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 128

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 128
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 128
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 128
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 128
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 128
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 128
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 128
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 128
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 128

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).

A. M. Middlebrooks, a resident of Jefferson County, and worthily identified with Arkansas' in- terests as a citizen only less than in an official capacity, first saw the light of day, February 19,

1855, in Troup County, Ga., of course as a slave boy. his mother, Cynthia Middlebrooks, being the slave of Mrs. Mahala Middlebrooks; his father was a white man by the name of Isaac Totom, who came south and engaged in the cotton business. as a cotton factor at Griffin, Ga. He died when his son Aaron was only three weeks old. At the emancipation all the slaves on the old county farm, where Mr. Middlebrooks lived, had to sign a con- tract and remain on the farm with the old slave- owners until the following Christmas, in 1865; when they were all called to make the cross mark none were able to do so but the subject of this sketch, who stepped up to the desk and readily seized the pen and made his own mark. Upon this manifestation to wield the pen, his master told him he could soon learn to read and to write, and keenly realizing the thought he seized his oppor- tunity and got hold of a Webster spelling book. In less than six months he had mastered that little but old volume, one which has contributed to make more men and women intellectual athletes than any other book ever written by an American author. In 1866-69 Mr. Middlebrooks remained on the farm and studied hard by the aid of pine knot light. He attended night school and recited his lessons in orthography, grammar, geography, reading and history, with other studies, to Mrs. Lucy Davenport, the wife of a Southern planter. Having shown his earnestness by his studions and energetic habits, and indicating that he was greatly imbued with the idea of education, the planter's wife persuaded the boy to leave the farm and enter the school, which advice he heeded and attended the grammar school under an eminent Southern tutor. From here he became a student at the Atlanta University, at Atlanta, Ga., where he re- mained for a number of years, gaining the love and sincere respect of both pupils and teacher. When he entered the college at Atlanta, he was poor and penniless, but his energy, his "pluck," his bright recitations, his studious habits and his manly conduct, soon brought him financial assist- ance from both North and South. One among his "hobbies" is that the negro can never be a race, if it depends upon other races for succor, but it

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must work out its own salvation. He says among other good things, that the great mass of the negro population in the South do not need classical edu- cation, but a business and an industrial training. He has always stood up for his ideas of what he conceived to be right, and while very 'naturally his opinions may not always have met universal ap- proval, they have commanded respect and kindly notice. In 1880 he was a delegate to the National Republican Convention, at Chicago, at that time being the youngest member of the convention. Again in 1884, he was a member of the National Convention, at Chicago, from the State of Missis- sippi, along with Messrs. B. K. Bruce, John R. Lynch, Thomas W. Stringer, James Hill and others. When he saw the inevitable conflict and prejudice that existed between the whites and the blacks of Mississippi, he at once took in the situa- tion and determined to come west. Settling in Jefferson County, Ark., for awhile. he engaged as tutor in the public schools, but his local party soon recognized in him a conservative and forcible speaker, and his consistent manner as well as other commendable traits soon called him to better fields of labor, if not more lucrative ones. In 1888, when the Republicans had once more determined to give the Democratic party a hard fight for the presidency, and to elect at least two congressmen from the State of Arkansas, that party placed Mr. Middlebrooks on the ticket as elector for the Second congressional district of Arkansas. Upon clearly appearing before the people, he was at once accorded a worthy place as a leader among men, and became the confidential friend of the late con- gressman-elect, John M. Clayton. He was with Mr. Clayton, aiding and abetting his cause of con- test against Hon. C. R. Breckenridge; and fore- seeing the dangers awaiting the former a day or so before they came to pass. made known to his friend his fears, stating that he should not remain at Plummerville. The brave reply was: "If I knew they would kill me I should remain at my post of duty." Mr. Middlebrooks is now deputy revenue collector for the Eastern district of Arkan- sas. In addition to this he has been called upon to occupy other positions of public trust, ever man-

ifesting that faithfulness and efficiency in the dis- charge of his duties which have redounded to his own credit and the perfect satisfaction of those whose interests have been in his control. He is in- deed a citizen who commands the proud respect of every Arkansan as well as residents of all other localities, and his example is one well worthy of emulation. July 25, 1882, Mr. Middlebrooks married Miss Sarah J. Hinton. They are members of the Baptist Church, and he belongs to the . Masonic fraternity.

A. S. Moon, deputy circuit clerk and recorder, is justly conceded to be one of the most prominent colored citizens of Jefferson County. A native of that county, he was born on September 16, 1847, and was reared and educated in his birthplace, remaining with his master, Robert W. Walker, until he attained his freedom. He then farmed with his father for three years, after which he taught school in Pine Bluff and throughout the county with great success, 'having received an ex- cellent education in his youth. In 1876 he was elected county treasurer, and served one term, aft- erward holding the office of deputy sheriff and collector until the year 1879, when he again re- sumed his farm work. In the fall of 1880 Mr. Moon was elected circuit court clerk and recorder, but turned that office over to Mr. Ferd Havis, the present incumbent, in 1882. He then secured a position in the postoffice, and for two years and a half was a very efficient delivery clerk. The fol- lowing January he came back as deputy, the posi- tion he at present fills, and has always given entire satisfaction even to the smallest details of his du- ties. Mr. Moon was married in 1876 to Miss Cor- nelia Henly, by whom he had four children: Isaac A., Edward S., Emma L. and Sadie C., but lost his excellent wife in 1883. Mr. Moon is a member of the United Brothers of Friendship, of which he is secretary, and in religious belief is a member of the Presbyterian Church. He has been fairly suc- cessful in his farming operations, and also owns some good property in town, and is held in that high respect which good citizenship always brings.

William Peters. Among the colored residents of Little Rock, whose honorable career has won the

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admiration of all good citizens, is Mr. Peters, now engaged in blacksmithing. He was born in Maury County, Tenn., in 1833, the slave of Capt. James Peterson, and remained a servant in the family un- til the emancipation, during which time he learned the trade of blacksmith, engaging in this business after the war, and settling in Little Rock. Mr. Peters was married in 1863, to Phebe Peters, a free woman, and half white. They never had any children of their own, but have raised fourteen orphan children, five of whom they have taken and educated since the war: Mitchell Jones, Fan- nie Jones, John Morgan, Will Peter and Collie Luck, a white boy, who was left with them by his father, and who is now between eight and nine years old. Mrs. Peters was born in Alabama, and was a daughter of a white man, who set her free when a child. Upon her father's death, however, she was again forced into slavery, and did not afterward obtain her freedom until about the close of hostilities. Mr. Peters is a strong Republican, and a highly respected citizen.

Major P. Pointer, of Jefferson County, has be- come thoroughly identified with the interests of this section. He came originally from Tennessee, having been born October 6, 1840. His father, Warner Pointer, a native of Virginia, is now liv- ing with him, but his mother, Elizabeth Pointer, also a Virginian, is dead. The subject of this sketch served in the Federal cause, in the One Hundred and Eleventh Tennessee, under , Gen. Dodge, during the late war, participating in the battles of Decatur and Nashville, and at the close of that struggle was honorably discharged. In 1868 Mr. Pointer went into business for himself, and now has 360 acres of valuable land, besides a fine steam gin. He has ably served the people as school director, and as judge of elections at differ- ent times. He is a Republican, and a member of Corinthian Masonic Lodge. In 1868 he married Elizabeth Fields, daughter of William Fields, of Virginia nativity, who was also a soldier in the Union Army, under Gen. Rosecrans. Mr. and Mrs. Pointer have had the following family of children (three having died): Edmonia (born De- cember 25, 1867), Warner (born August 4, 1868,

died in 1869), Idella (born December 18, 1869, and died in 1879), Clarence (born July 16, 1872), Sum- ner (born May 6, 1874, died in 1879), Sarah (born July 23, 1876), Degracie (born February 19, 1882), Salers (born June 14, 1884) and Whitlock (born February 23, 1887). Though pursuing his way quietly and unostentatiously, Mr. Pointer has at- tained to a well-deserved position among the coun- ty's successful residents.

Simon R. Rawls. In this chapter, devoted to the record of influential citizens of the colored race, the name of Mr. Rawls should not be omitted, for he is a worthy resident of Jefferson County. His father was S. P. Rawls, active in the ministry of the African Methodist Episcopal Church, and one of the organizers of the same, his mother being Caroline Rawls. Simon R. was born in Mississippi, March 4, 1852. In 1870, at the age of eighteen, he began life and business for himself, and that year married Susanna Ware, of this county. They have had a family of three children: Susan Caroline (born February 27. 1872, died January 1, 1873), Virginia (born May 12, 1882,) and Ben Powell (born March 17, 1888). Mr. Rawls has been a magistrate for five years, and at various times has served as constable and school director. For nine years he has been a member of Steward's Odd Fellows Lodge. He and wife belong to the Baptist Church. Mr. Rawls owns ninety-two and one-half acres of excellent land, which he is managing in a manner denoting a thorough acquaintance with agricultural affairs. His efforts deserve good success.

W. A. Rector, a mulatto, and prominent man of Little Rock, was born in Little Rock, in 1833, the slave of Chester Ashley, being the servant of that family until after the emancipation. Follow- ing this, he located in Little Rock, where he was elected city collector, and afterward was elected city marshal, in which capacity he served until the State went back into the hands of the Democrats. He was then elected constable, after having been apppointed to that office to fill an unexpired term, after which he engaged in the wood business in the city. Mr. Rector was married at the age of twenty, to Miss Martha A. Hinston, who was also

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a slave in the Ashley family. They are the par- ents of three children: J. E., Annie M. (now widow of W. L. Copland, deceased) and Alice (de- ceased). J. E. Rector, his son, served as page in the lower house in the State legislature, and afterward attended school. His father wished him to enter the Military Academy, at West Point, and he was appointed as a candidate for entrance to that institution, but failed in the examination. He then returned to Little Rock, and was em- ployed for fourteen years as superintendent of mints. He was elected three successive times as circuit clerk of the county, but, being counted out, he was not allowed to serve, and was a delegate of the State at large, to the Republican conven- tion, in 1888, which nominated Harrison. He is now in the mail service, between Little Rock and Memphis. Mr. Rector's first wife died in 1858. He afterward married Miss Stagwer, by whom he had three children: J. K. (a graduate of Lincoln University, of Pennsylvania, now principal of the high school at Hot Springs, and studying law), Willie L. (deceased) and Charles (also deceased). Mr. Rector is the only survivor of the famous Ash- ley Band. On a returu trip from Memphis, while furnishing the music at a celebration, the boiler of the steamer they were on burst, and four of the brothers were killed, only one of the bodies being recovered. Mr. Rector had a marvelous escape. He enjoys a wide and favorable acquaintance throughout this locality, and has won many friends by his upright, consistent course.

A. L. Richmond is numbered among the sub- stantial residents of Little Rock, and as a person of means and influence is well known. He was born in Caswell County, N. C., in 1833, being a son of Lee Richmond, a grandson of his mother's mas- ter. His mother was quarter white. When A. L. Richmond was born, her master was "Billy" Richmond, who at his death gave his slaves to his son. They then emigrated with their master to Mississippi in 1843, the mother subsequently mar- rying Robert Stevens, a colored man; she died in Mississippi, having five children by this marriage. A. L. Richmond came west in 1848, having be- come the property of Nat Richmond, whom he

accompanied to Arkansas, locating in Dallas Coun ty, at Princeton, where they remained four years. Camden, Ouachita County, was their stopping place for two years, when A. L. was sold to Parson A. R. Winfield, in March, 1856. He then moved to Little Rock, Ark., remaining two years (until May, 1858), then to Pine Bluff, where in December, 1859, he was sold, to C. C. McAlmont. He was freed by the Union army upon its entrance into Little Rock, September 10, 1863. Mr. Richmond had learned the carpenter's trade during his serv- itude, and for twelve years previous to the war had been allowed his own time, paying his master $40 per month for same. His wonderful business tact necessitated his employing both white and colored men to work for him as carpenter and con- tractor, he having saved $1,200 for the purpose of buying his freedom. Since the war he has con- tinned in his business as contractor, and has been very successful. He owns thirty-three houses in Little Rock which bring him $200 per month rent. He was married at the age of eighteen to Miss Mary Brown, a native of Virginia, who is one-fourth white. They are the parents of eight children: Alice (who was Mrs. Handy, and died the mother of three children), Augustus, (who is a clerk in the postoffice at Little Rock), Rachel (deceased), William (deceased), John (a Methodist preacher at Newport), Mary (deceased). Annie (now Mrs. Childress) and Asa, Jr. Mr. Richmond has given all of his children a good education. He is one of the wealthiest colored gentleman of Little Rock, and highly respected.

Calvin Sanders, of Little Rock, was born the slave of Dr. Allen, of Alabama, in 1837, and was taken to Mississippi when an infant. At the age of fourteen he was brought to Arkansas and sold to William Sanders, a farmer of Pulaski County, with whom he remained until the emancipation proclamation. After his purchase by Mr. Sanders he was known as Calvin Sanders, which name has since clung to him. The subject of this sketch was married at the age of nineteen to Harriet San- ders, a slave of William Sanders. They were the parents of nine children, all of whom are living: Emmaline (wife of Jones Ambrose), Callie (wife of

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William Wilkerson), Sarah (wife of William But- ler), Henry, Columbus, William, Thomas, Hattie and Gertrude. After Mr. Sanders obtained his freedom he farmed one year north of Little Rock and then came to the city, where his active efforts have since been crowned with success. He is now worth considerable property and is the owner of a fine block, on which he has built ten houses. In 1868 he was elected alderman from the second ward, in which capacity he served two years. Subsequently he bought a farm of 160 acres, about six miles south of Little Rock, which he still owns, besides two lots in the capital, one being that upon which he lives at present. Mr. Sanders was in McCray's brigade, Glenn's regiment, during the war, and took part in the battle of Helena and a few other engagements. He is an enterprising citizen, has some money out at inter- est, and is treasurer of the I. O. O. F. Lodge, at Little Rock.

J. H. Smith, justly considered one of the leading practicing dentists of Little Rock, and well known throughout the State and Pulaski County as a prominent colored citizen, was born in Camden, Del., of free parents, on December 4, 1843. When four or five years of age his parents removed to New Jersey, where they resided until his father's death, in the meantime attending the schools at Penn's Grove. Soon after losing his father young Smith went to New York City, in 1858, where he entered the employ of Mrs. J. Bastrop, in the capacity of private secretary, at the same time at- tending school. From New York City he went to Philadelphia and began the study of dentistry with Dr. Clark, a celebrated dentist of that period and a friend of Mrs. Bastrop. He afterward entered the office of Drs. Longfellow & Kennard, and re- mained in Philadelphia for three years, fitting himself for college. About that time he was drafted in the army, but upon learning this fact his kind friend, Mrs. Bastrop. hired a substitute and paid him $1, 100, doing this without the knowl- edge of Smith. Previous to this Dr. Smith was one of four young men who waited on Gov. Sey- mour, of New York, for permission to raise a com- pany of colored soldiers, but the Governor refused

to allow the company to be raised. In 1863, when he was prepared to entered college, he was refused admittance on account of his color, so he returned to his preceptors and remained another year, at the end of which time Drs. Kennard, Longfellow & Flagg then examined him and gave him a cer- tificate. Dr. Smith first located for practice in Pittsburgh, Penn., where he did fairly well, but one year later removed to Chicago. and began the practice of dentistry, and at the same time took a scholarship in the Business College, which he at- tended at night. In this city he lost all of his effects in the fire of 1871, and then came direct to Little Rock, and from thence to the lower part of the State, where he commenced teaching school in order to earn money and purchase new instru- ments. In 1878 he commenced practicing his profession in Little Rock, since which time he has had splendid success, his practice increasing every year. He owns a good two-story residence at 707 Broadway, fitted up in an elegant manner, but with quiet and modest taste, and the walls are adorned with some oil paintings from the Doctor's brush, which are truly works of art. He is also an in- ventor of some note, having invented a peach- stoner, for which he was offered $10,000 cash, but refused it. This machine is now manufactured by the Clark Novelty Company, of Rochester, N. Y., who pay Dr. Smith a handsome royalty. He also patented what is known as Smith's Patent Weather Board Gauge, by which a carpenter can put weather-boarding on a house much easier and faster than in the old way. Dr. Smith has held some honorable positions. He was one of the Garfield electors of the State; was appointed by the Government as one of the commissioners at the World's Exposition in New Orleans, in 1884. He is the founder of the Colored State Fair, at Pine Bluff, the stockholders of which represent more than $500,000 in real property. He is also the founder of several minor institutions, which have for their object the well-being of his people. Dr. Smith was married, in 1876, to Miss Florence Irine Gulliver, of Indianapolis, Ind., by whom he has had three children: Charles, Girtrude and Beatrice. In religious belief the Doctor and his

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wife are members of the Presbyterian Church, and take a deep interest in religious and educational matters. Mrs. Smith's mother having died a few months ago, in Indianapolis, has left a consider- able property to be divided between Mrs. Smith and her sister. This, added to what the Doctor and his wife already have, will place them in easy circumstances for life.

Pleasant Tate, one of the most prominent col- ored men in Jefferson County, Ark., as well as one of the most successful, was born in Rutherford County, Tenn., about the year 1814. He remained in his native county until he had reached his sev- enteenth year, and then moved to Brownsville, West Tenn., where he resided twelve years. At the end of that time he located in Alabama and re- mained four years, and next lived in Mississippi until the year 1869, when he came to Arkansas and located in Phillips County. The following year he came to where he now resides, and by his wonderful spirit of energy and industry has become a man of high standing and prosperity. Mr. Tate was owned by a dozen different masters during the days of slavery, his last proprietor be- ing a man named Abner Tate, who was also the owner of Rachel, Pleasant Tate's wife. Mr. and Mrs. Tate were the parents of six children: Clay- ton (who is successfully farming in Jefferson County), Martha (wife of Nelson Woodford, a farmer in the same county), Henderson (who re- sides with his father), Amanda (wife of Perry Palm), Moses and Pleasant (who reside with their father). When the elder Tate first came to Arkan- sas he was supplied with a little money that he had saved in Mississippi. His first thought then was to increase his capital and make an independent po- sition for himself in the world. How well he has succeeded is shown by his present condition in life, as he is the owner of about 537 acres of land, which has no superior in the county, and is worth altogether $40,000. Such a man is entitled to the highest respect in his community, as he has proven by his career while a resident of Jefferson County that his citizenship is valuable.

George W. Walker, of Jefferson County, is not unknown to the many readers of the present vol- ume, and is a man active in the development of the community. He was born in Morgan, Ga., in 1833, his father being Thomas Walker, who when last heard from was at Columbus, Ky. His mother, Hannah (Shepherd) Walker, died in 1883. There were ten children in his father's family, of whom only two sisters are now living. Mr. Walker is the possessor of 138 acres of the best land, which he tills in a manner indicating thrift and energy. He also owns a fine cotton-gin. He is a prominent Republican, and since 1876 has served as magis- trate. He and his wife are members of the Bap- tist Church. In 1858 Mr. Walker married, in Drew County, Ark., Miss Amelia Herd, by whom he had one boy. Gus , who is living, at the age of twenty-eight. His wife having died, Mr. Walker married Ellen Washington, March 25, 1885.

Solomon Winfrey, another esteemed colored resident of Little Rock, was born in Maury County, Tenn., in 1833, being the slave of James Black. He was given to the daughter of his master, by whom he was taken to Arkansas about 1850. Here they remained a short while, and then returned to Tennessee. His mistress in one or two years re- turned to Arkansas, where she made her home. In 1853 Mr. Winfrey was married to Rebeca Yer- ger, the slave of the late Judge Feilds, and he got Mr. Watkins to purchase him that he might re- main with his family. He continued a slave of the Watkins family until the emancipation. After the war he commenced work for himself as brick- mason and plasterer, and is now one of the leading contractors of Little Rock, Ark. He has by hard work and economy not only given his children a good education, but has acquired some excellent property, with four houses. He is the father of four children, two of whom are now deceased: Al- len A., Thomas, J. P. W. and a Mrs. Bush. Mr. Winfrey has eleven grandchildren. He is a strong Republican, and a member of the First Congrega- tional Church, as is also his family; he is also a member of the A. F. & A. M.

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ADDENDUM.

The following sketch reached the publishers too late to insert in regular order, and consequent- ly is given prominent mention at this place:

Francis H. Conway, county surveyor of Pulaski County, Ark. A number of years passed in a sin- cere and earnest endeavor to thoroughly discharge every duty incumbent upon the official positions Mr. Conway has filled, have served to show that he has established the reputation of being an accu- rate business man. He was born in St. Louis, Mo., on May 17, 1848, and was the youngest son of Frederick Rector Conway, and his wife, Mar- tha L. Conway, a native of Orange County, Va., and a daughter of James and Lucy (Burton) Col- lins. Frederick Rector Conway and Martha L. Collins were married on May 18, 1836, in Howard Connty, Mo., and had in all six children, all na- tives of St. Louis, Mo. The eldest, James Rec- tor Conway, was born on April 7, 1837, and died on September 14, 1837. The next was Lucy Ann Conway, born on December 15, 1838; Thomas Frederick Conway was born on July 29, 1841; Andrew May Conway, October 8, 1842; Mary Eliz- abeth Conway, born October 13, 1845, and died January 4, 1848. The mother, Martha L. Con- way, died on June I, 1849, and was buried in lot No. 329, in block No. 93, in Bellefontaine ceme- tery, near St. Louis, Mo., where her two children who had died were buried; and there her brother, May B. Collins, was afterward interred. Francis H. Conway, the youngest child mentioned, was placed by his father with his brother-in-law, William Shields and his wife, Eliza Shields, in Boone County, Mo., who took care of him six or seven years until his father moved from St. Louis to Boone County, and settled near Columbia. In the year 1859 Frederick Rector Conway was mar- ried to Mrs. Ellen A Jarvis, a daughter of Rich- ard Chinn, of Kentucky, and the widow of Dr.

Jarvis (deceased). By this marriage two sons were born. The elder, James Langridge Conway, born January 31, 1861, is a printer in Kansas City, Mo., and the younger, Elias Cabell Conway, born about two years subsequent, is engaged in mining near Silver City, N. M. At Silver City, N. M., Thom- as Frederick Conway, a lawyer, resides, and his sister, Lucy Ann Conway, lives with him. Andrew May Conway makes his home in Ashley, Pike County, Mo., and is a physician. Francis H. Conway lives in Little Rock, Ark. None of the children of Frederick Rector Conway have mar- ried, except Dr. Andrew May Conway. Thomas Conway, the father of Frederick Rector Conway, moved with his family from Tennessee (where he had settled after he was married) to Missouri, and resided for some time in St. Louis, afterward going to Howard County, Mo., and settling and making a plantation three miles east of Glasgow, and ten miles west of Fayette, the county seat of Howard County, where he lived until his death. Frederick Rector Conway, remained in St. Louis, and after the lapse of years was made United States recorder of French and Spanish land claims in Missouri, Arkansas and Louisiana, and was one of the board of three commissioners (the other two being Dr. Lewis F. Lynn and A. J. Harrison) for adjudicating French and Spanish land claims in Missouri, Arkansas and Louisiana, and he was also afterward United States surveyor general of the district composed of the States of Missouri and Illinois, which was the last public office held by him. He died on December 16, IS74, and was buried in the cemetery at Columbia, Boone County, Mo., in the same lot where the remains of his father, Thomas Conway, and his brother, Thomas Asbury Conway (who was the sixth son, and who had been a merchant and died about the age of twenty-four years) now rest. His mother, after she

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became a widow, went and lived with her youngest son, Elias N. Conway, at his home in Little Rock, Ark., until her death, and was there buried in Mount Holly cemetery; there in the same lot is also buried her fifth son, William Conway, who had been judge of the circuit court, and also a judge of the supreme court of the State of Arkan- sas. Frederick Rector Conway had in all six

brothers and three sisters. His oldest brother, Henry Wharton Conway, was a lieutenant in the war with England, in 1814 and 1815, under Gen.

Jackson, until detailed to aid Com. Laurence, in battle at Mobile Bay, which resulted in the capt-

ure of the British fleet there. After the war

was over, Henry Wharton Conway was retained in the regular army of the United States, until he resigned. After the United States land office was established at Little Rock, for the district of Ar-

kansas, he was appointed the first receiver of pub-

lic moneys of the United States, for said district, and not long after, he was elected delegate in con- gress, for the Territory of Arkansas, and was sub- sequently twice re-elected to that position. After his third election, he received a wound in a duel, from which he died on the ninth day, and was buried at the Post of Arkansas [See page 109]. Henry Wharton Conway was the oldest child of Thomas and Ann Conway, and next came their daughter Eliza, who married William Shields, a native of Maryland, for many years county surveyor of Boone County, Mo., and an accurate and efficient business man of the strictest integrity; he and wife, Eliza, having died, were buried in the cemetery at Columbia, leaving two of their children surviv- ing: Mrs. Sarah Maria Pratt (of Columbia, Boone County, Mo., now the widow of the late George C. Pratt, who had been a professor in the State University of Missouri, and afterward a civil en- gineer on various railroads, and subsequently sec- retary for the board of railroad commissioners of Missouri, and after that, before his death, was elected and served for many years as one of the railroad commissioners), James Rector Shields (the surviving son of William and Eliza Shields, is a lawyer, now of Wichita, Kas. ). James Severe Conway, the second son of Thomas and Ann Con-

way, was the first United States surveyor general of public lands, for the district of Arkansas, and afterward the first Governor of the State of Arkan- sas, and he died at his residence, at Walnut Hill, La Fayette County, Ark., on March 3, 1855, and was there buried; his widow subsequently died, and was also buried there. Next came Frederick Rector Conway, the fourth child, and third son mentioned, and following him was John Rector Conway, the fourth son, who was a physician of high standing. and died and was buried in San Francisco, Cal. Then came William Conway, before mentioned, and afterward Sarah Hundley Conway, whose first husband was Joseph M. Sheppard, who was a mer- chant, and later, until his death, a surveyor of public lands of the United States, and is buried in Mount Holly cemetery, at Little Rock, Ark., leaving surviving him his widow and three chil- dren: Thomas. C. Sheppard (who was a first lieu- tenant in the Confederate Army, during the late Civil War, and was killed in battle, near Atlanta, Ga.), and his younger brother, William A. Shep-

pard (who was a soldier in a regiment of Confed-

erate troops of Texas, died while in service at

Pine Bluff, Ark., and was buried there). His daughter, Ann Elizabeth Sheppard, first married Thomas Cryar, a cotton planter on Big Red River, Ark., and some years after his death, she married Dr. Bronson, of Columbus, Hempstead County, Ark., and afterward they moved and settled, and they now live, near Los Angeles, Cal., where Dr. Bronson is a practicing physician. Next came Thomas Asbury Conway, before mentioned. All of the relatives of Francis H. Conway, herein re- ferred to, are dead. Elias Nelson Conway, the seventh son, was auditor of public accounts of the State of Arkansas twelve years, and afterward Governor of the State of Arkansas for eight years, and went out of office November 14, 1860, since which time he has declined to hold any office, and is still living in Little Rock, Ark. Mary Ann Con- way married William Pelham, who was United States surveyor general for the district of Arkan- sas, and after the acquisition of New Mexico and the adjoining country to the Pacific Coast was appointed surveyor general of the public lands of

HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.

811

the United States for the district established, with the office at Santa Fe, N. M., and held the office until he resigned, and returned to his home, near Manchack Springs, Tex., where he died, leaving his widow and one child: Mrs. Teneyck (who is also a widow), surviving him, and they are both

still living. Thus all of the ten children of Thomas and Ann Conway, the grandfather and grandmother of Francis H. Conway, are mentioned. Thomas and Ann Conway were natives of the State of Virginia, and their children were all natives of Greene County, Tenn.

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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 128

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

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