Thomas A. Nail is one of the industrious farmers and law-abiding citizens of Izard County, Ark., and has a good farm of 160 acres, which he has acquired by his own energy and good management since the close of the Civil War. His property is located on Lafferty's Creek, and is considered very valuable, as it is underlaid with mineral ore in paying quantities. Twenty-five acres are under the plow, and are in an exceedingly fertile condition. Mr. Nail was born in the State of Mississippi, in 1842, and at the early age of eighteen years he was united in the bonds of matrimony to Miss Sallie Brown, a daughter of Levi Brown, of Izard County. To them were born a family of three children: William A., Mary F. and Charles F. When the Civil War broke out he, in 1862, joined the cavalry under Capt. George W. Rutherford, now of Independence County, Ark., and was in many important engagements during his service. He surrendered at Jacksonport and returned home, and has since given his attention to farming with the above mentioned results. He is a son of William S. Nail, whose sketch precedes this.
 

Joel D. Patterson has been familiar with farm work from his earliest youth, and is now ranked among the prosperous farmers of Izard County. He was born in North Carolina in 1826, and is a son of David and Meccs (Holder) Patterson, who were also born in the “Old North State.” In 1846 David Patterson removed to Kentucky, where he engaged in farming having previously worked at house carpentering and cabinet making in his native State. He was also married there in 1825, and to him and wife were born eight children, five of whom are living: J. D., Caroline, wife of La Fayette Wright, of Kentucky; Susan, wife of M. V. Belma, of Kentucky; Francis M., a blacksmith, also residing in Kentucky, and Mary, wife of C. C. Ashworth, of Tennessee. Mr. Patterson volunteered, but did not serve in the War of 1812. He died on the 16th of May, 1855, at the age of sixty-six years, followed to his long home by his wife in 1883, her death occurring at the age of seventy-eight years. They were members of the Baptist Church, and were worthy and honored citizens. Joel D. Patterson attended the common schools of North Carolina, and, after his removal to Kentucky with his parents, he gave his attention to agricultural pursuits, with the exception of two years, when he worked in a wagon shop. In 1859 he moved to Izard County, Ark., and entered 160 acres of land near the town of Philadelphia, where he resided two years, then, upon the opening of the Civil War, he returned to Kentucky, [p.964] where his attention was given to farming for four years. He then came back to his farm in Izard County, but about two years later traded it for another place, but also disposed of this at the end of two years. He then purchased and has since resided on his present farm (which amounts to 277 acres, with eighty acres improved, with good buildings and under cultivation), with the exception of about twenty months, when be resided in Fulton County. He was married, in 1853, to Miss Miranda Egbert, of Kentucky, and five of their eight children are now living: James R., who is now residing in Smithville, Ark., but expects soon to go to Texas; Joel B., residing in Indian Territory; Francis L., Marcus L. and Hiram E. Mr. and Mrs. Patterson are members of the Baptist Church, and he is a Democrat politically, and is decidedly in favor of all movements which promise to benefit the community in which he resides.
 

E. S. Pearson is a member of the mercantile firm of Sanders & Pearson, of Oxford. Ark., and also of F. W. Pearson & Co., of Thayer, Mo., both of whom carry a varied assortment of goods, which can not fail to satisfy every want of their patrons. He was born in McMinn County, Tenn., in 1829, and is a son of Edmond and Cynthia E. (Hardwick), natives of South Carolina and Alabama, respectively. The father removed to Tennessee in 1824, where he farmed, in connection with preaching the Gospel, and for ten years he was an elder in the Methodist Episcopal Church, South. In 1832 he settled in Jackson County. Ala., but he afterward moved to Talladega County, where he died in the fall of 1847, at the age of fifty-two years, having been a minister of the Gospel for twenty-eight years. He and wife became the parents of the following children: Charles D. (who died, leaving a family in Texas), F. A. (deceased, left a family in Mississippi), B. T., F. C. (a minister of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South, residing in Texas), F. C. (also a minister of the Methodist Episcopal Church in Texas, besides engaged in farming), Martha C. (wife of Marion Simmons, of this county), Cynthia E. (the deceased wife of Carroll White, her family residing in Mississippi), Mary C. (wife of D. B. White, of Texas), Watson H. (a Methodist minister, residing in Izard County), and W. W. (deceased, was also a minister of the Methodist Church, and died in Mississippi, in 1871). E. S. Pearson was reared on a farm, and educated in the schools of Alabama. Upon reaching the age of twenty-one years he began farming on land which he owned, but this work he gave up, on the breaking out of the war, to enlist in the Confederate service. He joined Company F. under Gen. Forrest, and served as his commissary for three years, and, in 1865, surrendered at Corinth, Miss. He then returned to Mississippi, where he had located in 1850, and began farming and merchandising at Houston, but, four years later, he moved to Lee County, and engaged in farming. He took up his abode in the State of Arkansas, in 1869, and, after residing for some time on a farm of 400 acres, he sold out and went to Newburg, where he was engaged in the mercantile business for three years. From that time until 1880 he again farmed, and then followed merchandising once more. He sold this establishment to Garner & Richardson, and up to March, 1889, his attention was given to agriculture alone. He has since followed merchandising, and has also managed his farm of sixty-five acres. His home place is also under cultivation, and in the two enterprises to which he has given the most of his attention he has met with flattering success, and, besides the income which he derives from his farm, the sales in his mercantile establishment will amount to about $12,000. He was married, in 1850, to Miss Ellen Morris, of Pontotoc County, Miss., and by her he became the father of eleven children, seven of whom are living: C. Elizabeth (wife of John M. Smith. of Polk County, Mo.), F. W. (a merchant at Thaver, Mo.), Alice M. (wife of Joseph Harklerood, a farmer of Fulton County, Ark.), Mary E. (wife of Jasper Rader, of Fulton County), Emma (wife of W. Martin, a farmer of Izard County), Thomas W. and Josie L. (the latter two at home with their father). Adolphus L., the eldest child, died in 1883 (he wedded the daughter of Judge Hunter, of Fulton County); W. W. died in his twenty-third year, in 1876, and two died in infancy. Mr. Pearson was [p.965] called upon to mourn the death of his wife in 1879, she having been an earnest member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South, and, in 1880, he wedded Mrs. Sarah J. (Hancock) McCollough, a daughter of Joel and Sarah (Hall) Hancock, natives, respectively, of Kentucky and South Carolina. Mrs. Pearson was reared in Ohio, to which State her father was taken when he was a small boy, and from this State her father enlisted in the War of 1812. He was a farmer, and he and wife were the parents of the children whose names are here given: Robert T. (of Ohio), L. B., J. K., J. H., J. B., J. R., Harriet (wife of Ezra Clark, of Indiana), and Sarah J. (Mrs. Pearson). Mr. Hancock died in 1863, and his wife in 1875, both being earnest members of the United Presbyterian Church at the time of their deaths. Mrs. Pearson was first married, in 1848, to Aaron Michael, in Ohio, soon afterward emigrating to Arkansas, and settling in Jackson County, where Mr. Michael died, in 1857. In 1874 Mrs. Michael was united in marriage with William McCollough, who died in 1878. He was a Confederate soldier, and was with Price on his last raid through Missouri. He was a member of the Baptist Church, and belonged to the A. F. & A. M. Since 1884 Mr. Pearson has been a licensed minister of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, with which church he united in 1880. While residing in Mississippi, in 1868, he became a licensed minister of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Politically, he is a Democrat. Mrs. Pearson has in her possession a bed-spread, with a double-woven top, in blue and white, and on the under side is the year (1837) in which it was woven, and also the name of the weaver, she having herself spun the thread, of which the bedspread was made, when a girl.
 

James Perrin is one of the wealthy agriculturists of this region, and at the present time is the owner of a fine tract of land consisting of 900 acres, of which there are about 100 acres under cultivation, all being the result of his energy, determination and attention to details. He was born in Lexington, Ky., December 1, 1844, but was educated in Independence County, Ark., to which place his parents moved at an early date. He was there also married, his wife being a Miss Ellen Street, and a daughter of William and Anna Street, their nuptials being celebrated on the 2d of March, 1869, at Batesville. To them were born four sons and three daughters, the following of whom are living: Jessamine, Claud B., Horace, and William F., all residing at home. During the rebellion Mr. Perrin served in the Third Arkansas Cavalry from 1862 to 1865, the first hard battle in which he participated being at Helena. After his return home he engaged in grist-milling, and now in addition to his farm work he is furnishing railroad timber supplies, such as telegraph poles and ties. He and wife belong to the Presbyterian Church and are worthy and honored citizens of the county. He is one of three surviving members of a family of two sons and three daughters born to the marriage of David Perrin and Nancy M. Baldwin, the former a native of Michigan, born in 1786. He was also educated in that State, but moved to Ohio, and was there married, his wife being a sister of Rev. S. D. Baldwin, who was the author of the “Baldwin's Prophecy,” and was pastor of the McKendry Church at Nashville, Tenn. Mr. Perrin was a millwright by trade, and was a member of the Masonic lodge, and at the time of his death, on the 2d of April, 1869, he was buried with Masonic honors in the cemetery at Batesville. He removed from the State of Indiana, where he had resided for some time, to Arkansas, in 1850, settling near Batesville, where he erected the first bridge ever built over Polk Bayon. His wife died May 28, 1877, both being members of the Old School Presbyterian Church.

 Judge R. H. Powell, Melbourne, Ark., is one of whom it can be said:
 “With an equal scale He weighs the affairs betwixt man and man.”
He is a prominent man of Northern Arkansas, and judge of the district in which he resides. His birth occurred in Sussex County, Va., on the 8th of April, 1827, and he is the son of Thomas P. and Jane P. (Roland) Powell, both natives of the Old Dominion, the former born in 1803 and the latter in 1806. The father was of Welsh descent, and was reared and married in his native State. He [p.966] moved to Tennessee in 1832, settling in Bedford County, and was a very successful tiller of the soil, being the owner of about thirty negroes, and some fifteen or twenty field hands. He was a Whig, and a very decided partisan, although he never held office. He split off from the Democratic party in 1834 and joined with the Clay faction. His first Whig vote was cast for Hugh L. White and Baily Peyton. He bade a final adieu to this world in 1853, and died as he had lived, an honored, upright citizen, one universally respected. He was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South, of which his wife was also a member. She died in 1840 or 1841. To their marriage, which occurred in 1824, were born nine children, all of whom lived to maturity, and eight still survive: Dr. R. J. (resides in Izard County), R. H. (subject), Mary A. (wife of Dan Morten, und makes her home in Tennessee), Martha H. (wife of J. W. Nailer, resides in Tennessee), Margaret V. (wife of S. H. Winston, resides in Stone County, Ark.), Miranda (wife of James McCuistion, resides in Izard County), W. S. (deceased), Sarah J. (widow of Dr. David Deason, resides in Tennessee), and Harriet T. (wife of Town Scruggs, resides at Bell Buckle, Tenn.). The paternal grandfather of these children, Robert Powell, was a native of Virginia, and was a boy at the surrender of Lord Cornwallis, but was present on that anspicious occusion. The youth of Judge R. H. Powell was passed in laboring on his father's farm and in attending the common subscription schools. When twenty-one years of age he entered the Salem Academy, remained there but three or four months and then engaged in teaching school, which profession be followed until about twenty-eight years of age. He then attended law school at Lebanon, Tenn., under Judge Abram Caruthers and Judge Greene, and after passing a very rigid examination received his license. He subsequently commenced practicing at Louisburg, Marshall County, Tenn. (1855), and there remained until 1860, being first a partner of Gideon B. Black, of Tennessee, and later a partner of James H. Thomas, of Columbia. In 1860 he came to Batesville, Ark., remained there but a short time, and then moved to Izard County, in 1861. He was first married to Miss Jane Temple, in June, 1849, and the fruits of this union were six children, who lived to be grown: Dr. Dempsey T. (resides at Thayer, Mo., and is an assistant surgeon of the Kansas & Missouri Railroad), Robert T. (attorney at Greenwood, Ark.), Nancy J., Mary W. (wife of John W. Woods, who is an attorney in Melbourne), Henry Lee (wife of Ewing Kennard, who is a druggist at La Crosse), and William W. (an attorney). In 1862 Judge Powell joined Company B, Freeman's battalion, Shaler's company, and, although entering the ranks as a privale, he was afterward elected by his company to the position of first lieutenant, in which capacity he served until December, 1863. He was taken prisoner near Batesville, and was sent to Little Rock, Ark. At the time he was taken prisoner he had been assigned to duty as commissary and quartermaster, by Gen. Price, and had in his possession some valuable papers and about $1,500. The United States forces secured the papers but failed to get the money. Mrs. Montgomery (sister of Capt. James Rutherford of Batesville) managed to slip the money from the outside pocket of his overshirt, and sent it to Col. Freeman. After being sent to Little Rock, he was shortly afterward removed to St. Louis and quartered in the McDowell College, in February, 1864. The following April he was removed to Johnson's Island, and was there retained until the 9th of January, 1865. On the 29th of the following month he was exchanged and then came home on a sixty days' leave of absence, and had started back to rejoin his command, when he heard of Gen. Lee's surrender. He surrendered at Jacksonport on the 5th of June, 1865, and after returning home engaged in agricultural pursuits, which he continued until 1866. He then began practicing his profession in this and surrounding counties. In 1862 Judge Powell was elected to represent his county in the legislature, and this was the first legislature that met after the secession of the State. In 1866 he was elected judge of this, then the Seventh circuit, and served until after the reconstruction of 1868, when he was disfranchised. From 1868 to 1874 he was interested [p.967] in mercantile pursuits, and followed this business in La Crosse, Lunenburg and Newburg, Izard County, and at Paraquet Bluff, Independence County. He lost his wife in 1870. She was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South. In 1873 the Judge wedded Mrs. Harriet Herbert (nes Harris), and two children were the result of this union, both of whom died while small. Mrs. Powell died in 1876. She was also a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South. Judge Powell was again married in 1878 to Mrs. Elizabeth Davidson, widow of Dr. Davidson. Her maiden name was Gardner, and she was a native of Tennessee. Two children were born to the last union: Guy and Ruth H. In 1874 Judge Powell attended strictly to the practice of his profession, and for four years remained thus engaged. In 1878 he was elected judge of the Third circuit, and filled that position until 1887, when there was a division in the circuit, and he was placed in charge of the Fourteenth judicial circuit. He has been judge ever since 1878 (now twelve years) without any intermission, and his term expires in 1890. He is a member of the Masonic frateruity, Blue Lodge, R. A. C., and Council, and is also a Knight Templar. He is a straight Democrat in his political views, and he and wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South.
 

William M. Ray removed from his native State of Tennessee (he being a native of Bedford County, born in 1828), to Independence County, Ark., in 1858, and purchased and entered the land on which he is now residing, which comprises 360 acres, 100 acres being under cultivation. The tillable portion of his land he devotee principally to cotton, corn and small grain, and the manner in which he conducts his farm shows him to be well posted on all matters pertaining to the work. He was reared, educated and married in his native State, the latter event taking place in 1850, and being to Miss Nancy J. Holland, a daughter of William Holland. Seven of their nine children survive: Alexander, Joseph R. George F., Sarah J., James, William M. and Dorinda. Mr. and Mrs. Ray are members of the Christian Church, and he is an active member of the I. O. O. F. During the Civil War he espoused the cause of the Confederacy, and served in the infantry and cavalry for about six months during 1862. His parents, Alexander and Isabella (Scott) Ray, were born in North Carolina and Tennessee, respectively, and were married in the latter State, in 1816, to which State he came with his parents, when near twenty-six years of age. He was badly crippled when about twenty years of age by white swelling, but notwithstanding this drawback he became quite well-to-do, and was the owner of 240 acres of land in Tennessee. Of the seven children born to himself and wife, only one is now living, William M., our subject. He died in Tennessee, July 30, 1856, his wife, who was a daughter of John Scott, of Tennessee, dying at the age of thirty-five years.
 

T. H. Ray is a Tennesseean, born in Wayne County on the 16th of March, 1849, his father, E. W. Ray, being born in Warren County of that State, in 1812. He was reared, educated and married there, the latter event being to Miss Elizabeth Ford of the same State. Of four sons born to them, two are still living, and both reside in the State of Arkansas. E. W. Ray was a fairly successful agrienlturist, and died in the “Lone Star State” in 1881, his wife having died in Tennessee in 1855. Mr. Ray moved from Tennessee to Arkansas in 1866, and at the time of his death and that of his wife they were members of the Presbyterian and Methodist Churches, respectively. T. H. Ray was educated in Flat Woods, Tenn., but after reaching manhood was married in the State of Arkansas to Miss Sarah A. Moser, she being a native of the State, and their union was consummated on April 11, 1869. Of a family of seven sons and three daughters born to them, there are but six children living, all of whom reside at home: Mary F., Ida T., Henry J., Oscar H., Lemon B. and Delbert A. Mr. Ray has been engaged in the occupation of farming from earliest boyhood, learning the details of the work from his father, who was an enterprising agricnlturist. He owns an excellent farm in Dry Town Township, comprising 124 acres, of which about ninety are under cultivation. He has always been found ready and willing to support enterprises of a worthy character, [p.968] and
 as a citizen and neighbor, is highly esteemed and respected. His wife is a communicant in the Presbyterian Church.
 

 K. W. Rector, farmer, Arkansas. No worthy reference to agricultural affairs of this county would be complete without mention of Mr. Rector, among others engaged in tilling the soil, for, although young in years, he has already attained an enviable position in the ranks of the farmers. He owes his nativity to Izard County, his birth occurring on the farm where he now resides, in 1858, and he is the son of J. W. and Ann E. (Cooper) Rector, natives of Kentucky. J. W. Rector came to Arkansas in 1852, settled in Izard County, on the place where his son, K. W., now resides, and tilled the soil for many years. He was at one time surveyor of the county. During the late war he was a lieutenant in Capt. Cook's company, and served four years, participating in a number of battles on the east side of the Mississippi River, where he was on duty a part of the time. He surrendered at Jacksonport, Ark., on the 5th of June, 1865, after which he immediately came home, and engaged in farming to replenish his fortune, nearly all of which had been lost during the war. He owned, at the breaking out of strife, quite a number of negroes, and a large number of stock of all kinds, which he lost. He was also the owner of about 800 acres of land. This was a very thinly settled country when he first located here, and he suffered many inconveniences, his nearest neighbor being about five or six miles distant, and the nearest mill ten miles away. After the war he filled the office of supervisor, or county judge, which position he occupied only one term. He was married in 1850, and to him and wife were born nine children, eight now living: J. M. (resides in this county), Mrs. Mary Richardson, G. S. (resides in this county), Miss Ellen J. (resides in Van Buren County), K. W., Mrs. Sarah E. Sheid (resides in Texas), J. L. (resides in this county), Nancy E. (makes her home with her father, in Texas) and Joseph I. (with his father). J. W. Rector moved to Texas in January, 1885, and bought land in Palo Pinto County. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity, and he and wife are members of the Baptist Church. He was born on the 3d of December, 1826, and Mrs. Rector was born on the 30th of August, 1830. Both are enjoying good health, and bid fair to live many years. At the age of twenty-one years K. W. Rector began life for himself by farming, and this occupation he has since followed. He was married, on the 25th of September, 1879, to Miss Martha C. Bigham, of this county, and they are the parents of five children: Margaret E., born September 12, 1880; Samuel B., born September 15, 1882; Effie J., born March 8, 1884; Joseph L., born March 3, 1886, and Rufus S., born September 5, 1888. Mr. Rector started life with little capital, but with the assistance of his life companion is now the owner of about 400 acres of land in one tract, and with fifty or sixty in another, considerable stock, and is one of the leading farmers of the county. He has about 145 acres under cultivation, with good buildings, outhouses, etc. Mrs. Rector in the daughter of Samuel and Susanah (Woods) Bigham, natives of Tennessee, who came to this county at an early day, and here reared a family of four children, three now living: James W., Mary B., Mrs. Martha Rector (wife of the subject of this sketch), Ursulla C. (wife of Rufus Landers). Mr. Bigham was killed during Gen. Price's raid through Missouri, in 1864. He was a member of the Christian Church. Mrs. Bigham was married the second time, in 1867, to Joseph H. Russell [see sketch]. Mr. and Mrs. Rector are both church members, he a member of the Baptist Church, and she of the Christian. In  polities, he is Democratic. Mr. Rector is a man who is in favor of all public improvements, and is deeply interested in educational matters.
 

William S. Richardson is one of the oldest pioneers of Izard County, and was born in Crawford County, Mo., in 1828, being a son of Joshua and Mary (Stafford) Richardson, who were from the State of Maine. The father removed to Missouri about 1816, and entered land in Crawford County, the country at that time being in a very wild and unsettled condition and thinly inhabited. Here he was married in 1827, and made his home until 1844, when he moved to the farm in New Hope [p.969] Township, Izard County, Ark., on which his son, William S., is now residing, and here he passed away in 1873, at the age of seventy-three years, his wife having died in Missouri in 1836. Of six children born to this union only William S. is now living, and after the mother's death Mr. Richardson married a second time, his wife being a Mrs. Sarah Romine (nee Barley), who bore him eleven children, the following of whom are living: Alex., James C., Francis R., Martha (wife of James Stub blefield), Nancy (wife of James Smith), Sarah (wife of Richard White), and Wilmoth (wife of John Smith). The mother of these children died in 1872, and both she and the first Mrs. Richardson were members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, although Mr. Richardson was a minister of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church. William S. Richardson was reared on a farm and educated in the common schools of Izard County, and after attaining his majority he began farming for himself on his own land in Izard County. When the war broke out he dropped his farming implements to engage in the struggle between the North and South, and joined the Union forces at Rolla, Mo., enlisting in Company G, Phelps' regiment of Missouri Volunteers, and at the end of six months entered the Missouri State service for six months. In 1865 he returned to the State of Arkansas, and after serving for some time as first lieutenant of his company, he was promoted to the rank of captain, and held this office until his company was disbanded. He was at the battle of Pea Ridge, and at this engagement had a brother killed. After the war he served as courier for the Freedmen's Bureau, in Izard County, for some time. After his return home he found nothing left to show for his early toil, except his land, all his personal property having been destroyed, but he immediately resumed his farming operations, and has since increased his acreage from 160 to 270, a large portion of which he has under cultivation. He is a Republican in his political views, and is a liberal contributor to all charitable enterprises, educational and otherwise, and he belongs to the A. F. & A. M. He and wife, whom he married in 1851, and whose maiden name was Elizabeth Wells, are members of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, and of a family of twelve children born to them they have reared five: Alex. S., Fannie J. (wife of John Largeant), Ellen, Emma, Nettie V., Catherine (the deceased wife of James B. Byrd), and Martha (the deceased wife of John Fuller).
 

Joab M. Rodgers, a prosperous farmer of this region, was born in Georgia, in 1854, and is a son of Avery Rodgers who was a Tennesseean, and a farmer by occupation. The latter was married to Miss Polly A. McCullum, a daughter of Joah McCullum, their union taking place about 1840, and to their marriage the following children have been born: William, John B., Mary A., Sallie E. and Joab M. Avery Rodgers enlisted in the Confederate army in 1861, serving in the infantry, and was killed in 1863. In 1867 his wife married William Anderson, of Georgia, by whom she became the mother of three children: Hardy L., Doney and Clinton, and in 1870 they moved to Lzard County, Ark., and are here now living, both being consistent members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South. Joab Rodgers, the subject of this sketch, was married to Miss Sarah M. Wethers, of Dade County, Ga., in 1873, she being a daughter of Johnsey Wethers, and four daughters and three sons have been the result of their union: Effie, Leter P., Veronia. Hattie B., Ward J., Garland and Benjamin. Mr. Rodgers removed with his mother and step-father to Arkansas, in 1870, but since his marriage has been doing for himself, and by industry, economy and good management, he has become the owner of 112 acres of land, forty-six of which are under cultivation and well improved. He built a commodious and substantial residence in 1888, has a fine fruit orchard, and in connection with his farming he is engaged in stock raising to some extent. He and wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
 

Reuben Rogers was born in the State of Tennessee, in 1829, his parents, William and Elizabeth (Hicks) Rogers, being natives of Alabama and Tennessee, respectively, the former's birth occurring in 1795. He was familiar with the duties of farm life from earliest boyhood, and in 1881 was [p.970] married to Miss Hicks, by whom he became the father of six children: Reuben, John, Peter, Allie, Sarah and Ada. From Tennessee Mr. Rogers removed to Independence County, Ark., in 1843, where his death occurred the following year, he being a member of the Baptist Church at that time. His widow married Henry Newman, of Independence County, in 1845, and to them three children were born: Henry N., Matilda and Annie E., all of whom reside in Izard County. They own eighty acres of land, and both are members of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church. Reuben Rogers was married to Miss Nancy Newman in 1869, a daughter of Henry Newman by his former wife, and their union resulted in the birth of two children: William R. and Reuben F. In 1854, becoming possessed with the “gold fever,” Mr. Rogers took the overland route to California, to seek his fortune, and like a great many others in those days, failed to find it and returned to Arkansas in 1868. After living on eighty acres of land in Independence County, until 1876, he moved to Izard County, and purchased the place where he is now living, consisting of 160 acres, a portion of which is mountainous, and is finely adapted to grazing. The rest is in the valley and about fifty acres are under cultivation, well watered and improved with good buildings, orchards, etc. He and wife have been members of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church for a number of years, and he is one of the men who has assisted largely in making Izard County the fine agricultural region which it now is. Mr. Rogers is a severe sufferer from cancer of the stomach.
 

Joseph Ruminer was born on Blue Grass soil, in Hickman County, June 22, 1835, his father, John Ruminer, having been born in Bedford County, Tenn., in 1809. The latter was educated in his uative State and county, and was married there to Miss Elizabeth Harris, who was a Kentuckian, their union resulting in the birth of six sons and five daughters, only one, Joseph, being now alive. Mr. Ruminer was a farmer by occupation, and at the time of his death, in 1862, was the owner of seventy-seven acres of land. He held the office of justice of the peace for two terms, and was a man whom all respected and esteemed. His wife, who was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, died the same year as himself, but a few months afterward. Joseph Ruminer received a very limited education in his youth, but this defect he has remedied in a great measure by reading and conducting the business affairs of life. After reaching manhood, he was married on the 24th of February, 1859, to Miss Sarah Coalson, whose birth occurred in the State of Mississippi. Although the family born to them consisted of ten children, only five are now living: Mary E., Samuel R., Sheffield, Robert and Harris H. Mr. Ruminer is a successful agriculturist, and his farm consisting of 368 acres is one of the best in the county, with about seventy-five acres under the plow and twenty acres cleared of wood and brush, with which it abounded. His first purchase of land was some forty acres, but as can be seen he has been remarkably successful, and now ranks among the first farmers of the county. He enlisted in the army in 1863, and his first hard fight was at Helena. He was a member of Dobbins' regiment, but when the rest went to Jacksonport to surrender he returned home. He is a member of the I. O. O. F. and he and wife worship in the Cumberland Presbyterian Church.
 

J. H. Russell, farmer, Melbourne, Ark. Mr. Russell is one more of the many residents of Izard County, Ark., who were originally from Bedford County, Tenn., and who, since their residence in this State, have become leading men in whatever calling in life their tendencies have led them. Mr. Russell was born in 1821 and is the son of Joseph D. and Mary (Hightower) Russell, natives, respectively, of North Carolina and Tennessee. The father was born in 1777 and the mother in 1800. They were married in Hickman County, Tenn., about 1820, and afterward removed to Bedford County, of the same State, where they remained until 1829. They then located in Scott County, Mo., and after stopping there for several years went to Webster County, of the same State, and here the father passed his last days, his death occurring in 1847. He was twice married, first to a lady whose name is not remembered, and by her [p.971] became the father of two children: William B. and Daniel D. By his second marriage, to Miss Mary Hightower, he became the father of five children, four of whom lived to be grown: J. H., subject of sketch; Louis, was killed during the war with Mexico and after being discharged, it is supposed by Indians; Louisa (deceased), was the wife of John Cox, the family living in Missouri; John W. (deceased), whose family reside in Fulton County, and one who died in infancy. Mrs. Russell died in Kentucky, in 1827, while Mr. Russell was on his way to Missouri. She was a member of the Baptist Church, of which Mr. Russell was also a member until about six or eight years before his death, when he joined the Christian Church and died a member of the same. He was a school teacher, farmer, and also a carpeuter, but followed the teacher's profession principally after reaching mature years. He was an old line Whig, but not active in politics. He was well-to-do while living in Tennessee, but lost nearly all he had by going security for his friends. J. H. Russell had very poor chances for an early education, but this he made up to a great extent by observation and reading. In 1862 he moved to Arkansas, settled in Izard County, and still continued to till the soil, the occupation he had followed while living in Missouri. While residing in Howell County, of that State, he was appointed one of the three to organize the county, and served as county judge, being elected to that position afterward (or one of the associate justices), and was once elected justice of the peace of his township. He was first married to Miss Elizabeth Sweet, of North Carolina. His second marriage was in 1867, to Mrs. Susanab (Bighum) Woods, a native of Tennessee, who bore him one child, Margaret L., who died in infancy. Mrs. Russell was the mother of four children by her first marriage (three now living): James (deceased), Mary E. (at home), Martha C. (wife of K. W. Rector), and Ursula C. (wife of G. R. Landers). Mr. Russell has one son; his name is Robert F. He is now in his twenty-third year. At the time of the Mexican War Mr. Russell joined the army at Springfield, Mo., but the company was not received, although he was very anxions to go, and had hired a man to run his farm. He was suffering with poor health during the late war. He bought 400 acres of land in Izard County, in 1868, and resides on that farm at present. There were about forty aores improved at that time, and he now has 135 acres under a fine state of cultivation, with good buildings, barus, etc. He and wife are both members of the Christian Church, and he is a member of the Masonic fraternity, In his political views he affiliates with the Democratic party, and was originally a Whig.