ARKANSAS COUNTY
Biographical and Historical Memoirs of Eastern Arkansas
ARKANSAS COUNTY–BOUNDARY AND AREA–VALUATION–TOPOGRAPHIOAL PRESENTATION–SPRINGS AND MOUNDS–EARLY SETTLEMENT–NAMES OF PIONEERS–POPULATION–DURING WAR TIMES–BENCH AND BAR–PROMINENT CASES–INTERESTING
HISTORICAL RECORDS–TERRITORIAL OFFICERS–CITIES, TOWNS, ETC.–CHURCH ORGANIZATIONS–TRANSPORTATION FAOILITIES–COUNTY PAPERS–MUNICIPAL TOWNSHIPS AND POSTOFFICES–RESOURCES–SCHOOLS–BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIRS.
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John R. Wood, planter, Marianna. This prominent agriculturist of Lee County, Ark., owes his nativity to Hardeman County, Tenn., where his birth occurred November 7, 1835, and is the son of Dr. George Wood, who was born in Albemarle County, Va. Dr. Wood received his education in the University of Virginia, and graduated from the Jefferson Medical College of Philadelphia. He then went to Hardeman County, Tenn., practiced in Hickory Valley for eight or ten years, and there married the mother of our subject, Eliza Harkens, who bore him six children. On account of failing health, he gave up his practice and engaged in cultivating the soil, continuing at this for ten years, when his health had so improved that he moved to Searcy, Hardeman County, and resumed the practice of medicine. He there gave his children all good common school educations. In 1858 he and his brother bought a plantation in [p.631] this county, and he abandoned his practice and moved to Arkansas in 1869. He sold the place on which Marianna now stands to his brother, and in January, 1870, when he came out he bought another farm, then in St. Francis (now Lee) County-Here he died in 1872, at the age of seventy-one years. He remained at his home in Tennessee during the war, but was a Union man. John R. Wood attended school in Bolivar and Jackson, Tenn., finishing his education in West Tennessee College, at Jackson. He wished to become a civil engineer, and after working two years at this his father had him give up the profession. In 1859 he engaged in merchandising with J. A. Jarrett, father of J.R. Jarrett, of Marianna, and continued at this business until the breaking out of the war. He then enlisted in the Confederate Army of Tennessee, was commissioned captain, but not liking the position resigned. He returned home, and there joined Gen. Forrest's regiment as a private, participating in the battles of Shiloh and Corinth, and fell back with the army to Tupelo, Miss. There his health failed him, and he hired a substitute. He then went to Columbus,
Miss., and entered the commissary department, as an agent to buy corn and beef, etc. He remained six months, when, his health still continuing bad, he went home and remained on his father's plantation, in Hardeman County, for twelve months. He then went to Memphis, and clerked in a wholesale grocery and cotton house, until the close of the war, when he returned to Hardeman County. He farmed during 1867, 1868 and 1869, and in 1870 moved to Lee County, Ark., with his father, remaining with him until after the latter's death, since which time he has carried on the farm. He was married in 1860 to Miss Paulina Guy, a native of Hardeman County, Tenn., and the fruits of this union have been five children: George, Lucy (wife of Mr. Millett), Paulina, Fannie and Mary W. After the death of his first wife Mr. Wood married, in Arkansas, Miss Mary Pugh, a native of Greene County, who bore him five children, two now living, Samuel and Thomas; those deceased were named John R., Eliza and Jane.
[p.632]
O, those blessed times of old, with their chivalry and state!
I love to read their chronicles, which such brave deeds relate;
I love to sing their ancient rhymes, to hear their legends told, But, heaven be thanked–I live not in those blessed times of old.–Brown.
THE early boundaries of Arkansas County were defined as follows: "All that portion of the territory bounded north by the south line of the county of New Madrid, east by the main channel of the Mississippi River, south by the 33dº of north latitude, or the northern boundary line of the State of Louisiana, westwardly by the western boundary line of the Osage purchase, and by a line to commence upon the River Arkansas, where the boundary line of the Osage purchase intersects the same, thence in a direct line to the main source of the Wachita, thence south to the northern boundary line of the State of Louisiana, or 33dº of north latitude, shall compose a county, and be called and known by the name of the county of Arkansas." This bill, creating this county, was passed December 31, 1813.
The county at one time covered the whole State, but new counties being formed from time to time, it has been reduced to its present boundaries, which are as follows:
On the north by Lonoke and Prairie Counties, on the east by Monroe, Phillips and Desha Counties, White River being the dividing line, on the south by Desha and Jefferson Counties, the Arkansas River, the dividing line between Desha and Arkansas Counties, and Bayou Meto River, between Jefferson and Arkansas Counties, for about one-half the distance, and there Jefferson County is the boundary, Bayou Meto being wholly inside Arkansas County.
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The county has an area of about 900 square miles, or 596,000 square acres, and of this amount 507,974 is subject to taxation, 30,440 acres being school land, and 57,587 acres being United States and State lands. The school, United States and State land is all exempt. The taxable land in the county is assessed at $1,178,850, an average rate of $2.32 an acre, and when it is taken into consideration, that $171,550 is town lots, it makes the valuation still lower. Also $131,210 to the Texas & St. Louis Railroad. [p.633]
The town property is divided as follows: Stuttgart, $105,450; De Witt, $34,820; St. Charles, $15,070; Goldman, $11,880; Crockett's Bluff, $2,410; Arkansas Post, $1,020. Total, $171,550. The personal property is divided as follows: 4,350 horses, valued at $176,300; 24,467 cattle, valued at $183,790; 1,270
mules and asses, valued at $73,329; 2,029 sheep, valued at $3,070; 18,976 hogs, valued at $27,144; 51,092 all kinds of domestic animals valued at $463,633; all other kinds of personal property valued at $498,450, making a total of all personal property valued at $962,113. Total of all real property, $1,178,850–a grand total of $2,140,963 representing the taxable wealth of the county.
The surface is comparatively level, being one long rolling swell after another; just rolling enough to give good drainage, yet not so much so as to wash after it is put into cultivation. There is not a foot of land in the entire county that is not susceptible of cultivation. With an altitude at no place but little over 100 feet above high-water mark on the Arkansas White and Mississippi Rivers, a gradual incline from the rivers, rises above the bottoms, so imperceptible as to be scarcely distinguishable. The line between the river bottoms and the upland is not strongly marked, as in most cases. A relief map would present a picture, wherein the timber and prairie would be the only distinctive feature. Right down the center runs Grand Prairie for forty miles, and is from ten to fifteen miles wide, crossed by numerous strips of timber, and having groves or islands of this dotted about here and there. The largest of these is Big Island, with an area of about 4,000 acres; the smallest, Young's Island, covering only about 160 acres. The one lying nearest the northern line of the county, and just east of Stuttgart, is called Lost Island; two miles south is Maple Island, and Big Island is one mile west of Maple; four miles south of Big Island is Mud Island, and five miles south of Mud Island is Angelico. Besides Grand Prairie there are several other smaller areas of grass land. In the eastern part of the county is White River Prairie, ten miles long and four miles wide. Lying just west of White River Prairie is La Grue, four miles long and one and a half wide; Halleys two miles long and one-half wide, near La Grue. These are all skirting along White River, and are but a few miles away from it. Sassafras Prairie setting in about five miles north of De Witt is two and one-half miles east and west, and two miles north and south. In the extreme southeastern corner of the county is Little Prairie, right between the Arkansas and White Rivers, being ten miles long and one and one-half miles wide; Cash Prairie, an arm of Grand Prairie, making off between Big and Little La Grue. La Grue Springs, ten miles southeast of De Witt, is quite a notable place, and its waters are said to be a sure remedy for malaria. Essies Springs has very cold water, and is favorably located, both for fishing and hunting, and is a resort of no little local celebrity, as in the summer and fall it is not unusual for fifty or seventy-five families to camp there at one time and remain for several weeks.
To the disciple of Izak Walton the streams of Arkansas County would have a wonderful fascination, as in their season fish of many varieties are easily caught.
Formerly wild game of all kinds abounded, and the earlier settlers depended as much or more on the rifle for supplies for the smoke-house as they did upon domestic animals. In fact, the numbers of wild animals, and the boldness they displayed in their depredations, made it no easy matter to raise pigs and Iambs. Nor were the fur-bearing animals without numerous representatives, and this was no small source of income. Deer, bear, panther, wolves, wildcats, catamounts, beaver, otter, fox, 'coon, 'possum, mink, squirrels and rabbits were very numerous, and even now the bolder and more adventurous hunter can, by penetrating into the swamps, find game that will well repay him for his time and labor.
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The feathered tribe had many representatives, turkey, prairie chicken, quail and the wood pigeon on the land, wild geese, brants, swan, crane and ducks and plover furnishing sport in the lagoons and bayous. Even now, in their season, the sportsman need not come home empty handed, who seeks [p.634] the wild fowl in their haunts. Besides the game birds, there are crows, hawks, owls, black-birds, meadow-larks and, chiefest of all, the Southern mocking-bird. The game disappears as civilization encroaches on its haunts, but there are yet sequestered places where the slyest is to be found.
A group of well-known mounds is situated on the farm of Napoleon Menard, eight miles southeast of the village of Arkansas Post. The largest mound is 965 feet in circumference at the top and considerably larger at the base, and is some sixty feet in altitude, its slopes being covered with trees and bushes. This has been dug into quite extensively, and it has been thought useless to explore further. There is connected with this mound, by a ridge of earth, 300 feet long and twenty feet in diameter, a small circular mound, fifteen feet high and forty-five feet in diameter, in which are a number of houses, bearing evidence of having been occupied. Near the middle of the connecting ridge, a layer of burnt clay, 5,006 feet in diameter, was found. At one side a large quantity of fragments of earthen vessels were discovered, comprising a number of earthen bowls of various sizes, quite new looking, and of a type of ware quite distinct from that found in the fields and graves of same locality. Restorations of quite a number have been made, and the collection proves to be quite interesting. The collector argues from the position of the fragmentary vessels, that they had been placed by their owners upon the roofs of the houses, which had been destroyed by fire, Surrounding the Menard Mound is a field of twenty acres, which appears at one time to have been the site of a large number of dwellings, for at a depth of from one to two feet layers of burned clay are found. This field seems to have been one vast cemetery, the remains of skeletons being found in great numbers.
Pottery is found in abundance, and as a rule is found near the heads of the dead; but no ornaments nor instruments are to be found. The plowing of the fields has destroyed many earthen vessels, as the interments were near the surface. Noticeable is it that the pottery found with the remains is of a character quite distinct from that of the mound. It is of the class common in these regions.
In other portions of the county are mounds of various sizes and altitudes, some of them containing fragments of pottery, while in others are found bones, etc., but the Menard Mound, described above, is the most conspicuous one in regard to the race of men who erected them.
Among the early settlers was one A. B. K. Thetford, who also filled the office of sheriff of the county at one time. Thetford's ferry takes its name from him. At the time of his death he was living in Arkansas County, on the north side of Arkansas River, but this same house was, at an earlier date, on the south side of the river. The bed and current shifting left him on the north side. Some of his descendants are yet living in the adjoining counties.
The first civil government of Arkansas was located at Arkansas Post, as, in 1804, James B. Maney was appointed civil Governor, and resided there. He was followed by Stephen Warrel, and he by Robert W. Osborn, who administered the government till 1812; the Territory of Missouri being then established her authority extended over Arkansas. By an act of Congress approved in June, 1814, C. Jouette was appointed judge of Missouri Territory, his jurisdiction extending to the District of Arkansas. He resided at Arkansas Post and presided over a court held at that place.
The first settlers of Arkansas County were French, who settled near the Post of Arkansas. They were an enterprising and energetic people, mostly engaged in trade. Many of them accumulated fortunes, and their descendants now form an estimable class of society. The next in order were pioneer settlers from Kentucky and Tennessee, or their immediate descendants, a brave, self-reliant and independent people, many of them too fond of adventure and the chase to make permanent locations or valuable improvements.
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They had penetrated the country beyond, and in advance of organized government, or, if within it, were too far from the officers of the law and the courts to be reached by legal process. Yet, resolutely determined to suppress crime and preserve [p.635] good order, they had, by common consent, rules of government by which crime was summarily punished and contracts enforced. The payment of a debt was a matter of honor, and to their credit, be it said, the instances where contracts were violated were rare. No one felt absolved from his contract to pay, who had money or property, or could procure either.
Another phase of history and one worthy of note is, that all acts of crime and violence that were committed, and which were but too common among an uncultivated, bold and self-reliant people, were almost invariably open, defiant and under the influence of passion and resentment resulting from real or supposed wrongs. There is not a single instance of assassination, of robbery or of burglary, to be found on the Territorial records. The first settlers were miles apart, and generally along the streams, yet the prairies had a few located on their borders, and when necessity required, the cabin doors were temporarily closed by a latch or a pin, and the household goods were left for days and even weeks without molestation. In summer months, when at home, they slept with doors and windows (if they were fortunate enough to have any) wide open, in perfect security. A frank, honest and generous people, hospitable to a fault (a characteristic of their successors to-day), like the Scotch Highlanders they felt
"That guidance, and food, and rest and fire, In vain the stranger must never require."
There were also among them gentlemen of the learned professions, merchants and traders, some of whom were educated and of refined manners, and all of them hospitable and social.
As found upon the records, dating back to 1804, these names appear: John W. Honey, Henry Cassidy, Rufus Easton, Benjamin Fooy, Joseph Stillwell, Harold Stillwell, Andrew Fagot, Perly Wallis, James B. Waterson, Daniel Mooney and Patrick Cassidy. Later, Richmond Peeler, who came to the State in 1810.
Two brothers, Benjamin S. and Rowland Haller, came from Kentucky. Benjamin was judge of the county probate courts, and up to middle life was an infidel, but when about fifty years old was converted and began preaching. He was remarkable for his sound common sense. From the life he led he commanded the respect, esteem and confidence of the people, and at his death was mourned truly and deeply. Another character somewhat noted was Julian M. P. J. De Visart, Count De Boicarme, a Belgian, who came to Arkansas early in the 30's and settled within a few miles of where De Witt now is; here he died in 1852. His life was something of a mystery. Frederick Noteribe, who lived in and about Arkansas Post in the 40's, was the most prominent man in the county. He came to Arkansas somewhere from 1815 to 1818, and had been a soldier under Napoleon. He died in New Orleans of cholera in 1849. Prior to the advent of Noteribe came Charles Bogy, a native of Kaskaskia, Ill., who came with the Federal troops to take possession of Arkansas Post in the name of the United States in 1804. He was a man of Herculean proportions and wonderful physical endurance. The Michell brothers, from New Madrid, and Louis L. Refeld were well known in the early history of the county, and after its organization the latter was one of the representatives. John Laquer was another.
Terrence Farrelly, an Irishman, came from Pittsburg early in the 30's. He was in the sheriff's office, was probate and county judge, a member of the Territorial legislature, a member of the constitutional convention of 1836, a Whig in politics (thus rendered antagonistic to the Pope), Governor of Arkansas (appointed by Jackson), a man of commanding appearance, strongly marked Irish features, and having a rich brogue. He was for years the leader of his party in politics. A man of sterling integrity, he commanded the respect and confidence of the people to a marked degree.
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The settlements here, as elsewhere in the earlier days, were made along the streams, and, as late as 1845, were miles apart. There was one at Point De Luce, another on Big La Grue, William Crockett at Crockett's Bluff, on White River; David Adams at Adams' Bluff; Severn Pepper at Preston Bluff, then called Pepper's Bluff; on Bayou Meto lived the Barkmans, Woods and Roberts; on Mill Bayou, Benjamin Wilson, Youngs, [p.636] Roby and Rodgers; in the southeastern part of the county were Walton, Ragan, Gordon, McCoy, Dunne, Barkers, Cobb and Evans, and of all these John R. Walton is the only one now living, who in 1845 had a family.
John A. Murrell's gang had more than one rendezvous in the county, but the Regulators, organized for self-protection, succeeded in ridding it of them.
From 1846 the country began to settle rapidly, especially between De Witt and White River. Perhaps this can best be shown by the census reports from 1810 to 1889: Population 1810, 1,062; 1820, 1,260; 1830, 1,426; 1840, 1,346; 1850, 3,245; 1860, 8,844; 1870, 8,268; 1880, 8,038; 1889, 11,640 (4,000 of whom are negroes).
In 1871 Arkansas County lost, perhaps, one-third of her population by two river townships being out off to form a portion of Lincoln County.
The war put a stop to all material growth, and then came the dark days, when the people had nothing but the land and their hands to depend upon for a living. In 1867 the general destitution of the citizens, occasioned by poor crops, caused an expedient to be tried to procure food and provisions. There was issued by the county court, with the consent of the people, $5,000 in county script with which to buy food, and John C. Quertermous was selected to negotiate the issue. Failing in Louisville, Ky., he went to St. Louis, Mo., and there James H. Lucas took up the "promise to pay," and Mr. Quertermous came back with a sufficient amount to tide the folk over the hardest times Arkansas County ever experienced. But $2,000 of the $5,000 was all that was ever used. Needless is it to add that the debt was paid in full. This is the nearest approach to a bonded debt the county ever had. During the reconstruction period, from 1868 to 1874, the county financial affairs were in a very bad state. Tares now are low. General and county tax is levied at the rate of 5 mills; State tax, 5 mills; general State purposes, 2 mills; sinking fund, 1 mill and for common schools, 2 mills. The school districts vote a special tax ranging from 2½ to 5 mills.
Subjoined is the financial statement of the county from October 1, 1888, to October 1, 1889: Amount of revenue, $13,085.65; total expenditures, $12,013.24; balance, $1,072.41. There is no county debt, and county scrip is at par.
At the breaking out of the war and before the State had seceded, many of her bravest and best citizens were not secessionists, but when the question of allegiance to the State and to the general Government was so placed that each man had to decide for one or the other, the State was paramount; and Arkansas County claims the divided honors of having raised the first company in the State. At any rate, Col. Robert H. Crockett, with 125 men, marched to Little Rock, and there made one company of the First Arkansas Regiment that went to Virginia under Gen. (then Col.) Fagan. Also Capt. David B. Quertermous organized a company that won honor and glory in the same regiment. Charles C. Goodden raised a company that was in the Trans-Mississippi Department. Capt. Samuel C. Smith raised another company that remained in Arkansas for awhile, but was afterward transferred across the river. Capt. Felix Robertson, later on, organized another company.
Loyal to their convictions, as one man they shouldered arms for the cause they advocated, and many of them died upon the field of battle, their blood eternal monuments to the bravery and valor of the men of Arkansas County. The first battle fought on the soil of the county was at St. Charles, on White River, on June 17, 1862. When that place was captured by the Federals, Col. Fitch in command of the Federals and Capt. Dunnington of the Confederates, there were but seventy-five Confederates in service and they were poorly armed; they had eight killed and wounded and ten were taken prisoners. The Federal loss was much greater. A cannon ball struck one the pipes of the steamer Mound City. The boiler exploded and out of 185 men on board, 180 were either killed or wounded.
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In January, 1863, a force of 5,000 men were sent up White River as a counter-movement to attract attention from Arkansas Post, the point against which the main expedition was directed. They passed on up White River beyond St. Charles, leaving Capt. Williams there in command. On [p.637] the return of the main command down the river, the officers and men of the gunboat were so infuriated at the fate of the crew of the ill-fated Mound City (claiming the Confederates killed many of them while in the water) that the town was fired and completely destroyed. It is but due to state that the land force did their best to stop the wanton destruction, but to no purpose.
The most important battle of the war in Arkansas was at Arkansas Post, which resulted in the surrender of that place, under distressing conditions to the Confederates, and after a resistance that reflected the greatest credit upon men and officers. The story is best told in the official report of Gen. Churchill, as follows:
Battle of Arkansas Post. Gen. Sherman commanding Federals; Gen. Thomas H. Churchill Confederates. Federal force estimated at 50,000, the Confederate at 7,000; 3,000 only effective men. Total killed, wounded and missing, of Federals, 1,846; Confederates, sixty killed, seventy-five or eighty wounded.
Copy of official report of Brig.-Gen. Thomas J. Churchill, Confederate States army, commanding lower Arkansas and White Rivers:
RICHMOND, Va., May 7, 1863.
GEN. S. COOPER, Adjutant and Inspector General, Richmond, Va.,
General: Not being in communication with Lieut.-Gen. Holmes, commanding the Trans-Mississippi Department, I herewith forward for your consideration my report of the actions of the 10th and 11th of January last, at Arkansas Post.
I have the honor to be, General, very respectfully your obedient servant,
T. J. CHURCHILL.
Brig.-Gen. comd'g Lower Arkansas and White Rivers.
RICHMOND, Va., May 6, 1863.
General: On the morning of the 9th of January, I was informed by my pickets, stationed at the month of the cut-off that the enemy with his gunboats, followed by his fleet of seventy or eighty transports, were passing into the Arkansas River. It now became evident that their object was to attack the Arkansas Post. I immediately made every arrangement to meet him, and ordered out the whole force under my command, numbering about 3,000 effective men, to take position in some lower trenches, about one and one-quarter miles below the fort. The Second Brigade, under Col. Deshler, and the Third, underc Col. Dunnington, occupied the works, while the First Brigade, under Col. Garland, was held in reserve. Three companies of cavalry, under Capts. Denson, Nutt and Richardson, were sent in advance to watch the movements of the enemy. During the night the enemy effected a landing two miles below, on the north side of the river. The following day, about 9 o'clock, the gunboats commenced moving up the river and opened fire on our position. Having but one battery of field pieces, of six and twelve pounders, I did not return their fire. It was here that I expected the co-operation of the guns of the fort, but owing to some defect in the powder, they were scarcely able to throw a shell below the trenches, much less the fleet. About 2 o'clock, P. M., discovering that I was being flanked by a large body of cavalry and artillery, I thought it advisable to fall back under cover of the guns of the fort, to an inner line of intrenchments. The enemy advanced cautiously, and as they approached our lines were most signally repulsed. They made no further attempt that evening to charge our works, and I employed the balance of the time, till next morning, in strengthening my position and completing my intrenchments. Discovering that a body of the enemy had occupied some cabins in our old intrenchments. I ordered Col. R. I. Mills, with his regiment, to drive them from their position, which he did most successfully, capturing several prisoners. Just before dark Admiral Porter moved up with several of his ironclads to test the metal of our fort. Col. Dunnington, who commanded the fort, was ready in an instant to receive him. The fire opened, and the fight lasted nearly two hours, and finally the gunboats were compelled to fall back in a crippled condition. Our loss was slight; that of the enemy much heavier. During the night I received a telegraphic dispatch from you, ordering me "to hold out till help arrived or all dead," which order was communicated to the brigade commanders with instructions to see it carried out in spirit and letter. Next morning I made every disposition of my forces to meet the enemy in the desperate conflict which was soon to follow.
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Col. Deshler with his brigade, with the regiment of Col. Dawson attached, commanded by Lieut.-Col. Hutchinson, occupied the extreme left; Col. Garland with his brigade with his right resting on the fort, while Col. Dunnington commanded the river defenses. It was near 12 o'clock before the enemy got fully into position, when he commenced moving upon my lines simultaneously by land and water. Four ironclads opened upon the fort, which responded in gallant style. After a continuous fire of three hours they succeeded in silencing every gun except one small six-pounder Parrott gun, which was on the land side. Two boats passed up and opened a crossfire upon the fort and our lines. Still we maintained the struggle. Their attack by land was less successful. On the right they were repulsed twice in attempting to storm our works, and on the left were driven back with great slaughter in no less than eight different charges. To defend this entire line of rifle-pits, I had but one battery [p.638] of small field pieces, under command of Capt. Hart, to whom great credit is due for the successful manner in which they were handled, contending as they did with some fifty pieces in his front. The fort had now been silenced about an hour, most of the field pieces had been disabled, still the fire raged furiously along the entire line, and that gallant band of Texans and Arkansans having nothing now to rely on save their muskets and bayonets, still disdained to yield to the overpowering foe of 50,000 men, who were pressing upon them from almost every direction. Just at this moment, to my great surprise, several white flags were displayed in the Twenty-fourth Regiment, Texas Dismounted Cavalry, First Brigade, and before they could be suppressed the enemy took advantage of them, crowded upon my lines, and not being prevented by the brigade commander from crossing, as was his duty, I was forced to the humiliating necessity of surrendering the balance of my command.
My great hope was to keep them in check until night, and then if reinforcements did not reach me, cut my way out. No stigma should rest upon the troops. It was no fault of theirs. They fought with a desperation and courage yet unsurpassed in this war, and I hope and trust that the traitor will yet be discovered, brought to justice, and suffer the full penalty of the law. My thanks are due to Cols. Anderson and Gillispie for the prompt measures taken to prevent the raising of the white flag in their regiments. In the Second Brigade, commanded by the gallant Deshler, it was never displayed. I had ordered Col. E. E. Portlock, commanding at St. Charles, to hasten to my relief with what troops he could spare. Capt. Alf Johnston reached the post on Saturday night, and took part in the action on the 11th. Col. Portlock made at the head of 190 men of his regiment of infantry, the unprecedented march of forty miles in twenty-four hours–and succeeded in ntering our lines amidst a heavy fire from the enemy on his flanks. He was just on the eve of bringing his men into action when the surrender took place. In no battle of the war has the disparity of forces been so unequal. The enemies force was full 50,000, while ours did not exceed 3,000, and yet for two days did we signally repulse and hold in check that immense body of the enemy. My loss
will not exceed sixty killed and seventy-five or eighty wounded. The loss of the enemy was from 1,500 to 2,000 killed and wounded. To the members of my staff, Maj. J. K. P. Campbell, chief commissary; Dr. C. H. Smith, chief surgeon; Capt. B. S. Johnston, adjutant-general; Capt. B. F. Blackburn, inspector-general; Capt. J. J. Gaines, chief of artillery; Capt. J. M. Rose. ordnance officer; Capt. R. H. Fitzhugh, engineer corps; Capt. A. J. Little, signal corps; Lieut. A. H. Sevier, aide-de-camp; Capts. Farr and Smith, volunteer aides, and Mr. J. E. McGuire, my thanks are due for many valuable services rendered me upon the battlefield. As for individual acts of gallantry I will make more full mention hereafter. I herewith inclose for your conaideration the reports of Cols. Garland and Deshler; that of Col. Dunnington I have as yet been unable to obtain. I have the honor to be, General, very respectfully,
Your Obedient Servant,
T. J. CHURCHILL.
Brig-Gen. comd'g Lower Arkansas and White Rivers.
As there is a diversity of opinion concerning Gen. Churchill's conduct on the occasion of the surrender, it is important to state that Col. Deshler's report corroborates Gen. Churchill's. The correspondence here given shows the result of an investigation conducted by Lieut.-Gen. Holmes:
May 9, 1863.
Respectfully submitted to the President:
The strange circumstances causing the capture of Arkansas Post demand investigation. I recommend a court of inquiry, and that mean while, Cols. Garland and Wilkes, and, I incline to think, Gen, Churchill likewise, should be relieved from their present commands over the men surrendered.
J. A. SEDDON, Secretary of War.
Returned to secretary of war for consideration in connection with further information which he may have received.
J. DAVIS.
July 13, 1863.
File, to await such further information.
J. A. SEDDON, Secretary of War.
[Indorsement on copy forwarded through department headquarters.]
HEADQUARTERS ARKANSAS DEPARTMENT.
LITTLE ROCK, June 8, 1863.
It is impossible to imagine better conduct on the part of officers and men, and it is a matter of rejoicing with me that my hasty order was rendered nugatory before the brave Churchill was reduced to the ultima ratio, cutting his way through such immense odds. It never occurred to me when the order was issued that such an overpowering command would be devoted to an end so trivial.
Respectfully forwarded to the adjutant and inspector-general.
THOS. H. HOLMES, Lieutenant-General.
Col. Wilkes was the officer who first showed a white flag. The Federals land forces co-operated with about fifteen gunboats, besides about eighty transports; the gunboats were the De Kalb, Cincinnati, Louisville, Monarch, Clyde, Ratler, Lexington and Blackhawk.
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The courts convene as follows: County court, first Monday in January, April, July and October of each year; probate court, third Monday in January, April, July and October; common pleas, fourth Monday in January, April, July and October; [p.639] circuit court, second Monday in September and March.
The county is in the Eleventh judicial district and the Second congressional. John M. Elliott, of Pine Bluff, is the circuit judge.
In De Witt are five practicing attorneys, Hon. W. H. HalliBurton, James A. Gibson, E. L. Johnston, Robert P. Holt and John F. Park; at Stuttgart, Crockett & Wilcox, Morse & Hall and R. E. Puryear.
The first case tried in an Arkansas court of which any record was kept, is one known as The United States vs. Thomas Dickinson, January, 1820–indictment for rape determined before Andrew Scott, judge of the superior court held in Arkansas County. This was an indictment for rape committed on the person of Sally Hall, to which the defendant pleaded not guilty. There was a trial by jury, composed of Richmond Peeler, Charles Roberts, Manuel Roderigen, John Jordolas, Jacques Gocio, Stephen Vasseau, Nathas Vasseau, Michael Petterson, John Pertua, Manuel Pertua, Pierre Mitchell and Attica Nodall, who, after hearing the evidence and argument of counsel, retired to form their verdict, and returned the following: "We, the jury. find the defendant guilty of rape, in manner and form as charged in the indictment alleged." The counsel in defense moved an arrest of judgment for the following reasons:
1. It does not appear by the indictment that the same was found by the grand jurors of the United States. 2. No place is mentioned in the indictment where the offense was committed, nor is it mentioned in what year it was committed.
3. The assault and rape are not positively and directly charged in the indictment.
4. It is not stated to have been committed with force and arms.
5. It is not stated to have been feloniously committed. 6. It is not alleged in the indictment that Sally Hall
was in the peace of God and the United States, when the offense is alleged to have been committed.
Four other reasons were given, but the court overruled the motion, and said that some of the reasons urged in arrest of judgment were not sustained by the record; that others were not proper grounds in arrest of judgment, and that some had not been presented at the proper time, nor in the proper manner, if good at all.
The prisoner being asked if he had any reason why sentence should not be pronounced against him on the verdict of the jury, said, that he objected to any sentence because he was advised that the indictment did not properly charge any commission of felony. The court disregarded his objection, and sentenced him to suffer the penalty of the law in such cases made and provided, on February 15, 1820, between 10 o'clock A. M. and 3 o'clock P.M. of that day. A motion was made for a writ of error, coram nobis, but the motion was overruled. Joshua Norvell, prosecuting attorney for the United States; Jasin Chamberlain, Henry Cassidy, Alexander S. Walker and Perly Wallis for the prisoner. The sentence was not executed, the prisoner having been pardoned by James Miller, Governor of Arkansas Territory.
page 640
John Honey was commissioned judge of probate court, also judge of the several courts, and treasurer of the District of Arkansas in 1808. Benjamin Fooy was commissioned a justice of the peace, October 18, 1808; August 21, 1808, he was commissioned a judge of the courts of common pleas and quarter sessions. Joseph Stillwell on the same day was commissioned a judge of the court of common pleas and quarter sessions. August 23, 1808, Harold Stillwell was commissioned sheriff for the district of Arkansas. August 20, 1808, Francis Vaugine was commissioned presiding judge of the court of common pleas and quarter sessions. August 23, 1808, Andrew Fagot was commissioned a justice of the peace, notary public and coronor. December 17, 1808, Perly Wallis was commissioned deputy attorney general for the District of Arkansas, by John Scott, attorney general of the District of Arkansas. November 11, 1809, James B. Waterman was commissioned recorder of the District of Arkansas by Frederick Bates, acting governor of the Territory of Louisiana, also clerk of the common pleas and quarter sessions. Waterman was also commissioned judge of probate and to administer the oaths of office. September 27, 1810, Benjamin Howard commissioned Patrick Cassidy recorder, judge of probate, clerk of court of common pleas and to administer the oath of office. November 13, 1809, John St. Clair was commissioned justice of the peace, by Fred. Bates. July 23, 1811, by Benjamin Howard, Gov. Samuel Treat appointed justice of the peace. July 23, 1811, Samuel Moseby, Henry Cassidy and James Scull were appointed judges of the courts of common pleas and quarter sessions; and the same day James Scull was appointed captain of the Arkansas Battalion. July 25, Curtis Milbourn was appointed coroner, by Benjamin Howard.
January 4, 1814, William Clark, Governor of the Territory of Missouri, appointed Francois De Vaugine and Samuel Moseby judges of the courts of common pleas and quarter sessions, and January 5, 1814, Joseph Stillwell received a like appointment. January 4, 1814, Daniel Mooney was appointed sheriff by the same man. July 15, 1814, John Dodge was acting as clerk and ex-officio recorder.
The following are copies of several important historical records taken from the old Territorial books:
TERRITORY OF LOUISIANA, ttt ss.
DISTRICT OF ARKANSAS,
In the judge of probate's office, Monday, the twelfth day of December, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and eight.
It being the day appointed by my notice, set up in my office in pursuance of the provisions of a law passed by the legislature of this Territory, entitled an act directing the probate of wills and the descent of intestates, real estates and the distribution of their personal estates, and for other purposes therein mentioned.
I, John W. Honey, judge of probate for the District of Arkansas, attending in my office in the town of Arkansas, in pursuance of the above-mentioned notice for the purpose of attending to all such business which might be brought before me as judge of probate aforesaid. No business appearing to-day, I adjourn until to-morrow morning, 10 o'clock. JOHN W. HONEY.
Tuesday, December 13, 1808.
Having adjourned to this day with an expectation of business, but no business appearing, I adjourn sine die.
JOHN W. HONEY, J. P., D. A.
TERRITORY OF LOUISIANA, ttt ss.
DISTRICT OF ARKANSAS.
The sixth day of June, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and eleven.
I, Andre Fagot, Esquire, a justice of the peace for the District of Arkansas, do hereby certify, that there personally appeared before me Elisha Welborn and Anne Fraser, who were by me lawfully joined together in the holy bonds of matrimony, agreeable to the provisions of the laws of this Territory in such cases made and provided.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal on the date above written.
ANDRE FAGOT.
JOHN WEBSTER, ttt Test.
DAN FRASER,
SIMEON JENNINGS,
JACOB STANLEY.
Received the above certificate on the 6th, and recorded on the 16th of June, 1811..
P. CASSIDY, Clk.
On the same day, by the same man, were married Louis Bogy and Frances, widow of James B. Waterman. June 19 Andre Fagot married Martin Huckington and Elizabeth Trimble. June 19, same man, David Huckington and Sarah Farril. July 1, 1811, William Findley and Polly Gray, married by Francoie Vaugine. July 12, 1811, Nathaniel Bassett and Trisshena Speak married. July 14, 1811, William Dunn and E. Hampton; also John Ashey and Massey Keene. September 8, 1811, John Hendry and Lovina Armstead married. Then dating from April 13, 1812, to March 3, 1814, twelve more couples.
Peter Lefever was the first man to take advantage of the law concerning insolvent debtors, and to place his property in the hands of the sheriff, to be sold for the benefit of his creditors, on March 1, 1810.
Commission, John Honey, recorder No. 1, Merriwether Lewis, Governor and commander-in-chief of the Territory of Louisiana, to all who shall see these presents greeting: Know ye that reposing special trust and confidence in the integrity, abilities and diligence of John Honey, Esquire, I do appoint him recorder of the District of Arkansas and empower him to discharge the duties of said office according to law; to have and to hold the said office with all the powers, privileges and emoluments to the same of right appertaining during the pleasure of the Governor of the Territory for the time being.
In testimony whereof, I have caused the seal of the Territory to be hereunto affixed. Given under my hand at St. Louis, the twenty-third (23) day of August in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and eight and of the Independence of the United States, the thirty-third.
(Signed.)
MERRIWETHER LEWIS,
Governor of Louisiana.
[SEAL.]
(Signed.)
FREDERICK BATES,
Secretary of the State of Louisiana.
page 641
On the back of said commission is the following certificate:
TERRITORY OF LOUISIANA, SS.
Personally appeared before me the subscriber duly commissioned to administer oaths of office, either District or Territorial, John Honey, who took the oath to support the Constitution of the United States, also an oath to faithfully discharge all duties required of him as recorder of the District of Arkansas. Given under my hand, this 9th day of October, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and eight.
(Signed)
BERN PRATTE.
Received the above commission for record the 9th day of October, one thousand eight hundred and eight, and recorded the same November 22, A. D., one thousand eight hundred and eight. In the thirty-third year of the Independence of the United States.
JOHN W. HONEY, Recorder.
Other commissions are all the same style and wording.
This indenture, made this fifth day of June, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and four, between Catharine Pertuis, widow of Anthony Pinau, of the Post of Arkansaw, of the one part, and Maj. Thomas Napier, of the State of Georgia, of the other part, witnesseth, that the said Catharine Pertuis, for and in consideration of the just and full sum of $110, good and lawful money, to her in hand paid, at or before the sealing and delivery of these presents, the receipt whereof is hereby acknowledged, hath granted, bargained and sold, and by these presents doth grant, bargain and sell unto the said Maj. Thomas Napier, a certain tract or parcel of land, situate, lying and being a little above the mouth of the River St. Francis, adjoining lands of Sylvanus Phillips and Joseph Stillwell, containing 640 acres, to the only proper use, benefit and behoof of the said Maj. Thomas Napier, his heirs and assigns forever, and the said Catharine Pertuis, doth hereby warrant and forever defend the above-described tract of land against all persons claiming the same or any part thereof.
In witness whereof the said Catharine Pertuis hath hereunto set her hand and seal the day and year above written.
In presence of CATHARINEX PERTUIS, [SEAL.]
WILLIAM CHISOLM,
VD. ANTONIE PINAU,
ANDRE FAGOT. Marque.
A true copy. Acknowledged before me on
JAMES B. MANY. the 5th June, 1804.
JAMES B. MANY.
In the Constitutional Convention of 1836, Arkansas County was represented by Bushrod W. Lee, and Arkansas and Jefferson Counties by T. Farrelly. The one of 1861, by James L. Totten; of 1868, by John McClure and J. H. Hutchinson; of 1874, by J. A. Gibson.
page 642
The first Territorial legislature, composed of the Governor and supreme judges, was held at the Post of Arkansas from July 28 to August 3, 1819. Speaker, Charles Jonitte; clerk, George W. Scott; Robert Crittenden, acting Governor; Charles Jonitte, Robert Letcher and Andrew Scott, judges of supreme court. A special Territorial legislature was held at Arkansas Post February 7 to February 24, 1820. This session was convened by the Territorial Governor under the law which passed the Congress of the United States March 2, 1819, forming Arkansas Territory, which is properly the first real Territorial Assembly of Arkansas. A special session of the General Assembly of Arkansas was held at the Post of Arkansas October 2 to October 25, 1820. Arkansas County was represented by Sylvanus Phillips in the council, and W. B. R. Horner and W. O. Allen in the lower house. The session from October 1 to October 24, 1821, Neil McLane, council; October 6 to October 31, 1823, council, Andrew Latting; representative, Terrance Farrelly; October 3 to November 3, 1825, council, B. Harrington; representative, William Montgomery. Fifth legislature: Terrance Farrelly, in council; representative, W. Montgomery. Sixth Territorial legislature: Council, Terrance Farrelly; representative, William Montgomery. Seventh: Council, Terrance Farrelly; representative, Harold Stillwell. Eighth: Council, Terrance Farrelly; representative, Harold Stillwell. Ninth: The journals of this legislature are not to be found. First State legislature: Senate, S. C. Roane; representatives, James Maxwell and James Smith. Second: Senate, J. Smith; representatives, S. V. R. Ryan, J. Maxwell. Third: Senate, J. Smith; representative, B. L. Haller. Fourth: Senate, J. Yell; representative, Richmond Peeler. Fifth: Senate, J. Yell; representative, Harris Cross. Sixth: Senate, R. C. Byrd; representative, Harris Cross. Seventh: Senate, R. C. Byrd; representative, Lewis Redfeld. Eighth: Senate, N. B. Burrow; representative, A. H. Ferguson. Ninth: Senate, N. B. Burrow; representative, A. H. Ferguson. Tenth: A. H. Ferguson, Senate; representative, [p.642] Samuel Mitchell. Eleventh: Senate, A. H. Ferguson; representative, Samuel Mitchell. Twelfth: Senate, Thomas Fletcher; representative, Samuel
Mitchell. Thirteenth; Thomas Fletcher, president of Senate; representative, John T. Gibson. Fourteenth: Senate, Thomas Fletcher, who became acting Governor; representative, S. R. Richardson. Fifteenth: Senate, J. C. Mills; representative, G. C. Cressen. Special Confederate legislature: Senate, Thomas Fletcher, president of Senate; representative not given. Sixteenth: Senate, W. M. Galloway; representative, E. G. Abbott. Seventeenth: Senate, A. Hemmingway; representatives, W. S. McCoullough and T. M. Gibson. Eighteenth: Senate, A. Hemmingway; representatives, Arkansas and Prairie Counties, by E. R. Wiley, George H. Joslyn, B. C. Morgan, A. O. Epsy. Nineteenth: Senate, P. C. Dooley;
representatives, Arkansas, Prairie and Lincoln, by M. M. Erwin, J. E. Preston, J. P. Eagle, D. J. Hinds. Twentieth: Senate, William Black; representative, R. C. Chaney. Twenty-first: Senate, A. H. Ferguson; representative, Robert C. Chaney. Twenty-second: Senate, A. H. Ferguson; representative, C. B. Brinkley. Twenty-third: Senate, Lecil Bobo; representative, R. C. Chaney. Twenty-fourth: Senate, Lecil Bobo; representative, A. D. Mathews. Twenty-fifth: Senate, Robert H. Crockett; representative, W. H. HalliBurton. Twenty-sixth: Senate, Thirteenth District, R. H. Crockett; representative, W. H. HalliBurton.
The following were the officers of Arkansas County from 1819 to 1890:
Footnote:
There was no county judge up to this time. The office was filled by a board of three commissioners.
page 643
From 1819 to 1821, Eli I. Lewis, clerk; Henry Scull, sheriff; O. H. Thomas, coroner. From 1821 to 1823, Eli I. Lewis, clerk; Henry Scull, sheriff; T. Farrelly, coroner. From 1823 to 1825, Eli I. Lewis, clerk; James Hamilton, sheriff; Lewis Bogy, coroner. From 1825 to 1827, Eli I. Lewis, clerk; A. B. K. Thetford, sheriff; Lewis Bogy, coroner. From 1827 to 1829, Eli I. Lewis, clerk; A. B. K. Thetford, sheriff. From 1829 to 1830, A. B. K. Thetford, sheriff; Robert Fultony, coroner. From 1830 to 1832, T. Farrelly,* judge; Hewes Scull, clerk; A. B. K. Thetford, sheriff. William Rainey, coroner; James Maxwell, surveyor. From 1832 to 1833, Hewes Scull, clerk; A. B. K. Thetford, sheriff; William Rainey, coroner; James Maxwell, surveyor. From 1833 to 1835, James H. Lucas, judge; John Maxwell, clerk; A. B. K. Thetford, sheriff; W. B. Summers, coroner; James Maxwell, surveyor. From 1835 to 1836. Benjamin L. Haller, judge; John Maxwell, clerk; William Price, sheriff; W. B. Summers, coroner; James Maxwell, surveyor. From 1836 to 1838, Benjamin L. Haller, judge; D. G. W. Leavitt, clerk; Henry McKenzie, sheriff; John Taylor, treasurer; W. B. Summers, coroner; Lewis Dixon, surveyor. From 1838 to 1840, Benjamin L. Haller, judge; George W. Stokes, clerk; John W. Pullen, sheriff; John Taylor, treasurer; Hugh C. Henton, coroner; John M. Shultz, surveyor. From 1840 to 1842, David Maxwell, judge; George W. Stokes, clerk; John L. Jones, sheriff; John Taylor, treasurer; R. D. Armstrong, coroner; John M. Shultz, surveyor. From
1842 to 1844, Benjamin L. Haller, judge; G. W. S. Cross, clerk; John L. Jones, sheriff; John Taylor, treasurer; John C. Walton, coroner; John M. Shultz, surveyor. From 1844 to 1846, John M. Shultz, judge; G. W. S. Cross, clerk; John L. Jones, sheriff; Lewis Redfield, treasurer; John M. Shultz, surveyor. From 1846 to 1848. T. HalliBurton, judge; G. W. S. Cross, clerk; John L. Jones, sheriff; Lewis Redfield, treasurer; Charles C. Young, coroner; Thomas HalliBurton, surveyor. From 1848 to 1850, John T. Hamilton, judge; G. W. S. Cross, clerk; John L. Jones, sheriff; B. L. Haller, treasurer. Lot L. Haines, coroner; Adam McCool, surveyor. From 1850 to 1852, John T. Hamilton, judge; W. H. HalliBurton, clerk; John L. Jones, sheriff; B. L. Haller, treasurer; John Larkey, coroner; Thomas HalliBurton, surveyor. From 1852 to 1854, T. T. Morrison, judge; William Redfield, clerk; J. T. Hamilton, sheriff; B. L. Haller, treasurer; Edward Syncoe, coroner; Adam McCool, surveyor. From 1854 to 1856, T. T. Morrison, judge; Zera S. Altom, clerk; P. S. Cross, sheriff; B. L. Haller, treasurer; J. E. McGraws, coroner; James Kirk-patrick, surveyor. From 1856 to 1858, T. T. Morrison, judge; J. G. Quertermous, clerk; G. W. S. Cross, sheriff; John W. Lowe, treasurer; Jeremiah Haines, coroner; Melton D. Norton, surveyor. From 1858 to 1860, T. T. Morrison, judge; John P. Taylor, clerk; Joseph H. Maxwell, sheriff; John W. Lowe, treasurer; H. McGaughey, coroner; J. T. Clark, surveyor. From 1860 to 1862, Felix G. Allen, judge; Joseph H. Maxwell, clerk; H. K. Stephens, sheriff; John W. Lowe, treasurer; John P. Taylor, coroner; James S. Cowan, surveyor. From 1862 to 1864, A. H. Almond, judge; Joseph H. Maxwell, clerk; D. S. Morris, sheriff; H. G. Ramsour, treasurer; J. D. Strother, coroner; A. H. Stillwell, surveyor; A. J. Almond, assessor. From 1864 to 1866, R. K. Gamble, judge; Joseph H. Maxwell, clerk; R. C. Martin, sheriff; P. G. Tyler, treasurer; M. Kennedy, coroner; W. Quartermouse, surveyor; Ward Davis, assessor. From 1866 to 1868, A. H. Almond, judge; W. F. Gibson, clerk; R. C. Martin, sheriff; P. G. Tyler, treasurer; J. W. McKenen, coroner; A. G. Withers, surveyor; J. M. Price, assessor. From 1868 to 1870, B. C. Hubbard, judge; E. R. Wiley, clerk; Joseph H. Maxwell, sheriff; Michael Holt, treasurer; I. F. Chesher, coroner; William R. Lear, surveyor; J. P. Hubbard, assessor. From 1870 to 1872, Alex C. Wiley, clerk; Joseph H. Maxwell, sheriff; Michael Holt, treasurer; E. P. G. Tackett, surveyor; J. W. Johnson, assessor. From 1872 to 1874, E. P. G. Tackett, clerk; E. R. Wiley, sheriff; Samuel McCarthy, treasurer; L. S. Fields, coroner; J. Webster, surveyor; J. W. Johnson, assessor. From 1874 to 1876, Richard Gamble, judge; B. F. Quertermons, clerk; William Stillwell, sheriff; A. B. Crawford, treasurer; Dixon Adams, coroner; E. J. Connelly, surveyor; Jesse Bass, assessor. Form 1876 to 1878, R. K. Gambl e, judge; B. F. Quertermous, clerk; William Stillwell, sheriff; A. B. Crawford, treasurer; John F. Brice, coroner; E. J. Connelly, surveyor; Charles L. Jansen, assessor. From 1878 to 1880, A. S. Hinson, judge; A. D. Matthews, clerk; B. N. Word, sheriff; Charles A. Johnson, treasurer; James Henderson, coroner; E. P. G. Tackett, surveyor; Charles L. Jansen, assessor. From 1880 to 1882, James H. Merritt, judge; J. J. McEvoy, clerk; B. N. Word, sheriff; Robert Scanland, treasurer; James Wolf, coroner; C. F. Moore, surveyor; Charles L. Jansen, assessor. From 1882 to 1884, James H. Merritt, judge; J. J. McEvoy, clerk; L. C. Smith, sheriff; Robert Scanland, treasurer; J. H. Freeman, coroner; C. F. Moore, surveyor; John H. Bell, assessor. From 1884 to 1886, James H. Merritt, judge; Ben N. Word, clerk; L. C. Smith, sheriff; Robert Scanland, treasurer; L. J. Haywood, coroner; C. F. Moore, surveyor; C. L. Jansen, assessor. From 1886 to 1888, James H. Merritt, judge; Ben N. Word, clerk; L. C. Smith, sheriff; J. P. Poynter, treasurer; W. R. Hagler, surveyor; J. G. Johnson, assessor. From 1888 to 1890, James H. Merritt, judge; A. D. Matthews, clerk; Phin M. Black, sheriff; J. P. Poynter, treasurer; J. B. Rosevelt, surveyor; J. G. Johnson, assessor. [p.643]
AUGUSTA, WOODRUFF COUNTY, ARKANSAS.
page 645
In 1881, in riding over the prairie, the observer would have little thought that, during the past year (1889) there could have arisen such a city as now graces Grand Prairie–Stuttgart. At that time neither signs nor indications of a town were in sight, the postoffice being located a mile north of the town site. But late in the fall of that year a corps of surveyors passed over this territory, driving stakes. In May of 1882, they came back and located the road; the postoffice had been removed to the house of I. N. Harper, who had planned to build a town on his farm. His scheme took practical shape, however, and early in 1882 the town was platted and named. Its growth for a few years was slow; at the end of the first year one small store building comprised the city. The pioneer merchant and owner of this store was a Mr. Bort-field. The growth up to 1866 was steady, the population at that time being about 300 people. In three years it has grown till now it will number 1,200 souls, and is the metropolis of Grand Prairie, lying at the junction of he Kansas City & New Orleans and the Grand Prairie Railroads, both now in rapid progress of construction.
The citizens of the town are from Iows, Missouri, Illinois and Michigan; also many native Southern folk. There are not a dozen negro families to be found in the city limits, a certain tract [p.646] being set apart for their occupancy in the outskirts. Five churches hold regular service; the Methodist, Christian, Baptist, Mennonites and German Lutheran; two more buildings are now being erected. A good graded public school, with a principal and three assistants, trains the rising generation; and in the south part of the town is a spacious college building which was opened October 1, 1889, and under the able management of Prof. Jones is rapidly gaining an enviable reputation, and the patronage it receives speaks of great success. A bank has recently been opened under the management of T. H. Leslie. Two other large brick blocks are rapidly nearing completion, and the town is surely taking on an air of solidity. The brick and tile factory can scarcely supply the demand, although its capacity is nearly 2,000,000 brick yearly. A large saw-mill and three lumber-yards furnish all that is desirable in the way of building material to the town, and to the farmers who are rapidly settling upon the prairies adjoining. Every department of the mercantile business is represented by stocks ranging from $600 to $20,000. A Building & Loan Association has been organized. A Masonic Lodge, A. F. & A. M.; also the Odd Fellows; three hotels, livery stables, etc. The residences are new and tastefully arranged, being mostly cottages. The people are social and courteous, and intelligent. Last year over 375 carloads of hay were shipped from here, besides 2,500 bales of cotton and a few loads of fat cattle and hogs. Memphis, Cairo and Pine Bluff are the principal objective shipping points.
De Witt, the county seat, is the second town of importance in the county; is located near the center of the county. Charles W. Belnap, Leroy Montgomery and Dr. John M. Moreman were elected commissioners to locate the county seat. In 1853 W. H. HalliBurton, acting as their agent, bought the land. The following year the town was laid off, and in September, 1855, a log court house was finished and the records removed from Arkansas Post to the new town, which has been christened De Witt. A little incident in regard to the naming of this town is given: The commissioners being unable to agree on a name played a game of "seven up" to decide on whom the honor of selecting a name should fall. Leroy Montgomery won, and to him belongs the honor, as he gave the name for De Witt Clinton, of New York.
This was the first court house ever erected in the county; probate and county court were held in the new house in October of 1855.
The November term of circuit court was adjourned till the next regular term on account of insufficient accommodations and inclement weather. During the war several buildings were burned and the town was almost deserted. The present population is about 200. Its business is represented by three general merchandise stores, one grocery and one drug store. There are two church buildings belonging to the Methodists and Baptists,
The present court house was built in 1862, at a cost of $14,000; clerk's and sheriff's offices and jury rooms on the ground floor, with the court room above.
The public school building is a pleasantly located three-room building, in a modern style of architecture. Under the control of Prof. Crawford, it is one of the best schools in the State, has a high school department and many students outside of the regular district attend.
St. Charles, the main town and shipping point for the eastern part of the county, is pleasantly located on a bluff overlooking White River, and is the second town, from a commercial standpoint; it shipped 3,500 bales of cotton last year.
page 647
Arkansas Post is a little village standing on the north bank of the Arkansas River. The passing of a steamboat, now and then, breaks the monotony of the daily happenings, and the casual observer can see naught to remind him that at one time three-fourths of all the people in the Arkansas River Valley were living in and about that spot; that it has been the capital city of the Territory of Arkansas; that it was settled three years are Philadelphia was founded; that for fifty years it was the county seat of Arkansas County; that the armies of the great Rebellion contended fiercely for its possession, and the boom of the cannon has echoed and reverberated about her. Yet such is the case; from a thriving capital to a prosperous town is not so [p.647] great a step, but from a town to a tumbled-down, deserted village only demonstrates the remorseless march of time. Arkansas Post is to-day but a small shipping point on the Arkansas River.
As this county has advanced with her sister counties in material welfare, so have the morals of her people been as well cared for by the different church organizations. The Methodists and Baptists are the strongest in number as well as the oldest, although the Christians and Presbyterians have many members.
Good church buildings dot the landscape all over the county, and in the towns and villages the spires mark the places of worship, as the deeptoned bells sound the hour.
There are between thirty-five and forty church buildings in the county, valued at about $20,000. Sunday-schools are held in many of them each Sabbath morning.
It is proof of the efficacy of the church teaching that here are to be found many of that truer, higher type of Christian people, with malice toward none and charity for all.
So strong is the love for law and good citizens, and for fear that the smallest possible incentive for crime might exist, the saloons were banished several years ago, and the scenes and incidents accompanying the rum traffic were also banished with the saloons.
White River on the east of the county, with a frontage of over forty miles on a direct line, affords excellent shipping opportunities for that part of the county. St. Charles, Crockett's Bluff, Mount Adams and Casco are all on this river, and from them most of the surplus is shipped, and supplies landed.
On the Arkansas River, Arkansas Post is the shipping point for the southern part of the county. Bayou Meto River is navigable in times of high water.
Of railroads, the St. Louis, Arkansas & Texas is, for about sixteen miles in the county, running northeast and southwest across the northwestern corner. The towns it touches are Stuttgart, Goldman and Payer, and at Stuttgart, the Kansas & New Orleans crosses the St. Louis, Arkansas & Texas Railroad, and extends almost the entire length of the county. The Grand Prairie, connecting with the other two roads, now being constructed, extends from Stuttgart to Arkansas Post.
The public highways are kept up in good shape, and traverse the county in every direction.
Arkansas County boasts of the honor of publishing the first newspaper ever published in the State, for in 1819 the Arkansas Gazette made her first issue from Arkansas Post, and its publication was continued there till 1820, when it was taken to Little Rock. From that time until 1862, when the Chronicle came out, there was no paper published in the county; then the Elector in 1868, and in 1871 two papers at De Witt, the Sentinel and the De Witt Democrat.
In 1873 the Enterprise echoed the voice of the populace. Following that Col. Crockett published the Gleaner. About the same time the Arkansas County Democrat had a brief life. Then came the Arkansas Post, and in 1884 J. P. Poynter began to publish the De Witt Gazette, which enterprise he has made a success, and the paper is now recognized as the official organ of the Democratic party of the county. The Grand Prairie Journal, a newsy little paper, published by Clint. L. Price, at Stuttgart, is devoted to the interests of the town and the adjacent country.
There are twelve municipal townships in the county: LaGrue, Prairie, Keaton, Crockett, Point De Luce, Morris, Stanley, Mill Bayon, McFall, Bayou Meto, Chester and Arkansas.
The postoffices are located as follows; in LaGrue Township, De Witt (the county seat); Prairie Township, two, St. Charles and Ethel; Keaton Township, five, Bermuda, Mt. Adams, Cassco, Violet and Sassafras; Point De Luce, one, De Luce; Morris, two, Goldman and Hynum; Mill Bayou, Long Point, Prairieville and Olena; McFall, one, Stuttgart; Bayou Meto, two, Bayou Meto and Hagler; Chester, two, Tichnor and Booty; Arkansas, two, Stanley and Arkansas Post.
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Of the whole surface of the county there is but very little waste land, and all is susceptible of cultivation, barring part of the two townships in the southeastern corner of the county, and they are as [p.648] fine land, and would be just as valuable as any along the Arkansas River, were they not subject to overflow. About one-half the surface of the whole county is covered with a growth of fine, hard timber, consisting of white burr, black, red, pin, water, post, spanish and cow oaks; chincapin oak; white and black hickory; pecan, cypress, cottonwood, elm, sweet and black gum, soft maple, hackberry, sycamore, basswood, ash, some few beech and poplar and wild cherry. The value of these timber lands, as the railroads open up easy
transportation, is hard to overestimate, and the lumber interests of the county are as yet practically undeveloped. Yet there are several large lumber plants located here, beeides which several companies have been organized, and own large tracts of land.
The other half of the county is covered with prairie grass, that grows higher than the stock that feeds upon it. Now where does the raising of stock pay larger returns for the money invested than those on the prairies of Arkansas County? The winters are mild; the numerous glades and bayous furnish an abundance of water; a few weeks' work will put up hay enough to carry them over the winter months; stock is seldom fed over two or three months. Many of the best farmers are devoting their time solely to raising mules, horses, cattle and sheep. The lands along the Arkansas River, Bayou Meto and parts of White River is the cotton growing district, which produces from one to one and a-half bales per acre; corn from forty to sixty bushels; oats about the same; millet, clover and cultivated grasses make good crops. Out on the uplands and prairie not so much attention is given to cotton, yet even there it is a good crop, yielding from one-half to three-quarters of a bale per acre; corn on the prairie, from fifteen to forty bushels, greatly owing to the manner in which it is cultivated; oats make from forty to sixty bushels; millet, two to three tons per acre. All over the county apples, peaches, pears, plums, figs, quinces, strawberries, raspberries, gooseberries and grapes find their native home. Every, and all varieties of vegetable and garden stuffs grow to perfection, and melons are unsurpassed by any climate in the world.
Of the wild fruits and shrubs the red and black haw, hazel, elder, shumac, both black and white, wild plums of different varieties, blackberries, dewberries, strawberries, growing on the prairies; winter huckleberries, wild grapes of different kinds; the Muscadine, a large grape, growing singly, or in clusters of from three to four, having a thick skin, very palatabled when cooked, and three varieties of summer grapes, somewhat smaller than the Concord, and then the winter grapes that ripen after the frost. The cutting and shipping of the prairie hay is one of the leading industries of the citizens adjacent to the railroads and the river shipping points. This is one of the few counties of the State in which the improving of the native stock has been attempted, by crossing upon thoroughbred sires. The results have been truly gratifying and are plainly seen in the improved grade of their stock.
Of the navigable streams, the Arkansas River is the largest, and flows along the southern boundary line, while along the whole eastern border is White River. Emptying into White River about eleven miles north of the southern boundary line is Big LaGrue, which has its source in Prairie County, and crosses the northern line of Arkansas County a little east of the center. Little La Grue, a tributary of the larger stream of the same name, rises about five miles northeast of Stuttgart, has a general southeast direction, flows thirty miles through the county.
Mill Bayou rises about twelve miles southeast of Stuttgart, having a general course of southeast and empties into Bayou Meto, twenty miles from its source.
The largest and most important stream that has its course within the county is Bayou Meto, which comes in from the west near the north line, where for about twenty miles it is wholly inside, and from that on is the line between this and Jefferson Counties. The streams are all bordered by a magnificent growth of hardwood timber.
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The summary of the county examiner's report, 1888, for the schools of Arkansas County is as follows: White children, 2,703; colored, 1,456; total, 4,159. Enrollment, white, 717; colored, 281; total, [p.649] 998. Number of districts, 45; number of districts reporting enrollment, 18; number of districts voting tax, 8; number of teachers employed, 45; number of school-houses, no report; value of schoolhouses, no report; number of institutes held, 1; number of teachers attending, 8.
The institute at DeWitt, only in point of numbers, however, was a failure. There were eight teachers and three directors present. The cause of such a small attendance appears to have been the usual one in such cases, indifference upon the part of the county examiner. Information is that the county examiner of Arkansas County had failed to notify his directors as to the time and place of holding the institute, before my arrival there. The press of De Witt knew nothing of the matter, and, of course, did not notify the public in time.
Statement of number and salaries of teachers, year ending June 30, 1888. Number employed: males, 30; females, 15; total, 45. Average monthly salaries: Grade number 1, males, $45.00, females, $35.00; grade number 2, males, $30.00, females, $27.50; grade number 3, males, $25.00, females, $20.00.
Statement of revenue raised for the support of common schools, as shown by the report of the county treasurer, year ending June 30, 1888: Amount on hand July 1, 1887, $4,457.87; common school fund, $3, 165.65; district tax, $7,198.32; poll tax, $2,085.04; total, $16,606.88.
Revenues expended for support of common schools, and the balance on hand, year ending June 30, 1888; Teachers' salaries, $5,831.30; purchase of houses or sites, $340.60; buildings and repairing, $1,112.96; purchasing apparatus, $157.85; total, $7,442.71; total amounts unexpended, $9,464.17.
Besides this, there is as much, if not more, money spent for subscription schools, for in many districts private schools are continued more months of the year than are the public schools. One private enterprise, a college, located in the southern part of Stuttgart, is under the direction and control of Prof. Jones, assisted by an able corps of teachers; he building is large and commodious, and was opened for the first time in October, 1889.
Jacob Alexander, book-keeper in the large drygoods establishment of J. J. Woolfolk, of St. Charles, is a native of the Key Stone State, and a son of Jacob and Margaret (Moon) Alexander, both of whom came originally from the Emerald Isle to this country when young. They were married in Pennsylvania, and engaged in farming in Lancaster County until 1840, then removing to Ohio, which was their place of residence three years; later they went to Indiana. In 1857 Jacob Alexander came to Arkansas. In 1860, going to Independence, Missouri, he remained until the war broke out, when he joined the Federal army, being employed as scout throughout the war. He was born in 1837, and while in Indiana was apprenticed to a carpenter, and learned the trade. After the war he worked at his trade in Memphis, Tenn., until 1867, at that time coming to Arkansas and embarked in farming. In 1871 Mr. Alexander located at St. Charles, and was employed as clerk by the Farmers' Supply Company one year, afterward entering the employ of Mr. Woolfolk, where he is still engaged. He married Miss Mary Gunnell, a native of Mississippi. They are the parents of seven children, two of whom are living: Leona and Belle. Mrs. Alexander is a member of the Baptist Church. Mr. Alexander is a member of the Masonic order, and is the present Master of the lodge. He is a Republican in politics, and was nominated for sheriff in the last campaign. He has had a
notary public's commission for seven or eight years, and is the owner of some property, besides which he has an interest in the store where he is employed.
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Alwain M. Almond, one of the oldest settlers of Arkansas County, is a native of Tennessee, in which State he remained until twenty-eight years of age. He was married there to Martha Murphey, of Mississippi birth, and in 1857 came to Arkansas, locating in this county, where he rented land until the war. Mrs. Almond died in 1888, at the age of fifty-six years, having been the mother of eleven children, seven of whom survive: James, Sallie, William, Mollie, Mattie, Lou and Thomas. Mr. Almond's second wife was Mrs. Sallie Martin (nee Hewett), a daughter of Caleb Hewett, who [p.650] came to Arkansas
in 1851. They are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church (as was also the first wife), in which he is one of the stewards. He has a fine farm, with 100 acres under cultivation. Mr. Almond was born in Franklin County, Tenn., in 1819, as a son of James and Jane (Martin) Almond, natives of North Carolina and Tennessee, respectively. James Almond moved to Tennessee when about seventeen years of age with his mother, his father having died when he was young, and engaged in farming in Franklin County. There he remained until 1845, when he removed his family to Mississippi, and six years later to Arkansas, settling on the same section of land which the principal of this sketch occupies, and where he died in January, 1857, at the age of sixty years. His wife died in 1887, when eighty-seven years old. They were members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and were the parents of ten children, three of whom are living: John, Jonathan and Alwain M., our subject.
Jonathan N. Almond owes his nativity to Mississippi, where he passed his youth and early manhood up to the age of twenty-two years. Coming thence to Arkansas, he has since made this State his home, with the exception of two years spent in Texas, in 1838 and 1865. He bought his present place in 1853, but was not married until 1861, when he was united in the bonds of matrimony with Martha A. Burnett, a native of Arkansas, and daughter of Lemuel F. Burnett, of Pennsylvania origin. Mr. Almond was born in Franklin County, Miss., in 1881, the son of James and Jane (Martin) Almond, natives of North Carolina. They moved to Tennessee in their younger days, and in 1853 to Arkansas, locating in this county, where the father was engaged in his occupation as tanner until his death, in 1857, at the age of sixty years. His wife
was born June 11, 1799, and died in December, 1887. They were members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and were the parents of ten children. Six of the sons served in the Confederate army, and only two of them came out alive. Mr. And Mrs. Almond have a family of five children. He owns a fine farm of about 100 acres, under cultivation, on which he lives and also has other land throughout the county, all made by hard work since coming to this county. He is a Democrat in politics and a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, as is his wife.
P. M. Black, the well-known and faithful sheriff of Arkansas County, came originally from Peoria County, Ill., being a son of Thomas and Isabella (Brunson) Black. Thomas Black was born in ennsylvania, and is a distant relative of John C. Black, of the United States Pension Office. He was a son of Michael Black, also of that State, and of German descent. Moving to Illinois when Thomas was a boy he located eighteen miles north of Peoria, where he owned a large farm and where he died at an old age. Thomas Black was the youngest of seven children, four still living. He remained in Illinois until 1864, when he went to Iowa and engaged in farming in Dallas County, then becoming occupied in the real estate business at Des Moines, Polk County, for five years. On May 15, 1874, he came to this county and still makes his home here. His wife died in 1881, at the age of fifty years, and had borne ten children, six of whom survive. Phiness M. Black was born January 7, 1855, was married in 1876 to Miss Carrie Stillwell, a native of this county, and a daughter of Asher and Carolina (Maxwell) Stillwell. Mr. Black started in business after his marriage with nothing but determination and a strong will-power to rely on, but has been prosperous in all of his undertakings. He was elected sheriff in 1888 and still holds the
position, serving in an acceptable manner. He is also engaged in stock raising. Mr. and Mrs. Black are the parents of two children: Hattie O. and Lester A. Mr. Black is a member of the I. O. O. F. and is a stanch Democrat.
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Rev. George Adam Buerkle and family, of Stuttgart, Ark., trace their ancestry back to the year 1372 to the Earl of Buerkle, whose coat-of-arms is still on exhibition. Rev. G. Adam Buerkle, was born in Plattenhardt, Germany, January 25, 1825, and he was there married to Barbara Roth, who was born at the same place on May 23, 1823, and by her became the father of the following family: Carolina M. (born March 25, 1848, in Plattenhardt, married to Rev. S. Poppin), Maria [p.651] R. (born in Ann Arbor, Mich., July 14, 1858, and is the wife of Rev. F. Jelden), Eliza B. (also born in Ann Arbor, July 4, 1854, and is the wife of Rev. J. M. Johanssen), Christina (also was born in Ann Arbor, December, 20, 1856),
Emanuel L. (born in Lansing, Mich., November 16, 1859), Adam F. (was born in Lansing, May 20, 1861), Carl W. and M. Luther (twins, born in Lansing February 14, 1863), Paul J. and M. Panlina (twins, born in Lansing March 17, 1865), Herman A. (born in Lansing March 31, 1867), and A. B. Clara (born in Woodville, Ohio, August 6, 1869). M. Paulina is the wife of Robert Harper. Rev. G. Adam Buerkle was educated at Esslingen, Wurtemberg, Germany, and was married during the year 1847, and in 1852 emigrated to the United States, and after spending one year in Lancaster County, Penn.,
he moved to Ann Arbor, Mich., and four years later to Lansing, where he made his home for ten years. He then spent twelve years at Woodville, near Toledo, Ohio, and on October 6, 1879, landed in Arkansas with his family. During 1876-77 he was president and visitor of the Evangelical Lutheran Synod of Ohio, and during 1878 he organized a colony and brought them to Grand Prairie, Ark., and caused a postoffice to be established, which was named after his former home in Germany—Stuttgart. He was postmaster at this point, with E. L. Buerkle as assistant. He has spared no pains nor expense to promote the advancement of the town and vicinity. When the St. Louis, Arkansas & Texas Railroad was being built the company seemed to have a prejudice against Stuttgart and would not stop their mail trains, but Mr. Buerkle promptly moved his postoffice to the railroad and erected a small house, which was the first house erected in the now town of Stuttgart. Owing to his age he turned the postoffice over to his assistant, who also became railroad and express agent at that place, and, notwithstanding the fact that his compensation was a mere pittance, he remained faithfully at his post and the afore-mentioned brothers now compose the well-known firm of Buerkle Bros., they being also the leading members of the Stuttgart German Brass Band; the band is more commonly known as Buerkle Brothers' Brass Band. Rev. Buerkle, like the majority of Germans, is energetic and enterprising and in his calling has carried out these principles. He owns several thousand acres of land in Stuttgart and vicinity. He has been a minister of the Gospel for over thirty-four years and is still a worker for the Master, preaching every Sunday, and although his congregation is small, it is steadily growing.
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Hon. Robert C. Chaney deserves prominent mention in the present volume as one of Arkansas County's representative citizens. His father, Rev. J. H. Chaney, was born in the State of Mississippi in 1805, in which locality he was reared and educated, there being married to Sarah B. Chambliss, on July 27, 1827. She was born on Christmas day, 1807, also in Mississippi, and was a daughter of Peter and Mary Chambliss. Shortly after his marriage Mr. Chaney moved to Louisiana, and in 1860 came to Arkansas, where he was engaged in his work of preaching the Gospel, being a local minister of the Methodist Episcopal Church. He was the principal organizer of the Hallas Chapel Church, in this county. He had been connected with the Methodist Church for forty years at the time of his death, in 1864. His wife who still survives him lives with the subject of this sketch, and is now in her eighty-second year. They were the parents of twelve children, seven of whom are living: Robert C., Sarah A., Mary F., William W., Emma K., Adaline B. and Mattie B. Robert C. Chaney was born in Louisiana on January 15, 1832. He was married in that State November 22, 1855, to Miss Caroline Dubose, of Louisiana birth, born on November 3, 1837, and who died in January, 1869, leaving nine children, four of whom survive:
Holcomb D., Rosa F. (who married H. M. Dubose), Robert C., Jr., and Eugene R. On August 17, 1872, Mr. Chaney was married a second time to Miss Corene Hinman, also originally from the Creole State. She was called away from earth on October 7, 1889, leaving seven children, all living: Lee M., Ethel C., Ernest L., Beulah I., Rife P., Lucile B. and Horace P. Mr. Chaney owns 2,000 acres of land, of which 200 acres are under cultivation. He is also engaged in the mercantile business at Stanley, and though [p.652] starting with about a $2,000 stock, he has by honest dealings and good management built up a large trade, enjoying a patronage of $15,000 per year. He is a prominent man in the polities of Arkansas County, and represented his county in the State legislature three terms, from 1874 to 1882. Besides this he has held the office of associate county judge, and has been postmaster of Stanley for the past six years. He is a member of the Masonic order, and belongs to the Methodist Episcopal Church, of which both of his wives were members.
Frank B. Childers is the son of John P. Childers, a native of Virginia, who was taken to Kentucky by his parents when but a young boy, where he was reared and educated, there being married to Catharine Amant, also of that State. She died in 1832, leaving twelve children, and five of them are still living: Pryor W., Thomas H., Philip G., Harmond and Frank B., the principal of this sketch. Mr. Childer's second wife, Eliza Asbury, was also a Virginian by birth. Their only child died in infancy. They were members of the Christian Church, and Mr. Childers was one of the leading men in the organization of the first church at Morgan, Ky. He did not take a very prominent part in polities, but was elected coroner, which position he held for several years. Frank B. Childers, the principal of this sketch, was born in the State of Kentucky, April 1, 1831, and came to Arkansas in December, 1865. His earthly possessions on entering consisted of the clothes which he wore and a shotgun. He now owns 360 acres of land, forty acres being under cultivation, with good buildings and stock. He was married November 9, 1871, to Miss Josephine Maxwell, of this State, who died September 25, 1879, having been the mother of one child, which died in infancy. Mr. Childers was next married to Lillie Halley, originally from Kentucky. She passed away November 10, 1885, having borne one daughter, Josephine W. On January 15, 1888, Mr. Childers was married to Mattie Bains, born in Gentry County, Mo., March 13, 1859. He did not take part in the late war, but was captured by the Federals while at home, in 1862, and carried to Ohio, where he was held until December of that year.
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George W. Conine, who is actively and successfully engaged in merchandising, carries a stock of goods invoicing about $3,000 in his store at Arkansas Post. He was the second son of a family of seven children born to Richard and Jane (Bean) Conine, natives of Georgia and Louisiana, respectively. The father was born about 1808, of Irish descent. Going to Louisiana when a young man, he was there married, about 1838, and made his home the rest of his life, and at his death, in 1850, was one of the well-to-do planters of that State. Owing to unjust management of the estate, his widow and children were thrown upon their daily labor for sustenance. His wife died in 1858. She was a daughter of Rev. Christopher Bean, an Englishman by birth, who passed away in Louisiana, in 1852. George W. Conine was born in Carroll Parish, La., in 1844. He began making his own way in the world at the early age of seven years, being employed by Mr. Evin George (a wealthy farmer of that vicinity) to drive a team for his gin; afterward by James McNeal in the same community. At the age of fourteen he was employed as mail-carrier from Monroe to Lake Providence, La. In 1862 he joined the Carroll Dragoons of Louisiana Cavalry and was afterward transferred to Forrest's cavalry. He participated in the battles of Franklin, Vicksburg, the siege of Atlanta, Holly Springs and a number of hard fought battles. He was at home on furlough at the time of the surrender. He then engaged in farming in Louisiana until 1867, when he came to Arkansas, locating at Arkansas Post. He was married in 1872 to Miss Caroline Rogers, a native of this county and a daughter of one of the early settlers. She died in 1879, leaving two children: Willie D. and Johnie W. Conine. Mr. Conine was then married to Miss Ruby Conine, a consin of our subject, her father, Rev. Brittain Conine, being a brother of Richard Conine. She was born in the State of Alabama at Camp Hill where her mother, Jane Herren, died about 1854 and where her father, Rev. Brittain Conine, now resides and is a merchant of that place of forty or fifty years' standing, now being in his eightieth year. Ruby Conine is the mother of two children: Oscar and Hattie. Hattie died August [p.653] 25, 1889, aged three years, one month and thirteen days. Sleep thou in Jesus, little Hattie, till He bids thee arise. Mr. Conine continued farming until 1881, when he engaged in the mercantile business with his sister, Mrs. Mary A. Fogee, and since her death, in 1887, has continued the business himself, the firm being known as G. W. and B. B. Conine. He also owns about 1,000 acres of land in different tracts in this county, of which about 200 acres are under cultivation. He is a strong Democrat and a highly respected citizen. His wife is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
David O. Crump, an influential farmer and stock raiser of Crockett Township, is a native of Tennessee, and a son of Leaton and Martha E. (Oats) Crump, natives of Tennessee and Alabama, respectively. The father was born in Williamson County, Tenn., in 1821, and removed to Alabama when a young man. Soon after his marriage he settled in Memphis, where his wife died in 1855. (She was born near Huntsville about 1826). The following year he came to Arkansas, and located almost in the woods, near Crockett's Bluff, where he improved a good farm, and where he still resides, living with his second wife. He was one of the early settlers of this county, and has been prominent as a citizen, having held the office of justice of the peace most of the time during his location here. He served about two years in the Confederate army during the war, in Capt. William M. Mayo's company, and was in Price's raid through Missouri as quartermaster. He was captured at home, and was imprisoned at St. Charles just at the close of the war. He has been a member of the A. F. & A. M. for several years, and was connected with the County Grange. David O. Crump, the only child living of his parent's family, was born near Memphis, Tenn., in 1853, and was reared and educated in this county from the age of three years. He was married on January 6, 1880, to Miss Mary L. Gamble, daughter of Richard and Mary M. (Herring) Gamble, originally from Pennsylvania and Georgia, respectively. They were married in Mississippi in 1861, subsequently removing to Arkansas County, Ark., where the father died in 1886, and his wife in Mississippi (while on a visit) in 1870. Mr. Gamble was a prominent merehant for many years, also serving as county and probate judge of this county some time. He was, besides justice of the peace, at the time of his death, shipping and receiving agent at Crockett's Bluff. Mrs. Crump was born in Aberdeen, Miss. Since the war period Mr. Crump has lived on a part of the old homestead, now having a farm of 420 acres, with about 225 acres under cultivation, mostly the result of his own efforts. Good improvements in the way of buildings, etc., adorn the place. He is a prominent Democrat, having voted for Tilden in 1876. He is engaged quite extensively at this time in stock raising, and at present has sixty head of cattle, sixteen horses and mules, and fifty head of hogs. He and wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Leaton Crump's father died when the son was a boy; the grandfather of David O., Samuel Oates, died in Memphis, though a resident of Alabama at that time.
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G. W. Davidson is a native of Alabama, and is a son of Milus and Sophrina (Carpenter) Davidson, who were of Tennessee and Mississippi birth, respectively. Milus Davidson went to Alabama when a boy, and remained there until 1851-52, when he came to this county, here remaining until his death in 1872, at the age of fifty-two years. When the war broke out he joined the Confederate army, and served in Price's raid through Missouri, being captured by the Federals, though soon after he made his escape. Mrs. Davidson died in 1885 at the age of fifty years. Of their family of children two are still living: Melissa (now the widow of J. B. Butler, deceased), and G. W. The latter, the eldest child, was born in Lawrence County, Ala., in 1845, and was reared in this county, having come here with his parents when about six or seven years old. He commenced farming for himself at the age of twenty-one, and in 1871 bought his present farm, erecting in 1886 the mill and gin which he still owns and operates. Mr. Davidson is a Republican in politics, and a member of the County Wheel, and was nominated by the Republicans and Wheelers as sheriff of the county. [p.654] His wife was formerly Sallie E. Butler, a native of Mississippi. They are the parents of four children: William M., Anna C., George W. and Guy. Mr. and Mrs. Davidson are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South. Mr. Davidson was postmaster of St. Charles from 1872 to 1875. He is one of the leading farmers and millers in the community, and a highly respected citizen.
William F. Ferguson is the son of Hon. Austin H. Ferguson, a native of Virginia, who moved, when a young man, to Morgan County, Ala., there being married to Miss Catharine Walker. A few years later he went to Marshall County, Miss., where his wife died in 1840. In 1849, coming to Arkansas, he located in this county, and the following year was elected representative to the State legislature from Arkansas, Jefferson and Desha Counties, serving with such distinction that he was re-elected in 1851 and 1856. Subsequently he was chosen State senator from his district, composed of the counties of Arkansas and Monroe, which position he held for four years. His death occurred in 1884, at the age of seventy-two years. He was a member of the A. F. & A. M., and a strong Democret in politics. William Ferguson, Sr., his fater, who was of Irish descent, died in Texas, at the age of eighty-two, when the principal of this sketch was a small boy. William F. Ferguson first saw the light of day in Lawrence County, Ala., in 1836, and is the only child living of his parents' family. In 1862 he joined the Confederate army, becoming a member of what was first known as Clay's company, and after the reorganization, as Wheat's battalion, but was afterward transferred to Gen. Fagan's escort, and served as couriar until the close of the war. Mr. Ferguson was married, in 1860, to Miss Hally, a daughter of Crede P. and Mary Hally, who was born in Fayette County, Tenn. After the war he engaged in farming, has since followed it, and now owns 940 acres of land, with about 200 acres under cultivation. Mr. Ferguson is an outspoken Democrat, and belongs to the Masonic fraternity.
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Capt. Leroy Ferrell, retired steamboatman and stock raiser, is a native of Tennessee, and a son of David C. and Celia (Boren) Ferrell, natives of North Carolina and Tennessee, respectively. Mr. Ferrell went to Tennessee when a young man, where he was married and made his home until 1825, then removing to Gallatin County, Ill. In 1836 he came to Arkansas, and located in the wilds of Arkansas County, eight miles from Arkansas Post, then the capital of the Territory. The country at that time was full of bears, deer, panthers, wolves, etc., with a few Indians as pioneer inhabitants. The swamps were covered with canebrakes, which grew to the height of a house, and so dense that it was almost impossible for one to pass through. Here Mr. Ferrell improved one of the finest farms in that region, but it was eventually washed away by the river. He was a blacksmith by trade, at which he worked in connection with farming and hunting, the latter occupying a large part of his time. He served in the War of 1812 under Gen. Jackson, as blacksmith, and died in 1858, when over seventy-six years of age. His wife had preceded him three years. Mr. and Mrs. Ferrell were the parents of nine children, Leroy Ferrell being the third one, and the only one living. He was born in Maury County, Tenn., in 1822, and has resided in this county since fourteen years of age. In 1842 Mr. Ferrell and an associate chartered a steamboat, which they ran about one year; since that time he has been engaged in beating on the Mississippi for about thirty-five years. Since settling in this county he has been interested in farming and stock raising, and in the mercantile business to some extent. He was married, in 1850, to Miss Eleanor Smith, a native of Indiana, who died in 1868, leaving four children; one of these (Thomas B. F.) only is living. He was born in Desha County in 1851, and was educated at the common schools, and later in the Business College at Memphis, Tenn., from which he graduated in 1870. He then commenced business for himself at New Gascony, Jefferson
County, continuing until 1880, when he came to Arkansas Post. Here he has since carried on merchandising, and also owns and operates a large cottongin. At the present time Mr. Ferrell and his father own about 8,000 acres of land. During the war he was repeatedly urged by his friends [p.655] to join the Confederate army, but although born and reared in the South, he refused to take up arms against his country. This position he firmly maintained until the close of the war, remaining at home and providing for his family and those whose supporters were in the Confederate army. Capt. Ferrell, although nearly seventy years of age, is of strong bodily health and vigor (save a slight affliction of rheumatism), is of pleasant address, and a good talker.
James A. Gibson, of the firm of Gibson & Holt, the leading attorneys of De Witt, is one of the best-known men of Arkansas County. He was reared and educated in Breckinridge County, Ky., his native State, and received a thorough common-school education, and, at the age of twenty entered the St. Mary's College, near Lebanon, Ky., but was obliged to give up his studies on account of his health. He then engaged in farming, and in 1861 came to Arkansas, locating in this county, where he engaged in farming until 1864. Returning to Kentucky, in 1867 he came back to this county and, locating in DeWitt, commenced studying law. He was admitted to the bar the following year and has since been occupied in the practice of his profession, in which he has been very successful. He is one of the leading Democrats of this county and has served his party in a number of conventions and delegations. He was a member of the Constitutional Convention of 1874, has been a delegate to the State Democratic Conventions since 1872, was elected alternate delegate to the National Democratic Conventions held at Cincinnati and Chicago, and has been for the past three years, and is at present, a member of the State central committee. In 1881 he was a member of the Electoral College, and voted for Hancock and English, having been elected the year previous. Mr. Gibson was born in Breckinridge County, Ky., in 1837, and was a son of Hamilton and Letitia (Gilliland) Gibson, also natives of Kentucky. They were the parents of three children: William F. (a resident of Austin, Ark.), John T. (deceased) and James A., the principal of this sketch, who was married while in Kentucky, to Miss Hester Vertreess, a native of Missouri, but who was reared in Kentucky. They are the parents of nine children: William H (a graduate of the Louisville University of Medicine, of Kentucky), Sallie (now Mrs. Crockett), Albert, Blanche, John, Nannie, Benton, Claude and Tee. Mr. Gibson has been engaged in the mercantile business until a few years ago, since when he has devoted all his time to his profession. He entered into partnership with Robert P. Holt in 1882. They have an extensive real-estate business in connection with their law practice, and have now on hand over 100,000 acres of fine lands for sale. Mr. and Mrs. Gibson are members of the Baptist Church, in which they take an active part. He is a member of the Masonic order, in which he has taken the Royal Arch and Council degrees, and is also a member of the I. O. O. F. and has been Grand Master of the State and Grand Representative of the Sovereign Grand Lodge.
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A. J. Gunnell was the eldest son in a family of ten children born to Benjamin and Caroline (Ayers) Gunnell, natives of Virginia and South Carolina, respectively. They were married in Jefferson County, Ala., in 1828, and in 1835-36 moved to Tippah County, Miss. The father was a blacksmith by trade and was a soldier in the War of 1812, dying in 1852, at the age of sixty-five years; his wife passed away in 1885, at the age of seventy-seven. He was a son of Nicholas Gunnell, a Virginian by birth, and a soldier in the Revolutionary War, who died in Georgia, at the age of ninety-eight. The father of Caroline Ayers, William Ayers, was born in South Carolina, and died near the place where Birmingham, Ala., now tands.
He was of Irish descent. A. J. Gunnell first saw the light in Jefferson County, Ala., in 1829, being reared on a farm, and while never having had an opportunity to attend school, he has improved his spare moments and is a well-read man. In 1853 he came to Arkansas and located on the farm on which he still makes his home, consisting of 400 scres; at that time it was wild land covered with timber, but now 120 acres are under cultivation. In April, 1861, Mr. Gunnell joined the Confederate army, as a member of the First Arkansas Infantry, in which he served until the battle of Shiloh, when he was wounded and received his [p.656] discharge and returned home. After his recovery he joined Company E of the Thirty-first Arkansas Infantry. He was made first lieutenant, and served until June, 1865, participating in some of the hardest fought battles of the war. After the war he returned home to find all of his property destroyed and left nearly without a home. He was married in September of the same year to Miss Amanda Luckett, daughter of John L. and Mary Luckett, originally from Kentucky and Tennessee, respectively; she was born in Mississippi. They are the parents of six children: Katie (now Mrs. Jones), Benjamin T., John Nicholas, Winfield D., Callie and Emma. When Mr. Gunnell came to this county it was impossible to raise hogs on account of the wolves and bears. The country was full of game of all kinds. He is now one of the leading men of this community and a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, as are also his wife and two eldest children.
Jacob H. Hagler owes his nativity to Tennessee, being the son of Eleania and Martha (Sthudeed) Hagler, natives, respectively, of Tennessee and Kentucky. The father was a tailor by occupation, and a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. After his death, which occurred in 1844, his wife immigrated to Arkansas with her children and located in this county, where she lived until her demise, in 1864. They were the parents of eleven children, only two of whom are living: Robert (a resident of Howard County), and Jacob H. (our subject). The latter was born in Henry County, Tenn., September 13, 1835. He was reared principally in this county, and was married February 24, 1859, to Miss Louisa Slaughter, of this State, a daughter of James and Elizabeth Slaughter. They have had six children: Mary J. (deceased), William J. (deceased), John L., Joseph E. (deceased), James E., and Marcas N. (deceased). The two sons living, John L. and James E., reside at home and are helping their father on the farm. Mr. Hagler entered the Confederate service in 1862, and participated in Price's raid through Missouri, taking part in a number of hard-fought battles; he was wounded at Swan Lake by a ball passing through his wrist; was also taken sick at Pilot Knob and then received his discharge, after which he returned home and engaged in farming. This occupation he has since followed. He owns 1,000 acres of land, of which there are nearly 200 acres under cultivation, all acquired by his own industry and economy, as he started out in life with only $75. He and wife are members of the Baptist Church, and take an active part in the affairs of that denomination.
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Col. William H. HalliBurton is a good example of what can be accomplished in life, when thorough determination to succeed is coupled with energy, perseverance and close application in the direction chosen. His early educational advantages were of a very meager description, and during a period of eight years he received but seven months schooling, but becoming desirous of improving himself, he began devoting all his spare moments to studying and reading, and soon became a thoroughly posted young man, and quite familiar with the "world of books." He was married while a resident of Benton County, Tenn., to Elizabeth C. Altom, a native of Greenville, S. C., and to them a family of seven children were born, two of whom are now living: Gulnare (wife of Dr. James B. Garrison, of Texas) and John. The mother of these children died August 20, 1848, at the Arkansas Post, Ark., where they had settled April 14, 1845, and for some months Mr. HalliBurton was engaged in teaching school, becoming thereby well and favorably known. In the spring of 1847 he was appointed to the office of deputy sheriff, and held the position until November of the same year, when he was appointed deputy clerk, and held the two offices from November, 1847, to December, 1850. During these years he frequently issued process in the name of the clerk, and went out and executed the same in the name of the sheriff. In the year 1850 he was elected clerk of the circuit court, and served one term of two years. He was sworn in as deputy sheriff at the April term, 1847, of the Arkansas County circuit court, and has been present, participating in the proceedings of each term of the circuit court of said county since, excepting the March terms of 1885, 1887 and 1889, when he was [p.657] in attendance on the legislature of the State. He was elected to represent Arkansas County in the State legislature in 1885, and was re-elected in 1887 and 1889. In 1887 he was appointed deputy treasurer and special agent for the State to go to Washington, D. C., to settle a disputed debt between the State of Arkansas and the United States. He was elected colonel of the One Hundred and Thirteenth Regiment of Tennessee Militia, in 1838. During the Rebellion he was appointed chief collector of Confederate States war tax for the State of Arkansas by the president of the Confederacy, but did not take an active part in the war. His second wife was Hannah Jacobs, who was born in Wellsburg, Brooke County, Va., and to them were born five children, three of whom are now living: Jennie (wife of David Rasure), Kate (wife of Harry Greer) and Lucinda (at home). Mr. HalliBurton is now living with his third wife, who was a Mrs. Mary S. (Belknap) Patrick, a native of Pennsylvania. She is a member of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, and he is a Baptist. He began the study of law when he was a young man, and in 1847 was licensed to practice, and was admitted to the bar in 1852. He has been a practicing lawyer of De Witt since 1857, and has always been considered a leading member of the legal fraternity. From 1860 to 1862, he resided in Little Rock, but has since made his home in De Witt. He was born in Stewart County, Tenn., November 4, 1816, and is a son of Thomas and Lucinda (Herndon) Halli-Burton, natives, respectively, of North and South Carolina. The father inherited Scotch blood from his parents, and when about nine years of age, was taken by them to Tennessee, and from that time until 1834 he resided in Humphreys County. He was the seventh son and eleventh child of his father's family, and his marriage took place in Tennessee. He moved to Arkansas in 1845, and located in Arkansas County, where he followed merchandising until his death in 1859, at the age of sixty-three years. He was a member of the Baptist Church, and was very active in political affairs of the communities in which he resided, and while in Tennessee, was county court clerk of Benton County, and after coming to Arkansas, held the offices of justice of the peace, county surveyor and county and probate judge. He was a Master Mason. His wife died in Humphreys County, Tenn., in the spring of 1834, having borne a family of eight children, of whom W. H. was the eldest, and is the only one now living. Mr. Halli-Burton was married a second time, and of seven children born to this marriage, two are living: Mrs. Lucinda Mock, of Louisiana, and David N., of Dardanelle, Ark. The paternal grandparents were born in Virginia, but were early residents of Tennessee, and in 1834 removed to Henderson County, and made their home with a son. Here the grandmother died in her eightieth year, and the grandfather and his son soon after moved to Mississippi, in which State his demise occurred in 1841, he being ninety-one years of age. This old couple soon after their marriage had an orphan boy bound to them, and reared a family of thirteen children, and besides this they reared seven of their grandchildren to maturity, making in all twenty-one children, whom they brought up. Out of the twenty-one, twenty had families before the death of the grandparents, and the youngest of the twenty-one had attained his majority before the grandmother's death.
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Nathan M. Henderson has always been interested in the welfare of the county of Arkansas, having been born here in 1848, and has ever been occupied in tilling the soil, and the manner in which he has acquired his present property denotes him to be an energetic and successful agriculturist. He is a son of James L. and Nancy C. (Henshaw) Henderson, the former a native of Georgia, born in 1825, their union taking place in the State of Mississippi in 1844. In 1846 they removed from Mississippi to Arkansas, and entered some 360 acres of land, but sold this property in 1858, and entered 360 acres more, which he also improved and of which he devoted a considerable portion to the raising of stock. He served in the Southern army during the Rebellion, and was on active duty from 1864 to the final surrender in 1865. He was a Mason, a member of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, and died in 1867. His wife, who was born [p.658] in Tennessee in 1831, is a member of the Baptist Church, and has been a widow for twenty-two years, residing on the old homestead. Their union was blessed in the birth of six sons and three daughters, only six of this family now living: Nathan M., Nelson H., James E., John O., Samuel A. and Nancy E. (the wife of W. F. Byers). Nathan M. Henderson was married to Miss Ruthie L. McAdams, of Arkansas, in 1869, but she left him a widower, in 1875, with two children to care for: James M. and Thomas J. Mr. Henderson's second marriage was consummated in 1877, his wife being Miss Seleta J. Bunyard, of Arkansas County, and their family now consists of three children: Alonzo J., Ruthie L. and Samuel M. Mr. Henderson was called upon to mourn the death of his second wife in 1888, she having been an earnest member of the Baptist Church. He married his present wife, Mrs. Mary C. Hanford, in 1888, she being also a member of the Baptist Church and the widow of Christopher Hanford. Mr. Henderson owns 825 acres of land, well furnished with excellent buildings, and a fine apple and peach orchard, and besides attending to the duties of his farm he is also engaged in operating a grist-mill and a horee-power cotton-gin. He is a deacon in the Baptist Church.
P. N. Howell, during the war, joined Company K of Col. Dick Pinson's regiment, in 1861, in the Mississippi Cavalry, serving in General Forrest's command. He took part in the battles of Shiloh, Corinth, Vioksburg and a number of others, and was captured at Vicksburg in 1863, being taken on board of a boat bound for the Northern prisons, but escaping, he rejoined his command. After the war he engaged in the grocery business at Memphis, and in 1868 was married to Miss Martha E. Wadsworth, daughter of W. P. and Julia C. Wadsworth, natives of North and South Carolina, respectively. In 1878 Mr. Howell went to Marshall County, Miss., where he remained until 1881, the time of his removal to Arkansas. Locating in this county, he embarked in farming on his present farm of 160 acres, about three miles from Crockett's Bluff, where he has about sixty-five acres under cultivation. His wife died in 1876, and in 1881 he married his second and present companion, Miss E. L. Jansen, daughter of Rev. Lewis Jansen, an Episcopal minister of Louisville, Ky. Mr. Howell is a Democrat in politics, and he and wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. He was born in Anson County, N. C., in 1835, as the son of Abner and Phebe B. (Ingram) Howell. Abner Howell came originally from North Carolina. His father, Samuel Howell, who was born in Georgia, was of Scotch descent. Mr. Howell moved to Alabama in 1858, where he died in 1876, his wife surviving him two years.
Abner L. Huffman. From this brief and incomplete view of the life-record of Mr. Huffman will be seen that his life has not been uselessly nor idly spent, for from his earliest youth he has been familiar with the details of farm work. He was born in Caldwell County, N. C., September 12, 1851, and is a son of Samuel and Henrietta (Payne) Huffman, natives of South and North Carolina, born December 1, 1824, and December 23, 1829, respectively. Their marriage resulted in the birth of three sons and six daughters, all of whom are living with the exception of one. Those living are Marion L., Abner, Mary (wife of A. T. Young), Sarah (wife of W. W. Duncan), John B., Laura (wife of H. C. Synco), Annie E. and Amanda E. Samuel Huffman immigrated from North Carolina to Missouri in 1852, settling in Hickory County, where he lived until 1863, moving then to Calloway County, where his death occurred December 1, 1870, his occupation through life having been that of farming and tanning. In 1870 his widow removed to Arkansas, and died there April 7, of the following year, having for many years been an earnest and consistent member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Abner Huffman was appointed postmaster of Hynum under Cleveland's administration, and still holds this position. He has been justice of the peace for the past five years, and is a man who has a host of warm friends. He owns eighty acres of good land, well improved with good buildings, fences and orchards.
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Thomas H. Hutchinson, a druggist of De Witt, and also engaged in stock raising and farming, is a native of Canada. He started in the world for [p.659] himself at the age of eighteen, having a few thousand dollars left to him by his grandfather, which he invested in vessel property on the lakes, and was engaged in the trading business for five years. Subsequently he lost all his money and property. After winding up his interests he had just money enough to take him to Arkansas, where he worked out by the day and month until 1873, then entering a homestead, keeping "bach" alone. In 1887 he married Miss Edith Fowler, of Ohio, daughter of F. F. and Mary E. Fowler, natives of Pennsylvania and Ohio, respectively. Mrs. Hutchinson died in 1878, after which Mr. Hutchinson married Bessie A. Fowler, a sister of his first wife. They are the parents of two children: Mabel and Howard F. Mr. Hutchinson was born in Ontario, Canada, in 1843, and was a graduate of Jones' Commercial College, London, Ont. His parents were Alexander B. and Sarah Ann (Titus) Hutchinson. Alexander Hutchinson was born in Canada West, in 1816, and Sarah A., his wife, in Novs Sootia, in 1824, the latter going to Canada with her parents at the age of eleven years. Alexander B. Hutchinson spent his life upon the farm he first settled, and died in 1886. They were members of the Baptist Church, and the parents of eleven children, four of whom are deceased. Thomas H. Hutchinson has two fine farms of 600 acres, stocked with over 300 head of cattle, besides horses and mules; 250 acres are in cultivation. He is a member of the I. O. O. F. and Masonic fraternities, and resides upon his farm, four miles from the county seat of Arkansas County.
Edward Lambert Johnson, attorney at law of De Witt, is a native of Mississippi, and a son of Hon. Edward and Lucinda (Dickey) Johnson, whose birthplaces were in North Carolina and Alabama, respectively. In 1861 they came to Arkansas, and located in Arkansas County, where Mr. Johnson died July 4, 1879, at the age of seventy. He was of Scotch parentage, his father having come from Scotland to this country, and settled in North Carolina. Mrs. Johnson was born in Huntsville, Ala., in 1815, and died in March, 1885. Her father, James Dickey, was of Irish descent, born in South Carolina; he died in Alabama. Mr. and Mrs. Johnson were the parents of nine children, Edward L. being the fifth. Born in Choctaw County, Miss., in 1849, in the latter part of 1864 he enlisted in the Eighth Mississippi Cavalry, and served six months. After the close of the war he returned to Arkansas, and at the age of nineteen commenced publishing the Arkansas Elector, at De Witt, which he continued nearly two years. He then entered upon the study of law, in 1870 was admitted to the bar, and in 1877 was admitted to practice law in the supreme court. He was married in the Centennial year to Miss Kate Quertermous, a daughter of John G. and Cynthia A. Quertermous, natives of Kentucky and Arkansas, respectively. Since that time Mr. Johnson has devoted his time to the practice of his profession, having become one of the leading lawyers of this part of the State.
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John W. Lemon. Samuel Lemon, the grandfather of the principal of this sketch, was one of the early settlers of Arkansas County. His son, Alerander M., was born in this county in 1820, and lived here all of his life, engaged in farming. He served through the Civil War, in the Confederate service, and was in the infantry under Capt. Jones, from Arkansas County, though during the last two years of the struggle he belonged to an independent scouting company of cavalry, in which he remained until the cessation of hestilities. He returned to this county after the war, but died the following year. His wife was Miss Clayton, a daughter of John S. Clayton, a wheelwright and carpenter, who was drowned in the Mississippi some time before the war. Mrs. Lemon is still living, and is about seventy-one years of age, having reared a family of six children. John W. Lemon was born in Arkansas Township, in 1840, and received very little education in youth, not having an opportunity of attending school. He joined the Confederate service during the last year of the civil strife, and served in Gen. Price's raid. Being at home on a sixty-days' furlough, shortly before peace was declared, he was captured by the Federals, and held at St. Charles about one month, until the close of the war. In 1866 he married Mary J. Rounsavill, a daughter of William Rounsavill. [p.660] They are the parents of six children, three sons and three daughters. In 1875 he bought a farm in Bayou Meto Township, where he still owns astock ranch, in 1886 removing to De Witt, or the purpose of giving his children better educational facilities. He started out a poor man, but now owns 700 acres of land in different farms, a good house, and ten acres in De Witt, and is an extensive stock raiser, buying and shipping from ten to twelve car-loads of cattle to market annually. He has seen the complete development of this county, having lived here for forty-three years, and has helped liberally in its development.
Maj. M. M. Massey, a native of Tennessee, is the son of Isaac H. and Elizabeth (Crookett) Massey, who were born in South Carolina and Tennessee, respectively. Isaac Massey moved to Tennessee from South Carolina with his parents when a boy of six years, and afterward made that State his home, dying on the farm upon which his father located, in 1843, at the age of forty-three years. He was an active member of and an elder in the Cumberland Presbyterian Church. His wife was related to Davy Crockett. She was born in 1801 and died in the same year as her husband. Of their family of eight children our subject is the eldest and the only one now living. He was born in Humphreys County, Tenn., August 25, 1820, and was reared and married in that county. In March, 1843, Miss Elizabeth Murphrey of the same locality became his wife. After remaining in Tennessee until 1871 they moved to Arkausas. Mr. Massey joined the Confederate army in September, 1861, and was elected lieutanant of the light artillery starting out. He was wounded at Fort Donelson, and was then assigned to fort duty and was made major of artillery, but was again in the field at the battle of Corinth, before having fully recovered from his wound, and afterward participated in a number of hard-fought battles. On his return to Humphreys County, Tenn., he was elected sheriff, which office he held with distinction for a number of years. His wife died two years after coming to Arkansas County, leaving six children, three of whom survive. Maj. Massey was married to his present wife, Mrs. Susan Smith (nee Bell), also of Tennessee, in 1876. They have two children. The Major owns over 1,000 acres of land, partially under cultivation, and which he has well stocked. He is a member of the Masonic order, and of the L. O. O. F. Mrs, Massey is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South.
George F. Mattmiller came originally from Germany to America with his parents in February, 1846, and located in Fayette County, Tenn., where he received a common-school education. In 1861 he enlisted in the Confederate army, Company A of the Thirteenth Tennessee Infantry; was taken prisoner in the first hard battle, at Belmont, Mo., and removed to Cairo, Ill., soon being exchanged, after which he rejoined his regiment and served until the close of the war. Going to Cape Girardeau County, Mo., he was first engaged in teaching school and next in working in a saw-mill, where he continued until 1870. He then sought a home in Arkansas, where he was married five years later to Miss Ophelia Stillwell, a native of this State, and a danghter of Asher and Josephine Stillwell. Mr. Mattmiller was born in Baden, Germany, on July 24, 1843, being a son of J. G. and Christina (Hammerschmidt) Mattmiller. J. G. Mattmiller was born on Angust 28, 1814, and emigrated to this country in 1846, settling in Tennessee. After devoting himself to farming there until 1870, he located a farm on the Arkansas River, near Arkansas Post, Ark., where he remained until his death, in December, 1883. His wife died in 1862, having been the mother of nine children, four of whom are living: George F., Christina (now Mrs. Rinklin), Joseph and Henry C. On coming to Arkansas Mr. Mattmiller, the subject of this sketch, had only $6. He now owns about 700 acres of land, with 100 acres under cultivation, and has a good cotton-gin, and is estimated to be worth about $6,000. He has no children of his own, but has adopted three orphan children. Himself and wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
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John R. Maxwell is a native of Arkansas County, of which he has always been a resident, with the exception of eight years spent in the city of Cincinnati, from 1851 to 1858, where he was engaged in mechanical pursuits. In 1858 here turned home and the same year was appointed deputy sheriff, discharging the duties of that position until the breaking out of the war. Enlisting in June, 1881, in the Arkansas State troops, he served four months and immediately enlisted in the Confederate army, where he continued until the close of the war, a part of the time being on detached duty. He was elected second lientenant in 1862, and sfterward elected to captain, and participated in the battles of Wilson's Creek, Shiloh, Prairie Grove, Jenkins' Ferry and several other hard-fought engagements and a number of skirmishes. After the war Mr. Maxwell returned to this county and engaged in farming the first year, since which time he has been occupied in the mercantile business. He was born in Arkansas Post, on November 27, 1829, being the son of James and Elenor (Bringle) Maxwell, natives of North Carolina and Arkansas, respectively. Joseph Maxwell, the grandfather of the principal of this sketch, lived in Indiana, and died at the battle of Tippecanoe, in the War of 1812. He was the father of the following children: William, John, James, Nimrod, David, Mary (now Mrs. Berry), and Anna. All of the sons came to Arkansas at different periods, between 1818 and 1837. James and John were interested for a number of years in trading with the Indians along the Arkansas and White Rivers. James, the father of John R., located at Arkansas Post in 1824-25, at which time he was married, and subsequently worked at his trade of gun smithing. He was a well-educated man, and held several Government positions, being Government surveyor at the time of his death, in 1838. His wife died in 1880, at the ago of seventy years. They were the parents of six children, two still living: John R. (our subject) and Cynthia Ann (widow of John G. Quertermous, of New Mexico). Joseph, one of the sons (now deceased), held the position of sheriff at the breaking out of the war, and was afterward elected county clerk, which office he filled at the time of his death, in 1872. Capt. Maxwell was married in 1869 to Miss Ann Quertermous, a native of Kentucky. They are the parents of two daughters, Vallenia and Ella. Capt. Maxwell is a strong Democrst and a leading merchant of De Witt, and is recognized as one of the most influential men of this locality, being widely known and highly esteemed.
Walter F. Meacham is one of the progressive general merchants of Arkansas County, Ark., and by his superior management, good business ability and efficiency, has done not a little to advance the reputation the county enjoys as a commercial center. He was born in Anson County, N. C., September 10, 1851, and is a descendant of Jeremiah Meacham, who was also a native of North Carolina, born in 1809. The latter was one of "the horny handed sons of toil," and was of Sootch-Irish extraction. Upon reaching manhood he was married to Miss Maness, of North Carolina, and by her became the father of ten children, six of whom are now living: Walter F., Case, William R., Mary E. (wife of K. M. Hasty, of North Carolina), Elizabeth (wife of J. T. Redfern, of Thomas County, Ga.) and Jane (the wife of P. C. Davis, of Southwest Georgia). Jeremiah Meacham died in Anson County, Ga., in 1865, having been an earnest and consistent member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, as was his wife, who died in 1854. Walter F. Meacham began his own career at the age of eighteen years, and was first engaged in farming in his native State, continuing there until 1870, when he immigrated to Georgia, Bartow County, and followed the same occupation for eight years. He then concluded to push on farther westward, and came to Arkansas, locating in Lee County, where he built a large store roomand engaged in the mercantile business, and also managed a livery barn with success. He now carries a stock of goods valued at about $6,000, and as he controls a large trade, his annual sales amount to some $36,000. His brother, Jesse C., was his business partner for a number of years, and was married to Miss Georgia A. Simms, of Georgia, in 1873, becoming by her the father of five children, three now living: Jerry, Arthur and Lillie. Jesse C. Meacham died in 1886, and his wife in 1884, she being a member of the Baptist Church at the time of her death.
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Judge James H. Merritt came to Arkansas in 1857 and entered a small tract of land in this county, [p.662] but soon after moved to De Witt, when he was app