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 117

Author: Goodspeed, firm, publishers, Chicago. (1886-1891. Goodspeed publishing Company)
Publication date: 1889
Publisher: Chicago, St. Louis [etc.] The Goodspeed publishing co.
Number of Pages: 826


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 117
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 117
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 117
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 117
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 117
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 117
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 117
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 117
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 117


Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).


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mill on Gold Creek for a time. but in 1874 sold his mill and commenced farming on his present tract of land. This he has improved, until it is now one of the most valuable farms of the county. De- cember 31, 1878, Mr. Lind was united in marriage with Florence, daughter of George Barley, and to their union three sons and four daughters have been born: Hetty (born in December, 1879), George (born in May, 1881), Edna (born in January. 1883). Addison (born in November, 1886), Pearle (born in September, 1887) and Benjamin H. (born in June, 1889.) Addison died March 17, 1888. For the past eight years Mr. Lind has served as justice of the peace, and during this time has married ten couples. He is a Republican in politics, a Mason, and a member of the G. A. R. He makes it a rule to take an advanced part in all matters per- taining to the welfare of his community, and is one of the stanch men of the county.


D. P. Loretz, of Swiss descent, was born June 30, 1842, in Lincoln County, N. C., and is one of five children born to Daniel and Eliza (Reinhardt) Loretz. The great-grandfather, Andrew Loretz, was a minister of the German Reformed Church. His son. also named Andrew, was born in 1761 and came to America from Switzerland in 1784, landing at Baltimore, and a short time afterward married a Mrs. Schaeffer. of Hagerstown, Md. A few months later they moved to Lincoln County, N. C., where he continued the good work of his father until his death, which occurred in 1812. His son, Daniel, the father of the subject of this sketch, was born in 1802 and died in 1851. He was a successful farmer, living in Lincoln County, and was respected by all who knew him. His brothers were prominent men, holding high offices at different times. The wife of Daniel Loretz was the daughter of John and Anna (Moore) Reinhardt, both natives of North Carolina. In 1861 D. P. Loretz enlisted and served as lieutenant in the Thir- ty second North Carolina Regiment in the valley campaigns in Virginia, but was seriously wounded at Winchester, Va., when under Jubal Early, at the time the latter was defeated by Sheridan. He was in the battles of Spottsylvania, etc., and at Norfolk saw the ever-to-be-remembered fight


between the Merrimac and Monitor; belonging to the first division, commanded by Huger and after- ward transferred to the Army of Northern Vir- ginia. After he was wounded he remained at home until the close of the war, when he sold his farm and moved to North Alabama, and from there to Conway, Ark. In 1880 he moved to Mayflower and engaged in farming, owning several lots in connection with his farm. In July, 1867, Mr. Loretz was united in marriage with Anna Aber- nathy of Jacksonville. Ala., daughter of Miles W. Abernathy. Mr. and Mrs. Loretz are mem- bers of the Protestant Episcopal Church, and Mr. Loretz is postmaster and has held several other local offices in the community. He is a member of Pat Cleburn's Post of Confederate Veterans. Our subject has in his possession numerous papers published at Richmond, Va., and North Carolina, reflecting the opinions of those people at the time of the war, also the passport his grandfather car- ried from Switzerland to America. Another article which he considers priceless, not because of its intrinsic value, but from old associations' sake, is an autograph album belonging to his grandfather. This album is bound in calf with gilt edge and is in a high state of preservation. The selections were mostly written at Bavaria and are dated from 1779 to 1784, productions principally of his school mates.


J. E. Martin, a leading dealer in general merchandise of Faulkner County, first came to his present location in 1875. He was born in White County, Tenn., in January, 1840, and was the fourth child of a family of nine born to Daniel and Rebecca (English) Martin of the same State. The father was a prominent planter in Tennessee, who left that State with his family in 1848 and settled in Van Buren County, Ark., being one of the pio- neers of that section. He there entered land which he improved and cultivated until the year 1851. when he came to what is now Faulkner County, where he purchased a large farm upon which he resided until his death, in 1888, his devoted wife having preceded him during the war. The father was a well-known politician during his life, and a man of considerable influence with the Democratic


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FAULKNER COUNTY.


party in his locality. J. E. Martin was reared on a plantation and instructed in the duties of farm life. He received his education in the schools of Van Buren and Faulkner Counties and also at Quit- man, and immediately after finishing his studies he turned his attention to farming on his own ac- count. His first venture was to purchase a tract of land which he improved and cultivated and added to on different occasions as his prosperity increased, until at the present time he owns about 2,000 acres, with 400 under cultivation. He first started in commercial life in the year 1871 at Greenbrier, and continued at that point until his re- moval to Conway, where he resided and carried on business since 1875. He now owns two good brick business houses and has established a large patron- age and keeps a stock of goods and supplies that would beggar description as to their variety. His stock in every line is always of the best, and he has earned an enviable reputation throughout that section for his honest methods of doing busi- ness. He takes an active part in politics and votes the Democratic ticket, and as a testimonial of their regard his party elected him sheriff of the county in 1874. Being the first man to hold that office in Faulkner County. In 1876 he was re elected and also served one term in the legislature the same year. In 1878 he was offered the nomination for State senator but declined on account of his rap- idly increasing business interests. He was again elected to the legislature in 1888, and is at present a member of that body and fills the position in a highly creditable manner. He was for several terms a member of the town council and also served on the school board. In secret orders he is a member of Green Grove Lodge No. 107, in high standing. Mr. Martin was married in Faulkner County in the year 1859 to Miss Hettie Kerr, of Tennessee, by whom he had two children: Mary Alice (now Mrs. Griffing, who resides in Conway) and Effie (now Mrs. L C. Lincoln, of the same town). He lost his excellent wife in 1865, and in 1866 he was married to Miss Sarah Jane Kerr, of Tennessee, by whom he had seven children: Will- iam Hampton (who is in partnership with his father), Jessie (now Mrs. Canada, of Conway),


Rosa Lee, Artie, Merrill, Bessie and Eugene. During the war Mr. Martin enlisted, in 1861, in Company A, McRae's regiment, and soon after was taken seriously ill and was forced to return home. He subsequently joined Col. Newton's regiment after his recovery, in which he served until the close of the war, taking part in the battles of Prairie Grove, Cape Girardeau and a number of others. Mr. Martin took quite an active part in the organi- zation of Faulkner County, and has watched its growth and progress with deep interest. He is liberal in his aid to all worthy enterprises and his personal worth has made him one of the most pop- ular citizens in his community. Mrs. Martin, who was a devoted wife and mother, died in January. 1889.


Edward Munroe Merriman, was born in An- burn, N. Y., June 11, 1843. He entered West Point Military Academy from the State of New York, in 1863, and graduated in 1867, afterward serving in the United States army, as an officer of the first regular artillery, until 1871, when he took advantage of the act of Congress, mustering out officers with one year's pay and allowances. His services were principally in the New York harbor. at the city of New Orleans and on the Kansas frontier, protecting settlers in the latter locality, against raids of the Sioux and Cheyenne Indians. Mr. Merriman came to Arkansas on July 4, 1871, and settled at the point where the town of Conway is now located, being the oldest resident of that place. In 1873 he was appointed postmaster, and the following year was commissioned first lieuten- ant of Arkansas State Guards during the Brooks- Baxter trouble. He was elected mayor of Conway in 1876, and was the second official in that capac- ity of the town. He was first appointed justice of the peace in 1873, and in 1879 was again elected to that office, occupying the position up to the year 1882, when he was elected judge of the county court of Faulkner County, by the Democratic party. On September 6, 1884, and on September 6, 1886, he was re-elected to the same office and served in this until 1888. Mr. Merriman is a direct de- scendant of President John Quincy Adams on his mother's side, and is the youngest of three chil-


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HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.


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dren, born to Corydon H. and Mary (Adams) Mer- riman, of New York, the former a prominent figure in the early history of that State, and in later life president of the First National Bank, of Auburn, N. Y., with which he had been connected for over fifty years. The elder Merriman was a great friend to the Hon. W. H. Seward, whose death occurred at Auburn, in 1876. Of the Merriman family yet remaining, Truman Adams resides in New York City, and is a journalist by profession, being con- nected with Mr. Dana's staff on the New York Sun. He was a prominent and brilliant Demo- cratic politician at one time, and served as a mem- ber of Congress for six years. Corydon also resides in New York City, where he was formerly engaged in banking, but is now representing the interests of a New York millionaire. Edward Munroe Mer- riman was married in Conway, on September 6, 1873, to Miss Matilda Menkus, a native of Prussia, who came to this country with a brother, and is a daughter of Sidney and Elizabeth Menkus, of the same place. Mrs. Merriman's father died in Prussia, and the mother came to the United States some time afterward, and is now residing at Little Rock, Ark. One child has been given Mr. and Mrs. Merriman, a daughter: Mary Adams (born in 1874). Mr. Merriman was one of the originators and helped to pass the law creating Faulkner County. Having resided here from its infancy to its present grand development, he has taken an active part in promoting its interests and welfare, and a good part of its prosperity is due to the ef- forts of himself and a few other leading spirits. He has been practicing law since 1886, and has established an enviable reputation in that profes- sion. He has always been a Democrat in politics.


J. R. Miller, who is a prosperous merchant and farmer of Faulkner County, was born in Mem- phis, Tenn., Jannary 2, 1856, and is the son of J. J. and Nancy A. (West) Miller, the former be- ing an Ohioan by birth. They were the parents of five children, two still living. J. J. Miller went to Memphis in 1844, and worked at his trade, that of a painter, and was married there the same year. He remained in Memphis until 1847, when he moved to Ohio, and from there to Louisville,


Ky., going thence to New Albany. Returning to Memphis he died there in 1863. His wife sur- vived him till 1868. Our subject received his edu- cation at the public schools, living with his father until twenty years of age, when he went to Craig- head County, Ark., and farmed for two years. In 1876 he moved to St. Francis County, and from there to Hot Springs, but remained only a short time. He then built a large boat and ran up and down the Arkansas River, and finally moved to the shore at Chrisman Place. His boat was afterward destroyed, after which he built a storehouse, and sold goods at Caldwell Landing. In February, 1884, he closed out his stock, and in a short time came to Mayflower, and has resided here ever since. On January 11, 1864, Mr. Miller was united in marriage to Mauda E. Jackson. To this marriage three children were born: Catherine, John and Nancy. April 15, 1878, Mr. Miller was bereft of his wife, and in 1880 he took for his second and present wife, Mary S. Snrat, and they are the par- ents of three children: Sophia, Lizzie and William H. He has a good store of general merchandise, his stock usually invoicing from $600 to $700, be- sides which he owns 200 acres of land, forty being under cultivation. The town was founded in 1882, and has a postoffice and two blacksmith shops and two stores, also a saw-mill and two shingle- mills within a mile and a half, which are doing a good business. Mr. Miller is a good, all round mechanic, and as such is never idle. He has been justice of the peace, and during his service had the honor of marrying one couple. He also bound over one darkey who was sent to the "Pen," be- sides disposing of several other cases of minor importance. He is a stanch Democrat, and always supports the principles of his party. Active and enterprising as a citizen, he cheerfully gives his support wherever it is needed, and is not a fol- lower but a leader in matters tending to the pros- perity and growth of the community.


Jacob A. Phillips is among the leading farmers of Caney Township and was born August 8, 1840, in Fayette County, Tenn. His parents were Alex- ander and Catherine (Long) Phillips, the former of whom was born in North Carolina, in 1804, and


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FAULKNER COUNTY.


died March 5, 1859, in Prairie County, Ark. In 1832 he removed to Tennessee, where he remained until 1858. then going to Prairie County, Ark. His parents were William S. Phillips and wife. William's father was of English descent, and a gen- eral in the Revolutionary War. The mother of our subject was born in North Carolina in the year 1798, and died in 1860, in Prairie County, Ark., having borne a family of seven children, only two of whom are living: Andrew (who resides in Shelby County, Tenn.) and Jacob A. The latter, the subject of this sketch, received a very limited edu- cation in Tennessee, and when twenty years of age served in the navy under Gen. Farragut. In 1866 he married Miss Sarah J. Ferguson, who was born in Shelby County, in 1845, a daughter of Joseph and Elizabeth (Hale) Ferguson, natives of Tennes- see. Mr. and Mrs. Ferguson were the parents of eleven children, five of whom survive: William, James, Robert, Lorenza and Sarah, who is the mother of eleven children, eight of whom are liv- ing: William A., John L., George L., Bettie A. C., Enos T., Mary L., Cala D. and Grover C. In 1871 Jacob A. Phillips came to Faulkner (formerly Conway) County, bought 120 acres of land, and by hard work and perseverance has acquired one of the best farms in this region. He is a prom- inent man, holding several offices of importance, and is upright in all his dealings, counting his friends by the score. He cast his first vote for president for Seymour, but is now in sympathy with the Union Labor party. Mr. and Mrs. Phillips are members of the Christian Church and are use. ful and influential in all church affairs, command- ing the respect of all who know them.


P. H. Prince, county and probate judge of Faulkner County, a man who stands prominently among the legal talents of that locality, was born in Tallahatchee County, Miss., in 1846, and was the eighth of thirteen children born to William and Sarah P. (Williams) Prince, of South Carolina. The parents were born in South Carolina and mar- ried in the State of Georgia, moving to Mississippi about the year 1844, where the father purchased a large plantation upon which the family resided un- til the year 1874, and then came to Faulkner


County, Ark., settling on a farm near the town of Conway. The father's death occurred in 1887, at the age of seventy-nine years, and the mother still survives him at the age of seventy-four years. P. H. Prince was educated at the district schools of his native State, and entered the State University at Lexington, Ky., in 1872, taking a literary and law course. He remained at that institution until the year 1873, when he graduated and was admit- ted to the bar the same year, and immediately came to Faulkner County, locating at Conway, where he commenced practicing. Since then his success has been of the most pronounced type, and when actively engaged in his profession commands about the largest clientage in Faulkner County. He takes an active part in, politics, and is a stanch adherent of the Democrat party. In secret socie- ties he is a member of Green Grove Lodge No. 107, F. & A. M., also Woodland Lodge No. 11, Knights of Pythias. Mr. Prince was married at Jonesboro, East Tenn , in 1878, to Miss Martha E. Hoss, a daughter of Henry and Anna Maria (Sevier) Hoss, of that State. Mrs. Prince's ma- ternal great-grandfather was the first Governor of Tennessee, and a champion at King's Mount- ain during the Revolutionary War. Two children were born to this union: William Henry and Anna. Judge Prince and wife are members of the Meth- odist Episcopal Church, South, and take great interest in promoting the educational and religious welfare of their county. The former has always been one of the foremost men to offer his assistance in any worthy enterprise for the development of his community, and is highly respected by his fel- low-citizens.


Col. A. P. Robinson needs no especial intro- duction to the readers of this volume as one of the most prominent men in Central Arkansas, for his substantial reputation is well known and his name a familiar one throughout a large region. He was born in Hartford County, Conn., in the year 1822, and is the oldest child of seven born to Lud- yah and Sophia Eliza (Hosmer) Robinson, both natives of the same State and descendants from Puritanical stock. The parents were among the most prominent people in that State, and the ma-


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HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.


ternal grandfather was a noted soldier in the Revo- lutionary War. The father moved from his native State to Newburg, N. Y., when a young man, and embarked in business in that city with great suc- cess. His death occurred in 1861, at New York City, while his wife still survives him and resides with a son in California. A. P. Robinson was reared in Newburg, N. Y., and educated in the schools of that place. In his youth he displayed a natural aptitude for scientific matters, and while at college was instructed in all the intricate branches of civil engineering, and after entering into active work was rodman on the first forty-five miles of the Erie Railroad constructed west of the Hudson River. Since then his operations have extended over the entire country, and he has witnessed the growth of the railroad system in the United States from its infancy to the great mass of steel network extending from Maine to Florida and from the At- lantic to the Pacific. After the war, with an escort of cavalry, he made an exploration from the Mis- souri River to Denver; then moved to the State of Kansas and was engaged by the Missouri, Kansas & Texas Railroad Company, but he left their em- ploy in 1869 and came to Little Rock, where he built the first twenty miles of the Iron Mountain & Southern Railroad, and afterward constructed the Little Rock & Fort Smith Railroad, of which lines he was chief engineer. He also laid out the Hot Springs Reservation for the Government in 1884. During his connection with the Little Rock & Fort Smith Railroad, Col. Robinson bought 640 acres of the company's land, upon which the city of Conway now stands, that place having grown until it now occupies three-fourths of the original section. Col. Robinson first located at his present home in 1871, and since then has been actively en- gaged in buying and selling real estate. His fine plantation is partially inside of the city limits. He was the first mayor of Conway, and filled that office for a great many years. In educational mat- ters he is deeply interested, and at the present time is serving as president of the school board. The Colonel has always been active in politics, and car- ries considerable weight in his party. He is a stanch adherent to the Republicans, and a valna-


ble man to that party whenever he desires to use his influence. In 1845 he was married at New York City to Miss Lucy Blodgett, of that State, by whom he had five children, only two of whom sur- vive: Sanford (chief engineer, and residing at Gautamala, Central America), and Lucy (now Mrs. Mathie, who resides in New York City). In 1859 the first wife died at Norwich, Conn., and in 1874 Col. Robinson was married to Miss Mary Louise De St. Louis, of Montreal, Canada, who has been a devoted wife. He is greatly interested in Short- horn cattle, and owns some of the finest Jerseys in the State, and has three splendid bulls of that breed. Besides this, he is rearing fine cattle of other kinds, hogs, and sheep, and his stock is be- yond comparison with any other in that section. He is one of the prime movers in every worthy en- terprise that takes place in Faulkner County, and his popularity with his fellow-citizens is not only due to his valuable services to that community, but to his personal qualities as well.


Hon. Joseph Roden, one of the leading millers, cotton gin operators and farmers of Faulkner County, was born in Tishomingo County, Miss., in 1839, and is a son of Josiah and Nancy J. (Haw- kins) Roden, born in Greenville District, S. C., in 1798, and Overton County, Tenn., in 1808, re- spectively. The parents were married in the latter place about the year 1833, and some time after removed to Mississippi. Shortly after the out- break of war between the North and South, the parents moved to Hot Spring County, Ark. The father was a prosperous farmer before the war, and ranked as one of the best planters in the South; that is, he had a thorough knowledge of soil, crops, and in fact, everything relating to agriculture, but after the war was over, almost all of his lands and every one of his slaves were lost to him. He was a son of Nathaniel Roden, of South Carolina, who was also a prosperous farmer in Tennessee, and died in that State, as did also James Hawkins, the maternal grandfather. Josiah Roden was married twice, his second wife being Miss Maggie West- brook, by whom he had one child. Joseph was the fourth child of seven sons and two daughters born to the first marriage, and received a limited


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JEFFERSON COUNTY, ARKANSAS.


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FAULKNER COUNTY.


education in his youth, owing to the poor facilities for schooling. However, he applied himself dili- gently to the rudiments of education at home, and being of a naturally fine intellect, and having the ability, he acquired by that means a good common English training. During the war he enlisted in Company B, Twenty-sixth Mississippi Infantry, bnt a few days after entering the army he was afflicted with the measles, and was forced to with- draw. In 1862 he moved with his parents to Ar- kansas, and there joined Company I, Sixth Arkan- sas Infantry, operating in Arkansas and Texas, principally, until the close of the war. His service was for most of the time in doing special work, these duties requiring great secrecy, shrewdness and coolness, and the best praise that can be of- fered to Mr. Roden is the truthful saying that his work was well done. He surrendered to Gen. Canby in the State of Louisiana, and during the same year was married at Shreveport, in that State, to Miss Lizzie V. Hamlett, a daughter of John and Nancy Hamlett, of Tennessee, and Mississippi, respectively. John Hamlett was a prominent mer- chant of Marshall, Tex., for a great many years, and was also one of the pioneer settlers of Arkan- sas. His daughter was born in Mississippi, and by her marriage with Mr. Roden became the mother of eight children, of whom six are still liv- ing. Shortly after their union Mr. and Mrs. Ro- den moved to Little Rock, Ark., where for some time the former was engaged under contract to do the Government teaming. He next entered into the boot and shoe business, but did not remain in it long before he found that the occupation was not conducive to his interests. He then went to Texas and remained a short time, but soon returned to Arkansas, and located in Pulaski County, where he farmed until 1871. Faulkner County became his next location, and in 1884 he moved on his present place, where he now owns eighty-eight acres of very productive land, operates a corn and flonr-mill, and a steam cotton-gin. Mr. Roden owes his prosperity to his own individual efforts. He is a man of enterprise, and with that spirit that would never give up under any circumstance. He is a stanch Democrat in politics, and was elected to


the office of justice of the peace. After that his party elected him to the legislature, in which he served with distinction. He is also prominent in Masonic circles, and about twenty five years ago was a member of the I. O. O. F. in Texas. Mr. and Mrs. Roden have both been members of the Christian Church for a great many years. He is a man of genial disposition and character, and for a great many years supported his aged father and mother, who had fallen from affluence to compara- tive poverty by the ruthless hand of war. In 1887 Hamlett Postoffice, in honor of his wife's maiden name, was established at his place, and he has since then been acting as postmaster.




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