
M. Crowell, a retired physician, and now one of the leading citizens and merchants at Solgohachia, was born in North Carolina February 15, 1830. He was one of eleven children born to Jacob and Rachel Crowell, who were both natives of the State to which he owes his nativity. Mr. Crowell, Sr., was a planter, and a pioneer from North Carolina to Georgia in 1831; in 1865 he changed again, and this time located in Spaulding County, Alabama, where he made his home till his death, which occurred in February, 1885; he was followed by Mrs. Crowell the next year. This worthy couple were both members of the M. E. Church. Our subject was mainly educated at home and at Deadville, Ala. He studied medicine at Macon, Ga., and in Alabama; after completing his medical studies he began the practice of his profession in Alabama and followed that pursuit for many years. He married Nancy A. Dorcutt, of Ga., on October 30, 1850, and to that union were born five children, named Nancy E. (deceased), Amanda D., Michael J., Henry V. and Francis M. In 1870, Mr. Crowell came to Arkansas and located in Washington Township, where he soon established a large and successful practice. He was one of the founders of the Town of Solgohachia, and on his retirement from the practice of medicine in 1884, he began business as a general merchant there; he has since added greatly to his stock, and his trade has also increased in proportion, and he now does an annual business of about $15,000. He is also extensively engaged in farming, owning a fine tract of some 400 acres of good land. When Mr. Crowell came to Conway County, he did so to begin life anew, and with what success can readily be gathered when we reflect on what he has accomplished here. His experience here is a good example to place before all prospective immigrants. Any one with energy and perseverance cannot fail to succeed here. Mr. Crowell is a live, progressive citizen, and is doing much for the improvement of Solgohachia. He and Mrs. Crowell are members of the Presbyterian Church.
John B. Cheek, of Gregory Township, is a man of whom it may be justly said, is actually self-made. He came to Conway County from Mississippi in 1879, with an ox team, a small amount of household furniture, and just $27 in cash. Since his residence here he has proven his merit to his neighbors, who have elected him Justice of his township, and given him the office of School Director. He takes an active interest in schools and churches. He and family are members of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, in which he is an Elder. His worldly possessions have increased in a most satisfactory manner since he has been a citizen of Conway County, and he now owns a most desirable farm of 120 acres, with fifty under a high state of cultivation, all well stocked, fenced and otherwise improved. Mr. Cheek was born in Orange County, N. C. July 2, 1846. His parents, George W. and Elizabeth Cheek, were also natives of the same State and county. They were the parents of eight children, and our subject was the oldest-four are still living. Mr. Cheek and family moved to Alabama, and in 1863 emigrated to Newton County, Mississippi, where he died in 1869; mother had died in 1860. She was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Our subject received but a limited education, and at the age of 19 years engaged in farming for himself. In 1865 he married Harriet Woodham, a native of Mississippi. She died in 1874, and left four children. In 1875 he married his present wife, Mary E. Hargrove, a native of Mississippi. This union has resulted in the birth of nine children, named James S., Winnie O. (deceased), George W., Walter T., Mary, Rosa, Joseph Hugh and Elbert L.
Thomas J. Carpenter, also one of the representative citizens and substantial farmers of Lick Mountain Township, owes his nativity to Blount County, East Tennessee, where he was born in 1844, the fourth of a family of six sons and nine daughters born to Lawson and Sarah (Cossner) Carpenter, who were natives of North Carolina, but married in Tennessee, and when T. J. was about two years old they crossed the line into Maury County, Georgia, where they made their home till about 1872. They removed to Izard County, Arkansas, where Mr. Carpenter died in 1889, over 80 years old, a member of the Presbyterian Church. Mrs. Carpenter is still living, and is about seventy-five years of age; she is a Methodist. Mr. Carpenter was a farmer and black-smith; served in the home guards during the late war. His father, Thomas Carpenter, was of German ancestry, and a farmer of Blount County, Tennessee, where he died. The subject of these brief memoirs (T. J. Carpenter) received a common school education, and has spent all his life on a farm. In 1866 he wedded a native Tennesseean, Sarah E. White, a daughter of Daniel and Miranda White, who were also born in Tennessee, and after marriage removed to Maury County, Georgia; thence to Izard County, Arkansas, where Mrs. White died. Mr. White afterward came to Conway County, where he has since died. To this union of Mr. and Mrs. Carpenter nine children were born, two sons and five daughters living. In 1872 Mr. Carpenter removed from Maury County, Georgia, to Izard County, Arkansas, and about the year 1879 came to Conway County, and the year following purchased his present farm of 132 acres, one mile east of Lick Mountain Post Office, all the result of hard work. Mr. and Mrs. Carpenter are Cumberland Presbyterians, and Mr. Carpenter is a Democrat.
page 54
W. B. Cleveland, a representative citizen and miller and ginner of
Centre Ridge, owes his nativity to Pickens District, South
Carolina, and was born in the year 1845. His father, William
Cleveland, was also a native of Pickens District, born in 1812,
and his mother, Anna Addaholt, was born in Franklin County,
Georgia, in 1808. When W. B. Cleveland was an infant they removed
to Maury County, Georgia, where Mrs. Cleveland died in 1866,
followed the next year by the death of her husband. Both were
prominent members of the Missionary Baptist Church many years.
W. B. Cleveland is the fourth of seven sons and five daughters,
and from his infancy was reared on a farm in Maury County,
Georgia, receiving his education at the neighboring schools. In
March, 1862, he enlisted as a private soldier in Company A, Third
Georgia Battalion, and did gallant service in the battles of
Murfreesboro, Chickamauga, Mission Ridge, in all the campaign to
Atlanta, and returned with Gen. Hood to Tennessee, and fought at
Franklin and Nashville. At the latter place he was severely
wounded by a falling tree, which necessitated his retirement, and
he returned to his home, and shortly prior to the close of the
war, he was captured at his home, and after an imprisonment of
fourteen days, took the oath of allegiance and thus ended his
military career. In 1865 Mr. Cleveland wedded Miss Mattie Johnson,
a native of Spartanburg District, South Carolina, and is the
mother of ten children, seven living. Her parents, Elijah and
Casandria Johnson, were natives of South Carolina, but at that
time resided in Gordon County, Georgia. In 1870 Mr. Johnson
removed to Van Buren County, but is now a resident of Pope County,
Arkansas. From 1866 to 1869, Mr. Cleveland lived in Mississippi.
He then returned to Georgia, and in 1870 removed to Van Buren
County, Arkansas, and soon after to Yell County, and in 1873
came to Conway County, settling in the woods, four miles west of
Centre Ridge, where he improved a good farm. In about 1882 he
engaged in the saw mill business, which he followed till 1886,
when he erected a good gin and corn mill at Centre Ridge, which
was destroyed by fire in January, 1887, but he at once rebuilt,
and now operates two good Winship gins, with a capacity of about
twenty bales per day, ginning an average of about 300 bales per
year. Politically Mr. Cleveland is an independent Democrat. He is
a prominent member of the Centre Ridge Lodge, No. 475, A. F. and
A. M., and he and wife are members of the Cumberland Presbyterian
Church. Mr. Cleveland is a public-spirited and thoroughgoing man,
and his business adds much to ward the interest of the town.
Virgil D. Cross, active among those engaged in agriculture in Lick Mountain Township, owes his birthplace to Forsyth County, Georgia, and was born in 1850, being the eldest of two sons and one daughter born to Garrison and Sophia Compton Cross, who were born in Forsyth County in December, 1827, and in Guinnett County, Georgia, in 1826, respectively. They were married in 1849. Mr. Cross was a farmer. He served about six months in the Southern army under the command of Gen. Kirby Smith in a Georgia regiment of infantry, operating in the campaigns in Tennessee and Kentucky. His death occurred November 23, 1862, while at home on a furlough. He was a Missionary Baptist, as was also Mrs. Cross. In 1871 she came to Conway County where she was married to William Ragsdale (since deceased). Mr. Ragsdale was one of the first settlers of Conway County, where he was well and favorably known. He was a Primitive Baptist. Mrs. Ragsdale is still living. Her other children were Albert, who died in Maury County, Georgia, in 1865, and Augusta, the wife of Julius Etheridge of Faulkner County. Virgil D. grew to manhood on the farm without even the rudiments of an education, and after the death of his brother in 1865 almost the entire support of the family devolved upon him, and finding it no easy task to maintain the family in a densely populated country he concluded to try his fortune in a more favorable locality, and in 1869 came to Conway County, where, by his industry and frugality, he was soon able to send for his mother. On December 31, 1871, Mr. Cross married Malinda Ship, who was born in Conway County, April 10, 1854. Her parents, Henry and Rhoda Ship, immigrated from Mississippi to Conway County at an early day, and both were called to their last resting place during the late war, Mr. Ship being killed at his home. To Mr. and Mrs Cross were born two sons and four daughters. Soon after his marriage Mr. Cross purchased his present farm, near Centre Ridge, then with about twenty-five acres cleared. He is now the owner of 269 acres, with about 160 acres under a fine state of cultivation. This is the result of hard toil, good management and a personal supervision of his business affairs. He was for about three years, beginning in 1883, engaged in the saw-mill business. December, 1876, while working in a neighbor's mill he lost his left hand by an explosion. This unfitting him for farm duties and having no education (not even being able to write his name) he turned his attention toward the acquirement of at least a smattering of education, and attended school with his children, and was soon able to read and write. He is active in all public enterprises, and is a Democrat in politics.
page 55
William Albert Collins, a thrifty farmer of Howard Township, was
born in Wayne County, Missouri, March 18, 1853, and is a son of
Pinckney C. and Polly Ann (Jones) Collins, who were natives of
Alabama and Wayne County, Missouri, respectively. When young. Mr.
Collins went with several of his brothers and sisters to Wayne
County, Missouri, where he married and spent the remainder of his
life as a successful farmer and stock raiser. In June, 1862, he
enlisted in the enrolled Missouri Militia, and was killed in the
battle of Hog Creek, in Bollinger County, Missouri, in August of
the same year. Mrs. Collins met her untimely death in April, 1861,
being killed in a storm by a falling tree, while going from the
spring to the house. They were the parents of four sons and two
daughters, of whom four are living. William A., our subject;
Ellen, wife of A. H. Hoves, of Madison County, Missouri; Joseph P.
and Adeline, wife of John Shock of Faulkner County. After the
death of his father William A. lived with his cousin, Mrs.
Elizabeth Brantley, till his majority, when he spent a short time
in Illinois railroading. He then returned to Missouri and engaged
in farming, but in January, 1874, went to Faulkner County,
Arkansas, and the year following, (1875), came to Conway County,
where he was married the same year to Miss Mary E., daughter of
Johnson and Harriet Guess, who were natives respectively of South
Carolina and Mississippi. Married in the latter State, and in 1857
removed to St. Francis County, Arkansas, and the following came to
Conway County, where Mr. Guess died in 1879; wife died in 1882 at
the age of 53 years. Mr. Guess was a distiller and farmer. Mrs.
Collins was born in St. Francis County, Arkansas, and is the
mother of seven children (one deceased.) Mr. Collins rented land
two years, but in 1877 homesteaded his present farm two miles
north of Plummerville, and now has about forty-five acres
under a fine state of cultivation, '55 in all. This is the reward
he has received for his honest toil. Politically he is a Democrat,
and is Tyler of Howard Lodge, No. 253, A. F. and A. M., at
Plummerville. Mr. and Mrs. Collins are members of the Methodist
Episcopal Church, South.
Benjamin C. Coblentz, a lawyer of Morrilton, was born in Frederick County, Maryland, in 1834. He was the oldest in a family of six children born to Henry and Ann M. (Routzahn) Coblentz. Parents were natives of Frederick County, Maryland, where the father followed planting. Both paternal and maternal grandparents were natives of Summer County; ancestors were of German descent. Our subject attended the county schools and the academy at Middleton, Maryland, till 1850, when he entered Marshall College, at Mercersburg, Pa Remained there till March, 1853, when Marshall College was consolidated with Franklin College, at Lancaster City, and named Franklin and Marshall College. There he graduated in July, 1853. He then began the study of law under John Cesna, of Bedford, Pa.; was admitted to the bar at Bedford in September, 1855, by Judge A. Kimmell. He then went to Illinois and located at Sterling in 1855, where he continued in practice till March, 1871, when he moved to Little Rock, Ark.; engaged in practice there till April, 1873, when he came to Conway County and located at Lewisburg. Removed to Morrilton in 1884, where he has since been actively engaged in the practice of his profession. He was Mayor of the City of Sterling; also, Mayor of Lewisburg several times. Was married in April. 1857, to Miss Marion Murphy, a native of Pennsylvania. To this union were born seven children, three of whom are living, John H., now Collector of the Port of Tacoma, Washington; Mary Wallace, and B. C., Jr., Little Rock. The family worship at the Episcopalian Church.
Allis A. Cherry, a planter and fruit grower, living on Petit Jean Mountain in Petit Jean Township, is a native of this State. He was born in Drew County, December 9, 1850, and is the son of James M. and Mary E. (Sanders) Cherry. Father was a farmer and merchant, and was a native of Mississippi; mother was a native of Alabama; parents emigrated from Mississippi to Arkansas in 1849, and settled in Drew County, where father died in 1851; mother died in 1866; she was a member of the Baptist Church. Our subject, Mr. Cherry, was married March 29, 1870, to Miss Lucy A. Johnson, a native of Mississippi, and who was born May 5, 1852 To the union of Mr. and Mrs. Cherry have been born nine children, four sons and five daughters, who are named Mary E., Laura E., Lula B., Effie F., William W., Nancy E., Charles H., Leander and Hardee. Mr. Cherry's father and mother were the parents of ten children, of where Allis, the subject of this sketch, was the youngest, and John S. Algernon, James M. and Mary M.; the others are dead. Mr. Cherry owns one of the finest places on the mountain. He has 120 acres, on which he has an abundance of the best fruit and all doings for the comfort of his family. He is an enterprising citizen, and he and wife are members of the Baptist Church.
Sterling M. Carpenter, one of the enterprising and substantial farmers of Lick Mountain Township, was born on the farm on which he now resides, two miles southeast of Centre Ridge, in the year 1857. Here he spent his entire life, and is the owner of a fine farm of 160 acres, which includes the original tract of eighty acres settled by his father about thirty-five years ago. There are about ninety acres under a fine state of cultivation, and the entire farm presents an appearance of thrift and prosperity. Mr. Carpenter was reared when the schools of Conway County were in their infancy; hence his education is comparatively limited. In December, 1876, he was married to Miss Eveline Williams, a native of Forsyth County, Georgia, and a daughter of Rev. Joseph and Louisa Williams, who were born in South Carolina and Georgia, respectively; Mrs. Williams dying on Crowley's Ridge while the family were removing to Arkansas, when Mr. Carpenter was about ten years of age. Mr. Williams continued his journey westward, and located in Conway County, where he departed this life in 1876. He was a Baptist minister. Mr. Carpenter is the father of three sons and two daughters; is a Republican in polities and cast his first presidential vote for James A. Garfield in 1880. He and Mrs. Carpenter are consistent members of the Christian Church. Robert Carpenter, deceased, the father of Sterling M., was probably a native of South Carolina, and was born in 1825. He was married in Mississippi in 1846 to Miss Mary A. Powell, who was born in Mississippi in 1825. In about 1848 they removed to Texas, and lived there six years, when they returned to Mississippi, and a short time after (about 1855), emigrated to Conway County, Arkansas, and settled in the woods a considerable distance from another settlement. Here they laid the foundation for their future home, and bore their share of the privations and hardships so common to pioneer life. On this farm Mr. Carpenter spent the rest of his life as a sturdy and honest farmer and an upright citizen. Contrary to the majority of the people of his native as well as of his adopted State, he was opposed to secession, and a staunch defender of the Union, and in June, 1862, he enlisted in Company B, of the First Arkansas Volunteer Infantry, of Gen. Curtis' command, but was not destined to do much service for the cause he so ardently advocated, as his death occurred at St. Louis, October 29th, of the same year as his enlistment. He was a consistent member of the Missionary Baptist Church. Mrs. Carpenter is still living on the old farm, and is a member of the Christian Church. She is the mother of seven children, viz.; Letha (deceased), Martha. wife of Joseph Vaughan, Elizabeth, now Mrs. R. M. Simpson, S. M.-; Julia, Louisa and an infant, deceased. Mrs. Carpenter's father, William Powell, was born and married in South Carolina, and from there he removed to Monroe County, Mississippi, where he died about 1827. Mrs. Powell died there about 1852. Both were Primitive Baptists. Charles Powell, the father of William Powell, was also a South Carolinian. Reuben Carpenter, the paternal grandfather of S. M. Carpenter, was a native of South Carolina, but afterward lived in Mississippi, and from there he removed to Texas, where he died. His wife died there also.
Rev. William H. Carlock, an old and highly respected citizen, living on Petit Jean Mountain, in Cedar Falls Township, was born in Tennessee July 14, 1827; he is a son of James and Martha (Burgess) Carlock; his parents were both natives of Tennessee, and were born in 1800 and 1807, respectively; these families were among the earliest pioneers to that section; his father was a planter and quite a popular man in his time; he held the office of County Treasurer of Marion County from 1838 to 1852 or 1853; he was married in Tennessee in 1826, and there were born to that union six children who lived to maturity, of whom our subject was the oldest; they were both members of the M. E. Church, and they died (mother) in 1840, and (father) in 1865. Mr. Carlock, the subject, was reared on the farm, and was married November 1, 1844, to Miss Mary A. Hamilton, and there were born to that union ten children, five sons and five daughters, five of whom are now living, and are named John W., James W., Martha J. (the wife of E. Pitts), Margaret E. (wife of E. Hale), Rhoda A. (wife of W. W. West). Mr. Carlock's wife died in 1863; she was a long time member of the M. E. Church. Our subject was married the second time in 1865 to Miss Mary A. Hamilton; she was a daughter of A. C. and Nancy (Callahan) Hamilton, and is a native of Georgia; born January 22, 1842. To this union were born seven children, only one of whom, Nancy F., wife of John Morris, is now living. They were married December 21, 1888. Our subject enlisted in the late was in 1861, in Company I, Thirty-Sixth Tennessee Regiment Infantry; was discharged in 1862 on account of old age. He served as Justice of the Peace for some time in the district of the county in which he resided. In 1869 he emigrated from Tennessee to Arkansas, and settled in Yell County, where he lived until 1879 when he moved to Conway County, where he now resides. Mr. Carlock owns a fine farm of 240 acres, with 60 acres under cultivation. His daughter, Mrs. Morris, and her husband, reside with and manage his farming operations. Mrs. Carlock is a member of the M. E. Church, and Mr. Carlock is a Presbyterian; he has been a minister for twenty-five years.
Rev. John W. Carlock is one of the enterprising planters of the Petit Jean Mountain; his pleasant home in Cedar Falls Township is one of the most attractive of that particularly attractive region. He was born in Walker County, Georgia, October, 1849, and is the son of W. H. and Mary A. Carlock. (See sketch of W. H. Carlock.) He was married in Yell County, August 10, 1871, to Miss Carrie Callahan, a native of Texas. Mrs. Carlock died October 14, 1872, leaving one child, a daughter, Sarah, which died in 1874. Mr. Carlock was married to his present wife, Miss Martha R. Brady, October 1, 1874; she is a daughter of Daniel and Margaret (Cunningham) Brady, natives of Tennessee, and the parents of four children, one son and three daughters; the daughters are living and are named Martha R., Fedora, wife of T. H. Summers, and Mary J., wife of Conrad Weilenman. Father emigrated from Tennessee to Mississippi, and from that State to Arkansas. Mr. and Mrs. Carlock are the parents of six children, one son and five daughters, of whom four are now living; William T., Malvina (deceased, August 7, 1883), Rosella C., born July 2, 1880; Ida V., born February 28, 1883; Mary P., born March 30, 1886, and Alva P., born July 6, 1889. Our subject has always taken an active interest in the affairs of his township, and was elected justice in 1886, and served two terms. He is an old school teacher, engaging in that occupation on the completion of his education in Marion County, Tennessee, in 1869; he has taught in Boone, Yell and Perry Counties. In 1887 he was licensed to preach in the M. E. Church. He now owns a pleasant farm of 80 acres, well improved and stocked; his principal crops are corn and cotton.
James W. Carlock, one of the representative citizens of Cedar Falls Township, on the Petit Jean Mountain, is a native of Walker County, Georgia, and was born August 17, 1855. He is a son of William H. and Mary A. Carlock, a sketch of whose life appears in this book, and to which the reader is referred for a full account of that respected citizen. Our subject was married in Yell County, Arkansas, October 8, 1876, to Miss Cerena C. Hamilton, a daughter of Benjamin and Nancy (Crouch) Hamilton, Mrs. Carlock was born in Georgia October 9, 1852; she died December 5, 1878, and left one son, William B. Mr. Carlock was married the second time March 9, 1879, to Miss Ann J. Bernard, a daughter of Marcus and Sarah L. (Paplin) Bernard; father was a native of France, and mother of Mississippi; they were married in Pope County, Arkansas, about 1842, and were the parents of four children, named Ann J., wife of subject, born in Yell County, October 7, 1852; Samuel; Matilda, wife of James Jones, and William M. Father died October 20, 1855; mother died in 1888, and both were members of the M. E. Church. Mr. Carlock owns one of the best places on the mountain, 115 acres well improved; he and Mr. Carlock are members of the M. E. Church, South; they are parents of five children, named in order of birth; Joseph, W., Mary L., Alfred R., Matilda A. and Jessie L.
Prof. T. L. Cox of Morrilton. Few young men have led a more active life, in all its varying phases than Prof. Cox. He began laying the foundation of his fortune by earnestly endeavoring to secure a finished education, which was laboriously accomplished by alternately teaching and study. But to go back to his early days, and begin the story of his life at his youth. He was born near Decatur, Tennessee, October 18, 1859. Is the son of James and Mary (Cate) Cox, who are also natives of that State, where they still reside on the farm near Decatur. Our subject entered the Williams School, at Decatur, and remained a student of that institution till his 17th year. He then entered the Masonic Institute at Calhoun, Tenn., where he took the full classical course, and remained for three years. Prior to his 16th year he taught a summer term of school, and each succeeding summer thereafter he taught during the vacation, while he diligently pursued his studies during the remainder of the year. After leaving school, in 1879, he engaged as editor of the "Hiwassu Reporter." The next year he bought a newspaper outfit and started the first newspaper at Decatur, the "Meigs County News." The next year he sold out and came to Arkansas, locating at Perryville, in 1881. Here he at once began teaching school, and also the study of law. In July, 1882 was elected president of Clinton College, which position he filled till 1886, when he resigned to take charge of the public school of Morrilton. During the term of his presidency of Clinton College that school became one of the best known educational institutions of any interior town, and while at the head of the Morrilton schools for four years, he built them up to a high degree of proficiency. During the State Exposition at Little Rock, 1887, Mr. Cox had charge of the Educational and Art Department. On December 1, 1888, he started a book and stationery store in the bank building at Morrilton, where he carries a full line of school and standard books, stationery, and all school supplies, musical instruments, etc., etc., and beside his retail trade, does a jobbing business among the country merchants. In 1889 he was made general agent for the Standard School Book Company, of St. Louis, which position he still holds. Mr. Cox holds office in several organized societies, among which we will mention that he is Secretary and Treasurer of the Arkansas Building and Loan Association; is Secretary of the Conway County Bureau of immigration; is one of the trustees of the Morrilton Male and Female College; is one of the trustees of the Arkansas Summer Normal, at Mount Nebo. He is a member of the Masonic and Knights of Pythias fraternities, and is Past Dictator of the Knights of Honor. Mr. Cox has been an active worker in the political, as well as the educational field. In 1888 he was a candidate before the State Democratic Convention for the office of State Superintendent of Public Instruction, and showed his political strength by failing to secure the nomination by only a few votes. In 1880, before he had reached his majority, he represented his county in the Tennessee State Democratic Convention at Nashville, and was Assistant Secretary of the Democratic Convention at Pikeville the same year; was Chairman of the Convention of the Sixth Judicial District held at Conway, in June, 1884. These positions of responsibility conferred upon Mr. Cox will convince the reader of his popularity, and we predict greater honors held in store for him by the future. Our subject has been married twice; the first time to Miss Emma Charles July 11, 1880; again, on August 26, 1887, to Miss Kate Doty, a native of Tennessee. The first Mrs. Cox died November 6, 1884, leaving two children, one of whom joined her in heavenly rest in June, of the next summer; the other, Thomas Nixon, is now a bright and intelligent boy. The second marriage has resulted in the birth of one child, Lilliam. Mr. and Mrs. Cox both hold church membership the former in the Baptist, and the latter in the Methodist Episcopal Church, South.
page 58
Wm. M. Clifton, one of the prominent and esteemed citizens of
Morrilton, is a native of Troupe County, Georgia; born 1829, being
the sixth of a family of three sons and five daughters born to Wm.
M. and Susan (Nixon) Clifton who were both born in 1796, the father
in Clark County, Georgia, and the mother near Charlottesville,
Va. They were married in Georgia and lived some years in Clark
County, and from there they removed to Troupe County,and in 1829,
when our subject was but a few months old, they removed to what is
now Marshall County, Alabama, and from there to the Cherokee country
of the same State, where they made their future home, Mrs Clifton
dying November 19, 1862, and Mr. Clifton May 12, 1864. The former
was a consistent member of the Methodist Church from thirteen years
of age. Mr. Clifton was a farmer by occupation. He was tax collector
at one time, and for many years was Justice of the Peace. He was a
soldier with General Harrison at the battle of Tippecanoe, and was
also with General Andrew Jackson in the war of 1812. He was a man of
more than ordinary education for his day, being a graduate of Athens
College in Georgia, and a classmate of the late distinguished Howell
Cobb. His parents were George and Elizabeth (Floyd) Clifton, who
were probably natives of Delaware, but removed to Georgia in an
early day, where they spent the rest of their lives. Mr. Clifton and
six brothers served through the war for independence, and but two of
them over returned. They were sons of Nehemiah Clifton, who probably
died in Delaware. Our subject's maternal grandparents were John and
E. (Philips) Nixon, who removed from Virginia to Georgia when Mrs.
Clifton was about thirteen years of age. Here they spent their
future lives. Mr. Nixon was also a soldier in the Revolutionary war.
His father was Edward Nixon. The subject of our sketch was reared in
the wilds of Alabama, with no advantages whatever for an education,
and reaching his majority could not write his name. For some years
he was the main support of his parents, but in 1857 he came to
Arkansas spending the first two years in Prairie County working at
the carpenter trade. He then, in 1859, came to Conway County and
engaged in farming till the war broke out, when he at once espoused
the cause of the Confederacy, and in August, 1861, enlisted in
Company I of the First Arkansas Mounted Infantry, and during the
first year operated in Arkansas, Missouri and Kansas, participating
in the battles of Oak Hill and Pea Ridge. He was then transferred to
the Army of the Tennessee, and fought at Corinth, Farmington,
Richmond, Murfreesboro, Chickamauga, and in the Georgia campaign to
Dug Gap near Dalton, Georgia, where he was severely wounded in the
right hand, which rendered him ineffective for further field
service, and he was placed in the ordnance department, where he did
service till the close of the war. His command disbanded at
Marshall, Texas, in the summer of 1865 after over four years of
hardship and suffering for the Confederate cause. He was wounded
seven times, and was twice captured in one day during the engagement
at Oak Hill, but was recaptured by his own men a few moments after.
After the war he returned to Conway County and resumed farming. In
1869 he united in marriage with Mrs. Mary T. McClung, a daughter of
John L. and Sarah Moose, whose sketch is in another place. Mrs.
Clifton was born in Fayette County, Tennessee, 1828, and is the
mother of three children by her first husband, one of whom survives,
a son. James H. In 1880 Mr. Clifton erected a fine brick business
block in Morrilton, and from about 1884 till 1887 was engaged in
merchandising, the firm being Clifton & MeClung. In 1874 and 1875 he
was Deputy Sheriff, and in 1876 was elected Sheriff of Conway
County, in which official position he served two years. He ranks
among the most, enterprising real estate owners of the county, being
the owner of about 1100 acres of land besides considerable real
estate in Morrilton. He began life with nothing of this world's
goods, and he owes his success to his economy, good management
and close attention to his business. He has led a peaceable, quiet
and uneventful life, always a total abstainer from intoxicants, and
an earnest worker for the cause of sobriety and temperance; has
affiliated with the Democratic party all his life, voting for every
presidential candidate of that party from Pierce to Cleveland,
except McClellan-1864. He holds membership in the F. and A. M.,
Lewisburg Lodge, No. 105; was once Worshipful Master and other minor
positions; was once King of the Royal Arch Chapter; is also member
of the K. of P., Hermion Lodge, and an active worker in the
Methodist Church, South, for thirty-eight years. Mrs. Clifton has
been a devout member of the same church for about thirty four years.
page 59
John A. Comes, of the firm of Reuter & Comes, contractors and
builders, also owners and operators of a planing mill, and other
wood machinery at Morrilton; is a native of Luxemburg, Germany, and
was born in the year 1844, being a son of John and Margaret (Feine)
Comes, who were also natives of Germany, where the mother spent her
entire life, dying in 1870, and in 1880 Mr. Comes emigrated to the
United States, and at once settled at Morrilton, where his death
occurred in 1881. His occupation was that of a carpenter. The entire
family-except one daughter who still resides in Germany-came to
America, and are now residents of different States. John A. Comes
attended the common schools of his native country till the age of
fourteen years, after which time he learned the carpenter trade,
which he has successfully followed ever since. His marriage occurred
in 1875 to Miss Lena Meyers; a daughter of John Meyers, who spent
all his life in Germany. In the year 1880 Mr. Comes came with his
father to the United States and spent the first two years at
Morrilton, working at his trade. He then removed to St. Paul,
Minnesota, where he resided till 1884. when he returned to
Morrilton, where he has since made his home. He made contracting and
building his sole occupation till 1890, when he formed a partnership
with Mr. Reuter, as above stated. They dress some 6000 or 7000 feet
of lumber per day, and are almost continually engaged in building.
Mr. Comes is the owner of two houses and lots in Morrilton. In religion the family are Catholics.
George Washington Combs, an enterprising farmer and justice of the peace of Union Township, Conway County, is a native of McNairy County, Tennessee, and was born in 1839. His father. John Combs, and his mother Susan (Etter) Combs, were natives of Virginia, where they were reared and married. From there they removed to Warren County, Tennessee, and thence to McNairy County, where they made their future home. Mr. Combs died about 1879, and Mrs. Combs died in 1888. Both of them were consistent members of the Methodist Church a great many years. Mr. Combs was a moderate but industrious farmer, and a man who had the respect of those who knew him best. His father, Gilbert Combs, was probably a Pennsylvanian by birth, but lived a good many years in Virginia, and lastly in McNairy County. Tennessee, where he died prior to the civil war. His occupation was that of a farmer. Jacob Etter, the maternal grandfather of the subject of this sketch, it is supposed was a native of Virginia, where he lived all his life. He was of German ancestry. Esquire Combs is one of a family of nine sons and five daughters, and was reared to manhood on a farm in McNairy County, Tennessee, with the advantage of nothing but the poorly conducted country schools of his native county for an education. At the early age of eighteen years (1857) he was united in marriage with Miss Sarah C. Birchett, who is also a native of McNairy County, Tennessee. Her parents, James and Virginia E. Birchett, where probably born somewhere in the State of Tennessee, and died in McNairy County, Mrs. Birchett about the close of the late war, and Mr. Birchett soon after. He was a farmer by occupation Mr. and Mrs Combs have had twelve children born to them, of whom there are three sons and five daughters living. After his marriage, Mr. Combs continued to reside in his native county till about 1870, when he removed to Gibson County, Tennessee, where he lived till 1881. He then emigrated to Conway, County, Arkansas, and the first six years resided at Centre Ridge, but since that time has lived near Springfield, where he owns a good upland farm of eighty acres. Since 1888, Mr. Combs has served the people of Union Township as Justice of the Peace, and had previously held that office in Lick Mountain Township. He served as Constable in McNairy County, and Deputy Sheriff in Gibson County, Tennessee. He affiliates with the Democratic party in politics, and gave his first presidential vote to Douglas in 1860. He is a prominent member, of the Masonic fraternity of Springfield Lodge, No. 127. Has served in the capacity of Junior Warden, Tyler, etc. Mr. and Mrs. Combs have been devout members of the M. E. Church, South, from childhood. Several of their children are also members of the same.
page 60
J. S. Cathcart is one of the representative planters and stock-
raisers of Union Township, this county. He was born in Marshall
County, Mississippi, in 1849; the son of William and Sarah (Marsh)
Cathcart, who were born in Spartanburg District, South Carolina, in
1818, and North Carolina, 1812, respectively. They were married in
South Carolina, and from there moved to Marshall County,
Mississippi, about 1845, and in 1850 (when our subject was but one
year old) to Arkansas, where they located in Arkansas County. In
1859 they moved to Drew County, where Mr. Cathcart soon died.
In 1860 his wife returned to Arkansas County, where she died in
1863; was a member of the M. E. Church. Our subject is the paternal
grandchild of James Cathcart, who was of Irish parentage, a planter
by occupation, and who probably died in South Carolina. Abner Marsh
removed to Arkansas County in 1850, and died there while our subject
was very small. He was a farmer, and of English parentage. Our
subject was the youngest but one of three sons and one daughter, and
is the only one living at the present time. The oldest son, Albert,
died in the hospital at Little Rock in 1863, having served about
two years in the Arkansas Infantry of the Confederate army. A
sister, Susan, died in 1863; James died about 1854. J. S. was reared
mostly in Arkansas County, with but very little school advantages.
On the death of his mother he began for himself as a farmer, working
for a time for wages. He was married in Arkansas County in 1867 to
Mary, daughter of James and Elizabeth (Luckett) Mills, who came from
Mississippi to Arkansas County, Arkansas, about 1856. Mr. Mills died
in St. Francis County, while en route, and Mrs. Mills died in
Arkansas County. Mrs. Cathcart was born in Lafayette County,
Mississippi. She died in 1880, and left four children, two sons and
two daughters. In 1882 Mr. Cathcart married the second time to Mrs.
Mary A. F. Smith, a native of White County. In 1876 Mr. Cathcart
moved to Sebastian County, and in 1877 to Conway, where he has since
resided. For two years he rented land, and in 1880 settled in the
woods near Springfield; where he improved a good farm. In 1884 he
moved to his present farm, adjoining his first settlement. He has
200 acres, with 130 acres cleared and under cultivation. This farm
and home was secured by Mr. Cathcart from the result of his own
efforts. To his industry and energy his present success may be
traced. Politically, Mr. Cathcart is a Democrat. He is also a member
of the A. F. and A. M. Springfield Lodge, No. 127, in which he has
held several offices, and is the present Master. He was formerly a
member of Euclid Lodge, No. 130, of Arkansas County. Neither he nor
Mrs. C. have any living relatives so far as they know.
William H. Cole, one of the most extensive and successful farmers and stock-raisers of Union Township, was born in Middle Tennessee in 1844. His parents, Matthew and Hanhah R. (Petty) Cole were probably natives of Alabama and Tennessee, respectively, and were married in Lincoln County, Tennessee. They afterward removed to Wayne County. Tennessee, and in 1850 removed to that portion of Izard County, Arkansas which is now Stone County, where Mr. Cole departed this life about 1854. He followed blacksmithing for a livelihood, and was a member of the Methodist Church, and of the old Whig party in politics. His father, Peter Cole, was a well-to-do farmer of Tennessee, where he spent his last years. William H. Cole's mother died in what is now Stone County, soon after the war. For some years she was a Methodist, but the latter part of her life was spent in the Missionary Baptist Church. The subject of this sketch is the third, of a family of two sons and five daughters. He was reared on a farm from six years old among the hills of what is now Stone County, with no educational advantages, and until after his majority he could not write his name. He attended school a short time after he was married, but his domestic duties prevented him from a further continuance of his desired course of study. His first marriage occurred March 4, 1861, to Julia A. Gower, a native of Mississippi, and a daughter of Abel Gower. She died about 1865, leaving two children (now deceased). July 4, 1866, Mr. Cole married Miss Martha A. Cooper, a daughter of George and Julia A. Cooper, who immigrated from Tennessee to what is now Stone County, Arkansas, in about 1847. Mr. Cooper was a deaf-mute, was very successful in all his business transactions and accumulated a handsome property, for which it is supposed he was murdered. Mrs. Cole was born in Izard (now Stone) County, and is the mother of four sons and five daughters, all of whom are now living, viz.: Delia A., wife of B. E. Mitchell; Lue A., now Mrs. J. J. Lawrence of Van Buren County; Travy, Hannah B., wife of W. L. Mitchell; Presley, Julia A., William M., Albert and Martha B. Mr. Cole resided in Stone County till 1886, when he removed to Conway County and has since resided on his present farm, about four miles northwest of Springfield, where he owns one of the best improved farms in Conway County. He has in all over 200 acres, more than 100 acres of which is under an excellent state of cultivation. He is a self-made man in every sense of the word, and his property is the result of his industry, economy and good management. He served in different commands nearly the entire time of the civil war, in the Confederate army, first in the infantry and then in the cavalry. His operations were in different parts of Arkansas, Louisiana, and was with Gen. Sterling Price on his celebrated raid through Missouri and Kansas and back into Arkansas, and surrendered at Jacksonport. Mr. Cole is a member of the A. F. and A. M., Lindsey Lodge, and of the Blue Mountain Lodge of I. O. O. F., both of Stone County. Politically he is a Republican. He and Mrs. Cole are faithful members of the Methodist Church, but were formerly of the Missionary Baptists.
Dr. Clarence Cullens, a prominent physician and surgeon and a well- known and courteous gentleman, of Plummerville, owes his nativity to Milledgeville, Georgia, where he was born in 1843. His parents were the Hon. Wiley W. and Mary (Tennille) Cullens, both of whom were also natives of Georgia, where Mrs Cullens spent her entire life; she died in 1844, when the subject of this sketch was but a few months old. She was a most estimable and cultured lady, having sprung from a very prominent and influential Southern family of French origin. After a thorough literary training, principally under the tutelage of the distinguished Doctor Beeman, of Georgia, one of the most popular and thorough educators of the South. Mr. Cullens studied law in the office of Felix Grundy and James K. Polk, at Nashville, Tennessee, where he was admitted to the bar, and practiced his well-chosen profession for some time, when he returned to his native State, where he owned an extensive plantation to which he devoted his attention thereafter, and became a very useful and influential citizen. He was for several terms a member of the Georgia Legislature and was a prominent member of the A. F. and A. M. Mr. Cullens lived a long life of usefulness, dying at about the age of seventy-six years. He was a son of Frederick Cullens, who was born near the Virginia and North Carolina State line, but in an early day removed to Georgia, and died in Washington County of that State, a very wealthy planter. Dr. Cullens was the youngest but one of a family of thirteen children, and soon after the death of his mother he was taken to Pontotoc County, Miss., where he was principally reared by a brother-in-law, Col. R. W. Flournoy, a well-known and distinguished lawyer and wealthy planter of that State. The doctor was educated principally at Oglethorpe University, in Georgia, but completed his studies at LaGrange Military Institute of that State, but early in 1861 he left college to take up arms for the cause of the Confederacy, enlisting in the Twenty-first Mississippi Infantry, as a private but was soon after made orderly sergeant, and served in the army of Virginia for a few months when he was taken sick, sent home, and upon recovery assisted in organizing company B, which was placed in the Forty-first Mississippi Infantry, in which he served as a private for a short time when he was made lieutenant, and afterward promoted to the captaincy, which position he continued to fill during the remainder of his service. He did active service in the battles of Farmington, Miss, Murfreesboro, Mission Ridge and Chickamauga (where he was twice severely wounded); was through the Georgia campaign, and in the engagement at Atlanta, July 22, 1864, received a wound which disabled him from further service, and was taken to the hospital at Macon, Georgia, and thence to his home in Mississippi. He was captured at one time while at home on a furlough, but was soon after paroled and ex changed. January 16, 1865, Dr. C. was married to Miss Martha S. Heard, a native of Pontotoc County, Miss., and a daughter of Alexander A. and Adicia M. (Pruitt) Heard. Mr. Heard was a wealthy planter of Pontotoc County, where he died before the war, and where Mrs. Heard still resides. Her father was Joseph Pruitt, a former wealthy slave owner of Pontotoc County. After the war Dr. Cullens turned his attention to the study of physic, and in 1870 graduated with honors from the Kentucky School of Medicine, at Louisville, Ky., and at once began the practice of his profession in Union County, Miss., but after a successful practice of about two years he was elected to represent his district in the State Senate for a term of two years, at the expiration of which he was appointed and served as one of the State Chancellors for one year. He then engaged in journalism and for some years was one of the editors and publishers of the Albany (Miss.) Democrat, and in the meantime was practicing law, till 1880, when he removed to Plummerville, Ark., where he has since been engaged in the practice of physic with that same degree of success that marked his previous career. Since his residence at that place his estimable wife died September 30, 1884. She was a devout member of the Missionary Baptist Church, and was the mother of four children, three of whom survive. On December 21, 1885, the doctor was married in Connecticut to his present wife, Miss Emma Stanhope Beach, a lady of culture and refinement, and a daughter of Dr. Warren P. and Mariah H. Beach, who were natives of the Wooden Nutmeg State. Dr. Beach was a graduate from the medical department of Yale College, and practiced his profession with success till his death. Mrs. Beach is still living. Dr. Cullens was formerly a member of the I. O. O. F., and is at present Worshipful Master of Howard Lodge. No. 253, A. F. and A. M., at Plummerville. He is also a member of the Morning Star Lodge, K. of H., at Morrilton, and is a consistent member of the Missionary Baptist Church. Mrs. Cullens is an Episcopalian.
K. S Crowder resides in Washington Township, this county, and is the prosperous possessor of a good farm of over 100 acres, sixty-five of which is under a good state of cultivation. He has proven himself to be an active worker in the cause of education and religion; in the former work he holds the office of director of his district, and in the latter is a consistent member of the M. E Church, South, in which he is a successful exhorter. Mr. Crowder is a native of Mississippi, where he was born December 25, 1861. He is the son of King L. and Missouri C. (Taylor) Crowder, who were also the parents of four other children, two of whom are now dead. Mr. Crowder, Sr., was a farmer by occupation, and an enterprising and useful man in his day and time, and is now long since dead. Mrs. Crowder is living, and is making her home in Washington Township. Our subject received his education in this county, but at the early age of 14 years, was called to the management of his mother's farm, which he conducted in a most efficient manner till 1884. On the 10th of August he married Mrs. Sarah Bostain, a native of this State, and the widow of David Bostain, by whom she had four children, named Wesley A., Laura A., Alice and William. The fruits of her union with our subject has been the two children, Agnes B. (deceased) and King V., named for his paternal grandparent.
page 62
Henry V. Crowell, a young but enterprising farmer of Washington
Township, this county, is a native of Alabama, born December 22,
1856, is the son of M. and Mary A. Crowell; father is a retired
practitioner in the profession of medicine, and at present is
engaged in commercial business at Solgohachia (see sketch). Our
subject received his education in this State at the schools of
Springfield, and Quitman College. Arriving at his majority, he began
merchandising, a business he followed till 1884. He then went to the
Indian Territory and was engaged in the cattle business for several
years. Retiring from that occupation he returned and engaged as
clerk, and occupation he followed for two years. On August 20, 1886,
he was united in marriage to Mary E. Coleman, who was born in the
State of Mississippi, December 20, 1869. They are now the parents of
two children, Adrian, born November 23, 1887, and an infant unnamed.
He is a successful farmer, and his farm of 107 acres, purchased
several years ago, is being greatly improved by his industry and
good management. He has eighty acres under cultivation and all is
well-stocked and fenced. Mr. C. is a member of the Masonic
fraternity, Hebron Lodge, No. 256, in which he has held various
offices. He and wife are also members of the M. E. Church, South.
H. V. Crozier, merchant, and the present Mayor of Morrilton, was born in Panqla County, Miss, in 1848, and was the sixth in a family of seven children born to H. G. and Nancy K. (Oli.er) Crozier; parents were both natives of Tennessee, and father was a planter and later a merchant in Mississippi, where he resided till his death in 1876. Mother died in 1884. The subject of this sketch was mostly reared on the farm and attended the common schools till the age of 15 years, when he engaged as clerk in the store of an uncle, with whom he continued about two years. In 1864 he enlisted in the Confederate army, when he was attached to the Hudson battery, and served in Mississippi, Tennessee and Alabama; he was in the battles of the Tennessee raid, and of the old campground, Mississippi; surrendered near Gainesville, May 12, 1865, when he returned home and engaged in farming for three years; he then engaged in commercial business at Eureka Miss., which he discontinued till 1869, and then came to Arkansas, settling at Lonoke, where he at once engaged in general merchandising. He remained there but two years, and then went to Beebe, White County, for six years, and then in 1878 came to Morrilton, where he at once engaged in business, and has since resided. Here he bought property on the corner of Railroad avenue and Division street, where he erected a frame building in which he commenced his business. In 1889 he erected the fine brick block, consisting of five stores, on the corner of those streets; in one of these he now conducts his business, and in a new store, with new goods, a full stock of general merchandise, consisting of dry goods, notions, hats and caps, boots and shoes, fancy goods of all kinds, etc. Mr. C. has what may truly be said one of the neatest and most tasty stores of its kind in Morrilton; he carries a stock of about $7000, and his system is strictly cash. Soon after his arrival at Morrilton he erected a good and handsome residence, and he now owns other town property. Mr. Crozier has always taken an active interest in school matters, and has served as school director for several years; he is now a member of the Board of Trustees of the Morrilton College. He was elected Mayor of Morrilton, in 1889. Mr. C. was married in 1868 to Sallie J. Green, a native of Tennessee, and to this union were born six children, Emma Dean, wife of C. C Reid, a prominent young lawyer of this place. Etheridge Ross died in infancy; Anna Dota, died at the age of 3 years and 6 months; Sallie Irene, died at the age of 5 years; Mattie Athline and Hugh Gilbreth, died in infancy. Mr. Crozier lost his estimable wife November 3, 1889. She was, and Mr. C. is, a member of the M. E Church, South
Sanford V. Castleberry, a blacksmith of the village of Ada, in Higgins Township, was born in South Carolina, January 22, 1838. He was a son of William T. and Elizabeth (Gallaspie) Castleberry. They were natives of South Carolina, where they were married and where the father followed school teaching for some time. They were the parents of seven children; five are now living and are named: Sanford V. (our subject), Paul, Elizabeth, Jane, Katie C. Father emigrated from South Carolina to Alabama, and from that State to Arkansas in 1859, settling in Conway County, where he died, at Springfield in 1861; the mother died December 26, 1862; they were both members of the Baptist Church. Our subject was married in Conway County in 1864 to Miss Narcissa Oats, and to this union was born one child, which died unnamed. He is now living with his fourth wife, Miss Virginia Gauss. They are the parents of three children, two now living, named John and Harrison; to Mr. Castleberry's second marriage were born six children, five now living, named: Amanda J., Thomas H., Florria A., James P., Drucilla; to the third union there were four children, none of whom now survive Mr. Castleberry was a soldier in the late war; he enlisted in Company B, 3d Arkansas Cavalry, in 1863, and served until the close in 1865. He is a member of the K. of H., and he and his wife are members of the Baptist Church. Mr. Castleberry was Coroner of Faulkner County during 1878- 80. He is a worthy member of society, and is interested in its improvement and advancement.