Thomas I. Herrn, teacher, also a farmer and stock dealer in Highland Township, was born in Independence (now Izard) County, in 1861. His parents were John and Malinda (Finley) Herrn, of Tennessee and Arkansas, respectively, who were united in marriage in Independence County. The father was a farmer by occupation, who died in Ozark County, Mo., in 1863. He was a son of Thomas Herrn, one of the pioneers of Arkansas. His wife's father was Isaac Finley, who settled in Izard County, Ark., at a very early day, and died there in the year 1865. Thomas I. Herrn received but little schooling until his thirteenth year, and then attended Evening Shade high school for three years. He subsequently went to the State University at Fayetteville, and afterward taught school himself for four years. In 1883 he was married to Kate, a daughter of James P. and Julia Cochran, whose history appears in this volume. By this marriage he has had one son and two daughters, the latter living. After his marriage Mr. Herrn moved to Evening Shade, and taught school for two years, but gave that occupation up to commence farming at South Fork. He now has 600 acres of land, with about seventy-five acres under cultivation, which, on his arrival, was destitute of improvement. In politics he is a Democrat, and is zealous in upholding the principles of that party. Mr. Herrn is one of that type of men who present a strong example for the younger generation to follow. He was thrown on his own resources at the age of thirteen, and went to work for $8 a month, on a farm.
 

Jasper N. Higginbottom, whose success as a farmer and stock raiser has seldom been equaled, was born in Independence County, in 1846. His parents were James and Nancy (Ward) Higginbottom, who were born in Kentucky, in 1801, and South Carolina, in 1809, respectively, and were married in Perry County, Tenn., about the year 1840. The parents moved to Independence County, Ark., in 1846, and four or five years later changed their residence to Lawrence County, where the father died. The elder Higginbottom was a well-known boatman on the Ohio and Mississippi Rivers, and in his later days quite an extensive farmer. His father was Oglesbury Higginbottom, a native of Ireland. The mother of Jasper died in 1877, in the religious faith of the Christian Church. Jasper was the eighth child of eight sons and six daughters, of whom only two sons and one daughter are yet living. His education was somewhat limited on account of the facilities for attending school not being so good as they are at the present day, but his natural shrewdness and quickness of comprehension made up for any deficiency in that respect. In 1868 he was married to Miss Sarah Wilmuth, a daughter of Edward and Mary Wilmuth, of Kentucky, and by this marriage has had twelve children, of whom seven are still living. Mr. Higginbottom continued to reside in Lawrence County until 1877, when he moved to his present farm, in Sharp County, where he owns about 600 acres of land, and has some 120 acres under cultivation. In addition to his farm, he deals in stock on an extensive scale, and has the reputation of being one of the best men in the business in that section. He is noted for his fair dealing in all business transactions, and is one of the most popular men in Sharp County. In politics, Mr. Higginbottom is a Democrat, and that party has in him a representative who strongly supports their principles and men.
 

Russel Jordan, justice of the peace, a prosperous farmer and stock raiser, is the youngest of three sons and six daughters. He was born in St. Clair County, Ala., December 22, 1827, and is the son of Stephen and Sarah (Deerman) Jordan, of South Carolina, where they were reared and married. The parents removed to St. Clair County, Ala., soon after their marriage, where the father died when Russel was but two or three years old. The mother married a second time, her next husband being Peter Roadland, who died shortly before Russel left St. Clair County, and the mother's death occurring after the war. The elder Jordan was a farmer, and a soldier in the War of 1812, fighting under Gen. Jackson at the battle of New Orleans. He was of Irish descent, as was also the father of Mrs. Jordan, William Deerman. Upon looking over the thousands of schools and colleges now in every part of our country, it is hard to conceive the difficulty that early settlers had to contend with in order to procure an education for their children. But the facilities then were not near what they are now, and where there is no excuse for any civilized being to be uneducated at the present day, at that period it was entirely different, and the children who were eager for an education, in the unsettled portions, were unable to attend school. This was the case of Russel Jordan, but, though seriously handicapped as he was, he managed to obtain a few years' study at the common schools, and when unable to attend, applied himself to his books and mastered what he desired to learn. On January 2, 1847, he was married to Martha, daughter of Levi and Jane Watson, of North Carolina, who moved to Sharp County, in 1852, where they have since died. Mrs. Jordan was born in St. Clair County, Ala., where her parents resided some time, and died in 1861, Six children were born to this marriage, of whom three are yet living. His second marriage was in 1862 to Nancy J., daughter of Harvey D. and Josephine Worthington, of North Carolina and Kentucky, respectively. The parents moved to Arkansas, about the year 1856, and settled in Prairie County, where the father died. Mrs. Worthington is now residing in Kentucky, her daughter's birthplace. Seven sons and four daughters were born to Mr. Jordan's second marriage, all of them still living, and, remembering his early experience in attending school, he has spared no pains in giving them the best education obtainable. In 1852 he moved to Mississippi, and from there to what is now Sharp County, Ark., the following year, where he settled on a farm. His land at that time had but seven or eight acres cleared, but now he has over 100 acres cleared and under cultivation, and owns about 210 acres altogether, all the result of his own industry and good management. Mr. Jordan is a well-known and popular man in his vicinity, and mingles in public life considerably, having for the past thirty years held several public offices, such as deputy sheriff, justice of the peace (his present official capacity) and others. In politics he is a Democrat and a stanch adherent to that party. He enlisted in the Confederate army during the war, becoming a member of Col. Freeman's regiment of cavalry, and performed some excellent work in a number of battles. Mr. Jordan is a member of the A. F. & A. M., and has been master a great many years of Curia Lodge No. 144. He also belongs to “Rural” Royal Arch Chapter No. 50, at Evening Shade, and has held several of the offices, and is a member of Eastern Star, having been for some time past worthy patron. At one time he was commissioned to organize chapters of his fraternity throughout North Arkansas, and succeeded in establishing quite a number.
 

John B. McCaleb, a prominent attorney at Evening Shade, was born at Evening Shade, Ark., October 24, 1856. He is a son of Col. James H. and Frances A. (Jenkins) McCaleb, of Knox County, Tenn., and Bowling Green, Ky., respectively. The mother was married in her fourteenth year to William French, and soon after moved to Little Rock. After a short residence in that place, they came to Evening Shade, at a time when there were but one or two families living there, and where Mr. French died. In 1854 Mrs. French was married to Col. McCaleb, who had come from Tennessee, and both have resided in Evening Shade up to the time of their death. The father was a farmer and hotel proprietor for twenty-five years, and was one of the best-known hotel men in Northeast Arkansas. In earlier days the elder McCaleb held the office of justice of the peace. He served almost through the entire war, and performed the duties of a soldier in different capacities in the Confederate army, and was colonel of a regiment of militia in the home guards stationed at Pocahontas. He was a member of the A. F. & A. M., and was master of Evening Shade Lodge for a number of years. Col. McCaleb's father was James H, McCaleb, of North Carolina, who died in Evening Shade after a few years' residence. Col. McCaleb's forefathers originally came from North Ireland to this country, and the lineage of that family extends back to the earlier part of the eighteenth century. The father of Col. McCaleb's wife was William Jenkins, a Kentuckian, who moved to Illinois at an early period, and died there about the year 1873. His daughter, Mrs. McCaleb, had three children by each husband. of whom John McCaleb is the oldest of three brothers, sons by the last husband. John McCaleb [p.748] was educated at Evening Shade, and began life for himself when fifteen years of age. In 1878 he commenced the study of law with the Hon. Sam H. Davidson, teaching school in the meantime. In 1881 he was admitted to the bar by Judge R. H. Powell, and since then has practiced his profession in Sharp, Izard, Fulton and Baxter Counties, also holding a license to practice in the supreme court of Arkansas and Missouri, and is one of the most promising attorneys in Sharp County. On January 10, 1883, he was married to Allie, daughter of Col. Joseph L. Abernethy, and has had four children by this marriage, one son and two daughters still living. Mr. McCaleb owns some town property, besides about 1,500 acres of wild land in Sharp County, and his prosperity is due entirely to his own enterprise and shrewdness. In politics he is a Democrat and is chairman of the county Democratic Central Committee. He has been a member of the A. F. & A. M. since his majority, belonging to Evening Shade Lodge No. 143, and has held almost all of the offices, being master for two terms. He is also a member of Royal Arch (Rural) Chapter No. 50, and has been high priest. Also a charter member of Knights of Honor, and Knights & Ladies of Honor, and is dictator of the former.
 
 
John C. McKinney, a leading farmer of Lawrence County, Smithville postoffice, was born in Alabama, February 20, 1839, a son of James and Patsey M. (Holder) McKinney. James was born in North Carolina, April 3, 1819, was reared and married in Alabama, came to Polk County, Mo., about 1844, and in 1857 moved to Sharp County, where he resided until his death, in 1863. His father, Francis McKinney, of Scotch and Welsh descent, was born in South Carolina. He served throughout the Revolutionary War, and died in Polk County, Mo. Our subject's mother was born in Alabama in 1826; she died about 1867, being the mother of ten children, five of whom are now living: Thomas M., Elizabeth A., William B., Samuel B., and John C., our subject, who came to Polk County, Mo., at the age of eight years, where he received his education. On March 4, 1860, he married Lucinda Daily, who was born in Polk County in 1839, and died in September, 1882. She was the mother of six children, all living: Sarah J., wife of William Hollen; Melvina J., wife of Jeff D. Estes; Mary A., Davis L., William G., Dora J. In November, 1884, he married Hannah Williams, who was born in Louisiana in 1855. Mr. McKinney has 285 acres of land, about 100 cultivated, located on Strawberry River. He enlisted in Company F, Shaffer's regiment, Seventh Arkansas Infantry Volunteers, and served until May, 1865. He was a private the first year, corporal the second, and afterward captain of a company till the close, when he returned home and resumed farming. He has been a resident of this county since 1875, and has held the office of justice of the peace two years. He is a Democrat, having cast his first presidential vote for Breckinridge. He is a member of Masonic Lodge No. 29, at Smithville. His wife is a member of the Baptist Church.
 

William C. Matheny, retired farmer and excounty judge, was born in Roane County, Tenn., September 9, 1824, his parents being Samuel and Sytha (Grimsley) Matheny. The former, whose birth occurred in Virginia, June 18, 1796, was a son of Elijah and Mary (Davis) Matheny, natives of Virginia, the Mathenys being of French descent. His parents moved in 1799 to East Tennessee, where he was raised and where Samuel died (in Overton county) in 1881. The latter was a farmer, although he served an apprenticeship at the cabinet trade. His wife Sytha Matheny, was born in Washington County, Tenn., in 1793, and died in Roane County, that State, in 1838. Her parents were natives of Culpepper County, Va., and moved to Tennessee in an early day. She was the mother of twelve children. Eleven grew to maturity and married, and five are now living, all in Tennessee, except our subject, who also has two half sisters and one half brother by his father's second marriage. His parents being poor, William C. received but a common school education, and that in Tennessee, where he was raised. December 13, 1849, he married Miss Louisa F. Terry, who has born in what is now Putnam County, Tenn., November 9, 1831. She is a daughter of Joseph and Elizabeth Terry, the father having died in Tennessee, where the mother [p.749] is still living, though blind. The family of our subject consists of seven children, Allison B., born September 30, 1850; Sarah E., born January 14, 1853, wife of James W. Smith, of Sharp County; Mary A., born November 15, 1855, wife of Milton T. Ofield, of, Izard County; Columbus D., born January 14, 1858; Elijah, born July 23, 1861; Grimsley H, born April 7, 1866, and Ira J., born August 24, 1868. In May, 1847, Mr. Matheny enlisted in Capt. Huddleston's Company, Fourteenth Regiment, United States Infantry, in Overton, Tenn., and served in the Mexican War, being with Gen. Scott at the taking of the City of Mexico, participating also in the battles of Contreras, Cherubusco, Melina Delva, Castle of Chapultepec, and at the gates of the city, being discharged as second sergeant at New Orleans July 25, 1848. He now draws a pension of $8 a month. In 1861 he organized a company in Sharp County, and was mustered into the Confederate service in September of the same year, and served as captain until May 8, 1862, when he was promoted to lieutenant-colonel of the Twenty-first Arkansas Regiment of Infantry, which position he held until the close of the war. May 17, 1863, he was captured at Vicksburg and taken prisoner to Sandusky Bay, Ohio, and kept there till exchanged, March 3, 1865, at Richmond, Va. At the battle of Corinth, Miss., October 3, 1862, he received a bullet wound in the left forearm, breaking the bone. In 1866 he was elected representative of Lawrence County (which then included Sharp), and served one term. In 1872 he was again elected to represent Sharp County, serving one term. In 1880 he was elected county and probate judge of Sharp County, and served for three consecutive terms, and is one of Sharp County's most influential citizens. Politically, he is a Democrat, and himself and wife are members of the Primitive Baptist Church: He has a farm of 160 acres, about 70 of which are cultivated.
 

John S. Medley, owner and proprietor of the extensive saw and planing-mill and shingle factory two miles south of Evening Shade, was born in Parke County, Ind., in 1848. He is a son of Capt. Philip and Rachel (Barnes) Medley, of Indiana and Kentucky, respectively, who were married in Indiana, and in 1853 removed to Fulton County, Ill., and from there to Schuyler County, Ill., after the war, where the father died about the year 1870, and his wife one year previous. Both were members of the Union Baptist faith. The elder Medley was a miller by occupation, and a man of fine business ability. In 1862 he joined the Thirteenth Illinois Infantry, and commanded Company I, serving about six months, when he was forced to resign on account of poor health. He was a member of the A. F. & A. M., and a son of Rev. Samuel Medley, of ScotchIrish descent, a noted preacher of Kentucky, who died in Illinois. The grandfather of John S. Medley, James Barnes, was a farmer, and died in the State of Indiana. John S. Medley is the third child of eight sons and three daughters, of whom eight are yet living. He received his education partly at the common schools and by self-tuition, and at the age of seventeen years his ability was so well recognized that he was taken into partnership with an extensive saw-mill firm, and has continued in that business ever since. He thoroughly understands the business, and has met with success in every instance. In 1869 Mr. Medley moved to Evening Shade, where he resided up to 1870, when he married Mrs. Nancy Sharp, a widow lady, of Indiana, who died six months after their wedding. In 1889 he was again married, his second wife being Miss Lily Green, of Illinois. Mrs. Medley's mother is still living, but the father died when she was a young girl. Mr. Medley owns about 1,200 acres of land in the vicinity of Evening Shade, and has about 125 acres under cultivation, with several good buildings and barns. His mills have the reputation of turning out some of the best work in Sharp County, and, as a citizen and business man, he enjoys a popularity that must be gratifying even to the most egotistical, although Mr. Medley is as modest as he is popular. His mills have a capacity of about 8,000 feet of lumber, and about 20,000 shingles per day, and has also a planing attachment. In polities he is a Democrat, and has been a member of the I. O. O. F. since his maturity, holding all of the offices during that period.
 

William G. Meeks, a pioneer farmer of Sullivan Township, was born in Breckinridge County, Ky., in 1819. He is a son of the Rev. William and Nancy (Goatley) Meeks, of North Carolina and Maryland, respectively, who moved to Kentucky, and were married there at a very early day, and when young William was sixteen years old, settled in Spencer County, Ind., where the father died about 1846, and the mother some time afterward, in Illinois. The elder Meeks was a Baptist minister, and well known for his eloquence in the pulpit. He is a son of Priddy Meeks, of North Carolina, who was one of the first settlers of Kentucky, and an associate of the famous Daniel Boone. William G. Meeks' grandfather, John Goatley, was a native of Scotland, who came to America with his parents when four years old. He served through the Revolutionary War, with the exception of one year, in which he was badly disabled, and died in Kentucky, with honors showered upon him for his record through that period. William G. Meeks is the seventh child of eight sons and four daughters, and in his youth received a very limited education, as the facilities for attending school were quite scarce in those days. He commenced in life for himself at the age of twenty, and, in 1843, was married to Millie, daughter of Pleasant and Rebecca Galloway. Mrs. Meeks' mother is still living at the age of ninety-six years, but the father died in the State of Indiana, where Mrs. Meeks was born. In 1846 Mr. Meeks came to what is now Sharp County, but did not move on his present place until 1849, which was then but very little improved. He now owns about 280 acres of land, with some 120 acres under cultivation, all the result of his own energy, and is one of the most enterprising farmers of Sharp County. Mr. Meeks enlisted in the Confederate army during the war, and was enrolled in Company D, Fourteenth Arkansas Infantry, holding the rank of lieutenant. He afterward became a member of Freeman's regiment of cavalry, and later took part in Price's raids through Missouri and Kansas, Mr. Meeks performed some creditable work during the war, and won a reputation as being a gallant and efficient soldier. He surrendered at Jacksonport in June, 1865, and returned to his home. When Mr. Meeks first settled in this vicinity the country was nothing but a wilderness, and had no inhabitants but a few venturesome spirits like himself, who were seeking a home in the West, unless, indeed, the wild animals that infested the country at that time could be called its inhabitants. His nearest postoffice and trading post was at Batesville, some twenty miles distant; but since that period he has lived to see this portion of Arkansas grow up into a populous and thriving country, and can now tell the younger generation how the streets and by-ways of the present civilization were once the path of the fleet footed deer and the prowling wolf. The names of Mr. Meeks' children are: Nancy, wife of Francis Kent; Sarah, wife of A. J. Green; Benjamin F., Thomas J., Eliza, wife of J. E. G. Ball, and Willie Ann, wife of J. D. Cargle.
 

Isaac N. Morgan, a substantial farmer of Morgan Township, is a native of Tennessee, having been born in Franklin County in 1837. His father was Harris Morgan, who was born in Tennessee, in June, 1810. and who is now living in Sharp County, Ark., where he came in 1840, Morgan Township being named in his honor before the war. He was a blacksmith by trade, but carried on farming in connection therewith. His wife was born in North Carolina in 1816, but died in Sharp County in November, 1881. She was the mother of ten children, three of whom are now living. Elizabeth, Sarah and Isaac, all of whom reside in Sharp County. Isaac N. acquired most of his education after reaching manhood, but received what little schooling he had in Sharp County. In October, 1865, he married Miss Salina Carver, who was born in Mississippi in 1843. Her parents were J. D. and Frances Carver, natives of Mississippi, who came to Arkansas in 1851. The father is dead, but the mother still lives in Sharp County. The family consists of three daughters and three sons: Tennessee B., Amanda L., Mary, William T., Joseph and Isaac B. Our subject entered the Confederate service in 1861, in the Seventh Arkansas Volunteers, under Col. Robert Shaver, participating in the battles of Shiloh, Corinth and Bowling Green, and at the close of the war returned to Sharp County and resumed [p.751] farming. He has a good farm of 347 acres, about 100 of which are under cultivation. He is a Democrat, and both he and his wife are members of the Baptist Church.
 

Judge Addison H. Nunn, one of the pioneers of Sullivan Township, was born in Williamson County, Tenn., in 1814. He is a son of William R. and Rebecca W. (Stone) Nunn, the former born in Pendleton District, S. C., about 1783, and the latter in Mecklenburg, Va. The parents were married in Williamson County, Tenn., and resided there until the year 1855, when they moved to Texas, where the father died in 1862. The elder Nunn was an extensive merchant and real estate dealer, and a very successful business man, financially. He first started in life without a dollar, but by his natural abilities, shrewdness in business transactions and enterprise, he left a fortune at his death. He held the office of justice of the peace for three years, and was a member of the I. O. O. F. His father, Francis Nunn, was a North Carolinian, and when William R. was about three years old removed first to Georgia and then to the State of Tennessee in 1806, where he died at the age of sixty years, his wife, Marcy (Rice) Nunn, dying in Tennessee, at the age of eighty-five years. The Nunn family are of French origin, but on the mother's side the family are English. Judge Nunn's grandfather, William Stone, came from England with his parents, and settled in Virginia, and were afterward among the first settlers of Maury County, Tenn. Judge Nunn was the eldest of thirteen children, who received their education in the early days at a log cabin school. In 1837 he was married to Amanda, daughter of Jeremiah and Catherine Baxter, born in North Carolina and Tennessee, respectively. Eleven children were given to this marriage, of whom four sons and three daughters are yet living. His second marriage was in 1863, to Mrs. Mary Bowman, a widow lady, and a daughter of Merriman Arnn, of Virginia, where his daughter was also born, in Pittsylvania County. Ten children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Nunn, of whom three sons and five daughters are still living. In 1843 Judge Nunn moved to Arkansas, and pitched his tent upon the same spot where he now resides. This section of Arkansas was then a wilderness, whose only inhabitants were wild animals, the nearest postoffice and trading point being the town of Batesville, which was then a very small place. He has made this his home ever since, and at one time owned over 2,000 acres of land. He now owns about 1,000 acres, and has 100 acres under cultivation, owning one of the finest farms in Sharp County. In 1861 he organized Company I, and joined McCarver's regiment of Arkansas infantry, and for the first four months was stationed at Pocahontas, then at Fort Pillow, and lastly at Corinth, where he was discharged after six months' service. After the war he returned home, and for several years was justice of the peace, an office he also held in Tennessee. In 1845 he was elected county and probate judge of Lawrence County, and at the expiration of his term, on two different occasions, was re-elected. In 1874 he was elected supervisor of Sharp County, and in 1878 county and probate judge for two years. Before the war, Judge Nunn established the Sidney postoffice, and was postmaster for three years; and after peace had been declared he had the office restored, and was appointed postmaster again. In politics, he has been a Democrat ever since the war, and was a Whig before that event. He became a member of the I. O. O. F. in 1845, and a Mason several years later, and is a member of the Royal Arch Chapter. Judge Nunn is well known and universally respected throughout Northeast Arkansas. He is one of its oldest inhabitants, and has lived to see that portion of the State grow up from its infancy, to be dotted with productive farms, thriving towns and enterprising citizens. He has been a member of the Presbyterian Church since his fourteenth year, as also were both wives, and was an elder for over forty years.
 

Abner J. Porter, judge of the county and probate court of Sharp County, and a leading attorney of that place, was born in Williamson County, Tenn., in the year 1831. He is the son of William C. and Judith R. (Owen) Porter, the former born in Rockingham County, N. C., in 1803, and the latter in Davidson County, Tenn., in 1804. The parents were married in Williamson County, Tenn., in 1824, and resided there until the year 1836, when they moved to Weakley County, Tenn., and from there to Springfield, Mo., in 1856. In 1866 they settled in Sharp County, Ark., where the father died in 1878, and the mother in 1881. The elder Porter was a prominent farmer and a leading citizen of Sharp County during his life, and was held in the highest esteem by his fellow citizens. He was a son of Dudley Porter, of North Carolina, who removed to Tennessee in 1811, and died three months after his arrival. His father was John Porter, who lost another son at the battle of Charleston, during the Revolution. Judge Porter's parents had eleven sons, of whom seven are living: Their names are Robert G., a resident of Sharp County; William G., a tobacconist of Springfield, Mo.; Judge Abner J. Porter; Rev. Peter O., of Sharp County; Jesse W., residing in the same county; Henry W., of Randolph County, and Felix R., a prominent lawyer of Springfield, Mo. Five of them gave their services to the Confederate cause, Abner J., John W., Jesse W., Benjamin F. (who was captured and died in prison at Chicago), and Felix R. In his youth Judge Porter received a common school education, and also applied himself to the higher branches of education, which he mastered without the aid of a teacher. He had commenced the study of law at Springfield, Mo., when the war called him from his books, and he joined Capt. Thomason's company of the Fifty-second Volunteer Tennessee Infantry. In the spring of 1862 he was sent home on furlough, on account of disability, but after recovering from his afflictions he re-joined the army under Gen. Forrest's command, becoming a member of Col. Wilson's Tennessee regiment. He held the rank of orderly sergeant in Capt. Dudley's company, and served about one year longer, taking part in a number of engagements during that time. Judge Porter was married in Weakley County, Tenn., in 1866, to Miss Mary J. Carter, a daughter of Jerome and Mary (Matthews) Carter, of North Carolina and Tennessee, respectively, and they are the parents of five sons and three daughters: Ada J., William C., Thomas J., James O., Ida R., Mary E., John W. and Granville D. In 1867 the Judge arrived in Sharp County, and located at Evening Shade, where he entered the grocery business, and practiced law until 1875. He then settled on his present place of residence, and commenced farming, and now has about 100 acres under cultivation, owning 320 acres altogether in two farms. He is considered to be one of the best farmers in Sharp County, and has also continued the practice of law, with gratifying success, both in the justice and circuit courts. In 1878 he was elected judge of the county and probate courts for two years, and filled the office with distinction. The soundness of his judgment and the correctness of his views made him the most available man for that position, and he was again elected in 1888. In politics he is a Democrat, and has been one all his life. He is strong in upholding the principles and men of his party, and is one of its staunchest adherents. The Judge has been a member of Evening Shade Lodge No. 141, A. F. & A. M., since 1867, and is also a member of Royal Arch Chapter No. 52, at Evening Shade. He belongs to the Baptist Church, while his wife is a Presbyterian.
 

Elijah Ratliff is a farmer of Union Township, near Martin's Creek postoffice. His grandfather was one of the first settlers of Pike County, Ky., where he died. Robert R., the father of our subject, was born in Kentucky, about 1816; was married there to Polly Edwards, and in 1854 emigrated to Texas County, Mo., being one of the early settlers of that county. In 1862 he moved to Arkansas. He was a soldier in the late war, was captured and taken prisoner to Alton, Ill., where he died in 1866. His wife, who died about 1865, was the mother of nine children, our subject being the sixth. He was raised and received most of his schooling in Texas County, Mo. In 1871 Elijah married Miss Nancy Garner, who was born in Sharp County, Ark., in 1849, the daughter of John and Rena Garner. They have six children living: John R., William H., Martha E., Mary J., George W. (deceased), Albert and James. Mr. Ratliff has resided in Sharp County since 1870, and has about 400 acres of land, about ninety of which are  under cultivation, 200 acres in Fulton County, Ark., and 200 on Martin's Creek. In politics he is a Democrat, having cast his first presidential vote for Cleveland. Our subject and his wife are both members of the Christian Church.