PHILLIPS COUNTY–
E. F. Wylie, farmer and stock raiser, Fairmount, Ark. Of that sturdy and independent class, the farmers and stock men of Arkansas, there are none who possess more genuine merit or stronger character than he whose name stands at the head of this sketch. Mr. Wylie owes his nativity to Indiana, where his birth occurred July 8, 1830. His father (A. M. Wylie) was a native of Kentucky, born in 1819, and in that State he received his education. Subsequently he emigrated to Indiana, and there married Miss Rebecca Farmer, a native of Indiana, and the daughter of Jesse and Rhoda Farmer. The fruits of this union were ten children: Augusta C., E. F. and Julia O. The remainder died while young. The father was a farmer by occupation, and this pursuit continued the principal part of his life. His wife died in 1849, and he chose for his second wife Miss Elizabeth Young, who bore him three children: Ellen, George and Lillie. Mr. Wylie held the office of sheriff of Tipton County, Ind., for three terms, and was a man who took quite an interest in church and educational matters. He died in 1881, but his wife is still living, and resides in Illinois. He was a member of the Baptist Church, to which his wife also now belongs. E. F. Wylie received his education in Illinois and emigrated to Missouri in 1853, where he married Miss Sarah J. Richardson, on May 24, of the same year. She was born in Indiana, and by her marriage became the mother of six children: Rebecca J. (deceased), Emma C. (wife of Fulton Harris), Martha O. (wife of John Vaughn), Augustus M., Norton W., Cora A. (who resides at home) and Charles E. The mother of these children died in 1886. Mr. Wylie emigrated from Missouri to Arkansas in 1874, and located in Prairie County, where he now resides. In 1887 he married Miss Emma E. Hollaway, and to this union has been born one child, Henry W. Mr. Wylie has followed farming and stock raising nearly all his life; is the owner of 400 acres of land, with sixty acres under cultivation, and is one of the progressive and enterprising farmers of the county. He was Master of the Grange for two years, and has held the office of justice of peace for four
years. He and wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
Ye pioneers, it is to you
The debt of gratitude is due|
Ye builded wiser than ye knew
The broad foundation
On which our superstructure stands.—Pewrrs.
PHILLIPS COUNTY was organized in secordance with an act of the legislature of Arkansas Territory, approved May 1, 1820. It then included a large amount of territory lying north of its present limits, which has since been organized into several counties. The county was named in honor of Sylvanus Phillips, a pioneer settler, and one of the original proprietors of the site of the present city of Helena. Soon after the county was organized, the seat of justice thereof was located at this place, and about the year 1821, Nicholas Rightor, an early settler and Government surveyor, surveyed and laid out a town on lands belonging to Sylvanus Phillips and William Russell, and it was named Helena, in honor of Miss Helena Phillips, a daughter of Sylvanus Phillips. Russell was not a settler of the county. He lived at St. Louis, Mo., was a great land speculator, and owned a part of the lands on which the city of Little Rock was located, and was one of the company that laid out the capital city. He obtained his lands by locating soldier claims on the best lands he could find, and then buying them of such claimants as did not desire to occupy them at very low prices. In this way he accumulated a vast amount of the best lands in Arkansas.
page 740
The first county building, which was a two-story log building, with a court room above and the jail below, stood on the ridge a short distance south of the present court house. The next county buildings, consisting of a small two-story frame court house and a one-story log jail, stood on the east of Main or Ohio Street, south of Porter Street. Early in the Civil War period this court house took fire and burned down (supposed to have taken fire accidentally). The county then rented a [p.740] building for court purposes and county offices until the present court house was ready for occupancy.
The present jail, a large two-story brick structure, was erected in 1860. It stands on a lot east of and adjoining the court house square. The court house is a large and plain two-story brick building, with halls, stairs and office rooms on the first floor and the court room on the second. It was completed in 1871, in "reconstruction" times, and is said to have cost the county much more than it should have cost. It stands in the northwestern part of the city, on a bill so elevated that a commanding view of the city can be obtained therefrom. A beautiful grass lawn surrounding the house is kept in good order.
The following is a list of names of county officers of Phillips County, from its organization to the present, with dates of terms of service annexed:
Judges: J. H. McKenzie, 1829-32; J. J. McKeal, 1832-33; I. C. P. Tolleson, 1835-36; W. E. Butts, 1836-38; T. B. Hanley, 1838-40; W. E. Butts, 1840-42; A. G. Underwood, 1842-44; J. S. Hornor, 1844-46; A. G. Underwood, 1846-56; A. P. Ewarts, 1856-58; A. G. Underwood, 1858-60; J. B. Shell, 1860-62; A. P. Ewarts, 1864-65; E. G. Cook, 1865-66; George West, 1866-68; Q. K. Underwood, 1868-72; board of supervisors, 1872-74; S. J. Clark, 1874-78; M. T. Sanders, 1878-82; R. W. Nicholls, present incumbent, first elected in 1882, re-elected, and has served continuously since.
Clerks: W. B. R. Hornor, 1820-21; S. Phillips, 1821-23; S. M. Rutherford, 1823-25; H. L. Bisco, 1825-27; G. W. Fereby, 1827-29; Austin Hendricks, 1829-30; S. C. Mooney, 1830-32; J. R. Sanford, 1832-38; J. S. Hornor, 1838-42; William Kelley, 1842-44; L. D. Maddox, 1844-48; R. H. Yates, 1848-52; E. H. Cowley, 1852-62; J. H. Maxey, 1864-66; E. H. Cowley, 1866-68; S. J. Clark, 1868-74; D. W. Elison, 1874-78; —– Thompson, 1878-82; Whit Jarmin, 1882-88; James C. Rembert, present incumbent, elected in 1880.
Sheriffs: Daniel Mooney, 1820-23; George Seaborn, 1823-25; Daniel Mooney, 1825-27; H. L. Brisco, 1827-30; F. Hanks, 1830-32; H. L. Brisco, 1832-35; M. Irvin, 1835-44; W. M. Bostick, 1844-48; D. Thompson, 1848-52; A Thompson, 1852-58; B. W. Green, 1858-62; B. W. Green, 1864-65; J. Graves, 1865-66; B. Y. Turner 1866-68; D. C. Gordon, 1868-72; A. Barrow, 1872-74; H. B. Robinson, 1874-78; B. Y. Turner, 1878-84; E. D. Pillow, present incumbent, first elected in 1884.
Treasurers: J. B. Ford, 1836-52; E. P. Scantland, 1852-54; J. Locke, 1854-56; W. D. Hornor, 1856-58; William Lonford, 1858-60; E. K. Harris, 1860-62; R. A. Yerby, 1864-66; W. H. Crawford, 1866-68; S. H. Brooks, 1868-72; N. Straub, 1872-78; S. H. King, 1878-80; E. M. Ford, 1880-86; N. Straub, present incumbent, first elected in 1886.
Coroners: Peter Edwards, 1823-25; W. H. Calvert, 1829-32; Enor Askew, 1832-33; S. S. Smith, 1833-35; P. Pinkston, 1835-36; W. Battis, 1886-38; J. Skinner, 1838-40; A. Sanders, 1840-42; W. H. Calvert, 1842-50; M. Platt, 1850-54; J. M. Odle, 1854-56; R. Goodwin, 1856-58; W. A. Dickson, 1858-60; W. A. Thorn, 1860-62; T. Wallace, 1864-65; A. Neal, 1865-66; J. J. Mulky, 1866-68; C. Williams, 1872-74; Samuel Hill, 1874-78; T. H. Quarles, 1878-80; John Grenshaw, 1880-82; T. N. Upshaw, 1882-84; R. W. McKenny, 1884-86; C. H. Hicks, 1886-88; Abe Crawford, present incumbent, elected in 1888.
Surveyors: N. Rightor, 1823-25; N. Rightor, 1829-30; B. Burress, 1830-32; C. P. Smith, 1832-35; Charles Pearcy, 1835-36; C. P. Smith, 1836-38; H. Turner, 1838-40; J. H. Bonner, 1840-42; S. Weaver, 1842-44; S. Goodman, 1844-46; J. Thomas, 1846-48; S. K. Goodman, 1848-50; E. H. Gilbert, 1850-60; M. D. Norton, 1860-63; E. H. Gilbert, 1864-68; F. Trunkey, 1868-72; M. M. Robinson, 1872-76; W. W. Bailey, 1876-78; B. F. Thompson, 1878-82; R. A. Blount, 1882-86; Thomas M. Jacks, present incumbent, first elected in 1886.
Assessors: J. C. Watson, 1864-65; H. Campbell, 1865-66; J. A. Bush, 1866-68; H. B. Robinson, 1868-72; T. Grissom, 1872-74; A. Barrow, 1874-76; M. G. Turner, 1876-78; B. W. Green, [p.741] 1878-88; M. G. Turner, present incumbent, elected in 1888.
Circuit court clerks: J. P. Clopper, 1878-80; J. F. Humphries, 1880.
Delegates in constitutional conventions: 1836, Henry L. Brisco and George W. Ferebey; 1861, T. B. Hanley and C. W. Adams; 1864, J. A. Butler, T. M. Jacks and Thomas Pearce; 1868, Joseph Brooks, Thomas Smith, William H. Gray and James T. White; 1874, J. J. Hornor, J. T. White and R. Polk.
Representatives in Territorial legislature: Daniel Mooney in council and W. B. R. Hornor in house, 1823; J. W. Calvert in council and H. L. Brisco in house, 1825; E. T. Clark in council and John Johnson in house, 1827; F. Hanks in council and E. T. Clark in house, 1829; Charles Caldwell in council and T. Hanks in house, 1831; W. T. Moore in council and M. Hanks in house, 1833.
Representatives in State legislature: J. C. P. Tolleson and J. J. Shell, 1836-38; J. J. Shell and F. Hanks, 1840-42; Elisha Burke and T. B. Hanley, 1842-44; E. Burke and F. B. Culver, 1844-46; E. Burke and Bailey Kendall, 1846-48; John Martin and W. E. Preston, 1848-50; W. E. Preston and J. C. Tappan, 1850-52; G. Geffries and A. Wilkins, 1852-54; R. B. Macon and W. D. Rice, 1854-56; Francis H. Moody, 1856-58; Thomas C. Anderson, 1858-60; J. C. O. Smith and Thomas J. Key, 1860-62; H. P. Slaughter and W. N. Mixon, 1866-67; J. A. Butler, M. Reed, J. C. Tobiast, W. H. Gray, J. J. T. White and J. K. Whitson, Phillips and Monroe, 1868-69; same counties, G. W. Hollibough, A. Mays, J. M. Peck, Austin Barrow, C. C. Waters and J. M. Alexander, Jr., 1871; same counties, J. W. Williams, Tony Grissom, John W. Fox, W. H. Furbush, G. H. W. Stewart and H. H. Robinson, 1873; same counties, T. M. Jacks, P. McGowan and W. Foreman, 1874; Phillips only, Tony Grissom, A. H. Miller and Perry Coleman, 1875; Perry Coleman, J. M. Donohoe and T. M. Jacks, 1877; Greenfield Quarles, T. B. Hanley and W. R. Burke, 1879; G. Quarles, A. G. Jarman and J. P. Roberts, 1881; S. H. Brooks, R. B. Macon and John J. Moore, 1883; J. P. Roberts, W. R. Burke and S. H. King, 1885; R. B. Macon, James P. Clarke and J. M. Donohoe, 1887.
In 1888 the number of votes cast in Phillips County for State and National candidates for office was as follows: For Governor, at the September election, James P. Eagle (Dem.), 1,123; C. M. Norwood (Com. Opp.), 3,278. For President, at the November election, Cleveland (Dem.), 789; Harrison (Rep.), 2,123. This shows the Republicans to have a very large majority in the county, but before the September election, 1888, a compromise county ticket, composed of candidates from both parties, was put into the field, and at the election it was successful, hence the county officers are representatives of both parties, and it is said that this gives general satisfaction.
The population of the county since its inception has been, at the end of each decade, as follows: 1820, 1,197; 1830, 1,152; 1840, 3,547; 1850, 6,935; 1860, 5,931 white and 8,945 colored, make a total of 14,876; 1870, 4,871 white and 10,501 colored, total, 15,372; 1880, white 5,444, colored 15,809, total 21,253.
The county court, proper, was organized in 1829, and prior to this time the county business was transacted in the circuit court. Since 1829 there has always been a county court, but from 1872 to 1874 it consisted of a board of supervisors. The several courts of Phillips County convene in regular session at Helena at the following dates: County, on the first Monday of January, April, July and October of each year; common pleas, on the third Monday of the same months; probate, on the third Monday of February, March, August and November; circuit, on the third Monday of May and November.
As far back as 1836, the year that Arkansas became a State, the Helena bar consisted of the following resident attorneys: William K. Sehastian and John C. P. Tolleson from Tennessee; William E. Butts from New York; Thomas B. Hanley and William M. McPherson from Kentucky, and John Preston from Virginia. These were mostly young men then, and some of them lived to become distinguished throughout the State. The bar [p.742] of this county has always been noted for its ability, having among its members some of the ablest lawyers and most distinguished generals the State, has produced. The resident attorneys of Phillips County, now composing its legal bar, are Gen. J. C. Tappan, Judges John J. Hornor & Son, E. C. Hornor, Jacob Trieber and M. L. Stephenson, John C. Palmer and R. W. Nicholls, Greenfield Quarles and John I Moore, James P. Clarke, P. O. Thweatt, Jacob Fink, Samuel I. Clarke, James P. Roberts and M. G. B. Scaife. Gens. Pat. R. Cleburne and Thomas C. Hindman were once members of this bar.
Phillips County, locsted in East Central Arkansas, is bounded north by the base line of the public land surveys which separates it from Lee County, east by the Mississippi River which separates it from the State of Mississippi, south by Desha County, and west by Arkansas and Monroe Counties. The northwest corner of the county is at the initial point where the fifth principal meridian crosses the base line, and this meridian forms a portion of the western boundary of the county. The area is about 659 square miles, two-fifths of which is alluvial level land, and only about one-sixth of the county is improved.
Crowley's Ridge which runs through Greene, Craighead, Poinsett, Cross, St. Francis and Lee Counties, forming the divide between St. Francis and Cache Rivers, terminates in Phillips County just below the city of Helena. In the upper counties this ridge has an elevation of only a few feet above the river bottoms, but in Phillips it is very billy and broken, the hills extending from 100 to 200 feet in height. The top of this ridge, throughout its entire length in Arkansas, is composed, for the most part of silicions clay and marl of quarternary date, usually resting on a bed of water-worn gravel. Numerous springs of good cool water flow from beneath this gravel bed along the eastern foot of the ridge near Helena. The most noted of these is the "Big Spring," two and a half miles above Helena, which forms a considerable stream where it flows from under the gravel bed at the base of the ridge.
The following section, showing the position of the material composing Crowley's Ridge, was taken in 1859 or 1860 close to Mr. Rightor's dwelling in the edge of the city of Helena, by the then State geologist, Prof. David Dale Owen: Quartenary: Yellow, silicious clay, six feet; marl, with fossil shells. At this place, the marl was traversed by two vertical cracks one inch in width, and filled with sand from the stratum beneeth. Tertiary: Yellow and orange sand and gravel, twenty feet; gravel, six inches; space concealed, reddish clay, nine feet; plastic only (potter's) local, six inches; yellowish and white sand, with some
gravel, five feet; sand and gravel, fifteen feet; space concealed, twelve feet; bed of slough.
The geologist further said in his report: "In Phillips County there are many remains of old fortifications or aboriginal towns to be seen, monuments of a bygone race, of whose history no tradition known to the white man has been preserved by the occupants of the country. One of these ancient works of art, four miles west of Helena, at the terminus of Crowley's Ridge, was visited. The embankments now nearly destroyed by the washing of the rains, and the cultivation of a part of the land, were built of sun-dried clay, mixed with stems and leaves of the cane. The vegetable structure of the cane is still well preserved in the clay matrix, and I could in no instance, find any evidence of the cane's having been charred by fire, hence the conclusion that it received no greater heat than that given it by the sun. Nor is there any appearance of fashioned brick, of which it is said this wall was built. The clay and stems of cane appear to have been mixed together and molded into a wall, somewhat after the manner of a pise. The northern boundary of this enclosure is formed by the hills, and within the interior there are a number of small mounds."
Agriculturally speaking, Phillips County ranks equal to any in the State. The broad Mississippi in the southern part, interspersed with small, old lakes and bayous, is remarkably fertile. In the western part, watered by Big Creek, there is a large body of level land formed by the gradual flattening out of the Crowley's Ridge; hence, it has received the name of table lands.
A considerable district of land a few miles below Helena, is known as "Sugar-tree Ridge," so called, because of the large amount of trees of that name grown thereon. This ridge is elevated a few feet above the overflow of the Mississippi. Aside from the sugar trees, the timber growth consisted of black walnut, red oak, persimmon, white and red elm, sweet gum, mulberry and large sassafras. Here traces of old fortifications and mounds have been found, and in plowing over the latter, human bones, implements of pottery, arrow-heads and stone axes have been found. The low bottom lands of the lakes and sloughs are from ten to fifteen feet lower than the ridge land, and have a bluish-black, stiff, plastic soil when wet, but when dry it becomes mellow, and easily pulverizes under cultivation. The alluvial land adjoining the Mississippi is a sandy loam, easily cultivated, and is very productive. The hill land soil is derived from the silicious, marly, quartenary clay above the gravel. It is also very fertile. The timber growth on Crowley's Ridge originally was large poplar, beech, red and white oak, spanish oak, hickory, sweet gum, black walnut, butternut, sugar tree, honey locast and cans. The only poplar trees in Arkansas grow on Crowley's Ridge. The table lands have for the most part, a deep yellow, or mulatto soil, which is also very fertile. The principal growth is sweet gum, but on the most elevated portions are the same timbers as are found on Crowley's Ridge.
The St. Francis River empties into the Mississippi a short distance south of the northeast corner of Phillips County. Big Creek enters the county from the north about nine miles east of its northwest corner, and flows southeasterly, southerly and southwesterly, and leaves the county a little north of the center of its western boundary. Beaver Bayou heads a little east of the center of the county and flowing thence south westerly it empties into White River. Another stream rises near the canter of the county and flowing in the same direction as the latter also empties into White River. These streams, with the Mississippi on the east, and their tributaries, furnish the drainage of the county. Water is abundant for all purposes, but for domestic use spring water and cistern water are mostly used.
Improved lands can be bought at from $10 to $20, and unimproved at from $1 to $5 per acre. The yield of crops per acre is said to be as follows: Cotton, on hill lands, 600 pounds; on bottom lands, 1,000 pounds; Indian corn, on uplands, average crop, seventeen bushels; oats, twenty bushels; Irish potatoes and sweet potatoes, 100 bushels each; turnips, 200 bushels; field pess, fifty bushels per acre. Of the tame grasses, timothy, red top and orchard grass are said to yield two tons each, and clover and millet, three tons each. The yields of grain and vegetables are given according to the present system of farming, and are far below what they could be under a scientific process of farming. But very little tame grass of any kind has been cultivated in the county. The attention of the farmers is mostly devoted to the raising of cotton, and the live stock get their living by grazing the native wild grasses on the commons or ranges. In 1880, according to the United States censue, there were in Phillips County, 1,311 farms and 85,379 acres of improved lands. The aggregate yield of products for 1879 were given as follows: Cotton, 29,070 bales; Indian corn, 332,585 bushels; oats, 13,410 bushels; wheat, 367 bushels; orchard products, $3,512; hay, 1,401 tons; Irish potatoes, 6,261 bushels; sweet potatoes, 21,956 bushels; tobacco, 11,172 pounds. The entire value of all the farm products raised in the county in 1879 were calculated at $1,548,538. Assuming that there has not been much change since 1880, except the increase of quantities, the above flgures show conclusively what kinds of products are mostly cultivated. Cotton stands pre-eminently at the head, ndian corn next, all the other products, except sweet potatoes, being very limited.
The number of domestic animals in the county, according to the census of 1880, were as follows: Horses, 1,783; mules and asses, 2,850; neat cattle, 8,998; sheep, 2,230; hogs, 14,217. The number of these animals as shown by the assessor's returns for 1889, are as follows: Horses, 2,402; mules and asses, 3,403; neat cattle, 8,060; sheep, 1,953; hogs, 7,362. These figures show an increase in the [p.744] number of horses and mules, but a decrease in the number of all the others.
Fruits of all kinds, common to this latitude, can be grown as well here as in any of the other valley counties of the State. Small fruits, especially for the Northern market, could be grown here with profit. But this industry has not been developed to any considerable extent. Cotton-growing seems to be the all-absorbing industry.
The Helena branch of the Iron Mountain Railroad connects Helena with the main line at Knobel, in Clay County. This gives Phillips County a direct outlet to the North and at the several roads crossing it, to all points east or west. It enters the county from the north and traverses it about fifteen miles to its southern terminus at Helena. The Arkansas Midland Railway connects Helena with the St. Louis, Arkansas & Texas Railway at Clarendon. It traverses across the entire county, a distance of about twenty-seven miles. A transfer across the Mississippi River, connects Helena with the Lonisville, New Orleans & Texas Railroad on the east side of the river, and thus gives an outlet directly by rail to the Crescent City, and to all points east of the river. These railroads and the Mississippi River, which traverses the entire eastern border of the county, constitute its shipping facilities.
The United States census of 1880 shows that the real estate of the county was then assessed at $776,080, and the personal property at $440,640, making a total of the taxable wealth of $1,216,720. The assessor's returns for 1889, indicetes the real estate to have been assessed at $2,408,495, and the personal property at $977,990, a total of $3,386,485. This shows a wonderful increase in the value of the property of the county since 1880. To get a fair estimate of the real value, the whole amount returned by the assessor should be thribbled. Property is generally assessed for taxstion at only about one-third of its real value.
The county has recently issued $100,000 thirty-year funding bonds, with interest at six per cent, payable July 1, each year. A few years ago the county owed $200,000 in railroad bonds, and $60,000 in refunded script. This has been reduced so that according to the last financial report, dated July 7, 1889, the total indebtedness was $104,400.
The French and Spaniards may have made temporary settlements in the territory now composing Phillips County, long before the beginning of the nineteenth century, but if any such were made no detailed account thereof has been preserved. But that there were permanent settlers here when the century began is evident from the fact that in the year 1800, one John Patterson was born at a place about five miles above, or rather north of the site of the present city of Helena. In 1836 Judge John S. Hornor, who is now living in Helena, and who was eighty-three years of age in August, 1889, came to Helena from Virginia in 1836. His uncle, William B. R. Hornor, had settled here many years prior to that date. Other early settlers of Helena and vicinity, all of whom were here in 1836, were James H. McKenzie, from North Carolina, John J. Bowie, from Louisiana, Fleetwood Hanks, from Kentucky, who lived where his son, Judge Hanks, now resides, B. A. Porter, from Massachusetts, Dr. B. F. Odle, from New York, Henry L. Briscoe, from Virginia, who was registar of the United States land office here in 1836, Boyd Bailey, from Kentucky, F. H. Cosset, George W. Fereby, from Virginia, Nicholas Rightor, Sylvanus Phillips, after whom the county was named, Judge Thomas J. Lacy, from Kentucky, and others. Lacy was then one of associate justices of the first supreme court of Arkansas. The other lawyers in Helena, in 1836, are mentioned under the head of legal bar. In 1835 John T. Jones, now known as Judge Jones, a farmer living in the county, came from Virginia, and settled first in Helena. In the summer of 1889 he and his loving wife returned on a visit to "Old Virginia," and there on August 13, at the house of their son-in-law, Maj. Morton, in Charlotte County, they celebrated their golden wedding, having lived together as husband and wife half a century.
The first settler in the Martin settlement, at the present northern boundary of the county, was James Martin, from Kentucky. There was a large family of the Martins, and some of them were early settlers of the territory farther north. The first [p.745] settlers of the "Lick Creek Settlement," were William F. Moore, from Alabama, and Jesse J. Shell, from Louisiana. The latter died while a member of the legislature. James Nelson settled on the military road leading to Little Rock, on the place where his son John W. now resides. Near the Martin settlement were the pioneers, Josiah S. McKiel and Col. Elishs Burke, both from North Carolina. Burke's widow and younger children are living on the same place at this writing. Burke at one time represented this county in the lower house, and at another time this and Monroe County in the upper house of the State legislature. Bailey Kendall, from Kentucky, was the first settler west of Big Creek at the village of Trenton, and John C. Swan, from Kentucky, near the present village of Marvell. Thomas Locks and the father of James M. and Ellis Ward, and Benjamin F. Bonner, all from Tennessee, were the pioneer settlers of the northwest part of the county. The extreme southern part of the county, the lowlands, were not settled until much later than the uplands. The Indians all moved away from this part of Arkansas prior to 1836. A part of those moved to the Indian Territory from Georgia and other States, and crossed the Miesissippi at Helena in 1837.
Upon the approach of the Civil War of 1861-65, many of the best and most conservative men of Phillips County deplored a disruption of the Union of the States, but after the war had actually begun, all the citizens became unanimously in favor of dis-union and the establishment of a Southern Confederacy. The first companies raised in the county for the Confederate service were the Yell Rifles, commanded by Pat R. Cleburne; the Phillips Guards, commanded by Capt. W. S. Otey; the Tappan Guards, by Capt. J. C. Tappan; the Pat. Cleburne Guards, by Capt. Thomas Quinlin; the La Grange Guards, by Capt. D. C. Govan, and the Trenton Guards by Capt. J. W. Scaife. These were all raised early in 1861. Afterward other companies were organized in the county, sufficient in number, together with those named, to compose three regiments—the Second, Thirteenth and Fifteenth, Confederate States army. It must be remembered that at that time Phillips County contained the greater part of what is now Lee County, and it turned out for the Confederate service the three regiments above mentioned, two major-generals—Pat R. Cleburne and Thomas C. Hindman—and six brigadier-generals: D. C. Govan, J. C. Tappan, C. W. Adams, L. E. Polk, Dandridge McRes and Arch Dobbins.
The county remained within the Confederate lines until July, 1862, when the Federal army under Maj.-Gen. Samuel R. Curtis, first occupied Helena, and from that time forward to the end of the war the town was strongly garrisoned by Federal troops. On December 15, 1862, Brig.-Gen. W. A. Gorman, then in command at Helena, reported that an outpost of his, consisting of twenty-three men and a commissioned officer belonging to the Sixth Missouri Cavalry, were captured at a point four miles out on the St. Francis road, near the residence of ——– Turner. On January 3, following, he again reported that on the first day of the month twenty-five or thirty Texas rangers had captured another of his outposts, consisting of twenty-six men and a commissioned officer of the Twenty-eighth Iowa Regiment. In this report he censured the men captured, and recommended the officer to be disgracefully dismissed. On January 12, 1863, Lieut. James B. Bradford, with twenty-five men of the Second Wisconsin Cavalry, was sent out to a point on Lick Creek, about twelve miles west of Helena, where be was confronted by superior numbers, and being overpowered he and four of his men escaped and returned to Helena, and afterward some more of his men also, having made their escape, returned to Helena. On May 25, 1863, a shirmish between small forces at Polk's plantation, a few miles from Helena, took place. A few other small engagements were had in the county between the contending forces, aside from the battle of Helena. Helena was strongly fortified by the garrison occupying it, and was a very advantageous military post for the Union army, especially for keeping the communication of the Mississippi open to pointe below. In the western part of the town, on the ridge south of the present court house, was Fort Curtis, armed with siege guns, and there were redoubts armed with fieldpieces, [p.746] and protected by rifle-pits on the suburban hills north and west of the town, so as to effectually guard every avenue of approach. One of the redoubts was on the summit of Graveyard Hill. The Confederate General, T. H. Holmes, commanding the District of Arkansas, seeing the importance of Helena to the Union army, and the advantages it might be to the Confederate army, conceived the idea of capturing it. To this end he concentrated his army, consisting of the commands of Gens. Price, Marmaduke and others, at Clarendon, on White River, from which place he advanced upon Helena, and reached Allen Polk's plantation, five miles therefrom, on the morning of July 3, 1863. The plan of attack was for Gen Price, with his two brigades, McRea's and Parson's, to assault and take Graveyard Hill at daylight, Marmaduke, assisted by Walker's cavalry brigade, to take Rightor's Hill by daylight, and Gen. Fagan to take the battery on Hindman's Hill by daylight. Gen. B. M. Prentiss was in command of the garrison, and was well informed of the approach of the Confederates, and consequently in readiness to receive them. Arrangements had been made to hold an old-fashioned calebration in Helena on Saturday, July 4, but Gen. Prentiss issued an order to dispense with it, and for every man to be at his post of duty.
Accordingly, at 3 o'clock, A. M., of July 4, the Confederate army advanced upon the town, attacked and drove in the outposts, and by daylight the battle raged furiously. The battery on Hindman's Hill and the redoubt and battery on Graveyard Hill were captured by storm, after which a large force of Confederates passed through the ravine between these hills into the suburbs of the town, where, being exhausted and confused, they were surrounded and captured by the Federalists. The battle continued to rage until 10:30 A. M., when the Confederate commander, finding his army losing ground, retired from the field and left all in possession of the garrison. It is said that the hardest fighting took place on Graveyard Hill. In the summarized reports of the battle by the respective commanders of the armies, Gen. Holmes said that his whole force consisted of 7,646 effective men and officers, that his loss was 173 killed, 687 wounded and 776 missing, making a total of 1,636. Gen. Prentiss said that his whole garrisoned force consisted of 4,129 effective men and officers, assisted by the gunboat Tyler, commanded by Lient. Com. Pritchett, which rendered him valuable assistance, and that his loss consisted of fifty-seven killed, 146 wounded and thirty-six captured, making a total of 239. He reported the Confederate loss at 400 killed, 354 wounded and 774 captured in addition to the wounded, making a total of 1,528. It will be scen that, in the aggregate, Prentiss reported the Confederate loss at 108 less than Holmes did, but that they differed widely as to the number of killed and wounded. Of course, Prentiss had the best opportunity to know how many were killed, as they were all buried by his men, but it appears to be an extraordinary number in comparison with the number he reported as wounded. No other attack was ever made upon Helena.
Helena, the county seat of Phillips County, is situated on the west bank of the Mississippi River, at the foot of a range of hills, which bounds the city on the north and west, the distance from the river bank to the bills on the west being about half a mile. The site of the greater part of the city, especially the business part, is comparatively low and level. Many of the streets and business houses, and some dwelling houses, have been elevated on made land several feet above the original level. The origin of the town has been given in connection with the organization of the county. Among the early merchants of the place, who were doing business here in 1836, were John J. Bowie, F. H. Cosset and George W. Fereby. There were about half a dozen business houses in the town at that time. William B. R. Hornor, mentioned among the early pioneer settlers, was a lawyer and kept a hotel in Helena at a very early day. B. A. Porter, another of the pioneers, engaged in the lumber business about the year 1836 and erected a saw-mill in Helena. Later he moved into the country, but still continued his lumber business in the town. Waldo P. Craig erected another saw-mill about the year 1837. [p.747] The growth of Helena from its inception to the year 1838 was very slow and gradual; then, in consequence of the financial panic of 1837, the place began to decline, and for a few years more people, it is said, moved away from the town and the country round about than came into it. The population of Helena in 1840 was 250 souls. In 1844 the town and country began again to progress, but the growth was so slow that in 1860 the population of Helena had only reached about 800. It did not suffer much during the war period of 1861-65, for the reason that it was constantly held by Federal troops from its first occupancy by them in July, 1862, to the close of the war. Had it been occupied alternately by the contending armies it would have suffered much more than it did.
Since the close of the war, its growth has been gradual, but much more rapid than before. In 1880 its population, according to the United States census, was 3,652 and it is now estimated at 5,000. It contains at this writing, Baptist, Catholic, Presbyterian and Methodist churches, four schools, cotton-seed oil mills, lumber mills, cotton gins and compress, planing mills, a foundry and machine shop, an opera house capable of seating 800, three banks, gas-works, an efficient and well-equipped fire department, street railways, a telephone exchange, gas-works, two express offices, two railroad depots, ferry-boats for crossing the river, many stores of all kinds, several wholesale houses, four weekly and one daily newspaper, and all the other attributes of a city of its size.
The Helena Weekly World, a nine-column folio, was established in 1870, and is now ably published by William S. Burnett, its editor and proprietor. The Helena Daily World, a seven-column folio was established in 1871, and is published from the same office and by the same party as the Weekly World. It is claimed by its proprietor to be the oldest daily paper in the State excepting the Arkansas Daily Gazette. These papers are Democratic in polities and both are well edited. The Helena State was established October 19, 1889, by B. M. Barrington. It is a seven-column quarto, is published every Friday, and is also Democratic in principle, neat in appearance, and edited with ability. The Southern Review, an eight-column folio, now in its fifth volume, is published weekly at Helena by the "Benevolent Church Aid and Relief Society," an associatien of the colored people. Rev. J. T. White is editor and manager, and J. E. Harris, business manager. The People's Friend, a six-column folio, is published weekly at Helena, by M. Kline, a colored man. It is now in its second volume. These "colored" papers bear but little upon the subject of polities.
Helena was incorporated as a city of the second class, but efforts are now being made to secure its incorporation as a city of the first class.
Directly west of Helena is the old graveyard on one of the hills partially surrounding the city. The land was owned by individuals, but by consent the people buried their dead there from the settlement of Helena until the close of the Civil War. The summit of the hill is not less than 100 feet above the level of the city. After Gen. Curtis occupied the place in 1862, he built a redoubt on this hill, as well as upon other commanding positions, and cut the timber off of them to strengthen the defenses of the city. It is said that the hardest part of the battle of Helena was fought in this graveyard, it being a very large tract of hill land. Monuments and headstones were knocked to pieces by the cannonading. After the close of the war, the timber having been removed, the ground began to wash into gullies, and soon began to disturb the sleeping dead. Then the remains of some persons who had friends and relatives living sufficiently near, were disinterred and buried elsewhere, but the remains of all others were left to their fate. Some of the gullies now reach a depth of from thirty to forty feet, graves have been completely washed away and human skulls and bones can be seen in great numbers bleaching in the gullies. Now and then a grave can be found undisturbed. It is only a question of time, however, when all will be washed away, unless otherwise removed. An improvement company, which has been organized in the city, has purchased the lands which contain the old graveyard, and contemplate leveling down the hills and using the earth to fill up the hollows and depressions of the site of the [p.748] city, and laying out the lands thus made level into an addition to the city. This can be done largely with the aid of the washing of the rains. These hills contain no solid rock formation, consequently the earth can easily be loosened up and removed. This will be a great improvement to the city, both in filling up the low places and in removing the unsightly gullies.
Evergreen Cemetery, owned by a company of that name, lies at a proper distance north of the city, but it is only partially fenced and is not kept in a neat and proper condition, the stock at large being allowed to overrun it. Next to this is the Catholic Cemetery, and still farther is the Hebrew Cemetery. A small tract of land on Confederate Hill contains the remains of about 300 Confederate soldiers. This hill is one of the highest points on Crowley's Ridge, just north of the city. This cemetery is kept in order by the Phillips County Memorial Association, managed mostly by the ladies. Among the most noted men buried here are Gen. Pat. R. Cleburne, Gen. T. C. Hindman, Col. Paul F. Anderson and Maj. R. H. Cawley (a Presbyterian minister when he entered the military service).
Poplar Grove, the second town in size in the county, is situated on the Arkansas Midland Railway, seventeen miles west of Helena. It was laid out in 1872 on lands belonging to N. S. and B. Y. Turner. The first business, a general store, was established in 1873, also the postoffice, with James R. Turner, postmaster. The same year several business and dwelling houses were erected. It now contains six general stores, a drug store, a millinery store, four churches (two for the whites and two for the blacks), one cotton-gin and grist-mill combined, one saw-mill, two blacksmith shops, one livery stable, two hotels, one undertaker's shop, a white school taught ten montha in the year (four months free and six months on subscription), a colored school taught four months each year (free), and a lodge each of Knights of Honor and Knights and Ladies of Honor. The school at Poplar Grove is very popular, and the people are proud of it. There are two teachers, a music teacher and ninety pupils in attendance. A number of the pupils are from the country, and board in the village. Large quantities of cotton and cotton-seed are shipped from this point. The population of the village is about 400.
Marvell is situated on the Arkansas Midland Railway, twenty-one miles west of Helena. The first store was opened there in 1870, by Messrs. Dade & Emby. It now has five general stores, four groceries, a furniture store, an undertaking establishment, a foundry and machine shop, two blacksmith shops, a church used by the Presbyterians, Baptists and Christians, a colored Baptist and a colored Quaker church, a school-house, livery stable, hotel, and a cotton-gin, huller and grist-mill combined. The postoffice was established in 1872, with G. H. Cowan, postmaster. About 3,000 bales of cotton are shipped annually from this place. It has a lodge each of Masons and Knights of Honor. The population is about 300, one-third of which is colored.
Trenton is a small village three miles south of Poplar Grove, and contains a steam saw and grist mill and cotton gins. Cotton and cotton-seed are shipped from here; it also has a hotel, two or three general stores and a population of about 150.
Barton is a station on the Arkansas Midland Railway, thirteen miles west of Helena, having a population of about fifty. It has a saw-mill and two or three small stores.
For the year ending June 30, 1889, the scholastic population of Phillips County was as follows: White, males, 904, females, 842, total, 1,746; colored, males, 3,360, females, 3,137, total, 6,497. Pupils taught in the public schools: White, males, 545, females, 413, total, 958; colored, males, 2,262, females, 2,151, total, 4,413. This shows only a small percentage of the scholastic population taught in the public schools, but it is partially accounted for by the fact that several private schools, especially in Helena, are maintained and patronized. There are 36 school districts in the county, and the number of teachers employed during 1888 were: White, males, 15, females, 13, total, 28; colored, males, 33, females, 18, total, 51; aggregate, 79. The average monthly salary of teachers for the last year was: White, [p.749] males, of the first grade, $60, females, of the same grade, $44.25; second grade, white, males, $41.80, females, $36.75. The average term in the several schools for the last year was four months, and the amount of money spent for the support of the public schools was $14,881. The value of the school property in the county is at least $40,000. The public school-house in Helena is probably the largest one of its kind in the State. It is a two-story brick, handsome and substantial, contains ample rooms, and on the top thereof is a grand tower, in which is a fine town clock, which strikes every hour of the day. It was constructed in 1886, at a cost of $24,000. There is also in Helena a very large and commodious public school-house for the colored people. In addition to the public schools in this place is the private school taught by Prof. W. S. White, which is a mired graded school, in which pupils are prepared for college. This school has been established for twelve years, and has now about fifty pupils. There is also the Catholic Convent school, the "Academy of the Sacred Heart," and a Kindergarten school, taught by Miss Wendland. In addition to the above, the colored people have two or three private schools, all well sustained. The scholastic population of Helena school district is 2,000. Five teachers are employed in the white public school, and the same number in the colored public school. There is also the Southland Institute, about nine miles northwest of Helena, a school for the colored people, conducted by Prof. Beard.
The Presbyterian Church in Helena was organized long before the Civil War, and the present frame church edifice was also erected before that period. During the war it was used by the Federal troops as a hospital. For some time the church has been without a regular pastor, but during 1888 Rev. A. E. Grover, of Mason, Tenn., has preached for it every alternate Sabbath. He has recently been called to and has accepted the pastorate of the church. The membership at this writing is about fifty, and the Sunday-school of forty pupils is progressing finely under the superintendence of J. R. Graham. This is the only church of this denomination in Phillips County.
The Methodists and Baptists were probably, as they have been everywhere, the pioneer Christian workers in the county, both of the societies organized in a very early day. Of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South, there is Helena Station, with a membership of from 150 to 175, with Rev. E. M. Pipkin, pastor. This station has a large brick edifice, erected in 1884, which ranks among the finest in the State. The Sunday-school connected with it has about seventy-five scholars, and is doing good work as the nursery of the church. The La Grange Circuit, containing several appointments, with an aggregate membership of about 150, with Rev. W. E. Bishop, pastor, is also in Phillips County. These constitute all the churches of this denomination within the county. The names of the Baptist Churches in the county are: Helena, Marvell, Barton, Salem, New Hope, Cypress and Level Valley. These have an aggregate membership of about 300, and those reported having Sunday-schools are Helena, Salem and New Hope. Rev. W. H. Barnes is pastor of the church at Helena.
The Catholics have a small church organisation in Helena, with Rev. Father J. M. Boetzkes, priest. They have just completed a nice and comfortable brick church edifice, worth about $10,000.
The colored people have three Baptist and one Methodist Church in Helena, and several other organizations throughout the county. There may be a few other church societies in this county which have not been mentioned.
Capt. J. C. Barlow, dealer in hardware, stoves, etc., of Helena, Ark., was born in Scott County, Ky., January 3, 1836, and is a son of Thomas J. and Mildred (Cantrell) Barlow, natives of Scott and Bourbon Counties, Ky., respectively. The paternal grandfather was born in Old Virginia and the grandmother in North Carolina, but at an early period they moved to the wilds of Kentucky, making their way thither on horseback, the grandmother carrying a large cane which she pretended was a gun, and used in frightening away the Indians. [p.750] She was reared on the farm once owned by Daniel Boone in the "Old North State." The grandparents on both sides died in Kentucky, and were farmers by occupation. Thomas J. Barlow was also a farmer, and after living a useful and well-spent life, quietly breathed his last in Ballard County, Ky., in 1873, his wife's death occurring in Scott County, Ky., she having borne him six children, three of whom are now living: Frances A. (wife of John W. Allison, of Bourbon County, Ky.), Joseph C. and James M. Edward was in the Confederate army and died at Montgomery, Ala. Thomas died in Kentucky and William also died there when quite young. Mr. Barlow was married twice and by his last wife had a family of three children, Clifton J. being the only one alive. J. C. Barlow was reared and favored with the advantages of the common schools in Scott County, Ky., but in 1859 came to Helena, Ark., and became a salesman in a dry-goods establishment, this work receiving his attention until the opening of the war, when he enlisted in the Phillips County Guards, and subsequently got a transfer to the Yell Rifles, with which he served until the fall of 1861, when he joined the Second Arkansas Battery, remaining with them until the close of the war. After serving for some time as first lientenant of artillery he was appointed to the rank of captain by the secretary of war, and was a participant in all the engagements of his regiment. After the war he clerked in Memphis, Tenn., for about one year, then returned to Helena and has since been conducting a hardware establishment, this enterprise meeting with good success under his able management. He has the largest stock of goods in the town, and receives a most liberal share of public favor. He filled an unexpired term as mayor of Helena, is president of the Phillips County Fair Association, and since August 22, 1882, has held the position of colonel of the Arkansas State Guards, receiving his appointment from Gov. F. J. Churchill during the political troubles of that year. He was married in 1869 to Miss Mary J. Porter, a native of Helena, and in 1876 took for his
second wife Mrs. Mary Grant, by whom he has three children: Fannie A., Harrell E. and Joseph C., Jr. Capt and Mrs. Barlow are members of the Episcopal Church.
Rev. J. M. Boetzkes, rector of St. Mary's Church, at Helena, Ark., was born in Prussia, Germany, and received his edncation at Muenster University, Westphalia, from which institution he was graduated in 1855, and was ordained subdeacon September 8 of the same year. The following year he embarked to America, taking passage at Havre, France, and landed at New York City after a two weeks' ocean voyage, and came directly to St. Louis, where he was ordained descon a few months after his arrival. On September 8, 1856, he was ordained a priest of the Catholic Church, and during the late Civil War was in the service for some time in Scott County, Mo., acting as chaplain. Here he built a stone church, which was demolished during the latter part of the war. He was in the hospital service in St. Louis for about a year, and in 1865 returned to Europe, but a few months later came back to the United States and settled in the city of Philadelphia, where he occupied a position in the diocese until 1875, at which time he came to Helena, Ark. Here he was the means of erecting a fine brick church at a cost of $12,000, and on July 21, 1889, it was dedicated, the corner-stone being laid July 22, 1888. The convent at Heleua has been built several years, but since Father Boetzkes' arrival he has improved it wonderfully. It is a day and boarding school and is controlled and managed by nine Sisters of Charity who have made it one of the best institutions of the kind in the West. The training includes a comprehensive collegiate course and thoroughly fits a young lady for any position or vocation in life, the branches taught being music, the languages, all branches of mathematics, chemistry, botany, calisthanics, etc. The building is beautifully situated and commands a view of the Mississippi River, as well as the surrounding country and the grounds are tastefully laid out with magnolia and other shade trees.
R. S. Bonner, carpenter, Poplar Grove, Ark. Were it necessary for us to include in the sketch of Mr. Bonner's life any items pertaining to his ability and skill as a builder, perhaps the greatest [p.751] compliment that could be paid him would be to point out those monnments of his handiwork, which now grace so many of the homesteads in this portion of the State. He was born in Alabama, in 1844, and is the fifth of ten children, the result of the union of Thomas T. and Elizabeth (Schackel. ford) Bonner, the father a native of North Carolina, and the mother of Alabama. Thomas T. Bonner was a carpenter and ginwright by trade, and came to Alabama when a young man. He was there married to Miss Schackelford in 1834, and of the ten children born to this union, five are now living: R. S., J. C., W. H., E. C. and R. K. Mr. Bonner was a member of the I. O. O. F., and was a much-respected citizen. He died on December 31, 1849, and the mother died in 1871. The maternal grandfather, John L. Schackelford, was a native of the Old Dominion, and moved to Alabama at an early day. His death occurred in Phillips County (now Lee County) in 1863, at the age of seventy-nine years. He was a soldier in the War of 1812. His wife died in 1874, at the age of eighty-five years. R. S. Bonner came to Arkansas in 1856, received his education in this State and Alahama, and at the age of sixteen years, or in 1861, enlisted in Company A, Thirteenth Arkansas Infantry, under Capt. Tappan (afterward Gen. Tappan), in what was known as Tappan's guards. He served in Gen. Bragg's command and was engaged in quite a number of battles, prominent among which were: Belmont, Corinth, Shiloh, Richmond, Perryville, Chickamauga, Missionary Ridge, Murfreesboro and Bell Buckle Station. He was captured close to Atlanta, in 1864, was confined at Rock Island, III., for four months, after which he was exchanged and returned to Arkansas. Later he served in Capt. Westherly's company. He surrendered in 1865, and afterward engaged in farming on rented land in Phillips County, until 1876. He then bought his present place, at that time consisting of forty acres, principally wood land, and to this he has added eighty acres, with 100 acres under cultivation. However he devotes the greater part of his time to carpenter work and is the only contractor at this place, doing a large amount of building. His marriage occurred in October, 1869, to Miss Jennie Allison, who bore him seven children, two only now living: Hettie R. and Mamie L. Five died while small. Mrs. Bonner died in 1881. She was a worthy member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. In October, 1883, Mr. Bonner married Miss Mamie Allison, a sister of his first wife, and they have two children: Olivett and Eveline H.
Charles L. Bonner, son of Charles S. Bonner, one of the pioneer settlers of this county, was born on his present place of residence in Phillips County, in 1862. His father was a native of Tennessee, as was also his mother, whose maiden name was Miss Margaret J. Gamble, and the former came to Phillips County, Ark., in 1835, when there were very few settlers. His father bought land on Big Creek, but in 1844 Charles S. purchased the place on which his son Charles L. is now residing, and which at that time consisted of 160 acres of land. He and wife were the parents of eight children, five of whom are now living: Nettie (widow of T. N. Conley), B. F., Chellie J. (wife of John W. Terry), C. L. and Loutie L. (a teacher in the Galloway Female College of Searcy, Ark.). The eldest child, Sallie E. (deceased, was the wife of W. S. Ferrill). She left one child, Charles. The father of these children died in 1876, but the mother is still living, and makes her home with her son Charles L. The latter received a good common-school education in Phillips County, and at the age of nineteen years began work for himself as a farmer, having followed this occupation the principal part of the time since. He was also engaged in the saw-mill business for some time. In 1888 he was married to Miss Sallie Allison, of Phillips County, and of the city of Helena. The maternal grandfather of Charles L. Bonner was among the early settlers of Eastern Tennessee, and was in the wars with the Indians in that section of the country. He came to Phillips County in 1840, where he resided until his death in 1874. Mr. and Mrs. Bonner and Mr. Bonner's mother are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South.
James T. Brame. About four generations ago, three sons named Brame, who lived in England, their native country, separated, one remaining at [p.752] home, another going to Canada, and the third coming to America, choosing for his residence the State of Virginia. From this son, James T. Brame, the subject of this sketch, is a direct descendant. James T. Brame was born in Virginia November 26, 1848 and is the son of James H. Brame, a celebrated profeasor, for many years connected with the prominent colleges of Virginia, but is now retired. He is the son of Thomas Brame, and was born in Mecklenburgh County, Va., in 1816. James H. Brame was married in 1847 to Miss Martha Baptist, born in Virginia in 1826, and a daughter of Richard H. Baptist. Mr. Baptist was a prominent politician, having served as State senator for sixteen years, and was filling that position at the date of his death. He was an uncle of Gen. A. P. Hill. Mrs. Baptist's maiden name was Sally Goode, she being a daughter of Dr. Thomas Goode, of Virginia. James T., our subject, was one of eight children, five sons and three daughters, born to his parents. He was reared in Virginia, and at the age of fifteen years enlisted in the Confederate army, Company A, First Virginia Regiment, and served until the surrender of Gen. Lee. At the battle of Stanton River Bridge he received a slight wound, that being the only time he was injured, notwithstanding that he was always in the thick of some of the most important engagements. At the age of twenty-one he left his native home and came to Arkansas, locating in Phillips (now Lee) County, at Council Bend. He chose the independent occupation of farming, which has been his work ever since, and has resided on his present farm since 1881, under his careful management it being second to none in the county. It consists of 400 acres, nearly all cultivated. Mr. Brame also oversees and cultivates 1,000 acres. In January, 1875, he was married in Memphis, Tenn., to Miss Anna J. Peters, who was born in Camden, Ark., in 1855, and the daughter of John B. Peters. He was of Tennessee birth, but came to Arkansas at an early date, and died during the war. Mrs. Peters was Miss Paralee Jackson, of Florence County, Ala. To Mr. and Mrs. Brame three children have been born: Ellen G., Mary P. and Anna. Mr. Brame is a member of the K. of P. and A. L. of H., and in his political views is a Democrat, though not an enthusiast, his first presidential vote having been cast for Samuel J. Tilden. Mr. Brame and wife are members of the Presbyterian Church.
Nicholas Brickell, undertaker, Poplar Grove, Ark. There are few branches of business, if any, that require more consideration and sympathetic feeling than that of the undertaker. Their services are only called under the most trying circumstances that can befall a family or friends, and the utmost tact, coupled with decision and perfect, unostentatious knowledge of the business, is required. In these points Mr. Nicholas Brickell is well-grounded by nature and experience. He was born in Surry County, N. C., in 1824, and is the eldest of five children born to the union of J. B. and Frances (Harrison) Brickell, the father a native of South Carolina, and the mother of North Carolina. J. B. Brickell was a cabinet workman, and always followed that trade after his marriage. Previous to that, however, he had followed merchandising. He was a soldier in the War of 1812, having joined while quite young. He was married in 1822, and of the five children born to his union, five are now living: Nicholas, D. C. (is a manufacturer of carriages in Atlanta, Ga.), Mathias (died in White County, Ark., and his family reside in that county), Andrew J. (resides in Tennessee), and Emma (wife of E. A. Peal, of North Carolina). Mr. Brickell died in 1850. He was a member of the Masonic fraternity. Mrs. Brickell died in 1870, and was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Nicholas Brickell passed his yonthful days and received his education in
his native county, where, in later years, he learned the cabinet-maker's trade. He began working at his trade at the age of twenty-one years, and continued the same in North Carolina until 1846, when, in December of that year, he moved to Georgia, settling where Palmetto now stands, and followed the furniture business. This he continued until 1856, when he moved to Franklin, Heard County, Ga., and there followed the same business. In 1870 he moved to Trenton, Big Creek Township, Phillips County, Ark., remained there until 1871, when [p.753] he moved into the country, and farmed on rented land for three years. In 1875 he moved to his present place of residence, and here built his shop and house, besides two stors houses, and has forty acres of land well improved. He was married December 2, 1847, to Miss Martha A. Sanders, daughter of Joel and Fannie (Harris) Sanders, natives, respectively, of North Carolina. Mr. and Mrs. Sanders became the parents of eight children, five now living: G. H., John, Martha A. (wife of Mr. Brickell), Margaret (widow of John Edwards, who was killed at the second battle of Manasses), and Mary. All, with one exception, residing in Georgia, whither the father had moved when his children were quite small. Mr. Sanders died in 1849, and his widow in 1856, Mrs. Brickell was born February 4, 1830, and by her marriage to Mr. Brickell became the mother of ten children, seven now living: T. J. (resides at Brinkley, Monroe County, Ark.), John C. (deceased), Georgia R. (wife of J. H. Miller, of Holly Grove, Ark.), C. W. (resides in Clarendon, Monroe County), W. P. (resides in Phillips County), J. B. (resides at Helena), Martha A. (wife of J. J. Raleigh, of Poplar Grove), Robert L., C. W. (of Clarendon, who was State senator from that senatorial district, and T. J. (who is a local minister in the Methodist Episcopal Church at Brinkley). In 1861 Mr. Brickell joined the State service in Company G, Col. Wilcoxson's regiment of State cavairy, and was in the State service for six months. He only served a short time in the regular service, being detailed to stay at home and work at his trade, making spinning wheels and looms for making cloth. Mr. Brickell is a demitted member of the Masonic fraternity, Chattahoochee Lodge No. 61, and he and wife are both members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South, of this place. He favors all improvements for the good of the county, and extends a hearty welcome to all white immigration. He and his wife are the grandparents of thirteen children.
Hon. Samuel H. Brooks. Since locating in this county in 1866 Mr. Brooks has enjoyed the reputation of being not only a substantial and progressive farmer, but an intelligent and thoroughly posted man in all public affairs as well. He was born in Philadelphia, Penn., October 17, 1839, and is a son of John and Amelia (Fletcher) Brooks, the former a native of Bristol, Penn., and the latter of London, England. John Brooks was a merchant by occupation, and died in Cincinnati, Ohio, in 1840, at the untimely age of thirty-one years. His widow afterward married Jacob B. Furrow, of Piqua, Ohio, who followed merchandising until his death in 1884. His widow survives him, and is an earnest and devout member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. She was a child of six years when brought by her parents to the United States, and their location was made at Philadelphia, Penn., where their death occurred many years later. Mr. and Mrs. Brooks became the parents of two children; Samuel H., and Thomas P., who died in Cincinnati in 1885, being county recorder of Hamilton County at the time of his decease. Samuel H. Brooks was educated in the schools of Saint Paris, Ohio, and at the age of fourteen years left home to become a salesman in a hardware store at Piqua, Ohio, but two years later he turned his attention to the railroad business, and was ticket agent at that point for one year. He next went to Indianspolis, Ind., and became conductor on the old Belfontaine line, which is now known as the Bee line, and after serving in this capacity for about ten years he worked on the Ohio & Mississippi Railroad for a short time. He then (in 1863) joined the Second Tennessee Federal troops, organized at Memphis, Tenn., under Col. Curry, but at the and of one year he went to Mississippi and located in Coahoma County, and a year later came to Phillips County, Ark., where he has since been engaged in planting; and his well established characteristics of energy, perseverance and unbounded industry have brought him safe returns. His neat farm embraces 420 scres, and to this he is enabled to give intelligent management, but he is at present giving the most of his attention to the management of Dr. A. A. Hornor's plantstion of 1,350 acres. He has always been a Democrat in politics, and in 1868 was elected county treasurer, in which capacity he served four years. In 1882 he was chosen to represent Phillips County in the State legislature. In [p.754] 1862 he was united in marriage to Miss Caroline S. Shock, a daughter of Abel Shock, who made the first steam fire-engine in the United States, and discovered the fine copper fields in the region of Lake Superior. He was a native of Pennsylvania, and died in Missouri in 1874. Mrs. Brooks was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, April 28, 1840, and she and Mr. Brooks have one daughter, Amelia A., who made a roll of butter that took the preminm at the Centennial Exhibition at Philadelphia in 1876. Mrs. Brooks is a member of hePresbyterian Church, and Mr. Brooks is a Mason, and belongs to the I. O. O. F.
John L. Brown is a nativ of this county, and has always resided here. He was educated at the common schools, acquiring a good practical learning and resided with his parents until their death, in 1869, being married to Miss Mary E. Yates, who was born in Mississippi in 1845, and died in 1884. He married his second wife in 1885, formerly Miss Lenora Phillips, of South Carolina origin. Mr. Brown was born on April 24, 1847, a son of Richard Brown, who first saw the light in White County, S. C., in 1800. In 1839 he immigrated from South Carolina to this county, where he purchased a tract of wild land, and at the time of his death, which occurred in 1864, he owned a well-improved farm. His wife was Polly Ann Stumb, who was born in Illinois in 1817, and died in 1851, leaving nine children, five of whom are still living. John L. Brown and wife are the parents of one child, Idalgo S. He owns a farm of 200 acres of land, of which 130 acres are under oultivation. His principal crop is cotton and he raises about forty bales per annum. He is a Democrat in politics, and is a highly respected citizen.
Moses Burke has been long and worthily identified with the interests of Phillips County, and no worthy history of this immediate vicinity would be complete which failed to make proper mention of his life. He was born in the house in which he now resides March 1, 1848, and is a son of Elisha and Elisa (Cail) Burke, both natives of North Carolina, the former's birth occurring July 13, 1798, and his death in Phillips County, Ark., June 21, 1860. His marriage took place March 24, 1825, and until 1835 or 1836 they resided in their native State, moving then to Arkansas, and soon after located on the farm on which our subject is now living. The father was a farmer all his life, and was very successful, and in connection with this work was engaged in milling, ginning, blacksmithing and wagon making, being successful in all these undertakings. While in North Carolina he represented his county several times in the State legislature, and after coming to Arkansas he represented his district in the senate three or four terms, and later was a member of the legislature from Phillips County. He was also colonel of militia in North Carolina and Arkansas for many years, and while the Whig party was in existence affiliated with
that party. He was born of Irish parents, and his wife was of Scotch descent, her birth occurring on July 9, 1807. She bore her husband the following children: Eliza (wife of Dr. James H. Gibson, of La Grange, Ark.) and Moses being the only ones living. Those deceased are: Richard C. (who died in 1870 when about forty years of age), Sallie F. (wife of Joseph Neville, died in 1857 at the age of twenty years), Elisha was accidentally killed at Helena in 1856 at the age of fourteen years), and the rest of the children, numbering three, died in infancy. Moses Burke received his early education at his home, and when only nineteen years of age he assumed the management of his mother's property, and has continued to successfully conduct it up to the present time. They now jointly own 740 acres of land, of which 400 acres are under cultivation, nearly all of it having been obtained since the war, as during that time the most of their property was demolished. Mr. Burke was married in 1878 to Miss Jenny E. Goodwin, a daughter of Sanford E. Goodwin, her birth occurring in Phillips County, in 1852, and by her he has a family of five children: Aubrey, Elisha B., Ethel, Moses Osear and Jennie E. Mrs. Burke is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and in his political views Mr. Burke is a Democrat. He is a live and enterprising agriculturist, and his long residence in this county, his industrious habits and perseverance, [p.755] as well as his strict integrity and honesty of purpose, have contributed to place around him a host of friende and acquaintances.
William S. Burnett is the able editor and proprietor of the Helena Daily and Weekly World, which paper is flrmly established as a representative journal of this portion of the State. Mr. Burnett's birth occurred in this county, and he has become well known for his perseverance, enterprise and progress, as well as for many other admirable traits of character, and to a very great extent he enjoys the esteem and confidence of his fellow-man. After acquiring a common-school education, heentered the office of the Democratic Star of Helena as an apprentice at the printer's trade, but completed his knowledge of the business in the Southern Shield office. He then began an independent career as publisher of the Helena Clonen, in 1864, but after conducting this paper for a short time, he sold out, and established the Des Arc Crescent, of which paper he had the management from 1866 to 1869. At the latter date, he sold this paper also and returned to Helena, where, in conjunction with Mulkey & Burke, he established the Weekly World in 1871, and afterward also began the publication of the Daily World. At a later period he sold his interest in these journals, and in 1874 he began editing the Daily Mail, but in 1876, again disposed of his paper. From that time until 1885 he gave his attention to other branches of business, then purchased the Daily World, which he is now successfully conducting, it being the second oldest daily in the State. Under his judicious management it has become recognized as an influential paper, and has done good work in
advancing the interests of Eastern Arkansas. Its editorial policy has been directed by a man of good judgment, and its columns always contain something instructive and interesting. He has always supported the men and mcasuros of the Democrat party, and has himself held responsible positions as a township and county officer.
James A. Bush, planter, Latour, Ark. Of that sturdy and independent class, the farmers of Arkansas, none are possessed of more genuine merit and a stronger character than he whose name stands at the head of this sketch; he has risen to more than an ordinary degree of success in his calling of an agriculturist and stock man, and wherever known, he is conceded to be an energetic and progressive tiller of the soil, imbued with all those qualities of go-a-head-ativeness which have characterized his ancestors. His birth occurred in Knorville, Tenn., January 2, 1832, and he is of German descent. He remained with his parents until eighteen years of age, when he commenced to learn the blacksmith trade, working at his trade until 1860, and accumulating considerable money. He then commenced to speculate, and has continued this ever since. During the late war he served some time in Dobbin's regiment, and was in a number of sharp skirmishes. He was on picket duty when the first gunboat passed Helena, and was a brave and gallant soldier. He was discharged three times for sickness before leaving the army. His property was burned and otherwise destroyed during the late war, and he was a heavy loser. He was the owner of twenty-seven picked slaves, worth on an average of $1,500 apiece. After the war he commenced to farm, which occupation he has since continued. He is now the owner of 1,800 acres, with 1,200 under cultivation, and uses convict labor of Phillips, Monroe, Lee and St. Francis Counties. He has used this kind of labor for six years, and during that time has used 2,000 negroes, only losing one by death, and he meeting his death by burning, while trying to escape. In 1860 Mr. Bush married Miss Jennie McKineick, a native of Marshall County, Miss., born in 1834, and the daughter of Robert McKinsick. The fruits of this union have been five living children: Lucy C. (wife of John D. Binley, of Covington, Ky., merchant, formerly traveling for a firm in St. Louis), James R. (with the East Arkansas Hedge Company, in the capacity of book-keeper), Jesse and Walter (twins, both at home) and Mande (at school, in Memphis). Mr. Bush was formerly a Whig in politics, and is one of the enterprising citizens of the county. Although he commenced without means, by his energy and good business ability he has become one of the most suecessful and substantial men of the county. He is a [p.756] liberal contributor to all laudable enterprises, and has recently donated a house to be used as a Union Church. He is the son of Andrew and Nancy (Agnew) Bush, and the grandson of George Bush, who was one of the most substantial men of Tennessee, and died in Knox County of that State. Andrew Bush and wife were natives of Knox County, Tenn., and North Carolina, reepectively, and were married in Knoxville, Tenn., where they remained until their son, James A., was eleven years of age. Then they moved to Northern Alabama, Madison County, and later came to Arkansas, where they passed the remainder of their lives, the father dying in 1860, when sixty years of age, and the mother dying in 1878, at the age of seventyeight years. Both were members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South, and he was a Whig in politics. He had followed agricultural pursuits all his life, was a soldier in the War of 1812, and was in the battle of the Horse Shoe. To his marriage were born seven children, all now deceased but the subject of this sketch.
S. B. Carpenter, druggist, Helena, Ark. There is no branch of business more important in the whole list of occupations than that of the druggist. A prominent and representative establishment devoted to this branch of industry is that of Mr. S. B. Carpenter, who for a number of years has been before the public in this line. He carries a large stock of drugs, etc., and does a good business. He is a native of this county, his birth occurring in 1854, and is the son of S. B. and Margaret (Owen) Carpenter, both natives of Alabama, where their families were very prominent. The parents moved to Arkansas at a very early day, entered land, and were pioneers of the county. The father was a very successful planter, and was the owner of a great many negroes. His death occurred in 1874. Of the ten children born to this marriage our subject was the eldest, and five are now living. S. B. Carpenter, Jr., was reared in Phillips County, received his preparatory education there and then studied pharmacy in the School of Pharmacy at Cincinnati, Ohio, in 1878. Since that time he has been engaged in business for himself, and although he started on a small capital he is now in very comfortable circumstances. He is a bright young business man, and prescriptions are compounded with care and dispatch. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity.
Calvin Clark, Helena, Ark. Indiana has given to Phillips County, Ark., many estimable citizens, but she has contributed none more highly respected, or, for conscientious discharge of duty in every relation of life, more worthy of respect and esteem than the subject of this sketch. He was born in Wayne County on July 21, 1820, and is the son of John and Anna (Price) Clark, natives of North Carolina. The father moved to Indiana from North Carolina when eighteen years of age (or in 1836) and located in Wayne County, being among the very first settlers. He first followed farming, but in later years engaged in the milling and carding business, which he carried on until his death. His wife died in 1882, and both were members of the Friends Church. Their family consisted of five children, three of whom are now living: Calvin (the eldest child), Alfred (a farmer in Indiana was formerly a merchant) and Mary Ann Hadley (wife of Jesse Hadley, of Morgan County, Ind.). Those deceased were named: Sarah (wife of William Thornburg, of Rush County, died when about thirty years of age) and Lydia (who died when twenty years old). Calvin Clark received his education in the schools of Wayne and Morgan Counties, Ind., and was but fifteen years of age when his father died. His father had married again after the death of the mother, and Calvin made his home with his step-mother until after the father's death, when he went to live with an uncle. Soon after he went to Monrovia, attended school for a time, and when eighteen years of age began teaching school in Henry County. This he continued for a number of years in the wiuter season, and followed farming in the summer. Later he engaged in farming near Richmond, Ind., which he continued until 1864, when he came to Arkansas and took charge of what was then known as the Orphans' Asylum, taking charge of the same until 1886. This was a school for th colored orphans, and is now known as the Southland College, under the auspices of the Friends of the United [p.757] States. Mr. Clark was married in 1844 to Miss Elida Clawson, of Indiana, who was born in 1822, and is the daughter of William and Keziah (Ward) Clawson, of North Carolina. To this union was born one living child, Eliza C. (wife of Theodore F. Wright, banker and miller of Granville, Ohio, and a partner with our subject in a plantation in this county. The children deceased were named as follows: Myra (born in 1845, and died in 1864, when a young lady) and Annie (who died in Indiann when in her sixth year). The above mentioned school was first organized by a Mrs. Clark, and her husband co-operated with her. This has been their life's work, and they can justly be proud of the same. Their school was located at Helena for two years, and in 1867
they changed it to its present location, nine miles northwest of Helena. Mrs. Clark received her education in the best schools of Indiana (at that time) and is a recorded minister in the Friends' Church. Mr. Clark is also a member of that church, being an elder in the same, and is a Republican in politics. Clark & Wright are the owners of about 1,700 acres of land, with 1,000 scres cleared.
Hon. James P. Clarke is an able lawyer of Helena, Ark., and ever since starting in this profession his career has been one of distinction and success. He is active, intelligent and energetic by nature, public-spirited, liberal-minded and generous in disposition; it is not to be wondered at that his career has been successful and honorable. He was born in Yazoo County, Miss., August 18, 1854, and is a son of Walter and Ellen (White) Clarke, who were early residents of the State of Mississippi, and there the father's death occurred in 1861, his wife also passing away in that State. Mr. Clarke was a civil engineer and contractor, and he and his wife became the parents of three children, only two of whom are living, of whom Hon. James P. is one. He received the principal part of his education and rearing in Mississippi, but also attended school in Alabama and Virginia, thus becoming quite familiar with the "world of books." He graduated from the Law Department of the University of Virginia, and since coming to Helena in 1879 has given his profession his undivided attention, and owing to his sound views, his intelligence, and his ability as a lawyer, business has come to him unsolicited. The people of the county have not been slow to recognize his worth, and in 1886 he was elected to the State legislature, and to the State senate in 1888.
MAJOR-GEN. P. R. CLEBURNE, Of the Confederate Army, born in County Cork, Ireland. Killed at the battle of Franklin, NOVEMBER 30, 1864.
Gen. Patrick Ronayne Cleburne. The career of this gentleman and his ability as a commander, which is so noted in the annals of Confederate history, has been justly admired by friend and foe, and although erroneous impressions regarding his early life have existed, the following sketch of his career is founded on fact. He was born in Ireland, ten miles west from the the city of Cork, on St. Patrick's Day, March 17, 1828, and was a son of a popular and successful physician, who made a good living by his profession, but who spent his money too freely for the acquisition of wealth, in his favorite pursuit of amateur farming. He was married to Mary Anne Ronayne, and the subject of this sketch was named after her father, Patrick Ronayne, Esq., of Cork. Dr. Cleburne was descended from an old Tipperary family of English and Quaker stock, which settled in Ireland during Cromwell's reign. He was finely educated and was a graduate of some of the best colleges of medicine and surgery. After the death of his wife, which occurred when Patrick was about a year old, he married a Miss Stuart, a daughter of a Scotch clergyman of that name, their union being a very happy one, and his children never lacked the kind ministrations and gentle love of a mother, Patrick being an especial favorite of hers, and she was always remembered by him with veneration. The Doctor's first union resulted in the birth of three children, and the second in the birth of four. Of these, Joseph (the issue of the first marriage) died of yellow fever contracted on the west coast of Africa during a voyage, and Christopher (issue of the second marriage) was a gallant captain in the Second Kentucky Cavalry of Morgan's command, and fell at the battle of Cloyd's Farm, May 10, 1864, aged twenty-one years. The rest, with perception of Patrick, still survive and live in this country. William, the oldest brother, is engineer of the Oregon Short Line at Omaha, Neb., and [p.758] Anne is now Mrs. Sherlock, formerly of Cincinnati, Ohio. Patrick Cleburne received his early instructions from a private tutor, and at the age of twelve years was sent to a private school kept by a Rev. Mr. Spedden, but as he was a man of very harsh measures, Patrick's efforts at acquiring a classical education were a failure. At the age of sixteen, his father died, and he then determined to turn his attention to pharmacy and apprenticed himself to a Mr. Justin, of Mallow, but upon his failure to pass the examination at Apothecary's Hall, Trinity College, Dublin, after what he considered a thorough preparation, he was so disheartened and mortifled that he enlisted in the Forty-first Regiment of Infantry, then stationed at Dublin, hoping that it would soon be ordered to foreign service. His anticipations were not realized, however, and owing to the monotony and dull routine of barrack life, he turned his thoughts to America, where adventurous and ambitious spirits could find a wider scope for their talents, and although his withdrawal was decidedly opposed by Capt. (afterward Gen.) Pratt, who distinguished himself in India and the Crimea, he was immovable and purchased his discharge through the intervention of his family. In company with his brothers William and Christopher, and his sister Anne, he embarked on the vessel Bridgetown, and on the following Christmas day entered the mouth of the Mississippi River. Leaving his friends in New Orleans, he went at once to Cincinnati and engaged in business on Broadway with a druggist named Salter, but soon after left this place and located in Helena, Ark., commencing his career here as a prescription clerk in the store of Grant & Nash, purchasing, two years afterward, Mr. Grant's interest. During this time he devoted himself to the study of his profession, and also general literature, and being particularly fond of oratory became a conspicuous member of literary and debating societies. As orator of the day at a Masonic celebration, he achieved considerable local distinction, and upon the advice of friends, and also being personally inclined, he abandoned his old business and turned his attention to the study of law in the office of Hon. T. B. Hanley, and was soon after admitted to the bar, forming in 1856 a law partnership with Mark W. Alexander, the firm being known as Alexander & Cleburne. About this time, while the violent contest between the Democratic and Know-Nothing parties was in its full vigor, Mr. Cleburne accidentally witnessed a shooting affray between T. C. Hindman, a noted speaker and leader of the Democrats, and Dorsey Rice, a bitter partisan on the Know-Nothing side, and was shot by Jamison Rice, who supposed Mr. Cleburne was a participant in the struggle. The ball passed entirely through his body, but, although almost mortally wounded, he turned and seeing James Marriott standing with pistol in his hand and supposing him to be his assailant, he coolly raised his pistol and shot him dead. He then fell himself, and was carried by friends to his home, where he struggled between life and death for many days, but finally recovered. This affair was always a source of much regret and sorrow to Mr. Cleburne, but which he was powerless to avert. In 1859 he became associated in the practice of law with L. H. Mangum and —— Scaife, the firm being Cleburne, Scaife & Mangum, they constituting one of the best and strongest legal firms of the State. Mr. Oleburne was a very auccessful lawyer, and very popular with the masses, this being the natural result of his own deep sympathy with humanity, making every sufferer his brother. In 1855, when Helena was visited by that terrible scourge, yellow fever, Mr. Cleburne was one of the few to remain to nurse the sick, bury the dead and help the poor, this being only one instance of his remarkable nerve and courage. He knew not what fear was. Incapable of bravado he was grand in the energy of his anger when aroused, quick as lightning in execution, and indifferent to all consequences. Personally he was the sonl of honor, but was prond and sensitive in disposition, and although at heart the friend of all the world, he had few intimate friends; among these may be mentioned his brigadier-generals, Polk, Lowrey, Govan, Granberry, Hardee and Cheatham, also Gen. John C. Brown. When the Civil War became imminent Mr. Cleburne at once stepped to the front, and he was chosen captain of the Yell Rifles, and was afterward made colonel of the First Arkansas [p.759] Regiment of State troops. A record of his triumphs up to the battle of Franklin is well known to every reader of current history, and will not be given here. Suffice it to say, he never suffered defeat, but achieved splendid success. In more battles than one his figure stands out prominently as the hero of the day, and his distinction was won by universal acclamation. Although he was rigid in the enforcement of discipline, the soldiers whom he commanded loved him to a man, and trusted him implicity, and were ready to follow where he led, with alacrity and confidence. The morning of November 29, 1864, saw the armies of the Tennessee ready for battle. Schofleld was at Columbia, and it was Hood's purpose to outflank and outmarch him, so as to cut him off from Nashville and capture his army. With this object in view he crossed the Duck River three miles above Columbia and marched to Spring Hill, a small town on the Nashville pike midway between Columbia and Franklin. Cleburne's division was leading, with Bate immediately following him, and Brown in the rear, the first-named division being composed of four brigades. Late in the afternoon Cleburne reached the vicinity of Spring Hill, near which was a Federal fortification. A mile from this fortification ran McCuthen's Creek, and the road on which Cleburne was coming crossed this creek, and approached the turnpike at a right angle. Under the direction of Gen. Cheatham, the corps commander, and following the plan of Gen. Hood, Bate moved out to form on Cleburne's left, and Brown's brigade was moved to the right on the double quick, and made their formation. Gen. Hood then, in person, ordered Gen. Cleburne to form at the left of the road, in the cornfield at the foot of a hill, move forward and take the enemy's works, adding that Brown had formed on his right and Bate was advancing to form on his left. This order was erecuted rapidly, and the enemy had only time to fire one volley before Granberry and Govan were at their works, and in less than fifteen minutes, with a loss of four killed and forty-five wounded, the earthworks with some prisoners were taken. Cleburne's command was now in full view of Spring Hill, and less than 300 yards from it. A Federal battery on the turnpike then commenced to shell the command, which had become somewhat scattered in pursuing the enemy, and Gen. Cleburne dispatched L. H. Mangum, the original writer of this sketch, toGranberry on the left, with directions to form his brigade so as to be prepared to move on the pike. As he gave the order he said, "I will see Govan." At that moment a shell burst over his heed and wounded his horse, causing the animal to rear furiously, and Mr. Mangum paused to make the inquiry, "Are you hurt, General?" but the answer fired at him was, "No, go on, Mangum, and tell Granberry what I told you, and we will take the pike." Shortly after the brigades had formed and the battery had retreated. It was then discovered that Bate had not formed on the left, owing to the creek, through which Cleburne had waded, proving an obetruction, and as night was approaching, they were ordered to bivouac. During the night the Federal army passed along this very pike, within 200 yards of Cleburne's command, and escaped to Franklin. In the morning Hood's army began pursuing the enemy, and in the afternoon reached Winston's Ridge, where they could get a good view of Schofield's fortifications at Franklin, and their admirable nature caused Hood to look serious and consult with his officers what was best to be done. Some of his ablest generals opposed the attack, among whom was Gen. Cleburne, but, notwithstanding this, Hood ordered an immediate ettack, and while on the eve of the onset, he addressed Cleburne thus: "General, I wish you to move on the enemy. Form your division on the right of the pike, with your left resting on the same. Gen. Brown will form on your left, with his right resting on the same. Give orders to your men not to fire a gun till you drive the Federal skirmishers from the first line of works in your front. Then press them and shoot them in the backs while running to the main line. Then charge the main works." To which Cleburne answered with a smile, "General, I will take the works or fall in the attempt." The first line of works was easily taken, and when his men made the final charge, Cleburne was at the front. [p.760] A message had been sent from him to L. H. Mangum to join him at once, the latter having been sent to locate a battery, and upon his return the General said, "It is too late, go on with Granberry." He hen turned his horse and galloped up to Govan's brigade, this being the last time Mr. Mangum ever saw the General alive. Shortly after Cleburne's horse was shot from under him, and while in the act of mounting another which had been offered him, this, too, was shot and instantly killed. Cleburne then rushed forward on foot, and when within less than a hundred yards from the works, he fell, pierced by a minie-ball, which passed through his body and probably caused instant death. Hidden by smoke and enveloped by thunders, he sank on the couch of his glory, unattended and alone. As soon as his absence became known, the deepest anxiety was shown, and it was at first reported that he was captured, but these hopes were dissipated by the finding of Cleburne's body by a correspondent of the press, and he was taken to the home of Mr. McGavock, near by, and shortly afterward to Columbia for interment, the funeral rites being performed by Rt.-Rev. Bishop Quintard. Later his body was removed to the family burying-ground of the Polk family, at Ashwood, six miles from Columbia. Here, shadowed by the solemn forest trees, and near the river, on whose placid bosom he loved to row, he sleeps the sleep of a hero, and on the simple slab above his grave is the following inscription:
William C. Cooke, who has been a resident of this county since 1873, removed here from Mississippi, settling in Cypress Township, where he purchased 160 acres of land. To this he has added other tracts, and now owns a farm of 220 acres, with 140 acres under cultivation. Mr. Cooke was a son of Thomas Cooke, who was born in March, 1800, and died in 1846, when our subject was a boy. He was married in Tennessee to Miss Alice Cathey, whose birth occurred in Tennessee, in about 1800, he dying in May, 1874, and leaving eleven children, only two of whom are living: Elizabeth O. (residing in Monroe County) and William C. (the principal of this sketch). The latter was born in Maury County, Tenn., March 17, 1830. He has been married five times; first, in 1852, to Miss Mary Graham, a native of North Carolina, who died in 1855, leaving one daughter, Alice (now Mrs. Jackson, a widow). His second marriage was in 1856 to Nancy Lock, of Mississippi; she departed this life in 1862, leaving three children, two of whom survive: Thomas and Samuel L. His third marriage, in 1865, was to the widow McCloud, who died in 1871, having borne three children, two living: Jenette and Virgil. In 1873 Cynthia Wright, of this county, became his wife, and at her death, in 1876, she was the mother of two children: Margaret A. and Jennie. Mr. Cooke's present wife was formerly Mrs. Robinson, to whom he was married in 1881. They are the parents of three children, two girls and one son: Cecil, Roy and Lucy. During the war Mr. Cooke enlisted in the Confederate army, in the Mississippi Cavalry, in 1862, in which he served until the close of hostilities. He is a stanch Democrat, and served one term as justice of the peace. He and wife are members of the Christian Church.
J. W. Clopton, wholesale grocer and cotton factor, Helena, Ark. This most enterprising and successful business man is the son of John H. and Matilda (Drake) Clopton, both of whom were born near Nashville, Tenn. They were married in that State, and in 1841 moved to Marshall County, Miss., where they resided until 1851, and then moved to Phillips County, Ark., where the father died in 1856. The mother died in 1865. Of the ten children born to their union, four are now living; Hoggatt, Jesse P., James W. (in Phillips County) and William C. (in New York City). James W. Clopton, was born in Marshall County, Miss., on March 16, 1841, and was ten years of age when he came to this county with his parents. He was educated principally in Helena, was reared partly on the farm, and at an early age began clerking, which enterprise he continued until the late Civil War. He [p.763] then enlisted in the Yell Rifles, of which the late Maj.-Gen. Cleburne was captain, and served until the close of the war, He received a gunshot in the right hand and left wrist at the battle of Shiloh, came home on a furlough, and while here he was captured and taken to Alton, Ill. After being retained for about four months, he was exchanged, and fortunately fell in with the first lot of prisoners that got through. He joined his regiment at Murfreeshoro, and was secoud sergeaut. He was in all the principal engagements, and served his canse faithfully and well. Returning home he farmed for two years, and then embarked in mercantile pursuits which he has since carried on. He has an exterisive wholesale business, and is a successful business man. He was married, in 1869, to Miss Bettie Rainey, a native of Macon, Miss., by whom he has five children: Mary, Edna, Alice, James W. and Bess. Mr. Clopton is a member of the K. of P. and American Legion of Honor, is a stockholder in the People's Saving Bank and Helena Compress Company, also the Fair Association, and is president of the Chamber of Commerce.
Col. Hoggatt Clopton, Helena, Ark. A glance at the lives of many representative men, whose names appear in this volume, will reveal sketches of some honored, influential citizens, but none more worthy or deserving of mention than Col. Hoggatt Clopton. This gentleman resides three miles west of Helena, and is the owner of Clopton Hall plantations, among the largest in the county, consisting of 4,500 acres of land, with 1,700 acres under cultivation. He is also a capitalist. Col. Clopton was born near Nashville, Tenn., February 6, 1831, and is the son of John Hoggatt and Matilda C. (Drake) Clopton, the grandson of Anthony Clopton, and the great-grandson of Hugh Clopton, of Virginia. The latter, with two brothers, Will and Anthony, left England and came to America, locating in Virginia about 1700. Afterward Will returned to the land of his birth, and being the oldest of the three brothers, fell heir to Clopton Hall Manor, at Stratford-on-Avon. Anthony Clopton, grandfather of the subject of this sketch, was a native Virginian, and died in De Soto County, Miss., in 1848, when eighty-seven years of age. He was a very successful farmer, and was among the first settlere of Davidson County, Tenn., locating at Nashville when that city was but a small trading point. He moved to Tipton County, Tenn., in 1836, and resided there until 1846, when he broke up housekeeping on account of the death of his wife, whose maiden name was Rhoda Hoggatt, and moved to Marshall County, Miss. Later he moved to De Soto County of the same State, where he passed the closing scenes of his life. He was a Whig, but took very little interest in politics. He was at one time a partner in a race course at Clover Bottom, near Nashville, Tenn., with Gen. Andrew Jackson. John Hoggatt Clopton, the father of the subject of this sketch, was born in Davidson County, Tenn., on Aug. 31, 1805, and died on July 26, 1855, in Phillips County, Ark. He was married in March, 1830, to Miss Matilda C. Drake, a native of Wilson County, Tenn., born September 15, 1813, and died June 6, 1865. They lived near Nashville, Tenn., until 1839, when they moved near Holly Springs, Marshall County, Miss., where they resided until December, 1851. After this the family moved to Phillips County, Ark. While living at Nashville Mr. Clopton was engaged in raising fine stock, especially racing stock, but also raised blooded stock of all kinds. He was the owner of a great many slaves, but sold his property at Nashville, moved to Mississippi with his slaves, and from that time until his death was occupied as a cotton planter. He was unusually successful, and although starting life with rather limited means, by his superior business ability and great energy was the possessor of a great deal of property at his death. He and wife were worthy members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South, and on coming to Phillips County were instrumental in the building up of the Methodist Episcopal Church at Helena. He was a Whig in politics. Matilda C. (Drake) Clopton was the daughter of Brittain Drake, a native of North Carolina, whose aucestors were also English, and an old settler of Wilson County, Tenn. He was a farmer, and in his political views was a Whig. There were born to the union of John Hoggatt Clopton and wife, eight sons and two daughters, four of whom are now living: Col. [p.764] Hoggatt, Jesse P. (a prominent planter and merchant of Phillips County, Ark.), James W. (a successful merchant and planter of Phillips County, now residing in Helena), and William C. (an eminent attorney of New York City, a graduate of the University of Virginia, and also a graduate of the University of Berlin, Germany). The children
deceased were named as follows: John Anthony (was born January 23, 1833, and died on July 19, 1854; he was a merchant at Helena, Ark.), Brittain D. Clopton (was born March 9, 1835, and died February 4, 1831, at Columbia. Tenn.), Charles C. (was born March 16, 1837, and died near Memphis, Tenn., December 24, 1854, while on a visit), Jack Hoggatt (was born in October, 1843, and died on May 28, 1855), Matilda L., Helena (died in April, 1858), and Fannie (who was the first of the children to die, her death occurring when but two years of age). Col. Hoggatt Clopton graduated at the University of Mississippi, in 1851, and was elected speaker to represent the Hermean Society at commencement, in which he bore the highest honor as speaker, and soon after turned his attention to planting and merchandising. He started the latter business in 1853, continued one year, and being the oldest son it became his duty to assist his father and family in planting operations. His three brothers, Jesse P., James W. and William C. were in the Confederate army, Jesse P. holding the rank of major, and James W. being in the commissary department on account of a wound received at the battle of Shiloh. William C. was but fourteen years of age when he enlisted. Col. Hoggatt Clopton entered the service in 1862, in Albert W. Johnson's regiment as lieutenant. After the war he again turned his attention to planting, and although he has experienced many heavy losses, he is now in a prosperous condition, and is one of the representative and substantial citizens of the county. His marriage to Miss Ellen S. Booker took place December 19, 1867. She was born in Columbia, Tenn., and was the daughter of James G. Booker, a Virginian by descent. She was a member of the Episcopal Church, and died in full communion with the same on May 20, 1869. Mr. Clopton has remained single since. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity, and in politics he affiliates with the Democratic party. He is of purely English origin, and may well be proud of his ancestors, as many of them have been distinguished men. One of them, Sir Hugh Clopton by name, was Lord Mayor of London in the reign of King Henry the Eighth, and lies entombed by the side of Shakespeare, in Stratford Church on Avon. And another ancestor, Capt. John Hoggatt, his great-grandfather, commanded a company in the War for Independence, and now lies buried near Nashville, Tenn., with a record of his career written on his monument. He was of English descent, and a native of Virginia, and was a farmer by occupation. Mr. Clopton took an extensive trip all over England, Ireland, Wales and Scotland, and Continental Europe the past spring, summer and fall, and was at the tomb of Shakespeare and Sir Hugh Clopton. They were contemporaries, and are buried side by side in Stratford Church on (the river) Avon, in Warwick County, England, about 100 miles west of London.
Jesse P. Clopton, planter, Marvell, Ark. The principal part of his life Mr. Clopton has followed, with substantial success, the occupation to which he was reared and in which he is now engaged, farming. He is one of the largest land owners in Phillips County, is also one of its recognized leading agriculturists and merchants, and as a man, no less than a citizen, is highly esteemed. His birth occurred near the old Jackson Hermitage, Davidson County, Tenn., March 4, 1839, and is the son of John Haggatt and Matilda C. (Drake) Clopton, both natives of Tennessee. The parents were married in their native State but immigrated to North Mississippi in 1844 and there the father died July 26, 1855. The mother was a descendant of Sir Francis Drake, and died in this county June 6, 1865. Their marriage resulted in the birth of ten children: Haggatt (born February 6, 1831), John A. (deceased, born January 23, 1833), Brittain D. (deceased, born March 9, 1835), Charles C. (deceased, born March 28, 1837), Jesse P., James M. (born March 16, 1841), Jack M. (born October 8, 1843), Matilda L. (deceased, born November 29, 1845), William C. (born March 16, 1848) and Fannie [p.765] (deceased, born January 29, 1851). Jesse P. was but twelve years of age when he moved with his parents from Mississippi to this county and here he finished his growth. He received such educational advantages as were attainable in the common schools, but afterward completed his schooling by attending Lebanon College, Tenn. After this he began the study of medicine, but the war broke out and he enlisted in the Confederate service in 1861, under Gen. Cleburne's demand, Fifteenth Arkansas Regiment. He served until he was disabled, was then discharged and was out of service for four months. He then again joined the army, was soon after captured and almost directly exchanged, being on parole for about two months. He was at the battle of Helena and was the first man shot at while performing the duties of adjutant-general. At the close of the war he returned home and engaged in tilling the soil. He was married January 7, 1864, to Miss Virginia C. Swan, a native of Phillips County, Ark. (born February 5, 1846, and the daughter of Major John C. Swan, who was born in Frankfort, Ky., on April 1, 1800. Major Swan came to this county in 1836, located eighteen miles west of Helena on what is known as the military road, and here he was extensively engaged in cultivating the soil, owning at one time over 1,000 acres in this county and as much in the State of Mississippi. He helped survey the military road at an early day and was one of the prominent and useful citizens. He was marrled in Helena, Ark., to Miss Permelia B. Raleigh, a native of Virginia (born November 7, 1817), and the daughter of Charles V. Raleigh. Mr. Raleigh was a native of North Carolina, and the capital of that State was named in his honor. He was a descendant of Sir Walter Raleigh. Maj. Swan died in this county December 25, 1849, and his wife died September 9, 1867. They were the parents of three daughters and one son: John R. (was a captain in the Confederate army and died at his home, a number of years after the war). Mary J. (deceased), Fannie A. (deceased) and Virginia C. (who is the youngest child). To Mr. and Mrs. Clopton were born five children, two now living: Jesse P. (deceased), Virginia (deceased), John H. (deceased), Agnes C. and Eugenia (both at home). Mr. Clopton is the owner of 1,776 acres of land, 1,100 acres under cultivation, and raises annually from 250 to 400 bales of cotton. In March, 1872, he opened a store of general merchandise in Marvell and carries a stock of goods valued at $5,000. He buys and ships cotton and is the leading business man of Marvell. In politics, he is Democratic, casting his first presidential vote for H. Seymour, and he held the office of circuit clerk for two years. He is a member of the K. of H. and the K. & L. of H. He and his family are members of the Episcopal Church. Mr. Clopton has a large cotton-gin and saw-mill on his plantation.
Roland J. Cook, planter, Barton, Ark. Phillips County is acknowledged by all to be one of the best agricultural portions of the State, and as such its citizens are men of advanced ideas and considerable prominence. A worthy man of this class is found in the person of Roland J. Cook. He was originally from Yalobusha County, Miss., where his birth occurred October 27, 1839, and is the son of James and Frances (Brooks) Cook, natives of North Carolina and Tennessee, respectively. The father was born in 1810 and the mother in 1814. They were married in Mississippi, moved from there to Phillips County, Ark., in 1856, and located on the farm where Roland J. now resides. The principal part of this land was then covered with wood, but it was cleared by Mr. Cook and his son. James Cook was a carpenter by trade, and built the house in which our subject is now living. After coming to Arkansas he turned his attention exclusively to farming, and this continued up to the time of his death, which occurred in 1873. The mother died in 1866. The father was a Whig in politics, sympathized with the South, but never approved of secession. There were born to their marriage eight children, six now living, Roland J. being the eldest. The latter spent his school days in Mississippi and Arkansas, and in June, 1861, enlisted in the Second Arkansas (Confederate) Infantry, serving in the same until after the battle of Chickamauga, when he was severely wounded by a gunshot in the right hand and the left breast. He was orderly sergeant, and was in [p.766] many prominent engagements: Shiloh, Murfreesboro and Perryville, Ky. After being wounded he was taken prisoner, but only retained for a short time. Returning home after the war, he turned his attention to farming, following the same for one year in Mississippi, and subsequently resumed agricultural pursuits on the old homestead, where he now lives. He is the owner of 300 acres of good land, and has 150 acres under cultivation. In 1866 he married Miss Lucy Winbourn, daughter of Rev. A. K. Winbourn, of De Soto County, Miss. The result of this union has been five children. Mr. and Mrs. Cook are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South, and Mr. Cook is steward in the same. He is a member of the masonic fraternity, the K. of H., and in politics is a Democrat, but is conservative in his views.
H. P. Coolidge (deceased) was born in the State of Maine, February 7, 1812, and while still in his early youth was taken by his parents to the Buckeye State, settling near Cincinneti, where he was left an orphan at an early age. When about seventeen years of age he went to Louisiana and during a residence of several years in New Orleans was a boss mechanic, being considered the complete master of his trade. While in that city he was married to Elizabeth J. Legier, a French lady, and in 1842 came with her and his infant son, C. R. Coolidge, to Helena, Ark., making the trip on a flat-boat, intending to journey on to New Orleans for permanent residence there. The sheriff of the county determined to make him pay annual license for selling his goods, but he thought it a wanton injustice, and, although intending to remain at Helena for one month, he paid his license and determined to settle here. He rented a store building, put in a stock of goods and soon built up a very extensive trade, so large in fact that he determined to stay here, although his original intention had been to go back to New Orleans. Helena continued to be his home until his death, which occurred April 23, 1872, his wife dying November 17, 1880. Of nine children born to them, two only lived to be grown. A daughter, who married Dr. F. N. Barke, now a resident of Helena, died January, 1887, leaving an infant daughter, Mary E. Burke, who lives mainly with her uncle, C. R.
Coolidge, in Helena. Only one, C. R. Coolidge, is now living. Mr. Coolidge became known all over this section of the country, not only in his business capacity, but in local political matters as well, and for some time served as county and probate judge, although he was no office seeker. He was a man who sttended strictly to his own affairs and for his many sterling business and social qualities was beloved by all who knew him. At one time he was offered 400 acres of land, which is now in the heart of Memphis, Tenn., for a small sum of money, and if he had closed the bargain he would have been worth millions of dollars. He was very liberal with his wealth and always gave liberally to the poor and distressed, also to schools and churches, and all worthy publio enterprises. He was very progressive in his ideas and always endeavored to keep out of the beaten path, and was ever ready to adopt new ideas. He was a stanch Union man during the war and expressed his thoughts and opinions freely and without fear. He was a prominent Mason and Odd Fellow and a member of the Mothodist Episcopal Church. Such a man, liberal and progressive in his views, enterprising, industrious and public-spirited, is a blessing to any community and deserves the highest praise which can be given him. His son, Charles R., has erected a monument to his memory which was made in Italy at a cost of $6,000. It is twenty-nine feet six inches in height and is surmounted by a life-size statue of Mr. Coolidge, which is very finely executed. Charles R. Coolidge was born in New Orleans in November, 1836, and came to Helena with his parents. He was brought up in the mercantile business, which he has always followed. He has been very successful in all his business undertakings and has one of the handsomest residences in the city of Helena. Like his father he is enterprising and public-spirited and is one of the foremost citizens of Phillips County. He was married in 1866 to Miss Elizabeth T. Ellis, a native of Middle Tennessee, by whom he has ten children, nine living: Henry, Charles R., Jr., Willie, Eva, Lizzie, Andrew, Ellis, Walter and Mary. Eva, his second child, is deceased, and a younger [p.767] daughter was named for her. Mr. Coolidge was an Odd Fellow for many years and served some time in the late war and was at one time taken prisoner.
D. H. Crebs. The Planters' Compress & Storage Company of Helena, Ark., is one of the largest establishments of the kind in Southern Arkansas, and the amount of ground used by them for the successful conduct of their establishment comprises four and three-quarters acres, it being purchased by our subject in August, 1886. He immediately erected one of the finest cotton-gins in the South, and in 1887 built a compress, which was the first erected in Helena, and the first year pressed 18,000 bales of cotton. This is a large brick structure, and was owned and operated individually by Mr. Crebs until the spring of 1889, when a stock company was organized, and took the name of the Planters' Compress Company, in which Mr. Crebs has a controlling interest, and is president of the company; J. H. Lawrens is secretary, and L. Lucy, tressurer. The cotton-gin has a capacity of twenty-five to thirty bales of cotton per day. Mr. Crebs was born in Winchester, Frederick County, Va., October 30, 1836, and is a son of Henry Crebs, who was also a Virginian, and a soldier in the War of 1812, he being then only about seventeen years of age. His father was a Revolutionary soldier, and was of Scotch birth, an early settler of Virginia. Henry was a farmer by occupation, and eventually died in the town in which he was born and reared. Of his six children, four are now living. His son, D. H., was eleven years old when his father died, then began learning the machinist's trade, and in 1862 he enlisted in Company A, Second Virginia Regiment, and was wounded at Seven Pines by a gunshot, which necessitated his remaining in a hospital for some time. He was in Mat. Marra's command, but afterward joined Col. Tanner's battalion and was in all the general engagements in which his regiment participated. After the war he was left, like all soldiers, destitute, but he worked at what he could find to do, and in 1867 came to Helena and began doing business for a Mr. Barbarbroux, of Louisville. At the end of two years the company diseolved, and Mr. Crebs then began an independent career, and is still dealing in machinery. He built the first oil mills in Helena, also the first opera house, but the latter burned down in 1885. Mr. Crebs has been one of the live business men of the place, and his interest and support in all public affairs, his honesty and industry, as well as his progressive views on all matters of importance, have won him the respect of all who know him. He is a stockholder in the First National Bank and the Peoples' Bank, and by his shrewdness and tact is one of the wealthy men of the county. He has one of the handsomest residences in the city, it being situated on a natural building site, in full view of the Mississippi River, as well as the city and surrounding country. In 1876 he was united in marriage to Miss Mary Carruth, and in 1880 took for his second wife, Miss Jennie Cook, by whom he has two children: Maggie and Harry.
Job Dean, farmer and saloon man, Trenton, Ark. Mr. Dean owes his nativity to Shelby County, Tenn., where his birth occurred in 1847, and is the first and only child born to the union of Henry and Fannie (Abington) Dean, natives, respectively, of South Carolina and North Carolina. The elder Dean was a farmer and speculator in real estate. He moved to Tennessee when a young man, and was there married in 1845 to Miss Abington. He owned a great deal of land in this county at the time of his death, which occurred in 1860. The mother died in 1850, and two years later the father married Miss Laura Hudson, of Madison County, Tenn., who bore him four children, only three of whom lived to be grown: Richard (deceased, died at the age of twenty-four years of consumption), Mary H. (deceased, wife of Tobe Hamner. She was the mother of one child, Albert, who resides in Tennessee with his father, who is a minister in the Methodist Episcopal Church), Emma (wife of T. J. Leak, of Collierville, Tenn., and the mother of four children, Dean, Tigue, Emma G. and Fletcher). Our subject was educated in the common schools of his native county, and spent two years at Black Hawk, Carroll County, Miss., where he finished his education. At the age of twenty years he left school, and when twenty-nine years of age was married to Miss Maggie Davis, of Marshall [p.768] County, Miss., who bore him five children, only two now living: Henry and Mamie. After marriage Mr. Dean commenced farming in Shelby County and there remained until 1874, when he moved to Marshall County, Miss., where he was engaged in tilling the soil for two years. In 1876 he came to Phillips County, Ark., cultivated the soil, but was not very successful for the first few years. In 1880 he opened the saloon business at Trenton and still runs this in connection with a family grocery. He now owns 160 acres of land with forty acres cleared, which he rents for $200 per year. Mr. Dean is a member of the Masonic fraternity, Lebanon Lodge No. 97, K. of H., and is Vice-Dictator of that organization. Politically he is a Democrat. He favors improvements for the benefit of his county and all laudable designs for the interest of the people.
Amos W. Dongherty, the fifth son in a family of fourteen children born to Isaac and Rachel (Slimp) Dougherty, made his appearance upon the stage of life in Lauderdale County, Ala., on November, 1, 1830. At the age of five he removed with his parents to Mississippi, where he was reared, educated, and learned the carpenter's trade under an older brother. In about 1860 he came to Arkansas and located in this county, and was engaged at his trade until 1887. In 1851 he was married to Miss Lucy B. Wilkes, a native of Alabama, who died in 1865, leaving five children; one of these, Indiana V., is the wife of W. J. Day, of this county. Mr. Dougherty was married the second time, in 1866, to Miss Caroline N. Dean, of this State, she surviving until in November, 1872. His third wife, Nancy J. Slayton, to whom he was married in February, 1874, came originally from Georgia, and died in July, 1876. Mr. Dougherty was married to his last wife, Mrs. Virginia D. Andrews, in November, 1877. In 1847 he enlisted in the Mexican War and served about six months, taking part in a number of skirmishes. In 1861 his patriotism still asserted itself, and he enlisted in the Confederate army, in the Seventh Arkansas Infantry, serving until his capture in April, 1865, when he was taken to Memphis and kept until the following June. He owns a small farm of forty-nine acres, and also owns a steam cotton-gin, meeting with good success in his efforts. Mr. Dougherty is a member of the Masonic order and of the K. of H. In politics is a Democrat, and a highly respected citizen.
Isaac Ehrman, wholesale and retail liquor dealer, Helena, Ark. The trade carried on in staple articles of consumption always constitutes a most important factor in the commercial resources of a city or town, and it is therefore not surprising if it finds its natural recognition in Helena. Prominent among those engaged in it is the firm of Ehrman Brothers, who have followed this business a number of years. Isaac Ehrman is a native of Rhine, Bavaria, born on November 4, 1836, and is a son of M. and Sophia (Rubel) Ehrman, who were natives of Germany. The father came to America in 1878, and is now a resident of Memphis, Tenn., and is in the eighty-second year of his age. To his marriage were born eight children, six now living, and all in America: Isaac, Emelia (wife of Jacob Wertheimer, of Pine Bluff), Hannah (wife of J. Nathan, who is a member of the firm of Nathan & Oppenheimer, of Memphis), Mrs. Wertheimer (of Birmingham, Ala.), Mrs. Alice Wolf (of Columbus, Miss.) and Emanuel. Isaac Ehrman was reared and educated in Germany, where he remained until 1853, and when fifteen years of age, took passage at Havre, and landed at New Orleans after an ocean voyage of sixty days. He went to Fayette, Miss., and kept books for his uncle until 1860, when he returned to Europe. In 1861 he returned to Mississippi, but went from there to Memphis, Tenn., where he was engaged in the dry goods business until 1873; was also part of the time interested in the liquor business, and at the above-mentioned date he came to Helena. He was married in 1863 to Miss Cecil Wertheimer, who bore him four children: Fannie, Ophelia, Eddie and Blanche. Mr. Ehrman is a member of the Masonic fraternity, K. of H., K. of P., Royal Arcanum, etc. He was alderman for four years, and was a stockholder in the People's Saving Bank. He is also a stockholder in the Opera House and Fair Association, and is a prominent man of Helena.
L. A. Fitzpatrick, of the firm of Jacks, Fitzpatrick & Co., wholesale druggists at Helena, was born in Chickasaw County, Miss., in November, 1848, and is the son of B. F. and E. J. (Moore) Fitzpatrick, natives of Georgia and Alabama, respectively. The parents moved to Mississippi at quite an early date, but from there went to Mobile, Ala., where they are now living, the father being a cotton factor. L. A. Fitzpatrick's time in youth was divided between assisting on the farm and in attending the common schools. In 1864 he enlisted in the Confederate army, and served one year. In 1868 he came to Helena, Ark., and began clerking in a drug store, but in 1872 he purchased an interest in the business of Jacks & Moore. In 1879 the firm title was changed to Jacks & Co., and in 1884 the present company was formed. They carry a stock of goods valued at $25,000, and do an annual business of $200,000. They are the largest dealers in drugs in Helena, and are enjoying a liberal patronage, being careful and reliable men. Mr. Fitzpatrick was married in 1872 to Miss Alzena F. Jacks, a daughter of Dr. T. M. Jacks, and to this union were born seven children living: Katie, Lotta M., Ben. F., L. A., Jr., Hopkins R., Curtis H. and Lone. Mr. Fitzpatrick is a member of the I. O. O. F., and Knights of Pythias, American Legion of Honor, Royal Arcanum and Ladies and Knights of Honor. He held the office of city treasurer for several years, and was also alderman for some time. He is a large stockholder in the Jacks Real Estate Company, the Arkansas Building Association and the Electric Light Company.
Robert FitzHugh. In reviewing the contents of this volume, no adequste idea of the agricultural affairs of Phillips County or of its substantial citizens, could be formed which failed to make mention of Mr. FitzHugh and the excellent estate which he owns. His residence tract contains 1,570 acres, and is admirably adapted to raising all kinds of grain indigenous to this climate, and besides this he owns 700 acres in another tract, and in all has 600 acres under cultivation. Everything about his property pronounces him to be an agrioulturist of enterprise and progress, and such he is acknowledged by all to be. He was born in Livingston County, N. Y., December 18, 1826, and this alone speaks volumes for him as a progressive and enterprising citizen. He is a son of Richard P. and Mary A. FitzHugh, the former a native of Maryland and the latter of York State. Robert, our subject, first moved from his native State to Ohio in 1863, thence to Michigan in 1866, and still later settled in Phillips County, Ark. In 1865 he married Miss Sarah T. Hubbard, a daughter of Dr. Hubbard, of Phillips County, and six children are the result of their union: Mary A., Richard H., Annie S., Flora B., Mabel and Foster C. Mrs. FitzHugh is a member of the Episcopal Church, and her husband is a Democrat in his political views. His father removed to York State when seventeen years of age and followed farming there, until his death in 1863, at the age of sixty-three years. His wife died in 1882, also in New York, having reached the age of sixty-seven years. Of seven children born to them, three are now living.
N. J. Fritzon, mayor of Helena and dealer in queensware, has a life record of more than usual interest and seems by nature to be a man fitted to rule. He was born across the ocean, his birth occurring in Sweden near the Baltic Sea, in October, 1838. At an early day he displayed the energy and enterprise which has since characterized his career, and his youth was spent in learning the shoemaker's trade and in studying music, in which he became very proficient, being able to play almost any instrument which was put into his bands. Life in his native land was not suited to one of his energetic and enterprising disposition, and he accordingly determined to cross the ocean and see what life in a new land had in store for him, and in 1857 first set foot on American soil at Boston, the voyage from Gothenberg to this point occupying a period of five weeks. He immediately went to Moline, Ill., thence to Rock Island, working at his trade, and the year 1859 found him in St. Louis, from which point he went to New Orleans a short time after. This city continued to be his home until the bombardment of Fort Sumter, when he returned to St. Louis, thence back to [p.770] Rock Island, Ill., where he enlisted in Company A, Ninth Illinois Cavalry, and was made chief musician and bugler of his regiment. In 1862 he was mustered out of service, by order of the war department, and was then musician for eight months on Gen. Steele's staff. In February, 1863, he came to Helena and engaged in the grocery business and this was his exclusive means of a livelihood for twenty-one years, but was a very lucrative one. His stock of queensware is very large and of an exceptionally fine quality, and as he is an honest and upright man of business, his sales are large. He has been connected with the fire department of the city since the war and for several years has been its chief. In 1888 he was elected mayor of Helena and his record as an official, as well as a business man, will bear the investigation of one and all, for not a shadow can be advanced derogatory to his reputation. He is a Royal Arch Mason, and for a number of years he has been a member of the town council and the board of health. He was married in 1867 to Miss Mary B. Nixon, by whom he has five children: Sidney H., John E., Mary B., Nelson J. and Endora C.
Bogan N. Gist is the son of Thomas Gist, and was born in South Carolina in 1852. Thomas Gist, also a native of South Carolina, datas his existence from 1816, immigrating to what is now Lee County, S. C., in 1857, where he died in 1887. He was married in South Carolina to Miss Mary Bogan, who passed away in 1865, having borne eight children, two sons and two danghters now living. Bogan N., the eldest in order of birth, received an excellent education in the schools of his native State, afterward completing his studies at a prominent military school in Kentucky. He resided with his parents until reaching his majority, and on May 3, 1878, was married to Miss Mary Blanehe Heineman, born in Mississippi, and a daughter of Charles and Mildreth Heineman. Mrs. Heineman is now living in Phillips County, Ark., and her husband died in Murfreesboro, Ala. Mr. Gist and wife are the parents of one child, Bogan N., Jr. They have resided on their present place since 1872, on which Mr. Gist erected a handsome and commodious home at a cost of $200,000. He owns about 640 acres of land, and with 500 acres under cultivation, located sixteen miles west of Helena. The farm is admirab