James C. Anderson, an influential farmer of Craighead County, is a native of Bedford County, Tenn. The paternal grandfather, Isaac Anderson, was a native of Virginia, and married Elizabeth Hunter, from Maryland. They settled in Tennessee, and here Richard Anderson, the father of James C., was born. He grew to manhood in that State, and married Martha Campbell, also born and reared there. There are now four survivors of their family of nine children. Richard Anderson served creditably as a captain in the late war, and was esteemed by all as a good soldier and a worthy citizen. He was an active member of the I. O. O. F. James C. also served in the late war as a lieutenant, and participated in a number of engagements, among them New Madrid and Island No. 10. He has now a large farm of 400 acres, much of which is excellent land, and under cultivation. His farm is well stocked with horses, mules and cattle. He was united in marriage with Susan Nance, a native of Tennessee, and after her death was again married, this time selecting Martha Jackson, who was born and reared in Alabama. She came to Arkansas in 1870 with her father, who is a prominent citizen and postmaster at Bono. Eight children have been born to this union. Mr. Anderson is a member of the Masonic order and of the I. O. O. F., and has occupied official chairs in both of these orders. He and his wife are members of the Methodist Church.
 

Edwin G. Barrett. Prominent among the prosperous and intelligent young farmers of Craighead County, may be mentioned the name of Edwin G. Barrett, a native of the county, born April 21, 1859. His paternal grandfather was Caswell Barrett, a native of South Carolina, who was reared in that State and all his life followed agricultural pursuits. He was born in 1793 and died in 1830. [p.318] His wife, Nancy (Ferguson) Barrett, also a native of South Carolina, was of Irish descent, and to their union were born two sons and two daughters, the only survivor being Arthur J., who is now a prominent planter of Craighead County. He was born in Greenville District, S. C., August 31, 1821, and was reared on the farm, receiving a very good education. In 1858, to better his fortune, he concluded to come to Arkansas, and with his wife and three children and household goods, started in a wagon for this State. After traveling sixty days, he drove up and unhitched his wagon at his present farm, where he has lived ever since. There are 140 acres in the homestead, about ninety under cultivation, and he has also eighty-three acres of very rich land on the edge of “Cache Bottom.” He has always been a Democrat in politics, but has never aspired to office. Before the war, he was county surveyor for one term, and during the war was in the Confederate service. He was married October 11, 1849, to Eunice Barton, a native of Georgia, whose parents were Willoughby and Sarah (West) Barton, both natives of South Carolina. Her mother died in 1844, and her father afterward came to Arkansas and died in White County in 1862. Of Mr. and Mrs. Barrett's ten children, only five are living, viz., William F. (married to Marzee Watkins), Mary (wife of Peyton Watkins), Edwin G. (the immediate subject of this sketch), and Sarah and Eliza at home. Those deceased are: Albert, Gilford, Luther, John and Nancy. Nancy was the wife of S. A. Neal(should be Seth Adam Niell), and left three little children, Arthur, Marvin and Ida Myrtle. Mr. and Mrs. Barrett and their entire family are members of the Missionary Baptist Church, and those deceased were members. Edwin G. was reared on his father's farm, receiving a very fair education. He has been principally engaged in farming, but was for a while a clerk in the mercantile trade. He has a nice farm of seventy-five acres, forty of which are splendidly improved. January 20, 1885, he married Julia Dodds, a daughter of Allen and Julia (Saye) Dodds, residents of this county. This union has been blessed by two children: Alva and Margaret. Mr. Barrett is a man of strong political convictions, and is a Democrat. Both he and his wife are devout Christians, the former a member of the Missionary Baptist Church, and the latter of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South.
 

J. R. Blalack, was born in Monroe County, Miss., October 2, 1849. He is the son of Josiah and Elizabeth (Hendrix) Blalack, both natives of Mississippi. They twice came to Arkansas, but returned each time to their native home, where they both died, the father in 1865 and the mother in the winter of 1885-86. They were the parents of eleven children, six of whom are now living, and four in this county: John, George, Willis and James R., all farmers. J. R. Blalack was reared in his native State and obtained but a moderate education. When yet a young man he came with his father's family to Arkansas and located in Craighead County. In the spring of 1869 he was united in marriage with Sophia Miranda Herrin, a native of Georgia. After his marriage he farmed for awhile, then went to Prairie County, Ark., remaining two years. Then he moved to Bourbon County, Kas., and after eleven months returned to Arkansas. He was on St. Francis River two months, operated a cotton-gin on Big Bay for one year, then he came to his present farm, where he rented forty-five acres and a gin, ginning 300 bales of cotton that year. He then purchased thirty acres of land, added to it for two years, and for two years more ran a saw-mill. After another year of farming he bought ten acres of land, moved to his present location, and in connection with James M. Herrin erected a combined cotton-gin and cornmeal, which they operate together. By economy and earnest endeavor he has been generally successful. One of his farms contains 100 acres and the other forty, with two acres for a home place. He is a Mason, holding membership in Jonesboro Lodge No. 129, and is a Democrat. He never sought office but was always content to bear the brunt of the burden in the field or mills. He is the father of seven children: Aden C., Philip C., Pervison W., Dell D., Modena, Taylor and Zenobia.
 

John Boren (deceased) was a successful farmer and greatly respected citizen of Maumelle Township. [p.319] He was born in Washington County, Tenn., but was mostly reared in Macon County, N. C., his parents having gone there when he was a small child. He remained there until 1859, when he came to Arkansas, locating on a place near Big Bay. With the beginning of the war he entered the Confederate service, and remained through the entire conflict, making a very creditable military record. He was in several engagements and had many narrow escapes; he had been promoted to the office of first lieutenant when he was captured near Mount Vernon. He was then taken to Johnson's Island, where he was retained as prisoner for eight months. His comrades all remember him as a brave and gallant soldier. He died August 29, 1869. His widow, whose maiden name was Charlotte Gouldman, was born in Richmond County, Va., in 1832, and is a daughter of Robert and Nancy (Parker) Gouldman, natives of the “Old Dominion.” Her father, who was a farmer by occupation, was born about 1803, and died in November of 1838: the mother was born in July, 1805, and survived her husband until 1842. About a year previous to her death she had moved with her family first to Tennessee and later to Alabama. Of the eight children born to this union, four are still living. Mrs. Boren was the fourth child and grew to womanhood in Alabama, where she was first married to Benjamin C. Vick, a native of Limestone County, Ala., born in 1827, and died July 29, 1860. Mr. and Mrs. Vick came to Arkansas in 1857, locating on the place where he soon afterward died, and where his widow still resides. He was a charitable and enterprising citizen and a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. They were the parents of six children, three of whom are living. William J, is a promising and substantial farmer and school teacher, educated at the Bethel Institute, Tenn., who has taught school for eight years, and served as justice of the peace for ten. He married C. E. Tabor, a native of Kentucky, September 29, 1878, and they are the parents of three children: Mary, Benjamin and Willis. Frances M. and Benjamin C. are the two other children of Mrs. Boren by her first husband. Those deceased were Joseph. Preston and an infant. To Mr. and Mrs. Boren were born three children: Mary T., James C., and Martha L. (deceased). Mrs. Boren has a splendid farm, and displays much executive ability in its management.

 Simon M. Bowman.(Family Chart) Prominent among the prosperous and enterprising citizens of Lake City Township may be mentioned the subject of this sketch, who is a leading farmer and stock raiser, and also proprietor of a cotton-gin and saw-mill. He was born in Henderson County, Tenn., in 1847, and is a son of Joshua and Sally (Easley) Bowman, natives of Tennessee. They were reared and married in the “Old Volunteer State,” where the father died in 1856. One year later the mother moved with her family to Arkansas, and located on the Maumelle Prairie in this county, where she remained until 1862, when she removed to Crowley's Ridge, returning but shortly afterward to the Prairie. To Mr. and Mrs. Bowman were born eight children, two of whom are now living: Simon M. and Mrs. Margaret Butcher. Mrs. Bowman was again married to Moses W. Lewis (now deceased), by whom she was the mother of one child, Perry E. Lewis. She married the third time, and after a life of charitable usefulness, died about 1871. Simon M. Bowman attained his majority in this county, and in 1869 moved to the place where he has since resided. He now has about 400 acres of land, with 110 under cultivation, over sixty of which he has cleared and cultivated himself. He has a good residence, tenant house, orchard, etc. In 1888 he built a cotton-gin and sawmill in partnership with his half brother, Perry E. Lewis, and that year they ginned 127 bales of cotton. Mr. Bowman was first married in 1868, to Miss Sarah Harris, a native of the State, who died in June, 1873, leaving two children, Melinda, and Perry, both now deceased. For his second wife, he married his first wife's sister, Alice Harris, the fruits of which union have been nine children. There are seven living: Mary, Oscar, John, Rosa, Amos, Willie and Ada. Those deceased are Sally and Jimmie. Mr. and Mrs. Bowman are members of the Methodist Church.
 

 Jesse C. Broadaway(Family Chart) was born in Lincoln County, Tenn., October 27, 1829, and is the son of Yancy and Elizabeth (Hodges) Broadaway, the former born in North Carolina in 1801, the latter a native of Lincoln County, Tennessee. When the father was yet a boy, his parents moved to Tennessee, where he was reared and educated in his wife's native county. Mr. and Mrs. Broadaway were the parents of eleven children, seven sons and four daughters, six of whom are still living, all in this county. Mr. Broadaway all his life engaged in farming and stock raising, and in Tennessee was very successful in that occupation, and was also elected to some local offices. He came to Arkansas in the fall of 1841, and here engaged in farming and reared his family. He was elected justice of the peace, and held that office for eighteen years; also served one term as county and probate judge. He and wife were devoted Christians, and zealous members of the Missionary Baptist Church. After a long life of usefulness, he died April 14, 1885, aged eighty four years. His wife still survives him, and makes her home with one of her sons. The family is of English descent. Jesse C. Broadaway, the immediate subject of this sketch, is one of the thrifty and successful farmers of the county. He owns about 250 acres of good land, and of this has about seventy-five acres in a flourishing state of cultivation. November 15, 1855, he was married to Nancy Jane Harris, a native of Craighead County, Ark., born November 18, 1837, and died March 29, 1885. Their union was blessed by eleven children, five of whom are yet living: William R., Y. E. W., Robert J., Leila L. and Lula L.
 

George M. Broadaway, (Family Chart)a substantial agriculturist and stock dealer of Craighead County, was born in Lincoln County, Tenn., January 1, 1832, and is a son of Yancy and Elizabeth (Hodges) Broadaway, natives of North Carolina and Tennessee, respectively [see sketch of Jesse C. Broadaway]. January 3, 1856, he was united in marriage with Delila Cline, who was born in Alabama August 21, 1836, and died December 23, 1861. Of this union two children were the issue: John C. and Andrew C. January 20, 1868, Miss Cynthia Barnett became his second wife. She is a native of Mississippi, and a daughter of John and Jano (Willhite) Barnett, natives of Middle Tennessee, who came to Arkansas in 1864. Mr. Broadaway enlisted, in 1862, in the support of the Confederate cause, and served until the surrender. He has a large, nicely improved farm, and devotes much time and care to stock raising. He is a thorough Democrat, and in the support of progress and enterprise, one of the foremost men of the county. Mrs. Broadaway is a member of the Baptist denomination, which church the family attend.
 

Anderson R. Broadaway, a prominent merchant of Lake City, is a native of Craighead County, born August 1, 1850. He is a son of Judge Broadaway [see sketch of Jesse C. Broadaway], and like his father, by energy, enterprise and strict integrity, has attained the position among his fellow citizens of a leading business man. He grew to manhood in this county, and remained at home until his father's death, in 1885. In early life he engaged in farming, but in 1883 began selling groceries in Jonesboro, and continued in that business for three years, at the same time dealing in railroad ties, timber, etc. In 1887 he purchased an established business at Lake City, and has since been enjoying a splendid trade in general merchandise. He keeps a good stock, and has established an enviable reputation for fair and strictly honest dealing. June 4, 1874, he was united in marriage with Julia Minton, a native of Alabama, and daughter of F. M. Minton. Their union has been blessed by two children: Ira Galon and Era E. Mr. Broadaway is a member of the Knights and Ladies of Honor, and both he and wife belong to the Missionary Baptist Church.

 
J. C. Brookfield, a careful student, a fluent speaker, and an able and successful lawyer, is a pioneer citizen of Northeast Arkansas, born in Lawrence County, Ark., July 14, 1829. The Brookfield family are of Scotch and English origin, and were early emigrants to America. Isaac Brookfield, Sr., the paternal grandfather of J. C., came with his wife, Hannah, from England, and settled in Newark, N. J., and there they resided until their respective deaths. James Campbell, the maternal grandfather of our subject, was of [p.321] Scotch Irish descent; and his wife, whose maiden name was Wilson, was descended from the Rhine Dutch, and was a sister of Col. Wilson, once speaker of the House of Representatives, who killed Col. Anthony in the State-house at Little Rock. Mr. and Mrs. Campbell emigrated to Lawrence County, Ark., in the fall of 1812, and were among the very first settlers. About 1821 he was elected sheriff of the county, which then comprised several of the present counties, and served for some time in that capacity. Isaac Brookfield, Jr., the father of J. C., through the influence of Bishop Asbury, came from New Jersey to St. Louis in 1819, as a missionary to the Indians. He was a minister of the Methodist Episcopal Church, was thoroughly educated, and possessed that power and magnetism of speech and character so necessary to a successful preacher. In 1823 he married Nancy Campbell, and after locating settled in Lawrence County, where he continued his Master's work, and lived an earnest, zealous and consistent Christian life. In 1825 be began mercantile business, his dry-goods, which were shipped from New York, being six months in reaching their destination; his groceries were principally from New Orleans. He continued this business until his death, in 1844. His wife died in 1875. To them were born a family of six children. J. C. Brookfield was reared on the farm, receiving his education mainly at Batesville, Ark. After his father's death, he closed up the business, and engaged in rafting on the St. Francis River, thus earning sufficient means to educate himself. When twenty-one years of age he began the study of law, and was admitted to the bar in Poinsett County, Ark., October 23, 1853. He immediately began practice in Harrisburg, and his practice, now extending over all adjoining counties, still embraces that court. In 1883 he moved to Jonesboro, where he has since made his home. At the opening of the late war he was captain of a company of militia, and once served as deputy clerk of Poinsett County, but has never aspired to office, rather choosing to serve his party than ask of it official favor. He has been for many years a leading lawyer of Northeast Arkansas, and enjoys, in its fullest extent, the love, respect and confidence of his people. He was first married, in 1855, to Susan C. Arledge, and to them were born five children, two now living: Mrs. Mary L. Roleson and Mrs. Ida A. Ware. Mrs. Brookfield died in 1871, and three years later Mr. Brookfield was married to Mrs. Julia F. Pope, who was the mother of one child, Albert M. Pope. Mr. and Mrs. Brookfield are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South, and he is prominent both as a Mason and an Oddfellow.

 
Abraham Brown,(Family Chart ) farmer and stock raiser of Maumelle Township, is a son of David Brown, a native of North Carolina, and was born in Haywood County, N. C., October 6, 1832. The father was reared in his native State and married Rhoda Chastine, a native of South Carolina. After his marriage he moved to Georgia, where he engaged in both farming and blacksmithing for a number of years. In 1858 he came to Arkansas, locating on Crowley's Ridge, in Poinsett County, where he resided until his death, in August, 1858. He had lost his wife in 1850 and had married a second time. Abraham Brown grew to manhood in Georgia, and until his father's death remained with him. After his death he went to Jonesboro and ran a horse-mill (that was some time before the existence of the town), and also engaged in farming for two years. September 17, 1861, he entered the Confederate army under Col. Marsh Walker and served until the close of the war, when he surrendered at Wittsburgh, in May, 1865. He was second sergeant and was in several engagements, among them New Madrid, Mo., and Island No. 10, at the latter of which places he was taken prisoner, and held five and one-half months at Camp Butler, Ill. He was exchanged at Vicksburg, and was afterward in the siege at Port Hudson. After the surrender he returned to this county and soon settled on the place where he now resides. In 1863 he had purchased forty acres of timbered land, which he then began to clear and improve. He has 600 acres in one tract and forty in another. He has cleared ninety acres of rich and valuable land; the remainder is timbered. March 16, 1865, he was married in this township to Sarah Thorn, a native of Kentucky, but reared in Arkansas. Her [p.322] father, Jesse Thorn, was one of the pioneer settlers of Maumelle Township. Mr. Brown has a family of seven children: Nancy C. (wife of Guy Winningham), Adella, Newton, Alsa, Abraham, Joseph A. and Silas. Both Mr. and Mrs. Brown are consistent Christians and members of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
 

E. F. Brown, a leading and prominent attorney, of Jonesboro, Ark., was born in McNairy County, Tenn., November 22, 1844, and is a son of William F. Brown and Nettie (Swain) Brown, the former a native of Virginia, and the latter of Tennessee, who in 1858 came to Randolph County, Ark., locating near Pocahontas. Here Mr. Brown engaged in farming and mercantile business until his death in 1869. His wife died two years later. To their union were born thirteen children, only four of whom are now living. E. F. Brown was the fourth child, and when fourteen years of age came with his parents to Arkansas. He received a common school education, and in 1862, in the early part of the late war, enlisted in Col. Kitchens' regiment, Reeves' company, and served until the close of the conflict, surrendering under Gen. Jeff Thompson, at Wittsburg, Ark. He was in battle at Whitewater bridge, Redlief farm, Little Missouri and Saline Rivers, and Little Rock. Peace having been restored, he returned home, and completed his education. He was admitted to the bar in 1871, and in 1872 took a course of lectures in the law department at Lebanon, Tenn., and in July, 1873, located at Oak Bluff, Clay County, where he began the practice of his chosen profession. The following year he was elected a delegate to the constitutional convention, and in 1875-76 represented the First district in the Senate. In 1878 he was elected prosecuting attorney of the Second judicial district, and was re-elected to the same office. In 1883 he came to Jonesboro, where he has since been engaged in the practice of his profession. He was married, in 1879, to Ada Parrish, daughter of N. C. Parrish, of Humphreys County, Tenn., and their union has been blessed by one child, Doswell. Mr. Brown has a beautiful residence in Jonesboro, and has one of the finest libraries in Northeast Arkansas. He is a member of both the A. F. & A. M. and the I. O. O. F., and he and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. He is a loader of the Democratic party, as a lawyer is an able and fluent speaker, and as a business man his career has been one of unusual success.
 

J. G. Bryant, a leading merchant at Ridge, Craighead County, was born in Madison County, Ga., September 20, 1843, and is the son of Jason and Elizabeth (Berryman) Bryant, both natives of the same State. They came to Craighead County December 25, 1857, locating in Big Bay Bottom, where they remained until their deaths. The father died September 6, 1858, the mother December 22, 1868. They were the parents of three children, the two surviving being residents of this county: John G., the subject of this sketch, and Elizabeth, wife of J. T. Dudley. The father was a quiet, industrious man, and the mother a devoted Christian and member of the Missionary Baptist Church. John G. was reared on a farm in Big Bay Bottom, and has been a farmer all his life. In 1885 he bought of Burst & Stills a stock of goods, at Big Bay Siding, and carried on a mercantile business at that point until January 5, 1889, when he removed his stock of goods to Ridge. By industry and integrity he has established a good and successful business in general merchandise. He has two farms in Greenfield Township, one of eighty acres, thirty-three under cultivation, and the other of 160 acres, with seventy-six under cultivation. He was married November 29, 1868, to Mary H. McGown, daughter of Sam and Sarah (Tannehill) McGown, early settlers of this county. Mr. and Mrs. Bryant are the parents of eight children, three deceased: John D. and two infants. Those surviving are Sarah E., wife of J. R. Fuller; Nancy O., Charlie W. and Thomas A. Mrs. Bryant possesses many true womanly virtues, and is a consistent member of the Missionary Baptist Church. During the Civil War Mr. Bryant was a member of Company I, in McNiel's battalion, serving under Price. He was in active service from June, 1862, until the surrender, participating in several engagements in both Louisiana and Arkansas. He has never sought office, but is a strong Democrat and an influential citizen.
 

Hon. W. H. Cate. The origin of this family in the United States dates from 1752, when three brothers of that name emigrated from Wales and located in America. One of the brothers took up his residence in New England, and but little is known of him or his descendants; while the other two settled in the South, and from this branch of the family the subject of this sketch is descended. That they took an active part in the struggle for independence is well known, and after the war they became tillers of the soil in the South, probably in North Carolina, as the paternal grandfather was a native of that State. He was a pioneer settler of Jefferson County, Tenn., and it was here that his son Noah, the father of W. H., was born. Few men were better or more favorably known in Tennessee than the Rev. Noah Cate. He married Mrs. Margaret M. Lee, a widow whose maiden name was Henderson, a native of the famous Shenandoah Valley, Va.; he was for forty years a minister of the Baptist Church, and a faithful worker in his Master's vineyard. In 1865 he came to Jonesboro, Ark., and it was largely through his efforts that the present Baptist Church at that place was built. His was an active, zealous, consistent Christian life, and one well worthy of emulation. He died at Jonesboro, October 23, 1871, and his wife at Peirce City, Mo., in March, 1876. Only two of the children born to these parents survive them: W. H., the subject of this memoir, and a daughter, Mrs. J. N. Patrick, a resident of East Tennessee. The maternal grandfather of W. H. Cate was a native of Scotland, and was killed at the battle of Bladensburg. Two uncles served as soldiers under Jackson, and other members of the family in the same and later wars, some of them winning distinction by their zeal and bravery. W. H. Cate was born in Rutherford County, Tenn., being reared in Sullivan and Hawkins Counties, when he attended the common school in his early youth, later entering an academy at Abingdon, Va., for some time, and also one at Rogersville. Tenn., and at the early age of eighteen years graduated from the State University at Knoxville, Tenn. His father, like most ministers, had but limited means, and could assist but little in defraying his son's expenses while at school. After graduating he began teaching school, and at the same time took up the study of law. While thus engaged, the war broke out, and dropping his studies, he espoused the Southern cause. The year the war closed he located at Jonesboro, and resumed the study of law, so abruptly yet cheerfully dropped five years previous. In 1866 he was admitted to the bar, and was soon enjoying a good practice. He has now practically retired from practice, but was for years one of the leading attorneys of Northeast Arkansas. In March, 1884, he was appointed judge of the Second judicial district, and the following September was elected to the same position. In 1887 he organized the Bank of Jonesboro, and was its first president. He was for some years attorney for the St. Louis, Arkansas & Texas, and the Iron Mountain & Southern Railroads. He is a large land owner, and has been at times extensively engaged in farming. In the fall of 1888, after a hard and exciting contest, he was chosen to represent the people of the First district in Congress. In 1868 Miss Virginia E. Warner, a native of Dresden, Tenn., became his wife. They have one child, William W., a promising young man, and a student at Bryant and Stratton's College, St. Louis. It can be truly said of W. H. Cate that he is in the fullest acceptation of the term, a self-made man. As the son of a poor minister, he worked his way through college, graduating with honors at the age of eighteen years; while yet a boy, he was found bravely risking his life for a cause he believed to be right, and before the period of his service had closed, holding a captain's commission; a few years later a leading attorney of Northeast Arkansas, he was elected to the legislature in 1871 and re-elected in 1873; in 1878 elected prosecuting attorney of the second district, judge of the Second judicial district, president of a bank, and attorney for two large railroad companies. Besides the above, he has held many other positions of honor and trust, and has always acted in such a way as to maintain the respect and confidence of the public. In politics he has always been a Democrat, but has broad, liberal, conservative views, which have gained for him the respect and friendship of men of all parties. He is a man of a pleasant, genial type of character, and has the happy faculty of inspiring those around him with his own bright and sunny life. He and wife are members of the church. leading and popular members of society, and possess social qualities of a high order.
 

J. G. Christian, retired farmer, of Jonesboro Township, was born in Hickman County, Tenn., about seventy-five years ago. His parents. Jesse G. and Nancy (Higginbotham) Christian, were both natives of Georgia. They were among the pioneer settlers of Middle Tennessee, and when the subject of this sketch was six years of age moved to Monroe County, Miss., where a few years later the father died. A short time after the husband's death the mother moved with the family to Tishomingo County, Miss., and in 1837 from there to Greene (now Craighead) County, Ark. Here the mother died about 1841. J. G. Christian was brought up on a farm, and from early boyhood was accustomed to hard work. His educational advantages were very limited, as after the father's death much of the responsibility of caring for the family devolved upon him. This responsibility, like all others encountered during his long and eventful lifetime, was met and overcome. In 1844 at the old homestead he was united in marriage with Susan Mackey, who when a child came with her brother, Elias, from McNairy County, Tenn., to Arkansas. To this union were born the following children; Nancy, wife of Lewis Simonds, a farmer of Jonesboro Township; William W., residing near his father; Tersey, who married A. J. Wilson and died about seven years ago; Jesse, who grew to manhood, married Etta Graham, and died in September, 1887, aged twenty-four years; Polly, Rebecca, John and Tom, at home, and two others who died in childhood. Mrs. Simonds is a member of the Baptist Church. At her death Mrs. Wilson left four children, whom the grandfather is now rearing. Mrs. Christian died March 8, 1887, aged sixty-five years. Mr. Christian has always been engaged in agricultural pursuits, and at present owns a well-improved plantation of 185 acres. He is a Democrat in politics, unassuming but courteous in his manner, and one of the most useful and progressive citizens of Craighead County.

 
James R. Claunch, M. D., was horn in Bedford County, Tenn., in 1833, and is now one of the eminently successful farmers of Lester Township, possessing a thorough and practical knowledge of medicine. His parents, James H. and Charlotte (Bearden) Claunch, were natives, respectively, of Kentucky and South Carolina. They were both greatly respected as citizens, and were members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. South. The father came with his father to Tennessee, and there grew to manhood and followed the occupation of farming. He was born in 1810, and is still living. aged seventy-nine years. The mother was born in 1815, and died in Tennessee April 7, 1882. To them bad been horn nine children, six of whom are still living. Dr. Claunch was the oldest child, and was reared and educated in Tennessee, coming to Arkansas in 1856. He settled in Poinsett County. where he engaged in farming and studied medicine with Dr. Todd W. Beecher, of Harrisburg, who is a graduate from the Ohio Medical College, at Cincinnati. He began practice in that county. January 6, 1860, he was united in marriage with Miss Martha J. Crook, a native of South Carolina, and daughter of Martin Crook. She came with her father to Mississippi in 1854, and to this State in 1859. Her mother died in 1846, and her father in 1858. To Dr. and Mrs. Claunch have been born the following family of children: Thomas M., Lottie L., Anni B., Charles, William, Mahalia C., John B. and Albert M., living, and Laura and Harriet A. G., deceased. They also have with them one granddaughter, Estella Davis. In the War of the Rebellion Dr. Claunch saw much active service. He was in Col. Adams' regiment, and was assistant surgeon with Price on his raid through Missouri. At the close of the war he returned to his farm, and two years later resumed his practice. He came to his present location in Craighead County in 1872. and has since engaged in farming and the practice of medicine. He has a splendid farm of 300 acres, 100 under cultivation, and has a good residence,  orchard and outbuildings. He is a member of the Masonic order, is very successful in his practice, being one of the leading physicians of the county, and greatly respected as a citizen.
 

George W. Clements, a well-to-do farmer, stock raiser and cotton-ginner of Cane Island, was born in Tennessee in 1834. His father, William Clements, was a native of Alabama, and married Miss Melinda Mooney, a native of Georgia. In 1840 they came to Mississippi County, Ark., and a year later settled on a tract of land on Big Lake, renting for about four years, and then moved to Little River neighborhood. Soon after they located in what is now Craighead County, in the Varner settlement. Mrs. Clements died in 1845 and was followed four years later by her husband. They were among the pioneer settlers of Craighead County, and were in all ways most worthy and exemplary citizens. George Clements was reared among the rude surroundings of those days, receiving but a meager education. He was a gallant Confederate soldier and participated in several engagements. He located where he now resides in 1868, and has since been occupied in farming and cotton-ginning. His present gin is one of the best in the county. In 1887 he ginned ninety-eight bales of cotton, and the year following 146 bales. He owns 100 acres of good land, a portion of which is under a high state of cultivation. Mr. Clements has been married four times. His first wife was Sarah McDaniel, who died in 1865, and was the mother of one child, James F. Elizabeth O'Conley became his second wife and one son, George, was born to this union. He married for his third wife Mrs. Susan (Folks) Roberts. His present wife was Mrs. Luanna Smith, who is a daughter of Thomas Slocum; she was born in Madison County, Tenn., but left there when a child ten years of age. Mrs. Clements was the mother of a son by her former husband, but it died in childhood. Mr. and Mrs. Clements are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and are useful and influential members of society. They interest themselves in moral and educational matters and liberally contribute to all worthy enterprises.
 

Rev. J. D. C. Cobb, pastor of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, and editor of the Jonesboro Times, was born in Dyer County, Tenn., July 25, 1838. His parents, Christian S. and Judith (Clapp) Cobb, were natives of Guilford County, N. C., and in 1836 moved to Tennessee, where the father died, He was a farmer of sterling character and worth and was greatly respected by all who knew him. The mother afterward went to Texas and there died. They reared a family of five children, three now living: Jackson D. C., Lucinda S. (wife of Elder E. P. Minton), and Elizabeth S. (wife of Lake Summers). Rev. J. D. C. Cobb was reared and educated in Dyer County, Tenn., remaining on the farm until twenty years of age, and then taught and attended school. When twenty-three years of age he entered the ministry of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church and was licensed to preach, but was not ordained until 1867. During the late war he was chaplain of the Fifteenth Tennessee Cavalry. The war over he returned to his duties, and in 1871 moved to Dunklin County, Mo., and located at Clarkton, where he was pastor until 1874, and then went to Gainesville, Ark., where he remained until 1876, when he came to Jonesboro, where he has since resided. In 1874 he established the Gainesville Times, and two years later moved the paper to Jonesboro, where it has since been a leading and widely circulating journal. In the fire of 1889 the office was burned, but was soon in operation again. The Cumberland Presbyterian Church, too, was burned, and now efforts are being made to build a large brick edifice. Mr. Cobb organized the Cumberland Presbyterian Church at Jonesboro in 1876, and has been its pastor since its organization. Miss Ann E. Kirk, a native of the “Old Dominion,” became his wife in 1861, and they are the parents of two children: William D. and Mary J. Mr. Cobb is a prominent citizen and one of the leading spirits of Jonesboro.

 
George W. Cook, a prominent and well-to-do farmer of Big Creek Township, is the son of James and Elizabeth Cook, natives of Tennessee. The father was for many years a farmer of that State, which occupation he followed until his death, in 1857. The mother was a member of the Methodist [p.326] Church, and both she and her husband were worthy of the respect shown them. Eight children were born to this union, only three of whom are now living. George W. is accounted by all one of the prominent farmers of Craighead County, having a large, well-cultivated farm, splendidly stocked with horses, cattle and fine hogs. His marriage to Miss Sarah J. Kitchens was consummated in 1865, and to their union have been born twelve children, seven of whom are living. One daughter is married to James Coward, and the youngest is two years old. Mr. Cook is a man of sterling worth in the community. He belongs to both the Masonic order and the Eastern Star, is a member of the Missionary Baptist Church, and gives freely of his means for the promotion of progressive movements.
 

James F. Cross is a substantial and public spirited citizen of Craighead County, and has a large, well improved farm of 120 acres, about three miles from Jonesboro. He was born in Shelby County, Tenn., July 29, 1840, and is the son of B. F. Cross, a native of Giles County. Tenn., and a substantial farmer of that State. In 1844 the father came to Craighead County (then Poinsett), and located near Greensboro, where he bought eighty acres of land, and engaged in farming for several years. Ten or twelve years later he came to Jonesboro Township, where he rented land until his death, in 1877. He was a member of the Sons of Temperance at an early day, and was honored by local offices in Powell Township. His wife, Mary (Hannah) Cross, was a native of North Carolina, and six children blessed their union, five sons and one daughter. Of these, James F., J. H. and Benjamin R. are the only survivors. The mother died in this township in December, 1887, aged about sixty-seven years. All his life James F. Cross has been a resident of the same settlement in Craighead County, excepting the four years of the late war. In 1861 he entered the Confederate service, enlisting in Company I, Thirteenth Arkansas Infantry, and served four years and seventeen days. After the war he bought eighty acres of his farm, and has since added forty. April 23, 1869, he married Mary J. Higginbotham, a native of Poinsett County, Ark., and daughter of Franklin and Nancy (Edwards) Higginbotham, residents of this township. Five children have been born to this union: William Thomas (deceased), John Franklin, Mary Melvina, Stephen Lafayette and Jodella. Mr. Cross has all his life been an energetic and industrious man, and though he received no education in his childhood, has been a successful farmer, and accumulated a valuable property. He has been a member of the Masonic order, and is a Democrat.

 
Hon. Thomas D. Culberhouse, farmer, merchant and lumber manufacturer, was born in Bedford County, Tenn., March 10, 1836, and is a son of Moses Culberhouse, a native of North Carolina, and a grandson of Thomas Culberhouse, who was born in Berkshire, England. Moses Culberhouse was an extensive farmer and stock dealer in his native State, and there married Parthenia Roberts, a native of North Carolina, and in 1834, emigrated to Tennessee. Eighteen years later they came to Greene (now Craighend) County, and here Moses Culberhouse died in 1871 or 1872. His wife is still living, and resides with her son, George, of Jonesboro. She is now seventy-four years of age. They were the parents of nine children, four now living: Thomas D., Nancy J. (wife of William Puryear). Angeline (wife of James Haynes), and George W. Thomas D. was reared in Tennessee, and received but a common school education. In 1852 he came with his parents to this county, and until 1859 followed farming; he then engaged in the grocery business, which he continued until the spring of 1862. In February of that year he enlisted in Company I, Twenty-third Arkansas Infantry, served two months as a private, and was then sent home on furlough. He came home and raised a company with Capt. Adair, and was made first lieutenant of Col. Hart's regiment, McCray's brigade. He served with them until about November, 1863, after the battles of Helena, Little Rock and Prairie Grove, when, retreating toward Arkadelphia, he was sent home on recruiting service. He raised another company, which became Company I, Twenty-third Arkansas Cavalry. Mr. Culberhouse was made a scout, and served as such until the surrender [p.327] at Wittsburg. After the war he returned home and made crops in 1865 and 1866, and then engaged in mercantile pursuits, and has since been engaged in merchandising, farming, saw-milling and stock-raising. About 1880 he located the town of Culberhouse, on the Kansas City, Springfield & Memphis Railroad, and now has a general store there, also has a saw-mill, cotton-mill and shingle-machine. The postoffice was established in 1887, and named in honor of our subject. Mr. Culherhouse is a large landholder, owning about 6,000 acres of combined farm and timber-land, and has almost 1,000 under cultivation. He also gives a great deal of attention to raising fine breeds of stock–Norman horses. Poland China and Berkshire hogs and Durham cattle. He imported his cattle from Kentucky, and in 1879 bought an imported Norman horse, pure breed, which has about 800 descendants in Craighead and adjoining counties. He has taken the premium at each fair where exhibited, and some of his horses are quite speedy, having taken premiums at the last Paragould fair. July 6, 1854, he was united in marriage with Sarah Elizabeth Coleman, a native of Tennessee, and a daughter of Chastine A. Coleman. There are six survivors of the ten children born to this union: Sarah Jane (wife of Sam. A. Warner. Jr., president of the Bank of Jonesboro), W. D. (farmer and merchant). Virginia A. (wife of Thomas Elder, of Jonesboro), R. S. (merchant of Jonesboro, who married Mrs. Willie Wooten, of Mississippi), Katie (wife of Mr. Pace, a merchant of Jonesboro), and Thomas (at home). Mrs. Culberhouse was a member of the Methodist Church, and died in that faith in 1882. Mr. Culberhouse was again married June 10, 1884, this time selecting Miss Pattie Wooten, of Mississippi. Mrs. Culberhouse is a member of the Baptist Church, and possesses social qualities of a high order. Mr. Culberhouse is a prominent Mason, belonging to the Blue Lodge, Chapter and Commandery, and is also connected with the Knights of Honor. He is a Democrat in politics, and in the session of 1885-86 represented Craighead County in the State legislature.