup have one son and two daughters: Ada, a student at
Baird College, Clinton, Mo.; May and Hugh. Mr. and Mrs. Stalcup have buried
two children in Hackett City Cemetery, named Frank and Lilly. Both himself and
wife are members of the Baptist Church, in which the latter is an active
worker. He is a Master Mason.
page 1369
Adam Stinebaugh, farmer, of Prairie Township, was born in Lincoln County, Mo.,
in 1821, his parents being Jacob and Nancy (Cannon) Stinebaugh, who were born
in Pennsylvania and Kentucky, respectively. They were married in the latter
State, and in 1819 removed to Lincoln County, Mo., living there until 1850,
from which time they made their home in Dallas County until the war. They then
returned to Lincoln County, and after peace was declared removed to Texas.
There the father died, about 1882, aged eighty-seven. The mother died some
years previous. Both were members of the Baptist Church. Mr. Stinebaugh was a
skillful mechanic. The grandfather, Jacob, was born in Germany, and with
nineteen others joined the English army during the Revolution, with the
intention of coming to America, and as soon as possible deserting the English
army to join forces with the colonists, in which project they were successful.
Mr. Stinebaugh settled in Pennsylvania when the father of our suject was a
boy; he next went to West Tennessee, and later settled in Kentucky, where he
died. The maternal grandfather was born in South Carolina, and became a pioneer
of Lincoln County, Mo., where many of his descendants now live. Adam Stinebaugh
is the oldest of a family of ten children, and during his youth received a
common-school education. In 1884 he married Mary Daniels, in Lincoln County,
who was a native of Fauquier County, Va. She died in Sebastian County in 1876,
leaving seven daughters and two sons, who married and reared families. Two
have since died. In 1882 Mr. Stinebaugh married Mary E. Cloppon, who was born
in Arkansas, and is the mother of four children. In 1845 Mr. Stinebaugh removed
to Dallas County, Mo., and in 1850 spent some months in California. He
returned home on account of his health, making the trip via the Isthmus of
Panama. During the winter of 1850–51 he traveled in [p.1369] Central America,
familiarizing himself with the customs and social habits of the people of that
country. After an interesting and eventful journey homeward, he taught school
a few years in Dallas County, and engaged in cattle dealing. From 1859 until
1868 he farmed and dealt in stock in Texas, and then came to Sebastian County.
He has always lived in the same vicinity, and by the exercise of business
ability and industry has accumulated a fortune. He is an experienced cattle
dealer, and for fifteen years drove cattle and horses from Texas to this
county, sometimes making four trips in one season. He probably handles as much
stock as any other man in the county, and is the owner of 600 acres of land,
besides property in Dayton, where for a year he sold goods. He is a Democrat,
as his father was before him, and although a public-spirited man has never
desired public office. He has been a member of the Baptist Church over forty
years, and holds a license to preach, but has never done so. He is a member of
the Masonic fraternity of thirty years' standing, and has taken most of the
degrees conferred by that order.
page 1370
Col. Mark T. Tatum, general merchant of Greenwood, is a native of Dallas County, Mo., where he was born in 1836, and is the son of Eaton and Charlotte B. (Reynolds) Tatum. Eaton Tatum was born in South Carolina in 1792, and was of Scotch descent. At the age of eighteen years he went to West Tennessee with his brother, Wilkins Tatum, and here married Miss Charlotte B. Reynolds, who was born in West Tennessee in 1810. About 1828 they moved to Dallas County, Mo., and in 1843 became a citizen of Sebastian County, Ark., locating at Jenny
Lind, five miles northwest of the county seat. He here entered 160 acres of land, and here resided until 1862, when he sold out, and moved two miles east. He was a trader and speculator in lands, and owned about 500 acres the greater portion of the time. He died in 1872. His wife died in 1852, and after her death Mr. Tatum married Mrs. Josie Little, who is now living on the old homestead. Eaton Tatum was the father of eight children by the first wife and two by the second, all now living but one. Col. M. T. Tatum was the fourth child by the first marriage, and was only seven years of age when his parents moved to Sebastian County, and virtually he has passed his entire life in that
county. He remained on the farm until eighteen years of age, dealt in stock for four years, and in 1858 he was appointed deputy sheriff of Sebastian County, serving four years. In 1861 he made the assessment of Confederate taxes of Sebastian County, and May, 1862, he enlisted in Company D, Thirty-sixth Regiment Arkansas Infantry. He went out as third lieutenant, and in 1863 was promoted to the rank of major of his regiment. Later, for his bravery and meritorious conduct, he was promoted to lieutenant-colonel. He was in the fights at Helena, Jenkins' Ferry and several severe skirmishes. He was in service over three years, being paroled at Marshall, Tex. After the war he
taught a term of school in Jefferson County, Tex., and in 1866 returned to Sebastian Co. In 1867 he taught the public schools in Greenwood, and became employed as salesman in a general store of Neal & Kersey, for whom he worked five years. In 1874 he established a general store of his own in Greenwood, at which business he has since been engaged. In 1860 he married Miss Lucinda Cauthron, of Scott
County, Ark., and daughter of Col. Walter and Bashiwa Cauthron. Mrs. Tatum was born in Scott County, Ark., in 1843, and by her marriage became the mother of twelve children, eight now living: Walter E., Marshall, Mary E. (wife of E. W. Yates), Pearl R., Tennessee, Louisa May, Thaddie and Eddie. Col. Tatum began business in Greenwood as a poor man, but by economy and industry has met with good success. He deals largely in buying cotton and produce of all kinds. In 1879 he purchased 1,628 bales of cotton, and on an average he buys 1,000 bales
per year. He is doing the largest business of the kind of any man in Greenwood. He is Democratic in his politics, was postmaster for seven years at Greenwood, is a member of the Masonic order, having taken the Blue Lodge, Royal Arch and Commaudery degrees, and is a K. of H. He and wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South, and he is steward and Sunday-school superintendent of the same.
Mrs. M. J. (Byrd) Thomas, an enterprising and successful lady farmer of
Sebastian County, Ark., was born in Hardin County, Tenn., October 17, 1840,
and is one of ten children, seven living, born to the marriage of Thomas Byrd
and Maria Smith, and is a granddaughter of William Byrd, who was born in the
“Palmetto State,” and who removed with his family to Tennessee at an early
day. His wife's maiden name was Lovey Cherry. John Smith, the maternal
grandfather, was a farmer, a soldier in the War of 1812, and died in Tennessee
in 1854. His father was a Revolutionary soldier. Mrs. Thomas' parents were
born in South Carolina in 1812, and Tennessee in 1814, and died in the latter
State in 1884 and 1864, respectively. The names of their children who are
living are as follows: William R., Emeline (Bryson), Susan (Counts), Calvin C.,
Thomas J., Elizabeth and M. J. (Thomas). The last named was reared in
Tennessee, and was there married in 1856 to James Thomas, a native of the
State, born in 1837, and a son of James and Adaline (Young) Thomas, who were
early immigrants to Tennessee. James, the son, was a farmer by occupation, and
in 1863 enlisted in the Confederate States army, and served until the close of
the war, when he returned home and resumed the peaceful pursuit of farming. In
1875 he came to Sebastian County, Ark., where his death occurred in 1881. He
was a Mason, a Democrat, and cast his first presidential vote for John C.
Breckinridge. He and wife became the parents of seven children: Newton S.,
Walter E., Mattie M., James A., Maude, Claude and Nellie.
John Marion Thompson was born in Perry County, Tenn., in 1834, and is a son of
William G. and Elizabeth C. (Hagan) Thompson. The father was of Irish and
Scotch descent, and was born in Mecklenburgh County, N. C., in 1804, and at
the age of nine years was taken by his father, John Thompson, to Bedford
County, Tenn., where he received the education and rearing of the average
farmer's boy of that period, and was married in 1825. In 1852 he located in
Henry County, Tenn., and in January, 1880, became a resident of Sebastian
County, and on the 23d of the same month died at the home of his son, John M.,
having contracted a cold on his way here. His wife was born in Middle
Tennessee in 1804, and died October 10, 1874, having borne a family of ten
children, five of whom are living: Margaret, wife of W. L. Cole; Rebecca J.,
wife of Thomas Ary; John Marion, Martha K., and Amanda, wife of W. W. Holden.
John Marion resided under the paternal roof until twenty-two years of age, and
during the late war was one of the boys in gray. May 20, 1861, he enlisted in
Company D, Fifth Regiment Tennessee Volunteer Infantry, Confederate States
Army, and was a participant in the battles of Shiloh, Perryville, Murfeesboro,
Chickamauga, Missionary Ridge, Atlanta, Jonesboro and many severe skirmishes.
He was neither wounded nor captured during the war, and was only sick when he
had the measles. He was paroled at Johnsonville, Tenn., May 23, 1865, but
surrendered at Greensboro, N. C. His service extended over a period of four
years and three days. After the war he returned to Henry County, Tenn., and
February 22, 1866, was united in marriage to Miss Mary Ann Cole, a daughter of
Joseph and Polly Cole. She was born in 1834 or 1835, and died in Sebastian
County, Ark., April 24, 1885, having borne a family of five children: Emma B.,
wife of Harvey Oliver; Joseph E.; Lulu D., who is keeping house for her father;
Albert S. and Mary M. In 1870 Mr. Thompson moved to Calloway County, Ky., and
seven years later came to Sebastian County, Ark., and the following year
purchased eighty-seven acres of some of the most fertile land in the county.
He has since increased his land until he now owns 105 acres, and throughout the
county is considered one of its foremost farmers. His farm is about six miles
from the county seat, and he has a pleasant and comfortable residence. He is a
Democrat in his political views.
William Franklin Turner, M. D., of Milltown, Sebastian Co., Ark., is a son of
William J. and Mary A. (Nance) Turner, grandson of James Turner, and great-
grandson of Jesse Turner, who was born in the “Old North State,” and settled
in Stewart County, Tenn., at an early day. He was a soldier in the War of 1812.
Both James and his son, William J., were reared in Tennessee. After the latter
had reached manhood he went to Benton County, Tenn., where he was married
January 9, 1845, to Miss Nance, a native of South Carolina, born in 1824, by
whom he became the father of five sons and one daughter. In 1858 his wife died,
and the following year he married Hannah A. Lynch, who was born in Benton
County, Tenn., October 30, 1829. Six children were also born to this union,
three sons and three daughters. Mr. Turner has made farming his chief calling
through life, but for two years was deputy sheriff of the county, and served
as magistrate of Benton County, Tenn., three terms. In 1877 he moved to
Jackson County, Ill., and four years later to Sebastian County, Ark. He has
always supported the principles of the Democratic party, is a member of the
Masonic fraternity, and during the late war espoused the cause of the
Confederacy, and for about six months was on post duty. He was born in Stewart
County, Tenn., March 20, 1821, and although sixty-seven years of age is yet
strong and healthy. The youngest child by his first wife, William Franklin,
was born in Benton County, Tenn., on the 9th of October, 1852, was reared on a
farm, and received his literary education in the district and the Camden public
schools. When about twenty-two years of age he began teaching school, and
after accumulating some means began attending school again, and was
alternately engaged in teaching and attending school until he acquired a
thorough English education. In 1872 he was wedded to Cornelia E. Elmore, a
daughter of William P. Elmore. She was born in Benton County, Tenn., January
16, 1855, and became the mother of five children, three of whom died in
infancy. Those living are Clemett W. and Bertha May. The Doctor and his wife
came to Sebastian County, Ark., in 1880, but after a short time returned to
Tennessee, where he remained until the fall, and again took up his residence in
For about fifteen years he had been engaged in the study of medicine, and in
1884 entered the medical department of the Arkansas Industrial University, and
after taking lectures in this institution he began practicing his profession
at Milltown, Ark., and has by his own energy and meritorious effort built up a
most lucrative and increasing practice. He deserves much credit for the
prosperity which has attended his footsteps, as he is essentially a self-made
man, and has surmounted many difficulties in his walk through life. He belongs
to the Masonic, I. O. O. F. and K. of H. fraternities, and is a Democrat
politically. The family attend the Methodist Episcopal Church, South.
Mrs. Martha J. Walker is a native of Winchester, Tenn., born on the 6th of
January, 1822, and is a daughter of Capt. William M. and Martha (Baldwin)
Raines. The former was a Virginian, born near Richmond, and was a merchant by
occupation. At an early day he left his native State and went to Georgia, and
during the Creek War acted as captain under Gen. Jackson. After the close of
the War of 1812 he moved to Winchester, Tenn., being one of the pioncers of
that place. Here he was engaged in agricultural pursuits, and followed the
occupation of merchant tailor for many years. While in Virginia he was married
to Miss Baldwin, by whom he had seven children, only four of whom are now
alive: Dr. C. B. (of Mineral Wells, Tex.), Col. Henry A. Raines (deceased),
Martha (Mrs. Walker), Mrs. M. B. Ake (of Las Cruces, N. Mex.) and Mrs. A. M.
Ward (of Little Rock, Ark). R. P. was an eminent lawyer of Trenton, Tenn., and
is now deceased. Mrs. Martha Walker came to Arkansas in 1838, and has been
prominently connected with the schools of Sebastian County ever since. She has
been married twice, her first husband being Dr. C. B. Ake, and in 1854 she was
married to Calvin Walker, who was killed during the late war, while at home.
She has one living child, Mollie, who is the wife of Edward Pennington, editor
and proprietor of the Deming Head Light, of Deming, N. Mex. One of Mrs.
Walker's grandchildren is living with her.
Thomas J. Webb was born near Nashville, Tenn., in 1821, and is the oldest of
four children born to Kendall and Mary (Dugal) Webb, natives of Maryland and
Pittsburgh, Penn., respectively. They were married in Tennessee, where the
mother died about 1834. The father re-married two years later, and then removed
to where Ozark, Ark., now stands. In 1853 he went to California, where he
spent about three years, after which he located in Franklin County, Ark. He
was left an orphan when young, and being bound out to a Quaker in Philadelphia,
learned the shoemaker's trade, which he afterward engaged in extensively. He
was a prominent Mason, and died near Ozark in 1873. Thomas Webb, the
grandfather, came with a brother to the United States at an early day. The
maternal grandfather was of Irish origin, the name formerly having been
McDugal, but it was changed by the Pennsylvania Legislature. Thomas J. Webb
passed his boyhood in Nashville, Tenn., and when fifteen accompanied his
father to Arkansas. In 1846 he enlisted in the Mexican War for twelve months,
and served in Company D, Arkansas Cavalry, under Gen. Taylor. He was captured
previous to the battle of Buena Vista, and taken on foot to the City of
Mexico, a distance of 1,000 miles, where he was held a prisoner six months. In
1852 he crossed the plains to California, where he remained until 1883,
engaged in mining and farming. During the late war he served three years and
one month in Company L, First California Cavalry, being engaged the greater
part of the time in fighting the Indians in Arizona. He had charge of supply
stations several times. After returning to Arkansas from California he engaged
in cattle trading for some time in Franklin County, but since 1885 has farmed
in Sebastian County. By the exercise of industry and economy Mr. Webb has
become a well- to-do man, and in partnership with his brother he owns 1,200
acres of choice land in this county. He is devotedly fond of reading, being
well-informed on all current topics, and his library contains a number of good
works by well-known authors.
James C. Wilkinson, dairyman and breeder of Jersey cattle, in Sebastian County,
Ark., was born in England in 1843, and is a son of Joseph and Mary (Beard)
Wilkinson, who were also born in England. In 1863 James C. Wilkinson crossed
the ocean as a volunteer in the United States army, and enlisted in the
Sixteenth Kansas Volunteers, operating in Kansas and Missouri until the close
of the war. He then went to New Mexico, as agent in charge of the Comanche
Indians, and was afterward appointed sub-agent to the Cheyennes and Arapahoes.
He next located in Fort Smith, Ark., where he was United States Marshal for
fourteen or fifteen years, and then moved to the country in Sebastian County,
where he purchased 245 acres of land, which he fenced and made into a fine
dairy farm. He resides in a large two-story frame house, and his barns are
commodious and convenient, there being ample room for fifty cows. He finds a
ready sale for dairy products in Fort Smith, and also handles pedigreed Jersey
cattle. In 1876 he was married to Miss Mary J. Majors, a daughter of Robert T.
and Nancy (Petty) Majors. She was born in Sebastian County, and is the mother
of five children: James C., Cassius E., Robert, Mary J. and Bertha Catherine.
Mr. Wilkinson is a Knight Templar in the Masonic fraternity, and belongs to
the K. of H. and the G. A. R. He is a stanch Republican, and cast his first
presidential vote for Abraham Lincoln. The family worship at the Episcopal
Church.
Harvey D. Wilkinson, farmer, was born July 9, 1863, in Polk County, Ark., and
is the son of Benjamin J. and Sallie A. (Arbuckle) Wilkinson. Benjamin J.
Wilkinson was born in Mississippi, and there lived to be grown, and was by
profession a lawyer, graduating, both in the academic and law department, at
Lebanon, Tenn., and establishing himself in the profession at Fort Smith with
Judge Walker as his law partner. He had previously read with Judge Brown, of
Van Buren, and subsequently continued in practice in Fort Smith until the
breaking out of the war. Then he went to Texas, and remained there until his
death in 1864. Sallie Arbuckle was born and reared in Sebastian County, on
Arbuckle Island, and was educated by private tutor. Here she grew to
womanhood, and married Mr. Wilkinson, and bore him one child, Harvey D. After
Mr. Wilkinson's death she was married to John Jacoway. James A. Wilkinson, the
paternal grandfather, was a native of Tennessee, and was there reared and
married, going thence to Mississippi and Texas, returning finally to Tennessee.
He is now living in Texas. John D. Arbuckle, the maternal grandfather, was
born near Hopkinsville, Ky., leaving there when about twenty years of age. He
remained in Missouri some time teaching school, and then came to Sebastian
County, having married, however, in Missouri, Louisa Jones. On coming to
Arkansas he settled on Arbuckle Island, which now bears his name. During his
early life he was elected colonel in the State Militia in Kentucky. He and
wife both died on the farm where our subject now lives, he at the age of sixty-
five, December 8, 1873, and while occupying the senatorial seat from the
Eighth District, having been elected over Col. B. J. Brown, and in an article
taken from the Fort Smith paper we find the following: “The noble old man, whom
the people all delighted to honor, passed away from earth to an assembly where
we trust he will wear brighter than any earthly honors. Arkansas has lost a
valuable representative, the community an estimable citizen, and the family a
loving husband and father.” Gen. Mathew Arbuckle, of Kentucky, was an uncle,
and a graduate of West Point, and it was through him that Arbuckle Island was
acquired by a patent from Martin Van Buren in 1839. The first court-house site
of the county is now on land owned by Harvey Wilkinson, he having acquired the
property through his grandfather, John D. Arbuckle. Harvey D. Wilkinson was
principally reared in this county, being cared for after the death of his
parents by his grandfather and grandmother, Mr. and Mrs. Arbuckle. He lived
with them until their deaths, and from 1879 until 1886 attended the
Fayetteville University. He is the owner of 700 acres of land, 200 of which he
cultivates, the old homestead being included. In connection with his farming he
is engaged in milling and ginning. In politics Mr. Wilkinson is a Democrat, and
he belongs to the Masonic fraternity.
John F. Williams, sheriff of Sebastian County, Ark., was born in Ste. Genevieve
County, Mo., in 1847. His father, I. O. Williams, was born in Terre Haute,
Ind., in 1827, a mechanic by trade, and moved to Missouri soon after his
marriage to Miss Sarah Lee. He located in Ste. Genevieve County, where he was
engaged in farming, and in 1850 came to Arkansas, dying in Sebastian County in
April, 1887. His wife was born in Illinois in 1829, and died in Arkansas April
1, 1888, their union resulting in the birth of seven children, four living. The
paternal and maternal grandparents were of Scotch and German descent,
respectively. John F. Williams was reared in Sebastian County, Ark., and
worked at the mechanic's trade until he was elected to the office of sheriff in
1884, and is now filling his third term. He was married to Miss Alice Jones, of
Tennessee, a daughter of Henry Jones, who died in 1861, and was an extensive
planter in Weakley County, Tenn. Mrs. Williams became the mother of the
following children: Beulah, Minnie, Hervey, Jim and Effie. The family attend
the Methodist Church, and Mr. Williams is a member of the A. F. & A. M., the
K. of H., and is a stanch adherent of the Democratic party. He is one of the
best informed men of the county relating to the agricultural condition of the
country, and has one of the finest stock farms in the county, and is preparing
to engage in the stock business on a large scale in a short time. Mrs.
Williams belongs to the Eastern Star Lodge, and is a member of the Ladies' Christian Association.
page 1379
Constant P. Wilson, farmer of Upper Township, Sebastian Co., Ark., and native
of the county, was born in 1856, being a son of Thomas E. and Mary A.
(Dillard) Wilson, who were born in Kentucky and Virginia, July 6, 1804, and
April 27, 1822, respectively. The father removed from Kentucky to Fort Gibson,
and in 1832 located at Fort Smith, Ark., where he was engaged in surveying,
and acted as sutler for the soldiers. He owned a large farm of 1,200 acres,
and from fifteen to twenty slaves. The following are his children: Neosho L.
(deceased), Thomas E., Virginia T. (Baxter), John D., Constant P., Sallie P.
(Falconer), and Macha M. He has one step- daughter, Mrs. Marcus Boyd. Mr.
Wilson's death occurred September 11, 1880, his wife dying on the 11th of
January, seven years later. Her parents, John and Sallie P. (Moore) Dillard,
were born in Virginia, and in 1822 removed to Arkansas, where the father
engaged in merchandising, farming and stock dealing. He was one of the
prominent men of his section of the country, and represented his county in the
State Legislature. He died in 1846. His maternal grandparents, Benjamin and
Polly (Price) Moore, came from Virginia to Arkansas in 1821, and the
descendants of [p.1379] this noble couple are among the leading citizens of
Arkansas. Constant P. Wilson, whose name heads this sketch, has spent his
entire life in Sebastian County. He was married on the 30th of May, 1881, to
Miss Nellie Collins, who was born July 4, 1860. From 1877 to 1885 he was in the
saloon business at Fort Smith, but since that time has been manager of the
Wilson and Collins farms, comprising 1,600 acres of land, and is the most
extensive planter in Northwestern Arkansas. Throughout life Mr. Wilson has been
the architect of his own fortune, and is of a very energetic and determined
disposition. He is a member of the Episcopal Church, and in his political
views is a Democrat, casting his first presidential vote for Samuel J. Tilden.
Mrs. Wilson's father, James M. Collins, was born in Virginia in 1830, and died
on the 2d of March, 1887. He was reared and educated in Pennsylvania by his
grandfather, Christopher Riley, and after attaining man's estate went to Texas
and engaged in the stock business on a large scale. While in the “Lone Star
State” he became acquainted with and married Mary J. Whitsett, a daughter of
Dr. William C. and Elizabeth L. (Edmunds) Whitsett. Although not in the army,
Mr. Collins gave valuable assistance to the Confederate cause in furnishing
the army with provisions. In 1866 he came to Fort Smith, and engaged in the
mercantile business, and also purchased 1,200 acres of land in Sebastian
County, on which he located in 1869. Here he died March 2, 1887. His parents,
John and Elizabeth (Riley) Collins, were natives of Virginia. His wife's
parents were born in Kentucky August 7, 1812, and December 15, 1815, and died
January 9, 1882, and January 22, 1883, respectively, and her paternal great-
grandparents, Gen. William and Emily (Haden) Whitsett, were Virginians, the
former dying in 1841. Her maternal grandparents, William and Mary A. (Penn)
Edmunds, were Virginians, Mary A. being a descendant of William Penn, of
historical renown.
Green B. Wimberley, land agent of the Kansas & Texas Coal Company, at
Huntington, has held that position since the location of the company at that
place. He was born in Choctaw County, Ala., in 1846, and is the second of a
family of twelve children (nine of who are living) born to William and Susan
(Needham) Wimberley, natives of Enterprise, Miss., and Greensboro, Ala., born
in 1814 and 1820, respectively. They were married in Choctaw County, Ala.,
where they still live. In younger days the father was an overseer, but he is
now a well-to-do farmer and planter. When a boy he lost his father, John
Wimberley, who was of Irish origin. The great-grandfather of our subject,
Capt. William Wimberley, came to America with Gen. La Fayette, and served as a
captain in the Revolution. The maternal grandfather, Benjamin Needham, was of
Scotch descent, born in North Carolina, and died in Choctaw County, Ala. In
1862, at the age of fifteen, Green B. Wimberley joined Company G, Fortieth
Alabama Infantry, in which he served until discharged in September of the same
year for disability. The following December he enlisted in Company E, Ninth
Alabama Cavalry, as second sergeant, and operated afterward in Mississippi,
Alabama, Tennessee, Kentucky and Georgia. June 24, 1864, he was captured at La
Fayette, Ga., and taken to Camp Morton, Ind., where he was held ten months. He
was paroled in Virginia a few weeks before the general surrender, and then
returned home. In the winter of 1865-66 he went to Louisiana and was there
married, in November, 1867, to Mary Ann, daughter of C. C. and Mary Brewster,
who were formerly from Mississippi, the State of Mrs. Wimberley's birth. Mr.
and Mrs. Wimberley have been members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South,
for over twenty years. To them four sons and four daughters have been born. In
December, 1869, our subject settled near the present site of Huntington, and
until the establishment of that town made farming his sole occupation. His farm
now consists of 200 acres, all of his property being the result of his own
labor. He is a Democrat, and since 1884 has held the office of deputy sheriff
of Sebastian County. He is a member of Pulliam Masonic Lodge No. 133, of which
he was Master six years.
Capt. William J. Witcher, postmaster and farmer at Witcherville, was born in Surrey County, N. C., in 1829, and is a son of Lacy and Elizabeth (Lyon) Witcher, natives of North Carolina, where the father passed his entire life, dying when William J. was an infant. The mother afterward married Edward Crossen, and about 1835 moved to Johnson County, Ark., going from there to Sebastian County, where Mr. Crossen died at Fort Smith during the war. Mrs.Crossen was a daughter of Col. William Lyon, who always lived in North Carolina. She was a member of the Christian Church, and died at Witcherville in 1860. Her grandfather, Col. Lyon, was an officer in the Revolution, andamong his descendants is the Hon. Frank Lyon, a cousin of our subject, who, for
many years, was a member of Congress from Alabama. William J. has a twin sister, who, with himself, was reared and educated by their maternal grandfather, in Virginia. In 1848 they came to Johnson County, Ark. In 1849 Capt. Witcher married Mary E., daughter of Abram L. Lester, formerly of Wilson County, Tenn., where Mrs. Witcher was born. There are seven living issues of this marriage. In 1850 Capt. Witcher located upon 160 acres of land in Sebastian County, where he was one of the early settlers. The town of Witcherville was afterward built upon his farm, and received its name in his honor. In 1862 he organized Company D, of Col. W. H. Brooks' infantry regiment, and after serving some time as first lieutenant he was made captain of the company. In the fall of 1863 he was captured while at home, and until February, 1864, was held a prisoner at Fort Smith and Little Rock. Finding it
impossible to rejoin his company he joined Gen. Shelby's army, with whom he operated in Missouri and Arkansas, and participated in the engagements at Perry Grove and Helena. In the fall of 1864 he joined his family in the Choctaw Nation, and soon after the surrender returned to Sebastian County. From 1868 until 1884 he engaged in the mercantile business at Witcherville, and since March, 1888, has been the postmaster of that place, Prior to the war he was twice elected internal revenue collector, which position he resigned to enter
the army. Mr. and Mrs. Witcher and three of their children are members of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, in which the former has been an elder since 1854. He is a charter member of Pulliam Lodge, No. 133, and in politics is a Democrat, his first presidential vote having been cast for Cass in 1848.
John C. Yadon is one of the enterprising farmers of Sebastian County, Ark., and was born in East Tennessee in 1835. His father, Thomas Yadon, was born in Washington County, Va., March 27, 1801, and when a small boy was taken by his parents to East Tennessee, where he met and espoused Nancy Haynes, October 14, 1819, who was born in North Carolina March 1, 1803, and moved with her to Missouri in 1839, and to Sebastian County, Ark., in 1849. Here he entered 160 acres of land and spent the remainder of his days, dying January 18, 1886. He served as justice of the peace for twenty years, and held the office of
postmaster for a number of years. The following are his children who are living: M. A. (Long), M. J. (Condran), Minerva A. (Douglas) and John C. The mother of these children died February 14, 1881. Joseph Yadon, the grandfather, was born in County Down, Ireland, December 17, 1856, and during the early, part of the Revolutionary War crossed the ocean as a soldier in the British army, and served in Burgoyne's command until the latter surrendered to Gen. Gates on the 17th of October, 1777. He then took the oath of allegiance to the colonies and joined the American army, fighting for its interests until the
close of the war. He was discharged in 1782, at the falls of the Ohio, and went to Virginia, where hemet and married Mary Pennabaker, and moved to Tennessee in 1805. His death occurred September 8, 1838. The maternal grandfather, John Haynes, was born in North Carolina, and was married to Mary McCarver. He died in 1842 or 1843. John C. Yadon spent his boyhood days in Tennessee and Missouri, and on the 17th of March, 1859, was married to Susan A. Douglas, who was born in East Tennessee August 31, 1836, by whom he became the father of six children, four of whom are living: William Thomas, Margaret L. (Williamson), John P. and Joseph M. Those deceased are Nancy E. and Samuel H. The mother of these children died January 11, 1879. Her parents, William R. and Margaret A. (McConnell) Douglas, were born in East Tennessee, October 24,
1796, and December 22, 1806, respectively. The father died in August, 1864, but the mother is still living, and is a resident of Sebastian County. W. R. Douglas was an old-line Whig, during the Civil War was an uncompromising Union man, and though too old and feeble to be in the service, he gave substantial aid to the Union cause and Union sympathizers. He was a member of the Old School Presbyterian Church, and for a number of years a colporteur for the American Tract Society. Mr. Yadon owns 346 acres of land, 115 of which are under cultivation and well improved. In 1863 he enlisted in company E, First Arkansas Infantry, United States Army, and served until the cessation of
hostilites in 1865. He is a member of the Old School Presbyterian Church, belongs to the Republican party, and cast his first residential vote for James Buchanan.
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