Charles R. Aikin, a retired merchant of Calico Rock, Ark., was born in Colorado, in 1854, and is a son of William M. and Catherine W. (Rudolph) Aikin, who were born in South Carolina and Maryland, respectively. William Aikin removed to Arkansas in 1843 or 1844, and located in what was then Izard County (now Stone County), and these counties have since been his home, with the exception of from 1852 to 1855, when he was a resident of Colorado. From 1861 to 1872 he resided in Batesville, but upon the death of his wife, in the latter year, he removed from Batesville, and has made his home in Izard and Stone Counties since. He was a farmer during his early life, but afterward gave his attention to merchandising, and was associated with Cox & Byers, at Sylamore. He was married in 1850 or 1851, and he and wife became the parents of four children, Charles R., the subject of this memoir, being the only one living; Maggie L. (deceased) was the wife of Joseph Case, of Batesville, and died in 1881, leaving two children, Maggie being the only one now living; the two other children died in infancy, Mr. Aikin has filled the office of notary public, and was postmaster of Calico Rock for a number of years. He resides in Sylamore, is sixty-six years of age, and is in the enjoyment of excellent health. Charles R. Aikin attended school in Batesville until he attained his sixteenth year, and then engaged in farming for himself on his father's farm, continuing thus occupied for three years; then entered college at Batesville, which institution he attended one year. He then entered the dry goods store of W. E. Maxwell, at Sylamore, but at the end of one year accepted a position in a store at Batesville, and after remaining in the employ of H. C. Smith for some time he returned to Sylamore and entered the employ of McMurtry & Whitfield. His next enterprise was to engage in merchandising in partnership with W. E. Maxfield, but in 1879 he came to Calico Rock, and began working for that gentleman for a portion of the profits, and since 1888 [p.924] has been out settling up the outstanding accounts of the business. He was married on the 22d of January, 1888. to Miss Mary E. Grimmett. He has been postmaster of this place for four or five years, is a Democrat politically, and belongs to the I. O. O. F. and the A. F. & A. M. He owns a good farm of eighty acres close to the town, well improved, besides other valuable property.
 

 A. G. Albright is one of the substantial residents of Izard County. Ark., but his birth occurred in the “Old North State” October 9, 1838. his parents, Alvis and Mary A. (Stockard) Albright, being also born there, in 1808 and 1815, respectively. They were reared. educated and married in their native State, but about the year 1853 they moved to Arkansas, where they reared their family. Five sons and five daughters were born to them. and seven of their children are living at the present time. The father was an energetic tiller of the soil, in which occupation he acquired a handsome competency, and at the time of his death, March 31, 1881, he was the owner of some 500 acres of land. He was also a minister of the gospel, being an expounder of the Methodist doctrine, but, after his arrival in Arkansas, he and his wife attached themselves to the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, Mr. Albright being identified with this church at the time of his death. His widow is still living, and resides with a daughter at Barren Fork. A. G. Albright. their son, was educated near Pittsboro, N. C., and after coming to Arkansas with his parents he united his destiny with that of Miss Sarah T. Screws, who was horn in this State, being a daughter of George W. Screws. Of the family of eleven children born to them eight are living: George A., James G., Sarah C., Harriet E., Nancy N., Julia Esther. William F. and Lula J. Mr. Albright owns an excellent farm comprising 352 acres, of which there are about 160 acres under cultivation, and it is well stocked with all the necessary animals for successfully conducting the place. In connection with this work he is engaged in general merchandising at Barren Fork, his stock at the present time invoicing at about $8,000. He is a member of three secret organizations, the Masons, the Knights and Ladies of Honor, and the I. O. O. F., and in the former order belongs to the Commandery. When the war, which had for some time been threatening. at last became an assured fact. Mr. Albright joined Kelley's Ninth Battalion, and went to Kentucky. but was discharged on account of disability. The same year he joined Capt. Woods' company, Shaler's regiment. and served to the close of the war in the quartermaster's department, as regimental carpenter. In the latter part of 1866 he returned home and engaged in the milling business with his father. and still later embarked in the occupations mentioned above. He and wife are members of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, and are active and liberal supporters of churches and schools. as well as all other worthy enterprises.
 

J. H. Ayler, farmer. Melbourne. Ark. Among the younger members of the agricultural community of Izard County there are none more deserving of mention than Mr. Ayler, and on this account, no less than that he has resided in this county since about three years of age, he is accorded a worthy place in this volume. His birth occurred in Tennessee in 1848, and he came with his parents. Charles and Minerva E. (Robison) Ayler, to Arkansas, in 1851, and settled in Izard County. He assisted on his father's farm until twenty-one years of age. when he started out to fight life's battles for himself, and rented land for about six years. He then purchased a farm of eighty-six acres, which he afterward increased to 286 acres, with sixty five acres under cultivation, and has plenty of good stock to run his farm. In 1870 he was married to Miss Icy D. H. Cornelius, and they became the parents of these children: John P., born October 13. 1871, at home: Ada M., born February 21, 1873, at home; Lou N., born July 21, 1875: Nancy E., born November 23, 1877; Willie Mand, born February 1, 1880 (deceased); Nettie E., born February 19. 1883, and Grover H., born June 7, 1885. Mr. and Mrs. Ayler are members of the Christian Church, and in politics he is a Democrat. His parents were both natives of Tennessee. The father, Charles Ayler. was reared on a farm and educated in the common schools of Tennessee. He came to Arkansas in 1851, as above stated, and bought an unimproved farm in Izard County. After remaining on this farm for about fifteen years he sold out and bought an improved farm, close to where he first resided, and continued there about ten years. He then sold out, and bought another farm of 175 acres, where he remained until his death, which occurred in 1882, at the age of sixty four years. He was twice married, the first time to Miss Minerva E. Robison, and by her became the father of seven children, five now living: J. H., William, Mrs. Nancy Evans, Mrs. Sarah E. Sterling and Mrs. Harriet J. Williams. The mother of these children is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Mr. Ayler's second marriage was to Miss Amanda Taylor, in 1871, and they had a family of three children: Tennessee. Annie and John. Mr. Ayler was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and Mrs. Ayler still survives him. Mrs. Minerva Ayler was married the second time to Henry Williams, and they reside in this county.
 

John N. Bates, farmer, Franklin, Ark. Notwithstanding the rapid growth of the agricultural affairs of the county in the last few years, and the progressive ideas advanced, Mr. Bates has kept thoroughly apace with the times, and is considered one of the leading farmers of the county. His birth occurred in Bedford County, Tenn., in 1829, and he is the son of J. A. and Elizabeth (Davis) Bates, the former a native of the Old Dominion, and the latter of South Carolina. J. A. Bates came to Tennessee about 1820, but previous to that had been a resident of Georgia and Alabama. He was principally reared in Georgia, and served in the War of 1812 up to 1815. He was also with Gen. Noonan's command, was in the Florida swamps in 1836, and was present when the chief, Osceola, was captured. During the War of 1812 he was a lieutenant, and served in that capacity until 1814 when, for his bravery and daring, he was promoted to the rank of captain, having piloted a boat-load of ammunition and provisions from Black Creek Station to Fort Scott, Fla. This boat-load of supplies had been ordered to Black Creek Station while Gen. Jackson was there, but the commander at Fort Scott was hard pressed, and had requested Gen. Jackson to come to his assistance. Lieut, Bates was off after deserters at this time, but when he returned to Black Creek Station he found Gen. Jackson gone, and the boatload of ammunition and provisions had arrived from the head of supplies. There were not enough troops left to guard the boat, so Lieut. Bates built breastworks on the boat and pushed off, reaching Gen. Jackson in safety. For this daring and almost impossible feat he was promoted to the rank of captain. He died in Coffee County, Tenn. in September, 1868, at the age of seventy-four years. He had been twice married, first to Elizabeth Aulford, by whom he had three children, all daughters, Martha, Mary and Elizabeth, wife of a Mr. Carroll. Mrs. Bates died about 1819, and Mr. Bates was the second time married, to Miss Elizabeth Davis, in 1824. To this union were born seven children, six of whom lived to be grown. The youngest one died when quite small; Jasper M. resides in his county; Alethia (deceased), was the wife of J. S. Jones; John N., the subject of this sketch; Frances A., widow of J. Hickerson, now resides in Tennessee; Rebecca A. (deceased), wife of L. W. Angell, of Tennessee, and Louisa J. (deceased), was the wife of Alex. Old field. Mrs. Bates died in July, 1869. Both Mr. and Mrs. Bates were members of the Baptist Church, and he was a member of the Masonic fraternity. In politics he was a Whig. At the age of twenty-one years J. N. Bates started out for himself, after receiving a fair education in the common schools. He was a schoolmate of Judge Powell, of this county, in Bedford County, Tenn. He first began as a hired hand to learn the tanning business, boarded with his father, and worked for $5 per month for one year. In 1854 he commenced tanning on his own account, and ran a yard for himself until 1864, when he lost all of his property. He then engaged in farming, and has followed this pursuit up to the present. In March, 1869, he came to this county, and settle on Strawberry, where he remained until 1876, when he sold out and bought his present property, consisting of 220 acres, 100 under cultivation, all the result of hard labor since the war. He was married, on the 4th of December, [p.926] 1849, to Miss Harriet L. Oldfield. a native of Tennessee, born on the 11th of November, 1827, and they are the parents of ten children, eight now living: Nancy E., widow of Dr. J. M. Beaver, and afterward married to John C. Billingsley; Rhoda J., wife of James Billingsley; Eliza F., wife
 of F. M. Wolf; Charles L. lives in Texas; John L. resides in Lee County, Ark.; Mary F. (deceased): Laura A., wife of J. T. Robertson; Susan L., wife of Walter Hardaway; Lillie M., wife of James M. Godwin, and Carrie L. (deceased). Mr. Bates was not in the army, but was detailed to make shoes for the soldiers, and to continue the tanning business. Previous to the war he was a Whig, but since then he has voted with the Democratic party until 1880, when he supported the Greenback and Wheeler ticket. He and wife are members of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church. The paternal grandfather of John N. Bates, Samuel Bates, was a soldier in the War for Independence, and served first, until the battle of Lexington. when he was captured by the English, and kept prisoner for three months. He then made his escape. He was a silversmith by trade, and the English kept him at work at his trade while a prisoner. He then joined the army again, was at Yorktown, and was present at the surrender of Lord Cornwallis. After the war he located in Virginia, where he reared his family. He worked at his trade and became wealthy, owning many negroes. In 1807 he moved to North Carolina.
 

Dr. E. A. Baxter, Melbourne. Ark. It is the prerogative of the physician to relieve or alleviate the ailments to which suffering humanity is prone, and as such he deserves the most grateful consideration of all. A prominent physician, who by his own ability has attained distinction in his profession, is Dr. E. A. Baxter. This gentleman was born in Batesville. Ark., in 1853, and is the son of Elisha D. and Harriet N. (Patton) Baxter [see sketch of ex-Gov. Elisha Baxter]. Dr. Baxter was educated at Batesville, Ark., received a good English education at that place, and in 1877 entered the University of Louisville, from which he graduated in March, 1879. He then returned home, remained a short time, and then came to Melbourne, where he
 located in the last named year. He immediately began practicing his profession. Realizing that it was not good for man to be alone, he was married on the 23d of December, 1882, to Miss Maggie Powell, daughter of William and Millie Powell, and niece of Judge Powell, of Melbourne. They are the parents of two children, only one living. Hattie M. The one deceased was named Alfred A. Dr. and Mrs. Baxter are both members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and the Doctor is a member of the I. O. O. F., and also belongs to the Encampment of that order. He makes no specialty in his line of practice, but has gained the confidence of all as a clever and scientific practitioner. He has been successful financially. accumulating property as rapidly as could be expected in a healthy county like Izard. Coming as he does from one of the leading families of the State, and being well connected by marriage. the Doctor would be a very popular man even if it were not for his pleasant, social disposition, which has called around him many friends. Kind and obliging, open-hearted and free-handed, he is ever found at the bedside of the sick and helpless. He takes no active part in polities, and votes always for the good of his friends. He is a Republican, though he has voted with the Democratic party in this State.
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Elbert Benbrook is one of the most successful farmers and stockmen of Izard County, and deserves much credit for the success which has attended his efforts, for when he began life for himself he only owned one horse and rented land, whereas he is now the owner of 500 acres of as good land as there is in the county, and is one of the most successful stockmen of this region. He was born in Izard County, in 1838, and is a son of Henry and Catherine (Langston) Benbrook, who came from the State of Illinois in 1832, and settled on the farm on which our subject is now residing. The father was a miller as well as a farmer, and in 1848 erected one of the first mills in the county, and was also the proprietor of one of the first cotton gins. Upon settling in this region their neighbors, with the exception of the families who came with them, were twenty miles distant, and  Indians and wild game of all kinds were very abundant. Flouring mills were very few and far between in the region at that time, and their corn and wheat were ground by machinery of their own manufacture and were of a very crude description. The first mill built in the county was said to have been erected by Langsten Close, near Melbourne, in 1816, its capacity being one bucket of meal per day, but this was sufficient to keep all the families in meal within a radius of fifty miles. Wild honey was very abundant, and as a means of carrying it in considerable quantities they would sew up a deer skin in the form of a sack, put the honey in at the neck, throw the same across their horse as a sack, and thus convey it home. A few elk were found in the region by the earliest settlers, but there was no buffalo, although the country showed evidence of their having been here, as the woods were entirely free from underbrush, the canebrake being only along the streams. At the age of twenty-three years Elbert Benbrook began managing a steam saw-mill, the first one of the kind in the county, it being erected by A. H. Matthews and Ben Bufford in 1858, but owing to the breaking out of the war he was compelled to give up the work. In 1862 he enlisted in the Confederate service, but at the end of six weeks he was discharged on account of disability and returned home, where he engaged in teaching school for a short time. He then operated his father's carding machine until after the close of the war, when he again embarked in saw-milling, and also managed the carding machine and followed farming up to 1873. From 1873 to 1881 he operated a gristmill, but since that time he has given his attention to farming and carpentering. He is a Democrat politically, and has held the office of justice of the peace and deputy sheriff, and is the present incumbent of the latter office, to which he was appointed in 1888, and had previously filled it from 1874 to 1878. Margaret M. Berry became his wife in 1861, but her death occurred seven years later, she having borne a family of three children: Susan A. (wife of W. J. Hudson), Robert H., and Martha C. (wife of W. C. Rodman). Mr. Benbrook wedded his second wife. Miss Sarah A. Mathes, in 1868, but after bearing three children, Margie A., Dora and Allan H., her death occurred in 1878, she having been a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South. In the latter part of 1878 Mr. Benbrook wedded his present wife, Mrs. Elizabeth (Slyre) Rodman, and both are worthy members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and he is a Royal Arch Mason. He is one of the men who has helped to build up the county and has always been noted for his Christianity, benevolence, and high sense of honor.
 

Uen Benbrook, farmer, Pinesville, Ark. Located in the midst of one of the finest agricultural centers of Izard County, the farm which Mr. Benbrook occupies is conceded to be among the best in this vicinity, and this is saying not a little, for on every hand may be seen superior places, whose ownership indicate thrift and prosperity. He is a native of this county, his birth occurring in 1849, and he is the son of Henry and Elizabeth (Traylor) Benbrook, natives of Illinois and Indiana, respectively. Henry Benbrook came to Izard County, at a very early day, settled on a farm and tilled the soil, but in connection also carried on the milling business. He and wife reared a family of ten children, eight now living: Maria J. (wife of David Smith), Uen, Armedia A. (wife of Green P. Staggs), Washington, Serenia V. (wife of A. J. Franks), Perry, Charlotte T. (wife of L. L. Bailey), Henry and Nancy (deceased). Mr. Benbrook died in 1872, at the age of sixty years, and Mrs. Benbrook died in 1868, at the age of forty years. They were members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and he was a member of the A. F. & A. M. He had accumulated considerable property at the time of his death, and owned about 1,800 acres of land, besides a grist-mill, two saw-mills and a water gin and carding machine. He was one of the leading men of his day, and contributed liberally to all worthy enterprises. Uen Benbrook remained on his father's farm until twenty-four years of age, and acquired a taste for agricultural pursuits which has adhered to him ever since. He received a good practical education in the subscription schools, and when twenty-five years of age selected a wife in the person of Mrs. Acenith (Long)  Benbrook, a native of Izard County, Ark. This union was blessed by the birth of six children: Elizabeth, Angelene A., Albert, Robert, Acie and Elbert. Mr. Benbrook first commenced farming on rented land, but two years later purchased 200 acres of land, selling part of this in 1881, and purchasing 115 acres unimproved. He then traded that for his present property, which consists of 205 acres, with about 125 improved. He also owns one-half interest in a cotton-gin. He has excellent buildings and plenty of stock to run his farm. He is a liberal donator to all public affairs, and is active in educational matters. He and Mrs. Benbrook are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South, and he is a member of the A. F. & A. M. Mrs. Benbrook had been married previous to her marriage to Mr. Benbrook, and to the brother of the subject of this sketch. He died in 1870. Her parents, George and Elizabeth (Langston) Long, were both natives of Arkansas, and her father was one of the earliest settlers on Strawberry Creek. He and wife were the parents of three children, two now living: Acey M. and Acenith. Mr. and Mrs. Long both died in 1834.
 

Rev. J. N. A. Billingsley, Rockford, Ark. Like many others of the representative men of Izard County, Ark., Mr. Billingsley is a native Tennessean, born in the year 1834. His parents, A. C. and Rebecca (Billingsley) Billingsley, were also natives of the eastern part of that State. A. C. Billingsley received a common school education in his native State, and moved to Arkansas in 1844. He purchased land in Izard County, and followed farming in the spring and summer, and the rest of the time was engaged as a house carpenter, and was interested in the ginning business. He was married in 1833 to Miss Rebecca Billingsley, and the fruits of this union were ten children, nine of whom lived to be grown and four are now living: J. N. A., Harriet E., wife of W. Lee; Thomas C., resides in Yell County, Ark., and Eutonia E., wife of W. Ragan. When Mr. Billingsley first came to Arkansas the country was very thinly settled, and their clothes were principally made from deer skins, and their shoes were also made of the skins of animals. The settlers depended principally on hunting for their meat. Mr. Billingsley was a Whig in politics, and was justice of the peace in his county for a number of years. His father, Samuel Billingsley, came to this county in 1840. He filled many offices of trust in Fulton County, and was ex-county judge and representative of that county from about 1852 to 1853. Politically, he was a Democrat. He was a member of the A. F. & A. M., and was a member of the Advent Church. The maternal grandfather of the subject of this sketch was Thomas Billingsley, brother to the paternal grandfather. He moved to Sevier County, Ark., about 1840 and there followed agricultural pursuits. He was a Democrat in his political views. Upon reaching manhood, Rev. J. N. A. Billingsley commenced life for himself and worked for some time as a hired hand. After this he clerked in a dry goods store for about fifteen months, and then went to tilling the soil on rented land. One year later he entered 320 acres in Van Buren County, Ark., but sold out in 1868 and came to Izard County. He rented land for four years and then entered his present property of 160 acres. He now has seventy acres under cultivation, During the late conflict, or in 1862, he joined the Confederate army, and served until the 5th of June, 1865, when he surrendered at Jacksonport, Ark. He participated in the following battles: Prairie Grove, Helena (July 4, 1863), Little Rock, and was in most of the battles during Gen. Price's raid through Missouri, in 1864. After cessation of hostilities he returned home and resumed his farming industry. His marriage was consummated, in 1858, to Miss Catherine Orr, of Fulton County, Ark., and nine children were the result of this union, eight now living: David C., resides in this county; Mary E., at home; Sarah F., wife of Charles B. Thomas, resides in this county; J. N. A., Jr., (deceased); Samuel A., at home; R. Catherine, wife of L. J. Jackson; Eutonia E., at home; Edwin. H., at home, and Martha E., also at home. Mr. Billingsley was ordained a minister of the Advent Church in 1873, and was a pioneer minister of his faith in this section. He has had between thirty-five and forty conversions in the church, and has performed about a dozen marriage services. He is  in favor of all public enterprises, is active in school matters, and is a Prohibitionist and Union Labor man. He is also a member of the Masonic fraternity. The father of Mrs. Billingsley, David Orr, was born in 1799, came to Cape Girardeau County, Mo., in 1823, remained there for five years, and in 1827 came to this State and settled in Lawrence County, where he remained until 1845. He then moved to Fulton County, and died there in 1849. He was a missionary in the Baptist Church, and his circuit extended from Jefferson City, Mo., to Little Rock, Ark. The State was still a territory when he settled here, and the nearest neighbor was twenty-five miles distant. Often he would travel all day and not see a house. Sometimes he would get bothered and fail to reach a house by night time, and in that case he would be obliged to camp out, frequently in the dense canebrakes. Bear, panthers and other wild animals would come prowling around, and he would have to stay up to watch his horse. He followed his ministerial duties from 1827 to 1845, and was also a school teacher. He married Miss Eliza T. Caldwell, of Kentucky, on the 13th of September, 1821, and became the father of eleven children: James (deceased), E. W. (died in 1863, and his family resides in Fulton County), David (died in 1827), David (died in 1856), John H. (lives in Idaho Territory), Eliza A. (wife of A. S. Godwin), Catherine (wife of Rev. Billingsley), Martha J. (died in 1847), W. H. H. (died and left a family in Texas), Joseph M. (lives in Fulton County) and Robert G. Mr. Orr died in 1849 and his wife in 1874. Mrs. Orr was married the second time, in 1852, to Thomas R. Hill, a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church; she belonged to the Baptist Church.
 

Dr. J. K. P. Black, Melbourne, Ark. One of the leading and most successful physicians of Izard County is Dr. Black, who has acquired a flattering reputation, and does credit to the profession. He was born in Bedford County, Tenn., in 1840, and divided his time in youth between assisting on the farm and in attending the common schools. In 1861 he threw aside the implements of peace to take up the weapons of warfare, and enlisted in Company K, Boon's First Battalion of Cavalry, and served until 1865, when he was paroled at Shreveport, La. He was engaged in the battles of Elkhorn, Iuka, Corinth, and was sick during the siege of Vicksburg. He came west after the surrender of that place and joined Capt. McCabel's cavalry, and was captured on Saline River, Ark., taken to Rock Island, Ill., where he was kept over a year before being exchanged. He returned home after the surrender and engaged in agricultural pursuits, but also attended school. In 1870 he commenced to read medicine, and two years later attended lectures at the University of Nashville, from which he graduated in 1876. He then commenced practicing at Melbourne, and here he has remained ever since. He was married, in 1882, to Miss Susan Morton, of this State, and six children are the result of this union, all living: Edgar and Edna (twins), Thomas K., Ernest, Rufus and Mary. At the commencement of his life as a public man, the Doctor was not possessed of a great amount of property, but he is now the owner of a large farm of 310 acres, with about 100 acres under cultivation. He is at present erecting a very fine residence, which, when completed, will be equal to any in the county. He is a stanch Democrat, but takes no particular interest in politics. He is a member of the I. O. O. F. Mrs. Black is the daughter of David and Nellie (Garmon) Morton, both natives of North Carolina. The father was born about 1807 or 1808, and came to the State of Arkansas in 1850. The mother was born about 1810, and died in 1881. Dr. Black is the son of Col. Thomas and Mary F. (Byler) Black, the former born on the 4th of October, 1807. In 1813 Col. Black removed with his father from Williamson to Bedford County, Tenn., and when in his nineteenth year he was elected lieutenant of the militia. When twenty-one years of age he was promoted to the rank of captain, and subsequently in his twenty-sixth and twenty ninth years he was made adjutant major and then colonel of his regiment. When twenty-three years of age he was elected to the Tennessee legislature, where he remained for four successive terms, representing Marshall and Bedford Counties. Within this time occurred the trouble of 1841 and 1842, relating to an ineffectual [p.930] effort to remove Foster and White from the United States senate; Col. Black being a Democrat. dyed in the wool. voted accordingly. In 1849 he moved to Izard County, Ark., from which he was sent to represent the county in 1852. In 1856 he was elected county and probate judge, which office he filled successfully for four years, when he was appointed by the governor for two years more. In 1880 he again represented Izard County in the State legislature, and with the expiration of his term of office came the end of his public life. His last years were spent in the retirement of the home circle, but he was at all times keenly alive to passing events. His death occurred at his residence near Melbourne, on the 23d of June, 1889, when in his eighty second year, and after a long and useful life. When in his thirty third year he became a member of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, and was at once made ruling elder, a relation to the church which he retained until his death. He was also a member of the I. O. O. F.

Lee A. Bland, farmer, Melbourne, Izard County, Ark. Personal popularity, it cannot be denied, results largely from industry, perseverance and close attention to business, which a person displays in the management of any particular branch of trade; and in the case of Mr. Bland this is certainly true, for he has adhered so closely to farming, and helped in so many ways to advance all worthy enterprises in this community, that he is considered one of the representative men of the county. His birth occurred at Augusta, in Woodruff County, Ark., and he is the son of James T. and Mary C. (Snow) Bland, the father a native of Tennessee, and the mother of Arkansas. James Bland came to Arkansas, at an early day, settling at Augusta. Woodruff County, and was married January 5, 1854. He followed farming, but also engaged in merchandising previous to the war, and was broken up during that eventful period. He did not enlist. but was one of the few men who assisted the wives of the soldiers. He had three brothers killed while serving in the Confederate army. After the war he farmed extensively until his death, which occurred January 5, 1869, when he was killed by the State militia. serving under Powell Clayton's orders. He was at one time quite wealthy, and was the owner of some slaves. He and his first wife were the parents of two children. Lee A. being the only one living. Mrs. Bland died in 1858, and Mr. Bland took for his second  wife, in 1858, Miss Lucy Perry, who bore him two children, only one living, Oliver P., who is a telegraph operator, and resides at El Paso, Texas. Mr. Bland was only about thirty nine years of age at the time of his death, and his second wife followed him to the grave in 1869. In politics he was a stanch Democrat. At the age of sixteen years Lee A. Bland (the subject of this sketch) commenced life for himself, first as a dry goods clerk, and was then employed for eighteen months by Campbell Bros., at Augusta. He then farmed for about two years, after which he again returned to mercantile pursuits, but not liking this he again returned to farming and has continued thus occupied ever since. He first rented land, but in 1887 he bought his present property, consisting of 397 acres, with sixty under cultivation. and has resided here since. In 1876 he abandoned his single state and was united in marriage at La Crosse, Izard County, to Miss Cornelia F. Helm. who bore him five children, three now living: Ada M., born July 29, 1877; Mary J., born October 5, 1879; Effie L. (deceased), born November 1, 1883; Nora S. (deceased), born February 17, 1886, and Willie L., born November 22, 1887. Mr. Bland has been constable of La Crosse Township for two years, and, like his father, is a Democrat in his political principles. Mrs. Bland is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. She is a daughter of George T. and Sally C. Helm, and was born in Izard County, Ark., September 16, 1859.
 

Dedrick Blevins is one of the practical and representative agriculturists of this region, and from early boyhood has been familiar with the occupation of farming, having learned the details of the work from his father, who was a worthy tiller of the soil. He is the owner of a good farm of 140 acres, of which about sixty five are under cultivation, and his property is well improved with good buildings, fences, etc., and is also well stocked with the necessary animals for successfully conducting the same. He was born in Sullivan County, Tenn., March 20, 1847, and is a son of W. K. and Rachel (Morgan) Blevins, who were also Tennesseeans, the former's birth occurring in Sullivan County, June 26, 1818, and the Jatter's on the 28th of April, 1822. In connection with his farm work the father was engaged in blacksmithing, which occupation he followed on his farm of 160 acres. He died on the 3d of October, 1865, having been an earnest member of the Christian Church for many years, but his wife, who is a member of the Baptist Church, still lives and resides with her son, John W., on the old homestead. Her family consisted of nine children, whose names are as follows: Mary, Eliza, Nathaniel, Hiley A., Thomas W., Lydia, Henry B., John W. and Dedrick. Seven of these children reside in the State of Arkansas, the last named child having been reared and educated in Izard County, acquiring a fair education in the common schools. After attaining manhood he was married to Miss Lucy Davidson, their marriage being consummated on the 10th of September, 1868, and to them have been born nine children, five sons and four daughters, six of the family being still alive and residing with their parents: David G., Emily C., Lydia F., Bartholomew, Owen A., and an infant. Mr. Blevins joined the Confederate army June 8, 1864, and, after serving under Gen. Price, was discharged in 1865. He has held the office of school director and constable, and he and wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
 

 Charles Henry Boatman was born in the State of Tennessee, in 1844, and is a son of John and Rebecca (Shore) Boatman, who were born in Georgia and Tennessee, respectively, the former's birth occurring in 1786, and their marriage in Tennessee in 1838. Four sons and three daughters were born to them: William E., Richard, Wiley, Lucinda, Elizabeth J., Eliza F. and Charles Henry. Mr. Boatman was a farmer, and died in 1861, followed by his wife, whose death occurred in Izard County in 1886. They removed to this State in 1850, and entered 160 acres in Izard County, on which they erected a little log cabin, which continued to be their home for a number of years. Charles H. Boatman came with his parents to this county and State, but received a somewhat limited education in the schools of Izard County. He was married here, in 1860, to Miss Sarah, a daughter of Henry Hose, and of nine children born to them seven are living: Rebecca J., Lucinda E., Ira E., Joseph B., Franklin A., Jasper O., Lewis H., and William W., and Andrew C., deceased. Mr. Boatman owns eighty acres of good land, with thirty under cultivation, and on his farm he erected a substantial frame residence, in 1885, and an addition to the same in 1888. His principal crops are corn, cotton and small grain. His wife, who was born in the State of Tennessee, in 1843, is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. John Boatman enlisted in the Confederate infantry, under Capt. Thomas Smith, in 1861, and, at the battle of Shiloh, he was wounded in the head. He was also at Franklin, Nashville and Chickamauga, Tenn., besides being a participant in many other hard fought battles, and served until the war closed.
 

James H. Bone is a native of Izard County, born on the 18th of June, 1857, and is one of five living members of a family of ten children born to the marriage of A. W. Bone and Sarah L. McKee, both Tennesseeans, the former's birth occurring on the 8th of October, 1826. He gave his attention to farming throughout life, and is now residing on his farm of 200 acres in Izard County, Ark., there being about seventy-five acres of his land under cultivation. He and wife are church members, he being a member of the Old School Presbyterian Church and she of the Cumberland Presbyterian, and they are substantial residents of the county. James H. Bone received a good practical education in his youth, and learned the rudiments of farm life from his father, who was a practical agriculturist, and by attending strictly to his chosen calling he has done much to advance the reputation the county enjoys as a prosperous farming community. He is careful and painstaking in the cultivation of his land, and very thorough in everything connected with its management, and of the 180 acres which he possesses he has about sixty acres under cultivation. He was married, in his native county, on the 7th of February, 1878, to Miss Amanda M.  Taylor, a daughter of Stephen and Arena Taylor. Stephen Taylor was born in North Carolina. but  moved to Tennessee at an early day and married there. He then came to Arkansas, after which his wife died, and later he married Miss Arena Hinkle who still survives, a resident of Izard County. She was born in the State of Tennessee. To the union of Mr. and Mrs. Bone five children have been born: Fannie E., William H., Sarah A., Stephen W. and Samuel J. Mr. Bone has held a number of local offices in his township, and he has always been ready and willing to support  enterprises of a worthy character. He and wife are members of the Missionary Baptist Church. Mr. Bone's paternal grandfather came from Tennessee to Arkansas in 1840, and his great grandfather, McKee, was born in Ireland. He went from there to Virginia. Grandfather McKee was born in Virginia, in 1801 or 1802, and moved from there to Tennessee, and in 1851 he came to Arkansas.
 

W. L. Bramblette is a farmer of Izard County, and although his land only amounts to eighty acres yet his farm is so well tilled that it yields a larger income than many larger farms. He was born in Murray County, Ga., July 8, 1851, he being one of five sons and three daughters born to the marriage of Wiley Bramblette and Mary A. Howard. whose birthplace was in the “Palmetto State.” where they were reared and married. At the time of the father's death, which occurred in August, 1861, he owned about 200 acres of land in Izard County, Ark., whither he had moved in the year 1856. His wife survives him and lives with her son. W. L. Bramblette, our subject. He was a Mason in good standing at the time of his death. W. L. Bramblette received the advantages of the common schools of Izard County in his youth, and after attaining manhood was married in this county to Miss Sarah Mosier, whose native State was Arkansas, their nuptials being celebrated on the 27th of May, 1877, and to them were born five children, whose names are as follows: Owen M., Minnie A., Arah B., Buggie and Della C., all residing at home. Mr. Bramblette is a member of the Agricultural Wheel, and was president of this organization for one year. The family are attendants at the Baptist Church, to which our subject and his wife belong, and they are liberal contributors to enterprises tending to benefit the community in which they reside.
 

G. W. Bray is one of the rising young farmers of this region, and since starting out in life for himself he has applied himself steadfastly to agricultural pursuits, and with what success may be inferred when we mention the fact that since 1881 he has owned a good farm of 193 acres. He was born in Mississippi in 1851, and is a son of William and Permelia (Aikin) Bray, who were natives of Tennessee, but moved to Mississippi at an early day, where they engaged in farming, and reared their family of ten children, only two of whom are now living. Mr. Bray died in 1843, and in 1868 Mrs. Bray and her son, G. W., came to Arkansas (whither her daughter Permelia, wife of W. F. Raider had previously come), their journey being made in an ox-cart. which they had borrowed. Mr. Bray now says at that time he had only $2 in cash. and that the oxen were borrowed from W. Garner, and the cart from Sandford Hames. The first two years after coming here he raised crops on shares, and then entered land. purchasing, in 1870, his first horse, for which he paid the sum of $80. $30 of which he earned by picking cotton on the bottom lands, and the balance he paid the following year. In 1871 he married Miss Alice Nail, who bore him five children: John H., born in 1872; Martha B., born in 1873; William A., born in 1877: George W., born in 1879, and Newton E., born in 1882. This wife died in 1883. In 1881 he purchased his present property, and has thirty acres under cultivation and seventy-five acres improved with good fences. buildings, orchards, etc., his building especially being in excellent condition. This property has all been acquired through unremitting toil and judicious management, and he may with truth be called one of the self made men of the county. He always favors public improvement. and although he never went to school a day in his life he is making every effort to give his children. Permelia R., Isaac R., Mary B. and Ellen E., the advantages of which he was deprived. Before coming to Arkansas, and for two years [p.933] after, he supported his mother out of his wages earned by daily labor, and for this filial care if for nothing else he deserves the respect of his fellow. men; and when it is taken into consideration that he has manfully fought his way up to his present position, and that he has been honest and upright in all his dealings, words are but meager things with which to express the admiration his conduct commands. In his political views he is a Democrat, and socially he is a member of the I. O. O. F. His wife, whom he married in 1883, was formerly a Miss Docia Hames.
 
 

 E. A. Brown, one of the worthy residents of Izard County. Ark., was born in Hall County, Ga., on the 16th of
August, 1824, and is a son of William and Nancy (Grimes) Brown, whose native State was South Carolina, the
former's birth occurring in 1797. They were reared and married in their native State, and their union resulted
in the births of four sons and five daughters, E. A. Brown being the only one of the family now living. The father
was a carpenter by occupation, and died on the 26th of December, 1880. his death being followed by his wife's on
the 9th of January following. They were worshipers in, and consistent members of, the Presbyterian Church,
and were worthy and honored residents of the community in which they resided. E. A. Brown was educated in the
State of Georgia, near Lawrenceville, and after reaching manhood, was married there on the 14th of August,
1845, to Miss Susan Long, she being a native of the “Palmetto State,” and a daughter of James and Margaret
Long, At the time of his marriage Mr. Brown only owned a horse worth about $40, but, with the push and energy
for which he has always been remarkable, he set bravely to work, and with the aid of his intelligent and
estimable wife he has become the owner of 1,400 acres of land in Izard County and 960 acres in Sharp County,
about 875 acres of which are under cultivation. He is a member of the Masonic lodge, is a Democrat, in his
political views, and on the breaking out of the late war he enlisted in the First Georgia Cavalry, under Col.
Morrison, and his first hard fight was near Knoxville, Tenn. He was discharged at Jacksonport in 1865. He and
wife are members of the Baptist Church, and are the parents of the following children: Henry, Wiley, Jane and
Mollie.
 
 

W. A. Brumitt, farmer, Franklin, Ark. This successful farmer was born in Fulton County, Ark., in 1859, and when only eleven years of age started out to fight life's battle for himself. He first commenced as a hired hand, and for his services was boarded and clothed the first year, but the second year the same man paid him $12 a month for his labor, He continued working by the month on a farm until seventeen years of age, when he began traveling, and thus enjoyed himself for about twelve months, visiting as far north as Illinois and Kentucky, and as far south as Texas and the Indian Nation. When eighteen years of age he rented land and farmed in Sharp County, and when nineteen years of age he farmed and ran a cotton-gin. After this he rented the Wolf mill and conducted that for two years, after which he embarked in the distillery business for twelve months. In 1884 he bought his present property, consisting of 220 acres, with eighty under cultivation, and had this farm cultivated until 1889, when he took charge of the place himself. He was married in December, 1878, to Miss Rebecca Jackson, a native of this county, and born on the farm where they now reside. They are the parents of four children: Lucy A., W. P., Clara and James H. Mr. Brumitt has discharged the duties of justice of the peace in his township, and is now director of the public schools. He is a self made man in every sense of the word and deserves the esteem of all for his enterprise and perseverance, His educational advantages, as might be supposed, were rather limited, but by reading and observation he has become a well informed man. He is a Republican and is alive to the political issues of the day. His parents were R. H. and Elizabeth A. (Morris) Brumitt, natives of Tennessee and Kentucky, respectively. R. H. Brumitt moved to Arkansas in 1857, entering land on Strawberry River, Fulton County, but only resided there three years, when he moved to Independence County, settling in the northeast part of the same. In 1862 he moved to Illinois, settling in Johnson County, and there remained for four years. In 1867 he came back [p.934] to his farm in Independence County, remained there until 1869, when he moved to Sharp County and there bought a farm of 360 acres. In 1883 he sold this farm and moved to Izard County, locating near the center of the county on a farm of 340 acres. He has been married three times: first, to the mother of the subject of this sketch, and they became the parents of two children: Nathaniel (deceased) and W. A. Mrs. Brumitt was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and died in 1867, at the age of fifty-two years. Mr. Brumitt's second marriage was to Mrs. P. M. Hotchkiss, nee Shanks, and they had six children. five now living: Martha, wife of William Fry; James F., resides in this county; Susan J., at home; Lucy F., Daniel H. and Mary A. (deceased). Mrs. Brumitt was a worthy member of the Baptist Church, and died in 1881. By his third marriage, to Mrs. Mahala Thompson,  nee Richardson. he became the father of one child, Naomi A. Mr. Brumitt is a member of the I. O. O. F. lodge. and is still quite an active man. He is a Republican, but does not take a very active part in polities. Mrs. Brumitt is a member of the Primitive Baptist Church.
 

Joseph L. Byler was born in Middle Tennessee, in 1834, his father, John Byler, being also born in that State in 1797. The latter was a soldier in the War of 1812, and was the captain of a company, afterward being promoted to major. and this latter position he held until the close of the war. In the year 1820 he united in the bonds of matrimony to Miss Middia Adkinson, a daughter of John Adkinson, and to their union seven children have been born, two of whom are now living: Mary and Joseph L. He removed from Tennessee to Izard County. Ark., in the year 1847, and obtained a land warrant from the government for 160 acres of land, which he farmed with success up to the time of his death, in 1873. His wife died in Bedford County, Tenn., in 1844. At the age of eighteen years Joseph L. Byler engaged in farming and stock raising, and in these two enterprises, which have been his chief calling through life, he has met with marked success. He owns 250 acres of land on Rocky Bayou, and has about ninety acres under cultivation, which he devotes principally to the raising of cotton, corn and small grain. In addition to this, he owns a large cotton-gin and grist mill. which he has operated for the past twelve years, last year putting up 166 bales of cotton, and since 1887 he has been engaged in merchandising, and has a fair patronage. Since Cleveland's administration he has held the office of postmaster of Alder, and socially is a member of the Masonic and Odd Fellow's fraternities. He is a thorough, enterprising business man, has a host of friends, and is recognized by all as a good citizen. In 1854 he was married to Rachel, the daughter of John and Elizabeth Gray, of Izard County, but she died in 1868, leaving him with a family of five children to care for: Augusta C., Mary E., Mentian, Sarah J. and Rachel R. In 1871 he was married to his second wife, whose maiden name was Lettie W. Woody, she being a daughter of Joseph and Sarah Woody, of Izard County. They have a family of three children: Dixie E., Joseph G. and Edna. Mr. Byler served in the Confederate army under Capt. Gibson and Col. Shaler from 1861 to 1865, being in the infantry, and was a participant in a number of battles. He is now a stanch Democrat in his political views, and for a number of years has been a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South.
 

William W. Campbell. The farm which Mr. Campbell now owns and conducts in such an enterprising and industrious manner embraces 340 acres of land. of which 125 are under cultivation, forming one of the neat, comfortable homesteads of this township. The improvements upon it are convenient and complete, and, no doubt, one reason of his success in this calling is the fact that from his earliest youth he has been familiar with the duties of farm labor. He was born in the “Old North State” in 1838. his father, William R. Campbell, also being born there, the latter's birth occurring in 1813. The latter received a some what limited education in his youth, but in his business enterprises was quite successful, and became the owner of 550 acres of land. He was married to Miss Mary Howard, a daughter of John Howard, of Iredell county, and to their union a  family of eleven children were born, seven sons and four daughters: James A., William W., Sarah A., Fannie, Martin H., Augustus W., Henry F., Samuel P., Mary, Preston B. and Alice, The family emigrated from North Carolina to Izard County, Ark., in 1856, and here became prominent citizens, The father purchased 200 acres of land, which he devoted principally to raising corn and small grain, and during his lifetime he was quite active in polities, and held the office of magistrate for some years. He volunteered to serve in the Mexican War, but before he entered service peace was declared. He, as well as his wife, were active members of the Missionary Baptist Church, and his death occurred in Izard County, Ark., in 1883. William W. Campbell received a common school education in North Carolina, and, in 1859, began life for himself in Izard County, with the results above stated. Upon the breaking out of the Civil War he enlisted in the infantry, but later joined the cavalry, being under Gens. McCarver and Hardy, but was discharged while serving under the latter, at Pocahontas. He next enlisted under Gen. Shaler, and was taken prisoner at Cape Girardeau, Mo., and was taken to St. Louis, where he was confined for six months. He served in all four years. He is a Mason, a member of the I. O O. F., and is a man who enjoys an extensive acquaintance, and is highly respected. He has been married three times; first, in 1860, to Miss Hiley J. Walker, a daughter of John Walker, of Izard County, but she died in 1863, leaving one child, Pierce W. She was a member of the Baptist Church, and was an estimable woman in every respect. In 1864 Mr. Campbell took for his second wife Miss Hiley J. Hightower, Nathan Hightower's daughter, but her death occurred in 1876, she having borne him two children, Sarah A. and Martha J. She was also a consistent member of the Baptist Church. Mrs. Caroline Smith became his third wife in 1883, her father's name being Andrew James. This marriage resulted in the birth of the following family: Patrick O., Edward R., Augustus A. and Maggie O.
 

Henry F. Campbell is a native of North Carolina, born in 1848, and like the majority of the native born residents of that State, he is energetic and enterprising. A short history of his father, William R. Campbell, appears in the sketch of William W. Campbell. Henry F. Campbell received the education and rearing which is usually given the farmer's boy, and after reaching manhood was married in Izard County, Ark., to Miss Mary E. Helen, a daughter of George C. Helen, of this county. To them have been born the following interesting family of children: James T., William C., Mary E., and Cornelia F. Like so many of the substantial citizens of this country at the present time, Mr. Campbell was initiated into the mysteries of farm life from the very first, and this has since continued to be the calling to which his attention has been directed. He now owns and operates 240 acres of land in Izard County, and has sixty five acres under cultivation, which he devotes to the raising of cotton, corn and oats. In 1880 he erected a cotton-gin on his farm, which has been in operation each succeeding year, and in 1888 he ginned 140 bales of cotton. He built a substantial residence in 1881, and is one of the largest and most successful fruit growers in this section of the country. His marriage occurred in 1874, and his wife lived until the 7th of March. 1889, when she was called to her long home. She was a consistent member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South, and Mr. Campbell belongs to the Baptist Church. His mother was born in North Carolina in 1816, her parents being also natives of that State, and they were the parents of the following family of children: Martin, James, Polly, Sarah, Lemira and Millie.
 

 John W. Cone, farmer, Newburg, Ark. Mr. Cone is one of the representative young farmers of Newburg Township, and is closely associated with the agricultural affairs of the county. His birth occurred on the 5th of July, 1850, in Tennessee, and his youth was passed in attending the common schools and in assisting his father on the farm in Tennessee. He came with his father to Arkansas, in 1870, and settled on the farm where he now resides. Four years later he wedded Miss Mollis A. Freeman, a native of Tennessee, but who was reared in Arkansas, this county. Four children [p.936] are the result of this union: George T., Cora E., Rosa H. and John B. Mr. Cone commenced farming for himself at the age of twenty-one years on his father's land, and at the end of two years bought his present property, which then consisted of 140 acres, but he has added to this until he now has 260 acres with 160 under cultivation. Soon after arriving at his majority he commenced traveling, and journeyed over Tennessee. Kentucky and Illinois, and did not commence saving anything for a rainy day until twenty-five years of age. He is a member of the A. F. & A. M., is a Democrat in his political views, and he and wife are members of the Christian Church. His parents. Rev. G. W. and Margaret (Howland) Cone. were natives of North Carolina and Tennessee, respectively. G. W. Cone was a minister in the Christian Church, and followed this calling for forty years, although in connection he also carried on farming. He was married in Tennessee, in 1847. and lived there until 1870, when he moved to Izard County. Ark., and settled on the farm adjoining his son's (John W. Cone) fine tract of land. There he now resides and is in his seventy third year, but is still active and in the enjoyment of comparatively good health. He was quite well off previous to the war, but lost the principal part of his property during that exciting period. He and wife reared a family of eight children, all living: Tennessee, wife of B. F. Smith, of this county; John W., J. B., resides in this county; Mary J., wife of W. C. Bounds. and lives in Texas County, Mo.; I. N., wife of W. C. Aylor; Cassie M., wife of C. E. Jett: Maggie W., wife of H. Lacy, and Thomas F., who lives in this county. The mother of these children is in her fifty eighth year. The paternal grandfather was of Irish descent as was also the grandmother, whose maiden name was Norwood. The maternal grandparents of John W. Cone were John F. and Ellen (Miller) Howland, and the grandfather was a soldier in the Mexican War.
 

 J. M. J. Conyers deserves honorable mention as one of the successful agriculturists of Izard County, and, owing to his own enterprise and push, he has become the owner of 307 acres of land, with about 110 acres under cultivation. all of which is located in Dry Town Township. He was bern in Hart County, Ky., March 6, 1836, and is one of three sons born to P. C. and Eliza (Ralston) Conyers, both of whom were born on Blue Grass soil, and were there reared, educated and married. After the death of his wife, in 1838, he espoused Miss Tabitha Gonch, she also being a Kentuckian; their union was consummated in March, 1812. This marriage resulted in the birth of thirteen children, of which family three were boys and the rest girls. Seven of these children are now living. At the time of Mr. Conyers death, March 4. 1865, he was the owner of 240 acres of land. His widow survives him, and resides with a son in Izard County. Ark. The father was a Mason, and a member of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church. J. M. J. Conyers received an excellent education in Henry County, Tenn., but in the year 1867. he removed to Arkansas, and was afterward married to Miss Nannie Billington, a daughter of William and Pemelia Billington, of Tennessee. To their marriage, which occurred on the 6th of February. 1867. have been born a family of eleven children (eight of whom are living): William P., Thomas A., Franklin M., James A., Newton A., Nathaniel E., Dora A., Nancy A., Mary E., Jeptha A. and Sarah J. Mr. Conyers has held the office of Junior Deacon in the Masonic order, and in public life has been deputy sheriff of the county, and has also held the position of constable of his township. He and wife worship in the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, of which he has been a worthy member since 1853.
 

 David Craige, proprietor of the Izard County Register. Melbourne. Ark. The name of Craige is honorably connected with the prosperity and happiness of Melbourne and the county of Izard, for his paper enters the homes of many, and with its progressive ideas and newsy articles, receives a ready welcome. This paper is the only one in the county. David Craige is a native of Rowan County, N. C., born in the year 1836. and is the son of John and Jane (Thomason) Craige both natives of North Carolina. The father was a descendant of a Scotch family, and owned a number of slaves. He was a Democrat, but not active in politics. He died about 1847, at the age of forty five years, and his wife died about 1846, at the age of thirty five years. The paternal grandfather served as a colonel during the entire War for Independence. David Craige divided his time in early youth in assisting on the farm and in attending the common schools of his county. At the age of fifteen years he commenced serving an apprenticeship at the printer's trade in Lincolnton, N. C., and after following this for some time, he came to Batesville, Ark., in 1852, and went to work on the Commercial Standard, run by John C. Claiborne. Mr. Claiborne only ran the paper a year, when he sold to Urban E. Fort, and the name and political status were changed from a Democratic to a Whig. It then became known as the Independent Balance, and was run under that name until the commencement of the war. About 1855 Prof. M. Shelby Kennard assumed control of the paper, and through all the political changes Mr. Craige worked at this paper until the breaking out of the war. On account of poor health he was exempt from service, and during the war, and for a few years afterward, he was engaged in agricultural pursuits on North Fork and Piney Bayou. In 1871 he returned to the printing business and worked on the North Arkansas Times, published by Charles Maxwell and Dr. M. McClure of Batesville, Ark., and Democratic in its principles. He continued with this paper until 1873, when he went to Jacksonport, and was engaged as journeyman on the Statesman, a Republican journal, edited by John Fagan. From 1873 to 1883 Mr. Craige merely rusticated, for his health was quite poor at that time. In 1883 or 1884 he took charge of the Sharp County Record for J. W. Buckley, and managed that for three years. In January, 1887, he first leased the Register, but in November, 1888, purchased the same, and runs the paper in the interests of the Democratic party. He was married March 20, 1887, to Miss Elizabeth Campbell, daughter of Archibald Campbell, of this county, who was originally from Iredell County, N. C., and is one of the old settlers of Izard County. Mr. Craige is now permanently located, having married in his fifty first year, and with the extensive circulation his paper has already obtained, commands the respect and confidence of many of the reading public. Politically he is, of course, a Democrat.
 

 Dr. John M. Creswell is a native of Izard County, and was born on the 20th of May, 1857, being one of nine living members of a family of eleven children born to James C. and Martha (Mann) Creswell, the former a native of Arkansas, born in 1826, and the latter of Tennessee. James received a very limited education in his youth, and afterward followed the occupation of farming; and although he was badly crippled financially during the war, by diligent subsequent labors he was the owner of a good farm of 160 acres at the time of his death, on the 21st of March, 1881. In 1868 he moved to Bell County, Tex., but not liking the country he returned to Arkansas at the end of six months, and settled at Sylamore (now in Stone County), but two years later came to Izard County. He served in the Confederate army from 1863 to 1865, and was captain of his company, being under Gen. Price, and was with him on his raid through Missouri, participating in the battle of Pilot Knob. He surrendered at Jacksonport, Ark., June 5, 1865, and then returned home. He was married in 1854, the following being his children, who are now living: John M., Solon M., Cyrus J., James L., Rufus C., Martha D. (wife of J. D. Denton), William D., Harriet E. and Homer Z. Mr. Creswell was a member in good standing of the A. F. & A. M. at the time of his death, and was a man who took great interest in all worthy public movements and gave his children good educational advantages. His widow survives him. Dr. John M. Creswell was reared on a farm but spent the most of his time in school, being an attendant of the La Crosse Academy from 1871 to 1878, the institution at this time being under Profs. H. C. Tipton and M. Shelby Kennard. In 1880 he entered the St. Louis Homeopathy College and graduated from this institution two years later, delivering the valedictory address at the commencement exercises, and was honorably mentioned in Materia Medica and Surgery. He has been engaged in practicing at his present location ever since, and has won an enviable reputation among the medical fraternity of the county, and is acknowledged by all to be a successful physician. On the 7th of May. 1885. he was united in marriage to Miss Martha C. Peel. of Izard County, and by her became the father of one child, who is deceased. They are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and he is a Royal Arch Mason, and a member of the I. O. O. F. The paternal grandparents. James L. and Margaret (Laferty) Creswell, were very early settlers of Izard County, and here the grandfather died at the age of fifty-five years; four of his sisters also died when fifty five years of age. The maternal grandfather, Rev. John H. Mann, was a minister of the Methodist Episcopal Church. South, and came to Izard County from the State of Tennessee in 1830. His death occurred in 1872, aged sixty.
 

Wiley Croom is a Tennesseean, born in 1840. and a son of Denajah and Mary (Daniell Croom, who were born, reared and married in North Carolina, the latter event taking place in 1825. The father was born in 1805, and about 1828 or 1830 removed to the State of Tennessee, and was there engaged in farming up to 1849. when he came to Arkansas, and after renting land one year he returned to Tennessee. He continued to make his home in this State until 1854, and from that time until 1856 he was a resident of Lawrence County; then resided one year in Greene County. Mo., after which he again returned to Lawrence County. He here purchased 160 acres of land. which he was engaged in farming until 1863. at which date he removed to Illinois and farmed on rented land until 1866. From that time until his death, in 1871, he was a resident of Lawrence County. Ark. He was a member of the Baptist Church, as was his wife, whose death occurred in 1870. she being a daughter of Owen Daniel, of North Carolina. Of sixteen children born to Mr. and Mrs. Croom, the following are now living: Nancy, wife of Ephraim Sharp, of Lawrence County, Ark.: Elizabeth. Mariah, wife of Whit B. Smith; Jesse, Wiley, Hiram, and Drucilla, the wife of John M. Smith. Wiley Croom, our immediate subject, began life for himself in 1865. farming on rented land for two years, and then purchased a farm of 160 acres in Izard County, the tilling of which has since received his attention, but his acreage is now 185, and he has sixty five under the plow. Since 1878 he has been engaged in grist milling in Oxford, at which time he erected a substantial mill, and in these two enterprises the results have been highly satisfactory. His union to Miss Sarah J. Pearson occurred in 1866. she being a daughter of Thomas Pearson, of Lawrence County. Ark., and to them have been born five sons and three daughters: Mary M., wife of J. L. Smith, of Oxford; David F., Hiram F., Ida J., wife of A. H. Caldwell, of Oxford; Denajah, Anna B., Thomas W. and Grover C. Mr. Croom is a Democrat. In 1861 he enlisted in the Confederate army. under Col. McCarver, and was in many important battles during his service. He was captured at Big Black, Miss., and taken to Fort Delaware, on the Delaware River, and was kept there until September, then being taken to Point Lookout, on the Chesapeake Bay. He was kept in captivity from May 17. 1863, till January. 1864. when he was released and returned to Arkansas. Here he again entered the service. this time enlisting under Capt. Wiley Jones, and served until the surrender at Jacksonport, in 1865.

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Marion D. Crutchfield was born in Orange County, N. C., in 1846, and is a son of James W. Crutchfield, who was born in North Carolina, July 6, 1811. The latter first married Levina the daughter of Alex. Lashley, their union taking place on the 13th of March, 1836, but her death occurred the following year, she having borne one child, Salina. For his second wife he took, in 1841, a daughter of Acquilla Jones, her name being Sallie P., and three sons and three daughters have been born to them. Mr. Crutchfield emigrated from North Carolina to White County, Ark., in 1849, and here he took up government land to the amount of 160 acres, near Searcy, but the following year he moved to Newton County, and bought eighty acres and entered eighty acres more, and here made his home until his death in 1860, his wife. who was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, having died here a year earlier. Marion D. Crutchfield, having learned farming and blacksmithing of his father, began doing for himself  in 1861, and when the war broke out he joined the infantry, but afterward joined the cavalry under Capt. Harvey Lane. In 1863 he was captured in Newton County, Ark., and at the end of about three weeks, after being kept at Springfield, was released, and joined the Federal army. After his return home he resumed farming and blacksmithing, and by his own good management has a fine farm of 580 acres, with 250 acres under cultivation, his principal products being corn, cotton, millet and the small grains. He has a fine fruit orchard of about 500 bearing trees, and, take it all-in-all, he has one of the finest and best improved farms in the county. In connection with his farm work, he has also been engaged in blacksmithing. He is a Democrat, a member of the I. O. O. F., and he and wife, whom he married on the 7th of January, 1869, and whose maiden name was Martha M. Cargill, are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South, and are the parents of the following children: Lucian E., Ida A., Elmer W. and Henry G. Those deceased are James P., Florence I. and Marion F. His wife was born in Kentucky in 1846, and is a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. John P. Cargill, the former a native of North Carolina, born in 1812, and the latter of Kentucky, born in 1819. This couple became the parents of the following family: William, James, Mary E., Sarah M and Susan S.; and those deceased are Thomas C., Jonathan and Louise. Mr. and Mrs. Cargill are residing in Izard County, and the former is a member of the Baptist Church.
 

Thomas P. Cypert was born in Wayne County, Tenn., in 1820, his parents, Jesse and Jemima (Worthen) Cypert, being Virginians by birth. To them were born seven sons and four daughters: Nancy, Elizabeth, John, Zacharias, William, James W., Thomas P., Robert J., Jesse Newton. Sarah W. and Felicia Ann. At an early day the parents moved to Wayne County, Tenn., where they entered land, and followed the occupation of farming for many years. The father served in the War of 1812. and died in Tennessee in 1856, and his wife in 1853. Thomas P. Cypert embarked in life for himself in 1842. following the occupation of farming, and by energy and good management has become the owner of 160 acres of land, fifty of which are under cultivation and are devoted to the cultivation of corn, cotton and small grain. He also raises considerable stock. In 1861 he enlisted in the infantry under Capt. Deuson, and was with the troops stationed at Bowling Green, Ky., during that year, but after participating in the battle of Shiloh, the following year he was discharged, and upon returning resumed farming, which occupation has since received his attention. He has been a resident of Izard County, Ark., since 1852, and is considered by all one of its industrious and enterprising citizens. The year 1846 witnessed his marriage to Miss Temperance Brown, a daughter of Levi Brown, by whom he became the father of eleven children: John T., Sarah A., Delphina, Mary, Levi J., Jesse N., Jemima C., Mack, Lydia, George W., Emma F., Levi and Jesse (twins).