GOODSPEED'S BIOGRAPHICAL AND HISTORICAL MEMOIRS

GOODSPEED'S BIOGRAPHICAL AND HISTORICAL MEMOIRS OF NORTHEASTERN ARKANSAS Lawrence County Arkansas A through C Jacob S. Allison, a farmer and stock raiser whom Lawrence County can feel proud to claim as a citizen, was born in Burke County, N. C., November 12, 1837. He is a son of Bird and Elizabeth (Davis) Allison, of the same State. The elder Allison was a farmer in North Carolina, until the year 1859, when he moved to Cocke County, Tenn., and from there to Alabama, where he now resides with his wife, very near the age of one hundred years. Jacob remained with his parents in North Carolina, until he grew to manhood, and then started in life on his own account. In 1861 he enlisted in the Twenty-second North Carolina Infantry, and served in that company until the close of the war. He took part in the battles around Richmond, at Manassas, Chancellorsville, the seven days' battle, in the Wilderness, the fights and siege at Petersburg, Cedar Creek, and others, besides twenty or more skirmishes. He was wounded twice, through the shoulder, at Shepherdstown, by rifle balls, and had one finger shot off. His service for the cause was brilliant, and there are few that are superior. After receiving his discharge he returned to the State of Tennessee, where he remained up to 1871, when he moved to Arkansas and located at Clover Bend. He first bought some land near Stranger's Home, and has since then added to it on different occasions, until now he owns about 1,400 acres of rich bottom land, with about 200 acres under cultivation. He has ten houses altogether on his land, eight of them being on the home farm. When Mr. Allison first came to Lawrence County, all he possessed was $90 cash, and two beds, and was in debt to the extent of $100, which he has since paid. He now owns a fine farm, and is considered to be one of the most substantial men in Lawrence County. He was married, in 1869, to Miss Sallie Storey, of Tennessee, a daughter of William Storey, and has had seven children by his marriage: William, Clara, Rose, Pearl, Lizzie, Robert Lee and Zola. Mr. Allison is a Master Mason, and he and Mrs. Allison are both members of the Eastern Star Chapter.

Sidney W. Andrews, of Sexton & Andrews, druggists, was born in Jefferson County, Ill., January 12, 1855, and is a son of Seymour Andrews and Martha C. (Hendrickson) Andrews, now residing in Centralia, Ill. The parents had ten children born to them, five of whom are still living, S. W. Andrews being the only one in Arkansas, however. Mr. Andrews was reared in Centralia, and received a common school education. In the year 1871 he learned telegraphy, in Centralia, Ill., and accepted a situation as telegraph operator at Georgetown, Ill. Soon thereafter he emigrated to Arkansas, and in 1874 entered the employ of the St. Louis, Iron Mountain & Southern Railway Company as agent and operator at Bradford, remaining in their service at Bradford and Walnut Ridge until January, 1887, when he formed a partnership with Joseph K. Sexton in the drug trade, and has had fair success. He is a Mason, and a member of the Knights and Ladies of Honor, also of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South, and is treasurer of the town. He was united in wedlock to Mrs. Belle E. (Raney) Matthews, May [p.772] 3, 1883, and has had two children: Sidney Mills, born March 7, 1884, died with whooping cough August 16, 1884; Alonzo Bertrand, born October 29, 1885, died with membranous croup August 24, 1889. His wife is also a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South.

Joseph Bagley (deceased) was born in Bedford, Penn., February 23, 1802, and is the son of Samuel Bagley, a native of Scotland (who came to the State of Pennsylvania at a very early day), and Martha (Bentle) Bagley. He was reared in the neighborhood of Bedford, or Bedford Springs, Penn., and in his younger days drove a hack, and did considerable freighting between Philadelphia and the above-named places. When between the age of twenty-one and twenty-two he enlisted in the United States regular army for five years, and, on one occasion, was sent with his company up the Missouri River, as far as the mouth of the Yellowstone. After his five years' service was up he was discharged from the army, at Jefferson Barracks, and came to Illinois, where he resided one year. From there he traveled down the Mississippi to Jacksonport, Ark., about the year 1829 or 1830, and was there married to Miss Annie Gibson, of Lawrence County, daughter of Jacob Gibson. Within a short time after his marriage he moved to this section, and commenced farming, until his death, April 6, 1872, at the age of seventy years. His grave is on Col. Ponder's farm, at Old Walnut Ridge. He was among the early settlers of this section, and lived, until his death, about five miles northwest of Walnut Ridge. He and wife were the parents of nine children, only two of whom are yet living, Lavira, the wife of Thomas C. Hennessee, and Isam J., both residents of Campbell Township. Isam J. was reared on the homestead farm, and was born December 18, 1847. He led a placid life on the farm, with nothing eventful occurring to disturb the serenity of his existence until March, 1864, when he enlisted in Company F, Thirteenth Missouri Cavalry, and was a gallant soldier through the remainder of the war. He was married to Miss Elizabeth Salling, of Crawford County, Ark., and out of nine children has five still living: Estella, Charles, John, Alfred and Edward. Mr. Bagley first rented his land for three or four years, near Walnut Ridge, and then bought 120 acres north of that town. Since then he has added to it, and now owns 460 acres. He also operates a cotton gin upon the farm, and deals very largely in stock. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity, and in polities a Democrat, holding the office of justice of the peace for one term.

William W. Baley, farmer and cotton ginner, was born in McNairy County, Tenn., in the year 1835. His parents were Benjamin and Nancy (Holman) Baley, of North Carolina, who had settled in Tennessee with their parents when children. Later in life they married and moved to Henderson County, remaining there until the war commenced, when they transferred their home to Ballard County, Ky., where the father died in 1867, at the age of seventy-four years. After his death the mother came to Arkansas with one of her sons and a daughter, and settled in Searcy County, where she died in 1870, aged sixty-eight years. She was a member of the Missionary Baptist Church, in which she had been an earnest worker all her life. Mr. Baley is the oldest of five children yet living. Seven were born to his parents, but two of them have died. He was reared in Tennessee, and commenced farming for himself in Henderson County in the year 1855, where he remained until 1862, when the call to arms was issued, and on June 17 of that year he enlisted in Company K, of the Seventh Kansas Cavalry, and served three years and two months. He was in the foremost ranks of every battle in which the Seventh Kansas was engaged, and can recount some of the narrowest escapes a soldier ever had in time of war. Twenty-eight different times he was shot through the clothes he wore, the bullets not even scratching his skin, and on four occasions had the horse he rode shot from under him. His service through the war was honorable and brave, and the lustre of his valor can never be tarnished by time. He received his discharge from the army in November, 1864, at St. Louis, Mo., and joined his family in Kentucky. Five years later he moved to Thomasville, Mo., and from thence to Arkansas, coming here in 1870, and locating on Big Creek, in this county. He came to his present [p.773] home in 1872, which, at that time, was but very little improved. Since then a great change has taken place in the condition of the land. He owns 160 acres, 125 acres of which are under cultivation. He also has a cotton-gin set up on his place and in 1888 ginned 312 bales of cotton. Mr. Baley's wife was formerly Miss Jane C. Wadey, of Tennessee, born in 1829. They have a family of four children living: Richard M., Mary E., John G., Robert L. Mary E. is the wife of William B. Doyle, and the others are all married except the youngest. They have lost two children–Sarah Ann and Jeanette E. Mr. Baley and wife are members of the Christian Church, and the former of Dry Creek Masonic Lodge No. 453. In politics he is a Republican.

William J. Ball, retired merchant and farmer, was born near Murfreesboro, Rutherford County, Tenn., September 13, 1825. He is a son of W. T. Ball, an Englishman, and a native of Worcestershire, whose histories and adventures would fill a volume. The elder Ball was a soldier in the English army, and fought under the famous Wellington. He took part in seven battles against the great Napoleon, and fought under Blucher on the memorable field of Waterloo. He was a member of the British army at the battle of New Orleans, but the principles of liberty were so strongly instilled in his mind that he found it impossible to fight against them, and deserted the ranks to join the younger nation in its struggle against the mother country. After the war had ended, he came to the State of Tennessee and settled in Rutherford County, where he was married to Miss Jane Jordan, a native of that State, whose father was one of its pioneers. He resided in Rutherford County, one mile from Murfreesboro, up to the year 1835, when he moved to Bradley's Creek, of the same county, and lived there till 1851, then selling out and moving to Gibson County, where he lived until 1867. He then moved back to Rutherford County, where he died in 1873. W. J. Ball remained with his father in Rutherford County until his eighteenth year, and then received the contract for carrying the mails by stage coach through that section until the fall of 1858. He then moved to Lawrence County, Ark., and bought a farm in Spring River Township for farming purposes, but shortly afterward entered into business at Powhatan, and was a dealer in general merchandise up to the time of war, and during that period had charge of a distillery, on Martin's Creek, for the government. In January, 1866, he moved to Gibson County, Tenn., more for the purpose of giving his children the advantages of a good schooling than anything else, but while there, engaged in the general merchandise business. At the expiration of a year he returned to Lawrence County, and settled upon the place he now occupies, and began selling goods. He had been an active business man up to the year 1886, when he turned the business over to his son, who continues at it with the same enterprise that characterized his father. In 1868 Mr. Ball was appointed postmaster at Opposition, and still has charge of the office. He owns 320 acres of land on his home place, with about 180 acres cleared, and has eighty acres in clover and meadow, and about 100 acres under cultivation. Mr. Ball was married on September 13, 1846, to Miss Mary Crouse, of Rutherford County, Tenn., a daughter of Harmon G. Crouse. There are five children living by this marriage: George W., Samuel H., Joseph, now carrying on the business here; Elizabeth, wife of Joseph Hallowell; Hattie, wife of F. M. Graves, and William T. and John, who are deceased, the former in 1882 and the latter in 1889. Mr. Ball and his family are all members of the Christian Church, of which he is clerk, and he is also a Royal Arch Mason.

Sam. H. Ball, a prominent merchant of Ravenden, Lawrence County, was born in Rutherford County, Tenn., in November, 1850, and is a son of William J. Ball, whose adventurous career has been portrayed in the sketch preceding this. Mr, Ball remained with his father in his store until he reached his twenty-eighth year. He then established a store for himself in 1879, at Opposition, Ark., and carried on a profitable business up to the year 1882. In 1883 he moved to Ravenden, built a magnificent residence and a large, commodious store, and put in a large stock of merchandise, where he has been holding forth [p.774] ever since. His store is two stories in height, the upper story being devoted to furniture, under-takers' goods, clothing, etc.; the lower, dry goods, boots and shoes, groceries and general plantation supplies. He handles both cotton and stock to a great extent, and altogether does a business of $35,000 to $40,000 annually. He is also interested in a large cotton-gin, and besides owns two large farms, situated on Spring River, one in Lawrence and the other in Randolph County, being a farmer as well as a successful merchant. The third business house opened in Ravenden, after the location of the Kansas City, Springfield & Memphis Railroad, was by Mr. Ball, and he is the leading man of the place. In November, 1878, he was married to Mrs. Margaret Williford, of Randolph County, a charming widow. Since then five children have been added to the family: Cleo, Luther, Marvin, Ernest and Lillian. Both Mr. and Mrs. Ball are consistent members of the Christian Church. The former is a Democrat politically, a Mason and a member of Ravenden Lodge No. 451, of which he is Junior Warden.

Joseph M. Barlow, farmer and stock raiser, came from Illinois to the State of Arkansas in the fall of 1879. His occupation on his arrival was simply farming until the year 1888, when he moved to his present place, known as the Cross Roads farm, which consists of 342 acres of land, with about 140 acres under cultivation, and now has a good frame residence, a cotton-gin, gristmill and blacksmith shop, besides his interests in stock raising. Mr. Barlow also owns a farm near by, which he rents out. This place consists of 120 acres, of which forty acres are under cultivation, and contains a fine orchard of about 100 peach and apple trees, besides a great number of small fruits. There are also a good frame and a log house on the land, which is situated one mile southeast of Portia. Mr. Barlow is a son of John and Sinah (Finley) Barlow, of Illinois, and was born in Montgomery County, Ill., July 14, 1841. His father died while still a young man, in 1854, and he remained with his mother until his nineteenth year, when he married and commenced farming on his own account. In the spring of 1861 he enlisted in the army and served until expiration of enlistment, and in July, 1862, he once more enlisted, in the Third Illinois Cavalry, and was discharged shortly afterward on account of general disability contracted in service. In June, 1864, he entered the army again for the third time, and served until he was mustered out, October 19, 1865. Mr. Barlow first entered the ranks as a private, but soon afterward was promoted to be a sergeant, and his record through the war is one that can be placed among the best of that period. He took part in the battles at Haines' Bluff, Arkansas Post, and a hot scrimmage at Memphis, in 1865. He was also in the campaign against Hood at Nashville and in the fight at that place. Mr. Barlow was married, November 17, 1859, to Miss Catherine Chapman, of Montgomery County, Ill., who died in that locality in 1868. The children by this wife are Dora A., wife of John Davenport, and a son, who lived until his seventeenth year. He was again married on February 18, 1869, to Mrs. Nancy L. Klutts, a widow lady, of Montgomery County, and this union has given them two children: Sinah J. and Clara E. Mr. and Mrs. Barlow are both members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, in which the former is district steward, and Mr. Barlow is a member of G. A. R., Lawrence Post No. 8, and is adjutant of that post. He is also a Master Mason and senior deacon of his lodge, and belongs to the Knights of Honor. In politics he is a Republican, and was elected justice of the peace for his township, and at the expiration of his term was elected county coroner. At the end of that term he was nominated for county and probate judge by the Wheel, and endorsed by the Republicans, as the latter made no nominations. Mr. Barlow has adopted Arkansas as his future residence, and expects to live and die in Lawrence County.

Clark S. Beach, an extensive stock raiser, farmer and fruit grower, of Lawrence County, was born in Wayne County, Mich., on March 27, 1843. His parents were Arctus and Esther (Gibbs) Beach, of New York State, who moved to Michigan about the year 1840, and settled at Detroit, where the elder Beach's occupation was farming and dealing in stock. He remained at that place for twelve [p.775] years, and then moved to St. Clair County, where he continued his previous occupation and also kept a hotel. His death occurred at the latter place in 1886, leaving a name that was widely known and highly respected. C. S. Beach grew to manhood in Wayne and St. Clair Counties, and remained with his father until he had reached his twenty first year. April 8, 1865, he enlisted in the Eighth Michigan Cavalry, and served until the close of the war, taking a brave part in many engagements and small skirmishes. He was mustered out September 22, 1865, after the South had been conquered and returned home and rented his father's farm for eight years in St. Clair County. He then bought a farm in that county, and went to work upon it, and, after several years' labor, with fair success, he sold out and moved to Arkansas, locating in Lawrence County. He bought the land upon which he now resides, in 1880, which consisted of 200 acres, unimproved, and at the present time has seventy five acres cleared and under cultivation. The land has a comfortable house upon it, with out-buildings and all conveniences, and a fine orchard of about 600 trees of different varieties. Mr. Beach was married in St. Clair County, Mich., April 4, 1871, to Miss Hannah M. Shears, a Canadian lady, and they now have six children: Sarah Esther, Mark A., Henry H., Emma L., Mary A. and Eva E. Mrs. Beach is a member of the Seven Day Adventist Church, and Mr. Beach belongs to Aurora Lodge No. 423, A. F. & A. M., at Walnut Ridge, being a Master Mason.

George B. Borah is a minister of the Gospel, who has followed in the footsteps of his father Chesterfield G. Borah, a physician of note and a minister. Mr. Borah's father was born in Caldwell County, Ky., in 1814, and by his earnest endeavors in that direction was made a professor of religion when quite a young man. He found a faithful partner in the person of Miss Samarimus Perkins, also a native of his State, a young lady well fitted to assist him in his chosen field of labor. In 1845 Mr. Borah and his wife, seeking new pastures for their work, came to Arkansas and settled on Reed's Creek, in Lawrence County. He preached the Gospel and practiced medicine until death ended his labors in March, 1863. He was a prominent man in his time and one who took an active part in the affairs of his county. His wife still survives him and makes her home with her son, George B. Borah, the eldest of six children, of whom two only lived to the age of maturity, the other being Samarimus A., now the wife of N. E. Judkins. When George B. Borah arrived at the age of manhood he enrolled himself in the ranks of the Confederate army under Gen. Price, and took part in the raids through Missouri and Kansas. During a lull in the war he was given a sixty days' furlough to go home, and afterward went to Jacksonport, where he surrendered June 5, 1865. He adopted the profession of religion in 1874, and was ordained to preach in 1876. Since then he has had charge of four churches, besides assisting at others whenever his services were called upon, and has been an indefatigable worker. His efforts have been appreciated, and he is now recognized as one of the ablest ministers in that county, and is beloved by all with whom he comes in contact. He was married in 1866 to Miss Melissa Wayland, a daughter of Sisco Wayland, one of the pioneers of Arkansas, and nine children have blessed their union. Six of them are living: Willie L., John N., Joseph H., Richard P., Florence and Mary Ethel. Those deceased are Samarimus M., Josaphine and Milton A. Mrs. Borah is a valuable assistant to her husband in church work, and a lady whose Christian influence is manifested in many ways. Mr. Borah is a member of the A. F. & A. M. He is the owner of eighty five acres of land under cultivation, besides considerable unimproved lands in other sections.

George W. Brady, merchant and postmaster, of Smithville, is a son of Jeremiah Brady, of North Carolina, who came to Arkansas in his childhood, with his father, James W. Brady, one of the pioneers of Lawrence County. Jeremiah Brady was reared and grew to manhood in this county, where he was also married to Miss Nancy McCarrell, a native of the same place, and where their son, George W., was born, October 3, 1853. Mr. Brady, the father, was a farmer and blacksmith, [p.776] and resided here until the war, when, fired with a desire to battle for the cause of the Confederacy, he left the peace and quiet of his family for the turmoil and dangers of war. He died at Mulberry. berry, Ark., and previous to his death his faithful wife had passed away, thus leaving George bereft of both parents in quick succession. George W. Brady received a good common school education in his youth, and, after his school-days were over, entered into commercial life at Smithville, for two years. He next made a trip to Texas, in 1876, and remained about eighteen months in the Lone Star State. On his return to Smithville he again occupied a position in one of the business houses. and in 1878, after obtaining a thorough knowledge of commercial affairs, he established a business of his own, which. by his enterprise and fair dealings. has won for him a large patronage. Previous to 1885 Mr. Brady had been appointed deputy postmaster, but in that year he received his appointment as postmaster, and has held the office since then. He was married September 7, 1879, to Miss Lee L. Raney, a daughter of Morgan Raney, of Lawrence County, and by this marriage has had two children: J. Clarence and Claud Carter.

George W. Bridges is a son of John and Jane T. Bridges, the former of whom was a native of Missouri, and his mother a Virginian. He was born in that portion of Lawrence County, now known as Randolph, in 1856. His parents settled in Arkansas when they were children, about the year 1829, and were married when they reached the age of maturity. They have always made Lawrence County their home, where the father died in 1858, at the age of thirty eight years, with the proud consciousness of having performed his duty to his country, having been a survivor of the Mexican War, through which he served with the eulogium of his commanding officers upon his bravery. The mother contracted a second marriage with William Ferguson (now deceased), and had one child by her second husband, who was a captain in the Confederate army. Mr. Ferguson died in June, 1865, shortly after he returned home from the war. Mr. Bridges is the third child of his parents, and was reared in Randolph and Sharp Counties, returning to the former in 1869, where he remained until February 28, 1888, and then moved to his present place of abode. He has upward of 100 acres of land under cultivation, and has also turned his attention to cotton planting. He was married to Miss Bettie A. Glenn, in 1879, a young lady of Ballard County, Ky. They have had six children, one of them deceased. Those living are: Charlie Emma, Mamie Ann, Sallie H., Andrew O. and George William. Mr. Bridges is a member of the A. F. & A. M., of Ravenden, and is a popular resident of Lawrence County. His wife is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South.

Thomas F. Buchanan, an enterprising farmer and stock raiser, of Spring River Township, was born in Lawrence County, Ark., November 14, 1854. He is the son of Thomas, and Eliza (Welthy) Buchanan, of Missouri, who moved to Arkansas after their marriage and settled in Lawrence County, where the older Buchanan died in 1854, in the prime and vigor of his manhood. Thomas F. remained with his mother until he had attained his maturity, and then commenced to take his own part in the world. He has been farming the greater portion of his life, and the experience gained during that time has made him one of the best farmers in his county. When still a young man, he visited the city of Memphis, Tenn., with a view of making it his future home, but after a residence of fourteen months, he decided to come back to Lawrence Country, and has remained here ever since. On August 20, 1876, he was married to Miss Sarah Huffman, daughter of John Huffman, and two years after his marriage he bought the tract of land upon which he now resides, and commenced cultivating the soil. He now owns 120 acres, with about thirty five acres cleared, and has built a large double house upon it, besides giving his attention to a small but wells elected orchard of two acres, with several different varieties ties of fruit. Mr. Buchanan and his wife have four daughters: Effie, Ruby, Ella and Orlans, and all four of the girls are members of the Missionary Baptist Church. He takes great interest in education and is a member of the school board.

Benjamin R. Bush, farmer and stock raiser, of Lawrence County, was born in Wilson County, Tenn., February 19, 1838. His parents were S. L. and Elizabeth (Tate) Bush, of the same State, who im migrated to Arkansas in 1840, and settled in Lawrence County, where the father practiced medicine up to the time of his death, about the year 1852. He reared a family of three sons and one daughter, all of whom lived until their maturity. Benjamin R. remained with his mother until his twentieth year, when he married and purchased a farm of his own. His bride was Miss Mary Orr, a young lady who was reared in this county, who proved a useful helpmate and faithful wife. Mr. Bush farmed on his land for several years, and then bought more and added to it from time to time, until he now owns about 400 acres of the best land in Arkansas, with 150 acres cleared, and all of it situated four miles west of Minturn. There is a good residence, two barns, two cribs, and all other necessaries upon the land, besides a fine orchard of three acres, with peach and apple trees. He had almost nothing he could call his own when he first started in life, and has accumulated his fine property by shrewdness, good judgment and industry, and has set a worthy example for others to follow. In 1862 he enlisted in Col. Lindsay's company (afterward Col. Baber's), and served one year. He then joined Col. Reeves' regiment, and remained with it until the close of the war, when he surrendered, and was paroled June 5, 1865, at Jackson port. He took part in the engagements at Cane Hill, Ark., and Price's raids through Missouri, also the fight at Pilot Knob, besides numerous other sharp encounters, bearing himself in a soldierly manner through the entire campaign. Mr. Bush lost his first wife in 1880, and afterward married Miss Ellen Guthry. Five children were born to him by his first wife: Joseph W., George R., Sanford, Charles, and Mary Elizabeth, wife of William McClure; also two children by his second wife, whose names are Clarence and Katie. Both parents are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and Mr. Bush is a member of the K. of H. and the Agricultural Wheel.

M. V. Camp, physician and surgeon of Walnut Ridge, has been a resident of Northeast Arkansas for the past twenty-one years. He was born in Bibb County, Ala, June 11, 1836, and is the son of James Camp, of South Carolina, who was one of the first to manufacture the ore into wire in the iron furnaces of Birmingham, Ala. He was married to Miss Mary Looney, of South Carolina, who died in Mississippi about the year 1870, aged eighty years. Eight girls and four boys were born to them, four of them still living. Martin Van Buren Camp was the youngest of this large family, and was reared on a farm. He had been given a liberal education at the city of Birmingham, principally at “Old Elyton,” and was the leader in Greek and Latin in his class. After his college days were over he embarked in the newspaper business at Butler, Choctaw County, Ala., and bought the plant of the Southern Democrat. This paper he edited from 1837 to 1860, and his ability pushed it to the first place among the newspapers of Alabama. It was the second paper in that State to advocate secession, and the Doctor still has copies of his first literary effort in his library at home. In 1861 he enlisted in Capt. Maner's regiment, and was created a sergeant (Mississippi troops) and then under Col. (afterwards Maj.-Gen.) Lowry, with whom he served three months. He afterward organized a company of volunteers, with Dr. R. B. Stephens, of Tupelo, Miss., of which he was captain, while Dr. Stephens was made surgeon. The company formed part of Col. W. M. Inges' Twelfth Regiment Mississippi Cavalry, in Gen. S. W. Ferguson's brigade, and did excellent service all through the war. Dr. Camp came to Jonesboro, Ark., after they had disbanded, and was engaged in teaching school in Craighead County. He then attended a course of lectures at the University of Louisville, and when through moved to Gainesville, where he practiced for fourteen years. In 1885 he located in Walnut Ridge, where he has succeeded in building up a fair practice. He has no desire to accumulate a large amount of property, but believes in giving his children a good education under his own supervision, so that his money will be judiciously expended. The Doctor is a member of the Masonic and Odd Fellows' fraternities, and of [p.778] the Cross Roads Baptist Church, near Portia. He is a Democrat in polities, but has never held any public office excepting that of county examiner of public instruction, in Greene County. He was married May 2, 1860, in Sumter County, Ala., to Miss Sarah C. Sheid. of that State, a daughter of Jesse G. Sheid. Her parents had three girls and two boys born to them. one of them deceased. Those living are Lizzie I., the wife of Rev. James F. Jernigan, a minister of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South, and residing in Walnut Ridge; James Sheid, now studying medicine with his father; Mary Ann, who graduated in June, 1880, from the Bellevue Collegiate Institute, of Caledonia, Mo., and Alice E., at home. Mrs. Camp's mother died July 17, 1888, aged fifty-one years. She was a member of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, and came from what is known throughout South Carolina as the “Old Horseshoe Robinson Stock.”

John N. Campbell, treasurer of Lawrence County, Ark., is a native of Cumberland County, N. C., where he was born April 3, 1820. His father was Murdock Campbell, of Scotland, born of Scotch and Irish parentage, who was raised and married in North Carolina. After his marriage the eider Campbell moved to Lawrence County, Tenn., and settled on a farm, where he began the cultivation of the soil and rearing his children. From there he moved to the State of Arkansas in 1843, settling in what is now Lawrence County, where he resided up to the time of his death, about the year 1852. John N. Cambell reached his maturity in the State of Tennessee, and came to Arkansas in 1843, where he settled, in Lawrence County, on a farm, and tilled the soil for a number of years. In 1872 he was elected county treasurer and at the expiration of his term was re-elected, serving from 1872 to 1878. In 1888 his party, seeing the fitness of the man for the position and recognizing his abilities, once more elected him to office. He previously discharged the duties of justice of the peace for twelve years, and also served as deputy sheriff and constable. Mr. Campbell was married, in 1846, to Miss Mary J. Childers, of Virginia, and they are now the parents of three sons and one daughter, all of them having attained maturity and married. Their names are: William M., John D., Alex C., and Sarah A., wife of John C. Overstreet, the entire family residing in Lawrence County. Both Mr. and Mrs. Campbell are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South, and stand high in the regard of those surrounding them.

John Casper, farmer and blacksmith, whose work at the forge and anvil has placed him as an expert in his trade, was born in Rowan County, N. C., May 5, 1827. He is a son of George and Naney (Leonard) Casper, both of the same county and State, who died in their native place. Mr. Casper is one of a family of four sons and four daughters, of whom five are still living, three brothers and two sisters, the latter residing in North Carolina, and the former, David. Jacob Alexander and John, living in Lawrence County. John Casper is the oldest of the three brothers living, and was reared in Rowan County, N. C., where he remained with his father until his twenty-sixth year. He moved west in 1853 and settled in Lawrence County, Ark., where he bought a small section of land and commenced clearing and improving it. On March 8, 1854. he was married to Mrs. Sarah M. Blackwell, a widow lady, of North Carolina, who also possessed a small improvement on government land. Mr. Casper immediately set to work clearing his land, and they now have about seventy-five acres under cultivation. The home place comprises about 380 acres altogether, with a good log house and other buildings built upon it, and an orchard. He also owns 240 acres in other sections, and from the fact that he commenced on almost nothing at all, has done remarkably well. He owes it all to his own thrift and business tact, and is now considered as one of the substantial farmers of Lawrence County. Mr. Casper enlisted in the Confederate army in 1863, and was a member of the Seventh Missouri Cavalry, and afterward transferred to the Seventh Arkansas Infantry. He took part in many a hard fought battle—at Little Rock, Pilot Knob and in Gen. Price's raids through Missouri, besides several battles of lesser importance. He was paroled at Shreveport. La., at the close of the war, and [p.779] returned home to resume his labor upon the farm. In 1877 Mr. Casper lost his faithful wife, who died October 4, leaving him one child. George W. He again married, his second wife being Mrs. Harriet E. Harris, a widow, of North Carolina, and has one child by this marriage, Etter E. Mr. Casper is a member of the Old School Presbyterian Church, in which he is elder, and is also a member of the Agricultural Wheel, being vice president of the local Wheel. He has been unfortunate in the loss of his second wife, who died February 13, 1884, leaving behind her a record of usefulness and many virtues.

John A. Cathey, one of the oldest merchants in Lawrence County, was born in Shelby County, Tenn., in the year 1810. He is the son of John A. Cathey, of Maury County, Tenn., who was reared on a farm, and finally adopted the tailoring trade, which he followed until his death occurred, in 1851. at Jacksonport, Ark, in which place he had settled in 1848, for the purpose of working. He was married to Miss Narcissa Turnage, of Tennessee, who died shortly after the decease of her husband at Jacksonport. Five sons were born to them, two of them yet living: James H. and John A., both living in Arkansas. The children who have died are William T., David L. and an infant. David was killed by accidentally shooting himself during the war. John A. Cathey, for whom this sketch is intended, is the youngest member of the family living. He came to Arkansas with his parents, and remained with them. until he grew to manhood, in Jackson County. He enlisted in the Confederate army in 1861, and was enrolled in Company G. First Arkansas, and served until the close of the war, when he surrendered at Jacksonport. He participated in the battle of Bull Run, at Shiloh, and was so severely wounded in that engagement that he lay disabled for some two months. He also took part in the battles of Perryville (Ky.), Murfreesboro (Tenn.), Chickamauga, Chattanooga, and then a three mouths' campaign from Dalton to Atlanta. He was at Franklin, Tenn., during the lerrible slaughter (Hood's) at that place, and afterward in another hot campaign at Nashville. He has been wounded at different times, and bears a war record that few men can equal at the present day. When the war was over, it would naturally seem that after witnessing and taking part in the terrible carnage of his numerous battles, he would prefer a peaceful life, but, strange to say, his occupation was butchering while in Jacksonport, as though he had not yet been satiated by the sight and smell of blood. From Jacksonport he moved to Newport, and lived there for eight years, then settled down in Lawrence County, where he is now considered the oldest established merchant in that section. He carries a large stock of general merchandise, and is noted for his square dealing throughout the county. In fact, he is the founder of the town that bears his name. He was appointed postmaster from 1881 to 1885, and has held several local offices. His wife was Miss Sarah W. Roberts, of Alabama, who died in 1869. Mr. Cathey afterward married a sister of his first wife, Miss Eliza Roberts, and they have had two children by this union, Eliza I. and Bertha Lee. They are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and Mr. Cathey is a member of Dry Creek Lodge No. 453, F. & A. M.

Burrel M. Childers, a well-known and popular farmer and stock raiser, was born in Madison County, Ala., October 9, 1821. His father, John Childers, was a native of Georgia, who moved to the State of Alabama when a young man, and was there married to Miss Rutha Cown. The parents remained in Alabama until the year 1824, and then settled in Tennessee, where they resided up to 1838, when they selected Arkansas as their future home, and located in Lawrence County. The elder Childers had an eventful history in his younger days, and was a soldier in the Black Hawk War. He reared a family of
eleven children, five sons and six daughters, of whom Burrel M. Childers is the only survivor. Burrel remained with his father until he was of mature age, and then enlisted in the Mexican War of 1846. After the war was over and the treaty had been made, he received his discharge, and returned to Lawrence County. He settled on his present place in 1849, when this portion of Arkansas was nothing more than a wilderness, and has lived to see it grow up [p.780] into a populous and thriving community. Mr. Childers has since then cleared up about seventy-five acres, and put them under cultivation, besides owning 160 acres adjoining. He did, at one time, own over 1,000 acres, but has divided up with his children. When war was announced between the North and South he gave his services to the Confederacy, and joined Col. Shaver's regiment. He was elected lieutenant, and held that rank until the close of hostilities. During that time he took part in the fights at Pilot Knob, Independence, Kansas City, Big Blue and Miner's Creek, where Gen. Marmaduke was taken prisoner. After the war he returned to Lawrence County, and has since then been occupied in farming. His first marriage was to Miss Narcissa Beavers, of Illinois, who died in 1856. This wife left two children, who grew to maturity, were married, and left children of their own. Mr. Childers next married, in this county, Mrs. Hopkins, a widow lady, of Indiana, who died in 1883. There are three children living by this wife, whose names are: C. F., wife of Joseph Lollar; Julis, widow of A. B. Hogard, and Hezekiah. His present wife was united to him in 1884, her former name being Aveline Grider, a daughter of Martin Grider, one of the pioneers of Randolph County. There are three children by this marriage: Maxie, Stonewall Jackson and Chaldon. Mr. Childers is a member of the Masonic order, and is a Royal Arch Mason, belonging to the Eastern Star. He attends the Christian Church, while his wife is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and also of the Eastern Star. In the early days of his settlement in Arkansas, Mr. Childers was a hunter of no mean pretenses. He made a regular business of hunting for ten years, and together with his brother, killed thirty-six bears, six panthers and a great number of wild cats, in one spring, besides a quantity of deer. He has a record of killing eleven deer in one day, while a companion of his, a Frenchman, killed eleven deer and two bears the same day. Mr. Childers is a genial and active gentleman, though well advanced in life, and is very much thought of by his neighbors. He is full of anecdote, and it is a pleasure to listen to the reminiscences of his early days, which none can tell so well as an old settler.

William Childers, a well-known boniface and liveryman of Imboden, was born in this county in the year 1844. His parents came to Arkansas in childhood, and were located in the southwestern part of Lawrence County. He is descended from an old family of Virginians; his grandfather, Isam Childers, moving from that State to Arkansas, with his family, in 1824, where he reared his family of four boys and two girls, Alexander C. Childers, his third son, being the father of William Childers. Isam Childers was a veteran of the War of 1812, and died in 1858 at an advanced age. Alexander C. Childers was born in Virginia, in 1815, and moved to the State of Arkansas, with his father, when in his childhood. When war was declared between this country and Mexico, he was one of the first to follow the lead of Gens. Scott and Taylor in the land of cactus, and distinguished himself on many a battlefield. He died in 1860 while in the very prime of life, and left a shining example behind him for his sons to follow. James Childers, one of his brothers, represented this county in the legislature for several terms, and was one of the prominent men of Arkansas. The mother of Mr. William Childors was a daughter of Jacob Fortenberry; her name was Matilda, and she was born in Virginia in 1819, and died in 1844, when he was an infant. She left four children: Elisabeth, the wife of D. Christian; Nancy, the wife of Lee Holt, now residing in Texas; Absalom F., a Baptist minister in Alabama, and William Childers, of Lawrence County. Mr. Childers commenced to make a career of his own at the age of sixteen years, and entered the army during the war. He was a member of Company E, First Arkansas, and gallantly upheld the reputation of his forefathers as model soldiers. On August 10, 1861, he was dangerously wounded and forced to desist from fighting. He lay idle for three months, but the old fighting instinct compelled him to enter the ranks again, and he joined McCorvess' regiment, Fourteenth Arkansas, in which he fought until his capture at Port Gibson. He regained his liberty three months later, and after the fall of Vicksburg [p.781] re-joined the army at Washington, Ark. He was again made prisoner and taken to Little Rock, Ark., and transferred from there to Rock Island, Ill., where he was kept until Lee's surrender. After his release he went to Leavenworth, Kas., and made a trip across, the plains to Denver City, Col., remaining in that place six months before his return home. He has, since that time, resided in Lawrence County, where he is engaged in farming, stock raising, and as a hotel keeper and liveryman he enjoys a well-deserved reputation. He is one of the most extensive stock dealers in the county, an occupation to which he has given much attention since the war, and his was the first shipment made over the St. Louis, Iron Mountain & Southern Railroad. He has devoted himself largely to trading in horses, mules, cattle, hogs and sheep. Mr. Childers is prominent in all political matters, and was twice elected treasurer of Lawrence County by the Democrats. He was also nominated for sheriff, but was beaten by his opponent. His first business venture in this county was with W. Childers & Co., at Smithville, Ark., and the second with a firm composed of W. C. Sloan, Q. C. Jones and himself, dealers in merchandise, of which Mr. Childers was the manager. He sold his interest to W. C. Sloan two years later, and since that time has had charge of the widely known Delmonico Hotel and a well-equipped livery stable attached. He was married, January 15, 1865, to Miss Clara A. Wells, a lady of Lawrence County, Ark., and daughter of John Wells, of Virginia, who was one of the principal stock dealers in Arkansas, before his death in 1858. Mrs. Childers' mother was Eliza A. Grayson, of Louisiana, before her marriage. She died in Imboden in the year 1886, aged sixty years. Nine children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Wells, all of them deceased excepting the wife of William Childers. Mr. Childers and his wife have had eight children, three of whom are dead, namely: Robert E. L., Nancy S. and Doney Belle. Those living are: Charles O., Mollie May, William Sloan, John Crockett and Grover Cleveland. Mrs. Childers is a charming lady and universally beloved for her kindness of heart and gentle disposition. Her husband is a Master Mason and a leader in the affairs of his county. They are generous and liberal in all their undertakings, and respected by everyone.

Hon. Charles Coffin is one of the principal Democrats of Northeast Arkansas, and a man well known over the entire State. He has all the antecedents which combine to produce a man stanch and true to the real Democracy, and for several years past has been an earnest advocate of Democratic principles in this State. He was born at Rogersville, Hawkins County, Tenn., on the 23d of April, 1842, and, with his parents, removed to Knoxville, Tenn., when but five years of age. He there remained until December, 1865, when he removed with his mother and brothers to Memphis, and resided there until July, 1869, when the family came to Lawrence County, his present home. The ancestry of Mr. Coffin goes back over 200 years to Tristam Coffin, an English yeoman, who came to Newberryport, Mass., in 1642, but being driven from there on account of his religious belief – a sympathy for persecuted Quakers went and settled the Island of Nantucket. He is the ancestor of all of that name in America. The family celebrated the two hundredth anniversary of his death in 1881. Mr. Coffin, with a brother and two cousins from Tennessee, were the only representatives present from the Southern branches of the family, and there were nearly 600 present. Mr. Coffin's grandfather, the Rev. Charles Coffin, D. D., a Presbyterian minister, and a graduate of Harvard, emigrated from Newberryport, in 1804, to Greeneville, Tenn., where he founded and was president of Greeneville College until 1827. He held the same position in the East Tennessee University, at Knoxville, from 1827 until 1836, and died at Greeneville, in 1852. He was the educator of many of the most prominent, influential and distinguished men of the South, of the last generation, one of whom was the late Gen. Grandison D. Royston, of this State. His portrait is frescoed in the ceiling of the library room in the capitol at Nashville, as one of the pioneer literati of Tennessee. Mr. Coffin's father, Charles Hector Coffin, was born on the 24th of April, 1804, at Newberryport, Mass., and was a [p.782] merchant of Knoxville, an active railroad man, and under Gov. Campbell's administration was president of the branch Bank of Tennessee, at Rogersville. He died at Columbia, Tenn., on the 19th of June, 1854. He had married Miss Eliza Park, a native of Knoxville, Tenn., born on the 22d day of September, 1811, and the daughter of James Park, who was of Irish birth, and a merchant by trade. Mr. Park died in 1853, at the age of eighty four years. His wife, who was formerly Sophia Moody, of Wilmington, Del., died in 1862, when over eighty years of age. She was the mother of twelve children, of whom Rev. James Park, D. D., a distinguished Presbyterian minister at Knoxville, is one. Mrs. Coffin (mother of the subject of this sketch) died in this county, in 1874, and lies buried at Knoxville, Tenn. Charles Coffin has been not so much a student of books as an independent thinker. He went through the freshman and sophmore years in the Tennessee University, at Knoxville, and the junior year at Princeton, N. J., but the war closed his school life. He was a Southerner by birth, his home was there, all his interests and his heart were with “his people.” He believed neither in secession nor coercion, but seeing his people in trouble and danger, his warm heart went out in sympathy for them, and he left the college, gave up all that promised to be a brilliant literary career, for he had all the requisites which only needed to be molded, cultured and trained, and resolutely set his face homeward, where he was eagerly welcomed. He enlisted as a private on the 10th of August, 1861, when but nineteen years of age, in Capt. Ben M. Branner's cavalry company (at Cumberland Gap), afterwards Company I, Second Tennessee Cavalry, under Col. Henry M. Ashby. Mr. Coffin was in Gen. Zollicoffer's command, and participated in all his engagements until the latter's death at Mill Springs, Ky., on the 19th of January, 1862. Mr. Coffin was afterwards in the campaigns in Kentucky, under Gen. Kirby Smith, participating in the battle of Murfreesboro, December 31, 1862, and North Carolina, January 1, 1863, and on the 19th, 20th and 21st of March, 1865, he was at Bentonville, N. C., where Gens. Joseph E. Johnston and Sherman fought their last great battle. He was in the fight between Wheeler and Kilpatrick, February 11, 1865, at Aikin, S. C., and with Johnston in Wheeler's cavalry corps during the campaigns of the Carolinas in the last mentioned year. He was captured at Somerset, Ky., under Brig. Gen. John Pegram, March 31, 1863, and exchanged at City Point, Va., on the 22d of April; was captured again at Lancaster, Ky., on the 31st of August, 1863, while under Col. John S. Scott, of Louisiana, and was a prisoner at Camp Chase, Ohio, for seven months, and the eight months following at Fort Delaware. He was exchanged at Savannsh, Ga., on the 12th day of November, 1864. He was sergeant major of his regiment, but surrendered and was paroled at Charlotte, N. C., under the cartel between Johnston and Sherman, May 11, 1865, as adjutant, in which position he was then acting. Mr. Coffin was a grocery merchant at Memphis, Tenn., from March, 1867, to July, 1869, and was engaged in mercantile pursuits at Clover Bend, in this county, from July, 1869, to March, 1871. In 1873 he edited the Observer, at Pocahontas, Ark., until August, 1874, and also taught school in that time. In September, 1874, he was licensed to practice law and located at Walnut Ridge, where he has since resided. In 1876 he was co-editor of the Little Rock Gazette, but one year later he resumed the practice of his profession, at Walnut Ridge. Mr. Coffin is a Democrat, of Whig antecedents, having been reared by Whig parents. He became a Democrat after the war, and in 1873 was elected from Randolph County, as a Democrat, to the extraordinary session of the legislature, and served eighteen days during the Brooks-Baxter war, at the call of Governor Baxter. In 1878 he was elected prosecuting attorney, and re-elected in 1880 for the Third judicial district. In the summer of 1888 he was a candidate for the Democratic nomination to Congress for the First Arkansas district, against Hon. W. H. Cate, of Jonesboro, and gave the latter a close and exciting race. He was afterwards given an unsolicited and unanimous nomination as representative to the State legislature (being not even a candidate) by the Democratic convention of his [p.783] county, and won the fight by a good majority. He made the canvass as a “straight Democrat,” against the combined Republican, Union Labor and Wheeler opposition, and wears the laurels of a hard earned victory. In the legislative session following (1888-89) he was a strong advocate and leader of the effort to organize the Democratic members of the legislature for Democratic purposes. His heart was in the work and he labored indefatigably and gallantly for the sake of all the principles he holds most dear. He was chairman of the house committee on penitentiary, also a member of the house committee on railroads, ways and means and education. Mr. Coffin introduced several important bills, among them the following: To regulate the practice of pharmacy; to inspect cattle for butchering purposes in cities of first and second class; to repeal features of the labor contract law (Mansfield's Digest, Section 4441), which makes valid contracts for labor made beyond the limits of State. He also had the honor of framing the State Democratic platform of 1888, in which the State canvass and victory were won from the Union Labor and Republican parties combined. Mr. Coffin owns a farm of eighty acres near Walnut Ridge, and is a strong advocate of grass farming, being one of the first to introduce clover into this section of the State. He was baptized in infancy, but is not a member of the Church, though a Presbyterian in his views, and assists in maintaining ministers and church enterprises. Mr. Coffin is a member of that large class of mankind who have never seen fit, from various causes, to enter the “conjugal state of felicity,” although a previous biographer has dryly remarked that “he is young enough to reform.” He has been known to say, in reference to his loneliness and absence of a life companion, that “a Coffin is the last thing on earth a woman wants.” Mr. Coffin has for his motto: “Never do anything to be ashamed of.” His style of oratory is earnest, fluent and pointed, speaks impromptu and gets at the “meat” of the question. He is an honorable, upright citizen in all that the terms imply.

Joseph W. Coffman, a prominent farmer of Duty Township, was born in McLean County, Ky., in 1833. His parents, Benjamin and Elizabeth (Gossett) Coffman, are natives of Virginia, and of German descent. Some of the family were extensive farmers in Virginia, while others had various occupations. The father was born in the year 1802, and came to Kentucky with his parents in 1804, where he grew to maturity, and was married. He died in 1856, from a very painful accident, having his head mashed while moving a hogshead of tobacco. He was a firm adherent of the Universalist Church, and a member of the A. F. & A. M., while his death was a source of sincere regret among a large circle of friends. The mother, who was some ten years younger than her husband, died in 1844. Benjamin Coffman and Elizabeth (Gossett) Coffman were the parents of eight children: William A., Nancy, Ephraim A., Benjamin F., Daniel M., Elisha, Elizabeth, and Joseph W., of whom William A. and Elisha are deceased. Joseph W. Coffman was the third child, and remained on the farm in Kentucky with his parents until his twenty-first year, when he accepted a lucrative position with a large tobacco firm, and commenced his own career. On October 19, 1856, he was married, and moved to the State of Arkansas, where he settled in Hempstead County, on a farm which he rented the first year, but at the expiration of that time was able to purchase a farm of his own. A few years later, that announcement of war, which broke up so many happy homes, also filled him with the desire to aid the Confederacy, and he enlisted in W. H. Prescott's company, and served for three years. He took part in a great number of engagements, and carried himself through that bloody epoch in history in a manner that won the admiration and respects of his comrades. After the war had ended, he returned to Lawrence County, in 1866, and settled at a point within one mile and a half of where he now resides, and, in 1878, moved to the present place, where he has been employed in agricultural pursuits ever since. Mr. Coffman was married to Miss Rebecca Bowen, a daughter of John W. and Ann (Kenerly) Bowen, natives of South Carolina and Virginia, respectively, who were prominent farmers and large slave-owners [p.784] before the war. The father was born in 1805, of English descent, and died in the year 1869. while the mother, who was of Dutch origin, was born in 1804, and died in 1864. They were the parents of five sons and three daughters, three of them yet living, and Mrs. Coffman is the sixth child of that number. Ten children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Coffman, of whom seven are still living. Their names are: F. Warren, Mary C., wife of B. A. Welbon, living in the State of Washington; John B., Elizabeth, who died in her thirteenth year: Benjamin A., at home; William M., who died at thirteen years of age; Jennie, also dead: Flora, Lena and Josie at home. Mr. and Mrs. Coffman are both members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South, in which they are active workers, while Mr. Coffman is a trustee, steward, and also superintendent of the Sunday-school, and has represented the church in several conferences. He is a prominent man, and a leader in all enterprises concerning the welfare of his county, and one whose advice and judgment are sought for on many occasions. He is a member of Lodge No. 450, and has belonged to that organization for over thirty years. Mr. Coffman's father contracted a second marriage after the death of his first wife, and by this wife had nine children: John T., Jacob B., Samuel R., Solomon E., George P. (who met his death at the hands of an assassin), Frank P., Susan F., James Lewis, Ezekiel. Ezekiel, George, Frank, James and Samuel are deceased.

James W. Coffman, M. D., a gentleman well known throughout Northeastern Arkansas as one of its leading physicians, and a fruit grower of well-deserved reputation, was born in 1847 on a farm in what is now known as McLean County, Ky. He is the son of Jacob N. and Nancy (Gish) Coffman, both natives of Pennsylvania, who removed to the State of Kentucky in 1808, when they were children. In 1857 Mr. Coffman and his family removed to Arkansas, and settled in Lawrence County, where he entered into the cultivation of cotton on an extensive scale. His death occurred in 1879, at the age of sixty-seven years, fourteen years after the demise of his wife. Ten children were born to them, of whom two only are living, one of them being a daughter. Mrs. Mary S. Bennefield. and James W. Coffman. Mr. Coffman resided in Lawrence County until the age of sixteen years. when he enlisted in the Confederate army under Gen. Price during the declining years of the late war. participating in some of the daring raids through Missouri and Kansas. At the close of that conflict he returned home, and engaged in the more peaceful avocation of cotton planting. In 1868 he commenced the study of medicine, with his brother (now deceased), who was a graduate of the University of Louisville, Ky., as his preceptor. He entered the same university in the fall of 1869, from which he graduated in 1871, and later on entered the Jefferson Medical College, of Philadelphia, graduating in 1883. He commenced the practice of medicine at Powhatan in 1871, and removed to Black Rock in 1883, where his personal popularity and large practice attest to his efficiency as a skillful physician. His wife, a pleasant and attractive lady, was formerly Miss Mollie F. Warner. The Doctor embarked in general merchandising in 1883-84 at Black Rock, and has been deservedly fortunate, being the owner of considerable property in that town and the outlying district. He has one of the finest fruit orchards in the northeastern portion of this State, comprising twenty-five acres of young trees just producing fruit, which he planted in the fall of 1885 as an experiment, and which have proven a success beyond his most sanguine expectations. They will yield on an average one and one-half bushels to the tree this year. Besides this, he has planted out small fruits in proportion, and has been equally successful with them. He is a strong Democrat; one of the most industrious and energetic citizens of Black Rock, and takes a active part in all public and private enterprises that tend toward the advancement of his county.

J. Bowen Coffman, deputy clerk of Lawrence County, for the Eastern District, was born in Hempstead County, Ark., November 17, 1861. He is a son of Joseph W. Coffman, of McLean County, Ky., who came to Arkansas in 1856, and located in Hempstead County, where he resided until the war was ended, and then settled in Lawrence [p.785] County, his present residence. The elder Coffman was married to Miss Rebecca Bowen. of Alabama, and this union gave them ten children. Seven of them are now living. six of them in this county. J. Bowen Coffman was five years old when be came to Lawrence County. He received a good district school education. and also attended school at Powhatan. He then taught school in Lawrence County for three terms, and in Fulton County for the same length of time. He was appointed deputy clerk under Clay Sloan. February 14. 1887, and when the district was divided he came over to Walnut Ridge, in April. 1887. to take charge of the Eastern District. He fills the position in a highly creditable manner, and enjoys the confidence of his fellow citizens. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. and also of the Walnut Ridge Silver Cornet Band. Mr. Coffman has hosts of friends. and well merits the respect and esteem accorded him.

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