USA > Arkansas > Faulkner County > Biographical and historical memoirs of Pulaski, Jefferson, Lonoke, Faulkner, Grant, Saline, Perry, Garland and Hot Spring counties, Arkansas, comprising a condensed history of the statebiographies of distinguished citizens...[etc.] > Part 106
USA > Arkansas > Garland County > Biographical and historical memoirs of Pulaski, Jefferson, Lonoke, Faulkner, Grant, Saline, Perry, Garland and Hot Spring counties, Arkansas, comprising a condensed history of the statebiographies of distinguished citizens...[etc.] > Part 106
USA > Arkansas > Grant County > Biographical and historical memoirs of Pulaski, Jefferson, Lonoke, Faulkner, Grant, Saline, Perry, Garland and Hot Spring counties, Arkansas, comprising a condensed history of the statebiographies of distinguished citizens...[etc.] > Part 106
USA > Arkansas > Hot Spring County > Biographical and historical memoirs of Pulaski, Jefferson, Lonoke, Faulkner, Grant, Saline, Perry, Garland and Hot Spring counties, Arkansas, comprising a condensed history of the statebiographies of distinguished citizens...[etc.] > Part 106
USA > Arkansas > Jefferson County > Biographical and historical memoirs of Pulaski, Jefferson, Lonoke, Faulkner, Grant, Saline, Perry, Garland and Hot Spring counties, Arkansas, comprising a condensed history of the statebiographies of distinguished citizens...[etc.] > Part 106
USA > Arkansas > Lonoke County > Biographical and historical memoirs of Pulaski, Jefferson, Lonoke, Faulkner, Grant, Saline, Perry, Garland and Hot Spring counties, Arkansas, comprising a condensed history of the statebiographies of distinguished citizens...[etc.] > Part 106
USA > Arkansas > Perry County > Biographical and historical memoirs of Pulaski, Jefferson, Lonoke, Faulkner, Grant, Saline, Perry, Garland and Hot Spring counties, Arkansas, comprising a condensed history of the statebiographies of distinguished citizens...[etc.] > Part 106
USA > Arkansas > Pulaski County > Biographical and historical memoirs of Pulaski, Jefferson, Lonoke, Faulkner, Grant, Saline, Perry, Garland and Hot Spring counties, Arkansas, comprising a condensed history of the statebiographies of distinguished citizens...[etc.] > Part 106
USA > Arkansas > Saline County > Biographical and historical memoirs of Pulaski, Jefferson, Lonoke, Faulkner, Grant, Saline, Perry, Garland and Hot Spring counties, Arkansas, comprising a condensed history of the statebiographies of distinguished citizens...[etc.] > Part 106
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his family being connected with the church. Rev. W. J. Dodson was presiding elder for a time, as were also W. D. Matthews and F. M. Pain, and at present Rev. G. W. Hill. This charge belongs to the Arkansas Conference, Morrillton District. Revs. C. B. Galloway, D. D., J. C. Granberry, A. M., and E. B. Hendrix, D. D., are bishops. The Sunday-school in connection with the Perry- ville church is a permanent organization and well attended. It was organized some years ago.
Other churches of this county and pastoral charge, organized at different times from 1845 till 1887, exist at the following places: Dixie. Esau, Bethel, New Tennessee, Aplin, Pleasant Grove, Cherry Hill, Hope and Sweet Home. These range from the small membership of twelve to fifty or sixty. In this county are now two pastoral charges, Perryville Circuit and Perryville Mission, the first served by Rev. A. H. Williams, and the lat- ter by Rev. Judge Harris. The Perryville Cir- enit has a membership of 339, as given in the last Conference minutes-the membership of the Mis- sion not being reported.
Of the property outside of Perryville there are three churches, valued at $900. A parsonage is owned at Perryville, valued at $400. The oldest citizen of this county, Capt. Jesse Wilson, a member of the Methodist Church, South, at New Tennessee, is a regular attendant and liberal con- tributor. Mrs. Harriet Rison, long years a resi- dent at Perryville, also owning a beautiful and stately residence in Little Rock, is a member of the Methodist Church, attends worship regu- larly, sings and prays and shouts, and contributes of her money to the expenses of the church, and is very kind to the sick. Dr. Crecy, also of Pleasant Grove, this county, is a " Cane Brake" Methodist. Old and gray with age he is plodding on his way to the Heavenly country where sorrow and pain shall come no more. Brothers Dixey and Massey are ministers of long standing in that church, and among the best citizens of the county. Many oth- ers might be mentioned. A large number of the oldest and best families, as well as a good share of the "new comers," are in the Methodist Church. That pioneer citizen and Methodist, Uncle George
Rankin and his wife, who still live on their farm, ten miles down Fourche Valley from Perryville, deserve especial mention. He is also one of the best farmers in the county, and father of W. H. Rankin, a most successful merchant of Perryville.
The several Baptist Churches in Perry County, pastors and membership thereof, as shown by the published minutes of the forty-ninth annual meet- ing of the Saline Regular Baptist Association, held in October, 1888, are as follows: Blue Point, Elder T. A. Strong, 16; Bethel No. 2, C. M. Gen- sin, 29; Bethel No. 3, G. D. Cate, 25; Harmony, J. H. Brasel, 21; Philadelphia, A. J. Nelson, 25. There may be other organizations of this denomi- nation in the county not belonging to the above named association.
The Presbyterian Church is also represented in Perry County.
The first Christian Church in the county was organized by Elder J. H. McDonald, from Tennessee, at Pleasant Grove, near Aplin, in August, 1881, with eight constituent members. It was placed under the charge of Elders J. E. Price and J. E. Oliver. They had a regular preacher the second year after organization, and thereafter visiting preachers, among whom were Morris, Alonzo Burns and J. W. Marshall, and Dr. Dacus officiated. They occupy a Union Church, one Lord's day in each month, and have a mem- bership of over fifty. Another Christian Church was organized with about fifteen members in Casa Township, in June, 1888, by Elder J. W. Mar- shall. They have a mission of ten members in Perryville, but no organization completed there as yet. The Union Sunday-school is participated in by all churches. Two church buildings are to be erected in the near future, one in Casa Township, and one at Perryville. An effort is being made to secure a regular and permanent preacher for the different organizations.
There is a German Catholic Church in the German settlement in Perry Township.
The county, probate and circuit courts were established with the organization of the county in 1840. The sessions of the county court now begin on the first Mondays in January, April, July and
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HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
October. The sessions of the probate court begin on the second Mondays of February, May, August and November. The sessions of the circuit court begin on the second Mondays in March and Sep- tember. Those of the legal profession, residents of the county, and practicing in these courts are: J. F. Sellers, Robert J. White, James A. Vance, L. W. Harris and R. E. Phelps.
The first building that was used for a court- house is still standing in what is known as Old Town, or the first site of Perryville. It is a little old log cabin about sixteen feet square. The grand jury held its sessions in the bushes, and when the petit jury went out to deliberate the same covering was utilized by them. Money was very scarce, pelts and furs had an established value and were a legal tender for the payment of fines, the same as they were for any other debt. Of a certain Robert Cook, who figured conspicuously in many incidents of the early times in the vicinity of Perryville, and who was the perpetrator of many practical jokes, and the wag of the settle- ment, it is related that on one occasion, when the county court was in session, he came to Buck- ingham's grocery, his cash in hand, consisting of a single deerskin, which was soon exchanged for a gallon of whisky, the skin being thrown behind the bar into a rude log wareroom. As soon as the supply of stimulus was gone, more was wanted, so the deer skin was slipped out through a crack, and again exchanged for another gallon. This trade on the same piece of money was made the fourth time, when Buckingham became suspicious of the trick, and remarked that he would mark that hide, and did so by cutting off the tail. Our friend Cook was quite hilarious by this time, and saunter- ing up to the court where Judge Flanniken was presiding, he was fined $5 for contempt of court. The next day, being in better possession of his senses, he, armed with a quart bottle of the same kind of liquid that had led him into trouble, sought an interview with the judge, told him that on yes- terday whisky had the advantage of him, and that he did not know what he was doing, spoke of his poverty, and of how hard it would be to pay the fine, but promised to pay it some way or other.
Then to show the judge that he (Cook) bore him no ill-will, he presented his bottle and asked him to have "something." Now it appears that the judge was in the habit of taking something for his stomach's sake, so he indulged not only one time, but another. Whether or not the deliberations of the court were as grave as usual on that afternoon, this much is certain, Cook's fine was paid.
The most notable case that came before the circuit court in this county before the Civil War was the McCool and Lively murder trial. Lively was arraigned for the murder of McCool. The case was in the courts for several years, and was finally settled by the death of Lively, who was shot and killed while lying asleep, and under guard. The supposition was that a brother of McCool did the deed, but no one was apprehended, and the matter was dropped.
The only legal execution that has ever occurred in the county was the hanging of J. M. Armstrong for the waylaying and killing of Dr. T. J. Fergu- son. Armstrong was captured about a year after the deed was committed; was tried and sentenced, and was hanged April 30, 1886. His accomplice, John Roland, was tried and sentenced to serve a term of twelve years in the penitentiary. Saloons were banished from Perryville in 1882, and the sen- timent against them has grown so strong that under the three-mile local option law there is not a place in the county where whisky or any of its kindred liquors can be obtained. With the banishment of this evil from the county, there has come such a decrease in lawlessness and crime, that the citi- zens hail with delight the dawning of this, a new epoch in their history, for almost the greatest curse of mankind in promoting the exercise of the malev- olent passions is gone. and now instead of being ranked as one of the most lawless counties in the State, Perry stands as a banner locality in the line of law and order.
Perryville, the county seat, is a village of some 450 inhabitants, and is situated about half a mile from the north bank of the Fourche la Fave River. The town was founded about 1840, upon its becom- ing the seat of justice for the county. John L. Huston, Hines, Greathouse and Cribbens were
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PERRY COUNTY.
among the first to settle here. At this place have been enacted some of the most dastardly tragedies that ever stained the records of any county. But. since the banishment of the saloons, a quieter and better ordered town does not exist. In 1876 it was incorporated, and J. F. Sellers was chosen first mayor. Five aldermen, the mayor and recorder, constitute the town council, which meets once a month. The business is represented by three drug stores, three groceries, four general stores, two blacksmith and wagon shops, one grist and saw- mill and cotton-gin combined, two hotels, and some minor industries. There are also two churches and a school-house here.
Perryville Lodge No. 208, A. F. & A. M., was chartered November 22, 1870, with thirteen mem- bers, and only five of them are now living. The present principal officers are: W. H. Rankin, W. M. ; J. A. McBath, S. W .; John Bland, J. W., and J. E. Holmes, secretary. The membership is forty-three at present. A Masonic lodge was organized at Aplin in 1886, and has now twenty. three members. The principal officers are P. M. Mosby, W. M .: J. S. Massey, S. W .; W. G. Gul- lett, J. W. ; and E. S. Dooley, secretary.
Knights of Honor Lodge No. 3,207 was organ- ized October 9, 1885, with twenty-five charter mem- bers, but the membership has since decreased to sixteen. Robert Windle is Dictator and T. J. Hol- lingsworth, Reporter. There has been one death, that of Henry Corn, which occurred May 7, 1888.
The Perryville News, edited by J. A. Sellers, is published weekly at Perryville.
Aplin, the only village in the county outside of Perryville, is situated in Aplin Township, on the north bank of the river Fourche la Fave, about ten miles west from the county seat. The postoffice was established here in 1872, with a Mr. Van Hook as postmaster. The business is represented by three general stores, two blacksmith shops, one saw-mill, built in 1875 by Snyder, Woolbright & Harkey. There is one Union church, which is also used for a school-house.
There are postoffices at the following places: Hollis, in Tyler Township; Nimrod, in New Ten- nessee; Casa, in Casa; Adina, in Petit Jean; Hus-
ton, in Huston; Sevier, in Union; Dixie and Esau, in Perry, and Quidan, in McCool.
Charles M. Armistead. Although Mr. Armi- stead has not long been a resident of Perry County, he has become one of its leading citizens and most extensive farmers. He was born in Missis- sippi, May 31, 1861, and is a son of Thomas R. and Priscilla (Beard) Armistead, of Georgia and Alabama, respectively. and is the eleventh in a family of twelve children born to the parents. He was reared on his father's farm in Pontotoc County, Miss., until 1869, when the family moved to De Soto County, where Charles attended the public schools for a short season, as well as receiving in- struction from his parents at home, and notwith- standing the very little schooling he received in his youth he improved every minute of the time em- ployed, and is well educated for a man who labored under the disadvantages that he encountered. In 1888 he moved to Arkansas and settled in Sevier, where he leased a large tract of land, and com- menced farming very extensively. He now has 775 acres under cultivation, consisting of 500 acres in cotton, seventy five acres in corn, and the bal. ance in different growths. Mr. Armistead has a larger number of acres under cultivation than any other farmer in Perry County. He is a member of Woodland Lodge No. 1, at Conway, Ark., and was initiated into the order in June of the present year. Still a young man and comparatively a new resident in his adopted State, Mr. Armistead has become an active spirit in all matters pertaining to his county's welfare. He is an enterprising cit- izen and a popular one, and, although he is at pres- ent a bachelor, it yet remains to be seen whether or not one of the many pairs of bright eyes in that locality can not induce him to change his condition.
John J. Barnett, one of the principal millers and a substantial farmer of Perry County, is a native of Arkansas, and was born May 23, 1847. His parents were William Henry and Susan Eliza (Baker) Barnett, natives of Tennessee and Vir- ginia, respectively, who were married February 26, 1846, at the residence of the bride, in Independ-
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HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
ence County, Ark. The mother died on January 29, 1851, and the father was married a second time, this wife being Miss Lucy Reeves, and by whom he had four children: Henry Clay (born December 22, 1857), William B. (born April 18, 1859), Martha Louisa and Joseph S. (the latter born November 7, 1865). John Barnett and Sarah Ann, the paternal grandfather and grandmother, first came to Arkansas in 1824, and located in Hickory Valley, Independence County, where he purchased land and began farming, adding to it, from time to time, until he owned over 1,000 acres, and had placed some 600 acres under culti- vation. John J. Barnett was reared to farm life, and received his education in the subscription schools of Independence County. He remained with his father until 1863, and then, matters not being satisfactory at home, he went to the recruit- ing officer and enlisted in Company H, Fourth Regiment Arkansas Volunteer Cavalry, serving until June 30, 1865, when he was mustered out at Little Rock. He took part in a number of engage- ments, and acquitted himself with honor, and, after the war was over, returned to his father with the money he received for his services. He was mar- ried ou March 2, 1870, to Miss Nancy W. Meacham, of Independence County, and made a home of his own on land which he rented from his father-in- law. Six years afterward he purchased 140 acres of land on his grandfather's old homestead, and in 1877 erected a grist-mill and cotton-gin on the same site where his grandfather had built one forty years before. He made this his home until the summer of 1888, when he moved to Batesville, and kept a hotel for about one year, and then moved to Perryville. Mr. Barnett was elected a Mason in 1880, becoming a member of Curio Lodge No. 144, and has held every office in that fraternity since his initiation. He owns 160 acres of cultivated land in Independence County, be- sides his farm in Perry County, and also sixty acres of timbered land. The mill-site embraces two acres of land, upon which are erected a grist and saw mill and a cotton-gin, all of which are in successful operation. Mr. Barnett's family consists of ten children: Mary Martia (born May 19, 1871),
Susan Mildred (born September 9, 1872), Sarah Elizabeth (born February 19, 1874), Frances Bar- sheba (born March 20, 1875). John J. (born No- vember 8, 1876, died October 1, 1877), James William (born January 13, 1878), Nancy Norris (born August 23, 1879, died August 22, 1886), Rebecca Ann (born December 15, 1880). Lillie L. (born November, 22, 1882), Julian C. (born May 23, 1885), Myrtle Leander (born August 22, 1886), Eliza Leola (born July 1, 1888). The children have all had the best education offered by the schools of Independence and Perry Counties, and the older ones especially have obtained a thorough and lasting knowledge of the higher branches of English studies. The firm name of the enterprise Mr. Barnett is connected with is Barnett & Co. They are extensive manufacturers of flour, corn- meal, and all kinds of lumber for building pur- poses, and the products of their mills have ob- tained a wide-spread reputation. In addition to Curio Lodge No. 144, he is also a member of Dan- ley Chapter No. 59, Royal Arch Masons, Sulphur Rock, Independence County, and takes an active interest in Masonic matters. Mr. Barnett is one of the foremost men in all enterprises to further the progress of religious and educational matters, and is a man of considerable influence, both social- ly and politically, in Perry County.
William T. Baskin is numbered among the largest planters and stockmen in Perry County, and is well known throughout the surrounding country. He was born in Tipton County, Tenn., October 28, 1840, and is the second child of thir- teen born to John and Cynthia (Smith) Baskin, of Perry and Tipton Counties, Tenn., respectively. The maternal great grandfather was a soldier in many of the battles fought during the Revolution, and the paternal grandfather was also a soldier in the War of 1812. The parents were married in Tipton County, Tenn., in the year 1837, and out of their family of thirteen children seven sons and two daughters lived to have families of their own, and at the present time seven survive. The parents moved to Arkansas in January, 1844, and located about ten miles west of the present site of Darda- nelle, where they entered a tract of eighty acres,
PERRY COUNTY.
669
which they improved and resided on for ten years, then sold out, and moved to Perry County in 1854, where the father entered 120 acres of land, and farmed successfully for four years. The elder Bas- kin was a firm believer that the soil was more pro- ductive farther north, and again sold out with the intention of moving, but at the earnest entreaties of his family he concluded to remain, and again purchased land from the Government, which he improved and lived upon until his death, in Febru- ary, 1860. William T. Baskin, his son, was edu- cated in the subscription schools of Arkansas. Three months previous to his father's death Will- iam married Miss Elizabeth Jane Story, of Tennes- see, a daughter of Henry and Nancy (Taylor) Story, who were among the earlier settlers of Arkansas. The worldly wealth of the young couple at that time amounted to $200, but they settled on the old home. stead with hearts full of hope, and the husband began working with a will to make a comfortable home and a bright future for his bride. At the outbreak of the Rebellion his plans were all over- thrown. He was strongly opposed to secession and in sympathy with the Union. and could not con- scientiously enter into the service of the Confed- erate army. As a consequence he was subjected to all the embarrassments and persecutions incident to his situation, and for more than a year resisted every influence to induce him to join the Southern army. The strain, however, was too great, and at last he enlisted in Capt. Boring's company in the old Hawthorne regiment, serving for three months, when he became so disgusted that he deserted and returned home. Here he found himself no better off than in the army, and as Capt. John Ward was recruiting a company of cavalry at that time, Mr. Baskin was taken captive to Boston Mountains in Newton County, Ark., and every means taken to induce him to enlist in the Federal army, but with- out success as he did not care to go North, so he was paroled and scouted his way back to his family in Perry County, with whom he remained until October, 1863. Circumstances then demanded that something be done to allow men to exercise their wishes as to whether they should tight in opposi- tion to their principles or fight to sustain them. and this marriage has given them four children.
Accordingly many of the citizens of Perry, Yell, Pope, Johnson and Conway Counties determined to organize companies for the Federal army, in order to give Union men an opportunity to en- list under the stars and stripes. The result was the organization of the Third Arkansas Regi- ment of Cavalry, United States Army, commanded by Col. A. H. Ryan, Mr. Baskin becoming a mem- ber of Company C, and serving for one year and seven months. He took part in a number of skir- mishes throughout the State, but was never in any regular engagement, and was never wounded, nor reported on the sick list. On May 22, 1865, he was lionorably discharged at Lewisburg, Ark., and after- ward resided near that town, which was in posses- sion of the Federals, in order to be protected from the guerrillas. After rejoining his family once more, Mr. Baskin moved to Perry County, and set- tled on a farm in Casa Township, which he had come in possession of while in the army. His family consisted of himself and wife and two chil- dren: Cynthia Ann (born October 14, 1861) and Mary Alice (born March 11, 1863). In October, 1866, another child was born to them, Sarah Eliz- abeth, and about this time Mrs. Baskin was taken sick. The following year, in consequence of his wife's ill health and the expense incurred by her sickness, he was forced to sell his improved farm and return to the old homestead where he first be- gan his married life. Three years later Mrs. Bas- kin recovered her health, but her husband was practically bankrupt. On March 9, 1868, another child was born, John Henry, then Mahal Catherine (born July 7, 1872) and James R. (born February 8, 1875); on September 13 they were bereaved by death of little John Henry, who was laid to rest in Ridge Cemetery, Yell County. The balance of Mr. Baskin's children have all had the benefits of the schools in Arkansas, and have acquired a good knowledge of the English branches of education. Cynthia A. was married to Mr. James A. Goodson, of Yell County, a well-known blacksmith and farm- er, and this union has made them the parents of six children. Mary Alice was united in marriage to Mr. William McCabe, a farmer of Perry County.
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HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
Sarah Elizabeth was married to Mr. Jefferson Parker, of Tennessee, and had two children, one of them dying since. While Mr. and Mrs. Baskin are not members of any church, they take great interest in and are liberal supporters of all religions and educational matters, and Mr. Baskin has been a member of the school board for a number of years. He is a stanch Republican in politics, and for sev. eral years served as justice of the peace for his township. He is a straightforward man. sincere in his expressions, and has the courage to speak and follow his convictions under all circumstances, as his career has amply proven, and commands the respect and the esteem of his fellow-citizens.
John Bland, an enterprising and a well-known merchant of Perryville, was born in Saline County, Ark., December 16, 1838, and is a son of John and Temperance (Powell) Bland, the former a native of Kentucky whose forefathers came from Holland, and the mother a native of Ohio. The parents were married in Arkansas, and had sixteen children by their union, of whom young John was the seventh and the only one living at present. The father died in 1862 and the mother in 1848. John Bland, Jr., was reared to farm life, and received his education in the subscription schools of Arkansas. He remained at home with his father until 1861, and on May 3 of that year he enlisted in Company B. of the Third Arkansas Regiment of Cavalry, and served for four years. He first entered as a private soldier and remained in that capacity until the early part of 1862, when a brave action on the field won him the promotion to duty-sergeant, in which capacity he continued until the army was disbanded. During his service he fought under Gens. Price, Van Dorn, Wheeler and Forrest, and took part in nearly all the most important engagements. His company was dis- banded near Savannah, Ga., and he returned home from that place on his faithful old war horse. riding him the entire distance. He fought at the battles of Corinth, Chickamauga, siege of Knoxville, and many others. At the first-named place he was severely wounded by a musket ball which struck him in the left arm, between the wrist and elbow, and then passed into the body at the breast, the
ball ranging obliquely to the right and coming ont between the seventh and eighth ribs, and wounding the right arm between the shoulder and elbow. He was taken to the hospital, where he remained until March, 1863, and in July of the same year reported to his company for duty. He was with Gen. J. E. Johnston in the retreat from Dalton to Atlanta, remaining at the latter place until Gen. Hood took the command, after which he participated in Gen. Wheeler's raid through Mid- dle Tennessee, and later on rejoined Gen. John- ston's army. After the war Mr. Bland returned home and commenced farming. In 1868 he was united in marriage to Miss Lucinda C. Rankin, a daughter of G. M. and Jane (Alexander) Rankin, of North Carolina. This union gave them seven children: William C., Mollie, Rosie, Hattie, Jes- sie, Verna and John, all living. Mr. Bland's next venture was in mercantile life, and he entered into partnership with Mr. W. H. Rankin at Perry- ville, where they opened up a large establishment and carry a fine and well-selected stock of general merchandise. They have everything necessary and imaginable in their line of trade, and are building up a good patronage by their legitimate methods of doing business. In politics he is a Democrat, and has served his county as treasurer for three terms of two years each, occupying that office with a distinction that has never been ex- celled. He is a member of Perryville Lodge No. 238, A. F. & A. M., and has served his lodge as treasurer for a number of years, as well as being on his second term as Junior Warden. Mr. Bland has always taken an active interest in religious, educational and social development, and his resi- dence in Perry County has marked a new era in those matters.
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